Monday, September 28, 2015

I DO: Commitment

MARK 10:2-16
Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Lord,
your words about marriage
push against our "hardness of heart".
You raise a mirror before us,
a mirror of commitment --
"So they are no longer two but one flesh."
One unit,
knit together,
equal partners,
joined in marriage,
two unique people married
making a new entity -- a family.

And you push further.
"Those whom God has joined together,
let no one separate."
In your discussion of divorce and adultery,
you set the bar HIGH.
Marriage is commitment.

Lord,
the biggest threat to marriage
I see daily
is lack of commitment.

Lord,
what can the church do to emphasis
the work and commitment that marriage requires?

Thank you for the positive examples of marriage
you have put in my life.

Today I renew my vows to my spouse
that I made 13 years ago:
"I promise to love you and be faithful to you
as long as we both shall life."
Yes, I have.
And I will.

Today,
I will meet with a couple
who wants to become married.
Lord,
Help me speak honestly and helpfully
about the commitment,
the promises, the new life,
the sacrifices, the gifts of grace
that they will face.

Marriage is hard work
and can be one way you give grace.
It has been for me.
Thank you.
Amen.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Prayer from the Hurricane

PSALM 124:1-8
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side
— let Israel now say —
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters. 
Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

Lord,
it was 26 years ago this week
when Hurricane Hugo roared over my home.

I remember the preparations:
Filling bathtubs and sinks with water,
Canned goods, batteries, flashlights and radios,
Gasoline in cars and gas cans,
Sleeping bags and pillows,
Yard furniture, outside toys put away.

That day had a beautiful clear blue sky.
That night I woke to howling winds
and deep thuds,
which I learned later were pine trees falling.
My family gathered in the hallway listening to the radio.
Finally too exhausted I fell asleep in my sleeping bag.

The next morning I awoke to 24 pine trees down in our yard
and an amazing display of neighbors loving neighbors.
Baptist men from far away came
with backhoes and bulldozers to clear passage in the streets
Neighbors checked on the elderly.
Shared chainsaws and strength to remove fallen trees.

Then the most amazing meal--
a Eucharist of sorts.
Neighbors gathering together
bringing the thawing meat from the freezer,
the once frozen bread dough,
the chicken soup frozen in the summer for the winter cold
All gathering together around a gas grill and out door tables
the same ones who had sweated together clearing uprooted trees
now sharing, laughing, talking, feasting,
communing together.

The waves crashed high on the shore.
The winds broke windows, smashing trees through rooflines.
But the Lord was with us in the storm;
the Lord was with us in the recovery;
the Lord was at the table;
the Lord was on our side.

Thank you,
Lord.
Amen.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Prayer when God seems silent

JAMES 5:13-20
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

Lord,
Elijah was a human being like us,
just a man.
He prayed fervently 
that it would not rain, 
and it did not rain.

But what about 
when I prayed fervently 
that she would not die,
but she did die?

What about 
when they prayed for a child
and still remained childless?

What about
when she prayed to be clean from addiction,
but she's still a slave to alcohol?

What about
when the boy prayed to be adopted,
but he still lives at the children's home?

What about...
those times?
Were those prayers not fervent enough?
Was your answer just simply, "No."? 
or worse silence?
Did you not hear?
Did you not care?

Lord,
the witness of the scriptures is 
you DO hear, you DO care.
Jesus Christ is your answer to prayer.
Sometimes he is a resounding "YES!"
Sometimes a clear "No."
Sometimes a shoulder to cry on.
Sometimes a miracle worker.
Sometimes a listening ear.
Sometimes he moves mountains.
Sometimes he calls us to come on the waters.
Sometimes he calms the storm.
Sometimes he moves us to action.
Sometimes he stoops to write in the sand.
He's always a mystery.

While I do not always understand ,
I will pray anyways.
Amen.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Will you pray for me?

JAMES 5:13-20
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

Lord,
I know prayer is important.
I know prayer is powerful.
Even this blog is a commitment to praying
and inviting others to pray.

And yet,
how often do I "call for the elders"
when I need praying?

Lord,
I'm afraid my American independence,
my "I-can-do-it-myself" attitude,
my desire for privacy,
my fear of being seen as weak,
keeps me from inviting the prayers of others.

Lord,
help me ask not just for your help
but for the prayers of others
because the prayers of the righteous
are powerful and effective.
Amen.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

The GREATEST among us

Mark 9:33-37

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Lord,
how foolish we are--
arguing about who is the greatest
when you are walking among us...
Of course, you are THE GREATEST Lord!

And yet, you surprise me.
Taking a child -- a toddler, I imagine.
One who babbles and waddles
wherever those little feet may go
squatting low to look
at the leaves, the flowers, the rocks
grabbing a handful of grass
trying to eat it

looking up with a silly smile
to the adults nearby...

You scoop up that bundle
of bubbles and tantrums
into your arms
and looking at me, you say:
"This one
--and every Child of God  --
welcome them in my name
with love and acceptance and grace.
When you do that,
you welcome me
and the GREAT God who sends me."

I will.
Today, Lord,
and everyday I will.
Amen.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Gentle Wisdom

James 3: 13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. 

Lord,
I'll never forget his response:
"I'm not worthy to be an elder;
I don't think I know the Bible all that well.
I'm not that smart.
I've prayed about it.
I've read the requirements.
I think there are better people in this church for this."

But it was exactly because he took it so seriously;
It was exactly because he prayed about.
It was exactly because he studied
the scriptures about being an elder.
It was exactly because of his humility.
For all that and more
that's why the congregation
and God was calling him to be an elder.

He became an excellent elder.

Lord,
teach me gentleness born of wisdom.
The wisdom that does not seek selfish ambition
but rather seeks humility, purity, mercy good fruits, and peace making.
Amen.


Monday, September 14, 2015

Did Jesus Keep a Secret?

Mark 9:30-32
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
 Lord,
Why didn't you want anyone to know it?
Why keep your message secret?
Why do you tell those you heal not to tell anyone?
Why the Messianic Secret?

You preached openly in public.
You stood up again the religious leaders.
You healed the sick, the lame, the blind...
You fed 5,000! That's hard to keep secret!

Was it reverse psychology?
The more you said be quiet;
the more we shout aloud!

Was it because you knew you would be arrested?
There was too much work to be done.
If word got out, you would be arrested
and your work would be in jeopardy?

Was it because the kingdom of God idea is so radical
no one would believe it?
Was it because your kingdom threatens our kingdoms?
Was it because it just wasn't time yet?

Scholars have asked all these questions and more.
PhD dissertations have been and will be written about your secret.

Lord,
I am learning in life --
there are times to speak boldly in public
and times to hold my tongue, keep quiet, and listen.
Lord,
help know when the time is right.
Amen.


Friday, September 11, 2015

To thine own self be true to live for God

Mark 8:34-38
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Lord,
how well I remember
wrestling with this passage in college.
I had just finished studying Shakespeare's Hamlet
echoing in my ears were the words from Polonius:
"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!"

"To thine own self be true..."
Claim your identity.
Be true to yourself, your heritage,
your gifts, your calling.
It's such great advice --
especially for a freshman in college.

Then that night I read your words:
"If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me."

Deny themselves and take up their cross...
Which is it Lord?
"To thine own self be true"?
or
"Deny themselves"?

Now 20 years later,
I realize they are the same:
To be true to myself
IS
to deny myself and
take up my cross to follow you
for that is who you made me to be.
Following you IS being true!
Using my gifts, my abilities, my passions
for you IS being true to who you made me to be.

Thank you for making me to praise you!
Indeed I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
May my life be
a love song to you
sung aloud to the world.
Amen.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

You are the CHRIST; I am not.

MARK 8:27-30
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Lord Jesus,
your question still cuts 
to the heart of the matter:
"But who do you say that I am?"

"What words DO you use...?"
Lord, Savior, Rock, Redeemer,
Hope, Help, Salvation, Grace,
Son of God, Christ...

"What do you say about me in public?"
Jesus is my strength, my guide.
Jesus forgave and forgives me.
My faith in Jesus changes how I live.
When I pray to God for forgiveness,
I know God's answer --
the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ 
tell me that God says, "Yes, I forgive you!"

"What do you say about me with your life?"
I will follow you any where
from the city of Atlanta to the peach farming community of McBee
from the beach resort of Myrtle Beach to the busy county seat of Elizabethtown
from visiting at the nursing home bedside to praying at the ball field
from the board meeting of Habitat to the stockroom of the food pantry
from the session meeting to the homework table
from the Bible study to the dinner table
from reading bed time stories to answering a crisis phone call
Wherever you lead me, Lord, I will go...

"But who do you say that I am?"
You are the Christ.
I am not.
I will follow you all the days of my life.
Amen.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Heal me... to hear and to speak

MARK 7:31-37
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Lord,
you who 
heal with a touch,
heal with a word,
heal in private,
heal with fingers in ears,
heal with spit,
heal with a tongue...

Open my ears
to hear your voice
the voice of God
the voice of my neighbor
calling out in pain
crying out in silence
grieving, numb, depressed,
lost in darkness, addiction, despair.

Release my tongue
to speak plainly
to my neighbor
of your love,
your grace,
your forgiveness,
your comfort,
your peace,
of the difference you make in my life
this day and every day.

Lord,
heal me.
You do everything well.
Make this deaf one hear.
Make this mute one speak.
May it be so today.
Amen.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Even the dogs eat...

MARK 7:24-30
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go — the demon has left your daughter." So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Outrage!
Lord,
that's what I feel
when I see images of hungry,
malnourished children.

Deep Sadness!
Lord,
is what I feel
when I realize
the pictures are of children in my country,
the United States of America.

How does that happen?!
Most dogs I know
have food enough and even health care.

Lord,
help us treat the children,
your children,
all the children of the world
as good as we treat dogs, our pets,
for "even the dogs eat the children's crumbs"

Move us from complacency to outrage to action.
Amen.