Collect for the Last Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
20091104
testimony that conquers
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. (11) And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (12) Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 13:10-12)
This passage from today's epistle reading stirred me, in part because we plan on asking various men share their testimonies this weekend at our Men's Retreat - but also with regard to that ministry of division and slander and accusation that the evil one engages in day and night.
I wonder if the victory of the brothers and sisters referenced here through the word of their testimony is as much about being encouraged and redirected and edified through the testimony of another than about me having a testimony that I rehearse in the face of demonic, devilish whisperings or all-out accusation.
Just by personal experience, I am often very strengthened hearing a brother or sister share how God has worked in their life, how they trust God more deeply, how they are gaining victory over sin and fear through faith in Christ - which of course brings us to the main point, or person, Christ. He is the Conqueror, the Victor. All such conquering testimony will be, in some measure, His testimony.
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One way to work on our testimony is to keep this outline in mind: before, how, after. Try to be able to share it in a couple of minutes; begin by trying to write it out on one page.
1. What was my life like before Christ - saved me / changed me / healed me... ? (does not have to be just the salvation event.
2. How did Christ change me / save me / heal me... ?
3. What has my life been like since? particularly in that area I'm reflecting on
Eg. I was very self-centered and self-sufficient, all of my life, including religion was focused around me - looking good, getting ahead, being okay in the eyes of the world. Christ revealed himself to me both as Savior and Lord; he loved me so much I couldn't believe it - it really humbled me, and he was by right my King and Lord. I yielded to his love and to his reign. I still struggle with self-centeredness, but the big direction of my life, and then all the components, I am living for him and for love. Deep down I am okay, at peace, loved and led by God; slowly, that is working its way out...
This passage from today's epistle reading stirred me, in part because we plan on asking various men share their testimonies this weekend at our Men's Retreat - but also with regard to that ministry of division and slander and accusation that the evil one engages in day and night.
I wonder if the victory of the brothers and sisters referenced here through the word of their testimony is as much about being encouraged and redirected and edified through the testimony of another than about me having a testimony that I rehearse in the face of demonic, devilish whisperings or all-out accusation.
Just by personal experience, I am often very strengthened hearing a brother or sister share how God has worked in their life, how they trust God more deeply, how they are gaining victory over sin and fear through faith in Christ - which of course brings us to the main point, or person, Christ. He is the Conqueror, the Victor. All such conquering testimony will be, in some measure, His testimony.
------
One way to work on our testimony is to keep this outline in mind: before, how, after. Try to be able to share it in a couple of minutes; begin by trying to write it out on one page.
1. What was my life like before Christ - saved me / changed me / healed me... ? (does not have to be just the salvation event.
2. How did Christ change me / save me / heal me... ?
3. What has my life been like since? particularly in that area I'm reflecting on
Eg. I was very self-centered and self-sufficient, all of my life, including religion was focused around me - looking good, getting ahead, being okay in the eyes of the world. Christ revealed himself to me both as Savior and Lord; he loved me so much I couldn't believe it - it really humbled me, and he was by right my King and Lord. I yielded to his love and to his reign. I still struggle with self-centeredness, but the big direction of my life, and then all the components, I am living for him and for love. Deep down I am okay, at peace, loved and led by God; slowly, that is working its way out...
20091102
Transfigration?
The Gospel reading for today's Daily Office reading is the parable of the weeds. In his explanation Jesus says that at the close of the age, the Son of Man will send his angels who will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin (scandalon) and all law-breakers, and
Thanks be to God.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.This reminded me of our recent discussion on the Transfiguration, as a part of which we also discussed 2 Corinthians 3:18 -
(Matthew 13:43)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [transfigured] into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.And also of the last chapter of Daniel:
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)Wow, kind of blows me away. Hard to think about. It's not about me, my reward, my shining, my having a secured place in the secure place. But remembering that the when Paul says, "beholding the glory of the Lord," it can also be translated as "reflecting the glory of the Lord," that helps me. Both the beholding and the reflecting. It is the glory of the Lord, the brilliant light that enlightens all, and will be the light of the new Jerusalem, that transforms me and us and all things.
Thanks be to God.
20091022
Jesus, gentle King
from today's Daily Office gospel reading:
Lord, I thank you for who you are in your lovingkindness and your kingship, in your compassion and your justice. Give me grace to ever draw nearer to you, and become more like you.
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your [2] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Lord, I thank you for who you are in your lovingkindness and your kingship, in your compassion and your justice. Give me grace to ever draw nearer to you, and become more like you.
20091021
not in vain
1 Corinthians 15
(56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
All of our lives can be spent as the work of the Lord, this is not a reference to my work as an ordained minister! If we relate to our families, work faithfully at our vocation, love our neighbors as ourselves (which includes taking care of our own bodies, minds and hearts), because of the love of God expressed in the life and victory of Jesus, and with a view to the never-ending, ever-increasing reign of Messiah Jesus, our labor is not in vain. It has purpose, it is important, it is critical to "thy kingdom come."
Be encouraged - death, decay, discouragement, disorder... does not have the final word.
Jesus is risen and Jesus is Lord!
(56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
All of our lives can be spent as the work of the Lord, this is not a reference to my work as an ordained minister! If we relate to our families, work faithfully at our vocation, love our neighbors as ourselves (which includes taking care of our own bodies, minds and hearts), because of the love of God expressed in the life and victory of Jesus, and with a view to the never-ending, ever-increasing reign of Messiah Jesus, our labor is not in vain. It has purpose, it is important, it is critical to "thy kingdom come."
Be encouraged - death, decay, discouragement, disorder... does not have the final word.
Jesus is risen and Jesus is Lord!
20091005
The Lord bless you...
I read Psalm 133 this morning...
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brethren dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
It reminded me of our Psalm yesterday, 128, in which Andy led us in a beautiful refrain:
This is what can be called the "economy of mutual blessing." The idea that the principle biblical narrative is God's desire to bless and be blessed - this was his original intention in creation, and the whole biblical story (including the exceedingly important, but technically subtheme of sin and redemption) is about God bringing about the consummation of what he began.
A cool, and also very difficult, part of the economy of mutual blessing is that it is designed to flow in relationships of "differentiation." That is, God and humans - different but blessing one another; men and women - different but blessing one another; one generation to the next - different but blessing one another... and a huge one in the biblical story, Jews and Gentiles - different but blessing one another (Genesis 12), pointing ultimately to Jesus the Jew of whom all people are called to bless: "blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
The Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brethren dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
It reminded me of our Psalm yesterday, 128, in which Andy led us in a beautiful refrain:
The Lord bless you from ZionI'm still singing it. I shared with Andy (but forgot to share it in my sermon) that I thought it was a perfect example of what our homes can be like in the Lord. This song ever being sung, husbands blessing wives, wives blessing husbands; parents blessing children, children blessing parents; the Lord blessing the family, and the family blessing the Lord.
the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life
all the days of your life...
This is what can be called the "economy of mutual blessing." The idea that the principle biblical narrative is God's desire to bless and be blessed - this was his original intention in creation, and the whole biblical story (including the exceedingly important, but technically subtheme of sin and redemption) is about God bringing about the consummation of what he began.
A cool, and also very difficult, part of the economy of mutual blessing is that it is designed to flow in relationships of "differentiation." That is, God and humans - different but blessing one another; men and women - different but blessing one another; one generation to the next - different but blessing one another... and a huge one in the biblical story, Jews and Gentiles - different but blessing one another (Genesis 12), pointing ultimately to Jesus the Jew of whom all people are called to bless: "blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
The Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life.
20090930
the Christ, our Judge
Wednesday, September 30
Matthew 7:13-21
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
I read today's Gospel reading with thoughts about the coming Son of Man, the Messiah and Judge, which we talked about in Bible study last night, still running through my head.
A few further reflections on Matthew 16:27 -
We've already had some pretty strong words from Jesus with regard to our actions lining up with our words and expressing the condition of our hearts and our faith. Good trees bear good fruit. There's a narrow way, and broad way - one of which requires intentionality, focus, courage, faithfulness, and radical trust. Finally, it won't be those who say, or said, "Lord, Lord" who will enter the kingdom of God's beloved Son, but those who do the will of the Father...
Amy Yearwood shared that, though the idea of judgment was scary, she trusted the character of the Judge. Good word! He is good and merciful and just - and bore the condemnation of our judgment. We can trust him, even if with some holy fear.
Lisa also reminded us about Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
And in connection with this she mentioned Randy Alcorn's "Treasure Principle" (which I haven't read), but I think the idea is that what we do now is an investment in the future kingdom. What we do for the kingdom, what we do in trust and love, what we do out of our connection to Jesus (our abiding in Jesus, cf. John 15:5), will not only "survive" but be a lasting, integral, fruitful, beautiful aspect of the eternal kingdom of Christ. [Perhaps another view of this is Jesus' speaking of having treasure in heaven, that is, investing in a kingdom "bank account," through giving to those in need. We can see this some in Matthew's gospel, but most clearly in Luke's.]
I mentioned that the phrase "he will repay to each one according to what he has done" was in the singular, which I realize doesn't make sense, at least the way the ESV translates it. A more literal translation would be, "he will repay to each one according to his deed (or his action)." One implication of this may be that it is our life as a whole more than every individual action being measured against all the others ("plus 2 here, minus 3 there..."). Tom shared that it's the deed and the motive that is considered. Here's a good definition of the word "deed" (praxis) that carries that singular sense, perhaps that it's our life as a whole that's being weighed: "a function or task, implying sustained activity and/or responsibility." This gives a sense of the whole trajectory of our lives, the motive, the direction and intention - was it for the love of God and love of neighbor?
What we do matters. Life, that is, our living is not in vain. This speaks of our dignity as created in God's image, as made a little lower than the angels with the care of creation entrusted to us (Ps. 8, Genesis 1). Jesus ensured and insured the value of our lives and our living through his death and resurrection. Thanks be to God.
Matthew 7:13-21
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
I read today's Gospel reading with thoughts about the coming Son of Man, the Messiah and Judge, which we talked about in Bible study last night, still running through my head.
For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Mt. 16:27)
A few further reflections on Matthew 16:27 -
We've already had some pretty strong words from Jesus with regard to our actions lining up with our words and expressing the condition of our hearts and our faith. Good trees bear good fruit. There's a narrow way, and broad way - one of which requires intentionality, focus, courage, faithfulness, and radical trust. Finally, it won't be those who say, or said, "Lord, Lord" who will enter the kingdom of God's beloved Son, but those who do the will of the Father...
Amy Yearwood shared that, though the idea of judgment was scary, she trusted the character of the Judge. Good word! He is good and merciful and just - and bore the condemnation of our judgment. We can trust him, even if with some holy fear.
Lisa also reminded us about Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
And in connection with this she mentioned Randy Alcorn's "Treasure Principle" (which I haven't read), but I think the idea is that what we do now is an investment in the future kingdom. What we do for the kingdom, what we do in trust and love, what we do out of our connection to Jesus (our abiding in Jesus, cf. John 15:5), will not only "survive" but be a lasting, integral, fruitful, beautiful aspect of the eternal kingdom of Christ. [Perhaps another view of this is Jesus' speaking of having treasure in heaven, that is, investing in a kingdom "bank account," through giving to those in need. We can see this some in Matthew's gospel, but most clearly in Luke's.]
I mentioned that the phrase "he will repay to each one according to what he has done" was in the singular, which I realize doesn't make sense, at least the way the ESV translates it. A more literal translation would be, "he will repay to each one according to his deed (or his action)." One implication of this may be that it is our life as a whole more than every individual action being measured against all the others ("plus 2 here, minus 3 there..."). Tom shared that it's the deed and the motive that is considered. Here's a good definition of the word "deed" (praxis) that carries that singular sense, perhaps that it's our life as a whole that's being weighed: "a function or task, implying sustained activity and/or responsibility." This gives a sense of the whole trajectory of our lives, the motive, the direction and intention - was it for the love of God and love of neighbor?
What we do matters. Life, that is, our living is not in vain. This speaks of our dignity as created in God's image, as made a little lower than the angels with the care of creation entrusted to us (Ps. 8, Genesis 1). Jesus ensured and insured the value of our lives and our living through his death and resurrection. Thanks be to God.
20090928
humility and trust
When I have short notice to share or minister, eg. a hospital visit, or a last minute Wednesday noon communion, or like today, being asked to pray with a group of peanut processors, I usually reflect on the Scriptures I've just been reading either in my daily devotions or in church.
Last evening I was asked by one of our members who owns the Summerdale Peanut Company to come out this morning and pray for them; they are entering an intense time of processing the peanut harvest and the owner is concerned about safety and honestly just desires an abundant harvest and blessing for all who will be working hard the next month or two.
I decided to use two Scriptures: the epistle from yesterday's eucharistic lectionary (James 4:6-10) and the gospel from today's Daily Office lectionary (Matthew 6:25-34). I shared a very mini-sermon after each. Here's a synopsis of what I shared and/or prayed:
Praying for safety is not a magic trick or some kind of manipulation of God or trying to convince God to do something for us. It is simply an act of dependence and humility. He is God and we are not. He is big, we are small. We are not bigger and stronger than the machines with which we work, or around which we work. We can't control the weather or make the peanuts grow. Yes, this text does remind us that we are sinners - doing our own thing our own way without God, whether that's some kind of spectacular sin or something very accepted by those around us. We don't come because we deserve it, but to humble ourselves before God and ask for help, for protection.
But remember, too, that God cares for you. We have breath and life today. We ate this morning. We have work to do. Don't be anxious, but trust the God who cares for you. Our coming together to pray can also be a sign of trust in God, who sees us and hears us and cares for us.
We see God's care in so many ways around us, and ultimately in his Son Jesus Christ who loves us and, in utter humility and totally trusting his Father, gave himself for us and for our salvation. Thanks be to God.
Last evening I was asked by one of our members who owns the Summerdale Peanut Company to come out this morning and pray for them; they are entering an intense time of processing the peanut harvest and the owner is concerned about safety and honestly just desires an abundant harvest and blessing for all who will be working hard the next month or two.
I decided to use two Scriptures: the epistle from yesterday's eucharistic lectionary (James 4:6-10) and the gospel from today's Daily Office lectionary (Matthew 6:25-34). I shared a very mini-sermon after each. Here's a synopsis of what I shared and/or prayed:
Praying for safety is not a magic trick or some kind of manipulation of God or trying to convince God to do something for us. It is simply an act of dependence and humility. He is God and we are not. He is big, we are small. We are not bigger and stronger than the machines with which we work, or around which we work. We can't control the weather or make the peanuts grow. Yes, this text does remind us that we are sinners - doing our own thing our own way without God, whether that's some kind of spectacular sin or something very accepted by those around us. We don't come because we deserve it, but to humble ourselves before God and ask for help, for protection.
But remember, too, that God cares for you. We have breath and life today. We ate this morning. We have work to do. Don't be anxious, but trust the God who cares for you. Our coming together to pray can also be a sign of trust in God, who sees us and hears us and cares for us.
We see God's care in so many ways around us, and ultimately in his Son Jesus Christ who loves us and, in utter humility and totally trusting his Father, gave himself for us and for our salvation. Thanks be to God.
20090924
sowing in tears
Thursday, September 24
Psalm 126
Reflecting this morning on tears and seeds... and hope. "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad." Thanks be to God. But there are times of tears, of sadness, confusion and frustration; times of tragedy and grief.
But even in those times, do we have any seed? Do we have any faith, even the teeny-tiniest bit? ("I believe, help my unbelief!") Any fruit of the Spirit (in which are seeds...)?
Jesus' very passion is, once again, the ultimate example of this. Amidst suffering and tears and grief, he sowed the seed of his body (John 12:24), and that principal fruit of the Spirit, love (John 13:1), as he "loved them to the end."
And of course his Father vindicated him, and we who trust and love him will be his harvest one day, and will come home with shouts of joy.
What seed can we sow today? Even if it must be watered with our tears?
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Reflecting this morning on tears and seeds... and hope. "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad." Thanks be to God. But there are times of tears, of sadness, confusion and frustration; times of tragedy and grief.
But even in those times, do we have any seed? Do we have any faith, even the teeny-tiniest bit? ("I believe, help my unbelief!") Any fruit of the Spirit (in which are seeds...)?
Jesus' very passion is, once again, the ultimate example of this. Amidst suffering and tears and grief, he sowed the seed of his body (John 12:24), and that principal fruit of the Spirit, love (John 13:1), as he "loved them to the end."
And of course his Father vindicated him, and we who trust and love him will be his harvest one day, and will come home with shouts of joy.
What seed can we sow today? Even if it must be watered with our tears?
20090923
surrounded by the Lord
Wednesday, September 23
Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
2 Kings 6
14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I was encouraged this morning with these readings. (I read the Psalms straight through - ie. I don't follow the Daily Office - but do read the OT, Epistle, and Gospel. So it's especially cool when they line up like today.) The connection of being surrounded by the Lord and his hosts, "so the Lord surrounds his people," even when we are surrounded by adversaries, is so encouraging. The One who is for us is so much greater than whatever or whoever is against us; and those who are with us are more than those who are with them...
Oh Lord, open our eyes that we may see.
Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
2 Kings 6
14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I was encouraged this morning with these readings. (I read the Psalms straight through - ie. I don't follow the Daily Office - but do read the OT, Epistle, and Gospel. So it's especially cool when they line up like today.) The connection of being surrounded by the Lord and his hosts, "so the Lord surrounds his people," even when we are surrounded by adversaries, is so encouraging. The One who is for us is so much greater than whatever or whoever is against us; and those who are with us are more than those who are with them...
Oh Lord, open our eyes that we may see.
20090917
The Beatitudes
Thursday, Sept. 17
The Gospel appointed for today. It never gets old!
The Gospel appointed for today. It never gets old!
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5)
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
20090914
Psalm 116
I was struck in studying Psalm 116 for a sermon Sunday at all the different kinds of prayer expressed there.
Adoration (v. 1) – “I love the Lord...’
Praise (v. 19) “Hallelujah” ( ;h`Dy_…wlVl`Ah ). The Septuagint has Alleluia as first word of the psalm.
“Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.” (v. 5)
Desperate Cry for mercy (v. 1, 4) “O Lord, deliver my soul” (NIV, “save me!”)
Petition, also verses 1 & 4
Penitence (v. 7) “Return, O my soul, to your rest” (shuv, yIk◊y¡Dj…wnVmIl yIvVpÅn∑ y∞Ib…wv )
Oblation (vs. 13-18) full offering of self to God
Thanksgiving (v. 17) “I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving…”
Corporate, verse 18-19 – “I will pay my vows in the presence of all his people…
20090411
God rested from all his work
Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009
Job 19:21-27a; Heb. 4:1-16 (morning); Rom. 8:1-11 (evening)
4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” (Hebrews 4)
Brooke and I have been enjoying a Tim Keller sermon on "Work and Rest" (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, free sermons), I commend it to you.
Another amazing thought with regard to Sabbath ("ceasing," "rest") is that Jesus himself most fully rested on this day, the seventh day, the Sabbath, in Joseph of Arimethea's tomb. There could be nothing more added to this rest. He laid down, as it were, absolutely and completely, trusting in his Father to wake him up. There was no more work he could possibly do, it was finished; he had expended himself, he had poured out his lifeblood to the uttermost and his powerlessness was perfect.
Jesus sanctified this day by his lying in death. He rested from all his works.
Therefore, so can we - who trust in him... "whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:10)
Job 19:21-27a; Heb. 4:1-16 (morning); Rom. 8:1-11 (evening)
4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” (Hebrews 4)
Brooke and I have been enjoying a Tim Keller sermon on "Work and Rest" (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, free sermons), I commend it to you.
Another amazing thought with regard to Sabbath ("ceasing," "rest") is that Jesus himself most fully rested on this day, the seventh day, the Sabbath, in Joseph of Arimethea's tomb. There could be nothing more added to this rest. He laid down, as it were, absolutely and completely, trusting in his Father to wake him up. There was no more work he could possibly do, it was finished; he had expended himself, he had poured out his lifeblood to the uttermost and his powerlessness was perfect.
Jesus sanctified this day by his lying in death. He rested from all his works.
Therefore, so can we - who trust in him... "whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:10)
+ + +
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
(Job 19)
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
(Job 19)
20090409
a break in the Dance, a pull into the Dance
Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009
Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26)
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you...
now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed...
I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word...
All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them...
Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them...
now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves...
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us...
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
(John 17)
Yes, I butchered the prayer - leaving out some important things - but to highlight a thread through the whole prayer that blesses and strengthens me as we enter the highest, holy days of our Christian year, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In this prayer just hours before his suffering and outpouring of life, Jesus is pleading and interceding that we would know, that we would be drawn into, that we would not miss what it's all about - that we would know the glory and the unity of the Father and the Son. It's as if he sees his life quickly coming to an end, the hour has come, he cannot do anything more, and he's pulling us into that eternal dance which is the Trinity. The whole point of his being "glorified" by being lifted up on the cross and then lifted up in exaltation, was to restore all things, to unite all things in himself, who is united in love, honor, delight with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Overall this Lent has been better than most for me, in terms of devotion, growing in unity with and freedom in Christ. Reading Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann helped, as did the silent retreat back in the first week of Lent.
I want these last days, remembering him on this last evening, his Last Supper, his washing feet, his agony, his prayer, his mock trial, the violation of his person, his way of the cross, his receiving the nails, the jarring pain of being physically lifted up on the tree, the humiliation, the thorns, the spear, the blood flowing, the ultimate separation from the Father, his loud cries and tears, his heartbreak and expiration, his burial and resting on the Sabbath... and his vindication - victory over every power!!!
And now, though identifying with all that is overwhelming, I am encouraged, inspired and comforted that through it all, this high-priestly prayer is Jesus holding us, grasping us, pulling us in with him into the Dance, into the glory, into the love and unity that he and the Father and the Spirit have always known, and that we will know with them for ever and ever.
Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus.
Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26)
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you...
now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed...
I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word...
All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them...
Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them...
now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves...
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us...
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
(John 17)
Yes, I butchered the prayer - leaving out some important things - but to highlight a thread through the whole prayer that blesses and strengthens me as we enter the highest, holy days of our Christian year, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In this prayer just hours before his suffering and outpouring of life, Jesus is pleading and interceding that we would know, that we would be drawn into, that we would not miss what it's all about - that we would know the glory and the unity of the Father and the Son. It's as if he sees his life quickly coming to an end, the hour has come, he cannot do anything more, and he's pulling us into that eternal dance which is the Trinity. The whole point of his being "glorified" by being lifted up on the cross and then lifted up in exaltation, was to restore all things, to unite all things in himself, who is united in love, honor, delight with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Overall this Lent has been better than most for me, in terms of devotion, growing in unity with and freedom in Christ. Reading Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann helped, as did the silent retreat back in the first week of Lent.
I want these last days, remembering him on this last evening, his Last Supper, his washing feet, his agony, his prayer, his mock trial, the violation of his person, his way of the cross, his receiving the nails, the jarring pain of being physically lifted up on the tree, the humiliation, the thorns, the spear, the blood flowing, the ultimate separation from the Father, his loud cries and tears, his heartbreak and expiration, his burial and resting on the Sabbath... and his vindication - victory over every power!!!
And now, though identifying with all that is overwhelming, I am encouraged, inspired and comforted that through it all, this high-priestly prayer is Jesus holding us, grasping us, pulling us in with him into the Dance, into the glory, into the love and unity that he and the Father and the Spirit have always known, and that we will know with them for ever and ever.
Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus.
20090408
more on anything and everything
Wednesday in Holy Week, April 8, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 17:5-10, 14-17; Phil. 4:1-13; John 12:27-36
5“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord...
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord...
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick...
(Jer. 17)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4)
The images that Jeremiah uses to describe people who trust in man or the "flesh" versus those who trust in the Lord are a shrub rolling around in the desert versus a tree planted by water that sends its roots out by the stream. The one who trusts in the Lord will not fear when heat comes, nor be anxious when drought comes, and will not cease bearing fruit.
Of course, Paul teaches that Christ-followers are to not be anxious about anything, but rather pray and give thanks bringing every concern, request, and temptation to anxiety to God. This is one way we root ourselves by the stream, one way we deepen our trust in the Lord. Rather than "submit" to the fear, the worry, the pressure we are under, to not trust in God, but to trust in our own resources, even our own assessment of how things are just going to be, we consciously and explicitly submit all things to God. This anchors us in God, our hope. This is a way that we reaffirm that we are "rooted and grounded in love" (Eph. 3:17), that we trust in another power at work within us (Eph. 3:16).
When Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he is speaking as one who has been brought to the end of himself (2 Cor. 12:9-10). He speaks as one who is not trusting in man or the strength of the flesh, but as one who has learned that God's power and provision are sufficient, even when there is no power left within him, no money for food or basic support...
while I love Stefan Currie and Tim Tebow, who both have this verse written on them when they compete (Stefan, Davidson b'ball star, has it on his shoes; Tim on his eye black strips), I'm not sure what Paul would think about that. To the extent that these young men are learning to not depend on their own resources, and working out their salvation and discipleship, and to the extent that they are really saying that it doesn't matter whether we win or lose but our faithfulness in serving Christ with all that is within us, that is, with all his strength, that's good and I respect them; but "advertised" in such a way can very easily give a wrong idea or impression of the "secret" of facing deprivation and plenty, of facing absolute powerlessness in one's health or the pumped up feeling of being strong and alive, of having the terrifying sense of no where to turn or having the world by the tail - all in a full-on discipleship and stewardship of the mystery and grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When do the roots go deep anyway?? If I'm not mistaken it's in tough times, dry times, times of stress and heat - O Lord, help us trust you, may we know the indwelling presence of Christ and strengthening of your Spirit, that indeed we may be more and more deeply and firmly rooted and grounded in your love.
Collect for Wednesday in Holy Week
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 17:5-10, 14-17; Phil. 4:1-13; John 12:27-36
5“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord...
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord...
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick...
(Jer. 17)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4)
The images that Jeremiah uses to describe people who trust in man or the "flesh" versus those who trust in the Lord are a shrub rolling around in the desert versus a tree planted by water that sends its roots out by the stream. The one who trusts in the Lord will not fear when heat comes, nor be anxious when drought comes, and will not cease bearing fruit.
Of course, Paul teaches that Christ-followers are to not be anxious about anything, but rather pray and give thanks bringing every concern, request, and temptation to anxiety to God. This is one way we root ourselves by the stream, one way we deepen our trust in the Lord. Rather than "submit" to the fear, the worry, the pressure we are under, to not trust in God, but to trust in our own resources, even our own assessment of how things are just going to be, we consciously and explicitly submit all things to God. This anchors us in God, our hope. This is a way that we reaffirm that we are "rooted and grounded in love" (Eph. 3:17), that we trust in another power at work within us (Eph. 3:16).
When Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he is speaking as one who has been brought to the end of himself (2 Cor. 12:9-10). He speaks as one who is not trusting in man or the strength of the flesh, but as one who has learned that God's power and provision are sufficient, even when there is no power left within him, no money for food or basic support...
while I love Stefan Currie and Tim Tebow, who both have this verse written on them when they compete (Stefan, Davidson b'ball star, has it on his shoes; Tim on his eye black strips), I'm not sure what Paul would think about that. To the extent that these young men are learning to not depend on their own resources, and working out their salvation and discipleship, and to the extent that they are really saying that it doesn't matter whether we win or lose but our faithfulness in serving Christ with all that is within us, that is, with all his strength, that's good and I respect them; but "advertised" in such a way can very easily give a wrong idea or impression of the "secret" of facing deprivation and plenty, of facing absolute powerlessness in one's health or the pumped up feeling of being strong and alive, of having the terrifying sense of no where to turn or having the world by the tail - all in a full-on discipleship and stewardship of the mystery and grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When do the roots go deep anyway?? If I'm not mistaken it's in tough times, dry times, times of stress and heat - O Lord, help us trust you, may we know the indwelling presence of Christ and strengthening of your Spirit, that indeed we may be more and more deeply and firmly rooted and grounded in your love.
Collect for Wednesday in Holy Week
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
20090407
how life comes
Tuesday of Holy Week, April 7, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 15:10-21; Phil. 3:15-21; John 12:20-26
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 15:10-21; Phil. 3:15-21; John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12)
Jesus seems to say here to these God-fearing Greeks who evidence by their question that the Father is drawing them to him (6:44) that you will see me, you will see me glorified when I am lifted up and draw you to myself. I preached on this two weeks ago, and am still feeling moved by the whole thing.
Immediately Jesus speaks about his "glorification." And he also ties it in with following him (ie. this is true for me, and if you follow me, it's true for you...). He says that life, God's life, real life, comes through (1) death, (2) rightly ordered love, and (3) service.
He displays these in his own life and in his own death. As we look to him in honor, in awe, in gratitude, in brokenness, may God give us grace to (1) die to ourselves, to break that hardened shell we so often cultivate around our hearts, (2) set love in order, to love God above all things simply for the sake of himself, and love all other created things appropriately for his sake, and (3) to give ourselves in service as servants of all.
This is beautifully exemplified for us in the events we commemorate this week.
Thanks be to God.
20090406
loss, gain
Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 12:1-16; Phil. 3:1-14; John 12:9-19
whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ... (Phil. 3:7-8)
Here again is that gospel theme we considered in the Passion Narrative yesterday of
"power through powerlessness," or
"life through death"
"life through rightly ordered love"
"life through service."
Three times Paul speaks of "loss." He counts his gain, indeed everything, as loss for supreme worth of knowing Messiah Jesus. He has "suffered the loss of all things" in order to gain Christ.
To trust in and rely on anything inherent in me, or that I have gained through inheritance, through study or training, through being where I have been blessed and gifted to have been at every stage of my life, is ultimately to miss out on huge areas of knowing the life and grace and presence of God. To aim for my good, or what I consider my best life, or to have as the end for which I am working, posturing, or hoping the enlargement or security of myself, is to be actually undermining the whole security, good, and "best life" that God has for me in Christ. Rather, I pray for the end of myself, the grace to truly consider as loss all the many, many things that are a "lesser good" than in fact knowing God intimately in Messiah Jesus.
In each area of my life I would aim for the end of myself - the end of myself as both resource (that on which I rely) and as goal (that for which I am aiming and living).
I am thankful for this Holy Week, for the gift and opportunity to
know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (vs. 10-11)
Through faith in Christ (v. 9), or through the faithfulness of Christ, through relying on and trusting in him and his work alone, we are to share his sufferings and become like him in his death... that is, I think, to suffer the loss of everything in order to know him, to know his power at work in and because of my powerlessness, and to know his victory, his life, and the fellowship of all the "much fruit" of his dying and rising.
One way we can do this is by remembering him, uniting with him in his passion, through Bible reading and prayer, and through liturgy. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are gifted to us for this - to share with him in his suffering and to become like him in his death. I am looking forward to these times as this forty day journey nears its end and its destination.
Have a blessed and Holy Week. Peace.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 12:1-16; Phil. 3:1-14; John 12:9-19
whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ... (Phil. 3:7-8)
Here again is that gospel theme we considered in the Passion Narrative yesterday of
"power through powerlessness," or
"life through death"
"life through rightly ordered love"
"life through service."
Three times Paul speaks of "loss." He counts his gain, indeed everything, as loss for supreme worth of knowing Messiah Jesus. He has "suffered the loss of all things" in order to gain Christ.
To trust in and rely on anything inherent in me, or that I have gained through inheritance, through study or training, through being where I have been blessed and gifted to have been at every stage of my life, is ultimately to miss out on huge areas of knowing the life and grace and presence of God. To aim for my good, or what I consider my best life, or to have as the end for which I am working, posturing, or hoping the enlargement or security of myself, is to be actually undermining the whole security, good, and "best life" that God has for me in Christ. Rather, I pray for the end of myself, the grace to truly consider as loss all the many, many things that are a "lesser good" than in fact knowing God intimately in Messiah Jesus.
In each area of my life I would aim for the end of myself - the end of myself as both resource (that on which I rely) and as goal (that for which I am aiming and living).
I am thankful for this Holy Week, for the gift and opportunity to
know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (vs. 10-11)
Through faith in Christ (v. 9), or through the faithfulness of Christ, through relying on and trusting in him and his work alone, we are to share his sufferings and become like him in his death... that is, I think, to suffer the loss of everything in order to know him, to know his power at work in and because of my powerlessness, and to know his victory, his life, and the fellowship of all the "much fruit" of his dying and rising.
One way we can do this is by remembering him, uniting with him in his passion, through Bible reading and prayer, and through liturgy. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are gifted to us for this - to share with him in his suffering and to become like him in his death. I am looking forward to these times as this forty day journey nears its end and its destination.
Have a blessed and Holy Week. Peace.
20090403
Lazarus, in Lent
Friday, April 3, 2009 [Happy Birthday, Michael!]
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 29:1,4-13; Rom. 11:13-24; John 11:1-27
The appointed Gospel reading for these last two days before Holy Week are the account of Lazarus, dying and being raised from the dead. In the Orthodox tradition, this whole week is dedicated to the Lazarus story - Christ's encounter with death, before his encounter with Death (in our BCP Daily Office, it's only in "Year One").
The post a few weeks ago at my dicristina site (and yes, my last post there) on memory is from this "Lazarus" section of "Great Lent" by Alexander Schmemann. Here's some more:
"Liturgical celebration is thus a re-entrance of the Church into the event, and this means not merely its "idea," but its joy and sadness, its living and concrete reality... It is one thing to explain that the resurrection of Lazarus was "to confirm the universal resurrection." It is quite a different thing to celebrate day after day for one entire week this slowly apporaching encounter between life and death, to become part of it, to see with our own eyes and feel with our whole being what was involved in John's word: "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled and ... wept" (John 11:33-35). For us and to us all this happens today. We were not there in Bethany at the grave with the crying sisters. For the Gospel we only know about it. But it is in the Church's celebration today that an historical fact becomes an event for us, for me, a power in my life, a memory, a joy. Theology cannot go beyond the "idea." And from that point of view of idea, do we need those five long days when it is so simple just to say, "to confirm the universal resurrection"? But the whole point is that in itself and by itself the sentence confirms nothing. The true confirmation comes from celebration, and precisely from those five days on which we witness the beginning of that mortal fight between life and death, and begin not so much to understand as to witenss Christ going to put death to death... (p. 82-83)
I do believe Lent is a gift. Working it, walking it out, is a gift from God through the Church - to help us know a more full union with Jesus Christ, and to bear much fruit (John 12:24). And so meditating on this Lazarus account, is an amazing springboard into Holy Week... just as it was God's way to launch Jesus into his final week, his final encounter in the holy city with all those holy people, a powerful empire, and our ultimate enemy.
Also, check out My Utmost for October 11. I heard this read at Will Pufall's funeral yesterday, he had posted a year and a half ago, after the death of a friend of his... it's a good balance to John Eldridge.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 29:1,4-13; Rom. 11:13-24; John 11:1-27
The appointed Gospel reading for these last two days before Holy Week are the account of Lazarus, dying and being raised from the dead. In the Orthodox tradition, this whole week is dedicated to the Lazarus story - Christ's encounter with death, before his encounter with Death (in our BCP Daily Office, it's only in "Year One").
The post a few weeks ago at my dicristina site (and yes, my last post there) on memory is from this "Lazarus" section of "Great Lent" by Alexander Schmemann. Here's some more:
"Liturgical celebration is thus a re-entrance of the Church into the event, and this means not merely its "idea," but its joy and sadness, its living and concrete reality... It is one thing to explain that the resurrection of Lazarus was "to confirm the universal resurrection." It is quite a different thing to celebrate day after day for one entire week this slowly apporaching encounter between life and death, to become part of it, to see with our own eyes and feel with our whole being what was involved in John's word: "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled and ... wept" (John 11:33-35). For us and to us all this happens today. We were not there in Bethany at the grave with the crying sisters. For the Gospel we only know about it. But it is in the Church's celebration today that an historical fact becomes an event for us, for me, a power in my life, a memory, a joy. Theology cannot go beyond the "idea." And from that point of view of idea, do we need those five long days when it is so simple just to say, "to confirm the universal resurrection"? But the whole point is that in itself and by itself the sentence confirms nothing. The true confirmation comes from celebration, and precisely from those five days on which we witness the beginning of that mortal fight between life and death, and begin not so much to understand as to witenss Christ going to put death to death... (p. 82-83)
I do believe Lent is a gift. Working it, walking it out, is a gift from God through the Church - to help us know a more full union with Jesus Christ, and to bear much fruit (John 12:24). And so meditating on this Lazarus account, is an amazing springboard into Holy Week... just as it was God's way to launch Jesus into his final week, his final encounter in the holy city with all those holy people, a powerful empire, and our ultimate enemy.
Also, check out My Utmost for October 11. I heard this read at Will Pufall's funeral yesterday, he had posted a year and a half ago, after the death of a friend of his... it's a good balance to John Eldridge.
20090402
hearing his voice
Thursday, April 2, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 26:1-16; Rom. 11:1-12; John 10:19-42
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
This verse is one of the main premises for John Eldridge's book, Walking with God. (and this theme is a recurring one in John 10) It's a good and important book, but does raise questions regarding what a "normal Christian life" looks like. Essentially it is a year long journal of his, with comment from John for the reader. In particular, a main theme in the book is hearing from God and wanting to hear from God - even for things like, "should our family go on this trip this weekend?"
Honestly, I started reading it and after about a quarter of it I put it down. Some of my concerns were as a pastor, that I was not comfortable with his encouraging people to listen for God's voice, with virtually no comment on discernment (he does address this later in the book); but also, it was cutting close to home. I wasn't sure I really wanted to hear from and submit to/ trust God with regard to some of the things in my life, like watching TV too much and chowing down on junk food. And what if God told me to do some big, uncomfortable thing? some huge, life adjusting call? some heart tearing selfless task?
Yes, I went back to reading it - because deep in my heart is the life and love of God. Because I do want to live in the freedom of the children of God. Because I do trust my Father, that he is good and for me, merciful and mighty.
I still have concerns about the book, and what to be expected as normal Christian living - I think we can become too introspective about this, obsessed and/or guilt ridden or silly. I wonder where being a mature and wise son or daughter to whom the Father says, "I've raised and trained you well, that is your decision. I love you and will be with you always, irregardless of what you decide." Or in the metaphor of John 10, when the shepherd lets the sheep just graze and walk around and get a drink... And at the same time, God sees what I can't see. And while, I don't think God wills to direct us around all evil and suffering in this world - I think he might want to direct us around, or even toward, some of it.
So yes, at any time, the ear of my heart ought to be attentive, soft and "directable", to hear Jesus call and say come, follow me this way. In the end, this whole chapter is not about the sheep. It's about the shepherd. It's about his voice. His goodness. His motivation and commitment to give life abundant. His attentiveness and power to protect so that nothing can snatch us out of his hand. And in the end, I think this is the upshot of Eldridge's book; as a friend told me in sharing why it meant a lot to her, it encouraged intimacy with God and this was healing for her. It instilled a desire and a freedom, a hopefulness and trust, that God loves us, is always thinking of and attentive to us, and wants to speak to our deep heart regularly.
Thanks be to God.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 26:1-16; Rom. 11:1-12; John 10:19-42
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
This verse is one of the main premises for John Eldridge's book, Walking with God. (and this theme is a recurring one in John 10) It's a good and important book, but does raise questions regarding what a "normal Christian life" looks like. Essentially it is a year long journal of his, with comment from John for the reader. In particular, a main theme in the book is hearing from God and wanting to hear from God - even for things like, "should our family go on this trip this weekend?"
Honestly, I started reading it and after about a quarter of it I put it down. Some of my concerns were as a pastor, that I was not comfortable with his encouraging people to listen for God's voice, with virtually no comment on discernment (he does address this later in the book); but also, it was cutting close to home. I wasn't sure I really wanted to hear from and submit to/ trust God with regard to some of the things in my life, like watching TV too much and chowing down on junk food. And what if God told me to do some big, uncomfortable thing? some huge, life adjusting call? some heart tearing selfless task?
Yes, I went back to reading it - because deep in my heart is the life and love of God. Because I do want to live in the freedom of the children of God. Because I do trust my Father, that he is good and for me, merciful and mighty.
I still have concerns about the book, and what to be expected as normal Christian living - I think we can become too introspective about this, obsessed and/or guilt ridden or silly. I wonder where being a mature and wise son or daughter to whom the Father says, "I've raised and trained you well, that is your decision. I love you and will be with you always, irregardless of what you decide." Or in the metaphor of John 10, when the shepherd lets the sheep just graze and walk around and get a drink... And at the same time, God sees what I can't see. And while, I don't think God wills to direct us around all evil and suffering in this world - I think he might want to direct us around, or even toward, some of it.
So yes, at any time, the ear of my heart ought to be attentive, soft and "directable", to hear Jesus call and say come, follow me this way. In the end, this whole chapter is not about the sheep. It's about the shepherd. It's about his voice. His goodness. His motivation and commitment to give life abundant. His attentiveness and power to protect so that nothing can snatch us out of his hand. And in the end, I think this is the upshot of Eldridge's book; as a friend told me in sharing why it meant a lot to her, it encouraged intimacy with God and this was healing for her. It instilled a desire and a freedom, a hopefulness and trust, that God loves us, is always thinking of and attentive to us, and wants to speak to our deep heart regularly.
Thanks be to God.
20090327
all things, nor anything
Friday, March 27, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sorry for the limited comments this week. Along with busyness of heart and mind (moving to our new space, or not...), there's not a lot I think I can add to Romans 8. Let's let is soak in and convince us...
20090325
be who you is
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40
What more can we say?
Again, it's "be who you is, 'cuz if you is who you ain't, you ain't who you is."
Thanks be to God!
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
What more can we say?
Again, it's "be who you is, 'cuz if you is who you ain't, you ain't who you is."
Thanks be to God!
20090324
"sin" in my "flesh"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:22-23)
Paul actually has already given a pattern, a discipline, a new way of life, in order to deal with this "sin" in the "flesh," this other "law" that dwells in his members (cf. ch. 6). He will return to it shortly in chapter 8 - after framing it in its most important context and reality: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... the law of the spirit of life in Christ has set me free..."
But I find this whole chapter oddly comforting. While some scholars hold that this is Paul's testimony of his life before Christ, what in part led him to Christ, the majority consider this his and our current reality as believers. This does describe me. Ingrained in my "flesh," in my very body and mind, are ways of relating, responding, thinking, rationalizing... that have long been ingrained in me, habitual patterns of behaving and "believing" that are not ways of faith and trust, that when I step back and think about it, I don't really want to do.
But I also have experienced, bit by bit, little victories. Patterns and responses changing, as I take on disciplines (that I initially resist, and do not like!) to detach and begin to heal from these "compulsions." The speeding example I gave in a recent sermon is one. I'm finding myself relaxing much more while driving. My quick response to be irritated and even angry with people going the speed limit (!) is lessening; and I'm not as panicky when I see a police car too (!). But lurking close at hand is pride... an even more deeply ingrained "sin" pattern. Bottom line is, where is my life? What is it that satisfies, that seems to "increase" and secure me? And, of course, the answer is - the love of God in Jesus Christ. But it is the "discipline" of engaging the "sin" in my "flesh" that exposes that I'm not really trusting God, and which moves me to repentance and faith...
Lent, and life in Christ, is a journey - a journey to Easter, to the passion, cross, and resurrection. It is a journey of dying with Christ and rising to new life, and Romans 7 reminds us (and ought to encourage us) that we have not arrived, that God's Word (his "law," the Torah = guidance, teaching) is a gift pointing us to Jesus, and to take the frustration, the reality of our stumbling along in the journey and cast it all on him who is our only hope.
"Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord"
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:22-23)
Paul actually has already given a pattern, a discipline, a new way of life, in order to deal with this "sin" in the "flesh," this other "law" that dwells in his members (cf. ch. 6). He will return to it shortly in chapter 8 - after framing it in its most important context and reality: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... the law of the spirit of life in Christ has set me free..."
But I find this whole chapter oddly comforting. While some scholars hold that this is Paul's testimony of his life before Christ, what in part led him to Christ, the majority consider this his and our current reality as believers. This does describe me. Ingrained in my "flesh," in my very body and mind, are ways of relating, responding, thinking, rationalizing... that have long been ingrained in me, habitual patterns of behaving and "believing" that are not ways of faith and trust, that when I step back and think about it, I don't really want to do.
But I also have experienced, bit by bit, little victories. Patterns and responses changing, as I take on disciplines (that I initially resist, and do not like!) to detach and begin to heal from these "compulsions." The speeding example I gave in a recent sermon is one. I'm finding myself relaxing much more while driving. My quick response to be irritated and even angry with people going the speed limit (!) is lessening; and I'm not as panicky when I see a police car too (!). But lurking close at hand is pride... an even more deeply ingrained "sin" pattern. Bottom line is, where is my life? What is it that satisfies, that seems to "increase" and secure me? And, of course, the answer is - the love of God in Jesus Christ. But it is the "discipline" of engaging the "sin" in my "flesh" that exposes that I'm not really trusting God, and which moves me to repentance and faith...
Lent, and life in Christ, is a journey - a journey to Easter, to the passion, cross, and resurrection. It is a journey of dying with Christ and rising to new life, and Romans 7 reminds us (and ought to encourage us) that we have not arrived, that God's Word (his "law," the Torah = guidance, teaching) is a gift pointing us to Jesus, and to take the frustration, the reality of our stumbling along in the journey and cast it all on him who is our only hope.
"Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord"
20090323
fruit for our master
Monday, March 23, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)
I think Paul is referring to our uniting ourselves with Christ in baptism, as we saw in chapter 6. He really died. In believing the gospel, in putting our whole trust in his grace and love, we so identify with Messiah Jesus, with his death and resurrection, that we die to an old way of living. In this case, we have died to the law.
Robert put it this way in his sermon yesterday: Jesus - dead, raised; us - dead, raised (preaching on Ephesians 2:4-5).
There are two proceeding truths from this death to the law, from any sort of finding our life, our hope, our future in the law: (1) we belong to another (to him who has been raised from the dead); and (2) that we might bear fruit for God (fruit of sanctification and eternal life).
Now fruitfulness and servitude go together, in the body of Messiah, now that we belong to him, now that we live for life, for love, for God and God's. We belong to and are servants of The Servant; so that we might bear fruit in him and for him who is the first fruit of all creation, of the new creation, in him from whom the Spirit of life and all fruitfulness pours into us abundantly.
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (v. 6)
Now our focus is on life, not law; relying on God the Spirit, not "the letter" (literally); now love, not judgment. This huge shift of heart is literally like death - from perpetually scanning the letters and words of even the beautiful, holy Torah, and evaluating myself thereby... to a continual gaze in adoration and wonder at Jesus, beautiful and holy, dying on the cross and reigning on the throne, and accepting myself thereby...
Bear fruit in me, O living, loving Savior and Lord!
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)
I think Paul is referring to our uniting ourselves with Christ in baptism, as we saw in chapter 6. He really died. In believing the gospel, in putting our whole trust in his grace and love, we so identify with Messiah Jesus, with his death and resurrection, that we die to an old way of living. In this case, we have died to the law.
Robert put it this way in his sermon yesterday: Jesus - dead, raised; us - dead, raised (preaching on Ephesians 2:4-5).
There are two proceeding truths from this death to the law, from any sort of finding our life, our hope, our future in the law: (1) we belong to another (to him who has been raised from the dead); and (2) that we might bear fruit for God (fruit of sanctification and eternal life).
Now fruitfulness and servitude go together, in the body of Messiah, now that we belong to him, now that we live for life, for love, for God and God's. We belong to and are servants of The Servant; so that we might bear fruit in him and for him who is the first fruit of all creation, of the new creation, in him from whom the Spirit of life and all fruitfulness pours into us abundantly.
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (v. 6)
Now our focus is on life, not law; relying on God the Spirit, not "the letter" (literally); now love, not judgment. This huge shift of heart is literally like death - from perpetually scanning the letters and words of even the beautiful, holy Torah, and evaluating myself thereby... to a continual gaze in adoration and wonder at Jesus, beautiful and holy, dying on the cross and reigning on the throne, and accepting myself thereby...
Bear fruit in me, O living, loving Savior and Lord!
20090322
Fourth Week of Lent
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Daily Office Bible Readings
Monday Ps. 89:1-18 + 89:19-52
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15
Tuesday Ps. 97, 99, [100] + 94, [95]
Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27
Wednesday Ps. 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 + 119:121-144
Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40
Thursday Ps. 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 + 73
Jer. 22:13-23; Rom. 8:12-27; John 6:41-51
Friday Ps. 95* & 102 + 107:1-32
Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59
Saturday Ps. 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) + 33
Jer. 23:9-15 Rom. 9:1-18 John 6:60-71
20090321
sanctification
Saturday, March 21, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 13:1-11 Rom. 6:12-23 John 8:47-59
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 8:13)
My birthday is always in Lent (52 today), and always feels a little weird "breaking" whatever Lenten disciplines I've been following. But this is part of living under grace, and not under the power of sin; of yielding my members to righteousness (to covenant relationship with God) and not to "sin," which is anything not done in faith.
This passage is absolutely huge. It is the main Scriptural support for Dallas Willard's excellent book The Spirit of the Disciplines, and is included in a book I've had for a long time but have only read portions of until now, Addiction and Grace, by Gerald May.
"For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification." (v. 19) This speaks of the pattern of addiction and compulsions, which need more and more to satisfy; and also of how sanctification works in our lives.
In a nutshell, once again, we're called to be who are are; to live out of our new status as free people and no longer slaves (John 8); out of grace; as "slaves" to this gracious, generous, hope-filled, steadfast love relationship with our Father, and not as slaves to anything else. May God give us more grace to see and to desire him.
Grace and peace.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 13:1-11 Rom. 6:12-23 John 8:47-59
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 8:13)
My birthday is always in Lent (52 today), and always feels a little weird "breaking" whatever Lenten disciplines I've been following. But this is part of living under grace, and not under the power of sin; of yielding my members to righteousness (to covenant relationship with God) and not to "sin," which is anything not done in faith.
This passage is absolutely huge. It is the main Scriptural support for Dallas Willard's excellent book The Spirit of the Disciplines, and is included in a book I've had for a long time but have only read portions of until now, Addiction and Grace, by Gerald May.
"For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification." (v. 19) This speaks of the pattern of addiction and compulsions, which need more and more to satisfy; and also of how sanctification works in our lives.
In a nutshell, once again, we're called to be who are are; to live out of our new status as free people and no longer slaves (John 8); out of grace; as "slaves" to this gracious, generous, hope-filled, steadfast love relationship with our Father, and not as slaves to anything else. May God give us more grace to see and to desire him.
Grace and peace.
20090320
sin and grace
Friday, March 20, 2009
The first day of spring - may the Light lengthen in us! And may the Life grow and abound in fruitfulness!
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 11:1-8,14-20; Rom. 6:1-11; John 8:33-47
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
This passage seems to get to the heart of our ongoing discussion of grace and works. The self-examination that Lent calls for, the perhaps hyper-sensitivity to our sin for a season, is not that we might pat ourselves on the back and present our goodness to the Father saying, "I deserve a party, I've worked so hard and been so faithful..." It is that we may not presume upon grace, it is that we may not deceive ourselves.
The language Paul uses here is death and new life; in John 8, Jesus is using the language of slavery and freedom, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34), and "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36).
Paul says, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
For me, the question is continually, "am I truly trusting Christ?" (Of course, on one level the answer is always "no," but in specific areas I find, little by little, victories with God's help). Sin, by both omission and commission, exposes where I either am presuming on grace or trusting in my own righteousness - and either way, I am not trusting Messiah Jesus for my salvation, for my wholeness, for my life.
Indeed, the whole goal is to be "united with him" (v. 5), and this always and only happens through repentance and faith. "So," Paul writes, "you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (v. 11). In Jesus' language in John 8, it would be "so you must no longer live like a slave (don't go back to Egypt in your body or in your mind!) but as the beloved child of your Father who delights in you!"
One additional observation that I think is cool - Paul says that "Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father..." (v. 4). It was by, or through, the glory of the Father that Jesus was raised from the dead. Not just to, or for, the glory of the Father, but by his glory! That can go some delightful places. God's glory could not be contained in his dead body, nor in a tomb. It reminds me of chapter 1, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14). That very glory effected victory over death, over sin, and brought newness of life - both for Jesus and for all who are united with him by faith in baptism...
Thanks be to God!
The first day of spring - may the Light lengthen in us! And may the Life grow and abound in fruitfulness!
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 11:1-8,14-20; Rom. 6:1-11; John 8:33-47
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
This passage seems to get to the heart of our ongoing discussion of grace and works. The self-examination that Lent calls for, the perhaps hyper-sensitivity to our sin for a season, is not that we might pat ourselves on the back and present our goodness to the Father saying, "I deserve a party, I've worked so hard and been so faithful..." It is that we may not presume upon grace, it is that we may not deceive ourselves.
The language Paul uses here is death and new life; in John 8, Jesus is using the language of slavery and freedom, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34), and "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36).
Paul says, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
For me, the question is continually, "am I truly trusting Christ?" (Of course, on one level the answer is always "no," but in specific areas I find, little by little, victories with God's help). Sin, by both omission and commission, exposes where I either am presuming on grace or trusting in my own righteousness - and either way, I am not trusting Messiah Jesus for my salvation, for my wholeness, for my life.
Indeed, the whole goal is to be "united with him" (v. 5), and this always and only happens through repentance and faith. "So," Paul writes, "you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (v. 11). In Jesus' language in John 8, it would be "so you must no longer live like a slave (don't go back to Egypt in your body or in your mind!) but as the beloved child of your Father who delights in you!"
One additional observation that I think is cool - Paul says that "Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father..." (v. 4). It was by, or through, the glory of the Father that Jesus was raised from the dead. Not just to, or for, the glory of the Father, but by his glory! That can go some delightful places. God's glory could not be contained in his dead body, nor in a tomb. It reminds me of chapter 1, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14). That very glory effected victory over death, over sin, and brought newness of life - both for Jesus and for all who are united with him by faith in baptism...
Thanks be to God!
20090319
in sins or in faith
Thursday, March 19, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 10:11-24; Rom. 5:12-21; John 8:21-32
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)
There are only two options: to die in our sins, or to die believing in Jesus; to die in sin or in faith. Pretty simple.
I recently heard Dwight Pryor (Center for Judeo-Christian Studies) say this similarly. He was speaking on the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6:22-27. He emphasized that one thing this blessing emphasizes is God's fundamental disposition to bless his people. As part of the talk he mentioned that indeed God is holy and just, and we will all die for our sins. The question is, on whose terms will we die?
Jesus points to his own death in this passage, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me" (v. 28).
We can look to him who was lifted up and believe (3:15), or we can look to ourselves and/or everything else we think might "save" us, or "justify" our lives. Paul uses the language of grace reigning or death reigning. When we believe that indeed Jesus came from God, is heaven's full provision for every person, when we look to him upon the cross, bearing our sins, bearing our Sin (the attitude, the inclination, the bentness in on ourselves), and exchanging that poison for the medicine of his grace and love, we move from death to grace, from "in our sins" to "in faith" or "in Christ," from slavery to freedom.
And again, Lent is all about this theme. Death and life. And reminding ourselves over and over, "by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word" (BCP, p. 265), that we still are quick to choose death, quick to choose destructive ways. So because this is life, because it is a life and not a static, impersonal deal, and because the body of death still clings so closely, Jesus immediately shares with them about remaining in this life, living this out, and growing strong in it:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (v. 31)
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]
Jer. 10:11-24; Rom. 5:12-21; John 8:21-32
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)
There are only two options: to die in our sins, or to die believing in Jesus; to die in sin or in faith. Pretty simple.
I recently heard Dwight Pryor (Center for Judeo-Christian Studies) say this similarly. He was speaking on the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6:22-27. He emphasized that one thing this blessing emphasizes is God's fundamental disposition to bless his people. As part of the talk he mentioned that indeed God is holy and just, and we will all die for our sins. The question is, on whose terms will we die?
Jesus points to his own death in this passage, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me" (v. 28).
We can look to him who was lifted up and believe (3:15), or we can look to ourselves and/or everything else we think might "save" us, or "justify" our lives. Paul uses the language of grace reigning or death reigning. When we believe that indeed Jesus came from God, is heaven's full provision for every person, when we look to him upon the cross, bearing our sins, bearing our Sin (the attitude, the inclination, the bentness in on ourselves), and exchanging that poison for the medicine of his grace and love, we move from death to grace, from "in our sins" to "in faith" or "in Christ," from slavery to freedom.
And again, Lent is all about this theme. Death and life. And reminding ourselves over and over, "by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word" (BCP, p. 265), that we still are quick to choose death, quick to choose destructive ways. So because this is life, because it is a life and not a static, impersonal deal, and because the body of death still clings so closely, Jesus immediately shares with them about remaining in this life, living this out, and growing strong in it:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (v. 31)
20090318
the light of life
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com)
Jer. 8:18-9:6; Rom. 5:1-11; John 8:12-20
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Discipleship, walking after Jesus, following him, gives to the follower the light of life. Even when all seems darkness, we have the light of life. Even when we can't see where the next step will land, he is with us; he promises to never leave or forsake us.
The "light of life": this is the light which is characterized by life, or has the quality of life; and it is the life which is light and sheds light. It helps us see clearly, gives us true vision. And it is that abundant and eternal life that brings everything into proper perspective. This is what following Jesus gives us.
When we have that light of life, when we are indeed at peace with God because we are in right relationship through trusting him, then even amidst suffering we can rejoice because God's love is poured into our hearts. We can see that suffering is not the end, it is not final, it is defeated and yet a servant of the Victor in bringing us to glory.
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ,
for his suffering, and for ours,
for his victory,
for his peace, for his joy,
for his life, for his light.
[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com)
Jer. 8:18-9:6; Rom. 5:1-11; John 8:12-20
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Discipleship, walking after Jesus, following him, gives to the follower the light of life. Even when all seems darkness, we have the light of life. Even when we can't see where the next step will land, he is with us; he promises to never leave or forsake us.
The "light of life": this is the light which is characterized by life, or has the quality of life; and it is the life which is light and sheds light. It helps us see clearly, gives us true vision. And it is that abundant and eternal life that brings everything into proper perspective. This is what following Jesus gives us.
When we have that light of life, when we are indeed at peace with God because we are in right relationship through trusting him, then even amidst suffering we can rejoice because God's love is poured into our hearts. We can see that suffering is not the end, it is not final, it is defeated and yet a servant of the Victor in bringing us to glory.
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ,
for his suffering, and for ours,
for his victory,
for his peace, for his joy,
for his life, for his light.
20090317
no distrust!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Jer. 7:21-34; Rom. 4:13-25; John 7:37-52
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
(Romans 4:20-21)
No distrust. Abraham did not stop trusting God in spite of two withered bodies well past child bearing, he did not waver in trusting the God who promised life where there was no possibility of it - rather "the God in whom he believed... gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." (v. 17)
Rather than weakening in trust or faith as time went along and the promise was unfulfilled, Abraham actually strengthened in his faith / trust / belief. And one way he did that (the only way Paul shares) was that he gave glory to God. As he gave glory to God his faith grew stronger.
So... how do we give glory to God? How can we be good stewards of the gift of faith, so that it increases like a good investment, and does not waver and weaken and diminish as we draw off it as if holding our breath, or sprinting for a hoped for finish line (that in fact may be miles and years ahead of us).
In our hearts and minds, with our lips, in our sharing and giving, and in all our actions. By being and becoming who we are, who God says we are - and not what our bodies say we are or what our thoughts say we are or our compulsions or lusts or whatever. And most simply (or frustratingly) by being "fully convinced that God is able to do what he promised." Wow, how can I make that up? If I'm not fully convinced, really? Well, we do intend to glorify God in all we think, say, and do. And then, that intention or desire or thirst we take to the Lord himself... and drink.
Jer. 7:21-34; Rom. 4:13-25; John 7:37-52
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
(Romans 4:20-21)
No distrust. Abraham did not stop trusting God in spite of two withered bodies well past child bearing, he did not waver in trusting the God who promised life where there was no possibility of it - rather "the God in whom he believed... gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." (v. 17)
Rather than weakening in trust or faith as time went along and the promise was unfulfilled, Abraham actually strengthened in his faith / trust / belief. And one way he did that (the only way Paul shares) was that he gave glory to God. As he gave glory to God his faith grew stronger.
So... how do we give glory to God? How can we be good stewards of the gift of faith, so that it increases like a good investment, and does not waver and weaken and diminish as we draw off it as if holding our breath, or sprinting for a hoped for finish line (that in fact may be miles and years ahead of us).
In our hearts and minds, with our lips, in our sharing and giving, and in all our actions. By being and becoming who we are, who God says we are - and not what our bodies say we are or what our thoughts say we are or our compulsions or lusts or whatever. And most simply (or frustratingly) by being "fully convinced that God is able to do what he promised." Wow, how can I make that up? If I'm not fully convinced, really? Well, we do intend to glorify God in all we think, say, and do. And then, that intention or desire or thirst we take to the Lord himself... and drink.
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7)Lord Jesus, we believe, help our unbelief. We want to glorify you, but are so infected with wanting our own glory. Heal us. Help us. Fill us. Change us. You who were faithful, who did not waver in distrust, even unto death, you who were dead and now live and reign, give life to these dying bodies and messed up minds and be glorified in us, by us, and through us.
20090316
the temple of the Lord
Monday, March 16, 2008
(Happy Birthday, Kate!)
Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36
“Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place..."
(Jeremiah 7:2-3)
Yesterday, we heard in church from John's account of Jesus' cleansing the Temple (ch. 2). John does not refer to this passage from Jeremiah, as do Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They all quote part of verse eleven, "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord."
But all of the gospels have this concern regarding Jesus "cleansing" the Temple - the ways and deeds of the people, and the leaders in particular, were corrupt and needed radical changing. Twice we hear, "amend your ways and your deeds."
The last two weeks we've used as the absolution after the confession one of those from the Rite I services: "The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit."
I like that, along with the absolving and remitting of all our sins, may God grant us:
true repentance (we considered that some last week - with our whole heart, not in pretense)
amendment of life (this is a part of true repentance - actually different ways and deeds)
grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit (to know peace, forgiveness, and grace to change and walk in the good works prepared for us to walk in)
God gives some clarity regarding the amendment of life he was looking for in the people who thought simply chanting, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," would hold God to God's promise but let them forsake their covenant with him.
This, again, is the lenten call: to renew our repentance and faith; self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; reading and meditating on God's holy word (BCP, p. 265); to amend our ways and deeds.
In John's Temple cleansing account Jesus says he will give a sign: "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." (2:19) He comes to not only cleanse the Temple, to purify his Father's house, but to rebuild it.
"But he was speaking of the temple of his body." (v. 21) He is the true representative of Israel, and of the human race. He is the new Adam. And he is "something (someone) greater than the Temple." He death and burial was a real and visible image of the reality of the desolation and deadness of all God's people, made to dwell with him, to know intimate fellowship, and to love and serve him always.
Joining ourselves to Jesus the Messiah in faith will do this work of renewal, uniting ourselves with him in his death and uniting ourselves with him in his resurrection (through baptism and a baptized life), will "create in me a clean heart..." (Ps. 51) in which he will dwell.
(There's more to be said, but I've got to go! Be blessed meditating on this.)
(Happy Birthday, Kate!)
Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36
“Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place..."
(Jeremiah 7:2-3)
Yesterday, we heard in church from John's account of Jesus' cleansing the Temple (ch. 2). John does not refer to this passage from Jeremiah, as do Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They all quote part of verse eleven, "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord."
But all of the gospels have this concern regarding Jesus "cleansing" the Temple - the ways and deeds of the people, and the leaders in particular, were corrupt and needed radical changing. Twice we hear, "amend your ways and your deeds."
The last two weeks we've used as the absolution after the confession one of those from the Rite I services: "The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit."
I like that, along with the absolving and remitting of all our sins, may God grant us:
true repentance (we considered that some last week - with our whole heart, not in pretense)
amendment of life (this is a part of true repentance - actually different ways and deeds)
grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit (to know peace, forgiveness, and grace to change and walk in the good works prepared for us to walk in)
God gives some clarity regarding the amendment of life he was looking for in the people who thought simply chanting, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," would hold God to God's promise but let them forsake their covenant with him.
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever. (vs. 5-7)As Robert pointed out yesterday, we are the temple of the Lord - individually in our bodies, and collectively as God's people. And also, "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)
This, again, is the lenten call: to renew our repentance and faith; self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; reading and meditating on God's holy word (BCP, p. 265); to amend our ways and deeds.
In John's Temple cleansing account Jesus says he will give a sign: "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." (2:19) He comes to not only cleanse the Temple, to purify his Father's house, but to rebuild it.
"But he was speaking of the temple of his body." (v. 21) He is the true representative of Israel, and of the human race. He is the new Adam. And he is "something (someone) greater than the Temple." He death and burial was a real and visible image of the reality of the desolation and deadness of all God's people, made to dwell with him, to know intimate fellowship, and to love and serve him always.
Joining ourselves to Jesus the Messiah in faith will do this work of renewal, uniting ourselves with him in his death and uniting ourselves with him in his resurrection (through baptism and a baptized life), will "create in me a clean heart..." (Ps. 51) in which he will dwell.
(There's more to be said, but I've got to go! Be blessed meditating on this.)
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