Are You Ready?
Matthew 24:36-44
December is usually a month to get ready for the Christmas holiday. That is often true even for people who are not Christians, because the holiday season is a very big part of our culture. Preparation can involve shopping for presents, hanging decorations, and making plans for getting together with family and friends. It is a busy time of the year that can include joy, excitement, stress, and exhaustion.
In churches, the season of preparation for the Christmas celebration is known as Advent. The word advent means coming. The season of Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger, and to anticipate the Second Coming of Christ. The themes for preparing for both of these events are very similar. The word from Jesus in the reading from Matthew’s Gospel calls for our attention. Jesus says to be on guard, to be ready, because we don’t know when the Second Coming will happen. But it can help us to prepare for it when we know that getting ready to celebrate the first coming of Christ can also be a way to prepare and be ready for him to come again.
One of the themes for Advent preparation is worship. It involves acknowledging and believing that ultimately God is and always will be in control. It means that we know that we are not the ones who are in control and that there is a power greater than we are that is at work in all of creation. One of the great pieces of music that we may hear during Advent is Handel’s Messiah. We may hear the words “King of kings, and Lord of lords, and he shall reign forever and ever.” These words from the Messiah remind us that when all is said and done, that God will rule and reign over all things. If we believe this, then it makes sense that we also believe that God is deserving and worthy of our worship.
Our worship during the Advent season can be expressed in many ways. One may be in listening to Christmas music. Now I’ll admit that I like all Christmas music, including songs about Rudolph, chestnuts roasting, and Santa Clause. But the songs that really give a spiritual emphasis in December are the songs and hymns about the birth of Christ. Those are the ones that lead me and help me to worship. Another way that we may be led to worship can be through hearing and seeing the Christmas story about the birth of Jesus. There may be a picture on a Christmas card, a live manger scene, or a Christmas play that leads us to worship. Or there may be a TV program, such as the one about Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, that leads us to worship when we hear the Christmas story. Another way that we may worship during Advent and Christmas can be in attending church services, or watching a service on television. The services may be especially powerful on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Any or all of these can be ways to worship and be ready for the celebration of the first coming of Christ and to be ready for the Second Coming as well.
A second theme for Advent preparation is learning. Folk wisdom tells us that we never get too old to learn something new. And when I think about learning, it is not so much about getting new information, as it is about having new experiences and learning from them. Our circumstances are always changing and we are different people this year than we were last year. There are new chapters in our lives, and new ways to express our faith. Our lives are always changing, sometimes in subtle ways, and at others in dramatic ways. Our faith is also something that is dynamic, flexible and challenging. With change, we learn and grow and hopefully, our faith grows as well.
December can be a time for us to reflect on our current life situations, experiences, successes, and failures. We can use all of those as opportunities to learn and grow. Our lives and faith can be expressed in the way we celebrate the holidays, including decorations, gifts, cards, and use of time. It will help us to remember that there is always something that we can learn from our experiences and that there is always room for us to grow. As we get ready for another Christmas and even for the Second Coming, hopefully we are learning and growing in our faith.
A third theme for Advent preparation is peace. At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced “Peace on earth and good will toward men.” The peace that Jesus brings includes peace in all areas of life. That includes peace within ourselves, in our relationships, and throughout the world. Granted, we do not experience complete peace in any of those areas, but the promise and the gift of peace are still very real. We can experience a measure of the complete peace that God promises us and look forward to the time when we will enjoy the full peace that God can give to us and the world. In the meantime, we can do our best to receive God’s gift of peace in our lives, and do our best to make peace with everyone around us.
I heard a counselor say that the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, are not the time to try to resolve conflicts when we get together with family members. It is best to simply do what we can to enjoy being together without attempting to address conflicts and pain. Even though the holidays are a time to celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, they can also be a time that is stressful and exhausting. On the other hand, it can also be a time to reach out to people who need our support. That includes those who need some encouragement, or just to know that somebody cares. It may also include concrete gifts for those in need, such as food and clothing. As we receive the gift of God’s peace and share it with others around us, it can help us to prepare to celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ, and it can help us to be ready for His Second Coming.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior, may we do our best to be ready to celebrate. The sights and sounds of December can remind us to worship God. We can also continue to learn and grow in faith as we look forward to Christmas. And we can embrace the gift of God’s peace, and do our best to share it with others. If we do these things, we can be ready to celebrate Christmas. And it will also help us to be ready for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
How to Be Thankful
How to Be Thankful
Luke 17:11-19
It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but the story referenced here is about one man who said “Thank you.” According to the story, there were ten lepers who encountered Jesus. All of them were cleansed of leprosy while walking away, but only one of them returned to Jesus to thank him. One out of ten- that is not a very good percentage. The story may serve as a reminder to us that people (including us) may not be very good at saying “Thank you.” That may include saying thanks both to each other, and to God. Given the thanksgiving theme of the story, we might want to try and answer the question “What does it mean to live a thankful life?”
We might notice that a thankful person has a positive attitude. That probably includes a hopeful outlook. There are a couple of phrases that express this attitude. Every dark cloud has a silver lining is one phrase. Another is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. There is also the word Pollyanna, which means that someone has endless optimism, and finds something positive in everything. Of course, a positive attitude can be taken too far, so that one can lose touch with reality. But generally speaking, we can all use a dose of a positive outlook. It will help us to see things in a more positive light, and be thankful for what we have, rather than complaining about what we don’t have.
We can also say that a thankful person is humble. That means a person has an accurate view of themselves. They don’t think more highly of themselves than they ought, and they don’t think less of themselves than they should. A humble person realizes that they do not live isolation, but they are connected to other people. That connection involves giving and receiving in relationships. A humble person also realizes that the world does not owe them a living. No one deserves most of the blessings that they enjoy. They are a gift that is unearned, undeserved, and a reason to give thanks.
We might also note that a thankful person is flexible. It involves being able to live with changes. The changes may involve schedules or routines. A flexible person is adaptable, goes with the flow, and rolls with the punches. Flexibility can also mean that one can be spontaneous, and free to enjoy life’s surprises. It can also mean that one take time to celebrate, which goes hand in hand with being thankful.
A thankful person also has inner strength and courage. That means that someone doesn’t just follow the crowd, or the latest trends or fads to be able to fit in, or to be liked. A thankful person can be able to think for themselves, and doesn’t do something just because everybody else does.
Finally, a thankful person takes time to be thankful, and to worship God. It means that one realizes that God has blessed everyone in very many ways. It means realizing that God has the power to heal, cleanse, and give a fresh start. At one time or another, each of us has felt trapped by our circumstances, a job, family situations, health concerns, and successes and failures. And eventually, in one way or another, we manage to find our way out of difficult and uncomfortable circumstances. For that we can be thankful and give thanks to God.
How can we be thankful? We can keep a positive attitude, be humble and flexible. We can cultivate our inner strengths, and take time to give thanks to God for all the blessings that we enjoy. The words that Jesus said to the one leper who returned and said “Thank you.”, may be the same words that God has for us: “Get up and go. Your faith has made you well.” If we are thankful, it can make us whole.
How to
Luke 17:11-19
It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but the story referenced here is about one man who said “Thank you.” According to the story, there were ten lepers who encountered Jesus. All of them were cleansed of leprosy while walking away, but only one of them returned to Jesus to thank him. One out of ten- that is not a very good percentage. The story may serve as a reminder to us that people (including us) may not be very good at saying “Thank you.” That may include saying thanks both to each other, and to God. Given the thanksgiving theme of the story, we might want to try and answer the question “What does it mean to live a thankful life?”
We might notice that a thankful person has a positive attitude. That probably includes a hopeful outlook. There are a couple of phrases that express this attitude. Every dark cloud has a silver lining is one phrase. Another is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. There is also the word Pollyanna, which means that someone has endless optimism, and finds something positive in everything. Of course, a positive attitude can be taken too far, so that one can lose touch with reality. But generally speaking, we can all use a dose of a positive outlook. It will help us to see things in a more positive light, and be thankful for what we have, rather than complaining about what we don’t have.
We can also say that a thankful person is humble. That means a person has an accurate view of themselves. They don’t think more highly of themselves than they ought, and they don’t think less of themselves than they should. A humble person realizes that they do not live isolation, but they are connected to other people. That connection involves giving and receiving in relationships. A humble person also realizes that the world does not owe them a living. No one deserves most of the blessings that they enjoy. They are a gift that is unearned, undeserved, and a reason to give thanks.
We might also note that a thankful person is flexible. It involves being able to live with changes. The changes may involve schedules or routines. A flexible person is adaptable, goes with the flow, and rolls with the punches. Flexibility can also mean that one can be spontaneous, and free to enjoy life’s surprises. It can also mean that one take time to celebrate, which goes hand in hand with being thankful.
A thankful person also has inner strength and courage. That means that someone doesn’t just follow the crowd, or the latest trends or fads to be able to fit in, or to be liked. A thankful person can be able to think for themselves, and doesn’t do something just because everybody else does.
Finally, a thankful person takes time to be thankful, and to worship God. It means that one realizes that God has blessed everyone in very many ways. It means realizing that God has the power to heal, cleanse, and give a fresh start. At one time or another, each of us has felt trapped by our circumstances, a job, family situations, health concerns, and successes and failures. And eventually, in one way or another, we manage to find our way out of difficult and uncomfortable circumstances. For that we can be thankful and give thanks to God.
How can we be thankful? We can keep a positive attitude, be humble and flexible. We can cultivate our inner strengths, and take time to give thanks to God for all the blessings that we enjoy. The words that Jesus said to the one leper who returned and said “Thank you.”, may be the same words that God has for us: “Get up and go. Your faith has made you well.” If we are thankful, it can make us whole.
How to
Saturday, October 2, 2010
A Spiritual Genealogy
A Spiritual Genealogy
2 Timothy 1:1-7
The Scripture reading reminds me that none of us comes to faith on our own. There are people who have influenced us and made a difference in our lives. Those people include parents, grandparents, spouses, children, extended family members, friends, teachers, pastors, and the list can go on and on. When we participate in church worship services, or other church activities, it is usually because of the influence of someone else. We may go because we have been invited, and, some people (I have children in mind) go because they are made to go.
It can be a helpful exercise to ask ourselves who our spiritual ancestors are. We can explore our own spiritual heritage, or our own spiritual genealogy. This is one of the themes of Paul’s letter to Timothy. In the letter, Paul mentions several links in his own and in Timothy’s spiritual heritage.
Paul writes of his own spiritual heritage when he writes, “I worship God with a clear conscience as my ancestors did.” He acknowledges his connection with those who have come before him and uses their faith and worship as a guide for his own worship. He also writes of Timothy’s spiritual heritage when he writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” Paul reminds Timothy that he is not alone in his faith, but the faith was passed on to him through his grandmother and mother. Paul also writes of the spiritual connection between himself and Timothy. He writes, “To Timothy, my beloved, child…” Paul sees himself as Timothy’s spiritual father, even though they are not related by blood.
As we read about the spiritual genealogies of Paul and Timothy, we can take a moment and reflect upon those who are our spiritual forefathers. We may think about those who have influenced us the most in matters of faith and spirituality. If we can name them, then we can also give thanks to God for them. And as we remember and give thanks, we can also remember the example that others have given us when it comes to faith and spirituality. We can also draw strength and inspiration from their lives.
Our faith does not exist in isolation and it is not a do-it-yourself enterprise. Paul recognized this and he mentions several things that the spiritual life involves. Those things include prayer, as he writes to Timothy that Paul remembers Timothy constantly, day and night, in his prayers. It also includes encouragement as Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the gift of God that he has received. And it also includes personal contact. Paul wrote at least two letters to Timothy, his “beloved child”.
In response to Paul’s second letter to Timothy, there are several things that we can do. We can give thanks to God for those people who have influenced and continue to influence our faith. We can also draw strength from the faithful examples that others give to us. And we can aim to live faithfully ourselves, so that others may be influenced by our faithful living. If we do that, there will be people who will give thanks for our lives and will draw strength and inspiration from the way that we live.
We should remember that none of us comes to faith by ourselves. It takes more than one person to build and maintain a spiritual life.
2 Timothy 1:1-7
The Scripture reading reminds me that none of us comes to faith on our own. There are people who have influenced us and made a difference in our lives. Those people include parents, grandparents, spouses, children, extended family members, friends, teachers, pastors, and the list can go on and on. When we participate in church worship services, or other church activities, it is usually because of the influence of someone else. We may go because we have been invited, and, some people (I have children in mind) go because they are made to go.
It can be a helpful exercise to ask ourselves who our spiritual ancestors are. We can explore our own spiritual heritage, or our own spiritual genealogy. This is one of the themes of Paul’s letter to Timothy. In the letter, Paul mentions several links in his own and in Timothy’s spiritual heritage.
Paul writes of his own spiritual heritage when he writes, “I worship God with a clear conscience as my ancestors did.” He acknowledges his connection with those who have come before him and uses their faith and worship as a guide for his own worship. He also writes of Timothy’s spiritual heritage when he writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” Paul reminds Timothy that he is not alone in his faith, but the faith was passed on to him through his grandmother and mother. Paul also writes of the spiritual connection between himself and Timothy. He writes, “To Timothy, my beloved, child…” Paul sees himself as Timothy’s spiritual father, even though they are not related by blood.
As we read about the spiritual genealogies of Paul and Timothy, we can take a moment and reflect upon those who are our spiritual forefathers. We may think about those who have influenced us the most in matters of faith and spirituality. If we can name them, then we can also give thanks to God for them. And as we remember and give thanks, we can also remember the example that others have given us when it comes to faith and spirituality. We can also draw strength and inspiration from their lives.
Our faith does not exist in isolation and it is not a do-it-yourself enterprise. Paul recognized this and he mentions several things that the spiritual life involves. Those things include prayer, as he writes to Timothy that Paul remembers Timothy constantly, day and night, in his prayers. It also includes encouragement as Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the gift of God that he has received. And it also includes personal contact. Paul wrote at least two letters to Timothy, his “beloved child”.
In response to Paul’s second letter to Timothy, there are several things that we can do. We can give thanks to God for those people who have influenced and continue to influence our faith. We can also draw strength from the faithful examples that others give to us. And we can aim to live faithfully ourselves, so that others may be influenced by our faithful living. If we do that, there will be people who will give thanks for our lives and will draw strength and inspiration from the way that we live.
We should remember that none of us comes to faith by ourselves. It takes more than one person to build and maintain a spiritual life.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
As Good As It Gets
As Good As It Gets
1 Timothy 6:6-19
The title of the sermon is the same as the title of a movie starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear. In the movie, Nicholson plays the role of a character that has an obsessive-compulsive personality. When walking, he avoids stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk. When washing his hands, he always uses a brand new bar of soap. When he locks the door to his apartment from the inside, he always counts and clicks the lock the same number of times each time he locks the door. (Of course, we know that he only needs to click the lock one time to lock it.) He is a man who doesn’t like change of any kind. One day he has a bad day. He is upset, and he goes to his counselor without having an appointment. When the counselor refuses to see him, he turns to everyone in the office waiting room and says, “What if this is as good as it gets?” He is worried that his life may not get any better. If there is no hope that things will get better, then there appear to be two options. One option is discouragement and despair that things won’t ever get any better. Another option is acceptance and perhaps even contentment with the way things are. This may be a good question to ask ourselves: What if this is as good as it gets? Of course, we know that things may change, we have different chapters in our lives. Good things and bad things happen to us and to those that we love. But what if, generally speaking, this is as good as it gets?
The apostle Paul wrote at least two letters to Timothy. In the first letter, he wrote that there is great gain in godliness with contentment. The key word here seems to be contentment. There were some people that Paul knew who were not content with what they had – they wanted more. These people thought that more money would make their lives better and that they would be happier. Paul also writes that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is important to note that he did not say that money is the root of all evil, but that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes to address the danger of people’s lives getting out of balance. Those who have become obsessed with getting rich have wandered from the Christian faith. They have caused themselves and others great pain. They thought that more money would solve their problems, and that if they just had enough (which meant more than they currently had), then they would be happy and content. But their search for contentment through riches has not gotten them what they wanted. They have more, but they are still not content. For Paul’s audience, the issue was the love of money. But that is not the only love that can threaten our faith.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of relationships. We may want to be accepted and want to fit in so badly that we may compromise our values and miss out on the very happiness that we are seeking. We may want the approval of others and may want to be liked so much that we will do anything to get it. In the process, we may cause ourselves and other great pain. Everyone wants to be loved, but sometimes it is not worth the price that we have to pay to get the approval of others.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of success. We can give ourselves so completely to being successful in one area of our lives, that we may fail in other areas of our lives. People can be so focused upon their work and career that they may sacrifice the quality of personal relationships. Success at work may mean that the family has to suffer. It can be a challenge to keep things balanced and in perspective. We may also view life as a constant competition – we feel we always need to win and that we will do whatever it takes to win, or to be successful. In the meantime, we may lose other things that we have neglected in our pursuit of success.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of security. We may be afraid to make any changes, to take any risks, or to make any sacrifices, because we are afraid we might fail, or that something bad may happen to us. And so, we never change, we never take any risks, and in our pursuit of security we become very insecure. In trying to protect ourselves, we may miss out on much that we have to offer to others, and much that others have to offer to us.
We all want to be happy. But a better goal may be found in the words of Paul. Our aim could be to have godliness with contentment. That could mean that faith would give balance and perspective to our lives. And it could mean that we would learn to be content with what we have. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have goals and dreams. But it does mean that our faith keeps us from being consumed with money, relationships, success, or security. Faith can remind us to keep all of those things in balance in our lives.
This seems to be the basic message that Paul is trying to give to those who read his letter:
1) Fight the good fight of faith – wrestle and struggle with your desires and dreams, and with your wants and needs.
2) Look beyond today, tomorrow, and even next year, and see the bigger picture. Look far ahead and ask yourself what will really matter in the end.
3) Remember that God created all things and that Jesus gave us the example of a faithful life. Ultimately, the only thing that matters and that lasts is faith in God through Jesus Christ.
Remember the words of Paul: There is great gain in godliness with contentment. That is a good as it gets.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
The title of the sermon is the same as the title of a movie starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear. In the movie, Nicholson plays the role of a character that has an obsessive-compulsive personality. When walking, he avoids stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk. When washing his hands, he always uses a brand new bar of soap. When he locks the door to his apartment from the inside, he always counts and clicks the lock the same number of times each time he locks the door. (Of course, we know that he only needs to click the lock one time to lock it.) He is a man who doesn’t like change of any kind. One day he has a bad day. He is upset, and he goes to his counselor without having an appointment. When the counselor refuses to see him, he turns to everyone in the office waiting room and says, “What if this is as good as it gets?” He is worried that his life may not get any better. If there is no hope that things will get better, then there appear to be two options. One option is discouragement and despair that things won’t ever get any better. Another option is acceptance and perhaps even contentment with the way things are. This may be a good question to ask ourselves: What if this is as good as it gets? Of course, we know that things may change, we have different chapters in our lives. Good things and bad things happen to us and to those that we love. But what if, generally speaking, this is as good as it gets?
The apostle Paul wrote at least two letters to Timothy. In the first letter, he wrote that there is great gain in godliness with contentment. The key word here seems to be contentment. There were some people that Paul knew who were not content with what they had – they wanted more. These people thought that more money would make their lives better and that they would be happier. Paul also writes that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is important to note that he did not say that money is the root of all evil, but that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes to address the danger of people’s lives getting out of balance. Those who have become obsessed with getting rich have wandered from the Christian faith. They have caused themselves and others great pain. They thought that more money would solve their problems, and that if they just had enough (which meant more than they currently had), then they would be happy and content. But their search for contentment through riches has not gotten them what they wanted. They have more, but they are still not content. For Paul’s audience, the issue was the love of money. But that is not the only love that can threaten our faith.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of relationships. We may want to be accepted and want to fit in so badly that we may compromise our values and miss out on the very happiness that we are seeking. We may want the approval of others and may want to be liked so much that we will do anything to get it. In the process, we may cause ourselves and other great pain. Everyone wants to be loved, but sometimes it is not worth the price that we have to pay to get the approval of others.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of success. We can give ourselves so completely to being successful in one area of our lives, that we may fail in other areas of our lives. People can be so focused upon their work and career that they may sacrifice the quality of personal relationships. Success at work may mean that the family has to suffer. It can be a challenge to keep things balanced and in perspective. We may also view life as a constant competition – we feel we always need to win and that we will do whatever it takes to win, or to be successful. In the meantime, we may lose other things that we have neglected in our pursuit of success.
Another focus that can threaten our faith is the love of security. We may be afraid to make any changes, to take any risks, or to make any sacrifices, because we are afraid we might fail, or that something bad may happen to us. And so, we never change, we never take any risks, and in our pursuit of security we become very insecure. In trying to protect ourselves, we may miss out on much that we have to offer to others, and much that others have to offer to us.
We all want to be happy. But a better goal may be found in the words of Paul. Our aim could be to have godliness with contentment. That could mean that faith would give balance and perspective to our lives. And it could mean that we would learn to be content with what we have. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have goals and dreams. But it does mean that our faith keeps us from being consumed with money, relationships, success, or security. Faith can remind us to keep all of those things in balance in our lives.
This seems to be the basic message that Paul is trying to give to those who read his letter:
1) Fight the good fight of faith – wrestle and struggle with your desires and dreams, and with your wants and needs.
2) Look beyond today, tomorrow, and even next year, and see the bigger picture. Look far ahead and ask yourself what will really matter in the end.
3) Remember that God created all things and that Jesus gave us the example of a faithful life. Ultimately, the only thing that matters and that lasts is faith in God through Jesus Christ.
Remember the words of Paul: There is great gain in godliness with contentment. That is a good as it gets.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Are We Addicted to Money?
Are We Addicted to Money?
Luke 16:10-13
Some years ago I attended a church management seminar. A part of the seminar focused upon stress- what can cause it, and how to manage it. The seminar leader handed out Biodots during the seminar. These look like small plastic circles and they are smaller than the end of your finger. When placed on the skin the changing color indicates the level of stress that a person is experiencing. Blue indicates that a person is very relaxed, and green indicates that a person is somewhat relaxed. Brown indicates somewhat stressed, and black indicates a person is very stressed. When I was in the seminar the colors of my Biodot were brown and green. While I drove home from the seminar, the colors were green and blue. When I arrived home and started balancing my checkbook, the color was black. This told me that although I was not aware of it, balancing my checkbook was a very stressful and emotional experience for me.
In his book Financial Meltdown in the Mainline? , Loren Mead asks the question: “Are we addicted to money?” This is a good question for us to ask ourselves from time to time. And it is helpful to remember that the question is not just a financial one, but also has to do with our quality of life, and the quality of our spiritual lives. Mead writes that an addict is someone who focuses their attention, emotion, and commitment upon that to which they are addicted. He lists several signs of addiction to money.
One of the signs of addiction to money is discomfort with the wealth that we have. There can be several things that we do or don’t do that indicate that we are uncomfortable with our wealth. For example, we may be slow to admit that we are rich. If we live in the United States, we have more than 90% of all other people in the world. And yet, we are more comfortable believing that we are poor, or at least, that we don’t have enough. Other indicators that we are uncomfortable with what we have are that we resist making wills, or we are unable to establish or keep a budget. These are basic tasks that are related to our financial lives. If we are uncomfortable doing them, then it probably means that we are uncomfortable with how much or how little that we think we have.
Another sign of our addition to money is our anxiety about money. We worry about making it to the next paycheck, even though we have made it for the last 5, 10, or 20 years. We answer the question “How much is enough?” with “Just a little bit more.” We wonder how we can make more money, or get more money. We spend time and energy working longer hours at work. We worry about the checkbook, the credit cards, and the mortgage. Let’s face it, it is important for us to manage our resources wisely, but there is the danger of becoming consumed with worry about money. It can keep us from being fully alive and living with joy.
Another sign of our addiction to money is that we are never satisfied. We want more money for ourselves and we are envious of other people’s money. It may be difficult for us to appreciate the wealth and success of other people. We may think that if someone else is wealthy or successful, that it takes something about from us. Money can be a source of tension and conflict at home, at work, at church, and in the community. We may be worried that there will never be enough.
Are we addicted to money? The answer is yes, most of us probably struggle with the addiction. And, if we see it as a spiritual issue, then our best response is to repent, or turn around. Instead of depending upon money and wealth to give us meaning and joy, we can turn and depend upon God and one another for meaning and joy in our lives. Instead of spending more time and energy to make more money, we can invest time in being servants to our families and our neighbors. It means that life is more than how much we make, or how much we have. It means that life is found in our relationships with God and one another.
Once there was a cartoon on the editorial page of the local paper. It was a cartoon strip with several frames. One man was talking and this is what he said: ”When the stock market dropped, I had a moment of understanding. I realized that my values had become skewed. I had been measuring my life in terms of material gain. I saw that all of that could be swept away in an instant. What I was going to have to do was restructure my life to seek and appreciate things of a deeper, spiritual nature. But then, luckily, the stock market went back up!”
When things are going well, it is more difficult to pay attention to spiritual issues. But a financial crisis can lead to a spiritual crisis. We may need to be reminded to turn from our reliance upon our wealth and ourselves, to reliance upon God. We may need to be reminded that we are not in control. That doesn’t mean that we don’t plan, budget, and use our money wisely. But it does mean that we don’t invest too much emotion, attention, and commitment to money. If we have can do that, then the next time we balance our checkbooks, or pay our bills, it may be that the Biodot will be green (somewhat relaxed), or maybe even blue (completely relaxed).
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Who, or what are we serving?
Luke 16:10-13
Some years ago I attended a church management seminar. A part of the seminar focused upon stress- what can cause it, and how to manage it. The seminar leader handed out Biodots during the seminar. These look like small plastic circles and they are smaller than the end of your finger. When placed on the skin the changing color indicates the level of stress that a person is experiencing. Blue indicates that a person is very relaxed, and green indicates that a person is somewhat relaxed. Brown indicates somewhat stressed, and black indicates a person is very stressed. When I was in the seminar the colors of my Biodot were brown and green. While I drove home from the seminar, the colors were green and blue. When I arrived home and started balancing my checkbook, the color was black. This told me that although I was not aware of it, balancing my checkbook was a very stressful and emotional experience for me.
In his book Financial Meltdown in the Mainline? , Loren Mead asks the question: “Are we addicted to money?” This is a good question for us to ask ourselves from time to time. And it is helpful to remember that the question is not just a financial one, but also has to do with our quality of life, and the quality of our spiritual lives. Mead writes that an addict is someone who focuses their attention, emotion, and commitment upon that to which they are addicted. He lists several signs of addiction to money.
One of the signs of addiction to money is discomfort with the wealth that we have. There can be several things that we do or don’t do that indicate that we are uncomfortable with our wealth. For example, we may be slow to admit that we are rich. If we live in the United States, we have more than 90% of all other people in the world. And yet, we are more comfortable believing that we are poor, or at least, that we don’t have enough. Other indicators that we are uncomfortable with what we have are that we resist making wills, or we are unable to establish or keep a budget. These are basic tasks that are related to our financial lives. If we are uncomfortable doing them, then it probably means that we are uncomfortable with how much or how little that we think we have.
Another sign of our addition to money is our anxiety about money. We worry about making it to the next paycheck, even though we have made it for the last 5, 10, or 20 years. We answer the question “How much is enough?” with “Just a little bit more.” We wonder how we can make more money, or get more money. We spend time and energy working longer hours at work. We worry about the checkbook, the credit cards, and the mortgage. Let’s face it, it is important for us to manage our resources wisely, but there is the danger of becoming consumed with worry about money. It can keep us from being fully alive and living with joy.
Another sign of our addiction to money is that we are never satisfied. We want more money for ourselves and we are envious of other people’s money. It may be difficult for us to appreciate the wealth and success of other people. We may think that if someone else is wealthy or successful, that it takes something about from us. Money can be a source of tension and conflict at home, at work, at church, and in the community. We may be worried that there will never be enough.
Are we addicted to money? The answer is yes, most of us probably struggle with the addiction. And, if we see it as a spiritual issue, then our best response is to repent, or turn around. Instead of depending upon money and wealth to give us meaning and joy, we can turn and depend upon God and one another for meaning and joy in our lives. Instead of spending more time and energy to make more money, we can invest time in being servants to our families and our neighbors. It means that life is more than how much we make, or how much we have. It means that life is found in our relationships with God and one another.
Once there was a cartoon on the editorial page of the local paper. It was a cartoon strip with several frames. One man was talking and this is what he said: ”When the stock market dropped, I had a moment of understanding. I realized that my values had become skewed. I had been measuring my life in terms of material gain. I saw that all of that could be swept away in an instant. What I was going to have to do was restructure my life to seek and appreciate things of a deeper, spiritual nature. But then, luckily, the stock market went back up!”
When things are going well, it is more difficult to pay attention to spiritual issues. But a financial crisis can lead to a spiritual crisis. We may need to be reminded to turn from our reliance upon our wealth and ourselves, to reliance upon God. We may need to be reminded that we are not in control. That doesn’t mean that we don’t plan, budget, and use our money wisely. But it does mean that we don’t invest too much emotion, attention, and commitment to money. If we have can do that, then the next time we balance our checkbooks, or pay our bills, it may be that the Biodot will be green (somewhat relaxed), or maybe even blue (completely relaxed).
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Who, or what are we serving?
Lost and Found
Lost and Found
Luke 15:1-10
A few years ago I was at King’s Dominion in Virginia by the Log Flume ride. While I was standing there, I noticed a young couple. They caught my attention because they looked very worried and were looking around, walking in different directions, gesturing, and then began talking with a security guard. It became obvious that there was a serious problem. Within a few minutes I noticed the mother again and saw a little girl, 8 or 9 years old, clinging to her mom and sobbing. It was obvious that she was lost and had been found. Both she and her parents appeared to be relieved and happy. Something like that can be a parent’s worst nightmare, and it is something that a parent and a child don’t forget.
Jesus said that God is like a shepherd who searches for lost sheep, like a woman who searches for a lost coin, and like a parent who searches for a lost child. This is good news for us, because sometimes we get lost. Sometimes we get distracted, go in other directions, and wander away from God. There are life crises that may test our faith- a divorce, a lost job, or a death. We make mistakes, poor choices (the Bible calls those sins), and we are reminded that we have wandered away. We may just be too busy for God, and our lives out of balance. None of us is perfect and we all need to be found. Our faith needs to be renewed.
We live with tensions and contradictions. We wrestle with being self-centered and God-centered. We are both judgmental and gracious. There are times when we are at our best, with the best motives and good deeds. And at times we are short-sighted and fail to do the good that we could do. The good news is that God is always searching for us, and calling us to have faith. There is nothing that we may do that is so bad that will keep God from loving us and calling us.
Jesus told the stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin for those who are away from God. They are stories for those who need to be forgiven, for those who need a new start and a clean slate. They are also stories for those who need to forgive, who need to find a way to be gracious to those who have done them wrong. Sometimes we divide people into saints and sinners. That was true with the religious leaders in Jesus’ day. They thought they were better than most other people. They made the religious rules, and if anyone broke them, it meant that they were not holy. The religious leaders thought they were saints, but they were ungracious and judgmental.
One of the themes of the teachings of Jesus is that God is more gracious with us than we are with each other. God doesn’t hate sinners. He doesn’t discriminate, or write anybody off. There is hope for everyone. There is always a chance that each person with respond to God’s grace, God’s undeserved, unconditional love. That is the way that God sees people, and it is the way we can see them too.
God is like a shepherd, who searches for one lost sheep. God is like a woman who searches for a lost coin. God is like a parent, who searches for a lost child. God is a gracious and loving God. Like the words of a famous hymns say: “I once was lost, but now am found…”, those can be the words for each one of us. God is gracious and loving with all of us, and calls us to be gracious with one another. God doesn’t give up on anyone, and neither should we. God is always searching for those who are lost.
Luke 15:1-10
A few years ago I was at King’s Dominion in Virginia by the Log Flume ride. While I was standing there, I noticed a young couple. They caught my attention because they looked very worried and were looking around, walking in different directions, gesturing, and then began talking with a security guard. It became obvious that there was a serious problem. Within a few minutes I noticed the mother again and saw a little girl, 8 or 9 years old, clinging to her mom and sobbing. It was obvious that she was lost and had been found. Both she and her parents appeared to be relieved and happy. Something like that can be a parent’s worst nightmare, and it is something that a parent and a child don’t forget.
Jesus said that God is like a shepherd who searches for lost sheep, like a woman who searches for a lost coin, and like a parent who searches for a lost child. This is good news for us, because sometimes we get lost. Sometimes we get distracted, go in other directions, and wander away from God. There are life crises that may test our faith- a divorce, a lost job, or a death. We make mistakes, poor choices (the Bible calls those sins), and we are reminded that we have wandered away. We may just be too busy for God, and our lives out of balance. None of us is perfect and we all need to be found. Our faith needs to be renewed.
We live with tensions and contradictions. We wrestle with being self-centered and God-centered. We are both judgmental and gracious. There are times when we are at our best, with the best motives and good deeds. And at times we are short-sighted and fail to do the good that we could do. The good news is that God is always searching for us, and calling us to have faith. There is nothing that we may do that is so bad that will keep God from loving us and calling us.
Jesus told the stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin for those who are away from God. They are stories for those who need to be forgiven, for those who need a new start and a clean slate. They are also stories for those who need to forgive, who need to find a way to be gracious to those who have done them wrong. Sometimes we divide people into saints and sinners. That was true with the religious leaders in Jesus’ day. They thought they were better than most other people. They made the religious rules, and if anyone broke them, it meant that they were not holy. The religious leaders thought they were saints, but they were ungracious and judgmental.
One of the themes of the teachings of Jesus is that God is more gracious with us than we are with each other. God doesn’t hate sinners. He doesn’t discriminate, or write anybody off. There is hope for everyone. There is always a chance that each person with respond to God’s grace, God’s undeserved, unconditional love. That is the way that God sees people, and it is the way we can see them too.
God is like a shepherd, who searches for one lost sheep. God is like a woman who searches for a lost coin. God is like a parent, who searches for a lost child. God is a gracious and loving God. Like the words of a famous hymns say: “I once was lost, but now am found…”, those can be the words for each one of us. God is gracious and loving with all of us, and calls us to be gracious with one another. God doesn’t give up on anyone, and neither should we. God is always searching for those who are lost.
Friday, September 3, 2010
How to Be a Disciple
How to Be a Disciple
Luke 14:25-33
At the point of this reading in the Gospel of Luke, the Jesus movement is going great. People are being healed. A woman who was crippled for 18 years is healed. A man who was seriously ill with swollen legs (make your own diagnosis), is also healed. Jesus is also telling the good news that everyone is invited to God’s banquet. All are welcome – the poor, the homeless, the powerless, and the marginal in society. Large crowds are following Jesus. And why not? He is telling them and showing them what good things God can do for them.
But as Jesus sees the large crowds gathering, he begins to change the focus of his teaching. He talks about what it means to be one of his disciples. We can assume that he wants to have more than just 12 disciples. He chose those twelve and now he seems to be encouraging people to choose him and become his disciples. Of course, there are requirements for disciples. Not just anyone can be a disciple. Jesus gives a list of the qualifications.
1.Whoever does not hate their family, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
What a shocking statement. I have always interpreted this statement and others, as hyperbole, that is, an exaggeration to get people’s attention and to make a point. Another interpretation is that “hate” was not as strong a word in the days of Jesus as it is today. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible interprets this passage by having Jesus say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must love me more than their family.” This interpretation highlights the issue of priorities. What is most important? – God, family, country?
In the days of Jesus, becoming a disciple of Jesus usually meant alienation from family, tradition, and roots. That is not as true in the United States, but it is still true in other parts of the world. In fact, we like to think that Christianity and faith can strengthen families and family relationships. This is especially true when faith is a joint venture, a shared journey in a family.
2.Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Jesus, cannot be his disciple.
Jesus sees cross-taking and/or cross bearing as a voluntary decision. He calls people to be servants, and to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. He says that those who are his disciples will be givers, rather than takers. They will be outward focused, rather than being concerned only about themselves. Jesus was the model for cross-taking as he gave his life for the sake of all people by dying on a cross.
3.Whoever does not give away everything that they own, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
Now here is a way to shrink the large crowds. If you start talking about money and possessions, people will turn you off, and go on to the next attraction, or back to their normal routines. This is another statement that we can interpret as hyperbole, or exaggeration. Another way of saying could be “Being a disciple of Jesus is more important than our possessions, and more important than our own comfort and prosperity. “ We probably have not given away everything that we own. We worry about having enough to pay the bills, or having enough for the future. But to be a disciple of Jesus means that we remember that everything we have is given to us by God, and is to be managed and used for God’s purposes, rather than our own.
We might note that there is a difference between being a follower of Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. We can say that a follower is someone who doesn’t reflect, or commit seriously, or finish what they have started. Most of the people in the large crowds around Jesus were followers. They were looking for miracles and easy blessings. On the other hand, we can say that disciples are those who make deliberate, reflective decisions. They commit to an uncertain journey, and place their ultimate trust in Jesus. It is easier to be a follower, than to be a disciple. It is easier to receive blessings, than it is to make sacrifices. It is easier to attend church than it is to be a disciple.
To be a disciple means that nothing is more important than our devotion to Jesus Christ. No other relationships, including family relationships are more important. Our own comfort and fulfillment is not more important than being a disciple of Jesus. And our possessions, and our net worth are not more important than being disciples. If we are truly disciples, then all that we have and all that we are is committed to Jesus Christ.
To be a disciple means letting go of all that seeks to own us, so that we may go where God leads us, and do what God has for us to do.
Luke 14:25-33
At the point of this reading in the Gospel of Luke, the Jesus movement is going great. People are being healed. A woman who was crippled for 18 years is healed. A man who was seriously ill with swollen legs (make your own diagnosis), is also healed. Jesus is also telling the good news that everyone is invited to God’s banquet. All are welcome – the poor, the homeless, the powerless, and the marginal in society. Large crowds are following Jesus. And why not? He is telling them and showing them what good things God can do for them.
But as Jesus sees the large crowds gathering, he begins to change the focus of his teaching. He talks about what it means to be one of his disciples. We can assume that he wants to have more than just 12 disciples. He chose those twelve and now he seems to be encouraging people to choose him and become his disciples. Of course, there are requirements for disciples. Not just anyone can be a disciple. Jesus gives a list of the qualifications.
1.Whoever does not hate their family, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
What a shocking statement. I have always interpreted this statement and others, as hyperbole, that is, an exaggeration to get people’s attention and to make a point. Another interpretation is that “hate” was not as strong a word in the days of Jesus as it is today. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible interprets this passage by having Jesus say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must love me more than their family.” This interpretation highlights the issue of priorities. What is most important? – God, family, country?
In the days of Jesus, becoming a disciple of Jesus usually meant alienation from family, tradition, and roots. That is not as true in the United States, but it is still true in other parts of the world. In fact, we like to think that Christianity and faith can strengthen families and family relationships. This is especially true when faith is a joint venture, a shared journey in a family.
2.Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Jesus, cannot be his disciple.
Jesus sees cross-taking and/or cross bearing as a voluntary decision. He calls people to be servants, and to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. He says that those who are his disciples will be givers, rather than takers. They will be outward focused, rather than being concerned only about themselves. Jesus was the model for cross-taking as he gave his life for the sake of all people by dying on a cross.
3.Whoever does not give away everything that they own, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
Now here is a way to shrink the large crowds. If you start talking about money and possessions, people will turn you off, and go on to the next attraction, or back to their normal routines. This is another statement that we can interpret as hyperbole, or exaggeration. Another way of saying could be “Being a disciple of Jesus is more important than our possessions, and more important than our own comfort and prosperity. “ We probably have not given away everything that we own. We worry about having enough to pay the bills, or having enough for the future. But to be a disciple of Jesus means that we remember that everything we have is given to us by God, and is to be managed and used for God’s purposes, rather than our own.
We might note that there is a difference between being a follower of Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. We can say that a follower is someone who doesn’t reflect, or commit seriously, or finish what they have started. Most of the people in the large crowds around Jesus were followers. They were looking for miracles and easy blessings. On the other hand, we can say that disciples are those who make deliberate, reflective decisions. They commit to an uncertain journey, and place their ultimate trust in Jesus. It is easier to be a follower, than to be a disciple. It is easier to receive blessings, than it is to make sacrifices. It is easier to attend church than it is to be a disciple.
To be a disciple means that nothing is more important than our devotion to Jesus Christ. No other relationships, including family relationships are more important. Our own comfort and fulfillment is not more important than being a disciple of Jesus. And our possessions, and our net worth are not more important than being disciples. If we are truly disciples, then all that we have and all that we are is committed to Jesus Christ.
To be a disciple means letting go of all that seeks to own us, so that we may go where God leads us, and do what God has for us to do.
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