Sustained by the Lord

'It was no messenger or angel

but his presence that saved them;

in his love and pity 

it was he who redeemed them;

he lifted them up and carried 

them all the days of old."

(from Isaiah 63:7-9)

The week of December 13, 2025, was one filled with tragedy and violence.

The tragedy and violence began when a gunman entered Brown University and began firing on students taking their final exams resulting in two student deaths, and nine seriously wounded.

The motivation of the shooting at Brown University seemed to be related to a professor at M.I.T.

As the weekend progressed, two gunmen attacked Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, resulting in 15 deaths with numerous wounded. Occurring on first night of Hanukkah, the probable motivated was anti-Semitism

The most tragic event, for me as a fan of “All In The Family”, was the murder of Rob Rainer and his wife by their son.

With this difficult week of tragic events and senseless violence, I began searching the Scriptures for stories of God’s faithfulness in tragedy.

As I read through the Exodus story with the Israelites facing hardship and distress, God remained their savior and stood by them, living among them keeping an unwavering presence.

Continuing past Exodus, God sends messengers – angels- to intervene and act on behalf of God’s people: God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, guided Lot out of Sodom, sent Gabriel with a message to Daniel, to Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, and shepherds.

God, however, was personally involved in the fullness of salvation.

Hebrews 13:5-6 reminds us God’s promise remains true: 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you”.

Isaiah 46:4 reminds us of God’s promise:

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

As tragedy and violence unfold around us, God’s mercy and presence sustains us.

Worshiping in Paradise

Mt. Mansfield, Underhill, VT

They will neither harm nor destroy

on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord

    as the waters cover the sea. 

(from Isaiah 11:1-10)

At 1:30pm on October 26, 2018, an ordinary church service began in The Hague, Netherlands. 

The worship service lasted until January 30, 2019. One continuous worship service for 96 days.

Dutch law states that no legal action can interfere with or disrupt a religious service. 

Sheltered within the walls of Bethel Church was an Armenian family — the Tamrazyans — who, after living in the Netherlands for 9 years under asylum claims, after winning their case in court twice, recently had their case overturned and were set to be deported, despite credible death threats in their home country. 

So our siblings in Christ at Bethel Church in The Hague did what Christians are uniquely equipped to do — they started worshipping and they just…didn’t stop.

At first, it was hard to line up liturgists, musicians, preachers from within the congregation. By halfway through the pastor reports, “‘Even from abroad we’ve gotten help — there have been sermons held in English, French and German…It’s quite moving to us. I often see a pastor handing over the service to another pastor of another denomination who they would ordinarily not have anything to do with, liturgically.’”

The worship service only concluded when the leaders of the church received word that that the Tamrazyan family’s petition was granted and they would be allowed to safely remain in the country. 

Fearful reaction or retaliation, escalation didn’t keep the Tamrazyan family safe. 

Worship—and, more to the point, the One they worship—kept them safe. In the meantime, they learned the language and practices of hope through worship. And hope always brings reinforcements.

(from Center for Excellence in Preaching)

Camel's Hair, Wild Honey, and Warning

John the Baptist

From  Matthew 11:2-11

December is full of cozy things—twinkling lights, Christmas trees, cookies, and carols. 

But then John the Baptist shouting, “You brood of vipers! Repent! The kingdom of heaven is near!” 

Repent! God's kingdom is coming!

“Something huge is happening!!! Repent and be baptized!!!”

Crowds see John emerging from the wilderness, hear his yelling and repent and are baptized by him preparing for the coming kingdom of heaven. 

Baptism in the Jordan River is a reminder of Israel’s entering the promised land.

John’s presence and wake-up call message from the wilderness’s silence is an urgent, thundering cry “repent and be baptized!! “

Get Baptized! God's kingdom is coming!

Prepare yourself with genuine self-examination and transformation for a new beginning! 

You will need a true inner change shown through actions, not just words.

John tells-off religious leaders, those brood of vipers who misuse power, reminding everyone claiming heritage or labels is inadequate—true repentance is lived out practically. 

The day of the Lord includes judgment!

Because of Jesus, Feed the hungry do more than bake cookies.

John the Baptist’s urgent call disrupts December’s cozy preparations, inviting deep, meaningful change instead of mere custom.

The still wilderness is broken for the healing of societies rejected as they are joined into the community.

 This critical moment requires real change of actions: God’s kingdom is coming.

John the Baptist emphasizes accountability: living out your faith means honest speech, listening to God, and letting Jesus guide your life.

Prepare to endure!

Produce "fruit” that reflects God’s will 

And All Shall Be Well

 "All shall be well, 

and all shall be well,

 and all manner of thing shall be well,"

Julian of Norwich  

(1342-1416+)

In the fourteenth century, a woman named Julian was living the solitary life of an anchoress.

An anchoress was a woman vowed to chastity and stability of abode. She was enclosed in a cell until her death. Her life’s purpose being contemplation and unceasing prayer focused on God.

Her cell was one hundred square feet with three windows for viewing the sacrament and taking communion. 

There Julian lived and prayed, ate her meals and slept, worked at some simple task such as needlework, meditated on her revelations and wrote her book for the next twenty, thirty, perhaps forty years, never leaving the cell.

At age 30 she was struck with severe illness, nearly dying.

A priest called to her bedside to administer the last rites, held up a crucifix before her face.

Suddenly, she felt all pain cease.

During the illness, she received 15 visions of God and reflected on their meaning for the next 20 years in a book she wrote, Showings of the Revelations of God’s Love.

During the time she wrote, medieval England was facing trying times with economic collapse, bubonic plague, and dynastic wars such as the Hundred Year’s Wars.

People were experiencing anxiety, fear, pessimism, and God’s punishment.

As Julian was writing, even in the suffering illness and pain, God said to her: “All will be well. You will see it yourself, that every kind of thing will be well.”

Our times have very different categories of suffering.

We’re struggling through stressful times: economic uncertainty, anxiety, food insecurity, and fear.

God’s powerful words of hope for Julian are just as powerful and certain, and hopeful for us.

 “And all will be well.  In all manner of things, all will be well. 

The Unknown Day and Hour

Preti, Mattia, 1613-1699

Therefore you also must be ready, 

for the Son of Man is coming 

at an hour you do not expect.

(from Matthew 24:36-44)

Never, perhaps, has this Advent gospel been timelier. “Watch!” Jesus says in the closing to his apocalyptic warning.

It's timely as our North American culture becomes increasingly secular and “mainline” churches are shrinking, being sold for condos and housing, or abandoned.

But even where the church is thriving—in many parts of Asia and Africa, for instance—violence that denies the peace of Christ, along with the suppression of Christian faith, is real. 

Whatever the situation Jesus tells us to “stay awake”—to keep eyes, hearts, hands, and minds on the hope of his coming.

Since we don’t know when “the day of the Lord” is coming we need to keep watching, working, and living by grace.

My way of working and watching in hope is through feeding those who are hungry.

Each Sunday, before the beginning of our worship, I see people bringing food donations and placing them in the “Food Pantry” container.

Perhaps the greatest sign of hope for me was the parishioner who, each Sunday, carried his oxygen pump along with his food donation, and placed the food in the container.

He did this until he could no longer attend worship.

Stay awake!!!

Unmerited Grace

 On December 7, 1941, Ens. Maurice was performing his duties when fighter planes flew overhead dropping bombs attacking and sinking ships.

He stayed at his post until his battleship was hit and he abandoned ship barely making it to safety.

In the Spring of 1995, a small group of Japanese people raising funds for a school asked to stay with members of our church.

Maurice was one of the members who housed them.

You know, what happened here is pretty amazing.

Maurice, who once barely survived an attack from Japanese planes during the war, later opened his home to a group of Japanese visitors.

By choosing kindness over old hurts, he showed how forgiveness can start with simple actions.

It’s proof that even small gestures—like welcoming someone—can help heal old wounds and bring people together.

This is what Christ’s reign really looks like in humility and sacrifice.

As Christians we are expected to extend God’s grace around us, even when it seems difficult.

Sometimes, when extending grace seems impossible and too costly, is when Christ on the cross becomes a challenge to reach beyond our comfort zone and offer mercy.

By embracing Christ’s radical call to love, we can transform spaces marked by pain and division into places of hope and restoration.

This assurance of grace is freely given empowers us to mend what has been broken and allows us to be active participants in the healing work of Christ.

Jesus’ Teaching on Uncertainty

Temple Remains

 As for these things that you see, 

the days will come when not one stone

 will be left upon another; 

all will be thrown down.”

They asked him, 

“Teacher, when will this be,

 and what will be the sign

 that this is about to take place?”

(from Luke 21:5-19)

There’s a story about a fourth-grade class that winning an attendance award. As a class they could vote between a homework pass for the day or bringing a stuffed animal to school.

Amazingly, they chose to bring a stuffed animal.

As one student explained, there’s no such thing as a homework pass because you might skip it today, but you still gotta learn it.

There’s a truth here: homework is inevitable, but school is unpredictable.

Homework guidelines are clear, but lunchroom rankings and playground bullying persist.

In the gospel, Jesus overhears a discussion about the beauty of the temple and the many offerings given there.

Instead of joining the conversation, Jesus shifts the focus to disasters ;  “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”, conflict, and persecution.

By the time this gospel was written, many of these troubling events had already happened.

The gospel’s purpose is not to predict the future, but to help people interpret the significance of these events—both for those who witnessed them and for future generations

There’s an unsettling truth in life: there’s no such thing as avoiding events that are both inevitable and unpredictable

So, how do Christians respond to these challenges, and where do we find refuge?

Jesus assures us God will provide the necessary words and wisdom while we endure the inevitable and unpredictable.  

Our God, the One who is unchanging and powerful, is present when we’re facing inevitable and unpredictable circumstances.

This promise offers comfort and guidance, reminding us that even in uncertain times, we are not alone.

A Whole New World

Cutting the Gordian Knot

 Jesus said to them, 

“Those who belong to this age 

marry and are given in marriage, 

but those who are considered worthy

 of a place in that age 

and in the resurrection from the dead

 neither marry nor are given in marriage.

(From Luke 20:27-38) 

King Gordius tied a famously complex knot that legend claimed only the future ruler of Asia could undo.

When Alexander tried but failed to untie the knot, he solved the puzzle by cutting through it with his sword.

That is pretty much what was going on when Jesus was confronted by some Sadducees.

The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, so their question is really about the how unrealistic the whole concept is.

The Sadducees' beliefs stemmed from their reverence for scripture and their focus on legacy.

According to the Law of Moses, marriage and children keep a man’s name alive here on earth therefore a widow marrying her husband’s brother does that.

But if you don’t believe in the afterlife, your existence and time now are all that matters.

Jesus warns the Sadducees, giving advice that applies to everyone about the future.

 He points out that a whole new world is coming and will be different from today and won't follow our present traditions or habits.

Looking for clarity and assurance on their views, they have not seen the truth God has revealed

Responding to Jesus's invitation to see a whole new world enables us to interpret well-known Scriptures from a renewed perspective, recognizing God as the God of the living and increasing our knowledge of legacy and heritage.

By accepting our place in God’s story, we discover true fulfillment comes from living according to God’s purpose.

In this new world, instead of focusing on achievements or symbols, lasting meaning is found in growing through faith and hope.

Our legacy is not only what we leave behind, but how we become who God intends us to be.

Joel's Vision of Hope

Michelangelo Buonarroti,

 

“And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions."

(from Joel 2:23-32)

Why did God let this happen?

This past summer we experienced a record-breaking drought destroying fields of grain.

Devastating rainstorms followed with flash floods demolishing people’s homes.

Camp Mystic, a girls' camp on the Guadalupe River was hit in the middle of the night among devastating floods, killing 27 campers and counselors.

Clearly, we are in trouble as these natural disasters disrupt our daily lives.

The prophet Joel was asking the same question.

There was a violent invasion of locusts destroying people’s livelihood as the creatures laid waste to the crops.

A devastating fire swept the land devouring pastures and trees.

These disasters have caused severe financial and spiritual distress.

All this, Joel says, is punishment for not following God’s commandments.

We are suffering because we have been disobedient.

There will be a Day of the Lord.

On the coming Day of the Lord, God will intervene judging the wicked and blessing the righteous.

Therefore, people repent, turn again to God with fasting, weeping and mourning.

God’s Merciful Promise!

Joel then speaks the word of the Lord:

Be glad, people of Zion,
    rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
    because he is faithful.

And

Then afterward
    I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.

This is a vision of hope.

During the coming drought, our faithful God will send the autumn rains.

No matter the calamity we are facing or living through, God will restore and bless the faithful.

Thanks be to God for this vision of hope!!!

Two Prayers in the Temple

Frank Wesley, 1923-2002.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness

and looked down on everyone else,

Jesus told this parable:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray,

one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector

(from Luke 18:9-14)

 “A Pharisee and a tax collector walk into the temple to pray.”

The Pharisee, confident in his relationship with God, thanks God by listing the ways he’s more righteous.

He stands by himself to be sure he’s not touched by anyone less righteous than himself.

The tax collector, even knowing he’s a sinner, goes to the temple to pray.

He stands far away, feeling unworthy as a sinner, and prays anyway.

The tax collector doesn’t look to heaven, beats his chest, and prays, “God have mercy on me a sinner.”

The Pharisee is trusting in himself while praying before God.

The tax collector trusts in God.

The tax collector, comfortable telling God the truth, trusts in God’s promise of salvation.

Through God’s promises, Jesus moral teachings, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance the tax collector can see the difference between right and wrong.

Telling God the truth about who we are, remembering God’s love and forgiveness is a gift to be received, and part of our own story of redemption.

Grass Paths and Persistent Prayer

Jesus told them a parable

about their need to pray always

and not to lose heart.

(from Luke 18:1-8)

 Early African converts to Christianity were sincere and regular in private devotions, praying and reading scripture. Each convert had a separate spot in a grove to pour out their heart to God. 

Eventually the paths to the groves became well worn. 

So, if one of these converts began to neglect prayer, others soon noticed. Other converters would kindly remind the careless one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.”

Each Sunday as I listen to people lift their prayer requests asking God to change something, a sickness or a situation, I notice some of the prayer requests are repeated week after week.

This persistence prayer request carries a sense of hope within it.

Forgetting that God hears and answers prayer in God’s ways and God’s time, grass may begin to grow on the path.

It’s then that a sense of hopelessness can set in.

It’s time to begin walking the path to their grove again and pouring out their sense of hopelessness to God knowing God hears and answers in way most beneficial to the convert.

Beginning to walk the path to the grove again, people long for refreshing words of encouragement while seeking a new hopeful life.

Turning to God in prayer is all it takes for this new and hopeful life.

From Chaos to Christ

From the CodexAureus Cleansing of the ten lepers

 

"Then he said to him,

 “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

(from Luke 17:11-19)

The Chaos

Chaos describes a leper’s life.

Lepers, according to Leviticus 13.45-46, were forced to live as roadside beggars with cover their mouths crying out, "Unclean! “Unclean” a warning to others.

This left Lepers feeling the emotional pain of separation and isolation caused by living apart.

The Calling

Fear and shame burdened them since Leprosy was seen as God’s punishment for serious sin.

The only way out of this exile was healing and confirmation by a priest, which was considered as difficult as raising the dead.

It’s no wonder that when Jesus approached, the lepers cry out: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Jesus instructs them to visit the priests, and while obeying, their leprosy is cured.

One leper returns, loudly praising God at Jesus's feet leading to a changed behavior and greater spiritual well-being.

This leper, returning to thank Jesus, is an outward act of profound faith.

Christ’s New Era

The new era Christ ushered in, shown by Jesus's power over what was seen as God’s punishment, is marked by healing, restoration, and acceptance, replacing generations of shame and isolation like that endured by lepers.

Giving thanks in Christ’s new era, brings hope, inclusion, and spiritual renewal to those who were sidelined.

Christ’s new area is about God’s grace for all.

Jesus compassionate intervention shows a significant shift, reflecting a message of hope because God's grace goes beyond social and ethnic barriers.

Christ’s new era changes life.

Giving thanks leads to a continuous relationship with God and changes how we live, showing that faith is about gratitude, not just seeking help.

Acknowledging God as the giver of all gifts and practicing gratitude can deepen well-being and strengthen your relationship with God.

Trekking with Timothy

5th Century Baptism  Font

But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith.
(from 1 Timothy 6:6-19)

 

Gwendolyn Brooks wrote:

"Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.1"

Trekking: A long-distance adventure to explore remote or rough areas, usually including overnight camping.

50 Miler hikes with Boy Scouts are like this definition. During the hike, scouts have opportunities to learn, develop skills, and interact with others in the group.

The scout who cooled his feet at a lake during a rest learned about blisters. Eager for relief, a younger scout ran to the water’s edge and soaked his feet.

The combination of damp boots and tender feet became a lesson as he soon nursed a painful blister, learning a small but memorable lesson

Trekking daily gave me a sacred time to reflect deeply, to listen for God’s voice in the quiet forest, or in the conversation around a campfire.

My Elder’s Pilgrimage, trekking alongside Timothy’s ancient wisdom, became a sacred time for this kind of growth.

Godliness

Verse 6 says “there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment.”

Godliness, for Jesus' first-century followers, implied living as disciples guided by their awe of God.  

Living as disciples transforms behavior through a sacred spark of God's presence.

God’s presence removes sources of disobedience and separation from God, such as feelings of doubt, distraction, or unhealthy habits."

God’s presence is like a sight-giving balm of wisdom, propelling us to become more like Jesus through active faith.

We are sustained, I believe, in this life-long journey, this “living in the along” through God’s freely given gifts of grace, mercy can peace.

Works of Piety. Wesley divided them into individual practices such as studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting and community practices such as sharing in the Communion and Baptism and Bible study.

Work of Mercy. Such as visiting the sick, prisoners, and feeding the hungry. They wee also divided into communal practices such as seeking justice, ending oppression and caring for the poor.

Staying Sane

"Is there no balm in Gilead?

Is there no physician there?

Why then is there no healing

for the wound of my people?"

(Jeremiah 8:22)

Rapper BigXthaPlug, behind bars for his son’s first birthday, unraveled, with behavior landing him in solitary confinement.

"I knew I was mentally gone when I was counting the bricks in the cell.”

“One day I just screamed out my door, ‘How the hell do y’all stay sane?’”.

How does one stay sane?

That’s a good question, especially today filled with external and internal violence and turmoil around us?

Jeremiah’s calling from God was to speak a message to Israel of God’s coming judgment and destruction due to idolatry, social injustices, and moral decay.

The judgement and consequences were Jerusalem’s siege and Babylonian captivity.

Jeremiah's message in the catastrophes was:

• Yes, there is death, destruction, and multiple catastrophes,
• But there is life and restoration on the other side.

Begin with Prayer.

Staying sane, I believe, begins with prayer designed to change a person internally giving perspective of hope

People often pray asking God to change something.

For example, praying for the homeless isn't expecting God to create more shelters. Instead, the prayer focuses me on homelessness so I begin thinking of ways to create change.

‘When you pray, move your feet.”

For me the Bible means praying for things needing change and I’m’ expected to “move my feet” by doing something about the change.”

Practice God’s means of Grace.

The “means” are “outward signs, words, or actions” that are “ordinary channels” by which God gives to individuals the type of grace they need.

Wesley’s three essential means of Christians observed: 

prayer, scripture and the sacrament of communion.

Practice Piety; 

prayer, sacraments, any kind of gathered worship, private devotional exercises, fasting,

Practice works Mercy:

focus on loving one’s neighbor through acts of compassion and acts of justice.

Trust.

God gives you strength for this journey.

God's Embracing Love

The Widow's Coin

“Or what woman having ten silver coins,

if she loses one of them,

does not light a lamp, sweep the house,

and search carefully until she finds it?”

(from Luke 15:1-10)

 People lose stuff.

The woman in the parable lost a single coin equal to her day’s wages.

Naturally, she’s looking desperately for the single coin!

Desperate Search

• As a poor woman, without status in Jesus’ time, she’s frantically searching thoroughly, extremely thoroughly.
• She’s looking everywhere by lighting a lamp, first making sure she has enough oil to keep the candle lit.
• She is sweeping an earth floor stirring up dust and dirt.
• Finally, she finds it!

Celebration

When she finds the coin, she celebrates by throwing a huge party with friends and neighbors probably spending all ten coins a well.

Jesus’ parable tells the listeners this how God works.

Embraced By Love

Mr. Perkins was living in a group home for men

He was lost to his family who were unable to care for him.

Sunday after Sunday he walked 5 blocks from the home to the church.

He arrived at church, wearing his flannel shirt, overalls and suspenders.

He'd stroll  down the aisle to his seat near the front, greeting everyone as he went saying, “Good Mornin”.

One Sunday, just before Christmas, he fell on the ice coming to church and was confined to his bed.

The Men’s group heard about this and decided to visit him.

They gathered around his bed, sang a few carols, and gave him a few presents.

He was overwhelmed with emotion.

God Works Like This

God was totally surrounding him with a loving community.

Certainly, the angels in heaven celebrated as the lost was found.

At the Potters Shed

‘This is what the Lord says:

Look! I am preparing a disaster for you

and devising a plan against you.

So turn from your evil ways, each one of you,

and reform your ways and your actions.’

(from Jeremiah 18:1-11)

The Lord instructed Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house.

 Jeremiah watches the potter at work, notices that the clay on the potter’s hand spoils the pot.

The potter destroys that one, picks up more clay’ and begins creating a new one.

Jeremiah gets it.

If the potter can do that to clay, can’t the Lord do that?

Can’t I, the Lord, also destroy and create?

I’m about to destroy, but I can also create.

If the people change from their evil actions, then I will not destroy them.

Repent and turn from your evil actions.

God is waiting for the people to decide if they will behave.

God is open to changing directions, rethinking possibilities, and relenting from devastation.

God’s actions are ultimately affected by the people’s willing to turn from destructive behaviors.

What might we forsake in order to create a better future for ourselves?

I would be interested in your responses to this question by emailing me at trollrevpa@gmail.com.

PR

Praying Psalm 1

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

(from Psalm 1)

As I was reading Psalm 1 again as if for the first time, I rediscovered by the obvious message that humans always have moral choices.

Additionally, all our moral choices, even the smallest of decisions, construct a life path for us.

We are not born good or bad, we are made one or the other through moral training and choices.

So, the ancient wisdom of choosing God, such as Deuteronomy11:26-28 or Joshua 24:15, "Choose this day whom you will serve..." promises new life to those stuck on bad roads.

It seems to me that praying Psalm 1 will help strengthen my moral choices.

To pray Psalm 1:

First: Begin by reading slowly, several times, the meaning of each verse as it applies to your life.

Second: Personalize your prayer by lifting to God your needs and wants.

Third: Focus on the central themes of the psalm: Delighting in God’s law, grace to meditate, walking in righteous living, and blessing your efforts.

Fourth: Pray with faith knowing God hears and answers prayer in Gods time and in God’s way.

Fifth: Pray Psalm 1 often letting it shape your moral choices while God guides you increasing your moral wisdom.

For example, "Lord, as I write this post, I pray for discernment to recognize the path of the righteous and to avoid the way of the wicked. Guide my steps and strengthen me to walk in your ways"

Walking with God

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being,

praise his holy name.

(from Ps.103:1-8)

Thomas Merton, American Trappist monk, writer and theologian, once asked himself a question he immediately answered:

 How does an apple ripen?

The apple, by simply being in the sun, fulfills its purpose of ripening, The apple doesn't try to ripen faster, it simply allows the sun to do its work.

 

There is nothing it can do to ripen itself.

It can’t do workouts, tighten its muscles and then suddenly be a red, ripened, juicy apple in the morning.

The apple just hangs on the branch in the sun, naturally ripening, where it receives its daily nourishment.

This is the basic plan for how Christians ripen in their relationship to God.

The difference is that Christians don’t naturally ripen in their relationship to God, we have to place themselves where we can be nourished.

The beginning place of nourishment I find most helpful is the Guide to Prayer For All Who Walk With God.

The daily walk in the Guide begins with an affirmation, psalm, and psalm prayer.

The walk continues with a daily scripture reading, silence, reading for reflection, your reflection, and prayers.

The daily walk concludes with an offering of self to God, and blessing such as Numbers 6:24-26.

The continuing steps carrying tis nourishment for people hungering and thirsting after righteousness are, for me are from Micah 6:8 and Jesus Great Commandment.

The Jesus' Refining Fire

 ““I have come to bring fire on the earth, 

and how I wish it were already kindled!

(From Luke 12:49-56)

As I write this post, the sky is hazy with smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

Currently, the Canadian government reports over 700 wildfires burning, primarily caused by human activities, lightning strikes, and climate change.

The majority of the active fires are labeled "out of control," meaning they are not contained, spreading the smoke, causing the world's worst air quality. 

For me it's like Abraham looking towards Sodom and Gomorrah watching smoke rising from God’s destroyed land 

Jeremiah wrote about God's fire as destructive while Malachi 3:2-3 wrote about it as refining, both bring about change

As a rabbi, Jesus, knowing the scriptures, wants to set a refining fire of change.

As the Son of God, Jesus asks that God’s kingdom disrupt the world bringing it to perfection through a refining fire..

This perfection means no oppression, greed, or idolatry.

It’s the same for exploitation, dehumanization, narcissism, or any evil preventing God’s people from creating and thriving.

To pray “thy kingdom come” is to pray for God’s refining fire of change.

For Jesus, the refining fire burns down our human need for security those institutions that providing human security instead of God’s security.

It does not, however, serve the purposes of comfort. The fire Jesus describes is costly, but it serves the purpose of life and love.

The refining fire’s light leads to action and action leads to choice.

 In the words of the poet Mary Oliver ,

The gospel of

light is the crossroads of -- indolence, or action.

Be ignited, or be gone.

For me being ignited is based on Micah 6:8, justice, mercy, walking with God.

Grantchester's Warning

"But know this:

if the owner of the house had known

at what hour the thief was coming,

the owner would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man

is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

(from Luke 12:32-40)

I regularly watch Grantchester; a murder mystery set in 1950s England.

The main characters are a local detective and an Anglican priest who, as a team, solve mysteries set in the town.

Two aspects of Grantchester impress me.

First, the simplicity of the 1950’s police communications done by a landline phone and not cell phone.

Second, the simplicity of daily life with little television and fewer possessions allowing the characters to focus on their vocation of detective and priest.

This simplicity is more than a nostalgic return to the “good old days”.

Instead, it’s a Shaker type of simplicity where austerity allows freedom from distractions to focus on worship and community.

Today’s distraction-filled world has seemingly countless activities demanding our attention such as social obligations and children's school programs.

Jesus calls us beyond this distraction-filled lifestyle to a focused vocation prioritizing God-centered actions such as healing, justice, love, grace, peace.

This isn’t easy.

That’s why Jesus reminds the disciples, and us, that God has given everything necessary so we do not need to be afraid.

We have been given the gifts life and creation, eternal life, the Holy Spirit in Baptism, and Christ’s body and blood in communion.

With these gifts, when Jesus arrives at the “unexpected hour”, we will be dressed ready for service with our lamps lit.

Holy Communion is the reminder for me that God loves me as I focus on the God-centered action of justice.

Holy Communion for me is the unshakable treasure in heaven so I don’t need to be afraid as I work on my actions of justice.

 

Grain, Barns, and God

But God said to him, ‘You fool!

This very night your life

will be demanded from you.

Then who will get what

you have prepared for yourself?’

(From Luke 12:13-21)

Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken, is among my favorite of his.

In the poem a traveler comes to diverging roads and needs to decide which to take.

One road doesn’t look as though it’s been used as much while the other looks well used, so the traveler ponders, which shall I take?

It’s difficult for the traveler to make a decision not knowing where each path leads.

The traveler makes a choice recognizing that in the future the choice may have been wrong, but it’s impossible to go back and change the choice.

This is he sense of the parable of the Rich Fool, which choice does one make?

Here’s a rich land owner with an abundance of whatever crop and so a choice must be made. The choice made is to build a larger barn to store more crops.

Celebrate! Eat, drink, and be merry!

This choice is made based on greed and without thought of any neighbor’s needs neglecting justice and the love of God.

The party ends abruptly when God says, “Fool! Your life will be taken tonight! Now what happens to your things?”

It’s too late to change your choices!

We are in the same position as the traveler and the rich farmer: making active choices.

We can choose to be “rich with barns” by accumulating possessions, wealth (think 401k’s) so retirement is a time to “eat, drink, and be merry”

Or we can choose to be rich toward God.

We can be rich toward God by loving generously and seeking God’s kingdom through acts of justice and mercy.

Knocking on Heaven's Door

"If you, then, who are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will the heavenly Father

give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

(from Luke 11:1-13)

At a healing group I led, someone asked for prayers for a friend whose child a severe cold.

We all prayed for recovery of the child.

The next morning about 10 a.m. the person called me asking if the child’s cold was healed.

I replied that I didn’t know because I hadn’t called the mother yet.

In today’s culture of instant response, the question was understandable.

In Jesus culture, someone knocking at your door in the middle of the night broke all rules of basic hospitality, and personal dignity.

The disciples were asking Jesus to be taught how to pray.

Jesus tells a parable about persistently knocking until the door is open.

Is persistence the lesson?

Persistence may imply God is reluctant, unaware, and needing harassing by our prayers before God will do what we want.

Must we bang on heaven’s doors to get God’s attention?

Is shamelessness the lesson?

Shamelessness in Jesus culture was caused by lack of concern about what is proper in situations.

If shamelessness then whom, the sleeper acting shamelessly with disregard of his neighbor, or the neighbor acting to avoid shame?

Either way, we are not the key that makes prayer “work”.

Is God’s kingdom the lesson?

God is good and eager to give, but not just the things we ask for in our idolized prosperity culture.

Praying “Your kingdom come,” leads to disciples receiving the Spirit which enlivens, feeds, and defends them.

Having received the Spirit, their mission becomes proclaiming the coming kingdom life only possible in God’s household: love.

The Hope of Forgiven Sins

"Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!"

(from Psalm 25:1-10)

Israel’s King David, a skilled warrior known for defeating Goliath, also led numerous other victories, expanding and securing the kingdom’s borders.

Politically, he united Israel’s tribes, established Jerusalem as capital, and created a strong central government.

Despite his successes, he made serious moral mistakes, like the Bathsheba affair and killing Uriah.

David's trials included Tamar’s betrayal, Absalom’s revolt, and his death in battle.

Nathan, David’s prophet, confronted him about the sin, and David repented.

God’s punishments consisted of a series of family tragedies, including the death of his infant son and conflicts with his children.

Our life journey isn’t King David’s, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t committed sins and transgressions in our youth.

We are clearly conscious of the feelings of shame and guilt menacing us as we remember them.

Like the composer of Psalm 25 we pray to God for mercy and love in our life journey because we know that the “sins and transgressions of our youth” are carried into adult forms.

Psalm 25 is also a statement of trust in God’s guidance leading to redemption as we walk our journey in relationship to God.

Just because we are in need of redemption, doesn’t mean we can’t learn from God’s teachings.

We can be taught God’s ways and paths, what is right, and the meaning of humility.

However, the psalm tells us, we must wait for God’s help with hope, not like waiting for a meeting, but like waiting in a hospital room as your loved one is in surgery.

An Ancient Legend of Mary & Martha

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 

but few things are needed—indeed only one.

 Mary has chosen the better part, 

which will not be taken away from her.”

( from Luke 10:38-42)

There’s a famous legend about Martha told after Jesus’s resurrection.

Martha becomes a traveling preacher ending up in a small French that, unfortunately, has a chronic dragon problem. Martha slays the dragon which wins the whole town over to Christianity.

In the same legend, Mary, on that same trip, starts a monastery in the wilderness.

In this legend, they both complete their assigned roles in Christian history:

Martha acts and Mary studies. Martha represents an active faith, while Mary represents a contemplative faith.

Martha shows Jesus hospitality while Mary sits at his feet listening. They represent different parts of Christian discipleship and both are seen as positive characters.

They are both doing good things. There is no villain in this story.

The confusion begins when Jesus says Mary has the better part and we don’t search the scriptures for an obvious meaning.

Jesus rebuke is about Martha's distraction, because she’s focusing on the actions of others instead of her relationship with Jesus.

Mary, on the other hand is focused on Jesus which can never be taken away.

It’s a challenging idea that we can do right and good things but still be distracted by the wrong things and focus more on perceived shortcomings of others than on our relationship with Jesus.

The Gospel is clear that disciples serve and listen to the word.

As we navigate our way in today’s complicated, distracting world, serving and listening are critical.

Maybe we’ll slay dragons or start monasteries, but the main thing is our focus on Jesus.