Wednesday, May 30, 2018

“But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’" (Luke 11:28 NIV)

                Just maybe, you are having a Red Letter Day! I hope so.

                The term “Red Letter” originated in Classical Roman times when important dates and occasions were indicated in red on the Roman calendar. To make a long story short the early Christian Church also adopted this habit to denote major festivals and dates within the Christian liturgical year. Red is also a symbolic colour for the Holy Spirit.

                Some translations of the Bible will render Jesus’ words in the Gospels in red. I presume this would indicate the important, weighty, spiritual authority that his words carry for believers. Jesus is speaking. Pay attention – this is significant.  His words make a difference if we take them  seriously enough.

                So, I was intrigued this week to read an article about “red letter evangelicals”. These are evangelic Christians who are opposed to President Trump unlike their conservative evangelical brethren who, despite the questionable ethics of Donald Trump, support him because he ascribes to their very conservative, political agenda. The red letter Christians have taken their name from the words of Jesus highlighted in red print. In other words, they are challenging Trump and his right wing Christian supporters by insisting that Jesus sets the agenda and the course of decent, just and compassionate kingdom values. Jesus’ words, lifted off the page in bright red, accentuate the essential direction of life in its many forms.

                Mind you, governments and many ardent, dogmatic religious folk  didn’t get Jesus words in Jesus’ own time, so I am not holding my breath for this to change any time soon in our current culture and times.

                The red letter Christians did get themselves banned off the campus of Liberty University. This is the Christian University begun by Jerry Falwell, once the strident and ardent spokesperson for the highly successful Christian right. Good on them! I don’t know their whole political agenda  but talk about red letter days.

                My point is that Jesus words are often tough, challenging, life-altering and even a little risky when taken seriously. Never mind the politics for a moment but Jesus’ words can be counterintuitive, counter-cultural, counter-worldly, and even counter-religious or counter political.

                The Beatitudes alone must make the world laugh at such foolishness. “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”  (Matthew 5: 5) What nonsense! We live in an age of bullies, toughies, threats, aggression, violence, harassment. This can be a very tough world for the meek.

                But Jesus’ words pit us against any system of oppression, violence, racism, hatred, injustice, un-neighbourliness, or a world without love, grace, mercy, peace, joy, sharing, forgiveness, and good old fashion, down-to-earth “brotherhood” (which must, of course, include women).

                Jesus’ words are radical: "Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.” (Matthew 5: 38 – 42, The Message Bible)

                This is what Jesus himself practiced making him the Word made flesh. He is uncompromising in his trust in you and me to follow him and put these words into a living reality of our own making.

                It would be a red letter day indeed if we all made a more holistic effort to embody the words of Jesus in our speech, actions and lives.

Dale

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 

“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands and encourage those who have weak knees.” (Isaiah 35:3, NLT) 

                 I am hoping that praying from one’s knees is not a mandatory condition for getting God’s attention. If so I am in deep trouble.

                I attempted some gardening this past weekend – not much, just in the front flower beds. I planted 3 hostas, 10 large germaniums and 24 impatiens. And I have discovered that getting down on my knees is a tricky and aching enterprise. But it’s nothing compared to getting back up – a crane would have been helpful.  My two, artificial knees don’t cooperate like they used to. (I just had a horrible thought -  do artificial knees make my prayers less real even if I could kneel!?)

                I suppose I could complain about the arthritis in my tired hands, too, but then I would really sound like an old fogey. Too late?  I recall that 40 years ago, on the May long weekend Susan and I went to my parents’ home in Belleville and helped them do the planting in their flower gardens. (Hey, my beloved children - Hint! Hint!) It was also that same weekend that I got down on my knees (figuratively speaking) and proposed to Susan. I had no knee issues way back then!

                Perhaps, biblical references to “weak knees” symbolizes a person’s faith which has become exhausted under trying circumstances. It may signify a person’s doubts amid trials and tribulations. It may speak to our human stubbornness to bend a knee to God because we are angry and hurt.  In our text from Isaiah the people have been seemingly abandoned in exile and they toil and labour and bend a knee to a foreign power. Their prayers have fallen on the closed ears of their God.

                But then, in the midst of such a heavy burden which has buckled knees, there comes a fresh promise of good news on the horizon! Hope is reborn.  Promises are made.  Life is returning. Joy is found again. The people will be freed from their oppressors and return home. “God will come and save you.” (Isaiah35:4).

The poetic words are bold, daring and audacious under the circumstances of the people’s lost and desperate condition: “And when God comes, God will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.”

                This is the news that will strengthen tired hands and weak knees.  “Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.” (Isiah 35:10)

                This message of Good News works for you and me, too.  In its light we are emboldened to wait in anticipation and expectation for God to help move us forward into his future and be embraced by his Vison. We are encouraged not to give up or give in but hold fast, endure, and have patience for God is not yet done.  We are given renewed strength so that we “will soar high on wings like eagles… run and not grow weary… walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

                “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:12 NLT) 

Dale

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

                It is a very humbling experience to play video games with one’s five-year old grandson (William). Especially when he gently takes my game controller away from me and says, “Let me do it, Grandpa.” He does it so kindly, too – no eye rolls, no sighs, no head shakes. He simply takes the controller, finishes my game task and just hands it back to me without comment. We carry on until shortly I am stuck again and we repeat the same process.  He is very patient with me.

                I have suggested that I need my own PlayStation4 so as to practice by gamesmanship. Or I foresee the conversation in a few years when he is a teenager going like this, Grandpa: “Hey, William, wanna play “Lego Batman 15”? William (as he hurriedly heads for the door): “Gee, Grandpa, I would love to but I have a math test that I want to study for.”

                Young whippersnapper!

                So, what are you really good at? What is your talent? What calls out your best effort and passion? What can you point at and get much satisfaction for its accomplishment?

                The Apostle Paul is imagining a spiritual context for his celebration of gifts within the community of believers. The observance of Pentecost (May 20) recalls the spiritual energy and vibrant creativity of the coming of God’s Holy Spirit to stimulate and animate the work and being of the Church.

                There are several lists of gifts in Paul’s writings. This would suggest that none of these lists are exhaustive, but act as reminders of the breadth of the working of God’s Spirit among us. These are not super powers, per se, but seem almost mundane and practical, even pragmatic.

For example, the list in Romans: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12: 6 – 8)

Note the encouragement to do one’s very best, to give it one’s all, to throw yourself into the work, and to do it without reservation.  “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…” (2 Timothy 1:6)

I do not believe for a second that these gifts are to be used exclusively just “Inside” the church, but these are attributes which help build up others and the communities we live in. These are qualities which contribute significantly to the shaping of God’s Kingdom of Love, Justice and Peace.

Paul is quite adamant that every one is given some gift or another. No one is left on the sidelines. “However, God has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7). These gifts and talents come in all shapes and sizes. These gifts come to young and old. These gifts are allotted to the rich and the poor. These gifts do not depend on our piety, or on our religiosity, or on our intelligence, intellect or knowledge.

Most importantly, these gifts are given so that we may help one another. “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10) we encourage each other, help each other, assist each other when we use the gifts of God’s Grace and Love.

Jesus knows the power of using these gifts when shared with and heart and hand: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38).

Dale

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 

“Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so God spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.” (Deuteronomy 32:11)

                A few years back, during one of our summer stays in Nova Scotia, we watched a family of bald eagles who were living on our shores on the Bay of Fundy. By the time we were there the young eaglets were on the wing, but they still demanded much of their parents’ attention, especially at feeding time.

They were being taught to fish for themselves, although the young eaglets much preferred waiting for mom or dad to catch a fish and feed them while they impatiently waited on the rocks. The little eagles could complain long and loud if supper wasn’t “on the table” as soon as possible. In turn mom or dad eagle would scold and admonish their offspring, imploring them to get off their feathery backsides and fend for themselves. It all made for some lively and loud dinnertime “discussions” – sort of like a Soble family dinner.

The beautiful, poetic imagery from the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32: 1 -43) captures the celebration of God’s personal presence, intervention and compassion for this wandering band of nomads, running for their lives from the despotic power of Pharaoh, struggling through vast untamed wildernesses, facing spiritual challenges, failures, fears and enemies. Small wonder that some wanted to go back to Egypt despite the hard, oppressive certainty of slavery if they did so.

Like our young eagles, the people often complained about their situation. They were provided free food (manna) and then complained that it was too boring, eating the same thing over and again. They were provided with water and complained about that. They fashioned other (useless) gods when God didn’t act swiftly or soon enough to supply them what they wanted. They stumbled and bumbled their way through the desert, trying God’s patience and resolve, not to mention God’s Love. This Song of Moses expresses both extremes of God’s feelings toward his children, expressing both his loving mercy and his sacred frustration.

But any parent is going to get God’s reaction instantly. One minute you are in awe and wonder at this child who is yours and the next moment you are ready to disown them for their stupidity and childish mistakes.  One minute you as proud as can be and then before you know it you are left shaking your head. One minute you are certain that you have equipped him or her for the life journey ahead and then the next moment you are not sure if he or she should ever leave the house on their own. One minute you are eager for their independence and then the next moment you want to build a bubble around them.

But through thick and thin, loving, caring, forgiving, patient parents soar with their young through every skinned knee, broken heart, successful accomplishment, school exams, job interviews, and the life choices they make.  It is never easy, seldom simple, occasionally perplexing, but a shared experience that brings joy and satisfaction.

“God found them out in the wilderness, in an empty, windswept wasteland. He threw his arms around him, lavished attention on them, guarding them as the apple of his eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10, The Message Bible)

Hang in there, moms and dads! You aren’t alone in the parenting business!

  

Dale

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  (Colossians 3:12)

Our dog Charlie – the smart one? – has an addiction problem.  He has taken to chewing and eating the shredded black mulch that surrounds our back yard. Heaven only knows what this stuff is treated with or what exactly it is composed of. But he loves the stuff – can’t stop chewing it. If I yell at him to stop he just glares and goes off and sulks. How bad is it? One morning, he grabbed a mouthful and went off to the far corner of the yard and hid under one of the big pine trees, assuming I wouldn’t catch him enjoying his bad habit. I may have to enrol him in a 12 Step program. Is there a Mulch Anonymous for dogs?

Perhaps I shouldn’t be so judgmental. I have a few bad habits of my own, some of which aren’t all that healthful either.

It is so easy to cultivate a bad habit, isn’t it? Just as it is easy also to fall out of good habits. We can get lazy, indifferent, neglectful, thoughtless or carless and before we know it we have fallen into a nasty, little habit that does us or anybody else no good at all. Sometimes these little habits grow into something bigger and more detrimental to our well-being. If we take any notice at all we may make excuses, come up with rationalizations, and try to validate and justify our behaviour.

It is equally important to catch what Paul is writing just prior to our above text. “It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, abusive talk. Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire.” (Colossians 3: 7-9, The Message Bible)

There is a TV ad for an anti-smoking medication that has some interesting fine print at the bottom of the ad. This medication works best with “will power” and that, in fact, there is no substitute for this will power.

Jesus once commented, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”  (Luke 11:28)  The problem for us is that Jesus practiced what he preached. Sometimes we quit on Jesus because he is too good for us to follow. We feel we can’t measure up. But I think Jesus has more faith in our capacity for good practices than we do. “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” (John 13: 15 – 17, NLT)

So if you are dealing with some variety of “mulch chewing” in you personal life ask yourself whether it is time to deal with it. Then replace whatever it was with something that is good for you. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.” (The Message Bible)

Blessings! 

Dale