Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Psalm 23
Read Psalm 23
We have to travel some distance to connect with Psalm 23. Not only the time between now and the then of the ancient text. St. Philip's church campus is in the heart of suburbia. In a neighborhood of greenbelts, we often see deer, raccoons, possums, coyotes, and the occasional bobcat; however, grazing for cattle and sheep are several miles distant. Some of us have farming and ranching in our family background, but few of us depend on animal stock for our livelihood.
We have to fit the image of God as our shepherd into our situation. We read Jesus' self-description,
and we struggle to see ourselves as sheep.
As we allow the truth of this metaphor to become our reality, we are released from the burden of being spiritually self-sufficient and find the Christ who relieves the deepest symptoms of our human condition.
[Art Credit: http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/jmjoncas/LiturgicalStudiesInternetLinks/JewishWorship/JewishWorshipMusic/OTPsalms/Psalm023.html]
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| Great Psalm 23 by Irv Davis |
We have to fit the image of God as our shepherd into our situation. We read Jesus' self-description,
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.17 “This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.” (John 10:11-18, CEB)
and we struggle to see ourselves as sheep.
As we allow the truth of this metaphor to become our reality, we are released from the burden of being spiritually self-sufficient and find the Christ who relieves the deepest symptoms of our human condition.
[Art Credit: http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/jmjoncas/LiturgicalStudiesInternetLinks/JewishWorship/JewishWorshipMusic/OTPsalms/Psalm023.html]
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Luke 22:39 - 24:12
Read Luke 22:39 - 24:12
[Video Credit: "Finale" from the Fall 2007 production of Godspell at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMrcKSvOCk8]
[Video Credit: "Finale" from the Fall 2007 production of Godspell at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMrcKSvOCk8]
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Luke 7:36 - 8:3
Read Luke 7:36 - 8:3
You have the ability to recognize your attitudes and actions ("sin") that separate you from God. In the space of that distancing God's love for you continues; yet, respecting your capacity to choose who and how you are ("free will"), the Holy Spirit refrains from shaping you into all that God created you to be.
When your recognition of your sin results in remorse and you truly desire to live into God's love ("repentance"), acknowledge that to God ("confession"). Be honest, humble.
Jesus offers you "forgiveness." This is the loving action of God that heals and restores you into the relationship that God desires for you.
Be cautious about putting all of your hope in the inherent goodness of your humanity, confident in your ability to consistently make the better choices that enhance your life and positively contribute to a greater good for other people. Our inherent goodness is partial, and is only completed by Christ.
[Art Credit: http://beddingfield.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html]
You have the ability to recognize your attitudes and actions ("sin") that separate you from God. In the space of that distancing God's love for you continues; yet, respecting your capacity to choose who and how you are ("free will"), the Holy Spirit refrains from shaping you into all that God created you to be.
When your recognition of your sin results in remorse and you truly desire to live into God's love ("repentance"), acknowledge that to God ("confession"). Be honest, humble.
Jesus offers you "forgiveness." This is the loving action of God that heals and restores you into the relationship that God desires for you.
Be cautious about putting all of your hope in the inherent goodness of your humanity, confident in your ability to consistently make the better choices that enhance your life and positively contribute to a greater good for other people. Our inherent goodness is partial, and is only completed by Christ.
[Art Credit: http://beddingfield.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html]
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Galatians 2:15-21
Read Galatians 2:15-21
Living by faith, receive and accept the truth that Jesus does love you. Let the reality of that relationship assure you as you face any uncertainty, anything beyond your control. Let it guide how you think about yourself and others. Let it influence how you respond to today's events, both the expected and the surprising. Even through unpleasant circumstances, live by faith.
[Art Credit: http://redeemerblog.com/2009/12/01/ever-heard-of-wordle/]
Living by faith, receive and accept the truth that Jesus does love you. Let the reality of that relationship assure you as you face any uncertainty, anything beyond your control. Let it guide how you think about yourself and others. Let it influence how you respond to today's events, both the expected and the surprising. Even through unpleasant circumstances, live by faith.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Psalm 5:1-8
Read Psalm 5:1-8
Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I lay it all out before you. (Psalm 5:3, CEB)
Anticipate your day with God. Expect and accept that God is with you throughout the day. Each morning, preview the hours ahead. Think about the people with whom you will share time, praying for them. Look to the tasks for which you are accountable, asking God to guide your work. Look to your leisure time, thanking God that you have the ability to re-create. Suspecting when and where you will encounter challenges, surrender those to God's strength, and pray for wisdom and support.
[Art Credit: http://www.eyekons.com/art_and_psalms/virginia_wieringa_psalm_5]
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| "Hallelujah Morning" by Virginia Wieringa |
In the morning I lay it all out before you. (Psalm 5:3, CEB)
Anticipate your day with God. Expect and accept that God is with you throughout the day. Each morning, preview the hours ahead. Think about the people with whom you will share time, praying for them. Look to the tasks for which you are accountable, asking God to guide your work. Look to your leisure time, thanking God that you have the ability to re-create. Suspecting when and where you will encounter challenges, surrender those to God's strength, and pray for wisdom and support.
[Art Credit: http://www.eyekons.com/art_and_psalms/virginia_wieringa_psalm_5]
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Luke 7:11-17
Read Luke 7:11-17
[Art credit: http://gritintheoyster.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/the-great-prophet-and-the-widows-son-luke-711-17/]
[Art credit: http://gritintheoyster.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/the-great-prophet-and-the-widows-son-luke-711-17/]
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Luke 7:1-10
Read Luke 7:1-10
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| Synagogue in Capernaum |
How is it that a centurion, who very presence in the community reminds the citizens that they live oppressed by the forced occupation of a foreign government, has more faith than Israel?
The Jewish leaders had already witnessed this officer's expression of his respect for themselves and his indigenous neighbors, contributing to building their place of worship (the Synagogue, pictured above). I have walked through those ruins, thinking about the centurion who helped fund its construction, but whom would never cross the threshhold because his presence would defile that sacred space. I have imagined him standing at the doorway, looking in and wondering about God.
He showed a similar respect for Jesus. After asking for the Lord's help, he realizes that Jesus would defile himself even by stepping into Roman's home. Recognizing that the directed authority of Jesus' power would be sufficient, the centurion requests that Jesus simply commands the healing to happen.
His trust in Jesus is faithful confidence in who Jesus is and what Jesus does for those who ask.
For faith, life, and faithful living
The Jewish leaders had already witnessed this officer's expression of his respect for themselves and his indigenous neighbors, contributing to building their place of worship (the Synagogue, pictured above). I have walked through those ruins, thinking about the centurion who helped fund its construction, but whom would never cross the threshhold because his presence would defile that sacred space. I have imagined him standing at the doorway, looking in and wondering about God.
He showed a similar respect for Jesus. After asking for the Lord's help, he realizes that Jesus would defile himself even by stepping into Roman's home. Recognizing that the directed authority of Jesus' power would be sufficient, the centurion requests that Jesus simply commands the healing to happen.
His trust in Jesus is faithful confidence in who Jesus is and what Jesus does for those who ask.
For faith, life, and faithful living
- Where in your life do you need to distinguish between what you can do and what Jesus can do?
- Where do you need faithful confidence?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Galatians 1:11-24
Read Galatians 1:11-24
What changes in your life has Christ made that others will see today?
[Art credit: http://www.123rf.com/photo_16529266_abstract-word-cloud-for-spiritual-transformation-with-related-tags-and-terms.html]
[Art credit: http://www.123rf.com/photo_16529266_abstract-word-cloud-for-spiritual-transformation-with-related-tags-and-terms.html]
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
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