Red Letters/Black Letters: An Intermission

Well, yesterday we reached day 50. If you have been along for the whole ride I want to say thank you.

And then I want to say sorry.

Because today is not day 51, today is day 1 of a 3 week break. When I started this blog 52 days ago I was 2 weeks ahead and thought that I would easily be able to keep up with a daily writing schedule so as not to fall behind, alas it was not meant to be. After several weeks of going strong I fell off the tracks because, as is often the case, life started getting in the way. There were extended times when it was just me and Henry, which I allowed to keep me from daily entries. Then there were several trips, some over a weekend, one longer which I again allowed to keep me from daily entries.

What was a two week cushion quickly became a 1 day cushion and then a no day cushion. Several days I wrote multiple entries to make up for the lag. If you follow my other blogs you will have noticed the severe drop off after what I thought was going to be a new start to weekly entries. Again, I let life get in the way, and I let my attitude and feelings get in the way. I have been struggling now for the almost 2 months since I stepped away from the pulpit. I find myself languishing. I find myself seething. I find myself in a place I don't much care for.

I have questions that I need to answer, I have battles I need to start fighting. And so, I am stepping away from all three blogs for the next three weeks. Sometime during the week of August 17 I will return. I pray that what I have been sharing has been helpful to you, if it has I hope you will continue to walk beside me during this time away [your prayers would be appreciated] and when I resurface. If you have been using this blog as a part of your daily devotion I especially apologize for the downtime, my hope is that when I return this blog will be the better for the break.

Peace, love, and good tidings to you until the next time.
Kenny

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 50: Specks and Planks

"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from our own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye." Luke 6:42

If we are honest there is no one who is morally superior to another. Each time we call out another we are pointing out their stain and overlooking our own. We are all so ready to cast the first stone, no matter how much sin we have in our own lives.

We do this, I think, because of the sin hierarchy that exists in our minds and in our culture (both within the church and in the larger society). Interestingly enough the sins that we commit, whatever they are, tend to fall at the bottom of the hierarchy while the current 'popular' sins tend to fall at the top of our hierarchy.

I can point out your tiny speck and proudly showoff my plank because a speck of what you do is so much worse than a plank of what I do. Except it's not, sin is sin is sin no matter which ones you or they commit. I sometimes wonder how many of our current (and past) holy wars can be (could have been) avoided if we all realized that we are all in the same sin boat.

+ Which sins are worse in your mind?

+ Can you remember a time when you pointed out the speck while living with a plank? Have you apologized for it? If not, now may be a good time.

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 49: What's wrong with purple?

"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:36

In my opinion mercy is something that we. in our 21st Century American context. sorely lack.

I say this because we are currently so entrenched in our Republican vs. Democrat, our Red vs. Blue, our Me vs. You mindset. In this current mindset we have such a dualism where Republican = good and Democrat = bad, and vice versa. We are no longer a conglomeration of people working toward the same goal, but instead have become a nation of warring factions.

Sometimes this breaks my heart, and I have the belief that if something breaks my heart, or your heart, it also breaks the heart of God. This is especially true because this mindset is also firmly entrenched in our churches, where we have red members and blue members who sit near each other but can't stand the other's beliefs.

It has been said, but it bears repeating, that God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. There are things that each party stands for that God wants for us and there are things each party stands for that God is diametrically opposed to. 

Perhaps it's time we start showing the people on the other side of the issues a little more mercy and a little less disdain.

+ Do you have animosity towards those in a different political party? Why?

+ How can you work to see them differently? Do you even think you should?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 48: Hard Questions

"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away our goods do not ask them back." Luke 6:29-30

Should a Christian sue someone?

Should a Christian protect themselves from harm? How about their families? How about their country?

Should a Christian argue about taxes?

Should a Christian engage in dirty politics? Politics at all?

Should a Christian protest?

 Should a Christian argue for their faith?

Should a Christian ever bypass the men and women on the corner with the cardboard signs?

I don't know the answers to these questions. I have come up with some answers in my own life, but as far as absolute truths about the rightness or wrongness I am less sure. But, I do think that asking the questions is important, whatever side you end up on. The questions aren't easy ones, and if you come up with answers they will set you against powerful people, powerful ideas, powerful organizations. The answers may lead to discipline or persecution. They could get you kicked out of your church, your job, your friend group.

But please, ask the questions.

+ Do you agree the questions I raised should be asked? Or am I over-reaching?

+ How do you interpret Jesus' words in these verses?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 47: Sabbath Origins

"The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Luke 6:5

Eyes look down
And see
And see
And see
A people once proud now beaten
A people once vital laid low
A people once alive laid out
7 days a week
7 days of work
7 days of sweat
7 days of blood
Blood of the children crying out for freedom
Freedom denied
Freedom stolen
Freedom around the corner
The babe saved
The prince cast out
The farmer found on holy ground
The man chosen to free and lead
A king of pride and glory
Against a God of power and might
A king laid low by the blood of the children
The blood of the children crying out for freedom
Freedom restored
Freedom refound
Freedom held loosely
Tablets and a calf of gold
Tablets and a people restored
7 days a week
6 days of work
A gift for the beaten
A gift for the low
A gift used to hold down again
Good intentions
Explain the unexplained
Fence in the boundless
Boundaries
Good intentions
Path to Hell

+ In what ways has Jesus changed the Law?

+ What rules do you hold over people?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 46: Now, not Always

"Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. 

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Luke 6:21

Again, others have said this before, but I tend to think that the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) was probably preached multiple times in multiple settings, hence Luke's Sermon on the Plain. Along with that, I believe that Matthew 5-7 is the most important passage in the entire Bible. The sermon is Jesus' roadmap to following him, it contains his non-negotiables.

That said, I do like the wording found in Luke. We hunger now. We weep now.

So often when we are in the midst of struggle we forget that 'this too shall pass', but it's important to keep that in mind. It is also important to remember what God has brought us through before now as well. I believe that if we remind ourselves of what God has already accomplished in our lives and remember that all pain is temporary we can gain a better outlook in the pain and struggle.

In addition we need to be helping our friends and family in their times of struggle, reminding them what God has walked them through, reminding them that God will be with them though this struggle and the next struggle as well.

+ How do you keep positive in the struggle?

+ How can you be a hope to someone you know is in pain right now?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 45: Who Ya Worshipping?

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 

'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Luke 4:8

I have gotten behind. I have been putting this off. I read this verse and I think about its implications and I don't want to. Only worship God. Only worship God. As in, don't worship other things; while I don't write songs of praise for many things, I can't say that their aren't things I worship.

All I have to think about is the way I spend my time, my money, my energy, my thoughts and I soon realize that not only do I worship things that aren't God, I tend to worship them more and better. I can talk a good game, I've been told that I can bring out new things from scriptures that have been taught a thousand times. Yet, too often I would rather spend my life in other pursuits, toward other goals than holiness and purity and serving. 

I serve God. I serve others, which I believe also serves God. I also serve myself which often is no where near serving God. Maybe you're doing better, maybe you've got it figured out. If you do, I am open to advice. If you don't either, maybe we can help each other out.

+ Is God the only one you worship?

+ Is God the only one you serve?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 44: Jubilee

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19

If I told you that we are currently living in the midst of the 'acceptable year of the Lord' would you believe me? That right now we are living in the midst of Jubilee? The right now you have the ability to be set free, to see again, to have your heart restored? Does that seem like your reality?

If it doesn't you may be missing out on certain aspects of what God is offering.

I'm sure we'll get to it sooner or later, but Jesus says that one of the reasons he came was so that we could have life and have it to the full (John 10:10), he came so that we could really LIVE. Live free of our spiritual blindness. Live free from our captivity. Live free from our pain and our fear and our hate. Live free from our grudges and our heartaches. Jesus offers to take it all away, our mistakes and our debts.

It is the year of Jubilee. It is the acceptable year of the Lord and we can be set free if we but want it.

+ Do you believe that?

+ If not, do you want to?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 43: In the Garden

"Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; 

nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:36

He kneels there in the garden.

His friends have fallen asleep. 

He is at his brink. 

Sweat has turned to blood. 

Prayers have turned into begs. 

Love has turned to fear.

And in that moment Jesus requests a change of plans.

He fully comprehends what's coming down the road and it is a road he'd rather not walk. So he voices his fears and his requests to his father, he begs that the cup could pass by, that another way could be found. If it was my prayer or your prayer that is most likely where it would have ended, with the 'Please God, NO!' Jesus, though, doesn't end his prayer there. Jesus asks that the cup could disappear, but then he utters the most important part of his prayer, 'Not my will, but thine.'

Not my dream, but thine.

Not my path, but thine.

Not my job, but thine.

Not my girl/guy, but thine

Not my glory, but thine.

Not my team winning, but thine.

Not my riches, but thine.

Not my healing, but thine.

Not my request, but thine.

The difference between our prayers and Jesus' is that he willingly accepts whatever comes if it is the path God desires, while we usually just hope to get our way.

+ How do you pray? for your will or for God's will?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 42: Church of God (Anderson, IN) and Communion

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, 

"Take eat, this is My body." Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave

it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new

covenant, which is shed for many." Mark 14:22-24

On the first Sunday of every month for the last two and a half years I had this to say: One of my favorite things about the Church of God is that here we practice what is called an open table. If it is your first Sunday here, or your millionth Sunday here you are welcome to partake of communion with us. There is no class you have to attend. No list of beliefs you have to sign. You need not be baptized, you need not be perfect. 

The only thing that is required is for communion to mean something to you. If you know Jesus, if what he did by his life and death mean something to you come and join is at the table. The disciples were full of liars and cheaters, braggarts and thieves, and that was after they followed Jesus for three years. If they were able to partake, so are we.

As you are willing, as you are prepared, Come.

+ What does communion mean to you?

+ In your tradition what must someone do/believe in order to partake?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 41: See? He was telling the truth

"Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Mark 13:31

Twelve days ago I wrote on these exact words found in Matthew 24:35. In that entry I wrote about the Bible and time; I'll take a different path this time around.

It's been 2000 years, give or take, since Jesus uttered these words, and so far you would be hard pressed to disagree with the eternal nature of his words. An why would any of us want to? Jesus' words are not like our words. Too often, in the church we tear each other down, but too often that is exactly what we deserve. Because, to err is human.

We get that part of the saying, it is the divine act of forgiving that we often choose not to do, perhaps because we recognize the humanity in us, but not the divinity. Jesus didn't have the same issue, he recognized his humanity and his divinity and in that he was able to accomplish mighty things. Recognizing the divinity within himself Jesus was able to live a life of love, but also one of authenticity, and consistency. Perhaps if we could recognize our own divinity we could as well.

+ Do you believe that there is divinity within you? within others?

+ Disagree? Read Genesis 1:27

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 40:100 out of a 1000 or 2 out of 2

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 

So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you 

that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury," Mark 12:42-43

The preceding verses contain what I consider a scripture crime, it leaves out v.44 which explains why Jesus said what he did in v.43.

"for they put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty 

put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

This harkens back to what I wrote a while ago about everyone reading this blog being rich. Each time we give it is out of our abundance. I don't know about you, but I've never given God my last two cents. I have given the last money I had in my wallet, but I always had more money in the bank, more money on the debit card, more money in a cannister in my office, more, more, more.

I still often think so much of myself when I give, the people Jesus looked out and saw probably felt the same way. What's worse is that they and I, should we ever find ourselves with the widow's choice would have kept what little we had in case we needed it instead of giving it to God and trusting that God would see us through/

+ Do you give out of abundance or poverty?

+ If it is out of abundance, do you think you would out of poverty?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 39: Pride Goeth

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, 

and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

I think that most of us like to share when we do something for someone else. It is so hard to do a good deed and keep it quiet. Even at this moment I would like to recount the time I did... or that time I gave... But when we do share I wonder if we negate the good we have done. I say this because in the moment of giving we are doing for another and in the moment of boasting we shift it to being about us.

I wonder sometimes if a true follower of Jesus would live a life where they sought no recognition ever. Now, that person may indeed be recognized, perhaps even lifted up, but it wouldn't be because of their broadcasting of their deeds. What makes me think this? 2 things: this verse, and the multitude of times Jesus accomplished a miracle and then told those healed to keep silent about how they were healed. Perhaps we should only be lifted up by others, never by ourselves.

+ How often do you share the deeds you do?

+ How important is serving in humility to following Jesus?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 38: To become large, shrink

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first,

he shall be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35

We begin to get into trouble when we desire to be something that we are not meant to be.

The disciples were chosen and chosen to be equal and yet some wanted to be greater, actually, some wanted to be greatest. To some degree it is even understandable, they were the ones who were chosen, they were the ones that had sat at his feet, they were the ones to whom Jesus explained the parables, they were the ones who remained when others went back to their lives, they were the ones who left behind their professions and their families.

They had given.

Thought they did all that, though they were taught, often they failed to listen. A life of love, which is what Jesus taught and lived, is not one of greatness, at least not in the traditional sense.

You sacrifice for the ones you love. You lay down your life for the ones you love. You give what you have and attempt to give even more than that. By putting others before yourself you become less and by being less through love you become great in the kingdom. But, if you put yourself before others, you become less in the kingdom.

+ How well do you love?

+ How well do you give?

My All

I place my all on the altar
but I keep picking up pieces
a piece for my wife
a piece for my son
a little for my friends
and some for my church
a bit for my family
and a tad for strangers I may still meet
a piece for myself, so I'm not lost in the midst
till all that remains is what I no longer want

I place my all on the altar
or at least all of what's left
needing it to be burned,
after all isn't that what altars are for?
the dross the dirt the trash the rest
all that I have and can't stand
burn it up, burn it down
and pray God let that be the end

I place my all on the altar
after I take what I want
and the fire has come
and the fire has gone
just ashes remain
and I gather them up, for the journey ahead
because what I don't want I keep a strong hold of
so that the next time I don't want it I have it

I place my all on the altar
and wonder whats left
of my all and my soul
of my mind and my heart
of my faith and my life
of the dirt man that lives

I place my all on the altar
and hope that's enough
placing it there for but the moment
placing it there to be seen and regathered
placing it there for burning and collecting
placing it there cause that's where it belongs
my all on the altar, my all and my scars

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 37: Voices

"Do not be afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36b

What do you do when the voices come and tell you

to stop,

or that you're 

being foolish,

that you're walking 

the wrong path,

that you're lost 

even when you think

'you've finally found your way'?

A man came to Jesus asking for help, asking for healing for his daughter. Jesus offers it and they go on their way, and then the voices come. People show up saying that his daughter had died and that he should just leave Jesus alone. He went for help to the only person he thought could help and the voices tried to dissuade him, But then another voice spoke up.

"Don't be afraid, just believe."

"Don't be afraid, just believe."

Don't be afraid of death.

Don't be afraid of moving.

Don't be afraid of being foolish.

Don't be afraid of being mocked.

Don't be afraid of the voices.

On occasion we are only found after we're lost, only praised as wise on the other side of foolishness, only find freedom by walking away.

"Don't be afraid, just believe."

+ What do you fear?

+ What have the voices tried to stop you from doing?

+ In the times you listened, what happened? In the times you fought back, what happened?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 36: It worked for her, not always for us

And He said to her, 

"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Mark 5:34

She didn't speak up, she didn't step out from the crowd. She just reached out her hand and touched the master. She hadn't spent time at his feet, hadn't learned the rules, hadn't followed for years, but she had the faith that if she reached out her hand her life might change. It was as simple act of faith and nothing was ever the same. And Jesus replies that it was her faith that made her whole, it was her faith that started the healing.

At this point I could go one of two way: we could talk about the importance of simple faith, but instead I would like to talk about healing. Too often healing is a tricky thing, there have been times when we, in the church, have said that you just need a little more faith, or that the church just needs to pray a little more, or you just need a prayer cloth, or just need to place your hands on the screen. In truth I have no clue how healing happens, or when it happens, or why it happens; if we knew the formula it wouldn't be a miracle.

This woman was healed because of her faith, others are healed by their doctors or medicine or therapy, others aren't healed. Why? I don't know.

+ Have you or anyone you known been healed? what were the circumstances?

+ What do you think about healing?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 35: The Family Dinner

"For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." Mark 3:35

"I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God." *

At least that's the hope. Too often though we are a cannibalistic family, feeding on the next fallen family member. I could point out famous examples, but I'm sure you have some of your own. Perhaps it was a pastor who made a perceived mistake. Perhaps is was a friend. Perhaps it is you who had been fed upon.

I have more examples than I care to. A pastor accused of an affair, another chastised for a financial failure that wasn't his fault. Others because of a belief just left of the mainstream, I myself was told that Satan was using me because I had feelings for a friend who was already in a relationship with another friend. Someone else told me I was going to hell because I didn't believe 'X'.

Sadly these stories are not as random and scattered as we would like. Maybe it's time we realize...

"I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong." *

+ Have you ever been eaten by your church family?

+ Have you ever been the one eating?

* Taken from The Family of God, lyrics by William J. Gaither

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 34: Like Jesus or the Pharisees?

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

I was in the midst of a conversation the other day about how the pharisees had been tasked with making a fence around the Torah. There needed to be a way to understand various aspects, for instance, what does it mean to not work on the Sabbath? While this is understandable, what they ended up with is not.

Within their fence the amount of steps you could take were limited. Helping someone was restricted. Feeding yourself from the fallen grain was restricted. They made a fence alright, the kind you could only get through by the tiny gate of perfection. 

What Jesus does is remind us that the law that did exist, existed for us, not the other way around. What Jesus did was to take the unneeded slats off the fence and allow more people access to the other side. 

The question that we in the church need to ask ourselves is, are we like Jesus, opening the possibilities of entry, or like the pharisees, working hard to keep people out?

+ Who in the church, in your opinion, has acted like Jesus? like the pharisees?

+ What rules keep people out? are they Jesus' rules? or our rules?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 33: A day of 2 thoughts

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15

2 separate, but interconnecting, thoughts today.

1.

To repent means to turn around. Jesus is telling us, in essence, that we have been walking down the wrong road, but that he knows the right road, and if we turn and follow him we will become what we were meant to be. In that way, I suppose, we are lost without Jesus, but I still think it is wrong to call non-Christians lost.

2.

Jesus declares that the kingdom of God is at hand, that it is here, in our midst, or rather that we are in the midst of it. The kingdom surrounds us and Jesus offers for it to permeate within us. What must we do for this to happen? Turn around, and look with new eyes. It's not about creeds or a list of beliefs. It's not about baptism, Jesus doesn't command that until he leaves. It's not about right theology or right language, or right action. It is only about wanting to walk a better path.

+ What do you need to turn from?

+ Can you perceive the kingdom around you? within you?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 32: The Intricacies of Baptism

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and

on Earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father*, and of the on, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that

I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Have you ever realized how one little command, baptizing them, has been interpreted so differently by so many people?

You can dunk,

sprinkle,

pour,

immerse.

It can be done with a pitcher or a cup,

in a bath or a pool or a river.

Some say you have to, going so far as to say that if you are not baptized you can't go to heaven.

Others say its an outward sign of an inward change.

Still others say its irrelevant.

Then there is the question of age, infant or adult, or somewhere inbetween.

Must you attend a class or is spontaneous baptism allowed?

Do you know when you were baptized?

Just the date or down to the millisecond?

I have to say that I believe in baptism, but the how and when is far less important to me than the why.

+ What are your thoughts on baptism?

* In case you have never read my other blogs: I do not believe that God is male, nor is God female, God neither urinates nor procreates so sexual organs are irrelevant, as are sexual terms. We use father or mother for our understandings and purposes.

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 31 - To Universalize or Not to Universalize

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

Matthew 26:41

Here we find another verse which has become universalized when Jesus was speaking at a particular moment to a particular situation.

Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John and he is admonishing them to stay awake and pray. A feat that they are having issues with because Jesus has come back and found them asleep.Yet, as I said, we have universalized it to cover and and every situation of temptation.

"I wanted to do the right thing, but, you know, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, I'm sorry."

I'm sure you've heard this, and most likely have said something to this extent yourself, I have. Now, are there times when this is true? You bet, but there are also times when it is not. There are times when the spirit is not willing and there are times when the flesh is strong. In fact, it is my belief that through devotion and work we can strengthen our flesh. Thats the point of becoming a disciple, isn't it?

+ Should this passage be universalized? Why or why not?

+ Can you improve the strength of your flesh? If so, how are you working on it?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 30 - Doubts and Questions: Allowed

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthnai?' 

that is 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' Matthew 27:46

This is, in my opinion, one of the most important verses in the Bible, and it is, in my opinion, the one that most people tend to dismiss. Here Jesus stands at death's door, nailed to a cross by his hands/arms and feet, a crown of thorns pressed into his head, he has been beaten and spit upon, mocked and accused. His breath will shortly slip away and he uses what is left to question God's plan.

I say that most people tend to dismiss it because they place it within the context of the weight of sin bearing down on Jesus and so it is the burden of the sin of the world which forces Jesus' hand to utter such words. I don't know if that's true, [and neither, incidentally, do they] but here's what I take from this verse: If Jesus is allowed to question God so can we.

We don't have to hold back our doubts and questions, God can handle them. That can be powerful, because once we understand that God can handle them we are free to have them and not hold back, not allow ourselves to be chastised because of them, nor allow ourselves to be excluded because of them. 

+ Have there been times when you felt you couldn't question? couldn't doubt?

+ How did you feel?

+Have there been times when you have chastised/excluded others because of their questions and doubts?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 29 - Time Paradoxes

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35

Time and the Bible can be tricky things. There are occasions when time is set forth in a set number of days, months, years where the language is metaphorical. There are also statements which, in retrospect, can't be taken literal. Oftentimes we are left scratching our heads as to what timeframe the Bible means.

For instance, in the verse before this one Jesus states that 'this generation' will not pass away before the Son of Man returns, i.e. the Second Coming. Jesus then goes on to say that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not. Huh? What? Heaven is going to pass away? A lot of people are on board with the Earth passing away, but heaven as well?

At these times we have two options: we can throw it all out, the baby and the bathwater, or we can cling to what is true despite our questions. In this passage we can cling to and raise up the importance of what Jesus has to say and teach us, and that no matter what is happening or will one day happen, what Jesus says will remain.

+ How do you react to Bible inconsistencies?

+ What is your view on the 'End of the World'?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 28 - The God Stranger

And the King will answer and say to them 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it 

to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:40

A little something to chew on, if you visit the prisoner you visit God. If you give a drink to someone who is thirsty you give it to God. When you visit the sick and the dying you are visiting God. 

If you don't you are leaving God to rot, to thirst, to be in pain and die.

Take a moment to think about that, and all the times you looked straight ahead while the man/woman stood on the side of the road holding a cardboard sign. All the times you complained about welfare and food stamps. All the times you knew of someone in the hospital and didn't visit, didn't call. All the times you judged the criminal instead of taking the time to talk to them.

Now might be a good time to say a short, or long, prayer asking for forgiveness, I know I need to.

+ How have you treated the less fortunate? 

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 27 - The Real View

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16

While this is a cool passage that I find meaningful, I think, that in reality, it has more to do with God's point of view than it has to do with us. This verse shows up at the end of a parable about workers. They show up at various times throughout the day. Then the owner pays them all the same salary. Those who arrived at the beginning of the day, and thus worked the longest, complain.

'So, I work all day, and you work half a day and we are rewarded the same?'

One could, I think, successfully argue unfairness, at least in our society, but God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context. Let me repeat that, God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but if you are a hard working Christian all your life and there is a 'vilest offender who truly believes' on his/her deathbed you will both receive the exact same reward on the other side. This may bother you as much as it bothered the workers in the parable, but remember God gives as God sees fit, not as you do or I do.

+ Does that seem fair to you?

+ Does it bother you that God doesn't live by our rules?

P.S. Some people then may question why they should follow God all of their lives if they will get the same reward as someone who doesn't until the end. To those people I would say the following: Following God is not about 'then', it is about 'now'. God promises us that we will never be alone, God promises that we will have life to the full, God promises many many things that have to do with the here and now, and by following God in life your life will be better. That is why you should do it here and now.

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 26 - One for Caesar, The Rest for God

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, 

and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21

What is Caesar's and what is God's? That is the fundamental question that we have to ask ourselves. In Jesus particular case he was commenting on taxation, so if we are getting technical we have to pay our taxes because the money comes from the government.

Of course, in America it can get a little tricky because our money is stamped 'In God We.' There is a lyric by Creed that goes, "Only in America we stamp our god in God we trust."

But, for the sake of argument, let us say that our money is Caesar's, what, then, is God's? How about EVERYTHING ELSE.

Our life

Our breath

Our sweat

Our time

Our love

Our family

Our blood

Our tears

Our joy

And if all of that is God's, why do we give him so little of it? Even just 10% would be quite a stretch I would think.

+ How do you divide your money?

+ How do you spend your life?

On the Way to the Way 10: Where are you walking?

The physical pilgrim road is an out-pouching of the kingdom. Imagine the kingdom as a city,

the destination. There are various possible approach roads. The laws and many of the benefits

of the kingdom extend along each of the roads. From the moment the traveler sets foot on the

road ith pilgrim intent he is under a new jurisdiction. If he loses that intent, the road on which

he walks becomes the ordinary Spanish, Roman, Israeli tarmac. pg. 30 The Sacred Journey

There will, of course, be times where we tread the same ground, that is the way of pilgrimage, you take a million steps in the same direction. We have spoken about holy ground, both in specific and general terms, yet once again we find ourselves in this place.

I believe that all ground is sacred.

http://onthewaytotheway.blogspot.com/2013/09/standing-on-holy-ground-everywhere.html

I believe that there are places where God seems to break through a little more.

http://onthewaytotheway.blogspot.com/2014/06/standing-on-holy-ground-where-god.html

I also believe that whether or not the ground is sacred has a lot to do with our perspective on whether or not that ground is sacred.

It seems to me that there was a reason that God had to show up in a burning bush in order to declare the ground was sacred, before that point Moses didn't see it that way. I like to think that from that time forward Moses understood something different and saw his world with new eyes, that he was to some degree 'born again'.

We in the Christian community throw that phrase, born again, around so easily but I oftentimes wonder if we really understand the implications of what it means. Time and time again Jesus speaks about the kingdom being made up of those of us who are capable of accepting it and entering into it as if we are children. Children look upon things in wonder, partly because it is the first time they are seeing it, and partly because of the infinite possibilities that they see around them. We are in desperate need of acquiring that kind of vision. In other words, if we are to be born again we need to also look again.

In addition to looking again, with new eyes and fresh vision we also need to hear again if we are to be born again. If you never have I would suggest that you should try to illustrate how different animals sound to a toddler. Anytime we 'moo' or 'baa' or 'roar' or 'oink' or 'bark' or 'meow' or... Henry's face lights up with a smile and oftentimes he cracks up laughing. To his ears each sound is new and strange, and the fact that his parents who usually do not make animal sounds are is hilarious to him. When was the last time you smiled at a sound? When was the last time you really listened? Listened to the noises around you? Listened to what God may be trying to tell you? If you can't answer these questions, it may well be time to hear again.

The third, and final [at least for my purposes, although the list goes on and on] thing that we need to do again if we consider ourselves to be born again is that we need to feel again. So often we wall ourselves off to various things in our lives. Perhaps it is because of a negative experience, but it can even be because of a positive one. Maybe you've been hurt and you promise yourself that you won't be hurt again, not in that way, not by that person, not by that institution, not by men or women, not by God. And then we decide to open ourselves to God, but we continue to close ourselves to others. But, if you want to fully experience the life that God is offering we have to open ourselves to being loved, which does open us up to being hurt, but even through the hurt we can grow.

If we see, hear, and feel anew we can begin to experience the world around us in new ways, in sacred ways. We will begin to understand that the roads we walk are not just Indiana roads, not just Michigan roads or Ohio roads, not just European roads or African roads, not just New Zealand roads, but rather they are kingdom roads. Roads which can lead us to a brighter, more loving, more authentic life.

Buen Camino,

Pastor K

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 25 - Lucky For Us

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, 

but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Ugh, context! It’s too bad that I am a stickler for context, because this verse is such a powerful faith motivational tool. Because, yes, you are incapable of accomplishing ‘X’, but God is, and with God all things are possible. While that may indeed be true, when Jesus says these particular red letters he is discussing a very specific impossibility.

Namely, Jesus is talking about a rich person getting into heaven. You see, just a few verses earlier Jesus encounters, what we have termed, a ‘rich young ruler’ who is incapable of giving away all that he owns in order to gain eternal life. As he leaves, Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle [a small doorway which causes the camel to get down on its belly and crawl through] than it is for the rich to get into heaven. The disciples are for some reason distraught [one can only guess that they hoped to one day be rich, haha] and question how anyone can be saved. To that end, verse 26.

So, the first thing we need to realize is that Jesus isn't saying, in this verse, that ‘all things’ are possible with God, what he is saying is that the only way that we can be saved is through the power of God. In other words, your salvation isn't really about you, so you can stop lording it over the ‘unsaved.

The second thing we need to realize is that Jesus isn't saying that rich people can’t get into heaven; he is merely saying that it is hard. Why? Because they lay up for themselves treasures here on earth and their hearts and minds and souls are where their treasures are. In order for the rich to get into heaven they need to get rid of all of their stuff, at least internally. They need to relinquish their hold on their possessions and give it to God.

The third thing we need to realize, in the world we live in, every single person who is reading this blog is rich. You have access to a computer or a phone or a tablet. You have access to the internet and electricity. You have access to clean drinking water. You most likely own a car and most likely have a college education. Add all of those things together and you are rich. So don’t think that Jesus is talking just about Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey or Donald Trump, he is also talking about us rich people as well. Us rich people who need to humble ourselves and approach the throne on our knees, just like that camel.

+ Do you consider yourself rich? Why or why not?

+ When you have read the story of the rich young ruler, who have you traditionally identified with?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 24 - Welcoming the Outcast

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;

for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

One of my favorite things about Jesus is that he so often turns societal beliefs upside down. This statement is a perfect example. In out society children are by and large held up as special, they are our future, but more than that, they steal our hearts and hold our hopes. In Jesus time, this was not the case. Children were seen as property, very much like a married woman was, see a trend?

The disciples looked down and saw nuisances, Jesus looked down and saw those God loved. The disciples attempted to send them away, Jesus welcomed them. That is another example for us, if we want to be like Jesus we need allow all to come to the party/table/church/fellowship. And if we don't, if we then it might be best to stop calling ourselves Christians before Jesus has the chance to say that he never heard us calling 'LORD! LORD!'

I know, I am being harsh again, but the truth of the matter is that it is Christians who do not welcome who give Jesus a bad name.

+ How do you view children? Through the disciples lens or through Jesus lens?

+ How about the homeless?

+ How about people of other religions?

+ How about people who have left the church?

+ How about homosexuals?

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 23 - Not I, But We

"For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

Here we come to every small church's pep talk verse.

That comment is not meant to degrade small churches, nor Jesus' statement, but have you ever thought of the redundancy of what Jesus is saying?

Afterall, elsewhere Jesus says that the kingdom of God is within you and that he will be with you until the end of the age. If Jesus is with you at all times, then of course he is going to be with you in a group of 2 or 3 or 200 or 3000.

Now, that said, let's talk a moment about the importance of community.

We are called to be a church, we are called to be a body, we are called to be one. In the same way, God, though 3, is 1, there exists a community in the Godhead, there is some sort of relationship. Don't ask me to explain the trinity, I can't, it is a mystery to me, but I cannot deny that God is revealed in different ways at different times to different people. This leads me to believe in the God community and it leads me to believe in God's community. So Jesus never leaves you nor forsakes you, but if you really want to experience Jesus you CAN'T do it alone.

+ Do you attend church? Why? Why not?

+ Do you agree that the best way to experience Jesus/God is in community? Explain.

Red Letters/Black Letters: Day 22 - Because I'm a Parent

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children,

you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles

himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives

one little child like this in My name receives Me." Matthew 18:3-5

I'm not the first person to say this [in truth that sentence could proceed everything I ever write] but having a child helps me to understand this verse a lot better than I used to. It's one thing to talk about a generic child jumping into their parent's arms and quite another to see the look of pure joy on your child's face a they leap with abandon.

It's not faith, it's not trust, it's not hope, it is pure certainty that they will be caught. I am willing to say that the thought I may not catch Henry never enters into his mind, it's not even a possibility that he'll fall and hurt himself.

Is that what Jesus means by humility, not allowing yourself to be lower than God, but rather not allowing yourself to be in the equation at all?

If it is that, complete knowledge that God will always catch me, not a shadow of doubt, I still have a ways to go.

+ What comes to your mind when you think about being like a child?