Scripture Verse that Caught My Attention Today: 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Observation: We are called to be self-discerning. Just because we can do something does not always mean that we should do it.
Application: Some time ago I read or heard a quote that sort of stuck with me: “Discipline yourself…or else someone else will do it for you.”
For some reason I was thinking about that quote on my way into work this morning. I think this ‘discipline’ can apply to many different areas of life: time management, financial management, exercise, nutrition, spiritual disciplines, intimate relationships, relationships with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, clients, superiors, and more. In any of these areas, if we don’t discipline ourselves, someone else will likely do it for us sooner or later. And it might be painful as well as, perhaps, embarrassing.
Paul seemed to understand this concept well. He understood that the freedom we have in Christ also comes with the understanding that we are not to allow ourselves to be enslaved by our desires, whatever they might be.
This doesn’t mean that we ignore such things. Quite the opposite really; we become so aware of our desires that we can analyze them for what they are, be it for better or for worse. That way we endeavor to master them, rather than the other way around.
It’s not easy. As our confession states, “we are in bondage to sin and unable to free ourselves.” But as we regularly consider anew all that Christ has done for us, as we consider anew that all we have in this world is a gift, we are given new opportunities to think again, to act differently, to make more choices for the better and less choices for the worse, to steward our life as people who see such a life as a gift. And ironically, while it is usually more pleasant to discipline oneself, there is still grace to be found in all discipline, regardless of from where it comes.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be wise enough to discipline ourselves where possible, and to be humble enough to give thanks for other forms of discipline as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Job 34, 1 Corinthians 4,5,6)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
It's not Easy to Be Spiritual
Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention Today: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?
Observation: Paul says that the Corinthians were not ready to be spoken to as spiritual people. When does one become a spiritual person?
Application: There are times when I wonder if we ever, while we are on this earth, can really be spoken to as spiritual people. There is so much that gets in the way of our spiritual side. Desires, distractions, ambitions, personal insecurities and the like all clamor for our attention. Complicating matters is the fact that, well, we are placed in this world that “God so loved” (John 3:16). So the world is not all bad; hence there is no need or even benefit in trying to completely separate ourselves from it.
Still, the ways of the world are not all good either. And sometimes we buy into messages and/or assumptions that can only lead to, shall we say, a world of hurt. Paul does his level best to point people toward a better way, even if they are not quite ready for it.
Prayer: Lord, I can only pray that you would help us to be ready for the ways in which you long for us to live as your people in this world that you have so graciously made. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Job 33 and 1 Corinthians 1-3)
Observation: Paul says that the Corinthians were not ready to be spoken to as spiritual people. When does one become a spiritual person?
Application: There are times when I wonder if we ever, while we are on this earth, can really be spoken to as spiritual people. There is so much that gets in the way of our spiritual side. Desires, distractions, ambitions, personal insecurities and the like all clamor for our attention. Complicating matters is the fact that, well, we are placed in this world that “God so loved” (John 3:16). So the world is not all bad; hence there is no need or even benefit in trying to completely separate ourselves from it.
Still, the ways of the world are not all good either. And sometimes we buy into messages and/or assumptions that can only lead to, shall we say, a world of hurt. Paul does his level best to point people toward a better way, even if they are not quite ready for it.
Prayer: Lord, I can only pray that you would help us to be ready for the ways in which you long for us to live as your people in this world that you have so graciously made. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Job 33 and 1 Corinthians 1-3)
Friday, November 5, 2010
How Our Own Experience Affects What We Notice in the Bible
Scripture Verses that Caught my attention today: Job 28:3-4 Miners put an end to darkness,
and search out to the farthest bound
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation;
they are forgotten by travelers,
they sway suspended, remote from people.
Observation: Experience does affect what we notice in the Bible.
Application: I’ve been following my current Bible reading plan for between seven and eight years. So although there have certainly been a few missed days here and there, I’ve still read the entire Old Testament at least seven times and the New Testament at least 14 times, not counting the few times that I read through the whole Bible in earlier years following other reading programs.
Never, however, did I notice this passage on Miners. This year, however, the passage caught my eye and attention immediately. Why? Because the international story of the rescued Chilean Minors from a month or so ago is now a part of my collective memory. I’m now connecting the dots between the miners of today and the somewhat surprising account of mining operations in Old Testament times, even though the Job story is not primarily about miners.
Yes, our personal experience isn’t dropped off at the door when we enter a room to read the Bible. We bring it with us and it does have an affect on what we notice in the book that we say is inspired by God. And this is why it is helpful encounter the same Scriptures with others, especially those from different backgrounds and experience than our own. We can learn what captures their attention and why. This is not to suggest that one interpretation is necessarily better than or more authentic than another. But it is to say that the interpretations of others can help us better reflect on our own interpretations and, perhaps, notice something that we might have originally missed.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the reminder that our own personal experience does affect how we encounter and your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Job 28-29 and Galatians 1-2)
and search out to the farthest bound
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation;
they are forgotten by travelers,
they sway suspended, remote from people.
Observation: Experience does affect what we notice in the Bible.
Application: I’ve been following my current Bible reading plan for between seven and eight years. So although there have certainly been a few missed days here and there, I’ve still read the entire Old Testament at least seven times and the New Testament at least 14 times, not counting the few times that I read through the whole Bible in earlier years following other reading programs.
Never, however, did I notice this passage on Miners. This year, however, the passage caught my eye and attention immediately. Why? Because the international story of the rescued Chilean Minors from a month or so ago is now a part of my collective memory. I’m now connecting the dots between the miners of today and the somewhat surprising account of mining operations in Old Testament times, even though the Job story is not primarily about miners.
Yes, our personal experience isn’t dropped off at the door when we enter a room to read the Bible. We bring it with us and it does have an affect on what we notice in the book that we say is inspired by God. And this is why it is helpful encounter the same Scriptures with others, especially those from different backgrounds and experience than our own. We can learn what captures their attention and why. This is not to suggest that one interpretation is necessarily better than or more authentic than another. But it is to say that the interpretations of others can help us better reflect on our own interpretations and, perhaps, notice something that we might have originally missed.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the reminder that our own personal experience does affect how we encounter and your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Job 28-29 and Galatians 1-2)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Signs that help us move into a new reality
Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention Today: Mark 16:5-7 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”
Observation: The Lord provided a messenger to the women and to us. Had the tomb simply been empty, they would have naturally assumed that someone simply stole the body. More importantly, we as the readers are able to see the bigger picture as well.
Application: I remember reading the news of a pastor who received a new pair of ice-skates and a new pair of gloves for Christmas. He lived in one of the northern states (perhaps Wisconsin, but I don’t remember for sure) and the next day he and a friend headed out to skate across a nearby lake. When they didn’t return in a timely manner, the family went looking for them. They found a set of tracks on the lake and followed them to the hole in the ice. Lest there be any doubt of who had fallen in, there on the edge of the ice was the new pair of gloves.
I’ve always been touched by that true story, both by its tragic elements and also because of the gloves. Even though the news was grim, the gloves were nevertheless a final gesture from the deceased so that there would be no need to worry or wonder anymore. Yes, he and his friend were the ones who had fallen through the ice.
Better news, of course, is in today’s gospel message. I compared today’s lesson from Mark with the other three gospels and was reminded that three of the gospels have some sort of angel or messenger (two in one of the other gospels) break the news of the resurrection to the women. They wouldn’t have to worry about recovering a stolen body or anything of the like. Rather, they could concentrate of figuring out their next steps in a world that suddenly is different than what they had known, suddenly new life is possible even after death.
I guess we’re all still trying to figure out what that means in or own daily life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to make sense of this new reality in our daily lives as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included Job 26-27 and Mark 15-16)
Observation: The Lord provided a messenger to the women and to us. Had the tomb simply been empty, they would have naturally assumed that someone simply stole the body. More importantly, we as the readers are able to see the bigger picture as well.
Application: I remember reading the news of a pastor who received a new pair of ice-skates and a new pair of gloves for Christmas. He lived in one of the northern states (perhaps Wisconsin, but I don’t remember for sure) and the next day he and a friend headed out to skate across a nearby lake. When they didn’t return in a timely manner, the family went looking for them. They found a set of tracks on the lake and followed them to the hole in the ice. Lest there be any doubt of who had fallen in, there on the edge of the ice was the new pair of gloves.
I’ve always been touched by that true story, both by its tragic elements and also because of the gloves. Even though the news was grim, the gloves were nevertheless a final gesture from the deceased so that there would be no need to worry or wonder anymore. Yes, he and his friend were the ones who had fallen through the ice.
Better news, of course, is in today’s gospel message. I compared today’s lesson from Mark with the other three gospels and was reminded that three of the gospels have some sort of angel or messenger (two in one of the other gospels) break the news of the resurrection to the women. They wouldn’t have to worry about recovering a stolen body or anything of the like. Rather, they could concentrate of figuring out their next steps in a world that suddenly is different than what they had known, suddenly new life is possible even after death.
I guess we’re all still trying to figure out what that means in or own daily life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to make sense of this new reality in our daily lives as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included Job 26-27 and Mark 15-16)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A Thought or Two About Judas
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.
Observation: What precedes the “then’ in this verse is key. A woman had just anointed Jesus with some very costly ointment which some considered to be a waste of a valuable resource. Jesus scolded them and said that she had “performed a good service for [him].” The verse I picked above is what happens next.
Application: It has been said that every person has his or her own breaking point. Each of us can only bend to a certain extent from our principles, beliefs, and assumptions before we either jump ship or go on some sort of a rampage. We reach that point where we say, “enough is enough.”
Judas had reached that point. He’d been with Jesus a few years; he was one of the original twelve. No doubt he had seen some of his traditions questioned and some of his assumptions challenged. And so perhaps things had been building in his mind for some time. And here it appears that Jesus’ praise of this woman who had just anointed (some would say “wasted”) this expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet seems to be the last straw. Judas has had enough. He’s ready to switch sides. He’s ready to turn Jesus in.
Which brings up a very thorny question. How can we distinguish the difference between something going awry and Jesus simply leading us to see things differently?
Honestly, I’m not sure we can always see the difference. I mean think about it; Judas had the advantage of being a hand-chosen disciple of the best teacher of all time and he still didn’t get it. How are we to fare any better?
It occurs to me that we do have one significant advantage over Judas; we know that Jesus was/is the real deal. His ways might, at times, seem unorthodox, but we can see that he is still the way, the truth, and the life. He offers a way that we might not otherwise consider, a truth that we are encouraged to see, and a life that we will most surely need at some point I the future and, on another level, even now.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the witness of Judas. It is not, of course, a perfect witness. But it is indeed an important reminder that we are not always perfect witnesses either. Still, your will is done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings for today included Job 25 and Mark 13-14)
Observation: What precedes the “then’ in this verse is key. A woman had just anointed Jesus with some very costly ointment which some considered to be a waste of a valuable resource. Jesus scolded them and said that she had “performed a good service for [him].” The verse I picked above is what happens next.
Application: It has been said that every person has his or her own breaking point. Each of us can only bend to a certain extent from our principles, beliefs, and assumptions before we either jump ship or go on some sort of a rampage. We reach that point where we say, “enough is enough.”
Judas had reached that point. He’d been with Jesus a few years; he was one of the original twelve. No doubt he had seen some of his traditions questioned and some of his assumptions challenged. And so perhaps things had been building in his mind for some time. And here it appears that Jesus’ praise of this woman who had just anointed (some would say “wasted”) this expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet seems to be the last straw. Judas has had enough. He’s ready to switch sides. He’s ready to turn Jesus in.
Which brings up a very thorny question. How can we distinguish the difference between something going awry and Jesus simply leading us to see things differently?
Honestly, I’m not sure we can always see the difference. I mean think about it; Judas had the advantage of being a hand-chosen disciple of the best teacher of all time and he still didn’t get it. How are we to fare any better?
It occurs to me that we do have one significant advantage over Judas; we know that Jesus was/is the real deal. His ways might, at times, seem unorthodox, but we can see that he is still the way, the truth, and the life. He offers a way that we might not otherwise consider, a truth that we are encouraged to see, and a life that we will most surely need at some point I the future and, on another level, even now.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the witness of Judas. It is not, of course, a perfect witness. But it is indeed an important reminder that we are not always perfect witnesses either. Still, your will is done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings for today included Job 25 and Mark 13-14)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Election Day Thoughts
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 12:17 Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.
Observation: Very subtle reminder of an incredible truth.
Application: It’s election day in at least one of the earth’s almost 200 different countries (according to internet sources, the actual number of countries currently on earth is a source of debate). Some have been longing for this day because they are anticipating/hoping for some sweeping changes in leadership. Some have been dreading this day because they are anticipating/dreading some sweeping changes in leadership. And some have been longing for this day to be over simply so that they don’t have to suffer though any more campaign phone calls and letters and other campaign-related advertising.
Yes, both the people (including regular folks but also pundits and talk-show hosts and the like) and those purportedly elected to serve/represent the people, are often in a rage about this or that. Leadership and/or governance philosophies collide like cars at a county fair demolition derby—a helter-skelter extravaganza that, when it’s all said and done, leaves everyone so beat up that it’s hard to see how anyone can be declared a ‘winner.’ And yet, those who are still able to move about still have the nerve to boldly proclaim that they’ve won.
Won what, exactly? In the words of Jesus, “the things that are the emperor’s.”
Politics has always been a tricky business. At its best it is a form of genuine public service, a partnership between faithful intentions and accountability, indeed a noble calling and opportunity to serve our neighbor. At its worst it is a never-ending struggle primarily to establish and maintain power and influence (both as individuals and as parties), regardless of the cost.
Sometimes I get weary of it all. Campaign promises are really nothing more than foolishness. I mean, do we really want to elect people who think it advisable to say how they will vote on something before they even know the particulars and context of what that ‘something’ is? I would prefer to simply have people who, more often than not, demonstrate their wise judgment by expressing their thoughts after hearing the entire proposal (and in light of the overall context), not before.
In a fallen world decisions are seldom as clear-cut as we might like them to be. Often we are forced to determine the best of two or more less-than-ideal options. We have to do it in our private lives almost every day. Why should we expect it to be any different in public service?
But I digress. Let us allow the wisdom of Jesus, the most effective public servant of all time, to bring us full circle. In those days there were some who wanted him to answer the survey questions that they would soon publish in their metaphorical religious leader voting guides (‘voter guides,’ by the way, are almost always a euphemism for “if you want to vote the way we think you should!”). “Jesus, how would you vote in regard to paying taxes?”
“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” he said.
I wonder if there’s still something we can learn as we consider his response.
Prayer: Lord, it’s all yours--the way we serve, the way we live, and what we temporarily have. Whether we hoard it or share it, use it or abuse it, it’s still all yours. Help us to remember that, for we are all have some opportunity to be in public service, whether elected or not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Job 23-24 and Mark 11-12)
Observation: Very subtle reminder of an incredible truth.
Application: It’s election day in at least one of the earth’s almost 200 different countries (according to internet sources, the actual number of countries currently on earth is a source of debate). Some have been longing for this day because they are anticipating/hoping for some sweeping changes in leadership. Some have been dreading this day because they are anticipating/dreading some sweeping changes in leadership. And some have been longing for this day to be over simply so that they don’t have to suffer though any more campaign phone calls and letters and other campaign-related advertising.
Yes, both the people (including regular folks but also pundits and talk-show hosts and the like) and those purportedly elected to serve/represent the people, are often in a rage about this or that. Leadership and/or governance philosophies collide like cars at a county fair demolition derby—a helter-skelter extravaganza that, when it’s all said and done, leaves everyone so beat up that it’s hard to see how anyone can be declared a ‘winner.’ And yet, those who are still able to move about still have the nerve to boldly proclaim that they’ve won.
Won what, exactly? In the words of Jesus, “the things that are the emperor’s.”
Politics has always been a tricky business. At its best it is a form of genuine public service, a partnership between faithful intentions and accountability, indeed a noble calling and opportunity to serve our neighbor. At its worst it is a never-ending struggle primarily to establish and maintain power and influence (both as individuals and as parties), regardless of the cost.
Sometimes I get weary of it all. Campaign promises are really nothing more than foolishness. I mean, do we really want to elect people who think it advisable to say how they will vote on something before they even know the particulars and context of what that ‘something’ is? I would prefer to simply have people who, more often than not, demonstrate their wise judgment by expressing their thoughts after hearing the entire proposal (and in light of the overall context), not before.
In a fallen world decisions are seldom as clear-cut as we might like them to be. Often we are forced to determine the best of two or more less-than-ideal options. We have to do it in our private lives almost every day. Why should we expect it to be any different in public service?
But I digress. Let us allow the wisdom of Jesus, the most effective public servant of all time, to bring us full circle. In those days there were some who wanted him to answer the survey questions that they would soon publish in their metaphorical religious leader voting guides (‘voter guides,’ by the way, are almost always a euphemism for “if you want to vote the way we think you should!”). “Jesus, how would you vote in regard to paying taxes?”
“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” he said.
I wonder if there’s still something we can learn as we consider his response.
Prayer: Lord, it’s all yours--the way we serve, the way we live, and what we temporarily have. Whether we hoard it or share it, use it or abuse it, it’s still all yours. Help us to remember that, for we are all have some opportunity to be in public service, whether elected or not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Job 23-24 and Mark 11-12)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Suck it up cupcake!
November 1, 2010
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 10:32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.
Observation: Interesting perspectives on Jesus—amazement and fear. Had I been living in those days, would I have been amazed or afraid or both?
Application: “You might as well force a smile and suck it up Cupcake, cause its Monday whether you like it or not.” I saw the previous quote on someone’s facebook wall this morning. I chuckled cause it came from a good-natured person who obviously wasn’t thrilled to be back at work on Monday but also realized that sometimes that’s just life. I’m wondering if it would be an appropriate message for those of us who claim to follow Jesus as well.
From what we learn about Jesus from the gospels, it’s clear from early on that Jesus marches to the beat of a different drummer. Some of the things that Jesus does and says are very liberating. Perhaps that’s why some of the people following him were ‘amazed.” Other things that Jesus does and says are more ominous. Perhaps that’s why still others were afraid.
In Jerusalem there is little doubt that Jesus will overthrow a kingdom and usher in a new one. But this new kingdom will come about through his death at the hands of those in charge of the current kingdom, and not many if any of his Jesus’ followers are ready for that. They better ‘suck it up.” They are going to be in the middle of it all whether they like it or not. And centuries later, in our own way, we’re in the middle of it too.
Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace whatever challenges come our way. As always, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Psalm 121 and Mark 9-10)
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 10:32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.
Observation: Interesting perspectives on Jesus—amazement and fear. Had I been living in those days, would I have been amazed or afraid or both?
Application: “You might as well force a smile and suck it up Cupcake, cause its Monday whether you like it or not.” I saw the previous quote on someone’s facebook wall this morning. I chuckled cause it came from a good-natured person who obviously wasn’t thrilled to be back at work on Monday but also realized that sometimes that’s just life. I’m wondering if it would be an appropriate message for those of us who claim to follow Jesus as well.
From what we learn about Jesus from the gospels, it’s clear from early on that Jesus marches to the beat of a different drummer. Some of the things that Jesus does and says are very liberating. Perhaps that’s why some of the people following him were ‘amazed.” Other things that Jesus does and says are more ominous. Perhaps that’s why still others were afraid.
In Jerusalem there is little doubt that Jesus will overthrow a kingdom and usher in a new one. But this new kingdom will come about through his death at the hands of those in charge of the current kingdom, and not many if any of his Jesus’ followers are ready for that. They better ‘suck it up.” They are going to be in the middle of it all whether they like it or not. And centuries later, in our own way, we’re in the middle of it too.
Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace whatever challenges come our way. As always, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Psalm 121 and Mark 9-10)
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