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- Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses - Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses: Within my circle of friends, there are six of us who over a relatively short span of years, have been caregivers, and stood in witness as God called our spouses home. What an array of loving people, they are, touching others, and being a blessing to all. Our grief was no match for the power of love that radiated from the beloved, even as life ebbed. Anyone who has been privileged to be part of that blessed process, knows that there are times when we feel as if God isn’t with us in our troubles. A time when we could celebrate the life but we can’t bring ourselves to celebrate the death, and especially the manner of dying. Those are times when we can’t “see” God, but if we were honest with ourselves, we can recall the times when God has helped and protected our loved one, and ourselves. Continue reading
- Read the Bible - Read the Bible: Years ago, I read through the Bible, just straight through from Genesis to Revelations. I told myself: “I did it, I read the whole Bible. Yippee!” What’s wrong with that? Well for one thing, my only goal was to read through the Bible! Get it done, move right on through. Another thing wrong with that had to do with digestion. How many of those passages I read, did I chew on and swallowed, that became part of me? Yep, you’re right, just a few, if any. Okay, now I am reading through Paul’s epistles, slowly, one letter at a time, often rereading to capture the meaning. I just finished 1 Thessalonians 4, and it’s surprising how the meaning, or Paul’s intent in writing the letter, has deeper meaning for me. As I read and considered, in human terms, what was happening in Thessalonica at the time, and Paul’s predicament, it dressed up the words and took on more meaning. Continue reading
- Changing the World - Changing the World: The Spelling Bee competition was now down to two Junior High students. Round after round continued, trying to settle the championship. The moderator announced: “The word is Egalitarianism”. The girl nervously approached the microphone and asked that the word be used in a sentence. The moderator replied: “Egalitarianism is the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights.” She slowly spelled the word, but omitted one of the ‘i’s and was received the sound of a foghorn, a missed word. Sadly, she returned to her seat. Her opponent approached with a confident smile. He promptly substituted the first ‘a’ with an ‘o’ and was stunned to hear the foghorn, which brought a smile to his opponent. I wonder how many of us could have spelled Egalitarianism on the first go-round or would we to hear the foghorn judging us? But it’s not the spelling of the word, it’s the meaning of the word that’s important. Historian Thomas Cahill says that Galatians 3:28 was the first statement of egalitarianism in human literature. Continue reading
- All the Time - All the Time: Here are three different versions of the same passage, each saying basically the same thing, but with slightly different twists. The emphasis is on prayer, of course, but is there a difference between “all the time”, “continually” and “never stop”? It does seem like the Apostle Paul is telling us to never stop praying. How do we do that? What is it that you do all the time? You know, without ceasing, no matter what happens? Something you do, day in and day out, never stopping? Two people overheard speaking of a friend that “she never stops talking”, or “he’s a constant complainer.” No, that is not what is meant. Continue reading
- Remembering God - Remembering God: A farmer was showing his visiting city-dwelling friend around his farm. "Watch this!" he said. He gave a whistle and his little dog came running from the house, herded the cattle into the corral, then latched the gate with her paw. "Wow, that's some dog -- what's her name?" The forgetful farmer thought for a minute and then asked, "What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?" "A rose?" "That's it!" The farmer turned to his wife. "Hey Rose, what do we call this dog of ours?" Continue reading
- Worry - Worry: As you read this I’m in the middle of a 26-day, multi-leg journey from Indiana to Illinois to Colorado to California to Illinois, then back to Indiana. This has involved many details of stopping the mail, arranging for plants to be watered, airline tickets, car rental, hotel rentals, and then there’s the simple matter of packing, taking all my electronics, clothing, what shoes shall I take, what’s the weather at my various destinations? On top of that, I take so many meds in the morning and so many in the evening, times 26 days! Goodness! Worry, worry, worry! I did notice that all the worrying I was doing was making me extremely happy, and all the complications just magically disappeared, all because I was worrying. Do you buy that? No? Good. Continue reading
- At His Word - At His Word: We have called this a Pandemic, this scourge of Covid 19. Worldwide, we have seen over 3,450,000 deaths due to the epidemic. Loved ones have passed, alone, in isolation and sadness, and we can do nothing but pray and trust. The Pandemic has brought out the heroes in so many of us. In fact, we have redefined the term “hero”, and discovered that heroes are right here in our own homes, in our own communities, and most certainly in our hospitals. And we celebrate these common ordinary people who have stepped up and gone far beyond the call of duty. Parents becoming teachers within their own at homes; retired doctors, nurses and other medical specialists coming back to serve us at risk, and so many others voluntarily, putting themselves at risk, to accomplish the greater good. Continue reading
- New Wine - New Wine: One story I am writing follows a dishonest merchant, Shimon, who meets Jesus and the impact gradually changes him. That story of the man turning water into wine made me realize that it was important for me. It wasn’t the miracle, if that actually had happened, it was message of that story. The more I thought about that, the more I wondered if, symbolically, my life was changing from the water of my old life, into the rich wine of a new life that I was becoming.” That bit of writing was an epiphany for me, but I think it holds true. When we accept Christ, embrace all that it means to commit, we are leaving our old, sinful life behind and putting on a new nature, righteous and holy. In one way, this has nothing to do with religion, but it has everything to do with spiritual faith. Continue reading
- Greatest of All Time - Greatest of All Time: I like the references to light that we find in the Scriptures. So many of them are on our lists of “favorites”. I especially love the book of John and we often reference passages in the writing of these meditations. No one is better at capturing the Impact of Jesus on humanity. His redemptive life and death have benefited all people, including those who rejected him. He is a light that shines on the just and the unjust. I believe, too often, when we study the Bible, gather in groups to discuss content, look into the life and times of Jesus, we focus on his stories, on his parables, and his compassion. Somewhere in all of those discussions, and commentaries we sometimes lose, pardon the expression, the “human Jesus” whose impact has shaped so much of what is right in this world. Continue reading
- God Only Knows - God Only Knows: Paul Simon, singer, song-writer, philosopher. So many of his songs are familiar to all of us. However, I think we would be hard-pressed to find one that would fall in such categories as Hymns or Praise songs. Although, some of his stanzas could easily be the introduction to a homily or a sermonette. For example, this verse from “Slip Sliding Away” contains ideas that we embrace. God has a plan for us and often His plans and ours don’t quite mesh. We may think we are getting close to what God has in mind for us, and then the way is not easy to negotiate and we slip into old habits. Can you see that? "God only knows, God makes his plan. The information's unavailable, To the moral man. Continue reading
- Tall Poppy Syndrome - Tall Poppy Syndrome: At one time, when I thought I wanted to be a clinical psychologist, I knew a lot of straight and diagnostic psychological slang references. Some are pretty crazy, and in some ways, it’s like talking in code. When I came to my senses and dropped the clinical part, I ended up teaching adolescent psych in college. I used case studies as my style of teaching, and my students were the subjects. Not surprisingly, we encountered “Tall Poppy Syndrome” early on. Tall poppy syndrome refers to the idea that the tall poppies in a field will get their tops cut off to make everything neat and equal. You will recognize this: If you are in the culture of adolescence, it is all right to be smart, but you can’t act smart. You can’t show it! Continue reading
- Can We Ever Get Enough Grace? - Can we Ever Get Enough Grace? That is a question that should not stump anyone. The answer is a resounding NO! Lord keep your graces coming. We love because of your graces. We rejoice on your graces. We live and breathe on your graces. Will there come a time when we have had enough grace? Of course, and you’ll be able to tell God in person. But, until then, precious Lord, keep the flood of your graces coming. There is a slice of grace by another name that we read in our meditations. We hear in our prayers. We seek with tears and remorse. It is a very special kind of Grace called forgiveness. Continue reading
- Some More Grace - Some More Grace: John 3:16 -- So, what does the favorite Bible verse of all, the most repeated and recited passage have to do with grace? EVERYTHING! That’s right. Grace is God’s love for us. Yes, you and me, with our dirty hands, our lying tongues, and our wandering minds, we are loved by God. You want confirmation? John has it. Look at John 1:16: From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. Continue reading
- Unpopular Grace - Grace: Randy Alcorn, in his book The Grace and Truth Paradox, tells the story of the night, in 1993, when Wesley Dodd was executed for the torture, molestation and murder of three boys. At the dinner table that evening, both of his daughters, 11 and 13, prayed earnestly that Dodd would repent and place his faith in Christ before he died. This was a big deal. Multiple media representatives witnessed the execution and crowds of people waited to know the monster was dead. When they emerged, one read Dodd’s last words: “I had thought there was no hope and no peace. I was wrong. I have found hope and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Alcorn reports that gasps and groans erupted from the crowd. The anger was palpable. How dare someone who has done something so terrible, say he found hope and peace in Jesus? Continue reading
- Be Thou My Vision - "Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.” What does that mean? Read again the Scripture passage. That first part is pretty harsh. No vision = people perish. Yikes! We had better get a vision. The hymn writer seems to be saying something slightly different. It seems like it’s a prayer, asking God to be his vision, vision of his heart. Vision of his commitment. In other words, where there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives us the moral incentive. Translation: When you put God in charge of all parts of your life, there is a spirit in us that is fresh and vital. Continue reading
- Shalom, Eirene, Peace - Peace: We read about peace in the scriptures. We hear a lot about peace. In times of war we yearn for peace. When chaos surrounds us we long for peace and quiet. How would you define peace? What does it mean to you? How would you describe a world where only peace existed? Is it simply the absence of troubles? Is peace related to the absence of fear, anxiety, worry? I wonder if our understanding of peace is only about the absence of negative stuff in our lives? The Hebrew Bible uses a familiar word, shalom. In its purest sense, shalom means "peace." The connotation is positive. That is, when someone says, "Shalom," or, "Peace unto you," it doesn't mean, "I hope you don't get into any trouble"; it means, "I hope you have all the highest good coming your way." Continue reading
- Exposed! - Exposed! The cultural and Biblical times in Jerusalem were not pleasant, some of the practices, by today’s standards, were outright criminal, even homicidal. That was especially true if you were female, who were considered something less than chattel, or were born with a handicap, or were born into a family that already had too many children.There was the process of “unnatural selection” common in the Greco-Roman world. By the Roman Law of Romulus, a father was required to raise all healthy male children, but only the firstborn female. All others, not falling in those two categories, were “disposable”. In Jerusalem, the law was carried out through a practice called “exposure”. Those babies, often alive, were left to die in the elements on the dung heap, in the Ghenna Valley, south of the city. Continue reading
- Provisions for the Day – Part 2 - Provisions for the Day – Part 2: Of course, the brook would dry up, no rain = no water. We have the obedient Elijah, following God’s command, first to hide himself and wait for the ravens to bring food. They did, but then the water supply failed. Is this beginning to sound like a bad-day in your household? First a power outage, then other things breakdown, and there go our creature-comforts, right when we need them most! So, now Elijah is instructed to travel to another place to live, an evil place, the heartland of Baal worship, and there to demonstrate his power. Frying pan into the fire? From an angry king to living behind enemy lines! But, the prophet does what he is told. Continue reading
- Provisions for the Day – Part 1 - Provisions for the Day: This passage from 1 Kings is a head-scratcher. For some reason, I have a different perspective on Ravens, influenced in large part by Edgar Allen Poe, and his poem, The Raven. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore...Throughout the entire poem there is a foreboding building of something undefined, but dark. Sentences like – “Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore”, that did it! But it was not Poe’s rendering of a raven that should affect us, but God’s authority over all creation, including ravens, to carry His message. This is another example to help our unbelief about who God is. Continue reading
- God’s Plan? - God’s Plan? Talk about sibling rivalry! The younger brother flaunting, the older brothers taunting. This is not going to end well or maybe… God had a plan that neither side knew about. If they had known the outcome, how would that have changed behavior? Hmmm. We shall never know about that, but we do know about Joseph. The above scripture passages are the bookends of his story, the start and the finished.We know that all his life, Joseph lived trusting in the promises of God. He understood his whole life in light of those promises and his trust of God. If anyone had reason to be bitter about the past, it’s Joseph. He had been nearly murdered by his brothers, sold into slavery in a foreign land, was falsely accused of adultery, and spent several years in prison. Continue reading
