On the Way to Wonder

God promised Moses that there would be a prophets speaking for him, carrying his words, straight from him to us without intermediaries.  Interestingly, looking on the internet about prophets, the list of prophets starts with Abraham – and Sarah, before Moses.  God spoke to Abraham and told him to leave his home, his people, his father’s house and go, for God would make him a blessing to all nations.  Christianity and Islam trace their roots back to Abraham and that direct encounter.  This Sunday text will tell of Jesus encountering a demon possessed man who demands to know Jesus’ credentials to enter the synagogue.  Was Jesus speaking for God?

         Very few of us would claim a direct encounter with God in the same sense as Abraham, or Jesus.  We do not call ourselves prophets and yet we do believe we have the privilege and ability to talk with God through prayer.  We believe in spiritual encounters, “thin places” where the unseen does interact with us.  For some this comes with time spent in Scripture.  Others enjoy nature, or music, or pod casts, or church, or friends.  So perhaps the question confronting us is how we know some thought or word is coming from God and not from self, from evil spirits, or from the world’s wisdom?  From the Abraham encounter, I read a promise of blessing, a sense of relationship, and direction for action.  God’s prophets bargained with him, argued with him, and pleaded with him about messages.  We can too. The sense of relationship often permeates the encounter. 

         Today, we may not see ourselves as prophets and we may not recognize someone else as a prophet either but we do know God communicates and desires to communicate with us.  As a child I loved the song, “Have you talked to the man upstairs?”  Why?  “Because he wants to hear from you!”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYt4wuKcPjE.

Next Sunday we will look at Mark’s first actions of Jesus after calling disciples.  Jesus goes to Capernaum, a small town on the north end of the Sea of Galilee, and teaches in the synagogue, the local church.  A man with a demon confronts him. Tune in Sunday to hear about it. This passage of scripture, though, will be preceded by the Old Testament reading of Deuteronomy 18:15-20:  “¹⁵The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.”  Moses, before turning over leadership to Joshua, promises the people that God will send prophets to lead them. A prophet was considered someone who spoke for God.  We often think it has to do with predicting the future but not necessarily. Prophets were considered to be in communication with God and speaking for him.  If what was said did not come true then the person could be killed.  Serious stuff!

         News broadcasts today take on a similar tone.  If we don’t change our lifestyle we are going to use up the world resources – global warming.  While not claiming divine inspiration, they do claim scientific authority and weave possibilities about what is to come.  We have also seen this in the reports about the pandemic, when it will peak, what is needed “to achieve herd immunity” and just how this disease is going to unfold in the near future.  Some keep close track of the stock market for financial predictions and those trends are broadcast daily.  Perhaps the horoscope is your thing, daily checking its predictions.  Fortune cookies are fun.  All these avenues seem to imply our desire to peek into the future and be assured we are on the right track, or at least prepared.

         Moses assures us that God will and does raise up people to speak for him.  God speaking today is foundational to many religions and key to Christianity.  Perhaps it is time to open our Bible and listen.  The text for Sunday is Mark 1:21-28.  Perhaps it is time to pray thanksgiving that we have God’s word in our language and readily accessible.  Perhaps you are feeling the challenge to memorize a piece of scripture to focus your thinking during these days of challenge.

         As we listen to all the voices speaking into our lives today about our future, may we never forget that the future lies in God’s hands and God walks with us.  May we agreed with King David in Psalm 119, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Blessings as you listen.

We started this week of prayer for unity based on John 15:1-17. First we looked at the first half of verse 16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”  We are chosen and loved, part of a worldwide community that is diverse and multi-talented.  Yup, tensions and disagreements come and we are called on to forgive and to advocate.  Abiding in “the vine” and dwelling in His word transforms our world and us.  Hospitality is a key characteristic of a community.  Are we the “frozen chosen” or is there life that oozes from our gathers to nurture those who come?

         Saturdays I like to offer a hymn to end the week.  My heart went back to not so long ago, Let Us Build a House Where Love Can Dwell by Marty Haugen, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Pb77ylz_Q.  It has been a full week with politics forefront and policies for the pandemic and global relations, the “house” the government desires to build in the United States.    They are rolling out their plan and getting their people in position.  As we come to the end of the week, let’s listen to this song and pray about the “house” we are building in our church, in our family, and with our friends.   We have been chosen to bear fruit, fruit of the Spirit but also the fruit that builds others.  That fruit does not save us but certainly it demonstrates what type of branch we are and how we cling to the vine.  Blessings as you grow where you are plante

Today is Day 5 of The Week for Christian Unity started in 1908.  We look at John 15:1-15 this year to focus our ponderings.  So far we have pondered being chosen – God comes to us we do not work our way to God.  As we abide in that reality we see the chosen-ness in “the other” also.  We grow and hopefully grow with others.  Being with others always involves differences and so the need for forgiveness, foot washing.  Corporate prayer draws us together before our maker.  “The other” is a mirror for me of my strengths and my weaknesses.  When I hurt my friend, I reflect on who I am.  Prayer is for requests but it also opens the door for transparency about our need to reform – pruning. 

         “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.  He cut off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Growth in unity is also growth and transformation within as well as without.  I am not much of a gardener but I do love to plant a couple tomatoes in my hedge each year.  I put the cage around them to protect them and then I have been taught to pinch off the little suckers that sprout in the joints.  Those are like rabbit trails the plant goes down but they sap the plants energy, bear little, and the plant lives in a tangled mess.  Staying balanced and not chasing rabbit trails is a big challenge.  As Moses comes to the end of his life he challenges the people to submit to God’s will as revealed in Scripture, in prayer, in fellowship.  Truth is not something we must climb to heaven to find or descend to the depths.  It lays before us life and death.  Transformation of ourselves to be “our better selves” is possible.

         Each year I ponder a spiritual discipline goal that will guide me in growth.  Last year I thought I would try to read the book of Proverbs every month – 31 chapters meant a chapter a day – and there would be some point of wisdom to chew on.  I did not meet my goal but it gave me direction.  Others start the day by grounding themselves in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12.  The blessings at the end of the struggles encourage.  We are at the beginning of a new year, a new presidency, and a new decade.  Let us be open to being pruned so that we might bear more fruit and be a blessing to others.

Day 4 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a tradition started in 1908!  Today we ponder John 15:15, “I do not call you servants any longer… but I have called you friends.”  Friends talk to each other. 

         One of the notable themes of yesterday’s inauguration was the presence of religion.  Four past and to-be presidents went to church together before the event.  The family Bible was sworn on.  Pres. Bidden stopped for prayer in his speech for those affected by Covid.  The young poetess mentioned the role of faith.  The call for unity is a call for conversation and a realization of the enormity of the challenges facing us today. That is a call to prayer.

         Praying in my closet is one thing but corporate prayer, prayer with others, often becomes a leader saying the prayer and the people chiming in, “amen.”  Is it possible to pray wrong?  If we use human friendship as our model then it is possible to say words that hurt and confront.  Hopefully the tie of friendship allows for explanations and healing of these wounds.  In Romans 8: 26-27, Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness,

         “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

         The discipline of corporate prayer is needed today.  We can wait until Sunday and let the pastor say words that we agree on but we can also pray with a friend, a spouse, or a prayer partner.  Prayers can be for the outcome of policies we want but they can also be for wisdom for our leaders, even as Solomon requested.  Offer prayers for ears to hear each other as discussions about how to handle the challenges will seek consensus.  Prayers for humility and vision are needed.  Praying through a psalm or praying a hymn is a creative way to talk together.  The Holy Spirit interprets our prayers so we need not fear.  We will be blessed and those we pray for will be blessed also.  Thank you, Lord.


“Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12b)

Day 3 in our week of prayer for Christian Unity, we ponder the role of forgiveness.  A large part of the gospel reports deal with that last week of Christ’s life.  The last supper that we remember in our communion traditions, must have deeply impressed the followers.  Jesus kneeling and washing the feet of Judas who would betray him, of Peter who would deny him, and of the others who would flee, this memory is boggling to our limited thinking.  Without forgiveness relationships shatter and society polarizes.  We know this.  Today we inaugurate a new President as we stand in a country deeply divided.  How will healing ever occur?

         Paul admonishes the Colossians in chapter 3: 12-14, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Today we will hear speeches about unity and pulling together to make our country better.  For many there will be the terrible temptation to retreat in bitterness and cynicism.  For others it will be a call of victory.

         I love Walter Wangaard’s discussion of forgiveness in his book As for Me and My House.  Forgiveness does not deny differences.  Forgiveness is not a promise to forget that which has scarred us.  Forgiveness is not acting our way into a new way of feeling.  Forgiveness comes as we look past ourselves to the cross where we see love lived out. Christ loved us while we are sinners and loved us knowing we will fall short but that love still washes our feet and walks with us, giving us the strength to heal.  As we watch all the ceremonies today and listen to all the commentators and hear all the theories of how life will unfold in the coming days, may we also keep our hearts on the cross and its deep reminder that the way forward comes with forgiveness and foot washing.

In 1908 Paul Wattson proposed that January 18-25 be a week of prayer for Christian Unity, across all denominations.  Many in the Northern Hemisphere will be praying and meditating on the verses of this week and entering committed prayer.  John 15: 1-17 frames our meditations.

         Day 2 we focus on verse 4a of John 15,  “Abide in me as I abide in you.”  Mary, mother of Jesus, saw the events unfolding in her life in ways she did not fully understand. Luke tells us she “treasured all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)  Are we pondering and treasuring the unfolding of the events of this week in our heart and listening for God’s voice in them?  The news with constant reports of the fear of violence can draw our minds and hearts down.  But we have a choice about what we meditate on.

         When I was younger, due to political unfolding of systems in my life, our family was forced to move to Nairobi.  It was quick.  It was unsettling and I needed to ground myself.  A friend and I met weekly for memorization and prayer to ground ourselves in God’s truth.  Her goal was to memorize a prayer from Scripture to pray for her family.  I have not forgotten that advice.  During times of distress, I try to my ground thoughts and emotions in a time tested prayer.  Ephesians 3:14-19 is one of those prayers that I could ponder and theologians have written a book about.  Let’s meditate on it today.

         “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derive its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he ay strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have   power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and  high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that  surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

         Let us abide in these truths.  Our lives are under God’s control as much as our President’s.  God gives us strength and power, not just money, to deal with life’s challenges.  Christ dwells in our hearts – that close, not in Washington or far off realms.  Our roots draw strength and power from the love of God that is not measurable and not understandable.  It is a gift.  Our lives are in his hands.  Let’s let these truths sink into our hearts, a treasure that makes us rich!   Blessings as you pray.

Christian Unity

In 1908 Paul Wattson proposed that January 18-25 be a week of prayer for Christian Unity, across all denominations.  Many in the Northern Hemisphere will be praying and meditating on the verses of this week and entering committed prayer.  Wow, this is a significant week for people in the United States with the inauguration of a new President and threats of violence across our country.  We join our voices in this week of prayer for Christian Unity.  We will join our hearts with the world wide Christian church to pray and reflect on designated verses.  The theme for this year comes from John 15: 1-17.  The theme, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” comes from verses 5-9. 

           Day 1, today, we look at John 15:16a, “You did not choose me but I chose you.”  For many that spiritual experience with the Divine when a person “accepts Jesus as their Savior” or when a person becomes deeply aware of their chosen-ness is a deep defining moment in their life.  Yesterday in church services we read and reflected on Jesus calling his first disciples.  Similarly, Father Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4 had a similar call experience when God appeared to him, “Go to the land I will show you.”

         Jesus called the disciples.  God called Abraham.  God calls us, just as we are.  We do not work our way to heaven but God comes to us.  We are chosen to be a blessing to all, to start a journey with God to new places in our lives that we may not anticipate but that he unveils and reveals.  This call is for everyone, not just the young.  Abraham was to be a blessing to all nations, not just his “peeps,” not just to those who agree with him, but to all the nations God created. 

         Today people in the USA and the media struggle with polarization, of choosing who is good, who is right, and who is wrong.  This theme is so strong right now.  Only God knows the hearts of people.  These two call scenarios show us that God calls us in our selfishness, shortsightedness, our incompleteness to be a blessing to all and he calls us to start a journey with him to places unknown to us now.  This week may we turn from violence and hatred and keep our eyes focused on a savior who died for all and who calls us to be a blessing.

“It is time!”  I love that line in Lion King when Rafiki, (the name means friend in Swahili), the wise monkey, tells Simba it is time to claim his kingdom.  Simba majestically starts to walk to Pride Rock, to stand silhouetted by the sun and to do a roar.  It is a beautiful picture of the stepping into identity and role Simba has prepared all his life for.  This week TV will broadcast the change of leadership for us as President elect Biden assumes a position he has worked for all his political career.   Many will feel that same sense of fulfillment, it is time.

         Mark introduces the start of Jesus’ public ministry with the words, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near.”  Mark uses the words “kingdom of God” fifteen times in his Gospel as Jesus preaches and fleshes out what that means.  I thought of the famous Lord’s Prayer that so many know and was given to us as a model of prayer and which has as the second petition,  “they kingdom come.”  The Catechism defines this as God’s Kingdom of Grace, his Kingdom of Glory, but not yet his Kingdom of Power.  That is still coming with Christ’s return when he climbs Pride Rock and declares his complete reign over life.  What a moment that will be.

         Today is Saturday so let us sit back and focus our hearts in a musical rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by Andrea Bocelli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1wtzOoXDA.  The Kingdom of God is near in the presence of Jesus Christ, in the closeness of the Holy Spirit, and experienced in word, sacrament, prayer and fellowship.  Lord, may we keep our eyes on you as we go through this week.

What good news would you like to hear today?  I’m taking my car in for a check up and I would love to hear the bill fits my budget!  I would love to turn on the radio and hear some words of reconciliation on our political scene.  It would be nice if the statistics on illness and death would improve.  Oh, for a phone call from one of my children.  There are so many messages of “good news” we could hear today.  When Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, was put in prison, Jesus traveled back to home territory, “Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ‘The time has come,’ he said, ‘the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’”

         “The time has come.”  That sounds like our news stations counting down to next Wednesday and the inauguration.  Events are unfolding and probably change is on the horizon.  I’m not sure we would call it the “kingdom of God” but certainly we are approaching an event.

         The time has come for serious preparation for the event.  Soldiers are securing the parade route and the capital.  The wedding dress is bought and hanging on the door.  The food is ordered for the celebration party afterwards.  Invitations have been sent.  Anticipation is high.  The coming of the kingdom of God is not dissimilar. 

         Jesus preached, “the time has come” for the unveiling of the kingdom of God.  How are we preparing?  Are we checking out news reports – reading Scripture?  Are we encouraging our friends to “tune in” to unfolding events and prepare?  Are we in prayer, responding to the invitation?  I note that Jesus goes on to tell people to repent and believe.

         Today we do have “good news.”  No matter who becomes President of the US, God is still reigning over life.  No matter what evil threatens our lives, our souls are in the hands of God.  No matter what fears plague our thinking, Jesus offers the “peace that passes understanding.”  We have much “good news” we can focus on and ground our lives in today in the midst of the chaos and turmoil of our world. May we think on those words as we go about our day.  “The time has come! The kingdom of God is near!”  Blessings.