Mission Faithwalk

                 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:4)                  The words of today’s passage sound ridiculously glib. They bring to mind a scene from one of the Marvel movies, in which Loki boasts at the Hulk, who proceeds to use Loki to batter the concrete floor repeatedly and with firm determination. What can mere mortals to do me? Murder, rape, assault, rob, malign, betray, defeat and parade me before others as a prisoner, lie to me, lie about me, … there are lots of things mere mortals can do to a person. For David to ask such a question is the height of hubris -  unless you look at the context.                David wasn’t being like Loki. What comes before and after this verse has to do with the danger from which David wants God to save him. His enemies were many and pressing the attack. They pursued him – meaning that he fled before them. They twist his words, and conspire against him, hoping to

                 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—   with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. (Psalm 103:17-18)                One of the themes that recurs in my stories is that there is more than one kind of magic. I know some Christians who would object to the word “magic,” saying that all magic is demonic, but they might see nothing wrong with looking at a verse like this and thinking of the Lord’s love and His righteousness as being something that God adds to the lives of those who are faithful, and their descendants. Its whole purpose is to produce the happiness and security of all those involved, so that nothing bad will ever happen. And if the children or children’s children happen to turn out other than as expected, they assume someone did something bad. In other words, while they hold up a cross against anyone who mentions the word “magic,”  they

                 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)                  Before I left for Florida last fall, an Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly formed its chrysalis – and did not emerge. I left the enclosure in the garage over the winter. I was not surprised when it was still there at the end of March, and spring has been more cold than warm. I knew it wasn’t likely to emerge, but  recently I’ve been fretting a little about it. Why couldn’t it hurry up? Had it died? This morning when I opened the garage door to throw away some garbage, I looked at the chrysalis, and then I noticed something dark at the top of the enclosure.  At long last, there she was in all her chilly glory.                I don’t know how long she’d been waiting, but I got her out and released her on salvia, then later moved her to some thyme (farther from the bird fee

                 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”                Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.    You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:18-19)                  Today’s passage has two points. One touches on a recurrent theme for me – the meaning of faith. The other deals more with something I encountered recently.  First, the personal note. As I walked this morning, I told God that I wanted to be faithful today. I want to trust Him. I want to say that I trust Him. But I know that the slightest stress will have me worrying, reacting, and generally not showing the faith I want to show. And even if I show faith, that will only lead to pride on my part. I won. I had faith!                Some people have commented that it doesn’t matter what we believe. What matters is what we do. I’ve argued against this many times, but this morning, I agree – sort of. It’s not

                  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)                  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”  (Matthew 7:1)                       Some people love to quote Jesus’ command not to judge because we’ll be judged. They’re likely to have the same response to John 3:17,  in which Jesus describes Himself as not being here to condemn the world, but so that God could save the world through Him. And what they don’t seem to get is that in telling others not to judge, they are judging the others. In threatening, warning, or promising judgment upon those who judge, one must judge. And they also seem to miss that God’s sending His Son into the world to save the world means that the world is already condemned. Otherwise, the world wouldn’t need to be saved.                The second tidbit about the passage in John is that Jesus makes it clear that the only way the world can be saved is though

                 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; (James 1:19)                  We’ve reached the busy season at the garden center where I work, which means long hours on concrete floors, and not a lot of movement. That adds up to achy ankles, knees, and/or hips for a lot of workers. For me, the worst is my right ankle, which hurts enough when I stand up that it’s hard to walk.                Grace’s alarm went off at 5:59. Mine was supposed to go off at 6. That’s OK. But when I put her out, she wasn’t content. She wanted me to take her for a walk. When that didn’t work, she came back in (Good, the neighbors won’t shoot me!) but kept barking all through my breakfast.                Last night, I spilled some water on the floor protector under my desk. I had to lug it outside before bed and mop up the water, but I knew I couldn’t put the protector on the floor or roll by chair across the floor

                 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, (Romans 12:10)                  Devoted: To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate.                      When I read that definition, I thought of marriage and commitment, and I want to run away. I tend toward “all or nothing” thinking, and this tends to mean to me 24/7 at someone else’s beck and call, whether they’re reasonable or not. Having spent several years as a caregiver, the idea exhausts me just to consider it. I’m far better at being devoted to ideas, projects, or duties, but again, I don’t tend to be good at boundaries and end up burned out. This tells me that my idea of devotion is probably not correct.                And part of my problem is that I see those to whom I am supposed to be devoted as needy, and the relationship non-reciprocal. Sure, I’m supposed to be devoted to them, but where is their devotion to me? If I’m suppo

                 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. (Romans 15:2)                  My version of this is a dream of mine. For several years, I’ve been incubating an idea of building more community in my neighborhood. Where I live in Florida, we seem to have at least the potential for it, but I’ve discovered that a big chunk of the reason for that is that we have two central places we can meet as a community, and volunteers to keep those places hopping. In my neighborhood in Pennsylvania, we don’t have those.                But part of the reason I’m trying to build my garden is so that I can share the produce with neighbors and with a food pantry. I’m trying to learn to make things and do things so I can help out. This morning, I thought of the idea of replacing my front walk and leveling a small area near the sidewalk for three chairs and a table. I’d probably never use it, and I can’t imagine my neighbors using it. It’ll probably never hap

                 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. (Romans 15:2)                  I suspect we tend to have one of four responses to our neighbors. First, we are people people so we love spending time with them because it makes us feel good. Second, we are narcissists so we love spending time with them because it makes us feel good about ourselves. Third, we’re introverts and don’t want to bother or be bothered by our neighbors. Fourth, we want to be good neighbors, but it's too stressful. Today’s passage doesn’t fit into any of those well. One of the things I love about where I live in Florida is the sense of community that comes about, in part, because we have convenient central meeting places and volunteers who lead in activities from games and crafts to dancing lessons and exercise sessions. I live in a typical 1960s neighborhood in Pennsylvania, with many yards separated by fences and no central meeting place. I’m far from doing mo

  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)   Free: not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes   Freedom is a hot-button topic. Most of the time, what is described as freedom generally involves one person being able to do whatever he/she wants with the approbation of everyone around him/her. Unfortunately, that means that everyone else must be like the citizens and courtiers in the Hans Christian Anderson story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” which means that no one else has any freedom that the “emperor” doesn’t like. Some will counter that freedom isn’t the right of an individual to do whatever he/she wants, but the right of the individual to live according to his/her conscience – to do what he/she believes to be right. I have to agree, this is an important conversation that needs to continue. But today, let’s

                Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.                How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?  Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Ofer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.                  Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4)                  This song is another of those King David wrote, with his characteristic swing of emotions and audiences. He starts crying for help in what might be short enough to be a chorus. Then, he spends a verse scoldi

                 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)                  My main prayer request has inspired others… WDA… Wisdom, Direction, and Attitude. Some people are amused by it. Others ask me what’s wrong that my attitude isn’t what I want it to be. I don’t know. It might be biological, psychological, circumstantial, or spiritual – somehow, I’m just not the sweetness and light and “everything’s coming up roses” sort of gal. I think it’s that I’m human and that I’m not God.          On the other hand, since Paul mentions our attitudes and our minds frequently in his writings, it makes sense to me that they should be a matter of prayer. Today’s passage is a prayer or a blessing (if there’s a difference) about our attitudes. With keen insight, he mentions it in connection with t

                 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)                  This passage says everything about wisdom that we might not expect. Wisdom is supposed to be esoteric. We climb up a mountain and talk to a guy who hasn’t climbed down the mountain in at least five decades, but somehow still has the answer to our problems if we can only discern the meaning of his comments. Alternatively, we are the o

                 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7)                Gratitude : thankfulness, or gratefulness, from the Latin word gratus "pleasing, thankful", is a feeling of appreciation felt by and/or similar positive response shown by the recipient of kindness, gifts, help, favors, or other types of generosity, towards the giver of such gifts.                Having just written about what I’m thankful for today, I seem to be stuck on the idea of gratitude, and the question whether God feels it. Before the accusations of heresy begin, let me establish a foundation to this discussion. God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and has no need of anything from us. If God feels or shows gratitude, it is not based on His needing us to do something He can’t do better Himself.                Gratitude is not something that others deserve from us

                 Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33)                  I’ve told several people where I work that I like working there because I get the treat of listening to their lectures. They think they’re just explaining, but I’m blessed with the opportunity to learn. And while I’m no longer impressed with many scientists or experts who seem to talk about themselves and their theories, I’m in awe of folks with lower degrees or no degrees who can explain to others how dirt, fertilizer, or plants work. And it’s not just plant folks. I’ve attended conferences where the speakers spent time with us in the halls and listened as they explained – and felt like crying when they asked me a question and seemed to actually listen to what I said.                Undoubtedly, there’s someone, or some sort of person, to whom you listen with respect. You know the feeling. And, you

             The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)               The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will rejoice over you with joy, He will be quiet [1] in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy . (Zephaniah 3:17 NASB)                  I’m sure I’ve talked about this verse before. To put it into context, this would take place after God had judged Israel, and had found a remnant of faithful people. After that, He would take away His judgments and this verse would be fulfilled. In other words, this isn’t a promise given to people who don’t choose to live under His authority. It’s not universal.                The promise begins with Emmanuel – God with us. Next is El Gibbor – God the Mighty Warrior. Then we have Yeshua/Jesus – the God who saves/Savior. They may not be there in th

                 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things . (Ecclesiastes 11:5)                  Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, reigned as the king of Israel from about 970 to 931 BC. It’s 2023. There have been some advances in science over the past nearly 3000 years. We now have computers and other equipment that allow scientists to investigate the path of the wind and how the body is formed in a mother’s womb. We tend to think we have those issued covered, and therefore that we do, can, or should understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. In fact, at least many scientists and those who accept their word as the gospel claim that there is no God whose work can be understood.                That’s what we think. But for the last two summers, I’ve been paying a little more attention to weather forecasts. I live in hope of decent rain showers, so I don’t ha

  Lord, how many are my foes!     How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me,   “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me,     my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord,     and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep;     I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands     assail me on every side. Arise, Lord!     Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw;     break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance.     May your blessing be on your people.                    Psalm 3             Right. Not a care in the world though tens of thousands assail… Clearly, this was written by a guy. And it’s the same guy who frequently in the Psalms cries about how even one person is out to get him. More importantly, it’s a song – a poem. This isn’t a case of tens of thousands on every side is no problem, but perhaps tens of thousands plu

                 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. (Proverbs 1:8)                  One of the things I hate is the tendency (we all have) to lecture when we should celebrate. I have attended Naturalization Courts, welcoming new citizens as they take their citizenship oaths. They have just completed proving they know what citizenship in the United States involves, and then they have to listen to judges tell them their duties as citizens. I suspect they know those duties at least as well as the judges.                The same thing happens around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. They’re supposed to be days when we laud and honor our mothers and fathers, but instead, we offer tips about how to be a better parent or lecture about the responsibilities of the roles. There’s even a tradition of giving tools of the trade (vacuums, power tools, etc.) as gifts. That tradition gets the mockery and scorn it richly deserves.               

                 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors .  (Matthew 6:12)                  When I was a child, I learned The Lord’s Prayer . I thought it was in the King James version, but I looked it up just now, and they use the words debt and debtor . Maybe they changed the wording in the last half a century because what I learned was, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” I’ve developed the habit of praying The Lord’s Prayer , and recently I’ve been thinking that I should look more closely at the difference.                Debt is “something, typically money, that is owed or due” or “a feeling of gratitude for a service or favor.”  The first point is to check the Greek; the term appears to be best translated as “debt.” Ultimately, I’ll go with that but for a moment, I want to consider the term “trespass.”                Legally, trespassing is the “act of knowingly entering another person’s property without permission.” 

                 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)             And if we follow the process commanded yesterday of going to a brother or sister who has sinned alone, returning with one or two witnesses if refused, and taking the matter before the church/assembly as a last resort before withdrawing from the person, it follows that we must forgive that person. If we’re going to accuse and demand repentance, we must forgive and (if possible) reconcile. Three aspects of this idea should be considered this morning.           The first is that we are to be kind to one another. I like the description of kindness as lending others our strength. We are being kind when we do something for someone that they can’t do (as easily) themselves, or withholding deserved punishment by us, also known as forgiveness or mercy. If we forgive the brother who has sinned against  us, that kindness on our part may give them th

               “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”  (Matthew 18:15-17)             Several words in today’s passage can be problematic. The first is “church.”  The Church didn’t exist formally when Jesus said these words. Synagogues did, but that has its own word. The Greek word transliterated is ecclesia , which initially referred to a civil assembly at which decisions were made and legal matters addressed. It might be considered part way between a city council meeting and a small claims court. In other words, this is a general principle, not just a “church” principle. We’ll come ba