This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it: "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:5-7 NIV)
I have been writing these devotions for more years than I can remember now. As you can imagine, some days it is hard to think of something to write about. I spend a lot of time reading different articles, blogs, posts, etc. on spiritual topics to find inspiration. Often I will find myself on a site that attracts comments from atheists.
It has made me believe that being an atheist can be a religion in itself. It takes just as much faith to not believe in God as it does to believe in God. One argument they all seem to have in common is the fact that we cannot perceive God with our physical senses, therefore He must not exist. - They don't usually use those words, but the argument boils down to that.
We know that people are sometimes born deaf or blind or sometimes both. It is hard to imagine being both deaf and blind, isn't it? One would have to rely on touch, smell and taste to experience the world. But at least there would be proof that something exists beyond one's self.
Now imagine being born without any of the five physical senses at all! Your bodily functions all work and you are capable of thinking and reasoning as any other person, but you cannot even feel the bed that holds your body. Though you cannot sense it in anyway, somehow your needs are being taken care of. There is no way to connect to the world around you. Does that mean it does not exist? Of course not. The world would go on as it always has, but you would be completely and utterly unaware.
I believe we are all born with spiritual senses as well as physical senses. Most of us just do not know how to use them. If we are open to it, we occasionally get a glimpse of the spiritual realm with the eyes of our soul. These are those close moments with God... moments of grace... that we hold close to our hearts and that strengthen our faith in times of doubt.
Using our spiritual senses takes practice... prayer, worship and bible study all exercise these senses and make those moments of grace happen more frequently and more vividly. Atheists don't exercise senses in which they don't believe, so they never get those glimpses. They are as unaware of God's existance as the poor soul without any physical senses is of their surroundings.
Father,
Help us to exercise our spiritual senses daily so that we may see you more clearly. Help us to find ways to open the eyes of the soul of our atheist brothers and sisters who need you more than they will ever admit. Amen.
Joys: wonderful walk in the mountains yesterday; pedicures; cooler fall weather
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Powerful God
Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens. (Psalm 68:34 NIV)
How do you prefer to address God in prayer? I hear "Gracious God" a lot... also "Merciful God," "Loving God," or "Compassionate God." What I don't tend to hear much is, "Almighty God," or "Powerful God."
I think it may have to do with the way we have begun to percieve power. People have turned it into something very unpleasant. People abuse power. With power, they abuse and control others. Some people that are given a little authority take it to almost humorous extremes, while those with real power in our world give themselves over to greed and lust and sell their power, hurting the weakest.
We don't want to think of our God like that. Nor should we. Too much power in human hands is dangerous. But complete power in God's hands is wonderful! What good is grace, mercy, love and compassion without the perfect power to execute them?
When we imagine God's power, we usually think of a raging storm or pounding ocean waves. But there is a stronger power that is felt rather than seen. We feel it in peaceful surroundings. We feel it when we listen to good music. We feel it when we hold a sleeping infant. We feel it in love.
A violent storm can take down cities, but focused, unrelenting love can change the whole world. That is true power. God is love. That is His power and might and omnipotence.
Almighty and Ever Powerful God,
Fill this world with your power. Let us feel it in everything we do and everywhere we go. Amen.
Joys: Holding and feeding Emma; a day off with no obligations; maybe a hike? :)
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens. (Psalm 68:34 NIV)
How do you prefer to address God in prayer? I hear "Gracious God" a lot... also "Merciful God," "Loving God," or "Compassionate God." What I don't tend to hear much is, "Almighty God," or "Powerful God."
I think it may have to do with the way we have begun to percieve power. People have turned it into something very unpleasant. People abuse power. With power, they abuse and control others. Some people that are given a little authority take it to almost humorous extremes, while those with real power in our world give themselves over to greed and lust and sell their power, hurting the weakest.
We don't want to think of our God like that. Nor should we. Too much power in human hands is dangerous. But complete power in God's hands is wonderful! What good is grace, mercy, love and compassion without the perfect power to execute them?
When we imagine God's power, we usually think of a raging storm or pounding ocean waves. But there is a stronger power that is felt rather than seen. We feel it in peaceful surroundings. We feel it when we listen to good music. We feel it when we hold a sleeping infant. We feel it in love.
A violent storm can take down cities, but focused, unrelenting love can change the whole world. That is true power. God is love. That is His power and might and omnipotence.
Almighty and Ever Powerful God,
Fill this world with your power. Let us feel it in everything we do and everywhere we go. Amen.
Joys: Holding and feeding Emma; a day off with no obligations; maybe a hike? :)
Monday, September 24, 2012
A New Direction
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—(Psalm 107:2a NIV)
When I am sitting in front of a computer with nothing better to do (this seems to happen too often!), I frequently go to a web site called storypeople.com. They sell stuff with their original "story lines" on them. The story lines are what I go to the page to read. They have a new one every day. These story lines are lines that sound as if they come from a lovely story book, but they actually kind of tell the story all in that one line, or often make you wonder what the whole story would be. Here are some of my favorite Storypeople lines:
This morning, the story line I found said this:
Sometimes it is a matter of opening our minds to different ideas and opinions. Sometimes it is a matter of breaking a negative cycle that has grasped our families for generations. Sometimes it is as simple as fostering a new daily routine. But sometimes it can mean giving up everything we know to take on something completely new.
A nagging feeling of dissatisfaction with our current lives may be God's nudge to go in a new direction. Or maybe circumstances have put a roadblock in the direction we were going and we HAVE to go another way.
Change is scary, but it can also be very exciting and very revitalizing. Change brings new life. Change helps us to bury the past and welcome the future. Change shakes us up and makes us think and realize that everything we thought was true might not be. Change opens our minds and our hearts to other ways of thinking... other ways of living... other ways of loving. Just because we've always done things a certain way, does not make it the only way... or even the best way. As a matter of fact, we may find that "the way we've always done it" is just plain wrong!
Gather your courage today and take one small new direction today. You will have to put in a little effort, because going in the direction you are facing is always the easier way.
Lord,
Sometimes we miss your guidance simply because you are calling from a direction that we are not facing. Open our hearts and minds to new possibilities. Help us to turn around and listen for your call from a new direction. Amen.
Joys: Cecelia's prayer request for Richard yesterday; a "girl's day" with Tracy; a great two weeks with Richard and looking forward to his coming home in about 6 weeks.
When I am sitting in front of a computer with nothing better to do (this seems to happen too often!), I frequently go to a web site called storypeople.com. They sell stuff with their original "story lines" on them. The story lines are what I go to the page to read. They have a new one every day. These story lines are lines that sound as if they come from a lovely story book, but they actually kind of tell the story all in that one line, or often make you wonder what the whole story would be. Here are some of my favorite Storypeople lines:
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This morning, the story line I found said this:
They were ready to ride as soon as they decided whether they wanted to go in the direction they are all facing or whether that'd be too easy.What a great line! Most of us live our lives simply content to keep on going in the direction we are facing, don't we? It takes a lot of courage to stop and even recognize that there might be a whole different direction.
Sometimes it is a matter of opening our minds to different ideas and opinions. Sometimes it is a matter of breaking a negative cycle that has grasped our families for generations. Sometimes it is as simple as fostering a new daily routine. But sometimes it can mean giving up everything we know to take on something completely new.
A nagging feeling of dissatisfaction with our current lives may be God's nudge to go in a new direction. Or maybe circumstances have put a roadblock in the direction we were going and we HAVE to go another way.
Change is scary, but it can also be very exciting and very revitalizing. Change brings new life. Change helps us to bury the past and welcome the future. Change shakes us up and makes us think and realize that everything we thought was true might not be. Change opens our minds and our hearts to other ways of thinking... other ways of living... other ways of loving. Just because we've always done things a certain way, does not make it the only way... or even the best way. As a matter of fact, we may find that "the way we've always done it" is just plain wrong!
Gather your courage today and take one small new direction today. You will have to put in a little effort, because going in the direction you are facing is always the easier way.
Lord,
Sometimes we miss your guidance simply because you are calling from a direction that we are not facing. Open our hearts and minds to new possibilities. Help us to turn around and listen for your call from a new direction. Amen.
Joys: Cecelia's prayer request for Richard yesterday; a "girl's day" with Tracy; a great two weeks with Richard and looking forward to his coming home in about 6 weeks.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
December 21
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1 NIV)
We are quickly approaching another one of "those" dates. Yep... according to the Mayan calendar, the days are coming to an end 3 months from now. It seems like this one has gotten more than just the Christian radicals excited. Religious and secular prophets alike are warning that if it's not the end of the world, it will at least be the end of the world as we have known it up to now. Some say nuclear war. Some say world-wide economic devestation. And of course a large number of Christians say "rapture."
I'm reading an interesting book called, "Left Behind and Loving It," by Mark D. Davis. He picks apart the poor theology of the so-called "rapture." It is well-grounded Bible teaching based on the kind of theology more of the main-line churches like Lutherans and Episcopals believe. Davis simply explains how the Bible passages that "rapture" theologists point to were meant to be read. He begins by showing different passages that tell the same story... one in a narrative voice which is simply writing what took place in regular spoken language; and the other in a poetic voice, using metaphors and similes and other kinds of imagery and symbolism. Both accouts are true, but one is written for the head and the other for the heart.
"Rapturists" want to read this poetic stuff the same way they read the narrative stuff. They make it all literal and come up with these scary prophesies about horsemen riding through the sky loosing terrible ills upon the world and an angry Jesus floating on a cloud coming to teach us all a lesson the hard way.
But Davis reminds us again and again of one of the most oft-repeated passages in the Bible: "God's steadfast love endures forever." There are no words that qualify or quantify this statement. God's love is steadfast. God's love endures. God's love is forever. And God so loved THE WORLD. God does not want us to live anxiously wondering if we will indeed be one of the ones snatched up... and what about those that we love? No. God tells us to be at rest in his love. Be at peace in his love. He tells us NOT to be anxious. So why would he hang this anxiety-riddled threat over our heads?
If you are anxious about December 21st of this year, relax. I think the Mayans just got tired of numbering their calendar!
Father,
Thank you for your steadfast love that endures forever. Help us to rest in that promise. Amen.
Joys: Good theology; fun day with Richard; some sunshine finally
His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1 NIV)
We are quickly approaching another one of "those" dates. Yep... according to the Mayan calendar, the days are coming to an end 3 months from now. It seems like this one has gotten more than just the Christian radicals excited. Religious and secular prophets alike are warning that if it's not the end of the world, it will at least be the end of the world as we have known it up to now. Some say nuclear war. Some say world-wide economic devestation. And of course a large number of Christians say "rapture."
I'm reading an interesting book called, "Left Behind and Loving It," by Mark D. Davis. He picks apart the poor theology of the so-called "rapture." It is well-grounded Bible teaching based on the kind of theology more of the main-line churches like Lutherans and Episcopals believe. Davis simply explains how the Bible passages that "rapture" theologists point to were meant to be read. He begins by showing different passages that tell the same story... one in a narrative voice which is simply writing what took place in regular spoken language; and the other in a poetic voice, using metaphors and similes and other kinds of imagery and symbolism. Both accouts are true, but one is written for the head and the other for the heart.
"Rapturists" want to read this poetic stuff the same way they read the narrative stuff. They make it all literal and come up with these scary prophesies about horsemen riding through the sky loosing terrible ills upon the world and an angry Jesus floating on a cloud coming to teach us all a lesson the hard way.
But Davis reminds us again and again of one of the most oft-repeated passages in the Bible: "God's steadfast love endures forever." There are no words that qualify or quantify this statement. God's love is steadfast. God's love endures. God's love is forever. And God so loved THE WORLD. God does not want us to live anxiously wondering if we will indeed be one of the ones snatched up... and what about those that we love? No. God tells us to be at rest in his love. Be at peace in his love. He tells us NOT to be anxious. So why would he hang this anxiety-riddled threat over our heads?
If you are anxious about December 21st of this year, relax. I think the Mayans just got tired of numbering their calendar!
Father,
Thank you for your steadfast love that endures forever. Help us to rest in that promise. Amen.
Joys: Good theology; fun day with Richard; some sunshine finally
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Reclaiming Our Spiritual Senses
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that peopple are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 NIV)There was an article in yesterday's Science section of the Huffington Post about a scientist who claims that science is on the verge of disproving the existence of God. You can read the entire article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/science-god-biology-astronomy-physics-deity_n_1894010.html
The article opens by saying:
Over the past few centuries, science can be said to have gradually chipped away at the traditional grounds for believing in God. Much of what once seemed mysterious - the existence of humanity, the life-bearing perfection of Earth, the workings of the universe - can now be explained by biology, astronomy, physics and other domains of science.
Although cosmic mysteries remain, Sean Carroll, a theoretical cosmologist at the California Institute of Technology, says there's good reason to think science will ultimately arrive at a complete understanding of the universe that leaves no grounds for God whatsoever.Science has indeed come a long way in answering the question of "how," but they haven't come close to proving or disproving the "who" or the "why." Along with all the advancements in science and technology, people seem to be losing an important ability... the use of their spiritual senses.
We have begun to rely almost fully on only our physical senses. If we can't touch it, taste it, see it, hear it or smell it, does that mean it doesn't exist? But there is another way to see, feel, hear, taste and smell! It is with our spiritual senses. But most of us have left them to lay dormant for so long that we have forgotten how to use them... or that we even have them.
We need to reclaim those senses. It can be done simply by starting to use them again. But we will need to make some hard decisions in our lives. We have to stop the endless busyness. Having every second of our days filled with duties and obligations pulls us further and further rom the spiritual realm... even if our busy activities are all God-related.
We also need to take time each day to unplug. No smartphones, pads, computers or even tv's. Read something profound. Listen to a great symphony. Ponder great works of art found in a book about the works of the masters. Rest in the quietness and beauty of creation. Pray without distracions for five minutes every day.
If you do these things, you will know that there is more to life than the physical. science is good and there is nothing wrong with gaining a greater understanding of our physical world, but we must not neglect the spiritual side of existence either. If we do, we will be swallowed up by the shallowness of the purely physical.
Father,
Help us learn - or relearn - how to see you. Amen.
Joys: a good dinner at home with Kevin, Chelsea, and sweet Emma; just hanging out with Richard; the sweetness of holding a sleeping infant in my arms.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Shattering Illusions
Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well. (Proverbs 23:23 NIV)
It is not only important to study the bible; it is also important to study about the bible. I think many misconceptions arise about the things we read in the bible because we are so ignorant about how and why they were written. And sadly, many people would rather not know because it threatens their life-long illusions about the bible. When we discover some of these truths, it forces us to look at the bible in a more realistic... rather than mystical... way and it may put a whole new truth to things we only believed to be truth.
The philosopher Nietzsche said, "Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth, because they don't want their illusions destroyed." So true! I remember the first time I was told that many of the books of the New Testement probably weren't written by the actual people whose names were on them. It shattered something I thought I knew, and my first impulse was to reject this new information as maybe even heretical. It destroyed my illustions.
I continued to find out new things about how the bible was written and how it was put together in the form we have it today. Along the way, many illusions were shattered and many new truths learned. It was difficult at times and even faith-shaking. But in the end it gave me stronger and more mature faith.
So many Christian denominations make their adherents feel like it is a sin to question their beliefs or the bible even to the point that they are required to ignore science. I can't believe that this is a healthy approach to religion. If our faith isn't strong enough to withstand have illusions shaken and shattered, then perhaps we don't have real faith at all. Perhaps we are just believing in fairy tales.
Father,
Help us to continue to grow in our faith and to accept truth even if it means changing what we thought we knew about you. Amen.
Joys: Cooking supper with Tracy yesterday... some good stuff came out of the kitchen!; unexpected time with Cecelia; Cecelia's "rules" for wearing a belt
wisdom, instruction and insight as well. (Proverbs 23:23 NIV)
It is not only important to study the bible; it is also important to study about the bible. I think many misconceptions arise about the things we read in the bible because we are so ignorant about how and why they were written. And sadly, many people would rather not know because it threatens their life-long illusions about the bible. When we discover some of these truths, it forces us to look at the bible in a more realistic... rather than mystical... way and it may put a whole new truth to things we only believed to be truth.
The philosopher Nietzsche said, "Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth, because they don't want their illusions destroyed." So true! I remember the first time I was told that many of the books of the New Testement probably weren't written by the actual people whose names were on them. It shattered something I thought I knew, and my first impulse was to reject this new information as maybe even heretical. It destroyed my illustions.
I continued to find out new things about how the bible was written and how it was put together in the form we have it today. Along the way, many illusions were shattered and many new truths learned. It was difficult at times and even faith-shaking. But in the end it gave me stronger and more mature faith.
So many Christian denominations make their adherents feel like it is a sin to question their beliefs or the bible even to the point that they are required to ignore science. I can't believe that this is a healthy approach to religion. If our faith isn't strong enough to withstand have illusions shaken and shattered, then perhaps we don't have real faith at all. Perhaps we are just believing in fairy tales.
Father,
Help us to continue to grow in our faith and to accept truth even if it means changing what we thought we knew about you. Amen.
Joys: Cooking supper with Tracy yesterday... some good stuff came out of the kitchen!; unexpected time with Cecelia; Cecelia's "rules" for wearing a belt
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sitting In the Treetops
May you live to see your children's children—
(Psalm 128:6a NIV)
What a wonderful week it has been! One week ago to this very minute, Richard and I were in a hospital waiting room waiting for the birth of our second grandchild who would be born in only 20 more minutes. It's funny how the discomfort of hours of waiting just melt away with the simple words, "She's here!"
With those words, our youngest child became a father. With those words, I truly gave over my last child to adulthood. Richard and I are just "Richard and I" now. But we are more than that too. We are "Opah" and "Kaymee" to two beautiful granddaughters. We are the hug-givers, lap-makers, treat-carriers, toy-store-shoppers and ice-cream-trip-suggesters to eager-to-receive little girls. We are the calming voices of advice and encouragement on the other end of anxious cell phone calls to young adults trying to figure it all out in a more-complicated-than-ever world. And we are the watchers and guardians as the continuation of our family unfolds. I understand the symbol of a "tree" for mapping out family relationships better than ever, for I feel as though Richard and I are now on the top branches looking down as new branches begin to sprout.
There really is no end to parenting. We are always there for our children no matter how old they get. And some things never really change. I remember when my boys were learning to tie their shoes. They would get so frustrated, and it would have been so easy to just jump in and tie them myself. But I knew they wouldn't learn how to do it themselves that way. As I watch Kevin and Chelsea take care of their newborn, I sometimes want to just take charge and say, "No, this way is better." But I know they need to find their own style. I won't agree with it all, but that's ok. Richard and I will just wait for when our advice is asked for and then give it with room for them to use it while still expressing themselves and their own style.
No matter where you are right now on your own family tree, give thanks! Give thanks for grandparents, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and all the rest. Take time to tell them you love them. Make the effort to overlook their faults, because we all have our own that need to be overlooked. Celebrate what God has made in your life.
Lord God,
Thank you for my growing family. Thank you for much time spent with Richard and our children and grandchildren this week. Time truly does fly. Thank you for blessing us with Emma. Amen.
Joys: Grandchildren - the greatest joy of all; time in the mountains with Richard; my boys and their significant others.
(Psalm 128:6a NIV)
What a wonderful week it has been! One week ago to this very minute, Richard and I were in a hospital waiting room waiting for the birth of our second grandchild who would be born in only 20 more minutes. It's funny how the discomfort of hours of waiting just melt away with the simple words, "She's here!"
With those words, our youngest child became a father. With those words, I truly gave over my last child to adulthood. Richard and I are just "Richard and I" now. But we are more than that too. We are "Opah" and "Kaymee" to two beautiful granddaughters. We are the hug-givers, lap-makers, treat-carriers, toy-store-shoppers and ice-cream-trip-suggesters to eager-to-receive little girls. We are the calming voices of advice and encouragement on the other end of anxious cell phone calls to young adults trying to figure it all out in a more-complicated-than-ever world. And we are the watchers and guardians as the continuation of our family unfolds. I understand the symbol of a "tree" for mapping out family relationships better than ever, for I feel as though Richard and I are now on the top branches looking down as new branches begin to sprout.
There really is no end to parenting. We are always there for our children no matter how old they get. And some things never really change. I remember when my boys were learning to tie their shoes. They would get so frustrated, and it would have been so easy to just jump in and tie them myself. But I knew they wouldn't learn how to do it themselves that way. As I watch Kevin and Chelsea take care of their newborn, I sometimes want to just take charge and say, "No, this way is better." But I know they need to find their own style. I won't agree with it all, but that's ok. Richard and I will just wait for when our advice is asked for and then give it with room for them to use it while still expressing themselves and their own style.
No matter where you are right now on your own family tree, give thanks! Give thanks for grandparents, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and all the rest. Take time to tell them you love them. Make the effort to overlook their faults, because we all have our own that need to be overlooked. Celebrate what God has made in your life.
Lord God,
Thank you for my growing family. Thank you for much time spent with Richard and our children and grandchildren this week. Time truly does fly. Thank you for blessing us with Emma. Amen.
Joys: Grandchildren - the greatest joy of all; time in the mountains with Richard; my boys and their significant others.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Not Only When We Want to Be
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV)
I was reading some devotional material this morning by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and I came across this very profound line:
If you are reading this, most likely you ARE part of the body. The question is, are you a functioning part of the body? Ask God to show you your work.
Lord,
We really want to be active, functioning parts of your body, but so many things hold us back... mostly fear. Help us to find our function and do our best to support the rest of the body. Amen.
Joys: Richard at home Thursday or Friday! So excited!; Emma schedule to arrive right around the same time!; last day of work befor vacation
test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV)
I was reading some devotional material this morning by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and I came across this very profound line:
We are members of one body not only when we want to be, but in our whole existance.If we are a part of the Church, then we ARE a part of the one body... in everything we do, or don't do. And everything we do, or don't do, affects the whole body. If we have been called to be a hand or a foot or lips, we cannot just decide to not be. We will just become non-functioning body parts. And non-functioning body parts are a drain on the rest of the body. They require time and energy and they force other body parts to do their job. And a foot simply does not make good lips!
If you are reading this, most likely you ARE part of the body. The question is, are you a functioning part of the body? Ask God to show you your work.
Lord,
We really want to be active, functioning parts of your body, but so many things hold us back... mostly fear. Help us to find our function and do our best to support the rest of the body. Amen.
Joys: Richard at home Thursday or Friday! So excited!; Emma schedule to arrive right around the same time!; last day of work befor vacation
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A Society is Judged...
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV)
There are so many poor people out there today. And our society is making more every minute. We may think we are safe right now. We WANT to work. We WANT to support ourselves. But it can all be gone faster than we think. Everything we have that we think could never be taken away, could be. Maybe we should treat the "least of these" how we would want to be treated should we ever become one.
Lord Jesus,
Fill our hearts to over flowing with compassion that we will do whatever it takes to help the least of these. May we as individuals, as well as our places of worship, as well as our charities, as well as our governments all be reflections of that compassion and love. Amen.
Joys: Richard will be home by the end of the week!; Chelsey cooking supper for us last night; September... not yet into a chilly Fall, but out of the worst heat of the summer.
Jesus told us that the poor shall alway be among us. Poor begets poor. It is a cycle. It is something that is not just a state of finances. It is a state of mind... a way of life... a state of being. We cannot simply tell the poor to "stop being poor." We can't just tell them to get a good job. Support their families. Stop having children they can't support. Stop expecting the government to take care of them.
We should only ask ourselves: If we lost our job, our savings and any other source of income tomorrow, would we be excited because "now the governement will take care of me!" Would we be glad to sit back and relax and let the money and benefits "roll in?" Probably not. We know that even with the help poor people get, they are still poor. They still struggle to get enough to eat, decent medical care and a decent place to live. None of us would change places with any of them.
But we also see the way many poor people abuse the help they get. They buy inappropriate things. They spend their welfare checks on drugs, alcohol, tobacco. They sell their food stamps. They buy expensive cars to park in their government subsidized housing. They have smart phones. Isn't giving them money just enabling them?
Some make it out of the cycle. They have a special spark within them that makes them fight harder; or they are given an opportunity that isn't usually an option for people in their situations; or someone just cares enough to take a personal interest. But because some have made it out, does not mean all are able.
The question of how to treat and help (or not help) the poor of our nation is a difficult one. But Jesus did not put any restrictions on giving. He didn't say to only help those who deserve it. He didn't say only give to those who are working to break the cycle of poverty in their family. He didn't say to only give through your church or non-profit agency. He didn't say to give on condition that it is used in a way you see fit.
Any society, any nation, is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members; the last, the least, the littlest.The above quote (in some form) has been attributed to many different people....Churchill, Pope John Paul II, Truman, Dostoyevsky among others. Our governments - especially a democratic government - are reflections of the beliefs and morals of the people. How our government treats the "least of these" is a reflection of us as individuals as well as as a nation.
There are so many poor people out there today. And our society is making more every minute. We may think we are safe right now. We WANT to work. We WANT to support ourselves. But it can all be gone faster than we think. Everything we have that we think could never be taken away, could be. Maybe we should treat the "least of these" how we would want to be treated should we ever become one.
Lord Jesus,
Fill our hearts to over flowing with compassion that we will do whatever it takes to help the least of these. May we as individuals, as well as our places of worship, as well as our charities, as well as our governments all be reflections of that compassion and love. Amen.
Joys: Richard will be home by the end of the week!; Chelsey cooking supper for us last night; September... not yet into a chilly Fall, but out of the worst heat of the summer.