IN GOD’S COMMUNITY, WE ARE ONE AND MANY

WE ARE ONE AND MANY
IN GOD’S COMMUNITY – as the body of Christ to work in many ways with God. Long ago, on the day of Pentecost, God sought to call the people of God together, using the gift of the Holy Spirit. After 2000 years, God, through love, still seeks to overcome our fear and unbelief, in order to accomplish great deeds with us. Of course, if we think of doing it alone, we have no confidence in our ability to do what God has called us each to do. When we do anything in God’s name and pray for what we need to fulfill what God is asking us to do, God will provide what we need to get it done. This will include other people in the resources God gives us. We are never alone, and together with the Holy Spirit – our comforter and guide, there are others around us whom God has called, who will work with us to do even greater things than we could do on our own. Because someone else is doing what God called them to do, it enables us to do more of what God has called us to do. That is the way the body of Christ functions and does not destroy itself. If everyone were trying to do the same thing, and getting in the way of others doing the very same thing, what would we really accomplish? So we are each called to do something unique, in support of the others, not interfering or criticizing each other. That is the nature of community, as the Holy One has created it. God reveals to each of us what God is asking us to do. That does not put us in the position of knowing what others are called to do. Working together, we are called to let our selfishness fall away and work for the benefit of the whole community and renewing creation.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” We are all called as individuals to fulfill our calling from God, while we’re also called as members of the body of Christ. This gets very tricky sometimes. When it doesn’t work, it is because we have become self-centered and are forgetting to listen to God. It is God’s church, and as the designer, God is the only one who has a say in how it works. In the previous verse to this verse above, we see what kind of care for one another God expects us to demonstrate, and also supports in us. 26 “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” Yes, God is expecting a lot it seems. So when we remember that we do not do it as unredeemed sinners, not as we might have treated others before, we learn how to love one another. It changes the climate completely. We were having training for a Eucharistic Ministry we are doing for our shut-ins. We were discussing the words of the Communion service. The word “remember” is central to it. We remember why Jesus died for us, to pay for our sins. This act of redemption has changed everything and changes the way we love one another.   Redeeming and loving God, help us make room for others in ministry, to accomplish even greater deeds in your name.  Amen.     PEACE   [1 Corinthians 12]

BELIEF AND TRANSFORMATION

BELIEF AND TRANSFORMATION
LEAD TO POWERFUL CHANGES – and overcome fear. Humans are full of fear, sometimes. The kind of life we have experienced and how we have reacted to scary situations sets us up for how we will react to similar scenarios in the future. Notice that this description does not include what God may have been doing in the experience. When we let the world’s viewpoint predominate in our lives, we don’t expect God to be any part of what happens to us, as we struggle to get through our day. It can become a self-perpetuating outlook, to ignore God in the world around us. It is a nose to the grindstone attitude, where we do not expect anything will ever change. We have to work as hard as we can, and what happens will be what we get from the experience. In this kind of thinking, anything good is random, and progress toward an improved world is not expected or wanted. As long as things remain as they are, even though they are not great, we at least know what we are dealing with. So don’t go trying to change things. It will upset the balance and who knows what will happen next. This is the outlook of many folks in our world and sadly even in our churches. Fear has kept them from really hearing the loving message of God.

In a relationship with God, the world looks like a much different place. It is the same world we will see through new eyes. We know the love and power of God and believe that this world can be and is becoming a better place. When we choose to live in the grace of God and know the unconditional love God offers us, the scary situations in life do not have the hold over us that they do over others. We know we are not alone in facing fear. God gives us resources to overcome the fear and helps us use powerful tools like love and prayer to get through the scary times, while learning how to work with others. As we go through these kinds of experiences, we become stronger and gain more gifts to work more powerfully for God. We find new ways of reacting to fear and learn to overcome it. This is the process of love transforming us into the followers Christ talked about in John 14: 12 “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these” When we let God into our lives, to work in and through us, we can become this new person, who is not like how we started. Instead, we choose to be a person who lets the power of God flow through us to accomplish the kind of great deeds Jesus talks about here. It is exhilarating to let the Spirit flow through us in this way. It is like no thrill ride the world has to offer. Thrilling God, we pray for the openness to allow great deeds to be done in your name through us. Ground us and grow us in the power you show through us to change the world. Overcome our fear with love and grace, that we may be your hands and feet.  Amen.     PEACE

WE ARE CALLED TO DO MORE

WE ARE CALLED TO DO
MORE THAN JUST BELIEVE – because we are called to do God’s work in the world. In the church, the statement “I believe” is often spoken. In the beginning of John 14, we hear, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” This is the formal starting point of our journey with God. When we say “I believe”, we are beginning a trust relationship with God. But there are some of us who say it, and really mean something like, “I believe you exist God” or some other idea about God, without entering into a covenant with God, and asking God to transform our lives. The church throughout history has not done a very good job in making this distinction clear, between an understanding in our heads and a commitment of the heart. This is not just an idea in our heads. As a Christian, we embark on a journey of change in our whole being. There will a different kind of thinking, a new way of living and actions when we respond to the Spirits promptings. We are agreeing to become a part of the process of “making all things new.”

The church, in complacency and neglect, has missed the point of the gospel message. We are not called as naughty children to behave as the Bible tells us, but to be transformed. Transformation brings a new kind of life, not belief in what proper behavior is. 2 Corinthians 5 helps us see the difference: 17 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Yes, this is scary stuff, if we think of doing any of this on our own. 18 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.” With this power from God, we will be able to shed the old ways we had of getting through our day. God will show us new ways of talking and supporting the work of the Holy Spirit.  Transforming God, we thank you for all you make possible in us, to live redeemed and purposeful lives, made new through the great sacrifice from your son, Jesus. May we open ourselves to be led in doing what you have called us each to do, in the strength and with the resources you provide to us.  Amen.     PEACE

WHAT MAY SEEM LIKE SECRETS THE HOLY SPIRIT OFFERS TO ALL

WHAT MAY SEEM LIKE SECRETS
THE HOLY SPIRIT OFFERS TO ALL – who reach out and ask. Today, we are discussing ways we can specifically reach beyond the distractions and roadblocks the world puts in our way, in order to connect to the Holy Spirit. Yesterday, we said the first step is to decide this is what we want to do. From there, we need to remain open to whatever happens next. This is exciting, even though the first experiences may be very subtle. The Spirit has no intention of scaring us so much that we decide not to participate. So it will be gradual. We have choices along the way and techniques that will help. Our most important tool is prayer. Think of it in its broadest sense. This means we can be in prayer, that is connected to the Holy Spirit, without actually doing anything. The only thing we need to do is open our hearts. No words are necessary. We do not need to see this as a mental exercise. God sees the words already in our hearts. Wherever we are in our spiritual journey will effect what this is like for us. From this step, we may move on to practicing prayerful meditation. This is most helpful to us when we practice it on a regular basis. It can also be used in times of crisis or a period of continuing stress. Done with an open heart, the loving Spirit can get past all the noise of the outside world. In this quiet, we can hear the words and ideas the Holy Spirit will give us for strength and even healing. With any of the practices we suggest here, we enter into it in honesty. God already knows all our secrets. Even when we try to hide things from ourselves, our loving creator knows all. We will be loved and dealt with gently, as long as we remain open and trust how much we are loved and accepted. Whenever we also participate in a state of thankfulness, this strengthens our bond of love. Continuing gratitude will deepen our connection

There are too many practices to name. Some are very practical – reading scripture [while praying], going for a meditative walk and in gratitude for all creation, gardening [done in a state of thankfulness], praying specifically for others, taking time for adequate rest [ gives opportunity to dream], taking time to just be [contemplating what we are experiencing], and talking to other trusted friends about how God is working in our lives. This last one is hard for some of us. Consider that what we have had happen may be a blessing to someone else and even may explain something that happened to them that they didn’t understand. All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit in us and our part is to remain open. As time goes on, more will be revealed to us and understanding will be given. Our work is simply to remain open and wait on the Lord, who loves us completely. Thank you Lord of the Spirit, who loves us so completely. We can never adequately understand how much we are loved. Help us, through our practices, to see hear and feel that love, as you speak and touch our lives. Urge us to reach out to others who are searching for you in this distracting world. Show us how we may touch the lives of those who seek you and share the gifts we are given, whatever those may be.  Amen.     PEACE

COMING CLOSER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

COMING CLOSER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
AS WE GROW – improve our lives and become who we are created to be. The nature of the world is to distract us from our purpose. This is different from the purpose of creation. The universe glorifies God and tries to sing in harmony with all that God loves. The world exists as everything that has grown up apart from God and the loving purpose of all life. We are born into a field of choices. God bestows this privilege on us from a place of love. We are asked to make the connection through the Holy Spirit, as a hand extended toward us from pure love. It comes without judgment or hardness of heart. Instead, we are offered forgiveness, without any exception. It is immediate in nature and comes as soon as we are ready to ask for it and receive it. To accomplish this, we need a clear channel to hear the loving voice calling to us. It is always there and the invitation is never taken back. As soon as we say yes, it will flood our being. So how can we get this to happen in our lives?

There are many things that get in the way of us being able to connect to God or the Holy Spirit, specifically. The Spirit is willing and eager to help us though. There are spiritual techniques and practices that will help us overcome the obstacles and roadblocks. Our desire to come closer to the Spirit is the beginning. The Holy One will help us discover more ways. It will be our job to look for these methods as they are shown to us. Prayer, in the broadest sense, is the best way to open ourselves to seeing and hearing these ways of connection. This is really becoming open to the unexpected. These experiences will be new and we may tend to discount them at first. The Spirit is persistent though. If we stick with our intention of coming closer, then the clues will become more obvious. One clear indication of the validity is the loving nature that comes with these sights, sounds or visions. It may be something someone else says. Its unexpected nature may be the clue. I have found the Holy Spirit most frequently communicates through our own mind. Those experiences might be accomplished in various ways – in ideas, mental pictures or even dreams. There are specific techniques that can help. We will see what at least some of those are in tomorrow’s blog. Let’s contemplate the blessings we can receive, when we decide to move beyond our fear and listen for what the Spirit is giving us.  Loving Spirit, we are in awe of how you might be able to tell how we can live in and through love. Reach out to us and gently guide us into hearing and even seeing what we need to know, in order to love more. We are grateful that we are held in such unconditional love and acceptance. We pray that we may grow to show this love to others around us. In the name of your forgiving son, we pray.  Amen.     PEACE

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WITH US TO HELP US REMEMBER

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WITH US
TO HELP US REMEMBER – all that Jesus taught while he was with us on earth. The 14^th chapter of John is full of beautiful and familiar quotes from the discourse Jesus gave his disciples on their last night together, after the foot washing and their final meal. Near the end of the chapter is this quote, that helps us put all that happened in perspective. “ the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.  27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Through our lives, as we follow the way Jesus has patterned for us, we are constantly helped by the Holy Spirit, who is in effect our memory of what Jesus has asked us to do. As we walk each day in the path Jesus set before us, the Holy Spirit will whisper clues and prompt us, to make the choices that will keep us on this path. The key point is to listen for these promptings from the Spirit.

I just finished reading a wonderful book about a pastor’s wife that closely mirrors what I went through as a new bride. She even talks about singing at the top of her voice in the car, when her frustration was great. She struggled for a way to follow Jesus in an authentic way for who she was as a person, with the talents and abilities God had given her. This is a struggle we all have, if we are even willing to go through it. It is not an easy road, but when we have gone through it, we come out on the other side a stronger more confident follower of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who walks with us, reminding us of all Jesus talked about, in order to live a life pleasing to God, and one that fulfills our calling. The Holy Spirit draws into a connection that will show us how to move forward, using prayer, spiritual practices and insight, toward a place of grace-filled love. When we choose to let go of the things of the world that draw us away from this connection, we will be better able to hear and know our gifts and purpose. Loving Father, we thank you for the teachings and example of Jesus, and the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit in our lives, that we may be guided to faithfully living out all you call us to be and do. Lead us to our real selves, where we will fully share your love and peace with everyone we meet.  Amen.     PEACE

GOD WILL HELP US LEARN TO USE OUR GIFTS

WHEN WE FIND OUR GIFTS
GOD WILL HELP US LEARN – how to use them. This is not an instantaneous happening, but a life-long process. We will discover our gifts, with God’s help, as we live and serve God. This isn’t anything we are able to do on our own. If we do have an obvious talent, it will take help from God to learn how to best use that talent for God’s glory and our joy. Many in history have been driven mad by the overwhelming feeling of having such a great gift bestowed on them. God gives us gifts, with no strings attached, with the promise that we will be led and supported in using them for God’s purposes. As we grow in our relationship with God, we will discover more gifts that we were previously not ready for.

When we read about the gifts of the spirit, in Galatians 5, what we hear is the result of living every day in a relationship with God, doing what God needs us to do, living out our lives using our gifts. When we have done this, we will realize – “ the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,  23 gentleness, and self-control. ”  We will be transforming into a person who is aware and able to enjoy these gifts. If we are trying to get these things through our own diligence, we will not get there. These are the result of the kind of life we live with God. The one I love to think about in this way is self-control. As part of our transformation process, we suddenly one day realize that we are able to have some self-control, where we were not able to before. We are receiving it as a gift from God. The other things listed work in the same way. It is not as a result of our effort, but because we let go of trying so hard, and rely on God to show us our way.  Lead us, we pray, in the paths you have shown us, and we will know the grace and gifts you will bestow. Thank you for your generous spirit. May we learn to be as generous with others.  Amen.   PEACE

OUR GIFTS ARE MANY AND GOD WILL HELP US FIND THEM

OUR GIFTS ARE MANY
AND GOD WILL HELP US FIND THEM – as we each seek to know how we can serve our God. As I described a ministry yesterday, some may have wondered about it. Phone calling seems like a very simple thing, but not everyone is able to do it, while communicating love and grace to the person on the other end. That is the real gift, and it comes through her from God, by way of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 we hear that the source of the gifts is the important point to understand.

“ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. “  ESV

It is imperative that we understand why we are given these gifts in the first place. Many have suffered much with extraordinary gifts that were not shared, and they caused great anguish. We are meant to give of our gifts freely and with love, not grudgingly. The story of the manna, a very early gift given to God’s people, was meant to be used as it was intended. When the people tried to hoard it, it rotted. It became unusable for food, its original intended use. When we use our gifts, as they were intended – as a blessing for us and others, they will be just that. If we never acknowledge that we have been given gifts, they will molder and cause suffering, for we have chosen to ignore God, and ignore the idea that we are blessed by being given gifts, and blessed again when we use them in love for others. What joy there will be in heaven, when we each fulfill who we are meant to be, by discovering how God has blessed us with the particular gifts we have been given.  We thank you loving God, for each gift we have been given. May we receive insight through the Holy Spirit, to discover what all of our gifts are, and how we may use them to glorify you and your kingdom. When we doubt, help us accept our gifts so we may use them as you intend. Increase our gratitude and open our hearts to your leading, so we may begin to see our place in your new creation. As we pray, show us how we may use our gifts in ministry.  Amen.     PEACE

THE GIFTS OF GOD BOTH PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL

THE GIFTS OF GOD
BOTH PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL – are unique, and designed to enrich our lives, and as a loving gift to pass on to others. “ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Romans 12:4-8  ESV

In a local church, there is a ministry happening that illustrates the above passage. One person, out of great compassion, and some trepidation too, has developed, with a strength she gets directly from God, a service of compassion and support for those in need. She calls people who have come home from the hospital. She is also able to connect them to a prayer chain and getting them rides to their doctors. It is something unique and gives her many blessings, even though it is hard to do. Many thank her and are grateful that someone from their church thought to call them. Any of us who have been in the hospital, or have family that have, know that there is usually great change to cope with, besides other needs to sort through. It can be a very confusing time when a call from a loving person can chase away fear. Love comes directly from God and through us to others around us. How do we pass on the love? God will help all of us figure out how we each can do it in our own unique way. The Holy Spirit is a force within each of us, ready to help us perform gifts of love for others. We are not so different from those who felt the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. It is the same Spirit and the same will of God. We, through the grace that comes to us, will do wondrous things in and through the Spirit too.  God of grace and love, we are most grateful for the ways you bring love into our lives. Help us learn how to use our gifts to deploy the love to others. Overcome shyness and uncertainty in us, so that we may bear fruit, through the work of the Spirit in us.  Amen.     PEACE

GOD LOVES US

NO MATTER WHO WE ARE
GOD LOVES US – and overcomes the obstacles we put in the way, in order to love us anyway. From the time I was about 5, I have known something of God. First was a comforting presence, when I felt unloved for who I was and my parents told me there was something wrong with me. Next, I felt a sense of hope in trouble and came to know, without a doubt, that whatever trouble I felt, God was there to help me sort things out and find a solution. It became a true and reliable experience and helped me see there was always hope of a better life, when I listened to God. But I was still concerned more about what others thought about me, than what God was saying, and it took longer to recognize the gifts God had given me. Then being a minister’s wife put me under a microscope and in the crosshairs of all who felt they had the right to criticize me. Food started as a comfort when I didn’t measure up to others’ expectations of who I should be. It became a source of protection for the real me, a person who was not acceptable and too unconventional for most people in the insular churches we served. This view of myself was partly my own doing, coming out of great fear of being unacceptable, a pattern started in childhood. For many years I let evil live in me, seeking satisfaction in food, not in the delights of the Lord.

When we seek God’s strength to root out all the evil we let live in us, that strength will come to us just as we are promised. Junk food and treats satisfy our desires for only minutes and sometimes for only seconds. The gifts God gives us satisfy permanently. Evil has a way of developing a kind of deafness in us, so we hear the words but fail to believe it is meant for us. This morning I was listening to an audiobook when suddenly a character said words I needed to hear. Those words I heard are echoed in Philippians 4, “God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen ”     PEACE