Read the opening chapters of Job. Go emotionally, if you dare, to the place of his suffering. If you lost your wealth and children, and your friends were of little comfort to you, would you go mad? Would you be overwhelmed by despair? Job responds by recalling the goodness of God in the past: Job's own past and the distant past, the past of his ancestors. He "goes" to the place of tradition, that which was handed down to him or that which he handed down to himself (that which he could recall from his past). The Latin root for the word tradition means that which is handed down.
In your suffering, are the stories of God's goodness (say in the Bible), your memories of God's goodness, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper that communicates God's goodness, enough? Why or why not? These are what have been handed down to us, our tradition. How do you feel now? How has God blessed you in the past? What do you believe about tomorrow?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Dear sisters (and brothers?),
Please forgive me for being so lax with this blog. In truth, after returning from my summer studies and jumping into ministry, I didn't see too many responses to the blogs I had offered, so it appeared therefore that others were also otherwise absorbed. But a couple of you have prompted me nicely, and I will try to keep in touch.
I invite you to read the entire Biblical book of Esther. It concerns a heroic woman who saved the Jewish people through her courage and her gifts. Veeda Javaid from Pakistan's Presbyterian Education Board preached today from this text, and she described the "can do" attitude of faith.
Her sermon struck me personally today because I am challenged. Session has decided to put the issue of same-sex relationships and marriage on the table of discernment for congregational dialogue. As my core values revolve around hearing God speak through dialogue and the Scriptures and prayer, I am gratified at our Session's leadership. But I grieve how tough this is for some in our church. Some are gay or lesbian, or have children or grandchildren who are gay or lesbian. They have hurt for a long time, and while they have joy over the dialogue, their pain surfaces. Others have been raised traditionally, and struggle with the question of same-sex marriage while they also want to share the love of God. All are good people of good conscience, and all are in need of my affirmation and encouragement.
Complicating these questions is a denomination, equally struggling, that contradicts itself at every turn for the best of reasons, and I mean this sincerely and lovingly.
We will need courage to walk this path of dialogue with kindness, intelligence and faith. These are all gifts from God, and I pray that God will give these gifts freely. I pray for wisdom, compassion, and gentle speech for me. I can do this, God willing.
What are your thoughts? More generally, in what arena do you need God's gifts and a "can do" attitude?
Please forgive me for being so lax with this blog. In truth, after returning from my summer studies and jumping into ministry, I didn't see too many responses to the blogs I had offered, so it appeared therefore that others were also otherwise absorbed. But a couple of you have prompted me nicely, and I will try to keep in touch.
I invite you to read the entire Biblical book of Esther. It concerns a heroic woman who saved the Jewish people through her courage and her gifts. Veeda Javaid from Pakistan's Presbyterian Education Board preached today from this text, and she described the "can do" attitude of faith.
Her sermon struck me personally today because I am challenged. Session has decided to put the issue of same-sex relationships and marriage on the table of discernment for congregational dialogue. As my core values revolve around hearing God speak through dialogue and the Scriptures and prayer, I am gratified at our Session's leadership. But I grieve how tough this is for some in our church. Some are gay or lesbian, or have children or grandchildren who are gay or lesbian. They have hurt for a long time, and while they have joy over the dialogue, their pain surfaces. Others have been raised traditionally, and struggle with the question of same-sex marriage while they also want to share the love of God. All are good people of good conscience, and all are in need of my affirmation and encouragement.
Complicating these questions is a denomination, equally struggling, that contradicts itself at every turn for the best of reasons, and I mean this sincerely and lovingly.
We will need courage to walk this path of dialogue with kindness, intelligence and faith. These are all gifts from God, and I pray that God will give these gifts freely. I pray for wisdom, compassion, and gentle speech for me. I can do this, God willing.
What are your thoughts? More generally, in what arena do you need God's gifts and a "can do" attitude?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Blog question for the week following August 23, 2009
1. Please read Ephesians 6:10-20. Visualize the images presented by the writer: the armor of God, praying in the Spirit constantly, wearing chains. All speak to our calling to provide an assertive Christian witness to the world.
I saw a poll the other day in which 81% of Christians professed to be open-minded. In the same poll, only 56% of non-Christians found Christians to be open-minded. What does this mean? Does any attempt to speak of faith in Jesus Christ, or to live as a Christian, come across as intolerant in a world in which everyone lives in his or her own private universe? Or is there a problem with Christians that they themselves don't recognize? What is the correlation between being a person of conviction and being open-minded? What are the limits to the church's hospitality? Do we have standards?
I saw a poll the other day in which 81% of Christians professed to be open-minded. In the same poll, only 56% of non-Christians found Christians to be open-minded. What does this mean? Does any attempt to speak of faith in Jesus Christ, or to live as a Christian, come across as intolerant in a world in which everyone lives in his or her own private universe? Or is there a problem with Christians that they themselves don't recognize? What is the correlation between being a person of conviction and being open-minded? What are the limits to the church's hospitality? Do we have standards?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Blog question for the week following August 16, 2009
Read Ephesians 5:15-20. The writer urges us to "make the most of the time (literally, to redeem or buy back the time)." As you reflect on your past, what time have you used well? What time have you abused, or what amount of your time have others abused?
The writer gives 5 admonitions about buying back the time, i.e. taking responsibility for it:
1. Be conscious of time as God's time, that is, be fully aware of the passing of time.
2. Allow God's Spirit to give you strength and guidance for the good use of time.
3. Gauge your words carefully, knowing that your words construct the social reality that you and others experience in time and space.
4. Let all words and deeds be acts of worship that honor God and love neighbor.
5. Live a life of thanks giving.
Think deeply about what all this might mean for you, and please post your blog.
The writer gives 5 admonitions about buying back the time, i.e. taking responsibility for it:
1. Be conscious of time as God's time, that is, be fully aware of the passing of time.
2. Allow God's Spirit to give you strength and guidance for the good use of time.
3. Gauge your words carefully, knowing that your words construct the social reality that you and others experience in time and space.
4. Let all words and deeds be acts of worship that honor God and love neighbor.
5. Live a life of thanks giving.
Think deeply about what all this might mean for you, and please post your blog.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Blog Question for the week following June 14, 2009
After the week of June 14, I will be taking a break from blogging during my time away for study. The next blog question will be based on the Scriptures for August 16.
Thank you for the depth of your engagement for the past several weeks. Naturally, you are able to continue dialoguing with each other on the blog during my absence.
For June 14: Please read 2nd Corinthians 5:6-10. Paul states that we walk by faith and not by sight. He does so in the context of the question of life and death: He doesn't know when he will die, what heaven will be like, etc., but he has faith that God has charge of such matters. This leaves Paul free to engage in ministry without fear.
I believe it begs a question: What do we trust to God? What lies within our control? What does it mean to walk by faith, and not by sight? Where is our margin, our shadow place, where we experience fear?
Thank you for the depth of your engagement for the past several weeks. Naturally, you are able to continue dialoguing with each other on the blog during my absence.
For June 14: Please read 2nd Corinthians 5:6-10. Paul states that we walk by faith and not by sight. He does so in the context of the question of life and death: He doesn't know when he will die, what heaven will be like, etc., but he has faith that God has charge of such matters. This leaves Paul free to engage in ministry without fear.
I believe it begs a question: What do we trust to God? What lies within our control? What does it mean to walk by faith, and not by sight? Where is our margin, our shadow place, where we experience fear?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Blog question for week following May 24, 2009
Please read Philippians 2, the great hymn of servanthood shared by the apostle Paul. Our preacher of the day was Beverly Hovenkamp, whose 20 years of ordained ministry we celebrated today. Beverly invited us to embrace humility, our gifts and limitations in our respective lives and ministies; and she challenged us to reach beyond ourselves as a congregation. During one part of her sermon, Beverly mentioned the empowering work of women theologians who recognize that too often women are the ones called on to submit.
I am wondering if this is not a good week to ask a question regarding gender in our culture. What challenges do women in particular face in home, work, and community? What role does humility play for them? I will not pretend to have an answer.
I am wondering if this is not a good week to ask a question regarding gender in our culture. What challenges do women in particular face in home, work, and community? What role does humility play for them? I will not pretend to have an answer.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Blog question for the week following May 17, 2009
Our Scripture lessons speak of love: John 15:12-17 and 1st John 5:1-6. This is not romantic love, or the love of friendship or for a pet, but the love of God that fulfills and makes durable every human love. Although always with us by the power of God's Holy Spirit, this love is often observed by us in the exceptional moments of life, e.g. when we find the power to forgive, or let go, or make a sacrifice.
Begin by seeing yourself being submerged in the cold waters of baptism. You are held down; all around you is water, bubbles rising, shimmering reflections, light. You are bathed in God's love, you are dying into it. Suddenly you are yanked out, cold air strikes you! Love remains - you are still sopping wet and there is no means to get dry - but now you are experiencing God's love in a new life.
You have drowned all except for love. Equipped only with love, how will you love and who will you love? Recall that even animals love their own kin and we humans love our friends: But how will you love as God loves?
Begin by seeing yourself being submerged in the cold waters of baptism. You are held down; all around you is water, bubbles rising, shimmering reflections, light. You are bathed in God's love, you are dying into it. Suddenly you are yanked out, cold air strikes you! Love remains - you are still sopping wet and there is no means to get dry - but now you are experiencing God's love in a new life.
You have drowned all except for love. Equipped only with love, how will you love and who will you love? Recall that even animals love their own kin and we humans love our friends: But how will you love as God loves?
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