DAILY BYTE
A final ‘starting suggestion’ for the practical expression of your worship of Christ as King this Christmas would be this – give more of yourself.
Whatever you may give to others this Christmas, be sure to include more of yourself as an intrinsic part of every gift. It’s one thing to dig into your pocket in order to give a gift, but altogether another to dig into your heart and offer something of what is there.
Again, this gets to the very core of the Christmas story, which is all about the self-giving love of God that held nothing back in pouring out his love & his life in the person of His son Jesus. Our giving can truly become a worshipful response when it engages our hearts in the same kind of way.
Remember, it doesn’t cost anything to express sincere words of appreciation, or encouragement, or reconciliation, or love – whether they be spoken, or written in a note or a card.
It doesn’t cost anything to ask a family member who is going through a really tough time to tell you about it, if they want, and then to listen with kindness and care and without any judgement to what they say.
It doesn’t cost anything to come to church, not for the sake of appearances or because it’s the thing to do, but because you want to present the totality of who you are before God in complete surrender.
It is your presence that transforms the presents you give from mere things to generous and precious acts of love. It is the investment of your self that transforms the giving of gifts from soulless consumerism to life-giving gestures of love.
There’s a well-known story about a missionary who was working on some remote island, spreading the good news of the gospel. He had been telling the local population how Christians, as an expression of their love, gave each other presents at Christmas time.
On Christmas morning, one of the natives brought the missionary a seashell of exquisite beauty. When asked where he had discovered such an extraordinary shell, the man said he had walked many miles to a certain bay on the far side of the island, the only spot where such shells could be found.
The missionary was astounded. “Do you mean to say that you walked all that way for me?” he said.
The man’s eyes brightened as he replied, “Long walk part of gift.”
Give more of yourself this Christmas.
In concluding this week’s devotions I’d ask you to consider this question one more time: What kind of Christmas do you want to have this year?
Remember, there is a fundamental choice that we each can make. Either, like Herod, we can allow the pursuit of our own agenda and our own selfish needs and desires be the motivation for our ‘coming to Bethlehem’. Or, like the Magi, we can approach this season in order to worship Christ with the totality of our lives.
If you’re serious about wanting to offer the counter-cultural response of worship this Christmas, there are three starting suggestions as to how you can begin to do that. Simplify; practice hospitality, give more of yourself.
This is the way not just to survive Christmas, but to consecrate it. And through the worship of your life this Christmas season, may you encounter once again the God who comes to be with us in all of his liberating love and redeeming power.
PRAY AS YOU GO
“I want to give you more, all praises you deserve, you’re holy and you’re righteous!
I want to listen more, to your Spirit’s call, you’re holy and you’re righteous!
Jesus you are God, high above all else!
Maker of the universe, high above all else!”
Lord Jesus, those words from a chorus express a deep desire of what we truly want – to give you more, in acknowledgement of the Lord and God that you are! May this be true for us this Christmas. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Philippians 2:4-5
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Friday 24 December 2010
Thursday 23 December 2010
Practice hospitality
DAILY BYTE
The first suggestion of a practical way to express our worship of Christ this Christmas season that was made yesterday was to SIMPLIFY. A second suggestion is this – PRACTICE HOSPITALITY.
Hospitality is one of the great themes that lies at the very heart of the Christmas story. The truth of Christmas is that Christ enters our world in a manner and form we would least expect, and is found to be present in the least and the lowest in the eyes of our world. The great challenge of Christmas, therefore, is for us to cultivate an openness within us for the strangers and outcasts in our midst, for there Christ can be found in a special way.
The practice of hospitality is the way in which this can happen, and it can be a beautiful expression of our worship.
How might you become a little more open to the poor in your midst this Christmas? Might it mean taking the time to really listen to somebody’s story; or simply affording the beggar on the street the dignity of a friendly greeting and a warm smile; or even inviting someone in for a meal that you would never normally invite?
Of course, the practice of hospitality extends not only to those who may be strangers to you, but also to family and friends. If hosting Christmas lunch for your family feels like an ordeal, how might it be reframed in your mind for it to become an act of worship for you? How could it become your personal way of saying ‘thank you’ to God for the wholehearted hospitality that God has shown to you? How could your home become a Christmas stable this year, providing a gracious space where the miracle of the incarnation can be experienced once again?
What about your spouse, or your children, or your friends? There are very definite ways in which we can practice hospitality towards them. (Which, incidentally, will be a far better present than anything you could buy them.) It simply requires making space for them in your life – that means giving them your time and attention – and allowing what is most important for them to become what is most important for you.
Most wives would give virtually anything for their husbands to take them on a date and give them their undivided attention, taking an active interest in what they had to say, listening not only to their words but the feelings beneath them, without judging or offering advice, but simply being there and remaining present. That’s one simple, but powerful way of practicing hospitality.
Similarly with our kids. Most children would give virtually anything for their mom or dad to really play with them. To spend chunk time with them. To enter their world. To remain present to them for more than just a brief moment. To allow them the space to be kids, and to join with them in that experience.
The same principles apply with our friends. Practicing hospitality is a profound way to allow the heart of the Christmas story to be expressed in our lives, and as such can be a beautiful expression of our worship of Jesus.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus, we read in the Christmas story that there was no room for you at the inn. We confess with shame that the inn often reflects our own lives, especially at Christmastime – too busy, too cluttered and too crowded for there to be any real space for you. But as we practice hospitality towards others, making more room in our lives for them, so we trust that you also would find more space within us to come and take your rightful place. Thank you for the wonder of encountering you in others, when we extend ourselves towards them in sacrificial and self-giving ways. Help us, this Christmas, to be more hospitable. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 12:13
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
The first suggestion of a practical way to express our worship of Christ this Christmas season that was made yesterday was to SIMPLIFY. A second suggestion is this – PRACTICE HOSPITALITY.
Hospitality is one of the great themes that lies at the very heart of the Christmas story. The truth of Christmas is that Christ enters our world in a manner and form we would least expect, and is found to be present in the least and the lowest in the eyes of our world. The great challenge of Christmas, therefore, is for us to cultivate an openness within us for the strangers and outcasts in our midst, for there Christ can be found in a special way.
The practice of hospitality is the way in which this can happen, and it can be a beautiful expression of our worship.
How might you become a little more open to the poor in your midst this Christmas? Might it mean taking the time to really listen to somebody’s story; or simply affording the beggar on the street the dignity of a friendly greeting and a warm smile; or even inviting someone in for a meal that you would never normally invite?
Of course, the practice of hospitality extends not only to those who may be strangers to you, but also to family and friends. If hosting Christmas lunch for your family feels like an ordeal, how might it be reframed in your mind for it to become an act of worship for you? How could it become your personal way of saying ‘thank you’ to God for the wholehearted hospitality that God has shown to you? How could your home become a Christmas stable this year, providing a gracious space where the miracle of the incarnation can be experienced once again?
What about your spouse, or your children, or your friends? There are very definite ways in which we can practice hospitality towards them. (Which, incidentally, will be a far better present than anything you could buy them.) It simply requires making space for them in your life – that means giving them your time and attention – and allowing what is most important for them to become what is most important for you.
Most wives would give virtually anything for their husbands to take them on a date and give them their undivided attention, taking an active interest in what they had to say, listening not only to their words but the feelings beneath them, without judging or offering advice, but simply being there and remaining present. That’s one simple, but powerful way of practicing hospitality.
Similarly with our kids. Most children would give virtually anything for their mom or dad to really play with them. To spend chunk time with them. To enter their world. To remain present to them for more than just a brief moment. To allow them the space to be kids, and to join with them in that experience.
The same principles apply with our friends. Practicing hospitality is a profound way to allow the heart of the Christmas story to be expressed in our lives, and as such can be a beautiful expression of our worship of Jesus.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus, we read in the Christmas story that there was no room for you at the inn. We confess with shame that the inn often reflects our own lives, especially at Christmastime – too busy, too cluttered and too crowded for there to be any real space for you. But as we practice hospitality towards others, making more room in our lives for them, so we trust that you also would find more space within us to come and take your rightful place. Thank you for the wonder of encountering you in others, when we extend ourselves towards them in sacrificial and self-giving ways. Help us, this Christmas, to be more hospitable. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 12:13
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Simplify
DAILY BYTE
What kind of Christmas do you want to have this year?
That’s the question we’re considering this week. Yesterday I suggested that the story of the Magi, who chose to come and worship the new-born king, reveals the only appropriate way to approach Christ – on our knees in worship. However, such worship will bring us into conflict with the norms and expectations of the systems of this world – represented by Herod.
When we declare our sole allegiance to the One who rules on the basis of selflessness and love, it requires a selflessness and love from us in return. Now such selflessness and love is commonly understood to be the essence of the Christmas spirit. And there will be many wonderful stories again this year of acts of kindness and generosity that reveal this spirit. But what is often missed is the extent to which our selfless, loving worship of Christ needs to shape the totality of our lives, and not just a few isolated gestures.
Let’s consider then some practical ways in which this might begin to happen for us this Christmas.
The first suggestion is this: simplify. It’s no exaggeration to say that the many forms of excessive indulgence that are so common to this season are symptomatic of a widespread spirit of materialism and greed in our culture that constantly has to take in more and more and more, but is never satisfied.
We see this with people over-eating, over-drinking, and over-spending. It can so easily get out of hand, and is so glibly justified as part of festive living. But it’s not – that’s the lie that our consumerist culture presents as the truth. The lie that the more you have the happier you’ll be.
The way to expose the lie is through the simple commitment to simplify. To simplify what you eat and drink, the presents you buy, the kind of entertainment you pursue – and to do so as an act of worship.
I’m not for a moment suggesting that your entire Christmas become bland and boring. In fact, I’m suggesting exactly the opposite – to rediscover the source of real richness & abundance. For every time you choose to simplify what you consume, it’s an opportunity to affirm that true happiness and fulfillment do not depend upon the abundance of one’s possessions. Every time you do so, it will be act of counter-cultural defiance as you declare that there is a more fundamental spiritual reality to this world than the glossy superficiality of materialistic things.
Many of us know how little children often seem to have more fun playing with the box than with the expensive present that comes inside of it. There’s a truth in that observation that’s worth reflecting on, as we think about what is truly important.
This Christmas, as an act of worship – simplify!
PRAY AS YOU GO
O Lord, how easily we miss the point. How quickly our lives get cluttered up with empty things. How readily we believe the adverts that convince us that we need more stuff to be happy and fulfilled. But when you entered the world it was without any razzmatazz or fanfare. In simplicity you came – a baby born in a stable. This Christmas, help us to recognize the profound truth contained in the manner of your coming. Help us to simplify our consumption and reduce the many unnecessary excesses that only get in the way of truly seeing and experiencing you. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 55:1-3
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
What kind of Christmas do you want to have this year?
That’s the question we’re considering this week. Yesterday I suggested that the story of the Magi, who chose to come and worship the new-born king, reveals the only appropriate way to approach Christ – on our knees in worship. However, such worship will bring us into conflict with the norms and expectations of the systems of this world – represented by Herod.
When we declare our sole allegiance to the One who rules on the basis of selflessness and love, it requires a selflessness and love from us in return. Now such selflessness and love is commonly understood to be the essence of the Christmas spirit. And there will be many wonderful stories again this year of acts of kindness and generosity that reveal this spirit. But what is often missed is the extent to which our selfless, loving worship of Christ needs to shape the totality of our lives, and not just a few isolated gestures.
Let’s consider then some practical ways in which this might begin to happen for us this Christmas.
The first suggestion is this: simplify. It’s no exaggeration to say that the many forms of excessive indulgence that are so common to this season are symptomatic of a widespread spirit of materialism and greed in our culture that constantly has to take in more and more and more, but is never satisfied.
We see this with people over-eating, over-drinking, and over-spending. It can so easily get out of hand, and is so glibly justified as part of festive living. But it’s not – that’s the lie that our consumerist culture presents as the truth. The lie that the more you have the happier you’ll be.
The way to expose the lie is through the simple commitment to simplify. To simplify what you eat and drink, the presents you buy, the kind of entertainment you pursue – and to do so as an act of worship.
I’m not for a moment suggesting that your entire Christmas become bland and boring. In fact, I’m suggesting exactly the opposite – to rediscover the source of real richness & abundance. For every time you choose to simplify what you consume, it’s an opportunity to affirm that true happiness and fulfillment do not depend upon the abundance of one’s possessions. Every time you do so, it will be act of counter-cultural defiance as you declare that there is a more fundamental spiritual reality to this world than the glossy superficiality of materialistic things.
Many of us know how little children often seem to have more fun playing with the box than with the expensive present that comes inside of it. There’s a truth in that observation that’s worth reflecting on, as we think about what is truly important.
This Christmas, as an act of worship – simplify!
PRAY AS YOU GO
O Lord, how easily we miss the point. How quickly our lives get cluttered up with empty things. How readily we believe the adverts that convince us that we need more stuff to be happy and fulfilled. But when you entered the world it was without any razzmatazz or fanfare. In simplicity you came – a baby born in a stable. This Christmas, help us to recognize the profound truth contained in the manner of your coming. Help us to simplify our consumption and reduce the many unnecessary excesses that only get in the way of truly seeing and experiencing you. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 55:1-3
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Choosing to worship
DAILY BYTE
What kind of Christmas do you want to have this year?
That’s the question I want us to think about this week as we consider both the delights and the difficulties of Christmas that await us. Yesterday I suggested that the answer to this question is not merely a matter a chance. Of course, there are many things that can happen to us over which we have little or no control - things that can have dramatic consequences for our lives. (Think, for instance, about those families who will have to face the devastating trauma of losing loved ones in accidents on our nation’s roads this month.)
Yet, in spite of the many unforeseen things that can happen to us, I would still affirm that the kind of festive season we will experience is essentially a matter of choice, not chance.
The story in Matthew 2 of the Magi coming to Bethlehem to worship the Christ-child, guided by a star, is one of the iconic stories of the Christmas narrative. But embedded within this strange but wonderful story is a clear presentation of the fundamental choice that confronts all of us, as we come closer to Christmas.
On the one hand there is the choice of the Magi, who came to Bethlehem in order to WORSHIP the new-born king. On the other hand there is the choice of King Herod. He claimed that he too wanted to go and worship, but in fact he wanted to kill the child. He “came to Bethlehem” in order to serve his own interests, to preserve his own position, to affirm his continued authority as king.
This reflects the choice that confronts all of us as we “come to Bethlehem” this year. Either, like the Magi, we can acknowledge Christ as King, and kneel in worship before him. Or, like Herod, we can seek to serve our own self-centered interests as we continue occupying the throne of our lives.
It seems pretty obvious which option we should choose. And no prizes for guessing what I, a preacher, am going to suggest. But before we rush to that conclusion, let’s be clear about one thing: If we choose to make the worship of Christ our primary concern this Christmas, there are some serious implications to that.
The decision of the Magi to worship Christ is really an act of political defiance, and a form of counter-cultural protest. Think about it. The Magi walk into Jerusalem, the capital of Herod, the king. And they say, “We have come to worship another king. Not you Herod. We’re not going to bow down to you. There’s another king whom we think is greater than you. He’s the one we have come to worship.”
And we read that when King Herod heard this, he and all Jerusalem with him were disturbed. They were disturbed because suddenly their entire system was under serious threat. The entire basis for the ordering of their society was being challenged.
That’s what authentic worship does. It challenges the way things are, and the assumptions of the dominant systems of this world. Authentic worship is an act of defiance that dares to declare that our ultimate allegiance is not to any worldly authority but to Christ alone.
Are you up for that this Christmas? Because that’s what it means to worship Christ as King. And should you make that your choice, I guarantee that it will radically change the kind of festive season you will experience.
Over the next three days we’ll explore some practical ways in which this kind of worship can be expressed this Christmas. They are really just starting suggestions, which hopefully will spark some thoughts of your own as to how you might journey through this Christmas season more faithfully this year.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, let my whole-hearted worship of you be my primary concern this Christmas. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 2:1-3
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
What kind of Christmas do you want to have this year?
That’s the question I want us to think about this week as we consider both the delights and the difficulties of Christmas that await us. Yesterday I suggested that the answer to this question is not merely a matter a chance. Of course, there are many things that can happen to us over which we have little or no control - things that can have dramatic consequences for our lives. (Think, for instance, about those families who will have to face the devastating trauma of losing loved ones in accidents on our nation’s roads this month.)
Yet, in spite of the many unforeseen things that can happen to us, I would still affirm that the kind of festive season we will experience is essentially a matter of choice, not chance.
The story in Matthew 2 of the Magi coming to Bethlehem to worship the Christ-child, guided by a star, is one of the iconic stories of the Christmas narrative. But embedded within this strange but wonderful story is a clear presentation of the fundamental choice that confronts all of us, as we come closer to Christmas.
On the one hand there is the choice of the Magi, who came to Bethlehem in order to WORSHIP the new-born king. On the other hand there is the choice of King Herod. He claimed that he too wanted to go and worship, but in fact he wanted to kill the child. He “came to Bethlehem” in order to serve his own interests, to preserve his own position, to affirm his continued authority as king.
This reflects the choice that confronts all of us as we “come to Bethlehem” this year. Either, like the Magi, we can acknowledge Christ as King, and kneel in worship before him. Or, like Herod, we can seek to serve our own self-centered interests as we continue occupying the throne of our lives.
It seems pretty obvious which option we should choose. And no prizes for guessing what I, a preacher, am going to suggest. But before we rush to that conclusion, let’s be clear about one thing: If we choose to make the worship of Christ our primary concern this Christmas, there are some serious implications to that.
The decision of the Magi to worship Christ is really an act of political defiance, and a form of counter-cultural protest. Think about it. The Magi walk into Jerusalem, the capital of Herod, the king. And they say, “We have come to worship another king. Not you Herod. We’re not going to bow down to you. There’s another king whom we think is greater than you. He’s the one we have come to worship.”
And we read that when King Herod heard this, he and all Jerusalem with him were disturbed. They were disturbed because suddenly their entire system was under serious threat. The entire basis for the ordering of their society was being challenged.
That’s what authentic worship does. It challenges the way things are, and the assumptions of the dominant systems of this world. Authentic worship is an act of defiance that dares to declare that our ultimate allegiance is not to any worldly authority but to Christ alone.
Are you up for that this Christmas? Because that’s what it means to worship Christ as King. And should you make that your choice, I guarantee that it will radically change the kind of festive season you will experience.
Over the next three days we’ll explore some practical ways in which this kind of worship can be expressed this Christmas. They are really just starting suggestions, which hopefully will spark some thoughts of your own as to how you might journey through this Christmas season more faithfully this year.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, let my whole-hearted worship of you be my primary concern this Christmas. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 2:1-3
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Monday 20 December 2010
A Disciple’s Survival Guide to Christmas
DAILY BYTE
It’s just one more week to go before Christmas, with all of its festivities. And then there’s New Year, with all of its fanfare. There’s food and family, parties and presents, singing and celebrating. No wonder we call this the Festive Season.
All of which can be very good. It’s important to feast and to celebrate. To reconnect with family. To lighten up and laugh a little more. To spoil our loved ones, and maybe even be spoiled in return. This is part of the gift of this season.
But we all know that there’s more to this time of year than just carefree fun and games. For even the festive season delivers its fair share of stress and strain.
For instance, there are the expectations and responsibilities of family that can often be quite demanding. Les Dawson, the British comedian, once said: ‘My mother-in-law’s been coming around to our house for Christmas for the past 17 years. This year we’re thinking of letting her in!’
Certainly, family dynamics at Christmastime are often complicated, to say the least. Particularly if there’s been a divorce, or some other kind of estrangement, or if there are underlying tensions between certain family members. For some, their annual family get-together at Christmas feels a bit like taking a stroll through a minefield. Maybe you’ve experienced your fair share of emotional shrapnel flying around your family at Christmas.
For others, the struggle of this season lies in family being far away. Or missing loved ones who have died, the grief of which is felt more sharply at this time. Many experience the constant ache of loneliness that is only heightened at Christmastime.
Then there’s the carefully planned, cleverly co-ordinated and meticulously executed assault of a consumerist culture that somehow convinces us to spend money we don’t really have to buy things we don’t really need.
Which is why so many people return to their jobs in January singing, “I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go.”
But there’s an even darker side to this season. The number of suicide attempts at this time of year is higher than at any other. Domestic violence will increase this month, as will the number of abandoned pets, teenage pregnancies, the incidence of drunk driving, and the number of road deaths.
What does this say to us as a society? Is all this shadowy stuff of this season just an unfortunate but inevitable consequence of people going on holiday and letting their hair down? Or is something deeper happening, something damaging that touches us on the level of our collective soul?
Whatever you might think about that, I’m sure you will agree that as individuals we can handle the holidays and Christmas and New Year in ways that either good for us or bad for us.
And so the simple question I want to pose at the start of this week’s devotions is this, ‘WHAT KIND OF CHRISTMAS DO YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS YEAR?’ I’d like to suggest that the answer to that question is not merely a matter of chance, depending on how obnoxious Uncle Herbert gets at Christmas lunch or whether you find a decent parking place at the Mall. There are choices that we can personally make that will determine the kind of festive season we will experience.
This week, the invitation is for you to become a little more mindful of the choices you will be making this Christmas, in the hope that your experience of this festive season will be more in keeping with what God intends for you.
PRAY AS YOU GO
O God, as Christmas draws near we know how easy it is to get caught up in so many non-essential and often superficial things. Help us to see more deeply into this season, and to recognise your presence at the very heart of it all. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:15
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.”
It’s just one more week to go before Christmas, with all of its festivities. And then there’s New Year, with all of its fanfare. There’s food and family, parties and presents, singing and celebrating. No wonder we call this the Festive Season.
All of which can be very good. It’s important to feast and to celebrate. To reconnect with family. To lighten up and laugh a little more. To spoil our loved ones, and maybe even be spoiled in return. This is part of the gift of this season.
But we all know that there’s more to this time of year than just carefree fun and games. For even the festive season delivers its fair share of stress and strain.
For instance, there are the expectations and responsibilities of family that can often be quite demanding. Les Dawson, the British comedian, once said: ‘My mother-in-law’s been coming around to our house for Christmas for the past 17 years. This year we’re thinking of letting her in!’
Certainly, family dynamics at Christmastime are often complicated, to say the least. Particularly if there’s been a divorce, or some other kind of estrangement, or if there are underlying tensions between certain family members. For some, their annual family get-together at Christmas feels a bit like taking a stroll through a minefield. Maybe you’ve experienced your fair share of emotional shrapnel flying around your family at Christmas.
For others, the struggle of this season lies in family being far away. Or missing loved ones who have died, the grief of which is felt more sharply at this time. Many experience the constant ache of loneliness that is only heightened at Christmastime.
Then there’s the carefully planned, cleverly co-ordinated and meticulously executed assault of a consumerist culture that somehow convinces us to spend money we don’t really have to buy things we don’t really need.
Which is why so many people return to their jobs in January singing, “I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go.”
But there’s an even darker side to this season. The number of suicide attempts at this time of year is higher than at any other. Domestic violence will increase this month, as will the number of abandoned pets, teenage pregnancies, the incidence of drunk driving, and the number of road deaths.
What does this say to us as a society? Is all this shadowy stuff of this season just an unfortunate but inevitable consequence of people going on holiday and letting their hair down? Or is something deeper happening, something damaging that touches us on the level of our collective soul?
Whatever you might think about that, I’m sure you will agree that as individuals we can handle the holidays and Christmas and New Year in ways that either good for us or bad for us.
And so the simple question I want to pose at the start of this week’s devotions is this, ‘WHAT KIND OF CHRISTMAS DO YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS YEAR?’ I’d like to suggest that the answer to that question is not merely a matter of chance, depending on how obnoxious Uncle Herbert gets at Christmas lunch or whether you find a decent parking place at the Mall. There are choices that we can personally make that will determine the kind of festive season we will experience.
This week, the invitation is for you to become a little more mindful of the choices you will be making this Christmas, in the hope that your experience of this festive season will be more in keeping with what God intends for you.
PRAY AS YOU GO
O God, as Christmas draws near we know how easy it is to get caught up in so many non-essential and often superficial things. Help us to see more deeply into this season, and to recognise your presence at the very heart of it all. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:15
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.”
Friday 17 December 2010
The First Noel
DAILY BYTE
The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
What does this song say about People?
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
- Already in this carol we catch a glimpse of God’s plan with the references to the crucifixion. The story is just beginning of God’s greatest gift to humankind - its redemption.
What does this song say about People?
- Celebrate that people with all their differences can still with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord.
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
- As the wise men intentionally sought for their king, how intent on you on seeking God’s plan for your life or are you just wafting along?
Thursday 16 December 2010
O Little Town of Bethlehem
DAILY BYTE
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
- In this day and age of world telling us bigger is better, what is God saying to us when He uses a little nowhere town like Bethlehem to very quietly give the greatest gift to humankind?
- How can we be part of peace to all on earth?.
- Are we willing to have our sin cast out or are there still things we hold onto?
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
DAILY BYTE
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
- Think about Christ the everlasting Lord. Here before the beginning of time, today, tomorrow and into the future.
- His gift of “light and life” is for all.
- Would you be “pleased as man with man to dwell”? Imagine you’re happy in your work, have a comfortable home and loving family and suddenly God asks you to go and minister to the poorest of the poor in a far off rural area. How pleased (willing) would you be to go?
Tuesday 14 December 2010
O Holy Night
DAILY BYTE
This, dare I say it, is one of my favourite hymns but until today, I didn’t realise that it had more than one verse to it. How sad it is that traditionally only the first verse is sung when one of His greatest gifts appears in the first 4 lines of the 3rd verse...
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
(John Sullivan Dwight's Version)
GPS POINTS TO PONDER
What does this song say about God?
What does this song say about People?
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
This, dare I say it, is one of my favourite hymns but until today, I didn’t realise that it had more than one verse to it. How sad it is that traditionally only the first verse is sung when one of His greatest gifts appears in the first 4 lines of the 3rd verse...
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
(John Sullivan Dwight's Version)
GPS POINTS TO PONDER
What does this song say about God?
- How does it make you feel that “He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger”?
What does this song say about People?
- Are you comfortable with the fact that “the slave is our brother”? Why or why not?
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
- How can you go about employing His law of love and gospel of peace?
Monday 13 December 2010
JOY TO THE WORLD
DAILY BYTE
This week’s BDC will comprise of a number of Christmas Carols compiled by Susan Offer.
All too often we feel overloaded with them at this time of the year. It’s in one ear and out the other, lost in the glitz and commercialism in the shops and the frenetic pace of life.
How often to we really take time to ponder and marvel on the words? Use them to take some time out, slow down and meditate. Using our GPS principles, consider the questions following the song.
JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
What does this song say about People?
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
This week’s BDC will comprise of a number of Christmas Carols compiled by Susan Offer.
All too often we feel overloaded with them at this time of the year. It’s in one ear and out the other, lost in the glitz and commercialism in the shops and the frenetic pace of life.
How often to we really take time to ponder and marvel on the words? Use them to take some time out, slow down and meditate. Using our GPS principles, consider the questions following the song.
JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
GPS POINTS TO PONDER:
What does this song say about God?
- What are some of the wonders of His love in your life? Thank Him for them.
What does this song say about People?
- Do you see other people “employing their songs” to God? If not, why not?
What is the challenge of the song for you (Self) today?
- Is your heart “prepared”? Is there room for God?
Thursday 9 December 2010
Be Open
Daily Byte
Work and responsibilities are part and parcel of everyday life for many of us. The fact that you have this cell phone shows that you probably are a very busy person already! However, sometimes because we are so busy and have so many responsibilities we can forget what is truly important in life. For example, we can be so busy rushing about earning our daily bread that we forget God has also called us to share our daily bread with others.
Being open to giving generously to others is a call that includes but also surpasses the sharing of actual physical food. It means opening our lives to others through the giving of our time, energy, emotions and friendship. One noticeable thing about Jesus is how much time he took out from the busyness of his life and ministry just to be with people and to develop relationships. This is powerfully seen in the story of Mary and Martha in today’s focus reading.
Martha reacts to Jesus’ visit very responsibly and sets about getting everything in order. She becomes annoyed with her sister Mary for just sitting back and enjoying Jesus’ company rather than helping her out. So she asks Jesus to light a fire under Mary’s posterior and send her to work. Many of us who are responsible and hard working find ourselves naturally siding with Martha but in this case Jesus speaks out for Mary, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
In this extremely busy season, live beyond the boxes by slowing down and taking time out to spend working on relationships. Not only relationships with existing family and friends but also to be open to totally new connections. After all Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time for many and perhaps the greatest gift you could give another is just to develop a friendship with them. Look out for those in around us who most often are left alone, like the elderly or poor. Live beyond the boxes by not following the rush of society and instead be open to slow down and reach out.
Pray as you go!
Lord, we acknowledge how easy it is to become swept up in the busyness of life especially at this time of the year. We confess that we often allow important relationships and other priorities to slip up in our rush to get everything done. Help us to be open to others always and everywhere. Help us to take the time out for family and loved ones. Help us to also take the time to connect with those we don’t normally even notice – strangers, the elderly, and the poor. In the name of Jesus who always made the time even for the very least in his society. Amen.
Focus Reading
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Work and responsibilities are part and parcel of everyday life for many of us. The fact that you have this cell phone shows that you probably are a very busy person already! However, sometimes because we are so busy and have so many responsibilities we can forget what is truly important in life. For example, we can be so busy rushing about earning our daily bread that we forget God has also called us to share our daily bread with others.
Being open to giving generously to others is a call that includes but also surpasses the sharing of actual physical food. It means opening our lives to others through the giving of our time, energy, emotions and friendship. One noticeable thing about Jesus is how much time he took out from the busyness of his life and ministry just to be with people and to develop relationships. This is powerfully seen in the story of Mary and Martha in today’s focus reading.
Martha reacts to Jesus’ visit very responsibly and sets about getting everything in order. She becomes annoyed with her sister Mary for just sitting back and enjoying Jesus’ company rather than helping her out. So she asks Jesus to light a fire under Mary’s posterior and send her to work. Many of us who are responsible and hard working find ourselves naturally siding with Martha but in this case Jesus speaks out for Mary, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
In this extremely busy season, live beyond the boxes by slowing down and taking time out to spend working on relationships. Not only relationships with existing family and friends but also to be open to totally new connections. After all Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time for many and perhaps the greatest gift you could give another is just to develop a friendship with them. Look out for those in around us who most often are left alone, like the elderly or poor. Live beyond the boxes by not following the rush of society and instead be open to slow down and reach out.
Pray as you go!
Lord, we acknowledge how easy it is to become swept up in the busyness of life especially at this time of the year. We confess that we often allow important relationships and other priorities to slip up in our rush to get everything done. Help us to be open to others always and everywhere. Help us to take the time out for family and loved ones. Help us to also take the time to connect with those we don’t normally even notice – strangers, the elderly, and the poor. In the name of Jesus who always made the time even for the very least in his society. Amen.
Focus Reading
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Be Accountable
Daily Byte
Everyone needs help. No exceptions. While Christianity most certainly is a personal faith, it most definitely is not a private one. In fact one of the best parts about Christianity is that it brings us into a community, a family - the church.
One of society’s favourite boxes is that of individualism. We are encouraged to believe that ‘going it alone’ is somehow heroic and that to show need is nothing more than weakness. In stark contrast to this the Bible teaches us that there is more to life than just us and that being part of a wide and diverse community called the church is extremely important. Living beyond boxes in this case is a call to turn away from selfishness and individualism, and to embrace being involved in community.
One of the many, many reasons God invented the church is because as I have already said – everyone needs help. We need each other. As the author of Ecclesiastes suggests we are stronger when we stand together. Furthermore, if we fall down we need the help of others to gently lift us up. Our togetherness can also result in tremendous personal growth. Belonging to a community like the church that is made of many wonderfully diverse colours, cultures and languages will almost certainly challenge us to learn from others and to deal with our prejudices.
So for all these reasons and more besides it is very important that we belong to a church, and in this way make ourselves accountable to other Christians. Letting others know our strengths and weaknesses and humbly listening to encouragement or challenge will enrich us hugely and grow us spiritually. Being accountable to others is also a way of living beyond the boxes in our sometimes quite selfish and individualistic society.
Pray as you go!
Lord God we give thanks to you for our communities. We recognise that as much as we ourselves are not perfect, so no community or church can be either. Forgive us for the times we harshly judge others or belittle them for their weaknesses and mistakes. Help us to be humble and to become accountable to other Christians in a way that will challenge and grow us. Help us to accept that we all need each other in this way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Focus Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
their friend can help him up.
But pity the person who falls
and has no one to help them up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Everyone needs help. No exceptions. While Christianity most certainly is a personal faith, it most definitely is not a private one. In fact one of the best parts about Christianity is that it brings us into a community, a family - the church.
One of society’s favourite boxes is that of individualism. We are encouraged to believe that ‘going it alone’ is somehow heroic and that to show need is nothing more than weakness. In stark contrast to this the Bible teaches us that there is more to life than just us and that being part of a wide and diverse community called the church is extremely important. Living beyond boxes in this case is a call to turn away from selfishness and individualism, and to embrace being involved in community.
One of the many, many reasons God invented the church is because as I have already said – everyone needs help. We need each other. As the author of Ecclesiastes suggests we are stronger when we stand together. Furthermore, if we fall down we need the help of others to gently lift us up. Our togetherness can also result in tremendous personal growth. Belonging to a community like the church that is made of many wonderfully diverse colours, cultures and languages will almost certainly challenge us to learn from others and to deal with our prejudices.
So for all these reasons and more besides it is very important that we belong to a church, and in this way make ourselves accountable to other Christians. Letting others know our strengths and weaknesses and humbly listening to encouragement or challenge will enrich us hugely and grow us spiritually. Being accountable to others is also a way of living beyond the boxes in our sometimes quite selfish and individualistic society.
Pray as you go!
Lord God we give thanks to you for our communities. We recognise that as much as we ourselves are not perfect, so no community or church can be either. Forgive us for the times we harshly judge others or belittle them for their weaknesses and mistakes. Help us to be humble and to become accountable to other Christians in a way that will challenge and grow us. Help us to accept that we all need each other in this way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Focus Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
their friend can help him up.
But pity the person who falls
and has no one to help them up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Be Real
Daily Byte
One of the legendary Peanuts comic strips was set in the classroom on the first day of a brand new school year. The students had been asked to write an essay about their holidays and feelings on returning to class. In her essay, Lucy wrote, “Vacations are nice, but it’s good to get back to school. There is nothing more satisfying or challenging than education, and I look forward to a year of expanding knowledge.”
The teacher was pleased with Lucy and publicly complimented her on a fine essay. In the final frame of the cartoon, Lucy leans over her desk and whispers to Charlie Brown, “After a while you learn what sells.”
In our society today there can be huge pressure to “learn what sells” and to adapt our lives accordingly. To say what others want us to say, to do what others want us to do - in other words to fit neatly into a box. The major problem with this of course is that we become afraid to truly be ourselves in case that does not “sell”. We put up masks and pretend to be what we are not in an effort to fit in and please others. In the process we potentially not only lose ourselves but also sell out the integrity of our own souls.
Strangely enough, Christians can be the absolute worst at this failure to be real. We feel a tension between the way we should live to honour God and the way we actually do live. So we pretend to ourselves and others that we are something we are not. In the process we risk putting many people off Christianity as a result. I say “strangely enough” because Jesus challenges us towards authenticity in all things – to be real. To be honest and vulnerable about our weaknesses, fears and mistakes. In today’s focus verse Jesus warns us against pretending to be what we are not in the strongest possible terms.
Don’t fear being real because although others may reject us for it, the Bible promises that God has love enough to accept us as we are and power enough to transform and heal us! For this to happen though we have to bring ourselves to God as we really are.
Pray As You Go
Thomas a Kempis said, “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”
O’ Lord we recognise that the process of personal change becomes so much clearer when we ask you to do it in us. Forgive us of the times we pretend to be what we are not. For the times we buy into societies counterfeit box of living life behind masks. We ask that you would give us the courage to come before you and others simply as we are. Give us strength enough to be real about even our worst weaknesses and mistakes. Give us compassion enough to learn to accept and love others as they really are. For we know that it is in this way that your Spirit can heal and transform us all. Amen.
Focus Reading
Matthew 7:15-23 (New International Version)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
One of the legendary Peanuts comic strips was set in the classroom on the first day of a brand new school year. The students had been asked to write an essay about their holidays and feelings on returning to class. In her essay, Lucy wrote, “Vacations are nice, but it’s good to get back to school. There is nothing more satisfying or challenging than education, and I look forward to a year of expanding knowledge.”
The teacher was pleased with Lucy and publicly complimented her on a fine essay. In the final frame of the cartoon, Lucy leans over her desk and whispers to Charlie Brown, “After a while you learn what sells.”
In our society today there can be huge pressure to “learn what sells” and to adapt our lives accordingly. To say what others want us to say, to do what others want us to do - in other words to fit neatly into a box. The major problem with this of course is that we become afraid to truly be ourselves in case that does not “sell”. We put up masks and pretend to be what we are not in an effort to fit in and please others. In the process we potentially not only lose ourselves but also sell out the integrity of our own souls.
Strangely enough, Christians can be the absolute worst at this failure to be real. We feel a tension between the way we should live to honour God and the way we actually do live. So we pretend to ourselves and others that we are something we are not. In the process we risk putting many people off Christianity as a result. I say “strangely enough” because Jesus challenges us towards authenticity in all things – to be real. To be honest and vulnerable about our weaknesses, fears and mistakes. In today’s focus verse Jesus warns us against pretending to be what we are not in the strongest possible terms.
Don’t fear being real because although others may reject us for it, the Bible promises that God has love enough to accept us as we are and power enough to transform and heal us! For this to happen though we have to bring ourselves to God as we really are.
Pray As You Go
Thomas a Kempis said, “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”
O’ Lord we recognise that the process of personal change becomes so much clearer when we ask you to do it in us. Forgive us of the times we pretend to be what we are not. For the times we buy into societies counterfeit box of living life behind masks. We ask that you would give us the courage to come before you and others simply as we are. Give us strength enough to be real about even our worst weaknesses and mistakes. Give us compassion enough to learn to accept and love others as they really are. For we know that it is in this way that your Spirit can heal and transform us all. Amen.
Focus Reading
Matthew 7:15-23 (New International Version)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Monday 6 December 2010
Life Beyond Boxes
Daily Byte
People like us to live in boxes. No, of course I am not talking about cardboard ones but rather socially constructed ones. Fitting people neatly into different types of boxes makes it easier to define them. Knowing exactly what kind of box you fit into makes others feel safer around you.
What we often forget is that Jesus refused to be fitted into any of the boxes of his day. Jesus actively challenged his societies many rules of what it meant to be a good and devoted God-follower. In fact Jesus loved to turn popular ideas of how society should be right on their head. Just one such example is how Jesus challenged our notions of leadership when he said things like ‘if you want to be great you must be a servant’, or the ‘first shall be last, and the last first’ (see Mark 10.44 & 10.31). Jesus often proposed upside down ways of thinking like this. Jesus challenged the hierarchies every society seems to have where a small number of people live comfortably on top while many others are left to languish on the bottom. He spoke against religious tendencies to exclude certain people from our relationships because they don’t fit into our narrow definitions of acceptability. In many ways boxes can limit and confine us. Jesus lived beyond the boxes of his day because he taught that God passionately loved all people, and not just those who place themselves at the top of hierarchies. Anyone who feels uncomfortable with their particular box, or who feels left out and on the outside of society should feel recognised and loved by Jesus.
In the same way we are called to live beyond boxes. To resist many of our societies rules and regulations of what it means to be ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’. Some examples of how we might live out of boxes is by not living as if money is the be all and end all of life, or by embracing and not rejecting society outcasts such as the poor, or by loving and lifting others up rather than pushing them down in the race to get ahead.
Over the next four days we will be looking more closely at four different ways that we can actively seek to live ‘beyond the boxes’ and follow Jesus in his way of radical life and love. But to do that effectively we first need to be prepared to hear Jesus’ words of challenge and to obey Him and move ourselves out into totally new ways of life and being. Are you ready to follow Jesus into a life beyond boxes?
Pray As You Go!
Almighty, Holy God, as we sit back and think about South Africa today, we admit how many boxes do exist in our society. Boxes of what it means to be successful (wealthy), of what it means to be meaningful (popular), of what it means to be important (powerful). Forgive us for those times we allow others to squeeze us into neat little boxes and forgive us for when we reduce others in the same way. We ask O’ God that throughout this week, you would open our eyes and hearts to what is truly important in life. Give us the strength to follow you in living life beyond the boxes. Amen.
Focus Verse
Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
People like us to live in boxes. No, of course I am not talking about cardboard ones but rather socially constructed ones. Fitting people neatly into different types of boxes makes it easier to define them. Knowing exactly what kind of box you fit into makes others feel safer around you.
What we often forget is that Jesus refused to be fitted into any of the boxes of his day. Jesus actively challenged his societies many rules of what it meant to be a good and devoted God-follower. In fact Jesus loved to turn popular ideas of how society should be right on their head. Just one such example is how Jesus challenged our notions of leadership when he said things like ‘if you want to be great you must be a servant’, or the ‘first shall be last, and the last first’ (see Mark 10.44 & 10.31). Jesus often proposed upside down ways of thinking like this. Jesus challenged the hierarchies every society seems to have where a small number of people live comfortably on top while many others are left to languish on the bottom. He spoke against religious tendencies to exclude certain people from our relationships because they don’t fit into our narrow definitions of acceptability. In many ways boxes can limit and confine us. Jesus lived beyond the boxes of his day because he taught that God passionately loved all people, and not just those who place themselves at the top of hierarchies. Anyone who feels uncomfortable with their particular box, or who feels left out and on the outside of society should feel recognised and loved by Jesus.
In the same way we are called to live beyond boxes. To resist many of our societies rules and regulations of what it means to be ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’. Some examples of how we might live out of boxes is by not living as if money is the be all and end all of life, or by embracing and not rejecting society outcasts such as the poor, or by loving and lifting others up rather than pushing them down in the race to get ahead.
Over the next four days we will be looking more closely at four different ways that we can actively seek to live ‘beyond the boxes’ and follow Jesus in his way of radical life and love. But to do that effectively we first need to be prepared to hear Jesus’ words of challenge and to obey Him and move ourselves out into totally new ways of life and being. Are you ready to follow Jesus into a life beyond boxes?
Pray As You Go!
Almighty, Holy God, as we sit back and think about South Africa today, we admit how many boxes do exist in our society. Boxes of what it means to be successful (wealthy), of what it means to be meaningful (popular), of what it means to be important (powerful). Forgive us for those times we allow others to squeeze us into neat little boxes and forgive us for when we reduce others in the same way. We ask O’ God that throughout this week, you would open our eyes and hearts to what is truly important in life. Give us the strength to follow you in living life beyond the boxes. Amen.
Focus Verse
Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Friday 3 December 2010
Praying Peacekeepers
DAILY BYTE
My husband and I were driving down the main road in our neighbourhood the other day, and as we drove along, I was unconsciously naming the people whose houses we were passing. Then, I started saying ‘hi’ to them out loud. Hi Avril and Geoff! Hi Lucky and Samuel! Hi Candy and Alan and Stephen and Fiona and Harry and Sharon, and so the list went on. We were smiling as we went, and I leaned over, saying, “Isn’t it wonderful to drive down a street and really know that you are surrounded by love?” Isn’t it wonderful to know that if your car broke down, there’s a good chance that someone would come rescue you? Isn’t it wonderful that if you’re in need of a friend or a quiet respite, the homes of your neighbours can be like sanctuaries? Isn’t it wonderful to feel the peace and support of that community around you?
It is wonderful.
And we must work at shaping more communities to look and feel like that.
But of course, it’s not enough to say hi from the distanced view on the street.
The psalm for this week says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
We must not only step out in faith to get to know our neighbours, but seeking peace requires that we then pray for them. How often do we really pray for our city – our neighbourhoods? Rarely, if ever, right?
We usually pray more about personal issues and family relationships, but what about our local block? What about Durban? What about Jerusalem?
In the verses above, the psalmist is telling the reader what to do – pray, pray, pray.
But then in the last two verses, we hear the psalmist own the need to act for herself. She says, “For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”
We must own this mission for ourselves. We should know by now that we can’t leave peace-keeping up to the police, the security companies, or our high walls. We must pray for the police, pray for members of security companies, and pray for municipalities. But, we are the peacekeepers through developing our relationships and our prayer. It’s time to wake up, join the party, and start taking our life together seriously.
Shalom to you now. Shalom, my friends.
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:6-9 (NRSV)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they proper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.” For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Prince of Peace, as we begin this Advent season of waiting for your coming at Christmas, teach us what your message of peace means for our lives, our local communities, and our world. Nudge us to pray for the politicians and officials who are charged with the maintenance and life of the cities in which we live. Give all of us greater discernment, selflessness, and compassion, as we learn to be a people who usher in your peace through our relationships, our actions, and our prayer. Help us to be faithful, as we seek your good, through sharing shalom with our neighbors. Amen.
My husband and I were driving down the main road in our neighbourhood the other day, and as we drove along, I was unconsciously naming the people whose houses we were passing. Then, I started saying ‘hi’ to them out loud. Hi Avril and Geoff! Hi Lucky and Samuel! Hi Candy and Alan and Stephen and Fiona and Harry and Sharon, and so the list went on. We were smiling as we went, and I leaned over, saying, “Isn’t it wonderful to drive down a street and really know that you are surrounded by love?” Isn’t it wonderful to know that if your car broke down, there’s a good chance that someone would come rescue you? Isn’t it wonderful that if you’re in need of a friend or a quiet respite, the homes of your neighbours can be like sanctuaries? Isn’t it wonderful to feel the peace and support of that community around you?
It is wonderful.
And we must work at shaping more communities to look and feel like that.
But of course, it’s not enough to say hi from the distanced view on the street.
The psalm for this week says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
We must not only step out in faith to get to know our neighbours, but seeking peace requires that we then pray for them. How often do we really pray for our city – our neighbourhoods? Rarely, if ever, right?
We usually pray more about personal issues and family relationships, but what about our local block? What about Durban? What about Jerusalem?
In the verses above, the psalmist is telling the reader what to do – pray, pray, pray.
But then in the last two verses, we hear the psalmist own the need to act for herself. She says, “For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”
We must own this mission for ourselves. We should know by now that we can’t leave peace-keeping up to the police, the security companies, or our high walls. We must pray for the police, pray for members of security companies, and pray for municipalities. But, we are the peacekeepers through developing our relationships and our prayer. It’s time to wake up, join the party, and start taking our life together seriously.
Shalom to you now. Shalom, my friends.
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:6-9 (NRSV)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they proper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.” For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Prince of Peace, as we begin this Advent season of waiting for your coming at Christmas, teach us what your message of peace means for our lives, our local communities, and our world. Nudge us to pray for the politicians and officials who are charged with the maintenance and life of the cities in which we live. Give all of us greater discernment, selflessness, and compassion, as we learn to be a people who usher in your peace through our relationships, our actions, and our prayer. Help us to be faithful, as we seek your good, through sharing shalom with our neighbors. Amen.
Thursday 2 December 2010
Shalom
DAILY BYTE
Yesterday we discussed the meaning of “passing the peace,” but of course this is only how we make contact with people who already have made the decision to walk through the doors of a church. It is a good practice session, though, for learning to be bringers of peace when we walk back out of the doors to spread “shalom.”
The word for peace from Psalm 122 is “shalom.” And shalom is much bigger than a peace of quiet solitude – Nicholas Wolterstorff says:
“Shalom in the first place incorporates right, harmonious relationships to God and delight in his service... shalom incorporates right harmonious relationships to other human beings and delight in human community. Shalom is absent when a society is a collection of individuals all out to make their own way in the world. Thirdly, shalom incorporates right, harmonious relationships to nature and delight in our physical surroundings” (Wolterstorff in Gornik, 100-101).
So, the peace that the psalm is talking about is a peace between us and God, us and others, and us and our physical surroundings – the city. And within the city, our primary places of peace are our own neighbourhoods.
It’s time for us to wake up and join the party that’s around us – to see the bad with the good – and to get to know who our “neighbours” really are.
The psalm says the “tribes go up” to Jerusalem. We are many tribes, are we not? We are many of us different and many of us surprisingly the same. Sometimes I do look around the neighbourhood and think, these people are not like me. But then, other than the people at church, the till ladies I always go to in Spar, and the three other families in my block of flats, I don’t really know who my neighbours are, actually.
Do you? Who are the tribes around you?
Do you know who lives in the block of flats you live in – or who your next door neighbors are? In the block you live in? In your wider suburb? Do you know who our partners for creating peace are? It seems obvious that we need to get to know our neighbors, and yet we spend such little time finding out about them.
But as we heard in the definition of shalom, we cannot be in right relationship with God, and we cannot be in right relationship with one another, if we don’t seek to understand each other and seek after our collective best interests? What are the reasons in peoples’ hearts for all the division and fear and solitude?
Perhaps you might say – Hey – I know my neighbors, but it’s not my neighbors that are the problem – it’s people who come in from other places and disturb our peace that are the problem...
Well, where do they come from? Who are their neighbors? Eventually, the borders will intertwine, and I think we will find that we cannot place all the blame on people from other neighborhoods. Because if we look closely enough, those people will become our neighbors, too. How can you be a bearer of shalom in your neighborhood?
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:3-4 (NRSV)
Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
Yesterday we discussed the meaning of “passing the peace,” but of course this is only how we make contact with people who already have made the decision to walk through the doors of a church. It is a good practice session, though, for learning to be bringers of peace when we walk back out of the doors to spread “shalom.”
The word for peace from Psalm 122 is “shalom.” And shalom is much bigger than a peace of quiet solitude – Nicholas Wolterstorff says:
“Shalom in the first place incorporates right, harmonious relationships to God and delight in his service... shalom incorporates right harmonious relationships to other human beings and delight in human community. Shalom is absent when a society is a collection of individuals all out to make their own way in the world. Thirdly, shalom incorporates right, harmonious relationships to nature and delight in our physical surroundings” (Wolterstorff in Gornik, 100-101).
So, the peace that the psalm is talking about is a peace between us and God, us and others, and us and our physical surroundings – the city. And within the city, our primary places of peace are our own neighbourhoods.
It’s time for us to wake up and join the party that’s around us – to see the bad with the good – and to get to know who our “neighbours” really are.
The psalm says the “tribes go up” to Jerusalem. We are many tribes, are we not? We are many of us different and many of us surprisingly the same. Sometimes I do look around the neighbourhood and think, these people are not like me. But then, other than the people at church, the till ladies I always go to in Spar, and the three other families in my block of flats, I don’t really know who my neighbours are, actually.
Do you? Who are the tribes around you?
Do you know who lives in the block of flats you live in – or who your next door neighbors are? In the block you live in? In your wider suburb? Do you know who our partners for creating peace are? It seems obvious that we need to get to know our neighbors, and yet we spend such little time finding out about them.
But as we heard in the definition of shalom, we cannot be in right relationship with God, and we cannot be in right relationship with one another, if we don’t seek to understand each other and seek after our collective best interests? What are the reasons in peoples’ hearts for all the division and fear and solitude?
Perhaps you might say – Hey – I know my neighbors, but it’s not my neighbors that are the problem – it’s people who come in from other places and disturb our peace that are the problem...
Well, where do they come from? Who are their neighbors? Eventually, the borders will intertwine, and I think we will find that we cannot place all the blame on people from other neighborhoods. Because if we look closely enough, those people will become our neighbors, too. How can you be a bearer of shalom in your neighborhood?
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:3-4 (NRSV)
Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Passing the peace
DAILY BYTE
We learned yesterday that “Jerusalem” is connected with the idea of founding ourselves in and possessing peace. So let’s let Psalm 122 guide us, as we think about ways of connecting with God’s foundation of peace and ushering that peace in to our own city and lives.
We hear in the first line of the psalm, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!” And then it says, “our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” So, this is a psalm of ascent or pilgrimage up to the city on the hill.
And these are not words spoken by a weary traveller but one excited to go on a trip!
Perhaps we can think of these words, as we drive or walk up the streets our own cities and towns. I work on the hill of Moore Road in Durban, so as you climb the hill from the city below, you walk through a street that looks a bit like an inner city itself, but a city that holds not just houses of David, cement blocks built with human hands, but a street that holds the house of the Lord.
God dwells here.
So do you think we could be glad – or rejoicing - to climb this hill – to make this pilgrimage every day?!
Perhaps…and when we are pilgrimaging to and in our cities, we hear the words, “Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together.” Foundation of peace – built as a city that is bound firmly together.
This phrase is not talking only about the architecture or city planning – the fact that cities are literally squished together. The foundation of peace is the unity of a community – being bound firmly together.
We cannot have individual peace, church peace, community peace, national peace, or world peace, unless we are seeking to be “bound firmly together.”
That binding is actually something many churches work on each week in worship – when we “pass the peace.” After the prayer of confession I usually say, “Now as people reconciled to God and to one another, would you please stand and share with people the peace of Christ?” When I do this, I’m asking people to do more than greet their neighbour and find out the latest gossip. It’s a time to practice reaching out to someone you may not normally touch, take their hand, and with hearts, mouths, and hands extend to them a sign that they are not alone – that they are part of a community – and because of the protection, the love, the affirmation of God through that community, they can receive and keep a deep inner peace.
Did you know it was possible to do all of that in one handshake? What are other ways you might be able to practice sharing God’s peace in and through your own community of faith?
GUIDING SCRIPTURE
Psalm 122:1-3 (NRSV)
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together.
We learned yesterday that “Jerusalem” is connected with the idea of founding ourselves in and possessing peace. So let’s let Psalm 122 guide us, as we think about ways of connecting with God’s foundation of peace and ushering that peace in to our own city and lives.
We hear in the first line of the psalm, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!” And then it says, “our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” So, this is a psalm of ascent or pilgrimage up to the city on the hill.
And these are not words spoken by a weary traveller but one excited to go on a trip!
Perhaps we can think of these words, as we drive or walk up the streets our own cities and towns. I work on the hill of Moore Road in Durban, so as you climb the hill from the city below, you walk through a street that looks a bit like an inner city itself, but a city that holds not just houses of David, cement blocks built with human hands, but a street that holds the house of the Lord.
God dwells here.
So do you think we could be glad – or rejoicing - to climb this hill – to make this pilgrimage every day?!
Perhaps…and when we are pilgrimaging to and in our cities, we hear the words, “Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together.” Foundation of peace – built as a city that is bound firmly together.
This phrase is not talking only about the architecture or city planning – the fact that cities are literally squished together. The foundation of peace is the unity of a community – being bound firmly together.
We cannot have individual peace, church peace, community peace, national peace, or world peace, unless we are seeking to be “bound firmly together.”
That binding is actually something many churches work on each week in worship – when we “pass the peace.” After the prayer of confession I usually say, “Now as people reconciled to God and to one another, would you please stand and share with people the peace of Christ?” When I do this, I’m asking people to do more than greet their neighbour and find out the latest gossip. It’s a time to practice reaching out to someone you may not normally touch, take their hand, and with hearts, mouths, and hands extend to them a sign that they are not alone – that they are part of a community – and because of the protection, the love, the affirmation of God through that community, they can receive and keep a deep inner peace.
Did you know it was possible to do all of that in one handshake? What are other ways you might be able to practice sharing God’s peace in and through your own community of faith?
GUIDING SCRIPTURE
Psalm 122:1-3 (NRSV)
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together.
Jerusalem
DAILY BYTE
In the scripture from yesterday, Romans 13 says, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers,” so it’s nearer now than ever before! The apostle, Paul, says the darkness of night time is fading away and the day is coming. Now is the time for us to wake up and notice the miracles happening around us and see if there’s a way we can be a part of it.
How can we be a part of the world around us through fulfilling our calling of being a people of peace?
When we think of peace and of peaceful places, we usually picture serene mountain streams and quiet retreats in the Berg. We picture solitude. And of course, it is the case that we need moments of uninterrupted Sabbath rest to feed our souls and restore us. But those moments of quiet restore our relationships – with God and with other people. We cannot stay hermits forever.
It is interesting to me that in our scripture for today from Psalm 122 that the place of peace described is not a quiet, tucked away place but a city.
Jerusalem, specifically – one of the most conflict-ridden cities in the world.
And of course when we think of such a conflict-filled city, our minds also go to our own homes and our city of Durban. Durban is often a difficult place to live – as we hear of and experience ourselves break-ins and other forms of crime – we can find this place significantly lacking in peace.
So what do we do?
We could say what we often say, which is that Jerusalem – and perhaps Durban and other cities where you live – have always been cities of conflict, and they will always be because people simply cannot agree to live in peace and just get along. We could examine new security measures, pondering if we should put up electric fencing – should we make our walls a little higher, guaranteeing that at least when we’re inside of them, we’ll be safe?
Well there’s no use being naïve about the true complexity and grief of the world in which we live. That would make us foolish.
But in the scriptures, Jerusalem is held up not as a city that is destined for perpetual conflict. It is held up as a vision – According to J. Clinton McCann, Jr. in his commentary on Psalm 122:
“Jerusalem represents in the psalms not just a place but a symbol of God’s presence in space and time.” He says “the city has often been viewed as a place to be possessed rather than a symbol of the concrete presence in the world of a God who cannot ultimately be possessed and whose presence certainly cannot be limited to a particular place. To enter Jerusalem is ultimately to experience the reality of God’s reign and to be transformed to represent God’s just purposes in God’s world.”
In other words, Jerusalem is not just a place – it is a calling for God’s presence and justice amongst us. Scholars think the word, Jerusalem, itself means “possession of peace” or “foundation of peace” (McCann, 1184).
What might that vision of a city of peace mean to us in our communities? How might we be called to wake up, see, and be a part of this vision?
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:6-7 (NRSV)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they proper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
In the scripture from yesterday, Romans 13 says, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers,” so it’s nearer now than ever before! The apostle, Paul, says the darkness of night time is fading away and the day is coming. Now is the time for us to wake up and notice the miracles happening around us and see if there’s a way we can be a part of it.
How can we be a part of the world around us through fulfilling our calling of being a people of peace?
When we think of peace and of peaceful places, we usually picture serene mountain streams and quiet retreats in the Berg. We picture solitude. And of course, it is the case that we need moments of uninterrupted Sabbath rest to feed our souls and restore us. But those moments of quiet restore our relationships – with God and with other people. We cannot stay hermits forever.
It is interesting to me that in our scripture for today from Psalm 122 that the place of peace described is not a quiet, tucked away place but a city.
Jerusalem, specifically – one of the most conflict-ridden cities in the world.
And of course when we think of such a conflict-filled city, our minds also go to our own homes and our city of Durban. Durban is often a difficult place to live – as we hear of and experience ourselves break-ins and other forms of crime – we can find this place significantly lacking in peace.
So what do we do?
We could say what we often say, which is that Jerusalem – and perhaps Durban and other cities where you live – have always been cities of conflict, and they will always be because people simply cannot agree to live in peace and just get along. We could examine new security measures, pondering if we should put up electric fencing – should we make our walls a little higher, guaranteeing that at least when we’re inside of them, we’ll be safe?
Well there’s no use being naïve about the true complexity and grief of the world in which we live. That would make us foolish.
But in the scriptures, Jerusalem is held up not as a city that is destined for perpetual conflict. It is held up as a vision – According to J. Clinton McCann, Jr. in his commentary on Psalm 122:
“Jerusalem represents in the psalms not just a place but a symbol of God’s presence in space and time.” He says “the city has often been viewed as a place to be possessed rather than a symbol of the concrete presence in the world of a God who cannot ultimately be possessed and whose presence certainly cannot be limited to a particular place. To enter Jerusalem is ultimately to experience the reality of God’s reign and to be transformed to represent God’s just purposes in God’s world.”
In other words, Jerusalem is not just a place – it is a calling for God’s presence and justice amongst us. Scholars think the word, Jerusalem, itself means “possession of peace” or “foundation of peace” (McCann, 1184).
What might that vision of a city of peace mean to us in our communities? How might we be called to wake up, see, and be a part of this vision?
FOCUS READING
Psalm 122:6-7 (NRSV)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they proper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
Monday 29 November 2010
Wake Up and Party
DAILY BYTE
“You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep”! We hear the apostle Paul give us a wake up call this week!
It was a call that I needed, as I was writing this... Alone in my office with the door closed, I found myself reading and typing and becoming more and more and more sleepy...
Although I was completely excited about the material, I was drained by the isolation. Only when I received a phone call and got a jolt did I realize how sluggish I had become.
When we’re alone, often we become weary, we feel disconnected, we become less productive and more dissatisfied. And during nights alone in our flats or houses, I can’t be the only one who has a little feeling of uneasiness, knowing that if something bad were to happen, I’m not sure if anyone would come running to help. This uneasiness – dis-ease – you might even say – can fester in us, as we grow tired of being alone.
But looking at the scripture this week in staff meeting, Susan, the mother of a spunky teenager, pointed out that it is very difficult to stay awake when you’re alone. But slumber parties on the other hand, are often the last place you will find slumber.
Surely you can recall a slumber party from your youth where you stayed up until all hours of the morning, watching movies, painting nails, and playing hide and go seek in the dark. Somehow when others are partying with us, we forget about being tired, and the isolation and darkness fades into invigoration and bubbly excitement.
If you have spent too long in isolation, too long separated from community, whether family, the church, or the city – it’s time for us to wake up and join the party! In this first week of Advent, the season of the year where we prepare for the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we’ll be looking particularly at joining the community around us to live out our calling to be a people of peace.
FOCUS READING
Romans 13: 11-12 (NRSV)
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light...
“You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep”! We hear the apostle Paul give us a wake up call this week!
It was a call that I needed, as I was writing this... Alone in my office with the door closed, I found myself reading and typing and becoming more and more and more sleepy...
Although I was completely excited about the material, I was drained by the isolation. Only when I received a phone call and got a jolt did I realize how sluggish I had become.
When we’re alone, often we become weary, we feel disconnected, we become less productive and more dissatisfied. And during nights alone in our flats or houses, I can’t be the only one who has a little feeling of uneasiness, knowing that if something bad were to happen, I’m not sure if anyone would come running to help. This uneasiness – dis-ease – you might even say – can fester in us, as we grow tired of being alone.
But looking at the scripture this week in staff meeting, Susan, the mother of a spunky teenager, pointed out that it is very difficult to stay awake when you’re alone. But slumber parties on the other hand, are often the last place you will find slumber.
Surely you can recall a slumber party from your youth where you stayed up until all hours of the morning, watching movies, painting nails, and playing hide and go seek in the dark. Somehow when others are partying with us, we forget about being tired, and the isolation and darkness fades into invigoration and bubbly excitement.
If you have spent too long in isolation, too long separated from community, whether family, the church, or the city – it’s time for us to wake up and join the party! In this first week of Advent, the season of the year where we prepare for the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we’ll be looking particularly at joining the community around us to live out our calling to be a people of peace.
FOCUS READING
Romans 13: 11-12 (NRSV)
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light...
Friday 26 November 2010
The Great Risk - Part 5
DAILY BYTE
If you’ve been hearing the challenge of the gospel this week to risk yourself a little more for life’s sake and love’s sake, then I’d urge you to act. Now is the time for you to do something about that nagging sense of conviction you’ve been feeling inside – to invite someone to church, or get involved in a new area of service, or offer greater hospitality, or change your job, or open your wallet in greater generosity, or open our mouth more boldly in speaking out against injustice, or daring to love more lavishly. Whatever God is calling you to, I urge you to go for it. And you will discover God’s abundance flowing to you and through you in the most remarkable & joyous way.
As we bring this week’s devotions to a close, I’d like to share a personal story.
Earlier this year I was invited by the music teacher at my daughter’s school to be a part of a string ensemble that was to play at a special Easter concert. I was to play second violin. I knew the deal – music that was beyond my limited technical ability; just one practice immediately before the concert; and other musicians of superior ability. It just so happened that on this particular occasion the first violinist right next to me was none other than the associate concert master of the KZN Philharmonic. The double bass two seats to my right is also a member of the KZN Philharmonic. The chap on the cello next to me used to play for the KZN Youth Orchestra. And then there was me, just to round off the ensemble.
(Can you see where this is going?)
Well, it was an Easter concert, and thankfully this is an Easter story of good news. Because believe it or not, I didn’t screw up. I played. I participated. Of course, I missed many of the notes, and many that I played were wrong. But that’s not the point. The point is that I played, and the music sounded really really good. Which had nothing to do with the merits of my playing, but everything to do with the fact that a diverse group of people were risking themselves in making music together. And as I did so it was for me an experience of great joy.
Now I’m fully aware that if another member of the KZN Philharmonic had been playing second violin the music would have been even better. But dare I say it, what we had that day was certainly more…interesting.
Maybe that’s why the master entrusts his bounty to all, including the little ones, and asks us to risk putting it all into play.
And what if you risk and lose? Well, imagine another ending to the parable, as suggested by Paul Duke.
He writes, “Suppose the third servant did not hide his gift. Let’s say he took that million bucks and built a shelter for the homeless. He fed the poor, gave job training, gave literacy training, told them of God’s love. Some flourished, but others were not grateful, did not get better. And one night a gang of them stole everything and burned the place to the ground.
And the master came back. And the third servant having heard the fine reports of his friends, had to step forward and say, “I have nothing. I lost everything you gave me. And the master said, ‘Well done, I’ll give you more, come into my joy.”
Of course in the parable Jesus told, the ones who took the risk didn’t lose at all. That’s the amazing thing about God’s fortune in our hands – to give it, is never in the end to lose it.
Have you known anybody in your life who risked something for love’s sake or for Christ’s sake, and were sorry that they did?
The time for playing it safe is past. Take the great risk that God entrusts to you. It is truly a gift of great love.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you, gracious God, for entrusting me with a part to play in your great ensemble. Thank you that under your hand, the contribution of my life can add to the music of love that can fill this world with healing and transforming grace. Help me to let go of my insecurities, uncertainties, inadequacies and fears and trust that your power really is made perfect in weakness. Amen.
If you’ve been hearing the challenge of the gospel this week to risk yourself a little more for life’s sake and love’s sake, then I’d urge you to act. Now is the time for you to do something about that nagging sense of conviction you’ve been feeling inside – to invite someone to church, or get involved in a new area of service, or offer greater hospitality, or change your job, or open your wallet in greater generosity, or open our mouth more boldly in speaking out against injustice, or daring to love more lavishly. Whatever God is calling you to, I urge you to go for it. And you will discover God’s abundance flowing to you and through you in the most remarkable & joyous way.
As we bring this week’s devotions to a close, I’d like to share a personal story.
Earlier this year I was invited by the music teacher at my daughter’s school to be a part of a string ensemble that was to play at a special Easter concert. I was to play second violin. I knew the deal – music that was beyond my limited technical ability; just one practice immediately before the concert; and other musicians of superior ability. It just so happened that on this particular occasion the first violinist right next to me was none other than the associate concert master of the KZN Philharmonic. The double bass two seats to my right is also a member of the KZN Philharmonic. The chap on the cello next to me used to play for the KZN Youth Orchestra. And then there was me, just to round off the ensemble.
(Can you see where this is going?)
Well, it was an Easter concert, and thankfully this is an Easter story of good news. Because believe it or not, I didn’t screw up. I played. I participated. Of course, I missed many of the notes, and many that I played were wrong. But that’s not the point. The point is that I played, and the music sounded really really good. Which had nothing to do with the merits of my playing, but everything to do with the fact that a diverse group of people were risking themselves in making music together. And as I did so it was for me an experience of great joy.
Now I’m fully aware that if another member of the KZN Philharmonic had been playing second violin the music would have been even better. But dare I say it, what we had that day was certainly more…interesting.
Maybe that’s why the master entrusts his bounty to all, including the little ones, and asks us to risk putting it all into play.
And what if you risk and lose? Well, imagine another ending to the parable, as suggested by Paul Duke.
He writes, “Suppose the third servant did not hide his gift. Let’s say he took that million bucks and built a shelter for the homeless. He fed the poor, gave job training, gave literacy training, told them of God’s love. Some flourished, but others were not grateful, did not get better. And one night a gang of them stole everything and burned the place to the ground.
And the master came back. And the third servant having heard the fine reports of his friends, had to step forward and say, “I have nothing. I lost everything you gave me. And the master said, ‘Well done, I’ll give you more, come into my joy.”
Of course in the parable Jesus told, the ones who took the risk didn’t lose at all. That’s the amazing thing about God’s fortune in our hands – to give it, is never in the end to lose it.
Have you known anybody in your life who risked something for love’s sake or for Christ’s sake, and were sorry that they did?
The time for playing it safe is past. Take the great risk that God entrusts to you. It is truly a gift of great love.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you, gracious God, for entrusting me with a part to play in your great ensemble. Thank you that under your hand, the contribution of my life can add to the music of love that can fill this world with healing and transforming grace. Help me to let go of my insecurities, uncertainties, inadequacies and fears and trust that your power really is made perfect in weakness. Amen.
Thursday 25 November 2010
The Great Risk - Part 4
DAILY BYTE
Yesterday we wandered through the first part of the parable of the talents. Today, we pick up the story when the master finally returned, and summoned his slaves to give account. The first one reported an impressive return. Seems like the markets bounced back after all. Similarly the second had good news. The developer had made good on his promises, and the new airport had been a great help in pushing up property values in the area.
Hearing what they had done, the master said to each of these, “Well done, good and faithful slave. I trusted you and you have been trustworthy. I will continue to entrust my things to you. Come and share my joy.”
Now it’s the little guy’s turn. First thing he does is start attacking the master, “You’re a harsh man. You reap where you did not sow, and gather where you did not scatter seed.” What? Nothing in the story thus far supports this outrageous accusation. And nothing could be further from the truth. All the master does in the story is give and trust in the most prodigal way, and sow and scatter with reckless generosity, and invite others to share his joy.
And suddenly we understand why the third slave has been so afraid – because he’s got the master all wrong. He thinks the master is out to get him. And so he cannot trust the master’s trust in him.
He was invited to participate in the richly abundant life of the master, to risk himself in a whole new way, but he refused. And in his refusal he brings judgement on himself, and is thrown into outer darkness.
If that sounds harsh to you, and it does to me, maybe it’s because Jesus didn’t want to sugarcoat the difficult truth that ordinary people, like us, need to hear.
Yes, this parable speaks a challenging and uncomfortable truth. Whether we like it or not, God hands us an invitation that is both exciting and scary at the same time. It’s an invitation to take hold of this great gift of life, and to risk playing it, investing it, living it, in the audacious belief that it can become even more.
We did not choose this, but we can choose our response. We can refuse the invitation. We can refuse to participate. We can bury our hearts. Our dreams. Our passion to see this world renewed. We can bury our sense of being called.
Or, we can say OK. Let me risk it.
That’s what Abram said in response to God’s risky call for him to leave the comfort and security of the life he had always known. And that’s how the story of the people of God began. With a great risk. And in every age there have been others, ordinary people of faith, who in similar ways have risked themselves in the hands of God, and have found life in the process.
In the living of your life today, will you dare to join their ranks, as you abandon yourself into the hands of God and risk living your ordinary life in quite extraordinary ways?
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord God, remind me who you are. Remind me what you are like. Remind me that you are a God of generosity, mercy, compassion and grace. Remind me that you long to bless me that I might be a blessing to others. Remind me of these things, because when I remember rightly who you really are, it is then that I can more freely embrace and trust the person that you declare me to be – a beloved child of yours. Amen
SCRIPTURE READING
Genesis 12:1-4
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed.
Yesterday we wandered through the first part of the parable of the talents. Today, we pick up the story when the master finally returned, and summoned his slaves to give account. The first one reported an impressive return. Seems like the markets bounced back after all. Similarly the second had good news. The developer had made good on his promises, and the new airport had been a great help in pushing up property values in the area.
Hearing what they had done, the master said to each of these, “Well done, good and faithful slave. I trusted you and you have been trustworthy. I will continue to entrust my things to you. Come and share my joy.”
Now it’s the little guy’s turn. First thing he does is start attacking the master, “You’re a harsh man. You reap where you did not sow, and gather where you did not scatter seed.” What? Nothing in the story thus far supports this outrageous accusation. And nothing could be further from the truth. All the master does in the story is give and trust in the most prodigal way, and sow and scatter with reckless generosity, and invite others to share his joy.
And suddenly we understand why the third slave has been so afraid – because he’s got the master all wrong. He thinks the master is out to get him. And so he cannot trust the master’s trust in him.
He was invited to participate in the richly abundant life of the master, to risk himself in a whole new way, but he refused. And in his refusal he brings judgement on himself, and is thrown into outer darkness.
If that sounds harsh to you, and it does to me, maybe it’s because Jesus didn’t want to sugarcoat the difficult truth that ordinary people, like us, need to hear.
Yes, this parable speaks a challenging and uncomfortable truth. Whether we like it or not, God hands us an invitation that is both exciting and scary at the same time. It’s an invitation to take hold of this great gift of life, and to risk playing it, investing it, living it, in the audacious belief that it can become even more.
We did not choose this, but we can choose our response. We can refuse the invitation. We can refuse to participate. We can bury our hearts. Our dreams. Our passion to see this world renewed. We can bury our sense of being called.
Or, we can say OK. Let me risk it.
That’s what Abram said in response to God’s risky call for him to leave the comfort and security of the life he had always known. And that’s how the story of the people of God began. With a great risk. And in every age there have been others, ordinary people of faith, who in similar ways have risked themselves in the hands of God, and have found life in the process.
In the living of your life today, will you dare to join their ranks, as you abandon yourself into the hands of God and risk living your ordinary life in quite extraordinary ways?
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord God, remind me who you are. Remind me what you are like. Remind me that you are a God of generosity, mercy, compassion and grace. Remind me that you long to bless me that I might be a blessing to others. Remind me of these things, because when I remember rightly who you really are, it is then that I can more freely embrace and trust the person that you declare me to be – a beloved child of yours. Amen
SCRIPTURE READING
Genesis 12:1-4
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed.
Wednesday 24 November 2010
The Great Risk - Part 3
DAILY BYTE
Over these next few days we’ll be looking at the difficult truth contained in the parable of the talents, particularly for the ‘little ones’ in this life who prefer to play it safe. Today, let’s walk through the first part of this challenging parable.
A man was heading out of town, and so summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. He knew they had different abilities, and so apportioned his property accordingly. To one he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to the third slave, the little one amongst them, he gave one. Notice he didn’t give all eight talents to the one with the most ability. All the slaves, from the greatest to the least, were entrusted with the master’s property. And then he leaves, for a long time.
To get this parable, it’s essential to grasp that a talent was a unit of money that was big big bucks. We’re talking lotto jackpot here. In Jesus’ day, one talent was the equivalent of 15 years’ wages. So for us to hear this story as the original hearers did, we could say that a talent was roughly a million rand, and we’d be more or less in the right ballpark.
So there we find these three slaves. One is holding in his shaking hand a cheque, with his name on it, for a million rand. Eish! The other is blinking his eyes as he stares at his cheque for two million. The third has one for five million rand. He’s the first to make a move. “I think I’ll take this off-shore, “ he says, “and play the stock market.” The little guy looks at him with disbelief, “Are you out of your mind?” he says. “Haven’t you seen what’s happened this year to the Dow, the FTSE & the Dax?” But the first slave isn’t listening because he’s already got a broker on the line.
The second slave then says, “Hmmm. Two million…. I know. Property development. KZN North Coast.” And again the little guy grabs his hair and says, “Don’t be crazy. The Reserve Bank Governor recently declared a recession. And what if the master returns and his money is all tied up? Or the developer goes bust? Or…” But the second slave has already gone.
So there the little guy stands, cheque for a million rand in his hand, terrified.
The master had given no instructions as to what he should do with the money.
The decision is all his.
Don’t you feel at least a little bit sorry for him? I reckon he felt pretty sorry for himself. I reckon he felt sorry that he had such a master, who would take such a great risk as to entrust him, no… burden him with so much.
And so he wraps it up. And goes outside. And digs a hole. And buries it.
Which is not just to say that he did nothing with the money, but that it had to be hidden away. Maybe because he could not bear to look at the audacious invitation for him to risk himself in a wild and prodigal way.
I think that this little guy in the story represents all of us, at some time or another in all of our lives. For who of us can say that there haven’t been times when we’ve turned away from life’s audacious invitation to risk ourselves in wild and prodigal ways?
Maybe right now you’re aware of something that you’ve buried, for fear. Maybe it’s your heart. Maybe you loved someone, and it didn’t work out, and it hurt so bad that you made a promise to yourself that you’ll never allow yourself to get hurt like that again. And so, rather than risking yourself in vulnerability and love, you’ve buried your heart.
Maybe you’ve buried a lifelong dream. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that it could never happen for you anyway and that you’re crazy for even thinking it might. And so, rather than risking yourself in a great, soul-stirring venture, you’ve settled for mediocrity, as you’ve buried even the possibility of trying.
Can you feel the deep sense of disappointment, and waste, and regret that this kind of response ultimately generates. Is that what you want for your life?
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25:18
But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
Over these next few days we’ll be looking at the difficult truth contained in the parable of the talents, particularly for the ‘little ones’ in this life who prefer to play it safe. Today, let’s walk through the first part of this challenging parable.
A man was heading out of town, and so summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. He knew they had different abilities, and so apportioned his property accordingly. To one he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to the third slave, the little one amongst them, he gave one. Notice he didn’t give all eight talents to the one with the most ability. All the slaves, from the greatest to the least, were entrusted with the master’s property. And then he leaves, for a long time.
To get this parable, it’s essential to grasp that a talent was a unit of money that was big big bucks. We’re talking lotto jackpot here. In Jesus’ day, one talent was the equivalent of 15 years’ wages. So for us to hear this story as the original hearers did, we could say that a talent was roughly a million rand, and we’d be more or less in the right ballpark.
So there we find these three slaves. One is holding in his shaking hand a cheque, with his name on it, for a million rand. Eish! The other is blinking his eyes as he stares at his cheque for two million. The third has one for five million rand. He’s the first to make a move. “I think I’ll take this off-shore, “ he says, “and play the stock market.” The little guy looks at him with disbelief, “Are you out of your mind?” he says. “Haven’t you seen what’s happened this year to the Dow, the FTSE & the Dax?” But the first slave isn’t listening because he’s already got a broker on the line.
The second slave then says, “Hmmm. Two million…. I know. Property development. KZN North Coast.” And again the little guy grabs his hair and says, “Don’t be crazy. The Reserve Bank Governor recently declared a recession. And what if the master returns and his money is all tied up? Or the developer goes bust? Or…” But the second slave has already gone.
So there the little guy stands, cheque for a million rand in his hand, terrified.
The master had given no instructions as to what he should do with the money.
The decision is all his.
Don’t you feel at least a little bit sorry for him? I reckon he felt pretty sorry for himself. I reckon he felt sorry that he had such a master, who would take such a great risk as to entrust him, no… burden him with so much.
And so he wraps it up. And goes outside. And digs a hole. And buries it.
Which is not just to say that he did nothing with the money, but that it had to be hidden away. Maybe because he could not bear to look at the audacious invitation for him to risk himself in a wild and prodigal way.
I think that this little guy in the story represents all of us, at some time or another in all of our lives. For who of us can say that there haven’t been times when we’ve turned away from life’s audacious invitation to risk ourselves in wild and prodigal ways?
Maybe right now you’re aware of something that you’ve buried, for fear. Maybe it’s your heart. Maybe you loved someone, and it didn’t work out, and it hurt so bad that you made a promise to yourself that you’ll never allow yourself to get hurt like that again. And so, rather than risking yourself in vulnerability and love, you’ve buried your heart.
Maybe you’ve buried a lifelong dream. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that it could never happen for you anyway and that you’re crazy for even thinking it might. And so, rather than risking yourself in a great, soul-stirring venture, you’ve settled for mediocrity, as you’ve buried even the possibility of trying.
Can you feel the deep sense of disappointment, and waste, and regret that this kind of response ultimately generates. Is that what you want for your life?
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25:18
But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
The Great Risk - Part 2
DAILY BYTE
Yesterday I shared the fictional story of the great risk that a golf pro by the name of Roy McAvoy once took in the US Open, as depicted in the movie Tin Cup. But there are real-life stories of risky heroism that could be shared as well.
Recently, I read the story of Ellen MacArthur, a young British sailor who a few years back broke the world record for the fastest non-stop solo circumnavigation of the world. It was the most unbelievable story of courage and endurance as she risked herself in this heroic quest. Over and over again, in seemingly impossible situations on the high seas, she chose to go for it, and in the end the record was hers.
The only trouble with fictional stories like Roy McAvoy’s, or real-life ones like that of Ellen MacArthur, is that these courageous risk-takers seem so far-removed from ordinary people like us. Let’s face it; our lives are lived on a much smaller stage. And many people are content with that. They’re aware of their limitations and shortcomings, and accept that in the great scheme of things, they are one of the little ones, whose lives will pass by largely unnoticed. And who think that great risks are not really for them.
If you’re one of those people who prefers being anonymous as you get on with your life in a largely unnoticed way, then I’d remind you that no-one, in fact, is anonymous to God, and no-one goes unnoticed by Him. In fact, there is no-one who does not have a very particular part to play in God’s great plan to mend the entire universe. Which means that everyone faces the great risk of colliding with a call from God upon their lives, sooner or later.
Jesus noticed the little ones. He took great interest in their lives and wellbeing. The fullness of life that he came to bring was not just for superstars, but for ordinary people, for whom he had a particular love and concern. So much so that he was unafraid to speak hard truth into the lives of ordinary people.
Over the rest of this week we’ll take a closer look at a story that contained such difficult truth. It’s known as the parable of the talents. In preparation to hear its challenge, maybe you’d like to read it now and begin to reflect upon what it might be saying to your life. It’s found in Matthew 25:14-30.
PRAY-AS-YOU-GO
Forgive me Lord for the times when I hide behind my own sense of inadequacy, assuming that my limitations are limitations for you. Remind me that you are the Sovereign Lord of all the earth, and that when you call ordinary people like me into your service that you know what you are doing. Help me to trust that even my little life can be lived out on the great canvass of your purposes for the world, not because of any merit of my own, but because of the immensity of your grace. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 8:3-9
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Yesterday I shared the fictional story of the great risk that a golf pro by the name of Roy McAvoy once took in the US Open, as depicted in the movie Tin Cup. But there are real-life stories of risky heroism that could be shared as well.
Recently, I read the story of Ellen MacArthur, a young British sailor who a few years back broke the world record for the fastest non-stop solo circumnavigation of the world. It was the most unbelievable story of courage and endurance as she risked herself in this heroic quest. Over and over again, in seemingly impossible situations on the high seas, she chose to go for it, and in the end the record was hers.
The only trouble with fictional stories like Roy McAvoy’s, or real-life ones like that of Ellen MacArthur, is that these courageous risk-takers seem so far-removed from ordinary people like us. Let’s face it; our lives are lived on a much smaller stage. And many people are content with that. They’re aware of their limitations and shortcomings, and accept that in the great scheme of things, they are one of the little ones, whose lives will pass by largely unnoticed. And who think that great risks are not really for them.
If you’re one of those people who prefers being anonymous as you get on with your life in a largely unnoticed way, then I’d remind you that no-one, in fact, is anonymous to God, and no-one goes unnoticed by Him. In fact, there is no-one who does not have a very particular part to play in God’s great plan to mend the entire universe. Which means that everyone faces the great risk of colliding with a call from God upon their lives, sooner or later.
Jesus noticed the little ones. He took great interest in their lives and wellbeing. The fullness of life that he came to bring was not just for superstars, but for ordinary people, for whom he had a particular love and concern. So much so that he was unafraid to speak hard truth into the lives of ordinary people.
Over the rest of this week we’ll take a closer look at a story that contained such difficult truth. It’s known as the parable of the talents. In preparation to hear its challenge, maybe you’d like to read it now and begin to reflect upon what it might be saying to your life. It’s found in Matthew 25:14-30.
PRAY-AS-YOU-GO
Forgive me Lord for the times when I hide behind my own sense of inadequacy, assuming that my limitations are limitations for you. Remind me that you are the Sovereign Lord of all the earth, and that when you call ordinary people like me into your service that you know what you are doing. Help me to trust that even my little life can be lived out on the great canvass of your purposes for the world, not because of any merit of my own, but because of the immensity of your grace. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 8:3-9
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Monday 22 November 2010
The Great Risk
DAILY BYTE
Some of you may have seen the movie Tin Cup. It’s about a washed up golf pro by the name of Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy, played in the movie by Kevin Costner. He lives in a caravan on a dusty armadillo-infested driving range in some backwater town in Texas.
When a beautiful, sophisticated woman by the name of Dr Molly Griswold, played by Rene Russo, signs up for some golf lessons, she thinks that McAvoy is just a dead beat frat boy whose future plans extend only as far as his next beer. And so, to show her that he is, in fact, made of sterner stuff he sets out to qualify for the US Open, which he does.
In true schmaltzy Hollywood style, the movie comes to its climax with McAvoy needing a birdie on the final hole to win the US Open. He’s faced with a tough decision. Should he play it safe by laying up in front of the water hazard on this long par 5? Or should he play a far more risky shot, hitting over the water and going straight for the green? In earlier rounds he had tried the riskier option, and on each occasion had failed. The conventional wisdom was that he should play it safe.
But McAvoy would have none of that. He’s convinced he can pull off this audacious shot, and so he goes for it. And sure enough, hits the ball in the water. Undeterred, he takes out another ball, and tries the shot again, and again hits it in the water. So he takes out another ball, and another, and another, and another. Each time, hitting it into the water. Until he has only one ball left in his bag, and in even schmaltzier Hollywood style, he hits that last ball into the hole.
This movie was hardly a cinemagraphical tour de force, but it made a compelling point. There are times when life presents to us a risky choice, and we must decide: do we go for it, or do we play it safe? How we choose in those defining moments, shapes the kind of people we will be.
As we will be discovering in our devotions this week, God’s intention for us is to take the great risk of giving ourselves completely to this magnificent, miraculous gift that is our Life.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, you held nothing back in risking yourself completely in your great adventure of love by coming to share life with us. May we be inspired by your example to give ourselves completely to that higher purpose to which you call each one of us. Help us, today, to live in such a way that demonstrates our desire to trust you completely. Amen.
A FURTHER THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“A ship in harbour is safe – but that is not what ships are for.” John A. Shedd
Some of you may have seen the movie Tin Cup. It’s about a washed up golf pro by the name of Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy, played in the movie by Kevin Costner. He lives in a caravan on a dusty armadillo-infested driving range in some backwater town in Texas.
When a beautiful, sophisticated woman by the name of Dr Molly Griswold, played by Rene Russo, signs up for some golf lessons, she thinks that McAvoy is just a dead beat frat boy whose future plans extend only as far as his next beer. And so, to show her that he is, in fact, made of sterner stuff he sets out to qualify for the US Open, which he does.
In true schmaltzy Hollywood style, the movie comes to its climax with McAvoy needing a birdie on the final hole to win the US Open. He’s faced with a tough decision. Should he play it safe by laying up in front of the water hazard on this long par 5? Or should he play a far more risky shot, hitting over the water and going straight for the green? In earlier rounds he had tried the riskier option, and on each occasion had failed. The conventional wisdom was that he should play it safe.
But McAvoy would have none of that. He’s convinced he can pull off this audacious shot, and so he goes for it. And sure enough, hits the ball in the water. Undeterred, he takes out another ball, and tries the shot again, and again hits it in the water. So he takes out another ball, and another, and another, and another. Each time, hitting it into the water. Until he has only one ball left in his bag, and in even schmaltzier Hollywood style, he hits that last ball into the hole.
This movie was hardly a cinemagraphical tour de force, but it made a compelling point. There are times when life presents to us a risky choice, and we must decide: do we go for it, or do we play it safe? How we choose in those defining moments, shapes the kind of people we will be.
As we will be discovering in our devotions this week, God’s intention for us is to take the great risk of giving ourselves completely to this magnificent, miraculous gift that is our Life.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, you held nothing back in risking yourself completely in your great adventure of love by coming to share life with us. May we be inspired by your example to give ourselves completely to that higher purpose to which you call each one of us. Help us, today, to live in such a way that demonstrates our desire to trust you completely. Amen.
A FURTHER THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“A ship in harbour is safe – but that is not what ships are for.” John A. Shedd
Thursday 18 November 2010
Standing up front
DAILY BYTE
Do you think people have to have a certain “level” of faith or experience to be involved with participating in and leading worship?
Certainly, there is an integrity that we need to have when we guide other people in doing this work, but I think that more than certainty in faith or ability in public speaking, I think the most important thing about leading worship is commitment to the work that God wants to do through you.
Are you commited to the fact that God wants to work through you?
Do you realize that the Holy Spirit lives within you and is just craving to get out and be shared through your passions and gifts?
When we do the work of worship, we are a crucial instrument of God, but the work is not about us.
When I’m encouraging people to stand up in front of the congregation in an act of worship, I almost always tell them – remember that this is not about you standing up in front of a group of people with everyone staring at you, waiting for you to mess up...even though that’s what it feels like when you stand up in front of a big group of people.
Leading people in acts of worship is about standing in the strength of God and allowing God to work through you to touch peoples’ lives. The focus in worship is not on you – it is on God.
If you can believe that a preacher used to be terrified of public speaking, then believe it. It is true of me. I didn’t even like raising my hand to answer questions in class, as a child, growing up. I hated that feeling that all eyes were on me, either expecting me to proclaim words of brilliance or expecting me to fail.
I can remember telling a mentor that even if I were one day to preach – how on earth would I know what to say?
And she just smiled and said – if you one day let God use you that way, God will help you know what to say.
The work of worship is about focusing ourselves, our community, and the whole world on the work, the power, the greatness, and love of God. God will teach us how to do this work. God will teach us what to say, and it will matter. Do you want to work together with God? Do you want to let God use you?
PRAY AS YOU GO
Encouraging God, I want you to take me and mould me and use me to bring life to the world. Help me to discern how best I can share my gifts. And then, give me the strength and passion to remain committed to your vision for my life. Amen.
Do you think people have to have a certain “level” of faith or experience to be involved with participating in and leading worship?
Certainly, there is an integrity that we need to have when we guide other people in doing this work, but I think that more than certainty in faith or ability in public speaking, I think the most important thing about leading worship is commitment to the work that God wants to do through you.
Are you commited to the fact that God wants to work through you?
Do you realize that the Holy Spirit lives within you and is just craving to get out and be shared through your passions and gifts?
When we do the work of worship, we are a crucial instrument of God, but the work is not about us.
When I’m encouraging people to stand up in front of the congregation in an act of worship, I almost always tell them – remember that this is not about you standing up in front of a group of people with everyone staring at you, waiting for you to mess up...even though that’s what it feels like when you stand up in front of a big group of people.
Leading people in acts of worship is about standing in the strength of God and allowing God to work through you to touch peoples’ lives. The focus in worship is not on you – it is on God.
If you can believe that a preacher used to be terrified of public speaking, then believe it. It is true of me. I didn’t even like raising my hand to answer questions in class, as a child, growing up. I hated that feeling that all eyes were on me, either expecting me to proclaim words of brilliance or expecting me to fail.
I can remember telling a mentor that even if I were one day to preach – how on earth would I know what to say?
And she just smiled and said – if you one day let God use you that way, God will help you know what to say.
The work of worship is about focusing ourselves, our community, and the whole world on the work, the power, the greatness, and love of God. God will teach us how to do this work. God will teach us what to say, and it will matter. Do you want to work together with God? Do you want to let God use you?
PRAY AS YOU GO
Encouraging God, I want you to take me and mould me and use me to bring life to the world. Help me to discern how best I can share my gifts. And then, give me the strength and passion to remain committed to your vision for my life. Amen.
Working together
DAILY BYTE
We’re talking this week about worship and work. And so we read in 2 Thessalonians today about a group of people who seem to have forgotten to do work that matters.
They’re told in no uncertain terms that they’re being idle – they’re not remembering what the people who went before them taught them about doing what is right. Instead, they’re being busybodies – which means they might be doing a lot of things, but certainly they’re not things that bring life to the world or have any greater meaning behind them. These people are not actually doing the work – leitourgia – the work of the people. Instead of contributing to and serving the community, they seem to be sucking from the community what they need, expecting then to be provided for.
And let’s be honest, it seems this is the way many of us address the work of worship, myself often included.
We live consumerist lives. And when people who lead worship – with bands and choirs and microphones – get up on “stage,” we can be lulled into the idea that we come purely to be served and fed. I remember I used to tease my mom for having a preaching mic that looked very much like Britney Spears’ headset. Watching that, we tend to appreciate the work that others do to prepare, but we can comfortably sit as a member of an audience.
Sometimes we understand what’s going on in the performance – sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we care about what we see and hear. Sometimes we don’t. But it may be time for us to re-evaluate who the audience of our worship is.
There’s no doubt that God serves us, as God performs, in worship. The Presbyterian minister, Marjorie Thompson says in her book, Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, that in worship “God fills us with the joy of knowing we are loved, restores our courage through forgiveness, provides the Word for hungry hearts, and fills us with the bread and wine of new life in Christ, giving new purpose to our lives.”
In worship the Holy Spirit flows around and within us – doing its work – so that when we come to church idle and feeling a bit empty or dry or in need of greater faith, God responds out of love for us with God’s work in our lives.
But the Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, also talks about it as a “theatre of worship” where the audience is God. And so the truth about worship is that it’s work that is done by us and by God – all together at once.
It requires something of God, and it requires some sacrifice of ours. So that even when we don’t feel like doing the work, even when we’re not sure if we even believe in the work we do, even when we’re just plain weary, like it says in 2 Thessalonians, we are asked through worship to work together with God – through our prayers and music and hearing scripture and contemplating the word proclaimed and greeting one another and celebrating the sacraments together – we need to do this – it matters.
It is not just a way of filling up our own selves, although it does that, but it has real power to stand against things that tear the world down – power against feelings of disappointment and fear, discouragement and hopelessness, violence and abuse, unbelief and bland living. When we stand together with God and do the work of worship, we are working to create a world that brings life and beauty to people instead of death.
How exciting is that?? How passionate can we be about that????
So that even if we’re a bit confused at the moment about our own faith and a bit down in our levels of hope, we can stand together with one another and gain strength from each other to preach the word with our lives. Are you ready to do this work?
FOCUS READING
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
We’re talking this week about worship and work. And so we read in 2 Thessalonians today about a group of people who seem to have forgotten to do work that matters.
They’re told in no uncertain terms that they’re being idle – they’re not remembering what the people who went before them taught them about doing what is right. Instead, they’re being busybodies – which means they might be doing a lot of things, but certainly they’re not things that bring life to the world or have any greater meaning behind them. These people are not actually doing the work – leitourgia – the work of the people. Instead of contributing to and serving the community, they seem to be sucking from the community what they need, expecting then to be provided for.
And let’s be honest, it seems this is the way many of us address the work of worship, myself often included.
We live consumerist lives. And when people who lead worship – with bands and choirs and microphones – get up on “stage,” we can be lulled into the idea that we come purely to be served and fed. I remember I used to tease my mom for having a preaching mic that looked very much like Britney Spears’ headset. Watching that, we tend to appreciate the work that others do to prepare, but we can comfortably sit as a member of an audience.
Sometimes we understand what’s going on in the performance – sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we care about what we see and hear. Sometimes we don’t. But it may be time for us to re-evaluate who the audience of our worship is.
There’s no doubt that God serves us, as God performs, in worship. The Presbyterian minister, Marjorie Thompson says in her book, Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, that in worship “God fills us with the joy of knowing we are loved, restores our courage through forgiveness, provides the Word for hungry hearts, and fills us with the bread and wine of new life in Christ, giving new purpose to our lives.”
In worship the Holy Spirit flows around and within us – doing its work – so that when we come to church idle and feeling a bit empty or dry or in need of greater faith, God responds out of love for us with God’s work in our lives.
But the Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, also talks about it as a “theatre of worship” where the audience is God. And so the truth about worship is that it’s work that is done by us and by God – all together at once.
It requires something of God, and it requires some sacrifice of ours. So that even when we don’t feel like doing the work, even when we’re not sure if we even believe in the work we do, even when we’re just plain weary, like it says in 2 Thessalonians, we are asked through worship to work together with God – through our prayers and music and hearing scripture and contemplating the word proclaimed and greeting one another and celebrating the sacraments together – we need to do this – it matters.
It is not just a way of filling up our own selves, although it does that, but it has real power to stand against things that tear the world down – power against feelings of disappointment and fear, discouragement and hopelessness, violence and abuse, unbelief and bland living. When we stand together with God and do the work of worship, we are working to create a world that brings life and beauty to people instead of death.
How exciting is that?? How passionate can we be about that????
So that even if we’re a bit confused at the moment about our own faith and a bit down in our levels of hope, we can stand together with one another and gain strength from each other to preach the word with our lives. Are you ready to do this work?
FOCUS READING
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
The work of the people
DAILY BYTE
Now, this week, we’re talking about worship, but we’re also talking about work. We tend to separate the two into our ‘religious time’ and our ‘work time,’ but it turns out that the two concepts – work and worship – can’t be separated. You may have heard the word, liturgy, before. It’s a word that describes the prayers, responses, songs and rituals that we go through in worship services, and it comes from the Greek, leitourgia, which means the work – the public service – of the people.
Now, when we go to worship on a Sunday, we say, we are going to a worship “service.” We say this without thinking too much about what that means – it’s become a standard phrase that just rolls off the tongue – worship service.
But do we ever think about the meaning of going to worship for a “service?” When we do this, we are actually going to perform a service for each other, for God, and for the whole world.
We are not just going through motions – we’re not just showing up to get fed for the rest of the week – but we are doing the world a service in the work that we do through praying, singing, and going through the rituals and sacraments of communion and baptism. We are doing something that matters.
Not just to us in our own little me-focused worlds – but something that matters to the whole of creation. Our work in worship has the power to be a song of protest –a vision of light - in a world and life that is easily consumed by darkness.
A friend of mine told me that every time she goes into a pulpit to preach, she asks herself the question – am I speaking into what matters – is the work that I am about to do going to matter to people?
This is not only a question for preachers! We ask the question – why does what we do matter – because we want our lives to point to something bigger than ourselves.
The reality is that we only get to do a certain amount of work in our 80 to 100 years of life, if we’re really lucky. We only sing so many songs, we only pray so many prayers, and one day, our work here is done.
And in the midst of all of that work and prayer there are a lot of moments when we stop to wonder if even believe in what we’re doing, there are moments when we give up and feel like frauds, there are times when we just go through the motions, feeling dry and purposeless, and there are lots of times when we fail to make any effort at all – just being idle, drowning ourselves in front of the TV, wasting our time away on things that really don’t matter.
So how might God be asking us to reshape the way we see worship? How might we look at work differently, if we thought that it all really mattered to God?
FOCUS READING
Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Now, this week, we’re talking about worship, but we’re also talking about work. We tend to separate the two into our ‘religious time’ and our ‘work time,’ but it turns out that the two concepts – work and worship – can’t be separated. You may have heard the word, liturgy, before. It’s a word that describes the prayers, responses, songs and rituals that we go through in worship services, and it comes from the Greek, leitourgia, which means the work – the public service – of the people.
Now, when we go to worship on a Sunday, we say, we are going to a worship “service.” We say this without thinking too much about what that means – it’s become a standard phrase that just rolls off the tongue – worship service.
But do we ever think about the meaning of going to worship for a “service?” When we do this, we are actually going to perform a service for each other, for God, and for the whole world.
We are not just going through motions – we’re not just showing up to get fed for the rest of the week – but we are doing the world a service in the work that we do through praying, singing, and going through the rituals and sacraments of communion and baptism. We are doing something that matters.
Not just to us in our own little me-focused worlds – but something that matters to the whole of creation. Our work in worship has the power to be a song of protest –a vision of light - in a world and life that is easily consumed by darkness.
A friend of mine told me that every time she goes into a pulpit to preach, she asks herself the question – am I speaking into what matters – is the work that I am about to do going to matter to people?
This is not only a question for preachers! We ask the question – why does what we do matter – because we want our lives to point to something bigger than ourselves.
The reality is that we only get to do a certain amount of work in our 80 to 100 years of life, if we’re really lucky. We only sing so many songs, we only pray so many prayers, and one day, our work here is done.
And in the midst of all of that work and prayer there are a lot of moments when we stop to wonder if even believe in what we’re doing, there are moments when we give up and feel like frauds, there are times when we just go through the motions, feeling dry and purposeless, and there are lots of times when we fail to make any effort at all – just being idle, drowning ourselves in front of the TV, wasting our time away on things that really don’t matter.
So how might God be asking us to reshape the way we see worship? How might we look at work differently, if we thought that it all really mattered to God?
FOCUS READING
Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Monday 15 November 2010
The Work We Do
DAILY BYTE
Have you ever sat at your desk or been on the job trying to complete a task, and all of a sudden you stop in your tracks and wonder what on earth you’re doing? If you’re retired, unemployed, or studying, and you’re going about the daily grind – do you ever suddenly stop, about to put a shoe into the refrigerator or to write down something so that you don’t forget, and you pause, confused, and you think – why am I doing this? What is the point of the work I’m doing?
We sit twiddling our thumbs, or we rush around doing tons of things, but we’re actually just one fish in a big pond of the world’s messiness. What is the purpose of any of this?
I confess, that even as a minister, I sometimes slip into thoughts like these, wondering if I’m just going through the motions – wondering if I really even believe in what I’m doing – wondering if any of it actually matters...
In the midst of a time like that, a friend of mine played me a song by Christian singer/songwriter Sara Groves. It’s a song called, fittingly, “Why it matters.” Sara wrote the song when wondering some of those very questions – wondering how her work making music and being a wife and mother really mattered in a world that seemed so overrun by difficulty.
But she wrote the song after hearing a story about a man who lived in Bosnia during the war, and while the sounds of battle were ringing out all around him, he sat in the middle of it and played and played on his cello.
It’s a story that caused Sara Groves to reflect on her life and write about how her work making music mattered, too – how in the midst of the world’s darkness, her life and her work could be a song of protest – a vessel of light.
She writes that everything in life – from work making music to sharing love with a family – everything down to even a single cup of water matters. It is all part of a bigger picture, even when our life feels very small in comparison to our problems and the world’s problems.
This week, we’re going to explore the expansiveness of that life. We’re going to look at why our work is actually worship. It’s a part of something bigger than ourselves, and it matters. So stay tuned...
FOCUS READING
Genesis 2:15-16 (NRSV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden...
Have you ever sat at your desk or been on the job trying to complete a task, and all of a sudden you stop in your tracks and wonder what on earth you’re doing? If you’re retired, unemployed, or studying, and you’re going about the daily grind – do you ever suddenly stop, about to put a shoe into the refrigerator or to write down something so that you don’t forget, and you pause, confused, and you think – why am I doing this? What is the point of the work I’m doing?
We sit twiddling our thumbs, or we rush around doing tons of things, but we’re actually just one fish in a big pond of the world’s messiness. What is the purpose of any of this?
I confess, that even as a minister, I sometimes slip into thoughts like these, wondering if I’m just going through the motions – wondering if I really even believe in what I’m doing – wondering if any of it actually matters...
In the midst of a time like that, a friend of mine played me a song by Christian singer/songwriter Sara Groves. It’s a song called, fittingly, “Why it matters.” Sara wrote the song when wondering some of those very questions – wondering how her work making music and being a wife and mother really mattered in a world that seemed so overrun by difficulty.
But she wrote the song after hearing a story about a man who lived in Bosnia during the war, and while the sounds of battle were ringing out all around him, he sat in the middle of it and played and played on his cello.
It’s a story that caused Sara Groves to reflect on her life and write about how her work making music mattered, too – how in the midst of the world’s darkness, her life and her work could be a song of protest – a vessel of light.
She writes that everything in life – from work making music to sharing love with a family – everything down to even a single cup of water matters. It is all part of a bigger picture, even when our life feels very small in comparison to our problems and the world’s problems.
This week, we’re going to explore the expansiveness of that life. We’re going to look at why our work is actually worship. It’s a part of something bigger than ourselves, and it matters. So stay tuned...
FOCUS READING
Genesis 2:15-16 (NRSV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden...
Friday 12 November 2010
Inside Out Connection - Part 5
DAILY BYTE
The story is told of some soldiers in the First World War who carried one of their slain comrades to a nearby church in a rural part of France. There they asked the priest if he would bury their friend in the church graveyard. The priest asked if the dead man was a baptized member of the Catholic Church. When the soldiers replied that they didn’t know, the priest said that he was very sorry, but in that case he couldn’t allow the man to be buried in that graveyard. And so with heavy hearts the soldiers dug a grave outside the graveyard, buried their fallen comrade, and went on their way.
Some months later they happened to be in that region, and so decided to visit the grave of their friend. But as they looked for his grave outside of the graveyard fence they could find no trace of it. Confused, they approached the priest. He said, “After you left I was greatly troubled that night by my refusal to bury your friend in our graveyard. So the next morning I got up, and with my own hands moved the graveyard fence to include the grave of your friend.”
There are many fences that religious people knowingly or unknowingly erect that end up excluding others from hearing more about the Christian faith. Some examples would be:
Jesus cared enough. “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.“ (Ephesians 2:17-18). Thank God that he cared enough to come!
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you cared enough to leave your throne in heaven and were willing to risk reaching out to us in love. You came to us to remove the fences that separated us from God. We praise you for this awesome demonstration of your love. Remind us of our calling as your disciples to share in your ongoing work of reaching out to those who are still far from God. Release us from our insecurities, pride and fear that would prevent us from fulfilling this holy responsibility.
FOCUS READING
Ephesians 2 :13-22 - (NIV) - One in Christ
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
The story is told of some soldiers in the First World War who carried one of their slain comrades to a nearby church in a rural part of France. There they asked the priest if he would bury their friend in the church graveyard. The priest asked if the dead man was a baptized member of the Catholic Church. When the soldiers replied that they didn’t know, the priest said that he was very sorry, but in that case he couldn’t allow the man to be buried in that graveyard. And so with heavy hearts the soldiers dug a grave outside the graveyard, buried their fallen comrade, and went on their way.
Some months later they happened to be in that region, and so decided to visit the grave of their friend. But as they looked for his grave outside of the graveyard fence they could find no trace of it. Confused, they approached the priest. He said, “After you left I was greatly troubled that night by my refusal to bury your friend in our graveyard. So the next morning I got up, and with my own hands moved the graveyard fence to include the grave of your friend.”
There are many fences that religious people knowingly or unknowingly erect that end up excluding others from hearing more about the Christian faith. Some examples would be:
- Religious jargon, for e.g.: “Sanctification means being clothed daily in the righteousness of the second Adam, by whose blood the sin of the first Adam has been redeemed.” (To which most people would say, “Huh?”)
- Judgemental, holier-than-thou attitudes.
- Feeling embarrassed, awkward or apologetic about one’s faith.
- The simple unwillingness to reach out to those outside the church
Jesus cared enough. “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.“ (Ephesians 2:17-18). Thank God that he cared enough to come!
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you cared enough to leave your throne in heaven and were willing to risk reaching out to us in love. You came to us to remove the fences that separated us from God. We praise you for this awesome demonstration of your love. Remind us of our calling as your disciples to share in your ongoing work of reaching out to those who are still far from God. Release us from our insecurities, pride and fear that would prevent us from fulfilling this holy responsibility.
FOCUS READING
Ephesians 2 :13-22 - (NIV) - One in Christ
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Inside Out Connection - Part 4
DAILY BYTE
When it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus with others, many people feel intimidated and inadequate. They say things like:
“I won’t know what to say.”
“I’m not experienced enough in my faith.”
“What if I’m asked something about the bible that I don’t know how to answer?”
These concerns may be sincerely felt, but they miss the point. Being a witness to the good news does not require a theological degree or having a carefully crafted sermon at your fingertips. We are not expected to speak about what we do not know, or have all the answers when clearly we don’t, or even to pretend that we are convinced about something when doubts and uncertainties remain. That is not what is required.
In witnessing to the good news we are simply expected to share what we do know - that which has arisen out of our own experience - and invite others to consider it for themselves. That is what the Samaritan woman from Sychar did. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” she said. But notice too her uncertainty and the presence of questions and doubts when she asked with honesty, “Could this be the Christ?”
There’s another wonderful example later in John’s gospel when the Jewish authorities questioned a man who had been born blind, whom Jesus had healed. The authorities were making theological allegations against Jesus, saying that he was a sinner, but this man simply responded by saying, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. But one thing I do know - I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25)
Of course there’s a whole lot of things about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church and our faith that we do not understand. And certainly, as the disciples of Jesus we need to grow in our knowledge and understanding of these things. But that’s a separate issue. All that’s required of us as witnesses to the good news is to share what we know and to invite others to come see for themselves.
Now that’s Good News!
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you Lord that I have a story to share. A story that continues to unfold as I carry on with this journey of faith as your disciple. Lord, I know that my story may not be the most dramatic, but it is my story and it speaks of your love and your goodness to me, and so I thank you for that. Thank you that you want my story to be shared as a witness to others. Give me the courage to begin looking for opportunities to do so. And above all keep me humble and truthful in the witness that I offer. Amen.
FOCUS READING
John 4:39-42 – NIV
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
When it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus with others, many people feel intimidated and inadequate. They say things like:
“I won’t know what to say.”
“I’m not experienced enough in my faith.”
“What if I’m asked something about the bible that I don’t know how to answer?”
These concerns may be sincerely felt, but they miss the point. Being a witness to the good news does not require a theological degree or having a carefully crafted sermon at your fingertips. We are not expected to speak about what we do not know, or have all the answers when clearly we don’t, or even to pretend that we are convinced about something when doubts and uncertainties remain. That is not what is required.
In witnessing to the good news we are simply expected to share what we do know - that which has arisen out of our own experience - and invite others to consider it for themselves. That is what the Samaritan woman from Sychar did. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” she said. But notice too her uncertainty and the presence of questions and doubts when she asked with honesty, “Could this be the Christ?”
There’s another wonderful example later in John’s gospel when the Jewish authorities questioned a man who had been born blind, whom Jesus had healed. The authorities were making theological allegations against Jesus, saying that he was a sinner, but this man simply responded by saying, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. But one thing I do know - I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25)
Of course there’s a whole lot of things about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church and our faith that we do not understand. And certainly, as the disciples of Jesus we need to grow in our knowledge and understanding of these things. But that’s a separate issue. All that’s required of us as witnesses to the good news is to share what we know and to invite others to come see for themselves.
Now that’s Good News!
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you Lord that I have a story to share. A story that continues to unfold as I carry on with this journey of faith as your disciple. Lord, I know that my story may not be the most dramatic, but it is my story and it speaks of your love and your goodness to me, and so I thank you for that. Thank you that you want my story to be shared as a witness to others. Give me the courage to begin looking for opportunities to do so. And above all keep me humble and truthful in the witness that I offer. Amen.
FOCUS READING
John 4:39-42 – NIV
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Inside Out Connection - Part 3
DAILY BYTE
‘Evangelism’ has been described as a word with a good heart but a dirty reputation. Certainly, in many church and social circles, ‘evangelism’ has virtually become a swear word. And sadly, there’s good reason for this. For there have been far too many stories of things being done in the name of ‘evangelism’ that have in fact violated the good news of the gospel and the principles of God’s kingdom - things that don’t look like anything that Jesus would be caught doing. Just think of the caricature of the overly zealous college student, with a bible held high in his hand, running after someone who is desperately trying to get away, shouting at them that they need to be saved. Or the painful office worker who tries to turn every conversation to religion, and then insists that her experience of faith is the only one which is valid.
Stories like these, and there are dozens more, have quite frankly given evangelism a bad name, and have caused many Christians to distance themselves from any form of evangelism whatsoever. Talk about throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
The sad irony is that the word ‘evangelism’ literally means ‘sharing good news’. So what is so scary or offensive about that? And the answer surely is, ’Nothing much.’ But the problem arises when those sharing the good news forget what makes it good in the first place. And when that happens, what they say starts sounding more and more like bad news in the ears of their listeners.
So what makes the good news good? Well, the good news of God’s saving work in Christ and the new life that is available in him is good because:
When the good news is shared in ways that are consistent with these things, it is good news indeed. In fact, it’s nothing less than evangelism as God intended.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Forgive me Lord for the times when I have shied away from sharing the good news about you with others who really needed to hear it. Forgive my hesitancy and reluctance to be a bold witness, for fear of being labeled a religious nut-case. Remind me that there is nothing judgemental, coercive, manipulative or deceptive about authentic evangelism, and so it is an aspect of the gospel that I can embrace without compromising the values of dignity, tolerance and acceptance. Help me to grow in this area of my faith. Amen.
FOCUS READING
1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
‘Evangelism’ has been described as a word with a good heart but a dirty reputation. Certainly, in many church and social circles, ‘evangelism’ has virtually become a swear word. And sadly, there’s good reason for this. For there have been far too many stories of things being done in the name of ‘evangelism’ that have in fact violated the good news of the gospel and the principles of God’s kingdom - things that don’t look like anything that Jesus would be caught doing. Just think of the caricature of the overly zealous college student, with a bible held high in his hand, running after someone who is desperately trying to get away, shouting at them that they need to be saved. Or the painful office worker who tries to turn every conversation to religion, and then insists that her experience of faith is the only one which is valid.
Stories like these, and there are dozens more, have quite frankly given evangelism a bad name, and have caused many Christians to distance themselves from any form of evangelism whatsoever. Talk about throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
The sad irony is that the word ‘evangelism’ literally means ‘sharing good news’. So what is so scary or offensive about that? And the answer surely is, ’Nothing much.’ But the problem arises when those sharing the good news forget what makes it good in the first place. And when that happens, what they say starts sounding more and more like bad news in the ears of their listeners.
So what makes the good news good? Well, the good news of God’s saving work in Christ and the new life that is available in him is good because:
- It speaks of God’s unconditional love for all people.
- It celebrates the intrinsic value and worth of all people in the eyes of God, who has created us all in his own image, which even our sin cannot undo.
- It reveals the nature of God’s mercy and grace - i.e. giving us the good things we don’t deserve (grace), and not giving us the bad things we do deserve (mercy).
- It affirms our freedom to choose, and refuses to coerce us in any way.
- It addresses our plight as people; it touches our places of deepest and most desperate need, and promises real transformation for our lives.
- It is based on hope & love, not shame & fear.
- It reminds us that God is much, much bigger than what our human minds can comprehend or contain.
When the good news is shared in ways that are consistent with these things, it is good news indeed. In fact, it’s nothing less than evangelism as God intended.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Forgive me Lord for the times when I have shied away from sharing the good news about you with others who really needed to hear it. Forgive my hesitancy and reluctance to be a bold witness, for fear of being labeled a religious nut-case. Remind me that there is nothing judgemental, coercive, manipulative or deceptive about authentic evangelism, and so it is an aspect of the gospel that I can embrace without compromising the values of dignity, tolerance and acceptance. Help me to grow in this area of my faith. Amen.
FOCUS READING
1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
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