Luke 10:38-42 from the lectionary for July 21st
It was not because she was a woman.
The rich young man "lack(ed) one thing."
We lose sight of what is important, often. All of us do it. We fail just to BE.
We get all caught up in the activities of the day and forget to just BE with God, to just learn from Jesus, to just experience the love of God and give our love to God.
We are human doings. No. We are human beings.
We are to be in relationship with God. Sometimes that means not DOING at all, but just BEING.
We need to take the time to BE with God in prayer, worship, the word and meditation.
It helps us with the DOING of Agape Love in the world. It prepares us, inspires us and moves us.
Lots of folk in the church are about the doing.
Followers of Jesus are about the being. We ARE Agape Love in time, as what we do is an expression of it, but also is our very BEING.
Sometimes, the better part is just being.
There is a time to do and a time to be. We need both.
To quote the apostle Sinatra - "do be do be do"
OK, sorry.
We need only one thing - to listen to Jesus. It is the better part of everything.
Then we can DO as Jesus commanded - live Agape Love - active commitment on behalf of other.
Just for the record, I am a strong critic of those who worship, praise and tithe and think that is an end to their requirement for their only real concern - their personal salvation.
I believe that Jesus commands those who would follow Him to live Agape Love in the world, actively committed to committed action on behalf of even the stranger, enemy and most vulnerable in the world. (see last week's blog)
We are commanded to DO.
But first we must sit at Jesus' feet and BE his followers, especially to learn what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us.
Then, at times we must just BE with Jesus and one another in the body to lift up ourselves and each other, and BE lifted up by God.
BE DO BE DO BE DO...
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
at the center of it all
Luke 10:25-37.
It is as old as Leviticus (19:18) and Deuteronomy (6:4-5). God intends for it all to be based on love.
If we will love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, we will love our neighbor as ourselves.
It is simple to understand.
It is AGAPE love, here.
Agape is not a feeling. It is committed action.
Agape is not about the recipient, but about the giver giving. The focus is not on the object of the action, but the one giving it.
Agape is therefore committed action on behalf of the other.
But Jesus took it further. Jesus always took it further.
When the lawyer wanted to justify hating someone, he asked, "Who is my neighbor?"
And Jesus taught him who neighbor is with the story of the Good Samaritan.
The neighbor is not necessarily a person of one's own faith.
The neighbor is not necessarily one who is accomplished in society.
The neighbor may well be a stranger, even enemy who lives Agape Love.
The neighbor is also the vulnerable one who needed the neighbor. The stranger made him a neighbor.
The sharing of Agape Love makes us neighbors.
The mutual sharing of Agape Love makes community flourish and thrive.
We are meant to be neighbors in the Kingdom of God.
Agape is therefore COMMITTED ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER,
EVEN STRANGER OR ENEMY, AND ESPECIALLY THE
MOST VULNERABLE.
Jesus' teaching in the parable is followed by an IMPERATIVE... A COMMAND -
"Go and DO likewise."
Agape Love is COMMITTED ACTION on behalf of the other.
This is at the center of it all. This, according to the Gospel writers of Jesus' words, is that upon which rests all the law and prophets.
Neighbors love neighbors as themselves, if they follow Jesus.
It is a part of loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.
It is the command of Jesus for those who would follow Him.
It is not about good feelings toward someone or the worthiness of the other to receive our commitment toward their well-being. It is about the character of the person who lives that love. It is action out of their commitment to God and the other, even stranger or enemy and especially the most vulnerable among us.
Agape Love is required for followers of Jesus. Active Commitment/Committed Action on behalf of the other is our standard for how we follow Jesus.
It's easy to understand. It's just hard to live.
And then Jesus made it harder, according to the writer of John's Gospel, in further defining what that means by saying, "Love one another as I have loved you."
So, there is no excuse for not actively committing to the well-being of others around us.
There is every reason to heed Jesus' command, for the sake of the whole world.
Agape Love is at the center of it all.
As Jesus taught and commanded, and as Jesus did, YOU - GO AND DO LIKEWISE.
Pastor Jamie
It is as old as Leviticus (19:18) and Deuteronomy (6:4-5). God intends for it all to be based on love.
If we will love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, we will love our neighbor as ourselves.
It is simple to understand.
It is AGAPE love, here.
Agape is not a feeling. It is committed action.
Agape is not about the recipient, but about the giver giving. The focus is not on the object of the action, but the one giving it.
Agape is therefore committed action on behalf of the other.
But Jesus took it further. Jesus always took it further.
When the lawyer wanted to justify hating someone, he asked, "Who is my neighbor?"
And Jesus taught him who neighbor is with the story of the Good Samaritan.
The neighbor is not necessarily a person of one's own faith.
The neighbor is not necessarily one who is accomplished in society.
The neighbor may well be a stranger, even enemy who lives Agape Love.
The neighbor is also the vulnerable one who needed the neighbor. The stranger made him a neighbor.
The sharing of Agape Love makes us neighbors.
The mutual sharing of Agape Love makes community flourish and thrive.
We are meant to be neighbors in the Kingdom of God.
Agape is therefore COMMITTED ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER,
EVEN STRANGER OR ENEMY, AND ESPECIALLY THE
MOST VULNERABLE.
Jesus' teaching in the parable is followed by an IMPERATIVE... A COMMAND -
"Go and DO likewise."
Agape Love is COMMITTED ACTION on behalf of the other.
This is at the center of it all. This, according to the Gospel writers of Jesus' words, is that upon which rests all the law and prophets.
Neighbors love neighbors as themselves, if they follow Jesus.
It is a part of loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.
It is the command of Jesus for those who would follow Him.
It is not about good feelings toward someone or the worthiness of the other to receive our commitment toward their well-being. It is about the character of the person who lives that love. It is action out of their commitment to God and the other, even stranger or enemy and especially the most vulnerable among us.
Agape Love is required for followers of Jesus. Active Commitment/Committed Action on behalf of the other is our standard for how we follow Jesus.
It's easy to understand. It's just hard to live.
And then Jesus made it harder, according to the writer of John's Gospel, in further defining what that means by saying, "Love one another as I have loved you."
So, there is no excuse for not actively committing to the well-being of others around us.
There is every reason to heed Jesus' command, for the sake of the whole world.
Agape Love is at the center of it all.
As Jesus taught and commanded, and as Jesus did, YOU - GO AND DO LIKEWISE.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 30, 2019
internship
This text always reminds me of our Seminary internship (mine in 1985), when we were sent out from the cloistered Seminary community to churches to directly work with pastors and learn what pastoral service is about, first-hand.
Jesus sent them out to serve. (Luke 10:1-12; 16-20)
They were to take nothing with them, but rather to rely on the kindness of others to host them, and offer what they had in order to make the lives of those among whom they lived more complete and whole. They were to offer Shalom and in return receive lodging and sustenance. They were not to get rich from their position. The laborer deserves the pleasure of service and enough on which to live. They were not to set themselves up with positions of power or status. It was about service to other humans out of love for God and neighbor, as participation in the Kingdom of God.
And those who rejected them were not to be a waste of their time. They were to wipe the dust of them off their feet and move on to those who would respond to Kingdom values. The Kingdom had come near and they rejected it. In fact, Jesus tells them that the fate of those who reject His Good News of the Kingdom will be worse than those who sinned by their lack of hospitality in Sodom, pointing to what a horrible sin the shameful treatment of others is in the Kingdom - the true sin of Sodom.
The seventy represented Jesus and they were to do what Jesus would do for those who God loves. They were to serve as Jesus serves. They were to make people's lives more complete and whole as Jesus would. The rejection by some was not a reflection on them, but rather a reflection of the failure of some to embrace Jesus' Way of Grace and Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, because they embraced empire values instead. There will always be those. It is a rejection of God for their "religion" of self. It is a rejection of the Gospel for their "religion" of devotion to wealth, power and status. It is a rejection of God's better way in Jesus' Agape Love and Grace for an oppressive, destructive and divisive system that rewards the ruthless at the expense of everyone else. The seventy were to move on, tell people that time's up and continue to spread a word of Hope and New Life out of Jesus' Good News.
And they were cautioned when they celebrated the great life changes they helped affect in the face of evil, not to get caught up in THEIR POWER or THEIR GLORY in having been a part of God's work through them, but rather to celebrate that they are with God, faithful servants and God, who had been used by God to spread Good News to those who need it in this part of God's Kingdom. They are participating with God, aligned with God's Will and Mission for them. They are in loving and faithful relationship with God because they follow Jesus in how they treat other human beings in this part of God's Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is not built on servants getting wealth, power or status.
The Kingdom of God is built on the sharing of Agape Love and Grace, and transforming lives in hope.
The power and glory are for God. The joy of sharing Agape and Grace, the witness of transformation of lives and the building of loving community in peace because all have Shalom is the wondrous life in the Kingdom - that represents a WEALTH of well-being for all, equally. To be a part of how that replaces evil systems that hold the many down, back and out is a privilege. To be used by God in the work of bringing in the Kingdom here and now, is a joy. The results are overwhelmingly joyous.
We will be rejected when we live Kingdom values and follow Jesus by denying self and picking up the Cross. We will be rejected when we dare to suggest that God's Kingdom values that assure that all have enough and live in Shalom are better than a system based on empire values that insists that the 1% have an abundance while everyone else struggles to survive. We will be rejected when we follow Jesus, by those who want to give lip service to Jesus while pursuing what they can through their embrace of empire values. We will be rejected by those who want the power and glory for themselves, along with the wealth they can gain through their oppression, manipulation and exploitation of others. We will be rejected, just as Jesus was rejected.
But we will be with God.
We will not lose Jesus.
And we will be a part of the great transformation of lives that God has designed for all people, according to Kingdom values based on Agape Love and Grace. We will be faithful to God because we will be in alignment with God's Will as we have learned through the teachings, commands and examples of Jesus.
We can rejoice that our names are written in heaven. That is not about pie in the sky when we die, but rather celebrated here and now, because we walk with God as we follow Jesus in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. It is a present reality to be celebrated.
So, how is YOUR internship going?
Pastor Jamie
Jesus sent them out to serve. (Luke 10:1-12; 16-20)
They were to take nothing with them, but rather to rely on the kindness of others to host them, and offer what they had in order to make the lives of those among whom they lived more complete and whole. They were to offer Shalom and in return receive lodging and sustenance. They were not to get rich from their position. The laborer deserves the pleasure of service and enough on which to live. They were not to set themselves up with positions of power or status. It was about service to other humans out of love for God and neighbor, as participation in the Kingdom of God.
And those who rejected them were not to be a waste of their time. They were to wipe the dust of them off their feet and move on to those who would respond to Kingdom values. The Kingdom had come near and they rejected it. In fact, Jesus tells them that the fate of those who reject His Good News of the Kingdom will be worse than those who sinned by their lack of hospitality in Sodom, pointing to what a horrible sin the shameful treatment of others is in the Kingdom - the true sin of Sodom.
The seventy represented Jesus and they were to do what Jesus would do for those who God loves. They were to serve as Jesus serves. They were to make people's lives more complete and whole as Jesus would. The rejection by some was not a reflection on them, but rather a reflection of the failure of some to embrace Jesus' Way of Grace and Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, because they embraced empire values instead. There will always be those. It is a rejection of God for their "religion" of self. It is a rejection of the Gospel for their "religion" of devotion to wealth, power and status. It is a rejection of God's better way in Jesus' Agape Love and Grace for an oppressive, destructive and divisive system that rewards the ruthless at the expense of everyone else. The seventy were to move on, tell people that time's up and continue to spread a word of Hope and New Life out of Jesus' Good News.
And they were cautioned when they celebrated the great life changes they helped affect in the face of evil, not to get caught up in THEIR POWER or THEIR GLORY in having been a part of God's work through them, but rather to celebrate that they are with God, faithful servants and God, who had been used by God to spread Good News to those who need it in this part of God's Kingdom. They are participating with God, aligned with God's Will and Mission for them. They are in loving and faithful relationship with God because they follow Jesus in how they treat other human beings in this part of God's Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is not built on servants getting wealth, power or status.
The Kingdom of God is built on the sharing of Agape Love and Grace, and transforming lives in hope.
The power and glory are for God. The joy of sharing Agape and Grace, the witness of transformation of lives and the building of loving community in peace because all have Shalom is the wondrous life in the Kingdom - that represents a WEALTH of well-being for all, equally. To be a part of how that replaces evil systems that hold the many down, back and out is a privilege. To be used by God in the work of bringing in the Kingdom here and now, is a joy. The results are overwhelmingly joyous.
We will be rejected when we live Kingdom values and follow Jesus by denying self and picking up the Cross. We will be rejected when we dare to suggest that God's Kingdom values that assure that all have enough and live in Shalom are better than a system based on empire values that insists that the 1% have an abundance while everyone else struggles to survive. We will be rejected when we follow Jesus, by those who want to give lip service to Jesus while pursuing what they can through their embrace of empire values. We will be rejected by those who want the power and glory for themselves, along with the wealth they can gain through their oppression, manipulation and exploitation of others. We will be rejected, just as Jesus was rejected.
But we will be with God.
We will not lose Jesus.
And we will be a part of the great transformation of lives that God has designed for all people, according to Kingdom values based on Agape Love and Grace. We will be faithful to God because we will be in alignment with God's Will as we have learned through the teachings, commands and examples of Jesus.
We can rejoice that our names are written in heaven. That is not about pie in the sky when we die, but rather celebrated here and now, because we walk with God as we follow Jesus in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. It is a present reality to be celebrated.
So, how is YOUR internship going?
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Intolerance will not be tolerated
The Samaritans were rivals at LEAST, enemies to Israelites in all reality. Their history was one of rejection, intolerance, marginalization and hatred. Who started it does not matter. They lived in the same land and could not tolerate each other. The Israelites, of course, believe themselves superior and the only acknowledged of God. So, when Jesus was snubbed by the Samaritans because He was going to his favored ones in Jerusalem, it was understood as perfectly reasonable and practical by James and John that Jesus would have them wipe out the scoundrels.
JESUS REBUKED THEM. Did you get that? They were clearly within their rights as the "chosen of God" to bring wrath on these people who did not believe as they did, worship as they did or culturally behave as they did. But Jesus said, "NO!"
That was the old way. That was the "eye for an eye" way that threatened the blindness of all.
That was the parochial, intolerant, exclusive, hateful, falsely superior way.
That was the "God loves us better" way.
It was the wrong way.
Those who offered to follow Jesus then, and those who believe they follow Jesus now need to acknowledge the commitment that it takes to do so. They will sacrifice their comfort, their belongings and identity by way of "denying themselves, taking up the Cross and following." They will give up the old priorities of taking care of their own for the sake of the mission to restore Shalom
to others in Agape Love. They will leave behind the things and people of the past who tie them to their past of wrong thinking, believing and acting under empire values, in order that they may follow Jesus' Kingdom values in life.
This is a new thing. It is a New Covenant Thing. It is a Grace thing. It is an Agape Love thing.
It is a difficult thing to live. I know, I fail at it practically everyday.
It takes full commitment.... to Jesus... to The Good News of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us.
So, Jesus rebukes Zionists who would want to wipe out Palestinians or treat them shamefully,
just as Jesus would condemn radical Islamists who would deny the right of Israel to live, just as Jesus would rebuke anyone who hates LGBTQ folk, or those of other ethnicities or races, those of other genders or faiths or the poor, or denies equal rights or opportunities on ANY basis to ANY peoples.
Our only "righteousness" is in Christ Jesus, and that only because of Grace and God's love.
Our only true faithfulness to God is in the living of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in Agape Love and Grace with one another.
Period.
Jesus takes sides. Jesus sides AGAINST Intolerance, by whomever, for whatever "reason."
You want to follow Jesus? Ya gotta leave that sh#t behind.
Pastor Jamie
JESUS REBUKED THEM. Did you get that? They were clearly within their rights as the "chosen of God" to bring wrath on these people who did not believe as they did, worship as they did or culturally behave as they did. But Jesus said, "NO!"
That was the old way. That was the "eye for an eye" way that threatened the blindness of all.
That was the parochial, intolerant, exclusive, hateful, falsely superior way.
That was the "God loves us better" way.
It was the wrong way.
Those who offered to follow Jesus then, and those who believe they follow Jesus now need to acknowledge the commitment that it takes to do so. They will sacrifice their comfort, their belongings and identity by way of "denying themselves, taking up the Cross and following." They will give up the old priorities of taking care of their own for the sake of the mission to restore Shalom
to others in Agape Love. They will leave behind the things and people of the past who tie them to their past of wrong thinking, believing and acting under empire values, in order that they may follow Jesus' Kingdom values in life.
This is a new thing. It is a New Covenant Thing. It is a Grace thing. It is an Agape Love thing.
It is a difficult thing to live. I know, I fail at it practically everyday.
It takes full commitment.... to Jesus... to The Good News of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us.
So, Jesus rebukes Zionists who would want to wipe out Palestinians or treat them shamefully,
just as Jesus would condemn radical Islamists who would deny the right of Israel to live, just as Jesus would rebuke anyone who hates LGBTQ folk, or those of other ethnicities or races, those of other genders or faiths or the poor, or denies equal rights or opportunities on ANY basis to ANY peoples.
Our only "righteousness" is in Christ Jesus, and that only because of Grace and God's love.
Our only true faithfulness to God is in the living of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in Agape Love and Grace with one another.
Period.
Jesus takes sides. Jesus sides AGAINST Intolerance, by whomever, for whatever "reason."
You want to follow Jesus? Ya gotta leave that sh#t behind.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 16, 2019
the cost of liberation and restoration
I always believe when reading about the Gerasene Demoniac (Luke 8:26-39) and his liberation by Jesus and his restoration to living in community, that it was fear of the LOSS OF PROFIT that inspired the people of the area to ask Jesus to leave. If Jesus were to stay and meddle in other lives, it might cost them even more than just the herd of swine that was destroyed. The liberation of this man and restoration of his life cost those who marginalized the man, and it was not pleasing to them.
I believe that Paul and Silas followed Jesus' lead in Acts 16:16-24, according to the author, as we find direct evidence throughout the book of Acts. They, too were annoyed by the precocious spirit in the girl and cast the spirit out. Because her "owners" would now lose money, Paul and Silas were thrown into jail. It was a wonderful act of advocacy, even though done out of annoyance, and the girl was liberated from the spirit and them, and set free to have her life restored, presumably. Her liberation and the restoration of her life cost those who exploited her, and it was not pleasing to them.
Following Jesus does bring a cost.
It costs the disciples who practice following Jesus and working in advocacy of others to liberate them from the evils of empire and restore them to a sane, healthy life.
It costs those who embrace empire values and personally gain from their oppression and exploitation.
It is still the right way to live and the only real way to follow Jesus.
Agape Love demands it. Jesus commanded the living of Agape Love.
If we are not working toward the liberation of people from the evils of empire out of Agape (committed action on behalf of the other), we are not following Jesus.
If we are not working to restore the lives of others around us to Shalom (completeness, wholeness, well-being), we are not following Jesus.
Empire tears down the many lives for the sake of the few.
It destroys the hopes of the many for the opulent wealth of the few.
It tramples the abilities of the many by the abuses of power of the few.
It de-humanizes and devalues the many for the status of the few.
Jesus' Good News lifts up the lives of all, equally.
Jesus' Good News restores the hope of all.
Jesus' Good News gathers people to share power for the sake of all.
Jesus' Good News values all, equally and calls for humility in our lives together.
And in the book of ACTS, we find examples of people following Jesus' examples and heeding Jesus' teachings to do the same - and the world was changed by Jesus' Agape then:
Radical Community Acts 2:42-47
Radical Ownership 4:32-37
Radical Availability 5:12-16 (restoring completeness, wholeness)
Radical Partnership 6:1-8 (shared power)
Radical Inclusion 8:26-40 (different cultural, sexual identity) and 10:9-16 (differing practices)
Radical Sharing and Generosity 11:27-29 (with strangers)
Radical Advocacy 16:16-24 and 27
All of these accounts are direct applications of the teachings and actions of Jesus in the Gospels, and represent what happens when people do not just claim Jesus as Savior, but follow Jesus as Lord of their lives. They changed the world by changing the lives of many, many people - first, having been changed by the teachings, commands and examples of Jesus as God's better way for us in the world.
And in order for this to happen, a price must be paid.
Those who advocate the following of Jesus actively in the world will be labeled "socialists" and "do-gooders", "anti-American" and "radical."
People will shame, threaten, discriminate and hurt those who follow Jesus, because that is the denying of self and picking up the Cross of which Jesus spoke.
And WHEN God's Kingdom values are adopted in the world, those who gained personally off the oppression, exploitation and destruction of others will find that they do not have the excesses of wealth, power and status that they once enjoyed at the expense of the rest of the world - the liberation of others who are oppressed under empire and the restoration of their lives to Shalom will cost them.
But all will have ENOUGH and will have their SHALOM restored.
It is time for the world to be changed by the people who claim Jesus, actually following Jesus, now.
What do we have to lose? Injustice, unrest, conflict, illness, starvation, inequities, inequality, death.
What do we have to gain? Life, life more abundant for all, justice, Shalom.
Thy Kingdom Come, O Lord, regardless of the Cost of the few and because of what will be gained by the MANY of your children. Amen
Pastor Jamie
I believe that Paul and Silas followed Jesus' lead in Acts 16:16-24, according to the author, as we find direct evidence throughout the book of Acts. They, too were annoyed by the precocious spirit in the girl and cast the spirit out. Because her "owners" would now lose money, Paul and Silas were thrown into jail. It was a wonderful act of advocacy, even though done out of annoyance, and the girl was liberated from the spirit and them, and set free to have her life restored, presumably. Her liberation and the restoration of her life cost those who exploited her, and it was not pleasing to them.
Following Jesus does bring a cost.
It costs the disciples who practice following Jesus and working in advocacy of others to liberate them from the evils of empire and restore them to a sane, healthy life.
It costs those who embrace empire values and personally gain from their oppression and exploitation.
It is still the right way to live and the only real way to follow Jesus.
Agape Love demands it. Jesus commanded the living of Agape Love.
If we are not working toward the liberation of people from the evils of empire out of Agape (committed action on behalf of the other), we are not following Jesus.
If we are not working to restore the lives of others around us to Shalom (completeness, wholeness, well-being), we are not following Jesus.
Empire tears down the many lives for the sake of the few.
It destroys the hopes of the many for the opulent wealth of the few.
It tramples the abilities of the many by the abuses of power of the few.
It de-humanizes and devalues the many for the status of the few.
Jesus' Good News lifts up the lives of all, equally.
Jesus' Good News restores the hope of all.
Jesus' Good News gathers people to share power for the sake of all.
Jesus' Good News values all, equally and calls for humility in our lives together.
And in the book of ACTS, we find examples of people following Jesus' examples and heeding Jesus' teachings to do the same - and the world was changed by Jesus' Agape then:
Radical Community Acts 2:42-47
Radical Ownership 4:32-37
Radical Availability 5:12-16 (restoring completeness, wholeness)
Radical Partnership 6:1-8 (shared power)
Radical Inclusion 8:26-40 (different cultural, sexual identity) and 10:9-16 (differing practices)
Radical Sharing and Generosity 11:27-29 (with strangers)
Radical Advocacy 16:16-24 and 27
All of these accounts are direct applications of the teachings and actions of Jesus in the Gospels, and represent what happens when people do not just claim Jesus as Savior, but follow Jesus as Lord of their lives. They changed the world by changing the lives of many, many people - first, having been changed by the teachings, commands and examples of Jesus as God's better way for us in the world.
And in order for this to happen, a price must be paid.
Those who advocate the following of Jesus actively in the world will be labeled "socialists" and "do-gooders", "anti-American" and "radical."
People will shame, threaten, discriminate and hurt those who follow Jesus, because that is the denying of self and picking up the Cross of which Jesus spoke.
And WHEN God's Kingdom values are adopted in the world, those who gained personally off the oppression, exploitation and destruction of others will find that they do not have the excesses of wealth, power and status that they once enjoyed at the expense of the rest of the world - the liberation of others who are oppressed under empire and the restoration of their lives to Shalom will cost them.
But all will have ENOUGH and will have their SHALOM restored.
It is time for the world to be changed by the people who claim Jesus, actually following Jesus, now.
What do we have to lose? Injustice, unrest, conflict, illness, starvation, inequities, inequality, death.
What do we have to gain? Life, life more abundant for all, justice, Shalom.
Thy Kingdom Come, O Lord, regardless of the Cost of the few and because of what will be gained by the MANY of your children. Amen
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Inseparable
God is One.
Word was from the beginning, then made flesh.
Spirit moved over the abyss.
God created.
We will no doubt hear and/or see illustrations of H2O in liquid, gaseous and solid form.
We will no doubt hear and/or see examples of how the same person can be a daughter, sister and aunt.
We will no doubt be given the example of egg with shell, white portion and yoke.
These are helpful for children, I think, or can be.
But for me, the wrestling with God is the thing, and I cannot win because God cheats. Ask Jacob.
It is the ultimate tag-team match with God ganging up on me.
When I have some argument with the Creator and Old Covenant God over the propensity of followers
to justify horrible acts by focus on God as being "wrathful", "jealous" and "unfair," I have to
wrestle with Jesus and the tremendous Grace that Jesus sacrificed Himself to give freely.
When I beef with Jesus over inactivity in the world, even though I detest the claims of supernatural
intervention that some make in order to dupe God's children, I cannot ignore the Holy Spirit
whose sole purpose is to drive us to Jesus' Good News of a better way than empire, and Jesus'
command to actively commit to one another's well-being.
And when I am impatient with the Spirit's progress, I am struck by the perseverance of a God who
has worked to bring us to faithfulness to God and one another since the beginning.
I have no argument. God is God.
Oh, make no mistake, I will still wrestle and have my pride put out of joint, often.
God always wins, because God cheats. God is God and still wrestles with humans.
It is MY nature that is the problem, not God's.
So, there is a whole divine community, refusing to fall into emotional or ego-driven triangulation, present and powerful and loving of us. A whole divine council in one, loving us unconditionally, providing us with a better way and driving us to it. A tribunal of judge, defense and counselor working to bring us back from the brink of isolation, insanity and therefore a lack of well-being.
In my pugilistic moments, of which I have many, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In my moments of need (sometimes the same ones), they are the same on MY behalf.
The point is this - we are inseparably linked - God and humanity.
Walk, hand in hand, dance or wrestle with God, we are joined and always will be.
Even as God is one, it is God's desire that we be one with God and with one another.
It is not just a Tri-unity. It is UNITY of being that is God's desire.
The Trinity is just our example, another teaching, a model of how it is to be with all of us, together.
Thanks be to God - all of you!
Pastor Jamie
By the way-
I have always enjoyed the portrayal of Jesus in JOSHUA, by Joseph F. Girzone,
and of the Trinity in THE SHACK, by William P. Young. I still wrestle with them - with God.
Word was from the beginning, then made flesh.
Spirit moved over the abyss.
God created.
We will no doubt hear and/or see illustrations of H2O in liquid, gaseous and solid form.
We will no doubt hear and/or see examples of how the same person can be a daughter, sister and aunt.
We will no doubt be given the example of egg with shell, white portion and yoke.
These are helpful for children, I think, or can be.
But for me, the wrestling with God is the thing, and I cannot win because God cheats. Ask Jacob.
It is the ultimate tag-team match with God ganging up on me.
When I have some argument with the Creator and Old Covenant God over the propensity of followers
to justify horrible acts by focus on God as being "wrathful", "jealous" and "unfair," I have to
wrestle with Jesus and the tremendous Grace that Jesus sacrificed Himself to give freely.
When I beef with Jesus over inactivity in the world, even though I detest the claims of supernatural
intervention that some make in order to dupe God's children, I cannot ignore the Holy Spirit
whose sole purpose is to drive us to Jesus' Good News of a better way than empire, and Jesus'
command to actively commit to one another's well-being.
And when I am impatient with the Spirit's progress, I am struck by the perseverance of a God who
has worked to bring us to faithfulness to God and one another since the beginning.
I have no argument. God is God.
Oh, make no mistake, I will still wrestle and have my pride put out of joint, often.
God always wins, because God cheats. God is God and still wrestles with humans.
It is MY nature that is the problem, not God's.
So, there is a whole divine community, refusing to fall into emotional or ego-driven triangulation, present and powerful and loving of us. A whole divine council in one, loving us unconditionally, providing us with a better way and driving us to it. A tribunal of judge, defense and counselor working to bring us back from the brink of isolation, insanity and therefore a lack of well-being.
In my pugilistic moments, of which I have many, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In my moments of need (sometimes the same ones), they are the same on MY behalf.
The point is this - we are inseparably linked - God and humanity.
Walk, hand in hand, dance or wrestle with God, we are joined and always will be.
Even as God is one, it is God's desire that we be one with God and with one another.
It is not just a Tri-unity. It is UNITY of being that is God's desire.
The Trinity is just our example, another teaching, a model of how it is to be with all of us, together.
Thanks be to God - all of you!
Pastor Jamie
By the way-
I have always enjoyed the portrayal of Jesus in JOSHUA, by Joseph F. Girzone,
and of the Trinity in THE SHACK, by William P. Young. I still wrestle with them - with God.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
catching up... that we may be one... if you love Jesus, then... come, Holy Spirit
I missed last week because I was on a much needed break.
Thank you to those who noticed and who read this blog.
For June 2 John 17:20-26
It is unity that God wants - with us and us with one another.
Jesus' work was toward unity with God and one another.
The whole point of Agape Love is that it draws us together in compassion and empathy,
demands that we get past just concern for self and open up to the other, be receptive to the other,
join with the other, find solidarity with the other - both our sisters and brothers and God.
That is Jesus' command in Agape Love - that we strive to be one with God and/by being one with
each other.
So, what are we doing in active commitment for the other(s) (Agape Love) to promote UNITY with
one another and UNITY with God and one another?
And the Holy Spirit? (June 9) John 14:8-27
The Holy Spirit leads, guides, drives us to Jesus and Jesus' Way.
If we love God. If we love Jesus. If we love the Spirit, we will keep Jesus' commandment to live
this Agape Love with God and neighbor, who Jesus defines as stranger, enemy and the most
vulnerable among us. (Luke 10:25-37)
Beyond any consideration of purity or holiness, personal salvation, praise, worship or tithing,
clearly what Jesus wants is that we keep His commandments around the living of Agape Love
with God and neighbor.
So, are you being led by the Holy Spirit of God to follow Jesus' Way of being children of God in
this part of God's Kingdom, here and now?
Are you open to the teaching and reminding of the Holy Spirit regarding what Jesus said to you?
Are you receptive to being led, guided and driven to learn what Jesus taught, heed what Jesus
commanded and follow what Jesus modeled for you as what God wants of you in your life?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the guidance given by the Spirit toward the edification of God
and neighbor, or do you just seek the gifts of the Spirit for your own glory and praise among
folk who glorify in their own edification?
Do you heed the call of the Gospel of Jesus as nudged, driven, admonished, exhorted to do by the
Spirit or just confess belief in the Spirit and ignore the "still small voice" and pronounced
messages given by the Spirit?
Do you love Jesus? So you are living what Jesus commanded in Agape Love?
The one thing that I always come back to is that THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IS RELENTLESS.
God will not stop putting the messages, opportunities and possibilities before you so that you may
love Jesus by living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for you. Agape Love is not a
feeling. It is committed action. What are you DOING to follow Jesus in this part of God's
Kingdom, here and now? Is it consistent with what JESUS taught, commanded and modeled?
Come, Holy Spirit. Use the still, small voice. Use the Word. Use a tap on the shoulder, a 2x4 or a
sledge hammer, but come, move, guide, drive me to live what Jesus taught, commanded and
modeled for me to live so that I may love God and my neighbors as myself. Come, Holy Spirit,
come.
Pastor Jamie
Thank you to those who noticed and who read this blog.
For June 2 John 17:20-26
It is unity that God wants - with us and us with one another.
Jesus' work was toward unity with God and one another.
The whole point of Agape Love is that it draws us together in compassion and empathy,
demands that we get past just concern for self and open up to the other, be receptive to the other,
join with the other, find solidarity with the other - both our sisters and brothers and God.
That is Jesus' command in Agape Love - that we strive to be one with God and/by being one with
each other.
So, what are we doing in active commitment for the other(s) (Agape Love) to promote UNITY with
one another and UNITY with God and one another?
And the Holy Spirit? (June 9) John 14:8-27
The Holy Spirit leads, guides, drives us to Jesus and Jesus' Way.
If we love God. If we love Jesus. If we love the Spirit, we will keep Jesus' commandment to live
this Agape Love with God and neighbor, who Jesus defines as stranger, enemy and the most
vulnerable among us. (Luke 10:25-37)
Beyond any consideration of purity or holiness, personal salvation, praise, worship or tithing,
clearly what Jesus wants is that we keep His commandments around the living of Agape Love
with God and neighbor.
So, are you being led by the Holy Spirit of God to follow Jesus' Way of being children of God in
this part of God's Kingdom, here and now?
Are you open to the teaching and reminding of the Holy Spirit regarding what Jesus said to you?
Are you receptive to being led, guided and driven to learn what Jesus taught, heed what Jesus
commanded and follow what Jesus modeled for you as what God wants of you in your life?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the guidance given by the Spirit toward the edification of God
and neighbor, or do you just seek the gifts of the Spirit for your own glory and praise among
folk who glorify in their own edification?
Do you heed the call of the Gospel of Jesus as nudged, driven, admonished, exhorted to do by the
Spirit or just confess belief in the Spirit and ignore the "still small voice" and pronounced
messages given by the Spirit?
Do you love Jesus? So you are living what Jesus commanded in Agape Love?
The one thing that I always come back to is that THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IS RELENTLESS.
God will not stop putting the messages, opportunities and possibilities before you so that you may
love Jesus by living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for you. Agape Love is not a
feeling. It is committed action. What are you DOING to follow Jesus in this part of God's
Kingdom, here and now? Is it consistent with what JESUS taught, commanded and modeled?
Come, Holy Spirit. Use the still, small voice. Use the Word. Use a tap on the shoulder, a 2x4 or a
sledge hammer, but come, move, guide, drive me to live what Jesus taught, commanded and
modeled for me to live so that I may love God and my neighbors as myself. Come, Holy Spirit,
come.
Pastor Jamie
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