Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

Ruth 3

Intro: This past week was about getting things done Not everything on my to-do list–not even one, one-hundredth - one appointment was scheduled several weeks ago • another one that I had to plan and prepare myself to complete ◦ I’ll have more to say about this later • my point is that in our day-to-day passage through life, ◦ I am no different than you ◦ we all have to deal with schedules and appointments and getting things done - the Book of Proverbs offers us a guide to wise decisions and acti...

Ruth 2

Ruth Chapter 2 Intro: In the apartment complex where my son Scotty lives, There’s an old vending machine where residents can buy sodas - Calum was six the first time I bought him a cola drink from it • we inserted the money, he pressed button, machine rumbled, ◦ and a can of soda dropped into the slot at the bottom • then before we could insert more money, the machine rumbled again and another soda dropped down ◦ as I was worrying about how we could return the drink we had not purchased, ◦ Calum...

Ruth 1:1

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons Ruth 1:1 Intro: With these words, we walk through a gate and into what may be the most enchanting story in all of scripture - but because it took place long ago and in a strange culture far away, • we need some help orienting ourselves • when, where, what, and who occur in the first verse and set the tone and create atmosphere ...

Genesis 4

How did we wind up in Genesis this morning? Many preachers have their sermons lined up for the whole year - I’ve never been that organized or thought that far ahead • it’s when I finish a series of talks that I think about what’s next • usually that has a lot to do with what is pulling on my heart in that particular moment - so we’re in Genesis, because it provides a seed for my talk • I’m not sure what’s next – I’m thinking, the Book of Ruth • that’s because it beautifully illustrates what I wi...

Colossians 3:15-16

Whenever you come to instructions in the Bible, Remind yourself, “I don’t have to do this alone” - God made us to become these new persons that we are • and we have to do some of the repairs and maintenance • however, he doesn’t expect us to do even that part on our own ◦ we can trust Jesus – his burden is light and his yoke is easy - we’ve learned what to take off (old self with its vices) • and what to put on (new self and its virtues) • Paul now tells us what we are to take in...

Easter Sunday - 1st Peter 1:3

Peter is celebrating Jesus’ resurrection His first line is praise to God (the English Standard Version adds an exclamation mark) - his specific point is what Jesus’ resurrection means for us • I’ve been reading in Acts this week and this is the same message Peter and the apostles preached there • Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead ◦ and doing so, he opened a new way to know God and be right him ◦ Peter preached this in his first sermon, and every speech afterward...

John 12

The story of Palm Sunday is told in all four gospels John’s account is the most streamlined, Luke’s account is the most dramatic - that is where Jesus warns that if the crowd remained silent, the rocks would cry out • but prior to any gospel, there was a message hidden the Psalms The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O LORD!...

Colossians 3:14

Preparing this talk was difficult Not because there is nothing to say about love - we could line the freeway from here to San Diego with books and papers written on love • clinical studies, philosophical essays, poetic explorations, ◦ not to mention all the books by religious authors • but all this information has made little impact on our nation - maybe it was just a tough week week for me – too much exposure to sorrow, • but it feels like love has reached an all-time low in the world...

Colossians 3:12-13

Before fire engines, cities relied on the "bucket brigade" Volunteers would rush to the scene of a fire and form a human chain - beginning at a source of water–a well, river, or pond if close by–, • draw water, and hand the bucket to the first person in the chain ◦ then the bucket would be passed from person to person until poured on the fire ◦ empty buckets would be returned down the chain, filled and passed again • imagine, that the buckets stopped moving and no empties were returned ◦ someone...

Colossians 3:12

I remember reading through Colossians many years ago - in the first chapter, I came across a “power verse” • what I mean, is a verse that makes a prayer for, or a promise of spiritual energy ◦ for instance, this is what Jesus did for his disciples: [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases (Lk. 9:1) Or, . . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and...

Colossians 3:12

The first detail to notice, is where we find meekness on list Meekness is hiding behind humility - we wonder, was it even necessary to include meekness in addition to humility? • if we were to be honest, we don’t take meekness seriously ◦ it is a virtue no one wants – like patience or submission • we read that Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” ◦ but it doesn’t leave a strong impression on us ◦ it is not as compelling as poor in spirit or mourn - meek doesn’t draw attention to itself – doesn’t m...

Colossians 3, Continued

Working our way down this list of virtues we come to humility When I began thinking about this talk, - it occurred to me you don’t need this message – look where we are • this is not the hot spot on Sunday mornings– ◦ the place to be seen – you can’t brag about being here

Colossians 3 Continued

We are working our way through Paul’s virtue list here in Colossians 3 But this morning it is difficult to not be distracted by war in Ukraine - millions of desperate prayers are reaching out to God to bring an end to it • we’ve seen heartbreaking images and also steadfast bravery • last week our theme was compassionate hearts ◦ and by your response to that talk, I know you are in pain for the many victims of this conflict

Colossians 3

Matthew 22:1-14

Two weeks ago I read a list of character qualities in Colossians chapter 3 Although it seems like Paul rattles them off, - each one requires years of devoted practice to embody them fully • I said then, it would be good for us to meditate on the qualities in that list • I realize it would be very good for me – and we’ll start today - so why are we in Matthew this morning and not Colossians? • because Paul frames the list within a specific context ◦ before the character qualities, he produced a l...

Psalms 25

The heading of this psalm tells us it was composed by David I usually try to ignore the Psalm headings - if David wrote it, we’re tempted to locate an event in his life's story that "explains" it (for instance, explains the theme and mood of the psalm) • Bible teachers who do not “get” poetry or do not like poetry frequently look for connections outside the psalm itself ◦ as though, if we do not know context, we can not know the poem's meaning ◦ but poems carry their own meaning, and their conte...

Colossians 2:1-3

Occasionally Paul will share these rare gems Brief statements, packed with profound concepts - for instance, he has introduced the Colossians to a mystery (cf. Col. 1:25-29) • everything about our transcendent God is mystery and hidden ◦ some things have been revealed . . . the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints (Col. 1:26) ◦ the ultimate revelation of God is Jesus Christ – and that revelation keeps unfolding more truth • the Colossians could reach the “riches...

Job 42:7-10

I lost two companions this month I did not know them personally, so I can’t say they were my “friends” - I’ve known them only through their writings • when I became interested in contemplative prayer, Thich Nhat Hanh introduced me to mindful meditation • Jim Forest, an Orthodox Christian writer, helped to broaden my spiritual growth, and enhanced my understanding of icons ◦ these men knew, respected, and appreciated each other – they were friends ◦ so I enjoy their friendship vicariously - the t...

Psalm 131

When we read the Psalms, we are in the realm of sacred poetry Poetry begins in the heart and it speaks to the heart - we can analyze a poem – take it into the lab and dissect it • but if we go too far, we kill the specimen • in our first encounter with a poem we need to hear it--that’s all ◦ listen to the music of its rhythm ◦ feel the effect of its words and images - what I feel in this poem is contentment • here is a poet who accepts himself as he is my heart is not lifted up ◦ in the Old Test...

Genesis 2:18-25

Intro: Awhile back I read The Healing Power of Emotion An anthology of essays written by specialists in the fields of neuroscience and applied psychology - afterward, I read several books by the authors of those essays • one author was Sue Johnson, who pioneered Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) ◦ in Hold Me Tight, she explains research behind EFT and provides lots of examples of how it works in therapy • it turned out that Johnson has a Christian friend, Ken Sanderfer, who is also a therapist ◦...

Luke 24:28-35

Years ago, I saw a news clip featuring Salvador Dali The flamboyant surrealist artist, with his trademark handlebar mustache, - he was famous for his painted landscapes with melting watches • he had alerted the press that he was working on another masterpiece ◦ and he was going to complete it in front of a live audience • the day came, and a crowd gathered and the cameras were rolling - Dali arrived with his usual air of self-importance • he dabbed his brush in a smudge of white paint, ◦ climbed...

Mathew 2 1-12

Intro: Reading this old familiar story, I am surprised by how little information we are actually given - Matthew provides us bare details without embellishment • we are not the first to recognize its streamlined quality • over time, various storytellers added their own finishing touch ◦ it’s like an undecorated Christmas tree that looks too plain ◦ so tradition has added lots of ornaments - for instance, we’ve been told there were three magi (the Bible does not say how many) • some storytellers ...

Luke 1:46-55

I won’t say this episode within the Christmas story has been neglected, But it doesn’t get as much attention as the more familiar scenes - it unfolds in a warm and intimate atmosphere • the two women are relatives–both received a miracle ◦ both have been surprised by unexpected pregnancies • we have no details of their time together, only their greetings, ◦ and each greeting is an eruption of joy and wonder - Elizabeth’s greeting hints at the mystery Mary carries in her womb And why is this gran...

Luke 1:26-29

I know — this is a strange place to stop reading These few verses are a small piece of story surrounding Jesus’ birth, - many big things take place in this long chapter, • so it is easy to skim this short scene and get to the action • but I think it may do us some good to linger here awhile

Matthew 1

I Corinthians 16

The last chapter of 1 Corinthians is not as interesting as rest of the letter It is mostly business – like when we were of age and our parents left for a week vacation - they instructed us, “Don’t forget to feed the dog, water the plants, bring in the mail, and put out the trash” • so here: Paul's last-minute instructions include fund-raising for Jerusalem, his own itinerary, Timothy’s visit, Apollos would not be visiting them, and various greetings • we are looking for a precious gem here or th...

I Corinthians 15

I Corinthians 14

Intro: You have heard something about the Jesus’ Movement But a few years prior, there was another religious explosion - it began with a husband and wife – John and Joan Baker • a Christian couple who were Episcopalians ◦ they heard Pentecostal preacher teach on the baptism in the Spirit and speaking in tongues ◦ they wanted to have that experience – and they did! • they told their Episcopalian pastor and he went to his colleague, Dennis Bennett ◦ they had little knowledge, and no experience of ...

I Cornithians 13

In chapter 12, Paul told the Corinthians they were body of Christ That they should not be surprised at the diversity within the church - they were not all the same, because they were not supposed to be same • each person had his and her own place • the body is a living example of diversity within unity - after listing a variety of gifted people, Paul says, And I will show you a still more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31) • chapter 13 is the more excellent way for us to be the body of Christ...

1 Corinthians 12:1

In the 1960's, the Roman Catholic Church began a project of renovation According to a friend of mine who is a priest, “Vatican II, opened windows to allow fresh air to enter the church” - in hindsight, we could say they missed a few dark corners (but perhaps the changes made then set in motion the way that the Roman Catholic Church handles those things today) • by the 1970's, the Evangelical movement was placed under the microscope ◦ in 1970 Larry Richards published A New Face for the Church ◦ i...