Monday

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. - Psalm 119:93

Monday, 12:30 p.m.

After leading the Summer’s Best Two Weeks staff in a devotional this morning, my phone started ringing.  A person associated with our church had passed away.  A short time later, the phone rang again, this time with my Presbytery exec wanting to get together with me and plan out a gathering we are scheduling at the church in September. Then I received a text about a meeting tomorrow night that I had not been thinking about (euphemism for, “I forgot”). Then a church volunteer gave me a note about another person associated with the church that is hospitalized in Pittsburgh – I really need to go do a visit.  I managed to get my sermon started (my typical Monday routine), and I’m getting ready to lead our staff meeting. 

Then I am reminded of this verse from Psalm 119, I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

I am reminded yet again, that even in the business of ministry…we can forget.  Sometimes we just get too busy.  And it is not that any of it is bad stuff.  Often quite to the contrary. But we can forget.  His precepts; the one who has given me, not just my ministry, but the very breath I take, the very life that sometimes I take for granted.

Slow down, take that breath…and remember.

Don’t let Mondays take over.  There is something far more important. His name is Jesus.  And he rules over Monday too.

Have a great week everyone.  And don’t forget.

Justice

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. - Psalm 112:5

I ran into a blog the other evening about Christians.  To summarize, the blog writer said that the Christians she know are the most arrogant, bigoted, ungenerous and mean spirited people she has ever met.  I immediately closed out of the browser and fumed silently about what I had read. Seemed so unjust.

The next morning I received this Scripture in an email from Bible Gateway.  It read, “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.”  

I have tried to find the blog again, to perhaps engage the author in a conversation.  I can’t find it.  Maybe it’s just as well.  I realize that I got angry about what she wrote because, per her experience (and perhaps sometimes mine), there is some truth in what she writes.  And especially with what I see on social media, like Facebook, too many people that claim to have Jesus as their Lord and Savior post things that confound even me.  Really people!  And shame on me if I have done so also. Sometimes, I suppose, we all can be double-minded. (visit James 1:8)

I do understand that Christians do not have the market cornered on arrogance, bigotry, meanness and tightfistedness; but frankly I don’t understand why we’d even be in the market to begin with.  I’m reminded that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  (visit Galatians 5:22,23).

It doesn’t mean that we shy away from truth, but it does mean we approach the truth with humility, love and justice.  And when we do…maybe, just maybe we’ll make a friend or two in the name of Jesus.  And blogs out there that are scorching Christians will become less and less.

Maybe. Maybe not. 

But.  It’s not a bad thing to conduct our affairs with justice.  And to those of you that already are...thank you. 

You are a blessing.

Prayer

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 22:37-40

Sunday evening I had the privileged to give a prayer at a dedication of a Ten Commandments monument at St. Paul's AME church. I'm not sure what all I did pray, but this is what I wrote and meant to pray.....
 
"Oh, Lord our God, we come before you thanking you.  You are the one that has brought us out of bondage, and while we struggle as a people and as your people with bondages we allow to ensnare us, still we thank you for the salvation we have in you through Jesus Christ.  What a blessing you are.  We have your love and grace; we don’t deserve it, but here it is.

"We think of the law that you gave us, always remembering that the law is summarized by 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

And  ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The whole of the Law and the Prophets depends on these two commandments."  We understand that.

"And as a nation you have given to us these laws, knowing that if we even got close to keeping them, your truth and justice would prevail, and that as a people we would treat each other acknowledging that you created all people, all people, in your image.  For our failings, we beg forgiveness.  Maybe we have come far, but sometimes Lord it’s hard to see.

"You have given us your truth.  That you are the only God there is, and that your supremacy has been revealed to us in your son, Jesus.  Yet we live in a time where truth is being trodden over by the wisdom of this age.  Yet, Father, we live in a time where your truth perhaps has never been needed more.  We pray for this land, I pray that your Holy Spirit would ignite a new yearning for truth, truth that is found only in Jesus Christ.  I ask that you would use powerfully everyone that has gathered here at this holy place this evening, to reach out in love and share the truth, a truth that this city, this county this nation needs.  Jesus.  It’s all about Jesus.

"When one reads these commandments, on how to love you and love each other, we also realize that if we were to live by these laws that we would live in a land and a world that is truly just.  Again Father, sometimes we feel we have made progress, only to discover our failing and shortcomings in being just with one another, and certainly with you.  For that again I beg forgiveness, and thank you for your mercy. 

"Heal this land, let your justice ring across our land and deep into our hearts. And if our hearts are too hard… melt them, mold them, change them. Change me Lord.

"As a nation….help us to honor you; this evening, may what we are doing honor you first and foremost, as your people help us to honor you,  love each other, and reach out in truth and justice  Your truth Jesus…your justice. 

I pray these things in the power and saving name of Jesus Christ.  Amen."

OK

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - Romans 1:16

Earlier in the week, I wrote a reflection on James 1:21 in which I rather ardently admitted that I am basically unworthy (I used James’ term ‘filth’) based on any merit I feel I have earned myself.  Far too frequently my thoughts, and hopefully less so, my actions, are immoral – at least when held up to the light and holiness of the one I profess to follow.  I am much as what Paul wrote about himself, “when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” (I encourage you to visit, read and consider Romans 7:21-24)

A couple of you even private messaged me to assure me that I was being too harsh on myself, and wanted to know if I was OK.  I thank you for the concern; I was not being overly harsh on myself, I know that I am no better or worse than anyone else. And I am gloriously OK.

Romans 1:16 reminds me yet again why I am so OK in spite of what I am far too frequently.  For I am the recipient of “the power of God for salvation” that was given “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Because I know what I am; because I know that for some reason I have received his salvation; I, like Paul, “am not ashamed of the gospel.”  Honest self-reflection notwithstanding, the gospel lifts off of my shoulders the weight that sin should be piling on them.  Jesus’ own words now mean so much: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (visit Matthew 11:28-30)

Thank God. Thank you Jesus.

I’m not ashamed of the gospel, in fact I’m downright indebted to it. 

And, yes, I’m OK.

Filth

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  - James 1:21

It’s easy to read this passage from James and think, “Yes, I sure know people this applies to!”

And I do.  And I see one of them every day.  He gets me angry, I just want to grab him by the collar and just shake him and scream, “Wake up! God loves you more than you know and wants you to change your ways.”  Like I said, I see him every day.  In the mirror.

If you read this verse and immediately thought of someone in your life that the verse should apply to, you are misunderstood the verse. The verse’s application is intentionally and deeply personal. After all, Jesus warned his followers to check that tree trunk we have in our eyes prior to pointing out the crumb in someone else’s eye. (visit Luke 6:41,42)

James (the brother of Jesus) urges his readers (me!) to put away all my filthiness and rampant wickedness.  OK James, don’t hold back now. How do you really feel about it?  Filthiness and rampant wickedness.  In other words, the way we naturally are. Maybe I should only speak of myself.  The way I naturally am…far too often…still.  Just how does James get such an insightful view of my heart?  I try to hide it so well.

James opens his sentence noisily but closes it quietly.  He says, “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

God’s word, written (implanted) on our hearts. Received in all humbleness and humility. 

The reality is that being a Christian is nothing to boast of; the benefits we receive from Christ are to be received in all meekness.  His saving of our souls is a priceless gift that is so unearned and undeserved.  I also see his salvation every day.  In the mirror. I am blessed. He saves filth. 

Like me.