the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight."
You will have to forgive me if I wander off in the desert. I'm not exactly focused at present as I heading off to an interview. I write at this time to try and stay in prayer. It matters not the result of the interview. What matters is that I continue to strive to "obey" or to listen to God. It takes trust and as Steve revealed in his last post it is easy to go off ones own path.
In the Greek (and the only reason I know this is I have just completed a word study for my upcoming sermon...I don't want to come off sounding like those folks who actually know the Greek.) In the Greek the word for "word" here is Reheb and it refers to the Holy Spirit bringing into consciousness scripture. If this interpretation is correct it would mean that John received the word and it was Isaiah 40. He felt called to go out in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John then is preparing the way for the Lord. What grabs me is to discern just what is the path? Is it John? or is it the Baptism of Repentance?
My gut tells me that it is the baptism of repentance. Imagine any people turning around in the expectation that God will be present. Imagine persons trusting, that by living out ofthe hope that God will receive them that God does so. I see this repentance (which in itself is being led by God) as a means to prepare the ground. Repentence then could actually be (and still be) the "making a strait path".
I can't be sure but even between yesterday and today this message makes sense to me. The effect of seeing and admitting that on my own, I am not enough led me to the conclusion that I needed to start praying more. Even by beginning to pray just a little tiny bit more I feel a greater connection and more peace.
Have I made a straiter path? If I have He has come. And that is good news!
So what I
Friday, December 01, 2006
my favorite verse
For nearly 10 years now my favorite verse has remained the same; Proverbs 3.5-6. 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.' (emphasis mine).
This passage of Scripture has always been something I've aspired to live up to. There have been plenty of decisions I've made without the counsel of my Creator, and inevitably the paths to and from those decision points are filled with curves, hills, and fog. Then there are those decisions which, by the grace of God, I've remembered to trust in the LORD. In those places and times I've felt confident, comfortable, and at peace.
I say all this to point just how strange I found it to read the words of Isaiah in the Gospel for Advent 2c. 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' (emphasis mine). What does it mean for us, as human beings, to make straight the paths of the coming Lord? How can we prepare the way? It seems clear to me from what I've recounted above that I can't make my own paths straight, how can I do it then for the Lord?
Maybe the recalling of this passage from 2nd Isaiah is just a way of reminding the prophet of his/her calling. Maybe it isn't for us all to make straight the path of God. Perhaps it is the job of the prophet to walk on ahead, finding the best way for God to work His way through. JBap, as he is affectionately referred to, had just such a job. Proclaiming the repentance of sins was setting the stage for Jesus to declare salvation, freedom from sin. Baruch called the people out of their own naval-gazing and self-pity so that they were ready for God to restore Israel. Paul laid the foundation of the Gospel in Philippi, so that God could fill them to overflowing with love and knowledge.
I'm going to stick to trusting God to make my paths straight, but more power to those of you with the gift of prophecy, flattening roads is one heck of a job (just ask VDOT).
This passage of Scripture has always been something I've aspired to live up to. There have been plenty of decisions I've made without the counsel of my Creator, and inevitably the paths to and from those decision points are filled with curves, hills, and fog. Then there are those decisions which, by the grace of God, I've remembered to trust in the LORD. In those places and times I've felt confident, comfortable, and at peace.
I say all this to point just how strange I found it to read the words of Isaiah in the Gospel for Advent 2c. 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' (emphasis mine). What does it mean for us, as human beings, to make straight the paths of the coming Lord? How can we prepare the way? It seems clear to me from what I've recounted above that I can't make my own paths straight, how can I do it then for the Lord?
Maybe the recalling of this passage from 2nd Isaiah is just a way of reminding the prophet of his/her calling. Maybe it isn't for us all to make straight the path of God. Perhaps it is the job of the prophet to walk on ahead, finding the best way for God to work His way through. JBap, as he is affectionately referred to, had just such a job. Proclaiming the repentance of sins was setting the stage for Jesus to declare salvation, freedom from sin. Baruch called the people out of their own naval-gazing and self-pity so that they were ready for God to restore Israel. Paul laid the foundation of the Gospel in Philippi, so that God could fill them to overflowing with love and knowledge.
I'm going to stick to trusting God to make my paths straight, but more power to those of you with the gift of prophecy, flattening roads is one heck of a job (just ask VDOT).
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Seeking not to reap what I sow
Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
I admit it. My Christian practice is pretty weak. I think of Peter at the fire. "You were with him wern't you? No Way! Not me.
Not me. Not me.
I have let the work become to important. I have let the fear of failure get me worked up. I have let the thought of going with out a job and the fear of not being able to feed my family gain to much time upstairs in the noggin. "no way I'm not with him."
My body is tired. My brain is working at the speed of dial up. I want to run away and prayer is about the last thing on my mind.
Why is it that one has to get to the place of collapse to begin to ask for help. Why is Peter chosen to be the leader and then they broadcast through the Gospels his rejection of Jesus. Why must Jesus be rejected before one can find Him?
I write today because I am praying for the miracle that is so evident in the psalm. I let go to pick up. I move in the opposite direction of where my mind and spirit wants to go. I admit my defeat.
I have been beaten again...by myself... the old nemisis and idol. Let go I hear...smash your idols I hear...fear not I hear.
I am sowing with tears today (not literally...don't baker act me or call the hospital). I am trusting that in defeat I may once again be willing to reap with joy.
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
I admit it. My Christian practice is pretty weak. I think of Peter at the fire. "You were with him wern't you? No Way! Not me.
Not me. Not me.
I have let the work become to important. I have let the fear of failure get me worked up. I have let the thought of going with out a job and the fear of not being able to feed my family gain to much time upstairs in the noggin. "no way I'm not with him."
My body is tired. My brain is working at the speed of dial up. I want to run away and prayer is about the last thing on my mind.
Why is it that one has to get to the place of collapse to begin to ask for help. Why is Peter chosen to be the leader and then they broadcast through the Gospels his rejection of Jesus. Why must Jesus be rejected before one can find Him?
I write today because I am praying for the miracle that is so evident in the psalm. I let go to pick up. I move in the opposite direction of where my mind and spirit wants to go. I admit my defeat.
I have been beaten again...by myself... the old nemisis and idol. Let go I hear...smash your idols I hear...fear not I hear.
I am sowing with tears today (not literally...don't baker act me or call the hospital). I am trusting that in defeat I may once again be willing to reap with joy.
on the benefits of the practice
I'm not sure if I've complained here about the class I'm taking over at Wesley. I won't do much of that here, just to say that it certainly isn't my favorite, and the 15 page "write something about something pastoral carish" paper is coming due. Here's were the benefits of the practice come into play.
In a reading for our last class session, (An aside to mention I was reading this IN class, not prior, please don't misunderstand), Brian McLaren (yaaah) posited various new ways of understanding the kingdom of God. As I sat on the heels of Christ the King Sunday it was hard for me to think of the reign of God in any other way, but his argument gave me a paper idea. One of his new ways of looking at the kingdom of God was "the party of God." While I'm not sure I yet fully understand what he is claiming I've decided to take it on as my paper topic. The Prophetic Imagination: Describing the Party of God. I dunno, I'm excited about it.
Anyway, back to the practice. See I've been hitting my head against the wall for two days trying to figure out where in the Hebrew Bible (OT) I might find tale of the Party of God. (Sarcasm coming -->) You see as a good Christian I know that the God of the OT was a wrathfilled God, parties didn't occur until Jesus came. Actually, I just don't know my Hebrew Bible well enough to pull out Scripture on most topics. So I'm reading Baruch and the Psalm today and BAM it hits me; these are stories of the Party of God.
Baruch, a deuterocononical (in between OT and NT in your pew Bible) writer, tells of the restoration of Israel. The Psalmist tells of the same thing. There are parties in the Hebrew Bible and if it weren't for the practice, I might never have found them. All of a sudden this ambiguous 15 page paper looks doable.
Now, can somebody help me pull a communication event (art project) out of thin air on this one?
In a reading for our last class session, (An aside to mention I was reading this IN class, not prior, please don't misunderstand), Brian McLaren (yaaah) posited various new ways of understanding the kingdom of God. As I sat on the heels of Christ the King Sunday it was hard for me to think of the reign of God in any other way, but his argument gave me a paper idea. One of his new ways of looking at the kingdom of God was "the party of God." While I'm not sure I yet fully understand what he is claiming I've decided to take it on as my paper topic. The Prophetic Imagination: Describing the Party of God. I dunno, I'm excited about it.
Anyway, back to the practice. See I've been hitting my head against the wall for two days trying to figure out where in the Hebrew Bible (OT) I might find tale of the Party of God. (Sarcasm coming -->) You see as a good Christian I know that the God of the OT was a wrathfilled God, parties didn't occur until Jesus came. Actually, I just don't know my Hebrew Bible well enough to pull out Scripture on most topics. So I'm reading Baruch and the Psalm today and BAM it hits me; these are stories of the Party of God.
Baruch, a deuterocononical (in between OT and NT in your pew Bible) writer, tells of the restoration of Israel. The Psalmist tells of the same thing. There are parties in the Hebrew Bible and if it weren't for the practice, I might never have found them. All of a sudden this ambiguous 15 page paper looks doable.
Now, can somebody help me pull a communication event (art project) out of thin air on this one?
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
take off the garment of your sorrow...
I'm fairly certain we never studied the book of Baruch in OT, but as a reading for Advent 2c it is certainly apt. As we give thanks for the Prophets of old and the prophets of today we are given this glimpse into the good news that occasionally prophets were able to give.
Quit yer bitchin'! God loves you!
During what was, for all intents and purposes, the worst point in Israel's history (I'm guessing it was written during the exile) the author has good news to share above the moaning and groaning of the people.
Shut up! God will restore you!
The job of the prophet is to turn people around. After the exile, it would seem, the people had once again turned to their own devices and desires. This time, instead of a golden calf, it was their own self pity that they worshiped. Wearing the garment of sorrow and affliction the people of Israel were content to sulk for all eternity, their strength was in their combined suffering. But Baruch had a different story.
"Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God."
Sitting in self-pity is not how God intended us to live our lives. We are called instead to see the splendor of our God who restores. We are called instead to wear the crown of glory that is exclusively of God. We are called to live into our name "Righteous Peace, Godly Glory"
It seems like it is rare when the prophet has the opportunity to share good news. Precisely because it is so rare, it seems we should all the more listen to it. "Shut up! Turn away from your own self-pity! Look at God! God will restore you! God loves you!"
Quit yer bitchin'! God loves you!
During what was, for all intents and purposes, the worst point in Israel's history (I'm guessing it was written during the exile) the author has good news to share above the moaning and groaning of the people.
Shut up! God will restore you!
The job of the prophet is to turn people around. After the exile, it would seem, the people had once again turned to their own devices and desires. This time, instead of a golden calf, it was their own self pity that they worshiped. Wearing the garment of sorrow and affliction the people of Israel were content to sulk for all eternity, their strength was in their combined suffering. But Baruch had a different story.
"Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God."
Sitting in self-pity is not how God intended us to live our lives. We are called instead to see the splendor of our God who restores. We are called instead to wear the crown of glory that is exclusively of God. We are called to live into our name "Righteous Peace, Godly Glory"
It seems like it is rare when the prophet has the opportunity to share good news. Precisely because it is so rare, it seems we should all the more listen to it. "Shut up! Turn away from your own self-pity! Look at God! God will restore you! God loves you!"
Holy Layers bat man!
Alright I am going to get a little technical but only a little technical. In preparing for a Bible study for a class I chose the readings for next week. In doing so it forced me to begin wrestling with the Gospel.
What do we have? A layer cake
We have the use of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah (potentially second Isaiah, a writer writing some time in the "spirit" of the original prophet) is "forthtelling" to the Israelites that God is still very much with them.
On top of that is the "real" history that occured that saw the man Jesus become born and the man John go out to the wilderness to proclaim that the Jews must repent and return to God. To repent is to turn around. In that time there was the Roman elected high priest Annaias, followed by the High Priest at Jesus' trial, death and ressurection, Caiaphus. They were the Religious Priests who held sway in Palestine. Palestine was an occupied land. The rule was the emporer but he sent Pontious Pilate to govern. Pilate oversaw Roman rule in Jerusalem and was involved with the Trial. His job was to try and maintain order, by force if neccessary, over a people who were not to thrilled that gentiles held sway in the land that God had given the Jews. Enter Jesus in Galilee...a political nobody. Yet he was born and lived in an era of Herod the tetrarch. A cruel leader who was the son of Herod the Great.
On top of that enter the writer of Luke Acts who believes that Jesus is no man but the Messiah. Son of God who was sent to proclaim the Jubilee and whose death and resurrection was the very good news that was the salvation of all who believed. He not only see's the man Jesus as the very same Son of God but understands (some 70-90 years later)that John the Baptist was sent to proclaim Jesus as Messiah. To make it more interesting the writer also see's that Isaiah who thought he was speaking to the faithful of his day was actually referring to Jesus. In light of this he inserts Isaiah 40 to reveal the Lord who was to come and make all ways strait was Jesus Christ. To make it even more interesting we not only get a historical reference but are also reminded of the Spiritual story of John's father Zechariah who because he did not buy all the Angel Gabriel had told him, could not speak, until the spirit released his tongue to confirm that Jesus cousin John should actually be named John.
Wait there is more...
On top of this layer lies those who prepared the Lectionary to prepare for Advent. They chose this Gospel Lesson to remind and elicit a congregation to the Mini Lent of Advent which is to induce a type of longing in which we Christians prepare for Christmas. It is dark and we await for the coming of light.
How am I supposed to compete with that. Here I come the top layer in this spiritual/histoical layer cake filled with my own thoughts and experience of Christ. Which of course has been influenced and developed by all the preceeding layers but also the Holy Spirit who is not even contained in the writings.
Its enough to make one fall down. In fact I think I will.
What do we have? A layer cake
We have the use of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah (potentially second Isaiah, a writer writing some time in the "spirit" of the original prophet) is "forthtelling" to the Israelites that God is still very much with them.
On top of that is the "real" history that occured that saw the man Jesus become born and the man John go out to the wilderness to proclaim that the Jews must repent and return to God. To repent is to turn around. In that time there was the Roman elected high priest Annaias, followed by the High Priest at Jesus' trial, death and ressurection, Caiaphus. They were the Religious Priests who held sway in Palestine. Palestine was an occupied land. The rule was the emporer but he sent Pontious Pilate to govern. Pilate oversaw Roman rule in Jerusalem and was involved with the Trial. His job was to try and maintain order, by force if neccessary, over a people who were not to thrilled that gentiles held sway in the land that God had given the Jews. Enter Jesus in Galilee...a political nobody. Yet he was born and lived in an era of Herod the tetrarch. A cruel leader who was the son of Herod the Great.
On top of that enter the writer of Luke Acts who believes that Jesus is no man but the Messiah. Son of God who was sent to proclaim the Jubilee and whose death and resurrection was the very good news that was the salvation of all who believed. He not only see's the man Jesus as the very same Son of God but understands (some 70-90 years later)that John the Baptist was sent to proclaim Jesus as Messiah. To make it more interesting the writer also see's that Isaiah who thought he was speaking to the faithful of his day was actually referring to Jesus. In light of this he inserts Isaiah 40 to reveal the Lord who was to come and make all ways strait was Jesus Christ. To make it even more interesting we not only get a historical reference but are also reminded of the Spiritual story of John's father Zechariah who because he did not buy all the Angel Gabriel had told him, could not speak, until the spirit released his tongue to confirm that Jesus cousin John should actually be named John.
Wait there is more...
On top of this layer lies those who prepared the Lectionary to prepare for Advent. They chose this Gospel Lesson to remind and elicit a congregation to the Mini Lent of Advent which is to induce a type of longing in which we Christians prepare for Christmas. It is dark and we await for the coming of light.
How am I supposed to compete with that. Here I come the top layer in this spiritual/histoical layer cake filled with my own thoughts and experience of Christ. Which of course has been influenced and developed by all the preceeding layers but also the Holy Spirit who is not even contained in the writings.
Its enough to make one fall down. In fact I think I will.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
I forget yet I can remember
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations, *
"The LORD has done great things for them.
How good is the psalm? It is very good indeed. We were like those who dream. (I think of the sons and daughters mentioned in the New Testament who dream dreams)Our mouth filled with laughter....our tongue...shouts of joy. I'm tempted to write about how little I see this amongst my bretheren. But to admit that, would also be to write how little this represents me. Not that I'm dour, just that I have not on a continual basis always recognize how Jesus has restored the fortunes of Zion...giving us every reason to dream and laugh with joy. I forget that his very life, death, and resurrection restores my fortunes and when I remember, can restore my fortunes in the here and now.
For Truly the Lord has done great things for (us) me. The trouble is I have a built in forget-ter. I forget the great things. I even go so far as to see what God has done for me and think it common place or ordinary. I forget where I come from.
I forget that cold, dark, wet night 11 years ago in October. I was drunk and miserable and angry at God. I stumbled around Longmeadow in tears...lost because I could not get God. The truth was how could I allow God in when I was too busy making all the decisions. BAM! three weeks later I end up in AA. A year later I am still sober and have a God of my own understanding. Three years after that I am a Christian. I Get it and I don't fight it. Jesus of Nazareth is the One who they believed he was. I got there because I simply began living like it was so...I got of f the debating society.
But I forget. I forget that I was on a blind date and fell in love with my wife. I forget that this is a woman of great beauty and laughter when I focus on the way I allow her to push my buttons. I forget that she willingly sold her house, packed her things and left her mother to come to a strange country...seminary.
I forget and even forget that I am not alone. Even the greats like Paul admit "I do what I don't want and don't do what I am to do." (paraphrase) I do become engrossed with outcomes and worry too much about jobs. I don't take the time to pray or recognize the astounding fact that I am healthy, married to a beautiful wife, have three intelligent, healthy children, there is food on my plate and gas in my car.....A CAR THAT CAME FREE!!!!!! (Did I say I forget stuff...up till this moment I forgot about that)
But into my mouth has come laughter. My heart has warmed in the recognition. There is joy here in this moment. In recognition of Christ in this moment my hope is restored.
It was always there...I just had forgotten.
then were we like those who dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations, *
"The LORD has done great things for them.
How good is the psalm? It is very good indeed. We were like those who dream. (I think of the sons and daughters mentioned in the New Testament who dream dreams)Our mouth filled with laughter....our tongue...shouts of joy. I'm tempted to write about how little I see this amongst my bretheren. But to admit that, would also be to write how little this represents me. Not that I'm dour, just that I have not on a continual basis always recognize how Jesus has restored the fortunes of Zion...giving us every reason to dream and laugh with joy. I forget that his very life, death, and resurrection restores my fortunes and when I remember, can restore my fortunes in the here and now.
For Truly the Lord has done great things for (us) me. The trouble is I have a built in forget-ter. I forget the great things. I even go so far as to see what God has done for me and think it common place or ordinary. I forget where I come from.
I forget that cold, dark, wet night 11 years ago in October. I was drunk and miserable and angry at God. I stumbled around Longmeadow in tears...lost because I could not get God. The truth was how could I allow God in when I was too busy making all the decisions. BAM! three weeks later I end up in AA. A year later I am still sober and have a God of my own understanding. Three years after that I am a Christian. I Get it and I don't fight it. Jesus of Nazareth is the One who they believed he was. I got there because I simply began living like it was so...I got of f the debating society.
But I forget. I forget that I was on a blind date and fell in love with my wife. I forget that this is a woman of great beauty and laughter when I focus on the way I allow her to push my buttons. I forget that she willingly sold her house, packed her things and left her mother to come to a strange country...seminary.
I forget and even forget that I am not alone. Even the greats like Paul admit "I do what I don't want and don't do what I am to do." (paraphrase) I do become engrossed with outcomes and worry too much about jobs. I don't take the time to pray or recognize the astounding fact that I am healthy, married to a beautiful wife, have three intelligent, healthy children, there is food on my plate and gas in my car.....A CAR THAT CAME FREE!!!!!! (Did I say I forget stuff...up till this moment I forgot about that)
But into my mouth has come laughter. My heart has warmed in the recognition. There is joy here in this moment. In recognition of Christ in this moment my hope is restored.
It was always there...I just had forgotten.
I love Luke
No, I'm not talking about Days of our Lives, I'm talking about "Luke" author of the Gospel according to Luke. Luke's fun precisely because he is really concerned with historical facts. Luke begins chapter 3 (or would have if he wrote in chapters) with a list of rulers for historical context.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas
I love Luke. This list, while quite boring, is actually very very interesting. It places the story of Jesus within a very specific historical context. It sets the scene for the precipitating story of John the Baptist. It ties the present story of Jesus with the past of the prophet Isaiah by way of specificity.
I love Luke.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas
I love Luke. This list, while quite boring, is actually very very interesting. It places the story of Jesus within a very specific historical context. It sets the scene for the precipitating story of John the Baptist. It ties the present story of Jesus with the past of the prophet Isaiah by way of specificity.
I love Luke.
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