For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 … Continue reading Many parts, One function
Month: July 2017
The depths within
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 NRSV I … Continue reading The depths within
What would Jesus have us do?
You don’t have to look far these days in Oklahoma to find a social service program that’s fallen prey to the state’s budget crisis. DHS, ODMHSAS, OHCA — the alphabet soup of agencies cutting services to our state’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens seems to grow daily. Why is this a matter for a … Continue reading What would Jesus have us do?
Putting things in order
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 11 NRSV Depending on which source you cite, Christianity today includes about 30,000 different denominations, divided along lines of doctrine, liturgy, culture, and nation. … Continue reading Putting things in order
The truth of love
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be … Continue reading The truth of love
Founding a bulwark
Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 NRSV A bulwark evokes images of strength – large stone or masonry walls, topped with parapets and armament. It is, after all, a protective barrier that stands between … Continue reading Founding a bulwark
The gift of purpose
If you’re like me at all, you may struggle from time to time to find a deeper meaning in your daily work – a purpose in the daily grind that serves a cause much greater than our own self-interest. I think most of us want to know that our work is serving something greater … Continue reading The gift of purpose
Become the river
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 NRSV When we go to … Continue reading Become the river
The words that burn
The Lesser Feast Day of Jan Hus Sometimes when I’m having trouble getting my thoughts together, I’ll look for a quote that speaks to me, a pearl of wisdom from someone who might offer guidance. It was in such a rut-breaking search that I recalled a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “If a man … Continue reading The words that burn
Pray for Independence
I love Arnold Friberg’s classic painting “The Prayer at Valley Forge.” This painting depicts George Washington taking a knee in the snow, falling down before God to pray for strength and guidance at perhaps the darkest hour of the Revolution. It is a painting oft-portrayed on patriotic occasions, and I think it is very fitting … Continue reading Pray for Independence
Guarding our treasure
Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NRSV When we think of guarding treasure we usually think of the … Continue reading Guarding our treasure
There’s an app for that…
If you’ve been feeling a bit down in the ego, or if you have questions about who is going to heaven and who is consigned to hell, fear not. There’s an app for that. Just pull up your favorite social media site, find a Christian-themed thread, and start browsing the comments. In short order … Continue reading There’s an app for that…
