Christian, devotion, Evening, Presbyterian Church (USA), Psalms, Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 11, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Common Daily Lectionary: (an evening reading) Psalm 139

Text: Where can I go from Your Spirit or where can a flee from Your Presence? (v. 7)

The 139th Psalm is my favorite Psalm, bar none. I like it so much because it marvels at God’s Providential Care of us. There is nowhere that we can hide from the Presence of God. God’s knowledge of us begins even before we are born; For it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. … My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.

The Psalmist does not claim that God causes or lets things happen. Bad things do happen because we live in a broken world, a world filled with selfishness and greed. Disappointment is a frequent visitor in our lives. Yet, while God neither causes nor lets bad things happen, God is right there with us when they do happen.

A grieving parent once asked me “Where is God when I’m hurting?” I thought about that question for a long time before I was ready to answer. My response may have been woefully inadequate but I said that God is “right there, on the Cross of Jesus.” We cannot keep our children from pain, but we can suffer with them, and comfort them and love them even in the midst of great pain. That’s what God does, too.

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels well with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (from The Book of Common Prayer, compline service)

Christian, devotion, faith, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 10, 2017

Devotional Reading for the Day from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 18: 15-30

Text: But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” (vss. 16 & 17)

Image may contain: 3 people My favorite thing in ministry is baptism, especially the baptism of babies. In my Christian tradition baptism is analogous to circumcision; a sign that we are a part of the household of God. It is also a reminder that we love God because God first loved us, in the words of I John 4.

Being the father of two daughters I know that babies can be challenging; there are the feedings in the middle of the night and trying to figure out what various cries mean before the child learns to talk . And then there are the infamous “terrible twos” that sometime bleed over into the “troublesome threes”. Yet, babies are so cute and tiny and helpless. They are totally dependent upon the adults around them to feed them, shelter them and keep them safe.

When Jesus said that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who come to it as a child He meant that we can only live a Kingdom life if we acknowledge and accept our total dependence upon God. As we mature we like to think that we are in control and sing “I did it my way”. But that is a fleeting mirage.

No sooner did Jesus finish teaching about children and the Kingdom of God than an individual of affluence asked him what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Knowing that he was really seeking a “checklist” in order to justify himself, Jesus told him to simply keep the commandments. In what I image to be a bit of puffery pride the man said proudly that he had done that his whole life. Jesus knew that if the man had kept the commandments he would not have been seeking self-justification. So Jesus gave him a harder challenge; give everything to the poor and follow Him. This, the man couldn’t do for a had a lot of “stuff”.

You see, the man bought the what the world was selling. He thought that he was in control of his life. He thought that his security rested in his hands instead of God’s hands.

The challenge that Jesus gave the man, giving everything away, may not be our challenge. But we are challenged to not let our “stuff” own us. We are challenged to acknowledge our dependence upon God.

Lord God, help me to remember that in life and death I belong to you. It was You who made me and unto You I will return. Help me to grow day by day toward a greater faith in You. Amen.

Christian, devotion, faith, Humble Humility, Love, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 9, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 18: 9-14

Text: …for all who exalt themselves will be humbled and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (v. 14b)

When I was little my mother used to tell me, “If has to brag on themselves they must not be very good.” That insight has served me well over the years acting as a “governor” in not thinking of myself as better than someone else. Now, there are degrees of humility from “false humility” on one end of the scale to the “Eeyore Syndrome” on the other.* I like to think that over the years I developed a healthy sense of humility.

Today’s reading is introduced by the writer as a parable directed toward those who thought of themselves as being righteous and regarded others with contempt. They were really “self-righteous”. This isn’t the only time Jesus broached this subject. On a different occasion he said that when we are invited to a banquet that we should not presume that our seat is at the head table. We should take the lowest seat until we are moved to another. In one of his letters the apostle Paul wrote that when he gave up his “childish” ways he could better understand Faith, Hope and Love. And of the three, Love was the greatest.**

I often say that there is no one more humble than a dedicated follower of Jesus because we know how much we have been forgiven and how generous God truly is.

Lord God, throughout this day give me a humble heart; a heart that neither judges others nor looks down upon them as anything less than another one of Your precious children. Amen.

*The Eeyore Syndrome” is something I made up as I read Winnie the Pooh books to my daughters. Eeyore was a “pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey” creature who had such low self-esteem that all he would eat was thistles–the plants that no one else wanted to eat.

**I Corinthians 13: 11-13

Christian, devotion, faith, Luke, Gospel of, Parable, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 8, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Common Lectionary: Luke 18: 1-8

Text: (Jesus): And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

The longer I live the less I know. When I was a young man I had everything pretty much figured out, especially in “the ways of God”. And then Life happened, and I got knocked down a time or two. I have had times of losing my spiritual balance. But in the process, I think that I am learning what it is to be “faithful”. Now I tell people that I don’t have a clue what God is up to, but I know that somehow God is in the mix and will bring something good out of our biggest messes.*

In the parable assigned for today Jesus used a comparison of contracts. God is not like the unjust judge. Earlier in Luke Jesus did the same thing when He asked the disciples, “What father would give their hungry child a snake or a scorpion instead of a fish or egg?” It’s a rhetorical question but the answer is obvious. No one. We don’t have to “beat down the doors of heaven for God to pay attention to us. We cannot weary God with our prayers and desires.

The real question is, can we believe that in life and death we belong to God even when our prayers are not answered?** Can we believe that God is somewhere in the mix and that we have to live by Faith rather than Sight***?

Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.****Amen.

*Romans 8: 28

**Romans 14:8 and The Brief Statement of Faith” in The Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.)

***II Corinthians 5:7

****Mark 9:24

Christian, devotion, Gifts, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 6, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 17: 11-19

text: Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?” (v. 17)

When I give a gift I do not expect a thank you note. I give the gift because I want to give the gift, not because I have to. And when I give I gift I do so with no strings attached. They can “re-gift” it, if they wish. They can do whatever they want with it because it is no longer mine! I gave it to them! This is so hard for many people to understand.

I started this spiritual discipline years ago when I read today’s assigned reading and discovered that I was judging people based on whether or not they sent a thank you note to express what I thought was an appropriate level of gratitude for what I gave them. Such an attitude is not gift-giving but a transaction!

I love the story of Jesus and the ten lepers because even though only one of the ten returned to Jesus to express thanks for his healing, Jesus did not revoke the healing of the other nine! And frankly, I’m glad that He didn’t. Imagine all of the times that I have not expressed thanksgiving for the many blessings that God has showered over me in this life. If I were to be judged on the level of my gratitude I’m afraid that I would fail miserably. Maybe you would, too.

God is gracious, forgiving and slow to anger. As one of the Psalms reminds us, God remembers how we are made; we are mere dust, a flash against the eons of Time and Eternity. Yet, we are precious to God, indeed, set only a little lower than the angels. I would argue that God may love us a bit more, because we are His children.

Lord, make me less judgmental and more forgiving. Show me the spiritual disciplines that I need to work on today, as well as tomorrow. Help me to always listen for Your voice. Amen.

Christian, devotion, faith, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 5, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: II Corinthians 5: 11-6:2

Text: So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (v. 20)

When I was a little boy my mother used to iron not only my father’s shirts* but his handkerchiefs, too! When I’d ask her about it she would tell me that she wanted my father to look his best out in public. But there was also a subtle “shadow” reason. At that time wives were judged by two things; how their family looked in public, and how clean the house was!

When I was in seminary an Old Testament professor named Arnold Black Rhodes taught an exegesis class on Genesis. He said that being “created in the image of God” meant that we Resemble God in that we can make decisions, have a Responsibility to God for the decisions that we make, are God’s Representatives or Stewards of Creation, and, finally, we are a Reflection of God.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that as followers of Jesus they were His “ambassadors”. Others “judge” the One that we worship by the way we act! As one country preacher said, “You may be the only bible that some people ever read”.

Lord, make me a good reflection of your Kingdom so that my life may be an invitation to follow the teachings of Jesus. Amen.

*This was before “wash & wear” and “no wrinkle”-“no iron”, neither of which is true!

Christian, devotion, faith, Holy Spirit, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 4, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Acts 2: 1-21

Text: And suddenly there came the sound of the rush of a mighty wind… (v. 2a)

When I was a boy I was in school when a tornado hit, seemingly out of nowhere. This was in a day before severe weather sirens, weather radios and cell phone alerts. School had just let out for the day so most of the students were on their way home. Only a relatively few of us remained in the building. Miraculously, no one was injured. The tornado forever changed the school, though, as the destruction was nearly total.

The thing that I remember most was the eerie silence accompanied by a loud roaring wind that seemingly occurred simultaneously. For the longest time, decades in fact, whenever a thunderstorm would roll in, my stomach would lurch. I wonder if that is what the experience of Pentecost was like in today’s reading. Seemingly out of nowhere and without warning there was the rush of a mighty wind that filled the entire house as the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles like tiny tongues of fire. The apostles were filled with the Spirit of God. This Spirit changed them forever. They became bold and innovative proclaiming the Good News, the gospel of the Jesus they knew, even at the risk of their lives!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of gentleness, the hymnwritere says, blowing through the wilderness, calling and free. It is the spirit of restlessness that stirs us from placidness. The Holy Spirit calls from tomorrow and breaks ancient schemes as it frees us from the bondage of Yesterday and allows captives to dream dreams. (Taken from the lyrics of “Spirit” by James K. Manley)

On this Pentecost may you be touched by the life changing Spirit of God. May you be stirred from placidness, dream dreams and make bold decisions. Amen.

Christian, devotion, I John, Presbyterian Church (USA), Psalms, Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 3, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Psalm 23

Text: Ye, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… (v. 4, King James Version). Even though I walk through through the darkest valley (a number of more modern translations)

I received a text message from a friend who has had more than his share of problems. He has suffered just about every imaginable loss over the past year and a half or so; family, job, wealth, etc. Another hard knock came his way recently, one that would have have knocked him off balance at any other time, but it was the final straw. He felt like he was going to break.

“What have I done to cause God to do this to me?! Have I been so bad?!”

The cry of anguish in the soul. I thought about how I would respond as we were in different states of the country. I wanted to choose my words carefully. I also wanted to pray and think about my response. Finally I wrote him saying that I’m not sure of many things but there are a couple things of which I am very sure. He did nothing wrong and God is not punishing him. That is not Who God is. God is love (I John 4:8). Bad things happen because we live in a broken world. Secondly, remembering the words of the most beloved Psalm as well as the Cross of Jesus, I am convinced that God is with us in our pain and suffering, even if we cannot feel His Presence. God walks beside us in Life’s dark valleys, especially the dark valleys of the soul. And, in the words of Paul in his letter to the Romans, nothing in this world can ever separate us from God’s love.(Chapter 8) That God-love is unconditional. And it is transformative. Earlier in chapter 8 Paul wrote from his own life experience saying that while God does not cause evil, God can redeem evil and bring something good out of the ashes; not perfect, but good.

I don’t know if my response was what he needed. I have not heard back from my friend. But I do know that in my response I revealed not some pious jargon but the deepest beliefs of my faith.

Maybe my words can be of comfort to you or someone you know.

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord. Be present and protect us through the hours
of the night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness. O Lord, drive far from us all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; Amen. (from The Book of Common Prayer, compline service)

Christian, devotion, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 2, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 10: 38-42

Text: “…you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. (vss. 41b and 42a)

The story of two sisters is almost parable in nature. Most people identify themselves with one sister or the other; the one who is conscientious and works diligently or the other who doesn’t. I think, though, that what the story is meant to tell us that the sisters’ story is really our story. We may identify with one sister or the other, based upon our nature and upbringing, but the challenge in life is to find a balance between the two.

Some time ago I read that the hardest working muscle in the human body is the heart. It beats millions of times in a lifetime. It is able to do this because it maintains a balance between work and rest. When it gets out of balance, life threatening arrhythmias occur. We need to find a balance in life. It is the way God made us.

In the first Creation story of Genesis 1, God set aside a sabbath day of rest. This time of rest and recreation applied to animals and people alike. There was even a time of rest for the fields that grew crops to eat.

Finding a balance is increasingly difficult for those of us who live with “first world problems”. It is hard to unplug from the constant “dings” of messages and calls on our smart phones. I do not pretend to have an easy answer because I have tried a variety of easy answers. I discovered that there is not a “one size fits all”. You have to find your “balance”; the one that God intended for your life.

Lord, help me find a balance between my “Mary and Martha”. If I am too preoccupied with work, help me find sabbath. If I am not occupied enough by the duties before me, help me pick up a greater load. My goal is to grow closer to You. Help me find that balance. Amen.

Christian, devotion, Good Samaritan, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 1, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 10:25-37

Text: But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (vs. 29)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan, well known in Christian circles and maybe even in other traditions. It has almost passed into the area of “folk religion”. The set up and the parable have so many things to teach us. First, there is Jesus’ reminder that salvation is not about what we do but what God does for us. This is a hard lesson for we who prefer the call of rugged individualism and “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” to the Unconditional, Unmerited Grace of Jesus. But the most important point in the reading is the question of neighbor; “Who is my neighbor?”

Years ago one of the bedtime stories that I would read to my daughters was a little Happy Day Book entitled “Who Is Your Neighbor?” On one of the pages the unknown staff author wrote: “Who is your neighbor? A neighbor is someone who needs you.”

As I look around the world I see a “heap of hurt out there.” Followers of Jesus cannot be content with “what is” if they are really going to take Jesus seriously. He once said that His followers would do what He did and greater things because they had the Holy Spirit and each other. We are challenged to touch the life of needs us.

So often we are overwhelmed by the complexity of the world around us. The challenge seems so great, and we seem e so small. But whenever I think this way I remember Jesus’ lesson of the mustard seed. The Kingdom of God starts small and by the generous grace of God grows to impossible heights. Today, plant a Kingdom mustard seed. Read to a child who has no one to read to them. Take time to listen to someone who is lonely and has a story to tell. Let someone into your lane of traffic. Soon you will be doing “greater things.”

Lord God, give me eyes that see my “neighbor”. Whisper to me what I should do. Direct my path. Let me recognize Your Presence at the end of the day. Amen.

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