A Story of a Ten Dollar Bill & a Quarter

One morning as I took the clear inexpensive cover off of a pair of trousers fresh from the dry cleaners there was a sealed envelop stapled around the hanger. In bold letters were the words, OPEN IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT THROW AWAY. 

When I opened the envelop I found a folded ten dollar bill! Evidently I had left it in a pocket by accident. I was impressed by the values of the cleaners and the honesty of whoever checked my trousers before cleaning.

That evening my wife told me that when she took my grandson with her to get her car washed, they saw something that they had never seen before. An employee was riding in the car as it was pulled through the wash. He appeared to be doing something in the car, largely unnoticed, except by my grandson and wife!

When my grandson and wife got in the car she saw that a quarter that she keeps in a tray was missing. She asked the assistant and then manager of the car wash about it. They asked the employee who rode through the car wash and no quarter was found. She was even made to feel a liar.

As she told me what happened I couldn’t help but to remember Jesus’ words;  One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (v. Luke 16:10)

That $10 bill and that quarter, said it all. 

Lord, make be faithful of a little do I will be seen in Your eyes as worthy as being faithful over a lot. Amen

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Mark 9:42-50

Text: If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. (v. 42)

Do you know the name of your server in a restaurant? Nine times out of ten I introduce myself to them. I think that it is simply a polite thing to do. And then, if I need something I can ask them by name and thank them. 

I do this because a long time ago I learned that everything we do is educative. Everything. People learn about our character by the way we act and things we say. We, too, learn about others in the same way.

Jesus warned His disciples to be careful what they say and do because their actions or comments may push people away from Jesus! I’ve known too many people who have been wounded by those who say they are followers of Jesus. A missionary once told me that everyone lives Jesus, it’s just Christians they can’t stand! Christians are seen as being judgmental, prejudiced and closed-minded. This is too bad because Jesus was none of these things!

So, if you decide to take Jesus seriously be careful. Others may judge Him by you!

Lord, let me be humble enough to allow You to speak through me and act through me. Let me be transparent enough that when they see me, they see You. Amen

Devotional Readings my from the Daily Common Lectionary: Mark 15:1-13

Text: May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another (v. 5)

Yesterday we saw the face of evil in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was ugly and scary and intimidating. It is the dark side of our common humanity. It reminded me of something that Martin Niemoller wrote in the aftermath of the dark side of humanity.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

A follower of Jesus cannot remain silent. 

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Mark 9:30-41

Text: (Jesus) sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

Greatness is not found in salary, position or pedigree. Nor is it found in gender, skin tone, Zip Code or diploma. Those things may be signs of greatness as “the world” measures greatness but not in the Kingdom’s measure.

Jesus overheard the disciples measuring their own greatness against one another. He told them that greatness, true Kingdom greatness, is found in service; more specifically, in serving one another.

The only competition that Jesus’ followers participate in is “out-serveing one another and God’s world.

And come to think of it, doesn’t the world give accolades to those who unselfishly serve the least, the  last and the lost?

Lord, let me not get caught up in the world’s definition of greatness. Lead me in humble serve to others. Amen.

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Mark 9: 1-13

Text: He (Peter) did not know what to say, for they were terrified. (v. 6)

When we don’t know what to say, why is it that too often we insist on saying something?! “It’s for the best.” (It usually doesn’t feel like and is generally not!) ” “God needed another angel…or flower…or whatever.” (An especially terrible thing to say about God when a child’s mommy or daddy died.) I could go on, but you get the idea. 

In today’s reading Peter, James & John had seen something that theologians call “The Transfiguration” and have difficulty explaining. Not knowing what to say, Peter said something “silly”, simply because he didn’t know what else to say. 

A voice from a cloud corrected Peter essentially saying that in Jesus God was doing a new thing, pulling aside for a moment, the curtain between the Temporal and Eternal, thus revealing the essential nature of God.

Sometimes when we don’t know what to say the most profound thing to say is to say nothing at all. Just being there says it all.

Lord God, teach me the eloquence of silence. Amen.