onewhoponders

AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 118 Isa. 49:13-23; Gal. 3:1-14; Mark 6:30-46

Mark

“After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” (Mark 6: 46)

Jesus has just fed the five thousand and sent his disciples off in a boat.  It has been a hard day’s work and now he goes to the Father in prayer.  This whole episode started with prayer as he gave thanks for the few loaves and fish before passing it out to the multitude.

This is what I call a sandwich prayer.  Jesus prays to start the activity and then closes it with prayer at the end. So often we pray and pray for God to do something for us.  When God resolves the situation for us (as may be best for us) we take it and go.  Maybe God doesn’t hear from us again until the next crisis. But in this case with the feeding Jesus was praying for the work he has done, not for any new favors or life improvements or the next big thing but for the welfare of others that they might be truly fed with the Spirit.  This too is a misunderstanding we sometimes make.  When we receive unexpected opportunities like the chance to help somebody we should do it in a prayer sandwich.  Pray to ask for God’s help at the start.  Do the task, and then give God thanks for the opportunity just received.  This is a perfect sandwich.  Yum  Yum!

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Daily Office Readings for 30 January 2019 AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53] Isa. 49:1-12; Gal. 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29 Part 1of 3 Mark “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark6:20) The relationship of Herod with John the Baptist was one of fear, respect, mystery and admiration.  And yet Herod would allow himself to be persuaded into killing John. With the possible exception of fear, I have mentors of whom I respect and who are mysterious and have my admiration.  They just happen to all be men and priests.  They are men of integrity who always have some silent quality about them that manifest a contemplative quality. I can’t imagine doing anything that would cause them harm.  For that matter, I don’t want to do anything that would harm our relationship. Herod lost a great mentor when allowed too much to drink take away a bright light in his life. I believe all of us should have some person or persons in our lives that are those who console us. Elisha had Elijah, Ruth had Naomi and Marcella had Jerome (More about Marcella and Jerome later).  Who do you have?  Regular visits to be with such a person makes you a better person too. We all need someone who could advise us, console us, someone we like to listen to.  Such a person should be honest and a good listener who wants to console and not control. Your mentor should be someone you like to listen to. And someone you want to emulate. I believe that by maintaining this mentor-protégé relationship we grow into being part of the person leading us and keep them with us long after they have gone on. Keep the good ones alive forever. Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 3

Marcella had Jerome Wednesday Night Healing Service for January 30 2019

Readings for Marcella of Rome

1 Kings 17:8–16 Psalm 124 Mark 12:41–44

1Kings “Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. ^For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” (1 Kings 17:13 -14)

Marcella (325–410) is known primarily for her role in the founding of monasticism. After the death of her husband, she commenced a life of abstinence and many other women in Rome at the time followed suit. (Wikipedia)  Marcella’s day is actually tomorrow, January 31 but I use what I call preacher’s privilege and scan the week to see who I want to lift up on Wednesday night.

Summoned by Pope Damasus I (who arranged lodging at Marcella’s hospitality house), Jerome arrived in Rome in 382. It was an exhilarating time for Marcella, a woman of letters who had immersed herself in both Greek and Hebrew, to be entertaining one of the great minds of the age. Jerome spent the next three years in what he called her “domestic church,” translating the Bible into Latin. She learned under his teaching even as she critiqued his translation. He spoke and wrote of her Christian devotion and scholarship Indeed, his admiration of Marcella was unbounded, not only for her intellectual acumen but also for her deference to men who might be threatened by her vast store of knowledge. (Wikipedia).

The relationship of Marcella and Jerome closely resembles that of Elijah and Elisha as introduced in 1Kings 19: 19 – 21. Elisha gave up everything and followed Elijah.  So, at the risk of redundancy, we all need someone who could advise us, console us, someone we like to listen to.  Such a person should be honest and a good listener who wants to console and not control. Your mentor should be someone you like to listen to. And someone you want to emulate. I believe that by maintaining this mentor-protégé relationship we grow into being part of the person leading us and keep them with us long after they have gone on. Keep the good ones alive forever.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 3 of 3

Galatians

“And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

I don’t really think it would be hard to let Jesus live in us.  We know so much about Jesus.  He would not hurt anybody.  He would feed people and it seems he really loved being at the table with friends. He was not impressed with money and could be found praying at any time of day. He would listen to anybody and only gave loving advice. 

These are traits that we can emulate: don’t hurt, feed people, be company, don’t let money rule you, listen quietly, and pray regularly.  Let’s do this starting right now.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Daily Office Readings for 29 January 2019 AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48 Isa. 48:12-21; Gal. 1:18-2:10; Mark 6:1-13 Part 1of 2 Galatians “Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” (Galatians 1: 18 – 23) Paul’s time was a time before pictures and emails.  No one knew what anybody looked like. So when people met Paul they had to ponder about who he used to be and who he is now.  We all change over time, hopefully for the better. I know that I am not the person I used to be.  And I am so thankful to God for it.  However, anytime I travel back to Nashville, Tennessee, those closest to my age assume that I have the same value system that I left with. I do not.  Life is more meaningful now and it’s not just because I’m older.  My study of Jesus and the Gospels has had a profound effect on the way I interpret experiences.  We are taught by love to be tolerant of others. I think we should be especially intentional about tolerance when we don’t agree with them.  The world has many people that I do not agree with.  But that’s ok.  There is a code of ethics built into our Baptismal Covenant that says that with God’s help we will respect the dignity of every person.  What I must remind myself of constantly is that this applies even if they don’t respect themselves.  I have been there, in a dark place, where I did not respect myself.  I think the first person we have to start respecting is ourselves.  Our values change.  As we age, our thoughts go through some changes. The good news is, like Paul, our beliefs change also. Now change can go either way, good or bad.  But with concepts like tolerance and love we are able to be civil and loving with people, even those who differ from us.  When this happens people will marvel that you, like Paul, are no longer the person you used to be. Thanks be to God.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Mark

“And he was amazed at their unbelief” (Mark 6:6)

This is so much like the Paul episode above. Jesus went to Nazareth, the place where he was raised, but because his old friends would not let go of their old understanding of who he was there was little to no healing.  Belief is everything.  Jesus works with the faith we have. 

Perhaps the most difficult thing we can do is change what we believe.  We have had to change what we believed about the earth being the center of the universe and the little hot sun rotating around us.  We’ve had to re-think the earth being flat.  Currently we are, or should be, re-believing the issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental illness and even politics.  In these areas we become so polarized that no healing can take place because we are so tribal we won’t allow it.

The love that Jesus models is one of compassion.  It is a love of listening. But when we fear that we might change our minds and believe the earth is round we put up guards so that no matter what, we won’t allow it.  There are some developing countries today that will not receive medicines from the West because they believe its poison.  How do we open our minds to see what God is doing in our very midst today?  Jesus is always brand new!  He is so much more than the little Sunday School Jesus of our childhood.  We all should approach Jesus with new expectation to see what God is doing through him today, and believe so that Jesus can do his work.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Daily Office Readings for 28 January 2019 Part 1of 2

Mark

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:34)

This is the story of Jesus on his way to Jairus’ home to attend to Jairus’ daughter.  And while this story begins and ends with the little girl, on the way a sick woman gives Jesus an unexpected opportunity.

She has been bleeding for 12 years.  She has tried everything and every doctor for help to no avail. Now she puts her hopes and faith in Jesus.  She self talks and says that if she could just touch his clothes she would be made well. And she was.  When Jesus approaches her about what she did, she confesses. And Jesus says to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.

So once again, God in Christ is using the faith already in us to fix us. It is amazing that God puts this faith in us from the beginning and then waits patiently until we ask for help.  Then God reaches in and activates the medicine in us to fix us.  We keep the medicine fresh by regular prayer, study and worship.  Faith not used is faith lost. 

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Readings for St Thomas Aquinas Priest, Friar, and Theologian (28 JAN 1274)

Psalm 119:97-104 Wisdom 7:7-14 Matthew 13:47-52

Wisdom

“Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” (Wisdom 7”7)

In the thirteenth century, when Thomas Aquinas studied the works of  Aristotle, such study caused him grief within the church but he remained steadfast.

Aquinas framed a method of argument that still works today but it requires patience.  Aquinas insisted that we listen very closely to the other’s argument. Further, that we should listen close enough to repeat the other’s point of view using their supporting reasons.  He would teach that, until we can do this, we can’t fully refute the other’s evidence. We may even take up the other’s position.  Which I feel is an evolving process.  We shouldn’t argue just to win.  We should argue to get at the truth, and let that truth make us free.

I can remember also from Seminary that St Thomas Aquinas argued for the existence of God as the Prime Mover of all things in motion, that God is the changer of all things and yet is the Changeless One; and other such descriptors of Deity.  One professor told us that of the volumes of books by Aquinas, one little revelation of the Holy Spirit can give us far more insight into the Being of God.  So as the writer of Wisdom says, “Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” (Wisdom 7”7)

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

RCL Eucharistic Readings for 27 January 2019 Part 1of 2

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10:  Psalm 19: 1Corinthians 12:12-31a: Luke 4:14-21

1^st Corinthians

“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.” (1^st Cor. 12:12)

Paul demonstrates that our Church is multifaceted. While we are made up of diverse  peoples, Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, blacks, whites, males, females, old, young, gays, straights, rich and poor; all participating in Christ in non-tribal ways.  People of different cultures and languages are coming together within the Christian Church and bringing their unique perspectives with them.  Any move that promotes sameness among its members fosters the antithesis of the principles of Christianity. Be us by being different.

In addition to the wide invitation to all walks of humanity, we are also called to many functions within the Church. The shortest list of needs is the formally ordained, the deaconate, the priesthood and bishops. If we only had these three we wouldn’t have a church.  We need people who do the heavy lifting of Altar Guild, Choir, Music, Ushering, Cleaning, Stewardship, Money Handlers, Mission and Outreach, Cooks, Office Management, Building Repairers, Folks who can just move stuff, and the list goes on.  The needs of the Church are perhaps more divers than the limited channels of human diversity that feed into the Church.

With Jesus’ movement through Paul to have him include other cultures, the Christian Church is perhaps the first multi-ethnic organization to come together for the benefit of the whole community.  This is who we are and who we are called to be by God in Christ Jesus. We are called to be a collection of different people who come together to employ the various gifts given to us by God for the good of all people.  Let’s get with somebody different and do something good.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Luke

 ^“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.”  (Luke 4:16)

And I guess we should say “back” to Nazareth, given that he was raised there.  I like to catch the little seemingly unimportant phrases like “as was his custom.”  That’s a big deal!  It’s a custom that Jesus modeled that too many professing Christians (followers of Jesus) fail to follow.

I love telling the story of when I was in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and went to our little church service every Sunday in the sand.  Some of my junior Marines asked me, “Gunny, why do you go to church?” Of which I answered, “Because it’s Sunday.”  That’s it – straight forward, simple.  Even now I don’t give long theological pontifications about The Resurrection and Church History.  I understand that when I accept Jesus and Sunday comes, I go to church as was Jesus’ custom.  Let’s follow Jesus to Church.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 1of 2

Daily Office Readings: Year 1

AM Psalm 30, 32; PM Psalm 42, 43
Isa. 46:1-13; Eph. 6:10-24; Mark 5:1-20

“You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.”  (Psalm 30:3)

We are going to read about the healing of the man with many demons in part 2.  But let us look at what we have here.  The Psalmist praises God for lifting him up from his apparent path to death. His life was given back to him. Life is not just watching time go by so that we can hurry up and get to the end of the stress we are experiencing.  If we want to see what life is we only have to watch a young child as she learns how to play with a new toy or as she taste a new food for the first time and see the excitement in her face.  That’s what life is, experimentation and exploring!

I think any number of us can sometimes consider our life trajectory as a spiral downward into the abyss. The mundane becomes the slow construction of our tomb.  There is no experimentation or exploring.  There is only routine boredom at best, routine aggravation at worst.

But when God brings you up to experience a new craft, or new studies and most especially when God puts in your path new people in your life, God is restoring your life, restoring it as you were trying so hard to be ever going down to the grave. Examine your life intently.  What new skills, new studies and new people has God placed in your life?  Do not live going down to the grave, live being restored by God.  It is not so much that God created us, but rather, that God is creating us.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Ephesians

“But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’  And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”  (Ephesians 5: 21 – 20)

This an interesting experience.  The man was relieved of the evil spirits that possessed him.  He then asked Jesus if he could join the group.  Jesus said “no.” Perhaps there are several reasons for Jesus denying him the privilege of joining the group. Let’s look at a couple of them.

None of the men who followed Jesus were people who were healed of anything. Also, all of the apostles were Israelites.  Maybe a healed Gentile could be better used among the Gentiles proclaiming the mercy and goodness of God. Maybe this healed man would never turn away from Jesus if Jesus allowed him to follow.  This could be problematic if Jesus fully intends to be arrested without injury to those who followed him. No, Jesus needed those sheep who would flee when the Shepherd was struck.

The whole point of this lesson is that when we are thankful to God for what God has done and is doing for us, we don’t have to fit in.  We can go among those who thought they knew us and show them the change, the improvement God has made, and is making in us.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 1of 2

Eucharistic Readings for the Conversion of St. Paul

Acts 26:9-21 Psalm 67 Galatians 1:11-24 Matthew 10:16-22

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matt. 10:22b)

Today we remember the Conversion of St. Paul.  Some Church friends and I went to see “Paul the Apostle.”  It was a really good movie. The best part for me was the ending, wherein we saw Paul’s reward.  I’m not going to go any further.  I would like for you to see it for yourself.  The movie reminds me that we live our Christian lives for the reward, that is, to be saved. I think too many of us forget that.

 I think we get so wrapped up in this life we begin to feel that this is it and that this is all there is.  We must remember that this life is not eternal.  For those of us that lead hard or painful lives, this is good news.  But even for us that don’t have it so bad there is still a better life to come if we persevere, if we endure to the end.  We must remember that it is not what people think about us, rather it is what God knows about us.  But thanks be to God, God is loving and merciful. A decision that cost us time and money here in this life, for the benefit of someone else, that they might be taken care of, is pleasing in Gods sight. Some of the blessings we have here are for us to pass on. It was never ours to keep. Like Abraham, we are to be blessed and bless.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Acts of the Apostles

“After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance.”   (Acts 26: 19 – 20) 

Today we remember the Conversion of St. Paul.  He was met by the resurrected Jesus on his way to Damascus. It was on that road that turned his life around, and ours too. Saul was serious about how people should believe in, and worship God.  And there were no deviations as far as he was concerned.  But then he encountered Jesus and was asked “Why?” 

 Once we know, we can’t UN-know.  Once we have been made to know and feel the loving nature of God by meeting Jesus, it is a life changing experience and we too like Paul will have been changed, and the change is forever. How has the Jesus experience changed you? Live the conversion!

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 1of 2

AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
Isa. 45:5-17; Eph. 5:15-33; Mark 4:21-34 )

“He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?” (Mark 4:21)

Jesus is explaining to his listeners that the purpose of light is to unveil the truth.  To have light and not make good use of it can lead to trouble. I often find myself having moving through a space when it’s dark.  I keep a little pocket flashlight in my coat packet for just such occasions.  It makes all the difference when I can use it to help me see objects that I might otherwise trip over.

Now there are all kinds of light but I think what Jesus is teaching us is the light of morality.  We move through a world fraught with decisions of good or bad consequences for ourselves and others. We want to do the right thing. The light of morality allows us to see all the dangers that could cause us emotional pain. Our lesson from the teaching of Jesus serves as a light to the nations.  It is a two part light.  We replace the bulb and the batteries with the instructions about loving God and loving our neighbors.  Without this light of morality we are walking blind without eyes to see or ears to hear and are bound to trip over relational dangers causing emotional injury and heartache. Have Light in your life and use it and be well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Mark:

“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it” (Mark 4:33)

It is important to understand the part about “as they were able to hear it” Jesus used parables that made sense to them in order to make them understand what the kingdom of God was like, and what it was not like. 

What we need to know, is that God wants us to know, that the kingdom of God can and should be right here, right now. All we have to do is live like it is here now. That means loving each other and to quit worrying about the negatives that we have put in place.  The kingdom of God does not have human constructs like race, no such thing.  Are we able to hear this?  The kingdom of God does not have rules about who people should partner with as long as they are loving and respectful to one another.  Are we able to hear this?  We have created social constructs and placed them in the domain of the kingdom of God. Well, God is not able to hear this.

Jesus told parables about scattered seed and mustard seed. He told parables about new growth, about the unique ways in which it grows and he talked about how wide spread the growth will be.  This was the kind of talk the people could hear and understand.  The truth is that the body of Christ has already been planted and it has taken root.  We have been given beautiful seeds in a plain envelope without a picture of what the plant itself will look like.  Our job is to nurture the plants with the waters of Baptism and keep the weeds human agenda out, thus giving the seed every opportunity to grow into the full statue of Christ. In this way we will be able to hear and we will be well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 1of 2

AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48
Isa. 44:24-45:7; Eph. 5:1-14; Mark 4:1-20

Mark

“And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secretof the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that “they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” ’ (Mark 4:11 – 12)

This is a clue that in order to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through Biblical readings, that we must look deep beneath the surface of the literal text.  Truth is veiled in parable because truth requires the work necessary to get the reward.  Those who just scrape the surface attain nothing of real value and it could even be misleading or short circuited.  We can’t just grab and go. Sometimes we must soak in the soup for a while to collect all the rich flavors of what’s there.

So, before we go deeper we must believe that there is something hidden beneath the perceived obvious. We also must believe that the treasure is worth the work of going deeper.  I am currently in a cabinet making class led by a craftsman in his 80’s.  He has been making cabinets for more than 50 years.  This class moves slowly.  There are many small steps that require patience to learn them. Getting in a hurry will cause mistakes and a waste of wood and possibly personal injury.  The fruit of the study and patience is a well made and beautiful cabinet.  Living the Christian life is the same way. To us has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.  We only have to follow the Master Craftsman, Jesus, and we will perceive, understand, and turn and be forgiven.   Be well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Ephesians

 “Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5: 4)

It has been said that people that us vulgar and profane language do so because they are inarticulate or believe that such language impresses others or that such language is funny.  I find it a turnoff. 

I have many family and friends that regularly us vulgar expressions.  I am working on a few of them.  For some I think there is no hope short of God. For most, my nagging is working, but slowly.  They often cringe when they slip up in my presence and notice my disapproving facial expression.  But that’s a start.  So many of us communicate through social media.  And I know there is a way to de-friend or cut them out, but they are my friends and family and I love them.  I want to hear what they have to say but not how they say it. I am not impressed by profanity but rather put off by it and I certainly don’t think the profanity is funny.  In fact, sometimes I miss the point they are trying to make because of the language tools used.   My hope is that my continued presence in their lives, and my language example is something they want to keep and are willing follow me.  And for that, let there be thanksgiving. Be well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Wednesday Extra

Wednesday Evening Healing Service

AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
Isa. 45:5-17; Eph. 5:15-33; Mark 4:21-34

Florence Li Tim-Oi

FIRST WOMAN PRIEST IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION, 24 JANUARY 1944

Florence Li Tim-Oi was ordained a deacon and later ordained a priest so as to ensure the Holy Eucharist continued to have a presence in China.  She was ordained a priest by Bishop Ronald Hall of Hong Kong in 1944, primarily because of difficulties occasioned by the Japanese occupation of China. A storm of protest after the war by disapproving bishops forced her to refrain from exercising her role as a priest.

Florence said at one point that she is pleased to serve God at whatever level was told her. Bishop Hall stood his ground and said “she is a priest.” Tim.-Oi is my hero because of her selfless attitude. She was just happy doing God’s work.  However those of us who can see what’s going on with the narrow-mindedness of the Church have a responsibility to go in and work to correct this mindset. I am very pleased to have a picture of Florence Li Tim-Oi and Bishop Barbara Harris (First woman Bishop in the Episcopal Church) talking with one another outside of the Washington National Cathedral. I downloaded it, I did not take it.

Towards the end of her life, Florence Li Tim-Oi emigrated to Canada where she was able to resume her priestly duties. She died in 1992. Like so many she was are rare gift from God that we undervalued. I pray we are getting better. Be Well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 1of 2

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39
Isa. 44:9-20; Eph. 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35

Psalm 39

“My heart was hot within me;
while I pondered, the fire burst into flame;
I spoke out with my tongue”  (Psalm 39:4)

I have been in this place; a place of hurt.  My heart too has been hot within me and when it happens, my mouth shoots forth words that hurts the hearts of others. I don’t know how to fix this.  I don’t think it’s mine to fix.  Sometimes we break things that are beyond our ability to repair.  Wounded hearts are the purview God.  This is why we pray, “cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you….”  (Book of Common Prayer p. 355)

I am forced to remember that God is beyond all limitations.  Situations that wreck my mind, God solves effortlessly.  Meditation then on the Holy of holies is perhaps the only way to settle us down and realign our attitudes in order that we might be better enabled continue our earthly pilgrimage in a way that sustains us.  So when heavy hearts burn, and they will, we must quiet ourselves and be still with God asking for the relief that only God can give. Be well.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Part 2 of 2

Ephesians

“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26)

We all get angry from time to time.  It’s a human condition – unavoidable.  How we handle anger is a mark of good character.  I have met people who I thought never got angry.  Now I have learned that such people have found ways to channel their anger in harmless ways. Some folks create for themselves (or find) various activities that take their minds off the troubling issue.  It only takes a little time to get past the “hot spot” and things begin to settle back down.

Sometimes reading won’t do it for me because my tricky mind always finds a way to get back to the hot spot.  I have found that doing something with my hands that require real attention usually does the trick.  And sometimes, my beloved in Christ, these hands of ours just have to come together in serious prayer.  Prayer works.  Be well.

 Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.