Running in Faith February 2006

Running in Faith is an electronic devotional guide written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church to help readers take their Sunday faith into weekday lives. Each Devotion represents the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Permission is granted to link to this page and to use the Devotions for personal, non-commercial purposes only.
Devotion for the week of February 5 Submitted by Michael S. For in a multitude of dreams there is futility, and ruin in a flood of words: but do you fear God. If you see in a province the poor oppressed and justice and right violently taken away, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high official is watched by a higher, and yet there are higher ones over them. Ecclesiastes 5:7, 8 (KJV) This scripture speaks to me of what is happening today. Our Executive Branch is being investigated by our Legislative Branch. The Legislative Branch is closely examining each and every facet of the lives of nominees for the Judicial Branch. Rhetoric of varying qualities is flying about in massive quantities from all political factions. It seems to me that things have not improved that much in over 2000 years. A French philosopher once said, and I paraphrase, "The more things change, the more they remain the same." How very true! So, how do we make changes? WE start within ourselves and hope for the best. WE try to lead by example rather than by the sword. The second great commandment Jesus laid upon us was "to love our neighbors as ourselves." One of the two most poignant films I had seen was "Pay it Forward." In it, a young boy posited that we ought to do something kind or good for someone else with no strings attached except to "pay it forward" for still another person. The film showed how that idea started very slowly but then spread rapidly throughout the land. The other film that comes to mind is "Enemy Mine," based upon a science fiction short story in which two enemy combatants found themselves marooned on a small planet with a hostile environment. They have to make peace with each other and themselves in order to survive. That relationship, in the end, stopped an intergalactic war and made for peace and respect between two very different sentient races. Then, how do we make this change in us? We pray and listen for the answer. Then, how do we make this change in us? We pray and listen for the answer. Merciful Father ... We offer with joy and thanksgiving what You have first given us - our selves, our time and our possessions, signs of Your gracious love. Amen LBW, p67 Let us share our gifts!
Devotion for the week of February 12 Submitted by Diane S. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12, NIV The winged rider soars through the blue, her bright starlit horse glowing, as if on fire. The flames lick her skin, but do not consume it, only propel her on through the darkness. They are invigorating and inspiring, but also ruthless and at times painful. Hers is an enchanted horse and she was born riding it. They have emerged together from the deep, wanderers in a land that was never their own, but has become their own. One body, one soul, fellow travellers through the cerulean night, madly galloping up towards that ever-expanding dome, whose limits they will actually never reach. She is in love with this earthly world, yet somehow determined to escape it, drawn inexorably toward an irresistible realm she is convinced lies just beyond the veil, a spectacular kingdom whose exquisite beauty she once knew and longs to feel again. And so she rides on. But the horizon keeps advancing and the familiar blue canopy keeps reappearing, enclosing her once again, just when she thinks she might have made it through. There is no end to this journey, as there was no beginning. To stay the course is difficult, but she rides on, fascinated by the experience and sure in her mind that she is making progress, that the miles are flying by. Is not the wind whipping in her face, and the dark outlines of the fields and forests racing by below her proof of that? But despite her monumental effort and gripping fatigue, she will never arrive, for this is, and always has been, a land of illusions. What seems like forever to her, though, has in reality been only a momentary interlude, and the world through which she has been travelling soon abruptly dissolves. For suddenly the stars begin to fall, and the ephemeral images that have danced in the night, capturing her soul, now slip silently away. The shades are lifted from her eyes, and she awakens in the rosy hues of an early dawn, to find her limbs refreshed, her vision enhanced, and her heart renewed. She rests in the arms of her beloved Lord, bathed in the white radiance of his steadfast love, and in that instant she knows: She has been here all along, and he has never left her side. O Lord of the hearth, whose quiet, unfaltering flame never burns out, sustain us as we ride through the storm and stress of endless nights, and through the joys of sunny days. May we remember that our brief sojourn here is for the purpose of transformation and service, which deserves every ounce of our vision, commitment, and energy. Help us to press on without fear, knowing always that nothing that can separate us from your love, for you dwell within us, and always have. And when the world seems to close in around us, and hope seems to fade, may we remember that we live in the light of your manifold grace and compassion, and cannot move beyond them. You are with us always, as you have been from the beginning and ever shall be. Amen. Song of Praise Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Untrusting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; In all life thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render: O help us to see 'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee. Walter Chambers Smith (1824-1908)
Devotion for the week of February 19 Submitted by Pastor Joel Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 I don't watch much television. In fact, our television has been relegated to the attic of our house, and rarely comes on. However, halfway through the Winter Olympics I've found this to be an exception. I love the Olympics. It's exciting to watch some of the greatest athletes in the world demonstrate their amazing abilities. Here are athletes with conviction, passion, and discipline. Unfortunately, sometimes even the Olympics are tainted with arrogance and carelessness that leads to scandal, and sometimes even expulsion from competing. Destructive habits take over and foolish decisions are made, and in these situations it seems as if the purpose of true sport has been forgotten. These misdirected athletes run aimlessly, with a different goal in mind than those who compete for good sport. Sometimes it feels as if this happens to Christians. We're certainly pursuing a goal, but we run with our own goal in mind, and we run aimlessly. We run toward a finish line as individual racers against everyone else. And while this is often the goal of the race in many of the Olympic competitions, this is certainly not what Paul had in mind when he used this imagery. Paul is not even warning Christians to try to be morally perfect; as far as he's concerned our own efforts and discipline are so misdirected they will inevitably cave to self-interest. On the contrary, Paul is here warning them (and us) that the finish line will never be reached alone, neither as individual Christians nor even as an individual congregation or denomination. The result of self-interested individuals running the race, or congregations with only their own growth and improvement as their goal, is disqualification from the race. The finish line - the prize - that Paul has in mind is one that is never about self-indulgence but about building up the neighbor. Yes, only one runner receives the prize in an earthly race, but the prize of the race Paul has in mind is more inclusive. Christians do not run aimlessly, but toward the kingdom of God, where there is a radical acceptance of all people. Christians discipline themselves - punish and enslave their bodies - not in order to become perfect gold medal moral athletes, but to be shaped by the Spirit daily in the waters of baptism. And it's precisely baptism that re-qualifies the disqualified. "Punish your body" (as Paul uses the phrase) is not to be understood literally as something you do to yourself, but as the Spirit's daily drowning of the old sinful person in the waters of baptism so that you may be shaped by the Spirit to run the race for the good of the neighbor. Gracious God, we give you thanks because by the death and resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ you destroyed the power of death and accepted all believers into your kingdom. Give us the conviction, passion, and discipline to run the race for the sake of all people, that we may proclaim good news to all creation and always place love and concern for our neighbors before our own needs. Amen.
Devotion for the week of February 26 Submitted by Susan L. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. Romans 14: 22 One of my children told me that Martin Luther's favorite book of the Bible was Romans and that seemed a good reason to read it for myself. What a bunch of good ideas for family life it contains, but what a hard book to understand overall. What follows is offered in the spirit of the above quote: I see very little clearly and I have little insight to offer, but I believe that what I am pursuing (faith in God's love?) is worthy. At first, I chuckled at this half-beatitude: It comes near the end of a dense book and seems like a left handed compliment. Then when I thought of Christ's longer list of beatitudes, I wondered if this one from Romans could be extended by adding "for they are probably on the right track." Christ's list seems to include all of us who are vulnerable but sincere. Paul's idea is similar. A tolerant tone sounds from the very beginning of Romans with Paul's opening prayer that he and his friends may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Throughout the book, the reader is reminded to be mutually upbuilding (14:19), not to judge others (14:1) and to keep in mind that God's kindness, forbearance and patience are meant to lead us all to repentance. (2:4). We are encouraged not to make one another stumble (14:13). In our own homes, patient forbearance is the key to helping each other grow. Everyday we all err and compassionate cheerfulness (12:8) both for those around us and ourselves is crucial. Paul's half-beatitude comes in a passage on dietary regulations. He seems to be telling us that if one person thinks something is unclean, fine; but don't expect everyone else to make the same determination. Don't throw your convictions at someone else's feet as a stumbling block. Bickering and petty quarrels over dietary laws do not help us come to God. Some issues that arise in families (tidiness of bedrooms comes to my mind) may be more laughable (or signs of God's infinite variety) than truly connected with spiritual growth. The last chapter of Romans contains personal greetings from Paul to several dozen individuals, workers in the church, unknown except for this passage. This chapter raised my spirits because it lists a multitude of simple people all important to Paul and worthy of mention in scripture. There is hope for us all Dear God, help make your ways more understandable to us. Thank you for your compassionate forbearance and strengthen us in our efforts to emulate your loving attitude toward your family. Amen
Yearly Index

Running in Faith is an electronic devotional guide written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church to help readers take their Sunday faith into weekday lives. Each Devotion represents the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Permission is granted to link to this page and to use the Devotions for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

Devotion for the week of February 5
Submitted by Michael S.

For in a multitude of dreams there is futility, and ruin in a flood of words: but do you fear God. If you see in a province the poor oppressed and justice and right violently taken away, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high official is watched by a higher, and yet there are higher ones over them. Ecclesiastes 5:7, 8 (KJV)

This scripture speaks to me of what is happening today. Our Executive Branch is being investigated by our Legislative Branch. The Legislative Branch is closely examining each and every facet of the lives of nominees for the Judicial Branch. Rhetoric of varying qualities is flying about in massive quantities from all political factions.

It seems to me that things have not improved that much in over 2000 years. A French philosopher once said, and I paraphrase, "The more things change, the more they remain the same." How very true!

So, how do we make changes? WE start within ourselves and hope for the best. WE try to lead by example rather than by the sword. The second great commandment Jesus laid upon us was "to love our neighbors as ourselves."

One of the two most poignant films I had seen was "Pay it Forward." In it, a young boy posited that we ought to do something kind or good for someone else with no strings attached except to "pay it forward" for still another person. The film showed how that idea started very slowly but then spread rapidly throughout the land.

The other film that comes to mind is "Enemy Mine," based upon a science fiction short story in which two enemy combatants found themselves marooned on a small planet with a hostile environment. They have to make peace with each other and themselves in order to survive. That relationship, in the end, stopped an intergalactic war and made for peace and respect between two very different sentient races.

Then, how do we make this change in us?
We pray and listen for the answer.

Merciful Father ... We offer with joy and thanksgiving what You have first given us - our selves, our time and our possessions, signs of Your gracious love. Amen LBW, p67
Let us share our gifts!

Devotion for the week of February 12
Submitted by Diane S.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12, NIV

The winged rider soars through the blue, her bright starlit horse glowing, as if on fire. The flames lick her skin, but do not consume it, only propel her on through the darkness. They are invigorating and inspiring, but also ruthless and at times painful. Hers is an enchanted horse and she was born riding it. They have emerged together from the deep, wanderers in a land that was never their own, but has become their own. One body, one soul, fellow travellers through the cerulean night, madly galloping up towards that ever-expanding dome, whose limits they will actually never reach.

She is in love with this earthly world, yet somehow determined to escape it, drawn inexorably toward an irresistible realm she is convinced lies just beyond the veil, a spectacular kingdom whose exquisite beauty she once knew and longs to feel again. And so she rides on. But the horizon keeps advancing and the familiar blue canopy keeps reappearing, enclosing her once again, just when she thinks she might have made it through.

There is no end to this journey, as there was no beginning. To stay the course is difficult, but she rides on, fascinated by the experience and sure in her mind that she is making progress, that the miles are flying by. Is not the wind whipping in her face, and the dark outlines of the fields and forests racing by below her proof of that? But despite her monumental effort and gripping fatigue, she will never arrive, for this is, and always has been, a land of illusions.

What seems like forever to her, though, has in reality been only a momentary interlude, and the world through which she has been travelling soon abruptly dissolves. For suddenly the stars begin to fall, and the ephemeral images that have danced in the night, capturing her soul, now slip silently away. The shades are lifted from her eyes, and she awakens in the rosy hues of an early dawn, to find her limbs refreshed, her vision enhanced, and her heart renewed. She rests in the arms of her beloved Lord, bathed in the white radiance of his steadfast love, and in that instant she knows: She has been here all along, and he has never left her side.

O Lord of the hearth, whose quiet, unfaltering flame never burns out, sustain us as we ride through the storm and stress of endless nights, and through the joys of sunny days. May we remember that our brief sojourn here is for the purpose of transformation and service, which deserves every ounce of our vision, commitment, and energy. Help us to press on without fear, knowing always that nothing that can separate us from your love, for you dwell within us, and always have. And when the world seems to close in around us, and hope seems to fade, may we remember that we live in the light of your manifold grace and compassion, and cannot move beyond them. You are with us always, as you have been from the beginning and ever shall be. Amen.

Song of Praise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Untrusting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
Walter Chambers Smith (1824-1908)

Devotion for the week of February 19
Submitted by Pastor Joel

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I don't watch much television. In fact, our television has been relegated to the attic of our house, and rarely comes on. However, halfway through the Winter Olympics I've found this to be an exception. I love the Olympics. It's exciting to watch some of the greatest athletes in the world demonstrate their amazing abilities. Here are athletes with conviction, passion, and discipline.

Unfortunately, sometimes even the Olympics are tainted with arrogance and carelessness that leads to scandal, and sometimes even expulsion from competing. Destructive habits take over and foolish decisions are made, and in these situations it seems as if the purpose of true sport has been forgotten. These misdirected athletes run aimlessly, with a different goal in mind than those who compete for good sport.

Sometimes it feels as if this happens to Christians. We're certainly pursuing a goal, but we run with our own goal in mind, and we run aimlessly. We run toward a finish line as individual racers against everyone else. And while this is often the goal of the race in many of the Olympic competitions, this is certainly not what Paul had in mind when he used this imagery. Paul is not even warning Christians to try to be morally perfect; as far as he's concerned our own efforts and discipline are so misdirected they will inevitably cave to self-interest. On the contrary, Paul is here warning them (and us) that the finish line will never be reached alone, neither as individual Christians nor even as an individual congregation or denomination. The result of self-interested individuals running the race, or congregations with only their own growth and improvement as their goal, is disqualification from the race.

The finish line - the prize - that Paul has in mind is one that is never about self-indulgence but about building up the neighbor. Yes, only one runner receives the prize in an earthly race, but the prize of the race Paul has in mind is more inclusive. Christians do not run aimlessly, but toward the kingdom of God, where there is a radical acceptance of all people. Christians discipline themselves - punish and enslave their bodies - not in order to become perfect gold medal moral athletes, but to be shaped by the Spirit daily in the waters of baptism. And it's precisely baptism that re-qualifies the disqualified.

"Punish your body" (as Paul uses the phrase) is not to be understood literally as something you do to yourself, but as the Spirit's daily drowning of the old sinful person in the waters of baptism so that you may be shaped by the Spirit to run the race for the good of the neighbor.

Gracious God, we give you thanks because by the death and resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ you destroyed the power of death and accepted all believers into your kingdom. Give us the conviction, passion, and discipline to run the race for the sake of all people, that we may proclaim good news to all creation and always place love and concern for our neighbors before our own needs. Amen.

Devotion for the week of February 26
Submitted by Susan L.

Blessed are those who have no reason to
condemn themselves because of what they approve.
Romans 14: 22

One of my children told me that Martin Luther's favorite book of the Bible was Romans and that seemed a good reason to read it for myself. What a bunch of good ideas for family life it contains, but what a hard book to understand overall. What follows is offered in the spirit of the above quote: I see very little clearly and I have little insight to offer, but I believe that what I am pursuing (faith in God's love?) is worthy. At first, I chuckled at this half-beatitude: It comes near the end of a dense book and seems like a left handed compliment. Then when I thought of Christ's longer list of beatitudes, I wondered if this one from Romans could be extended by adding "for they are probably on the right track." Christ's list seems to include all of us who are vulnerable but sincere. Paul's idea is similar.

A tolerant tone sounds from the very beginning of Romans with Paul's opening prayer that he and his friends may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Throughout the book, the reader is reminded to be mutually upbuilding (14:19), not to judge others (14:1) and to keep in mind that God's kindness, forbearance and patience are meant to lead us all to repentance. (2:4). We are encouraged not to make one another stumble (14:13).

In our own homes, patient forbearance is the key to helping each other grow. Everyday we all err and compassionate cheerfulness (12:8) both for those around us and ourselves is crucial. Paul's half-beatitude comes in a passage on dietary regulations. He seems to be telling us that if one person thinks something is unclean, fine; but don't expect everyone else to make the same determination. Don't throw your convictions at someone else's feet as a stumbling block. Bickering and petty quarrels over dietary laws do not help us come to God. Some issues that arise in families (tidiness of bedrooms comes to my mind) may be more laughable (or signs of God's infinite variety) than truly connected with spiritual growth.

The last chapter of Romans contains personal greetings from Paul to several dozen individuals, workers in the church, unknown except for this passage. This chapter raised my spirits because it lists a multitude of simple people all important to Paul and worthy of mention in scripture. There is hope for us all

Dear God, help make your ways more understandable to us. Thank you for your compassionate forbearance and strengthen us in our efforts to emulate your loving attitude toward your family. Amen

Yearly Index