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Week of March 7, 2010 ...there was given me a thorn, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 There is an incredible amount of preparation that is required of every Olympic athlete: Practice and exercise; practice and exercise; virtually a daily regimen of workouts and coaching and concentrated focus on one goal...to win a gold medal. And yet, as with every Olympics, there is an element of tragedy that befalls so many of the contenders. The simplest of mistakes can turn what is otherwise an extraordinary performance into a losing effort, or even worse, a disqualification. A skater's slip, a coach's miscommunication, a missed gate on the slalom: All of these contribute to a result that depressingly falls short of the mark. We feel sorrow for these athletes because we know that they have worked so hard for so long, only to be knocked out by the slightest bit of chance. Dear Heavenly Father, (Paraphrased from 1 Corinthians 9:24-26)
Week of March 14, 2010
The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure; Last year, Don suggested that we try "taking something up for Lent" instead of "giving something up for Lent" (ref. 1). This year, my proposal is another radical modification in usual Lenten rituals. The scripture for Ash Wednesday talked about "fasting". A suggested variation would be "SLOWING". Slow down your hectic, crazy schedule. Spend extra time praying, reading the Bible, worshiping. Take the time to talk with friends and family, visit someone you haven't seen for awhile. Take a walk (yes, even in the snow) and look around at God's glorious creation. Just sit and do nothing. (Wow - when was the last time you did that?) While thinking about this. I recalled a prayer that was used at a retreat several years ago. Through the magic of the Internet, I located the poem, written by Wilferd A. Peterson. Post this on your mirror and read it each morning as you prepare for the day Slow me down, Lord! Ref. 1: Don, March 8, 2009
Week of March 21, 2010 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NRSV) When World War II broke out in Europe, all of the major powers had to move quickly to muster their armed forces, and all available weapon systems had to be utilized. In the case of the British Army, this meant re-activating equipment that had not been used since the Boer War in South Africa a half-century earlier. One piece of light artillery in particular had an interesting firing procedure. Per the operating manual, five men were assigned to fire the cannon. But two members of the crew were required to perform an odd ritual. When the piece was loaded and ready to fire, two members of the crew would snap to attention and remain this way until after the cannon launched its round. The artillery officers were baffled by this routine and saw no need for those two men. Finally, a long-retired military officer was called in to watch the firing procedure. After viewing the crew fire the cannon several times, he exclaimed, "I have it. They are holding the horses." During the Boer War, horses were still the principal means of transporting artillery and moving it into firing position. This particular light-artillery piece would have required two horses, and therefore two soldiers had to hold the reins of the horses during the firing of the weapons to keep the animals from running off. Horses had long since been phased out, but the five-man crew was left intact. This meant that two of the five men functioned merely as placeholders. (From Jonah Goldberg, "Dan, Done," National Review, March 28, 2005) I thank Pastor Scott Schantzenbach for sharing this story with members of our synod's Mission on the Move implementation team. This story poses the essential challenge to all our present institutions and how they serve God's mission. I would not limit its application to the church alone. The challenge for us in our day is to recognize through divine wisdom the core elements of living tradition that need to be preserved and nurtured while at the same time pruning those needless parts of the tradition that need to be changed. Where are the placeholders that are simply going through the forms and motions? In what areas of our lives and institutions do we waste time, energy, and resources still "holding the horses?" How do we maximize our impact in the world as followers of Jesus Christ? How can we be both honest and hopeful in our holy conversations regarding God's will and mission for our lives? A little food for Lenten reflection. Holy God, fashion us into disciples and not placeholders. Solidify our calling and give us wisdom constantly to evaluate and reform our institutions and patterns to make them more effective and responsive to your saving mission in the world. Amen
Week of March 28, 2010
Hosanna! As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey, he brought a hope for salvation to a nation crushed by military might. A weary people expected a powerful savior, perched on a mighty stallion, and armed with mighty weapons. They were prepared to welcome an impressive king, resplendent in shining robes, prepared to vanquish their oppressors with supernatural powers and arms. Yet, a carpenter's son entered Jerusalem, perched upon a donkey, one of the humblest creatures in existence. Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead, and fed the hungry. He offered hope and relief to the sick and the maimed, and a return to the glory of the Kingdom of David. He was greeted with hosannas, and branches were laid before him in homage. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!" John 12:17-19 (NIV) Sometimes, the least expected become the greatest gifts of life. An unassuming leader, cloaked in righteousness, preaching love for God and each other led one procession into Jerusalem; Pontius Pilate, draped in the temporal strength of the Roman Empire, marched with another. The adoring crowd soon became fickle, and chose to support the representatives of earthly power. Perhaps they didn't realize the gravity of their choice, or each felt relief that the force of Rome would not turn on him, at least not at that moment. There are always mobs, and always a representative of Rome, though he may bear a different name. We can either opt to march with the tyrant, or decide to join another procession. O Lord our God, enthroned upon the Cherubim, we ask that You, 0h Master, bless these palm branches, and protect and preserve us who carry in our hands the branches of the palm trees on this sacred day and that we, as those people and children offering their "Hosanna..!" (praise or gratefulness) likewise, may attain Christ's life-giving resurrection together with Your all holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever. Amen... Running in Faithis a personal interpretation of scripture, written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church Lutheran Church to help readers take their Sunday faith into their 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. You may contact me for Word format copies, with accompanying photos. |