ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 11, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:48 …for the Lord has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Thought for the Day: Lowliness is not a word I use often, except in the Christmas Season. It is one of the go-to words for describing Mary. The Greek word we translate as lowliness has as its root the word for humble. Too often our ears hear the word lowliness and we picture meek and weak, frail and feeble, a pushover. But if humility is the basis of lowliness, it is anything but fragile. True humility requires a strong sense of self. The God who called Mary recognized specific gifts, including tenacity. She was right for the job, not because she was meek and mild. Just the opposite! Mary was bold. Prayer: Let the spirit of humility dwell within me, O Lord, and not because you need someone quiet and reserved. Let humility dwell because I feel confident enough in your love not to push myself ahead of you. Amen. _ via WordPress https://ift.tt/2E5clxd
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ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 10, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Thought for the Day: The soul of Mary Megaluno the Lord. This is the word we translate as magnify, and it appears a few other places in the New Testament. Paul uses it in his letter to the Philippians where he writes: It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death (1:20). Here, the word is translated as exalted, but it could be translated as magnified. The point for us to appreciate is that Megaluno is not simply Sunday morning worship. Not too many of us here in the United States are putting our lives on the line for worship, but Paul was always in danger. To Megaluno is to express our relationship with the Lord so fully that it is visible in our bodies as we live our daily lives. Jesus doesn’t need worshipers. We need our the ones who need to worship, and it is through our worship that we discover that Jesus needs are lives that will Megaluno the Lord with bold words and bold actions – words and action that might just threaten our way of life…or even our lives. Prayer: Let my exalting and rejoicing, Mighty God, be seen clearly in who I am and what I do on Sundays and Tuesdays and all the other days of the week. Amen. -- via WordPress https://ift.tt/38l1woZ ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 9, 2019 Prayer for the Week: In the shadows of the valley, where light is eclipsed by the height of walls that feel insurmountable, give me peace. In the shadows of the valley, where hopelessness lingers, provide me a vision of the possible announced by the prophets. In the shadows of the valley, where the weight of despair pulls me deeper, bestow a hint of the liberating light of an angel’s announcement. You are present in the valley of the shadow of death, where hopelessness and despair reside. You are with us, for your gifts of stability offer a reassuring presence. No matter where we are; No matter the circumstance of the moment; No matter what others might claim, I look for a spark to illuminate even a corner of the dark. Keep me looking; Keep me believing; Keep me from assuming that the shadows of this valley will forever consume me. Amen. – via WordPress https://ift.tt/2sVnb6F ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 8, 2019 Scripture: Isaiah 2:4 God will judge between the nations, and settle disputes of mighty nations. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will no longer learn how to make war. Thought for the Day: In my sermon today, I will reference the late Rev. Dr. William Sloane Coffin. He was known for his ability to turn a phrase, and one of my favorites was: It is one thing to say with the prophet, “Let justice roll down like mighty waters,” and quite another to work out the irrigation system. Some of the best known and most powerful passages of scripture are metaphor or allegory, and they cast a vision that is breath-taking and energizing. We are quick to create a post on Facebook or announcement on Twitter of our new found mantra, but do we understand that the prophets’ very creative and challenging phrases did not spell out the logistics. There was no diagram, plan for implementation or suggested fundraiser to create the necessary budget. The casting of the vision is absolutely necessary, but for those who catch the vision, the next step requires getting our hands dirty. In this season when we hear Mary sing her song, she references the poor and hungry, the marginalized and forgotten. She begins to point us in the direction of where we might get our hands dirty as we help create the irrigation system that truly will bring justice rolling down like mighty waters, or maybe simply in bringing non-contaminated water to those who thirst. Prayer: Let me first hear your vision cast, O Lord, and then let me ask the challenging question of where I need to be working to see your vision become reality. Amen. – via WordPress https://ift.tt/2LwmCXl ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 7, 2019 Guest Writer: Bob Aghamalian Scripture: Isaiah 2:5 Come, house of Jacob, let us walk by the light of the Lord. Did you know there is no such thing as a “dark detector”? Photocells and other such devices look for the presence of light and if they don’t sense some threshold of “light”, they conclude it must be “dark”. You might ask : “What’s the difference? If the device “sensed” it was dark by the absence of light, it is therefore a “Dark detector.” Not to put too fine a point on my argument, but it is the presence of “Light” that is being evaluated…NOT the presence of “Dark”.. There is no energy in dark. A very small light can split the darkest night or blackest cave. And you cannot shovel up some “darkness” to drown out the light. Light has the power, not darkness. A light from Heaven A Light from Heaven It was a Babe newly arrived But even the Shepherds “Good News! For all mankind” A Light from Heaven How to live our lives Because He first loved us To show us how The Message is simple, Put the needs of others
There is a light that shines in the darkness. It is the Light of the Lord. I’ve seen it. It shines forth from the faces and actions of those who give freely of their time, resources and themselves to aid the Ministry at Boys and Girls Country. I saw it up close and personal in the deeds of those who came through the perilous rushing waters to help Ange and I escape the flood ravishing our home during Harvey. These were not Professional First Responders, trained and equipped in rescue techniques. But ordinary people, caring individuals living examples of the Love First Life, who put the needs of others above self. They came into those dangerous waters, not for fame or glory and certainly not for money. They put their own resources and lives in harm’s way to help strangers in need. And they did it repeatedly. And for me, it was not just those who came in boats. It was the members of my church family who showed up at my house the day after the flood waters receded to help clean up the mess…and the dozens of other strangers who also came…with food, water, and helping hands to push back the darkness, to help me start on the road to restoration and recovery. Yes, there is a Light that shines in the darkness. It is the Light of the Lord manifest in those who live the Love First Life putting the needs of others up front. In this Season of Advent, let the Light of the Manger, shine on our hearts, illuminate in us an awareness, renewing our Spirits that we might pass on the Light by living the Love First Life. Amen. -- via WordPress https://ift.tt/2LxfUk6 ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 6, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:26-30 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Thought for the Day: This is, by my standard, one of the great human – angel encounters. There are some really surprising words found in this part of the birth narrative. It says that Mary was “perplexed” by this initial meeting, but the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid…” It’s as if that was Gabriel’s go-to line. Angels are so used to people being frightened that he simply assumed Mary to be afraid, but Mary was perplexed (or some translate it as troubled). This might have been the writer simply not wishing to repeat the same word – afraid, but I tend to think it was specifically chosen. Mary will receive one of the single most shocking and demanding invitations, and her response is not to ask for a few weeks to think about it or to ask if it includes dental coverage or even to just flat out decline. Instead, Mary will respond (in vs. 38) with the words, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” This is not your usual Biblical character. This is not Moses who had a half dozen excuses and a few complaints. Mary is not like the Kings of old whose faithfulness was eased by their great wealth. Mary responded differently, and maybe that’s the reason she was chosen above all others. May we look to her as one who shows unwavering trust and conviction. Prayer: Whatever she had, whatever made her the amazing example of faith, I wish to find it or cultivate it within myself. Help me, O Lord whose messenger put before Mary one of the great invitations. Amen. _ via WordPress https://ift.tt/2Lre5Fc ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 5, 2019 Scripture: Number 6:26 The LORD lift up his face to you and grant you peace. Thought for the Day: The Hebrew word we translate as peace in the Old Testament is Shalom. It most definitely means peace, but peace that includes contentment and completeness, health and wellbeing. Too often the goal of peace is too short-sided, hoping to simply squelch the current violence. But if there is no shalom, then violence remains a real and accessible option – never addressing the larger structural problems from which violence emerges. Most of us know the words of Karl Marx who suggested that religion is the “opium of the people.” I believe Marx was right on this occasion as you think about the worst of institutionalized religion. It often seeks a peace that pacifies, but does not want any real change. The voices of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), and later Jesus himself, spoke of a peace that sought to transform both individuals and communities. The peace of scripture does not impose peace as the Romans did so well through military intimidation, but endeavored to create an environment where every person was respected and every person had reason to respect every other person. It was the vision of a whole new reality, a vision embodied in a child whose birth represented a radically different perception of peace. Prayer: Grant us your peace, Lord God, a peace that provides comfort and contentment to all people in their unique circumstances, a peace that seeks to create the lasting reality of true shalom. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/2RnQI3k ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 4, 2019 Scripture: Colossians 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Thought for the Day: On this day in 1945, the United States voted to join the United Nations. I know not everyone will agree with me, and I am not seeking agreement or even an argument, but I am one that believes that there are needed places, like the UN, where diverse people can come together and speak as one. Is it done perfectly, without some tense moments of disagreement? Of course not! Like the United States, where we have chosen to unite the states around a document, representing our shared values and core ideals, the United Nations seeks to unite nations around some shared values and core ideals as articulated in the first few articles of the UN Charter. Like the United States, the United Nations does not always do this perfectly. In our country, states have clear differences of opinion on how to embody and live out those shared values and core ideals, but there can still be a claim that we are united. It is one of the great and beautiful challenges. The same is true of the United Nations. And of course, the same is true of the church. Paul constantly struggled to hold together a very young movement, that included a growing number of people who brought with them even greater diversity. On occasion, Paul put forth some DO’s and DON’Ts in an attempt to bring people together, but for the most part that approach failed. Ultimately, Paul returned to love as the glue for whole together this beautiful but fragile body. And like the glue I used on the Christmas ornament we dropped the other night, it didn’t initially work. It took a second try, and though it held together on try number two, you could see the crack. Being a part of anything that claims to be united requires a lot of work, but if love is a part of the mix, it’s possible…with a few of the cracks showing. Prayer: Cover us with your love, Merciful God, as we try to do the hard work that requires your love. Amen. _ via WordPress https://ift.tt/3668rjB ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 3, 2019 Scripture: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Thought for the Day: I was speaking to a fellow clergy person a few months back, and this individual has had some wonderful moments in his/her current ministry along with a few struggles. I was surprised to hear how the struggles defined the ministry, entirely overshadowing the wonderful moments. Most all of us have rough patches, where negativity can cast a pretty long and oppressive shadow. Should that be the experience that define us? In the life of the church, one of our central convictions is how the darkness could not overcome the light. Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” As people of faith, we need to point to the light, even when it appears as nothing more than a spark. Then, with courage, we need to lead others toward the light despite the power of hopelessness that can so easily solidify them in their darkness. Prayer: Provide us the courage, Mighty God, to point to the light and follow the light even when others have allowed the shadows to become their home. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/33D9shG ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 2, 2019 Prayer for the Week: Move among us, God of Light. Enfold us within the warmth of your brilliance. Provide your presence that reveals cracks in shadows that loom over us. Give us the courage to claim the light, even when it is faint at best. The prophet invited us to walk in and by your light. Take us beyond the well lit path of consumerism that devours our waking hours. Usher us to the source of the light, a young and impoverished couple who huddled where field animals usually ate and rested. There, where the world was not looking, let us find the glory of your grace, the light of your love. Let us be willing to follow the unexpected and arduous journey to the Bethlehem of our day and time. Let us not look to the traditional places of power, or even those who have been given titles of prestige. Let us look among the powerless and forgotten. Guide our attention to the borders where the frightened cry out, to the places of violence where children are too often viewed as collateral damage, to brothels where the innocent are trafficked, to the institutions of piety that oppress with guilt and shame, to those places in the world where the gifts of women are dismissed. It is in these places, to which so few are looking, that you are choosing to once again be born as the Holy One of Mercy. By faith, let us make our way to those Bethlehems of anguish that you have never forgotten. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/2RcsatO |
AuthorRev. Bruce Frogge Archives
April 2024
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