Children and teachers go back to school. Sports. Marching band. Theatre productions. Some many activities get into full swing again. All of us in some way transition from summer fun to regular autumn routines. Fields and orchards abound with a harvest to nourish our taste buds and basic needs. Life flourishes in so many ways—in…
You see, James goes on to admonish the believers to “be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” The epistle writer cautions the readers to be quick to listen and slow to speech, slow to anger. This does not mean that anger does not have its place. This does not mean that we should stand silently by as injustice prevails. This does not mean that we should not ask questions or speak truth when we see deceit. Listen first. Speak second. Then listen some more.
Beyond perishable staples of food to provide instant gratification, Jesus urges: seek the real nourishment of eternal life. You see, often we taste and even feast on something of goodness in life that satisfies some immediate hunger pain. And we expect more of whatever it is will surely make our lives better.
Hymns are so much more than songs. They are worship, poetry, theology. They are an attempt to reach a little closer to touching on who God is and how we experience God working in our lives:
Some people see it as a huge family reunion. And for many people, it is an occasion to gather with friends unseen for a long time, or meet new kin in Christ. Really, it’s closer to Congress—it’s our national government. This coming weekend, the 223rd General Assembly of our Presbyterian Church (USA) will begin meeting in St. Louis.
We like pottery in our home. Cups and glasses. Plates and mixing bowls. Vases and urns. Various colors and sizes, similar patterns, yet none exactly the same. Common ordinary vessels of life, with beauty beyond their mere functionality. Each unique piece shaped by hands, most of which we cannot see and will never know, but whose work we cherish. According to Biblical writers, it’s a fitting symbol for who we are in God’s grace—human clay in the loving hands of our Divine Potter.
There is much goodness in life. In the vitality of our world. In loving relationship. In moments of beauty and joy that arise far beyond anything we’ve planned. If only we have eyes to see. And there is much we don’t understand—why did it happen? How did we get here? Where are we going? In faith we try to use words to express those experiences and make sense of our purpose in life—like, “grace.”
This week at Rotary a presenter spoke about human trafficking. There’s so much disturbing about the reality, yes, present here in our community. I was struck by one particular term I hadn’t heard before. Relational poverty. That’s been swirling in my mind and heart ever since. Not a complicated idea, really. But it brings clarity for me. Relational poverty—a condition of people who suffer an absence of love, attention, guidance, affirmation.
Can you remember a time you felt real joy?
I don’t mean when you heard a good joke recently. Or had some personal pleasure satisfied. Or felt a passing sense of momentary bliss. Fun, laughter, simply being happy … true joy that Jesus means can include all of these experiences. And the kind of holy joy he wants us to share is a deeper condition and enduring orientation of the heart.
…These origin stories are the single most powerful tool we have in understanding these characters. Knowing how they got their powers and what (often tragic) events led them to their lives of heroism gives us great insight into who they are and why they battle their particular enemies. Many of the most iconic and enduring superheroes of all time are still best defined by the original story that made them who they are….