Trust And Doubt

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.(Ps. 27)

Did you hear the vacillation between trust and doubt?

It is so very human  because we all, or mostly all, wonder from time to time where God is in all the crap of life that invades our peace of mind. That interrupts our ability to be free to believe in God's amazing grace.  

The Psalmist, as faithful as he must have been, is so gracious for allowing us permission to have fear and doubts, as well as faith and trust. 

We are given a profound truth here.  The truth that fear and doubt exists, in the most faithful of souls, along side of a confident display of trust in God.

In the presence of obvious enemies, evil activity, dishonesty, and whatever else is bothering him; the Psalmist chose not to be afraid.

Faced with the limits of human control, he places his energy into trust and faith in God's unlimited ability.  Calling upon God to keep him safe and strong.

He begins with the hope of God's promise of presence, by naming it: My light and salvation.  The stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?" 

Well stated faith.  

A  realistic display of trust in the face of what life hands every single one of us.

I make this point this morning  because so often I hear people chiding themselves for doubting and/or being afraid.  They assume a weakness of  faith upon themselves; because of these two very human qualities.  

When the truth is, doubt and fear have always been apart  of any faith journey. 

I remember so clearly the first time I heard the permission to have doubts and fears.  I was in class at Carthage College.  Duddly Riggle, the Department Head for Religious Studies, made this statement in class one morning: 

"Out of honest doubt comes the strongest faith."

That simple little piece of information was freedom for me.

You see,  I had grown up being told, at Sunday School, that I should "never question God."  And that when you doubt God it meant that my faith was not good enough. 

“Balderdash."   As my freshman English Professor would often say.   

Usually she would say that to shut us up after saying something not-so-smart.  It is a good word for those who tell little, or big, children not to ever question or doubt God.  

Those Sunday School teachers must have never read Psalm 27.  

In truth we travel between trust/faith and doubt our entire lives.

As a matter of fact both our doubts and our faith, living inside our small brains, means that we are taking the reality of God seriously. 

When we are wiling to entertain our doubts.  Allowing ourselves to be involved, in the most honest of conversations, about our doubts. Then, and only then, are we free to believe and have faith in this elusive God we so quickly call upon in times of stress.

Religion and Politics

Traditionally it has been decided, for whatever reason,  that politics and religion are not to be placed side-by-side.  That religion and politics don’t mix.

Well, I have, for many years, disagreed.  

I disagree because, at the core of my being, I believe that faith and everyday life — including politics — cannot be separated from the core values of our faith.

I believe that because all of our decisions, all of our ways of thinking, all of our logic and reasoning, all of our actions, are to be guided by what we believe in our hearts; that Jesus' came to tell us about God's way of being.

So, how can anyone, who claims to believe in God, conscientiously remove their faith from any area of living?

To do so would be hypocritical.

Do I think that a preacher should preach his or her political choices from the pulpit?  No!

However, When a preacher stays true to what they believe about the Gospel — what Jesus taught — it is often speaks to the law and the ways of those in political power.  

Jesus’ teachings were often directed to the misuse of that culture's particular political system.  Which included the religious leaders loyalty to those in positions of  political power in Rome and Israel.  

Any comments?

Fanatic? Extremist? Or Wise?

As all of you readers know, I am not a fan of the present political drama in our nation.  That has been enhanced in these most recent weeks.

This morning I read a portion of  Psalm 119 --  the longest and most complete psalm in the Bible.  It covers just about all of human needs, feelings and attitudes. 

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. 38 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. 39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 40 See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life. (Ps. 119:33-40) 

The particular section I am focusing on this morning are verses 33-40 (see Below); because this section asked for guidance as to God’s hope for the human heart. 

First of all the Psalmist asked for understanding.  Something that all of us could use a giant helping of.  

Then he requests God’s guidance in staying true to the commandment to love our neighbor, by having the courage to act with integrity and unselfish ways.  To keep him from puffed up pride that gets in the way of doing what is right in God’s eyes.

In past posts I have mentioned the human qualities of greedy power, and attitudes of arrogance, that seem to permeate our national and world leaders egos. They seem to give themselves permission to just do what they want, when they want, to whom ever they want. Just because they want to.  

The most frustrating thing to me is , they seem to do it without any true resistance.  No one is willing to actually ‘do’ anything about it.  

Oh, there is a lot of talk, but truly, talk is cheap without action.  It is extremely easy to point a finger and accuse. It is quite another thing to actually take action.  

And our republican and democratic sisters and brothers are totally guilty here.

When Jesus saw injustice, or arrogance, or rudeness, or meanness,  or any form of unkindness  he moved in and corrected the behavior.  Not only calling the wrong into question, but correcting the situation. 

Yes of course, he was crucified for such boldness.   Today they would just continue to discredit him.   Or, fire him.

And when a group of people march for some cause they feel strongly about; they are called "Fanatics!"   "Excessive!"  "Extremists!"  That is, people not in the know —  without the intelligence to be in the ranks of authority. Or, to call said authority into question.

And yet, we are told that: “one person can make a difference.”  

Actually I do believe that is possible.  

However when it come to politics, and other arenas of dominance and power, the statistics  are not all that impressive. And when Jesus is brought up as the model for how to work together — Jesus doesn’t pull much wait either.  

The  subject of Jesus — and his teachings — are put in the same box with fanatic, and extremist or some other popular discrediting terms that under minds the persons involved.  

Now, with all that being said, I am very much aware that God is the only true power in the universe.  And I totally have faith that God is quite active in our world today.  

However, God does ask his people to help him. That was clear from the first chapter of the Bible.  See Gen. 1:27-31 and Matt. 28:16f.

What Does "Fear God" Really Mean?

The psalm below speaks of the God Jesus came to teach us about.  

Having said that, I need to clarify the Hebrew word for ‘fear’ in verse 9.  

That term does not mean afraid or scared. It is total awe!  

Before God we stand in total awe, wonder, reverence. Unbelievable amazement.

Being in God’s presence is something so astounding that it causes us to stop breathing. Which is also something that could scare the death out of you (-:)

This God who is illusive, and seemingly impossible to believe in, or have faith in, is beyond our greatest imaginations.  Beyond all definition, intellectual logic or reason.  

That is why God is so difficult to completely wrap our minds and hearts around.  

It is impossible for us to fit Gos into our well shaped mental boxes.  

And so we slowly move away from trying.  We try to find more tangible things to believe in.  We look for meaning, and search for purpose, in what we think we know.  Which often lead to discontent and often frustration; because they cannot fill the empty spot that we crave/strive to fill.

  1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.(Ps. 85)

12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

This is my thought: every human person is made to move through life with God as the true north.  

But the problem is we don’t know how.  

So it becomes too difficult — too unreal.  

But I’m here to tell you that it is well worth your most precious time.

What Do We Do With What We Know?

...make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

It is so very easy for us to know something in our brains and then just let what we know stay there -- in our knowledge bank.  

In the libraries of our mind we store a lot of information.  There are many volumes of information in the archives of our gray matter.  Most of it we don’t use so much anymore -- it was learned once, for some reason or another, and now has been filed away.

Information about God is not to be learned then stored.  

For one thing, God-information is never stagnant.  We can never learn too much God-information. 

The other thing, it is not to be stored, it is to be used, and nurtured, and allowed to grow bigger and stronger.  

God-information is crucial information like looking both ways before crossing the street.  Your life depends on it!

16 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. 17 For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. 18 Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? 19 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time:.... 22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.... 

 25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. 26 That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.(Gal. 5:16-25 The Message)

"In His Image"

We read in Genesis that when God created the human creature he created them "in his image.” 

Now, since we are unable to see, touch or even hear God, we cannot know what that "image" looks like.   

However, I imagine it as a creation that is like God in heart, will and purpose.  

We are created to be like God inside the skin of what was called human.  

I imagine the it means that God gave us the power/ability to be loving, compassionate and sympathetic to all that God deemed worthy of his creative word.  

I do not think it means we look like God.  It means much more.

And the good news is that we don't have to measure-up.  Actually we will never be perfect love.  We will always fall short of God image.  

Always.

But it doesn't matter.  

What matters to God is that we have the desire to live as he has made us to live.  And he has given us all we need to do just that.  

God has given us his very Spirit — Original Wireless Design — to live within our skin enabling us to be right.  I didn't say best or better, or the winner of all the silly games of proof that we are correct.  

But with his Spirit as our companion, on this earthly journey, we are who we are.  And we do our best -- whatever that means.  

That is all God ever asks.  At least that is what I believe.

It Only Takes a Spark, To Keep A Fire Going

This morning I offer you Isaiah’s answer to how we are to live in this world.

⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

   and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them,

   and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 

⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

   and your healing shall spring up quickly;

your vindicator shall go before you,

   the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. 

⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. 

If you remove the yoke from among you,

   the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 

¹⁰ if you offer your food to the hungry

   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,

then your light shall rise in the darkness

   and your gloom be like the noonday. 

¹¹ The Lord will guide you continually,

   and satisfy your needs in parched places,

   and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

   like a spring of water,

   whose waters never fail. 

¹² Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

   you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

   the restorer of streets to live in. (Is. 58 NRSV)

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

   the restorer of streets to live in.

Isn’t that a great line?  

 “Restorer of the streets.”

Lets take this entire conversion to a much smaller environment.  To the cities and town we live in.  Actually lets take it to the street we live on.  The home we live in.

 
“You shall be called the repairer of the breach.”

Just imagine how that would be for you, for anyone, to be the one who calms the stormy seas of tension within our own neighborhood, our own family.

Yes, lets leave our the hugeness of the world and national turmoil out of the equation.  And tackle something doable — the small.

What are the word to that wonderful little song?  ‘it only takes a spark to keep a fire burning.”

Imagine a place where little tiny lights of God’s love move gracefully through each day touching lives with God’s love. 

⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

We Need To Blow The Trumpet

With the ancient method of calling people to attention Isaiah speaks God’s displeasure:

Shout out, do not hold back!

   Lift up your voice like a trumpet!

Announce to my people their rebellion,

   to the house of Jacob their sins. 

As we continue to read, what we begin to understand is that there is clearly the activity of falseness, and hypocritical behavior going in among those who profess a righteous faith in God.

The problem with reading this text in todays culture is that fasting is not all that common of a ritual.  

So lets just assume that, “fast,” here means any manner of sacrifice in God’s name.

The terms the commentator use for what God is displeased with are: Hypocritical, insincerity, evil and mean behavior.

Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,

   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Will you call this a fast,

   a day acceptable to the Lord?

While appearing — appearing — to follow all of the correct rituals, they are in all way ignoring the needs, wishes and opinions of others.

Now it is true that all of us are tempted — and do satisfy — our own interest, our own wants and opinions.  That is just a basic human characteristic.  

It is just the truth in full disclosure.

However there is a huge difference between satisfying our desires in a quiet un-public way; and doing so at the cost of many.

That is, doing things and making decisions that cause harm and hurt to others and/or compromising the security of large populations.  As well as disrespecting the lives of those who do not have the power, or the means, to defend themselves or their loved ones.

Call me idealistically realistic, but I am pretty sure that God is clear about the importance of working with and for others. 

So then for others to dominate and misuse their power is not at all that favorable to God.

Here is the truth as I see it:  Our world has become increasingly use to how money and power have taken over the major government organizations of the world.

So when i heard Isaiah 58 this past Sunday I thought to myself:  We need to blow the trumpets of warning in the world market.  We need to call people back again to the ways of God.

How do we do that?  

I have now idea!

That is why I am writing this blog.  It is my only place to express my feelings. 

Photosynthesis

It has been clear to me, from the time I was a little girl, that we had a very personal connection with God.  

Or, better said, a connection that God had with us.

As I began to wonder, with you yesterday, this connection is so natural in its very nature.  So very confusingly simple; that it is totally missed in our world of reason and logic.

Seed,

        root,

                vine,

branch,

                             leaf,

flower,

                                          fruit.

                                                         All everyday normal stuff.

If there is anything unclear in the Bible — the New Testament — John 15 is not unclear.

Anyone with a kindergarten through twelfth grade education can, in some way, relate to how the seed grows into something else.

As I wrote yesterday the seed becomes the root which produces a plant, shrub, bush, tree or vine.

We are taught early in our education about how life begins and grows into a healthy and productive vegetation. 

The process is called photosynthesis.  The process by which plants — specifically green plants — use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

John 15 Jesus begins:  I am the vine you are the branches….a part from me you can do nothing.

You and I are part of an eternally divine process from before we were a seed delivered to the soil of our mother’s womb.

Each child born is part of a process of God’s own creation.

All of life — all of it —begins as a tiny seed that has been placed in a place of nourishment and grows into a living thing.

Think about how God uses water, light, and breath throughout scripture.

Every living thing need all three of these ingredients in order to survive.

God is all three of those ingredients.

This all makes so much sense to my simple mind.

It connects all the puzzle pieces.  All the pieces about how God lives and breathes within me and you

Our Life Source

   

The last few weeks two passages have been dancing around in my mind.  One is my personal treasure John 15 and the other is Matthew 13.

These two messages somehow belong together in Jesus’ over all teachings.  At least that what I am thinking right now.

Both messages have to do with a tiny seed; that grows into something larger than its petite-beginnings.

John 15 shares that precious connection of the vine and branched.

Matthew 13 is the parable of the sower that sows seed upon all kinds of earth; and how that seed is accepted by the various places it falls upon.

Remember the blog I wrote on “the fourth” part of the Trinity?  Well, the images that Jesus was trying to create, in our brains, was how this fourth begins.

That is how we, created by the human seed of life, grow into one of God’s human parts.

One, of the many, “fourths” who are grafted to God as we grow from that tiny seed into something more.  Something larger, something that produces something needed — good fruit.

Lets start with growth 101. 

The seed, put into the earth, grows roots.

The roots act like a straw absorbing water and mineral from the soil.  This root helps to anchor the plant so it stay steady above the earth.

As the seed grows, into a human or vegetation, it needs to remain connected to its life source — the root.

This root, in my imagination, is the beginning foundation of our intimate connection — relationship — with God.

What I want you to see, in Matthew thirteen’s message, is that God sows his seed on all sorts of soil.  That is, God doesn’t pick and chose which seed he sows on what soil.  

All God’s seeds are meant to grow into good fruit.

It is the circumstances — the kind of soil — that the seed lands on that effect its growth.  

However God’s seed is shared freely with the earth — all kinds of soil.  

God does not limit the seeds given.  

 All of God’s seeds are meant to grow strong and well in any and all soil.

18-19 “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

22 “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”(Mt. 13)

 Tomorrow:

 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.(Jn 15)