Matthew 2:13-23

A look at next week’s appointed gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary.

“Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.”

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.””

— Matthew 2: 13-23

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My Two Cents….

Some label "Die Hard" as a Christmas movie. Although this action-packed thriller takes place during the Christmas holiday, it is a far departure from Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Somehow, things get a little distorted with explosions in the background and excessive gunfire. John McClain is not Santa Claus, and there are no nice and neat snow-globes. Die Hard is way too violent to be a Christmas story.

But so is the story that Matthew tells in his gospel about Herod. King Herod is as power-hungry as Hans Gruber, the terrorist antagonist in Die Hard. Both men will stop at nothing to get what they want. Violence is a tool they wield without pause or flinching. These villains are over the top in their evil depravity. Booing their efforts, we long for their defeat, unlikely though it may seem.

Evil and violence are realities in our world. The innocent suffer from the machinations of despot rulers, controlling partners, and greedy tycoons. There is no land, economy, or political system that is exempt. Systemic issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia devalue and dehumanize life. The human condition is full of brokenness and in need of a savior.

The gospel writer, Matthew, reminds us that all is not well in Bethlehem for the holy family. Joseph and Mary must flee to protect their toddling son. They join the plight of political refugees forced to leave their homes to save their lives. Fear. Danger. Flight. These are part of the back story of that first Christmas. Sadly, they remain part of the story for millions of people around the globe as the Christmas holiday rolls around.

What to do?

Hollywood offers a sensationalized answer in every action film it has ever produced. Find a hero or a group of heroes and let them take a stand. Destroy the bad guy through explosive battle — the bigger the fireball, the better. Heroes will suffer, maybe even die, but by the end of the movie, their efforts stop evil. Until next time. Evil always seems to return and mandate a sequel.

The Gospels give a different response to the problem of evil. It begins with a recognition that no matter how strong, smart, or handsome, the action hero is, humanity is powerless to stop evil. No bomb, gun, shield, or wall can prevent what has been a part of the human condition since the Garden of Eden. Even John McClain can't prevail over this menace. Christmas isn't about action heroes. It is about a vulnerable child that needs the care of loving parents.

Christmas is God's gift of peace and love to a world that struggles with such things and can't manufacture it for itself. God enters the violence and the most significant challenges of life with a presence that brings life and hope.

While a mad king seeks to destroy, wise kings from the East offer the proper response - worship. The contrast couldn't be more extreme. Those who seek God, kneel in humble adoration. They do not contribute to the cycle of violence but refrain. They open their hands to give gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the glory of God. They share through generous hearts and find alternative ways to counter evil.

Christmas is a time for redirection and a renewed commitment to the things that make for peace. It follows the wisdom of seekers who travel around the globe honoring the presence of God. On every continent, in every land, using every language and religion - there are those yearning for connection, healing, and wholeness.

As we celebrate Christmas this week, it is my prayer that we might join in search and adoration of wise kings with the love of parents willing to stop at nothing to protect their child. A blessed Christmas to you and your family!

In Christ's Light,

Walt

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Matthew 1:18-25

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.””

— Matthew 1:18-25

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My Two Cents….

The story of Joseph’s dream is one that is usually missed in the tales that folks tell this time of year. Better we tell fabricated yarns about snowmen, watching elves, and jolly fellas in red suits than a story about a troubled man’s dreams.

But that is exactly what Matthew, the gospel writer, focuses on. Mary’s pregnancy presents the good and righteous Joseph with a dilemma. What should he do? The child is not his own. Should he demand a public accounting of her impropriety? The law allowed for such justice. Mary would get what “she deserved” for her indiscretions. Somehow that didn’t seem right. Joseph could do better by taking the road of compassion with a quiet dismissal. That resolution, of course, gives way to another Godly solution.

I am struck by the messy nature of this often ignored Christmas story. Unexpected pregnancies, infidelities (assumed and actual), sleepless nights, troubled hearts, and damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t scenarios are messy. Even if we have never dealt with these particulars, we have still had to muddle through situations and relationships that were less than ideal. We have had our souls troubled by the circumstances of life and have found ourselves faced with difficult decisions.

In those moments, what we say and do matter. Our words and actions will either help to bring resolution and solution or make things even more complicated. Sometimes we will make the right moves, often we will not.

We don’t know much about Joseph other than the few stories that Matthew tells about him in the first two chapters of this gospel. What we do know is that when it mattered most, Joseph said and did the right thing. He put his pride aside and took Mary as his wife, claimed her chid as his own. Joseph guided his family to the safety of Eygpt. Joseph is a strong and faithful character. In Bible-speak, he is “righteous.” This means that he lives in right-relationships with God and with others.

From this description, which is how we are introduced to Joseph, we learn an important aspect of the life of faith. Faithfulness doesn’t happen overnight nor does it occur in a vacuum. It is a matter of long-haul living. Joseph’s ability to dream, interpret the dream, and respond is set in the larger context of a life that is directed toward God. Though we are not explicitly told so in the text, this undoubtedly included an active prayer and worship life. You can guarantee that compassion and good works were also a part of the picture.

Joseph lived out his faith prior to the angelic visitation. Faithful living is the backstory that allowed Joseph to be receptive and responsive to God’s message.

Here is where the story of Joseph’s dream becomes more than just a holiday fable for seasonal recollection. This story offers us a pathway for every day, year-round living. It encourages us to daily seek righteousness. Not in some pious and spiritually aloof manner but in a down-to-earth practical way. Joseph wasn’t a learned priest or Pharisee - he was a carpenter.

How might we take the opportunity of this week to pray, worship, and serve? What might our words and actions build? How might we seek to be in “right-relationships” with others? How our faithful living prepare our hearts, minds, and dreams for God’s visitation?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Matthew 11: 2-11

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Jesus Praises John the Baptist
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

— Matthew 11:2-11

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My Two Cents….

The lectionary selection for next Sunday is a-seasonal. In a time of Christmas decorations, decking the halls, and holiday cheer, this reading from Matthew’s gospel seems misplaced. After all, it talks about John the Baptist’s imprisonment. Behind bars, John wonders if Jesus is ‘really the guy.’ Uncertainty is not a jolly feeling at all.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to be uncertain. Although I have been known to be a little on the messy side, I like things in order. Part of what attracts me to the season of Christmas its order: there are traditions to follow; decorations to arrange; lists to check off; and time honored schedules to keep. For me, Christmas has never been something to create anew but rather something to honor and cherish.

An uncertain prophet, jailed and awaiting execution, doesn’t quite fit the bill of Advent preparation and Christmas joy. And yet, here it is….. an uninvited reminder that the world - and my life - are anything but tidy. Disorder, injustice, violence, and fear inhabit the real world. My fantasy of order, mistletoe, and pristine celebration is what is out of place.

John the Baptist invites us back to our senses… take a look around and pay attention. Note how there is struggle, unease, disbelief, and pain. See in the midst of undesirable conditions the Christ who comes with a message of hope. God’s kingdom is not apart from but a part of life-as-it-is.

What is more, as a Christian, I am called to shine the light of Christ through my words and deeds. Oh sure, my light is dimmed on account of my own disbelief, confusion, and imperfection. Still, there is a light to shine that involves kindness, compassion, and generosity.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Matthew 3:1-12

“In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’ ”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”””

— Matthew 3:1-12

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My Two Cents….

I can only imagine that the fiery prophet, John the Baptist, scared children. He frightens me! Fire and brimstone - a call for repentance - chaff burned with unquenchable fire. These are not the warm and fuzzy images that I want to wrap myself in as I cozy up to the crackling flames in my fireplace. Instead, this is the kind of image that makes me want to run away or at least grab a fire extinguisher.

Two things pop into my mind when I read the story of John the Baptist. The first involves the conflict between my discomfort with this passage and the delight that others have with it. "Fire and brimstone" Christians seem to relish using the imagery of hell as a motivation to inspire discipleship. Their image of Jesus is akin to that of a cosmic Santa who is making a list and checking it twice. Naughty or nice? Your answer means more than coal in your stocking.

I have grave concerns with this way of understanding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Not only do such judgmental approaches run afoul of the compassionate ministry of Jesus, as recorded in the scripture, but they form insular communities that have a hard time loving beyond themselves.

The second thought that pops into my mind when I think about John the Baptist is that I need to do some personal inventory. Whereas I don't think John the Baptist's preaching ought to set the tone for Christian preaching, I am aware that I need to pay attention to what he says. Repentance is a need in my life. Like the crowds that went out into the wilderness from Jerusalem and all over Judea, I could use a spiritual realignment.

I have wandered away from the path of loving my neighbor. Heck, I get so caught up in things that I sometimes forget to love those who are closest to me. At times, I don't show love to the first person I see each morning in the mirror. Sometimes, I exhibit a 'lack of love' in what I say and do. At other times, I miss the mark through my inaction and silence.

As much as I don't want to admit it, the way that I'm living heads in a direction opposite of where Jesus wants me to be going. Not always, mind you, but enough of the time that it is problematic. My sinful paths harm my relationships with others.

"Stop! Turn around!" I hear the booming voice of the prophet cry out to me. It's time for adjustment. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Isaiah 25: 6-9

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

— Isaiah 25: 6-9

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My Two Cents….

I’ve said it before, but this is one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. Isaiah seems beyond the divisions and brokeness of a world that is hell-bent on fighting, winning, and claiming territory.

His understanding of God is bigger than those who want to put God in the boxes of their nation, their culture, and their religion. All these boxes are of human origin and making. They have contributed to the sorrow and saddness of the world whenever we demand that we have the answers and that our way is the only way.

Jesus, whose ministry was inspired by Isaiah, never got trapped in a box. It was the Pharisees, not Jesus, who demanded that others follow their strict understanding of God. Their legalistic mandates judged Jesus’s practice of eating with tax collectors and sinners to be out of line. They viewed Jesus’s inclusive welcome as unholy. Pharisees demanded that folks stay in the box of holiness and color in the lines.

Isaiah imagines a time of feasting beyond all boxes. It is God’s dream to have all people together and at peace.

How might we walk in this direction this week? As we prepare to celebrate a day of national thanksgiving later this week, how might we embrace Jesus and Isaiah’s vision? Can we break down the boxes that keep us confined? How might we reach out to others with a love that doesn’t have a bunch of conditions, regulations, or baggage attached?

Can we be thankful for the wonderful diversity that surrounds us? How might we grow as God’s people through engagement with differences?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”

— Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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My Two Cents….

With the arrival of the first snow in Minnesota, you can’t escape the reality that the season is ‘a-changing.’ Although perhaps winter brings the most dread to those living in northern climes, it is also one of my favorites. Sure, it is long. Sure, it is extremely cold. Sure, it usually lingers longer than we would like it to stay. But, it is Minnesota and winter is par for the course! If you are looking for perpetual warm breezes and palm trees, then you might consider relocating.

Seriously, I appreciate living in a place where each season is articulated by distinct weather. There is a cycle of change that plays outside our windows which reminds me of the seasons within my spirit. Seeds break the ground in spring, they grow during the summer, change colors during the fall, and lie dormant underground in the winter. For each thing there is a season.

The wisdom of Ecclesiasties invites us to be present in the season in which we find ourselves. Embrace the winter and seek its lessons. Learn from the experiences at hand. Seek God’s guidance and presence as we cycle through life’s seasons. Know that in all of the transformations and change that God will never leave us alone. Know also, that in each season, we have God’s invitation to be generous in sharing life and love with others.

Now, if I can only find where I put those winter gloves!!!

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Why not try out the latest LIGHT FROM THIS HILL five-minute devotional - WELCOME; sharing in the greeting of God. It is 28 days of stories, reflections, Bible-based teaching, poems, and Inspirational Images. This devotional will both comfort and challenge - allowing your faith to grow. If you are not satisfied, Light From This Hill will refund your money so there is no risk.

 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Joshua 24:15

“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

— Joshua 24:15

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My Two Cents….

Oh those gods of the ancestors beyond the River!

The Book of Joshua reads more like a script from an action movie than a sacred text to aid us in our devotion. Battles. Conquest. Pow! Bam! Dust and flames rise in the air as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down!

Yet, during the closing scene of Joshua’s life, he gathers the people together and shares with them words of wisdom and commitment. Joshua recalls the faithfulness of God through the ages - from the early days of the Abrahamic covenant through the Exodus and to the conquest of the promised land. God remained present, active, and gracious. Throughout that same period the track record of the people was not so good. More than once, they wandered away and worshiped other gods.

Witnessing with his own life, Joshua invites a renewed commitment to the Living God. His words are memorable and have found there way into religious decorations that adorn the walls of believing households to this day. Perhaps you have hanging somewhere in your home something that says, “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

I’ve always liked this verse as it proclaims that no matter what happens, we will stick with God. As I read it again, however, I notice that it was originally spoken in the context of folks turning to other gods.

In the days of Joshua, the gods were crafted into household idols made out of wood and precious metal. Folks would put these in little shrines and worship them in hopes of favorably influencing crops, fertility, and fortune. Devotion to gods of various sizes, traditions, religions, and cultures was all the rage.

We have the same trouble today. There are MANY gods that folks (ourselves included) worship. I continue to find helpful Martin Luther’s definition of a god. He said that a god is anything that we turn to in times of need.

What do you turn to when you are in need? How about when you are content? To what do you devote your time, energy, and other precious resources? As you sort out your answer, look at your latest credit card bill. Where did you spend your money? It can give us important clues as to what is most important to us and is likely to be the recipient of our devotion.

How might we join Joshua in recommiting ourselves to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus? In what ways might we refocus the way we spend our time, talent, and treasure so that we support the kinds of things that glorify and serve God?

I’ll leave these questions open for you to ponder. Have a blessed week.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Do you like reading Scripture to Start Your Week? Would you like to receive daily inspiration?

Why not try out the latest LIGHT FROM THIS HILL five-minute devotional - WELCOME; sharing in the greeting of God. It is 28 days of stories, reflections, Bible-based teaching, poems, and Inspirational Images. This devotional will both comfort and challenge - allowing your faith to grow. If you are not satisfied, Light From This Hill will refund your money so there is no risk.

 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

John 13:34-35

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”

— John 13:34-35

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My Two Cents….

Didn’t we talk about love last week?

Yup. And most likely, it won’t be the last time we read a passage about love, or hear a sermon about it, or reflect upon it.

Love is such a core value in Christian theology (remember, theology = words about God) that we can’t think, discuss, or practice it enough.

When we love, we follow Jesus. When we do not love, we are following somebody else. It is that simple.

It is also that complex. How do we love others when they don’t love us back? Maybe we find ourselves in un-love conditions?

Love invites us to be vulnerable and take a risk to move beyond our comfort zones and carefully constructed boundaries. It requires wisdom and courage. These qualities require an intentionality to our living.

A good first step is to stop and breathe. Breathe deeply of God’s presence and then open our eyes and hearts. This puts us in a place where we are better able to discern how we love.

Blessings to your in your walk with God and others during this week.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

1 Thessalonians 3:12a

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all...”

— 1 Thessalonians 3:12a

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My Two Cents….

The book of Thessalonians contains some of the earliest Christian writings that we have in the New Testament. Paul writes this letter years before Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John pick up their writing quils.

In a style that is classic to Paul, he provides words of encouragement to a group of Christians in transition. They were convinced that Jesus was returning at some point in their lifetime. But what should they do in the meantime? How should they live their lives? Should they take the time to develop relationships and serve in the outside world -OR- should they isolate themselves and pray without ceasing?

Trying to figure out how to be faithful in changing times continues to be our struggle. There is so much uncertainty in this rapidly transitional moment in history. What ought we do as Christians, both as individual believers and as a Church? Should we cling to the structures and belief systems of the past - double down and insist on rigid adherence to what ‘once was?’ Or, should we abandon all practices so as to be able to fully embrace the new? Perhaps we can find a place inbetween extremes?

Paul encourages Christians in the tumult of his day to be about love. Thanks to the “time-machine quality of writing,” Paul speaks to us in our struggles as well. Be about love. Love one another. Love the stranger. Love the planet. Love. Love. Love.

It is more than something we can do, it is THE thing for Christians to do.

May God strengthen you in your loving this week.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Hebrew 13:1

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

— Hebrew 13:1

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My Two Cents….

I try to be nice to others.  Smiles and kind words come rather easy.  Over the years, I’ve developed an ability to share both with others in a liberal fashion.  It has gotten so that I’m even able to communicate nicety with those whom I don’t like. You might say that I have a demonstrated proficiency in these matters.

When I first read Hebrews 13:1, I want to say, “I have this down.”  I can smile and wave with the best of them. I can do hospitality. I welcome everybody.  

But, do I?  Do I share genuine hospitality to strangers?  The word in the Greek language for ‘hospitality’ is xenophilia or ‘love of stranger.’  Huh? Imagine that. Loving strangers seems a little more involved than just a casual wave.

Friends, family, neighbors, folks out walking the dogs in the neighborhood - these are the usual recipients of my hospitality.  Whereas I try not to be rude or dismissive of strangers, if I’m honest with myself, I don’t ‘love’ them in the same way that I do with those known and beloved people in my life.  

Strangers can be kinda scary.  What are their intentions? Are they friend or foe?  You have to be careful. We hear so many stories and myths about ‘stranger danger.’  From childhood, I was taught not to talk to strangers.  

The early Christians embraced hospitality - love of the stranger - as a value within their communities.   This passage from Hebrews is but one example of how the church saw ‘loving strangers’ as a way of being faithful.   Not only did it imitate Jesus’s ministry that reached across boundaries and welcomed those outside, it held the possibility of encountering God.  They recalled the stories about Abraham’s welcome of the strangers who turned out to be angels. They expected God to be in unexpected and unknown people.  

I wonder - what would it look like today if we took a moment to show some love to a stranger?  What if we did that with the expectation that we would encounter God in the process?  

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Starting November 4, I will be offering a new daily devotional called WELCOME; Sharing in God’s Greeting. It is a four-week series on Christian hospitality. Stay tuned for more information about how you can subscribe.

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Galatians 6: 9-10

“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”

— Galatians 6: 9-10

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My Two Cents….

If I’m being honest - I’m real good at working for the good of me. Taking care of myself is something with which I’ve had years of practice. From the moment I learned to tie my sneakers, I’ve worked on taking care of myself. This isn’t necessarily bad, nor is it to the detriment of others. If everyone would take care of putting on their shoes then there would be less need for others to do it. There is logic in ‘bootstrap’ mentality.

Sadly, however, it doesn’t contribute to the things that make for peace and justice. Despite illusions to the contrary, we don’t live in a world where there is an even playing field. As a white male, I’m the beneficiary of privileges of which I’m not always aware. No matter how much I want to claim that all I have comes from my hard work and diligence, I have an unfair advantage in a system that works in my favor. I will be picked and listened to before others.

I won in the lottery of birth.

I usually don’t think of things that way. Remember, I’m good at working for the good of me. I take offense when others suggest that I have it a little easier than those who come from other lands, speak foreign tongues, have darker skins, and use a different restroom. I might become defensive. I’ll dig in my heels and take evasive action as fear kicks into gear.

In a world broken by injustice, Jesus offers an alternate path to the one of self-defense, obsession, and self-preservation. Put aside fear and judgment. Work for the good of all. Start with those who share the same belief in a loving God. Partner with them to care for others. Build relationships and coalitions that commit to the well being of those in need.

The work to which Jesus invites his disciples isn’t easy. It will challenge assumptions and might even expose uncomfortable truths. We might grow weary in the process. To persevere we will need an uncommon courage.

So that’s what’s in my prayer these days. Courage. Courage to see beyond my privilege. Courage to recognize the need that surrounds. Courage to do something about it.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Starting November 4, I will be offering a new daily devotional called WELCOME; Sharing in God’s Greeting. It is a four-week series on Christian hospitality. Stay tuned for more information about how you can subscribe.

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Romans 15:7

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.””

— Romans 15:7

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My Two Cents….

We might say, “everyone is welcome.  Come on in, our door is open.” But is this true?  Can anyone really just walk on in and receive a welcome that is genuine?  Sure, we might advertise it on our churches and our homes. We might even embrace the concept in our hearts.  But what about when ‘that person whom we don’t like’ comes knocking? Do we greet them as a friend with a generous smile?  Or do we glare or communicate with a ‘polite’ grin our displeasure that they didn’t have the good sense to stay away?

I like this verse from Romans because it helps to give shape and form to my welcome.  We are to welcome one another in the manner of Jesus. Less we construct “Jesus-in-our-own-image,” the Gospels are filled with enough examples to keep us on track.  Jesus shared kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and hospitality with friends and foes, strangers and acquaintances, insiders and outsiders, Pharisees and tax collectors. I can’t imagine that it was always easy, even for the Son of God.  But Jesus framed his welcome in the abundant and unlimited love of God.  

Jesus never stopped welcoming.  Even when he was dying on the cross, he shared words of forgiveness to both his executioners, a hateful crowd, and a criminal who hung alongside of him.  Amazing. But that is how God’s hospitality works. It is full of grace and doesn’t stop.

When I think about the hospitality of Jesus, it inspires me to try a little harder on the way I welcome others.  It makes me want to smile more, be a bit more patient, and slow down enough to recognize those around me who are in need.  I still don’t always welcome as I should, but trying to imitate Jesus is a good start heading in the right direction.   

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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Starting November 4, I will be offering a new daily devotional called WELCOME; Sharing in God’s Greeting. It is a four-week series on Christian hospitality. Stay tuned for more information about how you can subscribe.

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Deuteronomy 6: 4-7

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.”

— Deuteronomy 6: 4-7

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My Two Cents….

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he quoted Deuteronomy 6.   Love God with everything that you have. All in - mind, body, spirit. All your stuff too - don’t hold anything back for a rainy day.  

I must confess that it is far easier to recite this commandment and teach it to our children that it is to always follow it.   How many times am I at 100% in my devotion, offerings, and focus? I am ashamed to say that I’m a bit of a slacker when it comes to my relationship with God.  Did the pastor just say that? Yup.  

I don’t intend to give less than my best effort when it comes to God.  It happens though. Life gets busy and I’m easily distracted. Sometimes even good things, like wanting to help others or working on a ministry can pull me in too many directions.  I’ve been known to run around like a chicken without a head.  

As broken as my intentions may become, I trust in God’s grace and forgiveness.  In a spirit of repentance, I turn once again to my loving God. I am broken but I am also beloved (and so are you, btw.)  The ancient commandment invites a renewed effort to get back ‘in there’ and ‘give it all you got!’   

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Revelation 21: 1-8

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

— Revelation 21: 1-8

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My Two Cents….

This is one of my favorite passages to read at a funeral. It is an ancient vision of a time when all the inconsistencies, injustices, hurts, and sufferings of this life come to an end.

It is a heavenly vision. John, the writer of Revelation, imagines a new heaven and a new earth that are hurt-free. Resurrection, restoration, and transformation comingle in a yet-to-be-experienced reality. None of the divisions, conflicts, or concerns that plague life are present. All are made new by God, the source of all life.

I like the universal nature of the focus. ALL people will know God’s presence. This knowledge and experience will bring peace, shalom, wholeness. What an incredible thought and a dream worth dreaming!

What would it look like this week, if we all lived as though this vision was already reality? How might we treat others differently? What biases and prejudices do we need to push aside? How might we engage in helping those who are hurting and wipe their tears?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Psalm 121

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.”

— Psalm 121

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My Two Cents….

Another psalm. These past few Mondays have all been from the psalter, the Bible’s hymn section. I turn to the Psalms a lot. As a pastor, when I’m caring for someone in crises or walking alongside someone who is suffering, these ancient songs of faith seem to not only capture the depth of our human struggle but also offer tremendous comfort. The psalmists seem to know just what to say to help us hold on and move forward.

For example, take Psalm 121.

Originally, this Psalm was sung by pilgrims making the dangerous journey to Jerusalem. The treacheous path that ascended to the Holy City was often filled with harm. You had to keep your eye out for ambush and robbers. Look to the hills! Watch for the evil that lives in the shadows of nightmares that come true.

And as you do - remember. Recall that God acts on behalf of a broken, trapped, and weakened people. Allow the sacred memories of Abraham and Moses, Hagar and Naaman, Mandela and Martin Luther King to inspire you. We are never alone. God gives to all those who seek- strength to carry on and fearlessly face unknown futures.

How might we incorporate the assurance of faith in persistently present God into the song of our days? How might we sing songs of ascent and we climb the rough and rocky surfaces that we will face?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

— Psalm 27:1

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My Two Cents….

The first verse of Psalm 27 says it all. At least it says what is needed when things go bump in the night, or when my courage falters. Fear is more than our worse enemy, it is a gravitational pull toward our worse selves. When we are afraid, we stop being the creatures that God intended us to be. No longer do we consider the needs of those around us. We focus on survival and self-preservation.

The irony, of course, is that since God made us to be in relationship with others and the rest of creation when we turn away in fear, we head in the direction that leads ultimately to destruction. Whether we acknowledge it or not, fear is dangerous and damaging. It is also detrimental to our spiritual health.

In one short and easily memorized verse, Psalm 27 directs our attention to our relationship with God. God is light that is able to brighten the darkest and scariest night. God is salvation - a fancy, ‘churchy’ word that speaks to restoration - a putting back together of a thousand busted shards. What is more, God is with us and for us. It is in God’s steadfast nature to be madly in love with creation - including little ‘ol afraid me.

These things give me courage, which is the ability to face fears and not give it to fear’s debased demands. Since courage comes and goes, rises and falls, I lean into Psalm 27 making it my prayer. With an earnest longing, I ask that these words might ring true to my ears this day.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Psalm 8

“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

— Psalm 8

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My Two Cents….

Psalm 8 is my ‘go-to’ creation psalm. When I look at the sun setting into the ocean or gaze upon a snow capped mountain, this is my song. How majestic is your name O Lord in all the earth!

The psalm reminds me that creation is not just mountains and sunsets. It also includes the creatures, big and small, that live on land, sea, and in the air. AND, creation includes people, too!

I can forget this last part when I get caught up in the wonder of the natural world. When I’m on a hike through nature, it doesn’t take much to remind me of God’s splendor. I have a harder time sometimes when I’m in the midst of an argument, or I’m frustrated with someone else. God’s majesty in traffic? Where is God’s glory in those who hate or exclude?

How can it be that people were created just a ‘little lower’ than God? Something is amiss. Somehow we are missing out on our potential.

We can go two ways with this observation. The first is to fall into despair. It doesn’t take much effort to amass evidence that the human creature (ourselves painfully included) is not living as God hoped it would. We have tortured, broken, abused, and destroyed the creation (including its human and non-human creatures) that belongs to God. Our track record is not so good. Based on past performance, the future doesn’t look so bright.

The second is to rise up and the destructive cycles of the past. We begin with being inspired by the beauty and wonder of creation and a recognition that it ALL belongs to God. In our short span of years, we are only stewards/caretakers. Land. Sea. Air. People. What would happen if each of us used the opportunity that our living affords us this week to make a small difference in our small part of creation? What if we saw the glory through new eyes and heart? What if we worked for the good of the whole? What if we sought to live up to our creaturely potential?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

— Psalm 46

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My Two Cents….

Martin Luther was inspired by Psalm 46 to write his classic hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.” Both the psalm and the hymn have long been battle cries for facing adversity and trials. There is a boldness and strength that emanate from them.

There have been a few times in my life when I’ve sung the hymn and spoken these words with tears in my eyes. I wasn’t feeling all that strong as I watched my world crumble around me. The heart retching pain of losing a loved one; the sense under siege and attack by enemies; the despair as well crafted plans fall apart - all these scenarios have caused me to be anything but strong.

And yet, in the weakest moments of my life, faith has been a bulwark. This faith was not in memorized doctrines or beloved traditions or the correctness of theology. Instead it was more primitive. It was faith in God’s presence and promise. No matter what I faced, God was not going to leave me alone. Love, forgiveness, grace - these things remained in the mud and muck of what I was facing. They kept me breathing even when I couldn’t stand.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Galatians 3:27-28

“In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:27-28

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My Two Cents….

Divisions fall away in the face of the gospel. This simple truth is one that the Pharisees didn’t understand when Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom of God through word and deed. It was also something that the early Christians in Jerusalem didn’t comprehend when it came their chance to spread the gospel and build the church. They were used to the dividing line that circumcision provided within their former religious identity of Judaism.

From ancient times, God’s people were circumcised, the Gentiles were not. Women, who’s biological plumbing prevented circumcised, really didn’t count unless they were attached to a male. The Christian leaders in Jerusalem, who all happened to be Jewish, male, and staunch defenders of circumcision as an identity marker demanded that all new male converts visit a mohel. They allowed “what we have always done” - honored and preserved as tradition - to build a wall between Jewish ‘insiders’ and Gentile ‘outsiders.’

In the book of Galatians, Paul challenges this lack of imagination. Instead of circumcision - baptism becomes the new identifier of those who are a part of the Christian community. Baptism, according to Paul, opens the playing field and who can be on the team. Biology no longer is a limiting factor. All are able to be washing in the life giving waters of baptism. Claimed in baptism, all former divisions wash away. Christianity, at its baptismal heart, is about God’s opening, inclusive, and boundary crossing love.

How can we open our minds and hearts this week as we embrace our own liberating baptismal identity? What boundaries might we cross?

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

John 1:5

“John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

— John 1:5

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My Two Cents….

Nighttime can be scary. There are so many things that hide in the dark. Most of them are of our own construction, nightmares that we have created. Our fears live and thrive in the dark because there is nothing to challenge or expose the fallacy of our fears in the dark. Under the cover of darkness, fears fester and grow. They escalate to the point of being indomitable. Terrified, we can cower and we act in ways that go against our core values. We may even become violent and our actions not recognizable in the mirror of our own self awareness.

That is why I like this passage from the start of John’s Gospel. It reminds me that there is light and that it shines. When light shines, darkness is pushed back. We begin to see things that were previously hidden from view. In the light things that took on horrific form are shown to be what they are and usually reality is not nearly as scary as our imagination.

Light comes from God. That is at least the witness that scripture gives when it talks about our Creator. God creates light and this light allows for life to begin, continue, and to flourish.

God’s light is filled with warmth that allows for life itself to breathe and grow. God’s light is filled with a truth that begins to teach wisdom that is able to hold fear at bay. Seeking God’s light is a courageous action that leans in the direction of hope.

In Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger