Kirkogitation

Disappointment

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:50:21 PDT

Things seem to always start off with such promise. Spirits are high. Energy is increasing, vision is clear and prophetic.

And then an hour passes.

Or maybe a week. Or a month, or even a few years.

“How come everything perfect hasn’t happened? Why didn’t you do all the right things to make everything work out perfectly? You really must not care about all those things you said, since you haven’t changed the world and made it all come true!”

Life disappoints.

In this week’s Bible reading from Romans 5:1-5, this line stands out: “and hope does not disappoint us,”

Really? It seems as if hope is what always disappoints. Or maybe it’s the loss of hope after whatever time has passed where it seems OK to be disappointed. Nevertheless, things seem to begin with hope. And then that hope moves towards disappointment.

How has your hope led to something great?
How has it led to disappointment?

Wind

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:57:13 PDT

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:1-4)

Violent wind, divided tongues as of fire, spontaneous language, amazement and questions, joy, concern, amazement, surprise, fear, awe, confusion, curiosity, glee, and even indifference.

What else do you see?

Scapegoating

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:24:50 PDT

I'm not the only one who has these thoughts.

The notion that one should be punished, or bear the punishment for a whole group, in order to appease the one or the many who demand some kind of retribution, is messed up.

An innocent being punished for the actions of the guilty is simply wrong

And the idea that anyone would demand such an action in order to set things right is beyond awful.

In this week's Bible reading from Acts 16:16-34, Paul said some words to a slave woman who had a spirit of divination. Then she lost the ability. Her owners (something else that is majorly messed up -- in any time, and in any place) got the crowds and the judges to punish Paul and his partner Silas. The blame placed on them was unmerited

Stupid scapegoating mentality.

Here's the big problem. Scapegoating is in the Bible. And it isn't usually seen in the horrible light it deserves.

A sacrifice to God for the forgiveness of sins.
A final sacrifice of the innocent, Jesus, to keep God from punishing all humankind.

A group of people determining that a heavenly being demands a scapegoat in order for forgiveness is offensive. I can't swallow that God either desires or demands . . . or desired or demanded the sacrifice of an innocent in order for there to be forgiveness of the many.

It's time to change our way of thinking. God was not, and is not, a feudal Lord who demands a scapegoat in order to forgive.

God is all about forgiveness and a new start. No scapegoat necessary.

Together

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:32:18 PDT

This week's Bible reflection -- (Lydia) was just a song. And that song was in today's Confirmation day sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, too.

"Together" podcast

Lydia

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:11:40 PDT

It's been awhile since I've had a newish song in my head. A while is now past. Here's this week's Bible reflection -- in whiny 50's ballad style.

Lyrics?

Here you go.

Oh Lydia
Words and music by Kirk Moore

CHORUS
Oh Lydia
I love you so
Give hospitality
To folks that you don’t know

You work with rich folk
And poor folk too
Oh Lydia, how I love you

You love to worship
Listen eagerly I know
Your home in Philippi
Is where we’ll go
Oh oh oh
Oh Lydia I love you so

CHORUS

You don’t let society’s rules
Become a bother
You live those important two:
Love God and one another
Oh oh oh
Oh Lydia I love you so

CHORUS (slight variation at end of chorus)
You work with rich folk
And poor folk too
Oh Lydia you're one I look up to
Oh oh oh - Lydia, I love you so
Oh oh oh - Lydia, I love you so

© 2010, 2013 Kirk Moore

Water of Life

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:46:01 PDT

On Monday it was a Bible reflection with a comically sinister title. (Revelation - dun dun dun!) And today it formed a little bit of the basis for a scathing commentary and hopeful sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Water of Life" podcast

Revelation! (dun dun dun!)

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:30:36 PDT

The books and videos (I just can’t bring myself to call them films – it would show a level of artistic and theological respect from me that really isn’t there) that attempt to interpret the book of Revelation as a horror story for anyone who isn’t in the Jesus club get it wrong. The books may offer compelling fiction and the movies are . . . just poorly acted religious schlock, but they get it wrong.

Revelation isn’t a horror story. It is one filled with anger directed at oppressors and retribution coming to those who would oppress and exploit the weak. Yet in this week’s Bible reading from Revelation 21:1-6, it’s a story of hope.

New heaven and new earth
No scary sea
God with us
Tears wiped away
No more death, mourning, crying, or pain
All things new
Trustworthy and true words
God was and is and will be – the beginning and the end.
Refreshing, free, life-giving water

Revelation is coded and creepy and angry and really strange. But ultimately its purpose is to provide hope for people who thought things were hopeless.

Rules

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:49:25 PDT

This week's Bible reflection (Disciple) provides some of the background, but today's sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove just rolled from there. It's not about the doctrine.
"Rules" podcast

Disciple

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:19:29 PDT

This week’s Bible reading from Acts 9:36-43 tells about the resurrection of a woman named Tabitha – also called Dorcas.

Dorcas was a disciple. Dorcas was a woman.

It isn't a "maybe she was, but maybe she wasn't" scenario. The Bible calls Dorcas a disciple. The Greek word "mathetria" is the feminine equivalent of the masculine word "mathetes." Both mean disciple. Feminine and Masculine forms of the word don’t downgrade or raise the value of one over the other. Dorcas was a disciple - period. She is one of many significant and strong women in the Bible – Elizabeth, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, Priscilla, and Dorcas

So Dorcas, the disciple, cared for others. When she died, other disciples called for Peter, who prayed and called for her to get up. She did. People saw that she was alive and they believed.

For the twelve year old in all of us -- I know that there may be a few reader snickering about the name of this resurrected disciple. Dorcas. I know it sounds like a completely different word in English. The meanings of the word and the name are radically different, however. Tabitha, a Hebrew name, and Dorcas – its Greek equivalent, mean ‘gazelle.’ They don't mean clumsy or strange or ‘’nerdish.” Dorcas was respected and loved by those in Joppa. She was loved and respected by Jewish people and Gentile people. That’s why her name is listed in this week's reading in both Hebrew and Greek.

That Dorcas was a disciple seems to break the rules of some Christian denominations today. She was a leader of men and women. It was the kind of thing that broke the rules of the culture where Dorcas was a disciple.

And that's just be beginning. There’s a lot of rule breaking in this week’s Bible reading.

Another Chance

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:05:04 PDT

This week's Bible reflection (Ananias) asks why that fellow isn't more known in the Bible or just in Christian history. I keep asking that question and others in Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Another Chance" text
"Another Chance" podcast

Ananias

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:50:54 PDT

He made it possible for Christianity to continue, thrive, and grow.

Without Ananias, who knows what would have happened.

And it happened because he went and prayed with . . . a really bad guy. It's recounted in this week's Bible reading from Acts 9:1-20

Ananias He has been one who followed Jesus when he was here on earth and he was continuing to be a disciple after Jesus’ resurrection. According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, he had been one of the 70 apostles sent out in pairs in mission to the surrounding areas. When they returned from their trip, they were filled with joy and said, (From Luke 10:17) “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!"

Not all Bible scholars agree that it is possible to name any of the 70 who were sent out, but the idea that Ananias had been with Jesus since before the crucifixion and resurrection makes sense in the context of this week’s Bible reading.

Ananias, who was living in Damascus, had a vision from God. In it God instructed him to go find Saul of Tarsus and pray with him so that he would regain his sight.

“Are you kidding, God? This is one bad man! This is one powerful and bad man!”

“I’m going to use him to tell others about me.”
(Likely a bit skeptical, but willing . . .) “OK.”

Ananias got another chance to listen. Ananias gave Saul another chance

I wonder why we don't hear more about Ananias. He's a pivotal person in the history of Christianity.

Double Vision

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:34:59 PDT

I apologize to anyone who has that 1978 Foreigner song in their head now.

I'm not writing about that song. Believe it or not, I'm writing about thomas

Traditionsays that Thomas went to India and is considered the one who introduced Christianity there. He became known as Thomas the Believer.

But the doubting Thomas name is the one that has ultimately survived.

What about the other nicknames for Thomas? In this week's Bible reading from John 20:19-31, there's another name - or two. Thomas is called "didymus," which means "the twin.

Twin?

Didymus means 'twin' in Greek. And the Aramaic word for twin?

Thomas.

So Thomas the twin -- or twin twin-- (Some think his given name is really Jude and Thomas Didymus are nicknames) who wasn't there when Jesus appeared to the other disciples, doubted the appearance had happened. And then Jesus came again and showed Thomas. And Thomas believed -- exclaiming, "My Lord and My God!"

Jesus response, often seen as a rebuke, I think simply displays a reality. Thomas believed because he saw -- and blessed are the ones who will believe without seeing.

I tend to ponder that 'didymus' part a whole lot more. Was Thomas a twin? Is that why he wasn't with the disciples the first time? Was he visiting his twin? Did Thomas simply look like someone else -- another disciple or even Jesus -- and is that why he got the nickname? Is Thomas the nickname for Jude -- the brother of Jesus? Were they twins? Did they just look alike? Is there more to this simple word than the passage lets on?

Questions about our faith, our experience with God, our understanding of the Bible, and even our belief didn't start with Thomas and they certainly don't end with us. I believe we will continue to study, doubt, struggle, reject and misunderstand God for as long as we breathe.

So is there anything good about this doubt, struggle, rejection, and misunderstanding?

Well. . . maybe not. But God has given us minds to think and the ability to learn. Some can believe simply because they believe. Others ask a whole lot more questions.

God's neighborhood is big enough for the doubters and the believers. What do you think about that kind of double vision?

Easter Sermons 2013

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:02:05 PDT

There are two services at St. Paul's United Church of Christ for Easter Sunday. And there are two sermons, too.

"Perplexed" - Sunrise Service Sermon Text
"Perplexed" podcast

"Why are You Weeping?" Late Service Sermon Text
"Why are You Weeping?" podcast

Cup of Salvation

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:30:48 PDT

Maundy Thursday sermon from St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Cup of Salvation" text
"Cup of Salvation" podcast

Tears

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:05:47 PDT

Sometimes I write poetry. Here’s a poem I wrote about Mary weeping outside Jesus’ tomb.

Tears
Tears for death
Tears for death and fear
Tears death, fear, and confusion
Tears for death, fear, confusion, and anticipation
Tears for death, fear, confusion, anticipation, and surprise
Tears for death, fear, confusion, anticipation, surprise, and hope
Tears for death, fear, confusion, anticipation, surprise, hope, and happiness
Tears for death, fear, confusion, anticipation, surprise, hope, happiness, and resurrection.
Tears,

Preparations

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 11:14:06 PDT

This week's Bible reflection (Checklist) is just a small part of, but it gets the thought process going for the Palm Sunday Sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Preparations" text
"Preparations" podcast

Checklist

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:14:42 PDT

From: Jesus
To: My friends

Can you take care of these things please?
When we get near Bethphage and Bethany-

Go into the village and borrow the unridden colt. (If anyone questions you, just tell them the Lord needs it.)
Bring the colt to me near the Mount of Olives
Put your cloaks on the colt and help me up (I know its small – just work with me here)
When we get to the path down from the mount, start cheering and shouting and saying “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
Keep cheering even when the religious leaders tell you to stop.
I’ll tell the religious leaders that silence isn’t an option for you and for all the people.

Thanks –

What are you thinking about moving towards Palm Sunday?

New Thing

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:31:11 PDT

This week's Bible reflection (Going back home) introduces a "people are gonna talk" sermon for this Sunday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"New Thing" text
"New Thing" podcast

Going back home

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:57:06 PDT

It may not be a ‘life rule’, but I think that it’s accurate to say that folks romanticize past positive experiences to a point that the memory of the event is much more positive than the initial experience. I guess folks do the same with bad experiences – with the memory amplifying the experience in a negative way. Though the traditional wisdom on negative experiences seems to be that they fade with time. I don’t know. I do think, however, that when we try to recreate the past positive experiences they usually pale in comparison to our memory.

You can’t go back home, right?

In this week’s Bible reading from Isaiah 43:16-21, the prophet announces that God is going to do a new thing. But just before that announcement there’s a brief warning not to romanticize the events from the past and expect that this new things is going to be just like the things from before.

Romanticizing the past –

The people of Israel – who were living in exile when the prophet from Isaiah 43 spoke – romanticized the past.

They were a people delivered out of bondage in Egypt
They were a people who walked through the sea – while their would-be captors were drowned.
They were a people wandering in the wilderness for a generation.
They were a people at Sinai – getting the 10 commandments
They were a people who finally made it to the promised land
They were a people who had been thrown out of their land
They were a people with a strong history, but without a place to call home.

And they looked back at the events that defined them and remembered the glory days. ‘That’s what we have to get back to! When we get all that back we will be whole again!”

But things really don’t work that way.

Are You Kidding Me?

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:00:26 PDT

This week's Bible reflection (That's Not Fair!) got things rolling for today's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Are You Kidding Me?" text
"Are You Kidding Me?" podcast

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: Thrift Shop Study

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:10:28 PST

So . . . Macklemore sang "Thrft Shop" on Saturday Night Live this past week.

And yes -- I wrote a Bible study for the song. It's in the latest edition of Interlinc's YLO magazine. (91)

It's here, too.

Artist: Macklemore with Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz
Song: Thrift Shop
Album: The Heist

By: Kirk Moore
nogucci@kirkmoore.co

Teaching Point:
Where is your treasure?

Opening Question:
What are the best labels for clothing?

Discussion:"Thrift Shop" is a tongue in cheek song that pokes fun at the culture's obsession with designer labels and overly expensive toys. It's loaded with words that earn it an "explicit" warning. And it's one of the only independent artist single releases ever to hit number one on the pop charts.

It also gives an excellent opportunity to talk about frugality.

Twenty Dollars in My Pocket

What kind of clothing collection do you think you could put together with twenty dollars? Macklemore seems to put together an endless amount of clothes he thinks are stylish and fashionable. It seems that with a little imagination, one can put together a great wardrobe without breaking the bank on designer labels.

Read Matthew 6:19-24

Is spending extravagantly on designer labels related to the idea of "where your treasure is?"
How can spending extravagantly on the finest clothes be an example of serving desire instead of serving God?
If you made a choice to spend much less on clothes by shopping for bargains and shopping at thrift shops, what do you think would be a great use for the money you saved?
What else does the song and the Bible reading make you think about?

Conclusion: When the desire for the finest things becomes more important than following God's way for your life, there's a problem. Your friends will love you whether you have the best clothes or not. And God loves and cares for you just the way you are -- no designer labels necessary.

That's not fair!

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:54:43 PST

Do parents really get more lax with the rules as they parent their younger children? I don’t ever remember thinking while growing up, “That’s not fair! My sister always has an easier time of it than I do!”

I’m the younger one, however.

I’ve heard, in my family, and in countless others, the repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!” when a younger child gets a privilege granted or restriction removed earlier than it had been for the older child when they were the same age.

Though I didn’t live it, I completely see the point. It isn’t fair for a younger child to get something without going through the same hardship that the older child did before getting it. I can understand the anger of "Are you kidding me?! They don’t deserve that! They didn’t have to go through what I went through! You can’t do that!”

My non-pastoral and not even that parental thought is to say, “Life isn’t fair. Get over it.”

I think there's a better response out there.

In this week's Bible reading from luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable . . .

Return

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:21:42 PST

Last week's Bible reflection (Turn Back to God) provided a "Let's see who's really listening" beginning to yesterday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Return" text
"Return" podcast

Turn Back to God

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:32:54 PST

Here's what many think that means:

Make the government a branch of the Christian Church
Make sure the 10 Commandments are on display in courthouses.
Insist that faith based groups who receive public money not be subject to anti-discrimination laws.

Demonize same gender loving people
Try to enforce their religious views in a civil matter – while ignoring the many religious groups who support marriage equality.

Rally for increased spending on war – and call education and healthcare too expensive.
It’s true that these items are not directly connected. But committing violence in the name of the greater good is at least highly expensive. Affordable healthcare and education cannot be less of a priority than killing in the name of keeping people safe.

Turning back to God isn’t about any of those things. Turning back to God disqualifies any of those things

In Isaiah 55:1-9, God’s call to return invites all to do these things:

Drink the water
Eat the food
Turn away from wickedness
Receive God’s mercy
Experience God’s unconditional love
Receive God’s abundant pardon

Who's ready to turn back to God?

Christianity is under attack! Danger! Danger!

prouddog@aol.com (Rev. Kirk Moore) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:54:22 PST

Too often folks who purport to speak for the whole of the Church decide to point the finger at all the alleged external dangers to our faith.

NBC aired an offensive parody movie trailer about Jesus coming back from the dead – out for vengeance.
Christianity is under attack!
Spencer Gifts is selling ‘Fifty Shades of Grey” themed merchandise in their stores.
Christianity is under attack!
Health insurance companies will be forced to give women access to birth control medication.
Christianity is under attack!

Don’t stay silent while the networks, retail operations, and the government attack our faith and values!

If we don’t protest. Our faith will wither up and die!

Malarkey.

Many Christians have a sense of humor – and don’t see humor, even biting and offensive humor, as an affront to their faith.
Many Christians have read and really like the Fifty Shades trilogy.
Many Christians use and support the use of birth control.

Let me be even more cynical.

The fake danger campaigns aren’t about saving Christianity. They’re about raising money. They’re also about trying to gain more power.

Perceived danger campaigns are based on scare tactics and fear. There’s no real danger prior to the campaign. But in the campaigns themselves, there is danger present. Perceived danger campaigns threaten both the well-being of the Church as well as others’ ability to see the Church as a genuinely welcoming community of Jesus’ Love.

In this week’s Bible reading from Luke 13:31-35, Herod was out to kill Jesus.

That was real danger. It wasn't manufactured.

There is a real danger to the Church today. But it's not from the kinds of places from the beginning of this post. It comes from within. Folks fight with folks from other denominations about who does it right. We argue with one another about doctrine and we forget to welcome people from north and south and east and west. We forget that the little chicks, the ones Jesus talked about in this week's reading, and who represent the marginalized and vulnerable members of society like the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Any who are among the excluded must be welcomed and valued in our church communities.

Make that your action alert item -