Sacredise - Seeking to be Fully Alive

RCL Year C – Advent Sunday

2009-11-06T17:05:00.001+02:00

A new liturgical year begins, and with it a new home for Sacredise Revised Common Lectionary worship resources. I will continue to post the resources to this blog for a while, but eventually, the resources will move completely to this new home. So, why not check out the new Lectionary Worship Resources Blog?

Below is a selection of resources and links for Advent Sunday for Year C, which, of course we celebrate on November 29. The readings speak of God’s constantly coming reign, and the need for us to be watchful to recognise it and receive it. In tough times like these, it’s good to have this reminder that God is at work even in the most tragic places in our world.

READINGS:
Jeremiah 33:14-16: God's promise to raise up a descendant of David to reign in Israel & bring goodness, rightness & justice.

Psalm 25:1-10: A prayer for God's compassion, forgiveness and leading, that praises God's righteousness, compassion & love.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians that they may grow in love, and have strong and holy hearts when Jesus returns.

Luke 21:25-36: Jesus speaks of the signs that show the coming of God's reign, and calls for his followers to be watchful & alert.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The coming of God's reign is a central focus of this week's readings. Through Jeremiah God promises a leader like David for God's people. The Psalmist prays for such leadership and guidance. In his prayer for the Thessalonians, Paul asks them to place themselves under God's reign, and to grow in love, able to show how they have lived as Jesus did when he returns. Finally, in Luke's Gospel, Jesus calls for us to be watchful and aware of what is happening around us, and open the the coming of God's reign – and this does not just apply to the end, but to all times.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: The season of Advent calls us to remember the God who comes to us – past, present and future. In the light of God's eternal reign, we cannot help but reflect on our own priorities. Our lives in this world are called to reflect values that last and that have universal value. This calls us to be aware of the signs of God's reign that are already visible in our world – in places of peace, restoration and sacrificial service – and to be part of calling out God's reign in other places – places of need, violence and self-interest. Projects like the Advent Conspiracy (http://www.adventconspiracy.org/) offer a great opportunity to live out our faith in God's coming reign.

LOCAL APPLICATION: Advent reminds us that in the midst of our daily struggles and victories, there is another reality at work, one that, if we remain aware and connected to it, will fill every detail of our lives with greater meaning & purpose. As we enter this season, we are called to watch, and to look for the signs of God's reign around us, and then to co-operate with those signs, calling them into the light, and offering our love and strength to make God's reign even more visible in our families, churches and communities.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Watching
Expecting
O Come Emmanuel
A New World

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Advent & Christmas

Hymns:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Creator Of The Stars Of Night
Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending
How Long We've Waited (New Hymn)
Longing (New Hymn)
Prepare The Way (Link to MySpace video)
Come Now Is The Time (Link to YouTube video)
Father, Spirit, Jesus (Link to YouTube video)
Marvellous Light (Link to album previews – scroll down for this song)
Advent Songs by Sojourn (A great album of new interpretations and new songs for the Advent season – and it’s available free or for a donation)

Images:
A Collection of Advent Candle Images from Worship Photos
Advent from Image Bank (and the same image without the words)
Church PowerPoint Backgrounds in Advent Liturgical Colour
Advent Backgrounds at ShareFaith

Video:
The Return Of Christ (The Work Of The People)
Advent – Christmas (SermonSpice)
Advent – He Comes (SermonSpice)
Other Advent Video Resources from SermonSpice

Additional Advent Resources & Reflections:
Sacredise Advent & Christmas Page
Advent (Taylor Burton-Edwards - GBOD)
The Text This Week

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Advent, God's Reign, Kingdom of God, Worship, Christianity

RCL Feast of Christ the King B

2009-10-30T12:07:00.001+02:00

These are some worship resources for the last week of Year B in the Revised Common Lectionary - 22 November. The feast of Christ the King can be approached in all sorts of ways, and this year really offers a great platform for the Advent journey to follow. The thoughts that struck me, as I reflected on these readings, though, was of the struggle we have to really submit to the idea of Jesus as the one who reigns over us. It is all too easy to use our faith as simply another way to set our own agendas, and use the name of Christ as a way to legitimise them. This feast reminds us that we’ll never find life there, but only in submission to God’s just and gracious agenda.

READINGS:
2 Samuel 23:1-7: David's last words, celebrating the beauty of the one who rules righteously, and remembering God's covenant with David and his family.
OR Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14: Daniel's vision of God's throne, and the One who is given all authority and whose kingdom never ends.

Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18): David's faithfulness to God, and God's promise to David of an everlasting kingdom.
OR Psalm 93: A psalm of celebration of God's mighty and eternal reign.

Revelation 1:4b-8: John celebrates Jesus who died to free us from sin, who comes in glory, and who makes his followers kings and priests for God.

John 18:33-37: Pilate questions Jesus, who affirms that his kingdom is not an earthly one.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
God's kingdom, reflected in David's righteous rule, and established in Jesus, is righteous, just and the cause of great celebration. It is a Kingdom of a completely different order from any human kingdom, and it endures forever, even though it may not always be visibly present.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: The celebration of Christ the King raises two issues for us as followers of Christ: 1. The issue of authority: Jesus cannot be followed while retaining our own agendas. As we follow Christ, we are called to embrace His agenda. In our striving for justice, equity and a better world, there remains the need to proclaim the eternal kingdom of God, and to call people, leaders and communities to faith and to submission to the authority and priorities of Christ (which is not the same thing as the Church).

LOCAL APPLICATION: In our own communities and lives, it is easy to set up our own little kingdoms – even when we're doing good, or working for justice. It is easy to get caught up in purely human agendas and priorities, but ultimately these will all fail us. So, as we seek to live out our faith in compassion and justice, we need also to embody the priorities of Jesus, and call people to higher, eternal values. In the end, justice and evangelism must go hand in hand.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
The UnKing
Agendas
Your Kingdom Come
The Subversive Kingdom
May Your Kingdom Come

Liturgy:
A Foretaste Of The Heavenly Banquet

Hymns:
Jesus Shall Reign
O Worship The King
Sing We The King
Rejoice, The Lord Is King
How Great Is Our God (YouTube video of New Song Cafe)
Above All (Link to YouTube video)
Lord Reign In Me (Link to YouTube video)
Ancient Of Days (An oldie, but goody – link to YouTube video)
Who Is Like You (Link takes you to the Music page on the Sacredise website where you can download the mp3, chord chart & lead sheet)
The Lord Reigns (From Song for the Road – Link takes you to the Music page on the Sacredise website where you can listen to a preview)

Images:
Majesty King (A nice collection of PowerPoint backgrounds that could work really well in this week’s worship)

Video:
Reign Of Christ (From The Work Of The People – based on the Gospel reading for this week)
Jesus & The Kingdom (From The Work Of The People – Brian McLaren speaking about God’s Kingdom and what it means for us)
Justice, Power & The Kingdom (From The Work Of The People – another Brian McLaren video)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Christ The King B, Reign Of Christ B, Kingdom of God, Reign of God, Agendas, Faith, Submission, Obedience, Worship, Discipleship

Gathering

2009-10-27T14:47:00.001+02:00

In the days of the Tabernacle, it was the sound of the shofar, the ram’s horn. Today it can be anything from a curtain-raiser performance to a series of adverts on a big screen. Whatever the medium and content, people are always gathering, as they always have done, to engage in activities that affirm our common journey, and enable us to share experiences.

There has been much debate around the gathering of people online in social networks and email forums. The question of whether this is genuine gathering, whether it counts as real community, is interesting and probably important as an academic exploration, but it will never actually change the reality that people are gathering online, and many will defend their experience of such gathering as a true expression of our common and shared humanity – a true koinonia.

In worship, this gathering takes on a whole different dimension. As we come together in a place of worship, we recognise our shared life as women and men, fathers and mothers, children and siblings, family and friends. We acknowledge and affirm our shared values, beliefs, traditions and practices, and we strengthen our bonds with each other. However, our gathering also draws us into another relationship. We gather to encounter God, to share together in a moment of intimacy with the Creator of us all. And so our gathering takes on a deeper significance – because we know, if we are aware, that this gathering will change us, must change us – as all gatherings do – but in the deepest, most disturbing and life-giving ways.

And so, as we gather for worship, in churches and cell groups, we are choosing, perhaps in spite of ourselves, and perhaps not realising what we are doing, to embrace the change that God seeks to bring in us. We gather so that when, after a time, we go our separate ways, we carry the marks of our gathering in who we are, in how we think, in what we believe and feel, and in how we behave and interact.

I can’t wait for Sunday…

Technorati tags: Worship, Call to Worship, Church, Gathering, Koinonia, Community

Small Random Acts Of Peace Making

2009-10-23T12:26:00.001+02:00

Each week as I prepare worship resources based on the Revised Common Lectionary, I find myself challenged to read the scriptures thoughtfully and prayerfully, and to hear what God might be saying to me through them. I always pray that the message I hear may be relevant to those who read this blog as well.

This week, I was deeply struck by a simple thought: peace making doesn’t always require huge acts. Simple, random acts of peace making can make all the difference. A smile when we don’t feel like it. Refusing to hold a grudge. Offering forgiveness quickly, even when it hurts us to do so. Choosing not to retaliate in action or word. Helping two friends or co-workers to find a way to overcome a disagreement. These are small things we can do every day, but if we all did them, the world would be a far more peaceful place.

These small random acts of peace making, if done consistently, will ultimately change us and as we change, so our communities and groups change with us, and before you know it, the world is changed. So, what random acts of peace making can you do today?

Technorati tags: Peacemaking, Kindness, Following Christ

RCL Proper 28B / Ordinary 33B / Pentecost 24

2009-10-23T12:11:00.001+02:00

These are some worship resources for 15 November in the Revised Common Lectionary. The theme that stands out for me is peacemaking – enduring suffering while refusing to retaliate. It’s a tough call – the call of the cross – but one that can make a significant difference in our world if we will each embrace it in our own small way.

READINGS:
1 Samuel 1:4-20: Hannah grieves being unable to bear children, and her request for a child is granted by God.
OR Daniel 12:1-3: A prophecy of resurrection and the “shining” of the righteous ones.

1 Samuel 2:1-10: Hannah's song in praise of God's justice after offering Samuel to serve in the temple. (Some interesting similarities to Mary's song here).
OR Psalm 16: In praise of God's many blessings, God's protection and God's guidance.

Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25: Jesus offered himself as the perfect once-for-all sacrifice, and in so doing conquered his enemies. Now we can enter God's presence boldly through him.

Mark 13:1-8: Jesus predicts the temple's destruction, the arrival of false Messiahs and war between nations.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
Violence, destruction, war and ridicule are common troubles that we all face in the world – perhaps even more so as we seek to follow Christ. The temptation is to respond in kind, offering violence for violence and using force to overcome force. However, the way of Christ, revealed through the Scriptures, is the way of peace, forgiveness, and faith in God's ultimate justice. This way is demonstrated by Hannah's prayers in the face of Peninnah's taunts, in Daniel's prophecy of the shining resurrected ones, in the Psalmists celebration of God's protection, guidance and the community of faith, and ultimately in Jesus' self-giving on the cross.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: The way of peace is not a “quick-fix” alternative to injustice. It is a painful, sacrificial journey that takes a long view of human history. When peacemaking rises up against violence and injustice, things often get worse, and oppressors and tyrants use greater violence and threats to try and silence the peace and justice making. But, when we remain steadfast in our faith that God is at work in our world, and that God's purposes of justice and peace will continue to overcome violence and oppression, we can absorb the pain, refuse to respond in kind, carry the cross, and ultimately wait until, as inevitably must happen, God's Commonwealth prevails.

LOCAL APPLICATION: Often the most simple form of peace making is refusing to retaliate, refusing to hold a grudge and embracing the sacrificial way of forgiveness. Every person, and every community, has been hurt by someone else, or some other group. Our natural human inclination is to try and hurt them back, to even the score. But, the way of cross is the way of absorbing the violence and pain, and responding in love, forgiveness and acceptance. As hard as this is, it is the Kingdom view to which we are all called. Who needs us to choose this response today?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
God of Peace
Small Random Acts of Peace-Making

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for the Agape
A Liturgy for the Celebration of Sacrifice

Hymns:
O Day Of God Draw Nigh
My Hope Is Built (On Christ The Solid Rock)
Come Ye Disconsolate
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
My Deliverer (Chris Tomlin) (Link to YouTube video)
O God Our Help (Kees Kraayenoord) (Link to YouTube video)
Let There Be Peace On Earth (Link to YouTube video)
Lord, Make Us Instruments Of Your Peace (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Rumours Of War (The Work Of The People)
The Stoning Of Stephen (The Work Of The People)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 28B, Ordinary 33B, Pentecost 24, Peacemaking, Sacrifice, Forgiveness, Worship Resources

RCL Proper 27B / Ordinary 32B / Pentecost 23

2009-10-17T16:49:00.001+02:00

Here are worship resources for 8 November in the Revised Common Lectionary. Check out the videos from The Work Of The People particularly – they are very challenging and a good support to what I see as the main thrust of these readings. Enjoy!

READINGS:
Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17: Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Boaz. Ruth is married to Boaz and bears a son called Obed – David's grandfather.
OR 1 Kings 17:8-16: God provides food for Elijah and the poor widow and her son who took him into their home.

Psalm 127: A psalm celebrating God's protection and provision, and the gift of children.
OR Psalm 146: Praise for God's care, justice and unending reign.

Hebrews 9:24-28: Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, carrying his own blood into the presence of God to atone for us.

Mark 12:38-44: Warnings about the teachers of the law, and praise for the poor widow who gives a small but sacrificial offering.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The Scriptures for this week all contrast those who are powerful from a human perspective and those who are poor and weak, but who trust in God. The message is clear – human power is limited, corrupt and ultimately fails those who trust in it. God's care, protection and justice is sure and eternal. Through the self-offering of Christ, all people can find security within the grace of God.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: Security and provision for material needs are a constant human concern. From a purely human perspective, these needs are addressed by accumulation of wealth, and by aligning oneself with powerful people. In the global economy, the powerful and wealthy control the means of both security and provision, using their resources to favour themselves & their allies, and ignoring or neglecting the weak and poor. Ultimately this strategy undermines the very security and comfort that is hoped for. Only when God's priorities of faith, sacrificial giving and solidarity with the least are implemented can we find the peace we so long for.

LOCAL APPLICATION: The Church is called to embody God's priorities and live out the Gospel message of power and wealth sharing. However, all too many churches embrace human standards and strategies, measuring success by influence and wealth, not by contribution and service. In every community are the poor and weak who long for the church to stand with them, and to help them find their place in the world. Our faith and witness will ultimately be measured by how well we have sacrificed for and served these suffering ones. Do we embody the faith of the Pharisee or the faith of the widow?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Weak And Poor God
Another Way

Hymns:
A Charge To Keep I Have
Rise Up O Men Of God (Could be sung as “Rise up, O People of God”)
O Master Let Me Walk With Thee
Nothing Between
The Servant King (Graham Kendrick) (Link to sheet music)
God Of Justice (Tim Hughes) (Link to YouTube video)
Everlasting God (Chris Tomlin) (Link to YouTube video)
You Have Shown Us (Compassion Art) (Click on media player at bottom right to listen to a preview)

Video:
Truth In Powerlessness (The Work Of The People)
Becoming The Poor (The Work Of The People)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 27B, Ordinary 32B, Pentecost 23, Power, Wealth, Weakness, Gospel, Worship

RCL Proper 26B / Ordinary 31B / Pentecost 22

2009-10-09T14:15:00.001+02:00

Resources for 1 November in the Revised Common Lectionary. There was no question for me that the main focus had to be the Gospel – the Great Commandment. I am sorry about all the songs for which I can’t find links. Mostly is because they’re old, and so links just seem to be pretty scarce. They’re all pretty well known, though.

Surprisingly, finding songs about the Great Commandment – or love for God and others in general – is pretty hard. There are lots of songs about how God loves us, but we don’t seem to have got as far as singing about our response in love. Here’s some work for the hymn writers out there!

READINGS:
Ruth 1:1-18: Naomi returns to her homeland after losing her husband and sons, and Ruth insists on going with her.
OR Deuteronomy 6:1-9: The great commandment to love God with heart, soul and strength must be taught and included in every facet of life.

Psalm 146: A psalm of praise celebrating God's protection and provision for those who trust in God.
OR Psalm 119:1-8: Thanksgiving for the joy that God's decrees bring, and a prayer for God's help in being obedient.

Hebrews 9:11-14: Christ our high priest is the perfect sacrifice for our redemption.

Mark 12:28-34: Jesus declares that the greatest commandments are to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
In obedience to God's commandments we find a life of goodness and we are protected from much of the evil and brokenness of our world. This is not in a “reward for good behaviour” sense, but in the simple sense that God's commands point us to the way that life works best both for the individual and for the collective. All of God's commands can be summarised in the simple, but difficult, calling to love God and neighbour.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: So many of the world's problems ultimately stem from a lack of love: economic crises as a result of greed and stinginess; war and conflict as a result of hatred and exalting the needs and agendas of the self and one's own particular group; climate change as a result of failure to love what God has made; relationship breakdown through failure to love one another and even ourselves effectively. In a culture of “me-first”, personal development and individual autonomy, our social structures break down because we have simply forgotten the skills of love that hold people together.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In every life and every community we know the pain of our inadequate love. Where is this pain felt most sharply in your community today? Do the rich ignore the poor who live right beside them? Are families and marriages falling apart through carelessness and neglect? Are people marginalised because we hold to our own agendas more strongly than to Jesus' call to love? What might our community begin to look like if we really treated love as the greatest – really, the only – commandment. Imagine the possibilities!

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
A Love So Strong
Where Is The Love?
Loving Through The Storm
Love So Easy And So Hard

Hymns:
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Esp. Vs. 3)
O Loving Lord Who Art Forever Seeking (No link found, I’m afraid)
Come Let Us Sing Of A Wonderful Love (We use a different tune for this in South Africa – but most South African readers will know it)
Love (Brenton Prigge – New Hymn)
Love – Chris Tomlin (Link to YouTube video)
Love – John van de Laar (Link to Preview – click on the correct link in the media player in the left column)
Let There Be Love Shared Among Us (Another great old song for which I’m struggling to find a link)
Your Love (Don Moen & Martin Nystrom – no link found I’m afraid)

A good special music item could be “What About The Love” by Amy Grant (written by Janis Ian) Listen to it here. Or watch Janis Ian performing it live.

Video:
Deidox/Lindsay (Free video from Worship House Media)
Love Your Neighbour (A fun video with a sting in the tail from The Work Of The People)
Where Is The Love (Another good video from Worship House Media)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Communion

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 26B, Ordinary 31B, Pentecost 22, Love, The Great Commandment

Emotional Viruses

2009-10-08T12:02:00.001+02:00

I’ve just started reading Daniel Goleman’s book Social Intelligence in preparation for a workshop I’m running next week. He is of course the Emotional Intelligence guru, but this book looks to be just as important. I was particularly struck by these thoughts this morning:

When someone dumps their toxic feelings on us – explodes in anger or threats, shows disgust or contempt – they activate in us circuitry for those very same distressing emotions. Their act has potent neurological consequences: emotions are contagious. We “catch” strong emotions much as we do a rhinovirus – and so can come down with the emotional equivalent of a cold.

Every interaction has an emotional subtext. Along with whatever else we are doing, we can make each other feel a little better, or even a lot better, or a little worse – or a lot worse… Beyond what transpires in the moment, we can retain a mood that stays with us long after the direct encounter ends – an emotional afterglow (or afterglower…).

I can’t help but reflect on the challenge of this. What kind of emotional viruses do I transmit? How easily do I allow myself to “catch” the viruses of others, and what if I worked more intentionally to pass on viruses of joy, peace and love? I tend to be quite serious, and I have a bias toward inner anxiety and cautiousness. But, in the light of this, I am challenged to work to take myself and others more lightly. I want to work toward being someone who “infects” others with lightness, joy and peace. I would love to become someone who, rather than just catching the mood of those I’m with, transforms the mood of others in a positive way. Goleman has helped me to understand that this is a very possible, and very important, ministry to engage in. I am looking forward to reading his strategies for how to do this.

More to come, I suspect….

Technorati tags: Daniel Goleman, Social Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Love, Joy, Peace, Human Interaction

RCL Proper 25B / Ordinary 30B / Pentecost 21

2009-10-05T14:44:00.001+02:00

Here are the new resources for October 25. I’ve tried to hold all of the readings together, but the theme that emerges for me may seem a little strange if you’re focusing on only one of the readings. I hope you still find this helpful. I would love to hear comments on what is and isn’t helpful about these resources. I’m always keen to make Sacredise resources as useful as possible.

READINGS:
Job 42:1-6, 10-17: Job replies and repents in humility after God's revelations, and God blesses Job beyond what he had known at first.
OR Jeremiah 31:7-9: God's promise to restore all of Israel's people, including the weak and marginalised, and bring them into a life of peace and well-being.

Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22): In praise of God's protection and restoration in times of trouble.
OR Psalm 126: The people's joy at returning to Jerusalem after the exile.

Hebrews 7:23-28: Jesus is the eternal high priest who always intercedes for God's people.

Mark 10:46-52: Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus at Jericho.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
Although suffering and pain are an unavoidable part of the human experience, there is always hope when we place our trust in God. God is in the business of restoration – of Job's fortunes after his ordeal; of Israel after the Exodus and of David after his persecution by Saul; of Bartimaeus's sight – and through that his life; and of us, as we trust in our great high priest who intercedes for us always.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: When we speak about justice, a lot of our language reveals a bias toward what has been called “retributive justice” - the “punishment” of offenders, and the restitution that “balances the scales” and “evens the score”. Yet God's justice appears to be more biased toward “restorative justice” - making things whole and bringing about the healing of both perpetrator and victim, and of society as a whole. The role of community in this restoration cannot be over stated.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In our personal lives we all too easily define justice on our own terms, and in our own favour. We use this sense of justice to hold on to our grudges and to wish for revenge against those who have hurt us. And we do this even with our sisters and brothers in Christ. Yet, as we seek healing and restoration for ourselves, we must also recognise that our restoration is linked to that of others who are hurting, of our society, and even of those who have hurt or offended us. If we seek justice and restoration for ourselves, we can do well by asking who, in our communities and in our lives, need restoration and justice. As we seek to bring God's justice to others, we often find it for ourselves.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
God Of Restoration
Interceding

Hymns:
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
Just As I Am
It Is Well With My Soul
Mercy (From NewHymn.com)
High Priest (From NewHymn.com – although Brenton lists this hymn for last week, it also fits very well with the Hebrews reading for this week)
Blessed Be Your Name (Link to YouTube video)
Give Thanks (Link to YouTube video)
White Ribbon Day (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Healing of the Blind Man (From The Work Of The People)
Restoration (From SermonSpice)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for the Agape

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 25B, Ordinary 30B, Pentecost 21, Restoration, Justice, Retribution, Grace, Worship

RCL Proper 24B / Ordinary 29B / Pentecost 20

2009-09-27T20:03:00.001+02:00

These resources are for Sunday 18 October and based around the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. As I reflected on these readings, the theme of servant leadership really stood out for me, and so this is the main focus of these resources.

READINGS:
Job 38:1-7, 34-41: God questions Job about the world's creation and the power of the storm.
OR Isaiah 53:4-12: The suffering servant takes on the sin of the people.

Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c: In praise of God's creation of the world and the creatures in it.
OR Psalm 91:9-16: God's protection for those who make God their refuge.

Hebrews 5:1-10: Christ is chosen by God to be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Mark 10:35-45: James and John ask to sit at Jesus' side. Jesus calls them to follow him into his suffering, and teaches the disciples about servant leadership.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
Every community requires leadership, and God calls some to this function. The kind of leadership God calls for, however, is sacrificial, generous, and serves those who are led. It is not a position of status, but a task of servitude. It does not provide luxury or power for the leader, but requires selflessness and humility.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: In the world of politics, it is common for leaders to use their position for personal gain, and to pander to lobby groups and financial contributors in order to retain power and ensure re-election. However, this kind of leadership is seldom beneficial to the greater population, and the least and the voiceless are often ignored. The call of the Gospel is not to hold our leaders accountable to our own particular religious and political agenda, but rather to hold them accountable to being true public servants – serving all of the people, and seeking the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people.

LOCAL APPLICATION: Almost everyone in our churches and communities holds some position of leadership – whether it's parent, pastor, class president, opinion-maker, or politician. Some of this leadership is formal and some is informal, but all are called to the same Christ-like standard – leadership is exercised through servanthood, through taking on the suffering and pain of the least, and through working for justice and equality for all.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
The God Who Serves
Where Are The Leaders?

Hymns:
O Worship the King
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O Jesus I Have Promised
Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus
The Servant King (Graham Kendrick) (Sheet Music) (Video/Words)
Above All (Link to YouTube video)
Creation's King (Link to Sheet Music)
That's Why We Praise Him (Link to YouTube Video)

Video:
Justice Power & The Kingdom (From The Work Of The People. Here’s a YouTube Version):
Dying to Power: (From The Work Of The People)
A Leader (From Sermonspice):

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 24B, Ordinary 29B, Pentecost 20, Servant Leadership, Power, Politics, Servanthood, Worship, Justice, Kingdom of God

RCL Proper 23B / Ordinary 28B / Pentecost 19

2009-09-19T22:55:00.001+02:00

Here are worship resources for Sunday for 11 October 2009 in the Revised Common Lectionary. I especially enjoyed preparing these – even though I’m travelling at the moment. Something about this week’s theme just really spoke to me. Hope they are helpful for you too!

READINGS:
Job 23:1-9, 16-17: Job longs to put his case to God, but feels that God is absent.
OR Amos 5:6-7, 10-15: The prophet calls God's people to turn to justice and compassion in order to avert God's wrath and avoid God's judgement.

Psalm 22:1-15: A psalm expressing abandonment by God, and suffering under persecution.
OR Psalm 90:12-17: A plea for God's restoration.

Hebrews 4:12-16: We are accountable to God, and God's searching word. If we come to God, we find mercy and grace in our weakness.

Mark 10:17-31: The rich young man is unable to release his wealth and follow Jesus. The disciples are assured that in following Christ they will receive both persecution, and good things, but most importantly, they will receive life.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The overwhelming awareness in this week's Scripture passage is of the reality of suffering, and the pain and indignity that it brings. A huge part of the struggle for those who suffer is the sense of loneliness, isolation and unwantedness that is brought on by the pain, and that heightens it. Even Jesus shared this experience. However, underlying all of it, is the assurance of God's compassion and the mercy that God offers. And, in Jesus' words in Marks' Gospel, there is the call for us to be agents of God's mercy, grace and friendship.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
“I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can experience.' Mother Teresa.

GLOBAL APPLICATION: Our world is full of “shadow people” - the unseen sufferers who struggle daily with poverty, dread & infectious diseases, lack of clean water and sanitation, with few resources and fewer opportunities. For many of the wealthy, these people remain unseen even when they live next door, and “out of site is out of mind”. A powerful, healing work of justice is to simply to notice the shadow people, to acknowledge their humanity, and even to offer a hand of friendship and solidarity.

LOCAL APPLICATION: Every community has suffering people, but often these people find themselves feeling isolated and marginalised even within our churches. Too often we try to avoid facing or acknowledge the reality of suffering, and in the process we leave sufferers feeling hurt, humiliated and lonely. This week, is there a “wealth that you can give to the poor” in your community? Whether it's a wealth of friendship or compassion or support we do have wealth to offer struggling, sick and lonely people. The friendship, the “standing with” and the acknowledgment is often a far more powerful gift than any material help we can offer – which sometimes only confirms our superiority and further disempowers.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
In Praise Of Being Noticed
Biographers Of The Least

Hymns:
O Master Let Me Walk With Thee
There's A Wideness In God's Mercy
I Surrender All
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
A Life Of Love (From Matt Redman – I can’t find a link, I’m afraid)
Kyrie Eleison (A classic from the Fisherfolk. Also no link for this one)
Everyone Belongs (Link to Amazon.com mp3 download)
O The Wonderful Cross (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Imagine (At the moment this video is free at The Work Of The People)
Psalm 22 (Another The Work Of The People video – this one for purchase)
Jesus' Etiquette (Another goody from The Work Of The People that I’ve featured before)
Justice (UPDATE) (A YouTube video that was referred to me by a colleague – based on an Al Gordon song.)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy For The Celebration Of Sacrifice
A Liturgy Of Compassion

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 23B, Ordinary 28B, Pentecost 19, Unwanted, Loneliness, Marginalised, Shadow People

RCL Proper 22B / Ordinary 27B / Pentecost 18

2009-09-12T15:33:00.001+02:00

I’m still trying to catch up so I’m four weeks ahead again, but I haven’t managed to yet. This should still give you enough time to plan for 4 October 2009 in the Revised Common Lectionary.

READINGS:
Job 1:1, 2:1-10: Job bears suffering with patience and faith.
OR Genesis 2:18-24: Woman is formed out of man and a companion is given to him.

Psalm 26: David pleads for God's mercy and protection on the basis of his uprightness.
OR Psalm 8: God's majesty fills all of creation. God's grace is demonstrated through humanity's upliftment.

Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12: God speaks to humanity through Jesus, who has humbled himself below the angels and died to bring many children into God's glory.

Mark 10:2-16: Jesus teaches that marriage is sacred and to be preserved, and he welcomes and blesses the children.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
Miraculously, God is completely committed to men and women, uplifting them and bringing them into God's grace through Christ. In addition, God reveals God's grace, love, acceptance and concern through human relationships, not least of which is the union of two human beings in the marriage covenant.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: Family relationships are an important foundation in the well-being of society. These relationships can be broken down in two ways – through moral and ethical choices that undermine monogamy, fidelity and compassionate child care, and through rigid, one-dimensional definitions of family that ignore the realities and challenges of today's world, and that keep God's grace from those who seek to create faithful monogamous families outside of the “norm”. Both lack grace, and both fail to reflect God's love and compassion in the way that family relationships were intended to. However, when we graciously celebrate and support those who seek to build faithful relationships, and create meaningful and stable families in whatever form they may take, they reveal God's grace, and help to provide a strong foundation for a faithful and compassionate society.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In every community there are families in need of care of support. Many of these families are ignored because the way they do family life is different from the narrow definitions we generally consider “normal”. And so families break down, and society is harmed, and one of the best pictures we have of God's love and commitment to human beings is distorted. When we can begin to offer guidance, care, support and love for all families, and allow them to reach their full potential in Christ, not only do they benefit, but our community grows stronger, more loving and more aware of God's grace, as these families again become the parables God intended them to be.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Divine Lover
The Family You Have Given
May We Be

Hymns:
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Fairest Lord Jesus
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Always Forever (Link to YouTube video)
How Can I Keep From Singing (Link to YouTube video)
The Power Of Your Love (Link to YouTube video)
I'm So Secure (Link to YouTube video)
You Are (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Family (SermonSpice)
Smith Family Interview (The Work Of The People)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Communion (pdf file)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 22B, Ordinary 27B, Pentecost 18, Family, Grace, Worship, Church, Marriage, Children

Grace

2009-09-11T12:00:00.001+02:00

I missed a meeting yesterday. I don’t miss meetings. When I realised that I had, I was devastated, and began imagining how bad it looked to the person I was supposed to be meeting with, and how they probably wouldn’t trust me anymore. I tend to beat myself up this way.

This morning, though, while I was getting ready, and rehearsing in my mind the apology I would make when I phoned the person, my thoughts drifted back to Barry’s funeral on Wednesday. Hundreds of people crowded into the St. John’s Methodist Church in Port Elizabeth to grieve and celebrate together. And the one word which stood out for me as I listened to the many short eulogies that were offered was “grace”.

Don’t get me wrong: Barry was not the kind of person that you automatically label as “gracious”. He was confrontational, challenging and argumentative. Yet, everything he did was about raw grace – the kind that accepts us as we are, and loves us anyway; the kind that works its way into your soul, and slowly, inexorably begins to change you; the kind that recognises that everyone has a place at God’s table, and that we have no right to try and be gate-keepers of the feast. It was a silly little moment, but this morning I realised that Barry would laugh at me and tell me to lighten up, that the world was not in jeopardy because I missed a meeting, and that I was not a terrible person because I was simply flawed like everyone else. I smiled to myself, and decided to let myself off the hook.

Then, I started thinking about our worship. I realised with shock that so much of our message is about grace, but so much of our practice belies this message. We speak of God’s unconditional love, and then we limit our worship teams to professionals. We speak of the God who loves the broken and sinful, but then we get our knickers in knots when anything interrupts the slick flow of our worship services. We celebrate the forgiveness of God, but then we try to portray the image of those who no longer need that forgiveness.

At Synod this year I was the worship leader – drawing together a diverse team of people and leading a group of worshippers from eleven different languages, different generations, genders and worship styles. This is always a challenging task for me, and I like to be well prepared. But, in Africa, where transportation is often a problem, rehearsals are impossible, and so, on the morning of the opening service, I still had no idea who was to be in my worship team. I had been forced to leave things open, being prepared to work with whoever arrived and was willing to join in. When Barry asked me how I was doing, and I told him what was going on as I waited for my team to materialise, he laughed at me and said, “you’ve come a long way, John!” And I realised that I had – that Barry, and others, had taught me how important grace was in the way we put together the team and lead the worship. That the message these things preached was as important and as loud as the actual words of grace that would be spoken in the sermon.

So, here’s my question: If the Gospel is all about grace, how will this be reflected in your worship this weekend? Will your practice reflect a generosity for mistakes and struggles? Will the songs and prayers invite broken people to lean into the grace of God? Will the people see the reality of grace at work in the lives of those up on the platform or around the altar? Or will they see mistakes punished, slick presentation that tolerates no glitches, and flawless people who have no understanding of how hard it is to live the way we know we want to? I suspect that until we find a way to honestly reveal the way grace has touched us, we will never really have anything to say to a broken world so desperately in need of the grace we claim to preach.

I used to finish my emails with the greeting “blessings”. Today I have decided to change that to the word “grace”. I need to be reminded that that’s what Jesus is all about. I need to be reminded to treat everyone I interact with that way. And, I need to remember that I was privileged to know someone who had learned, in his own small way, to allow that grace to set him free, and who worked so hard to let others hear that grace was for them as well.

So…Grace.

Technorati tags: Grace, Christianity, Jesus Christ, Worship, Church, Barry Marshall, Freedom, Gospel

Grace

2009-09-11T11:55:00.001+02:00

Technorati tags: Grace, Christianity, Jesus Christ, Worship, Church, Barry Marshall, Freedom, Gospel

My First YouTube Video

2009-09-10T17:24:00.001+02:00

I have been planning to create this video for a long time, and finally I’ve done it. My first YouTube video is a music video using the title track of my new album Every God-Beloved Life. This is a song of worship, but the lyrics are a little different form the usual contemporary hymns we sing in church. I’d love to know your responses, and I’d really appreciate it if you would link to the video and/or spread the word as widely as possible. If you have a blog, won’t you consider posting about it? Ok, this is a shameless request for help with driving traffic to the video, but, hey, if you want me to reciprocate, just let me know!

If you’ve enjoyed it, won’t you also leave a comment below – or if you have any suggestions or ideas for making my videos better, feel free to say so!

Technorati tags: Worship Music, You Are, Worship, Justice, Inclusivity, Inclusion, Communion, Worship Video

RCL Proper 21B / Ordinary 26B / Pentecost 17

2009-09-05T15:51:00.001+02:00

I had hoped to put out two of these posts this week, but unfortunately, for a whole bunch of reasons that didn’t happen. Next week isn’t looking good either, so hopefully I’ll catch the week after. We’re still a few weeks ahead, though, so hopefully this is still in time for your planning for 27 September 2009 in the Revised Common Lectionary.

READINGS:
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22: Haman's scheme against the Jews is turned against him.
OR Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29: Moses appoints elders and God's Spirit comes upon them.

Psalm 124: Because of God's help, God's people are saved from their enemies.
Or Psalm 19:7-14: The value of God's law which brings great benefit to those who follow it.

James 5:13-20: The power of prayer to heal and restore the sick, wounded and penitent.

Mark 9:38-50: Those not against Christ are for him. Serve and care for the least, be salt & live at peace. For those who do not, deserve only judgement – they are like salt without flavour.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
God is a healing God. Those who follow Christ are called to bring healing to every place where there is pain: Social healing where there is division and genocide, where there is oppression and inequality; as well as personal healing – in every part – wherever people are broken, penitent and sick. We are also called to work alongside those who are part of this healing work – whether they are explicitly faith-based or not: “Those who are not against us are for us”. In this work of healing, we become salt to the world.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: There is much woundedness and brokenness in our world – the result of ethnic, faction and national pride expressed in violence or genocide against the other; the result of self-interest and greed bringing inequality and poverty, along with all the social and personal sickness and brokenness that it brings; the result of careless use of the planets resources, bringing about climate change and all the associated problems that hurt the least the most. The Gospel calls us to be healers wherever we can to all of these diseases.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In our own communities and churches are people desperate for healing. From the personal sicknesses of HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart disease, TB and others, to the interpersonal sicknesses of domestic violence, divorce, sexual abuse and rape, to the social diseases of unemployment and homelessness, poverty and inequality. In the US the hot “healing” issue is the debate around Health Care. How can we, as followers of Christ, participate in God's healing work for the individuals in our churches and communities, as well as on the interpersonal and social levels?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Wholeness
Healing The World

Hymn Suggestions:
For The Healing Of The Nations (Link to text. Tune can be found here.)
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
He Lifted Me (From Sinking Sand)
I Cannot Tell Why He Whom Angels Worship (Link to preview on the Sacredise “Songs for the Road” CD page – scroll down to find the link)
Song for the Nations (Well known song by Chris Christensen. I couldn’t find a link to a preview of the song, but Integrity’s hosanna recorded it years ago, so it should be in the CCLI database
Shout To The North And The South (Link to YouTube video)
Hungry (Link to YouTube video)
Jesus, You Are My Healer
Spirit Song (O Let The Son Of God Enfold You) (Link to UMH information page)
Hear Our Prayer (Link to Sacredise music page where you’ll find links to a preview and a full mp3, a pdf chord chart and a pdf lead sheet)

Liturgies:
A Liturgy for the Agape (Link to pdf file)
A Liturgy of Compassion (Link to pdf file)

Video:
Broken (SermonSpice)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 21B, Ordinary 26B, Pentecost 17, Healing, Wholeness, Social Healing, Personal Healing, Worship Resources

The Priceless Gift Of Friendship

2009-09-03T14:30:00.001+02:00

In Africa we have a somewhat overused saying: “I am a person because of other people.” Or to phrase it another way: “I am because I belong”. Today, tragically, I have discovered how true this is for me personally.

For the last 13 years I have lived with the knowledge that I always had a sounding board for my most off-the-wall and subversive thoughts and ideas. I knew I had an honest voice I could trust to tell me exactly what he thought with no games or beating around the bush. Barry was a friend who I knew mostly in a “professional” capacity – both of us being ordained clergy with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. We didn’t spend much time together socially at all. I know his family only through the way he spoke about them, or wrote about them on his blog. And yet, over the last decade, our lives have been intertwined in significant ways. Today, I heard the news that Barry drowned at sea while kayaking yesterday, and I am shattered.

The emotions I feel have taken me by surprise. I knew that Barry was important to me, but today, as I reflect on our relationship, I realise how much Barry contributed to making me who I am today. The first real worship ‘seminar’ I ever ran on my own was at Barry’s church, and at his invitation. It was because of his invitation that I started leading worship at our District ministers’ retreats and at Synods – which taught me everything I know about multi-cultural worship. It was Barry who constantly challenged my thinking and theology around worship and pretty much everything else, and that regularly asked the uncomfortable questions that moved me into new thinking and new places. It was Barry that kept reminding me that worship is about life and justice and following Christ faithfully, not just about singing songs on Sunday. And it was Barry who kept reminding me that worship is also supposed to be fun and celebratory.

We didn’t always agree, and we didn’t always do things the same way. He was often chaotic and spontaneous to my orderliness and planning, and he taught me flexibility. He enabled me to look at myself with a painful, but restorative honesty, and he had a way of seeing through to the core issues, while also displaying compassion and grace that stunned me. He was not easy to be with – he was a confrontational person, and said things that others fear to, but I always knew that I could be blatantly honest without worrying about offending or shocking him, and I always knew he would be totally honest with me. He laughed loud, and stated his views with a confidence that for some bordered on arrogance, and that disguised his ability to listen and change when new data or ideas convinced him. I guess, if I was to compare Barry to a biblical character, it would be the apostle Peter, and, like him, Barry was a rock.

The Church has lost a profound and prophetic voice. I have lost a true friend. But I also know myself better because of him. I belong to the Church, to myself and to this world far more than I ever would have if I had never met him. And I am able to care for others and for justice far more than I would have without his influence.

So, Barry, thank you for the priceless gift you have given me. I love you for it, and I will miss you more than I can express. The impact of your short life will be felt in this world for a very long time to come, and I am grateful that I walked with you for a time. Go well, my friend.

Technorati tags: Barry Marshall, Friendship, Ubuntu

The Bible and Poetry

2009-09-02T12:04:00.001+02:00

I’m preparing a sermon for Sunday and came across this wonderful site that offers tremendous resources for preachers: Working Preacher. As I read the commentary on John 10:7-10 (one of my readings for Sunday), the scholar, Jaime Clark-Soles, who wrote the commentary offered this reflection that really struck a chord with me. I thought it might be challenging and helpful for you too.

Billy Collins has a wonderful poem about poetry that applies equally well to Scripture:

Introduction to Poetry
Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

I wonder if that’s what we do to the Bible? And what might happen if we allowed the Bible to speak to us the way poetry does? Is this not how it was intended to be read, perhaps?

Technorati tags: Bible, Poetry, Theology, Christianity

Thoughts On Success

2009-09-01T22:14:00.001+02:00

I've wrestled with the idea of success all my life. It is not in my nature to be complacent or to accept ordinary-ness. I have always wanted to feel like my life has a greater meaning, like I've achieved something. In the process of searching for success I have faced some tough realities - not least of which has been that I have failed more than once, and sometimes in painful and public ways.

Today, in a world that is strongly biased toward success as a primary value, many people find themselves facing failure as the economic crisis takes it's toll. In South Africa we are feeling this very keenly as half a million jobs have been shed in the last few months. And along with the jobs go salaries, homes and the symbols of success. The tragedy is that so many people whose lives have been devastated by all this will add to the pain labels like 'loser' and 'failure'. Am I the only one who feels it's time for a change?

Unfortunately in the Church we have often been part of this dysfunctional, one-dimensional success system. We too easily measure 'success' in ministry by false standards - numbers of people or money brought in - and not by the creative and three dimensional standards of hungry people fed, poor people provided for, prisoners cared for, etc.

So, I've been wondering how our worship contributes to all this, and how it can speak prophetically into it. I guess for me it's about values - and our values speak whether we know it or not. Do we only use virtuoso musicians, or is there place for the less than perfect who can find a place to belong in the worship team? Do we insist on state-of-the-art equipment, or can we be faithful while making the most of what we have? Do we measure our services by production quality and "slickness" or by lives changed and positive impact on the surrounding community?

When our worship services mirror the values and practices of the world around us, they simply reinforce the unjust and dysfunctional systems that we wrestle with. If people who are facing financial ruin see the church operating the same way as Wall Street, they will find no comfort there. When people dealing with their own brokenness come into a church where all brokenness and humanity is hidden behind slick presentations and larger-than-life worship leaders and pastors, they end up feeling that they have no place. When we make out that success on the world’s terms is a sign of God’s blessing, we betray the least among us.

What would happen if we deliberately redefined success in our worship services? If we began to work to make our worship teams and sanctuaries more representative of the people we are seeking to reach, and more connected with the pain of the world. How could we be more subversive, more prophetic toward the broken system of success that drives our world?

You will notice that this post is a bit rambling. You will notice that there are more questions than answers. I believe this reflects my own struggle and the messy journey I’m on as it relates to all this. Feel free to jump in and help me sort some of it out if you can…

Technorati tags: Success, Achievement, Worship, Church, Christianity, Financial Crisis, Job Loss

The Only Command

2009-08-28T17:06:00.001+02:00

I have recently been preaching a sermon on my travels that is probably the heart of what I stand for. It’s called God Wants Your Love, and it is focussed on the Great Commandment. The point I make in the sermon is that love is the only command we’ve been given as Christians. Jesus pointed to the great commandment - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” – and the second greatest which is like it (really meaning two sides of one coin) - “Love your neighbour as yourself” – as containing the whole law and the prophets. This was what the Jewish Scriptures of Jesus’ day were called, so in effect, Jesus is saying that the entire Bible can be summed in this one command to love God and neighbour. Love is the only command.

A few weeks ago after speaking about this, and about how worship teaches us to love like this, I was approached by a woman after the service who said to me: “People are always going on about love. What about responsibility?”. She added a whole bunch of other things to her question that revealed a very negative view of those who live differently form her (especially African people living in poverty), and challenged me to explain why we were so “scared” to address the issue of responsibility with “those people”.

Over the years I have been struck by how uncomfortable Christians seem to get when we really speak about love. It’s like we don’t trust love, like we don’t believe that love is enough. Many of my conversations around love have been stalled at the point where people feel that making love the only commandment is to allow ethics and morality to go into free fall, and that elevating love would mean that Christians would fail to live as they should. I find it hard to believe that we have become so suspicious of love.

All this indicates for me is that we haven’t begun to understand love as God does. For Jesus, love was it – the beginning and the end, the call, the law, the way, the only reality. For Jesus, love is not soft or wishy-washy, it is not loose on morals or ethically weak – it defines morality and ethics. Love is difficult, tough, creative, restorative and deeply challenging.

If we were really to love as Jesus did, our lives would be totally different – and so would our world. But, we’d have to give up an awful lot of our self-interest, pride and judgment of others. Maybe that’s why we’d rather argue about the law, and pretend that love has nothing to do with the words we do trust, like “responsibility”, “sin”, “holiness” and “salvation”. But, try and find any time that Jesus talks about any of these things without a reference to love, and you’ll be quickly disappointed.

So, here’s the challenge. How can we be more faithful to the only command? What would happen in your life if all you tried to do in following Christ was to love more and better? Go on try it. I dare you….

Technorati tags: Love, Great Commandment, Jesus Christ, Christianity, Gospel, Ethics, Morality, Holiness, Sin, Salvation

RCL Proper 20B / Ordinary 25B / Pentecost 16

2009-08-26T14:53:00.001+02:00

This should have gone out last week, but with travelling, I ran out of time. I’ll catch up again later this week. So here are the reflections and resources for 20 September 2009 in the Revised Common Lectionary.

READINGS:
Proverbs 31:10-13: The value of a good wife.
OR Wisdom Of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22: Wicked people plot to harm and kill the righteous person.
OR Jeremiah 11:18-20: Jeremiah discovers the plot against his life, and pleads for God's protection.

Psalm 1: The blessedness of the righteous.
OR Psalm 54: David's prayer for protection from harm and Saul's persecution.

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a: The pain of jealousy, fighting and selfishness. The beauty and joy of peacemaking and gentleness.

Mark 9:30-37: Jesus predicts his death and teaches about the upside down, peace-making Commonwealth of God in which those who desire greatness must become servants.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The world can easily be viewed through the lens of “dog eat dog”, taking what you can, and fighting off all competitors in the process. Convenience and expediency war against the call of morality and ethics, and the ways of wickedness appear to be the only way to get ahead. But, for those who have the courage and the conviction, another way – a way of abundant life and life-giving – presents itself, which ultimately offers personal, collective and lasting rewards. The challenge is to develop faith that leads us into the latter path, rather than using faith as a justification to mask the evils of the former.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
"The lion may lie down with the lambs, but the lambs won't get much sleep." Woody Allen.

GLOBAL APPLICATION: Peacemaking in our world is not just about addressing violent conflict and war, but includes working to dismantle all systems that do any kind of violence to others – religious systems that oppress and exclude people of different beliefs and practices; economic systems that unfairly favour large corporations and countries over smaller, less developed ones with trade restrictions, biased tariffs and subsidies; and global power structures that prioritize the interests of wealthy and powerful nations over smaller and weaker ones.

LOCAL APPLICATION: It is a tough choice to give up personal power and self-interest in favour of the common good, but this is the way of Christ – the way of peace. In every community there are those who seek to “work the system” to benefit themselves. Sometimes this is done maliciously, but often it is done with simple ignorance or neglect of the needs of the weak, poor, voiceless and defenceless. Taking up the cross of Christ means that we come alongside those who suffer and are persecuted and support them, defend them and work with them for their upliftment, while ensuring that the wealthy and powerful do not benefit at their expense. Who are the ones who need this kind of peacemaking in your community or church?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Great God
Serving All

Hymn Suggestions:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
O Master Let Me Walk With Thee
I Am Thine, O Lord (Draw Me Nearer)
Freely, Freely (Link to YouTube video)
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Serve Others
A Song Of Peace
God Of Justice (Link to YouTube video)
God Of This City (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Prayer of St. Francis – Sarah McLachlan (Link to YouTube)
The Last Will Be First” (The Work Of The People)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 20B, Ordinary 25B, Pentecost 16, Peacemaking, Worship

What’s The Answer?

2009-08-24T11:55:00.001+02:00

A blog that I love to read is Tony Jones’s The New Christians. If find his content thought-provoking and relevant, and the way he deals with issues, courageous and insightful. After a rather heated discussion around homosexuality, Tony has started exploring gender, and how we understand it. Of course, in the light of the recent hullabaloo over Caster Semenya’s win at the World Athletics Championships, this issue has come even more into the spotlight (read a brilliant post about this from an intersex perspective here).

What struck me as I read Tony’s blog, though, was one of the comments from Zoe Brain. I think if we are going to talk about sexuality seriously and compassionately, we cannot avoid hearing voices like these – and at the very least, we need to wrestle with how we would answer the questions raised by her experience and that of others who, like her, don’t fit into our binary classification systems.

I'm Intersexed. It's not particularly rare. 1 in 60 people have minor Intersex conditions, though it would take a laboratory test to determine that.
About 1 in 1000 have an Intersex condition that's obvious.
I have one of the rarest and most spectacular ones.
In the country of my birth, I would only be allowed to marry another woman - because homosexual marriage is strongly forbidden, and there I'm legally male. Even though my passport says "female" based on my anatomy - and despite my chromosomes, which are usually (though not always) found only in men.
In the country where I live, I could only marry a man, because there I'm legally female, and homosexual marriage is strongly forbidden. It took many thousands of dollars worth of MRIs, gene tests, Ultrasounds of my pelvis etc to determine that I was more female than male, but that diagnosis is definitive.
I REALLY wish Fundamentalist Christians would MAKE UP THEIR MIND as to who it is I'm supposed to have sex with. They all say it's obvious, but they differ as to what the answer is.
Me, I try to follow Isaiah 56:4-5. 1 Corinthians 13 too. It can be difficult maintaining a charitable attitude when no matter what I do, or fail to do, I'm supposed to be condemned to perdition for it.

As human beings we struggle with complexity, and so, most of the time, we create simplified models of reality that enable us to cope and function well. Most of the time this works just fine – until complex reality decides to gate-crash our party and throw the cat among the pigeons. In the ongoing and heated discussion around sexuality – especially homosexuality – in the world right now, I think the time has come to recognise that our simplified model of sexuality and gender (i.e. there is male and female and you’re either one or the other, and must have sex only with someone who is the opposite of you) is no longer able to provide an effective way of dealing with the complex realities of being human and being sexual.

So, if we are going to be honest and authentic about these complexities, how do we respond? What is the next move? How do we begin to shift our view of ourselves and create a model of sexuality that is better able to deal with the complexities. And, how would you answer Zoe’s question? Who should she have sex with? (I hope, since you put the comment out there, that you won’t me using you as an example here, Zoe). And what are the implications of this discussion for our whole understanding of sexuality, including the “gay debate”?

Let the games begin…

Technorati tags: Caster Semenya, Gender, Sexuality, Homosexuality, Intersex, Complexity, Sexual Orientation

RCL Proper 19B / Ordinary 24B / Pentecost 15

2009-08-14T17:39:00.001+02:00

Reflections and resources for this week in the Revised Common Lectionary.

READINGS:
Proverbs 1:20-33: The call of wisdom which goes unheard by many. Those who listen enjoy the benefit, but those who don't experience the consequence in pain.
OR Isaiah 50:4-9: God has given wisdom, and the prophet has chosen to follow, facing persecution, in the knowledge of God's presence and care.

Psalm 19: The beauty and value of God's word – expressed in creation.
OR Wisdom Of Solomon 7:26-8:1: The beauty of wisdom
OR Psalm 116:1-9: God saves those who call on God, and walks with those who serve God.

James 3:1-12: The difficulty and necessity of controlling the tongue, an ability which marks reflects spiritual maturity.

Mark 8:27-38: Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, and rebuke in the face of Jesus' prediction of death. Jesus' call to take up the cross and follow him.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The call of wisdom is a sacrificial one, choosing to obey God, and grow into maturity, which ultimately leads to a life that enriches and encourages others, rather than choosing our own ways. James makes it clear that the tongue is a powerful force for good or ill, and as such is a good indicator of our spiritual maturity.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: Words do matter, and they do hurt. But they also heal, encourage and transform. In a world where so much rhetoric and noise is made from people who claim to speaking for God, expressing judgement, anger, hatred, fear and exclusion, it is important that alternative voices are heard – those who will embrace Christ's words of inclusion, love, forgiveness and respect. The prophetic voice is one of invitation – calling the broken to Christ – and one of confrontation – rebuking injustice. This is the wisdom that God calls us to follow.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In every situation – relationships, work, leisure, politics, faith – we express ourselves through the words we choose to use. Too often we use words carelessly and inflict pain on ourselves and others. Too often our words bear little resemblance to those of Christ. If we seek to make an impact on our world – on those closest to us – our words are a good place to start, following the wise and loving words of Christ in every utterance we speak.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Only Praise
Words Of Life

Hymn Suggestions:
Blessed Jesus At Thy Word
O Jesus I Have Promised
God Of Grace And God Of Glory
Take Up Your Cross (NewHymn.com)
May The Words Of My Mouth (Link to YouTube video)
Let Everything That Has Breath (Link to YouTube video)
Lord, Reign In Me (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
The Power Of The Tongue (SermonSpice)

Technorati tags: Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 19B, Ordinary 24B, Pentecost 15, Words, Power of the Tongue, Propaganda, Hate-Speech, Worship, Praise

Sceptic No More

2009-08-14T11:57:00.001+02:00

I tended to be rather gullible as a child – a characteristic that gave my older brother an outlet for his humour and imagination, and that gave him years of enjoyment. After allowing this part of my nature to infiltrate my faith and lead me into a number of rather painful and disillusioning experiences, I finally decided that I would protect myself against further pain and become a sceptic. I started questioning and doubting everything, and rather easily developed a habit of distrust. This has not been a bad thing. I am no longer taken in so easily, and there have been many times in my ministry and in my life as an adult, that this has been of immense value.

I’m not sure why, but today, I found my self thinking about this, and I began to wonder if I’ve maybe taken things a little too far. Perhaps, it has been the uproar over President Obama’s Health Care reform in the United States – which has been strongly opposed by Republicans, and which seems to have faced a barrage of misinformation and anti-Obama propaganda (including questioning his American citizenship?!). What upsets me about all of this is that many of the people who are behind much of this smear campaign claim to be Christians. I find myself wondering why they can’t follow Jesus’ call to love, to serve and to seek peace. I find myself totally dumbfounded by the dishonesty and hypocrisy that I have read about, and the vitriol with which much of this opposition has been conducted.

But then I found my thoughts turning back to myself (perhaps God’s Spirit had some free time on her hands?), and a small spotlight started shining on my own scepticism and negativity. I found myself reflecting on some of the ways that I have undermined other Christian ministers and ministries – especially prominent ones with whom I disagree. I found myself growing uncomfortably aware than in my scepticism I have built a barrier around myself. Outwardly I try to be objective and fair in my criticism, but inwardly I am running through a check list of potential dangers and damage that these others could possibly do to people. And I had to confess that this is exactly what frustrates me when people use their disagreements with me to oppose and undermine my own work. I discovered, while searching for the speck in the eyes of these others, a log in my own.

So, today I have made a commitment. I choose to no longer be a sceptic. Oh, I’m not going back to my gullible youth, but I am going to try to give others the benefit of the doubt. I am going to search for the places where we agree, and emphasize these. I’m going to cheer them on where I see positive results from their work, and I’m going to pray for God’s blessing and Spirit to work through them. I’m going to try to shift from making “no” my first response and try to nurture my internal “yes”.

And I’m not just going to do that for others “out there”, but I’m going to try to do it for myself, and for those closest to me as well. Because I really believe that followers of Christ should be the least self-protective and the most hopeful and optimistic people of all. I really believe that Jesus would always choose to see the best in people, even when they’re at their worst. So, I’m going to make encouragement and hope in people a regular act of worship.

Technorati tags: Worship, Scepticism, Hope, Optimism, Obama, Health Care, Hypocrisy, Encouragement

Space

2009-08-13T12:43:00.001+02:00

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the spaces in which I live and work – perhaps because all of them will change significantly when my family moves to Sea Point in Cape Town at the end of the year – and how these spaces affect my well-being, and particularly my faith.

It’s been really easy for me here in Knysna. I have a quiet, pretty isolated office (which is wonderful for me as a 5 on the Enneagram) with an amazing view over the Knysna Lagoon on to the Heads. It’s small, but I have a small prayer area, and space for my digital piano to be set up, and for my guitars to be out on their stands when I need them. This space feeds my soul and offers me an easy sense of God’s presence and creativity all around me.

This has caused me to wonder what it’s like living in a township where there is very little personal space or quiet time and where it can sometimes be pretty tough to find any natural beautiful at all. What impact does this have on the souls of those who live there? How do people who live in slums or places of extreme poverty, or prisons feed their souls and connect with God? How do those who work in “sick buildings” for hours every day feed their souls and nurture their faith?

I believe this is one reason why we need worship – and a “set apart” venue in which to express our worship. While I believe that Church buildings can become a hindrance to the Church’s mission – locking believers away in a place that is removed from the world’s realities – this doesn’t have to be the case. And as we seek inspiration and energy to do the work of caring for the poor and marginalised, a place of beauty, of inspiration, of creativity and of soul-feeding is an important resource to have.

I have grown convinced that the space in which we worship speaks to us about sacredness and about recognising God’s presence in the ordinary. While a sanctuary is a designated space, and is set apart for a specific purpose, in many ways, it is still just an ordinary place with ordinary furnishings – chairs, tables, art work, carpeting. As we move into this space, though, we become aware of God, because the space has been designed to help us to do that. Then, if we will allow it to, this space will challenge us to explore where else we can find God in our daily lives. This “exploring for God” can become for us a spiritual discipline – nurtured and fed and guided by our weekly visits to the sanctuary – that can ultimately enable us to find evidence of God’s work and presence in the most unlikely, most disturbing, most un-conducive environments.

So, here are the questions that I am pondering in this regard: What spaces do I live and work in? How do these spaces affect my well-being and my spirituality? How can I allow the sanctuary to guide and grow my awareness of space, and of the God who fills all spaces? And, as one who leads and facilitates encounters with God through worship, how can I become more aware of using the sanctuary space as part of the proclamation and call of the Gospel? Perhaps you’d like to adopt some of these question for yourself and journey into a living theology of worship and “space”?

Technorati tags: Church, Worship, Architecture, Building Design, Space, Sick Building Syndrome