With books being expensive before Gutenberg, most people could not read or could only read a little. Luther taught the scriptures and theology by song. He would often choose a tune that everyone knew and write words to it. If he wrote the tune he would make it simple and rhythmic.
Read MoreIf God was able to consume the altar and all that was on it, could God not protect him? The answer is, “Yes.” But Elijah, just like us, was all too human. He was capable of great things when he did not let his fears and self-doubt get in the way.
Read MoreWe also note that the people seem not to thank God for their deliverance when it does happen. They expected God to save them, feed them, heal them, and take care of all their needs only to complain when these things did not happen and forgetting God when things were good. Wait! That is the story of all of God’s people. Isn’t it?
Read MoreWe are not called to question whether or not this happened and Elisha and Jesus created a large quantity of food out of little. We are called to see the abundance of God. Perhaps the reason many focus on the question of how this happened is that they cannot see the abundance that God has given them or do not want to hear the call to share their abundance with others.
Read MoreOur text from Jeremiah today is addressed to the leaders of the people of Israel: the priests and the king. They were the ones whom God called to shepherd God’s people and to guide them so that the whole community would live in the covenant and enjoy the life God had called them to. That life was one of trust and belief. But those same leaders did not themselves trust and believe. They looked around and saw the powerful nations that surrounded them. They saw the riches that other nations had and wanted it.
Read MoreWith no outside forces trying to conquer Israel, prosperity abounded. The wealthy were living the life of luxury while forgetting about the poor and alien in the land. Believing that their wealth and prosperity came from their own hand they had forgotten God.
Read MoreFortunately for Ezekiel he was not judged on whether or not the people listened to him. His task was to proclaim God’s word. While his task was difficult he was not required to make them listen which might have been an impossible task. All this is a reminder that we all are called to some task in the kingdom of God.
Read MoreThey were waiting for salvation and God was taking God’s own time about it. That is how the people waited for the seemingly impossible. They wait by “bearing the yoke in youth, sitting alone in silence, putting their mouth to the dust, and to give their cheek to the smiter.” Well, that’s not the way we want to wait. That’s just too hard and inconvenient.
Read MoreOr how many times have we been envious of what others have, especially those who are selfish, mean, and unholy? Both of those attitudes are expressed in Job. The book calls us to examine our own lives to see where we have tried to tell God what should happen, to ask forgiveness for that, and then to ask for the courage and strength to proclaim God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus.
Read MoreIt is always like that for God. Even though the people walk away to look for another savior – whether it be gold, land, famous friends, outward appearances, retirement benefits, or whatever – God does not walk away from the people.
Read MoreThey wanted to know what God was planning. They became concerned about themselves and forgot the garden and their task to tend to it. They went from being a harmonious community to selfish desire.
Read MoreHe did not ask what the task was or argue that he did not have the skill set necessary for it. He immediately asked to be sent. Once cleansed from sin in the presence of God you know you can do whatever God asks.
Read MoreWhen they get to the source [of the wind] they are confused by what they hear. People talking in their own languages. Luke is quite sparse on the details here. The story starts in the house where the disciples were staying, then they were outside. Were they all speaking at the same time? That is, in the language that the Spirit had given them? It sounds like a cacophonous time. How did anyone understand what was going on?
Read MoreEven though it may seem random to some, we do not choose leaders of the church this way. We have a much more formalized method: a committee chosen, forms filled out, candidates selected by the bishop, interviews, trial sermons, and finally a vote by the congregation. The method in Acts is much simpler. Draw lots.
Read MoreYou know the words and probably have said them yourself, “We have never done it that way.” But God calls us to new things, new people, and new situations – opportunities to share the love of God.
Read MoreThe early apostles did not require everyone who wished to be baptized to follow the same path (no inquirer’s class, no specific number of times required to attend worship, no accepting of Jesus as their personal savior). There is even confusion over the Holy Spirit. Some received the Spirit before baptism some after. How the conversion happened did not matter.
Read MorePeter and John certainly had changed much in the few weeks after the resurrection. They went from being huddled up in a room for fear to boldness of speech and action. Even under the threat of imprisonment and death they continued to proclaim Jesus.
Read MoreWe live in faith. That gives us the ability to see the gifts that God has given us and share them with others. That is our calling. The gift is God’s love. While we may not be able to heal the lame we can give of what we have.
Read MoreThat is where the ideal Christian community broke down in Acts. When people started to think about themselves instead of others. Where would we be if those first disciples continued to think and worry about themselves and their own lives instead of others?
Read More[Mary] was used to being used and discounted. She had no plans. She only knew that Jesus was different because he had treated her as a person equal to every other person. That is why she followed Jesus and that is why, I believe, Jesus first appeared to her.
Read More