Too Good To Be False

Today's readings: Psalms 103, 150; 2 Kings 20:1-21; Acts 12:1-17; Luke 7:11-17

[H]e did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

Acts 12:9

Have you heard the one about the pious man trapped on his roof by a rising flood? The army, the navy and the marines all came by in boats and offered to rescue him, but he said he was waiting for the Lord to save him. Eventually the flood overwhelmed him. When he got to heaven, he asked God why his prayers went unanswered. God said "I sent you three different boats!"

Peter – Jesus named him "the rock" for a couple reasons – wasn't much better. When an angel came to rescue him from prison, he thought it was a vision; luckily – having experienced visions before – he followed instructions anyway and was freed. When the prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah the Lord would spare him from death for 15 years so he could lead his people out of bondage, the King wouldn't believe without any less a sign than the sun moving backwards (2 Kings 20:8-11).

Sometimes the Lord's ways aren't all that mysterious, and for some reason that seems to be a stumbling block to faith. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ (John 14:12), but when those hands and feet aren't pierced with nails or emitting a holy glow, we can struggle to recognize ourselves and others as the answers to prayer. How would it change your perspective on life to realize the answer to your prayer might not be divine intervention, but divinely-inspired human intervention? Or to realize that your action (or maybe just your presence) is the most miraculous thing someone could hope for? After all, the Spirit dwells in each and every one of us. Think on that for a moment…

We are wary of offers that sound too good to be true. A miracle around every corner sounds like one of those. Maybe the wonderful truth is miracles of hope, healing, reconciliation, generosity and comfort are as common as dirt … as long as we are willing to get our hands dirty.

Evening readings: Psalms 117, 139

To Serve and Respect

Today's readings: Psalms 116, 147:1-11; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7; Acts 7:59-8:8

Since the first Disiples tok to the road, Christians have maintained a long tradition of carrying the Gospel to cultures and peoples different from themselves. The earliest Jewish Christians were challenged when building community with people who did not observe the same spiritual practices. They wrestled with the question of whether non-Jews could even be Christians. In the end, inspired by Christ and the Spirit, they became more open and inclusive and did not require the Hellenists (those of Greek tradition) to declare allegiance to anything but Christ alone. Over the next two thousand plus years, Christians have continued to deliver the Good News to diverse people around the globe, with varying degrees of success and failure on the inclusion front.

For just as long, Christian communities have struggled with more mundane matters as well. When the Hellenists complained their widows were not receiving food like the Jewish widows, it was a practical, not religious need. Rather than "wait tables" the Apostles continued to focus on evangelism but appointed six people to see to the matter. These new servants were not second stringers - they were the next equally important piece of the puzzle. To this day churches work to balance the spiritual and practical concerns of Christian community. Many of us also struggle to keep them in perspective. If we are called to serve in mission work, we can be discouraged when others prioritize lawn maintenance or potlucks. And if we are called to serve by keeping the church in order, we may feel unappreciated when the worship team can't seem to put the hymnals away properly. Let's try to remember each calling is equally valuable and takes priority at different times.

When it's hard to do so, let's remember Stephen. In Acts 6 he is one of the newly appointed "waiters." Just one chapter later he becomes a martyr - the first Christian martyr, before any of the Apostles. In Stephen we see the mundane is inseparable from the spiritual. No matter our call, or the calls of others, let's be content the faithful are serving where needed.

Evening Psalms: 119:1-24; 27

Staying On the Mark(et)

Today's readings: Ps 75, 76; Est 2:5-8, 15-23; Acts 17:16-34; John 12:44-50

Some churches approach evangelization like a marketing campaign, while others consider this tactic crass. Demographic analysis and ad campaigns may not seem spiritual, but they can get butts in the seats. Prayer groups and one-on-one meetings may seem more spiritual, but risk becoming insular activities that impact only existing members. Trite as it may sound, a healthy approach lies somewhere in the middle.

Paul knew a thing or two about marketing. When he spoke to the Athenians, he used familiar phrases from Greek poets and philosophers (Acts 17:28) to support his position. When modern churches try to appear relevant by co-opting the latest trends, they aren’t as far from Paul as we might think. In Paul’s Greece, a person’s choice of philosophy was a social statement as much as a system of thought, so Paul knew to keep his references culturally savvy. He chose to “speak their language.”

Critics of Christian culture – including many Christians – often point to “relevant” marketing efforts as a sign of desperation or insincerity. If Paul is our example of effective evangelism – and if he isn’t, who could be? – such critics might want to temper their judgments. On the other hand, a packed house does not indicate a successful church, at least not by Christ’s standards of success. A large congregation means nothing if its members are not challenged to fully live the Gospel because to do so might negatively impact the collection plate or the head count. Conversely, a small congregation is not by default virtuous or successful, especially if it isn’t reaching out to the greater community.

A successful congregation is one that shares the Good News in ways people can understand and are attracted to, without compromising its message. The primary goal is never numbers-driven. Some churches also run the risk of speaking “Christianese” – insider language which may be meaningful to members, but leaves outsiders feeling excluded. Think what “slain in the spirit” sounds like to a non-Christian. A church should not resemble a club with a secret password. If we follow Paul’s example, we will see that presenting the unexpurgated Gospel message in a sincere but relatable way is the only marketing plan we need.

Comfort: Some of the best evangelism is simple truth, plainly spoken.

Challenge: Check your church’s promotional material for “Christianese.”

Prayer: Compassionate God, teach me to share Christ’s message.

Evening reading: Ps 23, 27

Tomorrow's readings: Ps 93, 96; Est 3:1-4:3; Jam 1:19-27; Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

Astounding Gifts

Today's readings: Ps 16, 17; Job 9:1-15, 32-35; Acts 10:34-48; John 7:37-52

“The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (Acts 10:45)

This verse points out the difference between accepting someone superficially and truly including them, a distinction sometimes lost on even the most well-meaning individuals. While sitting at a table with Gentiles was a major step for the Jewish Christians, this sentence tells us they were not yet accepting the Gentiles as equals. Not until the Spirit poured out gifts upon the Gentiles did the Jews recognize they were deserving of the same baptism.

How long do we wait until we truly include new people in our community, church or life? We almost always let them in the door, and can see them as additional help for the bake sales and nursery duty, but when do we stop thinking of them as the “new” people? Do we wait until they somehow earn our approval, like the apostles did, or do we start treating them as equal members of the body of Christ ASAP? Each person brings their own astounding gifts, so it is to our benefit to truly integrate them as lovingly and efficiently as possible. Beyond that, it is simply the Christian thing to do.

On the other hand, sometimes we withhold our own gifts until we are confident a community has fully embraced us. While it’s natural to be cautious when entering a new group, being too reserved slows down the process of acceptance and inclusion. We should work to be aware of our own gifts, because life in a Christian community is a two- (and twenty- and two hundred-) way street. We are to use our gifts to support a community as much as the community is to support us.

We all have gifts to offer. Sometimes we don’t even know what they are until we are called upon to try something new. As part of a community, we should always be eager to offer and accept each other’s gifts.

Comfort: As Christians we are truly accepted and truly accepting.

Challenge: Look for opportunities to share your gifts. Don’t be shy.

Prayer: God of truth, thank you for revealing the gifts of your people.

Evening readings: Ps 22

Tomorrow's readings: Ps 20, 21; Job 10:1-9, 16-22; Acts 11:1-18; John 8:12-20

Enjoy the Silence

Today's readings: Ps 119:1-24; Job 7:1-21; Acts 10:1-16; John 7:1-13

Last week we considered the importance of simply listening to people in need. What about the times when we are the people in need? During those times, we still need to listen - for God. This might sound like a simple idea, but our brains are usually so busy that listening for God can sometimes be tougher than listening to people. Today’s readings from Job and Acts demonstrate the importance of learning to listen.

Even if you’ve never read Job before, by now you realize it is full of conversation – if you define conversation as one speech following another. The speeches not only serve the purpose of the book by commenting on different philosophies of suffering and justice, they also represent a common impediment to listening to God (or anyone else): thinking of what we want to say next when we should be listening. This is a poor enough habit when conversing with people, let alone with God. Sometimes we just need to close our mouths and open our ears and minds. If we never allow some physical and spiritual silence, how can we hear anything?

At other times, we can simply be thick-headed. When Peter meets Cornelius – the first Gentile convert – he is unsure of how to proceed. So far the biggest difference between Christians is that some of them are Hellenist Jews (Greek in speech and culture) while most are not. A Gentile who has never followed Jewish customs introduces a host of potential conflicts, including dietary practices. God sends Peter a vision to let him know all foods can now be considered clean. God sends this vision three times yet Peter remains puzzled by it. Still, Peter acts wisely by asking God to repeat the vision, rather than giving up after the first try. When God’s answers seem slow or confusing, like Peter we should make the effort to work it out rather than abandon the conversation.

Reporter Dan Rather once asked Mother Theresa what she said when she prayed. She replied, “I don’t say anything; I listen.” Mr. Rather asked what God said while prayed. She replied God said nothing. “God listens,” she said, “and if you don’t understand that I can’t explain it to you.” True listening is a mystery in which great truths can be revealed.
Comfort: God always listens.
Challenge: Read about the practice of lectio divina.
Prayer: God of truth, I will meet you in the silence.

Evening readings: Ps 12, 13, 14
Tomorrow's readings: Ps 18:1-20; Job 8:1-7, 11-19; Acts 10:17-33; John 7:14-36

If Paul could do it...

Today's readings: Ps 1, 2, 3; Job 5:1-11, 17-21, 26-27; Acts 9:19b-31; John 6:52-59

Real change is difficult. Even after we’ve worked up the proper inner motivation to make a positive change, we must struggle with a world inclined to keep us as we were. If we leave behind bad habits, friends who shared those habits with us may try to drag us back to our old ways for any number of reasons. If we’ve repeatedly promised change only to let down our friends and family, they may view new declarations of change with understandable suspicion. Real change can’t depend on how other people perceive us, but on how we perceive ourselves.

Prior to his conversion, Paul was a Pharisee infamous for his ruthless persecution of Christians on behalf of the Jerusalem Temple. When he started to preach in Jesus’ name, people who knew him were “amazed” (Acts 9:21) at his radical change. Those in Jerusalem who did not doubt his sincerity attempted to kill him. On the other hand, when he joined the disciples “they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple” (v. 26). Many of them had been evading him for some time, and only the testimony of Barnabas on Paul’s behalf swayed them.

Paul’s old friends wanted him to stay the same, and the people he hoped would become his new friends weren’t ready to accept him. Despite the attitudes around him, Paul persevered because God had changed his heart. To a lesser degree, we may experience the same thing when we make a change. For example, if we decide to give up gossip, the friends we used to gossip with will undoubtedly feel snubbed when we decline to participate. Given our history, other people will find it difficult to trust us. The same would be true of addictions, lying, spitefulness or any host of vices. A truly penitent heart will persevere in change whether other people accept the change or not; our relationship with God will sustain us.

We can’t change any mind but our own. When we know we need to make a positive change, we must be prepared to endure and overcome resistance, and not let that resistance discourage us. God doesn’t promise us ease, but to be with us through everything.

Comfort: When we change our hearts, God knows and accepts.

Challenge: Be supportive to someone who is trying to change.

Prayer: God of truth, teach me how I need to change.

Evening readings: Ps 4, 7

Tomorrow's readings: Ps 5, 6; Job 6:1-4, 8-15, 21; Acts 9:32-43; John 6:60-71