If there is one thing that our current society is not happy with it is "Restraints." We do not want others telling us what we can and cannot do. We do not want limits. We do not want to have to hold in our feelings. We thinking that it takes great courage to express ourselves and to voice our protest loudly. If you feel passionately about a cause, then you need to express yourself vigorously.
So it was a little surprising to me to read the opinion "Spiritual strength consists of two things: great power of will and great power of self-restraint. Spiritual power requires two things: great strong feelings and great ability to control and have command over those feelings."
To have great passion, to feel deeply, to be affected by events profoundly and to immediately express those feelings is really a sign of great weakness. Your emotions control you. You are chaff blowing in the wind of your passions.
To have those great rages at injustice, to feel great passion for the sorrowing, to grieve deeply for those with great pain and to be able to be master of those emotions so that you can act in ways that channel and focus those emotions in a much more powerful way is to have Spiritual Strength. Seems to me to be what Jesus is suggesting in "turn the other cheek." Seems to me why Non-violence is such a great instrument for good. It is the kind of Spiritual strength that Jesus shows on the cross as his emotions are so deep but he remains in control and prays for their forgiveness.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
The Spirit Gives life
On this Pentecost, it is basic to remember that there are lots of spirits. Memorial Day is talking about the Spirit of America and the devotion many have shown to the country. Isn't the Marines great pride their Spirit? But there are school spirits, there are spirits of the arts, there are spirits of economy. That is why we are advised to test the spirits.
I think all spirits do much the same thing. They give energy. The spirit adds excitement. The Spirit gives power. The spirits make us part of a large group. There is inspiration and focus given by spirits. One of the great problems in our religious communities now is that there seems to be an absence of spirit.
Pentecost is about the Holy Spirit being given to the disciples. As the story goes it gave them energy, it made them excitement and the ability to communicate. There was courage and boldness given to the disciples so that they could come forward and speak about Jesus and the message of God's love in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is given to give energy, excitement, it gives boldness, it gives passion, it gives life in joy and celebration of the love of God. It is needed in so many places now.
I think all spirits do much the same thing. They give energy. The spirit adds excitement. The Spirit gives power. The spirits make us part of a large group. There is inspiration and focus given by spirits. One of the great problems in our religious communities now is that there seems to be an absence of spirit.
Pentecost is about the Holy Spirit being given to the disciples. As the story goes it gave them energy, it made them excitement and the ability to communicate. There was courage and boldness given to the disciples so that they could come forward and speak about Jesus and the message of God's love in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is given to give energy, excitement, it gives boldness, it gives passion, it gives life in joy and celebration of the love of God. It is needed in so many places now.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Hateful Prayers - what a relief?
A Dallas judge has made it a lot easier on some ministers. The Judge has ruled that praying for horrible things to happen to somebody is not illegal. A man had sued a Chaplain who had prayed that horrible things would happen to the man and his organization. The Judge said it might not be pretty but it was not illegal.
I guess that is a relief for some ministers. Seems the article suggested that a lot of ministers are using various Psalms with their pleas for the dashing of heads and fire and brimstone on their enemies as prayers against various enemies.
I once asked a Sunday School Class who were their enemies. In that class not a single person admitted to having any enemies. They did not hate anybody. I thought that was strange as Jesus seemed to expect us to have some enemies because he asked us to pray for them. I do not think he expected us to pray hurt or destruction, suffering or death upon them. But if we do, it is good to know that it is not illegal in a Texas court.
I guess that is a relief for some ministers. Seems the article suggested that a lot of ministers are using various Psalms with their pleas for the dashing of heads and fire and brimstone on their enemies as prayers against various enemies.
I once asked a Sunday School Class who were their enemies. In that class not a single person admitted to having any enemies. They did not hate anybody. I thought that was strange as Jesus seemed to expect us to have some enemies because he asked us to pray for them. I do not think he expected us to pray hurt or destruction, suffering or death upon them. But if we do, it is good to know that it is not illegal in a Texas court.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Clash of Pentecost and Memorial Day
What a wonderful clash of calendars we have this week. According to the calendar of the church this is Pentecost Sunday. When the Spirit of God comes upon the frightened, confused, and amazed disciples and gives them the power to be the body of Christ in the world. Gives them power to speak to the powers of death and darkness to bring comfort, hope and the power of life. The Holy Spirit brings people into the communion of faith. It makes us part of kingdom of God.
According to the calendar of the United States of America this is Memorial Day Weekend where we are supposed to pay homage to the Spirit of the United States that called upon young men and women and called them to serve their country and to go and fight to preserve our way of life from another way of life.
On this week-end there is a very struggle between the Spirit of God that wants to overcome all the divisions between nations and languages, so that all speak in their native tongue but all can understand each other, a Spirit of God to work to unite all people into the family of God and the spirit that wants to call its citizens to see God's blessings only on one people. God Bless the USA. And we remember and give thanks to God for those who have been willing to die to preserve the USA.
And it appears to me that the battle will not even be a fair equal fight in the churches around the country
According to the calendar of the United States of America this is Memorial Day Weekend where we are supposed to pay homage to the Spirit of the United States that called upon young men and women and called them to serve their country and to go and fight to preserve our way of life from another way of life.
On this week-end there is a very struggle between the Spirit of God that wants to overcome all the divisions between nations and languages, so that all speak in their native tongue but all can understand each other, a Spirit of God to work to unite all people into the family of God and the spirit that wants to call its citizens to see God's blessings only on one people. God Bless the USA. And we remember and give thanks to God for those who have been willing to die to preserve the USA.
And it appears to me that the battle will not even be a fair equal fight in the churches around the country
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Spiritual but not religious?
I know I am not the only person who has heard that phrase a bunch of times. I am "Spiritual but not religious." In fact I have talked about that phrase on this blog before. But it was good to read in DEVIL'S INK: Blog from the basement office. by Jeffrey Pugh his observations. Dr. Pugh writes from the Devil's desk and is giving advice to young demons. (Much in the way C.S. Lewis did in Screwtape Letters.)
"Spirituality pursued without the community of faith is easily dealt with and dispensed. Discipline pursued in the community of faith makes them stronger and less susceptible to us."
Spiritual but not religious means that you will follow your own spiritual compass. The Devil writing to young demons believes those people are easily knocked and corrupted. Spiritual discipline pursued in a community of believers makes us stronger and less susceptible to the temptations of evil.
"Spirituality pursued without the community of faith is easily dealt with and dispensed. Discipline pursued in the community of faith makes them stronger and less susceptible to us."
Spiritual but not religious means that you will follow your own spiritual compass. The Devil writing to young demons believes those people are easily knocked and corrupted. Spiritual discipline pursued in a community of believers makes us stronger and less susceptible to the temptations of evil.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tear in the Eye of Jesus
We do not have him around any more to crucify him again, but there must be a tear in the eye of Jesus as he hears the Rev. Charles Worley in Maiden, NC talk about what he wants to do with Gays, Lesbians, and Transgender people.
Rev. Worley does not have to accept Gays and Lesbians as his friends. In fact, the insult to Jesus is in the fact that Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If Gays and Lesbians are the enemies of Rev. Worley, then his Savior wants Rev. Worley to love them and pray for them. It is evident that Rev. Worley has not read all the parts of the Bible he claims to follow.
Lillian Daniels, minister of a church in the Chicago area, said in a speech in Atlanta last week, that she was getting tired of being asked to apologize and explain the actions of Christians whose beliefs she does not share. But that is the harsh obligation of Christians as we share one faith, one Lord, and one Baptism, and what one Christian says and does affects all the rest of us. Rev. Worley has put a tear in the eye of Jesus. He has given Christians everywhere a black eye, all because he cannot find a way to love his enemies as Jesus has asked us to do.
Rev. Worley does not have to accept Gays and Lesbians as his friends. In fact, the insult to Jesus is in the fact that Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If Gays and Lesbians are the enemies of Rev. Worley, then his Savior wants Rev. Worley to love them and pray for them. It is evident that Rev. Worley has not read all the parts of the Bible he claims to follow.
Lillian Daniels, minister of a church in the Chicago area, said in a speech in Atlanta last week, that she was getting tired of being asked to apologize and explain the actions of Christians whose beliefs she does not share. But that is the harsh obligation of Christians as we share one faith, one Lord, and one Baptism, and what one Christian says and does affects all the rest of us. Rev. Worley has put a tear in the eye of Jesus. He has given Christians everywhere a black eye, all because he cannot find a way to love his enemies as Jesus has asked us to do.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Spirit of Truth
The Spirit of Truth is a gift to the people of God by God. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will come and it will lead us into all truth. The Spirit is a gift that is like the wind. It will come and push and move us in the direction of truth but it is not something that we can possess or control.
The Spirit of Truth is something that we submit to and follow but do not direct or determine. The Spirit of God's truth is when we get so caught up and inspired by the Spirit that we "led by the Spirit." The great temptation is to think that the Spirit of Truth is something that we can have and then use it to our own purposes. The way Insurance salespeople join the church in order to get membership directories.
The Spirit of Truth grabs us and moves us in the direction of living our daily lives as Jesus has described living. Blessed are the poor. Blessed are those who mourn. So many of us read those words and say Amen over them, but then work as hard as we can not to be among them. Blessed are those who morn and we do all we can to afford seeing the pain, suffering and grief that our way of life causes.
Tom Long told about his good old South Carolina racists father, who was also a good old Presbyterian Elder. His father was made chair of a committee to shape the AARP's policy about integration of public schools. His father wanted to keep them segregated, but he read the Scriptures and studied the issue and the Spirit of Truth came upon him and he could not advise the AARP's to oppose integration.
The Spirit of Truth is a gift to lead us into God's kingdom of love for all people. It is not something we can impose on other people.
The Spirit of Truth is something that we submit to and follow but do not direct or determine. The Spirit of God's truth is when we get so caught up and inspired by the Spirit that we "led by the Spirit." The great temptation is to think that the Spirit of Truth is something that we can have and then use it to our own purposes. The way Insurance salespeople join the church in order to get membership directories.
The Spirit of Truth grabs us and moves us in the direction of living our daily lives as Jesus has described living. Blessed are the poor. Blessed are those who mourn. So many of us read those words and say Amen over them, but then work as hard as we can not to be among them. Blessed are those who morn and we do all we can to afford seeing the pain, suffering and grief that our way of life causes.
Tom Long told about his good old South Carolina racists father, who was also a good old Presbyterian Elder. His father was made chair of a committee to shape the AARP's policy about integration of public schools. His father wanted to keep them segregated, but he read the Scriptures and studied the issue and the Spirit of Truth came upon him and he could not advise the AARP's to oppose integration.
The Spirit of Truth is a gift to lead us into God's kingdom of love for all people. It is not something we can impose on other people.
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