Welcome to our Sunday Devotion. We are 22 years after the events of 9/11. 9/11 is one of those times that people generally remember in detail where they were and what they were doing when they took place. Where were you? What do you remember most about that time and the months following? Do you remember the fear, shock and distrust of that time? So many asked God what to do next? How to heal and find peace and a way forward.
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Welcome to our Sunday Devotion. As I read through the lectionary scripture for this week, Matthew 14:22-33, I felt comfortable reading the well-known story of Jesus walking on the water. Jesus beckoned for Peter to join him. Peter stepped onto the water, but then filled with fear, his faith faltered and he started to sink. Peter’s fear became stronger than his faith. Perhaps I’m sad because I know there have been times in my life where my fear or worries also overcome my faith. Can you look at your life and find similar times?
I can look back at so many instances where I believe God was truly watching over me and I can see the love and wisdom of the Holy Spirit at work. So why do I at other times doubt God is walking my journey with me? One of my favorite parts of the book (and movie) The Shack by William P Young is when the narrator was sinking in his boat. Jesus came to him in that moment of distress, walking on the water to him, assuring him he was alright. Jesus held out his hand and invited the narrator to get out of the boat and walk with him. When it was time to cross the water again, the narrator stepped out onto the water first and immediately sunk onto the sandy bottom. Jesus stepped up beside him and said, “It always works better when we do it together, don’t you think?” “It always works better when we do it together, don’t you think?” Why do we forget to include God in everything we do? Why do we let fear and worries control our actions instead of “doing it together” with God? Many times I have tried to wrestle a solution out of my brain, so intensely focused on it I could not go to sleep. But I also remember one night turning to God in conversation, expressing my confidence that I could to go to sleep and God would help me find that solution when I awoke. It was a bold move for me. The next morning when I awoke, the solution came to me quickly. So why do I doubt this can happen again? I’m sure that many of you have similar experiences where your faith is overcome by worries or fear. In the scriptures this happened multiple times for the disciples, so we are in good company. The best part of this lesson is that God is faithful in his desire to walk with us, We are given wonderful opportunities to experience faith over fear and we, too, like the disciples in today’s scripture, are able to declare our belief in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. May you recognize the workings of God in your life and may your faith grow stronger than your fears and worries. (Author: Bonnie Barber) Welcome to the Sunday devotion. During this time let’s clear our minds of the things left undone on our to-do list. Clear our minds of those frustrations that distract us. Are we hoarding any anger or disappointment? Focus on breaking free of worries and burdens. Letting go means we can focus our mind and heart on God and open our hearts to experience compassion. And forgiveness. Whether in silence or out loud, say this: “God, I come to you. Help me open my life to you.” Take a breath and say it again. Breathe and say it a third time.
As you open space for God, start allowing yourself to reflect and identify all the good things about yourself and seek to acknowledge your giftedness. Do you accept and acknowledge that you are special and have gifts to offer to the world? Many of us feel we do not have a special gift or talent. Perhaps we‘ve overlooked them. Perhaps we are too focused on wishing for a gift that we see in someone else. Do you fall into one of these categories? In Romans 12:6 we are told “Since our gifts vary depending on the grace poured out on each of us, it is important that we exercise the gifts we have been given.” I remember speaking at church about sharing our gifts and talents and it caused me to once again wish that I could sing with a clear and beautiful voice. There was a woman at church whose voice I loved. It was magical and I dearly wished to have such an amazing gift. But then I assessed the kinds of things that were my gifts. I do have the gift of creativity. I find ways to incorporate drama, puppetry, poetry, and Christian clowning into my ministry and I realized how much I enjoyed offering this gift. So would I want to trade my creativity for a voice that could sing so beautifully? I realized that the answer was no. I didn’t want to give up my creativity. So I was content and truly appreciative to God for giving me my gifts. Next I reflected on valuing others for their unique gifts instead of feeling frustrated about their weaknesses. We need all the gifts to make up the body of Christ. “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” So build each other up and help one another recognize and celebrate the value of all persons. Recently in our congregation we focused on the gift we all have when we share in the ministry of presence. With that gift we enjoy the Blessings of Community, the Unity in Diversity and Worth of All Persons – all part of the Enduring Principles of Community of Christ. (https://cofchrist.org/about-us/) “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10). As we identify and value the gifts of every person, we are building our relationship with Jesus Christ and, in turn, building our relationship with God. Make it a goal to share with someone today, the value of their presence in your life. Make a phone call. Send a text. Recognize and honor them as God recognizes and honors you. Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. As I take a breath and turn my focus to this devotion, I reflect on this week’s worship theme, “Reach Out In Faith”. The scripture that comes to mind immediately is the story of the woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. “ Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.” Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: “Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well.” The woman was well from then on.” (Matthew 9:20-22, The Message) How do we relate this to our lives today?”
There are so many examples of people who came to Jesus, reaching out in faith. Have you ever found yourself reaching out in faith to Jesus? Were you sick and needing healing? Or were you facing a situation where you reached out in faith asking for help? What were the outcomes? How about when others need assistance? Who do you respond to? There are many on the street corners holding up a sign, asking for help. Do you reach out in faith to help? Do you find more comfort when others’ lives seem to align with yours? When an unknown visitor walks into your congregation, do you automatically reach out in welcome? What if the person comes in with a plastic bag or three of their belongings and they obviously haven’t taken a shower in days or weeks? Wouldn’t this also be an act of reaching out in faith? Who do you invite to go to lunch with you after church? Who are the “sinners” that our society rejects? Do we blame people for their lack of resources? Do we blame the homeless for their homelessness? Are there people in your life’s sphere that suffer mental illness? How can you help? They may need professional help, but they also need your acceptance. They need to feel they are a person of worth. How would Jesus treat those people today? Do our actions show that we are truly followers of Jesus? One winter season I was working at a homeless shelter dishing up plates of food. At first, the many faces going through the dinner line were quiet, politely responding when I greeted them. On the third day, their responses were more personal about their lives. They recognized me and felt more comfortable about sharing. They began to feel their answers mattered, and I learned how one was trying to drive across several states to get to family but his car broke down and he had no money to get it fixed. A couple men were jobless and working on getting their GED so they could find better work opportunities. I volunteered to tutor them with English grammar, and, in appreciation, they insisted on walking me to my car to ensure my safety. We mattered to each other. Reach out in faith. Then reach out again, and again. Jesus continued his ministry with those who were poor, marginalized, and rejected. The Worth of All People is one of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles, in addition to Unity in Diversity and Blessings of Community. As followers of Jesus, we apply what we learned from his example – these are enduring principles for all of us to live by. Live the active life as followers of Jesus, the Peaceful One. (Author: Bonnie Barber) Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. This Sunday is often referred to as Trinity Sunday in the Lectionary. But what is Trinity? It is God, as the one God, who is experienced in three persons: God the Creator - traditionally identified as the Father, Jesus Christ the Redeemer (the Son), and the Holy Spirit - the Comforter or Sustainer. In other words, God is one and God is three. From Community of Christ Basic Beliefs: “We believe in one living God who meets us in the testimony of Israel, is revealed in Jesus Christ, and moves through all creation as the Holy Spirit. We affirm the Trinity—God who is a community of three persons.” —CofChrist.org/basic-beliefs. How do you view the Trinity? Is there one of the three to whom you feel you have the closest relationship- God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit? Do you have a specific time in your life where you came to understand and accept God as one and three? Or do you struggle with this concept? I ask that question because I know the concept of Trinity (Three in One)- God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, can be a difficult concept to accept. When explaining this to children, I personally relate to the examples we use to explain it. “The Trinity is like an egg. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts – the shell, the white, the yoke – ONE God has THREE different Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Similarly, we often hear the Trinity compared to an Apple. ONE apple has three different parts – the skin, the flesh, and the seed.” (https://ahearttoknow.com/) To update the concept for the children of today, I use the triangular fidget spinner. The individuality of the three parts of the fidget spinner blend into one as it spins. And we see the representation of this triangle in the picture offered today. Each of us may have one part of the three whom we address when we pray, ultimately believing we are talking to our one God. I have observed friends pray directly to Jesus. I’ve seen some speak to the Holy Spirit and others address God directly as our Father (often referred to today as Our Heavenly Parent). How do you address the Divine in your prayers and conversations?
Personally, I pray to God, and see God as my Creator, my Friend, and my Companion in my life’s journey. I find each of these descriptions in the Trinity. God, my Creator, I first find within the history and stories of the Old Testament. God is all powerful and has been with us forever and always. I find the humble and incredible personal love of God in the New Testament walking in human form as Jesus, showing us God through parables and loving peace-filled actions. And I look to the Holy Spirit daily because the Holy Spirit came to walk with us daily as a promise from God when Jesus left this earth. This is my reflection on how I view God as one and as Three-in-One. How I address God in my prayers today is not the same as it was yesterday and it is not the same as it will be tomorrow. That is because God provides for our needs and will be strength, compassion, love, guidance and whatever I need at any point in my life’s journey. This is what I pray for you – that you find God and all that God has given you in whichever of the three speaks to you. This is what Paul said to the people of Corinth in his letter (2 Corinthians 13:13). “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Author: Bonnie Barber Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. As we face a new week, let us put ourselves into the shoes of the first Christians living in Corinth. Paul wrote in his first letter to them, encouraging them to appreciate their various gifts, yet acknowledging their differences, their diversity as Jew and Gentile. His words identified issues that created the differences, much like we have today. It was, no doubt, often a situation of we versus them. What kind of labels do we apply today?
Why do we make such distinctions? Think of the labels we apply today. If you identify with a label (i.e., group) below, make a mental note where you fit the description.
In 1 Corinthians 12:10-13 (Bible version: The Message), we are told, “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful.” Paul goes on to further say, “We are each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he [God] has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of [Jesus] resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink.” As we see the many parts of our own body: eyes, hands, feet, brain, etc., and know that they do marvelous works when put together in one body, so do we all benefit when we experience unity in our diversity and the blessing of community, two of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles. Live life knowing “we are better together.” Do not draw lines between us where we cannot see the strength and promises and hope and peace of unity together. To once again view the boxes that we often put people in and see the differences and the strength of getting rid of those lines that separate us, watch this video https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=don%27t+put+people+in+boxes+video&type=E211US105G91768#id=1&vid=b00294ec2aaa5c9b0d035ddd43331995&action=click Thank you, God, for helping us correct our vision where we only see differences and instead be the expanded body where we practice unity and love. Amen. Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. The days are still growing longer and the light of day is flooding in through our windows. I am drawn outside to spend more time with the rising sun and the flowers and trees. Yesterday I attended my first outdoor barbeque. Although I went into this blur of people not knowing anyone very well, I left having a few new relationships begin to bloom. It took investing in conversation, sharing life experiences and allowing an investment of time. All of this makes me realize that this is what I could be doing with my relationship with God- being involved in conversation, sharing life experiences and allowing an investment of time. My relationship with God can bloom as well as I get to know God. What can I do? What would you do?
In the scriptures we are encouraged to build our relationship with God through prayer and we have the example of Jesus who intentionally found time and space to spend time with God. We need to not just know about God, we need to know God. I could move through the blur of people at yesterday’s barbeque and find out a little about them. But by spending intentional time with some people, I got to know them. It takes the investment of time and interest. In Ephesians 1:16-17 Paul writes, “ I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, And as we come to know God through his son Jesus, we can take our knowing into action.” Here we find the real reward of living life as a Christian – to know God better. Just as springtime provides more light and that light draws us into the day, may the light we find in Jesus grow and draw us to seek more time to know God. Find God in the crowd and stop to build your relationship through Jesus and his teachings. Get to know God. In Ephesians 4:1-32 (ESV), I offer Paul’s words, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Author: Bonnie Barber Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. We celebrate Mother’s Day today. On Mothers’ Day social media overflows with pictures of mothers and wonderful tributes. I join many others in remembering my mother – her kindness, her wisdom, her perseverance and determination. So many adjectives come to mind. Take a moment to reflect on your mother or a mother-figure that you admire.
Many years ago, my pastor asked me to offer a testimony about my mother using a scripture that expressed something about my mother. I struggled a bit with that. Google didn’t exist yet. What came to my mind was not a set of adjectives, but an action. I found my mother in Jesus’ words, “Feed my sheep.” My mother was ready to offer a strong, yet quiet, determination to “feed” the sheep in Jesus’ flock. I remember her working so hard to welcome others to a meal at our house. She was always ready to provide what was needed, whether it was food, encouragement, or opportunities. She worked hard to provide a life where people had the opportunity to attend church and be fed by the word of God. This was the woman who during World War ll sat up all night in the church building to keep it from becoming a dance hall. So I offered the scripture, “Feed my sheep” to paint a picture of my mother. I did use Google this time to find scriptures that offer characteristics of mothers and mother-figures. I say mother-figures because I think it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has a positive mother in their life. But hopefully everyone has found someone who has been a mother-figure (female or male). I offer the following scriptures to help us find those special characteristics of a loving, wise, and devoted mother. In Proverbs 1:8-9 we find this reference to mothers: "Pay close attention, my child, to your father's wise words and never forget your mother's instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions." In another Proverbs scripture (Proverbs 31:25) we find a wonderful description of a mother: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." I must admit, when I read this one, I laughed at the reference “she can laugh at the days to come”. A few weeks ago, I sat with a couple of my adult children sharing memories of their antics when they were small, and also their escapades as teenagers. We may laugh at these teenage adventures now, but the adventures of teenagers are not so funny when we first experience them. In 1 Peter 3:4, we read this advice to mothers, "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." We commend the loving characteristics of mothers and mother-figures today. Pay attention to the characteristics of someone devoted to God and God’s love. Those are all characteristics of people we need in our lives. It is important that we ALL proudly be mother-figures and offer God’s love, grace and generosity. These are characteristics that show no gender. Be thankful today for “mothers” who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. And be ready to be that person for another. (Author: Bonnie Barber) Many years ago, my pastor asked me to offer a testimony about my mother using a scripture that expressed something about my mother. I struggled a bit with that. Google didn’t exist yet. What came to my mind was not a set of adjectives, but an action. I found my mother in Jesus’ words, “Feed my sheep.” My mother was ready to offer a strong, yet quiet, determination to “feed” the sheep in Jesus’ flock. I remember her working so hard to welcome others to a meal at our house. She was always ready to provide what was needed, whether it was food, encouragement, or opportunities. She worked hard to provide a life where people had the opportunity to attend church and be fed by the word of God. This was the woman who during World War ll sat up all night in the church building to keep it from becoming a dance hall. So I offered the scripture, “Feed my sheep” to paint a picture of my mother. I did use Google this time to find scriptures that offer characteristics of mothers and mother-figures. I say mother-figures because I think it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has a positive mother in their life. But hopefully everyone has found someone who has been a mother-figure (female or male). I offer the following scriptures to help us find those special characteristics of a loving, wise, and devoted mother. In Proverbs 1:8-9 we find this reference to mothers: "Pay close attention, my child, to your father's wise words and never forget your mother's instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions." In another Proverbs scripture (Proverbs 31:25) we find a wonderful description of a mother: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." I must admit, when I read this one, I laughed at the reference “she can laugh at the days to come”. A few weeks ago, I sat with a couple of my adult children sharing memories of their antics when they were small, and also their escapades as teenagers. We may laugh at these teenage adventures now, but the adventures of teenagers are not so funny when we first experience them. In 1 Peter 3:4, we read this advice to mothers, "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." We commend the loving characteristics of mothers and mother-figures today. Pay attention to the characteristics of someone devoted to God and God’s love. Those are all characteristics of people we need in our lives. It is important that we ALL proudly be mother-figures and offer God’s love, grace and generosity. These are characteristics that show no gender. Be thankful today for “mothers” who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. And be ready to be that person for another. Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. It's the start of a new week, and I, for one, am thankful for the opportunity to refuel and refresh and get a new start. I especially love the first Sunday of the month because in Community of Christ the 1st Sunday of the month is Communion Sunday. For me, Communion signals a new start, a clean beginning, an opportunity to reset my relationship with God and my commitment as a creature of God’s love and grace.
I attended a pre-communion service that was unique in that it offered one hour devoted entirely to spiritual preparation for communion. Typically communion is part of a worship service, not the sole focus. To have this entire service devoted to preparing for communion was a powerful experience. I can’t begin to describe everything that happened in the service and the responses that were evoked, but there is one spiritual practice that I’d like to share. That was using Lectio Divina with the Community of Christ’s Prayer of Blessing on the Bread and Wine as the focus. In Lectio Divina a scripture is generally repeated 3 times and each time we listen for a different emphasis. This practice opens our minds, helping us engage with the Holy Spirit and feel God’s presence. I want to share this experience of using Lectio Divina with the communion prayer. . First time it is read, just hear the words as if for the first time. Treat them as if you have never heard them before. “… bless and sanctify this bread and wine to the souls of all those who receive them, that they may eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of your Son…” Be silent for a minute to rest on those words. Imagine these words are presenting new thoughts and ideas. Perhaps read it a second time to gain a better focus. Next – as you read it again, listen and think about your global brothers and sisters. “… bless and sanctify this bread and wine to the souls of all those who receive them, that they may eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of your Son…” Be silent again and reflect on this new emphasis. What images or thoughts does it bring to mind about your global brothers and sisters. Now for this 3rd time reading it, remember the body and blood of Christ “… bless and sanctify this bread and wine to the souls of all those who receive them, that they may eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of your Son…” What comes to your mind and your heart this time? If Lectio Divina is new to you, I invite you to read this prayer 3 times through again so you can feel the impact of those words with each new focus. We hear this prayer once a month and there is not a lot of time to contemplate the words. This opportunity to explore the prayer with 3 different lenses can be a real spirit-filled gift. May you also find this practice helps reset your communion experience so it is new and fresh. Do you remember your first communion? How did you feel? If you participated in a communion service recently, what speaks to your mind and your heart? Did the experience give you the sense of a new start or perhaps the never-ending love of God who is forever and again, loving you despite your failings. May you find God moving into your mind and into your heart with each communion experience. Amen. Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. I come in such thankfulness for the blessings of fellowship, friendship and love of my faith community. It is so strengthening to share the faithfulness of united hearts. I was blessed to attend Community of Christ’s World Conference this last week where roughly 60 countries were represented. The delegates in front of me represented the Pacific Islands and before we adjourned the conference, I had been blessed by Rajini from the Fiji Islands and Ral from Hawaii, whom I had never before met. I saw friends whom I’d lost touch with several decades before, a woman who had been a youth when I served as Youth Group Leader about 40 years ago. I reunited with friends who had lived in the DC area, but who now resided in Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Oregon and Washington state.
I share this because I want to testify about the value of being in a faith community following the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Peaceful One, with hearts united in purpose. Together we advocated for the refugees, examined our role in Climate Change, and addressed our responsibilities while having difficult conversations of racial, ethnic and gender injustice. Do you have such a community, one in which you can grow and offer opportunities to others to grow in Christ-like behavior and values. The disciples had such a group as they traveled with Jesus. It must have been such an amazing bond of “family”. Their conviction of faith, although severely tested, was strengthened by having one another – a strong lesson for us today. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we read, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” We need each other. We find great value and strength in our community of faithful believers. In Romans 1:11-12, we are told, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. In Romans 12:5 we are told, “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” This is the strength of participating in a faith-filled community. It doesn’t preclude us from reaching out to others who have not pursued or been introduced to a spiritual path. But as one body we gain strength, knowledge, and a treasure of gifts that enhance our abilities to do more in Christ’s name. Seek the fellowship of a faith community. Find the light of Jesus in others. Then share it with the world. |
AuthorVarious authors throughout the Chesapeake Bay Mission Center and beyond provide these thought-provoking weekly devotions. Archives
May 2023
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