We Plan – God Laughs

For January 1, 2012
All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader.  The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

An old Yiddish proverb – “We Plan – God Laughs” and Robert Burns’ “The best laid plans of mice and men/often go awry” both speak to the uncertainty inherent in the next year, the next month, even the next hour. The new year is a traditional time of evaluation and goal setting for many, but to what end, with what purpose will we build our to do lists and with what tools will we work?

First some reflection on your personal life:
• What are you really looking forward to this year, what are you excited about?

• What is the biggest challenge you are facing this year, what wears on you?


• What resources will you use to prepare for them? How will your faith life impact your preparations, where do you find strength and insight?


And some reflections on your faith community:


• What are you looking forward to seeing in the life of your community this year?


• What is the biggest challenge you are facing as a community this year?


• What strengths do we have and what spiritual resources can we rely upon as a faith community as we begin 2012?


We Plan – God Laughs - What meaning do those words have for you? As people of faith we count on God’s presence in our lives, do you think that God is cynical about our plans or is it something else? There are many scriptures which speak to planning, as you look at those below consider:


• Should we expend the energy to plan ahead? If so what are some essential things we need to include in the process? What do we need have as foundations to build our plans upon?


• How would you characterize God’s presence as we look into our individual and congregational futures – what should we be confident about?


Matthew 6:30-33 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.


Luke 12:16-19 Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!' 20"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?' 21"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."


God Plans
There is a conviction by many that God has a plan for our lives, what is your response to this theology? How do we discover what the plan might be? Is this a comforting thought for you? Are there events in your life that make you question the reality of this idea?


Paul’s thoughts on planning:
Romans 12:1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.


• As you look at these words what must we do to know what God wants for us? What must we give up and what must we take up?


• How practical are these words for you, what questions do they raise?


• Will this way of living happen overnight? What will we have to practice letting go of and what must we learn to rely upon?


My Plans
After contemplating these ideas what are some plans you have for 2012:

Closing Prayer

O, Holy Spirit, giver of light and life, impart to us thoughts higher than our own, and prayers better than our own, and powers beyond our own, that we may spend and be spent in the ways of love and goodness, after the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
                                                                                        Eric Milner-White, Oxford Book of Prayer


Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 1:4-11, Acts 19:1-7, Psalm 29, Genesis 1:1-5


Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page

What Are You Prepared For?

For Sunday December 11, 2011

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader.  The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.  Commentaries for today's scriptures from Isaiah 61can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/prophets/isaiah61.htm.

A strong theme and major focus of Advent is preparation and waiting, getting ready for the Christ child in the manger. While this preparation and celebration are very important in our spiritual lives this week’s Lectionary scripture from Isaiah points us to some other thoughts on preparation:

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory.

First let us look at a Christian interpretation of the scripture and its place in Advent:• How might the members of the early Christian faith have looked back on this scripture, many from their Jewish roots, and seen Christ? How you see Jesus reflected in these words of hope? Is there anything that he did not fulfill?

Jesus himself reads the first part of this scripture to the members of his congregation immediately after his baptism, time in the wilderness, and confrontation with the Devil: He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."(Luke 4:20) Jesus continued on with a conversation which led to attempted murder by an incited congregation.

• Why did Jesus get into trouble, with who might the Jews have associated this prophecy? What does Jesus take upon himself, a humble son of a lower class carpenter from a small backwater?
• How was Jesus prepared at the beginning of his ministry beginning with his baptism? What did he have affirmed by:

(1) the baptism (Luke 3:21-22): After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."

(2) The time in the wilderness and

(3) the confrontation with the Devil? (Luke 4:1-15) with the conclusion: Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside. He taught in their meeting places to everyone's acclaim and pleasure.

What might he have discovered about himself, his strengths, the presence of the Spirit with him, the way in which he would carry out his work?

Second let’s look at it as if Isaiah was speaking of himself:
• Isaiah had been called to be a prophet; if he is speaking of himself what does he claim authenticates the validity of his calling? What seems to be his role, what will be the method he uses to carry it out? How do you think that he may have arrived at this conclusion, could it have been based both on trial and error (discovering strengths and weaknesses) and his relationship with God?

• What do you think might have been part of Isaiah’s spiritual journey; might he have done intensive study, prayer, and fasting? How important do you think was God’s place in the everyday priority of his life?

• What must he have diagnosed as the core of the problem he is called to respond to; what do the people need and what gift or gifts might he have believed God had bestowed upon him to be part of the solution?

Now let’s look at our personal spiritual journey, our own preparation:
• As you reflect what has prepared you for the way in which you live and respond to life’s events as a person of faith? What events, experiences, study, etc. has impacted your life to this point?

• Isaiah wrote eloquently and expansively about his sense of a calling from God. Based on your spiritual journey what would you include if you were to write your own version of God’s call to you? What do you sense are the ways in which you have served and impacted others because of your faith, what discoveries have you made about yourself in the doing of them? Few have reached Isaiah’s heights but we each in our own possibly (possibly not) less significant way have made an impact.

• Do you feel that during this season of preparation you might be called for something new during the next year?

We close with more from Isaiah:
Isaiah 61:10-11 I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.

• Advent builds to a time of celebration, here Isaiah speaks to his reasons for joy – what does he sing for joy about? As the Christmas day approaches what are you going to celebrate?

Closing Prayer

Loving God, grant us that freedom of the spirit which will not fear to tread in unknown ways, nor be held back by misgivings of ourselves and fear of others. Ever beckon us forward to the place of your will which is also the place of your power. Amen.  From George Appleton. Oxford Book of Prayer

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page

Be Prepared!

For 12/4/2011
All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader.  The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.  Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb2.htm.


This second Sunday in Advent the Lectionary scriptures continue the theme of preparation, preparing for good news, preparing for salvation. We will look at three stories about preparation, two from the New and one from the Old Testament.  The first is from Isaiah:

Isaiah has three sections and possibly three authors, today’s scripture is a sudden transition from the prophecy by ‘first’ Isaiah to King Hezekiah that the Israelites would be exiled into Babylon. Written at some time during the exile it is intended to bring good news to the exiles, probably intended to encourage them to return to Jerusalem after decades of living as aliens in a strange land.

Isaiah 40:1-5 "Comfort, oh comfort my people," says your God. "Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven! She's been punished enough and more than enough, and now it's over and done with." Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God. Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks. Then God's bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. Yes. Just as God has said."

• What words strike you in this scripture? What image of God is painted in these verses? What has prepared the people for the return of God’s favor?
• Isaiah uses the imagery of building a road fitting for the coming of God to the chosen people. Does it seem that the preparation be easy? What kind of road do you envision the scripture describes? Is it clear who will do the road building?
• Why is the preparation important? What will be the end result?
• Can the preparation Isaiah calls for in the road construction serve as a metaphor for the preparation that people need to make in order for God to “shine … bright” in their lives? What are some ways in which our church community is helping us prepare the way? Are there other ways you plan to become spiritually prepared for Christmas? How might our preparation make “God’s bright glory…shine”?

Another preparation scripture comes from Mark 1:

4-6John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.
7-8As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out."

• John prepares the way for Jesus in this opening scripture from Mark’s Gospel, how does he prepare the people? What seems to be the response? Do you think that there might be some parallels in contemporary society?
• How is John described? Does he point to “Then God's bright glory will shine and everyone will see it” as Isaiah proclaimed? Does this story of preparation share any of the majesty of Isaiah’s picture? Did Jesus live among humankind in glory?
• What kind of baptism does John tell the people he is giving them? Read the summary from Wikipedia below describing the meaning of a Jewish ceremony akin to baptism. What does its purpose seem to be and how does it fit the principle of “turning your old life in for kingdom life”

Jewish Tvilah

Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites in Jewish laws and tradition, called "Tvilah", have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked. The "Tvilah" is the act of immersion in natural sourced water, called a "Mikvah" In the Jewish Bible and other Jewish texts, immersion in water for ritual purification was established for restoration to a condition of "ritual purity" in specific circumstances. For example, Jews who (according to the Law of Moses) became ritually defiled by contact with a corpse had to use the mikvah before being allowed to participate in the Holy Temple. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion. Immersion in the mikvah represents a change in status in regards to purification, restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community, ensuring that the cleansed person will not impose uncleanness on property or its owners.

• How does John describe the baptism Jesus will initiate? What does this mean to you? What do you believe the result of your baptism was?

2 Peter 3 points out another fact about our preparation – God has already come among us – we need to prepare for the second coming:

Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change… Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival… So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master's patient restraint for what it is: salvation.

• What does the writer of 2 Peter want us to know, what are we preparing for and what do we need to know about it? Why is there a seeming delay in the second coming/establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth? What picture of God do you see in these words?
• How should we prepare, what should we remember, what should lose importance? Is the idea of a second coming important in your spiritual life? If so how does it impact your life?
• Have you ever thought about this theology as you experienced Advent? For us Jesus has already appeared, what comes next? Jesus’ return?

Closing Litany (from Psalm 85)

God, you smiled on your good earth!

You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,

you put their sins far out of sight.

God's about to pronounce his people well,

The holy people he loves so much,

so they'll never again live like fools.

See how close his salvation is to those who fear him?

Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page