Talking to God

For July 11, 2010

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 Psalm 25 can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm25.htm

There are many different kinds of prayer with intercessory, prays for others, being most common. Today we look at prayer for ourselves, between us and God. Many times we do not think about praying for or about ourselves but it is an important part of our relations with and connection to God. The form this part of our prayer life takes can be shaped by our image of ourselves and our picture or image of God. Below are two psalms from today’s lectionary and a prayer by a Franciscan monk that we will explore for insights and inspiration.

• How do you picture God in prayer about prayer time? Do you think that this image affects the way in which you pray and your choice of words? Is having a mental picture of God important to us for a meaningful prayer life?
• Are your prayers made directly to God or are the Spirit and Jesus part of your approach to prayer? Why have you chosen to pray in this way?

Psalm 141:1-2 God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.

• Where is the psalmist coming from as he makes this prayer? What words catch your attention, what would be your response if they were addressed to you in this way?
• What does it tell us about the person and his picture of who God is and what he assumes the nature of the relationship between them is?
• What do you relate to in his method of addressing God; does anything make you uncomfortable? Are the words and form of prayer important – if so how?

Psalm 25:1-2 My head is high, God, held high; I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
3 I've thrown in my lot with you; You won't embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don't embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It's the traitors who should be humiliated.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you?
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!
8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.
11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.

• What do verses 1-3 tell us about the picture the psalmist has of himself and God? What do you think he is assuming as he speaks these words? Would you be comfortable speaking words like this?
• What does he ask for in verses 4-6? What do the words, “You are my Savior, aren’t You” say about him? Would you ever take this kind of attitude in your prayer life?
• Do you like the bluntness of verses 7 & 11? What is he assuming about the impact of bad behavior on his relationship with God? How does he handle it in his prayer/psalm? What is your feeling about your actions and the impact it has on your relationship with God?
• Does he ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Do you think that it is important to ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Why?
• What do verses 8-10 tell us about his picture of God? Is it reflected in the way in which he addresses God and the words he uses in his prayer? Write down some feelings you have about the nature of God and reflect on how it impacts your prayer life – the frequency, what you do and do not pray about, what you expect to happen or not happen as a result of a prayer time?

Reflect on this prayer by a Franciscan Monk

Lord, I want to love you, yet I’m not sure.

I want to trust you, yet I’m afraid of being taken in.

I know I need you, yet I’m ashamed of the need.

I want to pray, yet I’m afraid of being a hypocrite.

I need my independence, yet I fear to be alone.

I want to belong, yet I must be myself.

Take me, Lord, yet leave me alone.

Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.

O Lord, if you are there, you do understand, don’t you?

Give me what I need but leave me free to choose.

Help me work it out my own way, but don’t let me go.

Let me understand myself, but don’t let me despair.

Come unto me, O Lord - I want you there.

Lighten my darkness - but don’t dazzle me.

Help me to see what I need to do and give me strength to do it.

O Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.

Bernard SSF

• What is your reaction to this prayer? How would you characterize what he is doing; what is he praying for? Can you relate to anything in these words? Are there any which you feel are inappropriate?
• How would you describe his picture of his faith life? How must he perceive God in order for him to verbalize these thoughts? What are some things that prevent us from being honest and straightforward with God?
• The prayer seems to indicate that he wants his relationship with God to be on his terms. Is it about that or something else? Is an underlying desire to establish a relationship with God while we retain some control an unusual human impulse? What are some negatives that this might bring to a meaningful prayer life?

Your Prayer

Reflect on your responses to the questions and compose a prayer about yourself and what you would like from God.

Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

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Confronting God

For 11/13/2011

All Scriptures from The Message Version

This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures.  It works best if shared between two or more people as a topic of discussion but there is something to be gained by just considering the questions by yourself.  Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/pentateuch/ex32a.htm.

One of the stubbornly enduring habits of the human race is to insist on domesticating God.  We are determined to tame him.  We figure out ways to harness God to our projects.  We try to reduce God to a size that conveniently fits our plans and ambitions and tastes.

But our Scriptures are even more stubborn in telling us that we can’t do it.  God cannot be fit into our plans, we must fit into his.  We can’t use god – God is not a tool or appliance or credit card.

Eugene H. Peterson – Translator/Interpreter of The Message Version

During the Israelite’s exodus through the desert God had been a visual presence with them, leading them in a pillar of fire and smoke.  But then the breaking of the very first commandment and casting and worship of the Golden Calf in Moses’ absence – God is upset and changes his mind telling Moses:

From Exodus 33:1-3  I will send an angel ahead of you and I'll drive out the Canaanites…  But I won't be with you in person—you're such a stubborn, hard-headed people!—lest I destroy you on the journey."

God changes His mind – he delegates his presence to an angel as he has lost patience with them.  With this Moses turns to God to argue – he pleads a case for God’s continued presence.  Prayer is communication with God, regardless of the nature of that conversation – as you read this read it as Moses being in prayer with God:

Exodus 33:12-13 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility."

¹⁴ God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."

^15-16 Moses said, "If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you're with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we're special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?"

¹⁷ God said to Moses: "All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name."

·       What arguments does Moses confront God with in verses 12-13 as he strains to get God to change His decision?  What does Moses say worries him?  Who does he claim is responsible for the fate of the people?  What tone of voice and demeanor do you think he presented in this request/demand?

·       After all of the conversations (prayers?) Moses has had with God something big is missing, what does he want revealed?  What is Moses dealing with as he struggles to lead the people?  Is it surprising that he wants more information about the specifics of what is going to happen in the future?

·       Can you relate to any of this frustration as you travel along your own faith journey?  What is Moses asking for that we might all wish for?  How do we deal with the uncertainty of our immediate and long term personal future and all of the ups and downs it might hold?  Would you consider having a conversation with God like this?  What has your faith brought to your life during times of uncertainty?

·       Have you ever begun something, big or small, that you felt your faith called you to do?  Would you like to have had this conversation and the assurance Moses asks for?

·       What is God’s response in versed 14 – what does he affirm?  What does He mean by presence – is it only in the form of the previously mentioned angel?  How does Moses react to God’s response?

·       Think about Moses’ demand to God as you read verses 15-16 – what is he demanding  – what must be going through Moses’ mind as he speaks – what do you imagine is his tone of voice – what must he think that his relationship with God must be to speak in this way?

·       Should we be striving for a relationship in which all of our emotions can be expressed in our conversations with God?  How do we do that?  Do you know anyone with whom you can imagine having this kind of conversation?  What is your relationship with that person, why are you comfortable to speak to them in this way?  What does it say about the relationship with God we should be seeking?

·       Moses speaks about him and his people being special, do you think that people of faith are special in God’s eyes?  In what ways?

·       What is the bottom line we see in verse 17, why does God accede to Moses’ wishes?  How has your faith blessed you?

Moses is still not satisfied and makes more requests of God:

¹⁸ Moses said, "Please. Let me see your Glory."

¹⁹ God said, "I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, God, right before you. I'll treat well whomever I want to treat well and I'll be kind to whomever I want to be kind."

²⁰ God continued, "But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live."

^21-23 God said, "Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. Then I'll take my hand away and you'll see my back. But you won't see my face."

·       What is Moses asking for, what does he want God to do?  Is looking someone in the face the ultimate step in really knowing who and what they are?  Is that something you would like to do with God?

·       How amazing is it that the omnipotent, omnipresent creator of the infinite universe will choose to seek a relationship with us mere humans?  Does it make any sense to you?  How do you fit this into your personal faith life?

·       But in the end God puts a condition on any presence made with Moses and by extension all of us – what is it?  Do you believe that God is knowable, that we can find human equivalents of our values, emotions, physical appearance, logic, understanding of good and evil, justice, etc.?  Does this scripture in some ways express that impossibility?

·       God promises that Moses will experience God’s presence but that he will not see his face (in other words really come to know God).  How do we experience God’s presence?  Are there any particular experiences that have been high points in your faith journey?  Is it possible to experience God’s presence in creation or get a glimpse from the actions and relationships we have with other people of faith?

·       What one thing will you take away from considering these scriptures today?  What questions have gone unanswered?  How might you pursue coming closer to getting answers.  

Closing Litany (I Corinthians 13:12-13)

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.

But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!

We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:

Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures:  Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100 or Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

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Awesome Responsibility

For February 6, 2011

All scriptures are from The Message

One of the characteristics that we all acquire is the urge to pass on the wisdom we feel that we have acquired from our life’s experiences. 2 Timothy is written in just that vein with an added sense of urgency, Paul wants Timothy to pick up the responsibilities he feels he will soon be unable to carry on. Even though there is considerable doubt that Paul was the author of this letter, it might contain some fragments from his other writings, it is instructive for us to read and reflect upon. The first thing we should understand as we read the letter to Timothy is Paul’s situation, he is in prison and:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

• What emotions do you see in these words which might have reflected Paul’s feelings as he was imprisoned in Rome, contemplating his execution. What does he feel has been important in his life and what are the reasons?

The second thing we need to know is – Who is Timothy?

Acts 16:1-3 Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn't offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.

Timothy’s name becomes familiar to us as we read Acts and the epistles credited to Paul for it becomes clear that he plays a key role in the success of Paul’s mission.

• What must have drawn this young man to motivate him to leave his family and join Paul the traveling evangelist? What does it say about both him and Paul? What kind of person and mission would it take for you to leave everything behind and take on an uncertain future?

Let’s read the first part of our scripture for this week and look at the feelings Paul expresses for Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:1-2 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! To Be Bold with God's Gifts
3-4Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
5-7That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

• What does Paul include about himself in his words of greeting? What has motivated him in his work, what does he feel he is carrying out? Have you ever felt that in some small or large way you were doing something that the Spirit called you to do? What caused you to feel that you were being called and how did it effect your response?

• How does he refer to Timothy, what are the feelings he expresses for him? What does it say, Paul of course had no children, about their relationship? Do you have any non-family member that you in some measure feel this way about?

• Paul includes Timothy in his prayers, who do you regularly include in your prayers? Why are they included and what do you pray for? Does praying for them have any effect on you?

• Earlier we reflected on the reasons Timothy would have left everything and followed Paul. What do you see in verses 5-8 that were part of motivating him to make the decision he made? What were some things that energized the young man? As you look back on your faith journey what were some events or people who energized you?

• What did Paul point out to Timothy about the origins of his faith? Who do you feel passed the gift of faith to you – were they all relatives? How important is the act of passing on our faith to those we care about and what are some issues that might inhibit us?

The letter continues with advice and encouragement for Timothy as he carries on with Paul’s work:

2 Timothy 1:8-10 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
11-12This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end.
13-14So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

• What is Paul reminding Timothy he will face as he delivers the Message? Are there places in the world that this remains true today and are there those who in spite of it deliver the Message? Some things never change.

• What role does God play in the work Timothy is being charged with continuing? What is your reaction to Paul characterizing the work and the suffering that goes along with it a “gift”? Have you ever thought about sharing the gospel message, being an ambassador for Christ, in these terms?

• What does Paul see as that which he has “been set apart” for? What has sustained him throughout? As you look back on your faith life do you feel you might have been “set aside” at any time for some role or task? Was there any sense of God’s presence as you worked to fulfill your calling?

• How do you think that Timothy might have reacted as he read this letter and realized the magnitude of the responsibility that was being passed on to him? Have you ever experienced having some kind of significant responsibility (birth of a child, at work, etc.) given to you? What were your feelings and what sustained you in fulfilling your new role?

• We all should have a will for legal and family considerations. What would you like to pass on about your faith life? Write down some of the things you would include in this declaration?

Closing Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for all those whose faith and witness have enlightened us and brought us closer to you. Strengthen us by your Spirit that we may encourage the faith of others. We ask in the name of Jesus, our redeemer and guide. Amen


Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37

First Priority - Prayer

For September 19, 2010

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. 

The letters to Timothy were probably written after Paul’s lifetime by someone who was familiar with his teachings. It was written at a time in which the faithful had come to terms with the fact that Jesus’ return was not imminent. They formed faith communities which would have had questions and sought guidance for their life together their relationship with the world in which they lived. This scripture contains some advice typical of that found in the two letters: It was also a time with many different interpretations of Christ; who he was and what his presence meant, all competing to be the mainstream Christian theology.

1 Timothy 2
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
4-7He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

Prayer

· How important does prayer seem to be to the writer? What is your personal experience; how important has prayer been to your faith journey? If prayer brings so many benefits why does it seem that we need to be encouraged to pray; what keeps it from being self evident and contagious?

Martha Grace Reese has written in Unbinding the Gospel:

After years of talking with pastors and laypeople in churches that are thriving and churches that are failing, I am clear that the only way to do ministry successfully, to lead a church or to live a life in today’s United States is to pray deeply. We must hand ourselves over to God in clear-headed, accountable, non-naïve prayer. We need to rely as much on God for pragmatic guidance as we can stand! Without God vividly in the mix, we drift, life declines.

· What is your reaction to her conclusion? How do you feel about the role of prayer in our faith community’s life? Do you feel that we have grown in the past year in relying on prayer? How? What else should we be doing?

· Do you think that these words can also apply to our personal prayer life? Is it really natural to rely as much on God for pragmatic guidance as we can stand?

· How do you feel about praying with others? Is this something we should strive for in our personal and congregational prayer lives?

Pray For Everyone You Know

· What person has given you the most personal grief in the recent past? How do you feel about praying for them and what would you pray for?

· What group or groups do you feel most threaten us as a country? What might we pray for them and ourselves?

· What is the purpose of praying for everyone? Could it be the first words from verses 4-7, “He wants not only us but everyone saved”? How should this impact the nature of our prayers?

Pray For Our Rulers

· What was the environment for Christians at the time; what percentage of the population were they, how were they treated, what influence did they have in society? What role did the people have in the selection and influence on their rulers and governments?

· Based on the above realities what reason is given for praying for their leadership; what does the writer want for them?

· What should we include in our prayers for the government in today’s reality? How should a spiritual person connect with the politics and policies of governing the country? Should we be seeking going quietly about our business or something else? Should one of our prayers be for Christian leadership or something else?

Salvation

· One of the major reasons for prayer is seeking salvation for all, what are some of the reasons scripture and sermons say we should be seeking salvation? What has been your experience with personal salvation; what have you connected with as benefits during your faith journey?

· What do you think is behind it all, why does God provide for and desire that all find salvation?

· What is the path to salvation given to us by the writer? If you were to describe your path to salvation what words would you use and what has helped you move closer to God?

· Should we pray for people who are devoted to God through another faith? Should we be concerned about them? In the end who sets the terms of any individual’s salvation and what should our role be in supporting other seekers?

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit 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. Amen. Eric Milner-White

Next Week’s Scriptures: Jeremiah 32:1-3, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16. 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31

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