Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Monday, 7 July 2014 "Our Father, who art in heaven. . ."

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Monday, 7 July 2014  "Our Father, who art in heaven. . ."
Daily Scripture: Hosea 11:Israel Played at Religion with Toy Gods
1-9 “When Israel was only a child, I loved him.
    I called out, ‘My son!’—called him out of Egypt.
But when others called him,
    he ran off and left me.
He worshiped the popular sex gods,
    he played at religion with toy gods.
Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim.
    I rescued him from human bondage,
But he never acknowledged my help,
    never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon,
That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek,
    that I bent down to feed him.
Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria—
    anything but return to me!
That’s why his cities are unsafe—the murder rate skyrockets
    and every plan to improve things falls to pieces.
My people are hell-bent on leaving me.
    They pray to god Baal for help.
    He doesn’t lift a finger to help them.
But how can I give up on you, Ephraim?
    How can I turn you loose, Israel?
How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah,
    devastated like luckless Zeboim?
I can’t bear to even think such thoughts.
    My insides churn in protest.
And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
    I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
    I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.; Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me.
    My Master has forgotten I even exist.”
15-18 “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
    walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
    I’d never forget you—never.
Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.
    The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.
Your builders are faster than your wreckers.
    The demolition crews are gone for good.
Look up, look around, look well!
    See them all gathering, coming to you?
As sure as I am the living God”—God’s Decree—
    “you’re going to put them on like so much jewelry,
    you’re going to use them to dress up like a bride.
Reflection Questions:
There were powerful assumptions about the nature of life in our world behind Jesus' opening phrase in the Lord's Prayer. Speaking of "Our Father" reminded us that, beyond all of our surface differences, we humans are all part of the same family. And, as today's readings show, the Hebrew Scriptures ascribed the very best parental qualities (father AND mother) to God.
Throughout the Lord's Prayer, all of the pronouns are plural. All through the New Testament (cf. John 17:11, 21; Ephesians 4:1-6), we find reminders that following Christ is not a solitary voyage, but something we do with others in community. Where do you most find Christian friendship and support? Are there choices you need to make to make that a stronger part of your journey?
"Who art in heaven" translates the Greek word ouranōs, which meant, not a place far away, but "air" or "sky." The idea was that God is, not far away, but everywhere—around us, above us, wherever we go. How, if at all, do you experience God's presence? What spiritual difference does that make for you? (cf. Psalm 139:7-12)
Today's Prayer:
Our Father, who art all around me, I bow to you as the Lord of my life. I ask your Spirit to guide me this week as I seek to more deeply understand the prayer you taught us. Amen.
Insight from David Brown
David Brown serves as an intern at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Where do we see God?
It is easy to say, “Working through the pulpit.”
It is simple to argue for any and all volunteer opportunities we take.
Our list would be moot without mention of the children’s ministry.
It is plain that God is working in and through this church and its congregants. My focus, however, is elsewhere. When I lived in Las Vegas, I had a number of strange experiences (as one would expect).
I was recovering from a lifetime of bad experiences with churches throughout the country. But I, even in my scorn, rested well within the grasp of the Father. He did not use the pulpit, as I actively avoided Sunday services. There were exactly zero volunteer opportunities I took. He did not show himself in a children’s ministry, save that of one child. Her name is Lily, the daughter of my former roommate.
Amidst the chaos that Vegas provided, Lily was a two year old girl that loved spaghetti and hated silverware. My heart, turned to stone by the rejection of the church, was given light and nourishment through this child. God worked something fierce through her.
Our divine experience is not limited to the walls of the church. It is not confined by the arms of a congregation. We should seek to see God everywhere. Lily was in constant awe of mundane things. We got an average rotisserie chicken, and she screamed with joy. Our neighbor had a dog, and that was the highlight of her day. A leaf fell in front of her at the park, and she was the luckiest girl in the world.
Somewhere along the way I lost that wonder; we lost that wonder. The ordinary has become mundane. So, where do we see God?
I see Him in food to eat.
I see Him in my neighbor’s dog.
I see Him in the leaves that fall.
I see Him in the people I interact with. We are surrounded by Him. We are bathed in His mercy daily, and too often we forget. The kingdom we are promised is here. We need only recognize it.
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