Daily Scripture:
Luke 10:30 Taking up the question, Yeshua said: “A man was going down from Yerushalayim to Yericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him naked and beat him up, then went off, leaving him half dead. 31 By coincidence, a cohen was going down on that road; but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levi who reached the place and saw him also passed by on the other side.
33 “But a man from Shomron who was traveling came upon him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. 34 So he went up to him, put oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them. Then he set him on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day, he took out two days’ wages, gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Look after him; and if you spend more than this, I’ll pay you back when I return.’ 36 Of these three, which one seems to you to have become the ‘neighbor’ of the man who fell among robbers?” 37 He answered, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Yeshua said to him, “You go and do as he did.
Prayer TipThis week’s sermon and GPS guide readings will focus on healthcare, especially as it affects people in poverty. For me, these issues seem almost insurmountable. Where do we even begin? I am not politically inclined, which makes the legislation around healthcare especially daunting. I have not paid a lot of attention to the media reports on what has been done and is being done in this regard, so I feel especially behind while trying to catch up. Because of my ignorance about the way our government is run, I even bought the book Politics for Dummies in the hopes that I will gain a slightly better understanding of how my vote might ultimately make a difference for those living in poverty and without affordable access to healthcare.
In the meantime, there are things I can personally do to make a difference now. First and foremost, I can pray—for those living in poverty and not receiving the medical care they need, for those working and volunteering with organizations which provide assistance to those in need, and for those making the decisions that will affect how we as a country address poverty and healthcare long term. I can donate financially to organizations that care for those in need. I can donate basic medical supplies and other supplies that I take for granted to clinics and groups and even to individuals I encounter.
I challenge you to look for a way you can make a small difference to one person this week who is affected by poverty or who has limited access to healthcare. Pray for God to guide you personally as you seek to make a difference and share God’s love.
You might pray a prayer of your own. You might use this Prayer for Guidance (#512) from The United Methodist Book of Worship:
O eternal God, in whose appointment our life stands, and who committed our work to us, we commit our cares to you.
We thank you that we are your children, and that you have assured us that, while we are intent upon your will, you will heed our wants.
Fill us with that compassion for others’ troubles which comes from forgetfulness of our own; with the charity of those who know their own unworthiness; and with the glad hope of children of eternity.
And to you, the Beginning and the End, Lord of the living, Refuge of the dying, be thanks and praise for ever. Amen.[Angela LaVallie, Funeral and Prayer Ministries]
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Saturday, 30 January 2016 - "The God who breaks down barriers"
Daily Scripture: Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth — called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised — 12 at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra’el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God’s promise. You were in this world without hope and without God.
Lord Jesus, you lived among Romans who saw crushing force as the only way to deal with enemies. Yet you showed us a better way—you reached out to people who snubbed you, and asked God to forgive the soldiers who crucified you. Help me to live into the power of your love. Amen.
Family Activity
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi begins with these words: “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.” Invite each family member to think of an item or instrument that could be used to symbolize peace. Examples might include a hammer used to build others up, a rope to bind people in unity or a wind chime reminding us that many different voices can blend together to create one beautiful sound. Create a family art piece using these items or pictures of them to help each person be intentional about bringing peace to one another and to the world. Pray and ask God to help your family be instruments of peace.
---------------------"Insights from Lori Trupp"
Daily Scripture: Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth — called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised — 12 at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra’el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God’s promise. You were in this world without hope and without God.
13 But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah’s blood. 14 For he himself is our shalom — he has made us both one and has broken down the m’chitzah which divided us 15 by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances. He did this in order to create in union with himself from the two groups a single new humanity and thus make shalom, 16 and in order to reconcile to God both in a single body by being executed on a stake as a criminal and thus in himself killing that enmity.
17 Also, when he came, he announced as Good News shalom to you far off and shalom to those nearby,[Ephesians 2:17 Isaiah 57:19] 18 news that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s family.
Reflection Questions
Religious bigotry, fear and violence are not recent developments—they’ve been part of the human condition in nearly all ages. The apostle Paul, who had himself persecuted Christians before he met Jesus, found Jesus’ power to break through barriers of race, prejudice and fear awe-inspiring. He probably pictured the wall in the Temple courtyard in Jerusalem that bore signs warning in Hebrew, Greek and Latin that any Gentile who went beyond that wall was subject to death. Christ, he wrote in verse 14, destroyed that barrier. Christ tore down the dividing wall(s) between people.- The Muslim extremists currently known as ISIS, like extremists in any religious or political community, believe higher walls should separate “us” from “them.” How can you differentiate those in any faith who seek to build walls from those who wish to tear down walls and create more goodwill, peace and cooperation? What attitudes and actions show that you belong to the “one body” (verse 16) Jesus came to create?
Lord Jesus, you lived among Romans who saw crushing force as the only way to deal with enemies. Yet you showed us a better way—you reached out to people who snubbed you, and asked God to forgive the soldiers who crucified you. Help me to live into the power of your love. Amen.
Family Activity
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi begins with these words: “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.” Invite each family member to think of an item or instrument that could be used to symbolize peace. Examples might include a hammer used to build others up, a rope to bind people in unity or a wind chime reminding us that many different voices can blend together to create one beautiful sound. Create a family art piece using these items or pictures of them to help each person be intentional about bringing peace to one another and to the world. Pray and ask God to help your family be instruments of peace.
---------------------"Insights from Lori Trupp"
Lori Trupp is the Director of Children’s Ministries at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Unity has never meant uniformity.” Often times the word unity is misrepresented, implying lack of diversity. In our scripture passage today, we read in Ephesians 2:16 that we belong to “one body.” Nowhere do we read that the only way to be part of “one body” is to look, think, or act exactly alike. Our unity lies in the diversity of each person coming together to be one body of believers, unified under God as the unique people he created us to be. In fact, I believe that it is in our variety and differences that the whole is made stronger, in our case the whole body of believers.
What unifies us is that we are God’s people. And as God’s people, we are called to tear down the walls that divide. But how do we do this? Through the power of God’s love, that’s how.
We know that perfect love comes from God. We know that we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19) and that God loved us enough to send his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We know that the greatest commandment is to love God, and to love others. We know that God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe. We know that God loves us sacrificially, and we are called to love sacrificially in his name. We know that when we receive and give God’s love, love is greater than hate. It is this love that has the power to tear down walls, to bring unity as “one body,” and to help us embrace the uniqueness and diversity of “one body” at the same time.
“From amidst diversified and often warring creeds: over a vast span of history: in the language of many a tribe and many a nation: out of the mouths of the learned and simple, the lowly and great: despite oceans of bloodshed, and torturing inhumanities, and persecutions unspeakable – the single voice of a greater humanity rises confidently to heaven, saying “We adore Thee, who are One and who art Love: and it is in unity and love that we would live together, doing Thy will.”[Victory Gollancz]
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
What unifies us is that we are God’s people. And as God’s people, we are called to tear down the walls that divide. But how do we do this? Through the power of God’s love, that’s how.
We know that perfect love comes from God. We know that we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19) and that God loved us enough to send his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We know that the greatest commandment is to love God, and to love others. We know that God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe. We know that God loves us sacrificially, and we are called to love sacrificially in his name. We know that when we receive and give God’s love, love is greater than hate. It is this love that has the power to tear down walls, to bring unity as “one body,” and to help us embrace the uniqueness and diversity of “one body” at the same time.
“From amidst diversified and often warring creeds: over a vast span of history: in the language of many a tribe and many a nation: out of the mouths of the learned and simple, the lowly and great: despite oceans of bloodshed, and torturing inhumanities, and persecutions unspeakable – the single voice of a greater humanity rises confidently to heaven, saying “We adore Thee, who are One and who art Love: and it is in unity and love that we would live together, doing Thy will.”[Victory Gollancz]
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Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 29 January 2016 - "Living out a godly narrative"
Daily Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12 but to live such good lives among the pagans that even though they now speak against you as evil-doers, they will, as a result of seeing your good actions, give glory to God on the Day of his coming. 13 For the sake of the Lord, submit yourselves to every human authority — whether to the emperor as being supreme, 14 or to governors as being sent by him to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that your doing good should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
Lord Jesus, you turned ordinary, hot-tempered people like Peter into a force for good that has shaped the world for over 2,000 years. Shape me and make me a force for good, too. Amen.
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"Insights from Darren Lippe"
The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 29 January 2016 - "Living out a godly narrative"
Daily Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12 but to live such good lives among the pagans that even though they now speak against you as evil-doers, they will, as a result of seeing your good actions, give glory to God on the Day of his coming. 13 For the sake of the Lord, submit yourselves to every human authority — whether to the emperor as being supreme, 14 or to governors as being sent by him to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that your doing good should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
3:9 not repaying evil with evil or insult with insult, but, on the contrary, with blessing. For it is to this that you have been called, so that you may receive a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever wants to love life and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,
11 turn from evil and do good,
seek peace and chase after it.
12 For Adonai keeps his eyes on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayers;
but the face of Adonai is against
those who do evil things.”[1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:13-17(12-16)]
13 For who will hurt you if you become zealots for what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for being righteous, you are blessed! Moreover, don’t fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts;[1 Peter 3:15 Isaiah 8:12-13] while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you — yet with humility and fear, 16 keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are spoken against, those who abuse the good behavior flowing from your union with the Messiah may be put to shame.
Reflection Questions
We are realizing that Islamic extremists live out of a different narrative about the world than most Christians (and most Muslims) do. Like today’s extremists, Rome had a negative narrative about Christians—they called them “atheists” (for not worshipping Caesar), and sometimes “cannibals” (because of the imagery that the Eucharist was like “eating Christ’s body and drinking his blood”). Peter urged Christian believers not to retaliate, but to live lives of a quality that made the slanderous narrative obviously untrue.- When the Temple guards arrested Jesus, Peter drew a sword and cut off a man’s ear (see John 18:10-11). Jesus told him to put away the sword, because God’s Kingdom didn’t work that way. How do Peter’s words in today’s reading echo the spirit he learned from Jesus that dark night years earlier? What are some settings in which you’re tempted to return insult for insult? How could you deal with them differently?
- Have you ever seen, in your own circles, in more public forums or even on the Internet people seeking to defend their faith but not doing so “with respectful humility”? When that happens, does it tend to do more harm or good to the way people think of Jesus and those who follow him? What helps you be respectful and humble when dealing with people you disagree with strongly?
Lord Jesus, you turned ordinary, hot-tempered people like Peter into a force for good that has shaped the world for over 2,000 years. Shape me and make me a force for good, too. Amen.
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"Insights from Darren Lippe"
Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group & a men’s group, and serves on the Curriculum team.With all the preparations needed for today’s parties & celebrations, we’ll keep this Insight short & sweet. (If only. Wait. What celebration? – Editor.)Today is Kansas Day – commemorating Kansas’ statehood on January 29, 1861. (Having a Dad as a docent at the Kansas Museum of History helps you keep track of these milestones.)
Being a Kansan means having to deal with a variety of mundane stereotypes: Yes, we know you think Kansas is flat. Our state tree is the Cottonwood – not a telephone pole. No, we don’t live in constant fear of tornadoes. And yes, we are quite familiar with the “Wizard of Oz” – you do realize it is just a movie, not a documentary, right? (Clicking one’s heels to return to Kansas only works for Dorothy. Seemingly, I always have to make a tight connection through the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.)
I tend to read with great trepidation when a coastal journalist deigns to parachute into flyover country to see what makes us tick (& to garner a Pulitzer Prize entry.) It seems to read like an excerpt from Gorillas in the Mist:
“I drove up to the County Fair not knowing what to expect. I took note of the lush vegetation. They said it was “wheat.” The younger males seemed to be at play. It appeared to be similar to a game we call “soccer.” They fed me charred, smoky meat smothered in a reddish sauce. They said it was “burnt-ends.”…My time was almost up. I will miss them. Those Kansans in the Field.”
Of course being a person of faith also means dealing with lame labels, mistaken impressions, & attempts to pigeon hole our beliefs into a 30-second sound bite or an 8-word screen-crawl.
Sadly, this isn’t anything new. In today’s passage, Peter is trying to help his readers cope with a culture that has a very hostile & distorted view of Christianity. Early Christianity, popularly considered a sect of Judaism, faced the usual virulent anti-Semitic attacks. The early church was accused of damaging the economy (think of the Christian disdain for man-made idols), of breaking up families, of turning slaves against their masters, & of being disloyal to Caesar & his government.
Peter suggests that the best defense of our Christian faith is to live a Godly life that is beyond reproach. Peter’s counsel echoes the great philosopher Plato’s response to slander: “I will live in such a way that no one will believe what he says.” Or as one sage put it, “A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God.”
So, as we get ready for our Kansas-Day-Themed parties, how do we live out our faith in a pluralistic society that recognizes many different religious beliefs?
First, we should avoid the shortcut of stereotypes. As our Christian brethren of 2,000 years ago would agree, stereotypes are typically based on limited information & usually represent an outlying percentage – not the norm. Further, I would submit that we would do well to recognize that the free exchange of theological ideas is healthy for our own faithwalk; it forces us to ponder what we believe & why and makes us consider how we might discuss our faith in a reasonable & gentle manner. Oh, and maybe we should strive to be a bit more humble in our faith journey – not be quite so sensitive to every perceived slight.
In that light, I conclude with the following self-deprecating statehood humor:
Dorothy: I miss Kansas
Toto: I miss Foreigner, Rush, & Styx
Huh? – Editor. See, “Kansas” was a popular rock band from the 1970’s. Toto misunderstands Dorothy’s lament & notes he misses other 1970 rock bands like, Foreigner, etc. Hence, the amusement.
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Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Being a Kansan means having to deal with a variety of mundane stereotypes: Yes, we know you think Kansas is flat. Our state tree is the Cottonwood – not a telephone pole. No, we don’t live in constant fear of tornadoes. And yes, we are quite familiar with the “Wizard of Oz” – you do realize it is just a movie, not a documentary, right? (Clicking one’s heels to return to Kansas only works for Dorothy. Seemingly, I always have to make a tight connection through the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.)
I tend to read with great trepidation when a coastal journalist deigns to parachute into flyover country to see what makes us tick (& to garner a Pulitzer Prize entry.) It seems to read like an excerpt from Gorillas in the Mist:
“I drove up to the County Fair not knowing what to expect. I took note of the lush vegetation. They said it was “wheat.” The younger males seemed to be at play. It appeared to be similar to a game we call “soccer.” They fed me charred, smoky meat smothered in a reddish sauce. They said it was “burnt-ends.”…My time was almost up. I will miss them. Those Kansans in the Field.”
Of course being a person of faith also means dealing with lame labels, mistaken impressions, & attempts to pigeon hole our beliefs into a 30-second sound bite or an 8-word screen-crawl.
Sadly, this isn’t anything new. In today’s passage, Peter is trying to help his readers cope with a culture that has a very hostile & distorted view of Christianity. Early Christianity, popularly considered a sect of Judaism, faced the usual virulent anti-Semitic attacks. The early church was accused of damaging the economy (think of the Christian disdain for man-made idols), of breaking up families, of turning slaves against their masters, & of being disloyal to Caesar & his government.
Peter suggests that the best defense of our Christian faith is to live a Godly life that is beyond reproach. Peter’s counsel echoes the great philosopher Plato’s response to slander: “I will live in such a way that no one will believe what he says.” Or as one sage put it, “A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God.”
So, as we get ready for our Kansas-Day-Themed parties, how do we live out our faith in a pluralistic society that recognizes many different religious beliefs?
First, we should avoid the shortcut of stereotypes. As our Christian brethren of 2,000 years ago would agree, stereotypes are typically based on limited information & usually represent an outlying percentage – not the norm. Further, I would submit that we would do well to recognize that the free exchange of theological ideas is healthy for our own faithwalk; it forces us to ponder what we believe & why and makes us consider how we might discuss our faith in a reasonable & gentle manner. Oh, and maybe we should strive to be a bit more humble in our faith journey – not be quite so sensitive to every perceived slight.
In that light, I conclude with the following self-deprecating statehood humor:
Dorothy: I miss Kansas
Toto: I miss Foreigner, Rush, & Styx
Huh? – Editor. See, “Kansas” was a popular rock band from the 1970’s. Toto misunderstands Dorothy’s lament & notes he misses other 1970 rock bands like, Foreigner, etc. Hence, the amusement.
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120---------------------
The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 28 January 2016 - “Defeat evil with good”
Daily Scripture: Proverbs 25:21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat;
Lord Jesus, I’d really like to live at peace with all people, whenever that is up to me. Guide me in the hard work of reshaping my inner attitudes and fears to make that more and more a reality in my life. Amen.
---------------------"Insights from Janelle Gregory"
The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 28 January 2016 - “Defeat evil with good”
Daily Scripture: Proverbs 25:21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat;
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head,
and Adonai will reward you.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other’s needs — don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good. 18 If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. 19 Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the Tanakh it is written,
“Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’”[Romans 12:19 Deuteronomy 32:41]
20 On the contrary,
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For by doing this, you will heap
fiery coals [of shame] on his head.”[Romans 12:20 Proverbs 25:21–22]
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Reflection Questions
Paul drew on the ancient Hebrew wisdom of the book of Proverbs as he taught Christians in Rome how to deal with evil. This was not abstract evil—Rome hated Christians and often put them to death. But Paul knew that hatred or violence may feel natural, but they just beget more of the same. He said we can trust God to deal with evil in better ways than we ever could. So, he ended, “Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good” (verse 21).- Review all of the specific positive actions Paul recommended to the Roman Christians in this passage. Which one or two of them do you find easiest to live out in your day-to-day interactions? Which one or two of them do you find most challenging? Who have you known who acted the most as this passage recommended? How did that person’s presence affect you and others?
- When you meet or hear about evil, are you more naturally inclined to the view that good CAN defeat evil, or do you tend to see that as a somewhat naïve, unrealistic view of how life works? Think about times when you have returned hurt for hurt or unfairness for unfairness. Has it tended to make the situation and the relationship(s) better or worse? How has doing that changed you inwardly?
Lord Jesus, I’d really like to live at peace with all people, whenever that is up to me. Guide me in the hard work of reshaping my inner attitudes and fears to make that more and more a reality in my life. Amen.
---------------------"Insights from Janelle Gregory"
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist.As a human resources professional, I tend to have a strong sense of fairness and justice, implementing what most of us learned in preschool – If you bring a cookie for one person in the class, you have to bring cookies for the entire class.
This concept makes sense, doesn’t it? Of course it does… in theory.
But as Christians, we have the inclination to hand out the cookie of God’s love to those we pick
This concept makes sense, doesn’t it? Of course it does… in theory.
But as Christians, we have the inclination to hand out the cookie of God’s love to those we pick
and choose. Of course I’ll take that cookie for myself. I’ll be generous to give you a cookie too (you’re welcome), and there will be cookies for others who are like us. We’re also taught to make sure that those who are marginalized and oppressed get God’s love cookies, so we hand them out to those who are homeless, sick, victimized, and beaten down.
At this point we’re handing out cookie after cookie after cookie, doing our best Oprah impression, pointing and saying, “You get God’s love! You get God’s love! You get God’s love! EVERYONE GETS GOD’S LOVE!!!”
At least that’s how it feels. But as we’re handing out the cookie of God’s love to the teenage boy targeted by racial hatred, we’ll suddenly hide the cookie tray when it comes to the racist man committing the abhorrent crime against him. This man doesn’t deserve the cookie of God’s love.
We’ve drawn the line. God’s love doesn’t go THAT far.
At least we don’t want it to. How could it? We separate out those we’ve designated to be the “evil ones,” those whose sins look different or have a “greater harmful impact” than ours. They don’t get cookies.
But if we go down this route, how do we know when the “cookie allowance” starts? At what point do you start getting cookies? No cookies for the corrupt dictator, but what about the power-hungry politician providing some good for his/her community? Or do cookies start at those who cheat a little on their taxes? How do we know?
We couldn’t, and thankfully we don’t have to. Whether we think it’s right or not, God has brought cookies for the entire class. No matter if you are oppressed, the oppressor, or somewhere in between, God’s love and mercy can reach you.
I don’t believe that this means God looks the other way while his people are being hurt. Certainly, no. But it does mean that the depths and breadths of God’s love go far beyond what we might imagine. Do we need to be cautious not to enable the wrongdoing of others? Absolutely. But in doing so, we must approach them, not from a place of vengeance or retaliation, but with a sense of knowing that we all equally receive the cookie.
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Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe AvenueLeawood, Kansas 66224, United States
At this point we’re handing out cookie after cookie after cookie, doing our best Oprah impression, pointing and saying, “You get God’s love! You get God’s love! You get God’s love! EVERYONE GETS GOD’S LOVE!!!”
At least that’s how it feels. But as we’re handing out the cookie of God’s love to the teenage boy targeted by racial hatred, we’ll suddenly hide the cookie tray when it comes to the racist man committing the abhorrent crime against him. This man doesn’t deserve the cookie of God’s love.
We’ve drawn the line. God’s love doesn’t go THAT far.
At least we don’t want it to. How could it? We separate out those we’ve designated to be the “evil ones,” those whose sins look different or have a “greater harmful impact” than ours. They don’t get cookies.
But if we go down this route, how do we know when the “cookie allowance” starts? At what point do you start getting cookies? No cookies for the corrupt dictator, but what about the power-hungry politician providing some good for his/her community? Or do cookies start at those who cheat a little on their taxes? How do we know?
We couldn’t, and thankfully we don’t have to. Whether we think it’s right or not, God has brought cookies for the entire class. No matter if you are oppressed, the oppressor, or somewhere in between, God’s love and mercy can reach you.
I don’t believe that this means God looks the other way while his people are being hurt. Certainly, no. But it does mean that the depths and breadths of God’s love go far beyond what we might imagine. Do we need to be cautious not to enable the wrongdoing of others? Absolutely. But in doing so, we must approach them, not from a place of vengeance or retaliation, but with a sense of knowing that we all equally receive the cookie.
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe AvenueLeawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120---------------------
The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Saturday, 23 January 2016 - "God’s people, 'looking for a better country'”
Daily Scripture: Hebrews 11:13 All these people kept on trusting until they died, without receiving what had been promised. They had only seen it and welcomed it from a distance, while acknowledging that they were aliens and temporary residents on the earth.[Hebrews 11:13 1 Chronicles 29:15] 14 For people who speak this way make it clear that they are looking for a fatherland. 15 Now if they were to keep recalling the one they left, they would have an opportunity to return; 16 but as it is, they aspire to a better fatherland, a heavenly one. This is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Lord God, thank you for the awe-inspiring promise that you have prepared “a city” for your people. Guide me as I keep learning what it means to give you and your kingdom my ultimate allegiance. Amen.
Family Activity
Jesus shared God’s love with others, particularly those who were lonely, ill or in need, in many ways. How does your family work together to share God’s love with those who are “outsiders?” Choose a way to serve others together. Ask an older child or youth to research some volunteer opportunities in your area. He or she could explore the church web site for ministries in which your family can participate. Brainstorm about less-structured ways you can serve others with God’s love, such as helping others in your neighborhood or at school. At a family gathering, ask the child or youth to present these opportunities to the rest of the family. Ask God’s guidance as you discuss the possibilities. Choose one or two ways your family can share God’s love with others.---------------------
"Insights from Dave Pullin"
The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Saturday, 23 January 2016 - "God’s people, 'looking for a better country'”
Daily Scripture: Hebrews 11:13 All these people kept on trusting until they died, without receiving what had been promised. They had only seen it and welcomed it from a distance, while acknowledging that they were aliens and temporary residents on the earth.[Hebrews 11:13 1 Chronicles 29:15] 14 For people who speak this way make it clear that they are looking for a fatherland. 15 Now if they were to keep recalling the one they left, they would have an opportunity to return; 16 but as it is, they aspire to a better fatherland, a heavenly one. This is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Reflection Questions
Hebrews pointed out that Abraham didn’t see himself as a citizen of Ur, nor of Palestine. He was “looking forward to a city…whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:8-11). As his spiritual descendants (cf. Galatians 3:29), all of us, too, are “immigrants on earth,” looking for a heavenly homeland. Scripture repeatedly called us to be the best possible citizens of the earthly places where we live (cf. Matthew 22:15-21, Romans 13:1-3, 1 Peter 2:12-15). But at the same time, belonging to God’s kingdom means that our ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly country or ruler, but to God’s kingdom and its principles.- If we actually make the (often invisible) Kingdom of God our central allegiance, at times we may look a little strange. Many people want our loyalty to our company, our party or our earthly country to be the central force driving our lives. The same was true in Abraham’s day, and when Hebrews was written in an emperor-worshipping Empire. That may be why the writer included the reassuring words: “God isn’t ashamed to be called their God.” How much of a struggle is it for you to commit to living as a “stranger and immigrant” in this world, with your choices (including political ones) ultimately driven by “otherworldly” values? God isn’t ashamed to be called your God. How high a value do you place on that?
Lord God, thank you for the awe-inspiring promise that you have prepared “a city” for your people. Guide me as I keep learning what it means to give you and your kingdom my ultimate allegiance. Amen.
Family Activity
Jesus shared God’s love with others, particularly those who were lonely, ill or in need, in many ways. How does your family work together to share God’s love with those who are “outsiders?” Choose a way to serve others together. Ask an older child or youth to research some volunteer opportunities in your area. He or she could explore the church web site for ministries in which your family can participate. Brainstorm about less-structured ways you can serve others with God’s love, such as helping others in your neighborhood or at school. At a family gathering, ask the child or youth to present these opportunities to the rest of the family. Ask God’s guidance as you discuss the possibilities. Choose one or two ways your family can share God’s love with others.---------------------
"Insights from Dave Pullin"
Dave Pullin serves as the Director of Technical Arts at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. The Technical Arts ministry handles all audio/ visual/technical support for the church including worship services and events.“…belonging to God’s kingdom means that our ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly country or ruler, but to God’s kingdom and its principles.”
It was the summer of 1996 when I met Dzan (pronounced john). We were both in our early twenties, and from the outside we seemed pretty similar, two young guys with their lives ahead of them. On the inside, however, because of our life experiences, we couldn’t have been more different. You see, he fought in the trenches for 3 years during the Bosnian War, a war that completely ravaged his home, his friends, and his family. And that changes a person.
Following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, humanitarian aid organizations were officially allowed into Bosnia. In coordination with UMCOR, I spent nearly 3 months in Bosnia and Herzegovina working to coordinate & assist reconstruction efforts as well as establish interim schools and ‘Youth Houses,’ all of which were a means to better facilitate mediation and rehabilitation for those remaining in the war-torn country.
Dzan and I connected immediately. He’d learned English from bootlegged and subtitled American movies, so he was one of our interpreters. The communication gap vanished and was filled with constant conversations about American movies, music and all things pop-culture. Over time though, our conversations deepened, and he began to share more and more of his story.
Dzan is a Muslim who grew up in a small town in the central part of the country. This town was unique in that there were a relatively equal number of Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats (the 3 primary ethnicities), all living together and among each other in this town. Before the war, life was all intermingled–there were no boundaries or lines. A Croat taught school to Serbs and Bosniaks alike. People intermarried and had multiracial children. Dzan’s parents lived in a relatively nice home, and were good friends with many of those from different backgrounds. Neither ethnicity nor religion mattered, at least not until 1992. But on June 20th of that year, everything changed.
Gornji Vakuf, where Dzan and his family lived, was one of the towns where the fighting began. It was a strategic stronghold for supply lines, and it was targeted from the beginning. It became quickly evident that the Muslims were the primary target, yet what unfolded astounded Dzan. The people he knew–his close friends, his teachers, the grocery store clerk, his father’s employees, even some of his extended relatives–all of those from a different background joined ranks with their ethnic country. It was no longer the city of Gornji Vakuf fighting together as an outside enemy approached. The city began fighting against itself. Over time, they tore themselves completely apart.
Dzan described to me how everyone practically lived in ski masks for nearly 3 years. Since the fighting was in such close quarters, people didn’t want to be recognized. When I asked him why, he told me that everyone there knew each other, and no one wanted to imagine what life would be like after the war; what it would be like if others knew who it was that pulled the trigger. Listening to him describe the atrocities he witnessed was difficult, but I could not even fathom the amount of relational pain and agony Dzan had endured, and continues to.
I realize this war was anything but simplistic. There have been numerous wars in the former Yugoslavia over the centuries, and the politics surrounding them all are quite overwhelming. But I tell you part of Dzan’s story because I often wonder: what would have happened if all of the Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians and Muslims living in Gornji Vakuf in 1992 had decided to offer a higher allegiance to God (and His corresponding principles), rather than to their country or race of origin? Would anything have changed? Perhaps not. But set aside for a moment the religious differences between the three groups, and focus more on what it means to place God before country, especially when country seems to directly contradict God’s wishes, regardless of religion.
I have often thought about the juxtaposition of my aim of living out the Christian faith while at the same time being a dedicated patriot. Most of the time it seems there is little conflict between the two, but perhaps I am being naive. As I look more closely, it doesn’t seem to be so clear. I used to think that when I disagreed with American politics or a decision the government made, distancing myself from (and blaming) the offending political party was the “go to” answer. I’d just shove my head in the sand and wait for it to pass by. But as a person of faith who has been given clear instructions on how to treat others, I don’t think I can plead ignorance any longer and pretend that Jesus didn’t tell me to love my enemies as well as my neighbors, which is pretty much everybody in existence. That is the ultimate message that I have chosen to promote, yet I often find reasons and excuses not to.
I hope and pray that I never face a situation as horrific as Dzan had to endure. Few of us reading this ever will. But I do think we are faced, on a daily basis, with the opportunity to place our allegiance to God’s Kingdom higher than to our own country (or to our business, or to our self). For me, that means identifying and changing the areas of my life that might not align with the teachings of Jesus: the way I treat people I don’t like, the way I don’t speak against the injustices I see, the integrity of my thoughts, they way I spend my money, they way I talk to my kids and my spouse when I’m angry. Or the way I blame the state of our nation’s politics on a particular leader or group when I have not taken an active role in educating myself and voicing my opinions to my state’s representatives.
The way I see it, giving my full allegiance to God’s Kingdom means that regardless of the policies that end up being passed into law, I am still instructed to love everyone, not just those the government or the media tells me are worth loving, or those who are convenient for me to love–but everyone, which honestly can be quite difficult sometimes. Perhaps this may all be a bit idealistic, but isn’t the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on earth an ideal we should be striving to make a reality? If I am honest with myself, the answer is an absolute “yes.” Yet selfishly I don’t like the implications that has on my lifestyle. I like being comfortable. But then I remember Dzan and think about how easily comforts can be lost or taken away when our primary allegiances are to a country looking for power rather than to a Kingdom looking for love.
---------------------
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
It was the summer of 1996 when I met Dzan (pronounced john). We were both in our early twenties, and from the outside we seemed pretty similar, two young guys with their lives ahead of them. On the inside, however, because of our life experiences, we couldn’t have been more different. You see, he fought in the trenches for 3 years during the Bosnian War, a war that completely ravaged his home, his friends, and his family. And that changes a person.
Following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, humanitarian aid organizations were officially allowed into Bosnia. In coordination with UMCOR, I spent nearly 3 months in Bosnia and Herzegovina working to coordinate & assist reconstruction efforts as well as establish interim schools and ‘Youth Houses,’ all of which were a means to better facilitate mediation and rehabilitation for those remaining in the war-torn country.
Dzan and I connected immediately. He’d learned English from bootlegged and subtitled American movies, so he was one of our interpreters. The communication gap vanished and was filled with constant conversations about American movies, music and all things pop-culture. Over time though, our conversations deepened, and he began to share more and more of his story.
Dzan is a Muslim who grew up in a small town in the central part of the country. This town was unique in that there were a relatively equal number of Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats (the 3 primary ethnicities), all living together and among each other in this town. Before the war, life was all intermingled–there were no boundaries or lines. A Croat taught school to Serbs and Bosniaks alike. People intermarried and had multiracial children. Dzan’s parents lived in a relatively nice home, and were good friends with many of those from different backgrounds. Neither ethnicity nor religion mattered, at least not until 1992. But on June 20th of that year, everything changed.
Gornji Vakuf, where Dzan and his family lived, was one of the towns where the fighting began. It was a strategic stronghold for supply lines, and it was targeted from the beginning. It became quickly evident that the Muslims were the primary target, yet what unfolded astounded Dzan. The people he knew–his close friends, his teachers, the grocery store clerk, his father’s employees, even some of his extended relatives–all of those from a different background joined ranks with their ethnic country. It was no longer the city of Gornji Vakuf fighting together as an outside enemy approached. The city began fighting against itself. Over time, they tore themselves completely apart.
Dzan described to me how everyone practically lived in ski masks for nearly 3 years. Since the fighting was in such close quarters, people didn’t want to be recognized. When I asked him why, he told me that everyone there knew each other, and no one wanted to imagine what life would be like after the war; what it would be like if others knew who it was that pulled the trigger. Listening to him describe the atrocities he witnessed was difficult, but I could not even fathom the amount of relational pain and agony Dzan had endured, and continues to.
I realize this war was anything but simplistic. There have been numerous wars in the former Yugoslavia over the centuries, and the politics surrounding them all are quite overwhelming. But I tell you part of Dzan’s story because I often wonder: what would have happened if all of the Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians and Muslims living in Gornji Vakuf in 1992 had decided to offer a higher allegiance to God (and His corresponding principles), rather than to their country or race of origin? Would anything have changed? Perhaps not. But set aside for a moment the religious differences between the three groups, and focus more on what it means to place God before country, especially when country seems to directly contradict God’s wishes, regardless of religion.
I have often thought about the juxtaposition of my aim of living out the Christian faith while at the same time being a dedicated patriot. Most of the time it seems there is little conflict between the two, but perhaps I am being naive. As I look more closely, it doesn’t seem to be so clear. I used to think that when I disagreed with American politics or a decision the government made, distancing myself from (and blaming) the offending political party was the “go to” answer. I’d just shove my head in the sand and wait for it to pass by. But as a person of faith who has been given clear instructions on how to treat others, I don’t think I can plead ignorance any longer and pretend that Jesus didn’t tell me to love my enemies as well as my neighbors, which is pretty much everybody in existence. That is the ultimate message that I have chosen to promote, yet I often find reasons and excuses not to.
I hope and pray that I never face a situation as horrific as Dzan had to endure. Few of us reading this ever will. But I do think we are faced, on a daily basis, with the opportunity to place our allegiance to God’s Kingdom higher than to our own country (or to our business, or to our self). For me, that means identifying and changing the areas of my life that might not align with the teachings of Jesus: the way I treat people I don’t like, the way I don’t speak against the injustices I see, the integrity of my thoughts, they way I spend my money, they way I talk to my kids and my spouse when I’m angry. Or the way I blame the state of our nation’s politics on a particular leader or group when I have not taken an active role in educating myself and voicing my opinions to my state’s representatives.
The way I see it, giving my full allegiance to God’s Kingdom means that regardless of the policies that end up being passed into law, I am still instructed to love everyone, not just those the government or the media tells me are worth loving, or those who are convenient for me to love–but everyone, which honestly can be quite difficult sometimes. Perhaps this may all be a bit idealistic, but isn’t the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on earth an ideal we should be striving to make a reality? If I am honest with myself, the answer is an absolute “yes.” Yet selfishly I don’t like the implications that has on my lifestyle. I like being comfortable. But then I remember Dzan and think about how easily comforts can be lost or taken away when our primary allegiances are to a country looking for power rather than to a Kingdom looking for love.
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120---------------------
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