Daily Scripture
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
3 All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing made had being.
4 In him was life,
and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not suppressed it.
14 The Word became a human being and lived with us,
and we saw his Sh’khinah,
the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
Prayer TipIt’s Lent again. During the Lenten season, some of us take on a good habit, while others of us give up a bad habit. I think I have had a love/hate relationship with this tradition. I love the notion of disciplining myself with the goal of focusing my attention on God. I hate how hard it is to keep up whatever discipline I chose.
And to be honest, I sometimes get a little bit judgmental during this 40 day period of preparation for Easter. I may think that my friend who consistently misses my calls should resolve to call me back—and instead they take on daily meditation. I may hope that my neighbor would give up their negative attitude toward me and instead they give up chocolate! Or what about family members? We might think giving up nagging would be their most faithful choice, but they commit to exercising every day. As we reflect on our shortcomings and brokenness during Lent, sometimes we take up reflecting on others’ for them.
Storytime: For two summers in a row I served as a cabin leader at church camp. Each week I got to be with high school girls who had some of the best questions about love, life and faith in Jesus. One of my favorite activities was an elaborate scheme meant to teach them to look behind appearances. I would give the girls a teambuilding task (something like building a puzzle). Unannounced to most of the group, I would secretly pull aside five of the girls and give them a card with a task they were supposed to carry out during the puzzle. One girl was supposed to ignore everyone, another was to refuse to open her eyes, a third was to be extremely negative. As you can imagine, the girls who had no clue as to where their cabin mates issues came from got frustrated and angry quickly. Can you say drama? After they finished the challenge, I would reveal that I had given their friends cards that had made it hard for them to work with the team.
Why is this relevant? When I think about the temptation we face to judge, it is always important for me to remember that all of us have been dealt certain cards in life, good and bad experiences that shape how we face life. Like the girls in my cabin, when we forget this, not only do we get frustrated with others views and behaviors, but we can develop an unexamined bitterness toward them. My prayer challenge for you this week is to ask God to help you get curious about the "cards" dealt to those who irk you. When you find yourself judging another person, how might understanding and compassion reshape the conversation?[Katherine Ebling, Pastor of Prayer]
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February 14, 2016 John – The Gospel of Light and Life
Scripture: John 1:1, 14
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word
became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a
father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
“The life was the light for all people”
MONDAY 2.15.16 John 1:1-5
John’s prelude was like a great musical overture. The first three words—“In the beginning”—were the first of many allusions in the gospel to Genesis 1-2. John wanted us to see that Jesus the creator was creating anew. The “life” and “light” images were also from those “beginning” stories, with the added insight that since the beginning the world had grown dark. Into this dark world, Jesus brought inextinguishable life and light for all who trusted in him.
• “In the beginning” reaches back to mysteries that even today’s science can barely scratch the surface of. But John said Jesus, the Word, was already here “in the beginning”—that Jesus “was” BEFORE the beginning! In other words, John believed Jesus is eternal; Jesus is God. Can you believe, with John, that Jesus is more than just a good man? John believed that because he knew Jesus. In what ways can you deepen your personal connection with Jesus?
• “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light” (verse 5).
So many kinds of darkness try to put out the light in our lives—the death of someone we
love, a broken relationship, facing unfair or abusive treatment, financial uncertainty and
fear, and many more. What does it mean to you that Jesus’ light keeps shining even at those times? How can you keep your spiritual eyes open to receive Jesus’ light?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me “eyes to see” the light of how much you love and value me as I
read your story again in John’s gospel this Lenten season. Amen.
“The Word became flesh”
TUESDAY 2.16.16 John 1:6-18
The Greek and Roman gods usually showed little interest in human beings’ day-to-day
concerns. John said “the Word” was utterly different. He gave all who believed in him the right to become children of God. “The Word became flesh and made his home among us”—neither Greeks nor Jews believed God could bridge a gap that wide. But John said the light wasn’t just about God—the light was God himself, one of us yet so much more than just one of us.
• Being born is the way each one of us enters into the world to begin a new life. John, taking his cue from Jesus (cf. John 3:3-8), said the quality of life Jesus brought is so fresh and filled with divine energy it’s like being born anew as a child of God. When did your spiritual journey start? In what ways has walking with Jesus given you a whole new life?
• The poetry of Genesis said “in the beginning” God made the world, and declared it good (Genesis 1:31). But many prominent, widely accepted philosophies in John’s time, such as Philo’s, said the physical world (“flesh”) was so corrupt and evil that a truly good God could have no contact with it. In what ways does Jesus, the Word who “became flesh,” cast light on what it means for you to be fully human?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming flesh, and for giving me the authority and power to be born anew as a child of God. Thank you for my new life. Amen.
“A voice crying out in the wilderness”
WEDNESDAY 2.17.16 John 1:19-28
John the gospel writer introduced Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist (or “Baptizer”). This fiery prophet came from the Judean desert to the Jordan River, and his preaching of repentance moved the authorities to send messengers to ask him if he claimed to be the Messiah. John humbly said he claimed only to be carrying out the message of Isaiah 40:3. He was here, he said, to direct people to “someone greater.”
• The book of 1 Maccabees, written about 100 years before Christ, told of heroic brothers
who fought for Israel’s freedom. At one point, it noted wistfully: “There was distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time prophets ceased to appear among them” (1 Maccabees 9:27). How does this background help you understand why John’s (and then Jesus’) powerful, prophetic preaching triggered great excitement and hope?
• John said, in relation to the “someone greater” coming after him, that “I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” Do you believe John’s comment reflected an unhealthy lack of self worth and confidence in himself? Or do you see it as a reflection of the kind of reverence and devotion that Jesus’ followers believed was only appropriate in the presence of the Word who became flesh?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you still seek a path into every human heart. Help me, like John the Baptist, to be “a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord’s path straight.” Amen.
“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
THURSDAY 2.18.16 John 1:29-34
In this remarkable passage, John the Baptist first recognized and identified Jesus as “the
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” That title was a clear signal that Jesus’ self-giving life and death would fulfill all the symbolism of Israel’s sacrificial system of worship. But John had even more to say: “I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.”
• In the Temple, a worshipper confessed his or her sin over an innocent lamb. Then a priest sacrificed the lamb and placed its blood symbolically on the altar to clear the sinner from guilt. What does the image of Jesus as “the Lamb of God” tell you about one key reason he came (cf. also Matthew 1:21)? How can you prepare your heart this Lenten season to fully accept forgiveness from “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”?
• The way Mark chose to tell the gospel story, Jesus was not called God’s Son until a Roman centurion who had watched him die on the cross said, “This man was certainly God’s Son” (Mark 15:39). But 20 or 30 years later, John’s gospel wove that crucial statement of faith throughout his very first chapter. On what basis did John the Baptist reach that belief? What leads you to believe and testify that Jesus “is God’s Son”?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the boldness of John the Baptist to step into the adventure you began 2000 years ago, to risk bearing witness to all the divine love and forgiveness I believe you embodied. Amen.
“We have found the Messiah”
FRIDAY 2.19.16 John 1:35-42
One of the most remarkable ways John the Baptist showed his humility was to point everyone, even his own close followers, toward Jesus, “the Lamb of God.” Two of John’s followers (we learn that one of them was Andrew) were so intrigued when they heard John describe Jesus that way that they followed Jesus on the spot.
• When John’s two disciples followed “the Lamb of God,” they asked, “Where are you
staying?” and Jesus set us a model—he said simply, “Come and see.” Verse 39 said “they
remained with him that day.” When, and in what ways, has your desire to follow Jesus
meant spending time with him, listening and learning? How might you do more of that,
during this Lenten season and beyond?
• Enter Simon Peter, perhaps the most colorful, outspoken, and brashly human of all Jesus’ first disciples. When we get to the end of the gospel (spoiler alert!), we’ll find him figuring in a powerful story of restoration after shattering failure. Yet Jesus immediately gave him a name that meant “Rock,” promising much future growth. In what ways have you grown since you started to follow Jesus? What growth do you look forward to in the future?
Prayer: Lord, you extend your invitation to “come and see” to me during this Lenten season. Draw my heart closer to yours, and teach me to live into your vision of a transformed world. Amen.
“You will see greater things than these!”
SATURDAY 2.20.16 John 1:43-51
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a tiny village. It lay about an hour’s walk from Galilee’s district capital, Sepphoris, a prosperous city which built a Roman theater during the time of Herod the Great. This description from Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels shows Nazareth’s obscurity:
“As it expanded, Nazareth may have grown to a settlement of some 200 persons.”1 So when
Phillip told Nathanael that “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the
Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth,” Nathanael responded as any of us might have: “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” But Nathanael was quickly convinced Phillip was right once he met Jesus.
• In verse 51, Jesus reminded Nathanael of the story of “Jacob’s ladder” in Genesis 28:12, and said Nathanael would see something similar as he spent time with Jesus. The
message was that Jesus truly linked heaven and earth in a way Jacob’s famous dream only
symbolized. How open is your heart to perceiving the often unseen spiritual realities of God’s world? In what ways can reading, studying and meditating on the story of Jesus, as told in John’s gospel, help to make that connection stronger for you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, John wrote that in you heaven came to earth. But many days this dark
world doesn’t look much like heaven to me. Please connect me more closely to God, to the
source of all life and goodness. Amen.
1 Joel B. Green and Scot McKnight, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1992), p. 37.
Family Activity: Jesus is God’s greatest expression of His love for all people! This week, discover verses on love in Scripture and find Bible stories about God’s love. Share God’s love with your wider community using your words and actions. Remember—you don’t have to practice growing love in big, fancy ways. Find small, yet meaningful ways to share God’s love with others. Consider serving a meal to, or enjoying fellowship with, people unfamiliar to you. Holding a door, smiling, and waving can all express God’s love to someone. When we are open to God growing us through the Holy Spirit, everyday acts will help produce love for
everyone. Pray daily, asking God to grow love in your heart and lives for all people.
Prayer Requests
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•To Deborah Read and family following the death of her mother, Frances Mengoni, 1/13
•To Joyce Yeager and family following the death of her father, J.L. Williams, 1/24
•To Marilyn Spatz and family following the death of her sister, Joan Barhydt, 1/30
•To Mary Murray and family following the death her father, Richard Slawinski, 1/31
•To Pat Bartnett and family following the death of her mother, Helen Sweany, 2/2
•To Rick Tate and family following the death of his wife, Debbie Tate, 2/4
•To Greg Bussing and Gary Bussing and family following the death of their mother
Dorothy Bussing, 2/4
•To Dave Pullin and family following the death of his grandmother, Jane Veazey, 2/5
•To Ginny Kirsch and family following the death of her mother Virginia "Ginny" Swango, 2/6
•To friends and family following the death of Steve Hinderliter, 2/5
•To friends and family following the death of Thomas "Tom" Trabon, 2/7
•To Bob Ludlow and family following the death of his mother, Mary Ludlow, 2/7
---------------------The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Saturday, 13 February 2016 - "Spiritual weapons for spiritual battles"
Daily Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3 For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; 4 because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 11:5] put on righteousness for a breastplate,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 59:17] 15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.[Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7] 16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance;[Ephesians 6:17 Isaiah 59:17] along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God;
Reflection Questions
The apostle Paul lived and traveled in a violent Empire (which finally beheaded him), and in which bandits were often a danger along the roads. Acts recorded no information about what physical precautions he did or did not take to remain safe as he traveled. His letters do show that he believed the crucial battle in life is spiritual. That battle’s goal, he said, was to use spiritual weapons to capture hearts and minds. What we need for that battle, he said, was not physical weapons, but what he called “the armor of God.”- Any time there is a well-publicized violent crime or an act of domestic or international terrorism we read reports of a surge in gun sales. Often we speak of reactions like that as “dealing with the real world.” But Ephesians said prayer and faith connect us to the real “real world,” where eternal issues are at stake. How can your prayers and faith connect you more fully with God? How can you raise your gaze beyond “this-worldly” fears and temporary “security” to focus more of your energy on the “real reality” of God’s world, and the eternal security God offers you?
Lord Jesus, this broken, violent world did the very worst it could do to you—yet you emerged alive and victorious. Without being foolish or needlessly seeking danger, help me to realize that my ultimate security lies with you and your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Family Activity
Practicing our faith in the world was very important to Jesus and to Methodist founder, John Wesley. To help people remember to live out their faith, Wesley taught three rules: “Do no harm”, “Do good” and “Stay in love with God.” Choose a piece of colored poster board. Draw two lines on the poster board, dividing it into three sections. Write one of Wesley’s rules at the top of each section. As a family, talk about ways you can follow each of these rules. Write down or draw pictures of your ideas in each appropriate column. As an alternative, consider finding pictures in magazines and create collages for each rule. Pray and ask God to help you follow these rules and to share God’s love with the world.
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Insights from Mike Ash
Mike Ash is the worship leader and Director of Community Life at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s Blue Springs Campus.
In some ways our world today is not so different from the one Paul was traveling and ministering in. As we watch the news and hear reports about another mass shooting, armed robbery or terrorist attack, we are reminded how fragile life truly is.
When I read the scripture where Jesus says “Love your enemies,” I’m challenged in the deepest way. It’s not a suggestion like “do this if you feel like it.” It seems like a command, as if Jesus really meant it and expects us to do it.
Paul writes that the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. That’s an interesting thought…if they’re not of this world, then where are they from? It sounds like something from another realm that is available to us.
One time while out on tour I accidentally filled the gas tank with diesel fuel. We didn’t drive very far and the van began to shake and stopped running. Luckily it was a large van with two tanks, so we flicked the switch and it ran fine again. I was embarrassed and humbled by my mistake, but learned a valuable lesson. You have to use the right fuel if you want to get to your destination.
So what are these “not of this world” weapons we have at our disposal? Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the weapons we use to shine the light of God’s love in the dark places. Daily we arm ourselves with truth, love, justice and peace.
We forgive when the world says condemn, and we’re grateful for what we have when the world says we should want more. We choose kindness when someone doesn’t deserve it and love those who are deemed unlovable by the world. In Philippians 4 Paul teaches us that when we pray we find peace that protects our hearts and minds. So we learn to pray and ask for God’s help in all situations.
Remember the famous quote from Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Let’s be carriers of God’s light holding out hope for all those we come in contact with today.
In some ways our world today is not so different from the one Paul was traveling and ministering in. As we watch the news and hear reports about another mass shooting, armed robbery or terrorist attack, we are reminded how fragile life truly is.
When I read the scripture where Jesus says “Love your enemies,” I’m challenged in the deepest way. It’s not a suggestion like “do this if you feel like it.” It seems like a command, as if Jesus really meant it and expects us to do it.
Paul writes that the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. That’s an interesting thought…if they’re not of this world, then where are they from? It sounds like something from another realm that is available to us.
One time while out on tour I accidentally filled the gas tank with diesel fuel. We didn’t drive very far and the van began to shake and stopped running. Luckily it was a large van with two tanks, so we flicked the switch and it ran fine again. I was embarrassed and humbled by my mistake, but learned a valuable lesson. You have to use the right fuel if you want to get to your destination.
So what are these “not of this world” weapons we have at our disposal? Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the weapons we use to shine the light of God’s love in the dark places. Daily we arm ourselves with truth, love, justice and peace.
We forgive when the world says condemn, and we’re grateful for what we have when the world says we should want more. We choose kindness when someone doesn’t deserve it and love those who are deemed unlovable by the world. In Philippians 4 Paul teaches us that when we pray we find peace that protects our hearts and minds. So we learn to pray and ask for God’s help in all situations.
Remember the famous quote from Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Let’s be carriers of God’s light holding out hope for all those we come in contact with today.
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The Daily Guide grow. pray study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 February 2016 - "Jesus' way did not depend on armed conflict"
Daily Scripture: Luke 22:36 “But now,” he said, if you have a wallet or a pack, take it; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your robe to buy one. 37 For I tell you this: the passage from the Tanakh that says, ‘He was counted with transgressors,’[Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12] has to be fulfilled in me; since what is happening to me has a purpose.” 38 They said, “Look, Lord, there are two swords right here!” “Enough!” he replied.
Before his arrest, Jesus told his disciples to prepare for hardships. As he went to the cross they, too, faced danger, physical and spiritual. Scholar N. T. Wright said he was “speaking in pictures” when he said they should buy swords. The disciples took him literally, but he never seemed to ask them to use weapons. When Peter tried to defend Jesus with a sword, the Lord told him to put it away. (In Matthew’s version of the story, Jesus added the warning, “All those who use the sword will die by the sword”—Matthew 26:52). He explained to Pilate that his Kingdom wasn’t earthly, and that was why his disciples weren’t fighting.
Lord Jesus, your Kingdom is not of this world—yet, for now, I have to live here. Guide me and give me wisdom to know how to live as one of your disciples in a world that too often rejects you. Amen.
1 William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke (Revised Edition). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Know Press, page 270.
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Insights from Darren Lippe
The Daily Guide grow. pray study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 February 2016 - "Jesus' way did not depend on armed conflict"
Daily Scripture: Luke 22:36 “But now,” he said, if you have a wallet or a pack, take it; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your robe to buy one. 37 For I tell you this: the passage from the Tanakh that says, ‘He was counted with transgressors,’[Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12] has to be fulfilled in me; since what is happening to me has a purpose.” 38 They said, “Look, Lord, there are two swords right here!” “Enough!” he replied.
39 On leaving, Yeshua went as usual to the Mount of Olives; and the talmidim followed him. 40 When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t be put to the test.” 41 He went about a stone’s throw away from them, kneeled down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, let not my will but yours be done.” 43 There appeared to him an angel from heaven giving him strength, 44 and in great anguish he prayed more intensely, so that his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 On rising from prayer and coming to the talmidim, he found them sleeping because of their grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you won’t be put to the test!”
47 While he was still speaking, a crowd of people arrived, with the man called Y’hudah (one of the Twelve!) leading them. He came up to Yeshua to kiss him, 48 but Yeshua said to him, “Y’hudah, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When his followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?” 50 One of them struck at the slave of the cohen hagadol and cut off his right ear. 51 But Yeshua answered, “Just let me do this,” and, touching the man’s ear, he healed him.
John 18:33 So Pilate went back into the headquarters, called Yeshua and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Yeshua answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have other people told you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and head cohanim have handed you over to me; what have you done?” 36 Yeshua answered, “My kingship does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things. If it did, my men would have fought to keep me from being arrested by the Judeans. But my kingship does not come from here.”
Reflection QuestionsBefore his arrest, Jesus told his disciples to prepare for hardships. As he went to the cross they, too, faced danger, physical and spiritual. Scholar N. T. Wright said he was “speaking in pictures” when he said they should buy swords. The disciples took him literally, but he never seemed to ask them to use weapons. When Peter tried to defend Jesus with a sword, the Lord told him to put it away. (In Matthew’s version of the story, Jesus added the warning, “All those who use the sword will die by the sword”—Matthew 26:52). He explained to Pilate that his Kingdom wasn’t earthly, and that was why his disciples weren’t fighting.
- Scholar William Barclay explained the passage about buying swords this way: “What [Luke 22:33-38] means is this—Jesus was saying, ‘All the time so far you have had me with you. In a very short time you are going to be cast upon your own resources. What are you going to do about it? In a very short time…you will have to fight for your very existence.’ This was not an incitement to armed force. It was simply a vivid eastern way of telling the disciples that their very lives were at stake.”1 In other words, protecting your spiritual life is even more important than protecting your physical life. Do you believe that? In what ways can you protect your spiritual life?
Lord Jesus, your Kingdom is not of this world—yet, for now, I have to live here. Guide me and give me wisdom to know how to live as one of your disciples in a world that too often rejects you. Amen.
1 William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke (Revised Edition). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Know Press, page 270.
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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.A few springs ago, our family toured Boston, the Freedom Trail, & Minuteman National Park. I would submit that the Revolutionary War battle of Concord can help us understand both sides of the gun control debate. A quick refresher:
Tensions between Great Britain & Massachusetts’ colonists had been rising for years evidenced by the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, & King George sealing Boston Harbor.
Of course it didn’t help that the patriots were always making fun of the British with cracks like, “Why do the Redcoats’ brain cells die? Loneliness,” or “Why do ‘Lobsterbacks’ date smart women with beautiful smiles? Opposites attract.” “Why do the British hate to fall asleep on a night in June? They are afraid they will miss summer.” (These might need some verification – Editor.)
On April 18, 1775 Paul Revere & William Dawes were dispatched to warn the colonists that the British troops were going to march on Concord to arrest Sam Adams & John Hancock & to confiscate weapons/ammunition.
The British surrounded Militia Colonel James Barrett’s home, thinking he had a stash of weapons. Barrett, warned of the pending search, had already fled & had hidden the weapons in his freshly plowed field. The British, frustrated by their lack of success, searched elsewhere & started several fires that spread to houses in the community.
Barrett, seeing the smoke from fires, marches with 400 of his militiamen to the North Bridge near Concord with their guns loaded & ready to fire. The men were ordered to not to fire unless fired upon, since just the act of shooting would be tantamount to treason for all involved. There was a volley of shots at the North Bridge that left 2 colonists & 3 Redcoats dead. The British fled in retreat to Lexington.
So, how does this history lesson illuminate today’s discussion?
The framers of our Constitution knew the value an armed populace offered & considered it an important civil right. They recognized that guns were a great equalizer, allowing those most vulnerable to oppression to have at least an opportunity to defend themselves.
Years ago I was new on the job in Houston, Texas, editing a big proposal after-hours with our secretary. Wrapping up, I said if she would wait a minute, I would escort her to her car. She politely declined saying, “Being petite, my father bought me a gun when I graduated from high school. I’ve been trained to use it. He & I have a date at the gun range every 6 weeks to make sure it is working properly. Dark parking garages don’t scare me.” Blinking, I replied, “Um. If you would wait a minute, would you mind escorting me to my car?”
On the other hand, as suggested in our history lesson, guns also create great havoc. No one knows who fired the “shot heard round the world.” It could have been a Redcoat soldier panicked by the irate militiamen or it could have been a colonist who let his anger in the moment get the best of him. While a peaceful solution was unlikely, this fateful volley forced the issue & eventually led to an estimated 72,000 deaths & over $100 million dollars in costs (in today’s dollars). Every firing of a weapon has the potential for great & permanent consequences.
As with all rights there comes great responsibility. My Grandfather contended that gun violence in our culture is attributable to kids no longer growing up on the farm. If you ever had to put a beloved animal down or if you ever raced into the woods to make sure an errant shot didn’t accidentally hurt a fellow hunter or an adored hunting dog, you learned first-hand that all weapons need to be treated with grave respect.
As we wrestle with this challenging issue, we should recognize that not every law is the second coming of King George III & not every gun owner is eager to start some revolution. This is a topic of constitutional status that deserves far better discussion than lame straw-man arguments & far fetched caricatures. Well, unless they are about British Redcoats, then by all means:
Tensions between Great Britain & Massachusetts’ colonists had been rising for years evidenced by the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, & King George sealing Boston Harbor.
Of course it didn’t help that the patriots were always making fun of the British with cracks like, “Why do the Redcoats’ brain cells die? Loneliness,” or “Why do ‘Lobsterbacks’ date smart women with beautiful smiles? Opposites attract.” “Why do the British hate to fall asleep on a night in June? They are afraid they will miss summer.” (These might need some verification – Editor.)
On April 18, 1775 Paul Revere & William Dawes were dispatched to warn the colonists that the British troops were going to march on Concord to arrest Sam Adams & John Hancock & to confiscate weapons/ammunition.
The British surrounded Militia Colonel James Barrett’s home, thinking he had a stash of weapons. Barrett, warned of the pending search, had already fled & had hidden the weapons in his freshly plowed field. The British, frustrated by their lack of success, searched elsewhere & started several fires that spread to houses in the community.
Barrett, seeing the smoke from fires, marches with 400 of his militiamen to the North Bridge near Concord with their guns loaded & ready to fire. The men were ordered to not to fire unless fired upon, since just the act of shooting would be tantamount to treason for all involved. There was a volley of shots at the North Bridge that left 2 colonists & 3 Redcoats dead. The British fled in retreat to Lexington.
So, how does this history lesson illuminate today’s discussion?
The framers of our Constitution knew the value an armed populace offered & considered it an important civil right. They recognized that guns were a great equalizer, allowing those most vulnerable to oppression to have at least an opportunity to defend themselves.
Years ago I was new on the job in Houston, Texas, editing a big proposal after-hours with our secretary. Wrapping up, I said if she would wait a minute, I would escort her to her car. She politely declined saying, “Being petite, my father bought me a gun when I graduated from high school. I’ve been trained to use it. He & I have a date at the gun range every 6 weeks to make sure it is working properly. Dark parking garages don’t scare me.” Blinking, I replied, “Um. If you would wait a minute, would you mind escorting me to my car?”
On the other hand, as suggested in our history lesson, guns also create great havoc. No one knows who fired the “shot heard round the world.” It could have been a Redcoat soldier panicked by the irate militiamen or it could have been a colonist who let his anger in the moment get the best of him. While a peaceful solution was unlikely, this fateful volley forced the issue & eventually led to an estimated 72,000 deaths & over $100 million dollars in costs (in today’s dollars). Every firing of a weapon has the potential for great & permanent consequences.
As with all rights there comes great responsibility. My Grandfather contended that gun violence in our culture is attributable to kids no longer growing up on the farm. If you ever had to put a beloved animal down or if you ever raced into the woods to make sure an errant shot didn’t accidentally hurt a fellow hunter or an adored hunting dog, you learned first-hand that all weapons need to be treated with grave respect.
As we wrestle with this challenging issue, we should recognize that not every law is the second coming of King George III & not every gun owner is eager to start some revolution. This is a topic of constitutional status that deserves far better discussion than lame straw-man arguments & far fetched caricatures. Well, unless they are about British Redcoats, then by all means:
- What is the difference between a Redcoat & a baby? The baby will eventually stop whining.
- Why do British soldiers look forward to summer? The rain is warmer.
- What do Redcoats call Thanksgiving? Thursday.
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The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 11 February 2016 - "Ultimate safety comes from God, not weapons"
Daily Scripture: Psalm 20:4 (3) May he be reminded by all your grain offerings
Psalm 20 was an example of a “royal” psalm—a hymn or prayer that connected Israel’s earthly king with God, the heavenly ruler over all. Psalm 44 reflected on Israel’s history. Both of these sacred poems showed that even when Israel knew they had played an armed role in defeating their enemies, their ultimate trust needed to focus on God, not on human weapons.
O Lord, help me be ready for whatever may come my way. And help me to live in the psalmist’s spirit: “I won’t trust in my bow; my sword won’t save me because it’s you who saved [me].” Amen.---------------------
Insights from Janelle Gregory
The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 11 February 2016 - "Ultimate safety comes from God, not weapons"
Daily Scripture: Psalm 20:4 (3) May he be reminded by all your grain offerings
and accept the fat of your burnt offerings. (Selah)
5 (4) May he grant you your heart’s desire
and bring all your plans to success.
6 (5) Then we will shout for joy at your victory
and fly our flags in the name of our God.
May Adonai fulfill all your requests.
7 (6) Now I know that Adonai
gives victory to his anointed one —
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
8 (7) Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we praise the name of Adonai our God.
44:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. A maskil:
2 (1) God, we heard it with our ears;
our fathers told us about it —
a deed which you did in their days,
back in days of old.
3 (2) With your hand you drove out nations
to plant them in [the land],
you crushed peoples
to make room for them.
4 (3) For not by their own swords
did they conquer the land,
nor did their own arm
give them victory;
rather, it was your right hand,
your arm and the light of your face;
because you favored them.
5 (4) God, you are my king;
command complete victory for Ya‘akov.
6 (5) Through you we pushed away our foes,
through your name we trampled down our assailants.
7 (6) For I don’t rely on my bow,
nor can my sword give me victory.
Reflection QuestionsPsalm 20 was an example of a “royal” psalm—a hymn or prayer that connected Israel’s earthly king with God, the heavenly ruler over all. Psalm 44 reflected on Israel’s history. Both of these sacred poems showed that even when Israel knew they had played an armed role in defeating their enemies, their ultimate trust needed to focus on God, not on human weapons.
- The psalmist made a distinction between trusting “in chariots [and] horses” and trusting in “the Lord’s name.” Given that the nation of Israel engaged in armed conflicts multiple times in their history, what did the psalmist’s distinction mean? If you have today’s equivalent of chariots and horses, why would you need to trust in God?
- Psalm 44 summed up Israel’s history this way in verse 3: “Not by their own swords did they take possession of the land—their own arms didn’t save them. No, it was your strong hand, your arm, and the light of your face.” Did that kind of summary devalue the courage of the soldiers who fought in the battles, or the sacrifice of those who died? When have you had a sense that God was at work through human instruments?
O Lord, help me be ready for whatever may come my way. And help me to live in the psalmist’s spirit: “I won’t trust in my bow; my sword won’t save me because it’s you who saved [me].” Amen.---------------------
Insights from Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist.
I don’t get recreational skydiving. Why would anyone go 12,000 feet in the air just to get back to the ground? I’m already on the ground. I’ve already reached the goal. I win.
And I love Jerry Seinfeld’s take on skydiving:
…Skydiving was definitely the scariest thing I’ve ever done. Let me ask you this question in regards to the skydiving: what is the point of the helmet in the skydiving? I mean, can you kinda make it? You jump out of that plane and that chute doesn’t open, the helmet is now wearing you for protection. Later on the helmet’s talking with the other helmets going “It’s a good thing that he was there or I would have hit the ground directly!”
Hilarious! While it may make you feel safer, and it probably provides some protection when you land, in no way is that helmet going to save your life without the parachute.
It’s kind of like life. Let’s face it, life may be wonderful and great, but it is also unstable at best, and oftentimes downright treacherous. We are regularly faced with difficult and scary situations – serious health issues, broken relationships, loved ones facing challenges, financial struggles, acts of violence, temptations, natural disasters, community crisis, the list goes on and on.
We do our best to protect ourselves in these situations. We strap on our helmets of diet and exercise, more insurance, counseling, self-protection, whatever it may be. They give us a sense of control and make us feel safe. These are all great and certainly important, but I think it’s important to step back and realize that these are helmets. What’s really going to save us in these situations (notice the word in, not necessarily from) is much, much bigger.
Putting our trust solely in our helmets when we’re plummeting towards the ground is not only ridiculous, it can be deadly. We have to realize that God is our parachute keeping us from completely crashing down to our demise. He’s the one guiding us, holding us, comforting us, and walking with us through the shadows. He is our Savior.
So if you find yourself falling in life, you can certainly wear your helmet. Just don’t count on it as your only protection. You’ve got a much better and greater protector in God, and he’s ready and able to be your parachute.
And I love Jerry Seinfeld’s take on skydiving:
…Skydiving was definitely the scariest thing I’ve ever done. Let me ask you this question in regards to the skydiving: what is the point of the helmet in the skydiving? I mean, can you kinda make it? You jump out of that plane and that chute doesn’t open, the helmet is now wearing you for protection. Later on the helmet’s talking with the other helmets going “It’s a good thing that he was there or I would have hit the ground directly!”
Hilarious! While it may make you feel safer, and it probably provides some protection when you land, in no way is that helmet going to save your life without the parachute.
It’s kind of like life. Let’s face it, life may be wonderful and great, but it is also unstable at best, and oftentimes downright treacherous. We are regularly faced with difficult and scary situations – serious health issues, broken relationships, loved ones facing challenges, financial struggles, acts of violence, temptations, natural disasters, community crisis, the list goes on and on.
We do our best to protect ourselves in these situations. We strap on our helmets of diet and exercise, more insurance, counseling, self-protection, whatever it may be. They give us a sense of control and make us feel safe. These are all great and certainly important, but I think it’s important to step back and realize that these are helmets. What’s really going to save us in these situations (notice the word in, not necessarily from) is much, much bigger.
Putting our trust solely in our helmets when we’re plummeting towards the ground is not only ridiculous, it can be deadly. We have to realize that God is our parachute keeping us from completely crashing down to our demise. He’s the one guiding us, holding us, comforting us, and walking with us through the shadows. He is our Savior.
So if you find yourself falling in life, you can certainly wear your helmet. Just don’t count on it as your only protection. You’ve got a much better and greater protector in God, and he’s ready and able to be your parachute.
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The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 10 February 2016 - "Trust in God—with spears in hand"
Daily Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6 (12) And even the Judeans living near them came and must have said to us ten times, “From every place you must come back to us.”
After Persia allowed the Israelites to return from exile in Babylon, first Ezra the priest and then Nehemiah led them in the work of recovery. One key task was to rebuild Jerusalem’s city wall. But hostile neighboring people threatened to kill the workers. Nehemiah, intensely practical, urged the people to trust in God (verse 20), but also armed them and made plans for them to defend the workers if they were attacked.
Lord God, you worked through both Nehemiah’s devotion to you and his intense practicality. Please grow both of those qualities in my life, too. Amen.
1 Mark Roberts, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 11: Ezra / Nehemiah / Esther. Waco, TX: Word Publishing, 1993, page 199.
The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 10 February 2016 - "Trust in God—with spears in hand"
Daily Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6 (12) And even the Judeans living near them came and must have said to us ten times, “From every place you must come back to us.”
7 (13) So in the lower parts of the space behind the wall, I stationed men according to their families, with their swords, spears and bows. 8 (14) After inspecting them, I stood up and addressed the nobles, leaders and the rest of the people: “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember Adonai, who is great and fearful; and fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, wives and homes.” 9 (15) When our enemies heard that the plot was known to us, and God had foiled their plans, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work. 10 (16) From then on, half of my men would do the work; and half of them held the spears, shields, bows and armor; while the leaders stood guard behind the entire house of Y’hudah, 11 (17) as they continued building the wall. Those who carried loads held their loads with one hand and carried a weapon in the other. 12 (18) As for the construction-workers, each one had his sword sheathed at his side; that is how they built. The man to sound the alarm on the shofar stayed with me. 13 (19) I said to the nobles, the leaders and the rest of the people, “This is a great work, and it is spread out; we are separated on the wall, one far from another. 14 (20) But wherever you are, when you hear the sound of the shofar, come to that place, to us. Our God will fight for us!”
15 (21) So we kept doing the work. Half of them held spears from daybreak until the stars appeared. 16 (22) Also at that time I told the people, “Let everyone with a servant stay the night within Yerushalayim, so that at night they can be a guard for us, even as they work during the day.” 17 (23) I, my kinsmen, my servants and my bodyguards never took off our clothes, and everyone who went to get water took his weapon.
Reflection QuestionsAfter Persia allowed the Israelites to return from exile in Babylon, first Ezra the priest and then Nehemiah led them in the work of recovery. One key task was to rebuild Jerusalem’s city wall. But hostile neighboring people threatened to kill the workers. Nehemiah, intensely practical, urged the people to trust in God (verse 20), but also armed them and made plans for them to defend the workers if they were attacked.
- In a world with no airplanes or heavy mechanized equipment, a stout city wall was a vital part of making a city safe for its inhabitants. That was why Nehemiah saw the work as crucial—and why people who didn’t wish the Jews well were angry about it. Both law and ethics have seen self-defense as morally different from attacking others. In what ways did Nehemiah’s actions support that ethical judgment?
- Pastor Mark Roberts observed, “Nehemiah responds to his opponents with a combination of prayer and preparation for battle….If Nehemiah sincerely trusted God, why did he prepare the people for battle? Is it possible that he did not believe what he said to the people: ‘Our God will fight for us’ (v. 20)?...These two elements need not be contradictory ….I must recognize my own tendency to prepare exhaustively while praying minimally. When I face conflict, prayer sometimes fails to take top priority on my ‘to do’ list.”1 To what extent are you able to combine, and prioritize, prayer with human preparation in facing life’s challenges?
Lord God, you worked through both Nehemiah’s devotion to you and his intense practicality. Please grow both of those qualities in my life, too. Amen.
1 Mark Roberts, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 11: Ezra / Nehemiah / Esther. Waco, TX: Word Publishing, 1993, page 199.
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Insights from Wendy Connelly
Insights from Wendy Connelly
Wendy Connelly, wife to Mark and mom to Lorelei & Gryffin, is Community Outreach Director at the Leawood campus, a graduate student at Saint Paul School of Theology, Faith Walk columnist for the Kansas City Star, and co-leads the “Live and Let Think” dialogues at Resurrection Downtown.This series has turned our focus toward building bridges and tearing down walls. In today’s reading from Nehemiah, however, the walls of Jerusalem are already torn down. As the Israelites return from the Babylonian captivity, they discover their land in devastating ruin. Here, rebuilding the compromised wall is the vital task required for the survival of the people.
So it is in our lives. There are times, yes, when we are called to tear down walls. Think of the Berlin Wall. I was already a history nerd at age nine, so the fall of the Berlin Wall remains one of the most vivid images from my childhood. This wall’s crumbling bridged the divide between East and West. Healing resulted from the wrecking of this wall.
But there are times, too, when walls–boundaries–are necessary for human flourishing. Whenever I travel, I feel a certain penchant for fortified villages, precisely because their integrity and character have been preserved from invaders, over long stretches of centuries, by thick, soaring walls. Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual integrity and character are not so different. We trust in God for protection against the people and forces that would harm us, yes. But it is also our duty to build and maintain walls that delimit health from harm, sacred from profane, good from evil.
So it is in our lives. There are times, yes, when we are called to tear down walls. Think of the Berlin Wall. I was already a history nerd at age nine, so the fall of the Berlin Wall remains one of the most vivid images from my childhood. This wall’s crumbling bridged the divide between East and West. Healing resulted from the wrecking of this wall.
But there are times, too, when walls–boundaries–are necessary for human flourishing. Whenever I travel, I feel a certain penchant for fortified villages, precisely because their integrity and character have been preserved from invaders, over long stretches of centuries, by thick, soaring walls. Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual integrity and character are not so different. We trust in God for protection against the people and forces that would harm us, yes. But it is also our duty to build and maintain walls that delimit health from harm, sacred from profane, good from evil.
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The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Monday, 08 February 2016 - "Human violence breaks God’s heart"
Daily Scripture: Genesis 6:(Maftir) 5 Adonai saw that the people on earth were very wicked, that all the imaginings of their hearts were always of evil only. 6 Adonai regretted that he had made humankind on the earth; it grieved his heart.
To be clear from the start—the term “gun” isn’t in the Bible (guns had not been invented yet). So we won’t find specific Biblical rules about gun ownership or usage. But, as with other topics in this series, Biblical principles can help us think through this issue ethically. The primeval history in Genesis is a starting point. That story said human violence against other humans was present nearly from the start, and that violence broke God’s heart.
Lord God, the world has changed a lot since your children first told and then wrote down the story of Genesis 6. But your heart hasn’t changed. Help me, whatever I think about specific issues, never to glorify or rejoice in violence that causes you grief. Amen.
1 D. Stuart Briscoe, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 1: Genesis. Waco, TX: Word Publishing Company, 1987, p. 79.
The Daily Guide grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Monday, 08 February 2016 - "Human violence breaks God’s heart"
Daily Scripture: Genesis 6:(Maftir) 5 Adonai saw that the people on earth were very wicked, that all the imaginings of their hearts were always of evil only. 6 Adonai regretted that he had made humankind on the earth; it grieved his heart.
9 Here is the history of Noach. In his generation, Noach was a man righteous and wholehearted; Noach walked with God. 10 Noach fathered three sons, Shem, Ham and Yefet. 11 The earth was corrupt before God, the earth was filled with violence. 12 God saw the earth, and, yes, it was corrupt; for all living beings had corrupted their ways on the earth.
Reflection QuestionsTo be clear from the start—the term “gun” isn’t in the Bible (guns had not been invented yet). So we won’t find specific Biblical rules about gun ownership or usage. But, as with other topics in this series, Biblical principles can help us think through this issue ethically. The primeval history in Genesis is a starting point. That story said human violence against other humans was present nearly from the start, and that violence broke God’s heart.
- Pastor D. Stuart Briscoe wrote, “The word “grieved” [or “heartbroken” in the Common English Bible] is related rather pointedly to the words for “sorrow” and “toil” (Gen. 3:16–17) which were to be the unhappy lot of Adam and Eve after their transgression. In a very real sense God was not exempt from the pain and anguish which sin had introduced into His creation.”1 Do you tend to see God as indifferent to what happens in our world, or do you sense that God grieves as much or more as we do in the face of violence and evil?
- When we read books like Exodus or Joshua, we find they contain disturbing passages that seem to show God commanding Israel to commit extremely violent acts. Yet in this passage the primeval history used the words “evil,” “corrupt” and “violence” practically as synonyms. Which attitude toward violence do you believe accords most closely with the teachings of Jesus, who was God in the flesh? (For a more in-depth study, see Adam Hamilton, Making Sense of the Bible, chapter 22.)
Lord God, the world has changed a lot since your children first told and then wrote down the story of Genesis 6. But your heart hasn’t changed. Help me, whatever I think about specific issues, never to glorify or rejoice in violence that causes you grief. Amen.
1 D. Stuart Briscoe, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 1: Genesis. Waco, TX: Word Publishing Company, 1987, p. 79.
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Insights from Melanie Hill
Insights from Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill is the Guest Connections Program Director at Resurrection.Driving home from church on Sunday, I asked my kids if they thought violence hurts God’s heart, or if he just didn’t really care? They all said they believed that it must hurt God’s heart. When I asked them why, they told me because when we hurt someone else we are hurting one of God’s children.
Wanting to capitalize on this great parenting opportunity, I told them that I feel sad too when one of them hurts another because they are all my children just like we are all God’s children. It hurts my heart to see one of them hurt, just as much as it hurts my heart to see one of them cause someone else pain. Now fully living into my “magnificent mommy” moment, I started to share how violence really never solves anything. At that point, my 11-year-old told me that Martin Luther King, Jr. had already said that. Apparently in his class last month he read the following quote:
“Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”
Well, I don’t think I can say it any better than Martin Luther King Jr. But it did prompt further thoughts: how do we stop violence from happening? (And I should really send his teacher some cookies!)
So often when we talk about violence in our culture we are responding to something that has already happened. We are being reactionary instead of proactive. I started thinking about how I do this in my own life. Most days I don’t feel the urge to stab someone, so is this really an issue I need to think about? Yes! While I may not act out physical violence toward those around me, I am often guilty of murder in my heart. Violence starts from the seed of anger and hatred that we cultivate in our hearts, in our thoughts about others. When I allow myself to dwell on negative thoughts about others I give birth to anger and hatred, and it is these thoughts that ultimately lead to violence.
So how do I fight violence? By actively cultivating love in my life. By focusing so much on love and caring for others that there isn’t any room left for anger and hatred. Sounds easy. It’s not. That’s why I need Jesus. Because sometimes I want to throw something, and I need to be reminded that there is a better way. How are you actively cultivating love in your life, and at the same time diminishing violence?
Wanting to capitalize on this great parenting opportunity, I told them that I feel sad too when one of them hurts another because they are all my children just like we are all God’s children. It hurts my heart to see one of them hurt, just as much as it hurts my heart to see one of them cause someone else pain. Now fully living into my “magnificent mommy” moment, I started to share how violence really never solves anything. At that point, my 11-year-old told me that Martin Luther King, Jr. had already said that. Apparently in his class last month he read the following quote:
“Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”
Well, I don’t think I can say it any better than Martin Luther King Jr. But it did prompt further thoughts: how do we stop violence from happening? (And I should really send his teacher some cookies!)
So often when we talk about violence in our culture we are responding to something that has already happened. We are being reactionary instead of proactive. I started thinking about how I do this in my own life. Most days I don’t feel the urge to stab someone, so is this really an issue I need to think about? Yes! While I may not act out physical violence toward those around me, I am often guilty of murder in my heart. Violence starts from the seed of anger and hatred that we cultivate in our hearts, in our thoughts about others. When I allow myself to dwell on negative thoughts about others I give birth to anger and hatred, and it is these thoughts that ultimately lead to violence.
So how do I fight violence? By actively cultivating love in my life. By focusing so much on love and caring for others that there isn’t any room left for anger and hatred. Sounds easy. It’s not. That’s why I need Jesus. Because sometimes I want to throw something, and I need to be reminded that there is a better way. How are you actively cultivating love in your life, and at the same time diminishing violence?
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
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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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