The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "BOUNDARIES" for Thursday, 28 July 2016

The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "BOUNDARIES" for Thursday, 28 July 2016
Today’s Reflection:

VOICE OF THE ADULT CHILD
Saying no may be the hardest thing I do, especially when it comes to my aging parent.
I’ve tried so hard to fulfill his expectations, but I must draw the line before I collapse in exhaustion and frustration.
I know in my head that boundaries are important, but my heart is lagging behind.
Why do I still feel the need to please him?
I feel guilty, as if I’m not doing enough. …
O Lord, I have no superpowers.
I need help in this ever-changing relationship with my aging parent.
It is easier to set boundaries than to keep them.
Give me courage to turn my good intentions into acts of wisdom.
VOICE OF THE AGING PARENT
O God, sometimes the uncertainty of aging makes me sick with anxiety.
At this stage of life I have to depend on other people to care for me.
It’s both humiliating and frustrating.
Still I confess that too often I have acted more like a bossy child than a grateful parent.
I fail to thank family members for all they have done for me.
Forgive me, Lord, when I overinflate my parental role and try to direct their lives.
I know we’re all trying to navigate our way through constant change, but help my family members understand that I have boundaries too.
Lord, please open our eyes to ways that we unintentionally hurt each other.
Help me to show the appreciation and affirmation that I hold in my heart.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
Setting boundaries is a loving way to establish and meet reasonable expectations between adult children and aging parents, especially when circumstances constantly change. Scripture affirms that Jesus knew the importance of boundaries. Although loving and kind, he didn’t always do what others asked of him. At times he withdrew from the crowds for rest and prayer. He also refused to be manipulated by others, including religious leaders.
What kind of inner battles are you experiencing regarding your loved one? What boundaries are necessary to protect your well-being? Consider how Jesus provides a model for you. Choose a time and place to have an unhurried, private conversation with your loved one regarding your expectations and boundaries.[Missy Buchanan, Voices of Aging]
From pages 72-74 of Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2015 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Reread and reflect on Missy’s questions.
Today’s Scripture:
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.[Colossians 3:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those trying to make a new start.-------
Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

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This week we remember:  James the Great (July 25)

James the Great
July 25)
Facts
Feastday: July 25
Patron of pilgrims and Spain
Death: 44
Nothing is known of St. James the Greater's early life, though it has been established that he is the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the disciple.
The title "the Greater" was added to St. James' name to help distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less," who is believed to have been shorter than James "the Greater."
Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus' first disciples. James was fishing with his father and John the Apostle when Jesus came to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and called for the fisherman, who were unable to catch any fish that day, to dip their nets in the water once again.
When the fishermen followed Jesus' instructions, they found their nets full, and after emptying the fish on board, the boats nearly sank from their weight.
Later, James was one of only three called by Jesus to witness his Transfiguration, and when he and his brother wanted to call fire upon a Samaritan town, both were rebuked by Jesus.
Following Christ's Ascension, James spread the Gospel across Israel and the Roman kingdom as well. He traveled and spread the Word for nearly forty years in Spain.
It is said that one day, as he prayed, The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and asked him to build her a church, which he did.
Later, James returned to Jerusalem but was martyred for his faith by King Herod, who decapitated him. Saint James the Greater is known as the first apostle to die.
As he was not allowed to be buried following his martyrdom, his remains were taken to Compostela, Spain, by some of his followers, who buried him.
In the ninth century his remains were discovered and moved to a tomb in Santiago de Compostela. Today, his remains can still be found in the Cathedral of Santiago.
Because Santiago de Compostela is the most frequently visited place pilgrims migrate to following Rome and Jerusalem, Pope Leo declared it a shrine.
St. James the Greater Prayer
O glorious Apostle,
St. James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart
wast chosen by Jesus to be a witness of His glory on Mount Tabor,
and of His agony in Gethsemane;
thou, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory:
obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life,
that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus,
we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor's crown in heaven. Amen.

and Mary Magdalene July 22

Mary Magdalene
July 22

According to Luke 8:2, Mary Magdalene was healed of seven demons by Jesus, and then became a loyal member of Jesus' inner circle of friends. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' early followers, a faithful disciple who stood at the cross while Jesus died, was present at his burial, then went to his tomb on Easter Sunday morning to anoint his body. Mary Magdalene is featured in five of the six biblical passages about the resurrection. In Matthew, Mark, and John's accounts, she encountered the living Christ on that first Easter morning. (Luke says she and the other women spoke with two angels at the tomb.) As a witness to his resurrection she proclaimed, "I have seen the Lord" to the other (male) apostles.
Along with Mary and Martha of Bethany, Joanna, and others, she played an important role in that early church community. Despite the fact that her image as a prostitute does not have biblical evidence, Mary Magdalene is considered the patron saint of repentant sinners.
If Mary Magdalene had taken the Spiritual Types Test she probably would have been a Lover. Mary Magdalene is remembered on July 22.
Image tempera on panel by Carlo Crivelli (circa 1435–circa 1495).
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
Sunday, 31 July 2016
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21

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Scripture Text: 

Hosea 11:1 “When Isra’el was a child, I loved him;

and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more [the prophets] called them,
the farther they went from them.
They sacrificed to the ba‘alim
and offered incense to idols.
3 “Yet it was I who taught Efrayim to walk;
I took them by their arms.
But they did not know that it was I
who was healing them,
4 who was guiding them on through human means
with reins made of love.
With them I was like someone removing
the yoke from their jaws,
and I bent down to feed them.
5 He will not return to the land of Egypt,
but Ashur will be his king,
because they refused to repent.
6 The sword will fall on his cities,
destroying the bars of his gates,
because they follow their own advice.
7 My people are hanging in suspense
about returning to me;
and though they call them upwards,
nobody makes a move.
8 Efrayim, how can I give you up,
or surrender you, Isra’el?
How could I treat you like Admah
or make you like Tzvoyim?
My heart recoils at the idea,
as compassion warms within me.
9 I will not give vent to the fierceness of my rage,
I will not return to destroy Efrayim;
for I am God, not a human being,
the Holy One among you;
so I will not come in fury.
10 They will go after Adonai,
who will roar like a lion;
for he will roar, and the children will come
trembling from the west.
11 They will tremble like a bird as they come from Egypt,
like a dove as they come from the land of Ashur;
and I will resettle them in their own houses,
says Adonai.

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,

for his grace continues forever.

2 Let those redeemed by Adonai say it,

those he redeemed from the power of the foe.

3 He gathered them from the lands,

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the sea.

4 They wandered in the desert, on paths through the wastes,

without finding any inhabited city.

5 They were hungry and thirsty,

their life was ebbing away.

6 In their trouble they cried to Adonai,

and he rescued them from their distress.

7 He led them by a direct path

to a city where they could live.

8 Let them give thanks to Adonai for his grace,

for his wonders bestowed on humanity!

9 For he has satisfied the hungry,

filled the starving with good.

43 Let whoever is wise observe these things

and consider Adonai’s loving deeds.

Colossians 3:1 So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God.[Colossians 3:1 Psalm 110:1] 2 Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is our life, appears, then you too will appear with him in glory!
5 Therefore, put to death the earthly parts of your nature — sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry); 6 for it is because of these things that God’s anger is coming on those who disobey him. 7 True enough, you used to practice these things in the life you once lived; 8 but now, put them all away — anger, exasperation, meanness, slander and obscene talk. 9 Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the old self, with its ways, 10 and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator. 11 The new self allows no room for discriminating between Gentile and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, foreigner, savage, slave, free man; on the contrary, in all, the Messiah is everything.
Luke 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, tell my brother to share with me the property we inherited.” 14 But Yeshua answered him, “My friend, who appointed me judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then to the people he said, “Be careful to guard against all forms of greed, because even if someone is rich, his life does not consist in what he owns.” 16 And he gave them this illustration: “There was a man whose land was very productive. 17 He debated with himself, ‘What should I do? I haven’t enough room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and I’ll store all my wheat and other goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You’re a lucky man! You have a big supply of goods laid up that will last many years. Start taking it easy! Eat! Drink! Enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will die! And the things you prepared — whose will they be?’ 21 That’s how it is with anyone who stores up wealth for himself without being rich toward God.”

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John Wesley's Note-Commentary: Hosea 11:1-11 

Verse 1

[1] When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Was a child — In the infancy of Israel.

I loved him — Manifested my tender and paternal affection to him.

Called my son — Adopted him to be my son, and as my son, provided for him, and brought him out of servitude.

Out of Egypt — But Israel, the first adopted son was a type of Christ the first-born. And the history of Israel's coming out was a type of Christ's future coming out of Egypt.

Verse 2

[2] As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

They — Moses and Aaron, and other prophets.

Called — Persuaded, intreated, and urged by exhortations, the whole house of Israel.

From them — From the prophets counsel and commands.

Baalim — In the desert they began this apostacy, and held on with obstinacy in it.

Verse 3

[3] I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

I taught — As a mother or nurse helps the child.

Taking them — Supporting and bearing them up.

They knew not — They would not see nor acknowledge me in it.

Verse 4

[4] I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

Cords of man — With such kindness as best fits and most prevails with a man.

I was to them — As a careful husband-man in due season takes the yoke from his labouring oxen, and takes off the muzzle with which they were kept from eating, when at work.

I laid meat unto them — Brought them provision in their wants.

Verse 5

[5] He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

He — Ephraim.

Shall be king — Shall rule them with rigour and cruelty.

They refused — The reason of all is, their obstinacy in idolatry.

Verse 6

[6] And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

His branches — The lesser towns and villages.

Their own counsels — Which they have followed in opposition to all the good counsels the prophets gave them from time to time.

Verse 7

[7] And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

They — The prophets.

None at all — Scarce any one would hearken and obey.

Verse 8

[8] How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Give thee up — To utter destruction. Admah and Zeboim were two of the four cities which were destroyed with fire from heaven.

My repentings — Not that God is ever fluctuating or unresolved; but these are expressions after the manner of men, to shew what severity Israel had deserved, and yet how divine grace would be glorified in sparing them.

Verse 9

[9] I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

Return — Conquerors that plunder the conquered city, carry away the wealth of it, and after some time return to burn it; God will not do so.

Not man — Therefore my compassions fail not.

The holy One — A holy God, and in covenant, though not with all, yet with many among you.

Enter into the city — Utterly to destroy thee, as I did Sodom.

Verse 10

[10] They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

They — The remnant shall hear and obey the Lord.

Like a lion — The word of the Lord, so saith the Chaldee, shall roar as a lion. Christ is called, The lion of the tribe of Judah: and when he cried with a loud voice, it was as when a lion roared. The voice of the gospel was heard far, as the roaring of a lion; and it was a mighty voice.

Tremble — The spirit by its power awakening them to a sight of sin, shall make them fear and tremble.

From the west — From the ends of the earth.

Verse 11

[11] They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

They shall tremble — At their return into their own land, some shall hasten, yet with solicitude, out of Egypt, whither they fled for shelter; others like doves shall hasten out of Assyria, but with fear and trembling.

I will place them — A seasonable and comfortable promise.

Psalm 107:1-9, 43 

Verse 3

[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Gathered — Into their own land.

Verse 4

[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

No city — Or rather, no town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves.

Verse 6

[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

The Lord — Heb. Unto Jehovah, to the true God. For the Heathens had, many of them, some knowledge of the true God.

Verse 7

[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Forth — Out of the wilderness.

Colossians 3:1-11 

Verse 1

[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

If ye are risen, seek the things above — As Christ being risen, immediately went to heaven.

Verse 3

[3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

For ye are dead — To the things on earth. And your real, spiritual life is hid from the world, and laid up in God, with Christ - Who hath merited, promised, prepared it for us, and gives us the earnest and foretaste of it in our hearts.

Verse 4

[4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

When Christ — The abruptness of the sentence surrounds us with sudden light.

Our life — The fountain of holiness and glory.

Shall appear — In the clouds of heaven.

Verse 5

[5] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Mortify therefore — Put to death, slay with a continued stroke.

Your members — Which together make up the body of sin.

Which are upon the earth — Where they find their nourishment.

Uncleanness — In act, word, or thought.

Inordinate affection — Every passion which does not flow from and lead to the love of God.

Evil desire — The desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life.

Covetousness — According to the derivation of the word, means the desire of having more, or of any thing independent on God.

Which is idolatry — Properly and directly; for it is giving the heart to a creature.

Verse 6

[6] For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

For which — Though the heathens lightly regarded them.

Verse 7

[7] In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Living denotes the inward principle; walking, the outward acts.

Verse 8

[8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Wrath — Is lasting anger.

Filthy discourse — And was there need to warn even these saints of God against so gross and palpable a sin as this? O what is man, till perfect love casts out both fear and sin.

Verse 10

[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

In knowledge — The knowledge of God, his will, his word.

Verse 11

[11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Where — In which case, it matters not what a man is externally, whether Jew or gentile, circumcised, or uncircumcised, barbarian, void of all the advantages of education, yea, Scythian, of all barbarians most barbarous. But Christ is in all that are thus renewed, and is all things in them and to them.

Luke 12:13-21

Verse 14
[14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Who made me a judge? — In worldly things. His kingdom is not of this world.
Verse 15
[15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
He said to them — Perhaps to the two brothers, and through them to the people.
A man's life — That is, the comfort or happiness of it.
Verse 17
[17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
What shall I do? — The very language of want! Do? Why, lay up treasure in heaven.
Verse 20
[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Thou fool — To think of satisfying thy soul with earthly goods! To depend on living many years! Yea, one day! They - The messengers of death, commissioned by God, require thy soul of thee!
Verse 21
[21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Rich toward God — Namely, in faith, and love, and good works.
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Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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