up to the priests of Baal and a seat is reserved at the Passover Feast for his eminent return. In the presence of these harbingers of God’s deliverance, a voice from the cloud says of Jesus, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). Where do you need to listen to
Jesus today?
Accepting the Embrace of God – The Process of Lectio Divina
In this season of Lent we are paying attention to the spiritual practices that help us center our lives around the Living God made know in Jesus of Nazareth. Today I want to introduce us to the habit of Lectio Divina, a spiritual way of ruminating with scripture so that we can live into God’s will for our lives. Listen to the following introduction:
A very ancient art, practiced at one time by all Christians, is the technique known as lectio divina – a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the Christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of Benedictine monastics and oblates. Together with the Liturgy and daily manual labor, time set aside in a special way for lectio divina enables us to discover in our daily life an underlying spiritual rhythm. Within this rhythm we discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves and our relationships to the Father, and to accept the embrace that God is continuously extending to us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. (This is the introduction to Accepting the Embrace of God: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB).
The following are my reflections on a portion of our reading for today’s devotion:
"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone (Matthew 17:1-8, NRSV).
Continue reading “Accepting the Embrace of God – The Process of Lectio Divina”
5.2 – Assurance of an Answer – Matthew 7:7-8
Memorize Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened" (NRSV).
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (NIV).
Reflect on Matthew 7:7-8
- Read chapter 7 of Matthew's gospel in the NRSV, the NIV , or The MESSAGE.
- ASK and it will …;
SEEK and you will …;
KNOCK and the door will be …. - Those who ASK, …;
Those who SEEK, …;
Those who KNOCK, …. - Take time this week to read The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) asking God to help you ask the right questions, seek after the right things, and knock at the right doors.
5.1 – Assurance of an Answer – John 16:24
Memorize John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete (NRSV).
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (NIV).
Reflect on John 16:24
- Read chapter 16 of John's gospel from the NRSV, the NIV, or The MESSAGE.
- What would you like to ask God about that you have not yet asked? Why haven't you asked?
- When you pray what do you expect to happen?
- Richard Foster said, "When we pray, genuinely pray, the real condition of our heart is revealed. This is as it should be. This is when God truly begins to work with us. The adventure is just beginning." How is your adventure going?
SOAP on Matthew 13:52 – What’ the Right Price?
Scripture: Jesus said, "Then you see how every student well-trained in
God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his
hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it"
(Matthew 13:52, The MESSAGE).
Observe the Context:
This word from Jesus is offered in the midst of a sermon series of
parables on the kingdom of heaven. Among these parables are the
following:
- Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13:1-9
- Parable of the Weeds – Matthew 13:24-30
- Parable of the Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31-32
- Parable of the Yeast – Matthew 13:33
- Parable of the Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:44
- Parable of the Pearl – Matthew 13:45-56
- Parable of the Net – Matthew 13:47-50
At
least one of the dominant threads in the warp and woof of the kingdom
of heaven is extravagance. A sower sows more seeds than makes sense,
wheat and weeds grow together, a tiny seed becomes a mighty tree, a
woman prepares biscuits for hundreds, a tremendous price is paid for a
treasure in a field or a pearl of great price, and many are the fish
caught in the kingdom net … even if some are discarded. Did the
crowds get it? Do we get it? We know the disciples did not get it.
The
disciple ask Jesus why he always teaches in parables and he begins his
answer with these words, "To you it has been given to know the secrets
[or mysteries] of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been
given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an
abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be
taken away" (Matthew 13:11-12, NRSV).
Continue reading “SOAP on Matthew 13:52 – What’ the Right Price?”
4.4 Fill My Cup, Lord
Angie Ward on Clues to Hidden Core Values
"9 Clues to Secret Core Values: More on discerning your church's hidden agenda"
Thanks, and wow. Thank you to everyone who responded to my
previous column about hidden core values. Thanks for sharing your insights and
questions. It was a privilege to read about your stories and your struggles, and
I hope what follows will be of help on your leadership journey.
First, a quick review: Most churches these days have some sort
of mission or purpose statement. All churches, however, also have their own
internal culture, a set of shared attitudes, values, and beliefs that define
church and shape its practices. This deeply entrenched culture can be summarized
into an "ethos" statement which is almost never officially articulated, but is
nonetheless extremely powerful. Here are some (more) examples:
Continue reading “Angie Ward on Clues to Hidden Core Values”
4.3 Fill My Cup, Lord
your heart?
Bedrock Beliefs – Basic Affirmations
Circle the words in the following documents that state what you rely on in your faith when your back is against the wall.
THE NICENE CREED (The United Methodist Hymnal, #880)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE APOSTLES' CREED (Traditional Version, The United Methodist Hymnal, #881)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he arose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
4.2 Fill My Cup, Lord
Front Porch Reflections 
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