From thirdway.com, biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings/Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
PEACE BEGINS AT HOME
Thus you shall salute him: “Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have."
Reference: 1 Samuel 25:6
1 Samuel 25:6 (New King James Version)
6 And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: ‘Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!
Pondering at the Well
Carole Boshart invites you to ponder with her about faith and spirituality in a twice-monthly column.
Pondering at the Well
As Jesus was in conversation with the woman at the well, let us also be in conversation about faith and spirituality. Ponder with me ...
Advent 2010: Patiently Waiting For More
It is hard to wait. By now Christmas gifts are probably accumulating; perhaps you put them under the tree as they arrive or are made ready. Or maybe they are hidden in closets, under beds, on tall shelves. You know they are there, somewhere. Either as a reality or as possible ideas, they are in the gift giver's mind. For certain they dwell in the gift receiver's mind and imagination. But it is not time for Christmas or the gifts yet.
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. James 5:7-8
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3 Gifts are like seeds for joy, surprise and delight. Or at least it seems like that. But if you think about it, and are truly honest, you will realize that it is not the actual item wrapped up in paper and ribbon that brings the joy, but the love that comes with each gift. Long after the wrapping and ribbon is disposed of, after the gift has found a place and use in its new household, the memory of the love and care that the gift represented lingers on. Do not try to “bah, humbug” this. Even the gift cards and specially designed cards for holding money show that someone cared enough to say, “I want to give you something!” And it is these offerings from seeds of love that warm our hearts.
In the excitement of Christmas unwrapping, it is not unusual for a gift or two to get overlooked. There have been Christmases in my memory where, after all the wrappings were taken away, that a small unwrapped gift was found, or someone remembered one more gift that was stashed away. Children are optimists in this regard, hoping that there are more gifts to unwrap, saying “Is this it or are there more?” In our family's past we journeyed to both sets of grandparents, and the children would tell each other, “This is not all! There is still Christmas with the other grandparent!” And sure enough, those seeds of grandparent love spring up into more gifts.
But as I said early, it is not Christmas yet. It is not time yet. We, you and I, must be patient for Christmas Day. And the verses from James and Matthew echo this fact. The harvest of Christmas gifts is still to come. And we anticipate the joy with each passing day. And as we wait, we plant the seeds of love and caring by thinking of others and planning for their joy and excitement too. At Christmas time the very air itself crackles with anticipation. And we ask one another, is it possible to be more excited than this? Is there more?
And the answer is yes! But not in the way we may think. Thus far I have talked about the joy and anticipation for gifts. But we must not lose sight of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. The passage from James uses the analogy of preparing land for harvest, and all the preparation that has gone into cultivating the land. The season of Advent is also a time of preparation; yes, preparing gifts, but also preparing ourselves and our loved ones for this season.
Songs, scripture readings, banners and decorations declare the season, and the preparing and the worshiping bring us ever closer to the celebration of Christ's birth. The seeds of preparation mature, bloom forth, and are harvested each time we worship individually and as a group. Each celebration brings us ever closer to Christ's coming. As I said before, the very air crackles with it. And our patience is strained.
But do not forget the passage from Matthew. John’s disciples ask a very profound question. To paraphrase: “Is this celebration of Christ’s birth all there is, or is there more?” The Messiah was what the Jews were waiting for. And yes, Jesus was the Messiah. But it is the nature of Christ that our Lord is not experienced on just one level or in just one way. The birth of Christ is celebrated each year, and many of the decorations and traditions are the same from year to year. But it is our understanding of them and experience of them that changes. The revelations that come one year form the seeds for the next year.
Our understandings, experiences, and learning are gifts of the season given by a God who loves us. And like the wise farmer, God plants these gifts in our spirits and in our hearts. We are God’s valuable crop, and just as we are patient in waiting for those gifts, God is patient as they are planted in our hearts. Like John we are aware of what Christ and God is doing, and we ask, “Is this all you have to give and teach me, or is there more?” We hope and pray that there is more. For being gifted by God is the most precious gift of all!
May you receive increasing gifts from God. Stand firm as God works in you life. Wait with patience for God to reveal the God-self. Ask God for more revelations and learning. And share with others what you have been given.
Shalom, Carole
Related Blog
A Simple Desire
The weblog "a simple desire" provides brief commentaries on "A Sip of Scripture" from a Mennonite perspective, The commentaries are written by Carole Boshart, of Oregon; Will Fitzgerald, of Michigan; and others on occasion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a simple desireShort commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe
Trifold Peace
leave a comment »
“Thus you shall salute him: “Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.” ( 1 Samuel 25:6 )
This is a three part peace blessing. The first part is peace to the individual. Whether it is peace within, peace to others close by or a general feeling of contentment with all things around you, the individual is in harmony with all things internal and external. The second part is peace to those who are around and with the individual. Friends and family are in harmony with each other; dear ones near and far in are good relationship with one another. There is a general air of happiness all around. The third part of the blessing is more along the lines of shalom with regards to possessions and property. Both the individual and the household have all they need to live well and without fear of starvation or want. There is no enemy within sight and no threat expected.
In the past few days there has been little peace at my job. Mid month is a frantic time with it being the end of a pay period. In a few short days there is a lot of paperwork to be done, forms to be filled out, and information tracked and recorded. We have had several untold occurrences that I have had to deal with, some quite unpleasant. I have been longing for peace; for myself, for our caregivers and for our clients. And peace and organization for the business also, that the paperwork would get done correctly. Especially at this time of the year when family relationships and friendships are strained by need and disability, peace can be a rare commodity and precious.
The context of these verses is that David becomes aware that was sheep-shearing time, a time of abundance and celebration for a good season and harvest. David is hoping that the near-neighbor, Nabal, is in a generous mood and willing to share with David’s men as they did Nabal and his household a favor a short time ago. So David sends the greeting in verse 6, hoping that Nabal takes the hint. I encourage you to read the entire chapter as it depicts the rewards of observing peace and the consequences of not doing so.
May you gentle reader find peace within yourself, peace with your surroundings, peace within family and friends, and the gift of abundance for your needs. May this season bring you this peace. Selah!
Written by Carole
December 20, 2010 at 12:58 am
Posted in commentary
Related Website
Soul Space
You are invited to take some time each day for "Soul Space," written by Wendy Miller and posted on the Eastern Mennonite University website. Each day's guidance centers around a theme for reflection and prayer drawn from the lectionary readings for the week.
Morning-Week Two
Lord of the dawn –
You who bring morning light
to bless field and hill,
Roof and window;
Open my eye to see,
Beckon my ear to hear,
Waken my soul to follow you into this day.
Prayer for the day:
Bless to me, O God,
Each thing mine eye sees;
Each sound mine ear hears;
All that I taste;
Each word I speak;
Each note I sing;
Each ray of light that guides my way,
Each one I meet;
Bless to me, O God.
The Three that seek my heart,
The Three that make Your home in me
Bless to me, O God.
From a “Prayer at rising”, adapted.
Coming
Dear God,
Store shelves are empty
Gift-wrapping lays crumpled on the floor
Waiting to be trashed.
Left-overs crowd the refrigerator shelves
The busyness of Christmas is over.
Lead my tired feet to Bethlehem
To the house where Jesus lays.
Help me to move with the Great Conspiracy
Of your coming among us,
Even as terror and tears
Still line the shelves of world news
And hopes and dreams lay crumpled among the rubble
And people’s lives continue to be trashed.
Waken my heart to your presence
Among us, here, among the rubble and tears.
Still me into listening for your presence and voice.
Silence
Be still.
Open your awareness to God’s presence
Within and all around.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Monday
Pray for the coming day, and for God’s servants who are bringing good news, healing and hope in the world, especially for ___________________________ (persons you desire to pray for).
Loving God,
You are Lord of the harvest, and Owner of the farm.
Thank you for calling _____________________ to co-labor with You in the field of this world.
Help ___________________ this day to know your voice and guidance, to be led and empowered by your Spirit, and protected from all that is against you and your work in the world. May your kingdom come, and your will be done in their life and in the lives of those they companion into your gracious love and salvation.
In the name of Jesus, Savior, Emmanuel.
Amen.
INTERCESSION
Pray for the coming day, and for the alienated world in which we live.
Lord Jesus,
You who came among us,
moving into the painful fractures of our cultures
offering the healing invitation of the Kingdom,
walk into the lonely chasms in our world,
our nation, our cities, our households.
Lord,
help me feel the sadness and pain of persons
who are suffering because of terrorism, hate crimes, war, prejudice.
Soften my heart with your sorrow and compassion.
Lord Jesus,
walk among us by your Spirit. I bring to
you this day, for your care, release, and healing:
persons who are victims of violence, of greed, of addictions; ___________________________
prisoners of war, of illness, old age, famine and hunger; _______________________
people who are homeless and suffering, who have lost family, friends, neighbors,
because of storms, earthquakes, floods. ____________________________
People who grieve, Whose hearts weep, Whose bodies suffer. ________________________
Comfort and heal through your goodness and provision, healing and hope, as I pray and wait in Jesus’ name. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
<!--[endif]-->
Loving God,
Help me to hear your wake-up call,
To listen deeply to your voice.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
Within and among us through the Holy Spirit.
Help me not to run into anxious avoidance,
Not to be caught in the anxious clutches of this world.
Bend my heart to stay . . . to love . . . to wait
To embrace your coming in Jesus.
Amen.
Evening-Week Two
Come to me you who are tired, worn down from carrying heavy loads,
and I will give you rest. Learn my ways, for my ways are gentle, and I am humble at heart, and you will find rest for your soul.
Matthew 11:28-30 (paraphrased)
As I come to the end of this day, and turn towards you, Burden Bearer, Rest Giver,
What am I carrying?
What wears me down, makes me tired?
What do I bring to you . . . ?
For forgiveness . . .
For healing . . .
For help . . .
For holding.
Read the psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge:
Hear me as I come . . .
Be my resting place;
I will both lie me down and sleep in peace;
For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Into your hands I commend myself and those I love.
Psalms 4:8; 31:1-5 (paraphrased)
No comments:
Post a Comment