Shining

Psalm 34:4-6

4I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

6This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

REFLECTION:

When I was younger, I was fascinated by outer space. I suppose if I’m honest, I’d have to admit that I still am. I remember learning about the planets and being interested enough in Jupiter (because it was the largest, I guess) that I wrote the observatory in Flagstaff, AZ for more Jupiter info. I also remember being fascinated by the moon and wondering how it could light up when everything around it was dark. Well, we all know the secret I didn’t know as a kid; that the moon does NOT create it’s own light, but simply reflects the sun’s light.

Who would have thought such a simple lesson would later inform me about the true nature of our relationship with God. In the above psalm, the writer says “look to [the Lord], and be radiant.” When you read that, remember the words we speak at the end of every service; “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you…” Indeed, if we shine it is because we were first shined on. If we love, it is because we were first loved. If we serve those in need, it is because we were first served when we were in need.

In two days, as we gather on Christmas Eve, we are going to talk about joy...and how it is not something we have to come up with ourselves. Instead, we simply reflect the joy that we see. I can't wait to gather with you all on Christmas Eve and sing those ancient words... "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!"

A reminder of our worship schedule:
CHRISTMAS EVE: 3:00, 5:00, 8:00 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY: 9:00 AM
NEW YEAR'S DAY: 9:00 AM

PRAYER:

God of grace, reveal your love in the world – to us, and through us. Amen.

Who Sits Here Again?

With the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Matthew 7:2


REFLECTION:
We like to say we don't judge...but we do.

We like to say we are "colorblind"...but we're not.

We like to say we don't hold resentments...but sometimes, we all do.

One of the most subtle forms of judgment is when we identify for others how they are feeling. When we use the word "you" instead of "I," there is inherent judgment...and let's level the playing field here...we ALL do this from time to time.

This doesn't make it right, or helpful, this just makes it common. And in some ways, that's a beautiful thing because it unites us...in our common need for forgiveness.

Today, my prayer for all of us is that rather that putting energy into denying our judgmental approach to others, we simply acknowledge it it there, and humbly ask God to remove this defect of character from us. As the reading above reminds us, our judgment of others affects them, and all those around us. It will return to us in the form of others judging us.

So, today let's pray for the person or group who we have the lowest opinion of. Post-election, do you still have biases against people who voted 'that way' (whatever 'that way' means for you)?? Do you have any biases against people who live in a particular area, have a particular skin tone, or income level? Is there a family member who you have serious issues with and have judged as a "problem"?? Let us all lay these judgments down; they are too heavy to carry.
 
PRAYER:
God, remove from us the judgments we hold against others today. Help us to see them as you see them. Help them to see us as you see us. Free us from the need to appoint ourselves judge, jury, and executioner. Help us trust the one who truly sits on the throne; Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

Half Full? Half Empty? Wrong Question.

God does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number. Job 9:10

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16

REFLECTION:
Would you call yourself a "glass half full" or a "glass half empty" kind of person?

We've all heard this question so much that it has become a cliche...something that when it was first said, was a creative and new way to think about things...but through overuse, has become tired and lost its meaning.

The scriptures assigned for today actually tell us, cliche or not, it's the wrong question to be asking. The glass simply isn't half full or half empty. It isn't even full. It's overflowing.

The Greek word translated in the John reading as "fullness" means "a copious amount." It has the connotation of something that is full to the brim; full to the point of overflowing.

Today, I am grateful for this reminder; that I don't start this day looking at a world or a life that is either half full or half empty...my world, my life is SO FULL it's overflowing.

I ate a good breakfast this morning. I chatted with a supportive and loving spouse before I left. I traveled in safety to my office, where I get to work with dedicated and passionate people who love God first and love the people of St. Luke dearly. I will have enough food for lunch. I will be warm even as the wind whips past my window. I will travel home to see my children and wrap presents for the extended family members who love us and support us in every way possible. Tonight, I will rest under the blankets that keep me warm and the God who keeps me breathing.

The phrase "God's love" becomes a cliche too when we use it too much...so let me just say it this way: GOD...who God IS...is overflowing in my life. Grace upon grace. Great things beyond understanding. Marvelous things without number. If only my eyes are opened and my spirit sensitized to see them.

May you know today that the glass isn't half full OR half empty. The glass is brimming. It's making a mess on the floor. Your life, and mine, are simply soaked with what spills over from God's Spirit.

And in just a few days...we will remember again the way God spilled over into the manger, on the cross, and into our daily lives.

I am so grateful today...for you, all those who read these words...because whether we know each other well or not, we are connected by grace upon grace. May that be the first word, the last word, and the final word about today. Heaven is spilling over on YOU today. May this thought bring you joy.

PRAYER:
Creator, too often we are blind to the wonders of this world. We are your people of faith. Help us to see your wonder in the faces of everyone we meet. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Bowing Down (to the wrong thing)

 Revelation 19:9-10

And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’

REFLECTION:
In some ways, it is amazing that after 19 chapters, John still doesn’t quite get it. Even after all the things he has seen, and all the things he has written about, he still makes the error of falling down to worship the messenger rather than the Message.

So often, we make the same mistake. We are so easily distracted by the individual personalities of our leaders, the concerns of the property board, and the monthly financial report that we begin to look a little bit like John in the above passage – paying homage to the wrong god.

So, a simple call of turning today – let us once again turn away from an all-consuming focus on the life of the church and turn TOWARD an all-consuming focus on the life of Christ, who lives and loves through us this day…

PRAYER:
Holy Lord, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, turn us to your love. Amen.

Bridges

Fathers make known to children your faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19

Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old. Matthew 13:52


REFLECTION:
Not far from the town in which I grew up stands the Hoover Dam. At the time of its completion in 1935, it was the largest concrete structure built in the United States. It created Lake Mead, controls the flow of the great Colorado river, and produces electricity for parts of Arizona, Nevada, and California. It is an awesome structure.


Until 2010, US Highway 93 ran across the top of the dam. I remember driving over the dam on road trips with my family many, many times as a child. However, in the desert where there are only a couple of routes to get anywhere, the traffic flow grew to an unsustainable point on Highway 93, and another bridge was needed. The picture included with this devotion is of the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge, an architectural feat in its own right. It was completed in 2010, and now the highway traffic crosses there instead. As you can imagine, it has greatly improved the speed and convenience of traffic through this area.

The scriptures today made me think of this bypass bridge.

I believe we are called to BE bridge people. With one foot firmly planted in modern society, and one foot firmly planted in the subversive power of the Kingdom of God, our entire job is to help bridge the gap between the two so it is easier for people to connect the two in their lives.

This begins at home, as the first passage makes clear. As I talk with Charissa and Lucas about world events, things happening at their schools, and things happening in our family, my humble prayer is that I am helping them bridge their everyday lives with the stuff I talk about every Sunday in church.

We have all heard the phrase "being so heavenly minded you are no earthly good." There are certainly some who seem to stand wholly on one bank; so immersed in the world of the Scriptures that they lose touch with what it is like to be a modern person. Likewise, many stand on the other bank; trapped in the cultural battles and daily grind. They can see the other side, where peace and forgiveness and truth seem to have power, but they need someone to help them get there.

This is where we come in, dear reader. Imitating Christ, the master bridge builder, our aim is that the values of heaven so infuse us that our lives can serve as a sort of bridge for those we know who see the other bank but just don't know how to get there; how to make the wisdom of the Bible applicable to their everyday lives.

So, today, if you feel like you need a bridge...if the peace, forgiveness, justice, or mercy you seek feel far away...may that be our prayer for you...that Christ be your bridge today.

On the other hand, if you are feeling centered today, touched by grace and mercy, our prayer will be that simply by being yourself God might use you as a bridge for someone else.


PRAYER:
Gracious God, we give thanks for the wisdom of your word that fills our minds and breathes life into our hearts. Lead us to know your way, so that our lives shine with the light of your love and presence. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Success!

The God of heaven is the one who will give us success, and we his servants are going to start building. Nehemiah 2:20

We are God’s fellow workers. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV)



REFLECTION:





The passage from Nehemiah above is a key example of the trouble we can get ourselves into when we read a snippet from the Bible outside of its context and try immediately to apply its words to our everyday lives. It would be like pulling a single sentence out of a complex novel and thinking we can understand what that sentence means in the overall story.

A little context is helpful.

Nehemiah is written about what's called the "post-exilic" period of rebuilding. The Jews had once again been slaves...this time to the Babylonian kingdom...and many had been carted off to live in exile in Babylon. The Persian Empire then conquered the Babylonians and, in essence freed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple Babylon had destroyed years earlier.

In that environment, the book of Nehemiah tells us about the rebuilding of the temple wall, and it exudes a spirit of confidence. The stories "provide many examples of hard work coupled with prayer and an unshakable faith in God as a formula for successful problem solving that is as relevant today as it was then." (Mark Throntveit, Professor of Hebrew & Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN)

So, it is not quite as simple as "God will give us success!" (which is where a simple reading of the first verse above would lead).

However, if the endeavor we undertake is in line with God's priorities, and it is done in humility, prayer, and hard work...then the truth of this ancient story begins to come alive in our story as well.

So, here's my question as I start today...and it is a question for myself as much as it is for any of you reading this...

What are my plans today? How do I intend to spend my time? As we begin this day together, may we all take a few moments to take a deep breath and pray...that God direct our steps today so that our efforts are in line with God's priorities for our lives. May we "succeed" in living out God's love for all today...in small, everyday ways.

Omnipotent God, through your mighty works you created us, your workers. In all that we busily do to prepare for your coming this Advent season, remind us that our work is for your good and perfect will. Amen.

NOW

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’ See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

Reflection:

Paul has set out, in the first five chapters of 2 Corinthians, what he understands his ministry to be about. He has explained how it is the very grace of God that urges him on so that he can endure all of the sufferings that being an apostle brings. Now, he turns his attention to the Corinthians.

He is encouraging them also to engage in the work of the Gospel, with just as much diligence and dedication as he himself has given. This is what he means when says, "We urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain." The gifts of God are free, but they aren't cheap. They come with a responsibility to share.

He then quotes Isaiah, highlighting his own belief that it is in Christ that ALL of God's promises are coming to fulfillment. This is why, in the beginning of 2 Corinthians, we hear Paul make the statement that "in Christ, every one of God's promises is a 'yes.'"

Now, that great, cosmic "yes" comes through us and our lives in the world. See, NOW (not 2000 years ago, but December 13th, 2016) is the appropriate time – now is the day of salvation. May we be ambassadors and agents of God's grace today.

Prayer: God of unbounded love, let your grace flow to me and through me today. Amen.

No One Owns This...

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Proverbs 31:8

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV)

REFLECTION:

This has been been on my heart for a long time, and today's verses open an important door to be able to say it...

We make a huge mistake when we associate care for the poor with any political movement over against any other political movement.

Even a quick glance at history will tell you that partisan movements come and go...and they change drastically within even a short span of time. At various points in our history, we have had the "Federalist," "Democratic-Republican," and "Whig" parties, and the modern versions of the Democratic and Republican parties would be hardly recognizable to those who called themselves by those titles even two or three generations ago.

In the midst of all those changes, however, the messages of the Bible have stood unchanged:

As Christians, not partisans, we are called to speak for those who cannot speak, and to defend the rights of the destitute. (Proverbs reading above)

As Christians, not partisans, we are called to remember prisoners as if we were chained with them. (Hebrews reading above).

As Christians, not partisans, we are called to leave some provisions from our harvest for the alien, the orphan, and the widow (Deuteronomy 24 says this many times).

As Christians, not partisans, we are called to wrestle with these words from James:
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27)

As Christians, not partisans, we are called to "love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:19)

I could go on...but here's the point:

No modern party owns these values...these are not Republican values or Democratic values...and you can identify with either of those temporary human movements and still live out these values.

In fact, these values are something that can UNITE Christians who vote red or blue. These are the things we can agree on.

HOW we carry them out - well, there's always room for debate on that. How do we find a balance between what we are called to do individually and what we are called to do collectively through our churches, our governments and our taxes? That's the stuff of respectful public debate, and it is always in flux. But the fact that these are our values as Christians is not debatable.

Jesus' final command to his disciples in the Gospel of John makes it very clear... "as the Father has sent me, so I send you..." (John 20:21) Even a quick look at the life of Jesus tells us how we should approach those in need, if we are sent as he was sent.

SO, the next time you hear someone playing the partisan games, claiming that you can "only" be a Christian and vote this way or that way, take a deep breath. Political parties come and go. Partisan ideals come and go, and change over time.

What doesn't change is our call to BE God's love, both individually and together...
...and THAT'S a movement that we are ALL a part of!

PRAYER:
God, it is so tempting to play the partisan games; to try to read between the lines of others' words to find out who is "us" and who is "them." Form us all today into your followers, united in the call to be your love both individually and together. Give us the grace to forgive and love those different from us, and to work together with them toward the healing work that is our call in you. Amen.

How to Fight the Darkness

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

It is funny how a simple analogy can sometimes remind you of a deep truth.

The analogy of light overcoming darkness is used many times in the Bible. But take just a moment and think of the actual situation it is describing. If you walk into a dark room, you don't chase away the darkness with more darkness. Opening the door to a second dark room does nothing. But flipping on a light changes everything.

What if we really took this profound analogy to heart?

If we did...

...we might learn that the way to overcome fear is not to identify a scapegoat (individual or group) and encourage fear of that scapegoat.

...we might learn that the way to overcome anger at someone is not to stew in the anger and let it fester, thus breeding more anger.

...we might learn that the way to overcome division is not to explain whose fault the division is, thus causing more division.

...we might learn that the way to overcome a broken relationship is not more silence and distance, as that will only perpetuate the brokenness.

Today, I don't know where you need light in your life...but I know the source of light. It looks like a deep breath, a prayer for peace, a prayer for forgiveness (of yourself and others), and a prayer for the courage to break old patterns.

My prayer for all of us today...is that those dark places in our lives...wherever they are...be flooded with light today. May we all have the courage to live in the light.

PRAYER:
God of light, we need your love, your peace, your forgiveness, and your power to forgive. Bathe us in light today, and shine through us. Amen.

Walking

2 John 3-6

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

2 John is the shortest book in the Bible, containing only 13 verses (that’s why there is no “chapter” listed above). Really, though we call it a “book” of the Bible, it is, like much of the rest of the New Testament, a letter from one Christian leader to another.

There are two beautiful things to be found in these few verses:

1. Notice that the writer is addressing a female church leader (verse 5). While this won’t surprise some of you, because you may be used to the fact that the ELCA ordains women to ministry, some Christians need to be reminded and re-surprised that in the early church, women led gatherings of Christians. It was only years later that the Church started restricting the ranks of those who could lead.

2. Notice that the writer speaks as though ALL of the commandments (all 613 from the Old Testament, not just “the big 10”) are summarized in one: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. And it isn’t the warm-fuzzy-emotion kind of love the writer’s talking about… No, we are encouraged to “walk in it.” Live it. Breathe it. Make it a way of life, not just an idea in your head or an emotion in your heart.

May we each direct our energy today into walking in love – not into legalistic obsession with each of the 613 commandments (or even the 10 we all know) – because if you let God’s love flow through you to others, then you’re already fulfilling the commandments…

Prayer:

Holy One, give us the strength and openness to let your love flow through us to those who need it most. Amen.

Overflow

The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14

I'm going to state the obvious. You can't overflow if you never fill up.

So, personal confession...plenty of days, I don't fill up.

Certainly, God's grace is poured out on me every day. Certainly, there are days when I am more receptive to it than others. And certainly, like everyone else, I am pulled in 1000 different directions most days.

But, one of the main lessons of my summer was that if I don't begin to observe some balance in my life, and begin taking the time to be still so I CAN be filled up, I will continue to miss out on the strength, peace, and joy that are offered.

Faith and love come when we are overflowing with God's grace. Overflowing comes when are still long enough to be filled. So often, we think that we will find life and meaning in our ever-filling schedules. We compete with each other, saying things like "you think YOU'RE busy...let me tell you about MY day!" It is almost as though we long to find our value and purpose in keeping ourselves busy.

But here's the beautiful truth...and we will be talking more about this on Sunday:

“Our work does not justify our existence. The earth will somehow continue to rotate on its axis even without our feverish activity, and God will still be in control. Who we are is more than the job we do."

So, my sincere suggestion, from one busy person to another: Take 2 minutes to breathe today. With each exhale, thank God for something you are grateful for. With each inhale, ask God to fill you with his love and grace. 

Then, repeat this as often as needed...until you overflow!

PRAYER:

God, fill us with your mercy and grace, that we might overflow in love toward those you place in our path today. Amen.  

Rebels WITH a cause

Elijah said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21

Jesus said, “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.” Mark 2:21




Have you ever thought of yourself as a counter-cultural rebel?

Even by taking the time to read this devotion, you are.

There are so many things about the way Christ offers us that put us out of sync with the culture that surrounds us every day.

We are surrounded by messages that tell us our primary identity is "consumer" ....but we are formed by the God who reminded us "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

We are placed in many situations in which we would have every right to carry resentments and nurture grudges...but we pray every time we gather "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We are steeped in a culture that would encourage us to get even with those who hurt us, which only perpetuates cycles of violence and injury (whether physical or emotional)...but we read Scriptures that encourage us to love our enemies and pray for those who hate us.

It isn't easy living out of sync with the culture, and we don't always get it right. So let's just focus on today. May God shape us today...guide us today...and give us the courage to live in the values of the Kingdom of God instead of the kingdoms of the world. Indeed, this truth shall set us free.

PRAYER:
Father, when you sent your Son, you sent a new way of life which offers us a life of redemption and salvation. May we live each day in a way that shows that we are redeemed, saved, and loved by you. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Waking Up To Gratitude

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:5

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14



"How are you?"

It's a question we ask quickly, as we are passing each other. We've come to use it as another form of "hello." Often, we aren't really expecting a significant response. The other person recognizes this and often just says "good" (even if they aren't feeling that good). We've learned to give quick responses that respect the social custom but don't actually answer the question.

But there is one quick response that I absolutely love...when I ask "How are you?" and the person responds with some version of "I'm just glad to be alive!" Most often, this response comes from some of the oldest people I know, and it takes many humorous forms:

"Well, I'm on the right side of the grass!"
"I'm sitting up and taking nourishment!"

There's a beautiful truth behind these words, as the people who say them are often at a point in their life in which the gift of waking up each morning is no longer a gift they take for granted. For one reason or another, they are more keenly aware of their mortality than the rest of us, and rather that letting that awareness bind them in fear, they use it as a reason to be deeply grateful.

I don't want to wait until I am older. I want to live with that awareness, sensitivity, and gratitude now.

The passages above nudge us in the right direction by drawing our attention to two stunning things that are incredibly easy to take for granted; the fact that we are awake, and the fact that we live in relative peace that frees us to busy ourselves with other things.

This morning, I am feeling deeply grateful for the miracles that have to happen every second for my body to live; for the millions of receptors in my eyes that allow me to see the screen on which I type this devotion; for the intricate and insanely complicated system of nerves and neurons that allow my brain to form the thoughts and my fingers to type them; for the incredibly strong muscle in my chest that beats at over 100,000 times per day. All of this miraculously happens without my notice, allowing me to function in a way that ignores how incredible it all really is.

Likewise, generations of people have fought, voted, toiled, and planned so that I enjoy a remarkable level of freedom and security. Now the question is, in my abundance of peace and life, can I live in a way that reflects the deep gratitude I feel for these unseen gifts?

Because I am just glad to be alive! To be on the right side of the grass! To be sitting up and taking nourishment! To be typing these words to you...!

May God open our eyes today to the incredible nature of life, breath, and peace...and continue filling us with all three so we may fight for others to enjoy the same.


PRAYER:
Prince of peace, whether waking or sleeping, we know that you are with us, sustaining us with your perfect peace.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Drifting Over the Center Line

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:13

The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

I don't think much these days about the "Driver's Ed" courses I had to take in High School.

I have been driving so long that it is like second nature to me. I literally never think about the driving rules I was taught back in High School.

However, in my distracted, hurried rush from activity to activity, appointment to appointment, I no doubt break a fair amount of those rules on a daily basis. Just yesterday, I had a moment that could have turned out much worse, as I fumbled for an item in the passenger seat and began to drift toward oncoming traffic. I am deeply grateful I didn't fumble for long, and that by grace that didn't play out differently.

I have no doubt that if my Driver's Ed instructor had been in the car with me yesterday, I would have failed miserably...and not just in that distracted moment.

Likewise, I've been doing this "life" thing long enough that I just assume "I've got this." I know the 10 commandments. I know Jesus' all-encompassing law about loving God and neighbor. I know I should get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and let the little things go. But in the arrogance that comes from familiarity, I just assume I know what I'm doing and don't often spend time thinking about those basic instructions on a daily basis.

I will spend part of today, as I spent part of yesterday, running financial projections to aid in the budgeting process at our congregation. While this is good due diligence, it is always a temptation to worry. This would be a mistake just as grievous as fumbling for items in the passenger seat and drifting over the center line.

This morning, the basic instruction I need to remember come in Jesus' words from Matthew 6: "Do not worry." He goes on to state the obvious (that needs to be said precisely because it is NOT so obvious to us): "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?"

These words, and so many others in the Bible that provide for our guidance have one aim (as the 1 Timothy reading reminds us): LOVE. The aim of this guidance is that love be born in me.

What will you be doing today? What instructions do you need to keep hold of and guard? Where does love need to be born in you today?

As we live this day together, that will be my simple prayer for you who read this devotion; that wherever you need it today, love be born in you as you hold close to the guidance you need.


PRAYER:
O wondrous Source of all knowledge and truth, instill in us a love and yearning for You. Amen.*

*Prayer adapted from the Moravian Daily Texts

Wrestling and Blessing

I will not let you go, unless you bless me. Genesis 32:26

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

The Genesis quote above is from a fascinating story about Jacob returning home expecting trouble with his brother. Years earlier, Jacob had tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright at the firstborn. Now, as Jacob is returning home, he hears that Esau is on his way to meet him, accompanied by 400 men. Assuming the worst, Jacob prepares himself for the inevitable attack that will follow.

The night before they are to meet, Jacob doesn't sleep. The scriptures say "a man" wrestles with Jacob until dawn. Whether this "man" is an angel or God is not clear, but as the dawn begins to break, the "man" tells Jacob to let him go. Jacob's response is the verse above, and is an example of the determination and grit that characterized Jacob's approach. "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."

Years ago, I heard Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the chief rabbi of England, explain that this verse informed how he approached grief in his life; specifically, the grief following his mother's death.

We all know that there is this difficult and beautiful dynamic in the human spirit...in which hardship can, over time, breed compassion for others facing hardship; grief in loss can, over time, make us more deeply grateful for the lives we have; unmet expectations can, over time, make us more accepting of what is.

To get there, though...you have to hang on until it blesses you. This is the content of my prayer life many days. If I am enduring hardship, I cry out to God in frustration, trusting that God is big enough to take my anger. If I am saddened by loss, I cry out to God in grief, trusting that God is big enough to take my tears. If I am surprised by unmet expectations, I cry out to God in confusion, trusting that God is big enough to take my tantrums. Simply put, by being honest about my human emotions in prayer, I "hang on" to this relationship with God until it blesses me.

And it always does. Fearsome, difficult, painful blessings sometimes...but blessings nonetheless.

Today, I can honestly say I am grateful for the hardships, the loss, and the unmet expectations; because they continue to overturn the Kingdom of "Self" in my heart and invite me into a very different Kingdom.





PRAYER:
Lord God, help us to never shy away from conversing with you. Prayer is our way to talk with you. May the conversation never end. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Subversive Holiness

I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. You shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your ancestors. Ezekiel 20:41–42

The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

"Calling" is a funny concept these days.

I have had many conversations with people that end with some version of this sentence: "Sure, you have a 'calling' pastor, but I just have a job..."

But, if the scriptures are to be believed, this isn't a true statement. I do, indeed, have a calling...but so do you...the person reading these words. That calling, along with the talents and gifts placed in you, are absolutely irrevocable.

The general shape of this calling is revealed in the first passage posted above. The idea that God chooses to make his holiness known in us is still stunning to me every time I think about it...but it is true. Together, we are called to live the ways of the revolution that began 2000 years ago on Easter morning. We are called to surprise people with the values of the upside-down kingdom Jesus ushered in.

What does this look like? It looks like kindness when you have every right to be nasty. It looks like forgiveness when you have every right to hold a grudge. It looks like treating those you encounter as though they really are as valuable as you are, even when you have been told by the talking heads to be afraid of those different from you. It looks like mustering love when it would be far easier to hate.

This is our calling, and it has very little to do with what pays our bills. The places we are that we call "work" or "family" or "retirement" or "college" - these are just the locations we have been called to act out these surprising, subversive Kingdom values.

So...as we begin this day...the question these scriptures bring up in my heart is...how will God's holiness manifest itself in me today? In what ways will I surprise others with grace, mercy, forgiveness, or love when they are expecting exactly the opposite? And can I surrender myself to God's calling so that others don't see me in that surprising grace...but God.

May we all be part of the subversive Kingdom of holiness today. Go surprise someone with grace, mercy, forgiveness, or love.

PRAYER:
Your gifts to us are plentiful, dear Lord. Help us to use them to praise you and to show the nations that you are Lord of our lives. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

The Dog Park & Commandments

Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Psalm 112:1

Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14–15

As we discussed yesterday in worship, I know of many people who reject Christianity because they perceive it as a system of black and white "rules" that must be followed to appease God.

But the revolution of Love that began with the empty cross on Easter Morning isn't about rules; it is about relationship.

That does not mean there are not boundaries in this relationship. Like anything we love, our love for God comes with boundaries for our behavior. It isn't that God is going to smite us if we cross those boundaries...it is that loving God means respecting what it turns out are healthy boundaries for us.

The best analogy is the vows I made to my wife 13 years ago. They are not "rules" meant to restrain my freedom; they are the boundaries I respect because I love her. And ironically, living within those boundaries frees me to enjoy the shared life we have together.

In an ironic way, healthy boundaries actually free us. This means, we can "delight" in God's commandments...because they aren't rules meant to rob us of freedom...they are healthy limits to respect so that we can be fully free to enjoy the life God gives us.

In yesterday's children's sermon, I likened it to what our dog experiences when we take her to the dog park near us. At our house, we have no fence, so any time our dog goes outside, she has to be on a leash. But at the dog park, the fact that there are fences around the whole area mean she can run freely in a way she just can't at our house.

Whether it is vows you made to a loved one, time you spend caring for an ailing parent or friend, or restrictions in your schedule because you chose to adopt a pet, we all respect boundaries for the sake of love.

Today, my prayer is that we feel FREE in that love...that we can delight in God's commandments, because they act like that fence does for my dog. Today, may we embrace the freedom we have to love those in our lives. That gift is what I am most thankful for today.

PRAYER:
Source of all wisdom and truth, teach us to sow words of love and peace instead of hate and war in this world that we call home. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves as we seek to do your will. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Tell God Your Plans...

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. Proverbs 16:9

You ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15

Strategic Plans are a useful tool...budgets are important to make and keep...policies and procedures help a church be clear about how business is done...but sometimes, all our planning can fool us into thinking we are ultimately in charge.

The Strategic Plan at St. Luke is just that; a plan. It's like picking the route for a road trip. Often, unexpected changes come...roadblocks, detours, construction...all of that can change the details of the route, but the anticipated destination remains the same.

St. Luke's current Strategic Plan was born in May of 2015, after many Town Hall meetings and much prayer. It represents the best of where we thought we were called to go from 2015-2020. If you have not read it recently, please follow this link and do so! These things only work if it is a shared vision, and everyone understands the direction the church is headed together.

BUT, the more organized we become as a congregation, the easier it is, I think, to get lost in the details and forget the final destination. The details change. The final destination is always God. All the plans, strategies and policies lead to one over-arching goal: that our church foster an environment where we are drawn into closer relationship with God, to become followers of Christ. That's it. Put simply, the world doesn't need more church members. The world needs more disciples of Jesus.

Today, I am proud of where our church has come. We are more organized and more focused. But as your pastor, I simply want to make sure that I, and all of you, don't ever put our ultimate trust in the plans, procedures, or people of St. Luke (no matter how great each of those pieces are!). Our ultimate hope rests in a God who takes us as we are; broken, imperfect, and messy...and dares to shine light to a dark world through our cracks.

So, let's never forget...our mistakes are forgiven by a God who often uses them to reveal his glory! We can make the plans, and plans are subject to change...but God will direct our steps. Let that be our solid foundation.

PRAYER:
Lord, guide our feet so that we will be in your will and do the goodness of your Spirit. Be our sure feet in this life so that we may rejoice with you in the next. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Remembering

 Psalm 77:11-15

11 I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;

   I will remember your wonders of old.

12 I will meditate on all your work,

   and muse on your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy.

   What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders;

   you have displayed your might among the peoples.

15 With your strong arm you redeemed your people,

   the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Reflection:

As we turn to the Holiday season, I have a special memory of a visit to a home-bound member from years ago I want to share with you... (for those of you who knew Arlene Thiel, she is the woman I was visiting...)

It was around this time of year, and the first thing we talked about was her Christmas tree. She explained to me that her family had always gotten a large, real tree each year. “It’s the smell of pine, pastor – it’s just not Christmas without that smell.” That year, however, her advancing years had forced her to change the tradition. In her living room stood a small artificial tree. “Real trees are too much work for me now,” she explained. “But the ornaments are the same…”

For the next 45 minutes, we looked at those ornaments. Some were from trips she and her husband had taken when he was still alive. Some were hand-made creations given by grandchildren. Each ornament brought with it a beautiful memory, and a smile. The more I listened, the more I got the sense I was in a holy moment; blessed to be present, as one of God’s saints remembered the gifts in her life.

“Remembered” is a common word in the Bible. Over and over and over again, the scriptures tell us that God “remembers” the covenants he makes; with Noah, with Abraham, with Moses, and with us in Christ. God remembers the covenants, no matter what traditions change, or what traditions remain the same. God remembers the covenants, and smiles on us and on our world.

Today, it is my prayer that you and I may be filled with the same sense of memory. Let us, as the Psalm above says, “call to mind the deeds of the Lord,” and “…remember [God’s] wonders of old.” And may we be filled with the same sweet memories and profound sense of gratitude that I had the honor of witnessing around a tree that day many years ago...

Prayer: God of every age, even when everything changes, your love stays the same. Help us to pause and give thanks for your gifts today, that we might feel the simple joy that comes with gratitude and hope. Amen.

Down To Earth

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore. Psalm 125:2

John wrote: I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples.” Revelation 21:3

What does it mean to you when someone says that a person they know is "down to earth"?

To me, this means you can relate to this person. It means they don't carry themselves as though they are better than the rest of us. It means they are an "everyday" person; someone who is good at some things, not good at other things, comfortable in their own skin, and not judgmental of others.

The phrase is an interesting one, because being "down to earth" means they do not have their head in the clouds...and they do not think they belong on a pedestal. They are not an "untouchable."

Understandably, we tend to picture God as an untouchable. High and mighty. Powerful. Distant.

The most stunning message in the book of Revelation is not only that Love wins, but that Love comes HERE. It makes very clear that the "New Jerusalem" (Revelation's language for heaven)...descends to earth. And then the voice that John hears says, "See! The home of God is among mortals! He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples!"

My prayer today for all of us is simple; may our eyes be opened to the places God dwells with us. May we be sensitized to the moments of heaven that break in today, because they always do. May we participate in these in-breaking moments so we too can see...God IS "down to earth."

PRAYER:
Lord, we know that we are yours and yours alone. Help us to reflect the love that you have given to us so that others may join your fold. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from Moravian Daily Texts

Intricate Details

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (NIV)

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Luke 12:27

There is incredible beauty in the desert. Many who didn't grow up in that environment may not believe me, but there is.

Sure, on the surface, it looks barren. Dirt. Tumbleweeds (those are a real thing). Many different plants and animals that look like their sole purpose is to hurt you. But when you catch a desert sunset, with the colors bouncing off of the mountains, you understand the line in "America The Beautiful" that refers to "purple mountain's majesty."

The picture above is of a "Salt Heliotrope," a tiny flower with intricate detail in every petal. I found this walking along a path with one of the other participants in the conference I am at in AZ.

The words from Jesus above (in the Luke passage) are part of Jesus' famous "do not worry" speech. The words of Psalm 111 simply remind us that there is great delight in taking in the marvels of God's creation.

Today, this is my hope for all of us. Pause and marvel at the intricate detail around you. If you can read this devotion, it means that there are millions of receptor cells allowing that to happen in the marvel that is your eyes. If you can contemplate these words, millions of neurons are firing within your brain to make that happen.

May we marvel at the works of the Lord. May we be moved to gratitude for the beauty within us and outside us. May our eyes be opened to behold God's creation today.

*PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, your works are great! You constantly show us that you are with us in all that we do. Help us to stop worrying and to put our hopes and fears in your hands, O God. Amen.

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Uncertain Prayers

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

Sometimes, silence can be a prayer.

We have this interesting idea that praying needs to be like what we see religious leaders do in front of others; crafted with beautiful words, delivered with a clear voice. Certainly, praying out loud with others is something that takes a little getting used to; but even there, the best advice is to simply be honest, and say what is on your heart.

I know many people who carry this image of a public, crafted prayer into their private prayer life as well. Many have told me they don't pray because they just don't know what to say. When I press them for what that means, I often end up learning that they expect themselves to have something profound to say, or at the very least that their prayer should be spoken out loud (even when alone), and that it should be articulate and beautiful.

However, if we look at the Bible, prayers come in all forms. Some of the most beautiful and honest prayers are in the Psalms, as the writer either shouts for joy, cries out in agony, or shakes a fist at the sky. Think of Jesus' words from the cross, where he is merely quoting Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Today, I am dedicating myself to finding five minutes of silence...to simply sit in God's presence. If you want to join me, find a few moments (even one or two minutes) where you can be alone, take deep breaths, and offer up whatever it is you are feeling to God.

One of the deepest truths I continue to re-learn over and over is that God cares for us exactly where we are. So often, we think we have to be, or look, or sound a certain way...but in a silent prayer with God, we can simply BE. If some words bubble up, speak them either in your mind or in your heart. If silence is all you can muster, trust the promise of the passage above. The Spirit breathes in you with sighs too deep for words...and you are never far away from God's presence.

PRAYER:
Though things in our lives may sometimes be uncertain, help us to keep our hearts and minds focused on you, Holy Spirit. Be our guide this day as we face whatever comes our way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Joy Might Be the Answer

Let all those rejoice who put their trust in you. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV)

Although you have not seen Jesus Christ, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

What brings you deep joy?

This is a question that takes a few moments to answer. We often think of the things that bring us fleeting happiness. But take a minute and think...what is it that makes you feel centered, at peace, joyful, and grateful?

For some, no doubt, thoughts of family will come to mind. For others who have strained relationships with family, it might be friends, or music, or a good conversation, or a meal with someone you love. It might be the beauty of nature, or the unquestioning love of an animal companion. Whatever it is for you...sit in that thought for a moment...think of the thing that brings you JOY.

Now, a simple question: is there a way you can make more time for THAT today? As you budget the hours you can spend over the next 24, can you intentionally put yourself in a place you will experience joy?

I believe we are at our best when we are feeling joyful and grateful. Conversely, I believe we are at our worst when we are afraid...because fear causes us to close in on ourselves...to protect what we cherish from that which we see as a threat. Fear is the "mama bear" instinct we all have, regardless of gender...and if you have ever crossed a mama bear, you know what that looks like. My one encounter with a female black bear and her cubs in the Alaska wilderness was enough to remind me that this tendency in me is fierce and does not bring out the best in my character.

When I am grateful and joyful, however, the opposite happens. Rather than contracting in on myself to protect, joy and gratitude cause me to expand outward. They cause me to reach out to others, to offer a smile or a kind word to a stranger, to let into my lane that jerk on the freeway who just HAS to get there 10 seconds before me. Put simply, joy and gratitude make me a better husband, father, pastor, and citizen.

So, as we all contemplate how to help with the divisions we see in our culture, may we each look to our own calendars and ask, "am I making time for joy and gratitude today?" It might just be that is the best thing we can do feel close to God and motivated to kindness. It might just be our time is better spent in things that bring us joy than in things that make us afraid. It might just be that JOY is the answer to some of the problems we face as a culture.

PRAYER:
God, though we may not see you face to face, help us to see you in the blessings of our lives. Move us to joy and gratitude, and show us how to share that joy with others. Amen.

God in a Storm

Psalm 29:3-11 The Voice of God in a Great Storm

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

   the God of glory thunders,

   the Lord, over mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

   and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,

   and strips the forest bare;

   and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

   the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.

May the Lord give strength to his people!

   May the Lord bless his people with peace!

If you have ever been awed by nature, you get the point of this psalm. As a kid who grew up in Arizona, and remembers well the thundering rainstorms that would rage across the desert, this psalm holds a special place in my heart. I remember standing outside in the wind and rain, watching the flashes of lightning and being stirred to recognize that in the grand scheme, I am so small and God is so great.

In the end, that’s the beauty of this psalm. You can imagine yourself outside in a strong thunderstorm. Imagine the wind whipping against your cheeks. Imagine the trees bent over in worship of the one who brings the life-giving rains. Imagine the piercing lightning that makes even the darkest night alive in a flash. If you imagine all this (or if you’ve experienced it as I have), you too may find yourself viewing it all and being able to say only, “Glory!” (as the psalm writer cries out).

Prayer: God of majesty and awe, we are so full of ourselves that we often forget your presence in our lives. Help us see that everything about us, our accomplishments and our failures, is washed away in the enormity of your love for us. Amen.

Drawing Near

This is what the Lord said, “Through those who are near me I will show myself holy, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Leviticus 10:3

The word that jumps out at me in this morning's reading is "near." And the first thought, as I begin this new week; am I drawing near to God? Is God drawing near to me?

I am a physically affectionate kind of person. When someone means something to me, I want to hug them. This is just how I am wired...it is how I was raised. I respect those of you who do not connect with others primarily in this way, but I have to be honest that this is the way I connect with others.

This is particularly true in my family. When my kids are sick, even though it is not in my self-interest to do so, I pull them in close. I will hold them when they are sad, or sick, or angry, or happy. It is one of the primary ways I express my love for someone...by drawing near to them.

This is probably why, as I contemplate the beginning of this week, I find myself wanting to draw near to God. Spending a few moments in Scripture as each day begins is part of how this happens. Deep breaths and prayers for peace is part of how this happens.

However, I have to admit there are many times when I am not choosing the things that draw me near to God. I find comfort in the idea that even in these moments, God draws near to me.

Today, my simple prayer is that we all draw near to God, and that through that, God's glory may be seen in us and through us. Whatever that looks like for you today...draw near to God. Take a deep breath. Pray for a friend...or an enemy. Ask God to give you the peace that passes all understanding. Then, God will be glorified in our life, and in our love for each other.

PRAYER:
God, draw us near to your love. Give us the courage to reach out, to pray, to set aside time in our schedule to be still. Help us to know today that you are God, and we are not. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid (It Isn't Good For You)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ (Genesis 15:1)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)

A consistent message in the Bible is in the title of this post. The phrase "do not be afraid" shows up 67 times in the Bible. Above, I placed the first time this happens in the Bible, when God speaks to Abram (later to be called Abraham) telling him that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars...and I place the last time it happens, at the beginning of the book of Revelation, when Christ himself reassures John (the writer of Revelation) that this vision is meant to be written down and shared.

A similar phrase, "do not fear," shows up 55 times in the Bible. This is a pretty consistent message.

It is consistent because God knows us. We are people who are easily frightened. It is in our biology. A key to survival is perceiving threats and avoiding them.

But we do have to be honest that this instinct does not bring out the best in us. Fear makes us circle the wagons and take care of ourselves and those who are like us. It is, simply put, a survival technique. And God's consistent message of "do not fear" is God's way of reminding us that our survival is not dependent upon us.

The awful divisions in our culture are built on fear. And my question is...can we see each other as fellow human beings and honor the fear we hold?

It is difficult.

On the one hand, it means those who are bothered by Trump's election have to recognize that, no matter how ill-informed they think it is, some of their brothers and sisters are afraid of the demographic changes that are happening in the United States. There is a fear about white people being a minority (which will happen within my lifetime). There is fear about corruption in Washington, and what that means for the peoples' power to effect change. There is fear that Second Amendment rights would be infringed upon. There is fear of terrorism, and the impulse to want to know who the "enemy" is so they don't have the power to hurt me or my family.

Again, whether these fears are reasonable or not is the stuff of public debate. What I am asking is...can we hear the fear and see each other as fellow human beings?

On the other hand, it means those who are excited by Trump's election have to recognize that, no matter how wrong they think it is, some of their brothers and sisters are afraid that being "different" is not going to be tolerated in Trump's America. This is why there are protests happening. If those brothers and sisters are Muslim, they are afraid he meant what he said about making them all "register" so he can keep an eye on them. They are afraid we'll wander back to the era of internment camps. If those brothers and sisters are African-American, they are afraid that the chants of "Make American Great Again" actually mean "Make America White Again" (as some graffiti in the last couple of days has actually said). So before we get angry that some are protesting, can we hear the genuine human fear behind their protests?

Once again, whether you agree with those fears or not is not the point. The point is...we have all been tricked into being afraid of each other...and we can ALL agree that it does not bring out the best in us. My diagnosis of WHY our political divisions have gotten so deep and poisonous boils down to this one word: FEAR. We are afraid of each other.

Fear is not good for you.

Fear is not good for us.

Do not be afraid, brothers and sisters. We must stand together in this time and HEAR each other...and fear makes us plug our ears to the concerns of those who differ from us.

Do not be afraid, brothers and sisters. We must stand together in this time and SEE each other...and fear makes us shut our eyes to the suffering of those who differ from us, so we won't have to accept any responsibility for their suffering or responsibility for alleviating it.

Do not be afraid, brothers and sisters. Why? Because it is God's command. Because God has given us to each other. Because God has given US the ministry of reconciliation. Because freedom is our greatest gift from God, and fear binds us in chains.

Again, I will repeat: Take time today to pray for someone you seriously disagree with. Why? Because it helps soften your heart toward them and helps you see them as people just like you, with equal value.

If you are confused or angered by the fact that some are protesting, pray for those protestors, who are so afraid and angry they don't know how else to be heard. They have reasons for their fear and anger (even if you disagree with those reasons), just as you have reasons for yours. Pray for their health, and wholeness, and happiness, and safety.

If you are upset by the election, pray for those who voted for Mr. Trump. Pray for God to calm their fears and angers. They have reasons for their fear and anger (even if you disagree with those reasons), just as you have reasons for yours. Pray for their health, and wholeness, and happiness, and safety.

This is really, really hard. Seemingly impossible, I know. But it is our only hope; to take God's Word seriously, we must not be afraid. And praying for each other, I believe, is a first step toward dismantling the fear and being able to hear and see each other.

PRAYER:
God, we are all afraid. Some of those fears are well founded. Most are not. Help us to breathe deep today, and give us the courage, the grit, the determination to see common humanity beyond the fears. Open our eyes to the suffering of those with whom we disagree. Soften our hearts toward those we hate. Teach us to see each other more as you see us all. Amen.