What?

“What do you think? A man had two sons. Now he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ “‘No, I don’t want to,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. “The father said the same thing to the other son, who replied, ‘Yes, sir.’ But he didn’t go. “Which one of these two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you. For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him. (Matthew 21:28-32, CEB)

I have to be honest I have never gotten this passage. Jesus said a father asked his two sons to go and do work. One said no but later went and one said yes and didn’t go. And then he asked those gathered who did what the father asked. They said the first and then Jesus says the tax collectors and prostitutes are getting into heaven before those gathered because their hearts hadn’t changed. What does any of what Jesus said at the end have to do with the fact neither son did what the father asked?

One blatantly said no but then felt bad so went anyway, and the other said they would go and then decided they really didn’t want to so they didn’t. Neither of the sons did what the father wanted. But actually pleasing the father isn’t what life is about.

We have already obtained the inheritance. We do not need to earn it, but we can show others the love God has for them by loving those around us and not judging them by some standards that actually mean nothing to God. All out created by God and loved by God so our standards do not matter.

Love.

Loving People. Loving God.

answer your call

Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you. (I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God. Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly. Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. In the same way, I urge you who are younger: accept the authority of the elders. And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you. To him be power forever and always. Amen. (1 Peter 5:1-11, CEB)

Why do you do what you do?

On the day I wrote this devotional I stopped by Stella’s to get coffee. They have a cup that you pay $35.95 for and get free coffee or tea for life. Those of you that know me, know they are losing money on me. The workers know me now and today the young lady that got my coffee said, “have a great day at work. If you are going to work, you are going to work?” I responded, “yes but my work really isn’t work.” I get paid to do this, which still catches me off guard from time to time. Because I really love what I do and only when it was being questioned or pushed back on does it get stressful and become work.

Peter here says be a leader because that is what you are. Do it because you have been gifted, not because you have to do it or because someone is making you, but do it because God called you to do it.

When you know what you call is and you do it, it won’t be work.

Loving People. Loving God.

ham sab

Tonight’s journal entry is on the topic, what does liberation look like in your relationship with God and your relationship with others? 

This is interesting given the topic of our discussion was on lament and the Advent Devotional done by Pastor Tahina Verna Rasche and Pastor Jason Chesnut in 2016 called Fuck this Shit. It was a discussion of what lament is and how lament is different from complaint and how the decisions we make to follow where the gospel is leading us will sometimes lead us to trouble and to issues by speaking the truth in love and using the vernacular and meeting the people where they are.

Pastor Tahina spoke to our class this evening about her involvement and personal journey around the devotional and it reminded me of some things in my story, which I will get to in a moment, but first the name of the entry tonight. I had to google it, but this is what I found for Hindi for we. Pastor Tahina said she learned to pray in the car as a young lady with her mother doing left turns and the prayer was always for we, for her and her mother, and for all of the people around them in other vehicles and walking. The prayer was always we, not I and it was communal. As lament is communal. I wrote a note in the word doc on my computer – “Lament is communal – those who are looking to leave this world because they don’t find love, are not accepted or feeling the love of community”. And we need to understand that lament is a cry to God to know that we are in this and need to work together to make God’s kindom come.

We are the community.

We are the lamentors.

We are the liberated.

There is a lot in the community of the world today that wants to look at the Gospel in a way that has salvation be liberation. We are not saved to something but liberated to be something. We are liberated from the bondage of the world. We are liberated from the bondage of the boxes we are put in, by others and ourselves.

But what does liberation look like? I said earlier the conversation tonight reminded me of a story. It was 2009, months before the ELCA would vote to allow congregations that wanted to have pastors in life-long monogamous same-sex relationships to be their pastors they could, when I was in conversations with a congregation in the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA. I thought things were going well and as I was preparing to visit with the call committee for the first time in person I spoke with the assistant to the bishop there about my earrings. And he told me, “if you really want this call, you should remove your earrings.” So I did. I put myself in the box of what the congregation would want. And the call was extended and I accepted. In September of 2010 the congregation made it clear that they wanted out of the ELCA, and I did not, so I put back in my earrings. Not because I believed differently than the congregation, but because I knew that God had called me there to help them in this moment, and that by hiding who I was I was only hurting myself and the congregation. There were many conversations around my earrings. And I remember one older gentleman came into my office and asked me what I would tell a young man in high school if he came in and said his parents wouldn’t let him get his ear pierced. I told him I would tell the young man to honor the 4th commandment. (For those of you, not Lutheran, that is Honor your parents.) As long as he is living with his parents he needs to do as they say.

So many times we hide our true selves and fit into a box to make others happy, but that is not liberation. Liberation is when we are who God created us to be. Liberation is all of us living our lives as God intended. Liberation to me is being who God created and not hiding that from anyone. Living your life out loud unapologetically. (Unless you by chance happen to offend a given understanding or community in a way that belittles them or denied their existence, then make amends and learn and do better.)

Liberation is salvation.

The cross frees us to live love out loud and be the child of God we were created to be.

Until we are all living the way God created us, we are not ham sab and are not liberated.

It takes all of us being as God created us to be ham sab and liberated.

surprise

Dear friends, don’t be surprised about the fiery trials that have come among you to test you. These are not strange happenings. Instead, rejoice as you share Christ’s suffering. You share his suffering now so that you may also have overwhelming joy when his glory is revealed. If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory—indeed, the Spirit of God—rests on you. Now none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or rebel. But don’t be ashamed if you suffer as one who belongs to Christ. Rather, honor God as you bear Christ’s name. Give honor to God, because it’s time for judgment to begin with God’s own household. But if judgment starts with us, what will happen to those who refuse to believe God’s good news? If the righteous are barely rescued, what will happen to the godless and sinful? So then, those who suffer because they follow God’s will should commit their lives to a trustworthy creator by doing what is right. (1 Peter 4:12-19, CEB)

As I read this I heard Private Gomer Pyle say, “Surprise, surprise, surprise.” As he was adept to say when something happened that wasn’t a surprise. We should not be surprised when we go through hard times as that is life and following Christ did not make it so hard times go away. In fact, we could go through some hard times because we actually follow Christ when the world around us doesn’t want to be what God has called us to be because it means giving up privilege or securities.

So don’t be surprised, but stand tall and keep moving forward.

Loving People. Loving God.

up or down…

Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.” (Luke 18:9-14, CEB)

God have mercy on me a sinner…

Do we lift ourselves up or put others down, or neither?

One person prayed that he does everything right, which if he is human we know is a lie, and said he is glad he is not like the tax collector. Actually in reality none of us is any better than the next person. We are all sinners and we all put our pants on 1 leg at a time. And we all have no place to boast because we all fall short.

Pray for God to forgive you a sinner and to forgive all sinners rather than heap on big words and platitudes that do you, your neighbor, or God any good.

Loving People. Loving God

Magnificat

Mary said,

“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
    In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
        because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
    He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
    He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
    just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.” (Luke 1:46-55, CEB)

The great song of Mary praising God for her being chosen along with her cousin to be the mothers of the cousins that would help the world see how we should live.

Mary tells of the great wonders of God and how God has always been with her and will always be with us.

Know you are never alone and that God is always with you.

Loving People. Loving God.

harassed

But you have paid attention to my teaching, conduct, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, and endurance. You have seen me experience physical abuse and ordeals in places such as Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I put up with all sorts of abuse, and the Lord rescued me from it all! In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed. But evil people and swindlers will grow even worse, as they deceive others while being deceived themselves. But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15, CEB)

If you follow after Christ and live the life he has called us to you will be harassed.

If you love as Christ loved, you will be called out and made fun of and told you are wrong.

But stand firm and do not be deceived. Help others see God’s love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Does this sound familiar?

Understand that the last days will be dangerous times. People will be selfish and love money. They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud. They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents. They will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical. They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good. They will be people who are disloyal, reckless, and conceited. They will love pleasure instead of loving God. They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this. Some will slither into households and control immature women who are burdened with sins and driven by all kinds of desires. These women are always learning, but they can never arrive at an understanding of the truth. These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is counterfeit. But they won’t get very far. Their foolishness will become obvious to everyone like those others. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, CEB)

I read this and just thought wow. Is this describing now? And you could say yes.

People are selfish and love money and things more than people.

People brag about who they are and what they have and are proud.

People slander others to make themselves look better.

People are ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical.

This could probably be said for every time in history. So this doesn’t mean we are living in the end times, but we really shouldn’t be worried about what time we are living in because the same holds true regardless of the time. We need to love and share God’s love as we go. Love neighbor and love God.

Loving People. Loving God.

your will

Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46, CEB)

“if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me.”

Have you ever asked God this? Now remember that in the reading above this is Jesus asking God to not send him to the cross. And Jesus doesn’t ask just once, he asks three times for this one thing. It is not wrong to ask God to change God’s mind. Moses did it, Jesus does it.

But here is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus says after this, “However, not my will but your will must be done.” Do we follow up our requests with this?

You see it isn’t wrong to ask God if something else can happen, as long as we are prepared to follow through with whatever happens. Jesus didn’t want to suffer the physical pain but knew if that was the only way, it was the only way. And we need to be ready to follow through with whatever the will of God is.

So ask for something different, but always be ready to go through whatever comes.

Loving People. Loving God.

wait

Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth. You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolve and steadfastness. Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job. And you have seen what the Lord has accomplished, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Most important, my brothers and sisters, never make a solemn pledge—neither by heaven nor earth, nor by anything else. Instead, speak with a simple “Yes” or “No,” or else you may fall under judgment. (James 5:7-12, CEB)

It is always interesting to me when we get passages from the New Testament that are talking about the coming of Jesus and how we need to be patient.

Can you imagine Peter, Paul, James, and the apostles knowing that we would make it to the year 2022? We are almost 2000 years after the death of Christ. And they were telling people to be patient and not to make pledges because it is imminent that Christ will be here again.

it is important to be patient, take that from one who usually isn’t patient, and especially now when we have instant everything and we can’t wait for that.

Learn to slow down and take deep breaths.

God’s timing is perfect and Jesus will return when the kindom is ready to be fulfilled. Until then we wait.

Loving People. Loving God.