Blog Archives

ELOGOS for Thursday

6/30/2016

Isaiah 66:13-14
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.
* * * * * * * *
We are learning so much about how deeply important are the simple actions of parents caring for their infants and toddlers. Breast milk, clean water, tender touches, reading to our children are all basic and yet have a far-reaching impact for a child's immune system, emotional health and learning ability. The people of God were cut off from all that gave them strength and hope. They were as vulnerable as a child whose needs are simple and yet vital. Through the words of the prophet come the promises of protection and nourishment. When we are called upon to sit squarely inside our own vulnerability, it is good to feel a whispered voice saying, "There, there, little one, I've got ya."
* * * * * * * *
Holy God, may we drink in your comfort like a thirsty child. Amen.

ELOGOS for Wednesday

6/29/2016

Psalm 66:1-3
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
* * * * * * * *
A foreign exchange student was about to return to his home country after a year in the States. I asked him what he observed about Americans. His comments were fair, and both critical and complimentary. He observed that Americans say "awesome" a lot. Everything was awesome from a hamburger to a sunrise. There really should be some words set aside to be used only in those jaw-dropping, face-melting moments of pure amazement. In a land where everyone gets a trophy, it is especially important to save the standing O's for the one who is worthy of the word, "awesome."
* * * * * * *
Wow, Lord, wow! Amen.

ELOGOS for Tuesday

6/28/2016

Galatians 6: 9-10
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

* * * * * * *
A poem of Emily Dickinson's says, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain." When I first read that poem, I thought it was too small in its vision. I thought we should aspire to more than helping one heart, one life, one creature. When I found myself in following Jesus, I had a new appreciation of the poem. Now a good day is when I can help one heart, one life, one creature and a great day is waking up to the opportunity to do some good all over again. Harvest time is coming! Don't give up!
* * * * * * *
It's a new day, Lord. Bring it! Amen.

ELOGOS for Monday

6/27/2016

Luke 10:17,20
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” ...[Jesus said to them] "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
* * * * * * * * *
The seventy did what Jesus told them to do. They went two by two into neighboring villages. They healed the sick and cast out demons. They proclaimed the Kingdom of God was near. They came back pumped. Jesus' name had power and the early followers of Jesus got an up-close experience of the power of "who you know." Before this goes too dangerously to their heads, Jesus reminds them that the cause for rejoicing is in "who knows you." Jesus loves you and knows you by your name.
* * * * * * * * *
Grant us the wisdom to know to wield the power of your name and to fling ourselves into the arms of the one who knows our name. Amen.

ELOGOS for Thursday

6/23/2016

I Kings 19: 16,19
Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. So he[Elijah] set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing.
* * * * * * *
A large aspect of the history of God's people is the transition of power. Patriarchs giving power to their offspring gave way to kings anointed by prophets who were chosen by God to receive power and instructed in how and to whom to give it away. When Jesus came, all power came to him and through him. After his resurrection and ascension, at Pentecost, the transition to the New Kingdom began. Jesus gave away his power. He gave the Holy Spirit to everyone. Yeah, that means you. You there, plowing whatever you are plowing, you are anointed by God. Gut it up and do your job.
* * * * * * *
May we take following you seriously, Lord. Amen.

ELOGOS

6/22/2016

Psalm 16: 8
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
* * * * * * *
I read a report recently that young adults have less hand strength than their counterparts in previous generations. The shift to technological jobs from agricultural and industrial jobs is cited as the main reason. One news outlet shared this report under the headline, "Young adults are literally losing their grip." In our relationship with God, the young adults have plenty of company with the other generations when it comes to losing our grip. We shove our hands in our pockets and walk with our heads down unaware of the one who is chasing us. That same One is willing to lead, willing to steady us, willing to carry us when needed. Where are our hands right now?
* * * * * * *
Grant us the wisdom and the strength to hang on. Amen.

ELOGOS for Tuesday

6/21/2016

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.
* * * * * * *
Where did we ever get this notion that love is easy? Oh, sure, we don't admit that outloud. We all say that we know love is difficult, challenging, messy BUT there is this demon within us saying telling us it should be easy and that we shouldn't have to compromise. We push back against the hard stuff of loving others and take our freedom in Christ out for a spin. Love should be easy. Love should be a piece of cake. Christ had all the freedom in the world. All of it. He chose to love the maggots of human selfishness that we are. He CHOSE us. He decided to become our servant because that is what love does. It serves. Period.
* * * * * * *
Help us, Lord, to get over ourselves and love one another. Amen.

ELOGOS for Monday

6/20/2016

Luke 9:57-62
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
* * * * * * *
I have a push-pull relationship with the concept of home, family. (Full disclosure: I live alone, family of my growing up years is scattered geographically and emotionally). I gravitate toward the idea of home and family because they are woven into the rich tapestry of our understanding of who we are as the people of God. I push back against it when home and family become pockets of individualized kingdoms that turn a cold shoulder to those wandering homeless. There was a homeless nature to Jesus' ministry. Even as he was moving toward the cross, he was collecting and forming a new family made up of all the strays. At any given moment, and I am just guessing here, we have all known what it is to be a stray.
* * * * * * *
All I know for certain, Lord, is that I belong to you. Amen.

ELOGOS for Thursday

6/16/2016

Isaiah 65: 1-2
I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that did not call on my name. I held out my hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices
* * * * * * * * *
Our youth group does their own version of "Lip Sync" battle where a song's lyrics and music are played on a screen on the wall while they lip sync it dramatically with microphone props. (It's fun and less embarrassing for non-singers than karaoke.) The audience sits with their back to the screen but faced toward the performer. The hard part for the audience resisting the temptation NOT to look at the tv screen rather than their friend in front of them in the flesh mouthing the words. They literally are wired to "follow their own devices." We can flail our criticism at the technology culture, but "rebellion" and "walking in a way that is not good" have been around for centuries. The cell phones and the screens of our technology are windows on this world and a connection to others. In and of themselves, not a bad thing. But they are still only a window. God is speaking to us through others. Just as you are reading this word on your devices hundreds of miles apart, God may be speaking to you through this window but God is also waving within arms reach nearby.
* * * * * * * * *
Holy God, you are here in all dimensions. Help us not to miss you. Amen.

ELOGOS for Wednesday

6/15/2016

Psalm 22: 19-20
But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog!
* * * * * * * *
Fear is awful. God knows it is. The scriptures are filled with the phrase "Don't be afraid." I was half-asleep in a living room chair when a loud series of pops shook me out of it. Gun shots? Firecrackers? It wasn't New Years' eve or 4th of July. Gunshots again...or maybe firecrackers. Don't know. Don't step outside. Don't go to the window. Frozen. Breathless for just a second. The pop again. Children laughing. Firecrackers. Nothing to fear. Don't be silly. Don't be afraid. At least until the next time. Fear is awful. A tiny nanosecond of it can stir biological chemicals to get the body ready for fight or flight. Lord, I trust you to move at the speed of fear.
* * * * * * * *
Grant peace, O Lord, to anyone who at this very moment is afraid. Amen.