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MEDITATION:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, a contemporary author and speaker..

Recently, a good friend of mine told me I was unusually open about expressing to others my appreciation for them. I felt grateful for her kind words. I would like to be generous in affirming others, whether in the workplace or at church, in the neighborhood or the shopping mall, among friends or strangers. For example, if I see someone working in a store or a restaurant who is doing a good job, I like to acknowledge that person’s work and thank them. Now, I should be clear that I have not always been like this. My innate shyness used to get in the way of my speaking with strangers. Plus, I was afraid that if I affirmed someone, even a friend or work associate, that person might think I was doing it for my own gain. I did not want to be perceived as a flatterer. I still don’t want to be someone who engages in flattery. In this way, I am like the Apostle Paul and his colleagues. In their letter to the Thessalonian Christians, they mention the fact that while they were in Thessalonica they did not practice flattery: “As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery.” Flattery is affirming speech of a particular and pernicious kind. First of all, it is insincere. It is saying something that the speaker really doesn’t think or feel. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, flattery is self-serving. It’s not saying something positive about someone in order to build up that person. Rather, it’s saying something “nice” to get something for oneself. So, flattery is both deceptive and self-serving. This is something that Paul and his associates avoided and so should we as Christ-followers who seek to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Now, there was a time in my life when my fear of being a flatterer kept me from affirming people even in a genuine and loving way. I was not naturally inclined to notice good things about people or to mention these things to them. But, I’ve been blessed in my life with mentors who were flatterers, but who were generous in their expressions of appreciation for others. People like Lloyd Ogilvie and Howard Butt, Jr. showed me that it is possible to affirm freely while avoiding flattery. (At Laity Lodge, I had the joy of being with both Lloyd and Howard at a retreat in 2007. See the photo.) Of course, I could have learned to affirm without flattery from the Apostle Paul and his colleagues. Though they avoid deceptive and self-serving flattery in their communication with the Thessalonians, the letter writers are actually quite generous in their affirmation of the Thessalonians. This begins in the third verse of the letter when the writers acknowledge the Thessalonians’ “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (1:3). In the second chapter, the Thessalonians are affirmed for having received the gospel as the genuine word of God (2:13). In chapter 4, the writers affirm the Thessalonians for living in a way that pleases God (4:1) and for their exemplary love (4:9-10). Finally, in chapter 5, Paul and his co-writers affirm the Thessalonians for how they are encouraging each other (5:1). Now, if the writers had been doing all of this affirmation in order to get some personal benefit from the Thessalonians, then they would be engaging in flattery. But if their point is to build up and encourage the Thessalonian believers, then what they are doing is exemplary for us. It shows us how we might also affirm each other. Let me conclude by saying that I do receive a certain benefit when I express my appreciation for another person. I do feel a kind of joy when I tell someone why I am grateful for them. Plus, often I receive a positive response from the person I have been affirming, and that adds to my joy. But, even when this doesn’t happen, I feel glad in knowing that my words can be an encouragement to others. So, I try to avoid flattery but affirm freely, yes, to build up others, but also because it gives me joy.

PRAYER:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, the author of today’s meditation.

Gracious God, once again we thank you for the example of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. Thank you for their effort to avoid self-serving and deceptive flattery. Thank you also for their demonstration of how we can affirm others in genuine and edifying ways. Lord, please help me refrain from flattery. Even if this is going on around me at work, may I always be truthful in what I say. And may I use my words to build up others for their sake. Help me see the goodness in others and express genuine appreciation for them. Give me new eyes so that I might pay attention to those who serve me in the grocery store, the restaurant, the mechanic’s shop, and so many other places. May I use the agency you have given me to build people up. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Kyle Norman, a contemporary Rector of an Anglican Parish in Canada and author.

When my wife was initially diagnosed with cancer, we immediately called our Bishop. We sat in the living room as my wife spoke of her pain, the cancer diagnosis, and her upcoming journey through chemotherapy. The Bishop listened gracefully and patiently. The only question he asked her was about her prayer life. In raw honesty, she told him that she had been unable to pray since she had been given her diagnosis. She deeply wanted to pray, the words, however, just didn’t come. The bishop responded beautifully. Instead of instructing her in a technique, or exhorting her to “try harder,” he handed some prayer beads to my wife and said, “It’s ok if words don’t come. Simply rub your fingers over these beads. It will be enough.” For the length of her chemo journey, and for a long time afterward, this is exactly what she did. What I hadn’t realized during the bishop’s visit was how much I would struggle with my own prayers during this time. Each evening I would sit in my office and attempt to close my day with prayer. Although this has been my habit for years, it seemed as if everything had changed. Even though I attempted to use a liturgy, with words written down, the words still wouldn’t come; I felt hollow and empty. Every ounce of my spiritual energy had been used to get through the day. Each evening, I would tuck myself in bed thinking that my time of prayer had been a waste; After all, I did nothing, I said nothing, I prayed nothing. Have you ever felt anything like that? Have you ever found yourself struggling with your prayer life, feeling as if you are trying to pray through a great cosmic wall? The feeling that our prayers are hollow and pointless can be frustrating and disheartening. Our prayerlessness seems irredeemable and, in these moments, it’s hard not to condemn ourselves. The Apostle Paul knew about these experiences. He himself struggled with frustration in prayer. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells of a time when he felt afflicted, burdened by a torment that would not go away. Although he prayed for the thorn in his flesh to disappear, it remained. How disheartening. Yet amid this experience, the words of Jesus came ringing clear “My Grace is sufficient for you, my power is shown in weakness (2Corinthians 12:9). Grace. Grace is not reserved for the perfect and put together; it is designed for the needy. It reaches down to those who feel low, burdened, and overwhelmed. There is no shame in claiming grace. Claiming God’s grace is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith. It is a bold and radical act of trust. We reach out to the one who sits with us, who incarnates himself in the very depths of our hurts and struggles. When we feel we cannot pray, our heavenly Father extends grace over us.  When all we can do is just sit before God, running our fingers over our Bibles, or our prayer beads, it’s enough. Our time before the Lord is never a waste. After all, Jesus knows what it is like to weep in the night. He is recognizing the agonizing cry of “Abba Father!” and “my God, My God why?” He is a man familiar with sorrows, and so in response to ours, he meets us where we are, not where we feel we should be. Our spiritual lives are never static, and so neither are our prayers. Yes, there are times when we are drawn into great intimacy, where we feel caught up in God’s blessing and grace. Then, there are the times when that blissful connection is less apparent. There are times when we find ourselves suffering the fallenness of life. These times are not comments on our spiritual ability or state before God. They just are part of the life we live. The good news is that grace surrounds in these moments. Grace surrounds us in every moment and so grace surrounds us in every type of prayer. Are you struggling in prayer today? What might it look like for you to claim grace? Instead of trying to push through your own silence, perhaps all that is needed is to strip away the vestiges of performance or earning and engage in the simple of actions. Just sit. Hold your bible, close your eyes, and sit with the one who sits with you. No matter what your prayers feel like, you are not alone. Jesus is with you, and he surrounds you with grace.

PRAYER:

Today’s prayer is from a common lectionary from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Clarence L. Haynes, Jr., a contemporary author and speaker.

I went to pick up my daughter from school and as I was driving, my mind was drifting, thinking about this word “integrity.” Eventually, I was brought back to a time in my early twenties when I was serving in the children’s ministry at church. One of the leaders handed me a card. I cannot remember why he gave it to me, but I believe it was a thank you for serving. When I opened the card, he had written one sentence in it. I had never heard these words before, but I quickly realized these words were wisdom for life. Here is what he wrote “Character is who you are when no one is watching.” Over the last three decades of my life, those words have always rang true in my heart. For a few moments today, I want you to think about the freedom of integrity. Every one of us has two lives. There is the life you live in front of everyone else (your public life), and there is the life you live behind closed doors (your private life). The perception of who you are is determined by your public life, which is what you show to the world. The reality of who you are is demonstrated in your private life, which only you and God know. Yes, your family and those you live with can see you up close and can peak into some of your private moments, but there are still parts of you they may not know. I want you to let this question simmer in your heart and mind today. Does the public you match the private you? Is the person you show to everyone else, the same person you look at in the mirror every day? I have discovered that the difference between those two people is your character. So where does your character lie? In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reminds us of the security, and I will add freedom, that come with walking in integrity and living a life of character. To sum it up in my own words, when you walk with integrity you don’t have to look over your shoulder. There is freedom in knowing you don’t have to worry if someone looks at your text messages, or checks your emails, or investigates your finances because everything is above board and there is nothing to hide. Can you feel how liberating that is? This is one reason why integrity matters so much. When you demonstrate integrity in the parts of your life that no one sees, you can walk freely in the parts that everyone sees.  As you look through the channels of history, there are countless tales of people who gave the appearance of being men and women of character and integrity. However, when the curtain was pulled back it exposed something different than what they portrayed in the public eye. This is not the freedom God wants you to live with. People who secretly live in sin or who lack integrity live with a constant nagging in the back of their mind, wondering if or when they will get caught and the truth revealed. This becomes an ensnarement to them. Here is how Solomon wrote it. “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.” (Proverbs 5:22) Have you ever seen the downward spiral of a person trapped in their own sin? Usually, it compounds, and one sin leads to greater sin which leads to further captivity. The first sin usually requires a cover-up, which leads to more sin in the process. Just think about David and Bathsheba if you need an example. This is not the prison God wants you to live in but thankfully your integrity can unlock the prison door and set you free.  Today I want to issue you a challenge. God is calling you and me to walk with integrity and be people of character. The life of integrity is not always the smoothest or easiest of roads. There will be opportunities to compromise along the way. Just recognize that each compromise makes your footing less and less secure, and it is only a matter of time before your world will begin to crumble around you. But if you will choose to walk with integrity, your feet will stand secure regardless of what comes against you. Remember, the real you is the person you are when no one is watching. Don’t spend your life trying to look the part to please the world. Spend your time trying to be the part to please God.

PRAYER:

Today’s prayer is a Gaelic blessing.

We bathe your palms in the showers of wine, in the crook of the kindling, in the seven elements, in the sap of the tree, in the milk of honey, we place nine pure, choice gifts in your clear beloved face: The gift of form, the gift of voice, the gift of fortune, the gift of goodness, the gift of eminence, the gift of charity, the gift of integrity, the gift of true nobility, the gift of apt speech.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Marilyn Brown Oden, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “Abundance.”

Our journey toward abundant living is like walking a spiritual labyrinth repeatedly, from an ever-deepening inner space. We walk toward the center to be transformed by God’s love; then we walk outward to transform our small space in the world by reflecting God’s love. There is no intention to trick us or get us lost along the journey. But there is mystery. Always mystery. And awe. And amazing grace.

PRAYER:

Written by Lesli White, a contemporary Christian author.

Dear Father, thank you for being everywhere. Thank you for never leaving me to journey alone. Teach me to live in awe of You so that I do not willfully sin. Keep my heart at peace so that I may find comfort in Your presence. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, theologian, and author.  This is an excerpt from his book The Divine Conspiracy Continued: Fulfilling God’s Kingdom on Earth.

Even still, we must realize and concede that flourishing, despite our best intentions and plans, is not something that can be produced for people generally, though some provisions for “general welfare” can and must be made. The general welfare can be destroyed through the application of foolish policies and actions just as easily as a hurricane rips over a storm wall. But flourishing is also essentially a matter of the character of the People involved. Augustine says in his Rule: “Those who have the strength to lead simple lives should consider themselves the richest of people. For it is better to be able to make do with a little than to have plenty.” What an idea! The character of people in a population is hugely determinative of precisely how well-off they are and therefore whether or not their society flourishes.

PRAYER:

Written by Mario di Carlo, an Italian author and member of the “Congregation of the Mission.”

Lord, grant us simplicity so that our lives may be welcoming, modest, and generous.

Lord, grant us simplicity so that our lives may be so transparent that your light can pass through them.

Lord grant us your simplicity to make our lives flourish with love and goodness.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), an English writer and pacifist. This is an excerpt from her book “The Light of Christ.”

We can never forecast the path God’s energy of rescue will take. It is never any use saying to God, “I am getting desperate! Please answer my prayer by the next mail and please send a blank check.” God will answer but not necessarily like that; more probably God will transform and use the unlikely looking material already in hand—the loaves and the tiny fishes—looking up to Heaven and blessing it and making it do after all. A priest was once asked if many miracles happened at Lourdes. He said, “Yes, many; but the greatest are not miracles of healing, but the spiritual miracles, the transformation of those who pray desperately for cure of this or that and come back, not physically cured, but filled with peace and joy, surrendered to the Will of God, conformed to the Cross.”

PRAYER:

Written by Rick Warren, a contemporary pastor and author.

Dear God, thank you that you love me and want to keep me from depending on other things instead of you. Forgive me for when I’ve depended on my job and other people instead of you. Thank you that you haven’t forgotten me. Lord, the days ahead may be a little scary at times, but I understand now that the path to a miracle is through uncomfortable territory. I understand now that the source of a miracle will be unexpected, so I shouldn’t try to figure it out. I should just trust you. When you tell me what to do, and it doesn’t always make sense, I will still do what you want me to do. Help me to remember that you’re all I need and that where you guide, you’ll provide. I want to learn to trust you one day at a time. I want to go your way, not my way. I want to follow you, and I ask you to save me and come into my life. I claim your promise that if I trust you, you’ll meet my needs. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian. This is an excerpt from his work “Gracis!”

God is greater than my senses, greater than my thoughts, greater than my heart. I do believe that he touches me in places that are unknown even to myself. I seldom can point directly to these places; but when I feel this inner pull to return again to that hidden hour of prayer, I realize that something is happening that is so deep that it becomes like the riverbed through which the waters can safely flow and find their way to the open sea.

PRAYER:

Written by Saint Patrick (AD 385-461), a Christian missionary and bishop who served in Ireland.

Lord, be with us this day,

Within us to purify us;

Above us to draw us up;

Beneath us to sustain us;

Before us to lead us;

Behind us to restrain us;

Around us to protect us.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Rueben P. Job (1928-2015), an American bishop of the United Methodist Church.

Most of us have lived long enough to have thought or said, “I could never do that!” It is a common response of ordinary people like us to a task that seems to demand extraordinary wisdom, strength, or faith. However, the Bible is filled with stories of those who told God they could not lead, witness, or perform the task they were asked to do. Of course they were right! They could not do the difficult—or even the simple and easy—on their own. The biblical stories from Abraham to the first-century Christians point out that only with power from beyond themselves could the faithful fulfill their calling.

What are you planning to do that you cannot possibly achieve without help from beyond yourself? What do you feel God is calling you to be and do that is impossible without God’s intervention in your life? These questions move us quickly to the realization that we often live our lives on the easy path of the least faith and effort. To observe the church is to see that we are not alone in choosing the easy path. Yet we know there is a better way and a higher calling for us as individuals, as congregations, and as denominations. The early disciples were told to wait upon God until the power came. They waited and the power did come. The book of Acts is a brief record of how the early church carried on its life and ministry with power from beyond itself. The record of individuals and Christian movements that have transformed the world to receive power from beyond themselves to fulfill their calling. This power was given to ordinary people who were called to live in an extraordinary way. Could that be your calling today?

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Saram Primer, a book of prayers and Christian worship resources from the 1500s, collected at the Salisbury Cathedral.

Gracious God, you know how easy it is for us to be driven by the fear of other people, other things, and even our own thoughts. Help us to be motivated instead only in fear of you. Help us to see that fearing you is an invitation to living fully into the calling you have uniquely given to us. Help us to seek you in times of wilderness and in times of plenty, so that in all the times we live through we will faithfully reflect your love in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Christine Vogelsang, a contemporary author, speaker, teacher, and musician.

“How can she sleep through all of this noise?” Right in the middle of the action, conversations, loud shouting at the football game on television, was our sleeping one-month-old baby in her portable crib. She was missing the celebration of her big day of family gathered in her honor. Of course, later that night when all was quiet, she was wide awake and crying for attention. “Quiet! The baby’s sleeping!” was completely the opposite of her nature. Background noise and music is part of many households. When my husband and I visited a new parishioner, she left the TV on the entire time totally unaffected by the noise that competed with our conversation. My mother had the radio going during the day while she went about her household chores. There was a constant stream of music, news, radio skits and information. I enjoy music when I’m working, especially when the task allows my mind to wander. My children still remember the albums and songs I played when I cleaned the house. Background music is everywhere. I smile today when I hear elevator music that used to be cutting edge hard rock. I often played classical music when my students were working. Today when I see someone using earphones or earbuds at their desk, I wonder what they’re listening to and if should interrupt them if I have a question. In restaurants and other venues, music can be annoying if you can’t even shout a conversation. Music is vibrations that fill the airwaves. People talk about “feeling a good vibration” or getting “good vibes” from someone. The Beach Boys had a song in the 1960s called “Good Vibrations.”  Although they sang “I’m pickin’ up good vibrations” and “Got to keep those lovin’ good vibrations happening,” they were talking about more than music. They were talking about the emotional connection and ambiance of a relationship. This idea isn’t uncommon. After all, if something we experience or hear pleases us, we say it’s “music to our ears.” The opposite is true when that “music” is so strident and unrelenting in its criticism that it hurts our heart, our morale. But when we enthusiastically say good things about someone, we enjoy “singing their praises.” Of course, no one is singing, unless we are on stage in a musical production.

The way we conduct ourselves, what we say and how we say it, even our body language, is like the background music in our workplace, office, classroom, or home. There is a “soundtrack” that plays around us as leaders. We do send out certain “vibes.” When I worked as a temporary employee going from one office and business to another, I could feel the music of the place. Sometimes tension, competition, and doing enough to avoid the boss were vibrating off the walls. On the other hand, if I was lucky enough to meet the manager or boss of some companies, it became clear why the music of enthusiasm, energy, camaraderie, and helpfulness were the “songs” people were listening to and singing in their hearts. It’s the parent, the CEO, or the manager who creates the vibes, sets the tempo for the background music of a family, a company, a church, or an organization. Their music infiltrates the airwaves and sets the “tone” for those they lead. We can learn a lot from the Master composer, our Lord Jesus, who creates songs in our hearts, “surrounds me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7), and “calls forth songs of joy” (Psalm 65:8). He knows how important it is to be that steadfast source of encouragement and grace. When we’re tuned into His station, when we’re picking up His good vibrations, it will be music to the ears of those we lead. It will be a chorus of everyone singing the praises of those we work with; of those we work for. Above all, the best choir will be those who sing the praises of our Lord Jesus who keeps those loving good vibrations happening, who is the Master Conductor of our songs of joy!

PRAYER:

Written by John Eldredge, a contemporary American author, counselor and lecturer on Christianity.

Lord teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to thee, “Speak for thy servant heareth.” Let me hear thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of thy speaking voice.”

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MEDITATION:

Written by Sheryl Giesbrecht, a contemporary author, radio show host, and speaker.

God’s specialty is rearranging the ashes of our disappointments, despair, and dismay into something beautiful. He takes our mess and changes it into His message. A tangible, historical illustration of this spiritual truth occurred in the state park sprawling its 3,472 square miles across three states: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, called the Yellowstone National Monument. It was the most devastating wildfire in the history of the national park system. The flames burned uncontrollably for nine months – from early June through the first snow in September. In early June, flames wiped out 1.2 million acres about 36% of the park’s over 2 million acres. The fire was finally extinguished in November 1988.  As the damage was tallied, the losses financially could not be recovered. Yet, God’s plan was yet to be revealed. In the same way, all of us have experienced ashes of loss:  Denial: “I wish I could believe God, but I just can’t.”   Depression: “I can’t get up.” Destruction:  “I’ve lost everything.”  Despair: “I don’t know why I am here.” Divorce:  “He/she left me” “I left him/her.” Death: “I miss my mom/dad/child.” Domestic Violence:  “I was afraid.” Discouragement: “I can’t see out of this hole.”  Disease: “I am going to die anyway, why not give up now?”

Ever wondered how God might restore a relationship that’s been consumed by the fire of jealousy? Or worried about how God will redeem your life since the life you had planned isn’t what is happening now? Sometimes these challenges and trials of our daily life seem like a wildfire that devastates everything or anyone we hold dear. It can be overwhelming, catastrophic, and feel like a dead end. After the wildfire’s smoke fades away, all that is left are ashes. The embers of dreams that have died, the remains of hope that has faded, and the residues of relationships that have become distant. God is a God who always restores, rebuilds, regenerates, that’s His character. God can use our story for His glory, but we must trust Him to restore and rebuild in His time. After the fires, the forest is more open, and more light reaches the forest floor. In the areas where the fire burned hottest, the mineral earth is exposed. Much of the dead wood, including stumps and logs is almost completely burned. Where the fire had been hottest is an ideal seedbed for the young giant sequoia seedlings. The heat of the fire causes giant sequoia cones to open, and thousands of seeds are released and fall to the soil. A few years after the wildfire wiped everything out, these plants increased in productivity. What had been considered to be a ‘natural catastrophe’ has been restored and regenerated into a lush forest, which has come back thicker and healthier than before it was burned. In the first few years following such a fire, often the area is covered with young giant sequoia trees. In the Yellowstone National Park – Lodgepole pines now fill about 80% of the park’s extensive forests. Most of these crowd each other out, but those which survive will become the forest of future giants. God has a plan for the ashes of your losses. He will restore, rebuild, regenerate your life. However, you and I have a choice, will we trust Him? We must let go of our past, surrender our dead dreams, frustrated hope, and disappointments with people. God can be trusted to work His will, in His way, in His timing.  The Sequoia seed reminds us that God has planted us here for a season. He wants you to be grounded, rooted deep in His Word, a person of prayer, a son or daughter of destiny. Make the time you are on this earth, a time to sit at His feet, study His Word, learn from Him, and listen to His voice as He directs your life. Remember, like the sequoia, those who survive will become a future Godly giant! Won’t you let God rebuild, restore and renew your life in His timing?

PRAYER:

Written by Ted Loder (1931-2021), a pastor, political activist, author, and poet.  This is from his book “Guerrillas of Grace.”

Catch me in my anxious scurrying, Lord.  Hold my feet to the fire of your grace and make me attentive to my mortality that I may begin to die now to those things that keep me from living with you and with my neighbors on this earth; to grudges and indifference, to certainties that smother possibilities, to my fascination with false securities, to my addiction to sweatless dreams, to my arrogant insistence on how it has to be; to my corrosive fear of dying someday which eats away the wonder of living this day, and the adventure of losing my life in order to find it in you.

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