“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.           Luke 11:42

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God                                                                                                    Micah 6:8

It seems Jesus got pretty upset when people were meticulous about observing the very tiniest letter of the law, but missed the bigger picture. I am thinking that in the above passage, Jesus came down pretty hard on the leaders who observed the tithing laws more than the concept of treating oppressed and marginalized people with justice.

For many people, it is much easier to give a tithe out of their abundance than to adjust their lifestyle and daily decisions to benefit others. The gift of time, for example, can be much more costly than money. The idea of changing a lifestyle so that we can have more means to benefit others is also a significant sacrifice.

We all must look into our hearts to decide how we can best truly meet the commands of a loving God, who, through Jesus, gave us the example to follow.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see the ways that we can truly please you, Amen  

When I consider Your heavens,
    the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which You have established,
 what is man that You are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that You attend to him?                                                                                         Psalm 8:3-4 (Modern English Version)

As I write this blog, it is Star Wars Day. Yes, you know, May the fourth…                                  Do you remember when you first saw the first move in the franchise? It started, of course with Episode IV, something that we really did not understand as we sat in the theater watching that amazing scroll heading off into space. We were mesmerized by the graphics which, in 1977 were beyond amazing.

The movie unfolded, and we were struck with the levels of meaning that the writers, or we the audience, ascribed to it. Lots of action, heroes, villains, special effects, spiritual meaning, gripping plot line- I mean what else can you cram into a film? We just couldn’t wait until Episode V rolled out- three years later for heaven’s sake!

I think the franchise has been wildly successful for many reasons. It has gained world-wide acceptance and has been a fixed part of popular culture for generations. Part of the reason, I think, is that it reaches people at places where they want to be reached. People search for spiritual meaning in life, and Star Wars delivers in the way it portrays good vs. evil, and the faith level it takes for Luke to truly embrace The Force.

Our search for meaning even extends into our entertainment choices. I think this just reinforces that at every level, we are looking for something a little deeper. That is the amazing thing about how we are made, and our Maker too.

Prayer: Lord, you would have us seek you among everything in your creation. What a marvelous plan, Amen

“He will answer them, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.’                                                    Matthew 25:45 (The Message)

“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”                                                                                               Matthew 18:18-20 (The Message)

I heard a story from a client recently whom I had challenged to attend an AA meeting. He knows that he is an alcoholic- at least now he does. It took a trip to the hospital Intensive Care Unit to convince him, but he knows that he is an alcoholic.

However, it was not solely my recommendation to attend AA that convinced him to attend a meeting. It was the behavior of another man in recovery who won him to the AA community. This man offered to talk with my client day or night, whenever he needed to call. He offered to drive from his home (not geographically close), if necessary, to help my client whenever he might need it.

Such behaviors are those of people who care about and understand the needs of others. They become interested in the needs of fellow travelers on this journey which often includes some rough detours.

The Church is where we find it. It is not one denomination, nor a building, nor a system of religious practices and worship. Church happens where need meets loving compassion in the name of our Creator.

Church is at an AA meeting; a support group; a funeral home; a Hospice Center- it is wherever loving compassion is shown by sacrificial service.

That’s where church is.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the plan to love you by loving others, Amen

While I’m far away from you, my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me, my baby
(Yeah) Because it’s hard for me, my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

If there’s one thing I want you to do
Especially for me
Then it’s something
That everybody needs

A little wisdom from the Mamas and Papas quoted above. For those not of a certain age, the Mamas and Papas was a band from the 1960’s that was a blockbuster group. I loved them. The above lyrics were excerpted from the song “Dedicated to the One I Love”. There is great wisdom in those lyrics. Whispering a prayer for those we love just before we go to sleep does wonders for our soul and our sleep.

I have noted in past blogs about the idea of planting good, positive thoughts right before we sleep. I have talked about Intentional Positive Self-Talk just before sleep as we recount a few really good decisions or behaviors that we did during the day. It is a great capstone of the day.

So, I suggest that we also heed the wisdom from the Mamas and Papas. Whisper a little prayer for the ones you love- it’s something that everybody needs…

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for intercessory prayer, Amen

Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.                                                                                Proverbs 2:9-11

My friend, Jason Moore recently presented at a church conference about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He is a real expert on the subject, and he presents it in a fun and informative way. He has also just released his latest book, titled AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous.  

In his presentation, Jason outlined the advantages and disadvantages for society, and the opportunities that exist only if we embrace that technology in a safe and meaningful way. As he states, AI is with us, and it will only grow and become stronger and more impactful in the years to come. The question is, do we have the will and the courage to face these challenges?

I am a complete novice regarding AI, and my fear is less about AI than the will and intentions of the humans who handle it. The possible benefits are beyond my comprehension, and the potential for medical and economic advancements are boundless.  Yet, moral and ethical guidelines are critical. Humans need to supply the virtue in this future, because AI cannot. Humans are the ones who have a soul, and we need to apply those boundaries that can direct AI usage into benefits for humankind.

As Jason points out in his book, the Church has used new technologies in the past, such as the printing press, radio and television, the internet, etc. to advance the Gospel message. AI is also a tool for reaching the world about Jesus. So, here is a sober warning, and a fervent hope that AI can be used with ethical and moral boundaries to benefit a world that needs healing and hope.

Prayer: Lord, give us the vision and courage to use the gifts that you have given us in ways that serve your people well, Amen

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ                                           Galatians 6:2

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” David W. Augsburger

I was recently discussing with a client the idea of being heard and being understood. She was concerned that she was not feeling empathy from people with whom she was sharing from her heart. We talked about what gave her the impression of actually being heard. It is a hard concept to nail down, because it is a subjective feeling. Yet, there are some practical things to consider here.

One aspect of a good listener is their use of words that elicit more sharing. Phrases like “tell me more about that” can be helpful ways to bring out people and let them feel that their ideas and thoughts matter, and that the hearer is truly interested. This, accompanied by good eye contact, nods as appropriate, and other facial expressions which indicate connection, are crucial as well.

Indeed, all the tips about listening are hollow without true caring and concern by the listener. Giving our time and attention to others, especially in their time of need is a sacrificial act. As we know, there is not love without sacrifice, and listening with intent and care is a loving act, a sacrifice shown by time and attention.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the plan to bear one another’s burdens as a discipline of our faith, Amen

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you                                                          Philippians 4:8-9

Hans Selye was an endocrinologist in the 1940’s who pioneered the work on the effects of stress on the body. He was among the first scientists to recognize the role of what we now call “stress” by naming it the general adaptation syndrome. He called it this because the body responds to stress by producing certain hormones, and eventually inflammation, that causes the body to react in very negative ways. In other words, stress can make us sick, and it can make sickness even worse.

Stress has always been a part of human life, but it plays out differently in our modern culture. We are surrounded by access to news of local and world problems to a degree never imagined in prior centuries. I have had many clients talk with me about personal problems such as marriage, job, financial problems, etc., but there is an added burden many say. They may not be able to put their finger on it exactly, but when asked about specific stressors, they may add something like, …”and you know, all the stuff going on in the world today…”

Yes, I know what they are saying – all the stuff going on in the world today. It is easy to get caught up in the bad news all around us. That can give us a negative attitude, whereby we start to expect that all the news is bad.

Some “vacations” from news might be helpful. Cut back on social media; just don’t turn on or surf for the national newscasts for a while; find an uplifting book and remind yourself of the positive things in your life.

We all know that the bad news will be there waiting when we return to viewing it, but maybe we should consume a little less of the stuff that, “you know, is going on in the world today.”  

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember all the good news that is around, and find comfort in your words, Amen

A sound mind makes for a robust body,
    but runaway emotions corrode the bones. Proverbs 14:30

I saw this picture on a site when I did a search about the effects of stress on aging. This stunning photo shows President Abraham Lincoln in the short 5-year span of his Presidency during the Civil War. I am not sure that we can attribute all of this dramatic change to stress alone. Many believe that Lincoln suffered from a hormonal imbalance caused by a pituitary problem. I do not know that for sure of course, however, this picture shows a man under tremendous stress.

We have all seen “before and after” pictures of recent American Presidents who appear to have aged disproportionately during their tenures in office. Almost all of our Presidents show rather clear aging changes which might well be attributed to the incredible stress they carried.

Indeed, this is not only for American Presidents. Any world leader, or someone with terribly burdensome stress shows it in their face. The body reacts to the pressure in the mind and soul. The interconnection of mind and body seems to be clearly demonstrated in pictures like this.

The term “stress”, as it is currently used was coined by Hans Selye in 1936, who defined it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”. Stress theory came into the popular parlance in the 1960’s and 1970’s as we came to better understand the relationship between stress and general health.

All of us encounter stress in our life, and the critical question is, “What do we do with it?”

More tomorrow…

Prayer: Lord, you know our frame and our frailty, but also the strength that you can give. Help us to understand that better, Amen

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.                                                                                                                                                                         Philippians 4:8

We are all familiar with this law, postulated by Isaac Newton. It is a truth of physics, and we are surrounded by proof of it every day. I find it fascinating that there is such balance in nature. The very atoms that make up matter are living in an equilibrium of balance. Positive and negative forces keep the atom together. There is a positive charge in the nucleus, and the electrons surrounding that nucleus are negatively charged.

So too, I think in our attitudes, there is a positive and a negative that exist at the same time. An event that happens can be seen as a positive or a negative event. It just depends on which way we decide to look at it.

The other night, I woke up to go to the bathroom. Yes, that happens with some regularity to people of a certain age- and even often to people NOT of a certain age! At any rate, on this particular night, I had to get up twice. Upon returning to bed, I was thinking in my groggy state, (but definitely awake) that waking up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night was such a nuisance of age.

 Negative thinking.

Then I thought, yes, but what a blessing that our bodies are configured in such a way to signal us to wake up so that we can USE the bathroom.

Positive thinking.

There are many situations that, given some thought, can be seen to have a potentially positive side. Certainly not all situations by any means, but many things, which on the face of them look negative or annoying, can have that positive aspect if we look at it the right way.

Please understand, I am not always that positive guy by any means! But it is good to consider the possibilities of things that happen to us as possibly having that positive aspect.

Just a thought…

Prayer: Lord, help us to look for positives whenever possible, Amen

This is a copy of a famous painting titled The Angelus, by Jean-Francois Millet. This painting has always touched me, because it hearkens to an older time- a time when people all over a community took time out when they heard the Angelus bells ring at the local parish church.

Last evening my wife and I visited our old neighborhood on the west side of Cincinnati. As we were walking near my old church, St. Martin Church in Cheviot, I heard the Angelus bells call out at 6:00PM. I was immediately transformed to a time some 50 or 60 years earlier, when those same bells rang, and we were instructed to stop in place, and pray the Angelus prayer.

It was, of course a simpler time, a bit slower paced time to be sure, but one steeped in tradition and reverence. A community of believers stopped in reverence in response to bells that called us to remember that whatever we were doing was secondary to pausing for a tribute to the Creator.

While the Angelus is no longer a part of most communities, what now is the reminder to stop whatever we are doing, and call upon our Father in humble reverence?

Prayer: Lord, help us to recall daily your provision for us, and our need for a humble response, Amen