Don’t worry, be happy…

Bobby McFerrin

“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Matthew 6:25-27

We have these words above to remind us not to worry, right? But, do we worry? Yes, we do. I think that anxieties, to some degree, are endemic to the human condition. Some people worry a lot, some much less so, but we all worry some.

There have been times in my life when I had some issue on my mind, and rationally, I knew that it was not really a valid concern. The things I were fearing might happen were completely unlikely to occur, yet it kept entering my mind.

Such is the nature of anxiety. Much of it is irrational fear, and beyond our control. Indeed, if we could exert some control over the outcome, we would not have anxiety. Taking the irrational thought captive, and speaking truth to it- sometimes repeatedly- is the remedy that we need to employ.

Sometimes, the worry causes us to rethink our behaviors, and serves as a reminder that we might be able to avoid that particular worry in the future. Sometimes too, it may cause us to draw closer to God, knowing that he holds our future, and that his love is sustaining.

So, if we can redeem worry into a closer walk with God, we have taken control of it in a different way- a way that can serve us better in the future.

Prayer: Lord, you are the One upon whom we can safely cast our fears, Amen

Don’t worry, be happy…

Bobby McFerrin

“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Matthew 6:25-27

We have these words above to remind us not to worry, right? But, do we worry? Yes, we do. I think that anxieties, to some degree, are endemic to the human condition. Some people worry a lot, some much less so, but we all worry some.

There have been times in my life when I had some issue on my mind, and rationally, I knew that it was not really a valid concern. The things I were fearing might happen were completely unlikely to occur, yet it kept entering my mind.

Such is the nature of anxiety. Much of it is irrational fear, and beyond our control. Indeed, if we could exert some control over the outcome, we would not have anxiety. Taking the irrational thought captive, and speaking truth to it- sometimes repeatedly- is the remedy that we need to employ.

Sometimes, the worry causes us to rethink our behaviors, and serves as a reminder that we might be able to avoid that particular worry in the future. Sometimes too, it may cause us to draw closer to God, knowing that he holds our future, and that his love is sustaining.

So, if we can redeem worry into a closer walk with God, we have taken control of it in a different way- a way that can serve us better in the future.

Prayer: Lord, you are the One upon whom we can safely cast our fears, Amen

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.                                                                                                                                                                     Luke 1:38

In former blogs, I have talked about the unique use of the word “grace” (charitoo) used only twice in the Bible. Once it was used as the word to describe the grace given to Mary when she assented to accepting the role of “God carrier” from the angel who declared her to be the vessel to carry Jesus into the world. The other instance is when Paul told the Ephesian believers that they had that same grace to carry the message of healing to a broken world. So, I think we have established that this seems to be a unique calling that we have, akin to Mary’s role as giving birth to the Savior.

It also struck me that Mary had a say in this. This was not some edict that God enforced on Mary. While she had been set apart for this important mission, she did have a decision to make. She did not need to sign up for this assignment that was fraught with pain, anxiety and uncertainty. She could have said “No”.

But Mary did not say no. Because of that, we have a wonderful plan, an unsurpassed story that we celebrate every year. Mary agreed to be the human host of the “Lamb of God”.

So too do we have a say in our part of the plan of being “God carriers”. We can agree to it and bear the costs attendant with it, as well as the rewards of it. Mary’s agreement was the start of God’s plan of redeeming his lost sheep. Our agreement keeps that legacy going forward.

Prayer: Every day we have the opportunity to say “Yes” to your plan. Give us continued grace to do so, Amen.

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me                                 John 6:35 (The Message)

When Jesus taught, he used analogies that people could relate to. We can relate to food, right? Especially as we enter into the dark days of winter, out bodies crave carbohydrates. Those carbs are “comfort foods” and they come by that name honestly. They give us comfort. Carbs make us feel good.

Carbohydrates are precursors to serotonin, that neurochemical we crave in order to feel an upgraded mood. As we perceive less light, the brain gets the signal to find more serotonin. An easy way to do that, to get more serotonin with diminishing light available (here in the northern hemisphere), is to get it with food. Therefore, we bring on the carbs!

Bread, sugar, alcohol, etc. are those things that give our brain that satisfied feeling of comfort. They are dished out in increasing amounts as we enter the darker winter time. So, it is no surprise that we get a glut of those foods around this time of year.

Especially as we deal with all the stress of this year, we may indulge more in that rush of carbs. Obviously, restraint should be in order, but if we fail a bit, I think we understand that, maybe more this year than ever.

A couple of thoughts come to mind. One, if you are going to eat more carbs, try to balance with more exercise. You can never exercise yourself to weight loss, but you can mitigate those self-indulgent forays of the season just a bit with more exercise. Besides, the exercise itself is a serotonin engine, so get after the exercise!

Next, remember that the season is about the Bread of Life that Jesus discussed in the passage above. He is the real comfort we seek through all the other pathways that are temporary. A relationship with the true Bread of Life is completely satisfying.

Prayer: Father, help us to remember that Jesus is the bread of life that satisfies, Amen.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people                                                         Luke 2:10

You know the Christmas song – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. It is a song of a festive time, a time of celebration and joy. The Christmas music, the parties, the lights and decorations, the gathering of family- yes, it is a most wonderful time.

Yes, there has been much cultural appropriation of the Christian holiday that Christmas most certainly is. That’s fine with me though. As Christians, we are to help spread joy and goodwill to a world in desperate need of it. If the Christmas season helps people get a little sense of relief in a beleaguered world, that’s OK.

Yes, the real reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We must always keep that in mind. But if the cultural trappings of the season also bring joy to folks, good!

Prayer: Lord, help us to bring joy to a world in great need of it, Amen

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver                                                        Proverbs 25:11

I was just listening to a podcast while walking today. The podcaster interviewed a social science researcher about “little kindnesses”. She remarked that while on a plane trip with her daughter, they were very tight in their schedule for a connecting flight. They needed to exit the plane quickly, get to their gate, and pray that they had made it in time. I am guessing that at one time or another, we all have been in that situation.

She noted that she and her daughter pushed ahead of other rows in the plane’s aisle, begging forgiveness of those in seats ahead of them, explaining the situation. Almost all were very accommodating and let them pass. But one older gentleman ahead of them would have none of it. He reminded them that “people wait their turn for those in rows ahead of them”. He did not let them pass.

This of course was infuriating for the woman relating the story. Then she talked it out with her podcast guest, and he told her of the research which indicates that we tend to remember the incidences of discourtesy or a sense of injustice dealt by others much more than the series of kindnesses we experience.

He pointed out the research of John Gottman, a noted authority on marriage counseling and restoration. Gottman indicates it may take about five acts of kindness and active positive interactions in order to overcome the effects of one or two rude or insensitive interactions.   

When we are dealing with strangers- store clerks, people on planes, phone operators, etc. small acts of kindness are very powerful. It might be one of those five or so that they need to overcome one of those insensitive interactions from others.

During this Christmas season, I am especially keeping that in mind.  

Prayer: Lord, keep us in mind of those little things that are big helps, Amen

“For you have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”                         Psalm 51:16-17

If you are interested in reading Psalm 51 in its entirety, it is helpful in understanding David’s mindset here. The Psalm has only 19 verses , so it is not a long endeavor. We see in this Psalm the heart of David, but also the heart of God, who forgives us freely, no matter where we are or what we may have done.

            David wrote this psalm of contrition after his affair with Bathsheba. He was, quite literally, a broken man. He says in verse 8 that his “bones had been broken”, an allusion to the depths of emotional pain and suffering caused by his abject guilt.

            This psalm speaks of David’s sin, his contrition, and ultimately, his restoration by a loving God. David knows that, as he stated in verse 10, he needed God to create in him a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within him. David knew that this was not something that he himself could do. Only God can create a clean heart and right spirit.

            David concluded that the things which really please God are not our burnt offerings and our sacrifices. Rather, God would have us to confess our brokenness to Him, so that He can create in us that clean heart and right spirit.

            We see the progression here in the psalm: God judges sin, and David begins the psalm acknowledging the sin; forgiveness through the “purging of the hyssop (an allusion to the Passover and forgiveness through Christ’s blood; cleansing; renewal of the Spirit; service to the Lord; worship; and restoration.

            All of us come to Christ in the same way- broken sinners asking for forgiveness, which God freely gives. This is followed by joy, power, worship, and service. David sinned greatly and was forgiven greatly. The same forgiveness is ours through Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the lessons you gave to David. You want our relationship renewed with you, and we thank you for loving us enough to want to communicate with us. We ask forgiveness for our sins, and rejoice in your answers. Amen.

I want to wish a very warm and blessed Thanksgiving to my faithful readers! Your kind support and feedback has been so refreshing over the years. I hope that you will be surrounded by friends and family this day. That may be our greatest blessing of the many that we have!

John

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.                                                                                                                             Ephesians 6:12

It is once again Thanksgiving time in the United States. Most countries have some version of this particular holiday, and rightly so. We have so much to be thankful for!

Yet there are those around the world who will be faced with suffering, war, persecution, and starvation. I think of people in Ukraine, suffering from a war imposed upon them by Vladimir Putin. It seems that his specialty is attacking schools, hospitals and other civilian targets with long-range rockets. So, the verse in Ephesians which talks about struggling against evil is demonstrated here.

Paul, in this verse above, was discussing evil which is brought into the world through wicked rulers and authorities, acting perhaps in the thrall of the “evil one” himself. As representatives of Jesus in our role to bring peace, health, and unity to a broken world, we must identify evil and stand up against it. This concept is described well in the book by N.T. Wright titled The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God.

So, my friends, we are called to identify evil, resist it, and continue in prayer for vigilance and strength. Jesus has won the battle against evil through his presence on Earth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But we too are called upon to be witness to the ongoing resistance of that evil as it hurts and affects our fellow travelers.  

Prayer: …and deliver us from evil, Amen

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.                                                                                                                             Ephesians 6:12

It is once again Thanksgiving time in the United States. Most countries have some version of this particular holiday, and rightly so. We have so much to be thankful for!

Yet there are those around the world who will be faced with suffering, war, persecution, and starvation. I think of people in Ukraine, suffering from a war imposed upon them by Vladimir Putin. It seems that his specialty is attacking schools, hospitals and other civilian targets with long-range rockets. So, the verse in Ephesians which talks about struggling against evil is demonstrated here.

Paul, in this verse above, was discussing evil which is brought into the world through wicked rulers and authorities, acting perhaps in the thrall of the “evil one” himself. As representatives of Jesus in our role to bring peace, health, and unity to a broken world, we must identify evil and stand up against it. This concept is described well in the book by N.T. Wright titled The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God.

So, my friends, we are called to identify evil, resist it, and continue in prayer for vigilance and strength. Jesus has won the battle against evil through his presence on Earth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But we too are called upon to be witness to the ongoing resistance of that evil as it hurts and affects our fellow travelers.  

Prayer: …and deliver us from evil, Amen