Between

This week’s short Bible reading from Genesis 12:1-4a describes some of the beginning of a journey. God told Abram go to the land God would show him.  God promised blessing.  And Abram went.

I wonder what occurred between the part where God told Abram to go and Abram went?

• Questions
• Fear
• Doubt
• Arguments
• Plans
• Packing
• Unpacking
• Packing again
• Second-guessing
• Questions
• Fear
• Doubt
• Arguments

 And then maybe going?

I think we often have gotten this idea that God told Abram to go and Abram picked up and went.  The Bible doesn’t hold back on all the adventure after Abram left. I wish there was a little more description about the adventure that came before the journey started.

Why? Because that’s where we live. I think that’s where most of humanity now lives and where humanity has lived for generations. I want to know about the doubts and the fears that took place before Abram just up and left. I know I can’t be positive that Abram had doubts and fears and questions and arguments about the whole “go” thing, but the rest of the story shows a significant amount of confusion, doubt, mistakes, and failures. 

Selah

This week's dirty blues Bible reflection (is it delta blues?) (Slate's Clean) provided the beginning for today's  first Sunday of Lent sermon from Psalm 32.
"Selah" podcast

Return

Last night's Ash Wednesday Sermon
"Return" podcast

Slate's Clean

Here's this week's Bible reflection

Slate’s Clean  (demo audio)
(inspired by Psalm 32) Words and music by Kirk Moore
I’m far from perfect - So much isn’t seen
And trying to hide it – makes my body careen
My strength is failing – I need relief
And you forgive me – help me heal from this grief
Slate’s clean
Slate’s clean

There’s anger inside me  - and it’s troubling
I’m trying to hide it – but its doubling
Oh I need some healing – more strength for today
To soften this anger – let it float away
Slate’s clean
Slate’s clean

Oh show me direction – I’m finding my way
I’ve got my agenda – I don’t know – who’s to say
But I’m open to guidance – and maybe a shove
I’ll keep my eyes open – for wisdom and love
Slate’s clean
Slate’s clean
Slate’s clean
Slate’s clean

Slate’s clean

© 2014 Kirk Moore
All rights reserved

Glow

Have you ever experienced ‘face glowing?’ Maybe not in the same way it’s described in this week’s Bible reading from Matthew 17:1-9, but in more common, yet wonderful situations.

• The glow of a child's face as they open a birthday present
• The glow of a student who is walking up the aisle to graduation
• The glow of someone on their wedding day
• The glow of a parent's face when they see their new baby for the first time
• The glow of a parent or teacher who sees their student accomplish something they have worked on for a long time

I think that when you see someone "glowing" -- it's not something that is frightening. It's wonderful and awe-inspiring.

How about the glow of a person who has experienced unconditional love -- or an extravagant welcome? Is that one harder to see?

What if that person's face was physically shining?

Would you be startled? Would you feel uneasy? Would you freak out?

Imagine it -- "Hey Gloria, your face looks like it has a light bulb in it. What's going on? Are you going alien or something on me? Did you just get taken up in a spaceship? Or have you been hanging around the nuclear waste facilities? You are really glowing! I think you should see a doctor or something about it."

Now what if you thought you were in a supernatural situation -- maybe something like Jesus with his disciples on the mountain?

What would you do?

Sun and Rain

This week's Bible reflection (Attitude) didn't get all that adjusted -- but it did become this morning's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Sun and Rain" podcast

Attitude

I love the upside-down, sideways, backward-ness of Jesus. 

Take everything you know and look at it while standing on your head. If that doesn’t work, look at it in a mirror. If that doesn’t work, look at it sideways. If that doesn’t work . . .

In the Sermon on the Mount, specifically this week in Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus took the common knowledge of the day and asked people to look at it differently. He took the accepted practices and the unbreakable rules and asked folks to consider that causing harm while following those practices and rules went contrary to why any of the practices and rules existed in the first place.

As often as we quote verses from this passage, however, I don’t think that the passage is about the specific instructions. It is about the attitude Jesus wanted and wants all to have.

Notice people. They matter. Treat them as if they matter. Be generous and kind, even when you don’t feel like it. 

If you can’t find a way to do that, first try standing on your head.

Growth

This week's Bible reflection (Belligerence) counted to 10 and became this morning's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Growth" podcast

Belligerence

“I can’t even talk to you as an adult.  You’re such a child!”
“You have to stop arguing – stop behaving like humans!”
“None of us does anything really important.  God does everything”
“But let’s work together.”
In this week’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, I think his highness Paul (yeah – I’m showing the spiritual gift of sarcasm here) once again forgot about the wonderful advice from Proverbs 15:  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Or . . . people hear kind words and their message well.  Belligerent words cloud the message so much folks never hear it.

One step further.

Belligerent words do reinforce a message when it is aimed at folks who agree with the message.  They do the exact opposite for folks in disagreement.

Yeah. Time to take my own advice, I know.

To Fulfill

This week's Bible reflection, "Salt," made for a flavorful beginning of this past Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"To Fulfill" podcast