God's Righteous Dilemma

Proper 6 (year c)

Psalm 5.1-8, 1 Kings 21.1-21a, Luke 7.36-8.3 & Galatians 2.15-21

Galatians 2.19 & 21  For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. . .

I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Meditation:  "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly."  (Luke 7.41-43)

Reflection:  "It is nearly impossible for most of us to comprehend a God who forgives without merit, who loves us anyway, who keeps calling us home to the fullness of life that only God can give." - Michaela Bruzzese

Consider:  We love law.  After all, it is what keeps us honest--working together in a spirit of fairness.  Without it there would be anarchy.

Interestingly, the descriptive, terms for heresy means to depart from the commonly agreed upon orthodoxy--the conventional, mutually accepted beliefs, standards, and norms, that we all adhere to, and understand in order to act morally within our shared culture.  We have come to believe that heresy is a departure from the law.

In our Psalm this week, we have another pleading with God to uphold the Psalter because he is good, assured of God's mercy toward him.  But he ascribes hatred to those "evildoers" (or "heretics") who "lie and boast" and are his enemies. Are they law breakers?  Heretics?  And what "laws" do they break?

Good questions, but what about Jesus?

In our gospel text, Jesus (a heretic Himself) reaches beyond just law-keeping, to a higher Way, that of senseless mercy, and in so doing, He forces us to wrestle with a dilemma; What is Justice in light of Mercy? Is it God's morality to just keep the orthodoxy, or to find the way, at all costs, to reach beyond law to a place where there truly is nether Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female;   Where our Pharisaical personal rightness is superseded by a deliberate refusal to ascribe justified hatred, opting for unjustified mercy.  

Now, when we cannot pay for our law breaking (or law-keeping as it were), having been given cancellation our own dept, how appreciative will we be?  (How much have you been forgiven?)  Will we love more; will we honor Jesus in the face of a religious culture that wants to personally embrace law-keeping, feeling as though we don't need to do more, or move beyond our simple ability to keep law; that we have simply not violated anything?   In what ways should we honor Him?  Perhaps by following Him into His work in the world...  by this example, touching, and being touched by a religious outcast.

Are you justified because you have obeyed the orthodoxy (reflected by a very little love toward those who are not like you), or do you have a sober judgment of yourself in true appreciation of a very big dept cancellation--exhibited by a very heretical mercy, love, and appreciation, for those God loves?  Have you just been religiously right, or sacrificially--heretically--reaching to love with senselessly mercy?

Incidentally, Jesus and this woman are both heretically reaching to save a learned Pharisee from the death of personal religious correctness. 

In God's holy perfection, He is not wringing His hands trying to figure out how to be Just and Merciful to His world.  In our humanity and sinfulness, we do...  Let's try to think in His terms; let's rethink the term Gospel...

Peace!

Posted by Pastor Kork at 12:01 AM EDT

Updated: Monday, 18 June 2007 7:18 AM EDT

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The Voice and Character of God Among Us  

Proper 5 (year c)

psalm 146, 1 kings 17.8-24, luke 7.11-17, & galatians 1.11-24

galatians 1.11, 15-17a
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin;...

But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went...

Meditation:
The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.  Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!"  This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.   (Luke 7.15-17)

Reflection:
" God's mercy and justice for the oppressed, as described in Psalm 146, are not typical of the "lords" of this world, but they are characteristic of the God who spontaneously reaches out to bereft widows in 1 Kings 17 and Luke 7. "   - Jim Rice

Consider:
Often, we believe that God is bound in duty to perform for us.  We silently think that when all goes wrong in our lives, that he is less than God if his deliverance is not here when we order it-like at the drive-thru window.

This also affects us in our "want-to" lives.  If I am uncomfortable, or don't "want to" do something, embrace someone, or step outside "self," then God is not "leading me" to do so.  "After all, he would never want me to be uncomfortable."  "In fact, I am convinced that these just are not my gifts, and to engage out side of those giftings will be counter-God."  We expect unlimited happiness and if any difficulties come, somehow this is "the enemy" and not God.  In the past we have talked about tests that approve us (God's test), and tests to undo us (satan's tests).  How do we know the difference, or is there a difference--outside of allowing the test to run it's course and effecting change in us. Trouble does come to us in the everyday, and even if it doesn't draw near, or crouch at our own door (I don't mean to infer that sin is attached to trouble), it is at least present within our circles-friends, family, co-workers,.. 

It is also always very present within the Churches harvest field-and ironically prevalent.  Suppose everything was okay in your circles-no one having a single worry-happy go lucky-just good clean Christian fun...?  Drive a few minutes (or less in any city).  You will find despair.

I talk to, and have a lot of homeless friends, and they walk by well lit houses at night, warm in the winter, and with windows shut with comfortable air conditioning in the summer, as they swelter outside, exhausted from the heat.  I know how they feel about that.  They do see extravagance too, as they go without.  They ask why people are not content in such places that have "everything," and worse, why they think that they deserve everything, and worse yet, why they can't be human enough to share a little, or even sacrifice some extravagance for those who are struggling.  They point an accusing finger at the Church--and rightly so...  (Deut. 15.7-11)

Our Lectionary readings for this week focus on widows, worship and the change of heart that moves us from being religiously right, to religiously sacrificial for others.  The readings from St. Paul's story is that of his change of heart when God changes his perspective. Prior to this "revealing," he was comfortable in his piety, and in his striving within religious circles--excelling and having it all, working hard and enjoying the lavishness of his rewards.  I imagine he felt justified and sinless to a degree because of his ability to strive and attain a particular religious stature.

Serious consideration and walking with Jesus will change that...

In our Lectionary story of Paul, we can view his words to mean that his "conversion" came from God, and so he needn't submit to anyone else--he is independent in his "personal relationship with Christ."  Truth be told, as we examine Paul's life, reconsider these words to be filled with exactly the opposite--a man not presuming to charge into the position of authority--a man who was learning slowly, to honor those around him, and above him--a man who was learning respect through an un-doing of his religiosity--a man finding humility, and a man finding himself in Christ.

 In the story of Jesus and Elijah, returning sons from the dead, in our arrogance, we can "claim" the abilities to work miracles, focusing on the shallow part of these stories, while the true "miracle" is resting there underneath, with its beauty hidden by the glamour of the superficial.  That beauty is the gut wrenching compassion poured out to these two widows, who without there son's, would be the most culturally vulnerable, and deprived.  The miracle, or "power" is that of extraordinary compassion for those without a hope, those easily tossed aside and without a voice.  These stories are full of beauty because they teach us that our religious striving is shallow; that true worship results in service to God through serving those who are helpless because they are important to God; that when we will, God's care is seen and understood; that the point is not our comfort and carefree life, but rather the losing of our life, finding Christ in each other's mundane.

When we find ourselves engaged like this, we become true representatives of the risen Christ, giving true hope without pretense or ulterior motive.  We find ourselves on the sure ground of speaking God's words, and our life's purpose is changed to that of significance in true worship of the living God.

Is today's Christianity a matter of good business, the latest Christian fads, like the lastest books, self-help, methods, and movements; sophisticated Christian consumerism and entertainment; private groups, clicks, and affinity groups; filling our heads with information and theory?  Is this where we find God?  Is this where we walk with Jesus?  Is this our prophetic voice?

Posted by Pastor Kork at 9:58 AM EDT

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The Triune Voice of God

Trinity (year c)

psalm 8, proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31, john 16.12-15, & romans 5.1-5

romans 5.1-5
1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Meditation:
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,...  (Psalm 8.3-5)

Reflection:
" We worship an inclusive God - a God who says, ‘There are not aliens in my house.' We worship a God who is trinity, unity and diversity: A God who calls us to model our lives on the lives of the Trinity. " - Archbishop Njonkulu Ndungane (Desmond Tutu's successor)

Consider:
Trinitarian worship should be a reflection of family. God has gone to pains to model these relationships within the Godhead (as difficult as it might be to comprehend), each deferring honor to the other rather than themselves. The Father finds glory in the Son, the Son deferring to honoring the Father and is filled with the "Sophia/Wisdom" - the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit speaking only what He hears from the Father and the Son. Seems that they are competing to be the "least" or the last within their own family circle of sorts--the tri-unity of the Logos.

We are talking about receiving the Holy Spirit (or desiring, submitting to, and deferring to God in cooperation with His will) being in step with the Spirit who has been given to us.

This is a radical way to live, this crucifying of our way, to live in concert with God and His mission of new earth and kingdom living. It shakes our lives to the core as we find those things that are truly important to Jesus, and align our life to completely reflect His desires.

We are on firm ground as we endeavor to mimic Jesus in our contexts today, as expressed thorough the gospels--placing us in allegiance to Him only.

As disciples, we are the best citizens of any earthly country where we find ourselves--being true servants--but our loyalties place us in another world, with other convictions... Higher convictions!

We should consider all of this as the 2008 elections draw near.

How does Jesus feel about life, war, the poor, and the alien? Questions and problems we haven't seemed to be able to answer in earthly economies...

We might be tempted to think that Christian "political issues" are relegated to a couple of hot button topics, but if we will take the time to seek God will--what His will has always been--we will see a consistent theme of justice, equality and acceptance of those marginalized, in very profound ways.

God has made up His mind about these things. Perhaps we should rediscover His intentions, as He longs to act through us, and we become His reflections in the earth today--His Church.

Posted by Pastor Kork at 9:40 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, 4 June 2007 10:00 PM EDT

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Pentecost  (year c)

psalm 104.24-35, john 14.8-17, 25-27,  acts 2.1-21, & romans 8.14-17

"In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."  (Acts 2 .17-18)

Meditation:   For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.  (Romans 8 .14-17)

Reflection:  The Fullness of Divine Love - "At first, in the story of the Exodus, God is revealed as a God-for-us, guiding us out of our slavery with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). Later, in the story of Jesus of Nazareth, God is revealed as a God-with-us (Matthew 1:24), accompanying us in solidarity and compassion. Finally, in the story of Pentecost, God is revealed as a God-within-us, who enables us to breathe the divine life ourselves." - Henri Nouwen

Consider: Imagine, we are God's children-innocent, childish and small.  But with His very big message-that of the world's reconciliation and a recommitment to His true law!  God lavishly pours out His perfection upon us in the form of the Spirit, reminding us that we speak for Him and the language is Love; when we are engaged in reconnecting of the nations. The Spirit reminds us what Jesus said and did, and empowers us to cooperate with His mission.

We are angels of that message, emulating Jesus; receiving the Spirit. Arm-in-arm, we receive Him, as He is poured out on all cultures, genders and age groups, evidenced by actuated LOVE.  In the Spirit, we bear witness-fear is over, we become holy, we are guiltless, and are now children (childlike/innocent), and our voice is not heard again-God's voice is heard in that innocence.  We are His vulnerable voices-Little Children of God with a Big Voice and Work.

Posted by Pastor Kork at 12:01 AM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 2:47 PM EDT

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Easter 7 (year c)

psalm 97, john 17 .20-26, acts 16 .16-34, revelation 22 .12-14,16-17,20-21 

While [the slave girl] followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation."  She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out. . .   (Acts 16 .17—18a) 

Meditation:   Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  (Acts 16 .28—30) 

Reflection:  In the midst of violence and death, the disciples choose to offer life to those who rejected and abused them. Ultimately, we are not called to avoid oppression, suffering, or even death but to answer it with life, mercy, and hope.  Michaela Bruzzese 

We are very comfortable in the United States; comfortable in our provision, with our entertainment choices, food selection and availability, etc.  Our lives here have many choices.  This consumerism is evident in our Churches as well; Our church buildings, our church style options, decorations, even how padded our pews are (or seats for our contemporary choices) so that our Christian buts are comfortable while we bring our "sacrifice" of praise each Sunday. 

What is really surrendered in our style of following Jesus?  You know, that prophet with the wild claims about being God...  The one who said ridiculous things to his folks and acquaintances about placing others first, and more importantly, placing ourselves at the back of the line. 

We want to relegate Jesus to a whole different level of humanity (as well we should), but often confuse his ability as unattainable.  After all, "He is God and I am not!"  "He knew people's thoughts and hearts," as if to say that that made his way easier than ours.  Really? 

I'm sure knowing everything has its advantages, but the things that Jesus asks of us (and in fact modeled to us--fully expecting the disciples to reciprocate) is to learn his response to every situation, finding the godly, moral way ,which always reflects God's grace, justice, and mercy, requiring our servitude--Our selflessness to the point of sacrifice for God and others. And at all costs, those who are oppressed, marginalized, and kept at arms distance. 

As we think this week about how we silently demand God to bless, even our inappropriate grasping for comfort as entitlement in our comfortable churches, expecting nary a problem to befall us,... 

Consider: Paul & Silas singing in a dungeon, after delivering one swept up in the popular religion (and its props), and as a result of this 'Jesus style' sacrifice, God is glorified in worship... "In that very Hour!" Hmmmm... Maybe we've missed something...

Posted by Pastor Kork at 12:01 AM EDT

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Distinguishing between home and mission field no longer makes sense.
By Christopher J. H. Wright 

This year, the Christian Vision Project asked a select group of church leaders, What must we learn, and unlearn, to be agents of God's mission in the world? Here is Christopher Wright's answer—an urge for believers to rethink the meaning of mission, whether your mission field is across the ocean or across the street.

Click HERE to read on...

Posted by Pastor Kork at 9:17 AM EDT

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I like this...

This is a post from NextReformation, and sums up a good beginning of how we attempt to BE church.

Words like “evangelism,” “gospel” and “mission” are freighted by both history and experience. If our understanding of evangelism is filtered through the enlightenment, then we tend to have evangelism programs. But if our practice is rooted in transformed communities, then all that we do is mission because we are sent into the world as Jesus is sent. The backstory to the gospel is an expectation of a coming One who will reign and bring peace. The good news is as broad as the redemption of creation. How do we learn to partner with God in the work he is doing? By becoming a people who do justice, love kindness and walk humbly. We don’t ask God to join our mission: we join his.

Posted by Pastor Kork at 11:07 AM EST

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I have been struggling with how church is done.  What's new about that?

In my desire to operate in Christ's Kingdom community (ya know, actually becoming a disciple-following Jesus into his work and will in the earth), I have had some offensive discussions within the church at large.

Everybody seems to have figured out individually different Christs that they follow.

The "teaching church" believes that dispensing information in a classroom setting is who Jesus is; the "worshiping church" thinks that contemporary songs and remaking hymns in a sheltered subculture is what Jesus was building; the "administrative church" thinks that moving money into programs to "minister" from a distance is Jesus' "Way;" and the "Business Model" church encounters Jesus as a CEO, his managers are the clergy, his supervisors are deacons, and his employees are the laity.  (I know this is not thorough, but please let's not get sidetracked.)

The trouble being (I think) that there is only One Jesus... Right?  I think that I have encountered him in the scriptures, and have seen lots of examples of what is important to him, as well as what isn't.  (I am not talking about gifts at this time (different people serving in different ways), although they are important to the total church).

I am a church planter.  I've started a church under, not the most ideal circumstances from a "Church Business" standpoint, and have been told such things as Still Waters is not a church, "[we] only do ministry."  Also things like, "losers don't make for a healthy church."

As we started out, our mission was to follow Christ into his work in the world; connecting with the undesirables in our area in genuine friendship, and helping the more affluent community (church folk) into their lives and service.  As Christ's disciples, we find him doing this throughout the gospels.

There is one thing that I am sure of; that Jesus befriended and identified with those who were struggling on the margins, and had little respect for the comfortable, affluent religious types who thought that they were better, more educated, clever and religiously right.

I've been told to "pastor" building a church.  I sense that the clergy has no room for actually touching the undesirable personally and to the point of inconvenience.  We have heard that we are helping the wrong people, and in the wrong way.  Again, I've been told that this is not a church.

We have applied for a grant within our own fellowship of churches, beginning communication with them in October 2004, and still have had no answers to probably one of the most thorough applications that many professional grant writers have witnessed, let alone unanswered emails, and unanswered questions.  Could it be that they fear that we will waist the funding on helping the wrong people?  I don't know...

I would like some dialog to help me figure this out... 

Beginning with this question:  Is Jesus a pastor?  And, did Jesus plant a church?  Careful now...

Looking forward to hearing your answers.

Peace.

Posted by Pastor Kork at 2:11 PM EST

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We Have a Chance to Save Countless Lives 

Did you know that right now, Congress has an incredible opportunity to continue saving millions of lives in the world's poorest countries by fully funding the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty.   

The last Congress left nine critical spending bills unfinished leaving the new Congress the difficult work of allocating our 2007 budget; a daunting task to be sure.  At stake is $1 billion vital to continuing to provide clean water, education and life-saving medicines to people in Africa and the world's poorest countries.   There are few places in the U.S. budget where dollars translate so directly into lives saved. 

Without this funding, 350,000 people will not receive life-saving AIDS medicines, nearly 1 million anti-malaria bednets will not be distributed and 120,000 people will not receive treatment for tuberculosis.   

As a member of Christ's Church, Still Waters churches, the clergy, the ONE Campaign, The Ministries at Main Street, and a member of the global community, I strongly encourage Congress to protect this funding and ensure our commitment as Americans, to continue the fight against extreme poverty and global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.   

America's example and will to do good in the world, exercising moral assistance to those needing help, models our best to the world in the tradition of compassion and generosity.   

Please write your Congressional Leaders asking them to continue this effort with your dollars as your representatives. Together, we can give the world's poorest people the tools they need to overcome extreme poverty, giving them the gift, and the chance for a hopeful future. 

In my view, it is our moral imperative to act at a time such as this. 

Kork Moyer, Pastor

Still Waters churches & worship center & The Ministries at MAIN Street

Posted by Pastor Kork at 12:46 PM EST

Updated: Monday, 22 January 2007 12:49 PM EST

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10:30 PM Jan 15, 2007

Last week, over 70,000 ONE members sent over 200,000 letters to Congress, urging our government to save nearly a billion dollars for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs.

Today, Archbishop Desmund Tutu, one of the most remarkable leaders of our time, asks Congress to fund the fight and "remind the world of the good that can be done in the name of the American people."

From Desmond Tutu's Op-Ed in today's Washington Post:

"The U.S. government has repeatedly promised to combat HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria: At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000 and as a member of the Group of Eight the United States committed to the goal of universal access for HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment by 2010. However, the funding resolution Congress is considering would shortchange and potentially sabotage every American program to address these diseases, leaving innocent people in its wake...

"It is a sign of our breakdown as one human family. Worldwide, we have made stops and starts at healing this rift and keeping our promises to one another. But if Congress does not act to restore that $1 billion for global health, poverty alleviation and foreign aid, the rift will only grow wider and healing will be further beyond our reach...

"As we honor the life and vision of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. today, I hope and pray that Congress will choose the righteous path, the path that will save tens of thousands of lives and give countless children opportunities and hope they have never before imagined. I join the world in watching, and waiting for its decision."

Read the full piece here

Posted by Pastor Kork at 12:43 PM EST

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