Musings for October 3

Sunday, October 3, 2010
Midweek Musings
Reflection by Judy Lazenby

ACTING TOGETHER
In the upper room, at the Last Supper, Jesus gives this new commandment to his disciples, to love one another. They (we) are to love one another “as he has loved” them (us). It is about witness to the world. It is how the world around us will see and know that we are disciples of Jesus. This commandment is about community. It is about the common good. It is about our living as disciples of Jesus. He commands that we follow him together. He commands us to love one another.


Prayer of the Day
Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ's mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lessons

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Psalm 8:3-8
3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15
13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15As it is written,
"The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little."

John 13:34-35
34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Reflections
When I read this week’s Gospel lesson, the first thing I hear in my head is the song the choir has sung in the past based on these verses. After singing in choirs since my college days, this often happens to me. I cannot separate the Bible texts from the lyrics and melodies of various songs. I suppose it even goes back to Sunday School days and all of us have probably had similar experiences. This is a short lesson, only 40 words, and yet the message is the essence of Jesus’ life. The Good News is all about LOVE. God’s love for us in sending Jesus, Jesus’ love in giving his life for us, the Holy Spirit’s love that surrounds us daily.

Quote
When we sing our prayers, we pray them twice over. St. Augustine

Prayers
• We pray for people everywhere recovering from flooding.
• We pray for people recovering from surgeries and long term illnesses.
• We pray for Atonement's members as they move on a journey of stewardship.
• We pray for leaders working for peace in the world.
• We pray for hungry children near and far.

Musings for Pentecost 18

September 26, 2010

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Joshua Brown

Facing the Truth

Why is it so hard to live simply and make life easier than it is? We face daily a complex world of our own making. We feel pushed and pulled by forces beyond our control. And when things feel

like they are out of our control, we often feel afraid. We become like the disciples in

the boat with Jesus. We are afraid that we are perishing, tossed about by the “wind and

the waves” in our lives.

Prayer of the Day

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Lessons

Micah 6:6-8

⁶"With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
⁸He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 51:10-12

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
¹¹Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

⁶Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; ⁷for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; ⁸but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ⁹But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

Mark 4:37-41

³⁷A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" ³⁹He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" ⁴¹And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Reflection

From the prophet Micah’s text two passages have become well known and beloved. Chapter four’s promise of peace and security as God’s arbitration causes nations to “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” and this passage from the sixth chapter that challenges the nation of Israel to meet God’s requirements.

In chapter 6 Micah has brought a lawsuit against the people of Israel on behalf of God. He calls on the no less than the mountains and foundations of the earth to serve as witnesses as he presents the case. The people of Israel have turned from God and God demands to know why they no longer remember the promises God has fulfilled.

This sets the scene for this passage beginning at verse 6. As many good lawyers and debaters do, Micah turns to hyperbolic rhetorical questions to make his point. Will it please the Lord if you offer a deluge of earthly riches? Would this God accept the sacrifice of that which you most value, say your children, as an atoning offering for your sins?

Of course we know that the answer to either question is no. Additionally, we know God radically changed the equation through Christ’s life, death and resurrection. God gave God’s first born son for our transgressions, the fruit of God’s body for the sins of our souls.

We cannot gain salvation through the sacrifice of earthly things to God. God has already sacrificed his beloved son Jesus Christ for our sins, a price beyond repayment. Yet we have no burden of indebtedness to God only an invitation to walk with the Lord. Because the humbling knowledge of God’s promise fulfilled overflows in our hearts we choose kindness and seek justice. We offer our earthly lives and worldly possessions not to win our own salvation but to reflect God’s abundant love for us with as much fullness and brightness as we can muster.

Prayer Concerns

• For our people and our world – Help us to release the burdening chains of consumption that threaten our physical and spiritual environments.
• For new Mothers and Fathers – As they welcome a new child may they experience a glimmer of the love God has for us
• For those who work for peace – Guide the hearts and minds of those working for a lasting peace in the Middle East
• For those who seek justice – Illumine the path to true justice for all those who serve in this nations courts

Quote

“We must bear in mind, that as soon as God condescends to enter into trial with men, the cause is decided; for it is no doubtful contention.” – John Calvin

September 19

SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Midweek Musings

Stewardship

Reflection by Pastor Macholz

Following Jesus

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches the crowds and his disciples about their

relationship with God and their discipleship in the world. In these verses, Jesus speaks

about how God provides for our every need and how undue concern for our possessions

can get in the way of our living as his disciples.

Lessons

Isaiah 40:6-8

⁶A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
⁷The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
⁸The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.

Psalm 103:15-18

¹⁵As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
¹⁸to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

⁶The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. ⁹As it is written,
"He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

Matthew 6:25-33

²⁵Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ²⁸And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' ³²For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, we humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the fruitfulness of the land and the seas; and may prosper all who labor therein, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

REFLECTION

Do you live out of a sense of scarcity or a sense of abundance? Whatever your answer is will dictate how you live out your life as a steward of God’s generosity.

Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount are instructive for us as disciples in relation to our worrying. I try not to but I must say it’s easier said than done!

We worry about our jobs and whether they’ll be there next week. We wonder how much longer we will have to work in order to build a large enough retirement fund. We are concerned about our children and what they will be when they grow up. How many more miles can we get out of our car? What is the pathology report going to reveal? How will we make ends meet? Will I be able to afford college for my children? How am I going to cover necessities for the rest of the week now that my cash flow is zero? You can add to the list, of that I’m sure.

The bottom line is to ask the question as to where our trust and hope lies in this life and the life to come. Jesus’ words remind us that what we need will be cared for as surely as God cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. Don’t be concerned at all, he says, God will provide.

It is there that we begin and end our stewardship and our lives, knowing that and that alone. From there the only way is up!

LET US PRAY

For generous hearts and lives

For greater trust in God’s promise

That those who worry might find solace in God’s presence and love

To be bold in our proclamation of God’s love

To be prayerful in our response to God’s call

QUOTE

“When it comes to giving until it hurts, most people have a very low threshold of pain.” — Anonymous

“Seek joy in what you give not in what you get.” — Anonymous

Musings for Pentecost 16

Sunday, September 12, 2010
Lectionary 24
Proper 19
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Midweek Musings
Reflection by Ken Klassen

INTRODUCTION
The grumbling of the Pharisees and the scribes in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God wills to seek and to save the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As Paul’s first letter to Timothy reminds us, "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Thanks be to God.


Prayer of the Day (ELW)
O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray. Preserve your people in your loving care, that we may reject whatever is contrary to you and may follow all things that sustain our life in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading Exodus 32:7–14
While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the people grow restless and make a golden calf to worship. Today's reading shows Moses as the mediator between an angry God and a sinful people. Moses reminds God that the Israelites are God's own people and boldly asks mercy for them.

7The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" 9The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation."
11But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, 'I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'" 14And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.


Psalm (ELW) Psalm 51:1–10
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. (Ps. 51:1)
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your | steadfast love;
in your great compassion blot out | my offenses.
2Wash me through and through | from my wickedness,
and cleanse me | from my sin.
3For I know | my offenses,
and my sin is ev- | er before me.
4Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil | in your sight;
so you are justified when you speak and right | in your judgment. R
5Indeed, I was born | steeped in wickedness,
a sinner from my | mother's womb.
6Indeed, you delight in truth | deep within me,
and would have me know wisdom | deep within.
7Remove my sins with hyssop, and I | shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be pur- | er than snow.
8Let me hear | joy and gladness;
that the body you have broken | may rejoice.
9Hide your face | from my sins,
and blot out | all my wickedness.
10Create in me a clean | heart, O God,
and renew a right spir- | it within me. R


Second Reading 1 Timothy 1:12–17
The letters to Timothy are called the Pastoral Epistles because they contain advice especially intended for leaders in the church. Here the mercy shown to Paul, who once persecuted the church, is cited as evidence that even the most unworthy may become witnesses to the grace of God.

12I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the foremost. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


Gospel Luke 15:1–10
Jesus tells two stories that suggest a curious connection between the lost being found and sinners repenting. God takes the initiative to find sinners, each of whom is so precious to God that his or her recovery brings joy in heaven.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3So he told them this parable: 4Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Reflection
Some consider Paul the Apostle to be the co-founder of Christianity. I think that elevates him a bit too much, so I rather see him as the application of the Christian principles. His teachings and letters to the young churches around the Mediterranean Sea were so important to the growth of Christianity in the early centuries and they are truly timeless today. This week's second reading is from Paul's first letter to Timothy and I get such a powerful message when I read it slowly and digest each word.

"… the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners … for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, … Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life."

Here is the key principle: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners". The application of the principle is, "making me an example to those who would come to believe in him". Being an example of Christ was Paul's passion; it was to be Timothy and his church's passion; it is my passion. This reading contains an interesting phrase, "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance". Lutherans often question if a passage in the Bible should be interpreted literally or as a hyperbole. Paul is saying that there is no softening of the key principle and its application by considering it a hyperbole. Christ literally came into the world to save sinners and I am literally to be an example of Christ.

Prayer
Lord we give thanks for your love that brought you into the world to save us.
We pray for strength to be examples of you.
We pray for wisdom to understand your scriptures.
We ask that your protecting hand will be on all those who serve our country and work for peace.
Teach us compassion for the sick, the suffering, and those in need.

Quote
Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof - Public Sinner Number One. 1 Timothy 1:15 from The Message

Musings for September 5

Sunday, September 5, 2010
Lectionary 23
Proper 18
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Midweek Musings
Reflection by Karen Grover

INTRODUCTION
Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship today, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of the Christ in the blessed sacrament and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to "choose life"—to choose life in God as our own.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)
Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15–20
Moses speaks to the Israelites, who are about to enter the land promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this passage, he lays out the stark choice before them: choose life by loving and obeying the Lord; or choose death by following other gods.

15See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Psalm (ELW) Psalm 1
They are like trees planted by streams of water. (Ps. 1:3)
1Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel | of the wicked,
nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats | of the scornful!
2Their delight is in the law | of the LORD,
and they meditate on God's teaching | day and night.
3They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that | do not wither;
everything they | do shall prosper.
4It is not so | with the wicked;
they are like chaff which the wind | blows away.
5Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when | judgment comes,
nor the sinner in the council | of the righteous.
6For the LORD knows the way | of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall | be destroyed.

Second Reading Philemon 1:1–21
While Paul was in prison, he was aided by a runaway slave named Onesimus. The slave's master, Philemon, was a Christian friend of Paul. Paul told Onesimus to return to his master and encouraged Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a Christian brother.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
8For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love — and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother — especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Gospel Luke 14:25–33
Jesus speaks frankly about the fearsome costs of discipleship. Those who follow him should know from the outset that completing the course of discipleship will finally mean renouncing all other allegiances.

25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

REFLECTION
I remember an essay written by Paul Hammer in the D&C awhile back. He wrote on "absolute biblical truth." Briefly he noted (and I hope I am remembering correctly) that John 14:6 says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In these words Jesus is the exclusive way to God. Rev. Hammer feels that John's Gospel cares little about our way to God, but it cares about God's way of love to us. Thus Jesus is not an exclusive way to God but a way to God's inclusive way of love to the whole world. John 14:6 is what my faith is all about, but we are all his children and He loves us all very deeply.

I would like very much to rearrange, in a similar manner, Luke 14:26--"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." This verse just hits like a ton of bricks. Hate my father and mother, Don, Kimberly and Erika? I don't think so. But in this verse, that appears to be the absolute biblical truth. I always have been in awe of the disciples' decision to leave their families and walk with Jesus. I am so sure I couldn't do that. Does that mean I can't be a disciple? Maybe, just maybe, if I could give up my possessions I could be (Luke 14:33.) I did give up many "possessions" that I would have loved to keep when recently cleaning out my parents' cottage. Even surprised myself, but not enough. Jesus doesn't leave much wiggle room in 14:26 & 33. In fact he makes it impossible (at least for me) to be His disciple. But He died for me. I should be able to give up more for Him, but I just don't. I pray for His forgiveness. And every Sunday I take solace in His grace when I confess that I have not been the person He would like me to be, and every Sunday I receive His forgiveness at His table. And at the end of the service I am directed to go out into the community to serve the poor as a disciple.

LET US PRAY
that we find ways to be God's disciples where needed
for the many who are sleeping on the streets tonight
for the people of Iraq and the military who are helping them
for peace in the Middle East
for peaceful solutions on our streets