"A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep."(Matthew 8:24)
I have heard and probably said myself from time to time I'm just swamped. That notion of feeling overwhelmed by all that there is to do on a given day. Trying to sort through it all, determining what is a priority, what would be nice to get to, and also what will have to wait.
The problem with feeling swamped is that it usually affects one's abilities to sort through everything rationally. Most of the time we just feel like quitting and going down with the ship. We might ask for help if we are smart, maybe delegate some of the tasks to others. But there is also the reality that there might be no one to delegate these things to. Perhaps there aren't tasks at all, but things going on in our lives that overwhelm us emotionally and we feel "swamped and sinking."
We find in the next verse that Jesus was in that same boat, but apparently not feeling the same level of anxiety over the storm or the swamping of the boat. He was so calm as to be asleep. But when called upon, he took care of it. I wonder if he was annoyed at being woken up.
In our lives when we have that feeling of perishing are we willing to wake up our "sleeping Jesus." My hope is that our conversations with him and his presence in our lives is such, that he hasn't fallen asleep and that we don't just wake him up, when we are in another fine mess.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Reflection for September 8, 2014
"In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."(Matthew 7:12)
Everyone has heard of the "Golden Rule." Some variation of it can be found in every religion, every philosophical school.
I've heard it phrased in a cautionary way, "do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you." And while I don't disagree with that, I like to frame things in a positive, and also this seems to be a way of stopping bad behavior not promoting good behavior.
When I have to choose an action I try to keep in mind Jesus' take on this ethic of reciprocity. What will I do in that case. If the situation was mine to receive action from another, what would I hope that they would do? And then I try to go and do it!
It is also true that I don't see it as do unto others as they have done to you. That just feels like revenge if it is a negative, though I will concede that it is also trying to keep you from going overboard in your response. Of course if what occurs is positive, then it becomes almost a pay it forward moment.
But I still come back to treating others the way I want to be treated. There response to that, is out of my control.
Blessings,
Ed
Everyone has heard of the "Golden Rule." Some variation of it can be found in every religion, every philosophical school.
I've heard it phrased in a cautionary way, "do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you." And while I don't disagree with that, I like to frame things in a positive, and also this seems to be a way of stopping bad behavior not promoting good behavior.
When I have to choose an action I try to keep in mind Jesus' take on this ethic of reciprocity. What will I do in that case. If the situation was mine to receive action from another, what would I hope that they would do? And then I try to go and do it!
It is also true that I don't see it as do unto others as they have done to you. That just feels like revenge if it is a negative, though I will concede that it is also trying to keep you from going overboard in your response. Of course if what occurs is positive, then it becomes almost a pay it forward moment.
But I still come back to treating others the way I want to be treated. There response to that, is out of my control.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Reflection for September 6, 2014
"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven."(Matthew 6:1)
At the end of August I was out in Seattle. The Thursday before I left I had the chance to walk around the streets of that city. On at least two occasions I saw a person standing on the corner with a sign, telling others to either accept the Lord Jesus, or something about the 10 commandments, they were clearly in favor of them.
I had a fleeting moment of temptation to go engage them by asking how they understood Matthew 6. Did it mean anything to them given what they were doing. I chose not to give into that temptation for a couple of reasons. First, I was more interested in sight seeing than entering into a theological debate. Second, I doubted they would understand or get my point. Finally, I realized I had made a promise to respect the dignity of every human being and getting in their face would violate that and bring me down to a level I wasn't interested in.
I do wish that more people would spend time doing things in the name of Jesus that he actually told us to do. I doubt that standing on a street corner does much to honor the Lord, but probably reinforces the feeling of those who are doing it, that in their suffering and rejection by others they are honoring God. Again if their passion could only be channeled in a different direction.
While I don't stand on street corners, I do wonder if there are things I do that amount to practicing my piety before others, so that I'll be noticed by them. Yes I should practice my piety but only to strengthen my relationship with God. The moment I seek accolades from others I'm in trouble.
Blessings,
Ed
At the end of August I was out in Seattle. The Thursday before I left I had the chance to walk around the streets of that city. On at least two occasions I saw a person standing on the corner with a sign, telling others to either accept the Lord Jesus, or something about the 10 commandments, they were clearly in favor of them.
I had a fleeting moment of temptation to go engage them by asking how they understood Matthew 6. Did it mean anything to them given what they were doing. I chose not to give into that temptation for a couple of reasons. First, I was more interested in sight seeing than entering into a theological debate. Second, I doubted they would understand or get my point. Finally, I realized I had made a promise to respect the dignity of every human being and getting in their face would violate that and bring me down to a level I wasn't interested in.
I do wish that more people would spend time doing things in the name of Jesus that he actually told us to do. I doubt that standing on a street corner does much to honor the Lord, but probably reinforces the feeling of those who are doing it, that in their suffering and rejection by others they are honoring God. Again if their passion could only be channeled in a different direction.
While I don't stand on street corners, I do wonder if there are things I do that amount to practicing my piety before others, so that I'll be noticed by them. Yes I should practice my piety but only to strengthen my relationship with God. The moment I seek accolades from others I'm in trouble.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, September 5, 2014
Reflection for September 5, 2014
"Let your word be Yes, Yes or no, no anything more than this comes from the evil one."(Matthew 5:37)
Have you ever been told it is a simple yes or no question? I often think nothing is ever a simple yes or no. I'd like to give some thought before giving an answer. Eventually every request made of us or by us needs a yes or a no.
We know that saying yes when we really mean no usually puts us in an awkward place. Saying no, when we really could have and should have is also problematic.
If we can get ourselves to a place of saying yes, when we really mean yes, and no when we really mean no, and following through and sticking with our decisions life is a lot smoother.
Blessings,
Ed
Have you ever been told it is a simple yes or no question? I often think nothing is ever a simple yes or no. I'd like to give some thought before giving an answer. Eventually every request made of us or by us needs a yes or a no.
We know that saying yes when we really mean no usually puts us in an awkward place. Saying no, when we really could have and should have is also problematic.
If we can get ourselves to a place of saying yes, when we really mean yes, and no when we really mean no, and following through and sticking with our decisions life is a lot smoother.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Reflection for September 4, 2014
"And the Lord said, 'Look, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will not be impossible for them.'"(Genesis 11:6)
If you hope to ever get anything accomplished as a group, communication is key. Even if is not a group, but just you and one other person, understanding each other is essential.
If someone doesn't speak English, I'm at a loss, because I too don't speak other languages. I wish I did. Four years of Spanish in High School got me no comprendo.
But I also know that my lack of knowledge in other languages is just one stumbling block to communication. I can think that what I'm saying is quite clear and still get a response of I don't understand.
In this passage God doesn't seem pleased with human cooperation. That's why he causes them to babble. Perhaps what he saw them doing was not cooperating in any way that was positive. They were on the same track just the wrong one.
I always long for greater cooperation and understanding with others. Wouldn't it be wonderful if not only things wouldn't feel so impossible but that they would also be things worth doing together.
Blessings,
Ed
If you hope to ever get anything accomplished as a group, communication is key. Even if is not a group, but just you and one other person, understanding each other is essential.
If someone doesn't speak English, I'm at a loss, because I too don't speak other languages. I wish I did. Four years of Spanish in High School got me no comprendo.
But I also know that my lack of knowledge in other languages is just one stumbling block to communication. I can think that what I'm saying is quite clear and still get a response of I don't understand.
In this passage God doesn't seem pleased with human cooperation. That's why he causes them to babble. Perhaps what he saw them doing was not cooperating in any way that was positive. They were on the same track just the wrong one.
I always long for greater cooperation and understanding with others. Wouldn't it be wonderful if not only things wouldn't feel so impossible but that they would also be things worth doing together.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Reflection for September 3, 2014
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me."(Psalm 3:5)
Having just gotten back from the West Coast last week, I've found getting back into a normal sleep pattern hasn't been easy. For a while my internal clock was waking up at around 5 am, and off to the gym I'd go. Since my return I've need the alarm to wake me up. While that's not really a huge problem, I know I liked just waking up, not being jolted by the alarm.
Sleep like any other important aspect of life, has a its own unique pattern. There may even be rituals around sleep, some intentional, some that we're not even conscious of. When you think about how your day generally starts and ends, do you notice rituals or habits? If something interferes with those rituals or habits do you notice.
The ability to fall asleep and the gift of waking up another day are things I give thanks to God for. And I know that sooner rather than later that pattern I had before heading to Pacific Standard Time will come back.
Blessings,
Ed
Having just gotten back from the West Coast last week, I've found getting back into a normal sleep pattern hasn't been easy. For a while my internal clock was waking up at around 5 am, and off to the gym I'd go. Since my return I've need the alarm to wake me up. While that's not really a huge problem, I know I liked just waking up, not being jolted by the alarm.
Sleep like any other important aspect of life, has a its own unique pattern. There may even be rituals around sleep, some intentional, some that we're not even conscious of. When you think about how your day generally starts and ends, do you notice rituals or habits? If something interferes with those rituals or habits do you notice.
The ability to fall asleep and the gift of waking up another day are things I give thanks to God for. And I know that sooner rather than later that pattern I had before heading to Pacific Standard Time will come back.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Reflection for September 2, 2014
"Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you.'"(Matthew 2:13)
In my 48+ years on the planet I have moved 10 times. The first two moves were because my father accepted a call first to a church in Olathe Kansas, and then when he was called to Metuchen, NJ. So those moves I had no control over, they were a result of my father following a call. The next move was to Grinnell Iowa for college. While that may not technically be a move, in many ways it was because I did relocate for parts of the year and felt just as much at home there. It is also true that I was following a call to go to college. While I never dreamed about Grinnell, I can see how God played a role in bringing me there. Same was true for the next move to Newburgh NY, there pursuing a call to be an Admissions Counselor. Hindsight shows me why God sent me there, I met Gail!
Next came a move back to Metuchen in order to enter the ordination process. Again no dream, but certainly following a call from God. Then up to Cambridge MA for seminary. No dream, but God certainly sent me there via better financial aid.
Then came the move to Cherry Hill as I began my vocation. A bigger house was needed with the impending birth of Michael. Unfortunately we had to flee that place, but then landed in Barrington NJ. Again no dream, but God's guiding and protecting hand present throughout.
Lastly 19 years ago, the move to Wenonah. I don't recall dreaming about Wenonah. but it has been a dream to be here. I don't know if and when I will move again, but I hope that it will be because of a clear call from God. That it won't be because I have to flee.
Blessings,
Ed
In my 48+ years on the planet I have moved 10 times. The first two moves were because my father accepted a call first to a church in Olathe Kansas, and then when he was called to Metuchen, NJ. So those moves I had no control over, they were a result of my father following a call. The next move was to Grinnell Iowa for college. While that may not technically be a move, in many ways it was because I did relocate for parts of the year and felt just as much at home there. It is also true that I was following a call to go to college. While I never dreamed about Grinnell, I can see how God played a role in bringing me there. Same was true for the next move to Newburgh NY, there pursuing a call to be an Admissions Counselor. Hindsight shows me why God sent me there, I met Gail!
Next came a move back to Metuchen in order to enter the ordination process. Again no dream, but certainly following a call from God. Then up to Cambridge MA for seminary. No dream, but God certainly sent me there via better financial aid.
Then came the move to Cherry Hill as I began my vocation. A bigger house was needed with the impending birth of Michael. Unfortunately we had to flee that place, but then landed in Barrington NJ. Again no dream, but God's guiding and protecting hand present throughout.
Lastly 19 years ago, the move to Wenonah. I don't recall dreaming about Wenonah. but it has been a dream to be here. I don't know if and when I will move again, but I hope that it will be because of a clear call from God. That it won't be because I have to flee.
Blessings,
Ed
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