Bears all things

Lectio: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Meditatio: A few years ago, a nasty rumor was going around town about someone that I know. A few weeks later she announced her pregnancy and there was speculation as to whether her husband was the father. I couldn't believe that the very people this person trusted were accusing her of an affair and saying her husband wasn't the father. Especially when we all knew the struggle behind the pregnancy. One day at the gym, I was faced with the rumor. I looked at the woman telling me the latest gossip and said "This friend let you live with her for 9 months and this is how you treat her? HOW DARE YOU!" I was protecting, covering my friend instead of gossiping about her. I was bearing her judgement from others--just as Jesus bore our sins. 
Major English Bible versions translate the term protects (stego) very differently from one another. The word can mean “to endure” or “to cover, protect.” If Paul had in mind the concept of endurance, he meant that love bears with many offenses and does not stop loving even under the strain of difficulties imposed by others, even going so far as to love enemies (Luke 6:27). If he had in mind the concept of covering, then he may have meant that love will not seek to expose the sins of others. Love handles the sins of others in ways that will not bring exposure or shame.

Oratio: Father, give us your eyes to see others as you do. Help us to bear the things that need bearing and to help us love them. 

Contemplatio: Have you ever had a situation like the one mentioned above where someone you knew was the subject of gossip? Would that have hurt the person's reputation? Did you stop to help that person even without them knowing? 

Rejoice not at Wrongdoing, but in truth

1 Corinthians 13:6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Meditatio: This contrast suggests that the term truth means something like “living according to the truth.” In other words, those who truly love do not enjoy seeing their loved ones stumble into evil. They rejoice when their loved ones try to live according to the truth of the gospel. Sin destroys people’s lives, so to rejoice in their sin is to rejoice in their destruction.

Oratio: God help us not to rejoice in wrongdoing, but to rejoice in truth that we may grow closer to you. 

Contemplatio: Do you ever rejoice when you get by with something? Instead of rejoicing, maybe you should be asking God for forgiveness and rejoice in that. 

Be Not Dismayed

Opening Prayer: Speak O' Lord, Your servant hears...

Lectio: 

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Meditatio: Working from home was supposed to be fun. But I have learned that it is harder than anything I have ever done. I already suffer from depression. So much so that I have written several articles about the church and depression.

Today, though, I was working and suddenly I saw a picture of one of the "replacement." When I say replaement, I mean the person who replaced me as a friend for my former friend--or at least who I guess is my replacement. My heart sank. My heart as been heavy most all day. Then as I was studying for this lectio, I felt God pleace in my heart "Be not dismayed." Then I read a prayer from the Parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. 

O Good Shepherd, You never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. We ask You to bring (mention names) back to the practice of the Faith, and to remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving Your abundant Mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of Your Holy Church.  Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, their Guardian Angels, their Patron Saints, and our ever-faithful patroness Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, may You pardon their sins and unshackle them from whatever hinders their freedom to come home. For you, O Good Shepherd, loved us to the end and offered Yourself to the Father for the salvation of all. Amen

Lent is a time of miracles. It's a time when people find their way home. I don't expect there to be a homecoming for my friend and I; but it's a prayer that God let me find in my time of being disheartened and for that I am grateful.

Oratio: God, Thank you. In your mercy you have brought to mind a verse of scripture meant to comfort your people thousands of years ago, and tonight it brings comfort to me. Help me to continue to be a beacon of light to your people, as I walk in your ways. Amen

Contemplatio: Is there something in your life that causes you to be dismayed? What can you do differently? How should you react to that which is causing you dismay or hurt?

No Joy in Evil

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, your servant listens...

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:6 Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.

Meditatio: How long have my people taken pleasure in evil? How often do they call unrighteousness, righteousness? It seems that they have lost their way; they have lost sight of me. They must put their focus on me, and they must not waiver in their faith. There is already a great falling away because of what my people see as right--they have brought along teachers that tickle their ears but don't teach what they need to hear. My people must bend their knee, they must bow down and prostrate themselves before me, I hear the prayers of a contrite heart and I heal a wounded spirit. You sing a song about brokenness being better than a hallelujah and it's true, come to me broken and I will heal you. Do not rejoice in evil, run from it. 

Oratio: God help us to see what is evil in your sight, give us spirits of discernment to run from evil, to flee from sin as from the serpent. Let us bow before you with contrite hearts and wounded spirits that you may heal us and heal our land. 

Contemplatio: Do you call evil good? Do you call sin, okay? 

No Record of Wrongs

^Lectio: 5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been  done. (NCV)

Meditatio: A few years ago my friend started dating a guy. Due to my own jealousy, and not understanding of romantic love, I lost that friend. Prior to that another friend had left our friendship. I was far more hurt by the ending of this friendship. And one friend came to me and said "How can you forgive someone who lied about you, who hurt you far worse than the friend who fell in love?" I told her "I don't know." It's not that I didn't forgive my friend who fell in love, as a matter of fact, i was happy she found someone, I was hurt though when she just up and walked away; and I apologized. Today, I was brought up to my friend who lied about me, and someone said "How can you forgive her?" My answer just rolled off my tongue "Love keeps no record of wrong. If she needed me, I will be there." 

Oratio: God, help me be a person who doesn't keep a record of wrongs. Let your love grow in me. Amen

Contemplative: Do you keep a record of wrongs? How would you feel if someone kept a record of every wrong you have ever done? 

Irritability...love is not

Opening Prayer, Speak O Lord, Your servant is listening.

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:5 Or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

Meditatio: How often have you woken up irritable? Maybe someone said you got up on the wrong side of the bed. Maybe you didn't feel much like loving someone. It's usually when someone tells you to get over something like they believe it can easily happen. The word “easily” is here a gloss. The corresponding substantive (paroxusmos, whence our “paroxysm”) is used of the “sharp contention” between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39). Love, when it is perfected, rises superior to all temptations to growing exasperated, although it may often be justly indignant. But, as St. Chrysostom says, “As a spark which falls into the sea hurts not the sea, but is itself extinguished, so an evil thing befalling a loving soul will be extinguished without disquietude.” (1)

Oratio: God, thank you for this lectio. Help me to remember that love is not irritable. Even when i am not interested in not being irritable.

Contemplatio: How can you not be irritable? What is one thing you can do help break the cycle of irritability?

Love does not insist on its own way all the time

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, Your servant is listening. 

Lectio: 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

Meditatio: Love doesn't insist on it's own way. When we look at the needs of others we should ask ourselves, are their needs being met while ours are being met? If not, maybe we should intervene. This shows love in a way that may be tangible to others. Sending time at a food bank just to help people get food for a week. That is love. Your heart shows people you love them. In the middle of a pandemic you helped feed my people. You gave them hope that someone loved them more than they expected. The scripture says when you do for the least of them, you are doing for me. This is what makes ministry so special. Paul probably had in mind here the practice of always putting oneself in first place without due consideration of others. Many situations in life call upon Christians to choose between benefit to themselves and to others. The loving person puts the benefit of others over his or her own good. Paul exemplified this practice when he refused to receive money for his work as an apostle (9:6–15). Jesus’ humiliation was the greatest expression of putting others’ benefit above one’s own (Phil. 2:4–8). It is also important to realize that this practice does not mean ignoring one’s own legitimate needs. Jesus himself withdrew from the crowds for his own benefit, sometimes just to get away and other times to pray (Luke 5:16; 22:41).

Oratio: Father, thank you for teaching us to love. For giving us hearts to serve and to give to others the love they have never known existed. Help me to continue showing love in ways that do not insist on my beliefs, but can also be strong when others challenge me with their beliefs. Amen

Contemplatio: Think of a time when you insisted on your own way? Was it out of love or would it have been better to let someone else's way be done? 

Love is not Rude

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, Your servant is listening. 

Lectio: ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Mediatio: Love is not rude. What does it mean to be rude? It means to be ill-mannered. Love is not to be ill-mannered. How often have you been ill towards someone? The Greek phrase could literally be translated “does not act unbecomingly” or “does not act inappropriately.” Christian love does not seek to cause problems, and it does not belittle others. Christian love involves choosing appropriate actions and responses that help other people. Love rejects rudeness because rudeness is reserved for the insensitive and the insecure. Just tonight my mother called me stupid for working in the ministry. I don't think that I am stupid for being willing to go an work at a food bank. Right now it may not make sense since we are under strict regulations from the CDC given the coronavirus. However, if you love someone you shouldn't be rude to them. Love is kind, patient, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, and isn't prideful. In fact, these things hurt love, it's why love is so hard for people to accept. It's hard for people to understand that love is a lot of things, but it's not what we think. In our human condition, love is flawed, but it is perfected in us through Christ. Rudeness snatches parking spaces. Rudeness mocks others. Rudeness interrupts. Christ, on the other hand, was courteous. He was patient, thoughtful, and careful to treat people with respect. Notice that the first five letters of the word courteous spell court. In old England, to be courteous was to act in the way of the court. The family and servants of the king were expected to follow a higher standard. So are we. Are we not called to represent the King?

Oratio: God, thank you for the gift of love. Help us to realize what love truly is. We know that in our human condition love is flawed, but we also know that it can be perfected in us through Christ. Pour out your love to each of us, that we may continue to grow deeper in our relationship with you. 

Contemplatio: What have you learned so far about love? When you read that love isn't rude, what do you think that means? Are you willing to stop being rude? 

Love is not Arrogant

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, Your servant is listening: 

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 

Meditatio: Love is not arrogant. It doesn't believe that it is more important than others. Love sees itself as humble, it sees itself as equal to the other person. Love is simply unpretentious, it sees people for who they are and doesn't judge unrighteously. Love allows for hurt, but also allows for a welcoming spirit. My children could learn much if they would learn what love is not vs. what they believe love is. 

Oratio: God, allow me to grow in love, help me to apply that love is patient, kind, it does not envy, or boast and isn't arrogant. Help me embrace all that love is, not what I believe that love should be. 

Contemplatio: So far we are one verse into what love is, how have you been surprised? Are you still thinking about love? Has learning this first verse helped you change any preconceptions that you had with love? 

Walking the High Wire: Finding Balance

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, your servant is listening...

Lectio: Ecclesiastes 4:4-8

4 I realized the reason people work hard and try to succeed: They are jealous of each other. This, too, is useless, like chasing the wind. 5 Some say it is foolish to fold your hands and do nothing, because you will starve to death. 6 Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind. 7 Again I saw something here on earth that was useless: 8 I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, “For whom am I working so hard? Why don’t I let myself enjoy life?” This also is very sad and useless.

Meditatio: Keeping up with the Jones'. There is always something more that you can work hard for; but what we need is balance. If a person doesn't have balance they become a work-aholic, lazy, fanatic or indifferent. Where in your life to do you need to find balance? Maybe your balance is that you put too much time into church, you can't say no to anyone. Maybe your time is that you spend so much time saying yes to everything that you forget to say yes to God and the things that truly matter. Finding balance is like a person who walks across a canyon on a tightrope; one move too far to the left and you will fall, to much to the right and you will fall--finding balance brings you into the right mind set to follow the line directly in front of you and not wavering left or right.

Oratio: God, help me find my balance in you and your word Amen

Contemplatio: Where in your life do you need more balance?

Love is Not Proud

Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, Your servant is listening...

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4d Love is not proud

Meditatio: Being boastful and proud go hand in hand. When you are being boastful it is because you are proud. Pride leads to destruction--it leads to the end of all good things. Your relationship with others suffers, but your relationship with God suffers the worst. Pride screams "Look at me, look what I can do!" instead of placing the focus on the one who created you or helped you.  It is not concerned with others. Humble your proud hearts that you may open the door to a deeper relationship with God through Christ, and share in the showing of God's kingdom here on earth.

Oratio: God, you know I am a mere human, but you know I harbor pride in my heart. Break my heart from what breaks yours, that I may continue to grow vertically to you, and horizontally towards others.

Contemplatio: In what areas of your life do you show great pride?
Are there ways that you can change your foolish pride to become more humble and open to a relationship with God?

Love does not Brag

I have decided to write my lectio a bit different this time around. From here on out, I will be writing what I hear from God as I read the scripture. God still has me in 1 Corinthians 13:4; let's begin with prayer.

Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, Your servant is listening. Speak to me through your words, that I may understand and learn how to better serve You and Your people.

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NCV)

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous, doesn't brag and love is not proud. 

Love doesn't brag. How often have you bragged about your education, about all you hav learned and all you think others should know? Not everyone is in the same place. Not everyone has to have an education. Some of my best ministers have been those who study my word and my word alone. This is not to ay that education is not a good thing, but like many other things it can be used wrongly.

Being a braggart hurts the ministry. I have called you too. It must stop for ministry to be effective. My love was humble, it called the "least of these" to come and know me--they had no education--mere fishermen--they didn't brag about their backgrounds, instead they rejoiced that they had come to know the Master and they became fishers of men's souls. Do no brag about your righteousness; instead live it. You have heard it said that it is easier to preach 1000 sermons, than it is to live just one.

Oratio: Father, help me to continue to hear your voice; to become humble like the fishermen you called on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and to remember that love does not boast about the good it has done in the world. May I continue to grow in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Contemplatio: Where can you show humility and love today? In what parts of your life do you brag about achievements; how can you change your need to brag about your achievements?

St. Patrick's Breastplate

Today I want to share a prayer that is important to me as an American of Irish descent. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and her people, but he is only one of Ireland's beloved Patron saints. I am sharing this prayer...called St. Patrick's Breastplate:

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

Green with Envy

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Meditatio: Recently someone sold a house and purchased a house with 5 acres of land. I was envious of their blessings of getting a house. I mean they already had a house, and this was a nicer house than mine and my envy was rooted in the hurt that this person had caused in my life. I mean after all, why would I want God to bless those who had hurt me so fiercely? Especially when I don't feel like I am being blessed. I am going to reference Richard Pratt again today. He states 

One may admire another for something that person is or has, and he may desire many of the same good things for himself. Jealousy and envy begin when admiration and desire turn to resentment of others for what they have. They are the attitudinal roots of many terrible actions in the world. The Bible illustrates this time and again. To envy is not to display the love of Christ, who gave up all for the sake of others (Phil. 2:3–8).

Oratio: God, I come to ask that you will help me to give up envy, jealousy, and help me to see these things as what they are: Human weaknesses. Heal my heart so that I may not envy those who have what I think I deserve and help me to realize that the blessings others are experiencing do not compare to the heavenly blessings you will bestow later. In Jesus Name, Amen

Contemplatio: Do you envy things that others have? What would your life be like if you realize that those who are receiving blessings today may not be storing up treasures in Heaven?

How may I pray for you?

*This lectio was published a day early for March 16th; however, I will have a short lectio published on March 16th.*

One simple question. It's not a question that most people would often ask; matter of fact, many Christians would shy away from asking this question, but it set the tone for my Lectio Divina today. The question is "How may I pray for you?" Not can I pray for you, not would you like prayer? Make a decision to be present and intentional. "How may I pray for you?"

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant;

Meditatio: Love is kind; But what does that mean?  Yesterday I had the opportunity to show that love is kind. I was walking into the local Big Lots. I passed by these two people sitting on the side walk; as I passed by some man (who I later found out was one of the street ministers) walked by and said "Get a job!" I walked on into the Big Lots and made my purchase. When I came out the two were still sitting on the sidewalk. I had two Hamburgers and an order of fries in my car and I walked over to the people and handed them the food and said "How may I pray for you all today?" The man and woman were overcome with happiness and said "we can't pay you back." And the man who had told them to get a job was standing not to far away, and I said "My Bible says that "whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." It also says "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat." The young woman looked at me and said "We don't know why we are physically hungry and what we did to get to this point, but we got God, we just need understanding as to why were are in this place in our lives.  Can you pray for that?" I agreed. I spoke about this on Facebook after it happened, I didn't mention the food nor the street preacher. A Christian in my community said "well why didn't you buy them some food?" My cousin who holds to various religious beliefs and believes we are to blame for everything told me that "asking to pray for someone was an imposing stance and he was surprised they [the homeless] didn't offer to pray for me. I think it's imperative that we hear exactly what Paul is saying in this verse: Love is kind. Richard Pratt(1) in his commentary on Corinthians says "Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle."

Oratio: Father, I humbly come before your throne, I come asking that you provide answers to the needs of our country. Today, I got to witness two people searching for answers about their life circumstances. I ask that you provide them with those answers and that those answers lead only to You and where these young people need to be. God, help us to be kind people. Help us to show love and to be the people you need us to be so that your will is fulfilled. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Contemplatio: How are you showing love to people in kind ways? As Richard Pratt says Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle. Occasionally, however, kindness must take the form of a careful rebuke designed to bring about a good result. Paul demonstrated this as he dealt kindly, but firmly, with the Corinthians. Jesus’ own life demonstrated such kindness (Luke 13:15–17). Are you showing people that love can be kind even when you have to rebuke some one over something? 

(1) Richard L. Pratt Jr, I & II Corinthians, vol. 7, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 230.

Love is Long-Suffering

Lectio: Love is patient...1 Corinthians 13:4a

Meditatio: I went back to 1 Corinthians because I felt that God wasn't done teaching me from this chapter. I notice that love is patient. Or as Young's Literal Translation puts it, Love is long-suffering. It is willing to go the distance for someone else. When I thought of patience, a story of George Muller was brought to mind.

One day George Muller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Muller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Muller's funeral the fifth friend was saved.

George Muller knew a lot about the long-suffering, patient love that would cause a person to pray for 52 years for someone to come to know Christ.

I have been praying for only 7 years for a friend to forgive me and for God to work out her salvation. A lot of people think that my prayers are futile and that nothing will ever come of the friendship. However, I also want to imitate Christ, who prayed fervently for His friends. I want to follow the example of men such as George Muller, and pray until something happens.

Oratio: Father, Hear our prayers, may they be reflective of your will. Do not allow us to pray anything but your will be done and help us to delight in your will, so that you may give us the desires of our hearts. Amen

Contemplatio: How are you showing patience and love? Are you praying for someone who needs prayer?

No where to lay His Head

Lectio: Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Meditatio: Today I had a friend email me from Kenya. He was telling me that he was the only one of is brothers who had never built a house and that his child had been sent home from school because he couldn't afford the fees for school. I could think about was this verse where Jesus tells followers that he doesn't have a home. I don't know if that means that Jesus himself was homeless or poor, but in this instance it doesn't matter. What it is saying that material wealth doesn't show our savior, it doesn't show that God loves you more or has blessed you more. I have went to churches where people are extremely wealthy and they purchase cars for the pastor, while those in the pews that work 2 jobs can barely tithe are treated differently. In this instance I think that I see Jesus in those who work and love without having to purchase the pastor's acceptance. 

Oratio: God, while I don't have material wealth, I know that doesn't mean that you aren't seen in me. Thank you for loving me, and relating to me as a human.

Contemplatio: Where do you see Jesus? Do you see Him in material wealth or in the simplistic life of a friend who can't afford much? 

*this is the only post where I will say that if you want to provide support to my friends in Kenya with helping their child get schooling they need, you can donate at https://www.paypal.me/rachelanders

Love Never Ends

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Meditatio: Yesterday I focused on a verse in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and thought about what Love does. But today, I kept thinking that love never ends. Love never ends, I believe it never dies, it never fails, it continues on. You see verse 8 is telling us that love is uniquely permanent. A few years ago, a friend walked out of my life. My other friends all wondered why I was able to continue to love that person, and I didn't really have an answer, except that love never ends. You see when I said my final good bye to my friend, I told her, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here, ready to pick up where our friendship ended. I then told her I loved her and probably always would since she had played a huge role in my life. That was 6 years ago. But it's true, love never ends. 

Oratio: God, your word says love never ends. Help me to grow in love, to be able to show love to others, especially your love. 

Contemplatio: Are there people in your life that you need to show love to? What about someone who had done you completely wrong? 

Already There

Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

Meditatio: I think we are all familiar with this chapter of the Bible, the love chapter. However, I don't think I have ever really ever given much thought verse 12. This week I have had a couple of dreams where I am speaking to someone from my past; and in in the past when I have had these dreams I usually wake up feeling pretty good about what has happened, however, this weekend, the dreams have led me to question what is going on? Why did certain things play out the way they did? 

I think back the fact that I lost a couple of friends due to my own mental disorder. And when I question what happened and why I feel the way I do, I am also questioning how I can fix things. For me V. 12 speaks of the fact that I don't see the "big picture." Today, I was driving to work when on my iPod the song Already There by Casting Crowns came on. The chorus says:

When I'm lost in the mystery, to You my future is a memory. 'Cause You're already there; You're already there. Standing at the end of my life, waiting on the other side, and You're already there, You're already there...One day I'll stand before You, And look back on the life I've lived, I can't wait to enjoy the view, And see how all the pieces fit.

As Paul says we know in part now, but someday we'll know fully what is happening in our lives and how the pieces shall surely fit; until then we shall only know in part what each moment, each dream, each thought truly means.

Oratio: Father, you are already at the end of each person's life; you see what happens in the dash. Help us maintain strength to continue to live our lives for you even when we can't see how all the pieces fit for your glory. 

Contemplatio: On tombstones there is a dash between the date of birth and the date of death, that little space is meant to sum up your life, what will people say about your dash? Will you spend a life in love? Do you wish that God would allow you to see the bigger picture or are you happy seeing only the small parts?  

Boldness of Faith

Lectio: Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Meditatio: Earlier this week, I had a woman who is a practicing Jew email me "Thank you for living your faith in Jesus so boldly." This was huge for me; I never thought anyone was really watching and here a Jewish woman was watching me talk about Jesus, she was watching my faith and watching how I treated others. Today, March 9, 2020 that same Jewish woman walked over to my desk and said "So I need to ask you something...will you pray for me?" 

Oratio: Father, continue to work through me, allow me to continue to be bold for the faith and to walk according to Your will. Give me the right things to say that will bring more people into a personal relationship with you.

Contemplatio: Are there places in your life where God is calling you to be bold? Are you answering those questions? Are you praying for boldness?

Stepping out in Humility

Lectio: James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Meditatio: This weekend, I have spent time with a friend from Kenya. During our time I have thought several times about how I nearly messed up my trip to Kenya and nearly lost the respect of my team. However, what I didn't expect was to be brought to my knees in humility and being able to write a letter to one of the young women who served on the mission team. In the letter, I accepted responsibility for my behavior and apologized for what I had done wrong--getting angry and one of my team members getting the brunt of my frustration. I will mail the letter in a couple of days; I want to make sure it is perfect and that it will be accepted for what it is, a humble letter asking for forgiveness. 

Oratio: Father, I stand before you, broken, yet beautiful because I belong to you. I ask that you give me the words to say to the person I have hurt and allow them to understand that I am truly sorry for my behavior. 

Contemplatio: Are there people you have hurt or harmed? Are you able to apologize to them? If not, what would you say to them? If you could, would you be willing to write a letter and let the know they are loved? 

The past has passed away

Lectio: Isaiah 43:18-19 The Lord says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.

Meditatio: How often do you think about your past? For me, it's something I relive almost daily. I relive it daily due to the fact that I suffer from depression and possibly PTSD (at least I score high on the PLC-5) and for me the memories of my past haunt me daily. Yet, God tell us to "Forget what happened before!" I love how The Message puts it. “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. We tend to think that it's easy to stop going over the past; but for those that live with mental illness, stopping something isn't easy. Instead it's hard, but the good news is that God is doing something new. 

Oratio: God, you tell us in Isaiah to not worry about our past. You tell us to forget the past just as you have. Instead f forgetting I continually live my past. Help me to stop living my past. Help me see what you are currently doing so that I may be effective for your kingdom. Amen

Contemplatio: How often do you think of your past? Is there anything that is hindering you from your past? How can you over come your past and learn to see what God is doing now? 

Are you happy with me, Lord?

Lectio: Mark 1:11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

Meditatio: We are beloved Children of God; but I often wonder is God pleased with me? I think back over the song by The Talley Trio that says "I'm happy with you, Lord, I hope you are happy with me!" But how often do we really think about what it would mean to please the Lord? I don't think one person reading this blog can say they don't have a history; it may not be a bad history, you may never have suffered from depression, maybe you've never been tempted by anything; but you probably have something in your past that you aren't proud of. I know I do. And when I think back on those things, I often think "okay God? Are you happy with me?" I think when we do our best to over come our past God is happy with us. 

Oratio: Father, I humbly yet boldy come to your throne to ask what you would have me do in order to be pleasing to you; please show me how to know that you are happy with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Contemplatio: Where do you see God at work in your life? How are you responding to his working? Do you think your response is pleasing to God? 

Discipline

Lectio: Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Psalm 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 

Meditatio: Just as an earthly father disciplines his children so does God.  And those things that grieve God should grieve us. Yet we often find that it doesn't change us. One of my favorite songs "Hosanna" asks God to break our hearts from what breaks His. 

Oratio: Father, help me to appreciate your discipline, to walk in your ways and to break myself from those things that break your heart. Be with me and love me--that my sadness will last only for a night, but that you will bring joy to me in the morning!

Contemplatio: What is God trying to break your heart from? Have you or are you experiencing God's discipline? How does/did it make you feel? 

Greater Love

Lectio: John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Meditatio: As I sat in my living room this weekend, I was watching the season/series finale of Doctor Who. In this particular episode The Doctor decides to sacrifice herself for the betterment of the universe. The Doctor tells the companions, that for the love of this Universe that they were die. Needless to say if you have ever been sucked into the universe of Doctor Who, you know that The Doctor is a Time Lord, and travels through space and time to rescue history--without damaging the timeline in the process against other alien races. However, this really got me to thinking about Jesus Christ and how much He loves us. Jesus loved us so much that He laid down his life over 2000 years ago and died. He didn't just die for the people in his immediate following; He died, looking forward thousands of years, and said "For this one I will die. For that one I will die." No matter what we would do, who we would become or what we would end up being like. None of that mattered; He laid down His life without questions. 

Oratio: Father, I come just to say thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for not looking upon me in the future and choosing not to die for me; instead you looked into the future and knew I'd need savior; thank you for choosing to give your life for mine. 

Contemplatio: Do you ever just take time to thank God for sending His Son? Have you ever thought about Jesus knowing all about you 2000 years ago hanging on a cross?  

A friend...

Lectio: Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Meditatio: I used to think that Proverbs 17:17 was only about friendships with God. Especially the part about there being someone that sticks closer than a brother. Over the summer, I went to Kenya as part of a mission team. Before I left the USA, I was terribly sick. I woke up on Sunday morning and called my parents and said "Just forget it, I'll pay the church their money back, I can't go." I wasn't nervous of flying, Kenya didn't scare me. I had gotten a stomach bug and flying in the lavatory just wasn't my idea of a good mission trip. Once on the ground in Kenya, I was still ill. So ill in fact that I finally threw in the towel, literally. I was done. I didn't want to be in Kenya, I just wanted to be home. I even told off my team and packed my bags. I was done. Yet my own team, saw me at my worst and they still loved me. They knew that I had been stressed about the trip, trying to make sure we all had everything we needed; and that we all got on the ground safely. And they knew that being sick had stressed me out too. That morning, they gathered around me and prayed that I would get better and have a good rest of the trip. I can't lie and say that I don't suffer embarrassment from my behavior, I do. But my friends chose forgiveness and they stuck with me while I was ill.

Oratio: Father, humbly I come to you seeking that you would make me the kind of friend that loves at all times and that will stick closer than someone's own family. Help us to love others as you have loved us.

Contemplatio: Are you the kind of friend that forgives? Do you hold things against others even after they have apologized? Are you a brother that was born for adversity? Do you know someone like that and what qualities do they have?

Think on these things...

The other night I found myself in a chatroom with some people discussing politics and they were hardcore anti-Trump. Now if you know me, you know that I am not a Trump fan, but you will also know I am educated enough to discuss things and discuss them very articulately. In addition, I can also give credit to the President where credit is due. 

This being said, I was reminded of something this week as I studied during my prayer time. 

Lectio: Philippians 4:8 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 Meditatio: In this scripture we are told to keep our minds set on things of God. We aren't to think solely on those things that upset us or cause grief to our spirits. But in thinking about these things, it is also understood that we will become these things. We'll become people who are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent. These are all attributes of God.

Oratio: Our Father, we come and bow down before you, humbly we ask that you make us into people who hold these attributes. Give us eyes to see these attributes in other people and that those without these attributes, may we show them to the world.

Contemplatio: What areas of your life does God need to clean up? If He cleans these areas up, will you start seeing yourself as true? Honorable? Just? Lovely? Commendable? Pure? 

Salt and Light

Lectio: 

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Meditatio:  Salt is a spice. Too little salt and food is bland; too much salt and food is bitter. This is how we are in ministry. If we are too zealous then we have the power to turn away people, if we aren't willing to share at all, then people will never know of God.

Oratio: Father, too little of you, and too much of ourselves and we are ineffectual; but we ask you to fill us with your spirit that we may be just salty enough to bring the flavor of you to your people. 

Contemplatio: In what areas of your life are you not salty enough? How can you become more salty? Are you willing to do whatever is asked of you to become just salty enough to witness God's grace to others? 

Violence and Injustice

I have read the Bible through several times. I don't think I have ever spent much time reading over Habakkuk; but this weekend someone said something about Israel.

Lectio: 

2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Meditatio: Early this weekend someone said they are not sure about modern Israel being a fulfillment of prophecy since it was founded in violence. So was ancient Israel; even the gospel of Matthew (11:12) says that the Kingdom of God is coming violently.
Yet Habakkuk is seeing an injustice and even more violence. He's seeing the world coming against God's people and he's asking for God's Help. I look at Habakkuk and know it is okay to cry out to God and ask questions of Him. I am reminded today of my life with a former friend and how unfair it seems that God is blessing her even in her wickedness. And I stand here and cry out for justice.

Oratio: Father, help me to see that while it seems the wicked are being blessed, that I need only trust you. 

Contemplatio: Where do you see violence and injustice? What questions do you ask God for help?

Return to Me

One of my favorite sayings is when the Lord asks us to return to Him. How often do you really turn your heart to the Lord and do exactly as He would have you to do?

Lectio

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” 18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. 19 The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Meditatio: God is saying He wants his people to come back to Him. He wants us to call on Him in every situation; but to also be contrite about failures. He doesn't want just part of us, He wants all of us. Help us to let go of our past hurts and grow to the person you want us to become.

Oratio: Father forgive us that we have not turned to you; and that when we turned away, forgive our pride that hasn't allowed for us to return to you. Give us the ability to see how much we need you, and that in order to have you, we must give up those things that keep us from you.

Comtemplatio: Where is God calling you back from? Are you willing to give up those things in order to follow Him and to go wherever he is willing you to go?