Sorry Ken!

April 1, 2022 ( a Day early)

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

Lent Day 27

Ken was so mad at me. We were staying at a friend’s place in San Francisco. I had gone to bed a little earlier than everyone else, but I could hear them talking. Ken told the group about what had happened when he let me borrow his car. He was mad, and I am not sure he knew the whole story!

We were both still in the Army at that point. Ken had gone on leave and let me have the use of his car while he was away. I was so excited that he let me borrow the car. The car meant that I would not be stuck on base while he was away. I would be able to go wherever I wanted. All he asked was that I keep the car clean and be safe.

Well, as I lay in bed that night listening, I realized that Ken was mad because I had not kept the car clean. I had made a mess of the car in the few short days that I had it. I didn’t know that I had gotten his car dirty. What I did know, and Ken didn’t, was that I had run out of gas twice while I had his car. So I , apparently, was not the most responsible person with both people’s property at that point in my life.

It seems like a pretty simple thing to keep up with the operation of a car. Yet, I had made overlooked one key fact. The operator has to ensure that there is sufficient gas in the car. I would assume most people would learn that lesson after running out of gas once. But, I am not most people.

As I read Paul’s writing to the people of Corinth today, I think that I am not alone though in not appreciating the danger of running on empty. Paul writes that if we are not filled with love, then nothing that we do matters. If the reason behind our actions is not guided by the love in our hearts we are as worthless as I felt on the side of the road in Ken’s car.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may but do not have love, I gain nothing. ( 1 Corinthians 13:3)

The world doesn’t need more empty, meaningless deeds; it needs your love!

Sorry Ken!

We got this

March 31, 2022

1 Corinthians 12: 12-26

Lent Day 26

I had only been at IBM for a few months when I went with my project manager to go meet with our clients. We were scheduled to talk about creating a new program for them. For years, the clients had been using an inefficient system. The plan was for us to create something new for them to make their jobs more accessible and more productive. The meeting would be the first step in helping the clients get what they need.

The truth was that as the meeting started, I was excited and nervous. I knew that I was a talented programmer, but I wasn’t sure that I could give the clients what they wanted. It was a good thing that I didn’t have to, at least on my own. I was part of an incredible team, and together we would give the client exactly what they needed. The power of working together was a lesson that I would continue to be reminded of throughout my time at IBM.

In today’s reading, Paul uses the metaphor of a body to show the people of Corinth how valuable each of them is to God and to each other. “But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”(1 Corinthians 12:24-25).

You matter. You count. We all do, and that is great news indeed!

Do The Work

March 30, 2022

1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Lent Day 25

Some people work diligently on their lawns. You will see them on the weekends, maybe cutting, watering, or fertilizing. So, day by day and week by week, lawns are transformed into a beautiful oasis. It happens all over yards in neighborhoods around the country. It just never happened at my house.

Over the years, I tried, I mean, I really did try. But, the perfect lawn was just something always out of my reach. It took a skill set I did not possess. I would look around the neighborhood and be so jealous. Yet, my envy did not fox anything. My grass looked more like weeds than anything else.

I thought about my lawn as I read today’s scripture passage. All that work I was doing, yet there was nothing to show for it. When writing about Spiritual gifts, Paul reminds the people of Corinth, ” Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”. (1 Corinthians 12:7) In other words, stop comparing lawns and stop comparing gifts. God has something for each of us. I need to remind myself of that from time to time, it seems. Perhaps you do as well.

Let’s spend time today nurturing the gifts that God has given us. Each of us is called to build up the community with our gifts. So, I ask you, what are you doing to build up the Kingdon of God today.

It’s Not Addressed to you!

March 29, 2022

1 Corinthians 11:2-34

Lent Day 24

It is a federal crime to open mail not intended for you. We all know that from watching television over the years, but we still insist on opening and reading letters that were not addressed to us. Every time you open your Bible and read one of Paul’s letters that is exactly what you are doing?

Of course, it is not a crime, but it’s a letter written to someone else. This reality should impact how you read it. For instance, in today’s reading, Paul is writing to the people of Corinth, and he writes a phrase that has been used to frighten people in the church for generations.

“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27)

Wow! I don’t want to sin. I just want to share in Communion. What is this passage about? When we share in Communion, we are remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us and celebrating the love and unity of the followers of Christ. Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth reminded the people they were instead discriminating against each other. The common table had become a travesty.

This letter may not be written to us, but there is a message for us all. The message is that we are called to love each other and come together because Jesus has invited us to the table. There is grace for all at the table.

It would be a crime to try and deny someone of that grace! So come to the table, friends!

All of it

March 28, 2022

1 Corinthians 10:14—11:1

Lent Day 23

I am not sure when it started to happen. Perhaps there was a good reason, but I doubt it. When did the church decide that the world was bad? You may be thinking I am crazy, but I encourage you to think about it. A part of the church has taught us that “out there” is bad, and we need to stay away.

I know that it is easier to hide away than to engage the world. Yet, I am pretty confident that is what Jesus told the church to do. You can’t make disciples hiding up in the belltower. It will not happen. Seriously, it won’t.
In today’s scripture reading, Paul reminds the people of Corinth, quoting Psalm 24, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:26).

God doesn’t have junk. God doesn’t have bad stuff. If everything in the world belongs to God, then everything and everyone in the world is worthy of redemption and salvation.

It is all good. Go and enjoy the world and tell someone about Jesus.

Start here

March 26, 2022

Psalm 32

Lent Day 22

Ok, I have a confession to make. I am not perfect. I know some of you may be shocked by this, but I promise you that it is true. I make lots of mistakes. But, I don’t just make mistakes; I sin. Yup, you heard right. I am a sinner.
If you have kept reading, I think you realize that nothing I said is surprising. The things that I have shared make me like everyone else. Why do we spend so much time trying to act as if we do not make mistakes? Why are we so afraid to admit to our flaws?

The psalmist helps us understand that all our worrying and pretending is pointless. Happiness does not come for the perfect because none of us are that. Instead, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven” (Psalm 32:1). Acknowledging our mistakes and asking forgiveness for our sins is the key to real happiness.

Forgiveness is the reminder from God that we are enough. We don’t have to be perfect; we simply have to trust God. Sounds good to me!

Here We Go

March 25, 2022

1 Corinthians 9: 16-27

Lent Day 21

When it is just you and God in the room, what is your dream? What is the one thing that God is putting in your heart? We all have that thing if we are honest. It is the idea that seems too big to be possible. Yet, it keeps popping up. God just won’t let you forget it.

What can you do? Paul compares this idea to running in a race and tells us in today’s scripture, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.”(1 Corinthians 9:24b). Why are you hesitating? So what are you doing today to prepare for the race that God has prepared for you?

It’s time to run.

Let’s Not Pretend

March 24, 2022

1 Corinthians 9: 1-15

Lent Day 20

I used to love stories that started with “Once upon a time”. The Fairy Tales that started like this, I was sure that the stories would be filled with adventure and excitement. The drama would put me on the edge of my seat and keep me wanting more. I loved a good Fairy Tale because I always loved a good happy ending.

I have learned that life isn’t a fairy tale. Life is filled with twists and turns but doesn’t always have a happy ending. If we want a happy ending, we need to work for it. Working for it means that we need to be willing to push back against the systems of the world that might be structured in our favor. Scary, huh?

Yet, this is the work we have been called for. We need to push to create a world filled with justice for everyone. The ninth chapter of 1st Corinthians is a chapter that finds Paul helping people understand everything they do to bring glory to God. He is not worried about what he is due; instead, he wants to do all he can to share the gospel with the world.

The gospel is where we find justice and where we find hope. So let’s knock down any barriers between the gospel and the world. It is time for the light of God to shine bright. Are you ready for the light? Doesn’t that sound like a happy ever after that we all can appreciate?

Beware

March 23, 2022

1 Corinthians 8: 1-13

Lent Day 19

It took me a long time to figure out how to tie off a balloon properly. I would go through all the world of blowing up a balloon and then struggle to tie it off before it lost all of its air. Eventually, I figured out how to tie off the balloon. Nevertheless, blowing up a balloon has never been fun for me.

I was thinking about blowing up a balloon today while reading today’s scripture passage. Paul is comparing knowledge and love in his letter to the Corinthian church. He tells them, “knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1b). It was a reminder to the church and us that we need to be careful. The best way to build relationships is with love. The result of that building up is genuine and robust. If we think simply knowing about relationships will get the job done, we will be disappointed. Those relationships will be flat and worthless.

It takes work to build up people. We can’t just say nice words and make them feel good. The feelings will not last. All people and all relationships need substance. They take work. Are you willing to do the work required to build strong connections in your family, community, and church?
Let’s get building!

Stress happens

March 22, 2022

1 Corinthians 7:32-40

Lent Day 18

Here is a lesson I am still trying to learn. The world will go on without me. Over the last couple of days, I have canceled a few meetings and Bible Studies because I have to officiate a funeral, and I have been battling some voice issues. It has been a stressful couple of days. I felt concerned and guilty about things I had to do and should be doing. I let those concerns make me feel even worse. I finally listened to a person who told me to focus on what was necessary at the moment.
That meant making sure I had my voice for the funeral today and getting some rest. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. The truth of the matter is that there was nothing earth-shattering on the agenda for the meeting, and the Bible study can pick up next without missing a beat. In other words, life will go on.
This morning reading Paul’s words to the people of Corinth reinforced this idea. Paul wants the people to be ready for the kingdom that Jesus will be ushering in. He wants them to focus solely on that but know they can’t. They have other responsibilities as well. They need to care for those things and people that need to be cared for as they look towards God’s future for them. If they don’t prioritize and deal with what they need to do, the stress will overwhelm them, and they will be no good for anybody.
Sometimes the person that needs to be cared for is you. Take time for yourself today. Rest. Sleep. Watch your favorite television show. It’s okay.