Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

Whenever you come to instructions in the Bible, Remind yourself, “I don’t have to do this alone” - God made us to become these new persons that we are • and we have to do some of the repairs and maintenance • however, he doesn’t expect us to do even that part on our own ◦ we can trust Jesus – his burden is light and his yoke is easy - we’ve learned what to take off (old self with its vices) • and...

 Peter is celebrating Jesus’ resurrection  His first line is praise to God (the English Standard Version adds an exclamation mark) - his specific point is what Jesus’ resurrection means for us • I’ve been reading in Acts this week and this is the same message Peter and the apostles preached there • Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead ◦ and doing so, he opened a new way to know God and be ri...

The story of Palm Sunday is told in all four gospels  John’s account is the most streamlined, Luke’s account is the most dramatic - that is where Jesus warns that if the crowd remained silent, the rocks would cry out • but prior to any gospel, there was a message hidden the Psalms The stone that the builders rejected  has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing;  it is marvelous in our ey...

Preparing this talk was difficult Not because there is nothing to say about love - we could line the freeway from here to San Diego with books and papers written on love • clinical studies, philosophical essays, poetic explorations, ◦ not to mention all the books by religious authors • but all this information has made little impact on our nation - maybe it was just a tough week week for me – too...

Before fire engines, cities relied on the "bucket brigade" Volunteers would rush to the scene of a fire and form a human chain - beginning at a source of water–a well, river, or pond if close by–, • draw water, and hand the bucket to the first person in the chain ◦ then the bucket would be passed from person to person until poured on the fire ◦ empty buckets would be returned down the ch...

 I remember reading through Colossians many years ago - in the first chapter, I came across a “power verse” • what I mean, is a verse that makes a prayer for, or a promise of spiritual energy ◦ for instance, this is what Jesus did for his disciples: [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases (Lk. 9:1) Or, . . . you will receive power w...

The first detail to notice, is where we find meekness on list Meekness is hiding behind humility - we wonder, was it even necessary to include meekness in addition to humility? • if we were to be honest, we don’t take meekness seriously ◦ it is a virtue no one wants – like patience or submission • we read that Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” ◦ but it doesn’t leave a strong impression on us ◦ it...

Working our way down this list of virtues we come to humility When I began thinking about this talk,  - it occurred to me you don’t need this message – look where we are • this is not the hot spot on Sunday mornings– ◦ the place to be seen – you can’t brag about being here

We are working our way through Paul’s virtue list here in Colossians 3 But this morning it is difficult to not be distracted by war in Ukraine - millions of desperate prayers are reaching out to God to bring an end to it • we’ve seen heartbreaking images and also steadfast bravery • last week our theme was compassionate hearts ◦ and by your response to that talk, I know you are in pain for the man...

Two weeks ago I read a list of character qualities in Colossians chapter 3 Although it seems like Paul rattles them off, - each one requires years of devoted practice to embody them fully • I said then, it would be good for us to meditate on the qualities in that list • I realize it would be very good for me – and we’ll start today - so why are we in Matthew this morning and not Colossians? • beca...

The heading of this psalm tells us it was composed by David I usually try to ignore the Psalm headings - if David wrote it, we’re tempted to locate an event in his life's story that "explains" it (for instance, explains the theme and mood of the psalm) • Bible teachers who do not “get” poetry or do not like poetry frequently look for connections outside the psalm itself ◦ as though,...

 Occasionally Paul will share these rare gems Brief statements, packed with profound concepts - for instance, he has introduced the Colossians to a mystery (cf. Col. 1:25-29) • everything about our transcendent God is mystery and hidden ◦ some things have been revealed . . . the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints (Col. 1:26) ◦ the ultimate revelation of God is J...

I lost two companions this month I did not know them personally, so I can’t say they were my “friends” - I’ve known them only through their writings • when I became interested in contemplative prayer, Thich Nhat Hanh introduced me to mindful meditation • Jim Forest, an Orthodox Christian writer, helped to broaden my spiritual growth, and enhanced my understanding of icons ◦ these men knew, respect...

When we read the Psalms, we are in the realm of sacred poetry Poetry begins in the heart and it speaks to the heart - we can analyze a poem – take it into the lab and dissect it • but if we go too far, we kill the specimen • in our first encounter with a poem we need to hear it--that’s all ◦ listen to the music of its rhythm ◦ feel the effect of its words and images - what I feel in this poem is c...

Intro: Awhile back I read The Healing Power of Emotion An anthology of essays written by specialists in the fields of neuroscience and applied psychology - afterward, I read several books by the authors of those essays • one author was Sue Johnson, who pioneered Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) ◦ in Hold Me Tight, she explains research behind EFT and provides lots of examples of how it works in t...

Years ago, I saw a news clip featuring Salvador Dali The flamboyant surrealist artist, with his trademark handlebar mustache, - he was famous for his painted landscapes with melting watches • he had alerted the press that he was working on another masterpiece ◦ and he was going to complete it in front of a live audience • the day came, and a crowd gathered and the cameras were rolling - Dali arriv...

Intro: Reading this old familiar story, I am surprised by how little information we are actually given - Matthew provides us bare details without embellishment • we are not the first to recognize its streamlined quality • over time, various storytellers added their own finishing touch ◦ it’s like an undecorated Christmas tree that looks too plain ◦ so tradition has added lots of ornaments - for in...

I won’t say this episode within the Christmas story has been neglected, But it doesn’t get as much attention as the more familiar scenes - it unfolds in a warm and intimate atmosphere • the two women are relatives–both received a miracle ◦ both have been surprised by unexpected pregnancies • we have no details of their time together, only their greetings, ◦ and each greeting is an eruption of joy...

I know — this is a strange place to stop reading These few verses are a small piece of story surrounding Jesus’ birth, - many big things take place in this long chapter, • so it is easy to skim this short scene and get to the action • but I think it may do us some good to linger here awhile

The last chapter of 1 Corinthians is not as interesting as rest of the letter It is mostly business – like when we were of age and our parents left for a week vacation - they instructed us, “Don’t forget to feed the dog, water the plants, bring in the mail, and put out the trash” • so here: Paul's last-minute instructions include fund-raising for Jerusalem, his own itinerary, Timothy’s visit,...

Intro: You have heard something about the Jesus’ Movement But a few years prior, there was another religious explosion - it began with a husband and wife – John and Joan Baker • a Christian couple who were Episcopalians ◦ they heard Pentecostal preacher teach on the baptism in the Spirit and speaking in tongues ◦ they wanted to have that experience – and they did! • they told their Episcopalian pa...

In chapter 12, Paul told the Corinthians they were body of Christ That they should not be surprised at the diversity within the church - they were not all the same, because they were not supposed to be same • each person had his and her own place • the body is a living example of diversity within unity - after listing a variety of gifted people, Paul says, And I will show you a still more excellen...