Matthew 6:24 - You cannot serve two lords, for you will either hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and property, wealth or earthly goods.
It's the definition of mammon as property, wealth or earthly goods that really helps me understand this passage. It is a summary of the previous two pericopes - where your treasure is there will your heart be and when your eye is sound so is your body. Careful attention must be paid to where our eyes are looking, what our hearts are thirsting for and who or what we are serving.
For me it is my desire to be alone, to not have to be out in the world doing God's work. I get an invitation and my first thought is how to get out of it. Ugh. This does not apply to going out with The Night Ministry bus. I love that. I just love relaxing and being healthy more. It is my eternal question. Can I do this and stay healthy? How can I take care of myself by doing this? What will I have to give up so I can do this? It is wearing after a while.
Without the prednisone I am really tired more often than I remember before. It is a challenge to get up the energy to go places. Once the sun goes down, however, I feel much better and want to get out. It is a weird place to be in for sure. So often I was taught that to think of my own needs was selfish. So I constantly fight that. And Peter is so wonderful about letting me chill. A lot. I hope I am not taking him for granted or taking advantage of him.
God, help me to sort out today what is from you and what is from my own desires. Help me follow through on loving others.
B
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Eyes
Matthew 6:22-23 - They eye is the lamp of the body, so if your eye is sound, healthy your entire body will be filled with light. But if your eye is evil, unhealthy your entire body will be filled with darkness. And what great darkness it will be!
I am unsure what this means. If it means that your eyes show what your heart is thinking, then it means something like the eyes are the window to the soul.
But I think it means the opposite. When your eye looks on healthy things (treasures in heaven!), then your body follows and you will use your body in healthy ways. Not to satisfy your own needs only but to look to the needs of others. If your eyes look on earthly things (shiny!), then your mind and body will be used to acquire the things that do not last and lead to spiritual and emotional darkness.
And spiritual darkness is the greatest darkness there is. Those in spiritual darkness will create chaos wherever they go. The world will be worse for having them here and those around them will suffer. We are constantly living in some spiritual darkness because we are not perfect. Yet some strive for order, love, community. Those are the heavenly gifts, the heavenly treasures that those in spiritual darkness cannot see because their eyes are filled with earthly things - accolades, fame, fortune - things that do not last and do not build order, love or community.
We each are filled with both light and darkness. The one we feed (look at, focus on) is the one that grows in our bodies. The other starves. My prayer today is that I might focus on God's way and let those unproductive attitudes starve.
B
I am unsure what this means. If it means that your eyes show what your heart is thinking, then it means something like the eyes are the window to the soul.
But I think it means the opposite. When your eye looks on healthy things (treasures in heaven!), then your body follows and you will use your body in healthy ways. Not to satisfy your own needs only but to look to the needs of others. If your eyes look on earthly things (shiny!), then your mind and body will be used to acquire the things that do not last and lead to spiritual and emotional darkness.
And spiritual darkness is the greatest darkness there is. Those in spiritual darkness will create chaos wherever they go. The world will be worse for having them here and those around them will suffer. We are constantly living in some spiritual darkness because we are not perfect. Yet some strive for order, love, community. Those are the heavenly gifts, the heavenly treasures that those in spiritual darkness cannot see because their eyes are filled with earthly things - accolades, fame, fortune - things that do not last and do not build order, love or community.
We each are filled with both light and darkness. The one we feed (look at, focus on) is the one that grows in our bodies. The other starves. My prayer today is that I might focus on God's way and let those unproductive attitudes starve.
B
Friday, May 29, 2015
Treasure in Heaven
Matthew 6:20 - But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Treasures on earth: possessions, status (big in the Roman empire), accolades, money, security, safety, people, comfort.
Treasures in heaven: unimaginable love. I was talking with Peter about this. I was telling him how sometimes sick Christians, when told that they were gonna meet Jesus got better because of their hope. I asked if Peter wanted to meet Jesus and he said yes. I asked why. "To have the experience of all-surrounding love." No one can take that away. As Paul wrote neither height, nor depth, nor (add your own!) can separate us from the love of God.
How can I live my life today remembering that I am immersed, swimming in God's love? By sharing that love with others. Then I'll have heaven's treasure on earth - and so will those around me.
B
Treasures on earth: possessions, status (big in the Roman empire), accolades, money, security, safety, people, comfort.
Treasures in heaven: unimaginable love. I was talking with Peter about this. I was telling him how sometimes sick Christians, when told that they were gonna meet Jesus got better because of their hope. I asked if Peter wanted to meet Jesus and he said yes. I asked why. "To have the experience of all-surrounding love." No one can take that away. As Paul wrote neither height, nor depth, nor (add your own!) can separate us from the love of God.
How can I live my life today remembering that I am immersed, swimming in God's love? By sharing that love with others. Then I'll have heaven's treasure on earth - and so will those around me.
B
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Treasure
Matthew 6:19 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth where a moth or rust consume it and thieves break in and steal it.
This seems a continuation of my thoughts of yesterday - fasting from consumption. When we take our focus, our treasure, from God we become fearful of what can happen. The truth as expressed here is there is no security in this world. Even for those who think their money can protect them from disaster. Our lives and our possessions are very fragile and not meant to last forever. We would do well to keep this in mind and hold on to them accordingly. As the saying goes, we cannot take it with us.
In fact, everything is here only on loan. Capitalism would disagree. Yet, we are not immortal. What does it mean to own something that is not permanent and while we are not permanent. It is only a temporary rental. We cannot say that we will have our possessions tomorrow.
By not laying up possessions here we leave more for others. In fact, God gives enough for all. Again, it is we who prevent others from having enough. Our greed, pride, gluttony, laziness, indulgence, and entitlement separate us from loving others in tangible ways - like leaving enough for them! Loving our neighbors by keeping our possessions to a minimum.
B
This seems a continuation of my thoughts of yesterday - fasting from consumption. When we take our focus, our treasure, from God we become fearful of what can happen. The truth as expressed here is there is no security in this world. Even for those who think their money can protect them from disaster. Our lives and our possessions are very fragile and not meant to last forever. We would do well to keep this in mind and hold on to them accordingly. As the saying goes, we cannot take it with us.
In fact, everything is here only on loan. Capitalism would disagree. Yet, we are not immortal. What does it mean to own something that is not permanent and while we are not permanent. It is only a temporary rental. We cannot say that we will have our possessions tomorrow.
By not laying up possessions here we leave more for others. In fact, God gives enough for all. Again, it is we who prevent others from having enough. Our greed, pride, gluttony, laziness, indulgence, and entitlement separate us from loving others in tangible ways - like leaving enough for them! Loving our neighbors by keeping our possessions to a minimum.
B
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not become like the hypocrites who destroy their face so they are seen to be fasting. Truly I tell you they have received their reward. But when you are fasting, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear fasting to men but rather by your father in secret. And your father, seeing in secret, will reward you.
First thing that strikes me is that fasting was a normal thing to do. Possibly a required thing to do? He say when not if. It also strikes me that I rarely fast. I probably go to the opposite extreme somewhat by eating when I do not need to. Either way, this is a reminder to not consume more than my fair share.
The second thing is the focus on not being pious so that others see us but rather being pious for the sake of our father in heaven. Or for the good of others. In secret, so that our names and our actions are not trumpeted abroad. THis is so antithetical to our current atmosphere of self-promotion.
I think also that fasting is not just about food. How often do I buy things I do not need? Currently, not very often, if only because we do not have a lot of money. So, I want to think today about fasting in regards to consuming for the sake of entertainment or just for consumption's sake. Or worse, to show off to others, which Jesus commands his followers not to do in this sermon.
Fasting in secret from consumption and from boredom or for the accolades of others. Fasting from the accolades of others. Perhaps that is the true fast for us today?
B
First thing that strikes me is that fasting was a normal thing to do. Possibly a required thing to do? He say when not if. It also strikes me that I rarely fast. I probably go to the opposite extreme somewhat by eating when I do not need to. Either way, this is a reminder to not consume more than my fair share.
The second thing is the focus on not being pious so that others see us but rather being pious for the sake of our father in heaven. Or for the good of others. In secret, so that our names and our actions are not trumpeted abroad. THis is so antithetical to our current atmosphere of self-promotion.
I think also that fasting is not just about food. How often do I buy things I do not need? Currently, not very often, if only because we do not have a lot of money. So, I want to think today about fasting in regards to consuming for the sake of entertainment or just for consumption's sake. Or worse, to show off to others, which Jesus commands his followers not to do in this sermon.
Fasting in secret from consumption and from boredom or for the accolades of others. Fasting from the accolades of others. Perhaps that is the true fast for us today?
B
Monday, May 25, 2015
Forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15 - If you forgive others their debts your father in heaven will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, your father will not forgive you your debts.
This is the summation of the Lord's Prayer! Forgiveness. This strongly implies that staying in relationship is also important so far as it is possible or advisable. Any relationship requires a lot of forgiveness of ourselves and others. The better we are at it, the more we will love others and ourselves. The root of being neighborly is forgiveness.
I am also reminded that we cannot feel forgiveness until we ourselves can forgive ourselves and others. Others may have forgiven us but as long as we hang on to our guilt and/or shame, we will not be able to take it in. Receiving the forgiveness of others requires that we also forgive ourselves.
I will make today a day of forgiveness.
B
This is the summation of the Lord's Prayer! Forgiveness. This strongly implies that staying in relationship is also important so far as it is possible or advisable. Any relationship requires a lot of forgiveness of ourselves and others. The better we are at it, the more we will love others and ourselves. The root of being neighborly is forgiveness.
I am also reminded that we cannot feel forgiveness until we ourselves can forgive ourselves and others. Others may have forgiven us but as long as we hang on to our guilt and/or shame, we will not be able to take it in. Receiving the forgiveness of others requires that we also forgive ourselves.
I will make today a day of forgiveness.
B
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Deliverance
Matthew 6:13 - and deliver us from the evil one/evil.
Could mean deliver us from the devil. Yet, I like deliver us from evil - its broadness deepens its meaning. Evil: systemic, individual, indifference, active, passive, thoughts, desires. Purifying our minds will help purify our hearts. William James: change your thoughts and you change your world. Jesus: out of the heart does evil come.
So. Need to keep praying for Mike and Eric. Even if I'm willing to stay at RPPC, I need to remember that we are all in this together. I feel very closed off to all except Peter and my family right now. I think my thoughts are my form of self-protection. I'm stalled in my life and so focus my mental energy on the defects of others. It is these little evils that add up to active evil.
I will pay attention to my thoughts today.
B
Could mean deliver us from the devil. Yet, I like deliver us from evil - its broadness deepens its meaning. Evil: systemic, individual, indifference, active, passive, thoughts, desires. Purifying our minds will help purify our hearts. William James: change your thoughts and you change your world. Jesus: out of the heart does evil come.
So. Need to keep praying for Mike and Eric. Even if I'm willing to stay at RPPC, I need to remember that we are all in this together. I feel very closed off to all except Peter and my family right now. I think my thoughts are my form of self-protection. I'm stalled in my life and so focus my mental energy on the defects of others. It is these little evils that add up to active evil.
I will pay attention to my thoughts today.
B
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