March 5, 2016

On three occasions in my life as a pastor, I have encouraged a congregation to join me in a campaign to read the bible through in one year. Each time I have had about 25 to 30 people join me and complete that journey. I have found it both rewarding and challenging, especially since I also chose to write a short devotion to accompany one of the readings for each day.

Bible reading is always a good devotion to take on each day – and once in a while you should decide to read the bible through from cover to cover. There are one year, two-year and three-year plans on the internet and often included in the bible you purchase to guide you through this process and keep you on course. Some may suggest you read it from front to back, cover to cover. Others will give you an Old Testament and a New Testament reading each day.

Why do we read the bible? Well, we read the bible because it is there, right? Wrong, we read it because everything we do in the church, from our confessional statements to our liturgy in the Lutheran Church are formed from scripture. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that when pastor begins the phrase “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…” we would be able to say to ourselves (quietly) I know where that comes from (1 John 1:8ff)

I said that bible reading is rewarding and challenging. It is challenging because some books of the bible are easier to read than others, especially in the Old Testament. It is a discipline because it requires time, perseverance, and concentration. But, do it at your own pace – and use your resources. And most importantly, ask questions.

Pastor Dave

March 4, 2016

I think humility as a Spiritual Exercise goes along with the previous discipline – secrecy. Humility is one of the most difficult postures we can assume in life, and in our faith life. Humility requires us to be introspective to the point where we are aware and self-assured enough to say we are wrong, to allow the other to have their say, to put others first, and to submit to the will of G-d.

Humility can be described as not asserting ourselves in order to come under the authority, wisdom, and power of Jesus Christ. And, it is one thing to assume a posture of humility before G-d, and another to live your life thinking that you are not better than other people. In the bible, humility or the state of being humble is a quality or a state of being. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance and boastfulness. Humility is taking the lower seat rather than taking the seat of honor (Luke 14:10). Humility means taking care of the stranger or the person who wronged you because it is the right thing to do – or in other words, humility allows you to check your ego at the door.

Many relationships are dissolved because of arrogance, aggressiveness and self-centered living. All of our relationships are to be grounded in the love of G-d – and G-d’s love for us (Agape love). This then means, as Paul says, that our love is to be patient, kind, not arrogant, rude or boastful. These are qualities of G-d’s love, and our love will always be imperfect. But, as a spiritual discipline, we can seek to focus on how we can change our self-centered tendencies, and seek to be more humble in all of our relationships.

Pastor Dave