August 10, 2017 Devotions
Your G-d is Too Small – Absolute Perfection 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 

We often say that “Only G-d was perfect on earth in the person of Jesus Christ”. When we say this we try to excuse away our own failings and inadequacies. And yes, Jesus is considered to be both Human and Divine – simultaneously – it is one of our dogmas, or universal teachings about Jesus Christ. But if we focus too much on the concept of the “Perfection of G-d” we can easily fall into the trap of believing that our failed behaviors are excused away, and so why try to change. But in the church, if we focus too much on the perfection of G-d, we too can easily mis-understand perfection thinking our ministry and worship should also be “perfect”. The idea of perfect ministry, music, decisions and worship as standards for actions is an unachievable standard. This ideal will do more to drive people away from church and ministry than it will to coax them into service.

When we strive for perfection, we seek more a performance standard than we do seeking to be servants. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be someone who is in the act of learning as well as doing. Jesus’ own disciples were not perfect – in fact they seem more like the “Keystone Cops” then they do saints. So, if your G-d is a G-d who expects perfection from all people, then your G-d is Too Small. G-d is perfection. We are by nature sinful and unclean. As such, we are a people, as Paul states who “press toward the mark to win the prize for which G-d has called us”. Paul does not claim to be seeking perfection – he is simply pressing forward, striving and straining toward the prize, but never achieving it. Getting to the winners circle happens when we die and finally see Jesus face to face – for now we only see him as if in a reflection from a fogged mirror. Our G-d is big enough to welcome imperfect people into the Kingdom to sit at the Heavenly Banquet. If G-d expected perfection, the Kingdom would be a lonely place – the banquet would have empty seats. (Themes come from the book “Your God Is Too Small” by J. B. Phillips)

Pastor Dave

August 9, 2017 Devotions
Your G-d is Too Small – Old Grumpy Man 

“Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”So God created humankind in his image,in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them. God blessed them…” Genesis 1:26 – 28a 

I have a friend whose daughter always refers to me as “Mr. Grumpy”. I have this nickname due to my overly pious look on my face when I am in deep thought. However, when children are asked to describe G-d, they often depict an old man, with a long white beard and hair, wearing a long white robe – and usually wearing a look of severe piety. Now, where does this idea come from? I believe we can thank cartoonists, children’s books, advertisers, and of course, to a child, anyone over the age of thirty is ancient. So G-d must be the oldest of us all. And, to add fuel to the fire, many older more seasoned citizens sit in coffee shops and complain about the “youth of today and their new-fangled gadgets and devices” – in other words, they seem to confirm the idea that the older you get, the grumpier you get.

When we think of G-d in this manner, we are doing what is called giving “Anthropomorphic” images to G-d – assigning to G-d human features and characteristics. Now, some of the more astute Bible readers will comment “But doesn’t the Bible speak of ‘G-d’s right hand’ and the “Right arm of G-d’?” Sure it does! But in trying to understand our G-d, this divinity that is beyond our understanding, ancient and contemporary writers must use images that the human mind can comprehend. Giving G-d human characteristics, like the Grumpy old man with white hair and beard may make G-d seem large and in charge, but really it only diminishes how “un-describable” G-d really is. What is G-d? When Moses asks G-d what he is to tell the Israelites when they ask him “What is G-d’s name?”, G-d tells him to say “I AM has sent me to you”. G-d’s own description of G-d’s self is a verb, not a noun. Making G-d a thing makes G-d much too small. G-d is action – movement – presence in the act of being – but also present in the smallest wafer, and tiniest cup of wine, and the drops of water from the baptismal font. And yet, G-d is so large G-d fills the entire cosmos with G-d’s presence. We can assign the old man with the white beard and hair to Father Time and Santa Claus. G-d, you see, is much, much more. (Theme from “Your God Is Too Small, J. B. Phillips)

Pastor Dave