“Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you! For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in We  of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:17-26

{When my son, William, was young, we belonged to a small country church. On Communion day, deacons would pass around the “bread and juice.” One Sunday, we attended a church out of town that was more formal. What our church called bread and juice, this one referred to as elements, a word William didn’t understand. As Communion began, the pastor said, “If the deacons will come forward, the elements will pass among us.” William was suddenly excited and I didn’t know why. Then he leaned toward me, whispering something that caused me to burst out laughing. With all eyes on us, I took him by the hand and we made a hasty exit. All the way to the car, he protested. “Mom, we’re going to miss the circus. The pastor said the elephants were going to pass among us!”}

We often speak about the fact that there is “…an elephant in the room” when there is something that goes unspoken among a group. In my opinion there are too many elephants in too many rooms because people are afraid to talk about their feelings and state their disagreements openly fearing retribution and condemnation.

Now, this is 21^st century America – how can it be that people are afraid to share their opinions? Well, for example, just this morning I was watching a morning celebrity show and the hostess was apologizing for inadvertently ruffling some viewer’s “feelings” for having the temerity to host a show on body shaming. The hostess invited a person who in the past was openly ridiculed for posting a picture and a message that was viewed as critical of certain body types. Now, I did not see the show, so I am not in a good position to take sides or make an “informed comment”, but why should that stop me, right? But seriously, I know that our society has become very sensitive and seemingly unable to “stomach” dissenting opinion – and not just dissenting opinion but the occasional faux pas or even the intentionally controversial statement or viewpoint.

So, I am going to be intentionally controversial – I am not going to let the elephant in the room breathe any air – so here goes: why can’t we all just grow some thicker skin and not take ourselves and our opinions and our feelings so seriously all of the time? Why can’t we take time to discern a comment, a situation, and a controversial opinion before we open our mouths and spew hatred and shout epithets at one another? Take time to consider your response – weigh your opinion – form your post before you act. And, if I may be so bold, take time to realize that just because someone says something controversial does not mean they are an idiot. Some of the smartest people in the world have held seriously radical views and dangerous opinions– and some of the most challenged people have had brilliant insights.

 OK, spew away – I can take it.

(the opinions expressed by this devotion writer are not representative of his or her viewpoint or to be given any weight toward his or her ability to express an informed opinion – all concerns should be given to the elephant in the room so that we can all just continue to loathe one another until a time in the future when Jesus renders all thing unto himself.)

 Pastor Dave

“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with^[f]water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:4-8

{A passenger in a taxi tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed and lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus and drove up over the curb, stopping inches from a large window. For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then the driver quietly said, “Please don’t do that! You scared the daylights out of me.” The passenger, who was also frightened, apologized and said he didn’t realize a tap on the shoulder could startle someone so much—to which the driver replied, “It’s really not your fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for 25 years.”}

What startles or surprises you in our world anymore? I believe we live in a society where nothing really surprises us too much. As a pastor I have the opportunity to talk to people who are nearing the end of their lives. And as we reflect upon their lives, we often comment on how much the world has changed in the last 80 years. Between landing people on the moon, finding cures for many diseases, the advent of the internet age and being able to be connected with everyone all around the world, to think about how much our world has changed is truly startling.

John’s message and his appearance were both startling. But both were the advent of something new. John was preaching a water baptism – a baptism of repentance. And John was the point-man for Jesus – living the Prophet’s life letting others know that Jesus was coming with the Holy Spirit, and fire. And his baptism would bring a new understanding of Baptism – bringing the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

The love, mercy and Grace that comes to us through Jesus Christ, my friends, is truly startling.

 Pastor Dave