August 31, 2022 – Matthew 5:8-9, The Funny Shape of Faith

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:8-9

“We can try to win every argument about God, faith, and the church, but this is an uphill battle-especially if we think we’re better than the people we’re arguing with. Instead, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers-striving to understand, build bridges, and look for ways to tackle heartbreaking problems from AIDS in Africa to poverty to homelessness to child abuse to domestic violence to loneliness and despair. No argument there.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 235-238). Kindle Edition.)

Arguments

The world has always had people arguing about this or that. Even in the bible, one of the first stories we encounter is about an argument between Cain and Abel. (Genesis 4). G-d did not accept the offerings from each brother with the same enthusiasm, and this sparked an argument resulting in the first murder in the bible.

The recent pandemic has, it appears, made people in our society angrier and more separated. Every day we read about people who have shot or stabbed or run over someone else because they have been in an argument. Road rage and domestic violence are on the upswing. From the people in our earliest bible stories to our neighbors across the street, we are people who need love, grace and understanding.

While standing on the mountain, Jesus told his followers that people who seek peace and not war are blessed in the kingdom of G-d. And that kingdom is not just the future the kingdom, it is the kingdom we are all a part of creating right now.

Today, instead of focusing on how many arguments you can win, why not try to understand the struggles of your neighbors and offer them your help and your prayers.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, sometimes I’d rather argue about you than spend time listening to you. Help me to bring peace and build bridges instead of sowing hate and division. Amen.

Pastor Dave

August 30, 2022 – Romans 7:19, The Funny Shape of Faith

“I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.” Romans 7:19

“Even Paul, the great leader and teacher, struggled with sin and evil. Sometimes he even knew what was right and wanted to do it-and still did what was wrong. We know what Paul is talking about, don’t we? And to make things more complicated, sometimes evil is hidden or it looks … not so bad, really. That’s when an evil detector would really come in handy, right? Well, not so fast. Maybe there’s something better out there. God has the power not only to detect evil, but to deliver us when we’re in the middle of it. That makes an evil detector as obsolete as a cassette tape.”  (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 229-232). Kindle Edition.)

Evil Wrapped in a Donut

Have you had this struggle. You pass a bakery and the smell of the wonderful baked goods compels you to walk in to look at the items on the shelves. You know the items are really not good for your health but they taste so good. And to make things worse you aren’t even hungry. But you soon find yourself picking out a donut or cruller and paying for it munching on it before you hit the exit.

Paul truly understood the human condition — “I do not do (what) I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.” Okay, so it may not be evil to eat the occasional donut, but when it comes to the thoughts and actions we struggle to control, we often find ourselves doing just what it is we do not want to do.

G-d understands the human condition as well. G-d knows us so intimately we do not need to try to fool G-d. As I said in the last devotion, G-d wants a penitent heart from us – not false promises. We cannot hide our negative thoughts and actions from G-d – so instead of deluding ourselves, we should strive to do more good than evil – to offer more love than hate.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, you know me so intimately – and love me unconditionally. Thank you for loving me and thank for rescuing me from sin and evil. Amen.

Pastor Dave