September 8, 2022 – Ecclesiastes 3:1, The Funny Shape of Faith

“For everything there is a season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Which bothers God more: the little boy playing with his bulletin or the lady frowning and crabbing at him? Some folks think that “Don’t run in God’s house” and “Sit still” should be carved in stone at the tail end of the Commandments. We wouldn’t do well to simply ignore those who desire silence in, and the absence of footprints on the ceiling of, the sanctuary. But then, we wouldn’t do well to ignore Jesus, who scolded the scolders and then lifted some runny-nosed kids to his knee, saying that they were the standard for true faith. Sometimes worship means being silent. But don’t forget, we are worshiping the God who created the duck-billed platypus. Sometimes worship means having silly fun.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (pp. 91-92). Kindle Edition.)

Which is Worse: A Platitude or a Platypus?

We have all heard the trite sayings, the platitudes that bombard us every day. We lose a close friend to cancer, and someone will say “Time is a great healer”, or “G-d needed another angel.” It is human nature to want to say something when a friend has experienced a loss, or is having a bad week, but the platitudes are not always as comforting as we believe. In fact sometimes it is better to say nothing at all than to blurt out another trite saying.

When I look at the Platypus, I realize that things do not always seem to fit together – and will not always make sense. As such I am reminded that every action someone does to me does not require an immediate reaction, just like every situation does not mean I have to respond with words or actions. Sometimes the best thing we can do with our friends is just be present with them while they are struggling. After all, the Platypus doesn’t really do much, and too often we are trying too hard in all the wrong ways. And which would you rather have after all, a platitude that means nothing, or a Platypus that defies explanation? If G-d has a purpose for the Platypus, certainly G-d will find a purpose for us – as long as we stay quiet enough to heard G-d’s instruction.

Let us pray,

Lord of the duck-billed Platypus, thank you for always thinking out of the box and creating in so many surprising ways. Keep surprising us every day.  Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 7, 2022 – Martin Luther, The Funny Shape of Faith

“To discuss it briefly, misuse of the divine name occurs most obviously in worldly business and in matters involving money, property, and honor, whether publicly in court or in the market …” Martin Luther

“It’s not hard to spot an improper use of God’s name. We can find plenty of examples in the media. Come to think of it, maybe we don’t need to look any further than ourselves. It’s harder to spot a proper use of God’s name. For this, we need to look at places where people are praising, thanking, teaching, serving, and praying in God’s name.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 268-269). Kindle Edition.)

Oh Jeez!

It was a problem in Luther’s time, it is a problem in our society: the lack of respect and misuse of G-d’s name. If you are not aware, the reason I hyphenate “G-d” is my own personal attempt to respect the name of G-d. It is a personal devotion that I have adopted which I do not expect anyone else to do. It just helps me remember the holiness of G-d’s name and presence. In the Old Testament, they would abbreviate G-d’s name as YHWH. They respected G-d’s name so much they would not write it out — let alone speak it.

It is too easy to disrespect the Lord’s name in our society because the Lord has so little respect to begin with. Too many people think this “bible stuff” is all make-believe. They would rather believe in pure science than a higher power.

As people of G-d we need to continue to praise G-d’s name and respect G-d’s name. If we are good examples, perhaps others will come to respect the name of G-d as well.

Let us pray,

Lord G-d, Lamb of G-d, you take away the sins of the world. I’m so glad to be on a first-name basis with you. Thanks for introducing yourself to me every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave