July 12, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Mason Cooley (American Aphorist)

“A happy arrangement: many people prefer cats to other people, and many cats prefer people to other cats.” – Mason Cooley

“So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. God’s anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand, so the donkey turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it scraped against the wall and scraped Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck it again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” Numbers 22:21-30

How We Treat One Another

I am not sure if Balaam would prefer his donkey to other people, but he certainly has a donkey who is a straight shooter. I just love the donkey’s comment: “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” We have all said something we just did not mean, like “I am so mad I could just _____ you.” Whether that blank had a word like “hit” or “kill” it was said within the emotion of anger.

As we encounter in the story of Balaam’s donkey, the core of any healthy human or animal encounter is the relationship between them. The closer the relationship between two creatures the more honest and open that relationship should be. Now, this is not always the case because of sin. But if we are in relationship with one another then we should be establishing open and honest communication, love and respect for one another.

Is this easy? Of course not. But Jesus does not “suggest” that we love one another, he commands us to love and he commands us to forgive. When we strive to live in relationship with one another, then we will be less likely to strike out with angry words or actions.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, how we treat one another can be a reflection of the closeness of our relationship with you. Teach me to be more loving and forgiving and remind me daily to treat others as I want them to treat me. Amen.

Pastor Dave

July 11, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Christopher Hitchens 

Drawing Conclusions

“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.” – Christopher Hitchens

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?”And they said to him, “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized,but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to appoint, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35-45

Drawing Conclusions

If you have followed the disciples in the Gospel of Mark, you soon learn that although Jesus predicts his death and so is teaching them about humble and sacrificial living, the disciples continue to argue over rank, power, and position. Even as 21^st century readers we are getting a bit weary of the cluelessness of the disciples. Jesus tells the disciples what is on the docket for him and what do we get from James and John – they are angling for cabinet posts in the new Jesus Administration.  

“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” Jesus asked James and John.  “We can” they replied confidently — and in some ways we reply with equal confidence today. Every time we approach the Lord’s Table that exact same cup of suffering and humility stands right before our very eyes. Each time we celebrate the feast, we grasp the body of Christ and the blood of Christ — and as we do we trust and believe that Christ is there with us – in and through and under that bread and wine. We believe in Jesus’ teachings — we believe in his gospel. We believe in his self-proclaimed path to true spiritual greatness.

But how often does our discerning of Jesus’ presence in this way transform our lives? Or are we about as likely as James and John to turn right around and, come Monday morning, start angling for power (in the world, in the church, in our business, in our family . . . wherever)? We affirm Jesus’ presence in the bread and the wine, but what conclusions do we draw about life, the universe and everything when it comes to our faith in Jesus? Do we believe his presence gives us power to Lord over others, or the power to love and serve others unconditionally? 

How would our day-to-day lives be changed if we discerned his presence with us like that every day?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we too often draw conclusions that we are better partners, better mentors, and better co-workers than we really are. Help me today to discern your presence in my life and give me the wisdom to know that you are calling us all to humble sacrificial living, not worldly power and position. Amen

Pastor Dave