pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: cultivate


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Resolve

Reading: Jeremiah 29:1 and 4-7

Jeremiah 29:5-6 – “Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. Get married and have children…”

In the opening verse we learn that Jeremiah sends a letter to those who have been brought into exile – to the elders, priests, prophets, and people taken to Babylon from Jerusalem. The typical thought process would be figuring out how to get back home ASAP. For us, when we’ve sinned and find ourselves in exile, this is normally our thought process. It will not be so for Jeremiah and for Israel.

This is part of God’s proclamation to Israel: “Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. Get married and have children…” In other words, settle in and become a part of where God has sent you. Treat whatever city of exile as your new homeland. Contribute to the community’s welfare and pray for it. Israel will spend almost two generations in exile (70 years.) During this time God will produce a small but faithful remnant to return to Jerusalem and to the Promised Land.

Jeremiah is calling Israel to the fifth movement of Ignatuis’ Examen: resolve. In more modern language, God is asking Israel to “bloom where you are planted.” Being there for the long haul, God invites Israel to make the most of their new reality. A better future is out there for God’s people. But there is work to be done. Like Israel, at times we must resolve that tomorrow can and will be different. Working through request, relish, review, and repent we arrive at a place of heart prepared to look and move forward with hope. As we resolve to live more like Christ, God’s transforming Spirit leads us forward, deepening our relationship with God and with one another. May it be so each day as we learn to practice this powerful spiritual discipline.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk the walk, not just to talk the talk. Lead and guide us to work the steps, not just to give them a tip of the hat. Only when we put in the effort, only then will you work in and then through us, transforming our hearts and the communities in which we live and in which we worship. Strengthen and encourage us, O God. Amen.


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Word by Word

Reading: James 3:1-10

James 3:6 – “The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us.”

James 3 begins a section of his letter that addresses our innermost character. Who we really are is most fully on in the words that we speak. Words are so powerful. They have the power to cultivate and build up relationships. They have the power to damage and destroy relationships.

Chapter 3 begins with a word of warning to “teachers.” In his context, James is speaking to himself and to his fellow leaders in the Jesus movement. Today this concept would extend to anyone in leadership and to anyone with a public platform. In our modern world this very much includes social media. James correctly notes that those with influence will be judged more strictly. For these folks – and really for all of us – the goal is “full maturity.” Connecting to yesterday’s Wesleyan ideas, this is “going on to perfection.”

James uses two great metaphors to further describe the power of the tongue. He first compares the tongue to a tiny rudder. Both have the power to set our course, though both are small. James then connects the tongue to a small flame that can start an entire forest on fire. He writes, “The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us.” Yes, with just a few words our tongue can contaminate our whole life.

In the last few verses we find two more key points. First, the tongue is difficult to tame. It is a “restless evil.” Just when we think we have it under control, it is then that we have a “I can’t believe I just said that” moment. James then observes that we bless God and then curse our fellow human beings with the same tongue. James notes, “It just shouldn’t be this way!” Indeed, it should not be this way. Word by word, may we work at taming our tongues. It holds the power of life and death.

Prayer: Lord God, what power is held in such a small body part. We have a choice in which words we speak, in what we allow into our hearts. By your Spirit, O God, help us to harness the power of our tongues. Lead us to speak words that bring life, hope, joy, comfort… Empower us to hold words that lead to death, harm, hurt, insult… May our tongues, word by word, reflect a heart that is fully yours. Amen.


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Praise, Worship

Reading: Psalm 104: 31-34

Verse 33: “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live”.

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

Today’s portion of Psalm 104 begins by recognizing that the glory of the Lord will “endure forever”. This is a sharp contrast to yesterday’s portion, where we were reminded that all will return to dust. We are finite and limited. God is infinite and unlimited. Because of what God is, the psalmist rejoices in the works of God’s hands. Yesterday we too were awed by the splendor and abundance of God’s wonderful and powerful creativity.

In verses 33 and 34 the response becomes more personal. Each of us needs to cultivate and develop our relationship with the Lord. The psalmist declares, “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live”. This is the psalmist’s outward expression of faith. For some of us, singing is our outward expression of our evolving relationship with God. Others may express their faith through art or writing or by doing acts of kindness or mercy. In the next verse the psalmist names “meditation” or time reflecting on God’s word as his inward or inner expression of faith. This is one practice many people use to worship God and to cultivate our faith. Others connect more through prayer or fasting. Whatever means we use, like the psalmist, praising and worshipping God as our way to grow in our faith is a lifelong pursuit.

As we go throughout our day today, may we seek and take opportunities to praise and worship the Lord. May each opportunity be a blessing not only to our faith but also to those who experience God in and through you and me!

Prayer: Lord God, you are forever. The works of your hands humble me. Each day may my life be a song to you. And as others hear my song, may they too come to know you and your love. Amen.


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Attitude of Gratitude

Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2

Verse 1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever”.

Psalm 118 invites us to give thanks to God. So today we begin with a simple question: what do you have to thank God for today? I believe this is an important question to consider on a regular basis. There are many ways that this can happen. No matter which way works for you, I think it is important to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

For some folks, the practice of thanking God for blessings and other ways that God was present is part of their prayer life. For some, they cultivate a grateful heart by taking a few seconds each time they feel or see God’s goodness in their lives or the world. This thanking entails a few words of prayer spoken to God. Being thankful on a regular basis does a few things for us and for our relationship with God and with one another.

First, gratitude keeps things in perspective. By thanking God for the ways we are blessed or drawn close remind us of our dependence on God and of God’s love for us. This is both humbling and edifying. It also keeps us on a more even keel. Second, gratitude reminds us of our need to be in relationship with God. All of those ways that God touches our lives seem so much more real and impactful when we stop and actually think about and thank God for each of them. And, lastly, recognizing our place within God’s love and care improves our attitude, leading us to be more loving, kind, generous, forgiving… towards God and towards others.

Part of my daily morning discipline is a limit notebook that I write down 5-8 things that I am thankful to God for from the day before. After writing them down I pray through them, one at a time. Another method might work better for you. Whatever your method, take time to intentionally thank God each day for his goodness and steadfast love that endures forever.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the attitude of gratitude that has been cultivated in my heart. Guide me to be forever grateful for your love and blessings in my life. Amen.