Sometimes we can wander into a field of abundant fruit, so it is that I see this chapter in Romans to be exactly that. Paul opens the chapter with a letter of commendation for Phoebe, a sister in Christ. Phoebe came to Rome from the city of  Cenchreae which was the port of Corinth. Note here Paul gives instructions to welcome her in the Lord’s way. God’s people are family but we don’t always act the way we should toward each other.Phoebe is an interesting person who sometimes is referred to as a deaconess but at that early stage of the church it is not likely that she held an official position in the church. What we learn about Phoebe brings into focus the value of women in the early days of the church. It was not so within the secular world. In the early church the service of women was invaluable to the function of meeting the needs of the church to visit the sick and the distribution of food to the poor and other various needs of the ministry which were vital to the life and work of the early church. Paul was taking no chances where Phoebe was concerned, when he instructed that she be welcomed as an apostle of Christ. In this day our churches and even church organizations can become a mess of closed societies, not truly welcoming strangers…Paul’s advice to the church which should apply  for us today….Welcome them as God’s dedicated people ought to welcome each other.

These verses in chapter 16: 3-16 present some hidden stories. There are 26 names, if I counted right, that have a story to tell about the early church. These are people Paul considered to be important to the early struggles of the faith, enough so that he took time and space to note before or after every name a commendation. While we might guess at some of these stories, of which few are known, we can be sure that they came to serve the Lord first in all things. Consider that twenty-four are individual names of which six are women. This blows away the stories of Paul belittling the status of women in the Church. Paul’s attitude was one of appreciation of the work that women were doing in the Church. I could go even  further reminding us that the women were present at the cross while many of Jesus’ closest disciples were no where to be found. The morning of the resurrection it was the women who left the safety of the room to go to the tomb. Thirteen of those names had ties to the emperor’s palace in Rome.  Paul said that Tryphaena and Tryphosa were in the habit of doing; and the point is that Tryphaena and Tryphosa mean respectively dainty and delicate! In a way Paul was saying: (‘You two may be called dainty and delicate; but you belie your names by working like Trojans for the sake of Christ.’ …DBS / William Barclay)

There is so much to share in these few verses so I will keep this week’s blog short. Join me in The Pew  next week as we look at some of the facts within the scripture that tells a story about some of these people. Without Paul there might have been no ministry to the Gentiles and without these people Paul’s call to go and tell the story for the risen Christ would have been even more difficult to achieve.

Life is Good

jk 

 

I think the last time he was here was March of 2015. The following is an excerpt from that Blog, of 2015:

“Experience has taught me that the act of avoidance is akin to blissful ignorance. Wake up! This elephant is not going to go away. There is a debate that encompasses the whole of the United Methodist Church, is divisive at its very utterance and is quietly destroying the faith. It is particularly disturbing because the leadership of our denomination is itself spinning in the wind in hopes that enough dust will cover a subject that draws lines quicker than a room full of architects with pencils and drawing tables.” Here is the link to that blog if you wish to read it.

https://fromthepewblog.com/2015/03/22/the-elephant-in-the-pew/

The usual path to such issues that impact the doctrine and the Discipline of the United Methodist Church follow a set pattern of procedures that allows opinions from those in the pew, on committees, church councils and others sources of input and hopefully prayer…lots of it. I left the “church” shortly thereafter because I found the issue so compelling that it interfered with good judgement but most of all with a Christian attitude of love and tolerance. Covid a few years later put the issue on hold…or you might say exasperated all sides involved in this. There was one thing that I found odd…the almost total silence from the pew concerning this issue. What was the issue that caused me to leave? From the past blog:

“The subject of discussion is Homosexuality, Same Sex Marriage and what the church believes to be the correct path forward. Like the Israelites we too have been wandering in the wilderness, for at least forty years, and having our faith questioned. For us there seems to be no Mosses and the Promised Land is hidden from view behind trees of words.”

So I was gone for awhile but not out of church. First lesson I learned is that my haste to act was wrong and I in a way had abandon my faith just as John Mark abruptly left Paul and Barnabas after they had arrived at Perga on that first mission trip. I also learned that there was a need for fellowship, it is a big part of the christian community, which I have now come to refer to as the community of faith. Denominations and doctrine do not sustain faith and I might add convenience should not be a factor in our response to God’s call in our life. 

After returning to the Methodist Church a few years ago and having time being away from the doctrine, committees and the uncertainty of direction the church would go, I now view this Elephant In The Pew differently. As United Methodists we must not abandon our church that is no longer a valid action. When I look back and reassess, I discover I had as the saying goes “the wrong end of the stick”. The first problem I had to find peace with was my lack of biblical understanding. Notice I said understanding, not knowledge.You see as confusing as this might be I needed wisdom… and that comes only from God. You work hard you can acquire knowledge but lady wisdom is found only in God…it is a divine gift. These next twelve words have encouraged a million words or more.

Leviticus 18:22 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 

The next thing I have learned is that the lack of leadership from those in positions of influence and power in the Methodist Church were busy pretending that there was no elephant in the Church and it was my opinion that they preferred to keep it out of the “pew”. Most Pastors do not like unhappy folks in the pew…that type of atmosphere tends to encourage divisions among the congregation, upsets the DS and draws the attention of the Conference, not in a good way. I am just a Layman, I have served over the years on various committees, did chair the Church Council at one time and taught Sunday School. I mention this only as a point of reference that I at one time felt I knew the views in the pew of these hot button topics. The other reason being that I was looking in the wrong places…pointing with the wrong end of the stick. This headline caught my attention…. Methodist Leaders say ‘rebellion and dysfunction’ over LGBT issues splitting the denomination. (Jon Brown June 9, 2022 Fox News) Still no news from the “The Pew” the leadership act as if we know nothing. 

Now about that stick… everyone likes to play with numbers so here is what I believe. This is not a numbers game, this is about those who would pervert the scripture to advance their own Ungodly agenda. Gay Rights, LGBT and all the baggage that comes with it is squandering the ability of the faithful to share the word…Jesus Christ is the Son of The Living God…in whom, through whom, there is Forgiveness and Salvation…Life Everlasting. We of the faith are overlooking one important command…

Matthew 22:37-40 

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

So my final words to you on this subject would be to understand these points of thought. Consider not leaving the Methodist Church over the “rebellion and dysfunction” that keeps us from being Christ Like in our behavior. The God we serve is a God of Restoration, not Condemnation. Let’s get on telling the good news and never fall back from our responsibility of speaking out about those things and behaviors that separate us from our God, welcoming all to His Table. Would like to hear an AMEN from the Pew.

Life is Good

jk

The Oxford Dictionaries’ 2016 “word of the year” shortlist was heavy on neologisms that one wishes didn’t have to exist: “alt-right,” “Brexiteer,” and this year’s winning term, “post-truth.” Among the finalists, though, there was one bit of solace: “hygge,” a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Pronounced “hoo-guh,” the word is said to have no direct translation in English, though “cozy” comes close. It derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” Associated with relaxation, indulgence, and gratitude, hygge has long been considered a part of the Danish national character. (New Yorker)

Twenty-one Years ago this Sunday will mark over two decades of remembering that day simply known as 9/11. The enduring legacy of that day is remembered best for those of us over 30 years of age as a day planes struck the towers in New York.  We all can remember where we were on that day and at that time. The immediate reaction was one of uncertainty, confusion, fear, vulnerability and anger, followed soon by that question that was on everyone’s mind…who and how could that happen to us…The United States?  Many of the above results were pretty much universal and the question of how could that happen… Who and how they did it was laid out over the next few years…but the core of the question has never really been answered….how could that happen to us? 

 We could use a little Hygge, interesting word with an even more deeper and contextual meaning. I like that in the Danish language it means to give courage, comfort and joy. The world could use a bit of that…and I know here in the USA we could use a boat load of that. Let’s throw out the politics and look at this a different way…God’s Way. If that makes you uncomfortable we will call it The Good Way. To add a little more I will share with you this from Wikipedia:

The noun hygge includes something nice, cozy, safe and known, referring to a psychological state.

I add this, you won’t need a psychiatrist to understand the importance of something nice, cozy, safe and known being a part of your life. That my friends is where today’s blog is going. The best way to find these things in life is God’s Way. Best way to find the good way Is the Bible, God’s word as spoken to the prophets throughout the life of his creation. Many people today are not comfortable with their lives…they know things could be better. There are many reasons we get into a state of discomfort. Loss of a loved one, overwhelmed by things happening around us, a tendency to feel as if we have lost control. There is a whole list of  ordinary things that can make life difficult. The road along God’s Way is paved with promises that will give you hope. Being honest though…it is not an easy road to travel, there are certain expectations for those who travel this road. While everyone’s troubles are different, all of us at one time or another are overwhelmed and feel no one cares…even to the point that we may come to believe that God has turned from us; why else would this trouble visit us? You must not go down that road. God cares and hears…

Psalm 22:24

For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 

Psalm 9:9

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.

 I was planning to re-post my blog from some years back, following  9/11. I have done that a number of times over the years.

https://fromthepewblog.com/2016/09/11/looking-back-the-day-we-were-one/

This year I have opted to share and interesting word, we all could use a little of.

After 9/11 Americans were hit with many different emotions and twenty-one years later, I can still see those people jumping from the towers, it remains firmly on my mind. For many of us the darkness of those days so long ago never seem that far away. One other thought…we Americans sometimes forget that other nations also lost people on that day. There were a lot of changes made that to this day effect the way we travel, live and adjust to the fact that the world somehow got a lot smaller on that day.  I came across this word the other day… Hygge… it is an old Norwegian word which meant something like “well-being”. Danish winters are known to be long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge. In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to “a form of everyday togetherness,” “a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow”. (Wikipedia)

To a Christian that could be translated to mean…Fellowship. So… you could say I am advocating a Christian Hygge, which is unusual because the Danes are considered more of a secular people except at Christmas. If you take all of the attributes listed so far concerning Hygge you will find them all in a relationship with God. Referring to the earlier statement that in the Danish language it means to give courage, comfort and joy, of which all can be found along the “Good Way.”

The simple definition of courage is to be able to do those things in life that frighten us. It can be as simple as speaking in public or racing into a fire to help someone. The possibilities are endless. What about standing at the foot of the cross as Jesus was crucified and his followers hiding in a room for fear of being recognized as one of HIS. Our God gives courage to those who persevere.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Travel the good way and God will give you the courage to meet the challenges of this earthly world.

I know of no one who would not accept the idea of being comfortable in their life. We all would like to be free of pain the constraints that limit our freedom to be at ease with our life. We all welcome the easing or alleviation of our feelings of grief or distress, in our lives as well as the lives of those we love. God’s way can do that!

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

Whatever distress comes into our life there is comfort when we follow the good way.There is joy in the Lord and those whose paths follow God’s Way will find happiness and joy.  “This is a day the Lord hath made, let’s rejoice and be glad”. What gives you joy and brings to you a feeling of pleasure and happiness? The list of attributes of Hygge are many and cover a multitude of things that move a person to this condition, some have even suggested it is no more than a state of mind. In closing out this blog in my opinion it is more than that. It is a matter of the heart. God knows your heart and your heart often rules your mind. I suggest the Christian version  of Hygge. Live life God’s Way, because it is The Good Way…. 

Psalm 89:15-16 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted. 

 Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

As I was writing this the news came that Queen Elizabeth ll has passed. From the least to the greatest…from the weakest to the strongest…death has the finial say….

Think on that awhile…………

Life is Good

jk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this case it is not about packing clothes or toiletries or even maps and checking reservations…Moses must take to Pharaoh God’s command to “let my people go”. It will be a dangerous task, filled with frustrations but with Arron at his side Moses sets out to convince the Pharaoh and prepare him for the eventual outcome of this battle of words and signs. To cover chapters six through twelve in full would challenge even the most avid blog reader. I do recommend that you take the time to read these chapters  to gain a thorough understanding of the story. I have listed below a brief scripture guide for each chapter…These are from William Henry’s commentary, Study Light.org. I will also include a short summary of each chapter.

6-God renews his promise. (1-9) Moses and Aaron again sent to Pharaoh. (10-13) The parentage of Moses and Aaron. (14-30)

7-Moses and Aaron encouraged. (1-7) The rods turned into serpents, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. (8-13) The river is turned into blood, The distress of the Egyptians. (14-25)

8-The plague of frogs. (1-15) The plague of lice. (16-19) The plague of flies. (20-32)

9-The murrain of beasts. (1-7) The plague of boils and blains. (8-12) The plague of hail threatened. (13-21) The plague of hail inflicted. (22-35)

10-The plague of locusts threatened, Pharaoh, moved by his servants, inclines to let the Israelites go. (1-11) The plague of locusts. (12-20) The plague of thick darkness. (21-29)

11-God’s last instructions to Moses respecting Pharaoh and the Egyptians. (1-3) The death of the first-born threatened. (4-10)

12-The beginning of the year changed, The passover instituted. (1-20) The people instructed how to observe the passover. (21-28) The death of the first-born of the Egyptians The Israelites urged to leave the land of Egypt. (29-36) The Israelites’ first journey to Succoth. (37-42) Ordinance respecting the passover. (43-51)

In chapter six God tells Moses and Aaron that he will lead the Israelites out of Egypt to a promised land. Both of these men were from the tribe of Levi. Moses had augured that they would need a sign of some kind to impress the Pharaoh and in chapter 7 they have it in Aaron’s staff which turned into a snake. Impressive…but the Pharaoh’s  folks did the same with their staffs. Here again God wins out…While each of the Pharaoh’s folks staffs did turn into snakes …Aaron’s snake swallowed each of theirs. Still the Pharaoh was unmoved. God then told Moses and Aaron to meet the Pharaoh as he went down to the water in the morning. Pharaoh was told again to let the people go…Arron then struck the water of the Nile with his staff and it turned to blood. Because the Nile was a main tributary all the rivers, creeks and streams do likewise. There were eight plagues yet to come as God had harden the Pharaohs heart. While all of this may seem redundant it is in this manner that I wish to impress upon you the steadfast faith of Moses and Arron, along with the indisputable fact, that God was unrelenting in his desire to free his people. Remember also that the Jews there at that time also suffered with these plagues. Pharaoh continued to be hard hearted and turned a deaf ear to the commands of God as told to him by Moses and Aaron. God was unrelenting and continued those plagues. A plague of frogs was next and Pharaoh begged for relief but then hardened his heart. The LORD sent gnats and then flies. The LORD sent a plague of locusts and this time Pharaoh begged for relief but then his heart was hardened. The LORD sent darkness for three days. The LORD said that he would send one more plague, and then Pharaoh would let the Israelites go: all the firstborn Egyptians would die. 

Of course the book of Exodus doesn’t end at chapter 12, like all road trips it is just the beginning. There are a few points in chapter 12 that are worth noting. When the God becomes involved all things are made new. As God moves to take his people from Pharaoh to a promise of a better place and life, it was on this night the Feast of The Passover would be instituted. God appointed that, on the night wherein they were to go out of Egypt, each family should kill a lamb, or that two or three families, if small, should kill one lamb. This lamb was to be eaten in the manner here directed, and the blood to be sprinkled on the door-posts, to mark the houses of the Israelites from those of the Egyptians. We know that as the Angel passed over the people of Israel were spared from this last act of God. This Passover celebration was to be kept every year, both as a remembrance of Israel’s preservation and deliverance out of Egypt their safety and deliverance were not a reward of their own righteousness, but the gift of mercy. We seem to forget that it is best that we come to God’s terms, for he will never come to ours. It is best we stop here and look forward to another day to revisit this  book of Exodus. It is at this point that Pharaoh tells them to leave and the yoke of the Pharaoh is broken from their necks. They now began their long road trip. It will be a long and perilous journey….but remember this and I wish I had said it first…. It is not so much the journey but rather what happens along the way. This ragged bunch of people who had been demonized, abused and used for the Pharaohs labour needs will become a nation and will with God’s blessings cross over to the promised land. After all these years much of their faith and Jewish customs that defined them as God’s people being suppressed they will learn again as God instructs Moses and Aaron to prepare his people that they might be worthy of the blessings to come. Thus begins their forty year journey.

Thank you and God bless you for staying through this series. 

Life is Good

jk