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Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 20

The heart of the schemer is a bitter heart;
the heart of a peacemaker beats joyfully.

Proverbs 12:20

Today we were greeted by the headline, “WAR ENDS.” It is ostensibly the end of the war in Iraq. This is something to rejoice about. This is a moment to remember all of the soldiers being reunited with their families and spending the holidays out of harm’s way.

As the verse above tells us, peace is cause for joy. Or a joyful heart leads one to work for peace. Either way, joy and peace go together. And we know that is the case for those personally involved in the war in Iraq.

But what about the schemer. The bitter-hearted. This is offered as the contrast to the joyful peacemaker. Are those who contribute to the inciting of war bitter-hearted schemers? I don’t think those who made the decisions initiating the war in Iraq would think so about themselves. They might think those on the Iraqi side are, but not on the US side. Yet ancient wisdom is telling.

The verse above seems to imply two groups of people: the bitter-hearted schemers and the joyful-hearted peacemakers. I’m wondering if there is not some of both in each of us. Just as we each have the potential to be joyful peacemakers, I think we also all have the potential to be bitter schemers. I think we are all a mix, and both impulses come out in different ways depending on the circumstances.

For me, following Jesus is about trying to elicit the joyful peacemaking and trying to subdue the bitter scheming. In the way of Jesus, I see the potential for joy and peace not only for myself, but for all peoples, and for the world. That is why I choose to be a Christian. I also know that I need Christianity to help me subdue the bitter-hearted schemer that lurks just beneath the surface of my relatively cheery personality looking for any opportunity emerge and erupt.

Can you think of times when you have felt like a joyful-hearted peacemaker? Have you seen that side of others? I think of the Dalai Lama. And what about the bitter-hearted schemer? It’s probably easier to start with others. Have you seen that impulse in others? In yourself? The bitter-hearted schemer can even lead us to do harm to ourselves.

For me, the teachings of Jesus give me a way to forgive the bitter-hearted schemer in myself and others, and so invite me to be more of a peacemaker with a joyful heart. Jesus truly does bring JOY to the world!

Prayer
In these days as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, may we truly treasure the joy that peace brings. May that joy be so dear to us that we make the effort, whatever it takes, to subdue the impulses of the bitter-hearted schemer in ourselves, others, our institutions, organizations, and society. May we “repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy,” until the world rings with peace. Amen.

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 19

Advent 2011 Daily Devotion 19

Acclaim Yahweh with joy,
all the earth!
Serve Yahweh with gladness!
Enter into God’s presence with a joyful song!

Psalm 100:1-2

The Psalms were originally written as songs and chants to be used in worship. There are many musical references in the Psalms. There is mention of singing. There is also mention of many instruments used in worship including the lyre, the harp of ten strings, tambourine, trumpet, lute, horn, strings, and pipe. It’s a veritable orchestra! There is singing and playing all in joyous praise to God.

As the human species, we are blessed with many musical ways to express joy. We are not limited to vocal sounds alone. We are not limited to words. We also have the ingenuity to create instruments and melodies and harmonies. We have many ways to express joy musically. We experience this each week in worship through the ministry of beautiful music. Music expresses what words alone cannot. What a blessing!

Last evening at church, a group of us listened to recorded music selected by Music Director Hilton Jones, that he feels conveys joy. I must say, I felt more joyful when it was over than when I had arrived. Listening to the music did increase my feeling of joy. Maybe that is why we are surrounded by Christmas carols this time of year. They elicit joy. There are also many concerts this month featuring holiday music. Again, these are moments for us to experience joy.

If you want to feel the joy of the season, try attending a concert featuring Christmas music. Or put a Christmas cd on to play. Sing a Christmas carol in the shower. See how you feel. Does the music make a difference?

And if Christmas music doesn’t move you, try another kind of music that you like and enjoy. Think about what music says JOY for you. Think of some of your favorites – contemporary hits or music of yesteryear. A beautiful concerto or symphony. Some rock or folk. Hip hop or jazz. Rap, anyone? Try adding some music to your day and see if you don’t feel the joy!

Prayer
We are grateful for the gift of music and the way it enriches our lives. We are especially thankful for the music of the church and how it stirs the spirit and soothes the soul. May we experience the joy this season through music. Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 18

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecutions against Paul and Barnabus, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:48-52

The book of Acts tells stories of early Christian communities in the time just after the crucifixion of Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples travel far and wide spreading stories of their experience with Jesus. New faith communities are being formed throughout the Mediterranean area. Paul was extremely dedicated to this mission and met with great success. He also met with bitter opposition and was put in jail. He understood the hostility since he, himself, had once persecuted those who were followers of Jesus.

In the story above, we hear of how Paul and Barnabas are essentially run out of town, for fear of their lives. Not only out of town, but out of the region. And we are told that they were filled with joy. Joy? When they have met with antagonism and hostility? When they have been forced to flee? We might expect them to be filled with fear. Or with relief that they got away. Or gratitude that they had been spared. But JOY?

I think a message here is that when we are living out our calling, when we are letting God’s will guide our lives, we are joyful. When we are doing what we know we should be doing, when we are where we know we are supposed to be, we experience joy.

Fulfilling God’s design for our lives may put us in difficult situations. We see that above. We also see it in the Christmas stories of the gospels. Mary is in an awkward position. Joseph is told in a dream not to divorce Mary. He is in an uncomfortable position. The Magi, or wise ones, must avoid Herod. Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt. Several of the characters in the Christmas story are in difficult situations of some kind. And yet they are filled with joy at what they are part of.

When we are fulfilling God’s dreams, we experience joy. But following our faith can lead to complications and problems. It may not be all smooth sailing. Maybe we choose ethics over economics, and our bank account suffers. Maybe we spend our “free” time doing volunteer work to help the poor or outcast instead of cruising the golf course. Maybe we are part of an advocacy movement that leads to being audited by the IRS. Maybe we leave home and family to work in a developing country. Maybe we have a police record for being arrested for civil disobedience. There are many ways that we can follow the teachings of the Gospel and suffer negative consequences in the process. After all, faithfulness got Jesus crucified.

This is an opportunity to reflect on your life, and where you find joy. Is it in service to the Gospel? Are you where you feel you need to be in your life? Are you doing what you are called to do? If you feel filled with joy, then you may be right on track! If you aren’t feeling much joy, maybe you need to think about ways to involve yourself in serving others and sharing God’s love. That just may increase your joy.

Prayer
We are grateful for the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are glad for how Jesus shows us God’s love. In a life of service, we find our deepest joy and highest good. In this Advent season, as the wise ones followed the star, may we follow God’s leading and guidance wherever it may take us so that our lives are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Celebrating Pastor Kim

Photos by Emily Gibson

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 17

I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11

I started reading a book yesterday given to me by my daughter. It is about a pastor serving a church in the South Bronx in the 1980’s. The circumstances were extremely challenging and the pastor felt ill-prepared. This got me thinking about what it takes to be prepared for ministry. Not just ministry as pastor of a church, but the ministries to which each and every Christian in called. Ministry to friends, neighbors, ministries of advocacy, ministries of witness, ministries with students and strangers, ministries in health care and business. What does it take to be prepared as a Christian for the ministries to which we are called? Of course, it takes faith, and what is evidence of that faith? Joy.

Eighteenth century Puritan preacher, Jonathan Edwards, commented on discerning true religious experience from false religious experience. As a sign of the authenticity of religious experience, he recommended that we look for joy. [See Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, Nov/Dec 1993, “Good Tidings of Great Joy,” by Doris Donnelly] So true Christianity will be evidenced in joy. Joy is a key characteristic of Christian witness, according to Edwards, and according to Jesus in the Gospel of John.

In the scripture above, the Gospel of John tells us that the intent of Jesus’ ministry and teaching is to share joy, to be infused with joy, to experience joy. This is very interesting. I wonder how many Christians would say when asked about their faith or religion, “I’m a Christian because of the joy.” Or, “Christians believe in joy.” Or, “The point of Christianity is to spread joy in the world.” It’s not that Christians would disagree with these statements, but I don’t think this would be the first thing to come to mind. “Why are you a Christian?” “Because of the joy!” is not a typical conversational exchange.

In the Gospel of John, joy is mentioned seven times. So clearly, joy is important to the gospel writer. The references show us that joy is a central feature of the Christian path. Personally, I think Christianity could do with more joy and less judgment. Take some time to consider, How does your faith bring you joy? How is the joy of Jesus in you? What would a more joyful Christianity look like? How can the church embrace joy to a greater degree? What’s holding us back?

Prayer
Jesus came to bring us joy; to help us see the joy within us and in the world around us. As the light of each day shortens this time of year, may our awareness of the joy of our faith increase. Amen.