Monday, June 14, 2010
those difficult teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, particularly those that caused offense and lead many to turn away from Jesus, forsaking their initial enthusiasm for the wandering Rabbi from Nazareth. It is an unsettling, familiar biblical theme. Jesus' words can save and heal - but often enough, they can also shock and offend. 
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bible Study Week 2 - Freedom and Death of the Disciplines
Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 2 Freedom and Death of the Disciplines
Last week lesson we discussed the understanding and meaning of spiritual discipline. We briefly touched on the freedom of the disciplines because of the liberation. As we live with these freedoms we should not make them law binding and legalistic disciplines. We are a people who live by grace because of the freedom of the disciplines. The freedom of the discipline places us in the presence of God where God can transform us inwardly. “When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received” (p. 6).
What does Foster means about righteous is a gift? The word righteousness according to Webster dictionary is “acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin”. “Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people. It is applicable at all levels of society, and is relevant in every area of life. Therefore, righteousness denotes the fulfilled expectations in relationships between man and wife, parents and children, fellow citizens, employer and employee, merchant and customers, ruler and citizens, and God and man”. As we fulfill the expectation that will free us from guilt or sin we are open to receive this gift from God. Romans 5:17 states, If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (NRSV). Since we are not able to earn righteousness therefore we must be believers in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift. As we use these disciplines, God is able to transform us in ways we never thought possible. Transformation of the heart and mind is needed as we walk this Christian journey. When we allow this transformation to happen we are allowing the disciplines to guide our spiritual lives and put us on the path of “disciplined grace”.
Foster defines “disciplined grace” as something for us to do (p. 8). In order for us reach the path of disciplined grace we must be active in the practice of the disciplines. When we are active we will be challenged to move off the narrow path because of the obstacles, road blocks and difficulties. This is what the enemy throws at us to make us stumble and fall down. As the disciplines become ingrained in us we will notice the transformation in our attitudes, our hearts, our speech and our personality. However, we must use these disciplines for our growth.
The disciplines were not created for us to make them into laws and hold people’s feet to the fire to make them obey them. This was the issue that Jesus spoke of when he talked to the disciples about the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (NRSV)). As we read through this pericope we notice how the scribes and Pharisees have placed an external burden on the people who are seeking a relationship with God. “Their righteousness consisted in control over externals, often including the manipulation of others. The extent to which we have gone beyond the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees is seen in how much our lives demonstrate the internal work of God upon the heart” (p. 9). When the disciplines that are for internal use are manipulated for external use and measurement, we find ourselves not able to fulfill the expectation of carrying out such a task. When this happens we find ourselves in the grips of spiritual death because of our inability to uphold the legalism of the external disciplines. As we reflect on the Israelites and the Law of Moses we realize no matter what happened, they broke the law daily. This is why righteousness is a gift from God. If we had to sacrifice animals for our sins there would not be enough lambs, goats, doves or pigeon to redeem us. Our redemption, salvation and change start on the inside and will manifest outwardly because we have allowed the disciplines to take root, nourish and nurture us inwardly. During the week, let us focus on the following scripture regarding freedom and death as it relates to the spiritual disciplines.
Righteousness (Psalms. 119:137-38, 144; Isaiah. 24:16, Palms. 45:4, 7; 72:1-7, Ezekiel 18:5-9, Genesis. 6:9; cf. 2 Peter. 2:5).
Jesus sought ‘sinners,’ not ‘the righteous’ of the day (Mark 2:17). Not the Pharisee but the tax collector went home ‘vindicated’ (Luke 18:14). Jesus called for righteousness (Matthew. 5:20) but also spoke of it, like the Kingdom, as God’s gift (Matthew. 5:6; 6:33).
The Law as death (Matthew 23:4, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 11:46. Acts 15:5, 10, 28. Galatians 6:13. Revelations 2:24, 25.
Questions to Ponder:
1. If a strong person encourages and a weak person control, how do you see yourself and how does others see you?
2. Is it possible to prevent moral bankruptcy? Why or Why not?
3. What are some things you haven’t let go in order to grow spiritual?
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 2 Freedom and Death of the Disciplines
Last week lesson we discussed the understanding and meaning of spiritual discipline. We briefly touched on the freedom of the disciplines because of the liberation. As we live with these freedoms we should not make them law binding and legalistic disciplines. We are a people who live by grace because of the freedom of the disciplines. The freedom of the discipline places us in the presence of God where God can transform us inwardly. “When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received” (p. 6).
What does Foster means about righteous is a gift? The word righteousness according to Webster dictionary is “acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin”. “Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people. It is applicable at all levels of society, and is relevant in every area of life. Therefore, righteousness denotes the fulfilled expectations in relationships between man and wife, parents and children, fellow citizens, employer and employee, merchant and customers, ruler and citizens, and God and man”. As we fulfill the expectation that will free us from guilt or sin we are open to receive this gift from God. Romans 5:17 states, If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (NRSV). Since we are not able to earn righteousness therefore we must be believers in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift. As we use these disciplines, God is able to transform us in ways we never thought possible. Transformation of the heart and mind is needed as we walk this Christian journey. When we allow this transformation to happen we are allowing the disciplines to guide our spiritual lives and put us on the path of “disciplined grace”.
Foster defines “disciplined grace” as something for us to do (p. 8). In order for us reach the path of disciplined grace we must be active in the practice of the disciplines. When we are active we will be challenged to move off the narrow path because of the obstacles, road blocks and difficulties. This is what the enemy throws at us to make us stumble and fall down. As the disciplines become ingrained in us we will notice the transformation in our attitudes, our hearts, our speech and our personality. However, we must use these disciplines for our growth.
The disciplines were not created for us to make them into laws and hold people’s feet to the fire to make them obey them. This was the issue that Jesus spoke of when he talked to the disciples about the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (NRSV)). As we read through this pericope we notice how the scribes and Pharisees have placed an external burden on the people who are seeking a relationship with God. “Their righteousness consisted in control over externals, often including the manipulation of others. The extent to which we have gone beyond the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees is seen in how much our lives demonstrate the internal work of God upon the heart” (p. 9). When the disciplines that are for internal use are manipulated for external use and measurement, we find ourselves not able to fulfill the expectation of carrying out such a task. When this happens we find ourselves in the grips of spiritual death because of our inability to uphold the legalism of the external disciplines. As we reflect on the Israelites and the Law of Moses we realize no matter what happened, they broke the law daily. This is why righteousness is a gift from God. If we had to sacrifice animals for our sins there would not be enough lambs, goats, doves or pigeon to redeem us. Our redemption, salvation and change start on the inside and will manifest outwardly because we have allowed the disciplines to take root, nourish and nurture us inwardly. During the week, let us focus on the following scripture regarding freedom and death as it relates to the spiritual disciplines.
Righteousness (Psalms. 119:137-38, 144; Isaiah. 24:16, Palms. 45:4, 7; 72:1-7, Ezekiel 18:5-9, Genesis. 6:9; cf. 2 Peter. 2:5).
Jesus sought ‘sinners,’ not ‘the righteous’ of the day (Mark 2:17). Not the Pharisee but the tax collector went home ‘vindicated’ (Luke 18:14). Jesus called for righteousness (Matthew. 5:20) but also spoke of it, like the Kingdom, as God’s gift (Matthew. 5:6; 6:33).
The Law as death (Matthew 23:4, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 11:46. Acts 15:5, 10, 28. Galatians 6:13. Revelations 2:24, 25.
Questions to Ponder:
1. If a strong person encourages and a weak person control, how do you see yourself and how does others see you?
2. Is it possible to prevent moral bankruptcy? Why or Why not?
3. What are some things you haven’t let go in order to grow spiritual?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Cultivating Gratitude
Reconciliation United Methodist Church June 7, 2010
a Monday Meditation by Pastor Baker
Cultivating Gratitude
Read Ephesians 5:15-20
Biblically speaking, "giving thanks" is the primary speech of humanity. God's Word reminds believers that when we say "thank you," we become more fully human and we enter more deeply into divinity. Gratitude is key to the spiritual life. Without it we cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of God. Without it we are diminished as people and we live a diminished life in the world. Gratitude is essential to a life of joy, a life of compassion, a life of fulfillment. Deep down, most of us already know this. Most of us are aware that the ability to express thanksgiving is part and parcel of what it means to be Christian. But gratitude does not come naturally. It must be cultivated.
Worship is the place where this posture of gratitude is cultivated most explicitly. It is where Christians are reminded that all our expressions of thanksgiving are really answering speech, responses to what God has already done in us, for us, and through us. It is not a coincidence that when followers of Jesus gather around the Lord's Table, they gather to pray "The Great Thanksgiving" - a prayer that expresses gratitude for all of God's mighty acts in salvation history.
The writer of Ephesians expresses this biblical truth clearly, reminding us to cultivate gratitude in our worship and exhorting us to do so regardless of our present situation or current life's circumstances: "be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"(Eph. 5:19). The alternative is to give oneself over to a spirit of cynicism and ingratitude, which when left unchecked, does more than diminish one's joy and contentment - it erects obstacles to our relationship with the God.
God Almighty, giver of all good things, help me to count my blessings each day and give thanks to you at all times for everything. Amen.
Monday Meditation is a weekly email ministry of Reconciliation United Methodist Church written by Pastor Kevin Baker.
a Monday Meditation by Pastor Baker
Cultivating Gratitude
Read Ephesians 5:15-20
Biblically speaking, "giving thanks" is the primary speech of humanity. God's Word reminds believers that when we say "thank you," we become more fully human and we enter more deeply into divinity. Gratitude is key to the spiritual life. Without it we cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of God. Without it we are diminished as people and we live a diminished life in the world. Gratitude is essential to a life of joy, a life of compassion, a life of fulfillment. Deep down, most of us already know this. Most of us are aware that the ability to express thanksgiving is part and parcel of what it means to be Christian. But gratitude does not come naturally. It must be cultivated.
Worship is the place where this posture of gratitude is cultivated most explicitly. It is where Christians are reminded that all our expressions of thanksgiving are really answering speech, responses to what God has already done in us, for us, and through us. It is not a coincidence that when followers of Jesus gather around the Lord's Table, they gather to pray "The Great Thanksgiving" - a prayer that expresses gratitude for all of God's mighty acts in salvation history.
The writer of Ephesians expresses this biblical truth clearly, reminding us to cultivate gratitude in our worship and exhorting us to do so regardless of our present situation or current life's circumstances: "be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"(Eph. 5:19). The alternative is to give oneself over to a spirit of cynicism and ingratitude, which when left unchecked, does more than diminish one's joy and contentment - it erects obstacles to our relationship with the God.
God Almighty, giver of all good things, help me to count my blessings each day and give thanks to you at all times for everything. Amen.
Monday Meditation is a weekly email ministry of Reconciliation United Methodist Church written by Pastor Kevin Baker.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Bible Study Week 1 - Spiritual Discipline
Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Spiritual Discipline Lesson
Over the next year we will deepen our relationship with God through the disciplines Richard Foster outlined in his book, Celebration of Discipline. Today’s lesson will be on the meaning and understanding of Spiritual Discipline. Let us take a look at the word discipline. The word discipline has several meanings. At first thought upon hearing the word discipline we think about punishment or correction for something we have done wrong. Another thought would be the choice we had to make in college when selecting a discipline within our major for our degree. Another meaning found in Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. The last definition is the definition of discipline we want to discuss in this weeks lesson. As followers in Jesus Christ we ought to grow in our faith. Our growth in Christianity does not end when we accept Christ.
Our acceptance is the beginning of a lifetime process. The process is one that will train, mold and shape us into the spiritual image of God. This process is not easy but it is necessary for our growth (1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:11). As we discipline ourselves we are more able to accept the discipline of God and discipline our children in the same way (Job 5:17, Ephesians 6:4, 2 Timothy 2:24-25). When we are in acceptance of God’s discipline we are obedient to the Holy Spirit. Obedience to discipline is not chastisement it is the building of boundaries in our life to stay focus on God daily. Now that you have a basic concept of Spiritual discipline let us turn to Foster’s book and examine his definition of spiritual discipline and the importance of it on this Christian Journey.
According to Foster, Spiritual Discipline is a door to liberation because it moves us from the stifling slavery to self-interest and fear (pp 1-2). The spiritual discipline is for every human being. It helps us to understand ourselves as one created in the image of God. “The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm” (p. 1). We do not have to be in the upper echelon of the spiritual realm when it comes to Spiritual Discipline, we need to be at the place where we can receive the knowledge from God as we start our quest of discipline.
Our quest is one of deepness. It is not a quest of shallow and surface discipline. This quest for a deeper knowledge and understanding of God produces a freedom only some people can explain. The deeper we go in God the deeper we are able to reach and see the manifestation of God because of our faith and hope. So when we are liberated in the spirit we find ourselves singing (Psalms 105:43, Acts 16:25-26, Ephesians 5:18-19, Revelation 4:9-10); dancing (Exodus 15:20, 1 Samuel 18:6, Psalm 149:3); shouting/praising (2 Chronicles 15:14-15, Luke 4:40-41, Luke 17:12-15, Acts 3:7-9). You are probably are saying, Rev I’m liberated but I don’t express myself outwardly that way. I’m saying that’s fine too, however, when the spirit moves in us after we have been in deep communion with God using the spiritual disciplines we may not want to stop praising God. When we become new Christians or rededicate our life back to God we are not sure how we are suppose to approach the disciplines. Often we rely on others to help and guide us during this Christian Journey.
Therefore, the more we read our Bibles we notice the lack of instructions regarding the spiritual disciplines because the people were so ingrained in the discipline it wasn’t necessary to explain. While researching this week’s lesson perform a Bible wordsearch for the following: meditation, fasting, prayer, worship and celebration. Take note of any instructions given and then add comments to this week’s blog. Also feel free to add questions about the lesson and the reading of the first chapter.
Questions to ponder:
1. Why is it harder for us to practice the disciplines of fasting, prayer, worship and celebration?
2. What are some ingrained habits that are so natural to you that you must use mind control or willpower to control them?
3. Have our willpower turned us into Will worshippers?
Reading for Next Week: Pages 6-11
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Spiritual Discipline Lesson
Over the next year we will deepen our relationship with God through the disciplines Richard Foster outlined in his book, Celebration of Discipline. Today’s lesson will be on the meaning and understanding of Spiritual Discipline. Let us take a look at the word discipline. The word discipline has several meanings. At first thought upon hearing the word discipline we think about punishment or correction for something we have done wrong. Another thought would be the choice we had to make in college when selecting a discipline within our major for our degree. Another meaning found in Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. The last definition is the definition of discipline we want to discuss in this weeks lesson. As followers in Jesus Christ we ought to grow in our faith. Our growth in Christianity does not end when we accept Christ.
Our acceptance is the beginning of a lifetime process. The process is one that will train, mold and shape us into the spiritual image of God. This process is not easy but it is necessary for our growth (1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:11). As we discipline ourselves we are more able to accept the discipline of God and discipline our children in the same way (Job 5:17, Ephesians 6:4, 2 Timothy 2:24-25). When we are in acceptance of God’s discipline we are obedient to the Holy Spirit. Obedience to discipline is not chastisement it is the building of boundaries in our life to stay focus on God daily. Now that you have a basic concept of Spiritual discipline let us turn to Foster’s book and examine his definition of spiritual discipline and the importance of it on this Christian Journey.
According to Foster, Spiritual Discipline is a door to liberation because it moves us from the stifling slavery to self-interest and fear (pp 1-2). The spiritual discipline is for every human being. It helps us to understand ourselves as one created in the image of God. “The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm” (p. 1). We do not have to be in the upper echelon of the spiritual realm when it comes to Spiritual Discipline, we need to be at the place where we can receive the knowledge from God as we start our quest of discipline.
Our quest is one of deepness. It is not a quest of shallow and surface discipline. This quest for a deeper knowledge and understanding of God produces a freedom only some people can explain. The deeper we go in God the deeper we are able to reach and see the manifestation of God because of our faith and hope. So when we are liberated in the spirit we find ourselves singing (Psalms 105:43, Acts 16:25-26, Ephesians 5:18-19, Revelation 4:9-10); dancing (Exodus 15:20, 1 Samuel 18:6, Psalm 149:3); shouting/praising (2 Chronicles 15:14-15, Luke 4:40-41, Luke 17:12-15, Acts 3:7-9). You are probably are saying, Rev I’m liberated but I don’t express myself outwardly that way. I’m saying that’s fine too, however, when the spirit moves in us after we have been in deep communion with God using the spiritual disciplines we may not want to stop praising God. When we become new Christians or rededicate our life back to God we are not sure how we are suppose to approach the disciplines. Often we rely on others to help and guide us during this Christian Journey.
Therefore, the more we read our Bibles we notice the lack of instructions regarding the spiritual disciplines because the people were so ingrained in the discipline it wasn’t necessary to explain. While researching this week’s lesson perform a Bible wordsearch for the following: meditation, fasting, prayer, worship and celebration. Take note of any instructions given and then add comments to this week’s blog. Also feel free to add questions about the lesson and the reading of the first chapter.
Questions to ponder:
1. Why is it harder for us to practice the disciplines of fasting, prayer, worship and celebration?
2. What are some ingrained habits that are so natural to you that you must use mind control or willpower to control them?
3. Have our willpower turned us into Will worshippers?
Reading for Next Week: Pages 6-11
Make the Most of your time
Reconciliation United Methodist Church
May 31, 2010a Monday Meditation by Pastor Baker
Make the most of your Time
Read Ephesians 5:15-20
In an old comic movie, students were touring a scientific research lab. Throughout the tour there was a man in a padded cell screaming at the top of his lungs as if he were in extreme pain. After the intermittent and disturbing screams continued for some time, one student finally asked: "What on earth are you doing to that poor man?"
The professor said: "Oh, him. Well he is a clock watcher. We are experimenting with time deprivation. We are trying to see how long he can go without looking at a clock." The student looked through the window at the tortured form huddled in a fetal position against the wall. As the students were leaving, it became strangely silent.
The camera zooms to the bare wrist of one of the students that no longer has his wrist watch and then cuts to the padded cell where the man sneaks a peak at newly acquired watch. If that scene is funny at all, it is only because it comes so close to the truth. Time is very dear to us. Most of us are prone to hoard it and protect it. It is not given away easily. We are a generation with no time to spare.
To us clock watchers, to those of us who are lost in a sea of busyness, the writer of Ephesians has a strong and powerful word. Stop. Just stop. Make the most of your time for the days are evil. What we need is not to kill time, to fill it up - but to fulfill time, to redeem time.
We are called to not be foolish but to understand what the will of the Lord is. Jesus not only wants our life, our giving, our hearts, and our minds. Jesus also wants our time. To learn to live wisely, to understand the will of the Lord, is to recognize that everything we have is God's - even our time. Lord of all things, including time, help me to live wisely making the most of the time you have given me. Amen.
Always in the Potter's Hand
http://onthemoveministries.blogspot.com
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
May 31, 2010a Monday Meditation by Pastor Baker
Make the most of your Time
Read Ephesians 5:15-20
In an old comic movie, students were touring a scientific research lab. Throughout the tour there was a man in a padded cell screaming at the top of his lungs as if he were in extreme pain. After the intermittent and disturbing screams continued for some time, one student finally asked: "What on earth are you doing to that poor man?"
The professor said: "Oh, him. Well he is a clock watcher. We are experimenting with time deprivation. We are trying to see how long he can go without looking at a clock." The student looked through the window at the tortured form huddled in a fetal position against the wall. As the students were leaving, it became strangely silent.
The camera zooms to the bare wrist of one of the students that no longer has his wrist watch and then cuts to the padded cell where the man sneaks a peak at newly acquired watch. If that scene is funny at all, it is only because it comes so close to the truth. Time is very dear to us. Most of us are prone to hoard it and protect it. It is not given away easily. We are a generation with no time to spare.
To us clock watchers, to those of us who are lost in a sea of busyness, the writer of Ephesians has a strong and powerful word. Stop. Just stop. Make the most of your time for the days are evil. What we need is not to kill time, to fill it up - but to fulfill time, to redeem time.
We are called to not be foolish but to understand what the will of the Lord is. Jesus not only wants our life, our giving, our hearts, and our minds. Jesus also wants our time. To learn to live wisely, to understand the will of the Lord, is to recognize that everything we have is God's - even our time. Lord of all things, including time, help me to live wisely making the most of the time you have given me. Amen.
Always in the Potter's Hand
http://onthemoveministries.blogspot.com
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)