Amos 8:11-13 A Time of Famine

Observation: As punishment for unfair economic practices, God promises to send a famine on Israel. But this isn't a famine like any other they have experienced. In this famine, it won't be food or water people are going without. It'll be a famine of God's word. It's strange to think that God, who loves us, who knows us and wants us to know God, would ever cut off communication and let us go hungry. But in a time like the time of Amos, where hearing God's word is apparently not helping the people live with love for their neighbors, maybe the silent treatment is the only way to get people listening again.

Application: I know I'm not the first modern observer to say this, but today definitely feels like a time of famine for God's word. Organized religion is declining in Europe and North America. The single fastest growing religious affiliation is "none". And in response, I'm going to say something that some may find shocking: Maybe all this is from God.

It could be that if we're going to use God's word to do more harm than good to ourselves and our neighbors, then maybe it's time for a famine of God's word. I'm not one of those people rooting for the end of Christianity as we know it, because I believe in my heart that we can do a lot more good together than we could individually. I don't want churches to die. But I would be okay if empty piety did. I don't want our world to feel that God has fallen silent. But it would be a huge a relief if religious bullying did.

My point is, you can't have a "famine" of something you don't need in the first place. So right now, society is asking, "do we need God's word?" Well, do we? Is all of this true? Is this faith we've found, this Good News we've heard, really able to change our hearts? To change the world? Does the Gospel matter? In the core of my being, I believe it does. I will gladly bet my life a thousand times that it does. But if I'm right, God's word will speak for itself. God does not require any more judges or enforcers to make people believe, as if I or anyone else ever could. If this famine is from God, the feast will be, too.

Prayer: God, speak to us. May your word fill and transform my life, and speak through my life to others who are hungry and thirsty for another way: your way. Amen. 

Amos 8:6 False Balances

Observation: God shows Amos a basket of summer fruit as a symbol. Because of its unjust treatment of the poor, "an end will come upon my people Israel." Just as summer fruit doesn't keep long, neither will a society that mistreats its most vulnerable citizens. A note in my study Bible says that a play on the Hebrew words for "end" and "fruit" is "eternal winter." 

Application: Most Christians can get on board with the idea that God wants us to feed and care for the poor. It's good to be generous. It's great to share, and help those who are less able to help themselves. All the Old Testament prophets would likely agree to this. 

But where I get tripped up is that most of the prophets call me to go further than just sharing what I have. Prophets like Amos force me to look at the system on which my own society runs, and examine what is making people poor, and what is keeping them poor, when the total wealth of our world continues to increase. Amos would not be satisfied with my giving to support others. He would want me to look at unfair practices today which are keeping my neighbors from thriving. 

Of course, God wants us each to take responsibility for our own lives. God has made us in such a way that we seek to work, and to create a livelihood for ourselves and our families. But if we look through our communities and see people working full time and then some, and still unable to afford the "daily bread" we know God wants for all people, the question the prophets would have us ask is, "Are we guilty of deceit and false balances?" 

Prayer: God, I pray for change. I pray for the poor to eat and be satisfied. I pray for a system in which those who work full time can afford the necessities of life for their families. I pray for none of my neighbors to have to go into bankruptcy as a result of getting sick. I pray for our people to listen to one another, to find solutions that work for everyone, and for you to challenge me to do my part for justice and equity.   

2 Timothy 4:6-11 I Have Finished the Race

Observation: It's hard not to read these words from Paul like a farewell. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I don't have time to dust off my Greek New Testament, but at least in English, these are all "present perfect tense," describing an action that has already been completed. It's not uncommon for these verses to be read at a funeral, especially for someone who lived a long and fruitful life. But what's interesting is that Paul doesn't dwell here for long. In fact, the next verse starts Paul's personal instructions to Timothy about coming to visit, and bringing Mark, with the assumption that ministry has to keep right on rolling, even to Paul's very last breath.

Application: There are a thousand different ways you can define "success", and often they shift from day to day and even hour to hour. But one common thread I've seen through reading the Bible, and with what meager life experience I can already claim in my late 30s, is that success is just not stopping. That doesn't mean never resting (because if you genuinely want to get stopped in your tracks just down the road, never take a rest, and life will take care of that for you). Instead it means working in such a way that you can keep on doing what you're doing for years to come. 

As a disciple of Jesus, my life goal is simple, and yet by definition it will not be done until I am dead. I want to spend my entire life sharing the Good News of God's grace in Jesus, with both my words and actions. My goal is to do that, and not stop. Ever. My goal is not to always win the good fight, but to always fight it. My goal is not to win the race, but to finish it. My goal is not to conquer the entire globe with my faith, my goal is to keep it. 

Christians in this age especially need to understand that the world is changing, and as much as the Church as we know it is trying to change with it, we may not succeed. If our goal is to always be the legal and structural entities we've managed to be over the last few centuries, then we will probably fail. And we need to be aware that God genuinely does not care about that goal. 

But if our goal is to continue proclaiming the Gospel, and not stop, and we believe the Gospel is indeed the power of God to save and create faith, it really is up to us whether we want to follow through on that. But if we also trust in the miracle of Pentecost, that in fact it's the Holy Spirit who shares the Gospel, through the voice of the church, then we can trust that somebody will be doing it always. My goal in life is to be one of those somebodies. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for the faith you have given me. Thank you for the Gospel you have given to the Church. Give me the power and resolve to continue proclaiming it through my life. Amen. 

1 Chronicles 11:1-9 "Now the City of David"

Observation: The people anoint David as king and "shepherd" of Israel. No sooner do they do this, then David marches his armies down to the territory of the Jebusites, and announces that the first to attack them will be "chief and commander." They invade and occupy the city, which will eventually be called "the City of David". But from here out it will have a different name, meaning "city of peace": Jerusalem.

Application: Just after "Good Shepherd" Sunday, it's interesting to me that David is known as a shepherd not just for defending the "sheep" of Israel, but for going on the offensive to lead them into a good pasture. The city of Jerusalem, for thousands of years known as "David's city," was itself taken from the Jebusites by force.

I struggle with Biblical violence in general, but in particular, the stories of the conquest of the Promised Land give me trouble. Yes, God promised the land to Israel...but somebody was already there. As we hear in the news about violence between protesters and police in Gaza and the West Bank, this is all too relevant for today.

But as an American Christian, the stories of David's conquest hit home for me in a different way. It reminds me that even the land on which I reside, and have lived all my life, was itself taken by conquest, and some Christians even pointed to the Old Testament stories of conquest as justification for taking that land from the American Indians who already lived there.

Here in Northern Michigan, the first occupants of the land were the Chippewa and Ottowa Indians. They still have a tribal organization organized up in Peshawbestown. I can't necessarily rewind history, but I do feel a call to learn from it and do what I can to honor my neighbors who were here first.

On Sunday, I preached about how King David himself acknowledged his own need for guidance: "The Lord is my Shepherd." Even the shepherd needs a shepherd. My prayer today is that all of us, with whatever level of power and influence God has given us, would allow ourselves to be led and shepherded by Christ, who is the prince of Peace.

Prayer: Jesus, lead me, and all your sheep, through the valley of the shadow of death--even when that shadow comes from the violence and greed in our own souls. Amen.   

Genesis 46:28-47:7 An Immigration Story

Observation: After years living in Egypt, Joseph has a tearful reunion with his father Jacob. Poignantly, Jacob says to Joseph "I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive." Joseph arranges with his family to go before Pharaoh and announce themselves as shepherds (which for some reason are "abhorrent" to the Egyptians), and this works to their benefit: Pharaoh allows them to graze their flocks in Goshen, the best part of the land of Egypt. 

Application: This story of welcome is remembered many times through the Old Testament. Exodus 22:21 says "You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for once you were aliens in the land of Egypt." For all of Jacob's ancestors, remembering a time when they were welcomed as guests into a new land became part of the people's identity. 

I don't know a great deal about my ancestors. I have heard the story that Paul Adolf Jahn, my great-great grandfather, came to this country from Germany to work in the copper mines of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I'm not clear on when he relocated to the Detroit area, but it's my understanding that it was my great grandfather, Howard Jahn, who convinced him to go into the printing business full time, which then became our family business, Monarch Press. My maternal grandmother has told me a little about the Norwegians in South Dakota from whom my mother is descended, but I'd like to learn more. 

The story I read in Genesis today is a reminder that we all are descended from travelers and immigrants, strangers who wondered about the welcome they would receive in their new home. Just as Pharaoh welcomed Jacob's family on Joseph's behalf, I pray that we all have had the gratifying experience to come into a new place and be treated like we belong. Even in the last year, I have had that experience here in Northern Michigan. I'm pleased to say that my family and I have received a warm welcome here, and I hope we can be half as good at welcoming others into our community, remembering that we were once new to the community too. 

Prayer: God, keep fresh in our memory that we were all strangers at one point, and we were welcomed. We are guests on this planet you created, and you have provided abundantly all we need for survival.  We are strangers in your household, alienated by our sin, and yet like the prodigal Father you have welcomed us in and made us your children by the grace of your son Jesus. Fill us with humility, to welcome strangers with the same love we ourselves have received, in the name of him who welcomes us, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Genesis 30:25-43 Where Do I Even Start...

Observation: Oh, so many observations. I guess we'll start with the culture shock...the fact that Jacob is asking Laban for permission to take his wives, children and slaves, all of whom he sees as his property, along with his livestock back to his home country. Or we could go on to discuss how both Jacob and Laban, even by their own cultural standards, are engaging in shameful trickery and trying to defraud one another of livestock, Laban by taking the speckled and spotted goats out of the flock after promising to give them to Jacob, and Jacob for placing striped poplar rods where the goats breed so they give birth to speckled babies...honestly. I don't know where to start.

Application: Wow. Sometimes when folks tell me they can just dig into the Bible anywhere and find inspiration and motivation, I have to wonder what Bible they're reading. I find I can't get very far into my Bible without finding stories like this: stories of humans being humans. Lying, cheating, stealing, exploiting one another, knowingly and unknowingly. And yet part of the point of the book of Genesis (especially the parts of the book we tend to skip over) is just that. That human beings act trashy to each other, all the time, and yet at some point God makes a decision to work with and through the trashy things people do to each other, to make the world a better place, rather than clear the board again and start fresh.

The thesis statement for the book of Genesis, I think, comes near the end, after Joseph forgives his brothers for selling him into slavery (which, long story short, puts him in a position to save the whole family from starvation). Joseph says, "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today." In the end, God has to beat us at our own game, and essentially con us into accidentally helping one another. Genesis may take a long time to get there, but the take-away for me is that though humans are really great at screwing up, God is smarter than we are, and can get a check-mate for love while we're still counting pawns.

Prayer: God, fool us into loving one another today. Amen. 

Psalm 150 When You're Not Feeling It

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty firmament! 

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his surpassing greatness! 

Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with lute and harp! 

Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and pipe! 

Praise him with clanging cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Observation: The book of psalms closes with a praise song. "Alleluia" is a Hebrew imperative that means "Praise the Lord". In the original language this psalm would be full of Alleluias, echoing out through the world. 

Application: Psalms like this rarely seem to come up on days when I'm feeling like a million bucks. More often they come up on the grumpy days where I'm already sleep deprived and Laura and I have to go through World War III, like most mornings but more so, just to get our children to eat breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth, get on their snow gear (IN LATE APRIL) and get in the car. I'll be honest...it's hard to praise the Lord on mornings like this. Even if I had some clanging cymbals, even if I had a tambourine and knew how to dance, even if my guitar was here instead of sitting in my office at church. 

The fact is, God's goodness does not depend on our mood, nor should our praise to God. God has given us life, both in this world through creation, and in the next through resurrection, and that's true on our worst day as well as our best. If we can only see or praise God when things are going smoothly, we give ourselves the mistaken impression that God isn't there when they aren't. 

I had a buddy once who would open up to me about a lot of hard stuff that was going on in his life, then say "Eh, life is good." It was only after several years of this that I realized that this wasn't based on his mood, but rather because he was really struggling and trying to remind himself to hang in there. I wish I could have been more perceptive, and offered him the space to lament, even while acknowledging the gift of life. Lament can be a holy thing, too. 

The verse that closes out this psalm, and all the psalms, is a universal imperative, crying out to all life: "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!" Anything that lives, simply by living, can give praise to our God of life. And on the days when that's all we've got, maybe taking a long, deep breath, and remembering that life is a gift, is the best Alleluia we can manage. 

Prayer: God, help me to praise you on my worst day, and not forget you on my best. Let my breath, and the breath of all creatures, be a song of praise. Amen.     

Psalm 4 Ending the Day

Observation: This psalm seems to shift perspectives between one crying out to God, and God's response. The psalmist cries "answer me  when I call". God responds, "How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?" Advice comes--presumably from God--when we are disturbed, not to sin, but to ponder it on our beds, and be silent. Turning things over to God at the end of the day is one way to find peace.

Application: I'm feeling convicted by this psalm, in that bed time is not a very conscious, intentional time with God for me the way it maybe should be. I write these devotions in the morning, after the kids get on the bus. Often (like today) Ezra has a kids' show going on in the other room. It's peaceful, but not quiet. But at night, when there really is a chance for silent, intentional reflection, I tend to mess around on my phone, or watch Netflix until I'm ready to drop. I do tend to be something of a morning person--inspiration and motivation tend to strike me at the beginning of the day--but I wonder if taking even two minutes of silent reflection might help me be more intentional about going over the day with God, remembering all God has done for me, and reminding myself that I'm not alone in what I will face the next day. 

Prayer: God, help me remember to greet you in the morning, but also to debrief with you in the evening, as a bookend for my day. Help me to lie down and sleep in peace...your peace.    

1 John 2:12-17 Good News is for Everyone

Observation: the author of 1 John writes to the whole community, and makes sure yo know all age groups are included. Twice each, "fathers," "young people," and "children," receive a special word of encouragement. Each word is centered not in their own skills and personal accomplishments, but in God's action. 

Application: this direct address from God's word, not just to adults but to youth and kids, is an important place to go when we forget  the answer to the question, "who is the church?" Kids and youth, as I hope you've heard before, are not just "the future of the church." They're the church now. They're baptized. They're called by Christ to make disciples, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so in ways we haven't dreamed of yet. The church is truly the church inasmuch as it can incorporate the gifts of all its members, from youngest to oldest. 

Prayer: God, thanks for the gifts of young people. Help us listen to them, and as your Spirit leads, follow them. Amen. 

Psalm 133 Dwelling together in unity

Observation: This may be the shortest and simplest psalm. A statement and two similes. Dwelling together in unity is good. As good as beard oil. As good as fresh dew.

Application: I heard recently that the UK government created a "ministry of loneliness" to combat the growing problem of social isolation. Having social connections is proven to increase health and longevity. Loneliness can literally kill us, and when coupled with enough anger and toxicity, it can kill others too.

So right now, I'm going to head into the office and finish up some things I already should have done. But after that, I'm going to a birthday party with my family. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: God, I thank you for the chaotic, imperfect gift of community. Help me seek out life giving friendships, and those who could use more of them. Amen. 

Acts 4:23-31 With All Boldness

Observation: Peter and John are in trouble for teaching and healing in Jesus' name. After being released from arrest by the same religious authorities who orchestrated their teacher's death, they immediately gather with friends for prayer. And what's amazing is they don't pray for safety or protection. They pray for more boldness to proclaim God's word.

Application: In the quote soup that is the internet, I have no idea who originally said it--John F. Kennedy, J.M. Barrie, Philips Brooks and Bruce Lee are all apparently candidates--but this verse makes me think of the quote, "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger."

I think "strength" can be a toxic myth sometimes in our culture. There's nothing at all wrong with being affected by our circumstances, grieving things we have lost, or asking for help when a situation seems to be too much for us to bear. There are plenty of psalms in which the writer asks for God's deliverance from a tough situation. "Save me!" is a necessary and faithful prayer at times. Sometimes that salvation comes through trusted friends to whom we can open up. That does not make us weak. 

But the fact is, sometimes the tough situation isn't going away. And very often, we later realize we've been called into it for a reason. If Peter and John had only asked God for safety and comfort, we would never have heard the name of Jesus. Sometimes it's better to pray for boldness.

Prayer: God, life is hard. It seems like there is no end to the curve balls we get thrown. But you have called me to face this day, and as I do, I ask you to help me speak your word with all boldness. Don't  just take away my troubles. Make me the kind of person who can bear them faithfully, in witness to your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen. 

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 All We Know That Isn't So

Observation: At least two decades before the first Gospel account was written down, Paul writes to the Corinthians about a great mystery, which strikes at the heart of Easter. Not only was Jesus raised from the dead, but we will be, too. Our bodies will not be perishable, or subject to the decay and illness that we know from our current life, but they will be bodies in some meaningful sense of the word, and ultimately we will live here, not on some other spiritual plane. 

Application: I once asked a class full of confirmation students to draw what they believe they will look like after their death. The answers were as varied as the number of students, from crime-fighting ninja ghost, to motionless corpse, to the more "conventional" angel with a harp on a cloud. These were mostly lifelong Christians, who sang hymns of praise every Easter, who shouted "Christ is Risen Indeed!" on an annual basis. 

It's not just young people. It's Christians of all ages. Our views of what happens to us after we die are widely varied, and even our internalized view of what "the Bible says" is kind of all over the place. Where it all comes from is a much longer story. There's some Greek philosophy in there, some inter-religious dialogue, some ancient Christian disagreements, a good helping of pop culture...it's quite a stew. But the consensus view seems to gather around leaving our mortal bodies behind, and having our consciousness or our "soul" ascend to some other far-away heavenly dimension, to be reunited with loved ones and with Jesus forever. 

My Easter challenge to you, dear reader is this: let's pretend you've never heard of any of that. It's hard, I know, but pretend you're a blank slate. Now, read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. You may find that what "the Bible says", at least here, is a little different from what we think it says.

To borrow a phrase from Ronald Reagan (this is not a political endorsement), the problem is not that we don't know anything about the resurrection. It's just that we know so much that isn't so. The trouble with the witness of death and resurrection in the New Testament is not so much that it isn't coherent. The trouble is the coherent picture it paints is a pretty wild story. And it ends right back here, on planet earth, which for many of us is a bit of a scandal. 

At its heart, the resurrection is a mystery. Even Paul says so. We do know that in a very radical way, we'll be changed. And that the change that happened to Jesus 2,000 years ago is relevant to that change. Paul holds very tightly to the idea that some day, what happened to him will happen to us--all of us, at the same time. Christians differ on what will be our state of consciousness, or existence, in the mean time. But the resurrection wasn't a one-off freak accident of God's grace. It is the blueprint: the mold for our ultimate destiny. 

Prayer: Jesus, your resurrection is a mystery. Help me be humble in approaching it, and remind me that what it really is, and how we will experience it first hand, is known only to you. Give me enough trust to proclaim it, to embrace it, and to leave the details to your Holy Spirit. In your name I pray. Amen.