Friday - October 28, 2022
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas
SCRIPTURE
2 Peter 1.2-11
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
God’s divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of God who called us with glory and goodness. Through these we have been given a very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my siblings, my friends, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal new realm of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
WORDS OF HOPE
The two letters of St. Peter are designed to offer encouragement to those who would receive them. Peter was one of Jesus’ original disciples who was among those who witnessed some of the most important miracles. He was in the “inner circle” and raising the child from the dead, the Transfiguration, and was a leader in the early church in Jerusalem, introducing some of the first non-Jews to Christianity. All this to say, Peter was important, so much so that Jesus would say, “You are the rock upon which I will build my church.”
In this second letter, Peter offers words of encouragement to those who are experiencing difficulties due to internal deception caused by false teachers who have found their way into leadership in the church.
We all experience difficulties sometime in our faith journey. Sometimes these are due to external circumstances that are everyday living, and sometimes it is due to teachings that have infiltrated our minds, our theology, our belief system that often conflicts with the teachings of Jesus.
We are just completing a sermon series here at Cathedral of Hope called, “Unafraid” and throughout this series we have been challenged to boldly come to meet the God of Jesus. This God is a God of love and yet how many of us have come to know a God of fear, or even a God of hate?
Fear is certainly a motivating factor and has found its way into many of our daily living experiences. In the church, fear of our destiny, fear of earning God’s love, fear of… well, you fill in the blank, has kept us in oppression, seeking to live to please this God of fear, rather than understanding that our authenticity, our uniqueness, our belated-ness is what comes from a God who created us all in the divine image of God.
Such false teachings have prevailed in the church for too long and, like Peter who wants to correct some of this in the early church, the work of preachers, churches, and individuals alike is to keep to the central message of God’s love alive and prevailing.
As I think back on my faith journey, I know that there have been times when I have been driven by fear, rather than love. I know that there have been many times that someone has tried to “put the fear of God” in me – that somehow, I cannot be loved and that God has already judged me, sending me to an eternal hell. I am grateful that I no longer believe like this and try not to replicate that fear in my ministry toward others.
PRAYER
Today, I sincerely hope that you will receive the God of love and begin the liberating journey of meeting the God of love who encourages us all to love God, love self and love others. Amen
DEVOTION AUTHOR
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas
Senior Pastor
Cathedral of Hope, United Church of Christ
Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions
SCRIPTURE 2 Timothy 2. 22-25 So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting all opponents with gentleness. WORDS OF HOPE Feeling any youthful passions lately? Before images of The Blue Lagoon come to mind, the author of the pastoral letter addressed to Timothy was probably not writing about teenage love in a 1980 movie. Sometimes attributed to the Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy’s wise teacher is more likely using “youthful” in the context of “immature.” Regardless of our chronological ages, none of us is immune to immature behavior occasionally. This is true of myself anyway, because immature behavior is usually born of anger, and we live in a time when anger, outrage, and disgust are not strangers. That is the best reason to always have today’s Scripture’s brief words of advice on call in our cellphone notes, or even better, in our memories. We live in a Nation when politics and religion are frequently discussed, sometimes combined into one package, and anyone with definite viewpoints about either is usually labeled an extremist. It’s an atmosphere that “breeds quarrels” where opponents are immediately labeled pure evil and facts are often of no consequence, producing those “foolish, ignorant controversies” Timothy is warned to avoid. As much as most of us, and I am one, would prefer to completely avoid such confrontations, our commitment to the faith, love, and peace of Jesus should and must be voiced. But that is the point at which those “youthful passions” must be left behind in favor of an internal prayer prior to speaking: PRAYER Lord, remind me that I am your servant. Before I speak I. must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, and correcting my opponents with gentleness. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. WORDS OF HOPE A person I admire and model, Albert Einstein, always dared to imagine, think out of the box and view life with openness. His innate curious nature led him to ask “why” and challenge the norm on many levels. He was indisputably brilliant yet demonstrated a deep humanitarian desire to help others. During his life he witnessed immense poverty and injustice yet genuinely believed that a conscious person of value will give more than they receive. At a young age he challenged the rigid expectations of school where he refused to accept conventional wisdom. He famously said, “Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” I can identify with Einstein! In high school when I would ask “why” regarding an injustice I witnessed, or questioned control from religious leaders, I was told to mind my tongue. They said my life would be challenging if I continued to ask questions and think out of the box. I vowed right then to constantly think “out” of the box and always maintain the courage to ask “why.” Einstein understood the laws of the universe though he also believed in a God beyond comprehension and valued the interplay of science and ethics. Jesus’ spoke of the divine reality that while accessible, still remained a mystery. Einstein used his influence to advance causes beyond physics, such as speaking out against racism in the United States, advocating for peace, and guiding generations of younger scientists through his teaching. His desire to expand humanities’ understanding of the universe was never driven by his need for personal acclaim. Jesus challenged religious authority, hypocrisy, social norms and confronted religious legalistic interpretations to stop oppression. Einstein, who vocally condemned militarism, and nationalism, believed questioning authority was more about choosing truth over tradition than rebelliousness for its own sake. He believed authority may demand obedience, but progress happens when someone dares to ask “why”. PRAYER God of ALL creation, as followers of Christ, let us continue to ask “why” and then be still to hear you answer. In Jesus name, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donna Jackson
SCRIPTURE Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. = As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. WORDS OF HOPE When I went to Baylor University, it was still a very Southern Baptist School. I was the only Jew on campus that first year and immediately became the target for every divinity student who was working on their “witnessing” assignments. I wish I had read this passage in the New Testament back then, I could have diffused their ardent efforts by claiming I was a Samarian. Today, as a Christian, I read this exhortation by Jesus through Jewish eyes and it is certainly not about making converts, it is about preaching and healing and doing good works. I think Jesus was not trying to build a church, but bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. That is a much bigger assignment than making converts or as the divinity students said, to “accept Jesus as my own personal savior.” I might have been more amenable to their message had they spoken about activism and benevolence, much like Jesus did. It took finding a church where Jesus words were taken as assignments to go out and make the world a better place before I considered converting. Strangely enough, the Rabbi who taught me as a young Jew, urged me to go out and make the world better, protest wars, end inequality and seek peace and reconciliation. It’s important to remember Jesus was speaking as a Jew, not a Gentile or Samarian. PRAYER May we hear the words of Jesus ring in my ears as we go forth to make our world better for everyone. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman
MODERN READING "God is not a Christian. God is not a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu or a Buddhist. All of those are human systems which human beings have created to try to help us walk into the mystery of God." "I experience God as the source of life calling me to live fully, the source of love calling me to love wastefully, and the ground of being calling me to be all that I can be." - John Shelby Spong. - A New Christianity for a New World WORDS OF HOPE Recently in our small groups we have discussed how in the Rob Bell book “Velvet Elvis”, the idea of there being only one path to God might not be truth. The small group in which I participate has had this discussion on and off since we first started meeting. The late Bishop John Spong, who I sometimes referred to as a patriarch of progressive Christianity, has hit the nail in the head. God wants people live fully. God gave people life that they might live life abundantly as Jesus says in the Gospel of John. God is a mystery and we must walk towards an understanding of that mystery down a path that we can follow. And we need to be mindful of the fact that the path is of our choosing and in many ways of our making. We create systems to help us understand the way to God. All of them are valid if they lead to God‘s love. Any of them may have ways of proceeding to God that any of us might make of use on our journey to God. Instead of criticizing someone else’s path, perhaps we should look at it and say to ourselves that seems to be valid and say “I will try that”. So, if you find the rituals of liturgical churches bring you to God; follow that path. If in addition, you find that five specified times a day for prayer as in Islam; follow that path. And nothing and no one should tell you that you can’t do both. The three Abrahamic religions and Buddhism and Sikhism and Hinduism all have some provision for the ones who are less fortunate, those in need, those who hurt. That part of the path is not distinct, but is a commonality that could be a place for community. Prayer beads are used in many faith traditions; not just the Roman Catholic rosary that so many people think of when they think of praying with the string of beads. Buddhist, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and many branches of Christianity have some form of prayer beads available to them. And while they are all used somewhat differently and take different forms, there is again a common practice. So, I invite you to take a moment and look into some of the practices of other faith traditions; even of other Christian traditions. You may find something in there that speaks to you in a way that you had not thought possible. Search for the thing that helps you live life, fully and abundantly, as the Bible says Jesus meant for us to do. Whatever path you have chosen to follow to God, do not be so narrow-sighted that you cannot see and take advantage of the lights that others use to illuminate their path. PRAYER God of hope God of love, God of mercy God of light; help us on our path to reach You. Help us to understand that others may have a different path, but they too, are searching and working their way to You. And bless all of those who in peace and love are reaching out to You. DEVOTION AUTHOR Weber Baker Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clar
SCRIPTURE Acts 26:24-25 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable…” WORDS OF HOPE It is easy to be impressed with persons of quick wit and knowledge who can debate and discuss in any forum. Persons who can formulate an argument or response quickly to offer a counter to whatever is being proffered. People who have that ability are often admired for their capacity to “put someone in their place.” In the 26th chapter of Acts, Paul stands before Governor Festus and King Agrippa, sharing his own story and the hope of resurrection. Festus interrupts: “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” Paul’s response is calm and confident: “I am not out of my mind… what I am saying is reasonable and true.” Paul refuses to respond to this mocking with fear or insult. His witness is not about winning the debate but speaking the truth with grace and conviction. It’s boldness without bitterness. It’s composed and poised. Even while wearing chains in defense of his faith, Paul wishes for Agrippa the peace and knowledge that he has without the very shackles in which he himself is bound. Christian witness is not about winning arguments. That’s a faith of mind and not of the heart. Christian witness is about speaking truth with loving grace and heartfelt conviction. And speaking that truth not only with words, but with actions of love. We find ourselves in a time where argument and debate are honored above dialogue and conversation. Where winning is more important than relationship. How can we enter spaces with conviction and with love? PRAYER Lord, give us the courage of Paul—to speak with clarity, humility, and bold conviction even when others mock or misunderstand. Where we hesitate, soften our hearts. Where we shrink back, empower us. And like Paul, help us see even our hardest moments as opportunities to point others to true freedom in Christ. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4:32- The words of the Apostle Paul “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” --The words of Jesus, The Gospel of John 13:34 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” WORDS OF HOPE “Coming Out” When you grow up in a family, culture and religion that doesn’t accept you as you are, you learn adaptive strategy to survive. I was 43 years old when I came out to my wife of 14 years whom I genuinely loved. She knew I struggled with depression, anger and people-pleasing, and it was obvious that she was unhappy both in our relationship and her role as a pastor’s wife. There was no “other person,” no “boyfriend” or lover, but that didn’t make it any less painful. Betrayal trauma comes in many forms. 24 years earlier, when I was in college, I met with the campus psychologist and told him I thought I was gay. He minimized my feelings—my reality—and pointed out how greatly my life would change if I were to follow that path. I didn’t speak of it again. I knew that I was called to some type of helping profession and explored teaching, psychology, emergency medicine, and finally answered a spiritual calling to attend seminary. I sought ordination as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, the church where I had grown up and fallen in love with God. At my first full-time appointment as pastor, I fell in love with the sister of the youth minister. She was beautiful, creative, diligent and I knew we could make a life together. We dated briefly, I asked her to marry me, and we sought premarital counseling to better prepare. I told the pastoral psychotherapist what I had only hinted about to my fiancé, that I thought I was gay. He laughed and told me that I was not gay. He said that all men sometimes have those feelings and that I needed to stay the course. I knew that I was called to be a pastor, that I wanted a companion for life’s journey, and that I deeply desired to be a father. I was 29 when we married. Our first son was born 3 years later. A second son followed 4 years later. I immersed myself in my work and achievement—the family and cultural ethic I had learned well. The bishop appointed me to larger multi-staff, multi-campus congregations. At times I sacrificed my family’s happiness on the altar of “pastoral ministry.” Being a “dedicated pastor” meant interrupting family vacations to officiate a funeral or tend to a staff crisis. It was an absurd ranking that went: “God first, others second, family and self last.” As if God was pleased with neglect. I recall arriving home one Christmas day, exhausted from conducting 7 worship services in the span of 24 hours. I was greeted by an equally exhausted and irritable wife and two disappointed sons wondering why they had to wait to open their presents. Merry Christmas indeed! I came out to myself at the same time I came out to my wife. My family, culture, and religion all said that I couldn’t be gay and be a Christian pastor so I continued to suppress my reality and identity following our divorce. That would come out sideways in angry mood swings. Years later, I left parish ministry to open a counseling and consulting practice. I was outed to my bishop and forced to leave the United Methodist Church [which has since abolished the prohibition of homosexuality in ministry]. Welcomed by the United Church of Christ, I continue to serve as a clinical pastoral psychotherapist and guest pastor/speaker. October 11 is National Coming Out Day. Authenticity is vital to human development and genuine relationship, and it comes at a cost. Situations and circumstances can make adaptation necessary. Homosexuality is much more than merely sexual orientation. It is about identity, creativity, empathy, connection, expression and grace. Yet, homosexuality is still a felony in some countries. What is the penalty for crushing the human spirit? In God’s realm, which Christ proclaimed, there is room for all. May it be so. PRAYER Come, Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds to what you have been doing for millennia: Using the diversity of creation and expression to weave a rich tapestry of life and the human experience. Grant us the courage, faith, hope and love to live peaceably in the realm you’ve created. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Gary Kindley Pastoral Psychotherapist drgk.org