September 5, 2024
Weeping for the Children!
“This is what the Lord says: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.’”
Jeremiah 31:15
The above verse from Jeremiah is a lament for those who were being taken into exile. Rachel was the mother of Joseph (the boy who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers) and Benjamin. She is depicted as crying out for the tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel that were being taken into exile in Babylon. Ramah was a staging point for those who were being taken away. Rachel, the mother of those tribes cries out as her descendants are taken away. Those of that generation will not return to Israel.
I thought of this passage, specifically the image of Rachel weeping for her children, this morning. We awake this morning to the horrific news of another school shooting in our country. Mass shootings, or shootings of any kind for that matter, are all tragic in their own right. But there something about the death of innocent children, and their teachers, that is especially horrific.
There are many issues in our country that can be classified as “political issues.” There are some who would like to toss that blanket phrase over the scourge of school shootings as well. We cannot afford to do that. There are many questions about the cause of this problem. Is it a gun control issue? Is it a mental health issue? Is it because of access to social media or bullying in our schools? Like so many complex problems the cause is multi-layered and difficult to pin down. This also means the solutions are not simple and pain-free.
I am not an expert on any of this. But I find it impossible to conceive that we, as a nation, have not aggressively addressed the root causes of this plague and begun to slow, if not eliminate these incidents. Like Rachel we weep for our children, not just those who have died but all the children for whom the dangers are all too real. Let us dry our tears, lift up our thoughts in prayer, and then demand action from everyone who is in a position to act to rid our world of this menace!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
September 4, 2024
Defining What a Family Is!
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:10
“Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”
Mark 3:34-35
This morning, I decided to forego our usual Wednesday routine of reflecting on a reading from Proverbs. Instead, I opted for two verses that have to do with the concept of family. As I often do, I started with looking at various definitions of the word family as defined by Merriam and Webster. The first of several definitions reads, “the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children.” Another version reads, “any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family.” A third one that fits our purposes this morning reads, “a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation, a fellowship.” Both the verses from Galatians and Mark speak of the fellowship of believers as being a family.
Pastors tend to toss around the word, “family” quite a bit. It has a comforting implication to it for many people and paints a picture of people who deeply care about each other. However, there are some for whom past familial relationships do not always create a warm, fuzzy feeling. So, as we contemplate on this description of a church community, we must be mindful of the fact that the word, “family” can have both positive and negative connotations for people.
The words from both Galatians and Mark both cast a wide net around the definition of family. In Galatians Paul identifies the family of believers as a subset of those that he felt we should strive to care for. In Mark, Jesus himself declares all who are willing to do God’s will as being included in the larger definition of family. Neither of these descriptions of family consider anything other than being committed to and serving the Lord.
As we contemplate the image of a church as a family unit, we need to recognize that, just as in our own families, we are not always going to be in perfect agreement on every subject. To expect that, either at church, work, or home, is to set oneself up for disappointment. Churches, and families, are made up of individuals. The more individuals you include in your circle, the larger the chance that you may not see eye to eye on every subject. The most successful families are the ones that recognize this fact and work to communicate and share. They also remember that at the base of every relationship there needs to a be a foundation of love, respect, and caring. That description sounds like a good summary of what Jesus asks of us as we seek to be disciples in this world. If we can look at each other through the lens of love respect and compassion, we can continue to grow as a family of Christ. May it be so for us today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
September 3, 2024
Before the GPS!
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teachers you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17
Everyone who uses a GPS in their vehicle probably has a story about a time it has taken them astray. Sometimes it is a glitch in the system, other times it is a case of misinterpreting the direction put forth by the device. For those of you who travel Route 3 North on occasion you know that at one point in Plymouth, Route 44 and Route 3 run together from one exit to another. My GPS interprets that stretch of road as being Route 44 West, even though I believe I am traveling on Route 3 North. Once, before I recognized this anomaly, I exited onto 44 West and the GPS started shouting at me to, “return to the route.” After a brief exchange of some choice words between myself and the GPS dude, I recognized my mistake and made my way back to Route 3 North and went on my way.
As I read the words from Isaiah 48:17 this morning, I was struck by the idea of the Lord directing us in the way we should go. How does that work? I have not experienced the Lord speaking to me like the GPS fellow. The Lord’s influence on our path must be a bit more subtle than someone imploring you to, “return to the route.” It is a certainty that we make a few wrong turns along the way, but how does the Lord let us know we need to make a course adjustment?
One of the foundations of my simple theology is that I believe the Lord puts people in our path to guide us. I also believe that some of these signpost individuals are not someone you would expect in the moment. They appear more like little directional reminders as opposed to the gigantic signs for say, South of the Border, on Route 95. One of the biggest influences on my journey to ministry was Sandy, the church secretary at my home church in Rehoboth. Her advice and support were, at times, quite understated and at times very direct. Looking back on it she had as big a hand in my journey as our Pastor did.
When you feel as if you are getting lost a bit on the journey of life, perhaps the best course of action is to let go of the wheel for a moment (not literally of course). Pull over to the nearest rest stop and do you best to clear your head. Tell the GPS guy to zip it and leave room for the Lord to guide you in whatever way seems best. Perhaps we already know the way we should travel, and we just need time to center ourselves to gain a better perspective on the right path for us!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
August 28, 2024
Just Kidding!
“Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is the one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Proverbs 26:18
I am sure that we all have had friends or family members who think of themselves as being a bit witty. They may have even ventured into being somewhat biting or sarcastic in their attempts to be funny. In the past, I have been accused of being a wise guy (or another less appropriate synonym). This is fine when it is done without malice. However, there are others who seek to shield the malicious intentions behind the cloak of alleged humor.
It seems that this is another one of those human traits that had survived the centuries since King Solomon’s reign. One can imagine old Jehoshaphat making jokes about Mrs. Jehoshaphat’s cooking and, as she winds up to brain him with the skillet, he proclaims, “But Honey, I was just kidding!”
While I am all in favor of a well-timed pun or a deft jest at the expense of a loved one, it is important to be mindful of one’s words. A person’s intentions are important when we consider this situation. Are the words being spoken intended to be hurtful? Is the person who is, “joking” intending to spread hate, cause pain, or have other negative intentions? Are they seeking a passive/aggressive way of making their point? Do they retreat behind, “I was just kidding” defense when they are called out for their behavior?
The old children’s adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is catchy but it misses the mark for many. Words are hugely powerful and can be used both positively and negatively. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29) While this directive may be difficult if not outright impossible for us to always follow, it is something to strive for. May we seek to speak uplifting words of peace and affirmation to each other as we seek to live out our faith today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck