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Remembering to Give Thanks

11/15/2017

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"Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples"  1 Chronicles 16:8 


LISTEN TO:  Telly Leung and cast of the Broadway revival of Godspell, singing "All Good Gifts"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMhbxd3kHfw  


One of my most memorable Thanksgiving dinners took place in a dingy church basement.  It was the day before Thanksgiving, and not a soul was still.  We were chopping collard greens, peeling potatoes, re-stocking the pantry, setting the tables. There were about 40 of us.  Some of the group were youth and their pastor from an upstate church.  The rest of the group were recovering addicts and alcoholics who were struggling to stay clean during the stress of the holiday. I was an associate pastor, directing this recovery program and other services to the poor and homeless.  We were preparing a grand meal for the homeless on Thanksgiving Day.  But that day, the day before Thanksgiving, was for us. Before we plowed into our delicious meal of turkey and fixings, we formed a gratitude circle.    

One by one, members of the recovery program spoke.  Someone was grateful that they were alive, sitting in that circle  and not out in the cold.  Another person was grateful that she no longer sold her body for crack. Someone was clean and sober for three days, and for the hot meal waiting.  Someone, who had no family, was grateful for the family sitting around that circle, a family that God provided. An HIV positive woman gave thanks for finally having a room she could call her own.  Nearly everyone spoke of their gratitude to God, for not giving up on them, despite committing actions that were despicable, ungodly, criminal. They thanked God for the church providing them a place to get better, and for the kids who came to be with them.  One recovery leader spoke of us needing to pray constantly for "gratitude  in attitude."  With gratitude we get better. We can heal.  We stay connected to our divine source. Without gratitude our spirits shrivel and our souls become as hard as a pit.  

The teenagers were for once, silent.  They took it all in. They spoke humbly of their gratitude to these men and women who shared their lives so generously and honestly with them. They realized how much they took for granted. They were grateful to be part of a bigger story of grace.  We then joined hands and prayed for each other and other sick and suffering people.  We prayed for gratitude. 

Wherever you may be sitting on Thanksgiving Day, remember you are part of a gratitude circle.  Give thanks for each person around your table.  Give thanks for the food in front of you.  Give thanks for the shower you were able to take. For the breath you just took. For your beating heart. Give thanks for Jesus, who reminds us every day of the Father's unconditional love.  Remember what  Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, once said: "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice."  Happy Thanks - Living Day.



PRAY: "Lord, thank you."

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Be Vaccinated with Love

11/7/2017

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​"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" ( Romans 12:22)

LISTEN:  The Sidewalk Prophets, "You Love Me Anyway"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8BBCYFAYRI


Last week we finally got our flu vaccinations.  In my lifetime, the flu went from being the annual week-in-bed sipping tea, theraflu or ginger ale to a now distant memory.  While many still suffer and even die from the flue, it isn't the dreaded reoccurring illness it once was.  Millions are vaccinated each year from diseases that used to run rampant -- polio, smallpox, measles, diptheria, pertussis, rabies, tetanus  -- among others.  These diseases that have been either eradicated, contained, or made manageable due to vaccinations.  Smallpox alone was responsible for 300-500 million deaths in the 20th century.    It was declared eradicated in 1979 due to widespread vaccination.

It is interesting how vaccinations work.  Vaccines contain a dead, or weakened part of the germ, which stimulates our immune systems to produce antibodies -- special agents (so to speak) -- that are able to recognize and fight off the illness if it tries to sneak its way into our bodies. So disease is turned against itself in the battle for health.

Wouldn't it be amazing if we could develop vaccinations against some of the most persistent and deadly plagues of humanity?  How about a greed vaccine?  A hate/prejudice vaccine? Gun violence? As we're about to enter the materialistic season Christmas has become, wouldn't it be nice for everyone to get a anti-consumerist shot?  Churches can inoculate its flocks against gossip and judging others.  Corporations and government should get their annual inoculation against  lying and stealing.  Wouldn't it be cool to have oral vaccines we can drop in our morning coffee, juice or tea -- against impatience, laziness, meanness?   If we fill a wave of unfaithfulness, stubbornness or closed-mindedness,  coming on, we could whip out the needed anti venom dose.  Imagine the lives that could be saved --- 241 million from war/effects of war in 20th century alone -- or kept from harm.

Because of the love of God in Jesus, we have been given spiritual vaccines. We are reminded in Romans 5:5 "...God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."  Our spiritual anti-bodies work differently.  We are responsible to take booster doses throughout the day in response to what we face.  We are called to prayer and self-examination, scripture, music, worship, service as means to keep ourselves spiritually healthy.  When someone challenges us, we are given a choice to get ill spiritually (by complaining, gossiping, negative thinking) or to allow the hurt to create a auto-immune response of love, forgiveness or charity. Like the flue vaccine, which needs to be repeated yearly because of mutations in the germs, so we daily need our vaccines. We daily face troubles and revisit problems that keep changing!  Slowly our resolve is strengthened and our spiritual eyes opened. We find ourselves facing issues with more patience and we turn to God more quickly. So used right, spiritual vaccines work -- subtly, powerfully, profoundly.  Given the level of greed and sin in the world, it's a wonder life is still on earth.  You know what --that's only because of those who consistently take their spiritual vaccines -- and can work to bring good and healing into the world as a result. Have you taken your vaccine today?


PRAY:  "God, inoculate me by your Word and Spirit against all that would pull me away from you."

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Love Like Jesus

11/1/2017

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"... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" Phil. 2:4

 Listen to: Israel Houghton & New Tribe: "Love Revolution"  
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PycBIqjZSjw


During difficult situations, like the terrorist attack on Manhattan that claimed 8 lives and injured many more, we are tempted to give in to cynicism or despair. To give up. To turn inward and care only for ourselves and the small group around us.  As Christians, we have a powerful mandate in face of social and personal chaos.  Jesus calls us to use the situation we are in as an opportunity to grow in faith. To trust more deeply.  To practice patience and forbearance  To love more sacrificially.  To reinvest our energies, even when we ourselves are hurting,  in the world.  

 God is our eternal Sovereign.  We carry God's standard:  so we must be the salt and leaven of our communities.  We bring God's order:  so we must listen to those who don't have a voice.  We must see those made invisible by injustice and sin.  We must touch those who are angry, fearful and forsaken.

Today is a new day and there is  much ministry to do.  There are devastated communities we can help repair. There are hearts that need mending. There are needs out there that fit the longing of our own hearts.  If our communities are to be restored, we must model giving and service. We discover, in the process, our own spirits are touched and healed.

This is a great, spiritual truth: as we focus on and meet the needs of our neighbor,  we in turn find peace and a balm for our souls. Giving is key to our spiritual maturity.  For as St. Francis said, "in giving we receive."    Let us carry Jesus' words as go forth this day:  

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" Luke 6:38

PRAY: "God, out there is a need with my name on it. Lead me to it. We remember that  you are for us -- and yes, Lord, we are for your people. So today we give: with all our hearts, we give, in your name."

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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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