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Thanksgiving Devotional

11/25/2020

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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" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_dfjovzvis


  
One of my most memorable Thanksgiving dinners took place in a dingy church basement.  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 before we plowed into our delicious meal of turkey and the 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.  We then joined hands and prayed for each other and other sick and suffering people.  We prayed for gratitude. 

Next week, wherever you may be on Thanksgiving Day, remember, however big or small, you are part of a gratitude circle.  Give thanks for each person around your table and for those who couldn't make it because of COVID. Give thanks for the food in front of you-and pray for those who struggle to feed their families. 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 God's great love.  Remember what  Meister Eckhart, German theologian, once said: "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice."  



PRAY: "Lord, thank you."

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Faith in Our Days

11/25/2020

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​“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Cor 1:8,9” 


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Listen to:   KUTLESS, “What Faith Can Do”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR6-B_nI8g4

In times of discomfort,  my family likes to watch one of our favorite movies : the Lord of the Rings. The J.R.R. Tolkien story is beloved to us. An unlikely band of creatures (men, dwarves, elves, hobbits, wizards) forge a deep fellowship that overcomes their differences in order to resist a common evil enemy, Sauron. On their journey to destroy an evil ring and vanquish Sauron and his cohorts once and for all, the fellowship encounters death, grueling hardships, misunderstandings, betrayals, challenges to their faith, and battles – internal and external.  They experience blessings and unexpected encounters that give them the strength needed for the journey, and to forge additional alliances that help in the fight to defeat evil.  
 
The story teaches us of the power of the holy bounds of friendship, of help that comes from a place greater than ourselves,  and of continuing the journey even when faith and hope seem lost.  God is present, whether we believe it or not.  Our faith will challenge us to act as Jesus expects of us – even when devastation is great and no rest in sight.  We learn in these trying circumstances that we act on a power greater than ourselves.  We just need to do what we can do, and leave the rest to God.  This is what the Apostle Paul learned in his trials throughout his ministry. At times Paul felt crushed.  Yet he persevered. So we are not exempt from hardship.  We persevere because God is there, leading us through it, even when we don't understand .


There is one scene in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,  that always brings tears to my eyes.  The Hobbit, Sam, is helping his dear friend Frodo up Mount Doom, where the evil ring must be destroyed.   Frodo is nearly wasted from carrying the ring. He can barely move. So Sam says, “I can’t carry it (the ring) for you, but I can carry you! Come on!” And so Sam carries his weakened friend up the steep pass. This is what we are called to do.  We can't always take away another's heartache.  But we can be there with them and ease the load where we can when the pain is too much.


                We can all carry something. Like the Tolkien fellowship, we are a motley group, forged by our love of Christ and desire to meet and serve our Lord in our neighbor in need. Let us move forward in these times of peril, in faith, trusting our journey will bring forth good. It will be a journey that will shape us into holy bounds of friendship and care – forged in and centered on the love of Christ.
 
PRAY: “There are times when the burdens are so heavy. It’s too much for us.  We need you.  Help us to rely on your strength. Help us to forge holy bounds of fellowship with those you have placed in our lives – so we may, with your grace, find strength in you, confront brokenness and evil, and give witness to your never-ending love.”

 
 
 




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Love Revolution

11/25/2020

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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" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPt7yb42EGg



Some of us today are happy with the emerging results of the presidential election. Others of us are disappointed. We have all been on pins and needles waiting for the final results.  On top of this,  we have been suffering for months from the coronavirus pandemic which shows no signs of slowing down.   Tempers are frayed, many tears and cross words have been shed. We are numbed and wearied by the tension.  Demonstrations and law suits are starting up again. What is crystal clear is that our nation is deeply divided, deeply wounded, struggling to find our way through the challenges at its feet.

During difficult situations, we are tempted to give in to cynicism, negativity 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.  

No matter who the president is, 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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