Psalm 95 Bible Reading Nov. 22

Psalm 95:1-7a

We are the people of God's pasture

O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

For probably 3.000 year this song has been sung by believers in God. For the ancient Israelites this has been a hymn of praise from the time before the Babylonian exile. For Christians this Psalm was the invitatory for Morning Prayer everyday in the monastic life. It reminds us of who we are and whose we are. We are reminded that God is the rock of our salvation.

Monotheism came slowly to the Israelites but God’s primacy was always understood. He is the creator of all and deserves our worship. The relationship of the nomadic people of Israel knew the care that the shepherd had for their sheep. Sheep were their source of wealth, meaning and way of life. Rather than dumb wooly animals, sheep were precious in the life of the shepherd. It is good for this Texan to know that—we are so precious to the God who loves us. The only thing that I can offer is worship to that God.

Mix and Stir Friday Five

Song bird from Revgals has written the following
In a minor domestic crisis, my food processor, or more precisely the part you use for almost everything for which I use a food processor, picked the eve of the festive season of the year to give up the ghost. A crack in the lid expanded such that a batch of squash soup had to be liberated via that column shaped thing that sticks up on top.

Can you tell this is not my area of strength?

Next week, I'm hosting Thanksgiving. I need your help. Please answer the following kitchen-related questions:

1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it?

Yes, I own a food processor. I don’t use it often because I don’t prepare big meals all that often. I do use it when I want to make something special.

2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it? (Mine came with a mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary disks you used to julienne things (used once).)

I don’t use the extra things. I am more likely to bring out my cheap mandolin-thingy that I bought some years ago and do it by hand. The julienne attachment tends to pulverize rather than julienne.

3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?

I have both—both acquired at Church jumble sales. The standing mixer is older than I but works for heavy mixing for dough and such. The hand-held is a 1970’s avocado green thing that works for eggs and whipped cream. (Talking about retro!)

4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?

I have a blender that I use for drinks, milk shakes, shaving ice, etc. I also have an immersion blender that I use for soups and sauces.

5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?

J inherited her mother’s Creuset 7 qt. dutch oven some years ago. I use it constantly. The enameled iron makes it luxurious as a stewing pot. Pot roast, soup, whatever, is so easy to make and easy to clean up. Come to think of it, I think I will make some Irish stew today using that orange pot.

Bonus: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you ONLY use at Thanksgiving or some other holiday? If so, what is it?

Probably the roasting pan, but I use it at Christmas too or for any large gathering of kith and kin. Since neither J nor I have much kin we don’t host family get-togethers. I guess I will have to gather the “kith”—does anybody know what “kith” means?

God's Radiance: Today's Bible verse

Revelation 22:1-9

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."

"See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!

Comments: Again John is speaking what he envisions the reign of Christ to be. The loss of the 10 tribes in 722 BC to the Assyrian Empire had been catastrophic to the Jewish people. In all the hopes of the Messiah, the hoped-for king would restore the glory of the Davidic kingdom of all of Israel. This longing of for a re-energized nation was as much of the hope for Christ’s return as the reign of God on earth. The symbol of the tree of life with its 12 fruits is a reminder that the twelve tribes will be gathered back into the Jewish people.

Often the doom and gloom of Judgment is all many Christian think about when they think about the return of Christ. But certainly John did not think that way. He understood that a reunited Israel was a sign of God’s promise and fidelity to the Hebrew people. It was to be a joyous time even though it might be tumultuous.

Hope is at the center of the Christian’s relationship with God in Christ. It is holy to hope for a time in which God is claims our total attention. We may not worship anything but God. But so often we allow family, activities, careers to get between God and our primary attention in life. If daily we can place our hopes and dreams at the feet of God and worship him alone God’s radiance will be seen in us just as surely as God’s name was written upon our foreheads.

Nov 20th Revelation 14:1-11

Revelation 14:1-11 (NRSV)


Fear God and give God glory

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! And with him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless.

Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation and tribe and language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Then another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Then another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or on their hands, they will also drink the wine of God's wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and they will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image and for anyone who receives the mark of its name."

I have been challenged to blog about scripture. This is the scripture passage of the day as prepared by the ELCA. I am going to see if I can comment on the passage of the day every day. I am doing this as my own way of familiarizing myself with Scripture and as a way for readers to join in on this journey. If there is anything that Christians need to know is more of the Book of our faith.

As many know, Revelation is not my favorite book of the Bible. But a colleague Suggested that the Book of Revelation for early 2nd century Christians is about like our watching Star Trek—it was a way of working out present-day issues in the future. For the 2nd Century Christians the future would be when Christ came again and would over-turn history. The Second Coming was the time when Christ would be king. This was not a heavenly kingdom—it was an ending of human history.

For the past couple of weeks in church we have been hearing much of the coming wrath of Christ. We are coming to the end of the Church year—the symbolic Parousia, the Second Coming. This Sunday we celebrate the final Sunday of the Church year—Christ the King. It is not surprising that we have words of terror.

But Revelation is not a book of terror as some would have us believe. It is a time of hope—a time when Christ will again be present to us in a palpable way. It is a time when all our history will come to fulfillment—all the work of those who have gone before us. The 144 K is not the number of who will be saved. Any multiple of 12 would mean that the lost tribes of Israel will back together with all their offspring. That is the time when the Messiah was to return.

We need to hear the words of Revelation as those 2nd Century Christians heard John’s vision—that Christ is coming and is already among us. It is not a time for gloom, sadness, guilt or fear. It is a time for us to know more clearly of what Christ’s presence in our lives means.

As we prepare for Advent let us not wallow in guilt—but know the saving love of Jesus Christ who has equipped us for his coming. We need but welcome him into our hearts.

Friday Five Philosophy

After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!

1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?

I think my favorites were Dick Tracy, Prince Valiant and later Peanuts.

2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone?

I still follow BC. Johnny Hart lived just down the road so BC is still an important part of the local scenery. Hart was quite religious and many of his cartoons had themes that supported faith.

I get my news on line anymore and I miss the comics. I still look to the acid sarcasm of Doonsbury for a commentary on the news. Such satire is necessary to keep us from becoming too full of ourselves.

3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?

I am a combination of Peppermint Patty and Lucy. But there are times—like when Charlie is bundled up in all his winter clothes and falls down and cannot get up—I am Charlie. And there are times too when I feel like Snoopy sitting on top of his doghouse.


4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?

There is some truth in this. We don’t have too many philosophers running around loose these days. We clergy end up having to fill in and most of us don’t have the training. But I also think that cartoon and bumper sticker philosophers are killing the art of preaching. Sound bites are all we are able to sustain. Folks can’t listen to a sermon anymore. It is as if all theology has to be visual. The fine art of preaching is being eroded. It worries me.

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?

I believe that it is the only place where people can articulate their values within the context of their lives. Certainly we cannot find such values with in the political realm. Comics allow us to see ourselves in the news of life and allow us to know that we are not alone in our foibles, our insecurities or our dreams.

Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?

I miss Li’l Abner and the Katzenamer Kids. I think Li’l Abner poked the most fun at the edge between country and city life better than any cartoon out there.

Two Firsts: Robinson and Obama

Two firsts: Robinson and Obama
From Times Online
November 6, 2008
Barack Obama asked gay bishop Gene Robinson what it was like to be 'first'
Bishop Gene Robinson

Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent

Barack Obama sought out controversial gay bishop Gene Robinson not just once but three times during his campaign to become President of the United States, The Times can reveal.

Bishop Robinson, the 80-million strong Anglican Communion’s only openly gay bishop whose consecration in 2003 has left the Anglican Communion on the brink of schism, was sought out by Mr Obama to discuss what it feels like to be “first”.

Bishop Robinson, who received death threats after his election as Bishop of New Hampshire and was advised by police to wear a bullet-proof vest at his consecration, also discussed with Mr Obama the risks incumbent upon being a high-profile leader in a country such as the US.

Bishop Robinson said: “At the end of the day you have to decide whether or not you are going to be paralysed by threats and by violent possibilities or whether you just move on and do what you feel called to do despite the risks.

Bishop Robinson, in London as a guest of the gay rights group Stonewall for its annual “Hero of the Year” awards dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum tonight, said that Mr Obama’s campaign team had sought him last year and he had the “honour” of three private conversations with the future president of the United States last May and June.

“The first words out of his mouth were: ‘Well you’re certainly causing a lot of trouble’, My response to him was: ‘Well that makes two of us'.”





He said that Mr Obama had indicated his support for equal civil rights for gay and lesbian people and described the election as a “religious experience”.

Bishop Robinson described his conversations with him as part of Mr Obama’s “extraordinary” outreach to all religious communities, not just Christian groups. Mr Obama, although not a member of The Episcopal Church to which Bishop Robinson belongs, is a committed Christian with the United Church of Christ.

He said that the Mr Obama was taller than he had expected and described him as “Lincolnesque”, both literally and metaphorically. They discussed the dangers both of being demonised by opponents and idealised by supporters.

Bishop Robinson said: “And I must say I don’t know if it is an expression here in England or not but he is the genuine article. I think he is exactly who he says he is.”

The bishop, who services on The Episcopal Church pension fund board at national level, said that another member of the board, who had been friends with Mr Obama since college days, shared this view.

The bishop said: “He is impressive, he’s smart, he is an amazing listener. For someone who’s called on to speak all the time when he asks you a question it is not for show, he is actually wanting to know what you think and listens.”

He said that this made a refreshing change from the Bush regime. "We’ve had eight years of someone who has listened to almost no one.”

He added: “To see the tears in the eyes of African-Americans, it’s just been a profoundly, I would say religious, experience, very exciting.”

They spent more time discussing international issues than lesbians and gays. “He certainly indicated his broad and deep support for the full civil rights for gay and lesbian ... I pressed him on the Millennium Development Goals. I wanted to know whether he thought more about them than just they were a good idea but whether he had any intention of pushing for their full funding and so on.”

Bishop Robinson said he feared that the economic crisis might affect this agenda. “I hope the United States will not shirk its responsibilities in aid to the developing world. That’s going to be a hard-fought fight, not just with President Obama but all the powers in Washington.”

The Anglican church’s first gay bishop and the United States’ first black President-elect discussed in depth the place of religion in the state.

Bishop Robinson said: “He and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state. That is to say, we don’t impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the Constitution. You don’t say to someone, you must believe this because this is what God believes.

“I think God gives us our values and then we argue for those on the basis of the Constitution and care of our neighbour. And I think the Bush administration got very very close to the line if not going over the line in terms of offering support to religious-based groups who were using their social service arms to proselytise and evangelise which I would say is inappropriate.”

Bishop Robinson said that Mr Obama had not hesitated to talk about his faith.

“I find that remarkable, not only in a politician but also in a Democrat. For years it’s only been Republicans who wanted to talk about religion. All the Democratic candidates felt disposed to do so this year.”

COMMENT: +Gene Robinson is one of my heros. He is an incredibly generous person, one who has truely put his life on the line so that people like me can do what they are called by God to do. I post this because I find it incredible that President-elect Obama has sought counsel from my friend, +Gene. For me it is a sign of good things to come for LGBT people--but more than that. It says something about the networking that our new president will bring to his office. We always hope at the beginning of a new regime. I do hope that the President-elect will be able to bring the warring parts of our nation to the table of compromise for the betterment of the whole of the world.

Enough Already!

I have had a hard time writing of late. I was trying to write something on the beauty of God and how artists are called to imitate the beauty of God in what ever medium that they have. But I have been brought up short by the nastiness of this election.

I am tired of hearing that Barak is a Muslim—not because being a Muslim is a bad thing. We are a country that should be able to accept a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, or a non-believer in the White House. But I am tired of people telling bald-faced lies in order to discredit a candidate. It does remind me of the lies they told about John F. Kennedy when a Roman Catholic aspired to the highest elective office in the nation. There were tales that he would have a direct line to the Vatican installed in the White House. JFK was far from the virulent Opus Dei type Catholic that unchurched Protestants feared.

Barak Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ—the old Congregational Church—that quintessential American manifestation of the Reformed Christian movement that founded this land. Because his father named him with more Afro-centric names rather than saddle his kid with a slave name, right-wing religionists have smeared him. It is the grossest form of slander. I have even heard people quote Revelation to perpetuate their lies that he is the Anti-Christ. This is disgraceful, sinful, and unworthy of the American public.

I will fight to the death for people to have the right to vote for whomever they think is right. But I will not continue to support those who would smear a candidate simply for the color of his skin or the ethnic background from which he comes. This is like calling someone who has a German last name a Nazi, or some one of Russian decent, a communist simply because of his name.

It is as if the ethics of Christianity are overlooked when it comes to electioneering. We tout ourselves as a ‘Christian nation’ and yet we ignore the basic morality of Jesus Christ by passing around such cheap shots in this smear campaign.

I am not fond of Sarah Palin. I neither like her platform nor her lack of experience. But I like less the kinds of misogynistic drivel that has come out about her. I really disliked the same kind of stuff being leveled at Hilary Clinton too. Have we not come far enough as a nation to discuss the merits of a platform? Have we not become clear enough in our understanding of how we can move forward as a nation without lying? Without taking potshots about someone’s religion or one’s gender?

I used to be able to listen to this kind of low-level mudslinging and “consider the source”. But the sources are now becoming the substance rather than the by-product of small minds. Our election process is becoming a laughing stock to the nations when it was once the hope of the nations. Tomorrow is the final day of this. I pray that the American public can go to the polls and vote for the candidate because of the quality of the person and the importance of their platform, not untruths told by fearful men.