by Sarah Teichmann
"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection, outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10
When I read this section of Paul’s letter to the Romans there are a few images that jump immediately into my mind. Does that happen to you, too? You read something and some memory or association breaks into your flow of everyday thoughts and it is all but impossible to break the associations made.
So what associations do I make when I read the above passage? Well, one is from the summer of my senior year in high school. I was at a Bible retreat in front of 200-300 other teenagers singing a song that reflected this passage. This image holds meaning for me because it was one of the first times that I felt called into the ministry.
The other association that immediately jumps into my mind may seem a bit strange, but bear with me. When I hear Paul’s words reminding us to love one another mutually and genuinely I can’t help but think of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Yes, the zany comedy depicting the wild and well… excellent adventures of two high schoolers breaking through the space time continuum in order to graduate high school and forever change the world. Bill and Ted did not know the adventures they would encounter nor did they know the perils. In fact- they didn’t know much! This is why they were in danger of not graduating from high school. Though they lacked in academic achievement and intellectual perception, Bill and Ted were scholars in the art of friendship, fighting for what was right, and treating others with respect. Let’s not forget how they showed patience, hospitality, and a good time to historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, Ghengis Kahn, Joan of Arc, and Socrates (also affectionately known as “Sow-crates”). Their philosophy, beliefs and actions can be boiled down to the phrase “be excellent to each other and party on dudes!”
As Bill and Ted would say themselves this phrase is an “excellent” and “non-bogus” sentiment. It captures the “most triumphant” essence that Paul was communicating to the early Christians in Rome almost two thousand years before. Genuinely love and “be excellent to each other.” Hate what is evil and “heinous.” Work for what is righteous and “most triumphant” in the eyes of God. You are loved as God’s children, so don’t forget to rejoice in that love and “party on dude!”
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sin and Oppression
We are the daughters of God,
It’s a small church gathered by the least.
It’s a community standing by the side of the oppressed.
We are filled with hope and joy.
We are the disciples of
It’s a small church neither high nor low.
It’s a community of sharing our stories in a circle.
We bless each other with hand in hand.
We are the daughters of Mother,
It’s a small church bringing people to life.
It’s a community of loving and caring.
We work for justice and peace in this world.
Jesus says, "BLESSED are those that have not seen and yet believe.” The question I pose is, “how BLESSED are those who have seen the Sin of this world and still believe?”
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Never say Never!
Have you ever had a dream or a daydream, in which, you had some form of super power or maybe the ability to make a big difference in the world? This is a day dream where you imagine that you've been created "special." This special gift allows you to do wonderful things in the world and make the world a better place! Have you ever had that dream?
Statistics show that most humans dream of something "larger." There are many theories as to why this may be true. As I was pondering this, I realized it is good we dream about making things better - being created special - making a real difference. This allows us the momentum to strive to make our dreams a reality. If we didn't dream it then it could never be.
The part that often stops us is fear of failure. Fear has the power to paralyze us. We must strive daily to push fear aside and step out in faith. We cannot do things on our own – it is through God that we take every breath, reach out a hand, and experience the world.
You are created special. God said, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
You can make things better. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Dreams can become a reality. What’s the common saying? “Never say Never”
Statistics show that most humans dream of something "larger." There are many theories as to why this may be true. As I was pondering this, I realized it is good we dream about making things better - being created special - making a real difference. This allows us the momentum to strive to make our dreams a reality. If we didn't dream it then it could never be.
The part that often stops us is fear of failure. Fear has the power to paralyze us. We must strive daily to push fear aside and step out in faith. We cannot do things on our own – it is through God that we take every breath, reach out a hand, and experience the world.
You are created special. God said, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
You can make things better. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Dreams can become a reality. What’s the common saying? “Never say Never”
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Waves
I read in a devotion this week by Jacqui Thone:
“I watched the waves pushing against the rocks of our campsite – a reminder of the rhythm that is part of nature. The waves push and then recede. They can’t simply keep pushing – there must also be a time to recede in order for the next push to happen. It is creation’s way, and we are part of creation.”
This inspired me to check out biblically what role the waves play throughout scripture.
Genesis 1:6 – “ And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’”
God created the oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks…
Psalm 65:7 – “You [God] silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.”
God not only created the waters but God in the midst of the rhythm that is part of nature. God is in the midst of the pushing and receding – the loud and the quiet – the scary and the joyful that is part of creation for both the waters at the people.
Matthew 8: 24 – “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up saying ‘Lord, save us….’ Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the seas; and there was a dead calm.”
In this Jesus wonders why the disciples have such little faith. God is in control – God is active in our lives – yet we continue to doubt God.
Matthew 14: 24 – “…but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea… So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
Jesus does the impossible. Yet, Jesus not only does the impossible but allows Peter to do the impossible. When Peter doubts Jesus reaches out his hand to raise Peter above the water.
So, in short I see a theme – God created the waters. God is in the midst of both the pushing and receding of the waves and our lives. God is in control and active in our lives. God gives us the ability to do the impossible and when our humanness calls on doubt – Jesus reaches out to raise us.
And all of this from looking up the word "waves". God can speak to us through creation - so let us recede for a moment and listen!
“I watched the waves pushing against the rocks of our campsite – a reminder of the rhythm that is part of nature. The waves push and then recede. They can’t simply keep pushing – there must also be a time to recede in order for the next push to happen. It is creation’s way, and we are part of creation.”
This inspired me to check out biblically what role the waves play throughout scripture.
Genesis 1:6 – “ And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’”
God created the oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks…
Psalm 65:7 – “You [God] silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.”
God not only created the waters but God in the midst of the rhythm that is part of nature. God is in the midst of the pushing and receding – the loud and the quiet – the scary and the joyful that is part of creation for both the waters at the people.
Matthew 8: 24 – “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up saying ‘Lord, save us….’ Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the seas; and there was a dead calm.”
In this Jesus wonders why the disciples have such little faith. God is in control – God is active in our lives – yet we continue to doubt God.
Matthew 14: 24 – “…but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea… So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
Jesus does the impossible. Yet, Jesus not only does the impossible but allows Peter to do the impossible. When Peter doubts Jesus reaches out his hand to raise Peter above the water.
So, in short I see a theme – God created the waters. God is in the midst of both the pushing and receding of the waves and our lives. God is in control and active in our lives. God gives us the ability to do the impossible and when our humanness calls on doubt – Jesus reaches out to raise us.
And all of this from looking up the word "waves". God can speak to us through creation - so let us recede for a moment and listen!
Emmanuel - God with us!
Sarah Teichmann is the 2008-09 intern at Christus Victor. She will graduate from Gettysburg Seminary in 2010 to become an ordained minister in the ELCA. She is with us this year as a portion of the field work requirements in seminary. She has agreed to post blogs occasionally on this site. Here is an excerpt from her sermon she preached this past Sunday (8/10/2008).
The Gospel reading for last Sunday was Matthew 14:22-33, the story where Jesus walks on water. As I was preparing to write my sermon I was thinking about how the image of Jesus’ “water works” is part of our culture. It’s one of his miracles that are truly known inside and outside the church culture. Yet what does it mean for Christians that Jesus has the ability to walk on water? Is it some cool parlor trick? Naa. I think that this Gospel speaks to us about Jesus’ divine nature, that he is the Son of God. I like to read this Gospel passage and then flip back to the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel where the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that the child that was conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) Jesus saves by being, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, Emmanuel- God with us. And Jesus is truly with us. We are surrounded by his presence and his love when we least expect it in the most marvelous ways.
The Gospel reading for last Sunday was Matthew 14:22-33, the story where Jesus walks on water. As I was preparing to write my sermon I was thinking about how the image of Jesus’ “water works” is part of our culture. It’s one of his miracles that are truly known inside and outside the church culture. Yet what does it mean for Christians that Jesus has the ability to walk on water? Is it some cool parlor trick? Naa. I think that this Gospel speaks to us about Jesus’ divine nature, that he is the Son of God. I like to read this Gospel passage and then flip back to the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel where the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that the child that was conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) Jesus saves by being, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, Emmanuel- God with us. And Jesus is truly with us. We are surrounded by his presence and his love when we least expect it in the most marvelous ways.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Life-giving waters
John 7: 37-38
"On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'
living water? This came to mind this morning after our staff devotions. I went to the sink and filled my glass with water. I brought the water into my office and proceeded to put the water in a plant that was given to me 4 weeks ago from the staff as a welcome gift. I then noticed Jack, our office manager, standing close by. I again thanked him for the gift and said look how beautiful it still looks. He smiled and said, "Oh, you're watering it? I wouldn't even have bothered and it would be dead by now." Water is life-giving!
Water is essential to this plant and it has no way to get water unless I water it. I suppose the roof could get a hole in it - but I hope that doesn't happen. So, it's up to me to water it.
"On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'
living water? This came to mind this morning after our staff devotions. I went to the sink and filled my glass with water. I brought the water into my office and proceeded to put the water in a plant that was given to me 4 weeks ago from the staff as a welcome gift. I then noticed Jack, our office manager, standing close by. I again thanked him for the gift and said look how beautiful it still looks. He smiled and said, "Oh, you're watering it? I wouldn't even have bothered and it would be dead by now." Water is life-giving!
Water is essential to this plant and it has no way to get water unless I water it. I suppose the roof could get a hole in it - but I hope that doesn't happen. So, it's up to me to water it.
As humans, most of us have the capability to fill up our own water glasses and drink. Yet, I don't think that Jesus is talking simply about water giving life here on earth! Jesus only a few chapters earlier offered living water to the woman at the well. She had all the water she needed in the well - so Jesus is offering something different.
Are we able to let go of everything we hold on to so tightly and let go to receive the everlasting gift of living water that Jesus is offering? We tend to try to do and have control over everything ourselves. Yet, we must remember that we too need to be watered! So, I hope this week you're able to stand still long enough that you may be watered.
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