"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

-Matthew 22:36-40

See also: 

Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, and Exodus 20:1-17

It is clear for us Christians, and for our Jewish brothers and sisters, that the basis for living our faith is loving God and loving neighbor. This man is both quoting the Old Testament and summing up the first 4 Commandments as Love of God and the second 6 Commandments as Love of Neighbor. Practically, in our lives, it means striving for generosity and avoiding selfishness. Anyone who lets someone into traffic or ahead of them in line at the grocery store, holds the door for a stranger, or helps someone who is elderly, disabled, or struggling in anyway understands this principle and is living it out. If any part of one's earnings or time goes to charitable giving, service, or helping those in need, that is generosity. Generosity, especially to those who cannot pay you back, is the opposite of self-interest. You have only the possibility of reputation to gain and what you do with that recognition is your witness.

Our lives as disciples are about making those daily decisions of self-interest versus generosity. Humility is thinking of ourselves less, not less of ourselves. Putting others first in a spirit of generosity means our decision-making becomes a lifestyle of generosity. We cannot choose to be generous only some of the time. Being generous with our time to our kids but stingy when we tip our waiter is not a spirit or lifestyle of generosity. It must be a part of us in every decision. And the more power and wealth we have, the more powerful each decision becomes. Decisions about how we spend our money, the cars we drive, the energy and resources we consume, where we travel, they have greater impact than those of our brothers and sisters in the developing world. One of the greatest decisions we make, is to vote.

Those of us with the right to vote in our country are among the most powerful people in the world. Our votes influence one of the most powerful militaries the world has ever seen and therefore, the world's resources, land, and people. Do we vote out of self-interest of ourselves, our families, and like-minded friends in local and national elections, or do we remain faithful disciples who vote within a lifestyle of generosity and selfless love for neighbor? Do we vote for just our blood-related brother and sister and next door neighbor or for all our brothers and sisters and a biblical definition of neighbor - those who need compassion? We cannot call ourselves disciples of Christ, if we are generous with our time, our talents, and our treasures, but not our vote. That is not love. We become clanging cymbals and noisy brass, people of partial faith. As believers, it is never enough to vote in our self-interest, especially if we are overly-represented in our government by people who look just like us. I pray we live each day this year as faithful and generous disciples, perhaps especially when we are asked to vote.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me generous in all times and places, and not just my time, talents, and treasures. Amen.

Colin Fleming is a writer. He is also a recovering alcoholic. In a recent

Wall Street Journal opinion piece, he talks about what it takes to make the kinds of changes in life necessary to quit drinking or even write a book. ("Don't Wait a Year to Make Resolutions", December 30, 2019) This is what he said:

Any change in life requires momentum and the determination to build on it. But fresh starts-especially the expectations we apply to New Year's-are endued with a kind of officiality that makes them intimidating. We feel as if we must have everything in order in our lives-desk cleared of stray papers, pencils all sharpened and in a row-before we start writing the story. But that's not how stories are composed or anything gets done. They're wrought amid the bracken of life, with space cleared and clutter elbowed aside, not vanquished. They're created in the small starts that link segment to segment until you have a road and you are roaring down it, momentum doing its thing.

At the core of our Christian faith is the idea that human beings can make new starts. We use the language of faith to talk about this: sin, repentance and grace. Of course, these words apply to things with a serious moral dimension and not just starting a new diet. The good news we have just celebrated over Christmas is that God sent Jesus to save the world from it sin and brokenness. That world includes each one of us. As John's gospel tells us, "God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son . . ."(John 3:16) Jesus came to break to bonds of sin that hold us back from becoming the persons God created us to be. Yet, because of God's love, we can accept the gift of God's grace and start anew. The new start it is often "amid the bracken of life" and "the small starts" that join together to build momentum in life.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, thank you for the possibility of new starts in life. Help us to turn to you sooner rather than later, so that we might fully experience your forgiveness and renewal. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; God is the one who will keep you on track.

-Proverbs 3:5-6

What places do you expect to experience God? Maybe it's church, or nature, or the graveside of a loved one, or in our very selves. As we begin a new school year, what if we looked for God at school or work or morning carpool? Does God show up during your first period class that begins at the break of dawn, or in that early morning wake up from your child, or even in the long first meeting of the day?

It's important to expect God to show up in all kinds of places. What are some unexpected places where you can look for God this week?

This past week, I saw God at work in a found $5 bill and was reminded of a long term connection with our church and two teenage children that we sponsor through Compassion International. 

I was walking our dog by myself in our neighborhood. I went along one of the usual streets and noticed $5 in the road. I looked to see if it was near a house and it wasn't. I picked it up and put it in my pocket and then thought about what to do.
 

As often as possible, Will has a dollar or some coins to put into an offering envelope to give during our Children's Worship offering. Each week we talk about where the money will go, and most regular attendees can tell you. The offering helps support Simba Mumo and Itzel de Jesus Romero our two Compassion International children that we sponsor.

Our children and families at JCPC have been supporting Simba and Itzel for at least a decade. They are now in high school and continue to have a connection with church, school, and an extended faith community because of the generosity of our children and families.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, I'm going to look for you every day this school year. I expect I'll see you around. Give me a heart that's open to your mysteries so that I can see and hear your work happening right before me. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Wow! We've entered a new year and a new decade. I'm wondering if you made any New Year's Resolutions for 2020. I have and I'll get to mine after a brief commentary.

When I think of the traditional New Year's resolution I tend to think of resolution as being a type of conviction expressed in a self-promise. You probably have practiced this conviction motif at various times in your life with resolutions like "I'm going to lose weight this year or I'm going to stay in the moment and not hurry through life." Being resolved to live a healthier and happier life is a great goal.

Of course experts advise that our resolutions should be achievable and realistic because if we set them too high we will come crashing to earth before we know it. Face it, our lives are cluttered with broken promises that we make to ourselves regardless of how resolved we start out.

I heard someone say that their New Year's resolution this year was to not be critical for three days. I thought that was great until I realized that I probably would fall short of that goal within the first hour. I wanted to be similarly resolved but knew that I would need to bake failure into the recipe. So how to do that; build failure into the resolution so that it would have a real chance of succeeding?

My answer was to look at resolution through the lens of vision. Every now and then I will walk over to the televisions at Target and marvel at their improved resolution. Today's televisions have such brilliant resolution that it almost feels as if you can walk into the scene. Resolution improves vision.

Now I can be resolved to be less critical in the New Year by resolving my vision. It goes like this; when I think a critical thought I will follow it with a kind thought. There's an old proverb that goes like this; what you focus on will grow. Now my resolution works in both ways. It will lessen my time being critical and when I am it will open the door to kindness. Happy New Year!

Prayer for Today

God of new beginnings we pray that you mold us with your redemptive hands so that when we are doing your will we will be glorifying you and when we fall short your glory will open the door of mercy with the invitation to try again. Amen.

People the world over spent an estimated $98.2 billion on chocolate in 2016. The number is staggering, yet at the same time not all that surprising. Chocolate, after all, tastes delicious and we enjoy consuming it. So the world rejoiced collectively when the sweet treat was found to have significant health benefits as well. Chocolate contains flavonoids that help safeguard the body against aging and heart disease. Never has a prescription for health been so well received or heeded (in moderation, of course!).

Solomon suggested there's another "sweet" worthy of our investment: wisdom. He recommended his son eat honey "for it is good" (Proverbs 24:13) and compared its sweetness to wisdom. The person who feeds on God's wisdom in Scripture finds it not only sweet to the soul but beneficial for teaching and training, equipping us for "every good work" we'll need to accomplish in life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Wisdom is what allows us to make smart choices and understand the world around us. And it's worth investing in and sharing with those we love-as Solomon wished to do for his son. We can feel good about feasting on God's wisdom in the Bible. It's a sweet treat that we can enjoy without limit-in fact, we're encouraged to! God, thank You for the sweetness of Your Scriptures!

Prayer for Today

God, please nourish us with Your wisdom. Amen.

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.

-Jeremiah 29:11-13

This will be my first post of the new year here in 2020. The natural rhythm of our culture is a big celebration and day to recuperate. And in the midst of this lull after Christmas and before the new year, we reflect on the past year and consider the next, perhaps making goals and plans. These plans can be resolutions about matters that are physical, emotional, or even spiritual - plans to eat better, exercise more, or avoid temptations that we have given in to before. Perhaps we make plans to be kinder or avoid toxic people or negative social media, or take on the challenge of learning something new like a language. What about spiritual plans?

Another thing our culture provides us is platitudes, often masquerading as God's wisdom or specific scripture. "God helps those who help themselves," or, "cleanliness is next to Godliness," or, "God has a plan." If you're about to check your Bible, don't bother. You won't find any of those in its pages, even that last one. What you will find is the scripture above. God has plans. This is great news of the Good News variety. God makes plans - plural. What does this mean for us? It means that when we make our plans, choices, split second decisions, we cannot mess up what God has in store for us. Whatever the direction or mistake or alternative, God is there to keep calling us forward, to serve others and be in closer relationship with God. Whether it's a new job, a college, a relationship... when we step out in good faith, God goes with us, helping us, guiding us. God makes plans with us. God helps us fix and heal. So what's next?

God has plans for us. We know that sheep become familiar with the shepherd's voice over time and through trusting relationship, as we come to recognize the voices of our loved ones. We do that with God. As we listen to God in prayer, reading scripture, and gathering with other believers to study the word and serve those in need, we hear God's voice and continue to grow closer. So, if you're making plans this year of a spiritual variety, start there. Could you attend worship more often? Join a small group? Go on your first mission trip... or first in a while? Could you be the hands and feet that join the Connecting Team in setting up and cleaning up an event that welcomes your brothers and sisters and visitors into our doors from stressful work weeks? Could you teach a Sunday school class? Could you rise early on a Sunday morning or stay up all Friday night to serve meals to the homeless? Maybe you're being called to support foster families or become a foster parent. The promise is clear... a future with hope... when we seek God. Say yes to one or more of those plans this year. See what plans God is making for you. Say yes, Lord. Here I am.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to make my faith a part of my plans and resolutions. As I spend more time with you, help me to know your voice and follow your call. Amen.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I Corinthians 13:1-7

I read the following Christmas adaptation of the familiar I Corinthians 13 passage at the Choir Christmas gathering Saturday night. I found it convicting and encouraging. I hope you will too. I'm going to place a copy inside the box of decorations for our tree for next year and a few copies inside our favorite Christmas movies to remind us early next season to linger in love as we celebrate the coming of the Christ child. Merry Christmas...

We pray that you will experience the peace of Christ during this Christmas season.

The office staff will be taking a much needed break, so Reflections and Connections will resume on 

Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to prepare for Christmas and to live in Advent in love. Send your spirit to help me prioritize, to be mindful, and to be thankful. Amen.

 "A great multitude . . . shouting . . . 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!'"

-Revelations 19:6-7  

All around me, people are walking with a purpose, headed in the same direction. It's Christmas Eve, and I'm wandering around Stockholm, Sweden.

Looking for an adventure, I followed the crowd, and they led me to a church. Delighted with the unexpected opportunity to attend a Christmas Eve service, I entered the sanctuary along with the other worshippers. An American couple sat next to me. They, too, had followed the crowd to this church.

With hushed anticipation, the service began. The music was a glorious celebration of Christmas. As for the sermon, I did not understand a word, but the priest's happiness was obvious. And, I easily comprehended the universal language of the offering plates. During the service, I was surrounded by strangers, but we worshipped as friends.

The dark, dreary afternoon had become a new cherished memory of celebrating Christ's birth. At the end of the service, we sang "Silent Night," a hymn that churches around the world would sing that night.

We are followers, not of the crowd, but of Christ.

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, on this silent and holy night, we worship you. Around the world, in many languages, our love for you becomes one language. Thank you for sending us your Son. Amen.

Japanese Socks and Peace

 In the Advent season of 2008, Tom and I traveled to Japan. Our son, Christian, was involved in a study abroad program and would not be coming home for Christmas. We decided to journey to Japan to spend Christmastide with him.

It was difficult being away from well-known customs and traditions at this time of year. While Japan was exquisitely decorated for the season, it was all for the sake of decoration and held with it an emptiness. The total quandary of what this season represented to the Japanese was found on a cake in a bakery: it was decorated completely with pilgrims and a manger scene.

Christmas day arrived and we went out shopping. All the shops were open. As we were on a journey and clean socks were in short supply, I found a sporting goods store and bought three pairs of wool hiking socks. We presented the socks to each other as our Christmas gifts and remarked that it was the best gift ever: clean, warm socks on a chilly Christmas day.

A little later that day, as I was window-shopping, I found a small shop that beckoned me inside. The shop was simple, more like a small stall. The main thing for sale was many packets of origami paper. Each pack was so colorful and bright. I collected a few to buy. An older Japanese man was tending the simple till. He seemed so delighted that I was so interested in origami. After the yen was given, the older man and I had an encounter I will never forget. On this Christmas day, between two strangers, a common blessing was given. The man took an origami crane from his collection on the counter and placed it in my hand. "Peace," he said in English. And I stood speechless in awe.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to move towards simplicity. Keep my eyes open for the wonders of simple encounters. Keep me humble and full of appreciation of simple gifts. Amen.

At the time of Jesus' birth, Magi came from the East seeking "the new King." This worried King Herod....

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

An angel warned Joseph and the wise men in dreams that Herod wanted to kill Jesus, so Joseph took the family to Egypt and the wise men returned home a different route.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

-Matthew 2: 7-8, 16

The Christmas story, the birth of Christ, is not covered by all four Gospel writers. Mark and John begin with his ministry, skipping that part of the story. But it's too big a story for just one Gospel. Matthew and Luke cover different aspects. Matthew, for instance, tells us the story of the wise men (never mentioning how many), their journey, and their gifts, as well as their interaction with Herod. Luke, man of the margins, focuses on the shepherds.

We think of the Christmas story as one story or one account, rather than two. As a result of these different focuses, we sometimes draw the conclusion that the one story is drawing our attention to the great difference between local poor shepherds and distant rich kings. And while it's absolutely an important point that God draws all people to the birth, both high and low, there's more going on in the story, and we have to take care not to miss it. Going back to just Matthew's Gospel, we see both the wise men and another king. Remember? Herod, the local ruler, upset about the news of a new king when the magi (the distant kings) arrive.

This is where it gets interesting. The biggest polar opposite in the story isn't the rich and the poor people seeking Christ. It's their reaction to his birth. The shepherds and wise men hear of his birth and go to worship him, giving thanks and offering gifts. King Herod responds very differently from the wise men he meets. He is terrified, and he plots to kill the new king. Matthew is telling us some important things about wealth and power - you don't have to have it to be welcome at the feet of Christ, but you do have to be willing to give it up to Christ. There is good news here for poor people and for rich. But this is devastating news to those who love power and wealth more than God or God's people.

As we approach Christmas, it's worth asking ourselves important questions. In our day and age, people are still oppressed. We still have refugees like Christ's family. We still have poor and rich. People in service and agricultural jobs and people of learning and education. We still have powerful leaders. If Christ returned today, who would be eager for a message of hope and relief to the suffering and who would cling to their power and wealth and continue to oppress, to scatter families, and refuse change that looks like love and peace? Who would look like wise men, bowing humbly and offering gifts, and who would plot to keep what they have and not share it with the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the lonely and lost? Because Christ's kingdom is our job to help build, and our nation and world can be changed by our participation and following God's call each day.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me as wise as your magi and humble as your shepherds. Make me as contemplative and strong as Mary, as righteous as Joseph, and as worshipful and obedient as the Angels. Help to let go of my own wealth and power to inspire others and to challenge power that oppresses your children. Amen.