Sayings

Today’s phrase is ‘The root of the matter’. - The essential part or cause of something, as in ‘We still don't understand what happened; we must get to the root of the matter. This expression was first recorded in the Bible (Job 19:28). Why persecute we him?’—seeing the root of the matter is found in me.

Finding the source of life’s difficulties is a bit like psychological or spiritual archaeology, trying to discover the root cause of why we act or react to the way we do. How often, in a heated family ‘discussion’ do we hear he retort, “You’re just like your father!”

A couple used to live in a very nice house which had some  plants near the driveway. One of those plants in particular they named as a  “volunteer elm”, one that had planed itself and the couple absolutely hated it. Sure enough, they saw that thing getting bigger—but they didn’t want that to happen. It was out of place!

Somehow, they obtained a can of some kind of “pruning paint”. The idea was that if you cut off an “offending” branch, you could spray that paint at the location and that would stop the branch from growing back. 

The next spring, the tree was still there, and the black paint used was still preventing the tree from growing back from where I had cut it off. But they had not eradicated tree! Instead, like a capital letter “J”, the stem started growing up from the root in a slightly different direction. It was still very much alive.

The problem that the couple I hadn’t dealt with the roots.

So for good or ill, as long as the root is strong, generally speaking, the tree will continue to grow.

Hebrews 12:15says, “ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; and see to it that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.”.

Lord, help me to cultivate my roots in you. Gift my foundation with wisdom and my fruit with abundance. Guide me so that I bend, not fall, when the winds of life blow — for many are the benefits of life with you! Amen

Sayings

Another accusative saying that can often occur during a heated argument is ‘Put your house in order’. Usually, this phrase is issued in response where an accusation is made by one person against another. But in scripture it is quite different. It’s worth reading the passage found in 2 Kings 20:1-5 that is thought to be the origin of this saying.

‘Hezekiah now became deathly sick, and Isaiah the prophet went to visit him.

“Set your affairs in order and prepare to die,” Isaiah told him. “The Lord says you won’t recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall. “O Lord,” he pleaded, “remember how I’ve always tried to obey you and to please you in everything I do. . . . ” Then he broke down and cried.  So before Isaiah had left the courtyard, the Lord spoke to him again. “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, and tell him that the Lord God of his ancestor David has heard his prayer and seen his tears. I will heal him, and three days from now he will be out of bed and at the Temple!’ (The Living Bible)

Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves change. Thus an opportunity may be missed.

According to Joshua the sure way to put ones house in order is to serve the Lord, his advice in the those well known words, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 There is great truth in the concept that a house is a house is a house--until love comes through the door, and intuitively transforms a house into a very special home.

The Book of Proverbs shows the futility of trying put things in order by ourselves in the verse “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; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message.

Jesus in a similar way spoke about putting things right as a priority. In Matthew 5:24 we read, “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”

Grant me, Lord my God, intelligence in knowing you, diligence in seeking you, wisdom in finding you, conversation pleasing to you, perseverance in confidently waiting for you, and confidence in finally embracing you. Amen

Sayings

Another phrase that finds it’s origin in the bible is “Put words into one’s mouth.” Whilst in usage this phrase come to have a negative connotation, the bible takes a more positive position.

In Isaiah 59:21 we read, “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

In an interview about his book ‘The Folly of Prayer’ (IVP, 2009), author and pastor Matt Woodley shared a story about his friend Theresa. She had married the man of her dreams, but soon after that she dropped into the pit of a deep depression. Everything went dark in her mind and body. She even started writing her obituary.

Matt Woodly said, "Three years ago I would have had plenty of answers and solutions for her. I would have been so clever and powerful. But now I could only sit with her in her pain." They prayed, but Matt didn't know what else to do. He didn't have any answers, so he said, "Theresa, I have no idea what to say, so could we just read the Psalms?" Then he read Psalm 77, an agonising psalm of lament, and went home. Matt left her feeling utterly powerless, and he sure didn't think that he made her feel better.

The next week another leader of their church visited Theresa. She was still suffering intensely, but when the leader asked if he could pray for her, Theresa said, "Yes, but before you pray, please read Psalm 77. I've been clinging to it all week. It's my lifeline to God."

Matt commented, "Apparently when we read Psalm 77 in utter powerlessness, God showed up in her life with power." Now those are the words that we need to be put into our mouths.

Loving Lord, I ask You in Jesus' name today and for always that my words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Amen

Sayings

Today we consider the well known saying, “How the mighty have fallen.” This phrase comes from the Old Testament where we find David lamenting the death of his beloved friend Jonathan. In 2 Samuel 1:25-27 we read,”  How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” 

However, in the modern use of the phrase it speaks of how the powerful have become powerless and used to indicate the decline or failure of a person, group, or entity that used to be very successful, powerful, important. The phrase can be humorously or sarcastically applied to everyday situations such as, “Joan has to clean her own house these days? Oh, how the mighty have fallen!” Or “The country used to be an economic superpower, but now it is regarded with distrust and disdain by leaders around the world. How the mighty have fallen, indeed.” But what is the opposite of mighty? Surely it is meekness that Jesus spoke about in the beatitudes. 

I remember hearing about a well-known preacher who was walking with his son. A man approached them and started talking to the preacher. At one point the man asked the preacher his opinion of another man that had been at great odds with him. The preacher said something along the lines of “I think that he is a good man.” Not long after that the man went on his way. Once the father and son were alone again, the son looked up at his dad and said “I thought that man hated you and couldn’t stand you. Why were you so complimentary toward him when you were asked what you thought of him?” To which the preacher said, “Because son, I wasn’t asked what his opinion was of me, but what my opinion was of him.”

What a great example of meekness! Many people think that meekness is weakness, but it couldn’t be further from what the word means. Meekness is controlled strength. A horse hasn’t lost its strength when it gets harnessed, it has gained usefulness, and not lost one ounce of strength. When we choose to direct our power to be constructive rather than destructive, that does not display weakness but meekness – controlled strength. Did not Solomon say in Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. 

Lord, help us to show meekness in all that we think, say, and do. May we like Christ challenge injustice whilst showing kindness, empathy, and gentleness. Help us to welcome the friend, the stranger, and the enemy that we may proclaim your love to all. In Christ's name, Amen.

Sayings

Today we look at the phrase, “Labour of love” and discover that this comes from the King James Version of Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” The dictionary defines a labour of love as a piece of hard work that is done because we enjoy it and not because we will receive money or praise for it, or because we need to do it.

The hallmark of true faith is active, Christian love which is carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the faith of these dear ‘Hebrew’ saints  was manifested in the ongoing work they performed to the glory of God, together with their selfless labour of Christian love, in ministering to their sisters and brothers in Christ.

The movie Unbreakable stars Bruce Willis as a man who discovers he is a superhero. In one scene he is lifting weights. His son keeps adding weight to the bar without the man knowing. Eventually the man asks his son how much weight is on the bar and the son answers, “Everything.” The moral being the strength the main character had was far greater than he realised. He learned how strong he was the more weight was placed on him and the more he served others.

To be great we must learn to serve others. Serving others is being helpful to our co-workers, peers, and of course our family. We can serve by feeding the hungry or doing a clothing drive. Meekness helps us to put our own agenda aside and help others. It was William Booth who said, “Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again – until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.” Is that what it means to work a labour of Love.

Lord, may I be encouraged to love in the way of Jesus. May I have eyes to see the needs of those around me. I know I can't do everything, but may I be sensitive to the guidance of your Spirit. Show me, Lord, how I can express love in labour. Amen

Sayings

The Land of Nod

Through the summer months we are going to look for common phrases in the English language that originated from the Bible. 

Our first is the phrase is “ Land of Nod”  a place mentioned in the Book of Genesis of the Hebrew Bible, located "on the east of Eden” where Cain was exiled by God after Cain had murdered his brother Abel. According to Genesis 4:16: “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.”

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Over the years being  in the Land of Nod has lost its more sinister connotation of being estranged from God and come to have a seemingly gentler meaning of  being asleep. However in  Cain’s case, we read in a prior verses, that Cain has murdered his brother and received God's punishment. The penalty,  a loss of his ability to farm, and exile from his family. After receiving God's promise to take vengeance on anyone who would kill him, Cain leaves. Specifically, he leaves God's presence.

We sometimes talk of sleep walking into situations;  meaning to act without paying  attention to what we are doing, or without thinking carefully about what might happen. In Cain’s case another modern twist that seems to fit the Genesis episode, where “a red mist”  descended over Cains inner and outward eyes. Red mist refers to a fit of extreme anger that can temporarily cloud judgement.

Often, our emotions are like an iceberg; 80% or so of which lies beneath the water. It is what you don't see that often is the most dangerous. This is why people often explode. This why people surprise us the way they do. They keep things hidden away from others, from themselves, and from God.

In the letter of James we find some wise words. “ In view of what he has made us then, dear sisters and brothers, let every one be quick to listen but slow to use their tongues, and slow to lose their temper. For our temper is never the means of achieving God’s true goodness.” 1 James 1:19-20 adapted)

Dear Father, I still my heart, my mind and my body before you. As I focus on you, on your love, on your truth, and on your promises I turn from the things that trouble me. I take each trigger for anxiety and lay it at your feet. I choose to hear songs of praise and allow my heart to breathe. I choose to wait for your Holy Spirit to stir my soul. I rest here knowing that whatever I face, you can hold me safe. Amen.

Trinity Thoughts

Last Sunday, the church celebrated the mystery of Trinity. But how are we to embrace this mystery in our day to day living?

In the National Gallery of Art in London there's a picture of the Crucifixion that is so dark that when you first look at it, you can't see anything. But if you stand and ponder it, and if you do not permit your gaze to falter, eventually you will see in the darkness a very dim figure of the crucified Christ. If you look longer and do not allow your attention to be diverted, you then begin to discern behind the figure of Christ the presence of God the Father, whose hands are holding up his Son, and on his face is a look of unimaginable grief.

There, in those five hours, no matter what the depths to which he went, Jesus knew his Father.

The early church leaders described the Trinity using the term perichoresis. Peri, meaning circle, and choresis, meaning dance. The saw the Trinity as an eternal dance of Father, Son and Spirit sharing mutual love, honour, happiness, joy and respect. 

Against this backdrop, God’s act of creation means that God is inviting more and more beings into the eternal dance of joy.

Prayer

Yours is the flow

That created kindness

You are the Dance

That ignites all Light

You are the Three

Who contain all Oneness

In You we gaze

With Single sight

 

Abba

You ground all things eternal

And kiss the earth with glad embrace

Christ the Son

In a world of sorrows

Transfigures pain with healing grace

Spirit of Love

Sows new creation

In every soil weak or strong

Your beloved

Mirrors every gesture

In this our wild,

Reconciling song!

 

God alone

There is no other

Apart from You what can take form?

You are the play in every atom

Trinity

In You we’re born

 

This hour brings sorrow and challenge

Never before have we faced so much;

Upon Your goodness we’ll incarnate

Release our hands for Your healing touch

 

Bound to You

We’re Your wounded healers

Binding earth

With heaven’s balm

Boundless here in realms unscripted

Tree of Life

Is your free-verse psalm

 

And so today we dance Your circle

Rhythm of life Your cadence grows;

Let the circle be unbroken

Drawing all in

To Your radiant flow. Amen