How many times a day to you ask someone, "How are you doing?" I imagine we ask everyone we encounter that question. We often reply, "Good. Thanks. How are you?" This general greeting pattern is almost as automatic to us as breathing. It doesn't mean it is insincere. It is a greeting and an invitation to a conversation.
There are many times that good really isn't good. Good can better than good; good can be not so good. Sometimes good is good. Regardless, we often respond, "Good." We may give a few details about our life, but are often not honest about what's really going on within us.
As Christians, we might instead ask, "How is it with your soul?" A response to this question has nothing to do with how your day is going. A response to this question has nothing to do with the traffic on your morning commute or burning dinner. A response to this question has nothing to do with getting enough rest or having a good hair day. A response to this question has to do with your soul's state of being, being before God.
In all of life's situations, our soul effects our response to life. We know that God is the One who raises us to soar like an eagle. We trust that God is the One who makes us lie down in green pastures. We can confess the guilt of our sin and accept the consequences and God's grace. We are comforted by God in our mourning. We rest in God's presence. We know God is working in our lives.
If we remain in prayer and present ourselves humbly before God, our soul may be well-balanced. If our burning both ends of the candle results in neglecting our devotion to God, our soul may be anxious. If we've overcome a challenge strengthened by God, our soul might be free.
If you were to ask me, "How is it with your soul?" I would say, "It is well with my soul." I'm good. I'm not soaring on eagle's wings. I'm not walking through the valley in the shadow of death. I'm good. Good is good. How is it with your soul?
May your soul thrive,
Rev. Tracy
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
What's Your Dream?
Dreams are an important medium of God's revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures. God revealed Divine truth to Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph through dreams. In the wilderness, God said to Moses, Aaron & Miriam: "When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams" (Num 12: 6). The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, and Zechariah all write about their dreams and visions.
Conversely, the story of God's calling of the prophet Samuel to service recounts that at that time there were not many visions (1 Sam 3:1). Proverbs 29:18 teaches: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The Hebrew word for vision in 1 Sam 3:1 is the same word used in Proverbs 29:18. The Hebrew word translated vision here is more than a basic dream; it has the connotation of vision, dream, revelation, oracle, prophecy. The prophets not only wrote about their own visions - they warned of times when there would be no visions.
Of course, the Hebrew Scriptures give witness to the importance of staying connected to God. It is when we are living with awareness of God's presence and seeking God's wisdom that we can see God's vision and set out feet upon the path of righteousness. But, when we try to travel alone, we get lost in the darkness.
The prophet Joel reminds us that when darkness has kept dreams and visions from us, we need only to rend our hearts and return to the Lord (Joel 2:13) and God will receive us. "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28)
Remembering the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., one cannot help but hear his words, "I have a dream." In all that MLK said, it was apparent that he had a vision of God's justice. Everything MLK did was a response to the vision of the beloved community living as one equal diverse human race. Though there were days that must have seemed bleak, he saw the Light of the World guiding his steps.
Have you dreamed dreams or seen visions lately? Helen Keller said: "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." Are you blindly walking through life or are you driven by God's revelation?
May you dream dreams and see visions of the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven,
Rev. Tracy
Conversely, the story of God's calling of the prophet Samuel to service recounts that at that time there were not many visions (1 Sam 3:1). Proverbs 29:18 teaches: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The Hebrew word for vision in 1 Sam 3:1 is the same word used in Proverbs 29:18. The Hebrew word translated vision here is more than a basic dream; it has the connotation of vision, dream, revelation, oracle, prophecy. The prophets not only wrote about their own visions - they warned of times when there would be no visions.
Of course, the Hebrew Scriptures give witness to the importance of staying connected to God. It is when we are living with awareness of God's presence and seeking God's wisdom that we can see God's vision and set out feet upon the path of righteousness. But, when we try to travel alone, we get lost in the darkness.
The prophet Joel reminds us that when darkness has kept dreams and visions from us, we need only to rend our hearts and return to the Lord (Joel 2:13) and God will receive us. "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28)
Remembering the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., one cannot help but hear his words, "I have a dream." In all that MLK said, it was apparent that he had a vision of God's justice. Everything MLK did was a response to the vision of the beloved community living as one equal diverse human race. Though there were days that must have seemed bleak, he saw the Light of the World guiding his steps.
Have you dreamed dreams or seen visions lately? Helen Keller said: "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." Are you blindly walking through life or are you driven by God's revelation?
May you dream dreams and see visions of the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven,
Rev. Tracy
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Facebook Faith
Kravitz doesn't like it when I sit on the couch with my computer to keep up with my friends on Facebook. He'd prefer I pay attention to him. Sometimes, he barks at me until I put the computer aside to pet him. Sometimes, he whines until I close down to play with him. Other times...well, you see the picture. He cuddles up right next to me and lays his snout on the keyboard. As I'm blogging tonight, he's laying on the floor giving me his best sad puppy dog eyes.
Honestly, Kravitz is like any other dog. He just wants to be with me and get some attention from me. It doesn't matter what we do - go for a walk, throw a ball, do laundry, watch a movie - it's his favorite thing to do because he's with me.
Before Kravitz and I moved to Litchfield, I asked the veterinarian about how he would adjust to a new home. The vet told me that dogs are 'people' animals. Cats are attached to places, but dogs don't care where they're at or what they're doing as long as they are with their 'people.' I'm Kravitz' people.
Many may not see the connection between the Divine God and a canine mutt. Musician Wendy J. Francisco does. She sings about how a dog has qualities that are reminiscent of God's constant presence, unconditional love, and ever-flowing grace. "I'm the one that walks away. Both of them wait for me. And dance at my return with glee."
Wendy reminds us that a dog is created by God and so reflects God image. A dog reflects God's desire to be acknowledged in all we do and everywhere we go. A dog's wagging tail reminds us of God's excitement to be involved in our lives. A dog's bark reminds us of God's desire to protect us; well, sometimes Kravitz just wants dinner.
May you seek God with the same determination
that you stalk your Facebook friends,
Rev. Tracy
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