Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
1 Thessalonians 2:2
… though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.
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Words of Grace For Today
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There are so many stories one can read or watch, engaging, thrilling, and moving.
Some have something good to say about life. Many are not really worth the time spent taking them in. A few inspire one to embrace the goodness of life that God’s graciously blesses us with.
Paul was not received with grace by everyone wherever he went, spreading the Good News of Jesus. Though he was maltreated at Philippi, it was the congregation to which he wrote with the dearest, most loving and heartfelt joy and thanks. His letter to the Thessalonians comes in a close second.
Whatever challenges come our way, God mercifully loves us and keeps us safe. Often through the most challenging of times God most clearly proves God’s promises of mercy, love and faithfulness can be trusted by us.
Not that we seek out or enjoy the challenges, but all in all we trust that God walks with us, and that God’s faithful people live out that presence with us, as we live it out for others.
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
2 Corinthians 12:9
… but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace’, when there is no peace.
Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
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Words of Grace For Today
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We’ve all heard again that famous, or infamous, Rant, I am Canadian. With quiet music building to swells of patriotic music Joe states his case:
Hey, I’m not a lumberjack or a fur trader
I don’t live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dogsled.
and I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain that their really, really nice.
Uh
I have a prime minister, not a president.
I speak English and French not American
and I pronounce it about, not aboot.
I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack.
I believe in peacekeeping not in policing.
I believe in diversity, not assimilation.
And I believe the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.
A toque is a hat.
And a chesterfield is a couch.
And it’s pronounced Zed, not Zee, Zed.
Canada is the second largest landmass
The first nation of hockey
and the best part of North America.
My name is Joe
and I am Canadian.
Reality
Given Trump and his threats and actual tariffs that will do great damage to our economy, one can understand the call to be patriotic.
At the core of our problems, though, we do not find economics or politics, but good old fashion love, faith, and hope, expressed as empathy and care for all people, especially the poor.
So ours is not a rant but a chant backed by any number of great pieces of music, for example “Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723) by Rory Cooney, to the lively Irish folk tune used as a rugby match song:
Hey, I am not a crusading knight, nor a desert ascetic.
I don’t hold exorcisms, live in Corinth or Bethlehem or Nazareth.
I have a pastor and a bishop, not a coach or a guru.
I speak many native languages, but not Latin or Sanskritic.
I proudly were a cross on a fine chain around my neck.
I believe in peace not in war or violence.
I believe in respecting and welcoming diversity, not excluding strangers or foreigners.
I believe the fish is a wonderful symbol of faith, as is the boat.
I’m not concerned with how people pronounce words, but that we share the radical Word of God.
God’s favour is not won by what we do or say or believe, but is God’s free gift given to us.
We can refuse it and we do, sinners that we are. But God keeps saving us over and over again, making us saints able to do miraculous things for others, especially the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the outcasts, refugees, strangers, and especially children.
Christianity may be worldwide and messed up in many places, sometimes even here at home, but it is the gift of life,
the gift of life abundant for all people.
We may be getting fewer in number, but being a follower of Jesus is the best part of life.
My name is not important because God knows it and everything about me and still loves me. I’m not ashamed of my name, yet it’s not what I’m proud of.
I’m proud that I bear Jesus’ cross and Jesus’ name,
The Chaos Points Right To The Rulers Who Spread It,
as clearly as shadows to the trees that block the sun.
Job 12:16
With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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Words of Grace For Today
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Even the unjust ‘king’s that threaten good order with chaos are God’s, along with all the people they threaten.
Presidents, prime ministers, kings, and all rulers and leaders are God’s, no matter how they live and rule or lead.
Too many rulers, as always, seem never to be satiated with a little, but always strive after more, more, more, and in their seeking rob from so many the peace of life, foisting on them chaos, violence, displacement, hunger, uncertainty, and fear.
Even these rulers and peace&life-robbers are God’s and God desires that they would be saved, and come to the knowledge and love of the truth, the truth that God makes available to all of us, as gift.
Strength and wisdom are not made or given by rulers of this world. These are God’s gifts, freely given to us. So we pray for those who threaten and steal life from us and so many people.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
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Words of Grace For Today
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In today’s world everything has a cost, everyone can be bought, time is money, money speaks … and on it goes… supposedly!
But in God’s world everything has a cost, except, for what is most precious, the cost is covered
by the Creator, All-powerful, All-knowing, Present-in-all-time, righteous Judge, who loves us so much
that Jesus gave his life that we might receive the most precious of all: Life ( our lives with all the details known, good and bad, past, present, future … all our sins forgiven … life restored to us filled with perseverance, empathy, love, joy, hope, and the purpose that makes life so good: to share all that with others.)
Let the barkers cry all they want for us to buy, buy, buy,
I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
John 15:13
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
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Words of Grace For Today
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Jesus puts his life on the line. Puts it all in play.
Not just for his friends,
but for everyone, past, present, future.
Thank God,
or we’d be looking for a way, and impossible way, to get in God’s good graces.
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It’s no fun having insults and abuse tossed at one, physical abuse – hitting- and psychological abuse – lies, manipulations, gaslighting, and more lies – tossed at oneself and around the community, destroying one’s reputation…
except
God’s Truth will out.
God’s Truth will out.
The abusers will be outed, and our salvation will be made clear to all, and all that we have laid down to protect others will be recognized, will save others, will be known to be good.
This is love in action for others, for the children, for the lost, outcast, despised, abused.
An Oil Lease, Cut Through the Woods, Reclaimed, Growing Free Again.
Like Us.
Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
Hebrews 4:12
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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Words of Grace For Today
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Cut to the quick of life, by God’s truth.
Unable to hide in half-truths or full out lies.
Exposed for what we are by what we think and secretly dream of.
The chaff of uselessness burned away quicker than a fleeting thought.
Judged.
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What else can we expect from God’s Word?
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Until the story of Jesus living, loving, dying, rising, forgiving us, renewing us … and walking with us through every day … holds our hopes up to the Light,
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Romans 14:9
For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
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Words of Grace For Today
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At my father’s funeral the pastor gave a heartwarming eulogy using the image of a table around which his father welcomed so many different kinds of people.
If we accept that God judges us according to how good we are, what good we think, say, and do while alive, then the pastor set us up to be thankful that my father passed into everlasting life because he met the criteria needed, instead of being judged lacking and therefore passed into everlasting shame and contempt.
Except that is not at all how we believe God judges us, not at all, not at all.
We trust that Jesus lives, loves, dies, and rises from the dead to clearly demonstrate to us how much God always loves us, and that love includes that Jesus saves us from judgment according to our sins. Rather Jesus’ record replaces ours, and by grace alone we live and die in God’s favour, blessed, and equipped to be God’s love and forgiveness for others.
Later it became heart-rendingly obvious that the pastor did not once mention that my father was a sinner, who made his share of mistakes, who God loved, who Jesus died to save, and who the Holy Spirit equipped to do the good things he did.
Which made me sad, for myself and everyone else at the funeral, having missed that during his funeral. And it made me sad for the pastor, who close to retirement, did not provide the one clear message of God’s love that we receive and have to share, giving hope even in the face of death.
If we leave no room for God’s love and grace we do not honour the real person, or God’s promises to us and for us.
Do we then try to create a similar false version of life for ourselves, a living, lying eulogy?
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Jude 1:25
… to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
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Words of Grace For Today
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During a flood, we showed up after church to help people living along the water to sandbag, in an effort to save the community’s properties. Our sons asked why we had to go. We lived 10 miles away.
We answered that it was us paying rent for the air we breathe.
So we breathe, still today.
And rightfully so we are asked to give thanks in so many ways, to ‘pay rent for the air we breathe’ in so many ways.
Thanksgiving.
A harvest festival of thanks.
A life pattern condensed into one day’s holiday and celebration.
Every day is a day to give thanks.
This holiday is a time to take stock again: Do we give thanks everyday, even for the things we think we do not owe thanks for?
Do we give thanks, by contributing even in ways, we may think we do not need to contribute or even give thanks?
