Proper 10/ Ordinary 15 – Psalm 85:13

Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

Proper 10/Ordinary 15 – Psalm 24:7-8, 10

From Psalm 24:7-8, 10 – Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the king of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

The verses in today’s scripture comprise a wonderful choir piece with great tenor and bass lines. I loved singing this song as a teenager. Until I started writing these thoughts, I never realized how important those few years of singing in the choir were to my faith journey. Consider an early memory in your faith journey and thank God for that experience today.

Prayer:

Steadfast God, thank you for choirs, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School volunteers, for the traditions and sacraments that have played a role in our journeys. AMEN.

Proper 10/Ordinary 15 – Psalm 24:1-2

From Psalm 24:1-2 – The earth is the Lord’s and the all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

Are we individuals or parts of a community? Are we soloists or part of a choir? Are we free agents or team players? We are the Lord’s, and therefore we can’t escape the communal nature of our relationship to one another.

Prayer:

Almighty God, bless our efforts this and every day to build the kind of community, the kind of kingdom, you would have. AMEN.

Proper 10/Ordinary 15 – 2 Samuel 6:18-19

From 2 Samuel 6:18-19 – When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.  Then all the people went back to their homes.

Why is food such a central part of our relationship with our church?  Well maybe because we have been eating together in our faith communities since at least the time when David brought the ark of God to Jerusalem.  If you don’t do this already, make a commitment to bring a heart-healthy or diabetic-friendly dish as your contribution to your next church supper.

Prayer:

Loving God, thank you for all the times we can be together with other people of faith whether eating and laughing, working or worshipping together.  AMEN.

Proper 10/Ordinary 15 – 2 Samuel 6:1,5,12b

The lectionary offers the following scriptures for this week: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14 and Mark 6:14-29. An alternate set of scriptures for this week includes: Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13.

From 2 Samuel 6:1, 5, 12b – David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing…

I couldn’t help but smile at the picture my mind drew after reading this scripture. Can you imagine seeing 30,000 men dancing at the same time today? While I have worshipped God through song, I have rarely worshipped God with my body, as in this scripture. But we are reminded this morning that there are many ways we can worship God.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for giving us these wonderful bodies. Help us use them to both worship and serve you. AMEN.

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – Mark 6:7

From Mark 6:7 – [Jesus] called the twelve disciples and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs, and we are reminded of the communal nature of our faith. From the song, “United We Stand” by the group Brotherhood of Man: “For united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall, we’ll be together…”

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us recognize the strengths of our neighbors so that we might work in synergy with them for the betterment of your kingdom. AMEN.

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – Mark 6:1, 4-6

From Mark 6:1, 4-6 – [Jesus] left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him…Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went out among the villages teaching.

This scripture made me think of Joan Osborne’s hit from 1995, “What if God was One of Us?” In that song she sings, “What if God was one of us?…Just a stranger on the bus trying to make his way home?” I hope I recognize God, should I ever pass God on the street.

Prayer:

Understanding God, give us eyes that see you in each person who crosses our path this day. AMEN.

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – 2 Corinthians 12:2

From 2 Corinthians 12:2 – I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows.

While my faith journey has answered some of my questions, it has also raised many questions. As part of my journey, I have had to grow comfortable with the phrase in today’s scripture, “I do not know; God knows.” I pray that in time, God’s time, my questions will be answered.

Prayer:

Loving God, we see in a mirror dimly today, and we look forward to that day when we see face to face. AMEN.

A new article at HopeandHealing.org

Loving God with Your Body

Mary Cay Oyler is a valued coworker of mine at Church Health Center. Not only does this article help you see how faith and health are intertwined, but it also gives insight into the wonderful work we do at our prevention and wellness ministry known as Hope & Healing. Enjoy, Butch

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – 2 Samuel 5:4, 10

From 2 Samuel 5:4, 10 – David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.

If a thirty year old ran for president of the United States, can you imagine the outcry…the calls for someone more “mature,” with more life experience. Today’s scripture reminds us that with God, anything is possible.

Prayer:

Almighty God, give us eyes that see people as you see them. AMEN.

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – 2 Samuel 5:1, 2b-3

We are approaching the fifth Sunday after Pentecost, and the lectionary offers the following scriptures: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12-2-10 and Mark 6:1-13. Alternative scriptures are Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123.

From 2 Samuel 5:1, 2b-3 – Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh…The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

The people of Israel saw themselves as David’s flesh and bone, and I like to think of us as God’s flesh and bone. May God speak to each of us so we might know how best to respond to this awesome responsibility.

Prayer:

Gracious God, use our hands and feet, our flesh and bone, in service to you and your children. AMEN.

Proper 9/Ordinary 14 – Psalm 123:1

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

This photograph was taken by my niece, Joy Elise, who is visiting Memphis from Philadelphia, PA this week. Joy will enter college in September.