PrayersPolitics embracing christian values in times of struggle

& Peace “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, requests to which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God. Philippians 4:5-7 guidanceSunday, Oct. 30 - Saturday, Nov. 5 | Written by Ron Greer

We turn to God’s Do not be conformed to this guidance so that we world, but be transformed by the can make decisions that renewal of your minds. reflect God’s thoughts Romans 12:2 and ways. 2 3 this week

prayers, politics, & peace sermon: guidance sunday, oct. 30 8:45 & 11:15 am

We are to be loving. nicaragua art auction We are to be kind. thursday, nov. 3 We are to be honest. 6:30 pm, the warehouse We are to be respectful. Lord, We are to be humble. help us to election prayer vigil friday, nov. 4, 3:00 pm - remember sunday, nov. 6, 11:00 pm who we are.

4 5 | Sunday, October 30, 2016 | Ron Greer | Monday, October 31, 2016 | Ron Greer Guidance Guidance Christian values are the ideals from our faith to which we aspire in our living and relating. We seek to make these “… to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 idealized values into our personal virtues – molding what we believe into what we live. In contrast, many of us have been dismayed at the tone of the presidential campaign, as the values we believe to be Christian have often been The tone of belittling, ridiculing, and dishonesty to which we have been exposed this year finds no home in the moral replaced by disrespect, dishonesty, and divisiveness. values of the Christian faith. In fact, this tone is the antithesis of the principles by which a Christian is called to be in relationship. The scriptures guide us clearly in our values. There are many passages on which we could focus as we This concern has nothing to do with political positions, but everything to do with how those positions are expressed. I set our moral bar, but there are two that stand out to me. One is from the Old Testament, the other from the New. am writing from the same voice I used in my thinking on integrity, urging us to embrace the relational values and morals Both are familiar. From the book of Micah: of our faith. For over a year we have been exposed to verbal attacks, hostility, and deceptiveness. Yet we know people can disagree without being dismissive or mean-spirited. Debating an issue does not require insulting one’s opponent. “… what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8) Or, at least, it shouldn’t. And from the writing of Paul is that inspiring, guiding list of virtues: In this writing I am neither red nor blue. I am echoing the message of Jesus as he minced no words in his warning “By contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- against “whoever insults his brother” and “whoever says, ‘you fool!’” (Matthew 5:22) I am writing from the same control.” Galatians 5:22-23 perspective as the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, when he wrote that his followers should “speak no evil of the person they voted against.” These two passages contain the criteria of the Christian life as it is to be lived out. This is where the moral bar is to be set in relating with others. This is who we are to become. For the remainder of this week, let’s think together about As this political ride has played out before us, my concern is that our society could come to accept this lowered moral the values to which we are called to aspire. If we are to relate as Christians: bar as the “new normal” – that we become acclimated to it and intuitively reset our default position. Just as dress or attire has become increasingly casual, which is fine, moral behavior could become equally casual, which is not fine. We are to be loving. We are to be kind. The disrespect to which our children have been exposed in this past year violates the earliest lessons they learned We are to be honest. from us. We taught them not to be rude or bullying or hurtful. I can only imagine how difficult it is for parents to insist We are to be respectful. on far better behavior from their children than they see on the evening news. We are to be humble. The words of the scriptures come back to us, “Do not be conformed to this world… but be transformed by the renewal of We are about the business of reclaiming these values in a season that sometimes turns them upside down. your minds.” Transformation is at the heart of our faith. “Do not be conformed to this world,” is our reminder to reclaim and live out our moral lives at their finest. The book of Isaiah expresses the words of the Lord saying, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” (55:8) This week, as we will focus on these values, may we remember and reclaim what are ultimately God’s In our reflections this fall, may we intentionally decide not to be conformed to the diluted values of this world – but rather thoughts and ways. be transformed by the faithful renewal of our minds to the true values and ideals embodied in our Christian faith. Prayer: Guide us, O Lord, that your thoughts become our thoughts and your ways become our path. In Christ name. Prayer: Lord, help us to remember who we are. In Christ name. Amen. Amen.

6 7 Guidance | Tuesday, November 1, 2016 | Ron Greer Guidance | Wednesday, November 2, 2016 | Ron Greer “… the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 “… love is kind.” I Corinthians 13:4

Christian values begin with love. It is that simple. As Christians, the manner with which we relate with God, with Kindness is love in action. The motivation is love. The result is a life of kindness. “Love is kind,” as Paul so succinctly neighbor, and all of humankind – every faith, every race, every nationality – begins with love. This is Jesus’ perspective wrote. Kindness is not something you do as much as someone you become. It’s a way of living in the world, a way of as he speaks of the Samaritan kneeling at the side of the wounded Jew and doing all he can to help – as Jesus himself relating wherever you are, with whoever you are. Kindness is to relate out of a spirit of grace. reached over and put his hands on the leper, whom no one else would touch – as he called the most despised man in town out of the tree so he could have dinner with him. “Kindness” is linguistically related to the word kin. Kin refers to the natural feeling we all have for the welfare of our families. Then there are “kindred spirits” with whom we feel a special affinity or kinship. But kindness, as in loving- Agape. I care about you simply because you are a fellow child of God. A sister, a brother. How does that line go from kindness, expands the focus. It points to our wish for the best and our willingness to do what we can for the sake our hymn America the Beautiful, “America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood of anyone in the family of humankind. Kindness belongs with kin and kinship, for we are all related. Remember how from sea to shining sea.” Jesus put it, “… just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40 NRSV) In Jesus’ beautiful economy of words, he summarized the heart of his message. “You shall love the Lord your God… (and) love your neighbor as yourself.” Out of our love of God we look into our neighbor’s eyes and want their lives to be filled Kindness is a gentle spirit. It’s a tough world out there. The challenges, the battles are real. It is a world filled with with the same joy we seek for ourselves. Those are the fundamentals. This is what we are about as followers of his – those who deserve a word spoken with kindness. All it takes to touch a lonely or struggling heart is an act of kindness. responding to my neighbor as instinctively and lovingly as I would to myself. Ironically, the only phrase from a presidential convention acceptance speech I can quote from memory is from the early nineties when a nominee urged us as a nation to be “kinder and gentler.” Words of wisdom. A simple moment of kindness But Jesus’ teaching didn’t stop there. He then gives this message his grand finale as he adds,“On these two commandments reminds us we are all in this together. We are all kin. Kindness can encourage and connect. Kindness can transform. hang all the law and the prophets.” There is the exclamation point! This final statement puts love of God and neighbor in its proper place – at the center of our faith. Mary Oliver put it this way, as I pick up in mid-poem:

All of the law, all of the teachings, all of our values are to be seen through the lenses of love of God and neighbor. “I know what everyone wants Loving-kindness, then, is at the heart of living out a Christian life. Love of God and neighbor – meaning all of humankind is a miracle. – come first. Everything… everything in the law and the prophets hangs on these two directives. Love is the primary This wasn’t a miracle. value and priority on which our lives are to be based. Love is where we begin and end. The Alpha and Omega. Unless, of course, kindness – as now and again Love begins the listing of the “fruit of the spirit,” and Paul underscores the same lesson in writing to the church in some rare person has suggested – Corinth: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:13) Love is a miracle. can’t get elevated any higher than that. Faith and hope are some impressive company. But the most important of the As surely it is.” three is love. Love is what our lives are, first, to be about. It is to be my foundational intent. Every other value – no matter how honorable – has to take a back seat to loving compassion. Everything hangs on these two commandments. Prayer: We pray, O Lord, for kindness of spirit with everyone we meet on this day. In Christ name. Amen.

Prayer: O Lord, may our hearts join with you in putting love at the center of our lives. In Christ name. Amen.

8 9 Guidance | Thursday, November 3, 2016 | Ron Greer Guidance | Friday, November 4, 2016 | Ron Greer “… speaking the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15 “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you…” I Thessalonians 5:12

The scriptures couldn’t have spoken more directly to the issue of honesty: “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no.” Years ago a homeless woman stayed for several months somewhere near our church. Her name is Rosemary. We (James 5:12) Contrary to periodic comments on the campaign trail, the Christian value of honesty is pretty simple: we would see her periodically as she would slip in to freshen up in one of our restrooms. She was a private person, don’t lie. The words we speak are to be counted on to be the truth. There is no place for dishonesty or deceit in a life especially because she didn’t know if she was welcome. When any of us saw her, we would speak and greet her by of moral integrity. This is a cornerstone to the faith. name. One day, not long before she left, she stopped and spoke with one of our church staff in a rare conversation. She just wanted to say “Thank you” – thank you for speaking kindly, and especially for “calling me by my name.” Isn’t it incredible that we need to remind ourselves about the importance of truthfulness in the context of listening to those who would be our leaders? Honesty is a fundamental lesson of childhood – as basic as it gets. Yet regularly we Respect. hear the “pants on fire” ratings of candidates from both parties to determine which statements are true, half-true, and which are blatant lies. Respect is to relate with others with thoughtfulness and with regard for their feelings. Respect is to treat them with dignity and consideration. We stand side by side as sisters and brothers together. As peers. No one better than Dishonesty is, first, a violation of our character. And it also is toxic in developing meaningful relationships. It destroys anyone else. Respect. Mutual respect. credibility, and the loss of credibility destroys the trust. Trust, of course, is relationally foundational. Lying may be more expedient or profitable – or even get some votes – but it cannot be done with integrity. Racism, sexism, elitism of any kind has its foundation in an absence of respect. The world can have a way of diminishing those who are perceived as different. They are put down – sometimes demonized – and given slang nicknames to There is a phrase in Ephesians that has always stood out to me. With a beautiful simplicity, Paul begins a teaching with depersonalize them. This lack of respect, this dehumanizing, usually springs from insecurity. If I am not grounded the words, “But speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15) Speak the truth in love – what a perfect balance. What is in who I am, then I feel anxious and insecure. If I don’t feel worthy, however subconsciously, I may be tempted to to be spoken is the truth. How it is spoken is with love – with thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and respect. diminish you. I lash out to make you lesser – so I don’t feel so badly about myself.

The word true has its origin in an Old English term which meant loyalty and fidelity. The German origin adds the The natural outcome of this lack of respect is to be polarized and adversarial. It is as though, If I am right, then you have concept of “faithful.” Loyalty – fidelity – faithfulness. We speak the truth with a loyalty to the relationship. We speak to be wrong. This competitiveness and rigidity aborts any meaningful conversation. There is no mutual search for the with a fidelity to honesty that builds trust. We speak with a faithfulness to the truth we honor. truth. Disrespect does not allow either of us to see the value and validity of the other’s perspective, thus cheating us both from being enriched. As it has been said, our word is our bond. We say what we believe. We can be counted on and trusted. Pretty simple. Like something we learned back in childhood – and would do well to uphold the rest of our lives. I can respect others and disagree with their views at the same time. If we find ourselves in genuine conversation instead of polarized as adversaries, we may gain value and insight from perspectives with which we do not ultimately Prayer: O Lord, may our words be true and our tone be kind. In Christ name. Amen. agree. We all may be enriched by having moved out of our rigid, narrow worlds and viewing life from other vantages.

We need one another. None of us has a corner on the truth. True communication requires an openness to hear, which takes respect.

Respect for all. For all of God’s children. Respect for all as God’s children.

Prayer: O Lord, may respect be shown in our spirit and in our manner. In Christ name. Amen.

10 11 Guidance | Saturday, November 5, 2016 | Ron Greer “… learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” Matthew 11:29

Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello of India once said, “In your land it is regarded as a miracle if God does someone’s will. In our country it is regarded as a miracle if someone does the will of God.” In this spirit, we humble ourselves to a greater Guide us, O Lord, call, for a greater good. With a humble spirit, we focus our priority on the finest values of our faith, like loving-kindness, as we have discussed this week. Humility keeps us grounded in what we believe. that your thoughts The word humble comes from the Latin “humus,” meaning ground or earth. Feet firmly planted. “Down to earth,” as become our thoughts they say. Humility impedes any inflation of ego or pride that lifts us off that grounding. It resists distractions into vanity or self-absorption. There is less need to claim the stage for ourselves, to make it about us. With humility, we and your ways become can be there for others with compassion. Saint Catherine of Siena expressed it in a way that translates across the centuries, “No virtue can have life in it except from charity, and charity is nursed and mothered by humility.” our path.

Peter encouraged in his epistle, “… clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another…” (I Peter 5:5) In the same spirit, the word ministry comes from the Latin “minor” which literally translates lessor. Anyone who engaged in a personal ministry, ordained or not, is one who serves another. Ministry, in all its areas, is a humble form of service.

In the field of advertising it is understood that everyone listens to one radio station: WII-FM.What’s in it for me? The attitude of humility, in contrast, is what’s in it for you? Those who are humble know who they are, feel solid about it, and have no need for the moment to be about them. “… learn from me,” Jesus said, “for I am gentle and humble in heart...” (Matthew 11:29)

I am reminded of that tense scene from the scriptures, when a heated discussion broke out among the disciples over the future seating arrangements on the dais in the Kingdom of Heaven. The other disciples were unhappy after the request had been made that perhaps James and John could be seated at Jesus’ right and at his left. Can’t you just see Jesus’ expression? I picture him looking down, his head slowly shaking. How badly they didn’t get it. It was in that moment Jesus redefined what greatness really means. “… whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:28)

Jesus’ kind of greatness requires humility. Humility is about submitting to a greater cause – and thus connecting us to our deepest selves.

Prayer: Create a humble heart in me, O Lord, seeking first your will for my life. In Christ name. Amen.

12 13 respectSunday, Nov. 6 - Saturday, Nov. 12 | Written by Leslie Watkins

We turn to each other with respect and Know this, my beloved; openness for the choices let every person be quick to hear, and decisions that differ slow to speak, slow to anger. from our own. James 1:19

14 15 this week

prayers, politics, & peace sermon: respect sunday, nov. 6 Unconditional 8:45 & 11:15 am

love doesnt ‘ judge. To serve someone in God’s name choral evensong requires us to respect their value sunday, nov. 6 in God’s sight, whether or not 5:00 pm, sanctuary we have anything in common.

election prayer vigil sunday, nov. 6 12:00 am - 11:00 pm

16 17 And so we are stuck, fuming, hating the “other,” and feeling hopeless, afraid and defeated. On Sunday mornings we may | Sunday, November 6, 2016 | Leslie Watkins be eager to send mission teams to foreign countries, to give a cup of cold water to the thirsty, to help build a house for a Respect homeless family, and even sing and pray about being one body of believers, but when it comes to our brothers and sisters on the opposite political side, we have cut them off and discounted them. Perhaps we all need to be reminded that R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Respect. respect is a core component of love, and as Christians we are called to a life of love – love for God and love for others. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies Dr. Seuss, a delightful theologian, tells many stories that have themes relevant to our spiritual lives. I adored his books and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons and daughters of your Father who is in heaven. For he as a child and one story in particular comes to mind as I think about our political world. It’s found in his book, The makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love Sneetches and other Stories. You might recall his story about a North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax. These Zax are you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and your two identical furry creatures walking through the prairie of Prax on the same exact path, but headed directly toward sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” Matthew 5:43-48 each other. “And it happened that both of them came to a place where they bumped. There they stood. Foot to foot. 1 2 “And I saw on this hill, since my eyesight’s so keen, the two biggest fools that have ever been seen! And the fools that Face to face.” And neither of them would budge in the least. “Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east!” I saw were none other than you, who seem to have nothing else better to do than sit here and argue who’s better than Like many of us, these two Zax are stuck. They choose to stay right where they are while the world goes on around who!” Dr. Seuss them. Perhaps they are afraid of budging. Perhaps they feel entitled to have everything their own way because they In her famous song, Aretha Franklin shouts, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!” Is there have to be “right.” Perhaps they have very legitimate reasons for not budging, or for being afraid, or for being angry. anyone who doesn’t get down when they hear that? I’m a huge Aretha fan and this just might be my favorite. My daughter But their choice to stay where they are gets them nowhere. They don’t go forward. They can’t go backward. They remembers learning to sing and dance to it with me in the kitchen when she was just a toddler. Everyone loves this song, make no impact on their world whatsoever. And I have to wonder, what would happen if they made a different choice? and not just because it has a good beat and you can dance to it. We love it because of the lyrics. The words resonate deep It might be fun this week to listen to some Aretha Franklin and dance in the kitchen while you cook supper. It might within our souls. When we sing “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!” along with Aretha, we belt it out from the be fun to grab a copy of The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss, paying close attention to The Zax (although The core of our being, whether we actually sound like her or not. This song speaks a universal truth: Everyone wants respect. Sneetches and What Was I Scared Of? are both equally profound.) And deep down in our souls we all believe we are entitled to respect, not necessarily for our achievement or knowledge, but Turn off your television! Put down your cell phone! Go for a walk in the park. Talk to someone you don’t know very for the simple fact that we are living, breathing human beings. We believe that we deserve to be acknowledged, listened well and listen, really listen, to their story. Look for God in new and unexpected places. Be willing to give respect if to, understood, and appreciated. To be treated by others without basic human respect is degrading and dehumanizing. you want to receive it. That’s what I’m going to do. And I hope you’ll join me each day this week as we contemplate Have you ever considered what “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” means to you? the theme “Respect” and its place and purpose in our lives as followers of Jesus.

Every human being wants and needs respect. If we are psychologically healthy, we expect it to be given to us as we go Prayer: Holy God, You made all people in your image, and yet you give each of us different strengths, abilities, ideas, through our everyday lives, in our homes, our communities, our work places, schools, churches and anywhere we are opinions and experiences. Your desire is for us to use what you have given us to make the world a better place. Help around other people. The attitude of mutual respect is necessary for a civilized society. But lately it seems we are much us to remember that your promises are greater and more abundant than anything we can imagine. Give us wisdom to more focused on getting respect for ourselves than we are on giving it to others, especially in our heated political arena. put all of our faith and trust in you and you alone, O Eternal God, our source of hope and the provider and protector of our future. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen. It seems we have all chosen our political side and drawn a thick, heavy line in the sand. Here we stand, fiercely protecting our position, clenching our fists and digging in our heels. We refuse to budge even so little as to extend common courtesy to anyone on the other political side. We have sometimes ended friendships and sometimes gone so far as to write off our own family members, citing our favorite Bible verses as the reason we are right and they are wrong. There is no respect for 1 Suess. “The Zax.” The Sneetches: And Other Stories. New York: Random House, 1961. 28-29. Print. the “other.” In fact, we can’t even listen to each other with respect, with the goal of truly understanding and appreciating 2 Ibid where “they” are coming from, can we? After all, we know “they” aren’t listening to us, and we fear that if we’re not careful “they” are going to take everything away from us.

18 19 There are two kinds of pride: one that stems from self-righteousness and one that comes from a job well done. St. | Monday, November 7, 2016 | Leslie Watkins Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) said that self-righteous pride “is the commencement of all sin,” and a quick read Respect through the Book of Proverbs reveals that God hates it. God hates self-righteous pride because it keeps us from seeking God. Psalms 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Entertain new ideas. God.” To live with this kind of pride is to be so blinded by it that we believe we have no need of God, or that we have “A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Proverbs 29:23 somehow earned God’s acceptance.

The Lorax: “Which way does a tree fall?” Pride stifles us in our relationship with God and in our relationships with others. Our belief that we know better than The Once-ler: “Uh, down?” God keeps us from seeking God’s wisdom in all things—a wisdom that can be summed up by Paul’s words to the The Lorax: “A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.” Dr. Seuss Colossian church: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) The two Zax in the Dr. Seuss story become stuck in the middle of the prairie of Prax and neither one is willing to budge. A war of words and posturing begins, with striking resemblance to the one to which we have all been subjected over the We all have convictions and beliefs. Some we are willing to challenge, some we don’t dare question. It is ok to stand past several months during the Presidential campaign. on them, assuming they value the sanctity and dignity of all life, but we must also make allowances for others to have their own ideas and opinions. Being challenged isn’t a bad thing. It can sometimes help to make our convictions “Who’s in whose way?” snapped the South-Going Zax. stronger, wider, deeper or richer. And it costs us nothing to respect the convictions and beliefs of others, as we hope I always go south, making south-going tracks. to be given the same respect. So you’re in MY way! And I ask you to move And let me go south in my south-going groove.” The danger of holding too tightly to our convictions comes when our identity is tied up in them and they become a source of pride. Pride isolates us by putting a great wall between ourselves and others, those closest to us and the “Then the North-Going Zax puffed his chest up with pride. rest of the world, especially the ones on the “outside” for whom God specifically calls us to show compassion and care. “I never,” he said, “take a step to one side. And I’ll prove to you that I won’t change my ways God wants us to have a rich, full life and gives us the freedom to go out into the world to love others by serving them If I have to keep standing here fifty-nine days.”3 in the name of Christ. To do this is to experience the joy of Christ, a privilege he offers us. I have no doubt that people followed Jesus because he listened to them and sought relationship with them. His unconditional love transformed The North-Going Zax and the South-going Zax become locked in a battle of pride and it gets them nowhere. There are them just as it transforms us, when we accept it. ways they could compromise and move forward but they are too stubborn to do so. From our vantage point, we realize there are simple ways for them to move forward, but it would require one (or both) to change ever so slightly in his way One of the basic components of being in relationship is to share our innermost thoughts and ideas in a safe place of of thinking. One Zax could offer to take a quick step to the east or the west and allow the other to pass, jumping right mutual respect. It’s interesting, if you think about it, that it is impossible to love someone unconditionally while you back on his path. Or, they could both agree to take a half-step in different directions, move forward and be on their way. are judging them. Unconditional love doesn’t judge. Jesus opened his heart to all people with compassion and love. The ones who followed him opened their hearts to his words and were transformed in the process. James Kemp, in his book, The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, says “The fundamental flaw in the North-Going Zax and the South-Going Zax is pride. If we are honest, we will acknowledge that this same fundamental problem permeates human relationships in many different settings: internationally, nationally, and domestically in our communities and families.”4 Kemp argues that our pride “keeps us from growing as individuals and as the community of Christ if we are unwilling to change, unwilling to budge, unwilling to consider someone else’s feelings and perspectives.”5

3 Suess. “The Zax.” The Sneetches: And Other Stories. New York: Random House, 1961. 30-31. Print. 4 Kemp, James, The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, Judson Press, Valley Forge, 2004; p. 30. 5 Ibid

20 21 Journal Question: Someone once said, “People may forget what you say, but they never forget how you made them feel.” Have you recently shut someone out of your life because their beliefs and convictions offend you? What might it take for you to reach out to them and offer them some space to be themselves in your presence? How might that change your relationship with them? How might they see Jesus reflected in your actions?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I desire this day to serve you, to take up my own cross and follow you. You know the best way I can help others in my life today. Show me and walk with me. Give me strength to do the next right thing today, no matter the cost. May others come to know you through the transforming power of your love and may your name be If you take the time to forever glorified. Amen. truly listen to someone, to hear their struggles, their hopes and dreams, their sorrows and pain, and allow them to share your own story, it is possible to fall in love with every single person on the planet.

22 23 We live in a hurting world. With just a quick peek at the daily news headlines, we learn of human suffering and | Tuesday, November 8, 2016 | Leslie Watkins oppression taking place all over the world, in our own nation and in our own communities. It’s sometimes overwhelming Respect to think that we can do anything to help or to change the way things are going. But I believe we can. I believe that through our small acts of selfless service we can make small differences that add up to major changes. How can it be? R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Serve. Because we do them out of respect and love for God Almighty, who created the universe, ordered the stars and fed “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo 5000 out of 5 loaves and 3 fishes. When we offer ourselves in service to God and do our best each and every day, one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in God uses our little efforts for greater good, greater than we can possibly imagine. What we seem to have forgotten, suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who is that when we do these small selfless things, not only are we making the world a better place, but we are happier, persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in more fulfilled and more joyful. harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do Peachtree Road UMC focuses on the worship of God, growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ and serving others. not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends Service is a part of who we are and it comes from living a life of respect for God and respect for all of humanity. To on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:9-18 serve someone in God’s name requires us to respect their value in God’s sight, whether or not we have anything in “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Dr. Seuss common with them. But the secret gift we get in return is that our hearts are opened. When we serve others we are privileged to see others as God sees them. Like Dr. Seuss’s Grinch, our hearts expand larger and larger and life My father always reminded me as I left the house, ‘Remember who you are.” It used to drive me crazy because becomes sweeter and sweeter. sometimes, especially during my teen and college years, I would think, “I have no idea who I am. That’s what I’m trying to figure out!” It wasn’t until reading an Upper Room devotional many years later that I realized what my We have countless opportunities each day to show God’s love to someone, whether it is a neighbor who needs a kind father meant. That day’s devotional was entitled, “Remember Whose You Are,” and suddenly it dawned on me that word, a friend who needs a shoulder to cry on, an estranged family member who just needs to hear our voice, or even my father’s admonition meant, ‘Remember you are a Lyons and that you are held to a high standard of behavior” the barista at Starbucks who looks frazzled while trying to tend to everyone’s order. God will take even our smallest (admittedly, I sometimes did better than others…). I now find myself saying it to my own children as they leave the sacrifices and bring about enormous change, not only in our world, but in our own lives. house. “Remember who you are.” Journal Question: Can you imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced small acts of kindness on a Paul’s words above could be summarized as “Remember who and whose you are! You are the children of God, regular basis? How much would it cost you? Is it worth it? followers of Jesus Christ, and you are held to a higher standard.” It’s a tall order and requires great strength, courage Prayer: Holy God, You know our hearts, our hopes, fears and desires, our broken places and our hurting places. Thank and faith to do everything he says to do. “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.” “Be patient you for loving us and for believing in us, even when we stumble. Thank you for turning our sorrow in to joy, our failures in suffering.” “Don’t repay anyone evil for evil.” Really, Paul? Really? into growth and our pride into peace. Help us to trust you with our whole hearts, to live as we profess to believe, Christians are called to a higher standard of living, a standard that requires self-sacrifice and service. Our standard, set forgiving others as we have been forgiven, and loving others as we have been loved. In your Son’s holy name we pray, by Jesus, goes counter to what is accepted, expected and sometimes even rewarded by the rest of the world, which Amen. tells us that life is about getting power, prestige and possessions. We are called to follow Jesus who instead offers abundant life and allows us a glimpse of the Kingdom of heaven even as we live on earth. But knowing this and doing it are two different things. We know we must become meek, associate with the lowly and live peaceably with all, but it isn’t always easy.

24 25 Rachel left every one of her training sessions a new person. Her friendship base grew richer each time. She learned | Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | Leslie Watkins that there are always many different perspectives and that they can each have validity. But, most importantly, she now Respect has an enormous capacity for understanding and relating to others. This gives her a youthful sense of curiosity and infectious joy that makes her what I like to call a “people magnet.” Everyone wants to be around her because she is R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Perspective. someone who looks for the good in everyone, she respects everyone’s opinions and perspectives, and she genuinely “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 loves all people.

“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” Dr. Seuss God loves us even though we can do nothing to deserve it, and yet, the way we treat each other reflects our love and respect for God. The privilege we have as followers of Christ is to live and love without fear. God doesn’t ask us to do anything that isn’t good for us and God knows we are designed for relationships. It’s one of the ways we are made in the image of Journal Question: Henri Nouwen wrote, “In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged 6 God. It is in our relationships that we grow and learn about the world and ourselves. It is in relationships that we have vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds.” How different might our world the opportunity to experience life through a new perspective and perhaps learn more about God in the process. This be if we lived a life of love for others out of respect for the love we have been so freely given? is a good thing! Prayer: Loving and Merciful God, Help us to see our brothers and sisters through your eyes. Help us to extend a hand There’s a joke about heaven that always makes me chuckle, but also gives me pause for thought. It tells of a man to those in need, to seek out those who are lost, and to welcome even those with whom we have differences. Let our (let’s call him a Methodist), who goes to the pearly gates of heaven. St. Peter welcomes him and leads him down a actions reflect your light of love in a world that is so tainted with hatred, division and fear. Amen. vast corridor to an enormous banquet room full of colorful decorations, music, food and all different kinds of people celebrating and rejoicing. As they walk, St. Peter suddenly hushes the man and tells him to duck down beneath a large window as they pass by. The man asks, “Why?” St. Peter says, “Because, that’s the (let’s call it Baptist) room. We can’t let them see us because they think they’re the only ones here.” (In truth, we could tell that on ourselves, couldn’t we?)

What if instead of limiting ourselves to relationships with those who are just like us, who think like us, worship like us, share our same lifestyles and likes and dislikes, we were to truly rejoice and be glad that there are people who don’t always agree with us, who come from different backgrounds and faith traditions and experiences? What if we were to shower them with the generosity of respect long enough to really listen to them and get to know them?

My dear friend Rachel is a certified Life Coach and she recently taught me a valuable lesson. While she was in training, Rachel would spend weeks at a time in close, intimate conversations over various topics, with a small group of other trainees she had never met before. Some of them she initially didn’t like, some she couldn’t bear to be in the same room with, and some she bonded with instantly. But after the weeks of training ended, she always grieved the loss of their close proximity, even the ones she couldn’t bear at first.

She taught me this: “If you take the time to truly listen to someone, to hear their struggles, their hopes and dreams, their sorrows and pain, and allow them to share your own story, it is possible to fall in love with every single person on the planet.”

6 Nouwen, Henri. “Being Living Signs of Love - Henri Nouwen Society.” Henri Nouwen Society. The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, 2016. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.

26 27 As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to live by his teachings and example, to love God and to love others as we | Thursday, November 10, 2016 | Leslie Watkins love ourselves, even when doing so feels uncomfortable. Jesus even tells us to love our enemies. That doesn’t mean Respect we want them to triumph over us, but we can pray for them to be made whole, to experience the love of God and for a peaceful reconciliation. R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Empathy. We are called to be doers of the Word, especially when it brings us into relationships with people we don’t understand, “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger with whom we have little in common, and whose opinions and beliefs we may not share. This is what sets us apart does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and from the rest of the world. Others will know we are Christians by our love, not by our words about love, and certainly welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not not by an attitude of disrespect for anyone who is different from us. merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But To be doers of the Word requires us to show respect to every other human being because God first loved us, freely, those who look into the perfect law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they without our having to earn it. Love is a way of living, it’s not necessarily a feeling. Respect is also a way of living, and will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, the paradox of both love and respect is that the more we give them to others, the more we get back in return. their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:19-27 Journal: Why is it difficult to lay aside my differences and befriend someone who is completely different than I am? Can I love my enemy? Why or why not? Is there something holding me back that keeps me from loving others the “Think and Wonder. Wonder and Think.” Dr. Seuss way I am loved by God?

The word respect is defined as a “feeling,” one of admiration or esteem. It means that we honor the worth of the Prayer: Merciful God, I confess that I have sometimes turned away from your love and sought my own way. I have person we have encountered and pay proper attention to them, trying to understand them clearly and disregarding our listened to the wrong voices that tell me to be afraid and keep me from trusting in you. I have not loved my neighbor own prejudices, likes or dislikes. This is in contrast to being oblivious to someone’s existence, or to dismiss or disregard as myself. Forgive me, I pray. Help me to turn to you fully, to worship you with my whole heart, and to accept your who they are. forgiveness and love. Transform me into the person you want me to be. Amen. There are two schools of thought about respect: one is that respect must be earned and the other is that respect is given freely. The first thought holds that if we don’t feel admiration for someone, or consider them to be good or of value, we withhold our respect until they have earned it (typically by our own standards).

The danger in this is that we can justify disrespecting those we don’t like simply because they don’t make us feel good. Those whose appearance, language, behavior, beliefs or opinions aren’t pleasing to us must do something to change our feelings about them before we respect them. We must constantly determine whether others measure up or not, 29 judging them by whether or not we think they are worthy. If they make us feel good, we respect them. If not, they have to earn it. This leaves us with no middle ground: we either respect or disrespect “others.”

The other school of thought holds that respect must be given freely to everyone, whether or not we like them, whether or not we agree with them, and even whether or not we believe that they are a good person. We grant them respect simply because they are human beings, just like we are, and we allow for differences. We don’t have to judge them, we don’t have to agree with them and they don’t have to do anything to earn our respect as a fellow human being.

28 29 He says “Fear keeps us from loving deeply, keeps us from giving freely and keeps us from dreaming wildly,” and we miss | Friday, November 11, 2016 | Leslie Watkins out because we busy ourselves with finding ways to play it safe. “The worst thing you can do is to be fear focused. You Respect cannot be filled with fear because fear will breed upon itself and it will simply expand and reproduce and there will be even more fear in your life. Fear creates spiritual amnesia we forget all the good things God has done. We seem to R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Courage. forget all the ways God has carried us through. We get so focused on the present issue that we forget about the fact “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12 that God has brought us through time and time again.”

“You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure When we focus on fear it eventually becomes our god. God didn’t put us here to be safe. God put us here to live when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be in faith, and, as McDaniel says, “for a great adventure of how God is going to work in your life.” God wants us to dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” Dr. Seuss experience full lives, stepping out in faith as we serve God and love others. We will miss out on God’s abundance when we withdraw and hide under our security blankets. Fear can be paralyzing. It is the emotion that comes in response to things that threaten our immediate security or safety, such as having a car pull in front of us unexpectedly. But we also experience fear as a sense of dread of things We are called to a life of courage as we practice our faith in God, following God’s will for our lives. Don’t wait until you such as death, or failure/success, or the future. Fearing the future can be debilitating, especially when we believe we are no longer afraid! Move forward today and do the next right thing, in spite of what others are doing and in spite of might have little or no control over what happens to us next. We can spend years trying to dance around this kind of your own fears. fear, praying for it to go away or denying its existence, but the truth is, fear won’t go away until we walk through it. Journal Question: Who is telling you to be afraid? Are you allowing fear to control your decisions and your relationships God doesn’t want us to live in fear; God wants us to act with bold courage. In fact, the decision to move forward in with others? How might your life be different if you chose to live with courage? spite of fear is what is known as courage. Prayer: O God, your claim on our lives is great. We want to receive your blessings but we don’t always want to hold We admire the courageous, and especially those who risk their lives for the sake of the greater good. Malala Yousafzai, up our end of the covenant. We distract ourselves from listening to your still, small voice and then when things go Nelson Mandela, and Rosa Parks are just a few of our modern day heroes, those who have made a real difference in wrong we wonder where you are. It is we who have lost our ability to hear you clearly. Call us to prayer. Call us to our world. These individuals didn’t change things with mere words, they changed things by their actions. be still and listen. Give us courage to follow your will. Amen. If you are fearful of the future, the ministries of PRUMC invite you to move forward through that fear by making real changes. Here you have opportunities to study scripture, work for better education for all children, feed those who are hungry, and pray for unity and a spirit of collaboration to do God’s will together. We do this out of respect for the One who tells us, “Love Others,” “Don’t be afraid,” “Have courage.”

Pastor Rick McDaniel says, “What makes Christianity unique is that we are the Faith that teaches love. And yet, even though love is the central theme of Christianity, the number one statement that Jesus makes more than any other statement is, “Don’t be fearful. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus knew fear holds too many people back from God’s best for their lives.”7

7 McDaniel, Rick. “Faith Over Fear: The Bible’s #1 Statement Is ‘Don’t Be Afraid’” Christian Post. Christian Post, 5 Nov. 2015. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.

30 31 He recalled how he and the other Zax came toe to toe that day in the hot summer sun, each on their own journey. The | Saturday, November 12, 2016 | Leslie Watkins other Zax was coming from the exact opposite direction and they shared their legitimate reasons for not wanting to Respect budge. One said he couldn’t budge because he was afraid of what would happen if he did. The other said he couldn’t budge because his way was the only way he could possibly go. It had been so long ago he couldn’t recollect who said R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Trust. what, but after an intense argument, each Zax arrogantly crossed his arms in defiance and sternly stared each other “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, down for a long, long time. If you know a Zax, you know how stubborn they can be. and do not rely on your own understanding. But then, something amazing happened. As the sun began to set, the two Zax watched as their shadows grew taller In all your ways acknowledge him, and taller on the sand beneath them. They both saw exactly how ridiculous they looked standing there in the middle and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 of the dessert, two creatures stuck in gridlock with so much space around them. “You’re off to Great Places! It started off as a nose wiggle, but as soon as one Zax let out a giggle, they both fell into the biggest fit of laughter Today is your day! either of them had ever experienced. One of them said, “What are we thinking??? Are we going to stand here for 59 Your mountain is waiting, years?” The other said, “I don’t know about you, but I have better things to do than to just stand here and argue. What So... get on your way!” Dr. Seuss do you say? What can we do to get back on our way?”

The Zax: A Retelling And, after lengthy discussion, they agreed to each take a step to the side and let each other pass. But, the Zax, being Travel weary, the lonely Zax journeyed toward the edge of the Prairie of Prax. At the top of the last dune he looked only mostly smart, forgot to decide who would go west and who would go east. So, holding their breath at the count out, shaded his eyes with his hand and blinked twice, squinting in the sunlight. “It shouldn’t be long now,” he thought, of “One-two-three!” they each took a bold step… in the same direction! Surprised and embarrassed to discover they relieved at being almost home. He noticed clouds forming over the valley way off in the distance, and just then he were still blocking each other, they each took a timid step back to where they were. noticed something unusual. He wasn’t sure but it looked to be someone, perhaps another Zax, jumping up and down and wildly waving his arms. Then they tried again, “One-two-three!” This time, each took a bold step…in the other direction! Flustered, they awkwardly repeated this several times, never getting the tiniest bit out of each other’s way. Finally, one of them He scowled and said to himself, “Who in the world could that be?” As he trudged down the dune, he let his mind travel shrugged his shoulders, reached out and said, “Shall we dance?” The other one held out his arms and, laughing back many years, to a similar time when he found himself approaching an unknown stranger… hysterically, they spun each other around and around until they were both so dizzy they fell to the ground.

It was that hottest of hot summer days in the Prairie of Prax, he recalled. He had been on his journey only a short while Settling down into the warm sand, they both realized that not only were they not on their own paths, but they were and was still excited about being chosen as his tribe’s representative. His mission was to walk in one straight path, in both facing the “wrong” directions. And guess what? The world kept spinning. Nothing catastrophic happened. In one exact direction, around the small planet where the Zax creatures dwelled. fact, the Zax recalled, that was absolutely the most breathtaking view of the sky and the Prairie of Prax he could remember. He had never seen things from that direction before. Seeing things in a new light he realized he had never Being trained in his tribe’s way of doing things, the Zax had been given explicit instructions, “Hold your ground,” “Never noticed the colors and textures or the clouds this way before. budge.” After all, going in one direction, on one path, seemed to be the only certain way he would make it back home. It had been determined long ago to be the safest way to live.

His one worry was that he would let them down by becoming distracted and wandering off his path. He worried about the shame of public opinion if he failed to do things the way he was taught. He was afraid that one step out of line would cause everything to fall apart. He was sure that one inch to the east or the west would unravel everything he held to be true and might even put him in danger. “Ah, but that was a long, long time ago…,” the Zax said to himself, “and I was different then. How could I have known then what I know now?”

32 33 As the sun lowered in the sky, both Zax agreed it would be a good idea to stay put for the evening. One reached into his sack and pulled out a parcel wrapped in parchment. “I don’t have anything to drink,” he said, “but I have this bread. Would you care to join me?” The other pulled out a dark green canteen and said, “I don’t have any bread, but I do have this wine! Would you like some?” And as the endless blue sky turned to rich, glowing colors, the two creatures shared a meal together and told exciting tales of their adventures. Call us to prayer. The Zax closed his eyes for a moment and wondered whatever happened to his friend. He wondered if he made it through the other side of the Prairie of Prax and back to his own village. He imagined the great celebration he knew Call us to be still and listen. would have taken place for his friend, much like the one he anticipated at his own arrival home…music, dancing, the roast beast… Give us courage to follow your will.

Suddenly a familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “You made it! We’ve all been waiting for you! Welcome home!” He recognized it at once and grinned ear to ear as he shouted back, “Is it really you?”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I hear you calling me to a full, abundant life and a future with hope. I hear you commanding me to walk in your ways, to follow your path, and, Lord, I so want to get it right. I want to be the person you created me to be. I want to show you how much I love you by sacrificing my will for yours.

But this world sometimes confuses and distracts me. I see others doing things I wouldn’t do and I become afraid. I hear others saying things I wouldn’t say and I become impatient. I get discouraged and I retreat, rather than fully experiencing the joy of living and growing in faith through relationships with others, especially those who are different from me.

Remind me that you did not give me a spirit of fear. Keep my heart open to you through worship, repentance, prayer and service. Help me to trust that you are the one who will make my path straight. Give me courage to go forth to love and serve you and grant me peace and joy in all of my relationships.

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

34 35 unity Sunday, Nov. 13 - Saturday, Nov. 19 | Written by Jamie Jenkins

We turn to God to For he himself is our peace, help us create a unified who has made two groups one spirit, as we lovingly and has destroyed the barrier, live out the true the dividing wall of hostility. values and ideas of our Ephesians 2:14 Christian faith. 36 37 this week

prayers, politics, & peace sermon: together sunday, nov. 13 8:45 & 11:15 am Courage Be gentle with one another, sensitive.

service of unity & peace Forgive one another as quickly and self- control sunday, nov. 13 and thoroughly as God lead to unity. 8:45 & 11:15 am in Christ forgave you.

missions market sunday, nov. 13 9:00 am, grace hall

38 39 The words of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians are applicable to our current situation. | Sunday, November 13, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Unity Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your After many months of extremely confrontational and extravagantly expensive campaigning, the 45th President of the life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, and United States was elected last Tuesday. profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ At the time of this writing the election is three months away so we do not know who the new president will be. Pollsters forgave you. Wake up from your sleep. Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper provide much information that may assist in determining the outcome. Political pundits make their projections but the behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. results are unknown as these words are written. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 4:29-5:2, The Message When this is read on November 13, 2016 all speculation has ended. Promises have been made. Accusations and insinuations have flowed freely. Now the nation has made its decision. I am sure that many people are ecstatic and Prayer: Lord, help us to act and speak in ways that build up each other. many others are disappointed.

What are we to do now? If “our” candidate won or lost the election, the response needs to be the same. We need to come together to make the most of the decision. The outcome of this election is determined by the person who gets one vote more than the nearest candidate. Majority rules in a democratic society. That does not mean the majority is always right. The winning vote is not always an indication that the achieved results are the best. Regardless, the need now is to come together in unity around common goals and work for the common good of all people.

A “winners and losers” attitude will not be helpful as we move forward. American writer and philosopher Elbert Hubbard counsels us to “Minimize friction and create harmony. You can get friction for nothing, but harmony costs courage and self-control.”

Courage and self-control lead to unity. The moment calls for people who will be bold enough to maintain a strong presence while exercising self-control in interactions with others of differing ideas. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that “unity has never meant uniformity.” In other words, we don’t have to give up our deeply held beliefs and march in lockstep in order to be unified.

40 41 Unity | Monday, November 14, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins “United we stand, divided we fall” is a phrase that is well known and has been widely used to inspire unity. Wikipedia says, “Its core concept lies in the …notion that as individual members of a certain group with binding ideals… work on their own instead of as a team, they are each doomed to fail and will all be defeated.”

One of our Founding Fathers, John Dickinson (1732–1808), wrote the lyrics to The Liberty Song in 1768. In the song he wrote: “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!” Patrick Henry used the phrase in his last public speech in which he denounced efforts to advance states’ rights.

In his unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate, Abraham Lincoln gave one of his best-known speeches. In his debates with Stephen Douglas he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.”

Many popular songs have used the theme “United we stand, divided we fall.” The Brotherhood of Man, Sonny and

Cher, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Tupak Shakur, and many others have asserted that belief. Lord, unite our hearts, minds, and spirits

This phrase has been attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop. One of Aesop’s Greek fables tells of four oxen so that we can stand together. who lived in the forest. They were very good friends and always went together to graze in the fields. However, every time they went, a hungry lion tried to attack them. The lion longed for their meat but they withstood his attack by fighting him as a team. They attacked him with their horns and the lion fled to another forest. One day, the four oxen fought among themselves. They started going to the forest separately.

When the lion returned, he saw that the group was divided. He planned to take advantage of this situation. Finding the first ox grazing in the fields alone, he crept from behind and ate him up. The next day, he attacked the second ox and killed it. This way he killed the third and the fourth ox too. Had the four oxen stayed together, they wouldn’t have lost their lives.

A similar phrase also appears in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus declares that unity within oneself is essential as he proclaims, “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25, Matthew 12:25, Luke 11:17). Surely what is true of the individual is true of any corporate entity.

The makeup of a human being is incredibly complex. There are several main systems that make up the human body and each has a different function. The cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems are not identical but when they, and other systems, work in unity a healthy individual is the result. Jesus is not suggesting a simplistic thought. But unity is essential for the health of the body, nation, church, family, and society in general.

Prayer: Lord, unite our hearts, minds, and spirits so that we can stand together.

42 43 Jesse Robredo, former Interior Secretary of the Philippines, said to his constituents, “What brings us together as a | Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins nation is far more powerful than what pulls us apart. During these times of conflict, unity is most important for our Unity nation. We may come from different walks of life or different advocacies, but our dreams are the same: that each Peter Scholtes was a Catholic priest serving St. Brendan’s parish on the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s. He was (person) will live a dignified, prosperous life.” looking for an appropriate song for the youth choir he was leading to sing at a series of ecumenical, interracial events. On June 23 British citizens voted 52 to 48 percent to leave the European Union. One of the main factors was concerns When he could not find what he wanted, he wrote the now famous hymn, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, over open borders and massive flows of immigration. In its official response to the referendum the Church of England in one day. stated, “As citizens of the United Kingdom, whatever our views during the referendum campaign, we must now unite in The song is inspired by John 13:35. Jesus said, “By this shall everyone know that you are my disciples, that you have a common task to build a generous and forward looking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world. love for one another.” Francis Schaeffer says this is the one undeniable characteristic of Christians — love for each We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers.” other. Later on Jesus prayed for His disciples that they would be of one heart and one mind reflecting the oneness Loving each other does not mean that you will not have differences and disagreements. However, the way persons that He had with His father. He said it was in unity that they would experience joy (John 17). respond to each other is tempered by that affection. Speech and actions are altered. The well-being of the other is Love creates strength through harmony. Thomas Paine said, “It is not in numbers but in unity that our great strength paramount. There is unity of purpose even when different ideas may be present. lies.” If you love someone or something you do all you can to nurture it and build it up. You demonstrate a positive As Christians and American citizens it is important that we exhibit this attitude as we move forward as a country. This attitude and speak words of encouragement. You stand in solidarity. will assure that America remains a great nation.

“Love never gives up. Prayer: Lord, teach us how to love each other so the world can see the One who loves us all. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.” I Corinthians 13:4-7, The Message

44 45 Salvation Army co-founder, Catherine Booth, said ‘If this passage does not teach that in the privileges, duties, and | Wednesday, November 16, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins responsibilities of Christ’s Kingdom, all differences of nation, caste, and sex are abolished, we should like to know what Unity it does teach, and wherefore it was written.” If Booth was around today, she would probably add a number of other Even with all the entertainment that modern technology provides, millions of people enjoy putting jigsaw puzzles categories of people to the list. together. In the United States more people enjoy jigsaws each year than any other table game. Some folks say that No matter what our ethnicity, political affiliation, theological persuasion, gender, age, lifestyle, or anything else, we are putting jigsaw puzzles together is the ultimate relaxation. called upon to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). It is not To begin you should spread the puzzle out on the table or other flat surface. Next every single piece should be turned enough to subscribe to this theoretical concept, it requires our response on the practical and personal level. over so the picture side is facing upward. While you’re turning pieces over, you start sorting them and putting them Prayer: O God, enable us to see that we are all Your children. Help us to value each other and the unique role You in piles according to color, lines, patterns, or shapes. Jigsaw puzzle pieces come in six basic shapes, ranging from zero have designed for every individual. “knobs” and four “holes” to four knobs and zero holes, and all permutations in between.

When a puzzle is put together each piece is interconnected to the other pieces. Alone a piece is inadequate; a single piece cannot show you the whole picture. Likewise if one or more pieces of the puzzle are missing then the puzzle is lacking an essential part and is incomplete.

Mother Teresa said, “I can do things you cannot. You can do things that I cannot. Together we can do great things.” So it is. Each of us is an important piece of the puzzle of society. Every individual has something to offer to the whole.

The concept of jigsaw puzzles is that every piece has its place in the big picture. Each one has a different shape that is made to fit together with other pieces to complete the design. One size or shape is not more important than any other. All are needed. Unity is attained through diversity.

So it is in the church and society at large. Each individual is a unique creation of God. Just like puzzle pieces we come in all sizes and shapes. Our skin pigment makes a colorful rainbow and our opinions and ideas are far from identical. We have different interests and abilities. We are incomplete alone but together we compose the picture of God’s world.

The Apostle Paul said, “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.” (Galatians 3:28-29)

46 47 Margaret Steen writing to job seekers says that employers consistently say they want a team player. This means | Thursday, November 17, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins someone who can “put the team goals and the team accountability ahead of their own individual situation,” according Unity to Steve Kass, president for the Great Plains district of Robert Half International. One of the most memorable venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing was the Water Cube, formally named the Henry Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line but his innovations revolutionized the automobile Beijing National Aquatics Center. This facility that hosted swimming and diving events could hold 17,000 spectators. industry and made the automobile affordable for middle class Americans. He said, “Teamwork is the ability to work The building won prestigious engineering and design awards, and cost an estimated 10.2 billion yuan ($1.5 billion together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. USD). The structure was the joint effort of several global and Chinese design companies and many consultants and It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” contractors. According to the Harvard Business Review, the goal was to “build an iconic structure to reflect Chinese culture, integrate with the site, and minimize energy consumption—on time and within budget.” Functioning as a team is much like the image the Bible gives of the Church (I Corinthians 12). There is more to it than just working together. It involves respecting, valuing, trusting, and caring for one another. The secret to unity begins The amount of coordination and teamwork required to accomplish such an architectural and functional facility is with how we view ourselves within the body and how we view others. The Psalmist describes this unity as “good and unimaginable. It is inconceivable how much conversation and compromise that was needed. This eye popping pleasant.” It is certainly desirable and expected in the Church. architectural feat could not have been accomplished without intentional and continual teamwork. This level of cooperation and accommodation is not always achieved. Prayer: O Lord, Your work is accomplished on earth when we all pull together. Help each of us to do our part.

Sports fans and athletes know the importance of contributing what one has to offer and accepting teammates as equals that complement each other. As important as that is, there are times when this ideal is not realized. An extreme example of this came to light a couple of years ago with the news that bullying from teammates Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey, and John Jerry led to Jonathan Martin’s decision to leave the Miami Dolphins NFL football team, as well as contribute to his mental health and suicidal thoughts.

SB Nation reported that Incognito and Martin “had every reason as teammates to be friends, but they were not. Incognito harassed and bullied Martin. He called him a racial slur in a voicemail played by every media outlet in the country. He threatened to kill him and his family. Incognito claimed all of this was just locker room talk. It is the way the guys talk to one another in the NFL.”

A sports team can have a lot of strong and talented players but unless they recognize the various gifts among them and respect each other, they will not excel. A group of people do not necessarily constitute a team. A team is more than a group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport. The objective is for them to come together to achieve a common goal.

A team, like a church, is a group of people with different skills and different tasks, who work together on a common project, service, or goal with a meshing of functions and mutual support. “Team (church) members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond his or her limitations.” (Wikipedia)

48 49 Christian unity calls for more than a commitment to “do the right thing.” Schaeffer goes further to suggest that unity | Friday, November 18, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins is “not just sacrifice for those you don’t like. It is a feeling of endearment. We are to have affection for those who are Unity our family in Christ.” John Wesley said, “If your heart is as my heart, give me your hand.” In one of Aesop’s fables he describes an old man with several sons, who were always falling out with one another. He Jesus told us to love one another in the same way He loved us, as imperfect as we are. The Apostle Paul further often exhorted them to live together in harmony. One day when he was with them he gathered a bundle of sticks and instructs us to “love one another as if your lives depended on it.” (I Peter 1:22 The Message) tied them together. He asked each one of them to try to break them. Each one tried as hard as they could but none of them could break the bundle of sticks. Our survival as a community of believers in Jesus Christ is dependent on our unity. When we love one another, even when we disagree, the world will know that we are His disciples. Then the father cut the cord that tied them together and told his sons to break them separately. This was done with the greatest ease. “See, my sons,” the old man said, “the power of unity! Bound together by brotherly love, you may “We will work with each other, we will work side by side defy almost every mortal danger, but divided, you will fall prey to your enemies.” We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride The point of Aesop’s story is simple: We are stronger together than we are separate. An African Proverb instructs, “If And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” The writer of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes said it this way: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Hymn, We Are One In The Spirit (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Prayer: Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together in love. Most Christian people I know would say they seek peace and harmony. They want to get along. The majority of these folks really mean what they say. However my experience leads me to conclude that what many of them really mean is they want unity with people who think, believe, and act like them. I am not so sure that they really want unity with people who act or think differently from them. In reality it seems that they want everyone to agree with them and embrace their point of view. That is not Christian unity.

Francis Schaeffer was a theologian, philosopher, Presbyterian pastor, and founder of the L’Abri community in Switzerland. He said, “It is in the midst of a difference that we have our golden opportunity. When everything is going well and we are all standing around in a nice little circle, there is not much to be seen by the world. But when we come to the place where there is a real difference, and we exhibit uncompromised principles but at the same time observable love, then there is something that the world can see, something they can use to judge that these really are Christians, and that Jesus has indeed been sent by the Father.”

Japanese poet, Ryunosuke Satoro said, “Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.” Whatever words used to describe unity, they all point to the fact that we are stronger and better together than we are separate. As people of faith we can go further and accomplish more when we join our hearts, heads, and hands.

50 51 The story is told that John Wesley, a founder of Methodism, changed his view about church division after a dream in | Saturday, November 19, 2016 | Jamie Jenkins which he was first transported to the gates of Hell. He asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “Yes,” was the reply. Unity “Any Roman Catholics?” “Yes.” “Any Congregationalists?” “Yes.” He hesitated, then said, “Not any Methodists, I hope!” This past week we have been considering our unity as believers in Jesus Christ. We have explored how our attitude To his dismay the answer was “Yes.” toward one another and our actions together demonstrate our commitment to Christ. We have seen how the scripture Suddenly in his dream he stood at the gate of Heaven. Once again he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “No,” instructs us to join together in mutual respect regardless of our differences. We have recognized that our unity makes was the reply. “Any Roman Catholics?” “No.” “Any Congregationalists?” “No.” Then he asked the question which most us stronger and better. interested him: “Are there any Methodists here?” He was shocked to receive the same stern reply, “No!”

It is one thing to know what is right. It is another to know how to do it. So how do we achieve the “unity of the spirit?” “Well then,” he asked in surprise, “please tell me who IS in Heaven?”

In that great hymn of the Church, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Martin Luther reminds us, “CHRISTIANS!” was the jubilant answer.

“Did we in our own strength confide, From that dream Wesley determined that unity was essential to the church’s success in her mission. I think the result our striving would be losing, would have been the same if the questions had included Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, and were not the right man on our side, many other ways we characterize people. the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on other things, we lose our way. Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, from age to age the same, Look full in His wonderful face, and he must win the battle.” And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. The Sunflower is one of the most amazing flowers God has created. They literally follow the sun over the course of each day. In a recently published article in Science researchers say “the young plant’s sun-tracking (also called His Word shall not fail you, He promised; heliotropism) can be explained by circadian rhythms – the behavioral changes tied to an internal clock that humans Believe Him and all will be well; also have, which follow a roughly 24 hour cycle. A young flower faces east at dawn and greets the sun, then slowly Then go to a world that is dying, turns west as the sun moves across the sky. During the night, it slowly turns back east to begin the cycle again.” His perfect salvation to tell!” Hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Sunflowers ensure that they are always oriented in the direction of the sun. Their unity is totally dependent on one thing, their relationship to the sun. Prayer: Lord, in everything we do, keep us focused on You.

Perhaps understanding the behavior of the sunflower can be helpful to us as we seek to follow Christ and live in harmony with others. It is when we keep our focus on the Son that we grow and flourish.

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We may come from different walks of life... but our dreams are the same: that each (person) will live a digni fi ed, prosperous life. Jesse Robredo

54 55 PrayersPolitics embracing christian values in times of struggle

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