Excerpt from 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means...
Reflection by Lillian Daniel of the UCC
Early in my working life, I met with a financial planner. It seemed absurd since we were deeply in debt. We had nothing to save, let alone invest. But a wise friend had said this was just the time for such advice. He reviewed our budget. We had been making progress with our credit card debt but there was more to shovel out from under. We had also recently become tithers, giving ten percent of our income to the church. The two felt connected in my mind. We had made progress on the debt while growing in generosity. But I was embarrassed to tell that to a financial planner. I knew he was going to tell us to give less away, and to pay off the debt as soon as possible. So when we got to the subject of charitable giving, I told him we were tithers. "Tithers, huh?" he said. "Is that ten percent of after-tax income or pre-tax income?" "After tax, of course," I said. After all, we were tithers, not fanatics. After a long awkward pause, I asked, "So what do you think of that?" "It's fine," he said, "if all you want is an after-tax blessing!" Then he laughed heartily and joyfully. Turns out, he was a member of a UCC church himself. His philosophy of financial planning had extreme generosity at its core. God had clearly sent a prophet our way, and he had issued us a challenge. Prayer Generous God, please take my worries about money and put them on your shoulders, so that I do not carry them alone. Grant me a generous spirit, and the means to give beyond my means. Amen.
By Rev. Steven Horelica, Assistant to Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson of the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, TX
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2
Many evenings after work I go to my sacred place, a place where I can feel the presence of God all around. For some people, sacred space might be a church or a chapel. For others, it is a sandbar on a creek or a place deep in a forest.
Recently, I encountered a new visitor to my sacred place. Even though we are from two different ways of living, I think we go there for many of the same reasons.
I go to escape the hustle and bustle of life. I suspect he does also. I go there to feel safe and peaceful. I'm sure he does too. I go there for the healthy organic food. Watching him eat, I know he does as well. Although we don't speak to each other, I think we actually are in this place for a more important reason: a connection. A connection not just with each other, but also with Creation and the Creator.
Watching him time after time, I find myself somewhat jealous of him. Because of how he lives, I think he is more "in tune" with creation than I will ever be because of how I live. He seems to move at a slower pace and really enjoy his time there. Although I love being in this place, I often allow my mind to be distracted by all I have to do or get done once I leave. I watch him as he lays perfectly still in the sun just "being present." I almost always leave before he does so that I can get on with my busy life. I look forward to the days when my schedule allows me to go back there. I always hope he is there as well; he is a good model for me.
Sacred places can disconnect us from the world, at least for a while, and connect us with the One who created it all. It is a place where you feel the presence of God in such a way that often can't be explained.
What have been those sacred spaces in your life? What is yours now? If you don't have a place where you go to meet with God, I encourage you to find one.
This evening I hope to spend some time again in that sacred space, my garden. I hope my new friend, the cottontail rabbit, is there again as well. I know that God "waits" there for us both.
Loving God, thank you for the sacred places in our lives. Amen.
"Each tree is known by its yield." (The Inclusive Bible)
Reflection by David Schoen
Four years ago, my daughter and I planted several fruit trees in our yard. It was a hot day and the ground was hard and rocky. It was a day full of toil. But at the end of the day we had five fruit trees planted: two peaches, one apple, one cherry and one pear. Throughout that summer the trees were watered and lovingly attended to. That next spring, what a thrill it was to see the peach and cherry trees blossom and bear fruit. The cherries and peaches were delicious, even sweeter for having come from trees we planted.
Sadly, the apple and pear tree did not blossom or bear fruit. And the same happened the second spring. The peach and cherry trees blossomed and bore even more fruit. But the pear and apple did not blossom. I spoke appreciatively to the cherry and peach trees. I also gave words of encouragement to the apple and pear, saying I knew that they, too, could and would bear fruit. This spring the apple and pear were full of blossoms and now small fruit growing on them. But the peach trees had no blossoms at all--one barely survived the winter--and the cherry was not full of blossoms. I know each tree by its yield. My investment in the trees is joyfully fulfilled when they bear fruit. I believe that God knows each of us in much the same way. We are known by our fruits.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for creating us to bear good fruits. I pray that my life yield the fruits that are pleasing in your sight. Amen
About the Author
David Schoen is Minister and Team Leader, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry, United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on anyone what God has prepared for those who love God. (The Inclusive Bible) Reflection by David Schoen
It is a rather bold presumption to claim that we love God. It is perhaps even a bolder presumption to claim that God loves us. It would seem so self-serving and assuming--if both weren't just so true.
When I was in seminary studying Hebrew, I learned that my name David means beloved. I marveled at how much my name spoke to my life's experience. Throughout my growing up I always had a sense of being beloved: loved by my family, by a community of faith, by friends, and by God. When I stopped to consider my life's journey, I knew God's presence and spirit had been at work sustaining and encouraging me. Indeed, it started to dawn on me just how God works in amazing ways beyond our seeing and hearing. Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on anyone what God has prepared for those who love God. Today, I start my prayers with love for the stillspeaking God who amazes me with what God has prepared for me this day.
Prayer
It seems so simple just to say that I love you, God, but I do. Awaken me to what you have lovingly prepared for my life and work today. Amen.
About the Author
David Schoen is Minister and Team Leader, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry, United Church of Christ, Cleveland, OH.
Things are Not as They Seem
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
Reflection by Ron Buford
If the Bible teaches us anything, it is that might and power do not always win the day even if they seem to for a while. Moses led the children of Israel across the dry ground of the parted Red Sea with chariots and soldiers in pursuit -- soldiers who, when the waters began to suddenly flow back, drowned under the sheer weight of their armament. Using a mere slingshot and a smooth stone, the small shepherd boy David assuaged the trembling and paralyzing fears of the Israelites, slaying the giant Goliath who had long terrorized the Israelites with booming voice, size and armor. Jesus, a poor peasant carpenter, ultimately disestablished the powerful Roman and Jewish authorities who, thought they could end his influence and power by executing him. But God resurrected Jesus and made him a force more powerful than his enemies or followers could ever have imagined. Is there some situation or power causing you anxiety or grief today? Know that it is subservient to the power of God and your ability to overcome your own fear of its power in your life. Embrace God's love for you, God's willingness to get involved on your behalf even if you've made mistakes. Expect results.
Prayer Gracious God, I am afraid in this situation. Help me to put my trust in you. Help me do everything in my power to change things in positive ways. Help me act, not out of powerlessness, immobility, anger, fear, gossip, or retribution. Instead, O God, help me to plan and live for victory and success. Oh, and until it comes, please give me the strength to wait for it. In the name of Jesus, the resurrected One by whom and in whom we are all continually resurrected. Amen.
About the Author
Ron Buford is Director of Development, Northern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ.
In about two weeks, the 2009 SC Black Pride Weekend is here --- June 18-21, 2009! And as our theme states, we are, "United 4 Change!" With an exciting line-up, we are celebrating the genius, diversity and beauty of theAfrican American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning citizens in South Carolina and elsewhere. See us at www.southcarolinablackpride.com. We invite you to check out and attend ALL of our upcoming Pre-Pride Events. In particular, get ready, our Ms. & Mr. SC Black Pride Pageant, is Friday, June 12th, at PT's Cabaret, 1101 Harden Street, Columbia, SC, 10PM - 2 AM, $10 admission. Also, this year, I've decided that since I'm turning 44 and Black Pride is 4 years old, I'm going to ask friends and supporters to NOT give me birthday gifts & cards BUT instead wish SC Black Pride Happy Birthday by donating any amount. Come by the twin birthday celebration (see attached flyers) on June 16th, 7-9 PM, at the Harriet Hancock Center, 1108 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC (free admission) and/or mail your contribution to: South Carolina Black Pride, Inc. P.O. Box 8191 Columbia, SC 29202 If you want to make sure your donation is tax-deductible make it out to "IFBP" (International Federation of Black Prides) and then mail it or bring it. Take care and Have a Great Week! Your Friend, Todd Shaw Chair, SCBP |
