Just plain thankful for our lives!

 Let us learn from Sally, Charlie Brown's sister, who went to Summer camp. She was supposed to be gone a week. Peppermint Patty asked her why she returned home the day after she went. "They said if I went to camp it would be good for me. They said if I went to camp, I would find myself," Sally told her. "Well, I got off the bus, and there I was. So, I came home."

What if being at home (or being present, or being authentic, or being unafraid of blemishes) is not about adding anything?
What if being at home is about making space and receiving?
What if being at home is about emptying, entering into, letting it be?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Camino Prayer for our week...
May I be a guard for those who need protection
A guide for those on the path
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood
May I be a lamp in the darkness
A resting place for the weary
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening
Enduring like the earth and sky
until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.
Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity

Excerpt from “Sabbath Moments”

A Thanksgiving Prayer: We Choose Gratitude

Adapted from Grateful: The Subversive Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass

GOD, there are many days we do not feel grateful.

When we are anxious or angry. When we feel alone. When we do not understand what is happening in the world or with our neighbors. When the news is bleak and confusing. When there are threats, injustice, violence, and war.

We struggle to feel grateful.

But this Thanksgiving, we choose gratitude.

We choose to accept life as a gift from you, and as a gift from the unfolding work of all creation.

We choose to be grateful for the earth from which our food comes; for the water that gives life; and for the air we all breathe.

We choose to thank our ancestors, those who came before us, for their stories and struggles; we will learn from their mistakes and receive their wise choices as a continuing gift for today. 

We choose to see our families and friends with new eyes, accepting them for who they are.

We are thankful for our homes, whether humble or grand.

We choose to appreciate and care for our neighbors whatever our differences or how much we feel hurt or misunderstood by them.

We choose to open our hearts to those who dwell among us in the shadows of uncertainty and fear, recognizing their full dignity and humanity.

We choose to see the world as our shared commons, our home now and the legacy we will leave for generations to come.

This Thanksgiving, we do not give thanks. We choose it.

We make this choice of thanks with courage, knowing that it is humbling to say “thank you.”

We open ourselves to your generosity, aware that we live in a circle of gratitude. We all are guests at your table around which gifts are passed and received. 

We will not let anything opposed to love take over this table.

We embrace grace, love, and the gifts of life at this table. In this choosing, and in the sharing of this meal. We are strengthened to pass gratitude on to the world.

Thus, with you God with all those gathered here, and with those at tables far distant, we pledge to make thanks. 

We ask you to strengthen us in this resolve.

Here, now, and into the future. Around our family table. Around the table of our nation. Around the table of the earth.

We choose thanks. Amen.

Luke 6:37-38 We believe and our faith pleases God.

 In the measure that we believe we can receive from the very hand of God. Our faith in the salvation that the Father provided fulfills His plans for those who accept Jesus. He wants no one to live without him. What does God expect from us? He tells us in Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

Luke 6:37-38 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

In order to hear from the third person of our triune Godhead, Holy Spirit, we must believe that He is and that God is a rewarder of those who place their trust in Him alone. Together with the Father and the Son in unity we live and abide. Carla

Judge not … Condemn not … Forgive. The idea here is not that one should ignore sin or refuse to discuss its consequences (11:39–52; Galatians 6:1, 2); rather, one should be gracious and quick to forgive.

Good measure is an  illustration that comes from the marketplace where grain was poured out, shaken down, and then filled to overflowing so the buyer received the full amount purchased. Such is the full measure that will be returned to one who has been generous. The NKJV Study Bible

Do not judge, and you will never be judged. (Matthew 7:2)

Pardon, and you will be pardoned. In response to God’s forgiveness of them, Jesus’ followers should offer forgiveness to those who have wronged them. As with His teaching in Luke 6:27–36, Jesus calls His followers to imitate God by displaying sacrificial love.  (Matthew 6:14–15)

Good measure—pressed down, shaken, overflowing—they will pour out into your lap. This statement has no parallel in Matthew. It describes the abundance that is given to the generous.

This saying describes a generous (or good) measuring process. First, an ingredient—such as barley—is placed into a measuring jar or basket and compacted to maximize space. Next, the jar or basket is shaken, causing the ingredient to shift down into any open spaces. The measuring continues until the jar or basket is overflowing. Its contents are then dumped into the lap of the recipient, into the fold of the outer garment that was used to transport goods (Ruth 3:15). Such generosity would come to those who themselves were generous. Jesus has already rebuked wealth for wealth’s sake (Luke 6:24–26), which means He has a larger purpose in view here: those who give receive, because their generosity is recognized (by God and others) and because they are the kind of people who will continue to give. Faithlife Study Bible

Matthew 7:1–5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you…

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 

Mark 4:24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

I’ve found respite in Meister Eckert's advice, “If you can only learn one prayer, make it this one: Thank you.” So. Let me begin here: Thank you. I am so grateful for you. We are on this journey together. And here's what I know: In our fragile and often heart-rending world, we all need places to stay emotionally and spiritually hydrated. Yes, even in times or places with uncertainty, we will find new ways to unearth and embrace gratitude and resilience. And hope. Ways to keep our heart and spirit candle lit. “Sabbath Moments”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (ESV) "The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him."

What we say matters, not just to those around us but also to God. Although there is earthly wisdom that comes with age and experience, Scripture speaks of greater wisdom that can only come from knowing the living God. And the wisdom gained from a relationship with God results in gracious words that others embrace.

In contrast, the words of the foolish person "consume him" according to Ecclesiastes 10:12, meaning the speaker is swallowed up, devoured, or destroyed by their own words. Not only does foolish speech not bring favor, but it leads to ruin. The Teacher further elaborated in Ecclesiastes 10:13-14 that foolish words multiply problems, from beginning to end. First5

Matthew 10:16-20 Greater is He in us than he that is in this world!

“Man is born broken.

He lives by mending.

The grace of God is the glue.”

Eugene O'Neill

The founding members of the Jewish converts to Christ were persecuted. Against all odds the fledgling Body of Christ went out to all the world. Their growth is a miracle attesting to the love and power  of God. The Way has given the world the Good News. It was too great to be only to the Jewish converts and through the Apostle Paul, Jesus, revealed that this gift of salvation  is given to all who by faith believe in Him. The wisdom of Holy Spirit, our teacher and guide, overcomes the evil that threatens us.

Matthew 10:16-20 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

The love of God, in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, covers a multitude of the sins of man. Salvation is the gift of God to all who by faith accept His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves He gives  us Holy Spirit,  as a down payment, to live and abide in us to the glory of God the Father. He will get us safely home. Carla

Snakes are commonly thought of as wise, perhaps because they are silent and dangerous, or because of the way they move. 

In the midst of wolves meant that the apostles would be exposed to hatred and violence from men. Harmless literally means “unmixed,” which may also indicate purity and innocence. God would use Jewish rejection and persecution of the messengers to bring the gospel message to Gentiles. This occurred with Paul in Acts 21:26–36; 24:1–21; 25:13–26:32. The NKJV Study Bible

In the biblical world, serpents were associated with wisdom and cleverness (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Governors and kings were the  highest officials. Jesus is looking beyond his mission and predicting what would happen to His followers in the future. (Acts 4:1–22; 12:1–4; 14:5.) Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will give them the appropriate words to speak. Matthew has mentioned the Holy Spirit in connection with Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 1:18, 20; 3:11, 16; 4:1), and here the Spirit is extended to the ministry of the disciples. Faithlife Study Bible

Luke 12:11–12

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Mark 13:9–13

“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations…

Luke 10:3

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 

Luke 21:12–19

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony…

Acts 4:8

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

Here’s what I know: We live in a world where, more than ever, it is easy to lose our way—yes, to lose track of our heart. To feel derailed, disenfranchised, exasperated.

Or, just plain lost.

Bottom line, we are not at home. And on those days, I wish I was made of stronger stuff. I don’t want to admit it, as it feels like a defect to be concealed.

Okay, I’ll personalize this; when I let the cacophony or noise win, I am not at home.

When either fear, or shame, win, I am not at home.

When I give way to any narrative of small-mindedness (where labels or differences are weaponized), I am not at home.

When I stay mute in the face of intolerance or contempt, I am not at home.

And we want someone to show us the way, or at least, the GPS coordinates.

Let us remember the good news; My wholeness is, in fact, a hidden wholeness, and it comes only as I embrace my brokenness. My messiness. My confusion.

That my identity, my value, my worth, is not predicated on answers or resolutions or tidiness. My identity, my value, my worth, comes from Grace.

Grace is that moment of certainty when I know that if I never did one more seminar, or wrote one more book, or attended one more meeting, it would be okay.

Grace.

At one time, I believed in it.

But now, I have seen it.

“I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see” 

But here's the deal: Grace is just not where I expected to find it. Grace is found where God is found, in the pressure points of life. And even in a very broken world, grace is found and spilled, one embrace at a time.

When I understand this, I am free to give up my need for control and answers.

I am free to be at home in my own skin. In this life. Not some tidy life.

I am free to give, to respond with compassion.

I am free to let my life heal, not by denying the pain, but by acknowledging it, and in fact, by keeping my heart open.

I am free to see that the mending does not eliminate the cracks, but allows me to embrace them.

I am free to let that light spill to the world around me.

And insight that allows me to hit the Pause button. And hear, once again, Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto me all who are weary and burdened. I will give you rest.” “Sabbath Moments”

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Isaiah 43:10-13 I AM is God and there exist no other!

Isaiah 45:22

And there is no other God besides Me,

A just God and a Savior;

There is none besides Me.

“Look to Me, and be saved,

All you ends of the earth!

For I am God, and there is no other.

Israel was God’s first born among His creation. There will be 144,00 in the end who will not bend to the lesser gods of unbelief. In their witness to the world all who believe in the King of the Jews, Jesus the Son of God, will be saved.

Isaiah 43:10-13

10“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord,

“And My servant whom I have chosen,

That you may know and believe Me,

And understand that I am He.

Before Me there was no God formed,

Nor shall there be after Me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord,

And besides Me there is no savior.

12 I have declared and saved,

I have proclaimed,

And there was no foreign god among you;

Therefore you are My witnesses,”

Says the Lord, “that I am God.

13 Indeed before the day was, I am He;

And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand;

I work, and who will reverse it?”

God will never deny those who place their life in His hands in the salvation that He provides in Christ Jesus. Carla

You is strongly contrasted by “I” at the beginning of verse 11. The people of Israel had witnessed the great works of God in their midst (Exodus 4). These verses form a magnificent celebration of the sovereignty of God (14:24, 26, 27; Numbers 23:19). 

The Hebrew text contains merely the word foreign; the word god is implied. The point is that only the living God was at work in the Israelites’ midst. This same Hebrew term for savior is used in verse 3. The Lord was always at work—saving, protecting, guiding, and disciplining His people. 

The concluding line of the song of praise—there is no one … My hand—is quoted from Deuteronomy 32:39. The NKJV Study Bible

In the trial scene, God calls on Israel to witness on His behalf that it was He and no other god that saved them (verse 12). My servant whom I have chosen refers to corporate Israel, as in 41:8 and 42:19.

No other deity existed before Yahweh. Other divine beings are called Yahweh’s “sons” (Job 38:7–8; Psalm 89:5–8), suggesting He created them.

Israel was not to worship these other gods (Deuteronomy 4:19–20; 17:3; 32:17). Since the Old Testament describes other gods as stars or the host of heaven, passages that describe the creation of the heavenly host likely seek to credit Yahweh with superiority over them (since He created them).

“There is no savior besides me” this assertion is repeated in Isaiah 45:21 again in the context of a strong polemic against idolatry. For Israelites, the gods of the nations were inferior to Yahweh and undeserving of worship (Deuteronomy 32:8–9, 17). Faithlife Study Bible

Isaiah 44:8

Do not fear, nor be afraid;

Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?

You are My witnesses.

Is there a God besides Me?

Indeed there is no other Rock;

I know not one.’ ”

Isaiah 41:4

Who has performed and done it,

Calling the generations from the beginning?

‘I, the LORD, am the first;

And with the last I am He.’ ”

Job 9:12

If He takes away, who can hinder Him?

Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Here’s the deal: Gratitude does not take away any of the difficult decisions or conundrums of our week. But it sure keeps us from looking in the rear-view mirror or around the next corner. Yes, one step at a time.

Gratitude allows us to live this life, and not the one we always figured that we’d trade this one in for.

Gratitude allows us to invest in what we can see, hear, taste, touch and smell in the moment. The sacrament of the present moment.

Gratitude allows us to partake in the joys of the everyday, to see the sacred in the very, very ordinary.

And gratitude helps us see that the sufficiency is not self-sufficiency, but that gratitude sees the connection, Ram Dass’ affirmation that we do indeed walk one another home. “Sabbath Moments”

Ecclesiastes 9:18 (ESV) "Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good."

Wisdom helps us rise above the brutal consequences of life in a broken world, first by recognizing that the cause of chaos is humanity's own doing: "One sinner destroys much good" (Ecclesiastes 9:18). This verse refers to how the world's first sinners, Adam and Eve, destroyed God's good creation (Romans 5:12). But God still had a plan for the righteous One, Jesus, to become wisdom incarnate and restore what was lost (1 Corinthians 1:24).

When we don't understand why life is unfair or why evil prevails, we don't have to resign ourselves to "time and chance" like the Teacher in Ecclesiastes 9:11. Today, we can remember that Jesus faced suffering and defeated evil to redeem us.

We can trust God through the hard and the good, injustices and blessings, because He is sovereign over every detail. As we follow Christ, He weaves our every moment into His grand design. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 says the weapons of God are capable of defeating strongholds. The term "strongholds" in this verse (achyroma in Greek) evokes a fortress or prison within our own mind, which traps us in a way of thinking that is counter to God's wisdom and ways.When we feel defeated by life's challenges or the battle in our own minds, we can remember that as Christ followers, we have "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" to help us overcome (Ephesians 6:17). And the ultimate battle has already been won (1 Corinthians 15:57). First5