Answered

"On the day I called you, you answered me," Psalm 138:3.

Yes, O Lord, you gave us strength. That very day! We give thanks to you, O God! Right in front of all the so-called gods we give thanks to you only. We bow down toward your home, toward you! You've made your name and word greater than anything. Every ruler of earth will honor you in thanksgivings to you. Yes! They'll sing. They'll sing about your ways. Because your glory, O Jehovah, shines through everything. From your very supreme heights, you still pay careful attention to humble people. You mind people that aren't proud. But you don't keep the proud near. Your hands deliver us. Your love lasts forever. Remember us, the work of your very own hands.

We speak with a brother or sister today and talk of God's powerful deliverance in the past, and his promise for the present. And, together, we give thanks to God-Who-Hears-Our-Call.

Lifted

"When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know," John 8:28.

Who's talking? Jesus. Who's he talking to? to arrogant men that know they've got God covered. Lifted up who? the Son of man. Who's that? Jesus (the one who's talking). Lifted up - what's that mean? Maybe: carried like a hero on shoulders. Maybe: put up on a pedestal. Maybe: raised as a topic of great discussion. Actually: nailed up high and tight to a cross. Anyway, then they'll know. Know what? That Jesus is the light of world. That God sent him. That if persons will not believe that Jesus is the one, they will die in their sins. And those who believe? Ah, they will know the truth that sets them free from sin-slavery. Sky kingdom.

We meet with a brother or sister today knowing the Son of man, lifted up on a cross in our arrogance, who opened the kingdom freely to us. And, together, we give thanks to God who raised him up from the dead, forever alive, for our eternal liberation.

Jealous

"He broke faith with Jehovah God," 1 Chronicles 10:13.

Who did? Saul, king of Israel. The Good Book explains this as the reason for the slaughter that the braves of Gilead saw. They witnessed the aftermath of a bloody battle, bodies strewn across the mountain. It says Saul died for his breach of faith. And what was that breach? Saul agreed to hear and obey God, to be true to God. To protect God's people. Instead, he ignored God's command. Contrary, he did not seek God's guidance. Israel's king betrayed God. And Israel. Too, he sought out guidance in sorcery. So God put him to death. God gave the kingdom to a truer man. God's love allows no sloppy, anything goes, life-denying behavior. It's a hot burning fire, jealous for his people. For the life of his people.

We visit with a brother or sister today, safe in God's exclusive, passionate love for us. And, together, we give thanks for his love that protects his children more securely than a mama bear does her cubs.

More

"How much more will the Father in the sky give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?" Luke 11:13.

First - who's asking? Jesus. Who's Jesus talking to? His followers. Who's he talking about? God. OK. So. How much more will God give than whom? God gives more than we do. Than us, self-absorbed people. Even we figure out how to give a hungry child an egg rather than a scorpion to eat. Even we go (a little) out of our way to help a friend in need. So much more does God - so. much. more. does our sky Father give good things to any child of his that asks, opens to any child of his that knocks, yields to any child of his that seeks. God hears his children! And he will give his very Spirit to any one of them that ask him. Believe it - just ask, for real, and see.

Today, when we meet with a brother or sister, we take moments to present our needs to our Father. And, together, we also give thanks to him for the bounty he shares with us, his children.

Taught

"Walk in Christ Jesus as you were taught," Colossians 2:6.

Yes, and why? Because we received Jesus. Because we were rooted in Jesus. Because we were built up in Jesus. Because we were established in his faith. Just like we were taught. So as we walk in him, thanksgiving overflows from us to him. We will let no fake philosophy, no empty deceit, no human tradition, no pretended gods of this world contrary to Jesus capture us. Because the whole fulness of divinity lives in Jesus' very body! God put Jesus at the top of every ruler, every authority. And we were buried with Jesus in baptism. And we were raised with Jesus in God's power to raise Jesus. We're forgiven in Christ!

We walk with a brother or sister today in God's forgiving power. And, together, we give thanks! We give thanks, together, that God triumphed in Christ making nothing of whatever gods may be.

Methods

"I have chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice," Genesis 18:19.

So. God chose Abraham to make a great nation from him. Also. To bless all earth's peoples by him. So. God wondered whether to include Abraham in God's own deliberations about humanity. God decided, indeed, to bring Abraham into his counsel. And why? Because God intended for Abraham to teach his children and household to live right and be fair. So. Abraham bargained hard with God to extend mercy over some cities God had doomed to destruction. So. God conceded to grant mercy - if they could find 10 good people in a horde of bad guys. (They couldn't. So. Abraham tried to bless them, but they wouldn't. Several teaching and learning methods exist.)

We learn from a brother or sister today as we meet hearing Jesus' teachings. And, together, we give thanks for God's mercy reaching out through Jesus' cross.

Grateful

"You are my place of safety and protection," Psalm 91:2.

Yes, O Lord, our God, we trust you. You have saved us from traps and diseases. You've protected us like a bird spreads its wings for its chicks. Your truth armors and shields us. Neither night terrors nor random daytime calamities herald for us any fear in your presence. You provide safety even with carnage all around. You, mighty God, overwhelm the wicked. We made you, God Most High, our God forever. Nothing bad can win out over us. Your angel armies surround us. O God, you answer the calls of your people who love you. You have rescued us, you have honored our calls to you. We have seen your salvation! All praises to you!

We, brothers or sisters, praising God together find refuge for our souls. And, together, we give heartfelt, grateful, thanks to God, who has given us good life into forever.

Midst

"I'm giving you my peace," John 14:27.

Peace. In the middle of betrayals. In the middle of persecution. In the middle of loss. In the middle of devilish plans. In the midst of fog. In the middle of business. In the middle of departures. In the middle of heavy opposition. In the midst of warfare. Spiritual and otherwise. Jesus said, Peace I leave with you - my peace. A peace in the middle of sacrifice, in the midst of a cross. Not the world's misty, dissipating peace. Not like that. A peace, instead, that sits in the middle of the heart of God, in the midst of our Father's stunningly great love. Sky kingdom.

We meet at Jesus' feet with a brother or sister today to hear his peace. And, together, we give thanks to our God for deep peace beyond understanding.

Needed

"Tell her to help me," Luke 10:40.

Yes, Lord, tell those people who just sit around while we do all the hard work to help out! It's a big job and we need to work hard for you to get the thing done, and we're glad you're here, but, wow!, there's a lot we need to do, and they're not helping. And we're pretty tired, and we need to keep on going, and - are you even paying attention to us? Don't you even care? - I mean, we need to be hospitable, but, brother!, there's a lot of people here, and lots of feet we need to wash, and way too many drinks we need to serve, and a bunch of food we need to get to the table, and somebody needs to wash the dirty dishes. And, gently, Jesus said, Here's the only needed thing: Sit at my feet and listen to my teaching.

We meet with a brother or sister today at Jesus' feet and listen to him. And, together, we give thanks for his life-giving words.

Flesh

"He has reconciled you in his body of flesh by his death," Colossians 1:22.

Who did? Jesus. He did what? Jesus reconciled us. What's reconcile mean? It means become friends with somebody. And how did Jesus make friends? By living out his very body to its nailing on the cross to death. Who did Jesus make friends? Us and God. But weren't we already friends with God? No. Oh, No. Not at all. No. We set ourselves against God. We thought of God as an enemy. Too, we did very bad things to each other. But then, Jesus. Brother Jesus gave his blood as a peace offering. Jesus introduced us to God as his friends, without any faults, as especially good people. Amazing.

We now meet with a brother or sister today as friends together of God. And, together, we worship Jesus' God and father whom he made our God and father.

Face

"Your face, Jehovah God, do I seek," Psalm 27:8.

Though we might die doing so, that's what our hearts say to you, O God. Please hear our voices when we scream, Lord. Don't hide your face from us or turn us away in distaste. You alone have been our help! Don't throw us away! Don't forsake us! You're our only salvation! Ah, Lord God. Yes. Thank you! We believe you'll take us in. You won't abandon us to the evil, violent ones. We'll live to see your goodness. So we get strong awaiting your grace as our hearts get brave. We do wait for you. Yes, Lord, we trust you.

As we join prayers with hurting brothers or sisters around the world we worship God, our savior. So, together, we give thanks in hope of the faithfulness of God's face.

Moreso

"Rest yourselves while I bring a morsel of bread," Genesis 18:4-5.

That's what Abraham said to three strangers that showed up in the camp unbidden. They said, OK. So they rested under a shade tree in the heat of the day. Got their tired feet cooled, quick, in a water wash. Then our forefather Abraham and our foremother Sarah, quick, took 20 quarts of flour to bake bread. They, quick, slaughtered and roasted a choice whole calf. They, quick, milked a cow and added ingredients to churn and make curds. So, a morsel turned into about 25 loaves of bread, 300 pounds of barbeque, plenty cottage cheese, and all the cool milk they wanted. Quick. So to speak. (You know it took all day. Quick.) Hospitality came by intentional and deliberate decision and action. We imagine that's kind of like what God's generosity is like, only moreso, unimaginably moreso.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we greet each other with a morsel from God. And, together, we pray thanksgivings for God's generosities.

New

"Let the rivers clap their hands," Psalm 98:8.

Oh, Yes! And, you, O sea, shout! And you, O world, sing! You mountains, sing for joy! Everybody, burst into songs and praise! Make all sorts of music! Earth, shout with joy to the Lord! O you, people of God, sing a new song to the Lord! The Lord has won the victory! He's told his power to save! He's remembered his love for his people! He's coming to judge all the nations fairly! O, Yes! The very ends of the earth have seen God's salvation!

We meet today with a brother or sister to share the joy of our God's salvation. And, together, we sing the new song: Victory in Jesus!

Measure

"We know that we have passed out of death into life," 1 John 3:14.

Yes. We know. We know this. And how do we know this? Maybe it's because we've done special feats for God? Maybe it's because we've prayed a lot and even fasted? Maybe it's because we read a bunch of verses? Well, maybe. Maybe so. But here, the Good Book says this is how we know: We love the brothers and sisters. That's how. But by what measure do we know love? By this: Jesus laid down his life for us. So, we lay down our lives for each other. Yeah. We don't love by speaking deep thoughts, but for real - somebody's in need so we share. Pretty straightforward. Sky kingdom.

We find each other, a brother or sister, in real time as we rise from death to life. Like Jesus, even betrayed by friends, went to the cross anyway. And, together, we live out thanksgiving to God by sharing our lives one with the other.

Clinic

"You go, and do likewise," Luke 10:37.

Says who? Jesus. OK, got it. But, do likewise? likewise as who? Like that foreigner that rendered aid to the citizen that got mugged and beat up by the bad guys. So what did the alien do? Well, he told the clinic people that he'd guarantee the cost of medical aid for the beat up guy. (You. have. got. to. be. kidding! Does Jesus have any idea how much it costs nowadays ... emt's, er nursing, er doc, x-rays, and that endless list of bandages and alcohol swabs and stuff?) Anyway, that's what the stranger did. Yeah. And said he'd come back and see how things were going. And then, Jesus said, that's how neighbors are. Sky kingdom. Not your average run-of-the-mill kingdom.

Sharing our lives today with a brother or sister, we come to realize that we're acting in God's holy spaces. And, together, we give awed thanksgiving for the Neighbor who loved us so.

Heard

"We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints," Colossians 1:4.

So thanksgiving go to God. For saintly people. Saints: people that have shiny halos around their heads, right? Nope. Saints: people that performed miracles after they died, right? Nope. Saints: people that show unreal, extraterrestrial kindness, right? Nope. Not that, either. When the Bible talks about saints, it talks about regular people who've come to believe in Jesus for their forgiveness. Regular people, and now transformed. That's the shine, the miracle, the uncommon kindness. And so thanksgivings go to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. These saints (every believer) have a hope of resurrection laid up for us by Christ's sacrifice. These people, qualified worthy for and delivered by God into his kingdom, learn to extend his way of peace and kindness toward others.

As we give thanks to God for a brother or sister today, we grow in love for each other. And, together, we praise God who, miraculously, renders us all his saints.

Considers

"Happy is the person considerate of the poor," Psalm 41:1.

And what makes such a person happy? Why blessed? Because God. Yeah. Because God saves people who treat poor people mercifully. God delivers such compassionate ones in troubled days. Jehovah God protects considerate people. God keeps them in the blessings of life. God will not yield compassionate folk to enemies. Blessed. How? God will give strength when they're sick. God will restore to full health. If mean-spirited people criticize and condemn and curse or even betray compassionate persons, God will raise them up. God graces such folk who show integrity with his delight in them. God will set them in his presence forever. So, yeah! Happy. Blessed whoever considers the poor. Sky kingdom.

When we meet each other, brother or sister, even sharing in our poverty, we recognize Jesus who became poor to make us rich. And, together, we give thanks to God who delivers unimaginable wealth in his realm.

Middle

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself," Leviticus 19:18.

This line is sort of in the middle of the Torah, the books of the Law, half-way between Genesis and Deuteronomy. It's in a section that starts off asserting God's holiness and his expectation that his people will act holy. That his people will never behave like the nations around them. New rules of life, for a new people of God. OK. So who's the neighbor we're supposed to love so much? Jesus' answer: Anyone. anyone who passes by our way. Whose way we pass. The Good Book says this notion of loving anyone sums up everything it says. Hmm. Says who? The Holy One of Israel: Be holy for I, Jehovah, your God, am holy.

We recognize in each other the neighbor Jesus intended, brother or sister, whether we knew each other or not before crossing paths. And, together, we give thanks to God for drawing us into his holy kingdom, so different from the nations we had known.

Steeped

"He has ordered peace for his people who worship him," Psalm 85:8.

Yes, Lord, you will speak peace with your people! We know that we need to listen to you for your peace to flow. We don't want to turn back to folly - keep us from it. Your salvation comes close to people who respect you. Yes, your glory, your shining brightness, your greatness, sets up camp in this land when your people truly worship you. Your love and your faithfulness meet here - your goodness and your peace meet in your people. Loyalty rises from earth and goodness looks over it all from above. Dear God: You give what is good and the land increases its yield. We offer back to you your own goodness to prepare your road to us. Thank you, O Lord God, for your faithfulness!

We meet with a brother or sister today steeped in God's peace. For, together, we worship God in spirit and in truth.

Fuzzies

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1.

Wasn't there always peace with God who just sort has warm fuzzies for everybody no matter what? No. There was not always peace with God. We didn't like the way he made consequences happen. We got enraged when we did what we jolly well pleased to do (pursuit of happiness, and all that) and then had to live with the fallout of how we behaved to get happy. Too, God was pretty clear about being a holy God, not your run-of-mill-anything-goes kind of God. He really meant what he said about treating kids right, individually or societally. Or else. Peace didn't come until Jesus paid the price for all of us. Until faith in Jesus brought forgiveness despite the unfixable mess we made of it all.

As we visit with each other humbly, brothers or sisters, we extend peace to each other because of faith in Jesus' repair work. And, together, we praise this holy God who shows what lasting happiness looks like for real.

Peace

"The kingdom of God has come near to you," Luke 10:9.

That was the message. Whose message? Jesus'. By whom was the message delivered? By Jesus' messengers. And to whom? To the cities on Jesus' way ahead. Jesus' message went out to the places that welcomed Jesus' messengers, and to the places that didn't. Same message. Different results. No matter. God's kingdom came by, right there, we could reach out and touch it. Get on board with it, or not. No excuses later that nobody knew. That nobody had a chance. What rot. But wait! what about that one God-forsaken village that never heard the message? First, God didn't forsake it, our ignorance doesn't define God's work. Second, the message went out. Third, God will take care of that village. But here's the deal: God's kingdom came near to us - so what are we - we!- going to do with it?

We welcome a brother or sister today, and we bless each other with the Lord's peace infusing his kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for the saving message that has come near. Sky kingdom.

Mercy

"Peace to any who follow this standard, and mercy," Galatians 6:16.

What standard? What rule? This one: Bear one another's burdens. Why? because that's what the law of Christ is about. It's about a new creation. A new way of life. It's not about more religious rules that make people look spiritual but are really nothing more than opportunities to show off their religiosity. The new creation consists of planting to the Spirit. Consists of helping people. Consists of doing good to everyone. (Like, Jesus went around doing good.) Consists of bragging about Jesus' sacrifice and not of one's own religious observances. Consists, indeed, of giving up one's own advantages to advance Jesus' cross. New creation. That rule.

Today, we extend mercy, and grace, for a brother or sister and attend carefully to each other's continuing restoration in Christ. And, together, we give praise to God who made all things new. Sky kingdom.

Faces

"Everything on earth: Shout with joy to God!" Psalm 66:1.

The whole earth: Sing about his glory! Say this: Dear God, your works amaze us! Use these words: Your power is so great that your enemies fall on their faces in front of you! When we on earth see you, God, we worship you. We sing praises to your name! We turn to the people around us and we say: Everybody come! Come and see what God has done! Pause to ruminate on the awesome things God has done for people! God dried out mighty floods to let his people walk through to safety. In his power, God watches over all people! We will not oppose him with our silly arrogance. Instead, we say: People, everybody, praise God!

When we visit a brother or sister today, we pause to consider what work God has done in Christ. And, together, we give thanks to God for joy's blessings.

Breast

"I will extend peace to her like a river," Isaiah 66:12.

Says God. About whom? His city, his community. God will be to his people like a mom caring for her hurt baby. Her baby nurses at her consoling breast. She carries her little one on her hip. She bounces her child on her knees. She comforts her own with her very self. Just so will God take his wounded people, wounded from the world's struggles, the world's battles, the world's indecencies. God will take his wounded people and will flow his peace broadly, bringing nourishment. And joy. Like an overflowing stream waters grassy fields richly. Just like that, will God heal broken bones, and broken hearts. He will provide deep life-saving draughts from his glorious abundance. Sky kingdom.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we speak of our hope in God's passionate love for his own. And, together, we give thanks for the peace he secured for us in Christ.

gods

"I said: You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you," Psalm 82:6.

Who said that? God. (Things are going to get weird here, so we hang on.) Who's he talking to? a bunch of gods. a whole council of them. God's telling these gods that they're going to die, just like men, because they're all worthless, corrupt judges. Now, Jesus referenced the same verse when religious authorities readied to stone him to death. Why did they do this? Because he blasphemed, they said, to say he was the Son of God. Why did Jesus quote the verse? Because those who judged him worthy to die set themselves as the rotting gods who themselves would die, sinner men. When the One God, Creator of the cosmos, Lord of the Worlds, judges, nobody, but nobody, walks away free. Except for his son, obedient to death.

So when we meet with a brother or sister today, we praise Jesus, son of the Most High, judged by God worthy to judge justly. And, together, we give thanks to God for judging us humans worthy of eternity because of his grace-ful son of man.

Breakfast

"We know that we have passed from death into life," 1 John 3:14.

We know! But, wait: Who's talking here? Old man John, who, in his youth walked and talked and saw and touched and heard Jesus. He saw Jesus from the foot of the cross. And after Jesus died, he saw him alive eating breakfast. So, John says we know this ... yeah, well, how do we know this? Because we love the brothers and sisters. That's how. Empowered by the Spirit of the Risen Christ we love each other. Our cool brothers and sisters love even us who aren't very cool, maybe sloppy, maybe a mess, maybe embarrassing to have around, maybe weak, maybe even sinners. But are loved by Jesus. And by the ones who have passed from death to life. Yes. Sky kingdom.

We receive each other today, brother or sister, knowing we're all a royal mess, but still belong to each other. And, together, we give thanks to the one who loved us to death and brought us to life.