Healing Rays of Righteousness

COMMUNITY Lessons from Geese

The pleasant cooler weather of autumn has arrived, reminding us that much colder weather of winter is soon to follow.  The geese know this cycle very well and begin making their journey south to a warmer climate.  I always enjoy watching them in flight overhead and listening in on their honking conversation as they travel together.

In reflecting on the importance of community for the past several weeks, my attention was drawn to Milton Olson’s Lessons From Geese.  He has studied Canada geese for many years and has compiled the following five lessons that geese teach us humans about living together in community and the importance of “interdependence.”

1. Geese fly in a V formation for greater range of the entire flock. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following.  By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.     Lesson:  People who share a sense of common direction and sense of community canget where they are going quicker and easier.

2. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front. Lesson:  If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to the others).

3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.  Lesson:  It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership – with people as with geese, we are interdependent on each other.

5. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  Lesson:  We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging – and not something else.
6. When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies.  Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or to catch up with the flock.     Lesson:  If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

According to Milton Olsen, that is “interdependence.”  And I add, this is community at its best.  The sense and belief in “interdependence” gives energy and strength to being community. 

You may ask, does God speak to us through the behavior of geese?  And my answer is “Yes, he can and does.”  As much as we may dislike the geese dirtying our ponds and campuses, we can and should learn from their behaviors truths that enrich and strengthen community.

It is important to remember that it was God who taught the geese their behavior, and why would he teach them this behavior of interdependence, if not to give us a good model to follow in our efforts to be a Christ-like community of Jesus followers.

I invite you to imagine how much stronger our church communities would be if we routinely practiced these lessons in our living, working, and worshiping together.  Imagine how many neighbors, co-workers, and friends may be watching, listening, and wishing to join such a community of interdependent, geese-like human beings.

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows, and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  (Ephesians 4:14-16).

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“Healings Rays of Righteousness” – September 30, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Church as Community Praying

In her book, Bring Us Together, Marjorie Holmes prays, “Oh, God, we go through life so lonely, needing what other people can give us, yet ashamed to show that need.  And other people go through life so lonely, hungering for what it would be such a joy for us to give.  Dear God, please bring us together, the people who need each other, who can help each other, and would so enjoy each other.”

The desire for community has always been the deep longing of the human heart.  I believe God created every human heart with the need to belong, to be accepted, included, and cared for in a community of other human beings.  I also believe that the community of believers that prays together stays together and is strengthened with respect and caring love for one another.

Did you know that most of what the Bible says about prayer is addressed to groups gathering to worship and pray together?  The book of Psalms, a great and much-used resource for individual praying, was written mainly for use in Israel’s worship as a gathered community.

This does not diminish the encouragement to pray as an individual, but it does give emphasis to the importance and value of groups meeting together for the purpose of praying.  Jesus himself promised, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt. 18:19-20).

One of the most troubling attitudes in our Western society is its focus on individualism.  This emphasis has greatly diminished our sense of community, and severely numbed any felt need for it.  Individualism leads us away from God and his created intention for every human being to be in community with others.

I think this selfish spirit of individualism is a social cancer that is destroying God’s created intention for every human being to enjoy spiritual wholeness and well-being in a caring community that worships and prays together.

The early Christians caught this vision for community and determined to become a fellowship of sacrificial love, sharing life at all levels of spiritual, social, and economic relationships, such as shelter, clothing, food, and wealth.  This is recorded in Acts 2:44-47, “All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

This God-designed purpose for community is what biblical scholars have named “the ministry of shared pilgrimage.”  This is understood as a priestly role for all the people of God and fits well into the Anabaptist theology regarding “the priesthood of all believers.”  The effort to live and pray together in community was understood as an essential core value by the Anabaptists.

When Jesus was asked by his disciples to teach them to pray, he began with the instruction to address God as “Our Father” thus making it a community prayer.  With this instruction, Jesus is stating the importance of first acknowledging and affirming that we are children of God’s family, worshiping and praying together, as Christian brothers and sisters around the world.

It also implies that we acknowledge that we are not God’s equal peers, but rather we are homeless children that are loved and adopted into God’s family.  These are biblical teachings that I fear we sometimes too easily forget, ignore, or simply take for granted.

I believe that whenever a community of believers gather to worship and pray together, good, and significant things do happen.  When we acknowledge and give God his rightful authority in our lives, then praying becomes his primary way and means of giving direction so that his will and purposes can be accomplished through us as his children, his community of believers, named “Church.”

I propose that we best nurture community spirit and concern for one another whenever we gather as community to worship and pray together as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

May it be so, always!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 23, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

For You I Am Praying

Probably many of you remember the chorus of the old invitation hymn that says, “For you I am praying, For you I am praying, For you I am praying, I’m praying for you.”

In Ephesians 3:14-21 we hear the apostle Paul praying for his Christian friends in Ephesus.  Even though Paul was at that time sitting in a prison and deprived of many privileges, he yet has a deep concern for his fellow-believers and fervently prays for their spiritual welfare.

In his prayer Paul names four concerns that he has for these Christian friends, and I wish to expand on each of them to better grasp the full impact of his concern and desire for them.

He first prays that they would be strengthened with Holy Spirit power in their Inner being.  “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

This is an essential priority for Paul.  I confessed of often being more inclined to pray for the power of physical, financial, or mental health strength.  But this prayer asks for a power where it really counts, deep within our inner spiritual being.

As much as we might be inclined to ask for the outward kinds of power, this prayer bypasses those desires for an inner power that steadies and strengthens every other aspect of our life.  Paul knew and so should we know that if we are not strong inwardly, the temptations and pressures of life will cause our life to collapse.

Paul then prays “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”  This is the “north star” of Paul’s theology.  He is convinced by his own experience that a person may live in Christ and enjoy the spiritual power of the living Lord who dwells within the inner being.

Remember, these were Christians for whom Paul was praying.  The word “dwell” means “to be at home” or “to have undisputed ownership.”  Paul prayed that Jesus would be given first place in their lives as Lover and Lord.

Paul had learned that when Christ dwells in our heart we are given a new orientation for life and set in a new direction of decision-making and behaviors.  We must remember that Christ is always intent in leading us home, to the Father’s house, and on the way he is remaking us after his image so that we may be happy children with him in our eternal home.

Paul continues his prayer with “that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.”

Paul has experienced the transforming power of God’s forgiving love and desires the same experience for his fellow believers.  He prays that they would be enabled to fully understand the all-encompassing greatness of Christ’s love.  His prayer is in response to his belief that Christ’s love goes beyond the most extreme limits of our ability to understand until it is personally experienced.

The true reality is that all knowledge of God is grounded in experiential love, for God is love.  And so, to fully know Christ’s love we must first open ourselves to experiencing it in practical everyday living.

Paul concludes with a grand summary concern “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  This is the ultimate reality and experience that Paul desires for the Ephesian Christians.  He desires that they live each day being brim full of God.

Imagine being filled with all the fullness of God.  It is unbelievable to our natural minds but believe it we must!  Of course, we cannot contain all of God’s fullness.  Our Creator remains Lord, and the line between creature and Creator are never completely blotted out.  However, we can receive God’s fullness to the full measure of our capacity and to the degree of our being willingly yielded to him.

This is what it means to be Spirit-filled, to have a relationship with God that is so yielded to him that he comes to us and dwells with us in intimacy and power, so that we can experience in life the abundance Jesus promised.  Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” 

This prayer is comprehensive in its scope and transforming in its potential.  Imagine what could happen in a church where each member of the congregation committed themselves to pray this prayer for themselves and for each other as they gather each Sunday to worship the God and Father of us all.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 16, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Ambition Alert

Labor Day is a good reminder to review the “why” we labor week after week.  Ambition alert! What is our ambition in life?  Our answer is important because it is ambition that fuels our behavior and decision-making.

Ambition should be a healthy motivator of good behavior and good activities, but it also has a more demonic side.  Many of us have seen or been victimized in the human wreckage caused by people who have abandoned, manipulated, or abused their families and friends in seeking their own selfish ambitions.  People who are driven by the ambition to gain worldly power and prestige will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.

The book of James is an excellent study on practical Christianity.  In 3:14-15, the writer says “if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” James goes on to write in verse 16, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

That sounds very contemporary.  The current behaviors seen in many of our local, state, and national leaders is a sad portrait regarding the power of unbridled, selfish ambition.  Even more sad is its presence in the leadership of some churches.

In Mark 9:33-37, we hear Jesus speaking more gently to this subject of selfish ambition, yet with just as strong and powerful words.  Earlier in this chapter, Jesus had chosen Peter, James, and John to climb a high mountain with him, where they were all alone.  While there they witnessed the glorious transfiguration of Jesus with Elijah and Moses talking with him.  It was such a wonderful experience that Peter wanted to stay there.

A few days later on their journey, the disciples are arguing among themselves about who is the greatest among them.  How quickly the cloud of selfish ambition overshadows the glorious transfiguration of Jesus that they had just witnessed a few days earlier.

When they arrive in Capernaum and go into the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road.”  But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Then Jesus sits down and explains God’s definition of greatness as the willingness to go to the back of the line rather than pushing to be in the front.  Jesus clearly teaches that God’s measure of greatness is in being a servant to others and says, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Jesus said a similar thing on another occasion in Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Again, Jesus clearly states that greatness is measured by an ambition to serve others.  He redefines greatness as not being about satisfying self, but about compassion and service to others.  In other words, any personal gain in influence, ability, or opportunity increases one’s responsibility to invest it on behalf of those who lack influence, ability, and opportunity.

When Jesus spoke of achieving greatness and the value of the person whose ambition was to be a servant, he laid down one of the greatest practical truths of all time and eternity – “Anyone who wants to be first (number one, the greatest) must be the very last (in position and power), and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35).

Yes, this teaching runs counter to our selfish ambitions, and yet I think we need to admit that Jesus and James are correct?  Think of this.  Would not every economic problem be solved if we all lived for what we could do for others and not just for what we can enjoy for ourselves?  And, would not every political problem be solved if the ambition of all politicians were to serve the commonwealth and not their own comfort and prestige?

What is my ambition?  For what do I labor?  The question may be ancient, but it continues to be truly relevant as a measure of my relationship to Jesus.  Do you agree?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 9, 2020

www.geigler13@wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

People of Wisdom

My dictionary defines “wisdom” as “Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.”  And both the biblical Hebrew and Greek words translated as “wisdom” affirm this emphasis on “understanding.”  Wisdom is about more than factual knowledge.  It is about wisely interpreting and responding to that knowledge.

In Proverbs 3:13-15, King Solomon declares wisdom to be the most precious of all possessions, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her.”  And later in 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” (Pr. 16:16).  

The past two weeks I have shared two biblical descriptions that identify those who are authentic followers of Jesus as “people of light” and “people of compassion”.  “People of wisdom” is a third identification marker.

I again say that I believe our “being” cannot be separated from our “doing.”  And so, I believe that being people of light, compassion, and wisdom means these Godly virtues are a visible witness to the presence of God’s Kingdom and the rule of Christ in our world of darkness, uncaring, and foolishness.  As James would say “faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26).

James asks in 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  This is how you can recognize a “wise person.”  This is confirmed by Jesus in his response to those critical of him in Matthew 11:19, “But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” 

In verses 14-18, James clearly describes two different kinds of wisdom that will be on display in the world.  “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Please note that where there is a lack of heavenly wisdom there are behaviors of “disorder and every evil practice.”  Now contrast that with what behaviors the apostle Paul says heavenly wisdom will produce; “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” 

With our nation suffering the twin pandemics of covid-19 and political darkness, I prayerfully suggest this be our wisdom meter for national leadership as we consider and compare those soliciting our vote on November 3.

The apostle Paul cautioned the Ephesian Christians to “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  (5:15-17).  According to Paul, the followers of Jesus are obligated to live “not as unwise but as wise” and to “understand what the Lord’s will is.”

In the preceding verses, beginning in 4:32, Paul makes it clear what kind of wisdom and behaviors God expects from people who claim to be “children of light.”  To be “people of wisdom” is to seek knowledge about what gives God pleasure, and publicly displaying behaviors that imitate God and Christ.  (5:8-11).

Like James, Paul is making a case for a kind of practical wisdom that makes conduct consistent with faith.  A wisdom that “walks the talk” and makes “the most of every opportunity.”

This wisdom comes from God as we make right decisions and apply scriptural principles to our daily circumstances.  This wisdom comes from living a disciplined life. This wisdom comes from keeping your eyes focused on God and his Word and you ear listening to his Holy Spirit.  This wisdom comes when we commit to a love relationship with Jesus Christ.  Amen!

The Prayer of Serenity

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 2, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

People of Wisdom

My dictionary defines “wisdom” as “Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.”  And both the biblical Hebrew and Greek words translated as “wisdom” affirm this emphasis on “understanding.”  Wisdom is about more than factual knowledge.  It is about wisely interpreting and responding to that knowledge.

In Proverbs 3:13-15, King Solomon declares wisdom to be the most precious of all possessions, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her.”  And later in 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” (Pr. 16:16).  

The past two weeks I have shared two biblical descriptions that identify those who are authentic followers of Jesus as “people of light” and “people of compassion”.  “People of wisdom” is a third identification marker.

I again say that I believe our “being” cannot be separated from our “doing.”  And so, I believe that being people of light, compassion, and wisdom means these Godly virtues are a visible witness to the presence of God’s Kingdom and the rule of Christ in our world of darkness, uncaring, and foolishness.  As James would say “faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26).

James asks in 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  This is how you can recognize a “wise person.”  This is confirmed by Jesus in his response to those critical of him in Matthew 11:19, “But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” 

In verses 14-18, James clearly describes two different kinds of wisdom that will be on display in the world.  “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Please note that where there is a lack of heavenly wisdom there are behaviors of “disorder and every evil practice.”  Now contrast that with what behaviors the apostle Paul says heavenly wisdom will produce; “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” 

With our nation suffering the twin pandemics of covid-19 and political darkness, I prayerfully suggest this be our wisdom meter for national leadership as we consider and compare those soliciting our vote on November 3.

The apostle Paul cautioned the Ephesian Christians to “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  (5:15-17).  According to Paul, the followers of Jesus are obligated to live “not as unwise but as wise” and to “understand what the Lord’s will is.”

In the preceding verses, beginning in 4:32, Paul makes it clear what kind of wisdom and behaviors God expects from people who claim to be “children of light.”  To be “people of wisdom” is to seek knowledge about what gives God pleasure, and publicly displaying behaviors that imitate God and Christ.  (5:8-11).

Like James, Paul is making a case for a kind of practical wisdom that makes conduct consistent with faith.  A wisdom that “walks the talk” and makes “the most of every opportunity.”

This wisdom comes from God as we make right decisions and apply scriptural principles to our daily circumstances.  This wisdom comes from living a disciplined life. This wisdom comes from keeping your eyes focused on God and his Word and you ear listening to his Holy Spirit.  This wisdom comes when we commit to a love relationship with Jesus Christ.  Amen!

The Prayer of Serenity

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 2, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley