Rejoice (2 Corinthians 13)

 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the a God of love and peace will be with you. 

Paul was correcting the Corinthians for their misgivings. They must remember to fix their own errors. As Christians, we need to not get caught up in excusing our faults, saying that is just a weak point. No, we can’t be perfect at everything all at once, but we shouldn’t disregard one part of our lives because we aren’t good at it. We may not be good at praying everyday. Doesn’t mean we should not try. Instead of saying, “I just can’t find the time,” we need to diligently work on making the first part of our day dedicated to prayer. Everything else can truly wait. 

Lastly, we must choose joy. Our relationship with God is amazing! We should celebrate that every day! And in that joy, we should reflect to see how we can bring that joy to others. How could I share this joy with other people at my church or in my community? It may be difficult to try something new, especially sharing God’s word, but it is what we are called to do. So we need to try. I challenge you, friend, to reach out to someone this week with a word of comfort and love. Pray to God first, and ask him to provide the words. Show love. That is what Jesus wants from us.

Staying humble (2 Corinthians 12)

 “God doesn’t have to come down with a big stick.” That was something my siblings all heard a lot growing up. From my mom, grandmothers, aunts, etc. It was usually after we had done something not very nice, and then somehow got ourselves hurt. Like if I had been teasing my brother, and then I tripped and fell down. The chastisement from the older ladies after own hurt was a gentle reminder that we were trying to put ourselves above others, and that wasn’t ok. Did God trip us? Or let our boasting blind us from what was in our path? That is certainly what the old Catholic ladies had us believe. And I have used that same saying with my children lately.

2 Corinthians 11:7 Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, and angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.

Paul had a vision of the heavens that was so magnificent, it could have put him above others if he bragged about what he saw. So this vision was kept a secret. To keep him humble, as he is human and not resistant to pride, Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh.” I have read that this “thorn” was not a mere small item, but like a tent stake. So this “thorn” was definitely visible to others. And perhaps they thought less of Paul because he had it. Maybe they thought he did something wrong to deserve having this obtrusion in his body, and if he had done something that wrong surely he isn’t the man of God he said he was. 

2 Corinthians 11:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made in weakness. 

Who would have thought that Satan would be allowed to harm someone close to God? But God allowed Paul to be humbled in this manner to remind him that Paul needed God. That just because Paul was a man of God and had seen the heavens, he couldn’t go off on his own and be mightier than others. Sometimes we forget that those who look like or seem like they have it together can also be fighting demons, and maybe fighting even harder ones than we have to face. We don’t realize what they have overcome to receive those blessings. We don’t see their weakness or the power God has given them to withstand their battles. 

Jesus had thorns in his crown that was not gently placed on his head, but shoved into his scalp. He endured the nails hammered into in his hands and feet as he was nailed to the cross. He withstood all the demons around him, criticizing him as he was hung to die. He didn’t given in. He didn’t call it quits. He allowed the humiliation and degradation. He stayed humble on the cross. How? Through God’s grace. 

In our daily battles, God is giving us grace to withstand the demons attacking us, the ones trying to make us weak. People say “God won’t give you anything you can’t handle,” aren’t quite right. Life will have things we can’t handle; can’t handle alone, that is. Until we understand that we are insufficient without God, we won’t see that his grace alone is sufficient. Grace is God’s strength and is available to us all the time. It fulfills what we lack. It is enough to overcome our obstacles, to power through our thorns. God uses our weakness to remind us that we need to rely of the grace through Jesus. And through that weakness, God strengthens us. God reminds us to be humble, that we are children of God. His grace is sufficient for us. His grace is sufficient for you. 

A wolf in sheep’s clothing (2 Corinthians 11)

 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough.

I remember in college, when I wasn’t sure of myself and where I felt I belonged, I went with my dorm suite mates to several different churches. We “church hopped,” visiting a new church every few weekends until they found one they liked. Or at least that was the idea. We had a Catholic Church on campus, but their Mass was at 8 at night on Sundays. I preferred to go in the morning. I didn’t know anyone Catholic in the college yet, and I didn’t feel brave enough to go into a new church by myself, so I stayed with my suite mates for a month or two. Then I grew tired of church hopping and just went to the late Catholic Mass. And it was the one I stayed with for the remainder of my college time. 

 I know that every Catholic Church I go to is preaching the same message. For me, when I get to a new town, I just look to see what times the Catholic Churches offer Mass, and go to a time that works for me. Moving to a new city, I look for the Catholic Church that is in the area of my house, and pick a time. I know that not every other church or religion works this way, and people grow tired of their church or their leader, or they don’t agree with their church leader’s message. I know that some people who were Catholic don’t always agree with the Catholic leaders standpoints, and leave the Catholic faith as a whole. I am NOT saying the Catholic Church is free from errors. And I’m not saying that my church is the right church. We all just need to be aware that there are false teachers out there. There are people who separate themselves from a church because they don’t agree with the churches beliefs and try to make their own church with their own take on the Bible. Just guard your heart if you are still looking for a home church (whatever the denomination), or if you have doubts at your current church. Be on guard against those who seem to offer something new and shiny, because the devil doesn’t come out wearing doom and gloom. He disguises himself as an angel of light, trying to lure you away with his “truth.”

Dressed for battle (2 Corinthians 10)

 I am Catholic. A “cradle Catholic,” meaning I was born into and raised in a Catholic household. I did not attend a Catholic school, rather I went to public school in a largely Catholic community. I received religious education during school until about 5th grade, and they stopped allowing it since it was public school. Then we had Catechism on the weekend. I felt I understood my faith, until I went to college. I moved from south Louisiana to north Louisiana, which is mostly Baptist. On campus, I met a lot of other students that attended the Baptist College Ministry, who would walk around quoting Bible verses for everything other people were doing “wrong.” A leader of another campus group (who was not Catholic), would question me until I was very uncomfortable about my Catholic beliefs, why we did this, why we prayed this, etc. At first, it made me very doubtful of my faith, because obviously I didn’t know enough. But I didn’t know where to start, and just let it go. I endured this questioning for a bit and then joined a group of Catholic students, so at least I wasn’t walking around getting bullied on my own.

Years later, I met a friend who also questioned my beliefs, but in a much better attitude. Her questioning made me dig deeper into why we believe what we do, why we pray certain things, why I am a Catholic. At this point, I had a child already and knew that I wanted to raise her Catholic, and so I needed to learn before I preached to her of our faith (Christian and Catholic). 

2 Corinthians 10:4 For although we are in the flesh, We do not battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of the flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses.

On Enduring Word, David Guzik notes:

‘The Corinthian Christians tended to rely on and admire carnal weapons for the Christian battle: 

· Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation.

· Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success.

· Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words.

· Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power.

· Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority.

· Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs.’

As we face the world, there are those who give their opinions against God. I still have one dear to me with these opinions. I have very many times had to take hold of the things said and give them to God. Because of my desire to learn and grow since my children were born, I am able to stand up to their thoughts easier. I used to just let them come and attack, same as when I was in college. I don’t use harsh rebuttal, but with kindness, I face the arguments. Through that kindness, I feel a softness has opened up in this person’s heart. I can tell in the attitude towards me thinking Mass is more important than anything else on a Sunday. I will continue to stand up for my beliefs and fight with weapons that are not of the flesh, because the spiritual war is not over.

Is it enough? (2 Corinthians 9)

 I have control issues. And this COVID mess is wrecking havoc on things and taking control away from me. Now that we are back at school, my issue is helping with their online school. There are days where we finish their assigned lessons early, so I am trying to find things to fill in the time. Some parents see this as a break, and let their kids just do what they want (Watch tv), but I feel that if they were in the school building, 2:00 PM is still school time so it needs to be filled with something semi-educational. But is what I am giving enough? Am I enough?

There is that terrible question. It brings even the greatest days down to nothing. Am I enough? Am I doing enough? Is this good enough? 

In similar thoughts, when I give to the church or someone in need, is it enough? If I give with a giving heart, it is. If I give with reluctance or bitterness, then I am withholding God's love from that gift. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells me "each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." I need to give from my heart, not with hesitance or because of manipulation or guilt. It continues with the fact that God completes every gift. When a gift is given, he can make the work in giving abundant, making sure the giver has what is needed. And he can take that gift given and make it a great harvest. As I am giving myself (whether money or physical work), I am serving God. And if I do this work with a generous heart, I am being obedient to his word. 

Jesus was the greatest gift ever given, and nothing I do will ever match that gift. However, if I follow God's word and give with a generous heart, God will multiply my gift so it will always be enough. I am enough. I am good enough. Even as a secondhand teacher, if my heart is open to my children, I know I will give them what they need, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I am enough. 

Giving (2 Corinthians 8)

 2 Corinthians 8:7 Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.

Each year, between Halloween and Thanksgiving, my kids and I go through all their things (toys, books, clothes, etc.) and find things that are still in good condition, and make a large pile of what we can give to others. I have always said that if they are hoping for new gifts for Christmas, then we need to show our love for others first. We dive a little deeper into why each year. When they were younger, it was “Santa can’t leave presents if there isn’t any room for them,” then it was “Santa won’t leave presents if you don’t have a giving heart.” This last year was more of opening their eyes to see that some families need more help, that some children really may not have gifts because their parents may not be able to get them. I am trying to open their hearts to giving so they can realize that there are so many other people in the world in need. That we are called by Christ to give. 

Giving is a big thought process. How am I called to give? In what capacity should I give? Some people give money to their church, or to a Christian radio station. Some give their time. Some give both. All of the gifts, when given with an open heart, are amazing. Think of the story of the widow Jesus told his disciples in Mark 12:41-44. “Amen I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors in the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” God isn’t calling us to give at the end of the month, seeing what we might have left over. Or at the end of the day, seeing just how tired we are, if we can give one more hour. He is calling us to give from the bottom of hearts, at the very beginning, putting him first above all things. And when we do this, we are showing his grace. 

Is there a ministry around you that could use help? Whether monetary or a physical body? It’s going to be getting cold soon, maybe a soup kitchen needs help serving. Or donations to be able to serve. Prayerfully consider how you can do more for your local ministries, whether through your church or your town. It is great to help missions abroad, by all means, but the people around you are struggling, also. There are people you may see every day who are seeking help in the after hours from non-profit groups. Yes, our country is still high above financially than some third world countries, but when I see children in our country going to school with holes in their shoes that belonged to two of their brothers, I know there are people here that are forgotten, too. 

The most gracious act was God giving us his only son. Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us. He is our eternal gift. God gives us grace so that we can give it to others. Let us be more generous as this Christmas season approaches, and remember to serve others before ourselves. I heard this song on the radio the other day, and it really caught my attention. We need to start here and now, around us, if we want to see a change in the world. 

Start Right Here

Self-cleansing (2 Corinthians 7)

My kids are ready to decorate for Halloween and Fall. It was 50 degrees here September 8 &9, and they think it is time to set up our house. Don't get me wrong, I love decorating the house for seasons. But I told them, if we decorate now, then before Halloween even gets here, I will have had enough of them. It gets to be too cluttered for me after a while, and I want it taken down. It's just too much, it feels too heavy around me. It's the same with Christmas decor, so it's not just scary Halloween things. I have days where I feel like everything is just too much, and start purging things in my house, thinking that maybe if I get rid of stuff in the house, it won't feel so heavy. It's a good feeling when I save up the decor at the end of the season, or do a room purge. Like a weight is lifted off me. Have you ever had a day where you just feel off? Like, there is this weight on your shoulders, but you aren't sure what it is? 

Like our houses need cleansing, our own self need cleansing. Not just a bath, but a deeper cleansing. Maybe because it feels like I was hoarding things others could use, is the reason getting rid of things made me feel better? I don't know. But I also know that if I don't take time very regularly to connect with God, to check my self, I feel a heavy weight on me. I feel like I need a spiritual cleansing to get more connected with God. Like I have allowed the things of this world to get in the way of that relationship. I have put him to the side too long. That I haven't done enough to serve him. 

I trust in Jesus, that he will forgive my sins, but I also know I must actively pursue him. I can't just sit around waiting for him to make the way for me. And I also know that he won't make all the dangers/sin in my life just disappear. I have to be willing to remove them from my life. I would have to choose to not pick up the drink or drug (metaphorically speaking). I would need to remove the filth from my flesh and spirit. In order to receive him fully, I need to be completely open to his forgiveness. And I can't be if I continue to lead a life of sin. 

2 Corinthians 7:1b let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness in the fear of God.

Our daily bread (2 Corinthians 6)

Give us this day our daily bread... That a part of a prayer most Christians would recognize. In the Our Father prayer, we are asking God for our daily dose of grace. Just as he supplied the Israelites with a daily dose of manna in Exodus. They were not allowed to store it to and use it tomorrow. In the same way, we should not try to store the grace given to us today and use it tomorrow. We need to use it today! Otherwise, God's grace has been given to us in vain. Meaning, it was given to us without effect, it has no real value. 

Each and every day, we are called to work for God. Each and every day we are blessed by his grace. His grace is freely given, not because of something we did to earn it, but because of something Jesus did for us. God doesn't have to give us grace. He chooses to. Would the almighty and powerful God choose to give us grace just to watch us become "couch potato" Christians with it? NOPE! I have heard many people say, "I am putting ____ in God's hands. If it is meant to be, God will take care of it." That is absolutely right, however, God wants us to work at our requests also. You can't win the lottery without buying a ticket. Same thing here. You can't go through life just assuming everything will be handed to you, and you can just lounge around waiting. We must trust in God, then get to work! God is the king, not us. We should be serving him in honor of the graces we are given. 

Let us serve God with open hearts daily. Let us get up daily, thanking him for the grace of the day, and put it to good use, so that it may not become stale and withered, like yesterday's manna. 

2 Corinthians 6:1 Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5)

“Peace be still; you are here, so it is well. Even when my eyes can’t see, I will trust the voice that speaks.”

This is the song on my heart as I read this chapter today. Hope Durst’s latest song remind us that we are called to be faithful to God’s word, even when we can’t see him. As we have talked about the previous few chapters of this book in the Bible, everything on this earth will be stripped away when we enter heaven. All the bad, all the suffering, all the hatred. Matthew Henry says, “Death will strip is of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as end all our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. (1)” 

Those faithful ones who have passed have shed their mortal clothes, their temporary dwelling, but put on “garments of praise.” They have let go of their earthly burdens and get to live in eternity with Jesus. And one day, we, too, shall have that celebration in heaven as we are called to our final home. Though I hope it is not a time soon, I do believe we need to live our lives as if we are preparing for this trip. Just as any vacation takes preparation (get the right clothes, accessories, money for food, etc.), this earthly life is our preparation for heaven. We can be living it daily like we have a list that we need to complete to be worthy of the trip to see Jesus. And we have that list in God’s word. 

Living as a Christian isn’t easy. Here in America, it is easier than some other countries. At least we are free to walk around quoting the Bible to others. Not that quoting the Bible is the only way to show God to people. I’m just saying that we have the ability to show our faith much more openly here. In China, they had to have church underground for a while. Christians were arrested and jailed for public displays of their beliefs. Iran had similar bouts with arresting Christians, as well as receiving lashes and open (public) punishment. And I’m not talking about hundreds of years ago. I’m talking about 2018. There are several countries under Religious oppression, where it is not ok to be a Christian. So, here in America, where it is, we should know God has us here for a reason. And trust in his voice that we are called for a greater goal than we realize. 

God is trying to prepare us. To receive the Eucharist at Sunday Mass, we must clean and shape our hearts through confession. In the same way, He is shaping us while we are on earth so we can be clean and pure for heaven. He has given us ways to live our lives in Christ. He has told us to show others our faith in our works and the way we live. What are some ministries in the community near you that could use help? Maybe reaching out to them to see how you can serve them is a way to walk in faith. He isn’t with us physically so we can see, so we have to rely on him with our faith. We must trust the voice that speaks in our hearts. One day, we will no longer have to walk in faith and we will see his glory in the true presence. But until then, 

2 Corinthians 5:7 “Walk by faith and not by sight.”

Peace Be Still

Looking to the future (2 Corinthians 4)

As a child, we often look to the future. We are taught to think of what we will be when we grow up. What classes we will take high school and college. What future we see for ourselves. In high school, one of the yearbook questions is always “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Of course 5 years ago, no one saw themselves in our current pandemic situation, but that is a different story. This same 5 year question is a question at many job interviews. I know this because I asked this question many a times when I helped interview people at the lab I worked at in Little Rock. We asked it to get a feel of where people thought they wanted to be, did they have something permanent in mind, or was that job just a stepping stone to something else. 

There isn’t much permanent in our life. Each phase we get to is a step. A child may look forward to Saturday morning cartoons, or going to school for the first time. Then they get there, and there is a new something to look forward to: summer break. That continues until a student is looking forward to graduating, then looking for a job, or college then a job. Then someone might be looking forward to getting married and starting a family. Then looking forward to family vacations and babies. But as we have already said, babies don’t last long. They turn into kids then students, then they are gone to start their own adventures. Nothing is permanent. This life is just a stepping stone to something greater. 

As we go through life, we shouldn’t focus on just the next step in front of us, or something 5 years down the road. We shouldn’t hold on to life’s afflictions, looking out for the next best thing. It’s easy to have the “I can’t wait to find a better job,” or “I can’t wait to get that house,” or any other change in our life, none of which is permanent.  We need to have our eternal future in our daily thoughts. 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to wheat is seen but to what is unseen; what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. 

Everything we do on earth is momentary. What we see around is transitory, or not permanent. But God’s love is permanent. All the things on earth that we look forward to is just like sand slipping through our fingers. God’s love is eternal, and will always be there, and heaven is our permanent home. Maybe we need to focus more of our efforts in life on how to help other’s reach heaven instead of how we can reach our next goal. 

Time travel (Corinthians 3)

There are so many tasks we will be given in our lives. Child, student, Christian, worker, spouse, parent, boss, grandparent, etc. just to cover a few. In every task we take on, we are changing lives, leading someone in one way or another. My kids were talking about traveling through time the other day. We were watching Star Trek, and in the story plot, Captain Picard had traveled through time. They thought it was so neat that he could go back and forth in time. “Think of all the things you would know and could change,” one of my children said. What we then talked about is how IF we could go back in time, any little thing we did that was different from our previous time could drastically change the future. We really don’t know how each little thing we do each day impacts our future, or someone else’s. 

My child said, “yea but I could change my bad day to make it better.” I told her that it might make it better for her, but it could cause someone else’s day to be ruined. I told her we need to focus on our future days instead of trying to change something from the past. We learn from our past so that our future doesn’t look the same. And the best way to change lives is to show others how Jesus works in our life. We can’t do this on our own, but only with God’s help. We aren’t qualified to make changes in other people’s lives without Jesus. In that same manner, we shouldn’t ever try to take claim on other’s great successes, either. Nor our own. We didn’t get where we are today on our own. God had his hands in our lives from day one. 

People may think they are sufficient, and got through life on their own, but that just isn’t true. They don’t all the “behind the scenes” people God out in their lives, even in small ways, that helped contribute to their successes. A childhood friend that said you couldn’t do something may have given you motivation to try to achieve it anyway. A classmate in school that you wanted to do better than. A group of friends you wanted to grow closer to. All these things make you change somehow. As an adult, we can see how some of the choices we made could have been better. And we may wish we hadn’t made them, and could undo the hurt we felt. Instead of trying to change them, we can use them to direct our future and see how we can help others avoid those same mistakes. We can find God in those sorrowful times and teach others how to do the same. We can show others how only God can fill the holes in our lives, and only through him can we truly find happiness in our lives.

Sufficiency means enough, or adequate. Through Jesus, we are enough. We are adequate. We do matter and we are important. Please don’t forget that.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God. 

Forgiveness (2 Corinthians 2)

Why is it easier to push someone away after they have wronged you than it is to offer forgiveness?

In 1 Corinthians 5, St. Paul tells us how “a little yeast leavens all the dough,” whereas the test is hatred and desire to do evil. Since that little “yeast” can spread and grow, and we should put out the old “yeast” and celebrate ourselves anew, like feasts with unleavened bread. He wanted us to remove from ourselves, our groups, our Church communities those people who had hatred and desire to do evil. Because those negative things can spread in a group, one person after another. He said those people should be separated, outside the groups. Paul was urging us to be tough enough to turn away “anyone named a brother” if they led immoral lives. 

Now here in 2 Corinthians 2, he is urging us to forgive those we have turned away if they have truly repented of their evil desires. “Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him (verse 8).” Those who have sinned against us have sinned against the Christian community as a whole. After that person has repented, they should know they are still loved even though their actions were not. As Christians, we are urged so many times to forgive others. It is part of our duty. Through forgiveness, grace is found. If we want the to find Jesus, we must lead the way, If we held a transgression over someone, and never offered forgiveness though they have seriously repented, we are holding contempt in our heart. And that is only opening the door for Satan. 

Satan is always lurking behind a corner, waiting for Christians to make a mistake so he can slide he way in their lives. Lust, greed, anger are all easy ways for Satan to get a foothold in our soul. Like a weed, once seed takes root, it will choke off all the thriving plants. Like allowing sins to happen without punishment  to causes more sin to happen, lack of forgiveness will prevent other forgiveness. If we don’t stop Satan in his tracks, we are preventing someone else from learning how Jesus wants us to forgive. Yank the weed out of your soul. Open your heart to the one who has wronged you. Show them true forgiveness, that they may see Jesus through your love. 

Sufferings (2 Corinthians 1)

 Life isn’t meant to be easy. If it was all sunshine and rainbows, it would be heaven.  But God put us on earth to endure and rise above. So we will have sufferings. From those sufferings, many things can be learned. We can learn about ourselves and our personal strength. We can learn about who are friends truly are and their roles in our lives. We can learn to feel comfort. We can also learn life is not all about us, and that others suffer, too. 

 2 Corinthians 1:4 who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction...

God is the father of all encouragement and compassion. He encourages us in our times of needs so that we can learn and then turn around and help others who are in similar times of need. God encourages us not only with sympathy, but encourages strength and bravery. This encouragement may include God putting someone in our lives for this purpose, to help us through this situation. Sometimes, though, we don’t receive that comfort from God through those other people, because we don’t allow ourselves to accept it. We push forward, thinking we are strong enough and can handle what life throws at us without others. And this is prideful. We need God in our lives to make it through the big things. The saying “God never gives you more than you can handle,” is only part of the story. He never gives more than you can handle without his grace. 

St. Paul had many sufferings in his life, as we will read in later chapters. His sufferings were for Christ. He received lashes, beatings, stoning, imprisonments, robbers, dangers from his own city, etc. He welcomes these sufferings so that he could bring the word of God to the people. He never stopped knowing and understanding that his sufferings were the sufferings of Jesus. For those of us who stand firm in God’s name, we will have sufferings. If we ask to be used by Christ to show his work to others, we will endure sufferings. These sufferings are all for God’s name and glory. And from those sufferings, we will receive consolation from God. He will console us in our times of trouble, when we are standing firm in our faith. If we are suffering at work because we refuse to back down from Christian morals and ethics, we will be consoled by God. If we are suffering through family matters because we are holding God’s rules first, we will be consoled by God. 

As Christians, we should not get into a “my sufferings are worse than yours” battle. Because none of our sufferings are worse than what Jesus endured. Even St. Paul, with everything he went through, knew that his sufferings paled in comparison to Jesus times. Maybe compare and you might see how light our burden actually is, and that we are better off with our cross compared to that family across the street. Then we might see how we can help them through their suffering from our own learnings and consolation from God. 

School days

So our community started school here in Manhattan, KS, on Wednesday August 26. There were two options for starting school in the school district, one being on-site and the other remote learning. Those choosing remote learning would be using their iPads to connect with their teachers throughout the day, 5 days a week. Those on-site would obviously go on-site, unless we were in a contingency. Depending on the case count (%positive/ total tests taken for a week), we could be on-site, in a hybrid situation, or all distance learning. 

We started the school year in the hybrid plan, with the kids going to school 2 days a week and doing online learning 3 days a week. The online days are different than those kids doing remote learning. The on-site teachers still have to teach kids (group B) in the class rooms on the days group A is at home. They have a morning zoom meeting “check in” with the teacher, but the rest of the day they are responsible for completing their assignments that can be found on their Canvas app through the school. Or at least that is what the intended plan is. We are on week two, and I am praying it continues to get better. 

My kids were happy to go to school to see friends. They didn’t complain much about having to wear the mask at school, except for PE outside. But, as I told them, our weather here is fixing to cool off. The first few days on online learning have been tough. The iPads came home without all necessary apps downloaded. I had no idea until we needed to be on the zoom meeting first thing in then morning, and zoom wasn’t on there. I am responsible for documenting 390 minutes of education while they are doing online school. That would be easy if we received 390 minutes of education things to do. On day 6 of school, my son finished his teacher assignments in 30 minutes. Sure can do an hour of PE, and an hour or reading on EPIC or to each other. There are apps on the iPad for math also. But I really would rather not have him looking at the iPad for 300  minutes a day. 

You guys, I am not a teacher. God made some really super special people into educators. Thank God for them, because some of us are not cut from that same tree for a reason. I have control issues. And thinking of education material on a whim is WAY outside my control. I can google for hours, print things out, laminate like the best of them, but is it enough? Am I covering enough? And I doing enough? I was able to put somethings together for some pretty cool math games today. We used the rules of Battleship on a 100 sheet, so they could be identifying  numbers as well as sinking their siblings ships. We rolled dice and made addition sentences and used Uno cards to compare greater or less than with the numbers. I am worn out. I can’t do this every day.

Yes I know teachers do this education thing on a daily basis. But they have a standard plan and they plan for the week ahead of time, and sometimes the month ahead. They have resources to find state standards work. But even for them, this year sucks. They are having to learn the iPads just as we are. They are having to learn new technology on how to upload their assignments to this new system, as well as prep things for in class work. They are working long hours prepping each week to make sure their kids have something to work with. At least that is how my kids teachers are. I have nothing but positive things to say, because even though it may not be enough to cover a whole day at the moment, what was sent took a lot to prepare. And I needed to remember on that day 6 that it was only day 6. And if they had been in class, they still would be doing “get to know you” games. So I just need to relax, and pull out Chutes & Ladders and be ok with a little extra outdoor play. It will get better. With a little more guidance as to what can count as education, I think I will rock this online learning mom thing. Prayers for the parents who have to work and get through this school stuff after work.

Teachers are beyond awesome . 

Forever (Psalm 150)

 

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord. 

has no argument. There is no pleading for help. It is only a calling for all creation to give God his rightly due praise. Everything that has breath. All people. All creatures. Everyone. Forever we should praise him, because forever he is faithful. 

Here is the song that popped in my head as I read Psalm 150.  It is fitting for today as we finish Psalms. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uSM96OA39ic

Let’s dance! (Psalm 149)

 

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name in festive dance, make music with tambourine and lyre. 

God is our creator. We must acknowledge that. He gave us the breath we breathe. We must praise him for that. And what is the easiest way to praise? Sing, make music, dance! It is so easy to get caught up in our own self, that we might feel embarrassed to be caught singing or dancing for God. Have you ever been to a religious event and seen them praising God with dance? People out in the aisles dancing, and you thought “I would never do that!” A good question is why not. God loves it when we let go of our restraints, and be free with our heart and soul in praise. 

I may have spoken on this before, but when I was in high school, our church group would attend a convention called Steubenville South. The original Steubenville was up north, ours was in Alexandria, Louisiana. It was a large gathering of different Catholic groups, and we praised God in song for a large part of the event. There were also learning and group classes during the convention. But we praised his name. And it felt so wonderful to sing in a large convention room with thousands of other people. The sound we made just sent shivers in your soul. When we left, we were all on cloud 9, feeling on top of the world. I remember someone saying when we returned, as we were all still singing and praising, welcome back to the real world. And I remember feeling so sad in an instant because yes, in our “real world” we don’t sing and praise like that. Even in our church, group of students would sing the hymns together loudly, but the rest of the congregation didn’t really participate. And the cloud 9 feeling eventually wore off. 

I am reminded of this feeling when I am in the car with my kids, and we are listening to the radio (we listen to KLove) and a song they know the words too comes on, they ask to put the radio louder, and we all sing loudly. We should always want to praise his name loudly with song, music and dance, regardless of what other think. Maybe our joy will spread and be catching. Goodness knows people’s gloominess certainly does. 

Let us be glad in our maker. 

We are all summoned (Psalm 148)

 

Psalm 148:13 Let them all praise The Lord’s name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic above earth and heaven. 

This chapter is calling all things to praise God. All people, all of  nature, all of the heavens, everything. “‘For the Lord commanded and they were created” verse 5 tells us so much about this planet: if the Lord didn’t want it, he wouldn’t have made it. He commanded the earth be made, he commanded the light be separated from darkness, he commanded the water and land be separated. He made the animals and plants. He made man and woman. And so in thanksgiving of being created, all the things he made should praise him. 

Calling upon the angels, the sun, moon, and stars, the heavens and the waters to praise God reminds us that there is not other god but ours. If these great powers all praise our God, there is nothing higher than he, and he is the only one who deserves our praise. This is the same as verses 11 & 12 calling the kings, princes, all who govern, women, men, children, young and old alike, to praise God; there is no earthly person higher than God. We were created in his image, and we should praise him for it. All of us. We are all his people. Every nation, every tongue, every social class. 

Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. 

Feeling like an outcast (Psalm 147)

 

Psalm 147:2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers the outcasts of Israel. 

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Like you didn’t fit in or didn’t belong? Whether because of financial lack, depression, or sickness? Has a disagreement at work set you apart from others? Have you ever felt like a backslider from the church, maybe because of wickedness you have done? There are so many reasons someone may see themselves as an outcast. 

I have been in a few of these situations. I have felt like a backslider for church, when I became pregnant before I was married. I felt like everyone could see the sin I had made, and that I was hypocritical for even going to Mass. Though I felt a saving grace by wearing my engagement ring as we were planning our wedding at that time. This outcast feeling was personal judgement. I never heard anyone in my church mention comments. It was inner turmoil that brought it on, because I know I had done wrong. I do know people back home did, but I didn’t live in my small hometown at that point. 

I have been on the “other side” at work from my colleagues, even though the side I was on defended work ethics and morality. It wasn’t fun being on the outside thought process, having my colleagues (who I thought were friends) ignore me or talk about me behind my back. I mean we all know “behind my back” never really stays behind. Someone always tells the wrong person, and it gets back to the accused. Which made me feel more outcast. 

All this to say, that in both issues, I finally let go of the situation and gave it to God. He heals the broken hearted. He heals the broken spirited. He gave us his only son, who died on the cross for us to forgive our sins. If God numbered the stars, and knew them by name (verse 4), he certainly knew me. In the first issue, I learned to forgive myself, though I will admit it took many, many years. But now I have a beautiful 10 year old daughter who is growing into a magnificent young lady. In the second, I learned that if I was defended work ethic that God instilled in me, then I was defending God’s work. I was fighting his fight. And if that meant I was an outcast or outsider, than so be it. 

If you are hurting because you feel like an outcast, remember the Lord loves you and wants to heal you. Let him in your heart. You are one of his stars. 

Are you really free (Psalm 146)

 

It was hard to choose one verse in this chapter. Overall, the chapter reminds us that there is no other source of strength besides that of God. Verse 3 says to put no trust in princes, in mere mortals powerless to save. No matter their money or planning, princes, kings, governors, they are all mere mortals and can’t offer the saving grace that God can. Verse 4 reminds us of that mortality: they return to the earth. All their planning and plotting will come to nothing if they don’t have God in their hearts. 

Sure, planning and leaving an estate for someone might help them out of poverty or oppression for a while. But they can’t take that money with them. Instead of focusing on strength and power that only lasts while on earth, we should focus on teaching others the word of God. It is faith that can secure justice, and feed the hungry. It is faith that sets prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind. You can say, “a well paid lawyer can set a prisoner free. Or an expensive treatment might help someone to see.” But are they really free? And can they really see? God is the only one who can free our soul and help us see his word.  

At the beginning of the chapter, we once again see “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, my soul,” and this reminds us that we should praise him everyday. It doesn’t have to be the same blessing every time, as that might become more obligation than desire to thank him. It should be more like a 5 year old giving blessing before a meal, where you never really know what all becomes part of the blessing. When I feel prayers becoming too routine, I shake them up. Try praying in a different part of the house. Try having a candle lit or music in the background. Our mercies are new each day, as should our praise be.  Don’t let yourself start to feel redundant and then fall off of praising God. Just sing a new song.

Compassion for all (Psalm 145)

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. 

In 1 Corinthians 13, we read "love is patient, love is kind...it is not quick tempered...it endures all things." So love is patient, forgiving, gracious, and merciful. It is not quick tempered and slow to anger. In other words, God IS love. The greatest commandment is to love. And if love is God, then our call to love is a call to act more like the love God shows. 

It is so easy to have a quick temper at something we read or see that we do not agree with. It is so easy to become pompous and see ourselves as better than others in certain situations. It is so easy to become arrogant and rejoice at others misgivings and failures. Why is it so easy to do these things, and not easy to love? 

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all, compassionate to every creature. 

God spreads his goodness to all creatures, to all humanity. Not just those originally chosen to receive his gifts, but all who seek him. If God can show compassion to everyone, why can't I? If I want to love like God, I need to open my heart to all his creation. I need to see the world as he sees it. I need to listen and feel. I need to stop stuffing myself in a safe box to hide from people who don't see things the same as I do. 

Lord, I want to love like you do. I want to be gracious and merciful. Open my heart to accept those who aren't the same as me. Blessed be your holy name and grace. 

Training for battle (Psalm 144)

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle. 

Without training, it wouldn't matter what tools we have in our hands. They wouldn't be successful. You can't just give someone a football and expect them to get VIP. Neither can you hand someone a sword expect greatness without training them. Untrained force can actually be a danger to the person wielding the weapon.  

David was a well trained warrior. He killed many in hand-to-hand combat. His hands were trained for that battle. More importantly,  God trained him with the sword of the spirit ("And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17). Just like any other training, handing someone a Bible doesn't make them an expert. It takes years of training and studying before they can begin to understand God's word. The same as before, an untrained person with a Bible can actually do more harm than good. 

I pray that you Lord continue to train my hands for your battle. Help wield me in your defense, to fight against the evils of this life.