It’s Not Really About the River (a Steve Orr Bible reflection)

Greek philosopher Heraclitus advised: “No one ever steps in the same river twice.” As time passes, rivers continue to flow and people continue to change. At any later point, it's not the same river and they’re not the same person.

What if a person is crossing the river? What is the effect of delaying that first step into the waters? That was the situation in 49 BC when a fellow named Julius considered adding “Caesar” to his name. He led his army to the edge of a small river, the Rubicon. As long as they stayed on one side of the river, all would be as it had been. But should they decide to cross the Rubicon, well… 

 

The penalty for just crossing that river would be death, not only for Julius, but for every soldier in his service.

 

Whichever choice Julius made would have consequences. If he decided to stay on his side of the Rubicon, nothing would change —and change was needed. If he did cross it, everything would change —and there would be no turning back. 

 

It was, truly, the point of no return.

 

Today, when someone says "cross the Rubicon," there is no actual river involved. When we say it, we mean a decision must be made that cannot be taken back. Once made, we will have to face the consequences of the decision—and live with them from that moment on. But don't be fooled: Not making a decision is also a decision. And the consequences for not choosing may be just as costly—maybe more so.

 

That’s what’s happening in this week's Joshua passage. Joshua first calls together all the leaders of Israel. He reminds them of all God has done for them: the exodus from their slavery in Egypt, the provision of their needs during the wilderness years, and the gift of the Promised Land. 

 

Then Joshua invites them to "cross the Rubicon." He challenges them to choose whom they will serve, the Lord or some false god. 

 

God wants each of us to make that choice. As one of our modern poets declares: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.” Will we commit to God, or will we choose another path? It’s a decision we make of our own free will. Do we yield our hearts as the Israelites were invited to do? Or do we, by action or inaction, decide to do something else? 

 

Time passes and circumstances change. We change. But at some point each of us comes to our own Rubicon, our moment of decision. It’s not the size of our Rubicon that matters—it may seem inconsequential, perhaps no more than a “trickle.” It’s the consequences of the choice we make that really matter. Do we turn back? 

 

Or do we cross it—and change everything?

 

 

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PHOTO: Skagway River, Alaska (by Steve Orr)

A brief history of Caesar’s actions that day and afterword (includes a photo of the Runicon):

https://www.italyonthisday.com/2020/01/caesar-crosses-rubicon-fiume-rubicone.html?m=1

 

 

“Gotta Serve Somebody” by Bob Dylan (with Lyrics)

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEB&search_query=gotta+serve+somebody+bob+dylan+lyrics&ra=m

 

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Join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We meet on Zoom* and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place. We gather at 8:00 and enjoy an hour of Bible, discussion, food, fellowship, and laughter.

 

No one is required to sing like Bob Dylan.

Blessings,

Steve

 

*Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414

 

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

Find them here: 

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=84

 

Print them from here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Ax_Proper27.pdf

 

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Psalm 78:1-7

Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

Proper 27 (32) (November 8, 2026)

Who Are the Leaders? (a Steve Orr Bible reflection)

When we were kids, we played a game called "Follow the Leader." It was a mimicking game: We had to match what the leader did, go where the leader went, in exact imitation. Anyone who failed to accurately mimic the path and actions of the leader was "out" and had to leave the line. The last person still following the leader was the winner and the new leader.

 

As adults we also follow leaders: at work, at church, in the community, the state, the nation, and others. We may be told who our leaders are, but sometimes we choose them or participate in an election in which the majority decides. We understand what is expected of us with regard to our leaders, and we do it. 

Who is a leader? How do we identify that person? There’s a great little book with the intriguing name You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader. Author Mark Sanborn suggests that, similar to our childhood game, real-life leaders are the ones people are following. Most experts agree with that generalization. What makes Sanborn stand out is that he calls for people to just go ahead and lead, not waiting for someone to make it official.

 

But what about all those who are elected or appointed? That question brings us to this week's Joshua selection. Moses has recently died, just short of the Promised Land. Israel no longer has a leader. When the book opens, God tells Joshua that he will become the new leader. That’s not much of a surprise. He has been part of the general leadership for several years and Moses’ second-in-command. 

 

Joshua immediately begins to perform the duties of the office—with God’s help. In chapter 3, God has Joshua instruct the priests to walk into the Jordan River. What follows is a miracle like the parting of the Red Sea: The Jordan piles up in a heap to the north, and the entire nation of Israel crosses over on dry ground. Then, after everyone crosses and Joshua commands the priests to come up out of the river, the waters come flooding back. 

After that, all of the Israelites were in awe of Joshua—for the rest of his life! With that miracle, God begins drawing followers to Joshua. In chapter 1, God formally appoints Joshua the leader. In chapter 3, God ensures Joshua has followers.  

 

Not all people are “leaders” in the official sense. But even if we are not the appointed leader, we can display leadership qualities by following well. Like Joshua while Moses still lived: Joshua followed Moses, and Moses followed God.

 

Look about: Who are people following? Those are leaders, regardless of whether they have a title or occupy an office. We can use the same simple test to identify the leaders in our own lives. 

Who are you following?

 

 

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GRAPHIC: Adobe Express 

 

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I hope you can Join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We meet at 8:00 on Zoom* and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place.  We enjoy food, scripture, and each other.

 

It is an hour like no other.  

 

Blessings,

Steve

 

*Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414

 

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK 

Proper 26 (31) (Sunday, November 1, 2026)

Find these scriptures here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=82

Joshua 3:7-17

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37

Micah 3:5-12

Psalm 43

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Matthew 23:1-12

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All Saints Day (November 1, 2026)

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=83

Revelation 7:9-17

Psalm 34:1-10, 22

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

The Audience (a Steve Orr Bible reflection)

We, the audience, had come from all across the United States to hear a huge, multi-city choir sing black gospel music. Dr. James Abbington would lead them. To our surprise, Dr. Abbington asked us, the audience, to become part of the show. He changed the dynamic. He wanted us to sing, too.

 

Us. The audience.

 

I marveled at this. What made him think we, the audience, would agree to sing? Shouldn’t we be on the receiving end? But, still wondering, we did what he told us to do. We belted out such well-known gospel greats as "Oh Happy Day," "Marching to Zion," and "Every Praise (Is to Our God)."  Song after song, we sang. I wondered if this was just a thing he liked to do, the way some rock stars like to tilt the microphone toward the audience so they can chime in on some parts. Maybe this was just his way. 

 

Then, between songs, he said something that put it all in perspective: "According to Kierkegaard, in church, God is the only audience; we are all participants in the worship."

 

“God is the only audience.” 

 

That might be debatable. But one thing is not debatable, God is certainly the only audience that matters.

 

Moses forgot that. 

 

In this week’s Deuteronomy selection, God shows Moses the Promised Land—and then reminds Moses that he will not be entering it. All because Moses forgot just who was the most important audience. 

 

At one pivotal juncture in the Israelite journey through the wilderness, a need arose for water. This was the second time they had lost faith in God to provide water for them. There was much bickering and complaining. Moses was supposed to speak to a rock to start the life-giving flow. Instead, angered by their bickering, he struck the rock with his staff. In doing so, he disobeyed God's instruction. And, because he forgot who his real audience was, he paid the price. 

Afterword, GOD said told Moses and Aaron: “Because you didn’t trust me, didn’t treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel, you two aren’t going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them” (Numbers 20:12).

 

So, remember, no matter where we sit or stand in the assembly, when we act as though we are the audience, we ignore a basic truth about worship: We are not, in fact, the audience.  

 

God is the only audience.

 

 

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PHOTO: Adobe Express 

 

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I hope you can join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We meet on Zoom* and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place (8:00-9:00). It’s a great hour of food, fellowship, scripture, and laughter. 

 

No one will ask you to sing. 😱

Blessings,

Steve

 

*Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414

 

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=81

 

Print them from here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Ax_Proper25.pdf

 

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18

Psalm 1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Matthew 22:34-46

Proper 25 (30) October 25, 2026

 

Fearful of the Night? (a Steve Orr Bible reflection)

Though my soul may set in darkness,

it will rise in perfect light.

I have loved the stars too fondly

to be fearful of the night. *

 

That’s an excerpt from a poem about an old astronomer at the end of his life.

Viewed through one lens, the poem is him charging his pupil to continue to pursue "the service of our science." Viewed through a different lens, there’s a less obvious message: the old astronomer's love of God's creation.

 

The old astronomer spent a lifetime staring into the night sky, long enough to lose his fear of it, long enough to understand something profound: Even though he was surrounded by the night, he could live as in the day. He learned something that could benefit us all: The night is just another piece of the day. It’s the only piece of the day when we can see the light of other suns.

 

And in the end, no matter how vast the darkness, how uncharted the way, the old astronomer is confident "God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars."

 

Like Moses speaking with God in this week’s Exodus passage, the old astronomer understood that the journey is meaningless if God does not go with us. And if God is with us, we have nothing to fear, not even the unknowns of the night. 

 

This week’s Isaiah selection declares: "I am GOD, the only God there is. I form light and create darkness; I make harmonies and create discords. I, GOD, do all these things." Psalm 96 sums it up: "For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens."

 

It all belongs to God: the vastness of the universe, all the light of distant suns, all the darkness, and all the unknowns. As long as we are in the presence of the Lord, we need not be fearful of the night. We, too, will rise in perfect light. 

 

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PHOTO: Adobe Express filtered through Photoshop Express 

 

* The Old Astronomer to His Pupil

   —Sarah Williams (English poet, 1837–1868)

 

Read the entire poem here: 

https://allpoetry.com/The-Old-Astronomer-to-his-Pupil

 

Listen to the audio version here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcEctIemPHE

The colorful life (and bizarre death) of astronomer Tycho Brahe:

https://www.space.com/19623-tycho-brahe-biography.html

 

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Join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. Starting at 8:00, It’s a pleasant hour on Zoom** and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place. There’s a surprising amount of laughter. We eat, read scripture, catch up with each other, and toss sermon ideas at the pastor. 

 

The optics are good.

 

Blessings,

Steve

 

**Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414

 

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=80

 

Print them from here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Ax_Proper24.pdf

 

Exodus 33:12-23

Psalm 99

Isaiah 45:1-7

Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

Proper 24 (29) (October 18, 2026)