Are You A Toothless Saw? (a Steve Orr Lectionary reflection)

Are you familiar with Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?

 

Covey describes seven changes we can make to enhance our daily lives, improve our relationships, and bring us closer to loved ones. It’s a remarkable book. Habit 7, "Sharpen the Saw," is explained like this: A man sawing a tree says he's too busy to take a break and sharpen his saw. As a result, he is eventually unable to cut any part of the tree because the saw blade has become too dull to function as intended. Carried to the extreme, that saw would eventually become toothless through overuse. 

 

Habit 7 is about our need for renewal in four dimensions: physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual. That’s not a new idea. Many of the "habits" discussed in the book align with Biblical exhortations. This one lines up perfectly with the commandment to take a Sabbath day each week, to pause for a day of renewal, to wait upon the Lord. 

 

That should be reason enough for us to make this habit a part of our lives. But if more is needed, we can find it in this week's Matthew passage. Jesus tells his disciples to: “Be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him." 

 

We must prepare if we are to be ready for the Lord's return. Since no one except God knows the day or hour of His return, we need to heed that exhortation to set aside a day each week to recharge and renew. And to be able to stay alert through the night, one must rest during the day. 

 

So today, I sharpened the saw.

 

A part of me wanted to get up and get going, to accomplish…well, anything. Surely, my little urgency reasoned, there must be something that needed doing. How, it kept pressing, could I keep wasting so much time? I had to constantly resist the urge to do. 

But I did resist. I slept in, read. Spent my time doing very little, physically. I thought about stuff. Dreamed about the future. Thought about loved ones. Let go of those things over which I have no control. Gave myself a good and thorough pause.

 

Because you can't do the work with a toothless saw.

 

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PHOTO: Steve Orr

The Pause That Refreshes: a reflection on the Sabbath and a little CocaCola history

https://www.bufordcoc.com/the-pause-that-refreshes/

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As is our practice, DaySpring’s Lectionary breakfast will not meet this Friday morning. Included below are the links to the scripture readings for Thanksgiving and the First Sunday of Advent. 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. See you in December!

Steve

 

 

READINGS FOR 

THANKSGIVING DAY, USA (NOVEMBER 24, 2022)

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Psalm 100

Philippians 4:4-9

John 6:25-35

 

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=291

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Cx_ThanksgivingDay.pdf

READINGS FOR 

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (NOVEMBER 27, 2022) AND THE COMING WEEK

Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

 

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=1

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_FirstSundayofAdvent.pdf

Late Pizza (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

“Never pay full price for late pizza.”

—Michelangelo

Before you challenge me on that quote, let me assure you it’s not the painter of Sistine Chapel fame. That little nugget of wisdom actually comes from…a turtle.

 

Among my favorite events of the 1980s was the arrival of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (“TMNT”) They were turtles in shells—mutated in such a way that they could talk and walk on two legs. The other two appendages had become arms with human-like hands. 

 

These four “teenagers” were named for renaissance artists: Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello. And they were ninjas, complete with a mutated-rat-Sensei who trained them to use their martial-arts skills for good. They lived in the New York City sewers, wore masks, fought crime, and celebrated victories with delivery pizza.

 

Ludicrous?

 

Maybe. And yet, against all reason, that comic book was popular from the get-go. People were drawn to these wise-cracking, adolescent, street-warrior amphibians. Also possibly against all reason, the TMNT are still around and still going strong. And they’ve come a long way. These days they buddy up with such stars as Batman to fight crime in NYC. 

 

But, it’s not crime-fighting we’re going to zero in on: It’s that delivery pizza. My favorite TMNT quote comes from an early film in which the Turtles only pay the Domino Pizza delivery guy $10 for a $13 pizza. When he complains about being shorted, Michelangelo replies: “Wise man say: Forgiveness is divine...but never pay full price for late pizza.”

 

From the moment I heard those words, I knew I could put them to work. Never again, I vowed, would I reward someone for delinquency. At that point in my career, I had people who reported to me, people to whom I assigned work projects. I reasoned that if someone thought that work was important, they would make the effort, and the arrangements, to ensure on-time deliverables...maybe even early. 

 

Oh, it’s not that I punished my staff if they were late. I just didn’t reward tardiness. And, at that time, in that setting, the philosophy worked pretty well. Those who needed that lesson learned it.

 

But—penalizing tardiness doesn’t always work. 

 

And I, for one, am really glad it doesn’t. What if Jesus followed that approach in this week’s selection from Luke? I am happy to report that Jesus, when face to face with a real latecomer, soundly rejected that philosophy. 

 

The latecomer was the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He asked to be remembered when Jesus came into His kingdom. He was, in effect, saying, “I’m very, very late to this, but I am hoping you will reward me, anyway.” And Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Can you imagine two people, soon to be dead, having such a conversation? 

Ridiculous. Crazy. Completely irrational. 

 

But it only gets wilder. Yes, he was very, very late, but Jesus didn’t penalize him for his tardiness. Jesus isn’t watching the clock. Instead, Jesus paid the full price for that thief. Same for us. 

 

Ridiculous. Crazy. Completely irrational. 

 

Like paying full price for late pizza.

 

 

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PHOTO: Steve Orr 

DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast meets Friday morning at 8:00 at Our Breakfast Place and on Zoom.** Good food, good friends, and interesting stuff to talk about. 

 

Join us!

Steve

**Contact me for the Zoom link

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=290

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Cx_ReignofChrist.pdf

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Luke 1:68-79

Psalm 46

Colossians 1:11-20

Luke 23:33-43

Reign of Christ - Proper 29 (34) (November 20, 2022)

Be Prepared (Not?) (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

Suddenly, we were freezing! 

 

Our little RV is a well-equipped pod of comforts. One of the best features is a series of three huge lithium batteries that store enough power to keep everything going when no other electricity is available. That should have given us confidence since we had planned to use the electric heat that night. And we were confident—right up until we came face-to-face with 20°F and heat-sucking 50 MPH winds. We had expected cold, but not that much cold. 

 

We cranked our electric heater up to full blast in hopes of solving the problem. We could feel the hot air pouring in through the vents. But the inside temp just kept falling. Even with extra layers, we were feeling quite chilly. Where was the heat going?! Were we losing heat through the doors? Did we have inadequate insulation? Should we have filled our propane tank? Every window and vent was suspect.That icy plunge brought an end to our camping fun...at least for that night. How was any of this possible? 

 

Hadn’t we properly prepared?

 

Interestingly, preparation is one of the themes in this week’s scriptures. Or should I say the lack of preparation? When you read them, you will note they all reference actions God will take (or allow), some that seem very positive and some that seem very negative. In one instance, Jesus tells of a time when believers will be persecuted. He explains that, while these are negative events, they provide the opportunity for believers to testify. Then He addresses preparation, instructing us to “make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance.”

 

It’s a strange instruction: Do not prepare. Once we think we know what’s coming, it’s usual to prepare. It’s kind of a main thing for us humans. In fact, we are puzzled by folks who don’t prepare, especially when what’s coming could impact them negatively. Yet, scripture is clear: God will do as God intends, regardless of our preparations. We can’t change what’s going to happen. We can only mitigate the impact. 

In the case of our camping trip, we had done all we could have done to prepare. It just turned out that the actual events were beyond the reach of our preparations. No, we didn’t freeze...but we were very, very cold.

 

What we did was get through it. 

 

If things like this can happen to us in our day-to-day living, it should be no stretch to believe larger, spiritual events are well beyond our preparations. So, should we just sit down, fold our hands, and wait to see what happens? No. That’s another thing covered in this week’s scriptures. We can’t just remain passive with respect to the events that impact our lives. Idleness is not the answer. Neither is giving up. We can’t just stop because we face what seem to be insurmountable odds. 

 

So, what are we, God’s people, to do? 

This week’s scriptures tell us: Live in imitation of believers who have gone before. Trust that God will provide what is needed, and ask for the wisdom to recognize that provision when it comes. Know that when we need to speak, God will provide the words we need. Go about our lives. Work and don’t be idle (i.e., “Do not be weary in doing what is right”).

 

There is something bigger going on here. No matter what comes our way, we cannot allow ourselves to freeze up. We must be prepared to act in obedience to God’s direction, to be active participants. 

Be prepared to serve.

 

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PHOTO: Steve Orr

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Friday mornings are pleasant breaks for those of us who attend DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We gather at 8:00 at Our Breakfast Place and on Zoom** for good food and a Bible feast. We learn from each other as we discuss the scriptures that will form the basis of the coming Sunday’s sermon. It’s like nothing else.

 

There’s no need to prepare. Just come as you are. 

 

Blessings,

Steve

**Contact me for the Zoom link

NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=289

 

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Cx_Proper28.pdf

 

Isaiah 65:17-25

Isaiah 12

Malachi 4:1-2a

Psalm 98

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Luke 21:5-19

Proper 28 (33) (November 13, 2022) 

In Heaven With the Mob (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

“I’m with you.” 

When you need to believe that, you want to believe that, no matter who is saying it. In the Steve Martin movie, My Blue Heaven, it’s a “mid-level” mafioso saying it to an FBI agent. Why would a criminal say that to a law enforcement officer? It probably shouldn’t even be coming up. Can the agent believe it? Should he believe it? 

 

If he were skeptical, would you blame him?

 

The FBI agent, Barney Coopersmith, is assigned to keep the mafioso, Vinnie Antonelli, out of trouble until he can testify against one of his Mafia bosses. It proves to be anything but simple. In the scene where Vinnie tells Barney, “I’m with you,” the audience knows Vinnie is trying to leverage himself out of having been caught committing credit card fraud—while in Witness Protection! Is he just manipulating Barney?

 

Perhaps. But for someone in his profession, Vinnie has some flaws. He makes and keeps friends. He likes to help people. He likes children. He is a romantic. He is loyal. 

 

He tells Barney, "Now when I say 'I'm with you,' I don't mean it like an expression, like I'm saying 'I understand what you mean.' I mean, I'm. With. You." 

 

And soon, we begin to think he really means it. Time and time again, Vinnie acts positively toward Barney: teaching him how to dance the méringue (yes, named after the dessert), how to woo the woman he loves—even how to dress for success. And, perhaps most important, how to relax and enjoy life.

 

Vinnie really was with Barney. He made himself part of Barney's life—all the parts of Barney's life—and Barney was the better for it. No, it was not a smooth process (and where would be the fun in that?). But, over the course of their time together, Vinnie became Barney's friend—a true friend. The very person any of us would want in our life, even if that person made us a bit uncomfortable from time to time—even if we couldn't control him or predict his behavior. 

 

The relationship would be worth it.  

 

In this week's selection from the Prophet Haggai, God says: "Take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you…My spirit abides among you; do not fear."

 

God is not just present, and His declaration is not just "an expression." He is saying He will be with His people through everything that is coming, the good and the bad. He plans to "abide" with them, to come and to stay. Long before Jesus came to earth, God declared "Immanuel" to His people. 

 

God said to them and is saying to us: 

 

"I'm. With. You." 

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PHOTO (plus, how real life mobster, Henry Hill, inspired “My Blue Heaven” and “Goodfellas”):

https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/my-blue-heaven-vs-goodfellas-henry-hill-gangster-movies

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Join us at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast on Friday morning. We meet at 8:00 at Our Breakfast Place and on Zoom.** We would love for you to join us. 

 

Sure, the food's tasty, but the real treat is getting to spend time with each other. See you there?

 

Blessings,

Steve

**Here’s the Zoom link:

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

NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

All Saints Day

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=286

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Cx_AllSaintsDay.pdf

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

Psalm 149

Ephesians 1:11-23

Luke 6:20-31

Proper 27 (32) (November 6, 2022)

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=288

 

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Cx_Proper27.pdf

 

Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98

Job 19:23-27a

Psalm 17:1-9

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Luke 20:27-38