The Winters of My Discontent (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

I lived in Greater Boston for 17 and 1/2 years. Or, as I think of it, 18 winters. 

 

I am not a winter person.

 

There are, of course, positives when it comes to New England winters. But it didn’t take long for the harsh realities to overtake the positives: constantly slick surfaces, impassable roads, power outages, being late to everything—never, ever getting warm enough. Worst of all, at least for me, that claustrophobic—almost overwhelming—sensation winter would never end. 

We made some wonderful, life-long friends, there. We miss them every day. But I do not miss winter. 

 

Summer in New England, and the few weeks that bookend either side of it, is a lovely time—very Robert Frost. So, when winter does finally end, everyone feels an uplift in spirit. Joy fills every heart. A kind of collective amnesia overtakes, clouding the harsher memories of winter.

Deep in the bleak days of winter, though, instead of dwelling on their momentary difficulties, they look ahead. People’s thoughts turn to the spring to come, the green grass, blooming flowers, and the planting of gardens. They think of the warm days of summer and the coming (though still far distant) harvest. 

They have hope.

They know that every inch of snow piled upon the ground throughout the winter is actually stored water, just waiting for spring to release it. Water that brings life to the land, the plants, the animals, and all of us humans who can’t survive without it.

This week’s Romans passage talks about a "hope that does not disappoint." Such hope is more than just a wish. It's a confidence that good is coming, is already on its way, will certainly arrive. The passage asserts that enduring our sufferings will grow character, the kind of character that can rest in the belief that our faith is not misplaced. 

Our faith is our storehouse of hope. And it will see us through the winter.

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PHOTO: Adobe Express 

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We, too, have that hope that does not disappoint. Join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast on Zoom** and at Our Breakfast Place. We meet at 8:00 for an hour that feeds us, physically and spiritually, and from which we draw hope for the days ahead.

 

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=146

 

Print them from here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_Proper6.pdf

 

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

Exodus 19:2-8a

Psalm 100

Romans 5:1-8

Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Proper 6 (11) Third Sunday After Pentecost (June 18, 2023)

No Law? No Problem! (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

Is lawlessness a good thing? Most of us would say no.

But in 1968 the film “Wild in the Streets” was released to wild acclaim—among teenagers. Adults? Not so much. The plot: The voting age lowered to 14, drug use legalized, and 20-year-old rock star Max Frost elected President. What could go wrong?

 

Teens: great soundtrack! Adults: chaos!

 

For most of us, orderly is the way. We like order. We especially like law and order. Just to be certain, many of us seek out highly-structured environments within which to live and move and have our being. It's just a lot more comfortable that way. Most of us live in communities with schools, traffic signals, local governments and stop signs, with fire, rescue, and law enforcement on call. We feel safer knowing the law is there to protect us from all manner of things that might do us harm. And most of us have no desire to live without this structure and protection. 

 

With statements like “the law brings wrath“ and “where there is no law there is no transgression,” this week’s Romans selection can leave us a bit unnerved. If you read the passage and find assurance that our faith is what connects us to God, excellent. It’s what we're supposed to get from it. But many of us can't get past the "no law” part. That sounds a bit like anarchy; maybe a lot like anarchy. We may not actually say anything about it, but deep down we don't really accept it. 

 

We're not alone in this concern. The first-century Jewish people reading the letter to the Romans were struggling with just how much of their old life (and their old religion) they should bring forward into this new way. Like them, we keep adding law layers to our lives, even the parts of our lives that we allocate to a relationship with God.

 

Letting go of the law does not have to lead us to anarchy, in life or in our relationship with God and His people. Lawlessness is a good thing in the spiritual sense—as long as we remember to grab hold of faith as we release our grip on the law. With faith, there is no need for the law. The law can actually get in our way of living by faith.

 

Yes, it's a little scary. But take a deep breath—and let it go.

 

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GRAPHIC (the anarchy symbol from a brief article in the Encyclopedia Britannica): 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/anarchism

Max Frost and the Troopers herald revolution and anarchy in The Shape of Things to Come from the movie “Wild in the Streets”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSInh0W7FHs&list=RDEM_EajN8_sH5niFDPm-5UQmQ&start_radio=1&rv=6kidWiTBsQk

Roger Ebert reviews “Wild in the Streets”:

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/wild-in-the-streets-1968

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Can you be with us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast? We're learning to do good as we peruse God's word, discuss it among ourselves, and continue replacing bad habits with good ones. Join us at 8:00 on Zoom** or at Our Breakfast Place for food, fellowship, and fun—all squeezed into an hour like no other.

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=145

 

Print them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_Proper5.pdf

 

Genesis 12:1-9

Psalm 33:1-12

Hosea 5:15-6:6

Psalm 50:7-15

Romans 4:13-25

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Proper 5 (10) Second Sunday After Pentecost (June 11, 2023)

Sam Houston: Brawler, Drunkard, Christian (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

Before I moved to Texas, I had never heard of Sam Houston. In fact, If I hadn’t moved to Texas, it’s likely I never would have.

If you come to Texas, you will discover that much has been written about Sam. His stamp on public life and on the political side of our nation cannot be overstated. He was in the U.S. House of Representatives, a Governor of Tennessee, and a military leader in the War of 1812—all before he moved to Texas. He then became a leader in the Texas Revolution, served as the first and third President of the Republic of Texas, shepherded the treaty that later joined Texas to the United States, was a U.S. Senator from Texas, and then served as Governor of Texas.

 

Sam was a complex, complicated person; a wayward youth and a wild adult. He was known for his drunkenness, womanizing, and brawling. 

 

What is often overlooked: his spiritual side. 

Twice, Sam was drawn to Christian beliefs and sought baptism. Twice, pastors turned him down. When Sam moved to Texas, it was still part of Mexico. No one, then, could own land without becoming a Catholic. Mexican dictator Santa Anna required everyone to practice that one religion. So, Sam arranged to be baptized into the Catholic Church. 

 

Later in life, once Texas had freed itself from the requirements of Santa Anna, Sam experienced a conversion not tied to politics. He chose to commit his life to the Lord. 

 

What happened? A person.

 

When Sam married Margaret Lea, a woman 26 years his junior, there was frank and open skepticism. But they were happily married 23 years, until Sam's death. Margaret's impact on Sam's life was deep and broad. He made changes he believed were important to his new life (for example, he became a tea-totaler, not even keeping alcohol for guests). He and Margaret produced and raised eight children. And, under her discipleship, Sam slowly began to move in the direction of the Lord. While away from home in Washington, D.C., he began attending the E Street Baptist Church. 

 

Still, it was only after Sam moved his family to the bustling village of Independence, Texas, so his daughters could attend Baylor University—one of the few admitting women at the time—that he seriously considered conversion.

 

Finally, on November 19, 1854, more than 14 years after marrying Margaret, Sam was baptized in Independence's Little Rocky Creek. What made the difference: the calm, considerate, constant teaching of Margaret, the example she set for Sam as wife and mother, and her own faith in the Lord. It took 14 years of her life, and many, many more of his to arrive at that juncture.

 

Now, more than 165 years later, the creek is still there, as is the Independence Baptist Church where Sam and Margaret attended. Adults are still baptized in Little Rocky Creek. One can only hope they are being discipled by folks who, like Margaret, will take whatever time is needed. The process is set forth in this week's Matthew passage.

 

Disciple, baptize, teach them the commands and to obey them. And, finally, help them know that Jesus will be with them always, right up to the very end.

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PHOTO (Bill Paxton, as Sam Houston in the miniseries Texas Rising, next to the real Sam Houston):

https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/texas-rising/

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Join us Friday morning on Zoom** and at Our Breakfast Place from 8:00 to 9:00 for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. There's plenty of good food, plenty of good fellowship, and plenty of good scripture. 

 

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=142

 

Print them here:

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

 

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

Trinity Sunday (June 4, 2023)

The Pentecost Surprise on Choctaw Ridge (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

The first time I listened to "Ode to Billy Joe," I was shocked by what I heard.

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Listen to it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1UOJxawBps

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It was sweltering in West Kentucky that mid-summer day in 1967. I had just come in from mowing lawns, an activity my father encouraged to ensure I wasn't asking him for money and to teach me the value of hard work. I was the very definition of "hot and sweaty."

 

As soon as I cleared the back door, I sank onto a kitchen chair and let the air conditioning wash over me. Then, happy to realize I was the only one home, I quickly turned on the radio.

 

The guitar strums and throaty voice of Bobbie Gentry flowed gently into our kitchen. "Ode to Billy Joe" was a simple tale, a kind of ballad, so filled with words it was almost spoken. A lot of the song is just a conversation between members of a southern family having a midday meal. The song went on to be a number-one hit in the U.S. and was a big seller internationally. It generated eight Grammy nominations. It is ranked among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

 

Many have described it as "Southern Gothic," and perhaps it is. Something about it struck a chord across the globe; and continues to capture the attention and interest of people more than 50 years later. But what I heard that day was something only a Southerner could hear.

 

Us.  

 

There, for the first time in my experience, was a song that sounded like us; that sounded exactly like conversations at our mealtimes. I was captivated by the stunning familiarity of it. More than any other thing I had heard, it captured the language and cadence of the life I was a part of. 

 

Today, when I hear Bobbie Gentry sing, "It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day," my mind overflows with the sights and sounds of the South, the part of the world that was my home. Each new verse says to me: This is important; this is about something that matters.

 

Yes, it’s just a song. I know that. But, oh, the impact of hearing my world, described in my language. Each language has its own cadences and rhythms, distinct because it reflects the very history and culture of a people.

Many of those present at Pentecost in this week's selection from Acts were away from their home country. Some were likely "visiting Jerusalem for the holidays." Others may have permanently relocated to Jerusalem. In any case, they spoke a wide variety of native languages. Imagine what it must have been like for those gathered—to hear the life-changing message of the Gospel in their own language. Imagine the impact that would have, to hear idioms and nuances that were special to them.

 

Before them was something entirely new, but delivered to them in the comfort of their own tongue. Surely each of them thought of the people back home and concluded: This is something for us. 

 

 

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PHOTO (includes a little bit about that Southern staple, Black Eyed Peas, and one way to cook them):

https://minimalistbaker.com/instant-pot-black-eyed-peas-fast-perfect-no-soaking/

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Can you be with us Friday morning? DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast begins at 8:00 and finishes in about an hour (or sooner if you need to leave…but you'll find it's more fun to stay).

 

We're on Zoom** and at Our Breakfast Place. Come and enjoy good food, friendly people, laughter, and time in the scriptures.

 

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=47

 

Print them here:

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

 

Acts 2:1-21

Numbers 11:24-30

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

John 20:19-23

John 7:37-39

Day of Pentecost (May 28, 2023)

 

The Secret of Stars End (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

Hari Seldon has a secret—several, in fact.

 In Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series, a science fiction classic, humankind has spread out among the stars. We’ve become a galactic empire.

 

Seldon’s biggest secret is that he knows when the current empire will collapse. In fact, he has invented a branch of mathematics that allows him to predict the fall and rise of future galactic empires. He believes he can use his invention to smooth out the process, so to speak. He establishes a "Foundation" to secretly guide mankind toward the best-case scenario. 

 

Over the centuries, many "in-power" groups attempt to find and destroy that Foundation. In time, they discover Seldon established a second foundation to keep matters moving along if the first foundation were to be destroyed or corrupted. The location of this Second Foundation is also secret. The only clue: It can be found at "Stars End."

 

It’s a big galaxy. They end up considering every planet along the edge of the galaxy as a possible location. "Stars End" could be, well…almost anywhere. There would be millions and millions of planets and moons to consider.

 

That brings us to a verse from this week's Acts selection. Jesus tells his followers some of their future: "And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The first part of it is pretty clear. But where are the ends of the Earth? The Earth is a big round-ish ball of a place. The “ends” could be every point on that ball; truly…anywhere. 

 

Perhaps like Jesus’ followers, you too are wondering just where "the ends of the Earth" might be. Something that can be said to be anywhere, can in truth be everywhere. Look about. You are already at the ends of the Earth. Be the living message of Jesus right where you are.*

 

 

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PHOTO (a galaxy as seen through NASA’s space-based telescopes): 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/multimedia/spitzer-20070604.html

* How far do we have to travel to find the ends of the Earth? Mother Teresa told those who wanted to join her in Calcutta to serve the needy: “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are—in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society—completely forgotten, completely left alone.”

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We'll be together again this week on Zoom** and at Our Breakfast Place. Join us for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast at 8:00 on Friday morning. We're going to eat some food (all from Earth) and we're going to discuss some creation-spanning ideas from this week's Lectionary scriptures.

 

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

 

Ascension of the Lord (May 18, 2023)

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47 or Psalm 93

Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

 

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=45

 

Print them here:

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

 

Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 21, 2023)

Acts 1:6-14

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

John 17:1-11

 

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=46

 

Print them here:

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

 

Bravery: Fearless or Foolhardy? (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

In 1933, at the worst point in the Great Depression, fear was a great concern. So great in fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it the central theme of his inaugural address: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." 

On the bravery front, a lot has changed since the Great Depression. The sources of our fears, for example. But we still fear. It’s a thing we humans do. And a lot has been written about our fears. New thoughts on the subject are being forged with each passing week. There’s quite a bit out there about our reactions to them: fight or flight—or freeze. 

 

Considering how many billions of us occupy this planet, the list of our most common fears is relatively short. Here’s the top ten: fears of failure, success, dying, commitment or intimacy, spiders, flying, public speaking, heights, the dark, rejection. The full list, of course, might be endless.

 

While I am not offering a cure, I do have an idea for how we should regard our fears. Perhaps from there, we can find a path toward taking away their power over us. FDR was right when he said we need to find a way "to convert retreat into advance." A start: recognize that the more we focus on our fears the greater their power over us. 

 

That recognition is the first step toward bravery. 

 

In this week's 1st Peter selection, he writes to believers about how to deal with the distresses in their lives, the suffering they are experiencing because they are Christians. Quoting Isaiah, Peter exhorts them to “not fear what they fear." By that, Peter means we should not fear the same things, in the same way, as nonbelievers. But how? We all fear. 

 

The answer lies in the focus.

 

Isaiah told his listeners to focus on God rather than fear what "they" fear. Peter pivots that focus to Jesus. Neither is saying we are not going to fear. Both are saying we need to shift our focus, our attention, our concentration—to God.

 

Throughout scripture, we are told to place God first. It's the first commandment given to Moses. Jesus claimed it is the greatest commandment. Nothing and no one should be positioned ahead of God. In that light, it is probably not a great surprise that God must also be placed ahead of our fears. 

 

We need not pretend to be fearless. And we need never be foolhardy in our actions just to prove we are brave. When faced with what we fear, we need to focus on God. 

 

That’s how we turn retreat into advance. 

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PHOTO: Steve Orr

 

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Can you join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast? We start at 8:00 and run for about an hour. The food is tasty and the company is relaxed. We enjoy reading and discussing the scripture, and finding how it applies to our real lives. Find us on Zoom** or in the back room at Our Breakfast Place. 

 

Ask if you don't see us. There's nothing to fear.

 

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=44

 

Print them here:

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

 

Acts 17:22-31

Psalm 66:8-20

1 Peter 3:13-22

John 14:15-21

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 14, 2023)