Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Seeking the Truth
This devotional is from Prince of Peace member Bob Reichman.
The writer of 2 Timothy says:
Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away to myths. As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry about your ministry fully.
The time referred to in that passage could apply to many times and places throughout history, but for us, I think, that time is now. Our message of God’s unending, universal love is being drowned out by those spewing hate and spreading fear, while suggesting greed, violence and intolerance are not just acceptable but good.
What, if anything, can we do about that? We at Prince of Peace are more inclined to draw attention for what we do – the Sacred Settlement, for example — than for what we say. And that’s the way it should be. By their fruits you will know them, right? Yet, we also can’t be reluctant to tell others about what theologian and writer Thomas Jay Oord calls “the uncontrolling love” of God, a love that doesn’t coerce but that never goes away for anyone or any part of creation.
We don’t have to cede the moral ground to those who “turn away to myths.” If we take 2 Timothy seriously, we can “convince, rebuke and encourage with the utmost patience,” without having to be a “clanging cymbal,” which Paul says in 1 Corinthians is far less important than having love.
As a journalist for many years, my job was to present facts, to the best of my ability, and to share all perspectives. The idea behind a free press is that the so-called marketplace of ideas will lead to the truth. So, truth was my ultimate goal then. As a member of the community of Prince of Peace, it still is. The free press in our country is now under attack from those who fear the truth, the same reason that some try to distort the Gospel message: It was dangerous 2,000 years ago, and it’s still dangerous today to those who crave power at the expense of others.
Our job is to be sure that message of love is heard.
Prayer
God, help us to always love and to always seek the truth, both of which come from you.
Previously…
The Christ Hymn?
Today's author is Prince of Peace member Scott Tunseth. Philippians 2:6-11 is often called “The Christ Hymn” (the Carmen Christi in Latin). But is it a hymn? And does it pre-date Paul, as many have suggested, or did Paul himself compose it? Let’s start with whether it...
Look to the Interests of Others
Christ crowned with thorns by Dieric Bouts, c. 1470. Today's author is Prince of Peace member Scott Tunseth. This week we hear the first half of the second chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. And what a profound and beautiful message it is. Paul is writing to...
Whose interests are we looking at?
Today's author is Prince of Peace's Intentional Interim, Pr. Steve Sylvester. Inigo Montoya “Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.” [Philippians 2:4] When I read that line, I hear Inigo Montoya (the character Mandy Patinkin...
Partners in the Gospel
Today's author is Prince of Peace member Caryn Josephson. Philippians 1:1–18a In Philippians 1:3–6, Paul writes: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel...