Bulletin 10.8.23

Heroes falling to the ground
Like hell's magnet
Pulls me down 

– Robert Waldrop, “Hero Worship” from 

the 1979 self-titled album, The B-52’s 

Gain all you can, by common sense, by using in your business all the understanding which God has given you. It is amazing to observe, how few do this; how men run on in the same dull track with their forefathers. But whatever they do who know not God, this is no rule for you. It is a shame for a Christian not to improve upon them, in whatever he takes in hand. You should be continually learning, from the experience of others, or from your own experience, reading, and reflection, to do everything you have to do better to-day than you did yesterday. And see that you practise whatever you learn, that you may make the best of all that is in your hands.

– John Wesley, “The Use of Money” (sermon, 1760)

When we deny our inherent spiritual poverty, when we get too affluently involved with ourselves, danger lurks. We may begin to make demands on God for things that we think we deserve, often leading to anger and frustration. Classic case: Man in restaurant orders crabmeat salad and the server brings shrimp salad. Livid, angry man roars, “Where the hell’s my crabmeat?” If we presume that life owes us the best – and nothing but the best – then reality rarely lives up to our expectations. What follows logically is that we blithely take for granted everything that comes our way. The spiritually poor – like the economically poor – experience genuine gratitude and appreciate the slightest gift. Ironically, the more we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become. The more we realize that everything is gift, the more the tenor of our life becomes one of humble, joyful thanksgiving. The rich in spirit devote considerable time to thinking about what they don’t have; the poor get right down to enjoying and celebrating what they do have…The rich in spirit are often downcast, guilt-ridden, anxious, and dissatisfied as their unbelieving neighbors, while the poor cry, “It is right to give God thanks and praise!” 

-- Brenna Manning, The Wisdom of Tenderness (2004)

Psalm 86:6-11

Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; 

And give heed to the voice of my supplications!

In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, 

For You will answer me.

There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, 

Nor are there any works like Yours.

All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, 

And they shall glorify Your name.

For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.

Teach me Your way, O LORD; 

I will walk in Your truth; 

Unite my heart to fear Your name. 

(Prayer)