ISSL Reflections September 26 2021 Acts 2:32-33, 37-47 Post 1

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I.
We started a few weeks ago a set of Scripture passages that leads us to consider “praise.”

Last week’s passage did not have the word “praise” in our reading but could help us consider what might lead us to praise and what might follow our praise.

The focus sentences in this week’s passage from Acts 2 come after Peter’s address to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost and asks us to consider the reaction of the crowd.

As you read this week’s Scripture, pay attention not just to Peter’s words but to what the people said and did.

II.
Acts 2:32-33

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.

Acts 2:37-47

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

III.
What was the crowd’s reaction?

What did they ask Peter?

What do you see them doing?

Consider,

“… welcomed his message … baptized … devoted … to teaching … fellowship … breading bread … prayer … awe … were together … all things in common … glad and generous hearts … praising God … goodwill of all… ”

In this description of the people’s behavior what stands out to you the most?

What of this do you find in Christian congregations today?

What of this do you find lacking in Christian congregations today?

What strikes you as something you want to allow more room for in your life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 19 2021 Mark 10:46–52 Post 3

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X.
Once more let’s return to our Scripture passage and take time to notice the movement of the crowd, Jesus and Bartimaeus.

XII.
Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

XIII.
“Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’”

Despite the crowd’s attempt to get past the shouting beggar Jesus stops and pays attention to him. Not only pays attention but asks him what he wants from him.

I wonder how much conversation Bartimaeus had each day with those that came by him. I wonder who paid attention to him, that is, really gave their attention to him other than noticing he was blind and was asking for help.

I have the sense that Jesus in the moments recounted here, gave his full attention to Bartimaeus. He asks him what he wants rather than making assumptions about what Bartimaeus needs. He sees Bartimaeus, he listens to him and he acknowledges Bartimaeus’ “faith.”

Bartimaeus is no longer a blind beggar sitting by the roadside but is a man who has sight and sees his way to follow Jesus. His shouts for attention have been replaced by walking with Jesus “on the way.”

I wonder if he knew where Jesus was headed. Maybe it didn’t matter to him.

Could this be what “wordless” praise looks like?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 19 2021 Mark 10:46–52 Post 2

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VI.
As you are reading the passage again pay attention to Bartimaeus. Notice not only what he says but how you think he might be saying it and pay attention to all that he does.

VII.
Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

VIII.
As we first encounter Bartimaeus do you think he was thinking this day might be a day for praise?

Then we hear him shouting at Jesus. Even as the crowd tries to suppress his shouts, he will not stop and shouts louder.

He does get to come face to face with Jesus, and tell Jesus what he wants from him.

After his sight was restored we read he “followed him on the way.” We do not get to hear him say another word. We only get to see him following Jesus.

IX.
Where might praise be found in his encounter with Jesus?

In his shouts to Jesus for mercy? In his not speaking after he is healed? In his following Jesus?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 19 2021 Mark 10:46–52 Post 1

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I.
The focus passage for this week does not mention praise directly even though we are “suppose” to be in a series of passages that focus on praise from one angle or another. So, what do we have before us this week?

Let’s begin by first reading the focus Scripture and get in mind the actors and actions we encounter.

II.
Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

III.
Did you notice the passage begins with, “They came … [they] were leaving.”

What follows is something that happens when Jesus, his disciples and others were on their way to a different place.

Did they think the work in Jericho was done? Where were they going next? Was this crowd thinking more about Jericho, the journey to the next town or what the next town held for them?

As they are leaving, their journey is interrupted.

And some try to quiet or suppress the interruption.

IV.
Let’s begin to ask where we might find praise beginning or coming about in such a place.

Do you find interruptions praise worthy? Or do you try to rush past interruptions to the more important things for you? Do interruptions give you cause to be present in that moment, to see what is right before you or does your focus remain on your schedule such that you fail to see what can be clearly seen in front of you?

V.
Take a moment and see if you can recall an “interruption” that opened the door to praise.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 12 2021 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 14-19 Post 3

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IX.
Let’s read our focus passage once again.

2 Samuel 6:1-5 (NRSV)

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:14-19 (NRSV)

David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

X.
Take a moment and notice what might be some differences in “tone” as you walk with David and the people.

At the beginning I see a lot of sound and movement. A number of musical instruments are mentioned as well as the dancing. There is a lot of energy in the music, in the shouts, and in David (and I suspect others) dancing “with all his might.

Does something of the “tone” change when the Ark is placed in its new home?

David offers “burnt offerings and offerings of well-being” And blesses the people.
This seems more “solemn” than the dancing and music that we saw and heard on the journey to and into the city of David.

Is it any more or less full of praise and worship?

Then David gives food to the people to take to their homes.

Is it a formal and solemn distribution of food or a joyful sharing of the fruit of the land.

If you had been there, what expression would have been on your face as you walked home with your family. What would you have been talking about?

What stands out to you from this day?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 12 2021 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 14-19 Post 2

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This week’s focus passage can be found at
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+6%3A1-5%2C+14-19&version=NRSV

V.
I recall hearing many years ago that dancing was something “good Christians” did not do. As I recall it might have been mentioned in the same breath as “playing cards” and “going to the movies.”

There can be many “rules” for all the “good Christians.”

VI.
What are we to make of David’s “leaping and dancing before the Lord”?

This certainly is an important event for David and the people.

Notice this is “dancing before the Lord.” This gives me the impression the dancing is more than a “happy dance”.” It is dancing in the context of a celebration and especially worship.

VII.
Have you ever seen or experienced or been part of “sacred dance” or maybe we can call it “liturgical dance”?

Does that make it “more proper” for worship than just calling it dancing?

VIII.
What type or types of worship are you most comfortable with?

What seems to you to be the right way to worship?

How do you think you came to your understanding of what the right way to worship is?

What is the right kind of music for worship? What about musical instruments? Piano, organ, praise bands?

And what about your physical posture? Sitting, standing, kneeling, arms raised, being still or moving?

Of the options available to you, with what are you most comfortable?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 12 2021 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 14-19 Post 1

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I.
Last week we focused on singing as an element of praise. This week our focus is drawn to dance.

On your first reading of this passage take in the actions and the sounds as if you were sitting on a hilltop so you could clearly and hear David and the people assisting him in bringing the ark to the capital city of the Kingdom.

Rest with those images and sounds a few moments and then read the passage once again this time paying attention to David. Notice what he does. Notice his “body language” as he assembles the people, goes to the Ark, leads the people to the new home for the Ark, offers “burnt offerings and offerings of well-being,” blesses the people, and sends the people back to their homes after distributing food to them.

Are you able to catch any expressions on his face? If you haven’t, try watching him again.

II.
2 Samuel 6:1-5 (NRSV)

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:14-19 (NRSV)

David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

III.
As David, the Ark, and the procession of people enter the capital city there is at least one person displeased with what she sees and very displeased with David.

“As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” (2 Samuel 6:16)

Take some time with Michal. When so much of the scene seems festival and joyful, why do you think she might “despise” David? How do you think she would have wanted the procession of the Ark into the “city of David” to go?

IV.
Where would you be most comfortable in all this? Waking with the people, playing an instrument, dancing, helping move and place the Ark, maybe helping with the burnt offerings, accepting David’s blessing and offer of food or with Michel looking down on all of it with a very displeased expression on her face?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 5 2021 Exodus 15:1-3, 11-21 Post 3

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VII.
Once more let’s return to our focus passage. As you read it, take in all the feeling and emotion these folk bring to the words they now offer to their God.

Exodus 15:1-3

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.

Exodus 15:11-21

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

You stretched out your right hand,
the earth swallowed them.

“In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed;
you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

The peoples heard, they trembled;
pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia.

Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed;
trembling seized the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.

Terror and dread fell upon them;
by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone
until your people, O Lord, passed by,
until the people whom you acquired passed by.

You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
the place, O Lord, that you made your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

VIII.
The Apostle Paul counseled,

… be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

The impression I have of the Israelites singing is that it was certainly “filled with the Spirit.”

I also get the impression it was immediate and about “everything” that was happening in their lives.

When do you and I sing (or voice in some other manner) songs of praise?

When it is prescribed to do so? When it is convenient to do so? When someone else is doing so?

Or, in the moment when somehow “praise” is demanded from us? I don’t mean when someone else demands it. I mean when our inner most spirit is bringing us to voice praise, is forcing us to acknowledge a moment in which nothing but praise is right and is called for.

Have you ever been there?

Give it a moment or two and see if you recall times, events, when your very nature demanded you offer praise.

What about now? Do you have reason to offer words of praise? Or even maybe a song of praise?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 5 2021 Exodus 15:1 -3, 11-21 Post 2

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IV.
I encourage you to read again this week’s focus passage. You can find it at –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+15%3A1-3%2C+11-21&version=NRSV

Today pay attention to what the singers claim about God.

V.
Let’s see … I notice –

… strength … might… salvation … majestic in holiness … awesome … splendor … … steadfast love …

What else along those lines draws your attention?

Do you find words like these in your songs of praise?

VI.
Maybe there are other elements in the song. What else do they claim for God.

… warrior … wonders … you stretched out your hand, the earth swallowed them … the chiefs of Edom were dismayed … melted away … terror and dread … the might of your arm … thrown into the sea …

Why do the Israelites voice these praises?

Is this the proper subject (and content) for praise? For prayer?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 5 2021 Exodus 15:1-3, 11-21 Post 1

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I.
With this Scripture passage we begin 13 weeks centering on praise.

We will think about forms of praise, the desire to praise, ever hopefully explore where praise arises in us and takes us.

We start today focusing on a passage in Exodus where Moses, Miriam and the Isralite people sing their praise.

As you spend time with this week’s passage, notice what brings the people to this moment of song.

II.
Exodus 15:1-3

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.

Exodus 15:11-21

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

You stretched out your right hand,
the earth swallowed them.

“In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed;
you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

The peoples heard, they trembled;
pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia.

Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed;
trembling seized the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.

Terror and dread fell upon them;
by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone
until your people, O Lord, passed by,
until the people whom you acquired passed by.

You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
the place, O Lord, that you made your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

III.
What did you find? Why are the people singing?

Has a day of “victory” brought them to song?

Do they only sing about the victory over their pursuers?

What else do they sing about?

Why?

How would you explain the different things they choose to sing about?

What elements of their singing do you find in your own words and manner of praise?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}