Who Is My Neighbor? (Junior Cineas)

(3 minute read)

We had the privilege of Junior Cineas, our Missionary from Haiti, being with us this last week in Bloomington/Normal.  Junior and I had a great conversation about ‘Who Is My Neighbor’ and what follows are Junior’s reflections on this topic.

Who is my “Neighbor” is an important topic this days. However the church around the world is still missing it. Sometimes the church gets it mixed up with only people living next to one another. Your neighbor goes beyond just the person who lives next to you. The Bible puts a great emphasis on how you should treat “your Neighbor”-- “love your neighbor as yourself”(Lev. 19:9-19). In the Old Testament, God gives his people the responsibility toward their neighbors:  “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body.  What else will he sleep in?  When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”  (Exodus 22:26-27)   

Jesus teaches us that our neighbor goes even beyond those people who live next to you or those you might know….or even like or who don’t like you!  The Great Commandment says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and  mind and the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.”   (Matthew 22:37-39)  The church will be judged for that…...Matthew 25…….did we meet the needs of our neighbors?  The hungry, the sick, those in prison…...all are our neighbors.  This goes way beyond the love we have for those who love us back.  Jesus makes it clear that we are to love those who hate us.

Jesus is our neighbor…..each time we help one of those people in need, we’re helping Jesus.  Visiting someone in the hospital is visiting Jesus himself…...that person is your neighbor.  Every person who is in need is our neighbor.  How are we to know what people need if we never go to them to determine what they need?  Jesus relocated himself in order to be our neighbor…...relocated from Heaven to earth…...so that we would know that Jesus understood us.  Everyone around us is our neighbor….we don’t need to know where the person is from or what their experience has been:  we just need to see their need.  Because of our love for God and our neighbor, everyone is our neighbor.

Do people think they need to go far away in order to find their ‘neighbor’?  Junior came to the United States:  and found his neighbors.  Some of us have gone to Haiti:  and found our neighbors.  Do we feel pity for others far away, but not for the people we see around us all the time?  So, maybe we need to look at others as Jesus sees them.  We can’t meet all the needs, but we can do whatever it is that Jesus tells us.  Could those needs be next door to you?  Across town?  At the hospital?  In the prison?  At the homeless shelter?  A foreigner?  A widow?  An orphan?  

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”  (Matthew 25:37-40)

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Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (Exodus)

About the Authors

Junior Cineas is a pastor in Haiti. Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor at Calvary UMC.

Love Your Neighbor (Abraham)

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 (3 minute read)

Genesis 21:1–21

Isaac, the son of promise, arrives at last—foreshadowing the coming of Christ, the promised Son of God himself. God’s faithfulness is revealed and confirmed as he fulfills his covenant with Abraham. But today we read on to another story that is woven in but often overlooked. Ishmael—Abraham’s first son—and his mother Hagar are sent into exile (for the second time). But even though Abraham and Sarah reject them, God does not. He even extends the same promises he makes about Abraham to Ishmael—to make him a great nation with many descendants. When Hagar is desperate—ready to let her son die in the desert—God reaches out makes to make a way, providing a well of water.

God’s covenant faithfulness is not exclusively reserved for Israel (or to get a bit more pointed—Christians). In fact, built into God's covenant with Abraham is the promise that his blessing will spread boundlessly to all people. What we learn from Hagar and Ishmael is that it might be more messy and mysterious than we expect.

We cannot contain and confine God’s promises and people, because his presence and grace is at work in secret places—among those whom the “chosen" people of God neglect and reject. God’s mercy toward Hagar and Ishmael—just as much as his faithfulness to Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac—reflects the Kingdom of Christ which is open to all.

Christ is constantly teaching and embodying this grace that extends to everyone—even and especially those who are excluded and exiled. Just God provides a well for Hagar, Christ invites another woman at a well to drink from living water. This is once again not a woman of society or stature; she is a Samaritan with whom Jews didn’t associate. She was excluded by the people of God, and yet Jesus welcomes her to worship in a new way.

Jesus envisions the Kingdom of God not as a dinner party of prefect families who have their ducks in a row, but as a reckless banquet of vagrants. The guest list is anyone on the street who accepts the invitation, especially those who don’t have the means or status to pay or throw their own party. If we want to imitate this boundless love, we ought to turn our eyes to the wilderness and the streets to find our neighbor there. For we serve a God who practices hospitality in the wild.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Who Is My Neighbor?

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Genesis 17:1-9)

Debbie, Randy, and Isaac talk about the significance of names in the Bible: what do they mean, why do some people get their names changed, and the oh-so-controversial Saul/Paul conundrum.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: God Stories (Workcamp 2016)

About the Authors

Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (Genesis 17:1-9)

In Genesis 18, the Lord appears to Abraham in the form of three men coming to visit him. Abraham shows them hospitality—washing their feet, giving them food and drink and shade to rest. In response, the messengers confirm God’s previous promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son, through whom a great nation will come.

In this story, Christians have always seen a glimpse of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here the Lord does not appear as one but three. This spiritual reading led to the painting of one of the most famous icons of all time, Andrei Rublev’s icon of the Trinity. It is based on an earlier icon called “The Hospitality of Abraham,” but Rublev does something interesting by revamping Abraham and Sarah to focus on the mystery of the Trinity hidden in this Old Testament story. This week, we will pray this Scripture by meditating on Rublev’s icon.

Start by reading Genesis 18:1–15. Pray for God to communicate himself through the story and the artwork. Then spend some time encountering the icon of the Trinity. At first, take it in as a whole, not focusing on any one thing. Then examine particulars and details—their posture, the colors, the way they are looking, etc. Then go back to seeing the big picture. Notice that the table is open to the viewer, as if you are being welcomed into this fellowship of the Trinity. As we are hospitable to God’s presence in our lives, God welcomes us into his life—the perfect eternal loving community of the Father, Son, and Spirit. As you gaze at it, slowly and quietly repeat the praise the angels sing in Isaiah: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory."

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast (Genesis 17:1-9)

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Genesis 17:1-9)

This week we'll be exploring Genesis 17:1-9.  

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through Genesis 17:1-9. 

A Light to My Path (Genesis 17:1-9)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.

Questions for reflection:

  • A covenant is like a promise. What are some promises you've made in your life?
  • What was difficult about keeping those promises?
  • What was rewarding about keeping those promises?

Who Is My Neighbor? (The Babyfold's Healthy Start and Evergreen Village)

As a way to honor our Lord, KidVenture held a Birthday Party for Jesus on Wednesday, December 21. Families were invited to participate in games, make ornaments, decorate cookies, and create Christmas cards for our friends at Evergreen Village. Parents and children enjoyed doing these things together and with other families.  The night concluded with a time of worship which included a live nativity and Christmas carols. Families brought gifts of baby items like diapers, wipes, clothing, and gift cards that were delivered to the Baby Fold Healthy Start program.

Healthy Start connects young, at-risk moms with a Family Support Worker even before the child’s birth and includes home visits for the first 5 years of the child’s life.  Diapers, wipes, clothing, etc. are consistent needs for these moms and we are excited to help the Baby Fold supply these items.  Our KidVenture families had a great time providing baby items during this party to share Jesus’ love with Healthy Start.  We had feedback from a mother who is a part of Healthy Start, stating that she felt that Calvary and the Baby Fold were such blessings to her and she saw Jesus through Healthy Start.

The Christmas cards were delivered to Evergreen residents on Christmas Eve during worship that night. Those residents loved them!  Our Evergreen friends are a blessing to us and we love sharing Jesus with them.

Love Your Neighbor (Genesis 1-11)

Read Genesis 4:1–16

All of our relationships are deeply intertwined—with God, with one another, with the earth, within ourselves. A rupture in one sends ripples and rifts through the rest. Our relationship with the Creator cannot be detached from how we treat his creation—both nature and neighbor. The prophets are relentless about this, rebuking Israel’s offerings and fasts that are not backed up by justice and generosity in their society.

In this story, Cain’s sinfulness erupts into every relationship, breaking and blighting it. It starts with Cain and Abel’s opposite approaches to the earth. Cain sees the raw materials of earth as means to be exploited for himself. Abel sees them as gifts to be appreciated and tended to. Cain hoards his possessions; Abel gives as freely as it has been given to him.

When God convicts Cain for his offering, Cain has already isolated himself in greed and selfishness, which begin to feed anger and jealousy toward Abel. Through the haze of his shame and self-pity, Cain looks at Abel and began to hate him. Abel represents what Cain did wrong. When we feel indifference, disdain, or hostility toward others, it is often because in the mirror of our brother or sister we see our own brokenness. We don't want to face our own sin, so we ignore, neglect, or even attack that reflection that reminds us of it. In this way, our withholding and hiding from God erects barriers between ourselves and others. On the other hand, when we are vulnerable and free before God, we are able to risk ourselves in generosity and love toward one another. In this way, prayer heals not only our souls but our relationships.

Reflect on someone you don't care for or against whom you have a grudge. Examine and challenge your reasons for how you feel. Are they in any way related to how Cain felt toward Abel? Confess your own sin before God. Seek out an opportunity with them to forgive and be forgiven. Do as Jesus commands us: “When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Who Is My Neighbor?

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Genesis 1-11)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac discuss several things in the beginning of Genesis including sin nature, free will, and different interpretations of the creation accounts.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: God Stories

About the Authors

Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (Genesis 1:1-3; 5:1-2; and 6:8-9)

In Genesis 1, God unfolds the universe, culminating with the creation of humanity. Every day opens up brand new movements of balance, form, rhythm, and order. It is musical. God gathers and separates opposites—day and night, sun and moon, earth and sky, sea and land— not in competition but in cooperation. It is a symphony, each instrument and moment with its particular and appropriate beauty and purpose.

The Creator’s final project before resting form his work is humanity. We—distinctly from all else—bear God’s image and likeness. We are given a special share of God’s own beauty, a reflection of his perfect light. This is our true and unique dignity.

We must remember, however, that the world exists before us. Part of our commission (to “be fruitful and multiply”) is even given to animals before us. We are gathered from the ground and given breath like every other living thing. This is the mystery: we exist in between dust and divinity. Our dominion is therefore not an exercise of oppressive control, as if it must be bent to our will. We “rule" the earth not from above, but from within. Creation is our dominion in that it is a home that God our Host prepares for us—a home that we also share with the same hospitality. We have been given stewardship. Bearing God’s image does not separate us from the world; it roots us in the world with the calling to care for and cultivate it.

All things are declared “good,” but when God surveys the whole, he beholds that it is “very good.” Everything has its own precious and particular participation in creation, but no one thing’s beauty and meaning can be detached from its place in the whole—not even humanity. Though we are bear the image of God, the place of our purpose is earth. 

Pray through Genesis 1:1–2:3 (link here) with the goal of gaining perspective on our place and purpose within the whole symphony. Pause between each day and meditate on what was created and given form that day. Actually imagine them coming into existence. How are we connected with those things? What do those things communicate to us about their Creator? How do we live in peace, gratitude, responsibility, and harmony with our home?

Finish by praying either Psalm 8 (link here) or Psalm 104 (link here).

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast (The Beginning of Genesis)

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Genesis 1:1-3; 5:1-2; and 6:8-9)

This week we'll be exploring Genesis 1:1-3; 5:1-2; and 6:8-9.  

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
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This is the written account of Adam’s family line.
When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.
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But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
This is the account of Noah and his family.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through Genesis 1:1-3; 5:1-2; and 6:8-9. 

A Light to My Path (Genesis 1:1-3; 5:1-2; and 6:8-9)

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 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

----

This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

-----

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

This is the account of Noah and his family.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God."

 

Questions for Reflection: 

  • What's happening here?
  • What's God's story here? 
  • What's the story say to us? 

 

Who Is My Neighbor? (Fev, Haiti)

We aren’t always the ones reaching out to others…..often, others are reaching out to us.  Romual Jacques, the Youth Pastor in Fev, Haiti where Calvary’s team has been active, is praying for us.  I’m sure he isn’t the only person in Fev praying for Calvary, but he is being very intentional in his prayers by signing up on the Calvary Prayer Room Schedule every day this week at 7:00 a.m.!  Michael Pitzer, Calvary’s Director of Student Ministries has been mentoring Romual who is new to youth ministry.  With Michael in Normal and Romaul in Fev, a mutual relationship of prayer and support has developed.

In our zeal to serve Christ, let us not forget that we are also blessed by those who are ‘supposed to be’ on the receiving end of our ministry.  I am friends on Facebook with many of our brothers and sisters in Haiti and it is such a blessing to read their promises to pray for us at Calvary.

Who is our neighbor?  Romual would answer, “My brothers and sisters of Calvary UMC, in Normal, Illinois.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (Genesis 1)

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Love Your Neighbor (Rev. 21)

“It is done!” Nearing the end of Revelation, in chapter 21, John envisions the final fulfillment of God’s covenant with us. It is not a mere contractual agreement; it is a marriage. When Christ offers the cup to his disciples the night before he dies, it echoes a Jewish betrothal ritual in which the man would offer a cup of wine to his wife-to-be. The communion table is therefore the seal of Christ’s covenant, his loving promise to make us new and live in communion with us. This marriage is consummated in John’s vision of his return.

This hope is the basis for our work of mercy and justice in the present world. We don’t just sit back and wait for it to happen. The deeper this vision seeps into our imaginations and hearts, the more we are inspired to see it happen. We make space for these glimpses of his Kingdom by alleviating suffering and protesting the power of death, as if God's renewal is already working in and around us. This hope is a double edged sword of now and not yet—of joy and suffering, both of which empower us to have compassion and mercy toward others. Our hope inspires us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and “groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).

In short, we are a people of hospitality. We have been given the work of readying this world as God’s home. We are preparing for Christ’s return and the wedding feast, represented today at the Communion table. And as Jesus teaches us, we show love and hospitality to him by showing love and hospitality to “the least of these who are members of my family” (Matthew 25:40)—the hungry, the stranger, the unclothed, the prisoners.

Reflect on this declaration of hope (Revelation 21:3–4) and imagine how it can take actual shape in your actions today. If this is our hope, how do we treat others? How do we conduct ourselves in our current cultures and political systems? How do we care for nature? How do we respond to suffering and death? How do we live toward this future?

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Who Is My Neighbor? (Fev, Haiti)

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (The Book of Revelation)

This week Debbie, Randy and Isaac talk about different approaches to the book of Revelation. We also talk about the power and beauty of metaphor and memory. We make reference to Eugene Peterson (translator of The Message version of the Bible) on this podcast – it's worth the listen.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: God Stories

About the Authors

Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (2 Kings 23)

Like all the people gathered in Jerusalem in 2 Kings 23, we came together on Sunday morning to renew our commitment to God’s covenant with us—the new covenant made in Christ through his death and resurrection. We take part in this covenant by immersing ourselves in that very reality—Christ’s death and resurrection. This is why baptism is a covenant ritual, in which we are put to death, buried, and raised to new life.

A covenant is a promise, which means it connects the past, present, and future. A promise is made in the past, enacted and trusted in the present, to be fulfilled in the future. So to remember a promise pulls from the past and propels us into the future when Christ will come again to make all things new. We live toward this day when “the sea”—the gap between heaven and earth, the grave in which we were baptized—is no more. 

Living into this promise means committing more than our good intentions. Slowly read and reflect on the Scriptures below. As you do, meditate on baptism—not just as a one-time event but as a way of life that holds together what Christ has done and what Christ will do. Actually imagine water—in all its cleansing, devastating, sculpting, and life-giving power—washing over your body and everything in your life. What in your life needs to be immersed into Christ's death and resurrection this year? 

"When you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)
"Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my distress,
    that your promise gives me life."
(Psalm 119:49–50)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, that somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10–11)

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast on the Book of Revelation 

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship

This week we'll be exploring 2 Kings 23:1-3 and Revelation 21:1-6a.  

Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through 2 Kings 23:1-3 and Revelation 21:1-6a.