Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [Colossians 3:23]
This made me chuckle: “I used to be a people person, but people ruined it.” We’ve all been at that point.
The Christ-follower is continually reminded to be a “people person.” That doesn’t mean we ought to be doormats or welcome personal abuse from others. But we are consistently reminded to go the extra mile and recognize the weaknesses and flaws in others. Because we have them, too.
The verse above not only restates the refrain of the Christian’s obligation “to forgive as we have been forgiven” but also adds a sense of empathy or deep care that we are called to show to the other person by adding the phrase “bear with each other.”
The word “bear” in this verse carries the meaning of holding something up, like a wall that is load bearing and holds up the second floor or the ceiling. I am no pop psychologist, but it seems that part of relating with others includes helping them prop up the burden they are living (and behaving) under. It is easier to blow them off, surely. Yet the Christ-like person seeks to know and understand others a bit. This knowing and bearing may even aid in fulfilling our duty to forgive them…as Christ has forgiven us.
For your reading accompaniment: “Summertime” by George Gershwin
A classic piece by this American musical icon. It won’t be long now.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty…
My granddaughter aced her 8th grade religion test! Much of the exam had to do with the Nicene Creed. You’re looking at one proud grandfather.
Probably the most important Church document (doctrinally) since the writing of the New Testament, the Nicene Creed is “celebrating” the 1700th anniversary of the commencement of its writing. In May/June 325, Roman Emperor Constantine gathered hundreds of bishops to his summer palace in Nicaea. The primary reason for the Council was a theological debate concerning the eternality and deity of Jesus. By the end of their time together, the Church leaders affirmed Christ’s deity as they spelled out what the Bible teaches on this doctrine in what we now call the Nicene Creed.
To read the creed, scroll to the bottom of this blog.
To read an interesting article on the Creed and its 1700th anniversary, click here.
The old college try…
Universities seem to be in the news a lot these days. The intrinsic value of a college education is part of many conversations.
Questions surrounding the issue include: Is it worth all that money? What about the major debts student incur? What job is the student being prepared for? I read a study that said nearly half all of Gen Z’s (born 1997–2012) consider their college degrees a waste of money, compared to just 20% of Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964) and 41% of Millennials (born 1981–1996).
My concern is that when college education is measured only economically or by projected potential income, then the purpose and nature of education is lost. The college experience ought to be more about formation of mind and character. The goal of education should be the maturing of the young into learned people of character and thoughtfulness. Those who attend college to simply one day find a job or make more money distort its purpose.
What if instead of seeing education as a means to getting a job in order to make “good money,” the concept of work was defined again as something that makes life meaningful and purposeful? (That sounds rather biblical.) And what if we regained an understanding of “vocations” (from the Latin vocare, to call), affirming again that we are each called in some way to this or that line of work? Steve Garber’s Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good (2014) insists that vocation addresses “the wholeness of life, the range of relationships and responsibilities and is never the same word as occupation, just as calling is never the same word as career. Sometimes, by grace, the words and the realities they represent do overlap, even significantly; sometimes, in the incompleteness of life in a fallen world, there is not much overlap at all.” And then what if the college experience was seen as a way to help provide the formational experiences for that calling in a holistic way?
Just a thought.
In the summertime
This July, our port of entry back home is…Newark. Oh dear. The question will be: Do I change my ticket now? It seems these are not the best days to be flying the friendly skies over Newark, New Jersey. Cancellations abound!
Here is what happened: On April 28, air traffic controllers briefly lost communication for about 90 seconds (!!) with planes at Newark Airport. Controllers responsible for monitoring air traffic in and out of Newark lost radar and communications with the flights. “They were unable to ‘see, hear, or talk to them,’” the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said. Yikes.
I did get this nice note from Scott, the CEO of United Airlines (it’s hard typing when one’s tongue is planted firmly in one’s cheek):
The truth is that all the flights in and out of EWR are absolutely safe. When there are FAA issues, such as technology outages or staffing shortages, the FAA requires all airlines to fly fewer aircraft to maintain the highest levels of safety.
In short, neither the FAA nor United will ever compromise on safety.
Have a great trip, and thank you for choosing United.
Sincerely,
Scott Kirby
CEO
United Airlines
I will keep you posted. 😊
On a similar note…
Different strokes for different folks. Traveling with other people can be challenging. Traveling with people of other generations can be very challenging. The Pew Research Center has found that the style of travel varies widely between generations. “While the desire to explore remains universal, we see clear differences in how each generation approaches travel planning, values experiences, and defines luxury,” says Melissa Krueger, CEO of luxury travel company Classic Vacations.
FIFA coming to Ohio!
The 2025 soccer World Cup is being hosted by the United States in June and July of this year! And Cincinnati, right down I-71 from where I live, will be one of the venues. Thirty-two teams from different nations around the world will compete from June 15 to July 13.
Some old, some new…books in my queue
To Walk and Not Faint: A Month of Meditations on Isaiah 40 by Marva J. Dawn
Just now getting into this Old Testament scholar’s very insightful and accessible book of daily devotions on my favorite Old Testament chapter and present sermon series.
The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene
I have read and enjoyed many of Graham Greene’s novels. Greene was an English author of the 20th century whose books are highly regarded. An enjoyable, thoughtful read, this one.
God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul by Mark Buchanan
This book was recommended to me by a friend. The book’s concept and title is one I find rather intriguing. The folks at Renovaré have much to say about spiritual formation stuff, so this podcast may prove interesting.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
I picked up a book of short stories by Towles in O’Hare Airport last month. His writing was quite interesting and well-paced. So I thought I would give his latest, best-selling novel a try.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
