Resources for Prayer and Devotions
Meditations from Carol Dean Henn
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Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Isaiah 59:18 What is true and what is not true? Truth is having a rough time in our world of fake news, internet false-hoods, and political and business leaders who tell lies with ease and pleasure. This year, I finally read the book “All the President’s Men,” 40+ years after the Watergate scandal. I was astonished by the depth of lies and deceptions-- tens of thousands of phony telegrams sent to supposedly support the President’s positions; fake letterheads printed to look like the stationery of his opponents, and then used to send fake letters to people to make them angry with those opponents. The list of deceptions was endless. Four decades later, it seems we have become even more skilled at lying and deceiving across the whole spectrum of national life. A team of Yale doctoral students has developed software that will display a warning label on websites known to disseminate fake news. Perhaps that will help. But perhaps what we can all do – must do – is to demand the truth; to state loudly and clearly that truth matters, that lying is not just ‘business as usual’ or ‘everybody does it.’ We should not surrender to those who lie and deceive, and we should make truthfulness a non-negotiable standard for our willingness to do business with, elect, or support any persons or organizations. And we can always ask God to guide us in discerning what is true and what is not true. Because God values truth, he will lead as toward it, if we are willing to do the work of thinking, listening, and searching for what is true. © Carol Dean Henn 2018 So God created God in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
created them. Genesis 1:27 What is the truth of who we are as human beings? Today’s verse tells us the most important thing we have to know: we were created in God’s image. We are made for truth – to know it, speak it, honor it – because God is truth and we are created in his image. However we view creation and evolution, one thing can be affirmed: we have the essence of God within us-- a God-spark, a God-light, a God-life-force that enables us to conceive of God in the first place. We are made for truth because God is truth, just as we are made for love because God is love. Part of our truth as human beings is that we are amazingly diverse. We each have strengths, weaknesses, talents, limitations. We’re capable of feeling love and hate. We laugh, cry, hope, and fear. Like crystal prisms reflecting the sunlight, there are thousands of dimensions to our physical natures, to our personalities, and to God’s spirit within us. Our truth is that we are God’s creation-- we in him and he in us; and God’s creation – each of us – is wonderful in his sight. Because truth is embedded in us, falsehood is poisonous to us. It puts a distance between us and God, between us and the ‘better angels’ of our own natures. The need for truth is as much a part of us as our bodies, minds, and souls. © Carol Dean Henn 2018 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you
have sent. John 17:3 Truth. It is as powerful a word as love. It is a word that is often in the news; a word that is the focus of conversations in classrooms, roadside diners, and around breakfast tables. It is a word – a concept, a reality – that matters mightily to God. This week, we’ll look at truth from several directions, beginning with What is God’s truth? Who is God? Today’s verse tells us that the Creator God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, are truth—the true God. In what God has created – all of life, countless universes, the miracle of humanity – he shows the truth of his power. In his interactions with us, he shows the truth of his love. In his dwelling within each of us, he shows the truth of his identity. God is love. He is also truth. That alone should tell us how important truth is … or should be … to us. “Open my mind, heart, and soul to truth, Lord; your truth, and the truth in me and in the world.” © Carol Dean Henn 2018 “See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9 God is always doing new things in our lives, but often we’re too busy to notice, too afraid to welcome new things. God’s surprises are intended for our good, to bless us, to help us grow more fully as his much-loved children. If we look back in our lives, most of us can see so many blessings-- promises fulfilled, even promises that seemed like impossible dreams. If we listen closely in prayer and in our quiet time with God, we can hear that inner voice, hear his words of promise for what is to come, for the blessings that await us, even before they appear on the horizon. “Thank you, Lord, for past blessings and blessings yet to come. Help me to hear your words and your voice, to sense and to know and to believe the promises you are making to me today for the blessings you will give me tomorrow.” © Carol Dean Henn 2018 Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
What makes for growth? Several things: light, air, water, time, nourishment, warmth, and loving attention. All living things need these elements for life and growth. In Christ, we have all of these: the light of God’s love and wisdom, the breath of life, the fresh air of freedom, the everlasting water of life, God’s timing, the food of God’s word, the warmth of his love, and his constant watchfulness over us. “What abundant and amazing blessings, Lord! Thank you for providing what I need to grow as a human being and as a child of God. Help me to welcome growth at every stage of my life, and to always be growing closer to you.”  Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
The tall, distinguished, grey-haired man who walked into my office in Silicon Valley was, like me, a member of the company’s senior staff. He was also a retired Marine colonel. He exuded strength and authority. But on that day, he seemed nervous. He closed the door, sat down, and spoke to me in a low voice. “I’ve been told to lease and purchase more buildings-- a lot more. Millions of dollars’ worth of property.” He pushed a sheet of paper across my desk. It was a signed authorization, typical for expenditures in excess of a million dollars. “It seems in order,” I said. “What’s the problem?” He replied, “When X signed it, he said, ‘You know, I suspect that sometimes people forge my signature.’ Then he just stared at me. I think I’m being set up. He must want me out and he’s setting me up. What do I do?” I’m sure my colleague wasn’t expecting my first response: “Read the psalms.” My second response: “Don’t worry. We can do some things to make sure he doesn’t trap you.” – was one that he understood. But I meant both responses. What do you do when you’re outmatched, feel trapped, and don’t know how to fight? When someone is plotting against you? The Bible gives us two tools: Asking God to fight for us, as the psalmists did, when we cannot fight for ourselves; and being as wise as we can be in the ways of the world. Two tools. Both necessary, both understood by God. © Carol Dean Henn 2018 Behold, I send you out j sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
The tall, distinguished, grey-haired man who walked into my office in Silicon Valley was, like me, a member of the company’s senior staff. He was also a retired Marine colonel. He exuded strength and authority. But on that day, he seemed nervous. He closed the door, sat down, and spoke to me in a low voice. “I’ve been told to lease and purchase more buildings-- a lot more. Millions of dollars’ worth of property.” He pushed a sheet of paper across my desk. It was a signed authorization, typical for expenditures in excess of a million dollars. “It seems in order,” I said. “What’s the problem?” He replied, “When X signed it, he said, ‘You know, I suspect that sometimes people forge my signature.’ Then he just stared at me. I think I’m being set up. He must want me out and he’s setting me up. What do I do?” I’m sure my colleague wasn’t expecting my first response: “Read the psalms.” My second response: “Don’t worry. We can do some things to make sure he doesn’t trap you.” – was one that he understood. But I meant both responses. What do you do when you’re outmatched, feel trapped, and don’t know how to fight? When someone is plotting against you? The Bible gives us two tools: Asking God to fight for us, as the psalmists did, when we cannot fight for ourselves; and being as wise as we can be in the ways of the world. Two tools. Both necessary, both understood by God. © Carol Dean Henn 2018  God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand, in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named. Ephesians 1:20-21
We almost can’t imagine how high the ‘heavenly places’ are, but it isn’t a physical height or distance. More likely, it is a distance of perspective; a perspective that allows Jesus – and us – to rise above rule and authority, power and dominion; to see that the drama and troubles and even the triumphs of this world are all temporary—passing scenes in the ongoing human story. Even now, while we are in our earthly lives, it is good for us to picture those more distant, heavenly places, knowing that because Christ is with us now … here … we can share his lofty view, and can know that rulers, powers, and dominions ultimately cannot touch us. And if we name all of the people and griefs and miseries that burden us now, if we name all those who intimidate or awe us now, we can know that those heavenly places are “above every name that can be named.” Yes, even while we live in this world, we can refresh our hearts and souls by seeing it from Jesus’s view in the heavenly places. © Carol Dean Henn 2018  I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 89:1 Spring is here, even if the temperatures are still fluctuating. Joy rises in the heart; new life rises. These are reasons enough to praise God. In the next few months, we will celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations. There may be family picnics for Memorial Day and 4th of July. Perhaps, in addition to the praises that rise naturally and silently in our hearts this season, it would also be a good time to proclaim God’s faithfulness “to all generations.” It can be as simple as telling someone “God has been so good to me, and I wish God’s blessings for you, too.” The gift of those words is not only appropriate for mothers, fathers, and graduates, they’re a gift to God as well. © Carol Dean Henn 2018 Woe to those who make unjust laws to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed. Isaiah 10:1-2
The poor and the powerless are such easy targets. They have so few ways to defend themselves. It’s easy for a rich landowner to cheat migrant workers. The less he pays them, the more profit he has. It’s easy for armed militias to attack unprotected villages, burning huts and crops, and committing unspeakable harm to men, women, and children. Too often, even in judicial systems, it’s easy for wealth, power, and influence to defeat right, justice, and the law itself. What can we do in the face of injustice and oppression? Confront them. Fight them. Stand up for what is right, for God’s will for humanity to live in love and peace. It may mean writing a letter, supporting an organization, or not buying products made through unfair labor. If we look, we can find ways to abide by God’s standards. It won’t be easy, but it will be the right thing to do. © Carol Dean Henn 2018 |
