Aril 29 devotions

April 29 Sunday-I’d like to go back to last week’s Psalm 4. I always note its words, be angry but do not sin. Notice it is in the imperative mood. Anger is expected as part of our emotional makeup. Anger is a vital emotion, but how we manage it becomes the issue. Anger leads to harsh words and actions that can diminish, even kill, a relationship. Uncontrolled anger or anger channeled into evil action is a root of all sorts of trouble. How have you learned to control anger while at the same time admitting its presence? Monday-I am scheduled to be finished with radiation treatment by now. We live a ritually impoverished life in our time, so I am going to work on a ritual for marking the end of my radiation therapy. At this point I plan to read some Scripture on healing and hope and perhaps a good Celtic blessing. I plan on an action of release and relief and may burn my appointment schedule. Have you created some rituals? What are areas in your life that seem to cry out for a ritual experience? Tuesday-May Day, Law Day, Holocaust memorial, International Workers Day all fall on this date. I’ll pick up law Day, not as popular as it once was, especially in the schools. In religious terms, it is a good reminder that god is a god of order. God is impartial, Scripture tells us. Justice is a primary political virtue, where all are treated with equity and fairness, apart from personal biases of the authorities. It is for good reason Luther called the legal system the left hand of God and Calvin praised public service as the most noble of callings. Wednesday-I am going back to Princeton for the first time in a long time for a conference on Romans. Already I get to say hi to some old teachers. So, memories come flooding back. What place from your past have you visited lately? How did it confirm and violate your memories? do you have osme religious memories that you prize? Do you find you tend to go back for those or are they of more recent vintage? Thursday-National Day of Prayer-Part of me resists this day, as I figure every day is a day of prayer and what purpose does it serve to declare a day. Presidents have often proclaimed days of prayer, but Pres.Truman signed a law calling for an annual day and Pres.Reagan signed a proclamation for the first Thursday in May. Friday-Friendship Day is an event of Church Women United to emphasize creative and healing activities. Friendship is worthy of a special day. Who were your most meaningful friends of childhood? How about your youth? Now? How are friendships similar and different from family relationships? Both seem to me to be about acceptance. I am always struck by the contention of Jeuss in John that he would no longer speak of disciples but friends. Imagine. Jesus is calling us to an relationship of relative equality in friendship. Saturday Since I am going to be working on Romans, let’s look at ch. 7:14-25 where Paul takes aim at a notion most Americans hold dear, free will. He sees us not as free actors but in bondage to forces beyond our power of choice, beyond our power to resist. As Luther said, the so called free will is in bondage to powerful forces. It continues to be true that the darkest region on this planet, the least mapped out, is the interior of the human being.