True Belief ...

In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
[Ephesians 1:13-14 NRSV]
      I believe that these two verses from the first chapter of the Letter to the Ephesians are complex in their construction as a single sentence. I will attempt to break them down in this brief reflection. I am praying that I will not make any mistakes.
      First, it is my understanding that the essence of this complex sentence is that, "In Jesus each of us is ... marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." Each individual has a choice to make; we can accept Jesus, his teachings, and his examples or we can choose to ignore or disclaim them. If we choose to believe in both Jesus and his teachings; that is if we actually decide to live a life which is based on the teachings and the examples of Jesus, then we will become one who is marked "with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." However, we should remember that our Creator has given us the most precious gift of all - Free Will.
      Second, it is also my belief that there is the implication within these words that we can also choose to not listen to "the word of truth, the gospel of (our) salvation". The implication here is that once again we have the freedom of choice; we can choose to believe that God has offered us a plan of true salvation, or we could seek another path that we believe will bring us greater happiness here upon this earth and even into the future of an unknown forever.
      Third, it would seem to me at this point that the author is once again pointing out that we need to make a choice. The reality is that we will make a choice; either we will choose to truly follow the teachings and examples of Jesus, or we will choose to turn our backs on these teachings and either follow some other plan or follow the teachings of the society we are living within in this present physical world. Of all of creation, humanity has been given the freedom of choice. We can choose to believe in the Creator and follow the teachings of Jesus, or we can choose some other path. The author is claiming that we will be recipients of "our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people"only if we are willing to faithfully follow the teachings and the examples of Jesus.

Three Simple Rules ...

  1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
      the world, and those who live in it;
  2 for he has founded it on the seas,
     and established it on the rivers.

  3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
     And who shall stand in his holy place?
  4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
     who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
     and do not swear deceitfully.
  5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
     and vindication from the God of their salvation.
  6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
     who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

  7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
     and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
     that the King of glory may come in.
  8 Who is the King of glory?
     The LORD, strong and mighty,
     the LORD, mighty in battle.
  9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
     and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
     that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
     The LORD of hosts,
     he is the King of glory.
[Psalm 24 NRSV]

      Who are the ones that have "clean hands and pure hearts"? We have been told that they are the ones who "do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully". I do believe this to be true, and yet there is also a caution to be observed here; for I also believe that we are being called to do more than just a living a life of "not doing wrong." I believe that we have been called by our Creator to also live a life of positive actions.
      Among the commandments that we have received, we find the basic admonitions that we should do no harm. Some might tell us that since we are not the individuals who have beaten an another individual and left them beside the path, that we are not the ones who have done the harm. However, Jesus would remind us that we are also called upon by the Creator to do as much good as possible.
      There would seem to be a common theme coming to us from many sources - the Hebrew Text, the teachings of Jesus, the sermons of John Wesley, and Bishop Rueben Job’s book "Three Simple Rules":
      1) Do not harm
      2) Do good
      3) Stay in love with God

Celebrating the presence of God

      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. [2^nd Samuel 6:17-19 NRSV]

      Today’s reading from the second book of Samuel is about a single event in time. It is sharing with us a story of how gratitude overwhelmed a powerful man to the point that he was moved to do some very special things within his community. David, the King of Israel, had the Ark of the Covenant transported to his capital city. King David had set-up a special tent so that the LORD could be sheltered within his community. King David had made offerings before the LORD, and he had also presented offerings to all of the people of Israel - he made sure that each man and woman received bread, meat, and fruit. This was to be a day of true celebration for all of the people of Israel; for the LORD was to have a safe home within the city of King David.
      To say thank you to God does not genuinely require the wealth of a King. The reality is that it really only requires truth, understanding, and respect. Each one of us should spend a little time now and again in real contemplation about what it is that the LORD requires of us. I can remember that once my grandfather shared with me the idea that no one can ever "repay" God for all that they have received. He told me that the truth was that God expects each and everyone of us to share with all of our brothers and sisters. He also shared that the real challenge comes when we are asked to share with those who are "not like us."

      How often have we celebrated the presence of God within our own community? How often have we taken the time to thank God for all that we have been given? When was the last time that we made sure that everyone within our community had enough food to truly celebrate the presence of God? How are we being challenged to reach out to those who are "not like us"?

... our guide forever ...

  9 We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
          in the midst of your temple.
10 Your name, O God, like your praise,
          reaches to the ends of the earth.
         Your right hand is filled with victory.
12 Walk about Zion, go all around it,
         count its towers,
13 consider well its ramparts;
         go through its citadels,
         that you may tell the next generation
14 that this is God,
         our God forever and ever.
         [GOD] will be our guide forever.
[Psalm 48: 9-10, 12-14 NRSV]

      For most people, when someone "does something really nice for them" - they share the news at least with their family and their close friends. I know that I have shared with my family and friends when someone has helped me out of a difficult situation, and I have also shared the good news of the birth of my children and my grandchildren. I’ve even shared the news of some "outstanding gifts" given to me for a birthday or at Christmas; like the Kindle Fire that my wife gave to me upon my retirement (and for my birthday!)
      There are also some people that have been so impressed by the "great honors" that others have bestowed upon them that they are willing to openly share the news with anyone who might even pause to listen. Such events might include a new car, a graduation, an engagement, a wedding, and the birth of a child. When these events happen in our lives we feel compelled to tell just about anyone who might pause and listen for a few seconds.
      While I was reading from the 48^th Psalm I was reminded to pause and ask the question, "Have we even once in a while taken the time to considered all that God has done for us, and then been willing to share this news with others?" God has given each one of us life. God has given each one of us opportunities. I’ve sometimes heard the expression, "I thank my lucky stars," when someone is sharing their story of good luck. Maybe we should take a few moments to remember and thank God a little more openly and publicly.

... for the LORD was with him ...

      Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel." So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
... David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
[2^nd Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 NRSV]

      The story of King David is a well-known story for many individuals; a young shepherd boy is anointed by a prophet, the young man takes down a giant with a stone and a sling, the man becomes the king of his people, the king builds up his Kingdom, and we discover throughout his story that David was a real human-being . . . both blessed and cursed.
      In today’s reading we are reminded of the time when David was asked by the elders of Israel to take on the challenge of being their leader; the King of Israel. It was also pointed out that David, the Elders, and the LORD were joined in a covenant of leadership, respect, and worship. Sometimes when we make a pledge, we might forget that there are more parties involved than just ourselves.
      When I read these passages, I am reminded that when my wife and I were joined in marriage we made a pledge to each other, to our families, and to God. When I see other marriages breaking up I often wonder if the individuals have ever considered those promises they made to God.