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September has arrived, Labor Day is only days away, college students are already taking classes, and local schools doors are going to open Tuesday morning. Student's are excited and maybe a little nervous about going back to or going to school for the first time. New back packs are filled with not yet used pens, pencils and notebooks. Shiny sneakers wait by the door to take squeaky steps into a school year filled with new rules, lessons and opportunities to grow.
The call back to structure and schedule isn't just for students, but for everyone.
I have to admit, that as much as I like to resist structure at times; that it does help me to find a greater sense of balance. My days have a more defined beginning, middle and end once fall returns. Once the basics are in place, my life is more balanced.
Robert Fulghum, author and speaker is a person that thinks the "basics" of life are all one needs to thrive.
Robert Fulgham has written many books, but the one that he most famous for was published in 1986 and is called " All I really needed to know I learned in kindergarten".
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Here is an expert from the book, just in case you haven't heard about it before:
"All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.
These are the things I learned:
- Share everything.
- Play fair.
- Don't hit people.
- Put things back where you found them.
- Clean up your own mess.
- Don't take things that aren't yours.
- Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
- Wash your hands before you eat.
- Flush.
- Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
- Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
- Take a nap every afternoon.
- When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
- Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
- Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
- And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK." (All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten Copyright 1986).
The old testament and
new testament readings this week (Deuteronomy 4: 1-2,6-9 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,
21-23), also are a call back to the basics of the ten commandments found
in Exodus 20: These commands were
given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had
delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
For more on the Ten Commandments and Luther's Small Cathechism: Visit Concordia
Robert Fulghum's
kindergarten basics list is not the same as the listing from Exodus' ten
commandments, but they capture the spirit of building a life on something
greater than personal whim and self-direction. In both of the readings today,
the call back to the basics of faith, rings through loud and clear.
In the Deuteronomy
reading, Moses is preparing to send the Israelite people out into the
world and reminds them that the moral and spiritual demand upon them was unique.
Moses wanted to be sure that the people and their children would remember and
live according to the covenant that God had made with them.
" Do
not add(D) to what I command you and do not
subtract(E) from it, but keep(F) the commands(G) of the Lord your God that I give
you." (v.2)
"...be careful,(S) and watch yourselves closely so
that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from
your heart as long as you live. Teach(T) them to your children(U) and to their children after
them." (v.9)
In the Mark reading,
Jesus challenges the criticism the Pharisees speak to his disciples by
reminding them to return to the basics of faith in quoting the prophet
Isaiah...
“Isaiah
was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
The new rules the
religious leaders had added involved requiring all people to follow rituals
that were hardships or unnecessary for the majority of people to ascribe to.
These new rules made it difficult for new believers and Gentiles to participate
in the faith community. Jesus desired to draw all people into God's covenant,
not exclude people based on race, status, or ability to follow man made to do
lists.
God's covenant is a
reminder that we always need to be open to his instruction. The challenge
to follow God's 10 commandments is hard enough without adding more man-made
requirements. These basics remind us of our great need for God's grace and
forgiveness. Our God is unique in that his commandments come from a place of
love and a desire for us to live whole lives in community. While no one
technically deserves to dwell with God, we are invited into that place by his
gracious hospitality. As children of God we have been called, like Noah,
Abraham and David, not to be sinless, but to live lives that are completely
oriented to and dependent upon God.
The basics of faith are
a means of maintaining, growing and staying connected to our God. This
relationship is one that provides a solid foundation for us and our children to
build faith lives that will not be moved. God's care and covenant with us is
complete. Nothing needs to be added or taken away from his promises.
Returning to the basics can take some adjustment, just like going back to
school. While you have moved on since kindergarten, the lessons learned there
continue to be valuable today. God's basics are something we never graduate
from. They are our traveling companions, our rule of life and our daily
reminders that those who trust God will always have a solid foundation for
facing the world; they will not be moved - no matter what happens in class.
Welcome back to the basics of faith, these lessons and the wisdom that come from them last forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father:
Ideas to ponder and comment back:
What basics help keep you motivated to grow in your faith?
What is your natural tendency?
To (A) go with the flow or (B)follow a routine?
How might a routine or basic rule of life help your to grow in faith?
Where do the basics need to be plugged in?
Why do you think that basics are so helpful?
This weeks complete readings:
6 Observe(M) them
carefully, for this will show your wisdom(N) and
understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say,
“Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”(O) 7 What
other nation is so great(P) as
to have their gods near(Q) them
the way the Lord our God
is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what
other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws(R) as
this body of laws I am setting before you today?
9 Only be careful,(S) and
watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have
seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach(T) them
to your children(U) and
to their children after them.'
Mark 7: 1-8,14-15, 21-23
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the
law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and
saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,(B) that
is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do
not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the
tradition of the elders.(C) 4 When
they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they
observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and
kettles.[a])(D)
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and
said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing
outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes
out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is
what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of
a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,22 adultery,
greed,(Q) malice,
deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All
these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
The old testament and
new testament readings this week (Deuteronomy 4: 1-2,6-9 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,
21-23), also are a call back to the basics of the ten commandments found
in Exodus 20: These commands were
given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had
delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
You shall have no other gods.
The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother.
Honor your father and your mother.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
You shall not murder.
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not commit adultery.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
You shall not steal.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
For more on the Ten Commandments and Luther's Small Cathechism: Visit Concordia
Robert Fulghum's
kindergarten basics list is not the same as the listing from Exodus' ten
commandments, but they capture the spirit of building a life on something
greater than personal whim and self-direction. In both of the readings today,
the call back to the basics of faith, rings through loud and clear.
In the Deuteronomy
reading, Moses is preparing to send the Israelite people out into the
world and reminds them that the moral and spiritual demand upon them was unique.
Moses wanted to be sure that the people and their children would remember and
live according to the covenant that God had made with them.
" Do not add(D) to what I command you and do not subtract(E) from it, but keep(F) the commands(G) of the Lord your God that I give you." (v.2)
"...be careful,(S) and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach(T) them to your children(U) and to their children after them." (v.9)
In the Mark reading, Jesus challenges the criticism the Pharisees speak to his disciples by reminding them to return to the basics of faith in quoting the prophet Isaiah...
“Isaiah
was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human
traditions." (v.6-8)
The new rules the
religious leaders had added involved requiring all people to follow rituals
that were hardships or unnecessary for the majority of people to ascribe to.
These new rules made it difficult for new believers and Gentiles to participate
in the faith community. Jesus desired to draw all people into God's covenant,
not exclude people based on race, status, or ability to follow man made to do
lists.
God's covenant is a
reminder that we always need to be open to his instruction. The challenge
to follow God's 10 commandments is hard enough without adding more man-made
requirements. These basics remind us of our great need for God's grace and
forgiveness. Our God is unique in that his commandments come from a place of
love and a desire for us to live whole lives in community. While no one
technically deserves to dwell with God, we are invited into that place by his
gracious hospitality. As children of God we have been called, like Noah,
Abraham and David, not to be sinless, but to live lives that are completely
oriented to and dependent upon God.
The basics of faith are
a means of maintaining, growing and staying connected to our God. This
relationship is one that provides a solid foundation for us and our children to
build faith lives that will not be moved. God's care and covenant with us is
complete. Nothing needs to be added or taken away from his promises.
Returning to the basics can take some adjustment, just like going back to school. While you have moved on since kindergarten, the lessons learned there continue to be valuable today. God's basics are something we never graduate from. They are our traveling companions, our rule of life and our daily reminders that those who trust God will always have a solid foundation for facing the world; they will not be moved - no matter what happens in class.
Welcome back to the basics of faith, these lessons and the wisdom that come from them last forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father:
In this coming school
year, help us to get back to the basics of faith
and relationship with you. Subtract what keeps us from you, and add
what helps us live the life you dream for us. Help us to grow in faith,
trusting that you are faithful to help us live gracious lives just as we have
been recipients of your amazing grace. Amen.
What basics help keep you motivated to grow in your faith?
What is your natural tendency?
To (A) go with the flow or (B)follow a routine?
How might a routine or basic rule of life help your to grow in faith?
Where do the basics need to be plugged in?
Why do you think that basics are so helpful?
This weeks complete readings:
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 New International Version (NIV)
4 Now, Israel, hear the decrees(A) and
laws I am about to teach(B) you.
Follow them so that you may live(C) and
may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do
not add(D) to
what I command you and do not subtract(E) from
it, but keep(F) the
commands(G) of
the Lord your God that I
give you.
6 Observe(M) them
carefully, for this will show your wisdom(N) and
understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say,
“Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”(O) 7 What
other nation is so great(P) as
to have their gods near(Q) them
the way the Lord our God
is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what
other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws(R) as
this body of laws I am setting before you today?
9 Only be careful,(S) and
watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have
seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach(T) them
to your children(U) and
to their children after them.'
Mark 7: 1-8,14-15, 21-23
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the
law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and
saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,(B) that
is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do
not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the
tradition of the elders.(C) 4 When
they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they
observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and
kettles.[a])(D)
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked
Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders(E) instead
of eating their food with defiled hands?”
6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he
prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are
holding on to human traditions.”(G)
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and
said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing
outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes
out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is
what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of
a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,22 adultery,
greed,(Q) malice,
deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All
these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Comments
The word for the month is 'reverence'....therein lies my focus. Actually, having the focus keeps me motivated...so there! ;-)
What is your natural tendency?
To (A) go with the flow or (B)follow a routine?
I'll own it--I'm a routine kinda gal. I'm lost without 'discipline' in my life. That 'go with the flow' stuff hasn't always served me well.
How might a routine or basic rule of life help your to grow in faith?
Where do the basics need to be plugged in?
Why do you think that basics are so helpful?
Ya see that word for the month? I know how having that to inventory will help me stay focused on what's good and true.....and it will help me be attuned to see where G-d is present.
Basics are my foundation. Anything I build ON that shaky foundation is at risk of tumbling down. And that's why being disciplined IN the basics is 'required stuff' for me.
Wow....LOL...wordy booger, huh?
I like that you added the 'don't subtact from or add to' bit that you posted.
We have a tendency to complicate the simple and make a fine murky mess of it...k.......*I* do that..LOL Dunno about the 'we'!