By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
As I was browsing through my dad’s paintings tonight, realizing that I hadn’t posted one for today, I came across this one that he’s titled Madeira, Spain. I’ve never noticed the title before. It’s fitting because I’m currently in Spain on retreat at the wonderful El Palmeral. Not in Madeira (which actually is an island of Portugal), but on the other coast, nearer to Alicante (actually Elche). It’s a place for refreshment and reinvigorating.
Are you more of a beach person or a mountains person, or something else? What brings you rest?
By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
I sit in my study, looking out at the rain. It’s June, but I have long sleeves on and am thinking about putting a scarf on so that my neck doesn’t get cold. Here in the UK we’ve had a chilly and wet June.
And so I turn to thoughts of my parents’ home, where summer must surely be, aided by this painting by my dad. He shows a slice of the screened-in porch and some of their lovely trees in the back yard. I love the way he’s captured the light here. It brings me some warmth on this damp day.
What speaks to you in this painting? Are you cold, or
boiling hot? What brings you cheer when you feel the clouds pressing in?
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Romans 14—15:13 (NIV)
Some friends of ours are Christians who have come to Christ out of their Hindu background. Having been vegetarians their whole lives, they continue the practice of not eating meat – but as one of them says, “Of course, now that we follow Christ we could eat meat if we wanted to.” I appreciate the way he states the matter – although he no longer is under the laws of Hinduism, he now neither is forced to eat meat nor forced to abstain. He has freedom in Christ.
Paul was concerned about the division in the church at Rome,
mainly between the Gentile and Jewish Christians and how the former were
looking down on the latter for sticking to their lifelong practices of
following the Jewish dietary laws. Paul has words of exhortation to both
parties – to the Gentile Christians he says stop showing contempt, and to the
Jewish Christians he says don’t judge those who eat everything. After all, God
alone is our Judge and we should leave the pronouncements to him.
We might find ourselves falling into bad habits of judging in little, subtle ways – perhaps we don’t shop on Sundays but we know other who Christians do. Or we hold to a doctrine of belief that others disagree with, and we’re certain that we are right and they are not. Whatever the matter, we can follow Paul’s instruction to seek the kingdom of God, which is filled with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (v.17) as we “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (v.19).
For reflection: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
As we come to the end of May, many of us are traveling, or thinking about travels. Here’s a scene from San Antonio, where I’ve never visited, but my parents went to recently. I love the colors and the bustle and the ambience.
Do you enjoy city life – visiting a new place and soaking in the sights and sounds? Do you prefer an escape from all things urban to a pristine setting in nature? Or maybe you enjoy a bit of both. What travels do you have planned?
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11–14 (NIV)
Although Paul’s conversion story was dramatic, as we explored last time, we see in his writing that he acknowledges the continuing process of sanctification that followers of Christ engage in throughout their lives. Paul uses the active forms of verbs when describing that we put on the new self and take off the old self in Ephesians 4:22–24, as he does here when saying that the Roman Christians should “clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.14). Just as we get dressed daily, so should we “put on” the clothes of Christ.
Do you ever consider what these clothes may be? We see in
verse 12 they are described as the “armor of light” that we can don as our
culture becomes increasingly dark and troubled. Paul gives us other images of
Christ’s clothes in his letter to the Colossians, for he says, “Therefore, as
God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Let’s consider some of these. When we put on compassion,
we’re putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes – the roots of the word, after
all, mean “to suffer with.” Kindness is obvious, but easy to withhold, for
example when we fear our act of kindness might be rejected or misunderstood.
Can we wear this virtue without worrying about how it will be perceived? Humility
is neither viewing ourselves as nothing nor as too much – we see that we are
made in God’s image and so are priceless, but we also know we are sinful and
need his grace and mercy every day.
I invite you to wear the most beautiful clothes ever!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to take off the rags of bitterness and anger and put on the royal robe that you give me. I know I am your beloved child; help me to live out of that identity this day.
By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
I’m currently in Minnesota, looking at this painting, which is
probably six feet high. It’s a majestic painting for a majestic creature. I can’t
imagine that heaven won’t have a lot of horses – and dogs, cats, and other
animals – giving us joy.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1–10 (NIV)
This passage has sparked much debate over the years. Namely, when Paul calls for obedience to the government authorities, does he therefore imply that we need to obey a tyrant such as Hitler and Stalin? The agreed answer is “no” – although Paul calls for the Roman Christians to be “subject to the governing authorities,” he doesn’t have in mind that they move outside of God’s laws and practices in their obedience.
I find it interesting that so much ink has been spilled on
the exception to this rule, rather than us discussing what submission to the
state means. We need just and good governments in the world to exercise
authority, and perhaps in the West we take for granted all the good that we
have in our governments – especially when we can so easily see the failings in
our political systems. But to live in a country where the rule of law is
observed, where individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty, where
education and health and safe roads and so on are provided through our taxes, is
a gift we often overlook.
How can you pray for your government today in its local and
national expressions? Or the ruling authorities of other countries, which you
know to be corrupt or bankrupt? Perhaps you could become involved in local
affairs, or with a national political party. Christians will fall along the
whole spectrum of political commitments, but we should be voicing our views and
embodying God’s truth as we try to make the world a better place.
Prayer: Father God, you are the fairest Judge and you rule with wisdom and grace. May those in authority over us exercise your wisdom and justice.
By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
Spring has sprung!
I love the feeling of this painting by my dad, for it makes
me think of Springtime growth. I went for a walk in the park today, and took
some time to notice the buds on the trees, and the carpet of pink and white
underneath the blossoming trees. Spring seems to be such a time of promise. Of
new life. Of hope.
What signs of Spring can you glimpse today – in whatever
realm?
By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
Tomorrow, on Maundy Thursday, we start in earnest the journey to Jesus’ death and resurrection. We’ll remember his last supper with his disciples. His talk with the disciples when he promises the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will come to them. His time of praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.
His betrayal.
His carrying of the cross.
His beating by the Roman soldier.
His body nailed to the cross.
His death.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the cross. Thank you for your love poured out. We worship and adore you. Fill us by your Holy Spirit as you increase our gratitude and love.
