"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you.'" -- Luke 17:20-21

Over the course of the last half of a century, the notion of "kingdom-building" has been very popular in Christian circles.  It has meant different things according to various takes on it by different denominations.  Some see it as soul-saving, others see it as an issue of justice.  Some view it as giving to the poor, some see it as teaching the poor to pray.  I have viewed it in a more holistic way as a reflection of when we pray the Lord's Prayer and say, "...thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".  That is, in all circumstances we should consider God's will, and align ourselves accordingly with it.  When the choices we make are in alignment with God's desire, then we are experiencing "kingdom living". While that's my take on it and the way I've interpreted this idea of "kingdom of God", Jesus is clear in Luke that the kingdom doesn't come as an outside experience to view objectively.  No, the kingdom is within us.  Remember-- God is love.  When we reside in love, we reside in God's kingdom.

Readings:  Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalms 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." -- Proverbs 13:4

This is classic and timeless proverbial teaching.  How many stories across time can you think of that has this theme?  It has always been in humanity's best interest to work and prepare.  When we were an agrarian society, if you didn't chop wood; salt, dry, and can food; sew warm clothing; etc... when winter came you would die.  Then it was life and death.  Today, shelter and cheap food is plentiful, and we don't face the same risk.  But there is a different risk-- not living.  The easiest thing to do today is to work a job and after hours live a sedentary life in front of a screen.  Your mind thinks it's engaging... through fantasy you live vicariously through the characters you watch and say to yourself, "I wish my life were like that"... and then a couple shows later, you yawn, and fall asleep... Get up the next day, repeat, all the while wishing for a different life.  Your life is uniquely yours.  May you find your passion and a creative outlet where you produce original work.  You don't have to be famous, rich, or the best in the wold, but if you find your thing, and get lost in it, you will crave for nothing else.  In your creative diligence, you will be fully satisfied.

Readings: Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalms 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be rusted with much, an whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" -- Luke 16:10-11

Who gives you life?  God does.  Can you give God life?  No, but you can give your life to God through the managing of your resources that are limited.  That means not squandering your money on things of no value.  It means being grateful for what you have and not bitter for not having what you want.  And it means using your most precious resource-- time, wisely.  When you give your life to God, you employ your resources in a way that honors him.  This is what "stewardship" is about.  

How are you glorifying God in the way you manage your life?

Readings: Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalms 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

Three Parables-- Luke 15

It would not be enough to quote a verse today.  The 15th Chapter of Luke stands alone in the power of its storytelling.  Three parables are told:  the parable of the Lost Sheep, the parable of the Lost Coin, and the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Take your time with these today and soak in the richness of the story (especially the Prodigal).  Do you know it well enough to tell it without reading it or referring to it?  Have you ever been the wayward one?  It's comforting to know that our God rejoices our return to him.  What are you waiting for?

Readings:  Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalms 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1

"Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." -- Luke 14:33

Just before this verse, Jesus illustrates his point by pointing out that anyone building a tower will first sit down and estimate the cost before building, and any king going into battle will first consider whether he is able with the number of men he has.  And then he flips it... he says in the same way, but it's in a totally different way really... he who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.  In the first two examples, it was about making sure there was enough for the task.  In the example of following Jesus, it's about making sure that there is nothing left to carry.  To build, you must amass.  To go to war, you must amass.  To follow Jesus, you must discard.  In the zen tradition, it is referred to as "emptying your cup"-- in order to learn the ways of the master, you must discard all the learning you have held on to.  With Jesus, it's the same.  Forget everything you thought you knew... open your mind, your heart, and your spirit and empty yourself.  Hold no emotional tie to any physical belonging or property.  Then you will be ready to follow.

Readings: Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalms 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28

"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." -- Proverbs 12:26

How do you measure wealth?  By nickels and dimes, dollars and euros?  What about by your relationships?  If it is a rich life and happiness you seek, forget counting your coins and invest in the people you know.  Science has discovered that while money is important, it is only important up to a point.  You need it to cover your physical needs, and it's nice to have a bit more than that, but once you reach a certain point (around 75k in 2010 dollars), money doesn't have such an impact.  Instead, health and your network of relationships mean the most.  I would argue that the poorer man is the isolated one with 0 relationships over the one with 0 dollars but many relationships.  

Treat your friends carefully and make sure you have their back.  Invest in trust-building, and they will be with you, and you with them, for a very long time.

Readings:  Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalms 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26

"What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." -- Luke 13:18-19

Spring is in full force!  Things are growing like crazy!  Isn't it a wonder how such magnificent plants come from just a small seed?  This is the nature of God's kingdom.  Plant a seed of love, grace, kindness, mercy, etc... and watch what happens.  Lives are changed.  Relationships are healed.  Communities are restored.  Peace dwells throughout.  On the flip side, weeds grow aggressively too.  They choke and try to stop the growth of the good plants.  The good news is as the good seed becomes more and more established, it becomes more difficult for the weeds to choke them out.  May you live your life planting seeds of the kingdom that will change the landscape of the world.  Here are some pictures of things in my own garden that started as just seeds...

Readings:  Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; Psalm 78:65-72; Proverbs 12:25