Ruth Everhart's Blog, page 10

Women of the Bible Say #MeToo

I wrote an article for Christian Century, which will appear in the Aug 1 print edition. It's available online today. Women of the Bible Say #MeToo.

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What We Plant, a sermon on Mark 4:26-34

we are accountable for what we plant, Mr. Jeff Sessions

Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Jesus also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. (Mark 4:26-34)

A seed is a mysterious thing. A kernel of corn. A grain of wheat. A mustard seed. Each contains the instructions of how to reproduce itself. Not only that, each seed contains the instructions for the next generation to do the same for the generation to follow. In other words, a seed stretches into the future. A seed also stretches into the past. Each seed contains the memory of the failures and successes of previous generations.

The farmers in Jesus’ day would have been awed by such a thing. Today we might fancy that we understand genetic coding. After all, we learned about DNA in high school. We grasp

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U2: 1NNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE

What a treat to hear U2 in concert. I’ve blogged about my fandom before, so this time I’ll just share the set list plus a few pics.

 

Set List from June 18, Capital One Arena, Washington DC:

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The Christian Reformed Church & Woman Suffrage

an article by Nicholas J. Huizenga, published posthumously

In his retirement, my father did research and writing about the denomination he loved. One of those articles traced the fight within the Christian Reformed Church over the issue of women voting. When he first told me about the research, I thought my dad meant women voting in church — fights I could remember from my childhood in the late 1960s. But my dad laughed and said that long before those fights, the Dutch folk of western Michigan had resisted woman suffrage. In the article he explains why, quoting Klaas Schoolland, a Calvin professor: “Woman suffrage will break the divine laws of human life.”

Conflicts in churches don’t change that much. People in power resist any attempts to shift the power balance, then ascribe their thinking to the Divine One. Today’s conflicts over women’s ordination, racial justice, and LGBT inclusion all stem from the same root.

It was exactly two years ago that I got the call that my father had been put on hospice care. I drove more than 600 miles to Michigan and was able to be with my parents during the last week of dad’s life. He died at home early on the morning of Father’s Day 2016, with me and my sisters in attendance. It was so hard to say goodbye. I miss him still.

For being born and raised in such a conservative subculture, my father was surprisingly free-thinking. I loved that about him. I also loved the fact that we shared a passion for writing. Dad was always tickled when I “published” something he wrote on my blog, such as this post about folding socks, which is really a testimony to his mother, or this write-up of the “Honor Flight” he took to Washington DC as a WWII vet.

Yesterday I received a copy of “Origins” the historical magazine of The archives of Calvin College and Calvin Seminary. My dad’s article about woman’s suffrage is the headline article. Congratulations Dad! I know you would be proud and happy, and so am I.

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Devotions in the Wake of #MeToo

Psalm 22, Isaiah 43, 2 Samuel 13, Luke 18, Mark 5

I first drafted these devotions a year ago (spring 2017) to connect to my memoir — which takes the reader along on my faith journey after experiencing rape at gunpoint.

In the wake of the #MeToo movement (fall 2017), these scriptures have become all the more poignant and powerful to me.

 

Each devotion is one page and includes a brief passage of scripture, reflection questions, prayer prompts and a color photo that suggests a connection to a current event.

The passages featured are:

~ Psalm 22    “Why Have You Abandoned Me?”

~ Isaiah 43    “Before & After”

~ 2 Samuel 13  “Carrying My Sexual Shame”

~ Luke 18    “She Persisted”

~ Mark 5    “Boldly Seeking Jesus”

You could use these yourself, with a small group, or with your church. I hope they speak to you, and I encourage you to share them.

I’m in the process of updating my site as my theme has been discontinued. Due to these technical difficulties, I can’t attach the PDFs here. If you’d like to receive the devotions, subscribe to my updates or send me a message.

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Subscribe to Receive Free #MeToo Devotions

Devotions in the Wake of #MeToo

Each “Devotion in the Wake of #MeToo” is one page and includes a brief passage of scripture, reflection questions, prayer prompts and a color photo. The passages featured are:

~ Psalm 22    “Why Have You Abandoned Me?”

~ Isaiah 43    “Before & After”

~ 2 Samuel 13  “Carrying My Sexual Shame”

~ Luke 18    “She Persisted”

~ Mark 5    “Boldly Seeking Jesus”

You could use these yourself, with a small group, or with your church.

To receive the PDF in your mailbox, sign up in the side bar to the right. I send an email when I have something new to share, about once a month.

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Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

mixing God into politics doesn't fool anyone

Today the United States dedicated its embassy in Israel, which relocated from TelAviv to Jerusalem. At a grand ceremony, many influential people spoke, frequently invoking God’s name, praying or quoting scripture. More than one mentioned the words of Psalm 122  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.

Calling a group of words a “prayer” and closing your eyes while you utter them does not make your words holy. It certainly doesn’t fool the Holy One, who sees into our hearts and is aware of our actions and intentions.

While the ceremony of self-congratulation was underway in Jerusalem, some 40 miles away Israelis were firing tear gas onto Palestinian demonstrators along the Gaza strip, killing (as of this writing) 52 people.

The timing of the event was purposeful, corresponding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel (May 14, 1948). Of course, the next day, May 15, is commemorated by the Palestinians as the Nakba, the Day of Catastrophe. The symbol of the Nakba is a key because the Palestinians were forced out of their homes and never allowed to return. Israel awarded the Right of Return to all Jews, which was the right thing to do. However they took that same right from the Palestinians. How is that right?

The status of Jerusalem is particularly delicate because it belongs to neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis. Technically it is a city for all people and is under the jurisdiction of the United Nations. Jerusalem is a particularly juicy morsel to tussle over. That much is apparent, even to those with only a cursory knowledge of the area’s complicated history.

Only those who are purposefully ignorant can pretend that the moving of the embassy on this day was not a deliberate act of provocation by our government. Despite all the rhetoric, this was not a move toward peace. It was not done to prosper all Jerusalemites. This relocation was done to advance a political agenda that loves peace and prosperity for some, but not all.

The grillwork over the window is in the shape of a chalice with the host above it, the symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice. On the altar (out of sight) is a mosaic of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings.

One of my favorite places in Israel is just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives. It’s along a well worn pilgrimage road that slopes up and away from the Lion’s Gate. Dominus Flevit is a small chapel which is shaped like a tear and commemorates where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”

Matthew records it this way:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

I would like to sit in that chapel and weep. Here at home it is difficult for me to channel my angry tears into prayers. I see the images of the people killed in the last 24 hours while those in power wear smug smiles and quote Psalm 122. Those verses seem worn from mindless repetition and tainted from the company they keep. What do those words mean in today’s context? I cannot believe that Jesus prayed for peace for some, and not all; for prosperity for some, and not all.

Maybe I don’t need to dry my angry tears, not yet. Anger is fuel, and has lessons to teach.

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5 Ways the Church Hurts Victims of Sexual Violence

5 Ways the Church Can Help Victims of Sexual Violence

I wrote this article for Outreach magazine in July 2016 — and it’s still true.

(I’m catching up on linking articles.)

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Thank you to Associated Church Press

for honoring my writing: Award of Merit & Honorable Mention

I had no idea that either of my essays had been submitted for an ACP award. I’m grateful to Christian Century for submitting A Pastor’s MeToo Story and to Sojourners for submitting Skin in the Game. Both publications received many awards and I am honored to be among them. Here’s the link to the full list of awards.

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Sexual Abuse & the Church

Free conversation guide at the Christian Century

The Christian Century compiled this resource guide on the subject of Sexual Abuse & the Church. My cover story and sidebar from the January issue are reprinted, with discussion questions added. A whole host of other articles are reprinted as well. This is a free resource, so spread the word!

 

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