WAKR
Good Morning
1-This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the Akron Area Inter Faith Council and Bath Church UCC.
Years ago in elementary school we were seated alphabetically. My name begins with “A” so I always ended up in the front seat nearest to the teacher.
This meant I got to show off when she asked a question. My hand would shoot up so everyone could see how smart I was.
Later in life I became a minister-pastor. I was the religious answer man. Ask me any question and even if I didn’t know the answer immediately-I whipped open my Bible and found a proof text.
Now much later in life, much later, I have learned to “Live with the questions”
For example, Rabbi Kushner asks, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” That’s not an easy one. Weren’t we taught that if we do the right thing and obey the 10 commandments etc. God would bless us with success-prosperity- The book of Job deals with this dilemma
What we do know is that God loves us and especially if we are down-when things go bad. That’s what the story ofJob teaches us.
2-Good Morning this is Rev. Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church.
An American style evangelist raised a bunch of money to go to India and convert the Hindus there.
The Christian church has existed for 1000’s of years in India in relative peace. They witnessed by building a network of hospitals, schools and social services. Well this American Style evangelist went in with 2 guns blazing. For starters he preached that all Hindus are going to burn forever in a fiery Hell. This confrontational in your face approach deeply offended the Hindus in the state of Bihar and resulted in many churches being burned and Christian driven out of their homes.Question:What is the better way to assist the church in India to demonstrate God’s love? .
Lord, help us to trust you. Help us to spread your love in the humility shown by Jesus. Amen
3-Good Morning This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC.
It is so unfortunate that many Americans have a negative view of the religion of Islam. As a Christian I have served in many Islamic countries and have never been treated badly by my Islamic co-workers. In fact it was most often easier to discuss matters of faith and religion with my Islamic friends than with folks back in America.
In Tajikistan I received a blessing from a 100 year old patriarch. He greeted us and raised his hands for the blessing.
In seminary we were taught various blessings or benedictions which usually were 3 or 4 lines.
Our Muslim patriarch went on and on for over 20 minutes with his benediction. I wondered how he could keep his arms up in the air for such a long time. Much more did I stand in awe as to how he could say so many words of love and kindness in one prayer.
Dear Lord, help us to understand that there are so many of your followers who are messengers of peace though they live in other places and cultures.
4-Good Morning. This is Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC
Did you know that the word Religion derives from the Latin Religio which means to “re-connect, to re-link”
The stories, ceremonies rituals and traditions are meant to help us re-connect, return to our faith re-connect to God.
The point of the stories surrounding Christmas are to remind Christians of how God became real, becomes real in our world.
These ancient stories are true in the sense that they remind us of God’s love for his people-us. We need to be reminded daily of that fact.
The details are not the point. Getting all concerned about whether it was this way or that-the point of the story is what matters. Don’t sweat the details. Accept the fact that God loves you and has demonstrated that reality.
Lord, help us to re-late, re-connect to you as we hear again the stories demonstrating your love for us.
5--Good Morning. This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC and Bath Church
In this Holiday season I am here to tell you that it is OK to have questions. It is normal to wonder just how the wise men found the baby Jesus. Did angels actually appear to the shepherds to tell them to get to the stable?
It is easy to get lost in the details of finding –proving so-called right answers. At this time of the year lets get beyond the questions and affirm the truth that our creator God-source of love, loves us unconditionally-wherever, whoever you are---in spite of our questions.
Lord help us not to be lost in the details of these ancient stories but to be reminded of your love for us as we hear again the message of how you demonstrated your loving presence.
6-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the AAIC and Bath Church, ucc.
As Americans we often feel that we know best how to do things. As an example our Nativity scenes often depict a White, blue eyed Jesus. We know better how to bring the knowledge about Jesus to others. How they should worship and believe.
As we begin this new day, rejoice in the fact that God is worshipped and loved by His –Her Children everywhere-throughout the whole world-not just by people who look like us.
Lord, Help us to celebrate that your children everywhere, in every culture and nation, people of all races and traditions—they all acknowledge you as God. You are the God of all. They are all special to you even if they don’t look like us.
7-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC-Bath Church UCC.
I wish you a great new day. Don’t let it be spoiled by doubts. It is OK and human to have doubts.
A great theologian named Abelard once wrote, “By doubting we come to inquiry and by inquiry we come to truth.” Socrates has said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Many have left religion because they are thinking people. They cannot surrender their brains when it comes to religion.
God created us with the capacity to think. We have nothing to fear from the Truth. God is truth and God is also love.
Dear Lord, Thank you for our brains so that we can love you not only with our hearts, and souls but also with our minds.
8-Good Morning. This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC.
This Holy Season of Advent- getting ready for Christmas and Hanukah is mainly about relationships. Remembering our relationship with God.
The stories that demonstrate our relationship with God abound in the Hebrew Scriptures. God’s deliverance of the people of Israel from their bondage.
Today, God can deliver each of us from our bondage which comes in many forms. Addictions, our bondage of fear, whatever is holding us back from being free to be all that we can and should be.
This Season points us to the Promised Land where we can get back in relationship with our Creator-our loving God.
Loving God, Free each of us from our bondages as in this season we are reminded of your caring love for us.
9-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC Bath Church UCC
The angels said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid.”
The most frequent expression in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures is “Do not be afraid”.
The second most mentioned is, “Concern for the most vulnerable, the needy.”
At this time of the year, giving, sharing is at its height.
The question is, if we are followers of the scriptures and followers of Jesus why only at this time of the year?
Our culture worships affluence, appearances of success and achievement.
We fear failure so we hoard all we can get and keep it for ourselves.
Celebrate this holy season by sharing-caring for those in need. And carry that Christmas spirit with you all year.
10-Good morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC Bath Church UCC
The beautiful and meaningful stories of Christmas and Hanukah call us to a personal commitment to lead a righteous, some would say, a pious spiritual life.
May these stories call us to worship and inspire us. But may they also call us to demonstrate the words of the prophet Micah when he said, What does the Lord require of you but to love Justice show mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Or as Jesus told us to follow his active ministry serving others.
Come let us worship and bow down and let us also be actively engaged in pursuing justice, showing love and mercy.
Lord, May the stories of Christmas and Hanukah bring us closer to you and a clearer understanding of your will for how we live our lives. May it not only be spiritual but active.
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