Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Look what came in the mailbox II
Normally, I don't like proof texting (using scripture out of context to make a point), however this was cute and thought provoking.Interview of Jesus about the Church
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Grace is it Cheap or Costly
Right now, I'm working through 40 Days with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It's taking more than 40 days, because I haven't been able to do the devotion ever day, and that's okay. His comments are deep and thought provoking. Taking my time means I don't pull a brain muscle.
For the last two days, the topic has been cheap grace. I'm wondering if the church in the days since the Reformation has made grace so cheap and easy, that it is no longer a treasure? When the pastor announces the forgiveness of sins during worship, do you feel something? Or is it a "yeah, whatever, I can get this at anytime." feeling?
Grace has a cost. The Grace we receive cost Jesus his very life. The Grace we receive expects something of us. Cheap grace doesn't expect a transformation, doesn't expect repentance, doesn't expect anything of you. God's Grace not only expects repentance and transformation, it gives you the ability to make the change.
I forgot whether it was during training for prison chaplaincy or for a seminary class, but on a video a man convicted of sexual abuse said, "Don't be too quick to forgive me." I recall thinking, he seemed to ask for a chance to live with his guilt, to truly feel the pain and understand what he had done.
During my ministry, I've met with many people in county jails and state prisons. One individual stole money and forged checks from his parents and friends. When I met with him behind bars, we got to talking about the 7th commandment: You shall not steal. For the next several months, we talked about his crime, what "made him do it", and the like. After a while, he was hungry to hear God's word of forgiveness. He realized the pain inflicted on others because he was feeling the pinch. He took the courageous step of writing a letter to his mom, friends, and others. He apologized without asking for their forgiveness. He knew he could never do enough to balance the wrong he committed. Now, by living with his sin and feeling racked with guilt was he able to really hear God's good news of grace and be transformed. No longer cocky, a humility came upon him that has not left. He found his higher power in Christ Jesus.
Ponder the cost of Grace. Ponder what Jesus paid and how much God loves you. This is what makes grace so grand. God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved. You have been saved for a reason; please don't cheapen God's grace.
For the last two days, the topic has been cheap grace. I'm wondering if the church in the days since the Reformation has made grace so cheap and easy, that it is no longer a treasure? When the pastor announces the forgiveness of sins during worship, do you feel something? Or is it a "yeah, whatever, I can get this at anytime." feeling?
Grace has a cost. The Grace we receive cost Jesus his very life. The Grace we receive expects something of us. Cheap grace doesn't expect a transformation, doesn't expect repentance, doesn't expect anything of you. God's Grace not only expects repentance and transformation, it gives you the ability to make the change.
I forgot whether it was during training for prison chaplaincy or for a seminary class, but on a video a man convicted of sexual abuse said, "Don't be too quick to forgive me." I recall thinking, he seemed to ask for a chance to live with his guilt, to truly feel the pain and understand what he had done.
During my ministry, I've met with many people in county jails and state prisons. One individual stole money and forged checks from his parents and friends. When I met with him behind bars, we got to talking about the 7th commandment: You shall not steal. For the next several months, we talked about his crime, what "made him do it", and the like. After a while, he was hungry to hear God's word of forgiveness. He realized the pain inflicted on others because he was feeling the pinch. He took the courageous step of writing a letter to his mom, friends, and others. He apologized without asking for their forgiveness. He knew he could never do enough to balance the wrong he committed. Now, by living with his sin and feeling racked with guilt was he able to really hear God's good news of grace and be transformed. No longer cocky, a humility came upon him that has not left. He found his higher power in Christ Jesus.
Ponder the cost of Grace. Ponder what Jesus paid and how much God loves you. This is what makes grace so grand. God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved. You have been saved for a reason; please don't cheapen God's grace.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What's in a title?
For a few years, I've been interested in the differences between titles of clergy mostly pastor vs minister. For some the titles are interchangeable for protestant clergy. I've always chaffed from one title more than the other and lately I've pondered if what people call me is a "tell" of what they expect of me in my role.
So I went to Merriam-Websters online dictionary to learn the origins of the words. Here's what I learned:
Pastor: Etymology Middle English pastour, from Anglo-French, from Latin pastor herdsman,
Minister: Etymology: Middle English ministre, from Anglo-French, from Latin minister servant
The job description for clergy in the parish requires both leading and serving. With all the issues before the church, does it matter if the ordained leader is seen primarily as the shepherd rather than servant or vice versa?
Personally, I prefer the title pastor. The herdsman had goals and visions for the flock. We need to go here for water, graze here for food. The goals and visions ensured the needs of the flock were met.
Minister is a servant who tends to the wants and the needs of others. A minister might speak and make a request, but the master could always say, Your request is noted, and ignored.
I am called to do both duties, I think seeing myself primarily as Pastor frees me to take the long view of events, encourage others to share in the ministry of meeting needs, and be an advocate for justice.
So I went to Merriam-Websters online dictionary to learn the origins of the words. Here's what I learned:
Pastor: Etymology Middle English pastour, from Anglo-French, from Latin pastor herdsman,
Minister: Etymology: Middle English ministre, from Anglo-French, from Latin minister servant
The job description for clergy in the parish requires both leading and serving. With all the issues before the church, does it matter if the ordained leader is seen primarily as the shepherd rather than servant or vice versa?
Personally, I prefer the title pastor. The herdsman had goals and visions for the flock. We need to go here for water, graze here for food. The goals and visions ensured the needs of the flock were met.
Minister is a servant who tends to the wants and the needs of others. A minister might speak and make a request, but the master could always say, Your request is noted, and ignored.
I am called to do both duties, I think seeing myself primarily as Pastor frees me to take the long view of events, encourage others to share in the ministry of meeting needs, and be an advocate for justice.
Friday, November 13, 2009
A story that just came to me
Literally, this appeared in my "in box" on my eMail account. During a time, when the news is telling us doom and gloom, we can remember God provided for his people in the past and will do so today.
August Francke was born in 1663 in Leipzig, Germany. He attended Leipzig University and began a college Bible study. In 1687, while preparing for a study on John 20:31, he experienced the "new birth." In 1692, he took a position at the University of Halle and became a minister at a local church. In 1695, he opened up an orphanage and school in Halle.
Soon after, money for the orphanage had been used up and the home's manager brought Francke a collection of bills. Francke had to confess that he had no money to pay for them. He was about to fall on his knees for the purpose of asking God to remember the cause of these needy orphans, when he remembered that he had to write an important message. Returning to pray for funds, a knock came at the door and an amount of $1000 was delivered, more than enough to pay the bills.
Francke was then reminded of the promise in Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call I will answer." Grateful to the Lord, he went to his bedroom to praise and thank the Lord for His overflowing provision.
Be bold in asking for God to provide daily bread for those in need.
August Francke was born in 1663 in Leipzig, Germany. He attended Leipzig University and began a college Bible study. In 1687, while preparing for a study on John 20:31, he experienced the "new birth." In 1692, he took a position at the University of Halle and became a minister at a local church. In 1695, he opened up an orphanage and school in Halle.
Soon after, money for the orphanage had been used up and the home's manager brought Francke a collection of bills. Francke had to confess that he had no money to pay for them. He was about to fall on his knees for the purpose of asking God to remember the cause of these needy orphans, when he remembered that he had to write an important message. Returning to pray for funds, a knock came at the door and an amount of $1000 was delivered, more than enough to pay the bills.
Francke was then reminded of the promise in Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call I will answer." Grateful to the Lord, he went to his bedroom to praise and thank the Lord for His overflowing provision.
Be bold in asking for God to provide daily bread for those in need.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thoughts on Prayer
I'm working on reading a bunch of things I didn't get to in seminary, the "eschatological reading list" as one professor called it. Right now, I'm reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
Prayer offered in early morning is decisive for the day. The wasted time we are ashamed of, the temptations we succumb to, the weakness and discouragement in our work, the disorder and lack of discipline in our thinking and in our dealings with other people--all these very frequently have their cause in our neglect of morning prayer. The ordering and scheduling of our time will become more secure when it comes from prayer.
This rich quote invites us to reorder are day. Sure, we could skip morning prayer in favor of some extra time to sleep, surf the web, watch tv, etc. However doing this takes it's toll on our discipline in all areas of life. The invitation is simply, when you desire things to be different, start with prayer. Take time for prayer as you get out of bed in the morning, take time to read some scripture (perhaps a psalm) and hear God speak to you, take time to listen as God pulls us to do the divine will. Perhaps that last one is most important. To be silent, know God's presence and listen to the voice of the Almighty, whether loud and booming, or still and small.
If you aren't sure how do morning prayer, I recommend subscribing to the Moravian Daily Texts (go to www.moravian.org/daily_texts) This is a free service that will send daily scripture readings to your eMail box.
The other recommendation is purchasing a book from the "40-Day Journey with _________" series available at www.augsburgfortress.org/store/itemseries_noimage.jsp?clsid=188809
Schedule an appoint between yourself and God daily, let me know how the journey goes.
Prayer offered in early morning is decisive for the day. The wasted time we are ashamed of, the temptations we succumb to, the weakness and discouragement in our work, the disorder and lack of discipline in our thinking and in our dealings with other people--all these very frequently have their cause in our neglect of morning prayer. The ordering and scheduling of our time will become more secure when it comes from prayer.
This rich quote invites us to reorder are day. Sure, we could skip morning prayer in favor of some extra time to sleep, surf the web, watch tv, etc. However doing this takes it's toll on our discipline in all areas of life. The invitation is simply, when you desire things to be different, start with prayer. Take time for prayer as you get out of bed in the morning, take time to read some scripture (perhaps a psalm) and hear God speak to you, take time to listen as God pulls us to do the divine will. Perhaps that last one is most important. To be silent, know God's presence and listen to the voice of the Almighty, whether loud and booming, or still and small.
If you aren't sure how do morning prayer, I recommend subscribing to the Moravian Daily Texts (go to www.moravian.org/daily_texts) This is a free service that will send daily scripture readings to your eMail box.
The other recommendation is purchasing a book from the "40-Day Journey with _________" series available at www.augsburgfortress.org/store/itemseries_noimage.jsp?clsid=188809
Schedule an appoint between yourself and God daily, let me know how the journey goes.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
More thoughts on Mark 10:35-45
This past Sunday, we heard a familiar gospel in Mark 10:35-45. The quick summary:
On the way to Jerusalem the disciples ask Jesus to grant them seats of honor. Jesus responds by announcing that he and his followers will “rule” through self-giving service.
I still appreciate the way the Oakridge Boys portray this, you can view this at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJoyp6BEYk.
On the way to Jerusalem the disciples ask Jesus to grant them seats of honor. Jesus responds by announcing that he and his followers will “rule” through self-giving service.
I still appreciate the way the Oakridge Boys portray this, you can view this at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJoyp6BEYk.
Monday, October 19, 2009
A new way of thinking part III?
During a breakfast conversation with my mentor today, I was reminded that during the creation account, the day begins in the evening. How would this change your life if you viewed the relaxation you experience in the evening as the beginning of the day?
Imagine your day beginning around the dinner table with family with a slower pace versus the hectic eat and run breakfast. It's fun to ponder this concept.
Now, to find an online calender program that will let me live this way
Imagine your day beginning around the dinner table with family with a slower pace versus the hectic eat and run breakfast. It's fun to ponder this concept.
Now, to find an online calender program that will let me live this way
Friday, October 9, 2009
I wonder
What would happen if we stopped using fear as a motivator? I'm tired of the 33% of (insert group here) will experience (insert disaster of your choice) on the evening news.
Why is it that we go so quickly towards the negative? I can't answer that today, and perhaps someday in the future I will understand the answer. Until that time, I'm resolving to reframe life in positive ways.
I believe this is what scripture says: " Don't worry! Don't panic! Live the trust you feel towards God in every moment of your life." Joel chapter 2 is filled with God's promise of restoration: "Don't be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice for the Lord has done great things...once more the autumn rains will come as well as the rains of spring. The threshing floors will again be piled high...The Lord says, I will give you back what you have lost..."
So when I hear "33% of (insert group here) will experience (insert disaster of your choice)", I will focus on 67% of people are okay not going to experience disaster in whatever form (illness, natural, crime, addiction, etc), and I'd like to work to increase that number to 100% people having the good stuff rather than 0% bad. Is it the same? Sure mathematically, but I believe in these times, hearing good news is essential.
The need for Good News is why Jesus declared: "So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These thoughts dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs."
We belong to God, fear, love, and trust God the most.
Why is it that we go so quickly towards the negative? I can't answer that today, and perhaps someday in the future I will understand the answer. Until that time, I'm resolving to reframe life in positive ways.
I believe this is what scripture says: " Don't worry! Don't panic! Live the trust you feel towards God in every moment of your life." Joel chapter 2 is filled with God's promise of restoration: "Don't be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice for the Lord has done great things...once more the autumn rains will come as well as the rains of spring. The threshing floors will again be piled high...The Lord says, I will give you back what you have lost..."
So when I hear "33% of (insert group here) will experience (insert disaster of your choice)", I will focus on 67% of people are okay not going to experience disaster in whatever form (illness, natural, crime, addiction, etc), and I'd like to work to increase that number to 100% people having the good stuff rather than 0% bad. Is it the same? Sure mathematically, but I believe in these times, hearing good news is essential.
The need for Good News is why Jesus declared: "So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These thoughts dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs."
We belong to God, fear, love, and trust God the most.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Patience
Leonardo daVinci once declared “Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner, you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.”
This quote helps re-orient me in times of challenge. Remembering to pray first, daVinci offers a way to recognize when to absorb a wrong doing and when to speak against injustice. If someone does me wrong, i.e. cuts me off on the highway, I'm reminded that patience will keep the event from ruling my mind. However, if a group of people are victims of abuse, I am called by God to speak the truth, God's love for all people and to treat them with justice.
Holy God, give us courage to challenge and reform the injustice in the world, the patience to absorb the personal slights as Jesus did before his his crucifixion, and the wisdom to know when to speak and act. Amen.
This quote helps re-orient me in times of challenge. Remembering to pray first, daVinci offers a way to recognize when to absorb a wrong doing and when to speak against injustice. If someone does me wrong, i.e. cuts me off on the highway, I'm reminded that patience will keep the event from ruling my mind. However, if a group of people are victims of abuse, I am called by God to speak the truth, God's love for all people and to treat them with justice.
Holy God, give us courage to challenge and reform the injustice in the world, the patience to absorb the personal slights as Jesus did before his his crucifixion, and the wisdom to know when to speak and act. Amen.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Language Change
So often in life, I feel as though I'm writing in basic computer language again. Remember the "if...then" statements
If 3 > 300 Then ? "Good Job"
As Christian's what happens when we change our language from "if-then" to "because-therefore".
If God loves me, then I am forgiven to Because God loves me, therefore I am forgiven.
Framing our faith in positive words reflects the joy Paul reveals to us in his epistles. Saved by grace through faith. God is the main actor in our lives. The almighty acts first in love, and we respond.
Try to spend two weeks removing the word If from conversations. Because and When are two of my favorite substitutes. When I do my daily devotions, I feel at peace.
If 3 > 300 Then ? "Good Job"
As Christian's what happens when we change our language from "if-then" to "because-therefore".
If God loves me, then I am forgiven to Because God loves me, therefore I am forgiven.
Framing our faith in positive words reflects the joy Paul reveals to us in his epistles. Saved by grace through faith. God is the main actor in our lives. The almighty acts first in love, and we respond.
Try to spend two weeks removing the word If from conversations. Because and When are two of my favorite substitutes. When I do my daily devotions, I feel at peace.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Secure Churches
After the death of Dr Tiller in Oklahoma, a swirl of questioning thoughts have been running through my brain.
- Why do people who are pro-life take a life?
- Why are some churches now encouraging members who are permitted to carry concealed weapons to bring their weapons into the worship space?
I cringe at the use of fear to drive a product. Yes, we live in a dangerous world and we should take steps to ensure the safety of all. There are simple smart moves: background checks on those who work with young people and finances. However, safety is not something I can guarantee; because by being open and welcoming, we risk letting dangerous people into our lives. Training ushers to look people over the way I had to as security for a state park is not welcoming and inviting people to worship God. This is why I smiled as read one response to the article.
Tony from Mishawaka, IN wrote
Do we attend church to worship? Or do we attend church to be safe? The early church had no illusions of "security." Many Christians around the world cannot count on being "safe" in worship spaces. I don't want ushers armed with guns in my church, just because a few "loose screws" view us as "soft targets!"
We are people of faith, who pray first, trust the resurrection promise, and go about living daily life in a way that brings glory to God. This means taking chances as we trust God to provide and protect.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Follow up on Newsletter
While looking for some illustrations for my homily, I came across this story.
Don't let others determine how you're going to act. A Sydney Harris syndicated column started with this story: "I walked with a friend to the news stand the other night and he bought a paper, thanking the owner politely. The owner, however, did not even acknowledge it. 'A sullen fellow, isn't he?' I commented as we walked away. 'Oh he's that way every night,' shrugged my friend. 'Then why do you continue being so polite to him?' I asked, and my friend replied, 'Why should I let him determine how I'm going to act?'"
Don't let others determine how you're going to act. A Sydney Harris syndicated column started with this story: "I walked with a friend to the news stand the other night and he bought a paper, thanking the owner politely. The owner, however, did not even acknowledge it. 'A sullen fellow, isn't he?' I commented as we walked away. 'Oh he's that way every night,' shrugged my friend. 'Then why do you continue being so polite to him?' I asked, and my friend replied, 'Why should I let him determine how I'm going to act?'"
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Telos Agape Phobos
In 1st John 4:18b we hear in the Greek "Telos Agape Phobos" perfect love drives away fear. There are a ton of things to be frightened of in the world. Yet knowing God loves me, allows and encourages me to go out into the world and reflect the love. God's love is so perfect, it provides a feeling of peace when the odds are totally against there being peace in that moment.
Imagine during a hurricane, a 5 year old calls out from the bed “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy, I'm scared!”
And gliding into the room with her bathrobe trailing like a cape on a super hero, mom's there
offering words of comfort. Soon the tears subside, even as the storm winds pull gutters from the house with the creaking and slamming noise of metal tearing and smashing making it seem as if the whole wall was going to give way and the rain would drive into the room. Mom is there, holding on to her child, and a feeling of peace washes over the child, even though the hurricane rages on against the house.
This is the power of God's perfect love, telos agape phobos, God's perfect love drives away our terror and fear and frees us to do amazing things.
God's love flows abundantly because God is pure love
Imagine during a hurricane, a 5 year old calls out from the bed “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy, I'm scared!”
And gliding into the room with her bathrobe trailing like a cape on a super hero, mom's there
offering words of comfort. Soon the tears subside, even as the storm winds pull gutters from the house with the creaking and slamming noise of metal tearing and smashing making it seem as if the whole wall was going to give way and the rain would drive into the room. Mom is there, holding on to her child, and a feeling of peace washes over the child, even though the hurricane rages on against the house.
This is the power of God's perfect love, telos agape phobos, God's perfect love drives away our terror and fear and frees us to do amazing things.
- To love an addict by confronting them and holding them accountable
- To love family and friends by standing vigil at a bedside in the valley of the shadow of death
- To love others by volunteering even you're not sure you have the time
God's love flows abundantly because God is pure love
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Good Shepherd Sunday
This past Sunday is nicknamed “Good Shepherd Sunday”. We hear a favorite psalm and encounter the well know phrase the Lord is my shepherd. We hear the gospel and listen to how Christ is a shepherd who protects the flock at all costs
Yet I wonder, how many of us here in suburbia truly know the challenges and hardships in the life of a shepherd??
Did you know that shepherds found the water for the flock? That they would build make shift corrals at night out of brush and sticks and then go around stomping the ground to ensure there were no snakes on the ground before bringing in the herd?
Most of us picture a serene life; sort of a little bo peep cleanliness cliché. There are days, that I think the image doesn't work, because we don't understand.
Seriously, if you were to describe God to a co-worker or friend who has no clue about the Almighty; would you say...the Lord is my shepherd. Or do we need an upgrade to an image we all know and can relate to?
I choose to speak about crossing guards the recognizable florescent vest or coat standing out in all sorts of weather knowing the names of the children
Psalm 23
the Lord is my crossing Guard
I shall not want
She leads me across busy intersections
He guides me to a place of learning and understanding
and restores my trust after a scary day
She leads me in right pathways all the way home
even though I walk where there are bullies
and scary things
I fear no evil
for you, the crossing guard, are near me and watching me
your stop sign and bright vest comfort me
The whole reason for Good Shepherd Sunday is to highlight our active God who is involved in day to day activities, not sitting on the divine duff on some mountain top.
Our God shows up daily with the tools of the trade to get the job done. In days of old the image of a shepherds crook was seen as an offensive and defensive weapon for dealing with predators but it was also a herd management tool which could whack, yank or pull a sheep that was straying from the fold.
What tools do you put in Christ's hand? How does he use these tools? To steer you, protect you, and bring you safely home?
I picture our Messiah in a bright vest that makes us pay attention, holding a stop sign, and making sure we don't let ourselves get run over by the highway of life.
Yet I wonder, how many of us here in suburbia truly know the challenges and hardships in the life of a shepherd??
Did you know that shepherds found the water for the flock? That they would build make shift corrals at night out of brush and sticks and then go around stomping the ground to ensure there were no snakes on the ground before bringing in the herd?
Most of us picture a serene life; sort of a little bo peep cleanliness cliché. There are days, that I think the image doesn't work, because we don't understand.
Seriously, if you were to describe God to a co-worker or friend who has no clue about the Almighty; would you say...the Lord is my shepherd. Or do we need an upgrade to an image we all know and can relate to?
I choose to speak about crossing guards the recognizable florescent vest or coat standing out in all sorts of weather knowing the names of the children
Psalm 23
the Lord is my crossing Guard
I shall not want
She leads me across busy intersections
He guides me to a place of learning and understanding
and restores my trust after a scary day
She leads me in right pathways all the way home
even though I walk where there are bullies
and scary things
I fear no evil
for you, the crossing guard, are near me and watching me
your stop sign and bright vest comfort me
The whole reason for Good Shepherd Sunday is to highlight our active God who is involved in day to day activities, not sitting on the divine duff on some mountain top.
Our God shows up daily with the tools of the trade to get the job done. In days of old the image of a shepherds crook was seen as an offensive and defensive weapon for dealing with predators but it was also a herd management tool which could whack, yank or pull a sheep that was straying from the fold.
What tools do you put in Christ's hand? How does he use these tools? To steer you, protect you, and bring you safely home?
I picture our Messiah in a bright vest that makes us pay attention, holding a stop sign, and making sure we don't let ourselves get run over by the highway of life.
Friday, April 24, 2009
digging back in my blog
Last Easter I shared my thoughts on Christ's Ressurection. Here is a short cut
http://pk-mannainthewilderness.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-easter-means-to-me.html
http://pk-mannainthewilderness.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-easter-means-to-me.html
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Surprise
I rarely watch the reality television shows; it seems like people are either making fools of themselves or just getting their 15 minutes of fame. However, this video shows the positive side of such shows. How some people who never get a break, finally get a chance to chase their dreams:
It brought to mind for me this Easter season, what the folks from Nazareth might have felt in Christ's day. "Wow, I didn't know he was the Son of God and would be risen from the dead"
May all your days have pleasant surprises until all the walls are broken down and we are truly one in Christ.
It brought to mind for me this Easter season, what the folks from Nazareth might have felt in Christ's day. "Wow, I didn't know he was the Son of God and would be risen from the dead"
May all your days have pleasant surprises until all the walls are broken down and we are truly one in Christ.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Three Holy Days in three words
Confusion, Discomfort, Joy
Confusion: did the first disciples really understand at that moment the powerful changes Jesus made to the script for the passover meal? The radical freedom from death by the simple meal of bread and wine. As well as how the richness of Christ serving by cleaning you (baptism) and providing nourishment for your spirit (holy communion).
Discomfort: what's so good about Good Friday? Remembering how much Christ loved us...that he was willing to die for us. We do squirm during the service, it is uncomfortable to ponder his last seven words of love.
Joy: he is not in the tomb, He is Risen
Confusion: did the first disciples really understand at that moment the powerful changes Jesus made to the script for the passover meal? The radical freedom from death by the simple meal of bread and wine. As well as how the richness of Christ serving by cleaning you (baptism) and providing nourishment for your spirit (holy communion).
Discomfort: what's so good about Good Friday? Remembering how much Christ loved us...that he was willing to die for us. We do squirm during the service, it is uncomfortable to ponder his last seven words of love.
Joy: he is not in the tomb, He is Risen
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Local Hero of the Faith
Last night I shared a tiny bit about the powerful woman, Sojourner Truth. She was born in nearby Ulster County, NY
Here is my favorite story from her life:
Throughout her life,
Truth sought social change through peaceful methods.
Her actions could speak louder than words.
But when she combined her actions with words,
spoken or sung, the effects verged on extraordinary.
It was during the time that Sojourner Truth
lived among members
of the Northampton Association in Massachusetts,
from 1844 to 1846, that her words and actions
allowed her to perform a feat of near miraculous proportions.
When a rowdy mob of "wild young men"
threatened to disrupt a tent revival meeting she was attending,
Sojourner followed the example of others and hid, "quaking in fear."
Hid, that is, until she remembered who she was
-- not Isabella Hardenbergh the former slave,
not Isabella Hardenbergh an illiterate and powerless black woman
-- but Sojourner Truth, called to preach,
called to testify, called to greatness. She said to herself:
Shall I run away and hide from the devil?
Me, a servant of the living God?
Have I not faith enough to go out and quell that mob,
when I know it is written, "One shall chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight?"
I know there are not a thousand here;
and I know I am a servant of the living God.
I'll go to the rescue,
and the Lord shall go with and protect me.
Oh, I felt as if I had three hearts!
and that they were so large,
my body could hardly contain them!
(did you catch that? Remember what the Grinch did when his heart Grew 3 sizes?)
Sojourner left the tent alone and unaided,
and walking some thirty rods
to the top of a small rise of ground,
commenced to sing in her most fervid manner,
with all the strength of her most powerful voice,
the hymn on the resurrection of Christ.
With an emphasis on the lyrics,
and little mind to the occasional flat note
and lack of harmony,
Sojourner continued to sing
as the mob of young men surrounded her
with sticks and clubs.
But, instead of beating her,
they entreated Truth to continue singing
and tell them her story.
According to the account in her autobiography:
She did speak; they silently heard,
and civilly asked her many questions.
It seemed to her to be given her
at the time
to answer them with truth and wisdom beyond herself.
Her speech had operated
on the roused passions of the mob like oil on agitated waters;
they were, as a whole entirely subdued,
and only clamored when she ceased to speak or sing. 3
Gradually the din of angry voices subsided
and the only voice which could be heard was Sojourner's.
Climbing into the back of a nearby wagon,
Truth proceeded to preach and sing
to her increasingly respectful congregation.
Finally she struck a unique bargain with the young men.
They promised to leave the site after one last spiritual
and to allow the revival meeting to continue in peace.
Then Sojourner rejoined
her fellow worshippers under the tent.
Sojourner Truth had attitude.
And she had faith.
It took great courage for her to step outside
that tent and put herself in the center
of a mob of disrespectful, and potentially dangerous, men.
Truth could have chosen the easy path
and stayed inside the tent with the others.
Instead, she chose to back up her words with her actions.
She refused to "keep her place,"
to be intimidated or ignored.
She was a force to be reckoned with,
a force with an invisible and mighty right arm
to aid her in her campaign against inequality.
Sojourner knew her fight was not hers alone.
It was her faith in God
that sustained her through her endless series
of trials and tribulations.
During our life, we too face trials,
remember God is with you
just as the Almighty was with Sojourner Truth
Here is my favorite story from her life:
Throughout her life,
Truth sought social change through peaceful methods.
Her actions could speak louder than words.
But when she combined her actions with words,
spoken or sung, the effects verged on extraordinary.
It was during the time that Sojourner Truth
lived among members
of the Northampton Association in Massachusetts,
from 1844 to 1846, that her words and actions
allowed her to perform a feat of near miraculous proportions.
When a rowdy mob of "wild young men"
threatened to disrupt a tent revival meeting she was attending,
Sojourner followed the example of others and hid, "quaking in fear."
Hid, that is, until she remembered who she was
-- not Isabella Hardenbergh the former slave,
not Isabella Hardenbergh an illiterate and powerless black woman
-- but Sojourner Truth, called to preach,
called to testify, called to greatness. She said to herself:
Shall I run away and hide from the devil?
Me, a servant of the living God?
Have I not faith enough to go out and quell that mob,
when I know it is written, "One shall chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight?"
I know there are not a thousand here;
and I know I am a servant of the living God.
I'll go to the rescue,
and the Lord shall go with and protect me.
Oh, I felt as if I had three hearts!
and that they were so large,
my body could hardly contain them!
(did you catch that? Remember what the Grinch did when his heart Grew 3 sizes?)
Sojourner left the tent alone and unaided,
and walking some thirty rods
to the top of a small rise of ground,
commenced to sing in her most fervid manner,
with all the strength of her most powerful voice,
the hymn on the resurrection of Christ.
With an emphasis on the lyrics,
and little mind to the occasional flat note
and lack of harmony,
Sojourner continued to sing
as the mob of young men surrounded her
with sticks and clubs.
But, instead of beating her,
they entreated Truth to continue singing
and tell them her story.
According to the account in her autobiography:
She did speak; they silently heard,
and civilly asked her many questions.
It seemed to her to be given her
at the time
to answer them with truth and wisdom beyond herself.
Her speech had operated
on the roused passions of the mob like oil on agitated waters;
they were, as a whole entirely subdued,
and only clamored when she ceased to speak or sing. 3
Gradually the din of angry voices subsided
and the only voice which could be heard was Sojourner's.
Climbing into the back of a nearby wagon,
Truth proceeded to preach and sing
to her increasingly respectful congregation.
Finally she struck a unique bargain with the young men.
They promised to leave the site after one last spiritual
and to allow the revival meeting to continue in peace.
Then Sojourner rejoined
her fellow worshippers under the tent.
Sojourner Truth had attitude.
And she had faith.
It took great courage for her to step outside
that tent and put herself in the center
of a mob of disrespectful, and potentially dangerous, men.
Truth could have chosen the easy path
and stayed inside the tent with the others.
Instead, she chose to back up her words with her actions.
She refused to "keep her place,"
to be intimidated or ignored.
She was a force to be reckoned with,
a force with an invisible and mighty right arm
to aid her in her campaign against inequality.
Sojourner knew her fight was not hers alone.
It was her faith in God
that sustained her through her endless series
of trials and tribulations.
During our life, we too face trials,
remember God is with you
just as the Almighty was with Sojourner Truth
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
ah, Bach
Bach, a great hero of the Christian faith; often over looked because of his centuries old music used for haunted houses and Fantasia. Here's a fun take on his Toccata and Fugue in D Minor that gives you an appreciation for how Bach ran the pedals and keys in order to invoke a physical response from the hearer.
Bach firmly believed that EVERYTHING in music was to glorify God. There was no divide between church music and secular music other than who paid him. He wanted to glorify God. I find this attitude refreshing and different from some of today's artists, who seem to believe it is about being famous and making money.
We too are called to glorify God in our lives. How will you do that today?
Bach firmly believed that EVERYTHING in music was to glorify God. There was no divide between church music and secular music other than who paid him. He wanted to glorify God. I find this attitude refreshing and different from some of today's artists, who seem to believe it is about being famous and making money.
We too are called to glorify God in our lives. How will you do that today?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
What are you willing to give to get
We all have expectations in life; things we would love to see happen or believe it should just be "this way." Many times, we expect others to meet our expectations. If we rely solely on others to met our expectations, we will almost always feel disappointed. Expect top notch athlete's to never make a foolish choice? Unless, you know one and are involved in their life, it probably won't happen.
The best method of achieving our expectations is to recognize we must give something of ourselves to see our expectations met.
If I expect people to pay attention to my sermons, then I need to do the hard work during the week to prepare and craft something that is engaging not simply entertaining or a lecture. If I expect to go on vacation without going into debt, I need to save money now.
What are your expectations in life? for your job? for your worship of God?
What are you willing to do to make the expectations come true? What are you will to give to get your expectations met?
The best method of achieving our expectations is to recognize we must give something of ourselves to see our expectations met.
If I expect people to pay attention to my sermons, then I need to do the hard work during the week to prepare and craft something that is engaging not simply entertaining or a lecture. If I expect to go on vacation without going into debt, I need to save money now.
What are your expectations in life? for your job? for your worship of God?
What are you willing to do to make the expectations come true? What are you will to give to get your expectations met?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
An Ash Wednesday thought
A certified public accountant did something that maybe all of us should do. He decided to open a journal with God. He wanted to write down everything that God gave him and everything that he gave to God. He started keeping a debit and credit book with God.
If someone did him a favor, he put it down as God’s gift to him. He credited God with the sun, his food, his health, his friends and relatives and a thousand other benefits he received.
On the other hand, he put down what he did for God. Finally he gave up, saying, “It is impossible for me to balance the books. I find that God is indeed my creditor and what I have done for him is next to nothing.”
Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, who did balance our books so that we can know and love the almighty God, creator of us all.
If someone did him a favor, he put it down as God’s gift to him. He credited God with the sun, his food, his health, his friends and relatives and a thousand other benefits he received.
On the other hand, he put down what he did for God. Finally he gave up, saying, “It is impossible for me to balance the books. I find that God is indeed my creditor and what I have done for him is next to nothing.”
Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, who did balance our books so that we can know and love the almighty God, creator of us all.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thoughts and Prayers following the plane crash in Clarence Center
John 10:27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
BBC News article on the plane crash, Plane Crash in Buffalo Suburb
I woke up this morning to the terrible news; a plane with over 45 people crashed into a home and there are at least 49 deceased. All I could think of was this scripture; how it feels as if these individuals were snatched away from those they love. The pain and shock of grief hit those left behind hard. Yet in the midst of these feelings, Jesus reminds us that the passengers, crew, and those on the ground are in God's hands. Jesus brings eternal life, and the promise nothing can break the embrace of the triune God who holds all of us.
Holy God, we need you now. Please enter into those who are grieving with your life giving presence, to sustain them with the sweet resurrection promise and to help all who mourn find a new normal in life. Amen
Thursday, February 5, 2009
a Prayer for President Obama and the USA
Please read the text of Bishop Gene Robinson's Inaugural Prayer of Invocation (see below) from January 18th and feel free to share this with others. We ask this because this prayer was not broadcast. Of all the inaugural events to neglect to broadcast, it was most unfortunate to omit the prayer of an openly gay Episcopal Bishop, giving the appearance of marginalizing and censoring him.
Millions of people would have heard this prayer, but did not. We are asking you to pass this message on to your email list in the hope that eventually millions will read these beautiful and important words.
Thank you very much.
Bishop Eugene Robinson's Inaugural Prayer:
O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will...
Bless us with tears - for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.
Bless us with anger - at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Bless us with discomfort - at the easy, simplistic "answers" we've preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.
Bless us with patience - and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be "fixed" anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.
Bless us with humility - open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.
Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance - replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.
Bless us with compassion and generosity - remembering that every religion's God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.
And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln's reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy's ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King's dream of a nation for ALL the people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.
Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.
Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.
Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters'
childhoods.
And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we're asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand - that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.
Amen.
Millions of people would have heard this prayer, but did not. We are asking you to pass this message on to your email list in the hope that eventually millions will read these beautiful and important words.
Thank you very much.
Bishop Eugene Robinson's Inaugural Prayer:
O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will...
Bless us with tears - for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.
Bless us with anger - at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Bless us with discomfort - at the easy, simplistic "answers" we've preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.
Bless us with patience - and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be "fixed" anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.
Bless us with humility - open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.
Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance - replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.
Bless us with compassion and generosity - remembering that every religion's God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.
And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln's reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy's ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King's dream of a nation for ALL the people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.
Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.
Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.
Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters'
childhoods.
And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we're asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand - that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.
Amen.
Monday, February 2, 2009
a thought for Black History Month
I found this poster striking, and thought it worth sharing
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/23/poster-389-years-lat.html
There is much to absorb in this visual history, please take the time to view it.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/23/poster-389-years-lat.html
There is much to absorb in this visual history, please take the time to view it.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday's Sermon
A few people asked for this following worship, and so here is the script for today's sermon and the story of the best football game of the season.
May God richly bless you this week.
In Christ,
Pastor Kim
Sermon Epiphany 3
Year B
Mark 1:14-20 and Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Today is a tale of two responses
to God's call
because to hear Jesus,
is to hear God's voice
the responses we hear from scripture are basic
one is the Monty Python, run away
one is to run head first and embrace it
Jonah is the negative example
he ran away
Simon, Andrew, James and John are the positive
they embraced the call
and left everything behind
to care for others
you and I, fall in the in between space
some days we run
some days we embrace
We are invited by Jesus
to come, follow me
and it is worth thing about
Who do we follow?
This week, our nation has a new president
our state as a new senator
please shout out some characteristics
you desire in your elected leaders
anything different you desire in a boss?
Here's what I desire in the leaders I follow
Honesty/Integrity
Challenge me to be better
Will take the heat for my mistakes
yet still hold me accountable
you may recall I shared how Col Kucynda
got gnawed on by the wing commander
and simply told me to make sure
I called Job Control before running the convoy home
in the future
More wise than I am
Care about me and others
Jesus easily meets all of these categories
he cares about those he encounters
provides challenging words
knows scripture completely
and makes wise decisions on when to act
and when to be still
In short, Jesus makes things better
so part of me understands that the fab four
Simon, Andrew, James, and John
just simply followed him without a thought
but they didn't know this about him
Mark's gospel portrays this scene
as a complete stranger walking by
issuing a polite command
“Come, follow me”
followed by a promise
“I will make you fishers of other people”
Why do they follow?
Jesus is fresh out of the desert
and his 40 days of temptation
which followed his baptism
and he is still oozing with the Holy Spirit
from his baptism
There is something magnetic
and powerful when you encounter
someone overflowing with the Holy Spirit
it's contagious and you'd like a piece of it
In a way, Jesus was a flashing lure
for these first disciples
and they couldn't resist
sharing and having what Jesus had
Like the first disciples
we too have been invited “Come, follow me”
and received the promise
I will make you fishers of people
You and I are sent by God
to be lures for those in need
those in need of healing
in body, mind or spirit
So, what kind of lure
should we demonstrate?
Generosity
love
healing
forgiveness
acceptance and belonging
kindness
Truth be told, we resist the call
when we realize the people
we are called to fish for
are not very pleasant to be around
we have our Jonah moments
sometimes because we doubt the needs of others
sometimes because we are afraid
sometimes because we are uncertain of how to act
No matter the reason
after a timeout in a fish's belly
we are infused by God's spirit
to carry out the mission
of proclaiming God's good news
I saw a few examples of proclaiming God's good news this week
the most heart warming was found in ESPN magazine
with writer, Rick Reilly composing the follow
for the Dec 23, 2008 issue
They played the oddest game
in high school football history
last month down in Grapevine, Texas.
It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School
and everything about it was upside down.
For instance, when Gainesville came out
to take the field,
the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.
Did you hear that?
The other team's fans?
They even made a banner for players
to crash through at the end.
It said, "Go Tornadoes!"
Which is also weird,
because Faith is the Lions.
It was rivers running uphill
and cats petting dogs.
More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side
and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.
"I never in my life thought I'd hear people
cheering for us to hit their kids,"
recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah.
"I wouldn't expect another parent
to tell somebody to hit their kids.
But they wanted us to!"
And even though Faith walloped them 33-14,
the Gainesville kids were so happy
that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams
a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state.
Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers
escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field
and two and two started to make four.
They lined the players up in groups of five
—handcuffs ready in their back pockets
—and marched them to the team bus.
That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility
75 miles north of Dallas.
Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan,
wanted to do something kind
for the Gainesville team.
Faith had never played Gainesville,
but he already knew the score.
After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game,
Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year.
Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches,
the latest equipment and involved parents.
Gainesville has a lot of kids
with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery
—many of whose families had disowned them
—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea.
What if half of our fans
—for one night only
—cheered for the other team?
He sent out an email
asking the Faithful to do just that.
"Here's the message I want you to send:"
Hogan wrote.
"You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."
Some people were naturally confused.
One Faith player walked into Hogan's office
and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"
And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life.
Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you.
Now imagine what it would mean
for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes
were turning around on their bench
to see something they never had before.
Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!
"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex,
a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison).
"They started yelling 'DEE-fense!'
when their team had the ball.
I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"
It was a strange experience for boys
who most people cross the street to avoid.
"We can tell people are a little afraid of us
when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman
who will wind up doing more than three years.
"You can see it in their eyes.
They're lookin' at us like we're criminals.
But these people, they were yellin' for us!
By our names!"
Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better
than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns.
Of course, this might be because Hogan
put his third-string nose guard at safety
and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams
gathered in the middle of the field to pray
and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody
by asking to lead.
"We had no idea what the kid was going to say,"
remembers Coach Hogan.
But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened,
so I don't know how to say thank You,
but I never would've known there was so many people
in the world that cared about us."
And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed
because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus
under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home
—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy,
a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.
The Gainesville coach saw Hogan,
grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said,
"You'll never know what your people did
for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."
And as the bus pulled away,
all the Gainesville players crammed to one side
and pressed their hands to the window,
staring at these people they'd never met before,
watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
During that football game,
the parents of Faith High School
were fishing for Christ
being the perfect lure, for the situation
sharing love, kindness
acceptance and a sense of belonging
Filled with the Holy Spirit to follow Christ
they answered God's call
This week may God's love so empower you
that you recognize people in need
and go fishing with love, kindness, healing, forgiveness
Amen
May God richly bless you this week.
In Christ,
Pastor Kim
Sermon Epiphany 3
Year B
Mark 1:14-20 and Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Today is a tale of two responses
to God's call
because to hear Jesus,
is to hear God's voice
the responses we hear from scripture are basic
one is the Monty Python, run away
one is to run head first and embrace it
Jonah is the negative example
he ran away
Simon, Andrew, James and John are the positive
they embraced the call
and left everything behind
to care for others
you and I, fall in the in between space
some days we run
some days we embrace
We are invited by Jesus
to come, follow me
and it is worth thing about
Who do we follow?
This week, our nation has a new president
our state as a new senator
please shout out some characteristics
you desire in your elected leaders
anything different you desire in a boss?
Here's what I desire in the leaders I follow
Honesty/Integrity
Challenge me to be better
Will take the heat for my mistakes
yet still hold me accountable
you may recall I shared how Col Kucynda
got gnawed on by the wing commander
and simply told me to make sure
I called Job Control before running the convoy home
in the future
More wise than I am
Care about me and others
Jesus easily meets all of these categories
he cares about those he encounters
provides challenging words
knows scripture completely
and makes wise decisions on when to act
and when to be still
In short, Jesus makes things better
so part of me understands that the fab four
Simon, Andrew, James, and John
just simply followed him without a thought
but they didn't know this about him
Mark's gospel portrays this scene
as a complete stranger walking by
issuing a polite command
“Come, follow me”
followed by a promise
“I will make you fishers of other people”
Why do they follow?
Jesus is fresh out of the desert
and his 40 days of temptation
which followed his baptism
and he is still oozing with the Holy Spirit
from his baptism
There is something magnetic
and powerful when you encounter
someone overflowing with the Holy Spirit
it's contagious and you'd like a piece of it
In a way, Jesus was a flashing lure
for these first disciples
and they couldn't resist
sharing and having what Jesus had
Like the first disciples
we too have been invited “Come, follow me”
and received the promise
I will make you fishers of people
You and I are sent by God
to be lures for those in need
those in need of healing
in body, mind or spirit
So, what kind of lure
should we demonstrate?
Generosity
love
healing
forgiveness
acceptance and belonging
kindness
Truth be told, we resist the call
when we realize the people
we are called to fish for
are not very pleasant to be around
we have our Jonah moments
sometimes because we doubt the needs of others
sometimes because we are afraid
sometimes because we are uncertain of how to act
No matter the reason
after a timeout in a fish's belly
we are infused by God's spirit
to carry out the mission
of proclaiming God's good news
I saw a few examples of proclaiming God's good news this week
the most heart warming was found in ESPN magazine
with writer, Rick Reilly composing the follow
for the Dec 23, 2008 issue
They played the oddest game
in high school football history
last month down in Grapevine, Texas.
It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School
and everything about it was upside down.
For instance, when Gainesville came out
to take the field,
the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.
Did you hear that?
The other team's fans?
They even made a banner for players
to crash through at the end.
It said, "Go Tornadoes!"
Which is also weird,
because Faith is the Lions.
It was rivers running uphill
and cats petting dogs.
More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side
and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.
"I never in my life thought I'd hear people
cheering for us to hit their kids,"
recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah.
"I wouldn't expect another parent
to tell somebody to hit their kids.
But they wanted us to!"
And even though Faith walloped them 33-14,
the Gainesville kids were so happy
that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams
a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state.
Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers
escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field
and two and two started to make four.
They lined the players up in groups of five
—handcuffs ready in their back pockets
—and marched them to the team bus.
That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility
75 miles north of Dallas.
Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan,
wanted to do something kind
for the Gainesville team.
Faith had never played Gainesville,
but he already knew the score.
After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game,
Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year.
Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches,
the latest equipment and involved parents.
Gainesville has a lot of kids
with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery
—many of whose families had disowned them
—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea.
What if half of our fans
—for one night only
—cheered for the other team?
He sent out an email
asking the Faithful to do just that.
"Here's the message I want you to send:"
Hogan wrote.
"You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."
Some people were naturally confused.
One Faith player walked into Hogan's office
and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"
And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life.
Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you.
Now imagine what it would mean
for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes
were turning around on their bench
to see something they never had before.
Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!
"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex,
a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison).
"They started yelling 'DEE-fense!'
when their team had the ball.
I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"
It was a strange experience for boys
who most people cross the street to avoid.
"We can tell people are a little afraid of us
when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman
who will wind up doing more than three years.
"You can see it in their eyes.
They're lookin' at us like we're criminals.
But these people, they were yellin' for us!
By our names!"
Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better
than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns.
Of course, this might be because Hogan
put his third-string nose guard at safety
and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams
gathered in the middle of the field to pray
and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody
by asking to lead.
"We had no idea what the kid was going to say,"
remembers Coach Hogan.
But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened,
so I don't know how to say thank You,
but I never would've known there was so many people
in the world that cared about us."
And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed
because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus
under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home
—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy,
a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.
The Gainesville coach saw Hogan,
grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said,
"You'll never know what your people did
for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."
And as the bus pulled away,
all the Gainesville players crammed to one side
and pressed their hands to the window,
staring at these people they'd never met before,
watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
During that football game,
the parents of Faith High School
were fishing for Christ
being the perfect lure, for the situation
sharing love, kindness
acceptance and a sense of belonging
Filled with the Holy Spirit to follow Christ
they answered God's call
This week may God's love so empower you
that you recognize people in need
and go fishing with love, kindness, healing, forgiveness
Amen
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I got a Rock
While traveling with Sean for his application to the American Pistolsmith Guild and the annual S.H.O.T. Show; we were able to visit his parents as they participated in the Alifiah River Rendezvous; aka a pre 1840 Fur Traders re-inactment camp.
It was a throwback to simpler times; tents, food cooked over an open flame and to my surprise, an induction into the sisterhood. The women of the Clan of the Wolf, invited me outside on Monday morning to receive a gift of a hearth stone, and then surrounded me with prayer and hugs. Below is the text of the simple ritual:
A thousand blessings to you on this your kerchting day. Upon this day you will don your spousal crown which will signify to all your position as a wife. Care for your post well, know the strength of a wife is silently powerful. Firm as a rock, steadfast as oak, soft as down, and gentle as fervent prayer. With your feet upon your hearth stone, know from this day on you are the keeper of the hearth. From kindle to smour you will order the heart of your home. As this kertch is placed upon your head, pinnacle wise symbolic of the three that will guide you and keep you all the days of your earthly walk. On this day and all that come walk proudly in thy Kertch, provide will for your family; speak not ill of him thou ill he may be, be not boastful, but do be self assured and know the community of women all the days of your life.
There is power in ritual, to be connected to something bigger than ourselves, hundreds of years old, that leagues of others have been through. I have come to appreciate the history and traditions of people more over the years. They connect us to another way of living and remind us that some day, what we do will be evaluated by those who come after us. I pray we will giving them a solid rock on which to stand.
It was a throwback to simpler times; tents, food cooked over an open flame and to my surprise, an induction into the sisterhood. The women of the Clan of the Wolf, invited me outside on Monday morning to receive a gift of a hearth stone, and then surrounded me with prayer and hugs. Below is the text of the simple ritual:
A thousand blessings to you on this your kerchting day. Upon this day you will don your spousal crown which will signify to all your position as a wife. Care for your post well, know the strength of a wife is silently powerful. Firm as a rock, steadfast as oak, soft as down, and gentle as fervent prayer. With your feet upon your hearth stone, know from this day on you are the keeper of the hearth. From kindle to smour you will order the heart of your home. As this kertch is placed upon your head, pinnacle wise symbolic of the three that will guide you and keep you all the days of your earthly walk. On this day and all that come walk proudly in thy Kertch, provide will for your family; speak not ill of him thou ill he may be, be not boastful, but do be self assured and know the community of women all the days of your life.
There is power in ritual, to be connected to something bigger than ourselves, hundreds of years old, that leagues of others have been through. I have come to appreciate the history and traditions of people more over the years. They connect us to another way of living and remind us that some day, what we do will be evaluated by those who come after us. I pray we will giving them a solid rock on which to stand.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy 2009
And so 2009 is off to a good start; the Huskers won their bowl game.
There is something about the new year, it is a time filled with great hope and expectation that this year will be different, more perfect, new and improved.
Many of us will make resolutions to improve areas of our lives: eat better, increase physical activity, read more, spend more time with family, etc. We like the fresh start to the new year, a chance for the clean beginning.
As Christians, we celebrate this fact every week, every day. Worship is the best way to begin one week and end the previous. Right at the beginning, we make the transition and leave the old sinful ways behind. Every week we experience the power of confessing, "man, I didn't get that right, I need to do better" followed by "In the name of Christ your sins are forgiven." The gift of God of a fresh start is indeed amazing grace. Add into the mix, the sacrament of holy communion, and we are nourished and refreshed to go back into the world to be a beacon of light when others are afraid.
Come to worship God, because you need something to sustain you during the economic challenges our country faces. Hear the word of God and celebrate the gift of God setting up camp in our neighborhood; Joy to the World the Lord is Come.
There is something about the new year, it is a time filled with great hope and expectation that this year will be different, more perfect, new and improved.
Many of us will make resolutions to improve areas of our lives: eat better, increase physical activity, read more, spend more time with family, etc. We like the fresh start to the new year, a chance for the clean beginning.
As Christians, we celebrate this fact every week, every day. Worship is the best way to begin one week and end the previous. Right at the beginning, we make the transition and leave the old sinful ways behind. Every week we experience the power of confessing, "man, I didn't get that right, I need to do better" followed by "In the name of Christ your sins are forgiven." The gift of God of a fresh start is indeed amazing grace. Add into the mix, the sacrament of holy communion, and we are nourished and refreshed to go back into the world to be a beacon of light when others are afraid.
Come to worship God, because you need something to sustain you during the economic challenges our country faces. Hear the word of God and celebrate the gift of God setting up camp in our neighborhood; Joy to the World the Lord is Come.
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