tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26754735866575385892024-02-02T00:42:20.542-05:00Law and GospelI'm a Lutheran Pastor trying to figure out what God has in store- Reflecting on life, the lectionary and whatever else leaps out.Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-37240293248573085132018-01-14T17:25:00.002-05:002018-01-14T17:40:04.249-05:00Can Anything Good Come From There?<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When I used to read stories to our girls when they were little, as the story would progress, and we would be turning the page, someone would say “and then what?” “And then what?” What’s next?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Last week we heard in the Gospel of John that Jesus came and was baptized in the river Jordan by John. And then what?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The very first act of Jesus’ ministry after his baptism, was to begin to form community.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>He finds Andrew and Simon and tells them to follow him.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And then, what?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And then what?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If the gospel stopped there it would seem like things are on a roll and the enthusiasm is mounting.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It’s like watching a balloon fill up with each breath. Except that just when we, if we didn’t know the story, would be ready for the next “and then what?”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is how Nathanael responds to Phillip’s excited invitation:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It’s like letting go of the full balloon and watching it sputter to the ground.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Can anything good come from Nazareth?!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The notion that some places or people are just not worthy is not new. Nazareth was a little town in a backwater province. Where they quite literally threw the waste into the street because where else would it go. Jesus is from Nazareth. Having already survived being born homeless, and then later a refugee as his family fled persecution by Herod and ran to Egypt, where they lived there until it was safe to go home. And they end up not in a great place everyone wants to live. They live in Nazareth.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Son of God who will save the world lives this life.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Can anything good from Nazareth? Or Haiti? Or Africa? Or El Salvador?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let’s bring it closer to home. To the one I hear the most:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Can anything good come from Hazleton?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How will we respond to the invitation when</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jesus says, “COME AND SEE.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How would we respond if he came from Hazleton?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nathanael’s mindset needed to be transformed.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It’s the same with each of us.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In Jesus we see that God re-draws the center of the world. Wherever Jesus is found is the center of God’s heart.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>As God’s Beloved forms community. We as the church have been formed to be Beloved Community.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And to expand who knows what it means to be claimed Beloved, fearfully and wonderful made, and seen as worthy by God.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And it means more than just being nice to a few little people.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Or saying that having met someone we might not get, that upon finding we could like them, it shows that some of “them” are OK.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Following Jesus means that we allow God to redraw the map we use to travel in this world.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And to adjust how we see our world to align with God’s vision of humanity. And to expand just like that balloon.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bigger and bigger. Not smaller and smaller.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Last week, I shared our 200th anniversary Scripture passage: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This verse should be paired with the one before it, because together they make a sentence. The whole sentence is :</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with Godʼs people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the 200 years of the history of this congregation how many foreigners and strangers were not wanted at some point? The Irish, the Eastern Europeans, The Japanese in World War II. The Chinese, the Jews, the Catholics, the Italians, the Hispanics. Every one could be the person from Nazareth. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yet, God says, “you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens.” God’s people. Together.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And the basis for our being so is not human successes, or being born or living in the right places.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It’s Community built upon God’s word that every single person is created in the image of God, fearfully and wonderfully, and is beloved and worthy to come and see. And God’s goodness is in every one.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In Jesus, God chooses to live where no one expects good and to call those no one is looking for.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We the baptized, who have been called beloved and worthy, share in the ministry Christ began.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Whenever we baptize, we call the whole community to five things:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To live among God’s faithful people</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To hear God’s word and share in the Lord’s supper</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To serve all people, following the example of Jesus</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To strive for justice and peace in all the earth.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is Christ centered community.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And we will not always get it right.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But as followers of Christ we cannot simply turn away when anyone questions the humanity and worthiness of others.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We cannot accept that Beloved Community is not for everyone, no matter how much it challenges us.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the story of life in which we find ourselves when faced with such moments and when the question is asked, “And then what?”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our answer cannot be “I don’t know.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Look at Samuel in our Old Testament reading.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Young Samuel was called by God to tell Eli that he was in the wrong.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A difficult task, one that probably made him stay awake all night wondering how it would play out. And yet he said, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening” and “Here I am.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We who are called to follow Jesus’ example of forming Beloved Community are called to not only speak the word “grace” but to enact it.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>For all of us, grace says that we are not defined by our failures</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Grace says we are not defined by “nothing good can come from him, or her, or there, or that.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And when we hear “nothing good” talk to be bold and say NO!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Everyone is created in the image of God, and is beloved and worthy in God’s eyes. Come and see our God.”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And we cannot put our heads in the sand.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Because when we do, people will ask another question-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Can anything good come from the church?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the very challenge today- especially as I hear it from young adults- that for whatever reason, no one expects anything good from church when human dignity is at stake.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Because we can be silent.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I know that the story of this place is one of great love in many ways. I am privileged to preach in this pulpit and to see those stories told out in your lives.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But I also know that how we tell the story can fall into telling of ourselves. Pastors are no exception. When we get together we talk about how many members we have. How much people give.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our dinners, our facilities, our programs, who are our members.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>These are wonderful manifestations of our deeds and our experience of community.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The bigger story is always how are people being the witness of Christ and where he is found and the salvation God brings.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nathanael was a holy man, but at this moment in the gospel, his words were not in sync. It can be that way with us too.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Then he had an encounter with Christ and was transformed.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We too are invited to meet Christ and are called to be transformed in how we see and respond in the world.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Being a Christian is hard. But when we are silent in the face of words that do not reflect the Christ we follow-words that deny that all are created in God’s image, and that do not reflect God’s love-we are saying these words are OK.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Each week, Jesus invites us to grow in what it means to be a child of God and to live in this world as a Christian.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To say, “ Speak Lord for your servant is listening”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And “Here I am.” To expect to see good in all people.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To follow Jesus by living out our calling with integrity.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sometimes it means calling out that which must be seen anew.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And always it is telling the story of a God of grace- loving Creator, a Saving Christ, creative Spirit who makes us diverse and beautiful.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We are invited to see God’s goodness, and to work for It to be revealed in the world. This is how Christ’s church has always grown.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>People who felt unworthy heard good news, and then what?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>They shared God’s gracious invitation to come and see.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And when someone said, “Can anything good come?” They pointed to Christ who says, “Yes! Let’s see it together.” AMEN.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s sermon hymn was “Listen, God is Calling” sung here in Swahili and English by our Lutheran sisters and brothers. Thanks be to God for them. </b></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UMFFj_4WR1I/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMFFj_4WR1I?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<img src="webkit-fake-url://03318031-585d-4958-a5e3-3da7b1a21511/imagepng" /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-3798350925126832592017-06-04T15:00:00.000-04:002017-06-04T15:09:22.282-04:00You Never Know Who You'll Meet<span style="font-size: large;">(At the beginning of worship we distributed Holy Spirit streamers to some people- basically a craft stick with a red, an orange and a yellow crepe paper streamer attached and whenever they heard the word "Spirit" they were to wave their streamers. On Pentecost that is pretty often. It was also confirmation.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So today is the day where we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' disciples. They had been with Jesus in his ministry, and they have journeyed through his death and resurrection and ascension and they had been told to wait. To wait for what God would do next. And of course we hear that they were praying and the Spirit comes and fills the room with a swirling wind and what looked like flames over them. And they began to speak in languages they had never known, to do things they had never done and other people's lives were transformed and shaken up. It must have seemed overpowering, even crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But I don’t really want to talk about that. To focus upon that single day that probably cannot be recreated by us. That's why I handed out the streamers to some of you. Because as they show up here and there I think that is much more how we encounter the work of the Spirit. In little moments here and there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And so I want to talk about a woman I visited this week who is 87 "and a half!" Most of us quit counting that "and a half" by the time we reached adulthood. She had been in the hospital undergoing various tests and difficult news. But as each doctor came to see her and talk to her about her situation, they would ask the standard thing, " Do you have any questions?" She told me she would look deeply into their eyes and then say, "Yes. I do have a question. Do you like older women?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And she brought unexpected moments of lightness, for people who spend all day talking to people about challenges, and illness, not really happy topic. She burst in with this question. And she so elevated her roommate's mood that the woman asked if they could stay in touch after their respective discharges from hospital. I think she transformed lives including her own.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This saint absolutely believes every drop of the life God gives should be wrung out and shared. Once a musician and Sunday School teacher, those days are now gone but she is still looking at the world outside her door and bringing God to those in her midst. Even in humor and spunk. A huge Patsy Cline fan, her favorite song she says with a smile is "Crazy."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Every day when she was in the hospital, she was also determined to put on her lipstick. "Why on earth?!" wondered her roommate?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Because you never know who you'll meet in the hall!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Beyond the humor of that is truth- you never know who you will meet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She absolutely believed there was a world beyond her room and that she would be active in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It must at times seem crazy to live a Spirit filled and Spirit led life but look at how even simple moments transform people and situations. The Spirit is given to transform us so we can be those who transform the world around us. And it may not include wind and fire but God's Spirit will transform us and our world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So why on a day when we are confirming you as high school students would I tell you about an 87 and a half year old woman in the hospital? Well, the reason is this. You have spent some time the last couple of years in Sunday School, and now you have finished confirmation class. But you are not finished, you are just getting started, or certainly continuing what God has begun in you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You have been given the Holy Spirit in your baptism and until now you have been learning and growing- but also doing. You have been already using your gifts in the Spirit. But there is much more that lies ahead in the journey. There is a world out there and you already have the power to be in it and to be God's presence wherever you are.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike those first followers of Jesus we are not waiting for the Spirit to show up. And you have been gifted.And you never know who you will meet!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As we have talked in class I have heard about how your life includes sports, camping, hobbies, dancing, modeling, technology and more. And in each of these places you can transform people and the world around you. "The Spirit gives as the Spirit chooses," Paul tells us. It may look like many things in different people and different times, but one thing we never hear is that God's Spirit active in us is either bound by "do not open until" or "do not use after." Our world might tell us who is useful or not, or too young or too old. But we hear none of that in Scripture. In fact we hear the opposite- that the old have dreams to share and the young have visions to live out. There will regularly be opportunities for you to share the love of Christ and the power for lives to be changed. It might look as simple as lightening someone else's mood. God will lead you to it and use you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And the Holy Spirit will move you. And even when it something as simple as the story I shared, if you move with the Spirit, you will be moved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But remember we are also a part of a body. When I told the folks at St Luke's nursing home this week, we could commiserate about how at any given time not all of our body parts are working as we would like. It's hard hear when part of the body is giving us grief or when we feel limited. Some of you know what that feels like. We know times we have ended up needing help from others when things are not as we wish. Paul does not tell us that we have to be the whole body all by ourselves. We have a purpose and God gives us each other. And we work together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are many ways we do that here as church- Feeding hungry people and Helping people in Disasters or in trouble. We have groups of adults and youth who travel to fix houses, and this summer we will travel to work at a food bank, and a community garden where the food is grown. We will help a therapeutic horse riding program and prepare a meal for the Ronald McDonald house. We have made fleece blankets for the Homeless Shelter, we have filled care packages for deployed military and sung songs at Providence Place. Old and young together. And there is so much more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And we do all of this not just as the Body of Nice People.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are the Body of Christ. Who love who Jesus loved, who love how Jesus loves. And who are sent by the Spirit and given what we need to proclaim the grace and mercy and love of God who is the Savior of the whole world. Look around- the world needs this and needs you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And so as we celebrate how far God has brought you, we celebrate that by the Spirit you can claim your place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So keep being the body of Christ. We need you to continue to be a part of the body- we are a much better body with you. And the Spirit has much more In store for us all. And you never know who you'll meet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let us pray- come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful people and kindle in us the fire of your love.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iWVq7Y22ti8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWVq7Y22ti8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-62501831706083139522017-02-05T18:41:00.002-05:002017-02-05T18:43:39.894-05:00The Difference in the World<span style="font-size: large;">This week when I was at the seminary I saw that they have their seeds started for their community garden. How many of you have started seeds for this year’s garden? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Every year gardening is leap of faith that out of devastation of fall and winter and maybe even last year’s mistakes, new life will grow. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Embracing the Seasons- Memories of a Country Garden</i>, Gunilla Norris laments the rapid growth of poison ivy which she says </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">is often “the most luxurious crop on this property.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“I have learned to respect it and watch out for it…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some people handle what is poison with poison.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They spray year after year, and eventually some parts of the garden are free of the vines.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not feel comfortable with this method,” she writes, “for I do not know what other effects I would be causing. But I do not feel comfortable doing nothing.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There’s the challenge- do everything, or do nothing, only seeing the poison. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She goes on to reflect</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“I notice however that wherever there is a great deal of poison ivy, there is also a bounty of jewel weed. From jewelweed can be made an anti itching salve. Things are often paired like this in nature. They balance each other...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Poison ivy and jewelweed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Over time it is never just one or the other</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How often do we think about being absolutely right about something and in being adamant we lose the fabric of relatedness and the situation becomes all wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We keep forgetting that events are in relationship to each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Living with such tension is very hard</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will always be right and wrong</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Safe and in danger</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Strong and weak</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Loving and uncaring</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know this as I walk here and despair over the profusion of poisonous leaves</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Too much to ever get rid of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These vines are here like the poison ivy aspects inside of me</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I pray to have jewelweed inside me too.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing the jewelweed, is a way of seeing difference in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is talking to the disciples, whom he has just taken away and reminded that they are blessed to God. Now he tells them what comes next.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Be salt and be light. Be the difference.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Salt preserves things, heals things, and as most of us know, it brings out the flavor in things in life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The world can’t endure without it, Jesus says. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are salt- you are no less essential for the well being of the earth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If your saltiness has washed out, or become diluted, what use is that?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unsalty salt doesn’t have anything to contribute. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Salt is a metaphor for wisdom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Elsewhere we hear in Colossians, “let your speech be gracious and seasoned with salt. So that you should know how to answer everyone.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wisdom, holding on to God’s kingdom view, is essential. In a world where people can be tasteless, we are to be distinctive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retaining the effect of wisdom is a hallmark of following Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The gospel asks: Are we distinctive or just fitting in and allowing God’s word and kingdom vision to be diluted?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Are we responding to one kind of tastelessness with another? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Be salt. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It makes a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Be Light- a light to the nations- Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The world needs that light- we the disciples are the way it is made visible</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are called to shine in the world</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That light has to be seen. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If we hide behind accommodation of the common world view, for whatever reason, we are hiding the light of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why would you hide a light under a basket when the whole point is for it to be seen?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look at our cross outside. You can see it from anywhere in the valley now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So it should be for us as disciples- not personal private holiness, the witness of public exposure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our distinctive lifestyle should be visible</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“But Jesus is specific here- it’s not so that we just improve or enlighten society, or that others see us and applaud our good works</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is for glorifying God to those beyond our doors. To show that we are in a distinctive relationship with God through Christ and we are subjects of God’s kingdom first."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This view of the world is by all accounts distinctive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So much so that the prophets talked over and over about it, and Jesus and the apostles talked over and over about it. And maybe perhaps some of you are saying, “here she goes again,”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">but sisters and brothers, “Our faith is not an abstract theory-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It reveals the difference that God’s grace makes in the real world.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To live in the world that says “someone should” and hear Jesus saying- “you are the someone.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ’s words about the kingdom are about life together. The church is the story of God lived in a way that makes the kingdom visible</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(Stanley Hauerwas) We must be a clear sign “of a people who have learned to be at peace with themselves, one another, the stranger, and most of all, God.” Of people trying to live more faithfully to God’s story. The church is where the stories of Israel and Jesus are told, and heard and enacted. There is literally nothing more important we can do as a response to God’s grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We embody the story- God and God’s love are not just something to be told and put back upon the shelf. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are to work to embody in our habits this story, in our worship, in our living.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Well, what might that mean? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah had a lot of words for us today. Words that lifts up an indictment of behaviors we see around us and truthfully sometimes in us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And calls us to fast from them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of thinking that worship is a sanctuary and the rest of the week we just feed our fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What if we fasted from being malicious, dominating, pointing the finger, oppressing?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What if we stopped trying to kill the poison and started showing how distinctive it is to live in the kingdom of Christ?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To build up the devastated places </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To restore things</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To live a well watered life</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To share light where we can in the darkness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To sprinkle the salt of wisdom in the midst of turmoil?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To be that jewelweed that is the antidote.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah tells us-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> If you do away with the yoke of oppression and the pointing finger and malicious talk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And satisfy the needs of the oppressed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">THEN, then… your light will rise in the darkness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Lord will guide you always</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And strengthen your frame</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And THEN</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You (all of you) will be like a well watered garden</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Like a spring whose resource never runs out</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Your will rebuild the ruins</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And raise up the foundations</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You will be called the Repairer of Broken Walls</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Restorers of Streets where people can live.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the world’s perspective this may seem to contribute little to the cause of Justice, yet this is our conviction as Christ’s church:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that unless we take time to care for others, neither the world nor we can know what justice and peace look like. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The world includes us when we choose not to make the story of God their story. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The “world” in us refuses to affirm that this is God’s world, that we have a loving Lord, and that God’s care for creation is greater than our illusion of control. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a world of fake news</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The church serves the world by giving the world the means to see itself truthfully. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To ask what is going on and to stand within the world witnessing to the peaceable kingdom. If we and the world are to hear the story truthfully, it means that we must never cease being a a community of peace and truth in a world of fear. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We can never let the world set the agenda.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A church of peace and Justice must set its own agenda. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It begins with having patience amidst injustice and the violence in this world, to care for the widow, the poor and the orphan. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we do this, and there are many ways we do-to God be the glory!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We also must ever look for where It is easy to fall into the poison ivy mode- we all have the ability to do so</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God is calling us to place our faith in the God who is forming a new kingdom- our task is to point to this God </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and to the difference that grace makes in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be the jewelweed amidst the poison, the salt that brings out new possibility, the light shining in the darkness. Instead of pointing to the poison, the tasteless and the darkness, point to another view- the view of the Kingdom of God</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and the difference it makes that we serve a loving and saving Lord. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As Madeleine L’Engle writes, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> “We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">but by showing them a light that is so lovely</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May it be so. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-5645911974677954102017-01-29T17:46:00.003-05:002017-01-29T17:46:36.080-05:00Blessed in the Kingdom<span style="font-size: large;">“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“You’re blessed…” (Eugene Peterson, Message translation MSG)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The crowds, growing larger and larger and the needs being greater and greater, Jesus takes those learning to be like him and willing to be his companions. They have committed themselves to his inner circle, even though I suspect they said yes without having any real idea what they signed up for. He takes them away from the crowds to a quiet place and speaks to them as his companions. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The gospel of Matthew tells us what it was like there on the ground by the time they follow him up the hill. Here’s end of the preceding chapter:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Jesus… went all over Galilee…Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anybody and everybody. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And Jesus healed them, one and all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Momentum gathered as crowds came from the “Ten Towns” across the lake, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ten towns’ worth of people and then on top of that, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.” (MSG)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Try to envision it- all of those people- their longing, desperations, and anxiousness. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hungry, thirsty, needing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine the sound, the smells, the sight of a mass of mentally, physically and emotionally unwell people. This wave of humanity, insistent and pushing in. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine having to try to manage that scene, for those learning to be like the Teacher. Imagine them wondering why on earth had they just followed him without knowing what it would mean? Who on earth can sustain this?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And it’s all a little much because Jesus never puts up a limitation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think Jesus knows how his followers are feeling and leads them to take a moment out of the noise of the crowds, perhaps well aware they are ready to break.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because he has a word for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A word for those who are perhaps themselves feeling poor in spirit, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe they’ve been berated for failing to produce the messiah soon enough for somebody.Traveling from place to place in the churn and drain. And the sacrifice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“How much can we really endure? How can we be expected to care for so many?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, in surge of the crowd, it’s hard to remember the message- the one that Jesus proclaimed as soon as he began his ministry- Reorient your view. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The kingdom of God is here. NOW</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think that's why when Jesus took his followers who were committed but weary away, the first thing he said to them, when perhaps they were wondering if they were going to be lectured was, "You're blessed.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They hear what they need to hear</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before they go on to hear about being salt and light</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before “Go and Do Likewise,” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They need one thing:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Blessed are you”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“When you feel at the end of your rope</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you feel that you have given up way too much that you hold dear”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">HEAR THAT YOU ARE BLESSED TO GOD.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus speaks first not to what we do but who we are. It’s part pep talk and part revelation.Because Jesus knows we embrace what we hear most. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we’re surrounded by voices saying we should be at the end of our rope or shouldn't have to give so much. That we are too little or it’s all too much. When we only focus on this, what we look for is someone that will level the playing field, settle the score or find the answer elsewhere. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus knows and isn’t just throwing around a cheap phrase in this blessing- he’s not ignoring the stresses and strains of his followers. He’s naming and claiming the things they suffer with and through. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Naming them and claiming God’s greater authority over them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is not ignoring suffering, or weariness, or grief or struggle. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He’s showing us that God’s kingdom comes to re-shape the view and to give power to change and strength to resist the temptation to focus upon what we struggle to see. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you feel there’s nothing left- Blessed are you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“when there is less of you there is more of God’s rule.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You’re embraced by the one who holds you dear.” (MSG)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What makes this blessing so beautiful is that it is spoken without conditions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What grace!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“God's grace can be hard to recognize perhaps because we know ourselves too well to feel worthy of that grace…(in) our faults and limitations, our insecurities and failures. Knowing that God knows us even better we may find it hard to believe God loves us unconditionally.”(Lose)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I imagine at least one of those disciples had just been dismissive or insulting to one of the many needy looking for healing. Thinking they are going to hear a correction, met instead with </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“you are blessed.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As hard as it might be to imagine now hear that God loves others and blesses others we struggle with unconditionally too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But wait, that’s not how it works. “We're used to paying for our mistakes, paving our own way, toeing the line and reaping the consequences when we don't, and so it may not only be unexpected, but downright unsettling and nearly inconceivable to imagine- that God behaves differently, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">desiring to shower one and all with blessing apart from anything any of us has done, earned, or deserved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The gospel of Matthew is quite clear -- Jesus isn't setting up conditions or terms, he’s just plain blessing people. All kinds of people. All kinds of down-and-out, extremely vulnerable, and at the bottom of the ladder people. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To proclaim that God regularly shows up in mercy and blessing just where you least expect God to be -- with the poor rather than the rich, those who are mourning rather than celebrating, the meek and the peacemakers rather than the strong and victorious. (With those on the other side of whatever limit we want to create). This is not where citizens of the ancient world look for God and, quite frankly, it's not we in our own world do either. (Until we soak in this blessing, what we don’t see is Jesus, or the changed view of the kingdom drawn near). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kingdom vision is hard to sustain. Only when we hear “you’re blessed” can we take up the invitation to continue as Jesus’ companions in all the struggles to come, including when others will put us down for the ridiculous idea of blessing any and everyone. I'm sure the disciples wanted to make it more manageable and the needy feared they had to make sure they got what they came for. Surely these people can wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus healed them, one and all and said "Blessed are you. You have a place in the kingdom." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And ‘(Since) God shows up here, blessing the weak and the vulnerable, then God will be everywhere, showering all creation and its inhabitants with blessing.’” (David Lose)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Blessed are you” is also an invitation to continue the journey of Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To be who God calls us to be, resting in the power of the giver of the blessing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let that blessing spill over and flow for you and beyond you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because God is in the blessing business. We need to hear this often. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s hard not to not fall back into the voices of the crowd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we gather here. We absolutely need the hear the gospel over and over again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we can then continue with Jesus- as companions in all of the hills and valleys.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Full of the blessing- Eugene Peterson writes, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“When you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” AND…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” (MSG)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessed sisters and brothers, this is God’s kingdom come. Where all have a place. May we be companions with Jesus to make it so. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-54707203969392284482017-01-29T17:34:00.003-05:002017-01-29T17:34:39.212-05:00Cultivate a Life in CommonWhen I was still a young newlywed, someone gave me this picture called “House Rules.”<br />
If you sleep on it, make it up.<br />
If you wear it, hang it up.<br />
If you drop it, pick it up.<br />
If you eat out of it, wash it.<br />
If you spill it, wipe it up.<br />
If you open it, close it.<br />
If you empty it, fill it up.<br />
These are basically the “pick up your mess” rules the ones most parents say over and again. Upon reflection Michael and I don’t think that sign had any effect at our house.<br />
Then come the last three phrases:<br />
If it rings, answer it.<br />
If it howls, feed it.<br />
If it cries, love it.<br />
These rules probably most need to be posted because often our tendency is to act in our own self interest. These three are not “deal with your own mess” rules. These are love rules for a life together.<br />
The kind of thing that Jesus is talking about when he tells people to repent- or specifically in the gospel of Matthew- reorient your world view.<br />
To reflect and reveal God- who is light and salvation, not fear.<br />
<br />
When the kingdom draws near, the view should change.<br />
<br />
Separation should end.<br />
Because God’s world view is broad.<br />
By the time the apostle Paul is building churches, it seems people still struggle with God’s world view. I guess we all do.<br />
Paul writes to a group of very divided people, attempting to counsel a community trying to navigate political divisions and quarrels. Within the church they were arguing about who was the most authoritative or best suited to be the leader of the Church. Much of this conflict could be traced to divisions over politics, cultures, languages and by the gap between wealth and poverty. Where what was once Greece was now Greeks and Romans and many others from around the Mediterranean. Caesar was God. and the majority of people worshipped the idols of power and might and getting ahead was utmost. With all kinds of groups of people, languages, laws and customs and a “get ahead” mentality, Corinth was a dog-eat-dog world, in perpetual competition.<br />
The Church had come to reflect the city itself. In Paul’s view, they had lost sight of the gospel message that he had first preached to them. He claims that their conduct showed that they were still living by the measure of Rome.<br />
OUCH<br />
Their divisions are growing.<br />
Paul writes- I appeal to you-<br />
grow differently.<br />
Christ calls us to cultivate a life in common. Because we share this life.<br />
While I don’t think we need this message in our life in this building, I do think there is a word for us as church in the world.<br />
The message of the empire is often the total opposite of Christ’s message. And it can become easy to let some other force or worldview govern our actions and life, instead of God.<br />
<br />
Paul warns that divisiveness will rip the house apart. We can grow together or fall apart. At this beginning of new government in our country and a time of many world concerns, Christ has a word for us as we live as church in the world.<br />
<br />
Grow differently. Cultivate a life together.<br />
<br />
Someone shared this image recently- that we can be tumbleweeds that dry up and blow around, never rooted. Or we can be redwoods. The redwoods roots are not deep but they grow out and intertwine. That's how redwoods stand tall and live long. Not by dividing but putting it all in together. In all we face as people in Christ's kingdom, we should cultivate that kind of life in common. That with Christ as our center we can risk being redwoods.<br />
<br />
I think the only way we can remember this being rooted together, whenever things around us become so divided is by remembering our baptism (1:17). <br />
In baptism, we become a part of God’s house, through Christ’s resurrected body. By remembering our baptism, we remember our death to one reality and inauguration into another—we remember that we, in truth, belong to God and GOD’S kingdom view.<br />
<br />
This is what really unites us and what we should reflect. Our one-ness in the death and resurrection that we experience with Christ in our baptism. The same one-ness that tells us to cast out that net wide to look for those who need the gospel, including all those calling out, howling or crying who long to be heard and answered, fed and loved.<br />
And this looks like foolishness.<br />
<br />
“Paul emphasizes this foolishness to combat the social norms the Corinthians and all of us have been conditioned to believe are ultimate. He juxtaposes the cross against that world view saying “remember everything you built your life around? Those … values of wealth, and power? Forget all of that.”<br />
Paul calls the church to die completely to the dominant values that surround them, and, embrace the radical reality ushered in by Christ. And live in the unity of Christ.<br />
<br />
The gospel is the radical good news that God in Christ has freed us all from what society demands we be;<br />
it’s about figuring out how to live together as a community in light and in this life-altering message;<br />
and it is about spreading that good news to others.<br />
That everyone is a part of the beautiful unity of difference which can happen in Christ. <br />
<br />
Yet, unity in Christ also means that certain things are non-negotiable.<br />
We are to condemn as Christ did the forces of oppression and injustice.<br />
Being united in these instances means fighting and struggling alongside those struggling in the darkness, just as Christ did long ago. The Corinthians were trying to play by the same rules and operate under the same values as the rest of the world that pardoned the exploitation, discrimination, violence, and oppression of people who were different.<br />
<br />
In contrast to these divisive values, Paul writes, we are to be united in the foolishness of the cross—that same foolishness Jesus embraced each day on earth as he sat with the poor and ate with the despised of society. To cultivate this view of living is work. To cultivate our life in common we need God’s help to continually pull out the weeds of prejudice and mistrust, fear and stubbornness that breed division.<br />
We need God’s help to nurture others and not simply telling them “everything will be OK” or to "get over it." To say instead- I am here.<br />
<br />
Cultivating this life requires uprooting the stones of assuming the worst, it requires trusting others we see as in different groups also belong in God’s house as children that God desires to grow. And it calls for disrupting the practice of sowing the salt of discord and chaos that kill life. And to live instead in a new life. Because when the kingdom draws near, the view should change.<br />
<br />
And through baptism, we are God’s priests in this world- living among God’s faithful people; hearing the word of God and sharing in the Lord’s Supper; proclaiming the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; serving all people following the example of Jesus; and striving for justice and peace in all the earth. And we are called to claim our sisters and brothers in God’s world and treat them as family. My prayer for our nation and our world is that we will together see this is a time to forget “us and them”, and start being “we.” To cultivate growing in a life in common.<br />
<br />
Wherever and with whomever this seems hardest, may our prayers start there.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let us pray:<br />
Lord of all nations, a new President governs in this country. Legislators and others at all levels begin to work anew. And we, your people are walking into a new chapter in this part of your kingdom. Bless them. For some this is a time of great celebration, for others it is a time of great uncertainty. Guide us. Help us to remember that amid all the changes, your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. Turn our eyes to you and guide this nation by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom, so we may work to provide all your people the blessings of well being and harmony. <br />
Almighty God, we lift before you all who govern. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to be used, not for personal glory or profit, but for the service of all people. Empower us to defend our liberty and fill us with wisdom to work together for justice and peace. Where there is good help us to affirm it. Where there is wrong, give us courage to address it knowing that you will provide us with the wisdom we need.<br />
God of all, you have created us in such wonderful diversity. Free us from prejudices, guard us from serving our fears. Help us to see you in the face of all people. Help us to break down the walls that separate us and teach us to work to accomplish your purposes- to affirm the dignity of all and to work to protect the most vulnerable. This is not the work of a day, or the work of only a few, or for only a few. This is our common purpose. Drive us from cynicism, selfishness and corruption and give us the grace to live together and to work together for unity and peace.<br />
<br />
And in all things help us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you. May we work to bring forth your kingdom and give you alone the glory. Amen.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-46589284348063194832017-01-08T18:51:00.000-05:002017-01-08T18:52:01.300-05:00The Horizon of PossibilityAt some time we’ve all felt it- that moment that feels like we’ve reached the limit, we’ve hit a wall, we’re at the edge. The people in Isaiah knew it- in exile, long suffering, looking for some sign. They feel like the words we hear- crushed reeds- once strong, now bruised, bent, trampled, at the breaking point. They should be able to stand but they might not. Some people who felt like dim wicks- this is the acolyte story- you light the candle and it might light- they’re trying with all their might to shine and be a light. But they might be Sputtering. They should glow, but they just might not. And The people on the coastlands, there at the edge, are hanging on and waiting for God to give a word. Please.<br />
And the prophet tells them- “Here comes my chosen, my delight, the bearer of my Spirit, the bringer of justice, who will not falter, nor be discouraged. Here is my servant.”<br />
And there in the midst of God’s declaration of freedom, and light and release and the new thing God is now declaring. There right in the middle of this awesome announcement is the reality-The coastlands await his teaching. At the edges people wait.<br />
And here God declares that the edge we see in front of us, is not the end.<br />
It is instead the horizon of possibility.<br />
New things I declare, says the Lord.<br />
The same God who declared creation into existence, who spoke the heavens into being and who breathed life into what looked like just dust. God speaks a radiant and glorious word. And in the midst of this- the coastlands await his teaching. Those who feel distant are waiting for God’s word to be revealed. <br />
<br />
The people in Jesus’ day were at their limits too and willing to trek out through the wilderness to a river in the hope that this man John had the words they longed for that would change things. Then Jesus shows up there at the edge with them and begins to redefine the limits. Showing that what we see as a boundary to be accepted, put up with even, God sees as a barrier to remove-<br />
and it is divine necessity to do so.<br />
Jesus immerses himself here- to bring a new vision where none had been seen possible.<br />
Jesus shows us at the edge of the Jordan River. Having been born into and walked through the same hot, dusty, exhausting way of all who have been coming to see John the Baptizer. Jesus comes to be baptized in the same way as those who are waiting to be taught, those to whom John has called out- Repent! Be changed, be cleansed! And Jesus doesn’t need to do this.<br />
It’s the limit too far, John cries out- NO!<br />
And John is as right as he is righteous-<br />
Jesus in our eyes does not need to be baptized- there is no sin from which he must be cleansed.<br />
But in God’s eyes it is a divine necessity.<br />
Because in order to fully immerse himself in our world as “God with us” there must be no edge, no limit, no person or place too far from God saving us fully. <br />
<br />
Jesus shows the way by showing up at the edge with all the dirty, bruised, bent over, trampled, breaking “Crushed reeds” people. With all who ‘struggle to shine or even hold a spark in life” people. In the midst of people like us. And Jesus immerses himself completely in our existence and wears it.<br />
When I was growing up down South we used to head to a swimming hole. On a hot day you need a swimmin’ hole. We’d head down the red clay road, through the weeds in the field, over the fence past the bull we needed to avoid to the cool water.<br />
And when we came home we’d try to convince the adults that we didn’t need a bath that day because “we had already been in the water.”<br />
But of course, as you know, we were covered with all the dust of red clay road we traveled, all the silt stirred up in our splashing and the field we walked through. We wore it all.<br />
At the Jordan river, people had made their dusty trek, and they were dirty and splashing, and animals were trampling and the water was anything but pure. Mud oozing at the edges, silt rising.<br />
Jesus immerses himself here.<br />
In this place full of the dirt of creation’s existence. And I imagine that he rises up out of the water, he is dripping with the drops of the Jordan, clinging to him, full of all that dirt on his skin. He wears our existence.<br />
But he’s also filled with the Holy Spirit on the inside.<br />
<br />
And he carries both- as he heads into places of temptation, and the labors of ministry, to the place where he will wash the dirty feet of his followers and to the place where he’ll bear the crushing weight of the cross. And the place where it seems like the end has been reached.<br />
But there too he will open up possibility in the new thing of resurrection declared by God.<br />
We who share in baptism share in all of this.<br />
Walking into the world- in places of temptation, labors of ministry. We carry the drops of the mark of the cross that declares God’s new life and we walk filled with the Holy Spirit<br />
Even when we feel like crushed reeds, or dim wicks, covered with the weight and dirt of struggles, and surrounded by limits. When we are waiting for a word.<br />
Jesus shows up and calls us to be immersed.<br />
Because the people on the edge are waiting and hoping it will be a good word.<br />
And we need to hear that they are at the edges because of other people’s limits.<br />
It’s always a challenge.<br />
People can get caught up in crying out frustrations, or shouting out complaints about the world. Perhaps like John insisting upon what we are certain cannot be.Or like leaders in the gospel, certain about the step that is too far to take-that person is too distant or to broken to be our concern. The cost is too great; the energy too demanding.<br />
<br />
Maybe this is when we should ask if we have considered lately what it takes to crush a reed or dim a wick.<br />
<br />
We, this side of the cross see Isaiah’s prophecy as pointing to Christ the Servant, and it does, however,<br />
it is not to be forgotten that the people in the time of Isaiah interpreted this prophecy as speaking to them- the people of Israel as it is defined in the Hebrew Scripture. That the servant is THEM as the community. If we open our horizon of possibility, the servant is both.<br />
Tempting as it may be to think that the edge of whatever is right in front of us is the limit, perhaps a new thing Jesus declares even now is that what we see as the limit is God’s horizon of possibility.<br />
<br />
Because we have been fully immersed in God’s vision for the world declared by Christ.<br />
And we are empowered by the Spirit<br />
To live as Martin Luther suggested. Even on his darkest days in the world, he could be sustained by declaring- “I’m baptized!”<br />
It reminded him of grace and salvation,<br />
and that the dirt of life is not permanent.<br />
And it gave him strength to look for God’s work in the world and to declare it no matter what the world’s limits might suggest. It’s powerful!<br />
In baptism God says of us too- you’re my chosen, my delight, the bearer of my Spirit, the bringer of justice. Don’t be discouraged. You are my servant.<br />
<br />
May we live this new life-<br />
to declare to all at the edges of existence,<br />
A glorious word-<br />
That in Christ, where others see limits,<br />
And build barriers,<br />
We see the horizon of possibility being revealed<br />
That Christ is the only real power and truth in this world<br />
Who has come for us all.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-12821095839568430572016-12-18T17:28:00.002-05:002016-12-18T17:28:48.465-05:00God in Our Thin Rejoicing<span style="font-size: large;">For the folks here in our part of the kingdom, we have had a wave of significant losses, and struggles. Since October we have walked with the sadness of overdose death, and then the death of men in their 40's and 50's leaving behind high school students, those same men being the only child of their parents. The unexpected diagnosis of a mom of two girls, the leukemia diagnosis of a five year old. The sudden loss of a beloved teacher at the middle school, and a mom of a young girl our kids know-faces in our small community. The loss of young and old, and yesterday evening, the loss of one of our church musicians whose unexpected entry into the church triumphant I had to announce at the beginning of worship. The flu was too much for her heart. Having held the hand of a faithful saint and singing "Beautiful Savior" as her heart stopped. And then coming home late last night and deciding to shorten and adjust the gospel for the wounded and weary flock I knew would be present. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Where normally "Joy to the World" and lighting the Chrismon tree are anticipated. This sermon was for our early service folks, since at our late service we had the kids' Christmas program. But for all who find themselves in a weary world, may this be a word from God:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"There are times when we experience thin rejoicing. We sing and hear “rejoice!” But it feels thin at best. The places where we have experienced the unexpected, felt like the rug has been pulled out from under us, where it has felt like burden upon burden. In the gospel of Matthew, we get this deeper glimpse into the journey of Joseph. Though across the years our songs sweetly rejoice about that trek to the little town of Bethlehem, just then in real time…Joseph could barely manage the weight of Caesar’s decree and his wife’s condition. From where he stood, Joseph’s situation as it happened seemed like an exercise in hopelessness.And a word from an angel was at best thin rejoicing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To the extent that we allow the craziness of the holiday season to distract us and encourage us to denial, we waste the opportunity the gospel gives to engage the hard truths that gave the birth of Jesus and experience its deepest meaning that God with us in the flesh brings hope. But to know it truly, “Hope and courage begin with honesty.” (Diana Butler Bass) That God is with us in our real lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the season to embrace both the joy hoped for but also the difficult truths of our lives, to acknowledge the darker side of the holiday we can experience. Where there lies a weight. Where we don’t need to look far to see that the shadow of the cross falls upon the manger. We know. The gospel seen through the eyes of Joseph and Mary and this life invites a courageous truth telling. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Advent’s waiting is not the simply like the child’s wishful waiting for Santa, but a more difficult waiting- waiting for that which we cannot yet see. Or even imagine.” (Sam Portaro)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The good news in the story of Joseph and Mary is that “God worked through real people with real challenges. He didn’t choose a fairy-tale princess to bear the savior, but rather an unwed peasant girl. He didn’t choose a political or business success story to name and care for Jesus, but rather a man with his own doubts and questions who wanted to do the right thing but needed angelic guidance to accomplish it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In beloved hymns it’s easy to forget that Joseph and Mary were real people. In our imagination, Jesus never cried, Mary looked more like a blushing young bride than someone who had just given birth, and Joseph is calm, protective, and paternal. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If we give a little more attention to their real story it can speak hope to places of burden and heartache we feel in real life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It starts with the engagement. Joseph has been given his young bride to be in a legal contract, binding in every respect. Essentially be to married yet without having consummated that marriage or as yet living together. When Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant, he can only conclude that she has been unfaithful to him. And we can imagine the pain, shame, and sense of betrayal that any of us would have felt at such a devastating revelation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joseph is faced with two options. He could either publicly declare his injury, in which case Mary would likely have been stoned, or he could divorce her- dismiss her quietly. He chooses at first to dismiss her.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now imagine Mary-the unexpected pain her pregnancy caused and, given the likely consequences, having great cause for concern for herself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It takes a visit from an angel to calm all this down and orient Joseph to God’s intentions. Angels usually get involved in the biblical story only when heavy-lifting is involved. Joseph responds to the angel and yet I think it’s safe to say that the months leading up to Christ’s birth was not one blissful baby-shower after another but were fraught with anxiety and concern and emotion. And they have no idea what the future holds. Just as we ourselves often feel. Neither Mary nor Joseph could’ve anticipated the fullness of their child’s life, much less its enduring power in our own lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And yet that child changed the future for us all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The human hopes and fears met in Bethlehem’s manger were more than we could’ve imagined- what God was accomplishing—would accomplish— much less how and in whom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The gospel calls us to lean into our faith unafraid of our truth and steadfast in trust in our God with us. To let go our own fantasies of a future of our own desires and designs. To open a space ready to receive God’s surprise, the life promised us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We’ve no idea what awaits us in the darkness of that scary not knowing, and yet the light of Advent shines. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we take our places with Joseph and Mary at the center of that wearying trip-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A trip of burden and uncertainty, where we journey to find ourselves at a stable, staring into the face of a baby whose future is as unknown as every child’s.” (Portaro)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have – each of us – experienced similar upheavals, weariness and burdens. Times when we are struggling to hold it all together even harder while at church. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What we’re called to, what we come to, in this and every Advent is the wonder Is that it is into THIS WORLD a new life is being born. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And we hold fast to the assurance of that “God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We come to see the “Emmanuel” of Matthew and Isaiah- “God with us.” “God REALLY with us.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God coming to be with us as we are. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not as we know we should be, or are trying to be, or have promised to be, or will be some day, but with us as we are now…today…in this moment. Still. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And the promise is that as God came before to be with, use, accept, and hallow Joseph and Mary at the birth of Christ, so also God comes to us in Christ to be with us, use us for good, accept us as we are, and hallow us. Still. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As we prepare to journey to the manger this year- this is what we can celebrate</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God is really with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God is with us, really and truly as we are. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ is our Emmanuel. So Come Lord Jesus, Come Emmanuel, we pray. Come again and always. And however you find us, and however thin it seems, we Rejoice to be here. (Lose)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-77056596195655147432016-11-13T18:02:00.000-05:002016-11-13T18:02:05.506-05:00Freedom and LoveToday we observed Veterans Day in a long standing tradition of the parish to host the Hazleton Liberty Band, playing and Armed Forces Salute, America the Beautfiul and more. This band dates back to the time of the Civil War and in fact played at the surrender at Appamattox. We had worship that included folks bringing pictures of veterans. And special lessons-<br />
Our lessons were from Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 17-31, Psalm 46, Galatians 5:13-18 and the Gospel of Luke 21:5-19. Portions of our liturgy came from the Armed Services Prayerbook and other resources from the ELCA and some self created.<br />
Our bulletin opened with these words:<br />
When we assemble for worship, it is as citizens of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ. We gather<br />
as those who give thanks first for our freedom in Christ. We also are grateful for freedoms<br />
won and secured by those who have served and are serving for bring peace in the world. As<br />
Lutherans we celebrate that we are each given a vocation, a calling, to serve the gospel.<br />
Today we give thanks for veterans- those who have been called to serve in the military, and<br />
for their families. We also give thanks that God is our refuge and strength and we remember<br />
that our God calls us to continue to work for peace in our world and to care for those in any need.<br />
<br />
Here is my message:<br />
You’d be hard pressed to find people who have a greater understanding of “God is our refuge and strength” than our veterans. Through crisis, disaster and separation from home and loved ones. Through morally and physically challenging missions, the sacrifice of time, and more often than we’d like, sacrifices of physical and emotional wellbeing. Our veterans and families know it well. The cost of freedom is high. Today we remember those who have served, living and in the church triumphant. I remember the service of my Father and uncle Jack during the Cold War era. Dad was in the Army and Jack was in the Marines, so probably a little rivalry there. My Dad served in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They had taught him Russian and he listened to Soviet transmissions in to see what the Russians were up to- 12 hours on and 12 off. Lots of coffee and cigarettes while you worked and maybe some beverages to power down. Out there at the end of our country on an island. Friday I was standing at the World War II memorial in Sybertsville, and saw the names of members of this congregation, and all of Helen Roth’s work for the adding of names. I thought of all here who served. Michael’s uncles served in World War II. Like Henry, who was “D Day plus 4.” He never spoke of it. Came home, married, had a family, went to work and never spoke of what he undoubtedly saw. But when he went down to the basement to listen to the Phillies, you let him go. He was still fighting the war.<br />
<br />
Long before our wars abroad, there was a different war in this country. Michael and I both have relatives that fought. On different sides. And a couple fell in love, across different sides. Northerners fighting for the Union married Southerners. Imagine that.<br />
<br />
Our Civil War was not only a time of sacrifice but the challenge of being country. Friends and family were on both sides of those fighting and those at home. The songs we play and sing as our national story, are stories of bravery, and service, but also what it means to be free. Scripture tells us that the truest expressions of freedom are expressions of love, even when doing so is absolutely against other feelings or interest, and even one’s own safety.<br />
<br />
During the Civil War, following a battle, two Confederate soldiers were carrying a wounded friend through the darkness when they were challenged by a sentry who demanded identification. "We are two men of the Twelfth Georgia, carrying a wounded comrade to the hospital," they shouted back, only to learn they had accidentally crossed into Federal lines. To their surprise, they heard,"Go to your right,"directing the men back toward the Southern lines. "Man, you’ve got a heart in you," they hollered back.<br />
<br />
Countless episodes of enemy soldiers helping each other occurred. In 1864, a ground fire threatened wounded Northern soldiers lying between the lines – until a Confederate officer stood up, exposing himself to enemy fire, and shouted, "We won’t fire a gun until you get them away." An impromptu cease-fire followed while Federal troops removed their wounded.<br />
<br />
Our friends with the Liberty Band today, ( a group which dates back to the Civil War and played at the surrender at Appomattox) will appreciate that when the opposing lines were close enough, and the shooting had temporarily stopped, army musicians sometimes engaged in battles of the bands. Near Fredericksburg, Southern soldiers listened admiringly to a Northern band performance during the winter of 1862. When it concluded, a Johnny Reb called out, "Now give us some of ours" – and the Yankee band obliged with a rendition of "Dixie." When the band concluded, soldiers from both sides broke into a melancholy chorus of "Home, Sweet Home."<br />
<br />
One man wrote, that they concluded, that the war was the real enemy, and not each other.<br />
“My friend, the enemy,” was a phrase veterans of the war came to call each other at places like Gettysburg where they gathered and remembered – with the understanding that, Northern or Southern, they were Americans all. And all free.<br />
All free.<br />
The gaping wounds of conflict take long to heal, we know, but those who have faced battle head on know best how important it is that we do so. Freedom is precious. And for all of us, God desires we know freedom.<br />
Paul writes “You all are chosen for freedom.” “For freedom Christ has freed us. Stand fast.”<br />
<br />
Stand fast.<br />
Don’t let yourself be shackled to the ideas that rob us of that freedom.<br />
You are freed from the results that are the consequence of life lived apart from God.<br />
And Paul urges us to see others not as rivals but as children of God.<br />
No matter who we are, we are freed children of God<br />
Because Jesus has set us free to love.<br />
How do we live as the free?<br />
Love is the answer.<br />
But in truth, it’s an answer with many questions.<br />
<br />
This day we lift up those who shown us love, because they have answered the call, the vocation, the work of serving in our military in war and in peace to protect our freedom. Our military personnel past and present carry out the calling of freedom. And we who are free are called to love. How do we love them? Our songs are great, but is in more.<br />
<br />
We who are free can love by being as dedicated to serving our military personnel and their families when they come home as we are dedicated to sending them to serve.<br />
To provide real access to care for those who are wounded. To provide for the needs of military chaplains who show God’s love to those in active service. And for those who come home fractured and still fighting the trauma and stress, we must support, lobby for and and fund the resources to give our men and women the chance to know freedom from their challenges and to be able to receive the mental health and substance abuse support they need for wholeness. We cannot meet sacrificial living on their part with empty promises on ours. We simply cannot.<br />
<br />
Paul writes, we are called into a freedom that mirrors God’s life- dedicated to serving others in love.<br />
God’s vision is that the human way of being- is love.<br />
True freedom is expressed in love.<br />
This is not as an ideal or a virtue. Love is care for others expressed in concrete acts of unselfishness. Freedom and love have a cost that we are called to share.<br />
Our faith working through love means not living for oneself.<br />
We cannot allow ourselves to say that our budgets don’t allow for more dollars for our veterans and their families. We must challenge this limit upon love. We must be prepared to meet sacrifice with sacrifice.<br />
<br />
And we must expect more from ourselves as a society when we speak and act as the free. Some imagine that freedom is the freedom to live out whatever we desire, to say whatever we want, to do whatever we want, to know no limits or controls. Lately and on all sides, this living without a filter has led to hateful speech and actions that are a misuse of freedom. When we are using our will in opposition to liberation of the human spirit of others, we misunderstand freedom.<br />
Freedom in this sense leads to the enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions and envy Paul warns against in Galatians. Sound familiar?<br />
We try to shape a world of self interest, and it is tempting to buy into the notion of counteracting this with a different expression of “now I want MY way.”<br />
This is why Paul will go on in Galatians to urge we remember the fruits of the Spirit, and perhaps most of all, self control.<br />
<br />
The gifts of self control and other fruits of the Spirit are not laws but characteristics.<br />
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are what God gives us to help us balance many questions we have as we try to live as a community of those who are free and those called to love. God in Christ continues to love and free us in the work of the cross and to guide and empower us to live out freedom and love.<br />
<br />
Sisters and brothers there is much before us as we ponder how to be free together. How to love one another.<br />
Paul tells us “Keep walking in the Spirit.”<br />
<br />
May we avail ourselves of God’s gift in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, not tapping into the feel good now, consequences be damned response. We must resist threats from within and without that encourage us to flaunt what we think is freedom but will lead to what the world looks like when we ignore the calling and nature God has given us.<br />
<br />
May we continue to give thanks to God for all who secure our freedoms. If we truly want to honor their legacy and God’s freedom given, may we rest in the freedom that God’s love in Christ is our true refuge and strength and respond to others in love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-30617363148678984312016-07-11T16:41:00.001-04:002016-07-11T16:45:48.553-04:00The Extra Step of MercyAt events like this one, Nancy was known for her Famous Chipped Ham and Cheese Ball. She didn’t share the recipe and she certainly didn’t just make it for anyone. When I showed up as the new pastor, Nancy had only known me for mere weeks before my ordination which was being held at the church with a reception to follow. And it was a great thing I know when the church secretary gleefully announced that Nancy decided to make her Famous Chipped Ham and Cheese Ball for my reception. I thought there might be a little overselling about this cheese ball, but more importantly, she was taking this step for me, someone who was still a stranger, who was “not from here” and we all know what that means. And after all, I was a new pastor and you never know what you’re going to get. How could she be sure she would want to do this? If she thought it through, she might change her mind. But Nancy, not known for being spontaneous, took that extra step believing we shared something. The extra step.<br />
<br />
That’s what Jesus is talking about when he’s asked what someone has to do to be saved, to have life. Of course we know the answer-we know the words: Love God ( say it with me) with all your Heart, and Soul and Mind and Strength. And Love Your Neighbor -As Yourself. We know the words.<br />
But right away comes the question- the limit, the least common denominator- well, who exactly do you mean when you say “Neighbor,” Jesus?<br />
It’s the question of low expectations.<br />
Rather than answer, Jesus opens, as he often does, with a story.<br />
One we know well. About the man who is attacked and left for dead in a ditch. And how two, possible of “his own,” two people just like him, see him… And Pass on by.<br />
Choosing to not get involved, not get dirty. They’d rather not. They pass on by.<br />
But someone no one expected, stopped-The Samaritan. Who is called “Good” In our telling ( not Jesus’). Called “Good” because the audience of the victim never thought anything good about Samaritans. And this belief had formed over centuries, of land grabbing, and punishment, and violence and mistrust, and slurs lived out. And arguing over who worshipped God correctly. And well, more hatred than we have time for today. Yet THIS man, the Samaritan- he didn’t honor the least common denominator, he didn’t fulfill the low expectation.<br />
<br />
He saw a need for healing and help and he had compassion.<br />
More than pity- deep in his gut he was moved- his heart was touched.<br />
And he showed mercy.<br />
Mercy is the extra step.<br />
It’s the step that turns that word “love” into real life.<br />
He took that extra step, or probably a few, over to the ditch, and stooped down to meet the man, not just see from a distance.<br />
Then he took the extra steps to walk back to his donkey and get his wine and oil, to cleanse the wounds and begin the healing.<br />
And he probably took the steps to perhaps tear his own clothing to bandage the man’s wounds.<br />
He took more, probably heavy steps, to heave the man, that felt like deadweight, onto the donkey. The donkey that was helping him get where he needed to go easily and quickly. He had somewhere else to go.<br />
But now all those extra steps to walk alongside that donkey carrying the man, to the inn.<br />
And the extra steps to carry the man into the inn, and up the stairs to sleep.<br />
He took the extra steps to reach into his money bag and give the coins to the innkeeper, money destined for his own family. The family who later probably asked him- you did what? For who? Why?<br />
That was our money you gave away!<br />
I imagine him trudging back up to stay with the man and watch all night.<br />
And the next day he promised even more steps- to come back and pay whatever it took.<br />
All those steps- concrete acts of compassion-showed mercy and love without conditions.<br />
Mercy is what can heal and give life beyond mere words.<br />
By the end of the story, Jesus has flipped the man’s question – it is not about “who is my neighbor.<br />
Jesus’ question asks- which man BECAME a neighbor?<br />
Who lived into being a neighbor? With more than words<br />
This is the question of what to expect of love with real flesh and bones.<br />
It’s the question that has the power to shape our lives together in all our relationships.<br />
And it's the question that demands an answer the headline of our paper yesterday read “DO ANY LIVES MATTER?”<br />
And when CNN asks- HOW WILL WE HEAL?<br />
<br />
It won’t happen with just more words or some new program.<br />
It takes more than that and more than just us continuing on our way.<br />
Christ is our example. He traveled all the steps it took to save us and give us life. In all the places where left to our own devices, we’d be in ditches of our own devising. All the places where we pass on by because we’d rather not see, places of mistrust. Places where we are fractured and need of healing. There is not a heart unbroken lately.<br />
Christ came to save all of this and we don’t earn this life- all we can do it receive it. Receive God’s mercy like the man in the ditch and give thanks that it is for us. And be so grateful that we can think of nothing else to do but share God’s limitless love.<br />
By making it real.<br />
By something as simple as really seeing someone and reaching out. Or by seeing someone reaching out to us and receiving them.<br />
We’re called to be a part of the unexpected grace not low expectations.<br />
So I invite you to do something unexpected. Please stand as you are able and reach out both hands. Now make an effort to reach someone with your left hand and your right hand. Until everyone is holding every other hand. And not one hand is reaching out, empty.<br />
As long as it takes and as many steps as it needs.<br />
NOW…now we have become neighbors. Keep holding on. This feels different!<br />
Even in small unexpected moments we can more truly become neighbors.<br />
Henri Nouwen wrote-<br />
“Those who choose, even on a small scale,<br />
To love in the midst of hatred and fear<br />
Are the people who offer hope to our world.”<br />
God’s love and mercy are hope for the world<br />
Shown in even one extra step.<br />
Sometimes we are reaching, and sometimes we are receiving<br />
Both are part of truly being neighbors.<br />
Recognizing what others have to give is just as important.<br />
Recognizing that lives matter. AND that healing is not only necessary, it is achievable-<br />
When we reach beyond ourselves. In mercy.<br />
We must take these steps believing we share something.<br />
Because we do- we are all children of God.<br />
Now more than ever, our lives together must be truly lived together<br />
In the belief that in Christ there is hope for God’s world.<br />
We CAN truly become neighbors- let us no longer allow anyone to undersell the power of Christ in this.<br />
<br />Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-63338388209234167722016-01-23T08:41:00.002-05:002016-01-23T08:46:04.596-05:00Of Snowstorms and Communion and Being the Body<br />
There’s a funny thing that happens during the lead up to snow storms and the hours of flakes falling. And it’s a split-brained experience. Part of it looks like frenzied “milk and bread” crazies.<br />
<br />
And part of it looks like this post from the Bangor Maine Police Facebook:<br />
“Dear Mid-Atlantic of these United States of America.<br />
<br />
I think we all knew it could happen. Every year when you pack up your well tanned family and head back home from our tiny piece of paradise, you look back and see us raking up our leaves and putting our snow shovels by the door. You always sigh, knowing that we will be dealing with winter in a far different way than you will.<br />
Listen, this storm is going to miss us. This is not typical and we want to share a little advice of how to make it through an epic "snow event" unscathed. We want you to come back next year. Here are a few tips.<br />
<br />
1. Don't panic. It's just frozen rain. It does go away so don't try to move too much at one time.<br />
2. Don't shovel too early and don't wait too long. Pace yourself. Go out every few hours and move a little at a time. It can hurt your back, arms and legs. You always wonder why we all walk funny. It is not because of the clam chowder.<br />
3. Heart attacks in big snow storms are rather common. Help out your neighbor who is older, out of shape or that has known health problems. Helping them move some snow (better yet, let your offspring do it) is better than calling EMS while you are doing CPR. Seriously.<br />
…<br />
7. Toilets flush without electricity. If you fill your tub with water, you can use it for all kinds of things, including flushing the toilet. Also, to wash cereal bowls.<br />
8. Fill your car up with gas. If you get stuck somewhere and have to run the car, make sure you clean out around the tail pipe and do not fall asleep with the car running. We need you to come back next summer.<br />
<br />
Most of all, take care of each other. Be nice and invite neighbors to hole up at one location. Hide expensive things, but help them. (that's the cop talking).<br />
<br />
You will be fine. We drink lots of coffee and complain when we get hit like this storm. It works ok. It makes us grouchy but that's why you come here in the summer. To hear stories from grumpy Mainers who sell lobster traps. Now, you will have some of your own to share with us when you get back.<br />
<br />
Be safe and well... The men and women of the Bangor Police Department are rooting for you. You got this.”<br />
Behind all the snarky tone though is one part of what our reading from 1 Corinthians is about.<br />
<br />
Here’s the reading:<br />
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a<br />
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.<br />
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.<br />
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.<br />
<br />
In weather storms we seem to get the body. But in life storms not as much.<br />
When I was growing up, I had a Sunday School teacher who had an accident while mowing the lawn. She had lost her footing and ended up losing two toes. And as it turns out the toe you need most is the smallest one- it’s the one that brings balance. While she lived on without the two smallest toes on one foot, her body didn't move as easily, or pain free as it would otherwise. And so it is with is.<br />
We all need each other and are in fact created for being a body. Which means that the frenzied fear, or the hierarchy of need and want we can create is in fact, not the better way.<br />
We belong together. Eating together, drinking together, laboring together and rejoicing together.<br />
<br />
While much of the news magnifies self sufficiency, and building walls and divisions. While much of our rhetoric speaks of who we don’t need or want, there is a deeper and far more magnificent movement at work.<br />
It is seen in the rejoicing of a group of Finnish Lutherans who were offered Holy Communion by priests at a mass held in St. Peter's Basilica following a meeting with Pope Francis on January 15. After the personal audience with the pope, the delegation was present at a celebration of the Catholic mass. According to Bishop Salmi, at the time of communion the non-Catholics placed their right hands on their left shoulders, a traditional way of indicating that they were ineligible to receive the Eucharist. However, the celebrating priests insisted on giving them communion.<br />
Despite the body language, the body of the church experienced something different than walking awkwardly and in pain. The body experienced the celebration of wholeness.<br />
As news of this has manifested itself, the ripples of joy I have seen make my heart glad. The stories of people who long to commune with their family, who long to be accepted in the body.<br />
No more fighting over bread. At the table or in the world.<br />
It sounds so simple, and yet just as challenging to sustain as being willing to listen to the local boy made good in Nazareth. Jesus finds the crowds think the fulfillment of scripture in him is impossible, and are ready to fight.<br />
How much harder for us, then?<br />
Frederick Buechner wrote in Peculiar Treasures:<br />
When you came right down to it, what was God up to, for God's sweet sake, sending them all out-prophets, apostles, evangelists, teachers, the whole tattered bunch - to beat their gums and work themselves into an early grave?<br />
God was making a body for Christ, Paul said. Christ didn't have a regular body any more so God was making him one out of anybody he could find who looked as if he might just possibly do. He was using other people's hands to be Christ's hands and other people's feet to be Christ's feet, and when there was some place where Christ was needed in a hurry and needed bad, he put the finger on some maybe-not-all-that-innocent bystander and got him to go and be Christ in that place himself for lack of anybody better.<br />
And how long was the whole great circus to last? Paul said…until we all make it to where we're like him, he said-"to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). Christs to each other, Christs to God. All of us. Finally. It was just as easy, and just as hard, as that.<br />
<br />
And so it is still. The good news is that we will always be invited into being a whole body centered in that greater way.<br />
<br />
Here's a bread and milk snow frenzy meme:<br />
<div>
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjdkbiqhMDKAhUJWj4KHQyODEYQjB0IBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmemegenerator.net%2Finstance%2F59200327&psig=AFQjCNE1LCnN6k9TKS007UM1b10BemTIPg&ust=1453641928736412&rct=j" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjdkbiqhMDKAhUJWj4KHQyODEYQjB0IBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmemegenerator.net%2Finstance%2F59200327&psig=AFQjCNE1LCnN6k9TKS007UM1b10BemTIPg&ust=1453641928736412&rct=j</a><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-64418995034018366992016-01-17T13:21:00.000-05:002016-01-17T13:27:06.282-05:00Wow, Jesus Was HereOne of my favorite pictures circulating is a photograph of a supermarket clearly not in PA because there is alcohol being sold. But it shows a shelf where the sign above it says “Water” but on the shelf are endless bottles of wine. And the caption of the picture is “Jesus was here.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TzWJr1Gxz8/UA_etBFnfiI/AAAAAAAAL_c/1Z5bRUUBPUU/s1600/jesus+was+here+water+to+wine+funny+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TzWJr1Gxz8/UA_etBFnfiI/AAAAAAAAL_c/1Z5bRUUBPUU/s1600/jesus+was+here+water+to+wine+funny+fail.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It’s tempting today to focus upon the mechanics of how the water becomes wine. Or even just that this story reveals Jesus’ power to perform this miracle, which it does. But here, in the gospel of John, it’s helpful to remember that after the opening of telling us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, we hear that Jesus has come to show us “grace upon grace.” One gracious gift after another. That beyond the gift of the law, Jesus has come to make the fullness of God known. And after calling disciples, the first place we see Jesus is at a wedding.<br />
<br />
Most of you know that I am planning our daughter’s wedding. Weddings can be a huge social event that calls everyone to be there. And I for one would like to return to Jesus’ day where it was the GROOM’S family that hosts the party.<br />
The tradition was not that you invited your closest. You invited everyone. Imagine having to host this whole Valley. According to tradition in Jesus’ day the family is to provide enough food and beverage for everyone, EVERYone- for a week. Imagine hosting this whole Valley for a week.<br />
<br />
But here we are the disaster strikes as the wine is running out. So what happens? Has the family planned poorly? Tradition says the guests were supposed to send wine ahead for the feast. Have the guests been stingy? We hear that many alre already drunk from the steward. Have some been overindulging without thinking of others? Then again, maybe Jesus has something to do with the problem.<br />
Jesus has only a couple days before called Nathanael and Andrew and Simon Peter and Phillip. And yes, they were invited but you know how sometimes you hear of last minute people you have to invite even if you didn’t want to? Maybe Jesus was supposed to be a solo guest or maybe a “plus one” but then he met Andrew and Simon and Phillip and Nathanael and they ALL went to the wedding. He clearly exceeded his “plus one?” Maybe Mary is telling Jesus, “Now LOOK!” Well, we don’t know.<br />
<br />
What we DO know is that when the glasses are empty, the party’s over.<br />
Imagine the groom’s family announcing that it is unexpectedly “last call.” They will be ashamed, perhaps even angry. They have the taste of bitterness in their mouths. And the servants are flustered and scared. They know the taste of fear. And the taste that will stay in everyone’s mouth will be disappointment and shame.<br />
<br />
Then imagine the commotion of filling those jars, each the size of this trash can, but stone. Not with a water faucet but filling buckets at the well and hauling them up and hauling those jars back and trying to do it quickly- how exhausting! And what if this is all just a mess? How many times on the way to the well, and with each bucket and hauling these ridiculously heavy jars back do you think the servants thought, “are you out of your ever lovin’ mind?!” Can’t we just do a couple jars?<br />
<br />
Kind of like how we might feel sometimes somewhere between listening to God and the end result. A couple jars ought to be enough, you know? I mean, really. And in the midst of those thoughts of shame and anger, bitterness, fear- is division.<br />
<br />
What happens next demonstrates certainly Jesus’ power, but even more I think it shows a deeper glimpse again of God’s heart. Extravagant, abundant, joyous.<br />
In the face of the prospect of no more shouts of “here’s to the bride and groom!” Just when it looks like devastation- celebration! Unifying joy!<br />
Did you notice that after the water becomes wine there are no divisions?<br />
Grace- Exceeding all hopes- not just some average cheap wine, the best! Not just enough for this day or even this wedding, but for weeks! Imagine the reputation of the family who goes from the brink of shame to the family that blessed the whole Valley this way! The bitter taste of humiliation and anger and shame and fear becomes the sweetness of celebration and blessing beyond compare.The exhaustion of the effort melts away.<br />
Grace upon grace.<br />
<br />
Each gospel begins with some moment of Jesus’ ministry- the gospel of John opens with this wedding. The gospel has begun by proclaiming that from God’s fullness we ALL receive “one gracious gift after another.” Grace upon grace. Abundant, extravagant, joyous grace.<br />
And here is the first sign of this God- Jesus at the wedding. With grace flowing freely for everyone, EVERYONE! No portion control, no guest list. EVERYONE.<br />
The best feast EVER!<br />
Grace- a sign so we might come to believe.<br />
<br />
Interestingly enough the last sign Jesus shared with his disciples comes after the resurrection is the same. The disciples have seen Jesus and received the Holy Spirit, yet they have gone their ways, and the guys are back to fishing. And they are there and all night they caught nothing. Jesus, in the midst of their frustration, and perhaps fear and humiliation- no fish in sight- tells them to put the net in again. And they do what he says. Perhaps thinking- Are you out of your ever lovin’mind?! But they listen and before they know it they can barely haul it in. Grace upon grace. And they remember how he makes them one.<br />
And there will all that fish, then he tells them to feed and care for others like that.<br />
To bring grace into the world so that others might know Christ and know our extravagant, abundant and joyous God.<br />
Jesus’ shows us that this grace transforms the world as we think we see it .<br />
Changes people as we think we know them.<br />
That just when you think it is too big of an “ask” or that we’re not up to the task, grace intervenes.<br />
Just when you feel overwhelmed, grace intervenes<br />
Just when you think You are not enough or there is nothing more, grace intervenes.<br />
And each time, God uses people like ordinary people those servants at the wedding, like the disciples, like you and I. And when we listen, extraordinary life changing happens.<br />
How might God be calling you and me, each of us to “grace” the world around us?<br />
What signs might God show through us?<br />
May the Spirit guide us so that when we have been somewhere on God’s command, people might see grace and say, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Wow, Jesus was here!”<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-64701428565301539232016-01-10T13:43:00.000-05:002016-01-10T13:50:10.576-05:00Let's Not Contain ThisToday's lessons: Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22<br />
<br />
Children’s message: today I handed out “Hello My Name Is” stick on nametags and next to the space for the name I had drawn a cross. We talked about having worn a name tag like this for class or maybe somewhere we have been. And I sort of joked with the whole congregation about how those name tags don’t always stay where they belong- they end up on shoulders or pants, but then I talked about how in Isaiah, God tells the people “I call you my name, you are mine.” The name tag can remind us as we put our name on it, that God calls us, knows us by name. And is with us. Then we talked about what day it is- Baptism of our Lord. And I asked why I put that cross on the nametag. When else do hear our name and there is a cross. And we came to baptism – where God says, I call you by name and you are mine. When Jesus was baptized God called him “Beloved.” God say- “I love you!” The cross reminds us how God tells us- “ I know you by name, you are mine and I love you.”<br />
<br />
The Sermon-“Let’s Not Contain This”<br />
<br />
Today I am right here in the midst of you because it seems a little odd to me that I would preach about God in the midst of the people while standing way over there. Our lessons today lift up that God is with us in our lives. The people who heard Isaiah were in exile. They were not at home, not comfortable in their own skin, longing for a different world. And they hear- “ You are mine and I will be with you and rescue you.” And yet, in this strange place, and in a troubling world, it was pretty hard to believe when it seems like God is at a distance. Maybe sometimes we have felt that way, that God is at a distance. And so it seems that to God is was time to make God’s presence more visible and known, and into our midst Jesus is born. Today we hear that Jesus is baptized. And in Luke, we don’t get all the debate between John the Baptist and Jesus about whether John could baptize Jesus or should. For once, Luke is not so wordy. Instead, Jesus just shows up at the river Jordan. Yes, John has been preaching of one who is to come, but there is no special fanfare, Jesus just slips on in with the people being baptized. Right there in the middle of it.<br />
If you’ve ever played in a stream or at the river’s edge, you know what happens when lots of people are splashing around- it stirs up all the mud and the stuff on the bottom we don’t really want to know about. But there Jesus is, right in the middle of our real lives in all the muck and mud. Showing us that God chooses to immerse God’s self where we really are.<br />
And as if that’s not enough, the heavens open and God speaks. It’s one of the moments in Scripture I most wish I had seen as it happened. The heavens opened. And while I don’t know what that really looked like, I know that people hearing that who believed that God was somehow contained in the heavens would see that the final barrier that seems to separate us is gone and we hear God not only say this is God’s Son, but “I am REALLY PLEASED” by what is happening here. And then, as if THAT is not enough, as Jesus is praying, the Spirit descends and I imagine it’s not just a fluttering down, but the Spirit dives- right into Jesus, right in our midst, right in the middle of God’s world.<br />
God’s initiative, and choice is to echo what we hear in Isaiah, that God will go to the four corners of the world and in all things to bring us together. And that is the baptism of Jesus. God immersed, holding nothing back. It’s powerful and it's the gospel for us.<br />
And it’s different than our ways of being immersed. When I think of being immersed I am reminded of this ad from many years ago where a woman has finally gotten the kids out of her hair and away from her work and she closes the bathroom door and there is a bathtub and she sinks in and says,” Calgon, take me away!” In real life I have tried that but by the time I get to that tub, the water is cold, and it never quite worked like TV says it should. That’s one way of being immersed- take me away.<br />
The other is what I see as we look around at our world. And it’s a pretty frightening place. Lots of things to make us afraid, or angry, or bitter. Lots of things we wish someone would save us from. And these days there is a lot of speech and a lot of promises people try to make about how they will save us. And most of them involve containing or restricting. As we are immersed in all of the rhetoric, what we really say to others is “go away.” One way or another we want to restrain what distresses us. Take me away, or go away.<br />
That’s not God’s way.<br />
God shows us that God is all in, holding nothing back in the birth, and the baptism and ultimately the cross of Jesus. Because Jesus knows that there in all our muddy water we will begin the way to the cross. That’s what God’s love will do to save us, to rescue us and to show us God’s love.<br />
And just like that water, it can’t really be completely contained. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to contain water? There’s always drips here and there. God’s work in that water can’t be fully contained. In fact it’s expansive. Much bigger than we imagine. Immersed to save and rescue all of us. Even those who we find it the hardest to imagine.<br />
God in Christ’s baptism shows us what it means to be fully immersed in our real world.<br />
We who listen as Jesus says,” Follow me” and live the life of the baptized share in God’s initiative.<br />
We are called to live a life of being immersed in the world. Not cut off, immersed.<br />
Not caught up looking for other saviors, but confident that it is only our God who saves.<br />
And who gives us the power to stay immersed in the world-<br />
No matter that it may seem like the water is up to our nose, no matter how chaotic, God is immersed with us in it all.<br />
And gives us the power to share what has been shared with us- “You are mine. I Love you. I have saved you.”<br />
We are called to live among the world where all need to hear this word, trusting in faith that God is with us all.<br />
Saying, “You are mine. I Love you. It pleases me that we are together-let’s not contain this.”<br />
AMEN<br />
<br />
<br />Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-47276404100573584432015-11-25T22:12:00.002-05:002015-11-25T22:12:12.289-05:00Sermon for Thanksgiving Eve<br />
Grace and peace to you, my sisters and brothers in the name of God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be in your presence this night. This time last year I was preparing to move here. It is a blessing to be in your midst.<br />
Tomorrow we journey to our older daughter, Catherine’s apartment- she is cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. She is, I assure you, not listening to the gospel. She is indeed fussing about the table, considering the bird and concerned about appearances. At least based upon the many conversations we have had. And between now and next September we have a lot of wedding planning to do. These words feel very different in this season of our lives and of busy ness and preparations for Thanksgiving into Christmas and beyond. It could be easy time as a frenzied slide of days and expectations. Perhaps some of us here tonight are thinking about all those preparations in our own lives. In the midst of whatever is filling your head, rest assured I will not preach as long as Jesus did the day he uttered these words. In the midst of the sermon on the Mount where he talked long enough people probably were wondering about dinner.<br />
We gather here on this eve of the holiday in our country called THANKSGIVING. And I can’t help but think it is misnamed. In part because I think it frequently is framed in the category- of thanking God for lots of food, where we roll out the door of homes and restaurants, stuffed. Our thank you at times feels perfunctory- or just the expected thing to say. “Thanks!” can be superficial. I hope what we really approach God with is gratitude.<br />
I was reading this past week, what someone wrote- “I believe gratitude doesn’t come to the front door all dressed up and bearing Thanksgiving pies- rather, it slips in through the kitchen door like the plumber did when the pipes were clogged just before my daughter’s wedding that was to happen at our home... You never know what gratitude the sound of a flushing toilet can bring until you’ve seen one overflow three times during the week of your daughter’s wedding.” That plumber was a life changer. An agent of gratitude.<br />
<br />
“ My deeper point is that gratitude is not the same thing as giving thanks (for us in our culture). It comes from a deeper place that knows the story could have ended up differently, and often does. Gratitude is surviving the worst thing you can imagine and realizing that you are still standing.”<br />
Many of us with more than a few miles on the car in our lives have had these moments. The ones where we get out of our head and what we consider our worries, because we have seen the profound place of gratitude. Where we can stop, pay attention, and deliberately behold and appreciate what comes to us only as gift and grace from God.<br />
Given the history of those Pilgrims who were devastated by winter, disease, famine, conflicts and shock, being alive was not just about<br />
“ thankful,” it was about gratitude. Overshadowed by economic development, a day of Thanksgiving was not a national day until, after years of petitioning Sarah Josepha Hale, at age 74, convinced then President Lincoln, in the midst of the Civil War, to declare a National day of Thanksgiving. A day to recognize blessings in aftermath of a bloody battle at Gettysburg and the despair that the war raged on.<br />
<br />
In October of 1863, Lincoln issued a proclamation beginning with these words:<br />
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields ad healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…” he goes on to list blessings in the midst of adversity.<br />
To speak these words in the midst of turmoil and fears, is indeed a statement of gratitude. Yes there was turmoil and unrest, but look at blessings still. The prophet Joel has just finished speaking to people who are asking where God is in their distress, only to hear in the midst of it, don’t be afraid- the Lord has done great things. And what they hear is that pastures will become green, trees will bear fruit, and life will have richness, not because it looks that way in its fullness today, but because the Lord who has been faithful and provided, will continue to do so.<br />
While personally and in our world, we may have worries, it is right to stop and give thanks and behold moments of gratitude first to praise God for them. Those things that only God could have brought forth, and we remember them so that when we are tempted to worry we are reassured of who God is with us and for us and will be. A God who not only provides material things, but shows us more. Both in the the love and grace and mercy of Christ. And in the things brought forth by God through the gift of community- in both celebration and consolation.<br />
Tomorrow regardless of the world's worries or the state of the mashed potatoes, I will be grateful that after a year of travel abroad, our younger daughter is back in the States, my husband is recovered from significant surgery and our older daughter is making her way in the world. Joys indeed amidst life changing stories.<br />
And yet Christ, in the gospel, wants to draw us deeper. Into remembering that the God who provides these moments, is so trustworthy, that we can devote our energy not to worry, but to living lives of praise. Being people whom God uses to bring moments of gratitude and life changing stories for others. Right before this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has told the people they cannot serve two masters- they cannot put their wants first and place God first. It is here that he tells them not to worry- since God will provide, seek God’s kingdom first. We can’t tend the relationships with God and others when worries distract us. Don’t worry- Show love and grace and mercy to others. Show the gift of community to others. This is the kingdom that God desires for all God’s children. <br />
At the beginning of his sermon, Jesus said that the downhearted would experience God’s kingdom; the mourners would be comforted; the meek would have a place; the hungry would be filled. Mercy would be shown, God would be made known and the peace would be lifted up.<br />
At the beginning of my message, I said that “Gratitude comes from a deeper place that knows the story could have ended up differently, and often does.” Gratitude for God’s blessings hopefully leads us to know that the story can end up differently and should for those who are struggling.<br />
<br />
It doesn’t have to be grand, just come from the heart- It can be offering a word of encouragement; a phone call to someone you haven’t talked to or seen in awhile; feeding the hungry with good things; making peace with someone, maybe simply giving time to really be present with someone and thank them for what they mean to you.<br />
As one new to the community here this past year, I am grateful to God for you and pray that God bless you this day and always. As you gather in gratitude for the immeasurable blessings we are shown by God’s hand, I encourage you to pause and reflect on how God has been at work in your story. Then ask God to show you how you can be an agent of gratitude so others can experience the kingdom- God’s life changing story.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-4246790839198845752015-11-23T07:56:00.000-05:002015-11-23T08:07:35.664-05:00Sermon for Christ the King Sunday, 2015<br />
<br />
Usually on this Sunday I am trying to figure out how "King" is a term with relevance but this year as our world has had a lot to say. These end times readings ring out differently. One person wrote this past week, " There’s a war going on, in case you haven’t noticed. There is the war “out there”–the one with bombs and guns and blood and death. But there is also a different kind of war going on that is also deadly.” ( Jill Clignan- Practicing Families)<br />
It's true- A clash in our interactions that makes everything be about polar opposites- Hate versus love. Strife versus peace. Fear versus courage. And no in between.<br />
That’s our world talking.<br />
<br />
“ while it would be so easy for me right now to sweep my arms grandly across the landscape of this shattered world and declare that the sky is falling and the world is ending, I choose, instead, to stubbornly look with hope at the life right before me, to believe that God has not yet given up on His will being done on earth, as it already is in heaven."<br />
That’s kingdom talk.<br />
<br />
And that’s when I remember what Jesus says to Pilate- "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were my followers would fight. My kingdom is from another place."<br />
Earlier in the gospel of John, we hear the disciples say, "you talk about your place Jesus, but we have no idea how to get there."<br />
That's us a lot- we don’t know how to get to the kingdom.<br />
And Jesus’ response is – "you do know, because you know me. You know what I have been about, and you know God’s will."<br />
But knowing his disciples and how hard it is to follow, elsewhere in the gospels, he tells them that no matter what life brings, no matter how impossible it seems, here’s a prayer- pray like this.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And he taught them the Lord’s Prayer. I can rattle it off in three different versions almost without thought. And sometimes it’s just rote. Sometimes that’s a comfort that I have it internalized, but other times, I suspect I rattle it off quickly because when I slow it down I remember- "your kingdom come, and your will be done" is not addressed to my desires, but to the King.<br />
Our King and Lord.<br />
I can pray for the kingdom to come, but here on earth, that’s an awfully tall order.<br />
That’s probably why later on the prayer says,<br />
"Lord, lead us not to be tempted otherwise. Because YOURS is the kingdom."<br />
Christ is the ruler of the universe and the kingdom IS. Not will be, but IS now.<br />
<br />
And that’s what Jesus tells Pilate that he came to testify to this truth- God’s truth. THE ONE THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE TRUTH OUR WORLD DISHES OUT that sucks us in to playing the game of fear, and mistrust and hate. The one that tempts us to believe that fear and mistrust and hate and struggle are what it takes to rule.<br />
If I am being honest, this week, and I am, I cannot easily stand here and profess that I see Christ as the ruler of the universe, and the kingdom breaking forth.<br />
I suspect that it is so hard to see so often because we fall into the pattern of our world, the pattern we all have a lot more experience with.<br />
<br />
I tell you this not because I am now going to dissect and pontificate about the actions of others. This really is a confession and maybe it's yours too. Because I don’t follow our King as I should.<br />
I wish I could more deeply live out what I pray when I say Christ is the King- the ruler of the universe. That I want Christ's kingdom to come.<br />
And that Christ's truth would meet the truth of my life and it would be obvious that I get that Christ’s kingdom rises above this world.<br />
<br />
We all get caught up in the fight between hate and love, and struggle and peace. And the biggest thing of all I am fighting isn’t evil, in the end, but fear.<br />
Fear of others.<br />
And fear that I know I am not living as one who acknowledges Christ on that throne.<br />
Fear of what I would sacrifice or face if I lived that truth of that place that is not this world.<br />
Maybe that’s why there are 365 places in the Bible where God’s people hear, “Do not fear.”<br />
<br />
We are called to practice the truth of Christ and walk in the light. But, truly, sometimes the darkness is so attractive. But what really has me thinking and worried is when we say we cannot help one group of people because another group needs it more, but then we don’t help them either. And there’s nothing stopping us.<br />
<br />
We find ourselves at odds and fighting in so many ways.<br />
<br />
But you know what Jesus’ opponents hated was when he helped the wrong people. When he raised the dead, when he healed the sick, when he freed the captive, and prioritized the needs of the least. When he promised paradise to the criminal and food for the hungry. And salvation for all. Yes, all.<br />
<br />
And when he commanded, yes commanded- our king commanded one thing of us- LOVE. <br />
Love your neighbor as yourself. By the way, everyone is your neighbor. Love them enough to share daily bread, and forgiveness, and the life of the kingdom.<br />
And he promised that the Spirit would give us the truth to prove the WORLD wrong and would give us the power and wisdom to do so.<br />
So that our faith and what propels our actions and beliefs would be based upon this. That we would enact the kingdom of Christ.<br />
Jesus our king and Lord, the ruler of the universe commands we love one another.<br />
And the hardest part of all, is that there are no disclaimers, no fine print, no exceptions. No exceptions about Christ’s love nor about his power.<br />
<br />
NONE.<br />
This is the hardest part of all- swearing my allegiance to this gospel with no exceptions. And believing that Christ really is the ruler of the universe- no exceptions.<br />
And our king, showed power in a cross. And keeps trying to set us free even as we keep holding on to rulers and kingdoms that deal death and pain and destruction. With Christ telling us to take courage – he has conquered the world. And we are no longer of that world. We don’t have to be in that world- What a beautiful thought!<br />
No exceptions. We don’t have to get sucked into the world’s talk and even better- because one more thing has no exceptions- grace. <br />
In the face of all of my shortcomings- I get to keep my citizenship in Christ’s kingdom. We all do<br />
Because Christ our King is a gracious king.<br />
And this kingdom that rises above our world is for real.<br />
<br />
Christ IS the king. We have a place in his kingdom, thank God.<br />
And our King calls us to kingdom living.<br />
What should the kingdom look like?<br />
I’ve been asking people<br />
And here’s what I have heard from some of you.<br />
The shelves at the food pantry would never be bare- we’d feed the hungry all the time no exceptions<br />
We wouldn’t only remember certain people at the holidays- we’d care about them all the time- no exceptions<br />
People who are sick would be able to be cared for and not jump through so many gosh-darned hoops- no exceptions<br />
We wouldn’t use one group’s needs as a reason not to help others- we'd help them all!<br />
And the poor, and the sick, and the elderly, and the oppressed, the veterans, the homeless and any one with any needs would be our business.<br />
There’s a lot to think about there<br />
And it’s the work before us as workers in the kingdom of God.<br />
A lot of people will say that our world today isn’t the same. One person said to me in fact, "we don’t live in Jesus’ world." But we do! It was scary then and is scary now.<br />
But the truth and good news is that we do- it is a challenge but also a blessing.<br />
And while it challenges us to try to live out our king’s command and what it would do to our economy and business as usual, guess what? If we did so,<br />
In the extreme, doing the business of Christ’s kingdom would put the other one of our world out of business.<br />
Imagine despair, and suffering and injustice and struggle put out of business!<br />
<br />
And so this day while it would be so easy for me right now to sweep my arms grandly across the landscape of this shattered world and declare that the sky is falling and the world is ending, I choose, instead, to stubbornly look with hope at the life right before me, to believe that God has not yet given up on His will being done on earth, as it already is in heaven."<br />
Because Christ’s power shines brightest in our dark places. That cross shows power in places we think it can’t be possible.<br />
And you are my co-workers.<br />
And our only job is LOVE- that’s speaking the kingdom and lifting high the cross as we lift others to life.<br />
May the Spirit guide us, reassure us and help us to commit ourselves again to honoring Christ the King- our Lord and Savior of the universe, with our lives.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-51213798791341547832015-11-17T19:55:00.002-05:002015-11-17T20:03:06.112-05:00The Long and Winding RoadTomorrow a year ago began what seems like a whole different life. It had already been a turbulent time of emotions as my family and I discerned that it was time for a new call in ministry, with it's attendant mixed emotions of beginnings and endings. It was already a time of great excitement for a new opportunity and sadness of having to announce I was leaving a place, especially since I detest goodbyes. I thought that was the hard thing- having preached and been called to a new congregation on Sunday and having to announce our departure on Monday. But then Tuesday happened.<br />
On Tuesday morning the phone rang and a woman speaking a mile a minute said things like "ambulance" "hospital" and "collapse." Speaking so quickly and repeating it rapid fire that by the third time I interrupted to ask who she was and why she was calling. "Oh, your husband, it's your husband."<br />
Fumbling in numbness I threw myself together and actually beat the ambulance to the hospital. So when I asked in the ER reception area and they told me there was no one here by that name, my chaplain brain kicked in and I assumed that if there was no live patient with his name that meant only one thing. A chaplain was going to call me with news I did not want to hear.<br />
As I repeated where the ambulance was coming from, they found him, but then my clergy ID was insufficient to go to the ER. I was told I had to walk back outside and through security. Even the security guys were saying it was not necessary but they made me leave and walk outside and around to another entrance and then wait for a visitor sticker. So much for that encrypted clergy tag.<br />
I made it back into the unit and they were bringing him back from tests. It had been so hard to be lost and separated and told I couldn't go past a simple door.<br />
After awhile they decided that because his blood pressure was coming down and he had no chest pain they were sending him home for an outpatient stress test. But as I listened to him describe his symptoms they suddenly rang a bell " my legs felt like concrete" was exactly what his mother said before her heart attack that ended in a quadruple bypass. And the advocacy training of law school kicked in. If his condition might me genetic, so could the symptoms. And I learned how hard it is to be heard.<br />
Apparently I was persistent enough without being irritating.<br />
They ran more tests. One test result, and only one was enough to keep him longer.<br />
And run a test again.<br />
And when that one thing still seemed odd, they decided not to send us home.<br />
That is why my husband did not die at home.<br />
So they decided to perform a heart catheterization the next day.<br />
It took longer than expected.<br />
And when the cardiologist came out he looked astounded.<br />
As "this is is the worst case of coronary artery disease in someone so young" spilled out like a tsunami, followed by " he should have died on your recent vacation with all that hiking." And then- scheduled for surgery followed by- we are keeping him alive until then with a ballon pump.<br />
Time sure feels different when keeping someone alive is at stake<br />
And staying the night was not helpful.<br />
To this day I thank God that our neighbors who happened to work for the cardiologist, swooped in. And our other neighbors mobilized.<br />
It all felt like all I did was ride the wave.<br />
I let family know and deputized people to tell others. There are only so many calls you can make.<br />
And they all feel like it's not real<br />
Having been somewhat self sufficient and used to being the care giver, I realized I simply had to let go. And when a pastor colleague asked what she could do, "Be my pastor" spilled out.<br />
God bless Eileen for sitting with me all day and praying with Michael and I.<br />
In the days and weeks that followed where a steady stream of people and demands emerged, I was always exhausted but also always provided for.<br />
Both by our new church and our neighbors especially. Even people who barely knew us, sustained us- you sustain the weary with a word- has forever changed meaning for me.<br />
Our new congregation could not have been more gracious- from packing and moving us to feeding us and helping at every turn. How odd to show up as the shepherd for others yet needing such shepherding.<br />
Here is the part that followed- the grief part. Yes, Michael survived. Thanks be to God! And yes, we are very happy! But I can tell you that it took a full eight months for me to begin to feel like I wasn't in a fog. Simple things felt gargantuan.<br />
The simplest task like measuring and hanging curtains was a mess. Trying to put rooms together- something I love, felt almost impossible.<br />
And perhaps most of all, taking care of myself, which initially was put on hold, suffered as we waded through adjusting not only to a new place, but a new life.<br />
Of sorting out meds, and falls in the night. Of facing depression and naming griefs.<br />
While both having careers dependent upon poise and focus.<br />
And having to navigate what it takes to move from survive to thrive.<br />
A few months ago I actually sat myself down and pronounced that taking care of my physical and spiritual health needed to happen and made steps to do it.<br />
Reconnecting with my spiritual director, making retreat. Attending to all those appointments- mine, not his. And getting back to the gym.<br />
I have never been a coordinated sort, but after finally getting in decent shape it had all fallen away over most of the year.<br />
It was very hard to stop feeling guilty and sad about how all my hard work had evaporated and the 20 pounds had crept on.<br />
And at 51, going on 52, no small feat.<br />
I give thanks for my mutual ministry committee for gently encouraging me and for my trainer, Lisa who has been willing to work with a person who already had a curve in my spine, and war wounds of fitness in a knee and shoulders. And who would work with someone who will not be the "buff gym success story."<br />
She helped me get over myself and just start working back. And I give thanks for Betsy who bugged me when I did not show up for spin class. She spins to get over losing a son. I could surely get over getting to keep a husband. Boy is grief a powerful thing.<br />
When I got to walk "energetically" with Michael in a 5k for Betsy's son, it was victory!<br />
I have farther to go to get back to the me I was a year ago. And yet in some ways I am infinitely wiser and stronger. Maybe the me I was has been resurrected- and born anew!<br />
Not the least of which is realizing it was my back that needed to be stronger in my training. For years I was always in pain even after training and told myself I just needed to work harder. That was how my ministry felt sometimes too. Work harder.<br />
Turns out I didn't need to work so hard- I just needed to let others guide me.<br />
Maybe this is a story about managing grief, or about accepting who I am. Maybe it's about telling that no matter who you are or what you face, you can work through it with faith and patience with yourself.<br />
Probably most of all it's about seeing how much God carries us through others- not to show our weakness but to demonstrate how God strengthens us. I cannot even imagine how we would have carried on without God in so many people.<br />
I finally am getting the last of the parsonage together- 11 months later. The old me would be horrified. The new me is just grateful that so many people have shepherded us on the long and winding road. We absolutely knew God has called us here. We give thanks and hope there is much more of the road together to come.Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-83678869147024691812015-06-22T18:13:00.002-04:002015-06-22T18:17:50.732-04:00Getting to the Other Side<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So today I want to talk to you about my friend,
Keith. Keith and I were on a seminary trip to Greece and Turkey a few years
ago, and Keith was very excited as was his congregation which had blessed him
by paying for the trip to advance their pastor’s knowledge. Things were going
well until we went to travel from Greece to Turkey when a storm hit. Not one
with waves, but a problem at the border. Keith was a citizen of Bermuda and the
travel agent had not obtained the right visa for him. And there he was stuck on
one side and we on the other. And no idea what would happen. For him to get to
the other side was going to take a lot. And there in a flood of emotions was it
must have felt like that question the disciples ask Jesus, “ Can’t you see I’m
perishing here?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He had fly to Germany and then on to London and then
hope to get the one emergency visa issued by the consulate, which he did. And
then he had to fly back to Germany, and to Turkey and then take ground
transportation to catch up to us, all in about 48 hours. It was exhausting and
it took resources he didn’t have. It took talking with people back him to make
it all come together. And he made it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We’ve been talking about gratitude these past few
weeks and there was immense gratitude for God’s leading and protection. Because
honestly, how did Keith do all that? God calmed the storm and made a path. You could
see God’s hand and power at work to help Keith carry on through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I remembered this story this week when I thought of
Keith because my brother in the gospel is an African Methodist Episcopal pastor
in New York. And the news of the week, heavy on my heart made me want to reach
out. Keith and I were at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary together. Which at first
might sound odd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Why Gettysburg? That has to do with another storm
being calmed and path cleared. In the early 1800’s Payne heard the call of the
Lord to preach. But seminaries would not give him entrance, except for
Gettyburg. And a major force in the AME church was able to study because the
Lord made that path. And many AME pastors have since followed this path- there
is a bond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When news broke of the racial hatred in Charleston
that killed 9 innocent Christians at Mother Emanuel AME Church, I thought, “
What can I do?” And how can we live in this storm that just keeps churning in
our country? Amidst so many emotions, there are so many questions. The same
ones in the gospel, “ Jesus, can’t you see we’re drowning here?” And the one
perhaps they spoke to themselves, “ What can we possibly do?” Questions for all
of us. When I reached out to Keith I shared the memory that he was the crucifer
at my ordination service. And I remembered that while he was delighted to do
so, his question to me was, “ What will your people think?” Even now, so much
work to do. What can we possibly do we might ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Then I heard the interview with Debbie Dills, the
florist running late for work in Shelby, North Carolina. She spotted a car that
looked like the one on TV and a person that looked like the one on TV. She didn’t
want to believe it was him. But she called her boss, and asked, “ What should I
do?” He replied, “We need to call someone” and called the police while he kept
her on the line. Debbie decided to follow the car, which was daring if it was a
person who had killed nine others and had a gun. She provided the tag number
and an arrest happened. Afterwards when asked if she had fear, she said, “ I am
no brave person, but I felt I had to do this.” And went on to say that she felt
someone was watching over her, and in control. “The Lord had his hand in it.
God is the one who made this (arrest) happen.” She had been driving to work and
praying for the families in Charleston. “ I can’t imagine, they were just
studying the Word and they were massacred.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Debbie moved from fear to faith, and had a role in
calming some of this storm. But she went on to say what I think we should take
to heart, “ We need to be lifting them, be there for them and surround them.
That’s what we need to do.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Racism is not just about a few bad actors. We as a
culture must ask how we allow it to persist when we say it’s not here, it’s not
us, or we just hope the storm calms. This incident will pass but there are
storms on the sea. Between the storms there will be calm, but you know what the
disciples in the boat came to realize? When Jesus calmed the storm, they still
had to row to the other side. There were not at the shore, and now with no wind
they had to row extra hard. But remember that they were on the way to where
Jesus wanted them to go. The goal was not to hang out off shore. They were
headed to the other side to see the Gentiles, people who they don’t really
know, or maybe “get” or maybe even want to like. But they have said yes to
going where Jesus wanted to go. And Jesus always wants to go there. But when
they get there, it’s then they will see miracles. It’s hard work to get to the
other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We have hard work too. To be people follow as Jesus
commands, to go where Jesus goes, and to live as Jesus lived. To be in
solidarity with our sisters and brothers. To stand with those in places of
suffering and to name evil realities for what they are. I have been meeting
with the group headed to Pittsburgh to the Pittsburgh Project- youth and adults
headed to the North Side and a predominantly African American community to help
with critical repairs to housing and other ways of ministering with people. And
we’ve talked about what it means to stand with others, maybe even those we don’t
quite get. And when I asked our youth about the evil realities in our world, before
the events of this week, without skipping a beat one of them said- racism. It’s
an evil reality and a churning storm in our midst. Not only for those in
Charleston, or Baltimore or other places but for all of us. And we have to BE
THERE. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Almost 50 years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a
book entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where do We Go From Here? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed this is the question. The subtitle is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chaos or Community?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote,” We
can no longer worship the god of hate, or bow before the altar of retaliation.
The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of hate…Love
is the ultimate force that makes for the saving choice of life and good….We
must hope that love is going to have the last word…We still have a choice
today- chaos or community?" Words still today.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you were as moved as I was at the choice of
the famiilies of the AME Church who ringed the area in prayer and singing and
whose grieving spoke forgiveness to a man who vowed he hated them. They didn't speak chaos. They spoke
love. What hard work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As ever, like the disciples, we keep rowing with our
questions. But lest we think our prayer and our service are insignificant they
are not. We ask for your prayers as we head to Pittsburgh and follow Jesus. I
think our work matters and is only possible because of the most important
question the disciples asked- “Who is THIS?” That he commands even the forces
of nature” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus. Jesus empowered them. And Jesus is the power
and the guide. Because of the work of the cross. New life is possible. The
resurrection is the clearest example of love having the last word. For all of
us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And Jesus is calling us to reach that other shore. To get to the other side because that's where Jesus is going.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To labor still for Beloved Community where miracles
happen. For the sake of Christ, may we all lift our brothers and sisters, pray
for justice, and not rest until there is dignity for all. We still have rowing
to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT…Jesus is in the boat too, and we’ve got
everything we need for the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-42329950678324164272015-06-03T13:07:00.001-04:002015-06-03T13:07:29.175-04:00Dancing with the TrinityHow many of you like to dance? Here among us, it's pretty many. Probably in fact more than I thought. But it's not surprising to me. I'll tell you why in a minute. But first, it may not surprise you that in fact in these parts, not a lot of German Lutherans are much for dancing. Not really. So now, knowing that, I want you to imagine- Lutherans dancing...in a conga line...on camera...to an African song as the keyboard is played and music sung by a man born blind from birth who they only met yesterday- as they sang about how we DO life. As God's people unleashed from fear to do life. They were young and old, rich and poor, of every background and walk of life- DANCING! Some were really dancing, others bobbing in their spots, and still others not able to dance, but you could see it in there eyes, there they were- dancing too!<br />
<br />
Celebrating God's work, beginning with remembering our history- in the words of Martin Luther who taught that it's always about God's grace- meeting us in all our crisis and joy and saying- starting in baptism- "I claim you. you are mine, and I don't share- so let's do life!" Freed to do life and dance!<br />
<br />
I want to be a part of a community of faith like THAT! And the best thing is, that I am and you are- we are able to dance, the Dance of the Trinity. Living as those who know God is in us. The God who created us into being, Christ who saves us and frees us, and the Spirit who gifts and empowers us- call us into their dance.<br />
<br />
This weekend I got to see and to hear many stories of this dance. In the work fighting World Hunger as we celebrated that just at the synod assembly thousands of dollars were given in addition to the recent Bike for World Hunger. We heard that the instance of malaria in Africa has been cut IN HALF by the work of groups like Lutheran World Relief. All because of mosquito nets that cost cents to produce. Life restored by half!<br />
<br />
We heard of the work of Lutheran Disaster Response as we prepare to send our own team out in July to North Carolina to restore life. We heard the touching story of a man who was living in Iraq and needed to find a safer place for himself and his family to live. He tried traveling to Egypt and to Israel but ultimately was helped by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services both for himself and for his family. And I tell it like it took mere moments. But it took 6 years for his family and he to be reunited . And next month he will become a US citizen and he works as a caseworker helping others have life and freedom because he was given a home and taught English. By this church.<br />
<br />
And the list goes on - feeding projects like the Potato Project where last year I worked with kids and adults and in one half day 10,000 pounds of potatoes were harvested. all because a man had a field and others had a vision to feed others. And we give life in suicide prevention, college ministries, chaplains for prisons and the military, prayer ministries and more! We are freed to live out this joyful response! <br />
<br />
And I say "we" because it is with a certain point of pride of pride that I tell you that we here are the third largest giving congregation in our synod. Not the largest in people, but among the largest in Spirit. I tell you not to boast but to celebrate how you are living out your lives in faith. And so it's not a surprise at all that many of you like to dance- we've been doing a lot of dancing with the Trinity here!<br />
<br />
But in all of this, as our Bishop Elizabeth Eaton noted, the goal is not that we are just a better social service organization. It's more. We are helping others live not in that spirit of fear, the Apostle Paul speaks of, but the Spirit of Life! We are proclaiming and sharing in the life Jesus talked about- where the hungry are fed and the oppressed are freed. Here and now- living as those who in baptism were claimed by a loving God to show that love- to be who we were created to be, who Christ saves us to be and who the Spirit empowers us to be and to join the dance for the sake of God's kingdom.<br />
<br />
Some of us dance well, and some of us try, and some of us can only nod our heads but each week when we gather here we remember our place in the dance. We celebrate what has gone well, and hear new life for those things that have not. At the table and the font we are reminded of the heart of the Trinity and God's love, forgiveness and mercy. because we are THAT church!<br />
<br />
Sent forth and led by the Spirit. We've done some great things but there is still more to do for the sake of the gospel. There is more to the dance of the Trinity, so don't put your dancing shoes away just yet.<br />
Come join the dance. <br />
<br />
<br />
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-19868693730600801772015-04-20T17:10:00.000-04:002015-04-20T17:10:01.938-04:00When I Say I Am a Christian I Need to Get it RightI am woefully behind in posting sermons here- in part because I was fighting major sickness before and during Holy Week, and then there were the funerals both at the church and beyond. Normally I wouldn't bother to say any of this except to say- for all of us, sometimes there are clusters of busy-ness that we are trying to work through. And when we are busy, sometimes we don't get to pay attention as closely as we might tend to or want to. So in the midst of that I was heading into Sunday feeling like the car coasting on fumes. <br />
<br />
And wrestling with a sermon that wasn't quite clicking and I was looking for just that certain something to wrap up with and I found it! Or so I thought. I was preaching on 1 John and wrestling with the notion of Christian perfection and somehow I came across "When I Say I'm a Christian" and it clicked! And the poem by this name was attributed to Maya Angelou. I loved it, and I spoke of it in my sermon and several people were really taken by it. <br />
<br />
The dream for pastors is that people tell you how they connected with the sermon, or what they will be thinking about, or in this case, one person was taken by the poem and went out to find it. Only to discover that there was a whole lot more the to story- and as grateful as I am that he was listening to my sermon, I am even more grateful for what happened next. <br />
<br />
It seems that the Internet has co-opted "When I Say I am a Christian" and by that I mean that it has been adapted, and given different attribution and circulated in a variety of ways, BUT these things have all happened without the permission or desire of the true author. The true author is Carol Wimmer. <br />
<br />
Her website is <a href="http://www.whenisayiamachristian.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a> Carol wrote her poem in 1988 and it was first published in 1992. She holds the copyright to her poem. <br />
<br />
So, perhaps now I should add that in addition to being a pastor, I am a lawyer and in fact have taught at Gettysburg Seminary and at the Region 7 Leadership Guild on the subject of copyright permissions. It is absolutely a question of Christian ethics concerning Luther's notion of vocation, not to mention the 10 Commandments has a thing or two or two to say. And of course the federal law has a lot to say about the rights of those who create. <br />
<br />
We want people to create beautiful music, art, poetry, photography, and resources that enhance our lives and ministry. And we want immediate access to the things we want to use. As much as I am a creature of social media and the internet, I was reminded yet again of the deceptive nature of what is "instantly available." This is not the same as instantly usable.<br />
<br />
Those who create have a legal right to compensation for use of their work, and a legal right to oppose the use or adaptation of their work in ways they do not wish to consent to. It is a matter of compensation and dignity. <br />
<br />
So often in our world of instant digital media, we fall into a trap of a combination of impatience and desire. <br />
<br />
Here I was a "late in time" sermon writer who now realized that what I thought was the truth was not. And of all things, in my own area. Ironically, the sermon I was preaching using I John 3 focused upon what it means to be God's children, not only in the great beyond but in this life. The challenge of living as the epistle says " that those in Christ will not sin." The struggle of the concept of Christian perfection and the sense of gratitude and humility we can sense when we remember God's love. We cannot achieve the vision of what it means to be pure or without sin. Yet over and again, the God who loves us and calls us children invites us to strive to draw closer. Our lives are lived somewhere between perfection and "who cares." " I want to" is not enough of a reason to run roughshod. <br />
<br />
There are lots of reasons to care and to do all we can to get this right, rather than become indifferent or even defensive about the value of the work of others. What did I do? Well, first I went back and took out the incorrect information before my sermon will be published and this coming Sunday I will tell my folk that I misspoke. And, I contacted Carol Wimmer and explained that I wanted to use her poem- the real one in my sermon blog ( sermon to be posted later) but that I also wanted to tell the story of how her poem and rights have been infringed upon. She graciously agreed ( thank you, Carol!)<br />
<br />
Here are her words- "So many people have NO understanding of the purpose of copyright law. There is NO perception of the need to guard and protect the spiritual intent of a work! I literally receive hate mail from people who have had the copyright infringement removed from their social media accounts. I am accused of not being a Christian. Judged as being spiteful, or against sharing the gospel in order to make a name for myself. These judgments come only from those who carelessly share the altered version of the poem which changed the original intent of the work...It's all about protection of inspiration and intellect...In all my years I have never had anyone come to me with the desire to use my work in the context of discussion on copyright issues. This is wonderful!!!"<br />
<br />
Imagine, sisters and brothers, discovering not only that your words have been twisted, but that all kinds of merchandise appears with what is not quite right but also for which you receive NO compensation- coffee mugs, posters, calendars, and more. And to boot, the poem you felt inspired to pen is attributed to another person altogether! I hope you can hear her pain in the words above. This is the way many whose work is lifted feel. And well they should!<br />
<br />
While I am sorry I originally got it wrong, I am delighted to have connected with Carol and the rest of her website <a href="http://www.carolwimmer.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
And I am grateful she provided me with a download of the original poem along with permission to use which appears below. <br />
<br />
<br />
WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I'm not shouting, "I’ve been saved!"<br />
I'm whispering, "I get lost sometimes<br />
That's why I chose this way"<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I don't speak with human pride<br />
I'm confessing that I stumble<br />
Needing God to be my guide<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I'm not trying to be strong<br />
I'm professing that I'm weak<br />
And pray for strength to carry on<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I'm not bragging of success<br />
I'm admitting that I've failed<br />
And cannot ever pay the debt<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I don't think I know it all<br />
I submit to my confusion<br />
Asking humbly to be taught<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I'm not claiming to be perfect<br />
My flaws are all too visible<br />
But God believes I'm worth it<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I still feel the sting of pain<br />
I have my share of heartache<br />
That’s why I seek God’s name<br />
<br />
When I say, "I am a Christian"<br />
I do not wish to judge<br />
I have no authority<br />
I only know I'm loved<br />
<br />
Used by Permission<br />
Copyright ©1988 Carol Wimmer<br />
All Rights Reserved<br />
<a href="http://www.carolwimmer.com/">www.carolwimmer.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.whenisayiamachristian.com/">www.whenisayiamachristian.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/whenisayiamachristian">www.facebook.com/whenisayiamachristian</a><br />
<br />
Sisters and brothers, may we strive to do what is right, walk in grace and honor what others create. Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-84343551505639503002015-04-03T07:58:00.001-04:002015-04-03T07:58:16.867-04:00Exposed Yet Loved
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When my girls were babies I used to love to give them
baths. To marvel at their fingers and toes- pink and beautiful. And babies love
their feet. They enjoy looking at them as much as we do. They are a source of
joy. Sometime after that though, I am not sure when, we stop thinking that. We
learn to think of our feet as something to be covered up, not exposed. Something
for which we need props. Even the bravest of us get pedicures. Feet are somehow
not beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And so when we hear that Jesus washed feet on the
last night with the disciples, I wonder how many of us would be in the church
today if the way we remembered Jesus each week was to wash feet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet here we are with this lesson, and every year for
the past three I have preached on it. Maybe some day we’ll wash feet. But not
tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We hear that Jesus gathered the disciples for a meal
and for conversations and that he loved them to the end. And he is entirely in
control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And slowly, he took of his robe and all the things
that identified him as a Rabbi and a Teacher and a Leader. Set them aside. And there
he is, wearing only a towel and holding a basin of water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And he begins, kneeling and crawling, from person to
person and washing their feet. And it’s odd and uncomfortable. And we can’t
imagine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s odd and uncomfortable. And yet Jesus knew where
their feet had been. Those feet were dirty and calloused, perhaps scratched in
places. Walking without the best footwear, and walking on the paths animals
also trod. And animals do what they do- and the feet bear it- dirty, damaged
and stinky feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And he goes to person after person. And maybe deep
down we even want to say, “Get up, Jesus!” We don’t want this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As beautiful as it is that tonight we are celebrating
6 kids making first holy communion, and it is beautiful, we want communion, and
Easter! Not Holy Week and washing feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Like Peter we want to say- no way! Yet Jesus loved
them to the last. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To the very last one. Even Judas had his feet washed.
Be still. This is for you. Even though you don’t understand it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In humility and service, in love and intimacy, Jesus
loved. Showing there was nothing that stood between us and God’s love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He loved who we are- people uncomfortable in our
skin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He loved people knowing where there feet had already
been- the times the feet had walked away in argument,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">the times the disciples said they would do something
and then didn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The time feet walked to a meeting to agree to betray
for 30 pieces of silver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Those feet were cleansed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As Jesus keeps showing intimate, no holds barred
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Knowing where the feet will go. Yet saying- you
belong to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And you belong to each other through me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And the message for us as ever is that we are
exposed, but we are loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s a gift we almost don’t want- we don’t want to be
that known and exposed. And yet, it’s the gift we most desperately need- to be
renewed and cleansed by real intimate love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sacrificial love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A love that challenges everything in us and yet is
whole hearted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is what we long for, isn’t it? Isn’t this why we
are here? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To experience THIS love? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God knows us- we are exposed. Yet loved. God loves the real us. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It is uncomfortable, and sorrowful, and leaves us in
humbled awe, and hopefully joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the love we are then challenged and empowered
to share.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Love one another like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This love- This is Christ for us, Christ with us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">AMEN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-63345490408799812102015-03-22T13:25:00.000-04:002015-03-22T16:37:04.959-04:00I Will Draw Them All<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Perhaps I am just ready, beyond ready for spring.
Today we hear Jesus say he must be lifted up, and to the ears of those
listening they imagine he means “exalted.” Which is a word not often used in
our everyday speech. But to be exalted reminds me of what we see when the
winning pitcher or the MVP is lifted up and carried by teammates after the big
victory. That image of baseball season seems to work well for most of us. Not
just for the warm weather it imagines. Or maybe you’ve been into March Madness
and the winning team hoists someone up to cut the net off the hoop. That’s the
kind of lifted up people expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In the gospel, the Greeks have come to see Jesus.
They have come on the heels of Jesus having raised Lazarus from the dead. They
are drawn by the curiosity and the power of that move. For the glory, or maybe they
are like people perhaps who become fans when the winning streak is on. But as
far as we know, they don’t see Jesus at all. Which is ironic since carved into some old pulpits is the phrase, " Sir, we wish to see Jesus." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Instead, Jesus, hearing of their
presence says that it indicates something else- God’s broader mission beyond
the people of the covenant, and that for Jesus, his time is up. By the time the
Greeks have caught the message, things must move quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">And he says what probably confounded everyone- you
want to see me now? Come see me when I am lifted up- that will draw everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">But of course he’s not talking about the victory
exaltation- he’s talking about a bloodied, naked body on a cross on Skull Hill.
Why on earth would THAT draw people? I once knew a pastor who had a life sized
cross and he would have it laid across a section of the pews each week during
Lent. And people refused to sit anywhere near it. Avoided it at all costs.
Finally someone came and told him that that cross wrecked the beauty of the
sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Since the time of my installation, when we borrowed a
processional cross from Christ Hazelton, I thought we should have a processional
cross here. Frank and Barb Gaval have been working on a processional cross for
this congregation. For us to use on special days like Palm Sunday, Easter and
the like. But it’s not just a cross- it’s a crucifix. With Jesus lifted up. In
the course of its preparation, Barb and I have talked about what a moving
experience it has been and the challenge to get Jesus “right.” Some of that is
about things like Jesus’ head being the right size or the draping of the arms,
and proportion. But the deeper challenge has been things like deciding to make
a crown of thorns, choosing the nails to nail Jesus to the cross. And the
temptation to give Jesus a little more to wear than we know he was wearing. Can’t
he wear a little more than one strip of cloth? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">This wrestling with seeing Christ lifted up – in the
flesh points up our own wrestling with what it means to imagine God’s love in
the flesh in a visible body, in an explicit and heartbreaking way. And the
sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In death. Jesus followers expected a Messiah who
would live forever, and the Greeks expected a victor. No one was looking for
death and loss. Just as then, we abhor the notions of death and loss. Not just
in imaging that death on the cross, but the concept of sacrifice. We prefer perhaps
a different Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">And the question for us as it was for those Greeks
and the disciples is I think, which Jesus draws us here? A vision of glory or
that seed willing to die for the sake of bearing much fruit?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Every believer and every pastor is tempted, you see-
just like the temptation to give Jesus more clothes. Tempted to “realize the
kingdom of God apart from the cross of Christ. We are tempted to win the world
and draw people here with programs, agendas, food. And we excel at that those
here. But perhaps maybe we think at the most basic level because the message of
the cross seems by itself, ineffective, counterintuitive, even foolish.” Leading
with the cross may not seem like the best idea. People want beautiful and dynamic
congregations. And after all, if people see how well we care for ourselves,
they will want to be a part. People want winners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">And we are dynamic and vibrant. Yet sometimes I have
heard already, we are so good at it. That we communicate that we have it all
figured out- and if you do not, maybe there is no place for you. Or that all
our programs already so well run, that maybe there is no place for you and your
energy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">All of our efforts and ideas, while not entirely bad
also have the potential to draw us away from God’s simple truth- it’s not the
congregation that draws people into the kingdom, but the Son of Man lifted up.
For all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, we participate in programs and initiatives, and
we derive immense pleasure from relationships and events. But at the heart of
the reason and the center and the mission is always- God’s Son lifted up for
us. This is the game changing love and light for our lives and the promise for
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUyqCx8WRpfpx6L7iXQ7sDcvMh07pnWDG9OnOJv975G-2phloJJWqxgYC7ykVDzOcWClwzVxzBtXsH1xE7-75gK-MK95NoredOqF_M3TjJDXgTPuZcek4EUStmFHQX_bfHZRT4Mnw-4XH/s1600/10540642_10204079981934776_7557309505187031943_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUyqCx8WRpfpx6L7iXQ7sDcvMh07pnWDG9OnOJv975G-2phloJJWqxgYC7ykVDzOcWClwzVxzBtXsH1xE7-75gK-MK95NoredOqF_M3TjJDXgTPuZcek4EUStmFHQX_bfHZRT4Mnw-4XH/s1600/10540642_10204079981934776_7557309505187031943_n+(1).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">At a certain level we communicate that every day when
the lights come on at night. I am not sure how many of you have looked at it
lately- we have a profoundly beautiful stained glass window. When I first came,
I was not sure what the breathtakingly beautiful stained glass window with all
its color and movement was depicting. Frankly, I thought it was depicting the
beginning of creation. Perhaps that means I watch too much Big Bang theory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsMUw3gKpvxRv29HgDE2VfHIl3xmNaTp2uLyHcDWDLKIcBGHNmC6W4Dw-F8Y633_4MiOOzmhvog4RpioQWCIO4NJGXRcBZE5C2muFdAKEVvV0xzOOgcrx0KyF3FeT91se6IZJQcG5VG77/s1600/10947252_10204220093197470_4348165823781861849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsMUw3gKpvxRv29HgDE2VfHIl3xmNaTp2uLyHcDWDLKIcBGHNmC6W4Dw-F8Y633_4MiOOzmhvog4RpioQWCIO4NJGXRcBZE5C2muFdAKEVvV0xzOOgcrx0KyF3FeT91se6IZJQcG5VG77/s1600/10947252_10204220093197470_4348165823781861849_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only in
the daylight that I saw the crown of thorns on the outside. Then a visitor
asked me about the window, and I confess I didn’t know. So I asked to know
more. And learned that the window depicts Christ on the cross, looking down at
his head wearing the crown of thorns. And the love and power and new creation
that radiates from him. It’s not only breathtaking, it lights this part of the
Valley. It shows us the breathtaking beauty of God’s love for the world that we
are invited to share. It shows us the heart of God willing to risk it all and
it points ever outward. Love and sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">There is blessing and challenge in this- If God’s
mission is ever outward, like the light of our stained glass window showing the
vibrance emanating from that crown of thorns, are we ever outwardly turned? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Do we know the needs of the Greeks in our midst, those
unchurched? Those who gave up on church? Those who long for a message of good
news? Do we know how to find them and meet them with the gospel? And re we
ready to let our seeds die for the answer? If they come, are we who love life here
prepared to lose it to draw others closer in the kingdom of the cross, even in
something as simple as sharing “our seat”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">May God forgive us and then renew us with a clean
heart when we realize there are moments when in truth we know that the answer
we know in our hearts is “no.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The good news is that we are saved by the Son of Man
lifted up. Not left to try to earn God’s love. Whether we do well or fall
short. And we are saved from the belief we have to be perfectly dynamic- Christ
on the cross, revealing God’s love is sufficient. It is sufficient for our life
and sufficiently good news to share. We are called first simply to believe in
this grace and power and live life in faith- that the one whose desire is to
draw all into the kingdom will lead ever into the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">And then, we are called to believe that the God whose
desire is always to draw all- empowers us to help others see Jesus. Let’s not
let the Greeks be the example- let’s not let people fail to see Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are approaching Holy Week- may it be a time
when we invite. And maybe, let’s dare to let go of what we might be holding
onto that becomes an obstacle, but believe God will bring forth fruit for us
all. So look at the cross, and may we be ever drawn deeper into the heart of our
Lord and life for all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-22517454062504030292015-03-19T15:43:00.001-04:002015-03-19T15:43:07.968-04:00God's Love for the whole World
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever our daughters fought when they were younger,
there was a lot of stair stomping and door slamming. and they would fight with
one another about who had the right idea, invariably, someone would stomp off
with one yelling, “I’m leaving!” And the other yelling back some variation of
“GO ahead! See if I care!” When I read the passage of Moses and the people in
the Book of Numbers, and all of the whining and grousing of the people about
the food and the water and oy! I wonder if it doesn’t go through God’s mind to
just say- “Go ahead, you stiff necked people, see if I care!” And it is
disturbing to imagine that God would subject them to the poisonous snakes.
Although in another sense, perhaps God who has been watching over them in all
their kvetching while helping them overcome obstacles may in fact just be
deciding to stop holding back the snakes. Because normally those snakes would
have been around. And maybe until now they have been kept at bay, but now, they
are set loose. In the anger and hurt and sense of betrayal. and maybe just like perhaps we have as parents sometimes decided, let the rebellious
experience what they seem determined to experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When Moses comes to God in prayer for the people it
may even feel like a pointless prayer, as he too has been the subject of their
complaining. But he prays. God still responds and tells Moses how the people
can be healed and live. They are reminded what got them there to that troubled
place, and what there is no place for. But the last word is what God has
overcome for them. The last word is love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When I worked as a chaplain I was paged to a modern
day situation like that. A mother was in her daughter’s room in ICU, grief
stricken and angry. The daughter who hadn’t been in good health for a variety
of lifestyle reasons had come to live with her Mom who wanted to take care of
her and help her. But because doing so often involved a clash of choices, it
was often confrontational. And on a particular day, the daughter, whose whining
had reached epic levels and the mother who frustration matched it, had a
shouting match which ended as the daughter pronounced she was leaving and the
mother shouting at her- Go ahead! And knowing that her daughter was really
sick, she also said words she probably meant to keep in her head, but they came
out anyway followed it up with- You can die for all I care! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Words borne as much out of grief as prediction,
because the daughter seemed determined to buck all efforts to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, on a hot day, this sickly, overweight daughter,
blood pressure soaring, stomped off down the street, on a hot, humid summer
afternoon in the city. And it was only a matter of time before she collapsed
from a combination of the heat, diabetes and toxins. She ended up in the
hospital, potentially not expected to live. Near death at the hands of the
modern day serpents in her life. Proof that God who gives us freedom will let
us have all of the hell and poison we want if we are determined to have it. There
we were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The mother had called for a chaplain, barely able to
contain her emotions. Wanting healing for her daughter, she was also wracked
with sadness at having the possibility of the last words her daughter heard her
say be those poisonous words. That the last moments were hearts cracked and
broken and toxic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I asked her what she would say to her daughter if she
could, and it wasn’t - boy did you screw up! It was- I want to tell her that I
love her and I want her to live. And in that moment, the mother glimpsed the
heart of God. The heart of a God who wants us to be healed and saved. This is
the love we hear of in the Gospel- that even in the midst of colossal mistakes
and heartaches and sin, God sends Jesus because God loves us and wants us to
live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Just like that mother wondering why on earth her
daughter rebelled so often against what was life giving, God wonders how anyone
would choose another way. Rob Bell writes, “How could someone choose another
way with a universe of love and joy and peace right in front of them? We see it
all the time. And we choose it when we isolate ourselves, give the cold
shoulder to someone who has slighted us. When we hide knives in our words and
harden our hearts in defiance of what we know to be loving and good and right.
That impulse lurks in all of us…if we want isolation and despair…if we want
nothing to do with love, we are given that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And then it is easy to imagine God whose ultimate
purpose is to condemn and to punish. Because somewhere in our hearts there is a
crack, there is a poison and brokenness that needs to be healed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Healing began for the mother in the hospital even as
her daughter was being healed. There would be more words between them. She let
go of the toxic and those cracks in her heart began to mend as we prayed- and
she joined in by telling God she didn’t know who the lady was that came to the
room, but she knew what God wanted her to see, what mattered and to be
forgiven. To know that even though the journey would still be hard, more than
anything she wanted her daughter to wake up so she could say “I love you.” As
the days passed and the daughter improved, I prayed it was hopefully the start
of a new story for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“When we crave the light, are drawn to the truth, and
are desperate for grace, God gives” us what God’s heart longs to share-that
Jesus was sent not to condemn but to save. Lifted up on a cross to show us both
the depths of our sin uncontained and God’s victory over all that robs us of
life. So we can live a new story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God’s love in the cross creates a new relationship of
uncontainable things- love, and joy and grace. In those moments when we
experience it, truly, we can’t help but share it. Jesus invites us into the
heart of God and a new promise. An ongoing story of new creation and healing
and transforming our hearts to be closer to God’s. This is who God is, what
Christ shows and accomplishes for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And God’s love for us is why “God continues to come,
year after year, to person after person…to show us an expansive and
indestructible love that’s been ours all along- every single one of us.” Even
the ones we’d just as soon say “see if I care!” to. Jesus is endlessly inviting
us to trust, accept, believe, embrace and experience it again and again. God
comes to save- whenever we believe that, it changes everything- how we see
ourselves, how we see others, and how we see God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So again this day we look at the cross, picture
Christ and the new life we are given. And then keep believing that a love “as
wide as the sky and as small as the cracks in our hearts we think no one knows
we have” is God’s love for the whole world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-68627765023715911152015-03-11T10:25:00.000-04:002015-03-11T10:25:40.829-04:00Words for Life
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For the third week in Lent, I have been focusing upon
the covenants of the Old Testament with the childrens’ message. So far, we have
explored Noah, and Abraham, and now this week Moses. God used Moses to lead the
people out of slavery in Egypt to freedom and God gave the 10 Commandments to
Moses for the people. Because if you have been a slave with no ability to make
choices and now you have freedom, what should that look like? I shared a few “commandments”
of my own- “ You are your own boss. Do whatever you want, whenever you want to”
and “Parents just don’t get it- ignore them when you want to” “ the one with
the most toys wins” and “lies are OK if they keep you out of trouble.” The kids
wisely knew those were not right. God wants us and everyone to have life that
is good. God’s words for us help us remember how to treat others and how to be
connected to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I shared a few
more “commandments” with the rest of the congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Decide who is important and what is important and
pay attention to those people and those things.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“It doesn’t matter how you use God’s name-swear, tell
people who God hates. Use God’s name to get what you want because God is on
your side.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“It doesn’t matter if you worship on Sunday, or any
other day. Come whenever. If you have things you would rather do, go do them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“the main thing is to get what you want, if you want
it. Figure out how to get it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lies are OK if you get what you want. It’s OK to
make other people look bad if it helps you look good.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You can find these commandments in books, or in popular
culture, maybe even embroidered on a pillow. And they point up how at odds
being God’s people really is. The 10 Commandments are at odds with life as we
know it. It is, as Paul writes to the Corinthians, foolishness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Add to that our perception of “the Law” as the
commandments can be called. Our views of the legal system and regulations,
perhaps on our mind here in tax season. And of course we have opinions about lawyers.
All of those things can get added into how we hear “the Law.” Like it’s a
hammer. We chafe against it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It can be hard to remember that these are actually
God’s 10 words- that’s the Hebrew. God’s 10 Words for Life. Given out of love
by a God who has saved the people, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out
of Egypt, out of slavery” and literally in Exodus 19, God says- I bore you up
on eagle’s wings. It’s a mothering image. A loving image of a God who saves
people and makes promises and provides for life. All of the covenants in some
way embrace this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From Noah, being told never again will creation be
destroyed, to Abraham being promised he will be the Father of generations. Look
at the stars in the sky- more numerous shall your descendants be. To Moses- I have
freed you and I want you to be able to handle freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what the 10 words are about. Life for
all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Given by a God who we hear in Psalm 19 has created an
arrangement for all of creation- setting those stars in the sky. Creating life
for all- beauty and diversity and abundance. For each of us and all of us. We are
connected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In one connected relationship with God and all of
creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 466.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And it then can seem for
a moment, so simple. The <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 Commandments
are not long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But it gets complicated by all our layers of
regulations and understandings. Our limits and rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And Jesus shows up in the temple where people are
bogged down in all those layers of barriers and limits and separation. Where what
had been well meaning had gotten lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In the system of the temple, the people brought
sacrifices- if you came to seek forgiveness, you brought a sacrifice; if you
came to give thanks, you brought a sacrifice. The sacrifice system was intended
to tend a relationship. And so it would seem that selling animals people needed
would make sense. Except that the focus had become so much about the business
of the selling, the real focus got lost. And Jesus started flipping tables and
clearing out those layers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So what does that say to us today? After all, we don’t
have a temple or a sacrifice system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sacrifice has been made in that cross for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For one, a reminder that we are not earning something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our confirmands asked whether the 10
Commandments were really just a reward system. And people believe that. God’s
10 words for us are not about earning something. We don’t earn our salvation-
that same cross made on our foreheads in baptism shows us God’s words for our
life. Christ is the promise and decision for us for life already. God’s love
and grace are already assured. We can live in that freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We can remember that we too are not perfect in our
living- but have been given God’s promise and forgiveness. In this season of
Lent when we consider what it means to walk more closely with God, we can ask
what in our lives needs to be cleared out that is creating barriers, or
separation or is not centered in proclaiming Christ? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I have no agenda when I say this for us personally or
as the church. I’m too new to even guess. It’s just a question, but it is the
question. What is our focus? Why do we do what we do? What might need clearing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Where we find our lives are centered in proclaiming
Christ, may we give praise. Where they are not may we turn again to the God who
claims us, forgives us and loves us enough to give us words for life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-13260552538184309822015-03-04T08:59:00.002-05:002015-03-04T09:03:30.838-05:00Challenging "Possible"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;">(<span style="font-size: large;">This
year in the season of Lent, with our children we are focusing upon the
covenants we hear of in the Old Testament between God and the people. And in
Sunday and Wednesday worship we are using Faith 5 Lenten resources which break
down the lessons into three themes- the first two weeks focusing upon Jesus
coming to challenge. This week, the Old Testament reading from Genesis lifted
up the covenant God communicated to Abram, now Abraham- the promise of
generations to come through him even as he was 99 years old. An idea that makes
young and old laugh even today. But we talked about how earlier God has told
Abraham this would be so and took him out to look up at the night sky at the
stars- and especially here in the country where there is less light pollution,
the sky on a clear night is chock full of stars. We can truly get that they are
impossible to count. Just like it’s hard for us to get just how much God loves
us and wants to bring forth blessing. The kids took sticky metallic stars and
handed them out amongst themselves and the whole congregation. And we
encouraged people put them on clothing not the bulletin and to see how long
that star would stay on that day even after worship. Later in worship, what</span> <span style="font-size: large;">a
delight it was to see people of all ages coming up with stars on their shirts
and sweaters- on the pin a lady was wearing, or the suspenders of a gentleman.
As they came forward for communion, most tried to catch my eye to see if I saw
their star. And what a joy to see the delight and life in the people as each
week I call the kids forward and some run to get to the front of the church
(gasp!) for our time together. It’s amazing what God makes possible!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So today,
all of our lessons are about challenging what we think is possible. Surely the
covenant God was making with Abraham seemed impossible. After all, if I ask the
man who today we acknowledged for celebrating a 90<sup>th</sup> birthday what
he would think if tonight he was told he’s fathering a child, we can see his
laugh and head shake “no!” God told Abraham this but then time passed before
the conversation we see today and it had be even more improbable. How astounding
to have God already have told you that your descendants will be more numerous
than the stars in the night sky. The verses we skip today would tell us not
only that</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Abraham fell face down at this, but he laughed. He and Sarah laughed!
Now God comes to make this covenant- a promise to be fulfilled. And many of us
know that a baby at any age brings a whole new life- both joyous and sometimes
frightening. But here in this covenant with Abraham we see a whole new identity,
and a new name ( father of nations) and something sacred- that life together
with God is much more connected- God is not distant, but one with the people.
It challenges what seems possible. And even though it seemed to be impossible, there was life beyond imagining. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we
look at the apostle Paul, and his writings, we see one who was a persecutor of
Christians, who handed over, and imprisoned and oversaw the death of others.
Until that dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus where his whole life
changed. But at first Paul thought he knew what his mission was- to speak to
his people, to the Jewish people, after all he had been one of them. But they
rejected him. And he seemed stuck, but instead he learned that his true
ministry was to proclaim the gospel to a whole other group of people- the
Gentiles. People he thought beyond God’s plan for salvation. But with a new
name, and a new identity his message began the work of the church still today-
making people one. It challenges what seems possible. And even though it seemed like an impossible thing, there
was ministry beyond limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today we
hear Jesus has been astounding flocks of people with teaching, and healings and
feeding thousands of people from what seems like nothing. And the disciples are
amazed and in response to his question of “who do you say I am?” Peter has
blurted out ahead of the pack- you are the Messiah! And it seems like this will
usher in the age of power and glory and political might. And yet it here that
Jesus responds in a way that shocked them- I will be killed and I will die and
yet rise. No! Death cannot be possible! It cannot be the way this goes! It challenges what seems possible. And though it seemed impossible, there was life and salvation beyond belief.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yet,
there it is in all the lessons really- that in order for God’s possibility to
be brought forth, there is a death. A death to what we are sure we know, when
God’s plan seems backwards. If we use the lens of power and possibility we will
fail to grasp it- we will fail to get there. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because
God is challenging what is “possible” and it is radically different- life
altering. And rooted in love. A radically different love that looks at people no
one is looking at, and goes places no one is thinking about and dares the
impossible- Life for all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One life
for all<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is
gospel for us and yet there is</span> <span style="font-size: large;">sacrifice. Here's why:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently I
saw a picture that on one side shows three distinct circles for work, play and
rest and then there is a line drawn from top to bottom on the one side. On the
other side is a picture of a church. And it says “2 Lives.” It depicts that way
sometimes we all can view things- there is my work, and my play and my rest
time that takes up about 6 days and 22 hours. And then there is my other life-
the hour or two I spend being “churchy.”</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then
there is a second picture where the circles of work and play and rest are interconnected
like a Venn diagram (you now know the extent of my math knowledge)- but there
in the middle of the connection is that cross. And the caption says “one life.”
Not two lives. One. God in the midst of it, creating it and active in it. God
in it all, not just the official churchy part. And us in God’s world living out
God’s vision. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s
where the stars come in. They represent what is possible in God’s eyes. Beyond
our imagining for ourselves and our world. Perhaps it seems like we are
sacrificing to live a “one life” existence as opposed to just
compartmentalizing God. And yet there is such blessing amidst yes, challenge,
in one life. Imagine the possibilities for life, ministry and mission. Imaging
the scope of God’s love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps
our Lenten challenge is challenging what we think is possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then taking
steps closer to living One Life with the God who is inviting us into what is
possible- that everything we are and do really are one life in Christ. When you
look at that star, may you be reminded of God’s calling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-87349266770935546572015-02-22T19:51:00.000-05:002015-02-22T20:34:01.693-05:00The Temptation of Indifference<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today
I read not only the appointed lesson for the day, but went back and read
chapter 1 of the Gospel of Mark, from the beginning, through verse 15. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
took us all the way back to the beginning of Mark which is really only eight
verses before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark is the action packed
gospel- we hear it’s the beginning of the good news and the next thing you
know, Jesus is at the Jordan being baptized by John. And that was the reading on
my first Sunday with you. Today we hear about the baptism again as Jesus is
then sent into the wilderness. And as I read the lesson I thought, “well, we’ve
already heard about that baptism and we really don’t need to do that again.”
And as soon as I say it though, I wonder if that is our thought about baptism.
That we, already baptized have already done that. And then I think about my
stole for Lent which not only has purple and black and crosses, it has that
third color, the blue. That blue represents baptism and I think it’s so
important, it’s in my stole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And
so we really should talk about baptism again. Mark has such intensity about
Jesus’ mission and purpose. And when Jesus comes to be baptized, we don’t hear
that God the Father just kind of saunters by and says, “Oh, by the way, he’s going
to be important.” No! We hear that the heavens are RIPPED OPEN and that the
Holy Spirit descends in the form of something like a dove. And doesn’t just
hover, but enters Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is invasive
and intrusive in the world and in us. Life altering! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And
I wonder how many of us have thought about our baptism THAT way- that God
“invades us” and dwells in us in that kind of life-altering way? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In
the days of early Christians, there were men and women who went out to lives as
hermits in the wilderness. They purposely chose to imitate Jesus in the
wilderness in a life altering way. They were called the desert mothers and
fathers. They wrote very insightful things about human nature and challenges in
the wilderness. They had the time, and were removed from everything else. The thing
about the wilderness, being alone though was, when they were mad, it was their
anger and the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">When
they were sad, it was their sadness and the wilderness. And in reading some of
what they wrote, they chronicled the various temptations of life, which made me
think even more about what Jesus must have experienced in the wilderness. The
loneliness, the fatigue, the hunger, the thirst, the doubts. In a place people saw
as the most dangerous place around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">But
of all the temptations, hunger, thirst, fatigue, these weren’t the greatest
according to the desert dwellers. The greatest was another, called “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acedia.”
Indifference. They called it the noonday demon- somewhere between the beginning
and end you just lose interest altogether. As one New York Times writer noted
this feeling “is not a relic of the fourth century or a hang-up of some weird
Christian monks but also a modern force that easily attaches” to us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
overburdened schedules. While we seem so busy, as we do more, we commit less
and less. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Think of
the ways we allow our “schedule” to alter our living. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As it
turns out, Pope Francis, in this year’s Lenten address spoke to this very
thing-perhaps the greatest temptation of our age: “Indifference to our neighbor
and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year
during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and
trouble our conscience.” Because of our networks and distractions, he described
the phenomenon he calls the <em><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif;">globalization
of indifference</span></em>, </span><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Francis writes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> that “whenever our interior life becomes
caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for
others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of
his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He
continues that, “We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry
of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them,
as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own.” And
maybe we even convince ourselves that God is pretty indifferent too. After all,
why are there so many struggles and troubles? It reminds me a of cartoon series
“Coffee with Jesus” where Jesus is having coffee with a woman who asks why
there are so many destructive things happening in the world, and Jesus, coffee cup
in hand smirks and replies, “I was going to ask you the same question.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Indifference
is a temptation. The forces of evil are counting upon our belief that nothing
will really change. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the
gospel is that Jesus comes to challenge such a world. God has ripped apart the
heavens. The Spirit descends and enters. The gospel breaks in with life
altering promise! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is
amazingly good news in all our places that seem that the world can’t change or
wilderness exists. Since God has invaded and altered the world- it’s not the
world we think we see. There is difference. Not indifference. When we turn away
from indifference, when we fast from it, then we can feast on God’s love. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
all battles with evil are altered-the game is changed because God is present. And
it comes back to baptism- where we hear we become part of God’s family and
mission. And it’s about more than just assuring our salvation as in eternity
with God some day. Luther taught that baptism is necessary for salvation- this
we believe. What about those not baptized? Will they be saved some day? Is
that the only way God will save people? As important for this life I believe,
is that baptism is necessary for salvation in this life- that every day we know
life, share community and healing, and forgiveness and know we don’t stand
alone. God is present and providing and redefining. And today Karlie, who is up
here being absolutely adorable, enters this life- baptism is a life changing journey
with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
weekend some of our youth, years beyond their baptism are experiencing this.
They are at Youth Quake and the theme is ReDefine. Being followers of Jesus
redefines and alters us- who we think we are and what we can do. This is the
change in our conscience we hear of in 1 Peter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are changed and given the gift and
challenge of serving others. No matter how young we are- no matter who we are.
This weekend the youth are packing food for the hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
here we are collecting for Baskets of Promise. These things challenge the world
as it seems. Even in something as small as the soap we gather. Because when you
are in a wilderness like a refugee camp, a simple bar of soap reminds you that
you are human and you are not alone, you are loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is what we can share, living out our baptism as not just once and done- but
continually being reshaped in the story that God is here. And in us. This
overcomes evil and that great temptation- the myth that tells us God isn’t
really present and so we don’t need to care either. It’s exposed. Even in the
most challenging place, even w</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">hen God seems silent, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">without any doubt, God is present in it
all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So
here’s the thing- may we continue to be redefined by this God and in how we
respond to the challenges, and may we resist the urge to sacrifice <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the promises of community in
Christ. Let’s bust the myth. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675473586657538589.post-81876902039569449552015-02-19T07:29:00.001-05:002015-02-19T07:29:45.303-05:00Promise in the Dust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9EDEh61Duim2y2J1H5tBg2qf2nzogMFISCssYw7USM-CLH1T5gWfp4hlEmlLQGjT8VYGYVdzBLU6HPR93fA_LJ82io5vo4s5gWBflQYnSMErsJEU32-fADOCuhChfxHqFpG8WkI_LPvJ/s1600/10419593_10153625244734517_8982511833776258541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9EDEh61Duim2y2J1H5tBg2qf2nzogMFISCssYw7USM-CLH1T5gWfp4hlEmlLQGjT8VYGYVdzBLU6HPR93fA_LJ82io5vo4s5gWBflQYnSMErsJEU32-fADOCuhChfxHqFpG8WkI_LPvJ/s1600/10419593_10153625244734517_8982511833776258541_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, as a part of beginning this Lenten season, I
took a picture. Each day in Lent, I will be taking a picture that coincides
with a word from Scripture during the Lenten season and then contemplate where
that picture takes you in connection with the story of Scripture and our lives.
Everyday taking a picture and posting it to #lent2015. Appropriately enough,
today’s prompt was “dust” and as you might imagine most of the pictures I saw
posted to Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram were of the ashes we’re wearing
tonight. I decided to take a picture that was not the expected. I could just
take a picture of the dust of the ashes, but I was looking for something more
connected to me than that. Something that spoke of our daily existence and what
it comes down to. I ended up instead, taking a picture of dryer lint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And you know, if you stop and think about it, dryer
lint tells a story- it not only tells what you were wearing and using, but
where we have been. It tells of our living, reacting and responding. Look
closely enough and it tells our struggles and failures, frustrations and
heartaches. And it tells our joys and hopes and dreams pursued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And especially with children, that dust came complete
with the occasional partial Kleenex, candy wrapper, loose change or ticket stub
interspersed. Each representing the sadnesses, celebrations, losses and
triumphs of a life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Perhaps that little label “Clean after each cycle”
reminds us that dustiness is our reality but God longs for us to start anew.
Dustiness is what we all share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Young and old, at the end of the day, what is left,
is our dust, and frankly, scientifically, we also carry the dust of others. And
if you’ve ever gone to the laundromat, and had the dryer someone else forgot to
clean, you know the moment- having to clean up someone else’s dust. It’s hard
enough dealing with our own. In any event, at the end of the day, the week, a
life, what we see is what we leave- dust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we are reminded of our dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And as we look around the world, we see it on a
larger scale- the giant swirls of trash in the ocean, those piles now sometimes
given names, which breaks my heart; the belching of factories taking life up
and downstream and people can’t breathe from all the dust; and the unquenchable
thirst for violence reducing people and places to dust in ways the prophet Joel
couldn’t even fathom. As we ponder how on earth we can possibly overcome these
forces that seem to inevitably point to destruction, what we see is our
limitation, and our frailty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we are reminded we are but dust. The ashes more
vividly remind us of our dust, our ashness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Years ago, as we took our children to church for Ash
Wednesday , it was the day most feared. And it all started when Catherine was
very young. We carried her forward for ashes as a preschooler, at an age just
old enough to be aware. Our pastor at the time had a booming voice and a
particularly large thumb. There was our girl, confronted by this seemingly
enormous black thumb approaching her, too close, and the voice thundered
“Remember you are dust. And to dust you shall return!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And perhaps in the truest response to such a
pronouncement, she responded perhaps as we all might, or might want to. In a
high pitched lament, she cried out, “Noooooooo!” And burst into tears. While at
first we laugh, if we stop and think about it, perhaps she expressed what if we
allowed ourselves to think it, was our response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If we allow ourselves to think it, we can see our
mortality. Today we are reminded we will be dust. Today we are reminded of our
dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And that is for me the thing about Ash Wednesday-
that cross we bear breaks into our world and tells us what we try not to hear,
or contemplate. It breaks in and speaks intimately, too close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, as soon as we say return to the Lord, we are already
feeling that “too close.” And amidst the ashes of our lives are, as Walter
Brueggeman writes, “burdened with the tasks of the day, (and) we are already
halfway home, halfway back to committees and memos, halfway back to calls and
appointments, halfway on to next Sunday, halfway back, halfway frazzled, half
expectant, half turned toward you, half rather not.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Please don’t make us confront our ashness. The
consequences of our living, the limitations of our control and our frailty. How
totally opposite that cross is to our world which attempts to minimize and
sanitize, or to dominate and isolate any experience of what real life and death
involve. We would rather insulate ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We’d rather not hear the prophet pleading-consider your
ashes, and consider how far you’ve strayed. We’d just as soon not look at how
many layers insulate us from reality. That black thumb my daughter feared, you
see, truly represented our reality. And while we have over the years made
receiving ashes a once a year act-saying “we got ashes.” There is the truth-
we’ve always got ashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Brueggeman writes in his poem “Marked by Ashes” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“All our Wednesdays are marked by ashes- we begin
this day with that taste of ash in our mouth; of failed hope and broken
promises, of forgotten children and frightened women, we ourselves are ashes to
ashes, dust to dust; we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on
our tongues.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And what is the response to this? Today at Bible
study we talked about someone’s experience in worship on Ash Wednesday of a
garment being torn- rending a garment is no small act. And act of mourning, or
of contrition. The ripping open of what seems to be woven and fused together.
And comparing that to our hearts. As God, our God calls to us to rend, to break
open our hearts and return. Break through those layers of ash and insulation so
we not only see the reality of our ashes, we see the reality of our Lord, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s not too late- come back to me. Fast from your
ashness-from the ashes we bear each day. The ones we bring to this place each
week. To come and experience changed hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Come back to the God who is YOUR God. Who is not just
saying, but begging, pleading, longing. God’s heart is torn by our absence. God
longs to restore us and take our ashes. And make us new. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Richard Lischer writes, “it is only in Jesus that (our
ashes) are gathered together in the shape of a cross. Time and time again we
bring them to him, and then return to our mortal lives with something far
better.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The God who formed us out of chaos and ashes, gives
us new form in Christ. Out of these ashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As Marcia Shultz writes, there is promise in the ashes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“No! I thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">No black cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Not on my forehead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">No revealing mark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of failure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of grief <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">No.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But yes, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Take up your cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Be marked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Perishable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Fragile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessedly alive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Human. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">God’s best work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Marked as acceptable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Wounded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Broken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Acceptable to God <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Not by my will<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But Christ alone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Bearing the Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Wearing the Cross <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The sign of the promise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Humanity lived<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Fulfilled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Redeemed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">By Christ alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the journey we enter and we pray to our God
who promises that dustiness may be our reality but not our destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Law+Gospelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635380643783565043noreply@blogger.com0