Re-member me Jesus

Word association game:  What does the word dismember bring to your mind?
Perhaps gory images of limbs being torn off in war. . . accidents where digits are severed and have to be reattached? Nothing pleasant to be sure!

This morning two things come to mind when I think of the root word "member."  They are tied to our human brokenness and sin, pain and struggle.

Picture it, Golgotha,  First Century. .  . the thief on the cross next to Jesus said, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom."  He saw that this person next to him, this innocent lamb, was something special.  He made his confession of faith by asking for forgiveness. . .  Remember me, he said.  Think of me.  Don't forget me.  Re-member . . . Re-member me.  Put me back together.  Make me whole again when you come into your kingdom.  Only you, Lord Christ, can do this for me.  Only you, Lord Christ, even want to.

Earlier that week as he gathered his closest friends together for a final meal together, Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me. . ." Re-membrance.   Eat and drink. . . body and blood. . . here I am for you. . . I love you. . .  take me into your body, heart and soul. . . I'm here for you, let me in, I am broken so you don't have to be.  

How do we remember Jesus each day?  How does Jesus re-member us this day and always?
Have a blessed day and remember that Jesus re-members you in ways that you can never fully comprehend.  Thanks be to God!

Image credit: He Qi "Crucifixion"

Losing our Illusions

Have you ever experienced such a shock to the system where what you thought was real came crashing down around you and you came to realize that it was all just an illusion to begin with?

The illusion that you saw, that you help onto for dear life, that you staked your being on could be surrounding an intimate relationship, a friendship, the way your company does business, your career aspirations, your future, or even the way your church functions.  We put a whole lot of stock into things we have no control over!  The illusion may even be an illusion we have about ourselves.  We aren't always that good at seeing ourselves in an objective light.

Losing our illusions can help us in the long term. . . old idols and lies come crashing down and it is very painful, but what is left amidst the rubble?  Truth.  Reality.  What is left for us to cling to as that which was a fantasy or a dream falls to pieces at our feet.   The cold hard facts of life must be dealt with in order for us to move ahead in truth and authenticity.   "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."

What's behind the curtain of your life?
Something real?
Something illusory?
Something that needs to be crashed down in order for you to get to what is real and true and good?

Where will you go when you have to make this difficult journey towards vibrant life and light and truth?  Jesus calls you to come and sit awhile.  Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.  Jesus calls you to sit at his feet with your head in his lap and he will give you what you need for the day-- just today-- tomorrow will take care of tomorrow.  Jesus calls you to sob, weep, laugh, whatever it is that comes out of you. . . and to give it to him. . . he will share it with you and if he needs to he will take it from you so that you can get on with what he desires for you to get on with--- your real life.

Don't be afraid of losing your illusions.  You will grow from it and be stronger on the other side.
Shalom,
Amy

Home Schooling

There has been a definite increase in home schooling since I was a kid.  We never heard of such a thing in the 1970's and 80's when I was a student.  This is not a commentary on the modern practice of pedagogy in the home by the parents. . . But what about all of the things we actually did learn at home?  We learned to cook, clean the kitchen and bathroom, how to vacuum, to mow the lawn, how to take care of the pets, and even the most basic academics- reading and writing the alphabet.  We learned plenty of other things too, things we might wish we had never learned and things we wouldn't trade for the world.

My Family Systems mentor/coach, Dr. Larry Foster, once said, "We are all home schooled when it comes to emotional processes."  The thing we learned the best at home was how "to be."  We learned how to respond to criticism- whether we took that too personally or let it roll off our backs is a matter of the home in which we were schooled.  We learned when to speak and when to be quiet- whether we were assertive or passive depended again upon the home in which we were raised.  We learned to be ones who took too much responsibility for everyone else's pain and suffering, or we learned to let others feel their own feelings, some of us even learned to ignore feelings in ourselves in others at all costs.  We learned about being a first born, an only child, a youngest or a middle.  We learned about being a male or being a female and what that meant to the school we attended.

These lessons were hammered into us over time by our relationships, events, and even the culture of our family.  We were programmed, in a way, to respond the way we do, to react to certain things that others might not even notice, and to value certain traits/feelings/characteristics more than others.  And the patterns for all of that functioning goes back to the homeschooling of each of our parents and each of their parents before them, and so on.

So then, what do we do with that rudimentary education we received?  Is it set in stone, unchangeable?  Or can we learn to adapt, to create a new environment of learning about ourselves?  Can we reframe what we learned in our homeschooling so that we might better function in the homeschool we are creating for our own children?  Asking the question just might be the first step to a new education.  

Image credit: teachermamarules.blogspot.com

The body doesn't lie. . .

Being in touch with ourselves isn't always as easy as it might seem.  Our mind and our body don't always give the same messages to the brain.  As humans mired in sin we can be so good at talking ourselves into feeling better about things if we try really hard.  We can convince ourselves to go somewhere we don't want to go, and do some things we don't want to do, or justify doing something we should probably avoid doing. . . but when it comes to our body- whether its stressed, overwhelmed, overworked, underfed, overfed, weary, or even thrilled and happy- the body does not and cannot lie to us. 

Every moment of every day, if you pay attention to your body, your physical self, you will be better able to know something very important about its integrity.  (Integrity meaning wholeness in this case.)  Are you well?  Ask your body?  What does it tell you?  Are you tired and worn out, mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically?  Ask your body and it will tell you!  Are you full of energy and ready to take on the next challenge?  Your body will tell you that also!  We simply need to take a moment and assess what our bodies have to say to us rather than slugging through life paying little or no attention to the signs of wellness and dis-ease that are presenting.

Our physical bodies also have the uncanny ability to connect to others around us.  Ever walk into a room and feel the tension?  Perhaps you don't see anything or hear anything that would give the mood away but you can certainly feel it if you pay attention to your body.  The body also warns us of danger and of evil. When I have an intuitive sense that I am in the presence of something or someone who is harmful or toxic, abusive or destructive, I have an overwhelming feeling of nausea.  I have been in the presence of abusers (even what I might call evil) without knowing it for sure and have had to flee the room before I vomited.  The body never lies.

Think of animals when they sense a storm coming. .  . what do they do?  Run!  Hide!  Gather their young and hit the road!  What do we do if we are only "thinking" about it?  Stand around and watch and see what spectacle might emerge.  What if we trusted our bodies?  What if we trusted the visceral reaction that our bodies gave us to clue us in to imminent danger?

Our bodies also do not lie in response to the holy.  In worship it happens where something comes over me that is so amazing and wonderful and filling.  The sights and sounds and smells of the space fill my senses and my body reacts with joy and wonder.  The body doesn't lie when it comes to connecting to the divine.

What experiences have you had (good or bad) where your body gave you distinct messages that you had to pay attention to?  How has that changed the way you trust your senses?

Our Inherent Worth

Long ago the LORD said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."  Jeremiah 31:3 It occurs to me this morning, all the ways in which we define our self worth; ways that have little or nothing to do with the God who loves us with an everlasting love.  We see ourselves through the eyes of others, parents, friends, spouses, bosses. . .  how much of that is how God sees us?  Often what gets reflected back to us from others are our failings, our vulnerabilities, our inability to perform the task at hand which we take to heart and sometimes, yes sometimes, that image crushes our spirit. What if we would sit at the feet of Jesus, or crawl into the very lap of God with our head on his chest so that we could hear the divine heartbeat.  Would that soothe our anxious souls?  Would that cadence of the heartbeat of God change how we view ourselves?  Would we, for even a moment, be able to see ourselves as God sees us- ones whom he loves with an everlasting love?  Precious.  Worthy.  Sacred.  Special.  Could we give ourselves a break for doing the best that we can in any given moment with what we have and what we know? God seeks to draw us into himself. . . may we take time today to allow that to happen and be filled with the joy that knows no measure.

Let Christ fill you up!

There are times in the human life when, even though we are surrounded by people, there can be an inherent loneliness on the journey.  


There are times in my own life when it feels like I am invisible, which is rather funny because of I am 6'1, curly hair, and stick out in a crowd you might say.  Sometimes we get so busy in our day to day routines that we simply pass one another in the hallway, the board room, the lunch room, on the sidewalk.  We look up perhaps, to give a greeting, a quick nod or half-smile but do we really SEE one another?  That kind of seeing takes real intention.  It takes a concerted effort to open our bleary, sleep-stained, stressed out, myopic eyes and focus in on what is right in front of us- perhaps what has been there all along!  


But it doesn't always happen, does it?  The seeing or the being seen.  We don't always recognize that somehow, sometime or another, we have faded into the backdrop of daily life. . . until a realization hits us that "no one even sees me!"  


One of my favorite stories in the bible comes from John 4.  This is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.  You know the one. . . she comes in the middle of the day to draw water from the well so as to avoid being seen by the other women who would come early in the morning, in the cool of the day, to draw their water for the day's chores.  When she, who has no name, arrives there is someone sitting there and he asks her for water.  


It's Jesus.  


She is puzzled by this exchange and wonders why he, a Jew, is asking her, a Samaritan (hear- enemy, outcast, despised) for a drink of water.  Jesus responds to her bewilderment saying, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water." (The Message)


The exchange between the two continues and in the course of the conversation, I imagine the only real conversation this woman has had in a very long time, Jesus tells her all about herself.  He sees right through her and he is compassionate.  He can see how she longs to be seen.  He knows how she has faded into the background, less than important in her realm of existence.  Even worse, at times she has to hide from the others who look upon her with scorn at best, malice at worst.  A difficult existence to be sure!


Who can see you when no one else in the world seems to?  Who can fill you up with living water when you hunger and thirst for companionship, validation, affirmation and real connection?  Who comes to you with such deep compassion that you cannot believe anyone could (or would even want to) actually see the inside walls of your heart?  "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."

Rest in him who loves you. 


Sit at the well with him who sees you for who you really are- loved, cherished, valuable, precious, amazing, wonderful you! 


When you get the chance in worship, take his body and blood on your tongue and let him fill you up with his love and mercy and grace.  Be seen for all you are worth!  And take time to look around and see who else needs to be seen.  


Amen. Thanks be to God!


Image credit: He Qi, "Christ and the Samaritan Woman"

My Un-Scientific Poll

In my latest unscientific poll, so far it looks like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is in the lead for being the most popular bible personality next, of course, to her Son.  What is it with the Marys?  They are so intriguing, so genuine, so faithful!  We have Mary Magdalene (my personal favorite), Mary of Bethany (a close second to MM), and then there were other Marys who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body as well.  They are lesser known Marys but get a mention by the gospel writers nonetheless. . .  


When you are a pastor/theologian/whatever you wanna call it, the worse thing that anyone can say to you is that you "read something into the text that wasn't there."  We call that eisigesis rather than the proper way to interpret scripture which is the difficult work of exegesis (examining the original language text, comparing word usages, context clues, literary styles etc.)  When this happens we respond appropriately with shock and horror!  It is a black mark on our theological integrity and it cuts to core!


At any rate, I was accused recently of eisigeting Mary Magdalene's role in the Easter message.  I lifted her up as a reason for the ordination of women into Word and Sacrament ministry (I know full well that text had nothing to do with ordination of women, I may be an eisigete but I'm not an idiot!)  I said that she had a very important role in proclaiming the message of the resurrected Christ as Jesus/Gardener/Angel revealed to her on that third morning that he was not dead but was in fact alive!  My accuser said that she "just happened to be there."  She was doing her womanly duty, which women are happy to do, and it was some kind of quirky coincidence, some divine faux-pas, that she received word from Christ himself that he was no longer dead and buried.  Not only that but it just slipped out of his lips in a moment of weakness that she should go and tell.  


Does God really make those kind of careless errors in revealing himself to us?  "Oh I didn't mean to do it but you just happened to be there and I could no longer contain myself in that tomb and I got a little talkative when I saw you but I didn't really mean it.  But since you're here would you mind going to tell the 11 GUYS (Judas was gone by this time) that I am risen and they should meet me in Galilee?  But only if it's no inconvenience and if you have the time or the inclination to participate in this divine drama."  Oh, there I go eisigeting again!  Reading something in there that suits my needs and making the text say what I so desperately want it to say so that I can have a job.  (I've had other jobs by the way, easier ones, ones with time off, ones with weekends free, ones with overtime and double time pay.)    


And then there's Mary and Martha. . .  ones whom Jesus loved. . . they make considerable confessions when their brother Lazarus dies.  Martha, in response to Jesus' compassion towards her utters the now famous words, "If you would have only been here our brother would not have died."  To which Jesus says the even more famous words:  I AM the resurrection and the life.  Do you believe this?  "Yes!" she cries. 


And Mary of Bethany, the one who washes Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair in such an intimate act that perhaps all onlookers had to blush for her sake.  She doesn't care, she is anointing his feet, caring for him in a way that at that dinner party no one else was willing to do.  When Judas gets all huffy about her wasting the pure nard Jesus puts him in his place and lifts Mary up as a model of discipleship.  "Let her alone. She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don't always have me." (The Message, John 12)  **This text I actually did the hard work of exegesis on for a New Testament course in seminary and I got an A.

And of course the most highly favored lady, Mary, betrothed of Joseph who responds to God's call with more faith than any of them!  No, she doesn't lead worship.  No she doesn't consecrate the Eucharist. What she does do is point to a deep abiding faith in Christ, she proclaims God's greatness and she serves the Lord with her entire mind, body and spirit.  That should count for something I would think even if it's not a justification for the ordained ministry.  


Truth is, there are examples of women in leadership in the scriptures.  Deborah, the judge in Israel, Phoebe and Chloe in Paul's life who served as ambassadors to the churches, there was also Priscilla who gets mentioned with her husband Aquilla in several of Paul's letters- they were fellow tentmakers and workers in the kingdom.  To get a shout out from Paul has to mean something!!  But there I go again!


Some of the most gifted pastors I know are women!  They are bright, articulate, loving, faithful, and passionate for the gospel. . . there's Katie, Kara, Beth, Libby, Margaret, Julie, Jennifer, Cathy, Jessica, Martha and so many more!!  It is no accident that God showed up and called them to serve in this way.  The fruits of their labors tell the story of what God is up to. . . or did I make that up too? Rant over.  Thanks for listening!


Image credit: He Qi, "Empty Tomb" 

Life

When all is said and done in this life if you look around and have a few friends that will be there for you then you are truly blessed.  Today, my dear mother-in-law's best friends had the most beautiful party for her birthday. It was more than a birthday party. . . it was a celebration of her life.  She is battling breast cancer; like so many before her she is fighting each and every day to beat that damn-out-of-control-killer-cell-disease.  And she is doing it!  With grace and style and dignity and surrounded by people who love her!

I have walked with people in my congregation who have battled cancer. . . I have had them collapse in my lap with the news (literally) and I have held them like they were my own because they are my own.  I have cried with them and urged them to fight.  I have prayed at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for about 5 years nows (not sure how I got that distinct honor for so long).  Every year I was able to pray in that emotionally charged atmosphere with no problem.  It's not that I didn't feel anything, it's just that this year it was even more personal than ever!  I choked through it, voice cracked, long pauses, but I did it.  

So today when I saw her at her surprise life party she wrapped her arms around my neck as I stooped down to hug her (she's small compared to me) and I couldn't let go!  The floodgates opened and the tears rushed out.  I guess I was holding it in all this time.  She is so important to me, to all of us- she's the glue that keeps the family together.  She is also amazing is beating this thing. . . and I can see many reasons why. . . she is surrounded by her family, her friends, her neighbors who are all praying for her and keeping tabs on her.  The sea of pink today was overwhelming- we were all instructed to wear pink in her honor.  She will have surgery next Wednesday and so in solidarity with her we are all wearing our pink bracelets.  What else can we do?  I think that's just what she needs.

Someone is mourning the loss of life today even as we are encouraging it!  Someone is grieving deeply that breath has gone out of a precious body, even as our lungs are filled with air that provide laughter.  Life is precious. . . we need each other.  .  . none of the stuff we have accumulated in our lifetime will ever replace the love we give and get from one another.  We need to grasp it, cling to it, run after it if we have to. . . we can't let it pass us by. . .

Here's to you Janice, my friend, my second mom, my mother-in-law. . . and here is to those most amazing friends of yours who love you so much that they wanted to make sure you knew how special you are to everyone!  Here's to Jesus who walks with us, grants us faith and strength and courage for the journey and gives us life, life abundant, vibrant, precious life!  You are in our prayers dear one.

Blessed are you. . .

^{Matthew 5: 1-12} (The Message) 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: ³"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.⁴"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.⁵"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.⁶"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.⁷"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.⁸"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.⁹"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.¹⁰"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.^11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Yesterday we got a call from one of our parents that said that as their son was walking home from being dropped off at the church after a three day mission trip to the inner city he noticed something about our statue that stands as a beacon to Christ's love in our community.  Green paint had been dumped on it and it was still wet and pooling on the ground.  

The statue is an image of Jesus holding a child and a lamb, "Let the children come to me" Jesus would say, "for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  (Matthew 19:14)  

Being on the road at least two hours behind this young man I called to find out what they knew.  Only that green latex paint had been splattered all over the Jesus Statue, as we call it.  

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we as a community of disciples,  have worked very hard to be a presence in the Monroeville community, living out our faith in ways that actually serve the town rather than taking from them.  It has been a long and deliberate refocusing on the neighborhood.  In the past few years people were beginning to notice and they would regularly comment on it and give thanks that Trinity was there on the corner of West and Broad streets, just one block from the schools.  We have striven to make the church a place where young people feel loved and welcomed, a place to learn and grow in faith, a place where every person is valued and empowered to live a disciple's life.  It is a very loving place with very loving and generous people. . . and I'm not just saying that because I'm the pastor!  

It has taken me a few hours to feel something about this image.  

What comes to my mind when I look upon this familiar piece of art as it stands now are the stripes on Jesus' back, what he withstood for humanity so that we might have new life and life to the fullest.  People didn't like it that he welcomed the most insignificant of humans (the children) into his arms and onto his lap. . . even the disciples weren't so sure about it.  But he did and he made a BIG DEAL out of it.  He didn't care if they didn't like it and it got him into huge trouble.  

Our Jesus, at the end of his earthly life, endured the pain and suffering of loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, beatings, the stripping of his clothing, humiliation and all the physical pain that went along with it. . . and he died on that torture device of first century Roman rule, the cross.  Between two sinners, an innocent lamb died so that all who believe might have a new beginning in him.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world calls out to me this morning to remember what he has done. . . green paint is a reminder of the darkness and chaos of human sin.  My sin.  Our sin.  

I don't want to be too dramatic here, my hunch is this is a childish prank.  

But it draws me in to a deeper recognition of what Christ has done for us.  Even though I feel sick inside looking at it, I also feel joy in knowing that this attack on Jesus doesn't make one bit of difference in terms of his love for us.  He went through worse.  (Though I do feel bad for the artist Matt Missey who carved this as a gift for Trinity and for the whole Monroeville community to enjoy.)  He walks with us in our pain and he reaches out for us in love.  He even waits for the one who painted to come to him so that his/her pain might be assuaged.  

Maybe, just maybe there is a message for us in this incident.  Like Jesus said in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you in my name."  

Blessed are you when your love for Christ irritates others to the point of splashing paint on your symbol of Christ's love.  

Blessed are you when you are making a difference and others don't like it.  

Blessed are you when your discipleship costs you something dear.

Blessed are you when you pray for those who want to do you harm, for they need what you have- Christ Jesus.  

We will keep on doing what we do, of that you can be sure!  This prank backfired!  We will be more diligent in our witness; more faithful in our proclamation; more committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ; more willing to risk it all so that everyone knows how much God loves them and that Jesus is waiting for them to come to him with all that they have or don't have, all that they are or are not, and all that they ever might be.  If that causes someone anger or grief, so much that they want to act out against it, then they should know that my favorite color is blue. 

God bless!

Kids really do "get it"

What a day yesterday!  Our Mission Trip isn't one that takes us very far from home, but that's apparently where God would have us.  Over the past two years we have practically begged people to take us on, "Do you have any work that needs to be done?" we ask.  I know it sounds strange, but it is most certainly true, that the place we end up, the place that seems to need us in Cherry Street Missions in Toledo.  We can barely get a return phone call from anyone else.  Chicago (check!)  Columbus (check!)  No one needed us so we kept looking (at least they didn't want to bother getting the details worked out.)  This is our second year, looks like it's going to stick.

What most impresses me about these kids is that they get it at some very gut level.  They can be fairly crazy most days, they named their youth group DIRT after all (an acronym that now stands for Disciples in Reality Training- had to make it mean something and it does. . . we are human, we came from ashes/dust/dirt and we are in training for what is ultimately real. . . discipleship, following Christ.)  When they get together their favorite game is wild and wonderful musical chairs which usually ends up in a race around the church fellowship hall (with all the adult roaring in laughter!)  The way they dished up food, the way they delivered it to the men and women at the tables, was extraordinary.  Such grace, such maturity.  The employees at the mission even commented about how the kids were willing to take the trash out, clean the floors, wash the dishes. . . they didn't quit after the food was served.  So Cool!

So today we will have another adventure.  They are learning some really important things about life and some even more important things about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a servant of Christ.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Let us be the bread for the hungry, the water for the thirsty of this world. Amen.

Own your own thoughts. . . and be kind to one another.

In our congregation we have worked really hard to own our own thoughts, feelings, comments, opinions and so forth.  When we have an opinion that needs to be shared we work hard to make sure it is done in kindness.  Everyone has a say and that's important. . . but it needs to be expressed in a way that does not offend or wound.  We have made it a priority to encourage people to speak their minds with respect for the other and to do so in a way that is responsible rather than sneaky, upfront rather than behind the back, with integrity rather than cowardly.  This has made a tremendous difference in the overall health and well-being of our parish.  It can be hard sometimes, I know, but it is vital for community life.  We have a "policy" that we are constantly reiterating which instructs each person to speak for themselves, attach their name to their comments/ideas, and tell the person directly if you have an issue with them that needs to be addressed.  To do otherwise is to create chaos, uncertainty and to raise levels of anxiety in the whole parish.

So, lo and behold, an anonymous comment came across another blog that I write for that portrayed women in ministry in a negative light.  We wondered who should we attribute this comment to?  Why do they not have enough courage to attach their name to their thoughts?  What good could possibly come by telling us we have it all wrong and that you will pray for us to see the light when we cannot engage in active dialogue?  This can only be chalked up to minor bullying (if bullying can ever be minor) and a lack of courage to own their own thoughts.  It is paternalistic and condescending to say the least, unhelpful at best.

Maybe we fear that someone will disagree with us and that is why we do such things. . . if we are so sure of ourselves then why would we ever submit our thoughts without our name attached?  Further, how can we come to a deeper understanding of one another if we fail to speak openly and respectfully?  Condescension doesn't help matters either, that just puts the other person on the defensive so that they feel like they have to justify something or convince the other person of something.  It also sends a message of lack of acceptance forgetting that people are people and have feelings and thoughts of their own.  Perhaps there is a reason they came to the conclusion they came to, but without talking about it how will we ever be able to find out?  Of course, we have a choice in the matter too, we don't have to respond, we can simply walk away. . . ignore it. . . not feed into it.

So, what sorts of issues does this post make you think of in your own parish?  In your own family?  At work?  How might each of us work on our own stuff in order to create a healthier environment where all people are empowered, respected and lifted up?  As Christians we are not in the business of creating hierarchies of the worthy. . . St. Paul so boldly proclaimed that in Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free.  We all fall short of this most basic guideline for community so it's never too frequent that we ought to revisit it, confessing our shortcomings in this area and working toward a deeper expression of community.

Be blessed and bless those around you with kind words and gentle actions.  Play together nicely even when you disagree.  I'm not suggesting that you don't have opinions, simply that we would all express them with a bit of humility.  Peace be with you!!

Human reason is unreasonable when it comes to spirituality. . .

Martin Luther taught that human beings, after the fall (that humanity changing event in the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve succumbed to the wiles of the adversary and committed the first sin) became captive to "original sin."  Through baptism we are granted grace and mercy via Christ our Savior and Lord.  Original sin, however, still lurks around the corner, seeking to hold us in bondage.  The good news is that baptism keeps original sin in check.  That's why we daily remember our baptism, gives thanks for the water and the Word and speak freely and joyfully about it to others!

The Reformers taught that the "unregenerated human will" (that which has not been molded and shaped by a life-transforming sacrament) will only turn away from God, defy God, and even be an enemy to God.  "It has only the desire and will to do whatever is opposed to God. . ." (Formula of Concord, BC, 492.)

Without Christ as the center of our very existence we are prone, drawn even, to do what is contrary to the holy will of God.  In a word, we are bound to sin with no awareness that it is even sin. In fact we can justify most of what we do through human reason.  Our original-sin-captive-will is bound to take the opposite tack that God would have us take.  No matter how hard we might try on our own not to go that direction.  We cannot by pure human will and reason come to God and furthermore when bound to sin we wouldn't choose that path anyway!  Reason cannot get us where we want to go-- even if we thought we might want to go there in the first place!!

BUT, (and thank God for the "but") through the power of the Holy Spirit acting in our lives, through the Word, the proclaimed Word, the sacraments and grace of the community of saints we are drawn toward God, brought back into relationship with him and made fully alive!  Reason cannot bring us to faith!  Thinking it out cannot help us!  Intellectualism will not get us closer to God.

Faith and a transformed life will not just come to us in the middle of night through our own intelligence and reason.  

Faith comes to us via the Holy Spirit and it defies reason!  I guess you could say it is un-reasonable.

"It is God's will that people hear his Word and not plug their ears."  (FC)  So we bask in the glory of the Holy Spirit and do our best to open our plugged ears, and hard hearts.  When we realize that something has changed within us we give thanks and praise to God for gifting us with faith and converting our hearts, minds, bodies and souls for Jesus who loves us most.  We have no merit in this process but it is solely accomplished by God's Holy Spirit in us.  

Have a blessed day and give thanks for even the smallest shred of faith in your life!  Through it God can move mountains!  Come Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Fireworks

 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Psalm 19

First of all, let me say "Thank you!" to the city of Norwalk, Ohio for the beautiful fireworks last night.  Many cities this year did not have enough money to put on the annual patriotic display.  It was beautiful as always!!  I could see if from my front porch, so keep 'em up high guys!

I had to chuckle, though, when at 12:30pm I went by the fairgrounds to pick up my daughter who had marched in the Fourth of July parade with her dance company- rows of lawn chairs were already set up in the tree lawn for the fireworks that would not start until 10pm.  Got to get your seat early if you want a great view!!


While on vacation at Disney just a few weeks ago we sat and waited for some fireworks that eventually were cancelled due to lightning.  The lightning shot across the sky in such a brilliant display that we got a show that night anyway.  I mean it went ACROSS, horizontal, side to side rather than the usual path that lightning takes. It was eerily gorgeous!  


Makes me wonder who these people are that set their chairs out 10 hours early for a 15 minute show of colored chemical extravaganza?  Do these same people wait and watch for God's handiwork in the night sky?  Or better yet. . . God's handiwork all around, all the time?  God's glory is all around us and yet we go about our days missing most of it. . . but we will plant our chairs out to wait for fireworks when we know they are coming.  Take time today to SEE, really see, God's glorious handiwork all around you.  After all, it will be awhile until you have the opportunity to see some more fireworks.  


God bless you!!


Image credit: http://www.coupons4utah.com

Concerning Spiritual Liberty and Servitude

Happy Independence Day!!

Sometimes it seems in America that people have "lost that loving feeling" for our great country.  Perhaps this is about taking freedom for granted, forgetting about all the blessings we enjoy because we are free!

My great grandparents came here from Hungary at the turn of the 20th century, presumably to make a better life for their family.  Others in our family came from Germany and Ireland for the same reasons.  We have a pretty good life here in the USA!  Opportunities abound for all people, you just have to reach out and grab them because they are available.  With such a smorgasbord of opportunities, however, sometimes can create a system of dependency, entitlement, a laissez-faire.  As citizens of the great country it is not always about what we can "get" from Uncle Sam but what can we contribute.  (I think JFK said something to that effect!)

Many men and women have given their lives so that we might have this freedom and their lives must not be sacrificed in vain.  Embrace your freedom.  Serve your country in any way that you can!

In America we have the privilege of worshiping in freedom as well.  It is our right.

Our Eucharistic liturgy points to a different right, "It is indeed our duty, right and joy that we should at all times in all places give thanks and praise to you, heavenly father" because you sent us Jesus- to free us, to break the bonds of captivity, to shatter systems of oppression and pain, to thwart the devil and his empty promises in our lives, and to draw us closer to the Father.  Thus it is our duty to thank and praise God for this wondrous gift of his Son.  Thus it is our obligation to worship the One who has granted us such freedom and grace.  Now we are FREE!  In Christ, we are truly FREE!  So what does that mean for us, for our spiritual freedom. . . AND servitude?

"A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one."  (Martin Luther)

Sounds like a contradiction in terms to be free yet servant but this is the paradox of faith.  We are set free so that we may serve in holiness and love.  We are set free so that we might look out for our neighbor.  We are not free so that we may do what we want, when we want, however we want.  No, that's not faith, that is hedonism.  We are set free so that we might get over ourselves and live for Christ alone!  We are set free so that we might joyfully live in utter obedience to Christ Jesus our Lord, our Master, our Beloved.  We are new creations and we are freed to live that way- for our country, for our neighbors, for our Church, for the world. . . but mostly for Jesus. . . but when you look at Jesus' words, "When I was hungry you fed me, when I was in prison you visited me. . . " we realize that what we do for our neighbor we are really doing for our Beloved Christ.  

Have a great day.  Enjoy your freedom!  (Both civil and spiritual!!!)  

Image credit:  moma.org; altar at TLC, Monroeville

Why We Don't Baptize in Private

I hate to break it to those who think that faith is a private matter, but when you are a part of Christian community, faith is no longer private.  If it was ever private at all, then I question whether it we should actually call it faith.  Somewhere along the line we have come to the mistaken conclusion that faith is only a "personal" thing.  This has brought on a whole new generation of people who call themselves "spiritual but not religious."  We may not be "religious" in the strict sense of the word, but faith is always something that is meant to be shared (The Great Commission of Matthew 28 tells us that!)

Baptism is the entry point into the community of faith, the church.  For Jesus it was the beginning of his PUBLIC ministry.  You could say that it is the beginning of each of our ministries as well.  If you are an adult who seeks baptism then a confession of faith is required and that is a public acknowledgment that you believe and confess Jesus as Lord of your life and wish to be baptized into Christ's salvation.  If you are a baby then you will have your opportunity to make the same confession after you have studied and been instructed in the faith in confirmation/catechism classes.  Then it becomes an "Affirmation of Faith."  You say "yes" to God's "yes" in your life.

But you can do that anytime you want to!  Just say "yes!"

Baptism in the center of community worship is so vitally important therefore we do not relegate this sacrament to 20 minutes after our latest worship service.  We do not wait for the congregation to go home before we fill up the font.  We invite them to participate with the baptismal candidate as part of the worship discipline.  We are asking the community of believers to take us under their wing, to teach us, mentor us, prod us when we need it, hold us accountable to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is NOT a ceremony where we get a nice new candle and a certificate of authenticity to put in our scrap book at home.  It is a holy sacrament (one of two for Lutherans).  It has been commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), it shows us tangibly God's grace, it uses natural elements as signs of what God is doing in our lives (water).  Baptism bestows upon the believer God's mercy and forgiveness. It does not eradicate original sin (that sin that we inherited from our ancestors, Adam and Eve).  It does however keep it in check!  We will never be perfect this side of heaven but daily we remember the sacrament and rejoice that we have been saved through water and the Word.  The Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us and resides in us as our advocate and guide.

This is too wonderful to do in private!
This is too amazing to keep from the rest of the community!
We are all in this together. . . and so we do it together. . . the baptized makes promises to God (or the parents of the baptized) and the community of faith makes promises to the baptized-- AND to God on behalf of the baptized.  The congregation also gets an opportunity to remember their baptisms and how connected we are through our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is ABOUT community. . . to make it private is to relativize it, make it less important and it is VERY important!!

I don't know about you, but I'm glad we do this in community because I could never, ever do this "faith thing" alone!

Thanks be to God that I don't have to, and neither do you!!

(In dire emergencies, such as when a person who has not been baptized, we would do it wherever and whenever we needed to so that they did not die without the sacrament.  In this case any baptized person can baptize another, it need not be an ordained clergy person.)

What is more pure than the faith of a child?

I love Vacation Bible School!  I really do. . . it is a lot of work and it takes extra heaps of energy, by the end of the week I am exhausted but it is the best time ever.  Seeing young children like these friends from our VBS share their faith and love of Jesus is the most amazing thing ever!!  


The first day they are always a little bit timid. . . something new and all. New songs, new faces, even a new place.  But by Friday they are singing at the top of their lungs, shouting for joy over what they've learned and it's all about JESUS!!  


Last night we re-enacted the Last Supper, as well as the death and resurrection of Jesus (which is always on a Thursday if you use Group Publishing).  Peter was upset that he had betrayed Jesus and denied him three times before his death.  He came into hiding with the kids and spoke to them about his struggle and sorrow.  The kids wanted to console him.  They told him, "He will forgive you!"  They wanted him to know, "He loves you!"  One even said, "Go find Jesus and he will take you back!"  Oh that we would be able to say that to one another outside of the sphere of VBS, that we would take a hint from the pure of heart!!  


There is nothing like the faith of a child!!

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." Matthew 19: 14

May we step out of our comfort zone and share the good news of Christ's love and forgiveness with everyone we meet!  He loves!  He wants you back!  He will forgive you if you ask him!  Have a blessed and faith-full day!