5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach- Romans 12:5-7
I've embraced mountain hiking as a physical activity to do on a regular basis. It's hard to keep an exercise program going if you don't really enjoy it. I love being in the mountains, especially along the rivers and waterfalls. With mountain hiking, you don't have to keep up a really fast pace to get a good workout. When you are walking up the mountain, you can walk slowly and still get your heart pumping. So far this has been really successful for me. It's more than exercise... it's something I love to do.
Our most successful ministries at church are run by people who just love their ministry. One that quickly comes to mind is our prayer shawl ministry. These ladies just love what they do and it shows. Many of the people involved are people who really weren't previously involved in an on-going ministry and as they started showing up for these meetings, I was pleasantly surprised.
We see a lot of people in our churches sitting on the sidelines. We may be very wrong when we think they just don't want to do ministry. Perhaps they just haven't found that one that they can really embrace. Perhaps they are having trouble finding their gifts and need someone to recognize those gifts and invite them into the appropriate ministry.
Those of us who have no problem jumping in without being asked tend to believe that others will do the same. But we all have different personalities and many folks need an invitation and encouragement... especially the first time and especially newer members or regular visitors.
Plugging people into ministry is a vital part of a healthy church, but just any old ministry won't do. Just like with exercise, if we don't enjoy what we are doing, we won't stick to it. So it is important that we get to know those in our church family who tend to sit at the sidelines. Find out what they love and what is important to them and invite them into ministry!
Holy Spirit,
Guide our efforts to help others find their passion in ministry. Help us to be open and inviting. Amen.
Joys: Pushing further up the mountain than I usually go; Kevin finishing his first summer class successfully and ready to start his second summer semester; Getting Cecelia today... seems like weeks since we've seen her!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Moral Proximity
27 [Jesus] answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” -Luke 10:27-29Yesterday evening one of the severe storms that has been plaguing the region swept through my neighborhood. There was lots of rain, a bit of lightning and a lot of very scary high winds. Richard and I watched as the rain and win battered our windows and I instinctively moved to the center of the house... shakin' in my boots! It felt like a tornado, though it was just the straight line winds like the ones that have recently damaged so many areas around here.
At the height of the winds, we watched as a neighbor's tree was blown over and completely blocked the road. We live on a pretty busy road so it didn't take long for traffic to collect. Mostly they just turned around to take another route. But almost instantly a man in a truck hauling a backhoe pulled up. Without hesitation he got out in the pouring rain, unloaded the backhoe and went to work getting the tree off the street. I suppose he could have turned around and found an alternate route to where he was going, but he had the means and the ability to do the job at hand. Although he didn't have to do what he did, he was almost morally obligated to do it.
Sitting in my house with no power.... for hours... I was happy to have my Kindle with a fully charged book light. I'm reading a book that is the first in a mystery series... it reminds me a little of "Murder She Wrote" but the woman in this book belongs to a Philosophy Club where they often discuss matters of ethics and morality and she works as an editor for a publication called "The Review of Applied Ethics." So as you can imagine, the book is heavily peppered with moral and ethical philosophies and problems.
What a "coincidence" then that after the events of the evening I should read: "We can't have moral obligations to every single person in this world. We have moral obligations to those who we come up against, who enter into our moral space, so to speak. That means neighbors, people we deal with, and so on." She talks about "moral proximity"... about how people or problems present themselves to us and obligate us to help.
How many cases of moral proximity are we confronted with each day... but we turn away to look for an alternate route? How often do we instead unload the backhoe in the rain and do what we should even if it means getting soaking wet?
Open your eyes today to see how many cases of Moral Proximity you encounter. And do what you know God would expect of you.
Father,
Open our eyes to the needs you place in front of us today. We can't help everyone and every problem in the whole world, but we can help with the needs we see around us each day. Help us to do so. Amen.
Joys: Power coming on sometime during the night; my Kindle; long hike at King's Mountain with Richard yesterday
*Please pray for my sister-in-law, Angela Hovis (Richard's sister). She has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Her doctor told her since she is young and healthy there is a chance she could beat it, but failing that she would have about a year-and-a-half. Please pray for her, her husband Eddie and her teen-aged daughter Anna as well as the rest of the family. Richard's mother has previously lost a 14-year-old grandson to colon cancer and most recently, her husband to lung cancer so please keep Elaine in your prayers as well.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Come, NOW is the Time to....
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;-Psalm 84:1-2
Usually when I work on Monday it is very quiet around the church. I get few phone calls and fewer visitors. It's usually a very productive work day for me, but a pretty lonely day as well. What a joy it was to have noisy activity around me yesterday! Several adults and teenagers spent the day putting together scenery for Vacation Bible School.
I think churches are meant to have a high level of activity all week long! Being basically an introvert, I don't mind being by myself... I often even crave it. But there just seems to be something not quite right about an empty church building. It seems like there should always be some group there studying, serving, worshiping, praying or at least preparing to do one of those things. An empty church is a wasted opportunity.
I often hear people say they want "this" kind of Bible study or "that" kind of Bible study. Do it! Start your own study! The church has a room for you! I've often heard people complain that there are not enough activities for "this" age group or "that" age group. Do it! Organize your own activities. The church has room for you! I've often heard people gripe that the church "ought" to have "this" ministry or "that" ministry. Do it! If God has laid that need on your heart, he is leading you to that ministry. The church has a room for you!
When a church any time during the week, there is room for more... room for more learning... for more worship... for more serving... for more Christian fellowship. Come... NOW is the time to worship and pray and serve and study and gather.
Father,
Help us to make more use of the space available to us to do your work. Open our hearts to our own spiritual needs and to your call to service. Amen.
Joys: Happy, noisy activity in the church during the day; getting caught up at work; my job
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;-Psalm 84:1-2
Usually when I work on Monday it is very quiet around the church. I get few phone calls and fewer visitors. It's usually a very productive work day for me, but a pretty lonely day as well. What a joy it was to have noisy activity around me yesterday! Several adults and teenagers spent the day putting together scenery for Vacation Bible School.
I think churches are meant to have a high level of activity all week long! Being basically an introvert, I don't mind being by myself... I often even crave it. But there just seems to be something not quite right about an empty church building. It seems like there should always be some group there studying, serving, worshiping, praying or at least preparing to do one of those things. An empty church is a wasted opportunity.
I often hear people say they want "this" kind of Bible study or "that" kind of Bible study. Do it! Start your own study! The church has a room for you! I've often heard people complain that there are not enough activities for "this" age group or "that" age group. Do it! Organize your own activities. The church has room for you! I've often heard people gripe that the church "ought" to have "this" ministry or "that" ministry. Do it! If God has laid that need on your heart, he is leading you to that ministry. The church has a room for you!
When a church any time during the week, there is room for more... room for more learning... for more worship... for more serving... for more Christian fellowship. Come... NOW is the time to worship and pray and serve and study and gather.
Father,
Help us to make more use of the space available to us to do your work. Open our hearts to our own spiritual needs and to your call to service. Amen.
Joys: Happy, noisy activity in the church during the day; getting caught up at work; my job
Monday, June 27, 2011
On Being Two
3 And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 18:3
What a wonderful week Richard and I had at the beach with our granddaughter! I was a little worried about how difficult it might be to keep up with a two-year-old for an entire week, but she was a joy each and every minute. Cecelia is an extremely happy child and brought a wonderful new perspective to our view of the beach... and of life.
Cecelia woke up with a smile every morning, excited for the day's adventures to begin. She was amazed at the beach... the big waves, the seashells, the endless sand, the birds, the jellyfish and other critters. She would have been happy to stay on the beach from morning until night every day just exploring and reveling in God's creation. Thank heaven for good sun block!
Our first day on the beach, I took Cecelia for a walk to find seashells. She would pick up every piece of ocean debris and put it in her bucket. I told her she should only keep the pretty ones. Well, she continued to pick up every shell no matter what condition; but now before putting it in her bucket she would exclaim, "Kaymee... this is a pretty one!" When did I start becoming so selective about what I see as beautiful in God's creation?
As I thought about it, I realized I have let myself become bored, inattentive or even critical of much of God's creation... every thing from shells and wildflowers to even people. If Cecelia can see the beauty in a fragment of a scarred up clam shell, shouldn't I be able to see the beauty beneath the scars of people who have been beat up by the constant battering of life's waves? Instead of criticizing flaws, shouldn't I marvel at resilience? Instead of expecting others to be more like me, shouldn't I rejoice in our uniqueness?
I wish I could be two again... well, maybe not. But I do wish I could go back to that innocent attitude and find the beauty in everything and everyone once again. Maybe that's a part of what Jesus meant when he said we must become like little children...
Father,
Help me to see the beauty in ALL of your creation... especially in other people. Amen.
Joys: Precious memories of a wonderful time at the beach; coming home; long, lazy days
What a wonderful week Richard and I had at the beach with our granddaughter! I was a little worried about how difficult it might be to keep up with a two-year-old for an entire week, but she was a joy each and every minute. Cecelia is an extremely happy child and brought a wonderful new perspective to our view of the beach... and of life.
Cecelia woke up with a smile every morning, excited for the day's adventures to begin. She was amazed at the beach... the big waves, the seashells, the endless sand, the birds, the jellyfish and other critters. She would have been happy to stay on the beach from morning until night every day just exploring and reveling in God's creation. Thank heaven for good sun block!
Our first day on the beach, I took Cecelia for a walk to find seashells. She would pick up every piece of ocean debris and put it in her bucket. I told her she should only keep the pretty ones. Well, she continued to pick up every shell no matter what condition; but now before putting it in her bucket she would exclaim, "Kaymee... this is a pretty one!" When did I start becoming so selective about what I see as beautiful in God's creation?
As I thought about it, I realized I have let myself become bored, inattentive or even critical of much of God's creation... every thing from shells and wildflowers to even people. If Cecelia can see the beauty in a fragment of a scarred up clam shell, shouldn't I be able to see the beauty beneath the scars of people who have been beat up by the constant battering of life's waves? Instead of criticizing flaws, shouldn't I marvel at resilience? Instead of expecting others to be more like me, shouldn't I rejoice in our uniqueness?
I wish I could be two again... well, maybe not. But I do wish I could go back to that innocent attitude and find the beauty in everything and everyone once again. Maybe that's a part of what Jesus meant when he said we must become like little children...
Father,
Help me to see the beauty in ALL of your creation... especially in other people. Amen.
Joys: Precious memories of a wonderful time at the beach; coming home; long, lazy days
Friday, June 17, 2011
"Heretic!!"
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?-1 Corinthians 4:5-7I read a lot of blogs, comments on articles, etc. on spiritual topics in my search for things to write about. One day last week I came across this interesting quote (can't remember where I saw it):
"You know, the more I read different theological view points and arguments, I am increasingly seeing the beauty of the Bible....it is profitable for under-girding just about any theological point of view one chooses to espouse...and furthermore, it can be very useful in undermining all the theological points of view that I may happen to disagree with. What a wonderful book!"
It is estimated that there are between 20,000 and 30,000 Christian denominations! Each one with from slightly different to radically different beliefs from the other. There are those who believe that only those who believe and confess in Jesus Christ in this life will go to heaven. There are those who believe that God has predestined a chosen few that will go to heaven and the rest of us have no say in the matter. There are those that believe that all will eventually go to heaven.
... and they ALL have scripture to back up their own beliefs.
...and they ALL have scripture to refute every other belief.
hmmm...Maybe God WANTS us to struggle with our faith. Maybe we CAN'T put God in a box built with dogma and religion. Maybe God wants us to learn to appreciate all the different ways people see him. Maybe we are not supposed to have God all figured out. Maybe God loves to watch babies being baptized and also loves watching his older children make the decision to follow him.
I think it is time we stopped pointing fingers at each other as we shout, "heretic!" I think it is time to embrace one another and respect how the Holy Spirit has shown the Father to others. We are all God's children. We are all brothers and sisters.
Lord,
Help us to be more comfortable with the faith and beliefs of others. Show us how to be more respectful so that we may be respected. We all love you. We all want to believe the "right" things. If there is indeed heresy in our beliefs, show it to us and keep us from it. Amen.
Joys: BEACH TIME!
note: I don't know if I will have wireless where we will be staying. If I do, I will try to continue to write daily.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sanctifying
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.-Romans 8:28
How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us? The first definition of "sanctify" in Webster's dictionary is: to set apart to a sacred purpose. I think for the most part, we are sanctified through being gathered, called and enlightened. But the Holy Spirit takes it a bit further by working through the experiences in our lives to refine us.
We would all love for our lives to go smoothly forever, but that would be a life with no depth, no growth, no life. It is through these experiences that we are refined and sanctified. Financial struggles, broken relationships, death of loved ones, our own health battles, suffering abuse at the hands of another, addictions... we've all suffered through one or more of these things. I don't believe God causes them, but I certainly believe he uses them to sanctify us.
Growing up poor made me give too much importance to money in my life. I thought it was the solution to all my problems. I desired it more than I desired God. It was through a long period of unemployment for Richard that I leaned how to let go. Now I know without a doubt that if God were to ask me to give up everything I have, I would have no trouble doing it. I was sanctified through that struggle.
How has the Holy Spirit sanctified you? How has he set you apart for a sacred purpose?
Holy Spirit,
Use the experiences in our lives to sanctify us. Thank you for using all things for the good of God's kingdom. Amen.
Joys: Looking forward to a fun week at the beach with the fam; Cecelia's excitement about going to the beach; rain without the scary lightning and wind
How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us? The first definition of "sanctify" in Webster's dictionary is: to set apart to a sacred purpose. I think for the most part, we are sanctified through being gathered, called and enlightened. But the Holy Spirit takes it a bit further by working through the experiences in our lives to refine us.
We would all love for our lives to go smoothly forever, but that would be a life with no depth, no growth, no life. It is through these experiences that we are refined and sanctified. Financial struggles, broken relationships, death of loved ones, our own health battles, suffering abuse at the hands of another, addictions... we've all suffered through one or more of these things. I don't believe God causes them, but I certainly believe he uses them to sanctify us.
Growing up poor made me give too much importance to money in my life. I thought it was the solution to all my problems. I desired it more than I desired God. It was through a long period of unemployment for Richard that I leaned how to let go. Now I know without a doubt that if God were to ask me to give up everything I have, I would have no trouble doing it. I was sanctified through that struggle.
How has the Holy Spirit sanctified you? How has he set you apart for a sacred purpose?
Holy Spirit,
Use the experiences in our lives to sanctify us. Thank you for using all things for the good of God's kingdom. Amen.
Joys: Looking forward to a fun week at the beach with the fam; Cecelia's excitement about going to the beach; rain without the scary lightning and wind
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Enlightening
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. -Ephesians 1:17-19
How does the Holy Spirit enlighten us? A sermon by James Smith (1890) says,
"The Holy Spirit is with us to enlighten in perplexity. This he does . . .
by throwing light upon our path,
by unfolding the Word of God,
or by shining into our minds."
Have you ever been searching scriptures for an answer to something going on in your life and suddenly find the perfect passage that brings comfort, hope, and direction? Have you ever read a very familiar passage of scripture and find a whole new meaning? These are some of the ways the Holy Spirit enlightens us.
I remember many years ago when my family was experiencing serious financial difficulties and I turned to the Bible. I was led to a passage from the gospels that Jesus tells us not to worry because God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies and we are far more important to him. I remember being filled with comfort and hope and being able to lay my worries aside. The scripture passage seemed to almost jump from the page. It was surely the work of the Holy Spirit.
Another time, I was worried about the eternal fate of a family member who had died. I opened the Bible and was immediately directed to a passage that said, "You trust in God, trust also in me." I knew without a doubt that God was telling me to trust him with the eternity of this person. I have never been troubled by this again... for any person. I trust God to do what is good, right, loving and perfect. Again, this was certainly the work of the Holy Spirit.
There have been times when I was asked to lead prayer that the words seem to have come from somewhere else. I have taught Sunday school classes and Bible studies where I truly felt like I was just the vessel through which God was speaking.
The Holy Spirit truly does enlighten us. How has He enlightened you in your walk?
Come Holy Spirit,
Enlighten our minds and our hearts as we seek to understand God's ways. Amen.
Joys: Last day of work before vacation; time with Cecelia; gorgeous weather yesterday
How does the Holy Spirit enlighten us? A sermon by James Smith (1890) says,
"The Holy Spirit is with us to enlighten in perplexity. This he does . . .
by throwing light upon our path,
by unfolding the Word of God,
or by shining into our minds."
Have you ever been searching scriptures for an answer to something going on in your life and suddenly find the perfect passage that brings comfort, hope, and direction? Have you ever read a very familiar passage of scripture and find a whole new meaning? These are some of the ways the Holy Spirit enlightens us.
I remember many years ago when my family was experiencing serious financial difficulties and I turned to the Bible. I was led to a passage from the gospels that Jesus tells us not to worry because God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies and we are far more important to him. I remember being filled with comfort and hope and being able to lay my worries aside. The scripture passage seemed to almost jump from the page. It was surely the work of the Holy Spirit.
Another time, I was worried about the eternal fate of a family member who had died. I opened the Bible and was immediately directed to a passage that said, "You trust in God, trust also in me." I knew without a doubt that God was telling me to trust him with the eternity of this person. I have never been troubled by this again... for any person. I trust God to do what is good, right, loving and perfect. Again, this was certainly the work of the Holy Spirit.
There have been times when I was asked to lead prayer that the words seem to have come from somewhere else. I have taught Sunday school classes and Bible studies where I truly felt like I was just the vessel through which God was speaking.
The Holy Spirit truly does enlighten us. How has He enlightened you in your walk?
Come Holy Spirit,
Enlighten our minds and our hearts as we seek to understand God's ways. Amen.
Joys: Last day of work before vacation; time with Cecelia; gorgeous weather yesterday
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Calling
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength. -Ephesians 1:17-19
Yesterday I wrote about how I've seen the Holy Spirit GATHER believers. Today, I'd like to reflect on his CALLING. When the Holy Spirit calls us, it is an entirely different feeling from simply wanting to do something. In fact, often we DON'T want to do what we are being called to do, but the idea simply will not go away.
Some of the things the Holy Spirit has called me to:
A call doesn't necessarily mean you are supposed to do that thing for the rest of your life. On the contrary... many times a call is just for a season or for a particular purpose God has in mind. We can tell when a call is over when the feeling changes. Suddenly we find we are doing the work on our own and it is just not bearing the fruit it did when God was surely working through us. Many times we keep trying to continue to do it on our own and become frustrated with the sudden lack of inspiration for something that once came so easily. Maybe we want to recapture that wonderful feeling of God working through us. Or maybe we want to live up to the expectations of others. Whatever the reason we try to continue, it is better to accept the fact that God has finished that work and wait for our new call.
In what ways has the Holy Spirit called you over the years? Are you still holding on to old calls? If you are, you might be missing something new and exciting. Pay attention to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for your guidance and call over the years. Help me to stay tuned in to how you want to work through me that I may bless others and be blessed. Amen.
Joys: good prayer time at STAR last night; Richard's cooking; beach vacation almost here
Yesterday I wrote about how I've seen the Holy Spirit GATHER believers. Today, I'd like to reflect on his CALLING. When the Holy Spirit calls us, it is an entirely different feeling from simply wanting to do something. In fact, often we DON'T want to do what we are being called to do, but the idea simply will not go away.
Some of the things the Holy Spirit has called me to:
- attending Holy Cross for the first time
- teaching Sunday school
- chairing the Christian Education committee and heading up VBS for several years
- attending Via de Cristo
- writing skits for clown ministry
- working at Holy Cross
- writing these devotions
A call doesn't necessarily mean you are supposed to do that thing for the rest of your life. On the contrary... many times a call is just for a season or for a particular purpose God has in mind. We can tell when a call is over when the feeling changes. Suddenly we find we are doing the work on our own and it is just not bearing the fruit it did when God was surely working through us. Many times we keep trying to continue to do it on our own and become frustrated with the sudden lack of inspiration for something that once came so easily. Maybe we want to recapture that wonderful feeling of God working through us. Or maybe we want to live up to the expectations of others. Whatever the reason we try to continue, it is better to accept the fact that God has finished that work and wait for our new call.
In what ways has the Holy Spirit called you over the years? Are you still holding on to old calls? If you are, you might be missing something new and exciting. Pay attention to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for your guidance and call over the years. Help me to stay tuned in to how you want to work through me that I may bless others and be blessed. Amen.
Joys: good prayer time at STAR last night; Richard's cooking; beach vacation almost here
Monday, June 13, 2011
Gathering
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true. -Martin Luther's Small Catachism, The Creed, The Third Article
Yesterday was Pentecost. In his sermon, Pastor Chad reminded us of what the Holy Spirit does for us: He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies. Have you ever thought about the ways in which the Holy Spirit does those things in your life?
Something Chad said got me thinking about this yesterday. He was talking about "gathers" and he said, "Do you think you all are here all by your own will?... No, it is the Holy Spirit who gathered you here today."
I think this is even more true when it comes to other Christian gatherings. When we do a Via de Cristo weekend, it always amazes me of how each area - kitchen, outside, chapel, etc. - are filled with just the right people to do the job in their own way for this unique group of people attending the weekend. Every weekend is different and every team is made up of a different team. I've served in the kitchen several times and each time has been very different and each time the "personality" of the kitchen is especially suited the "personality" of those we came to serve. Coincidence or God-incident?
Small groups are particularly sensitive to the gathering of the Holy Spirit. What keeps 5 women meeting at 7:30 in the morning every week for years? It must be the Holy Spirit! There have been times when I would just as soon sleep in a little extra, but have felt that "gathering call" of the Spirit and went anyway... only to find that someone needed the benefit of something I could contribute or often and even more surprisingly, I unexpectedly benefited from something one of my sisters in Christ had to say and either way... I end up being so glad I got out of bed that early. Coincidence or God-incident?
Once a month I attend a prayer group that prays for our whole church family by name. This one meets after I have already spent 8 hours at church at work, so I'm usually not really eager to go back in the evening. But I am ALWAYS so blessed to have gone. Praying for others is one of the most rewarding ministries and I am grouped with a couple of women I don't get to see personally much any more and we get to catch up with one another as well. And again... I find that one of us generally needs the council or wisdom from another of us in the group. Coincidence or God-incident?
Like anything else God does for us, we are not forced. The Holy Spirit does not force us to gather, but gently nudges us. I wonder what we miss out on when we ignore those nudges? We miss those God-incidences that are often created just for us. How many more blessings would we receive? How much more smoothly would our lives go? ...if we would just heed the gatherings of the Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit,
Help us to heed your nudges to gather so that we may bless and be blessed. Amen.
Joys: Shrimp tacos; summer fruit; morning coffee ready when I wake up
Yesterday was Pentecost. In his sermon, Pastor Chad reminded us of what the Holy Spirit does for us: He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies. Have you ever thought about the ways in which the Holy Spirit does those things in your life?
Something Chad said got me thinking about this yesterday. He was talking about "gathers" and he said, "Do you think you all are here all by your own will?... No, it is the Holy Spirit who gathered you here today."
I think this is even more true when it comes to other Christian gatherings. When we do a Via de Cristo weekend, it always amazes me of how each area - kitchen, outside, chapel, etc. - are filled with just the right people to do the job in their own way for this unique group of people attending the weekend. Every weekend is different and every team is made up of a different team. I've served in the kitchen several times and each time has been very different and each time the "personality" of the kitchen is especially suited the "personality" of those we came to serve. Coincidence or God-incident?
Small groups are particularly sensitive to the gathering of the Holy Spirit. What keeps 5 women meeting at 7:30 in the morning every week for years? It must be the Holy Spirit! There have been times when I would just as soon sleep in a little extra, but have felt that "gathering call" of the Spirit and went anyway... only to find that someone needed the benefit of something I could contribute or often and even more surprisingly, I unexpectedly benefited from something one of my sisters in Christ had to say and either way... I end up being so glad I got out of bed that early. Coincidence or God-incident?
Once a month I attend a prayer group that prays for our whole church family by name. This one meets after I have already spent 8 hours at church at work, so I'm usually not really eager to go back in the evening. But I am ALWAYS so blessed to have gone. Praying for others is one of the most rewarding ministries and I am grouped with a couple of women I don't get to see personally much any more and we get to catch up with one another as well. And again... I find that one of us generally needs the council or wisdom from another of us in the group. Coincidence or God-incident?
Like anything else God does for us, we are not forced. The Holy Spirit does not force us to gather, but gently nudges us. I wonder what we miss out on when we ignore those nudges? We miss those God-incidences that are often created just for us. How many more blessings would we receive? How much more smoothly would our lives go? ...if we would just heed the gatherings of the Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit,
Help us to heed your nudges to gather so that we may bless and be blessed. Amen.
Joys: Shrimp tacos; summer fruit; morning coffee ready when I wake up
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Shine Up Those Gifts!
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13
My favorite part of a baptism is when the pastor place hands on the baptized person's head and prays: "Pour your Holy Spirit upon ________; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence."
If you have been baptized, it's all there... wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, joy in God's presence. I know many Christians who shine with these gifts. But I also know many who hide them well.
I doubt they hide them intentionally. They have just allowed these gifts to be dulled through lack of use. They become dull when we don't study scripture and we get lazy about worship. But it particularly happens when we cut ourselves off from Christian community six days of every week.
I have seen the gifts of the Spirit shine the most brightly in those who regularly fellowship with other Christians through Bible studies, small groups, prayer groups. They are practiced in using these gifts because they use them with one another all the time.
Church families are just that... families. They are people we work with and eat with and live with... not formally visit once a week. The Holy Spirit draws us together for the purpose of learning from and practicing with one another. God never intended for us to be Christian on our own. We CAN'T be Christians on our own.
Pentecost is the perfect time to shine up those gifts received through baptism. If you don't have a small group... grab a couple of brothers or sisters and form one! Happy Pentecost!
Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we shall be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Joys: a nice evening out with Richard; sleeping in; the weekend!
My favorite part of a baptism is when the pastor place hands on the baptized person's head and prays: "Pour your Holy Spirit upon ________; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence."
If you have been baptized, it's all there... wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, joy in God's presence. I know many Christians who shine with these gifts. But I also know many who hide them well.
I doubt they hide them intentionally. They have just allowed these gifts to be dulled through lack of use. They become dull when we don't study scripture and we get lazy about worship. But it particularly happens when we cut ourselves off from Christian community six days of every week.
I have seen the gifts of the Spirit shine the most brightly in those who regularly fellowship with other Christians through Bible studies, small groups, prayer groups. They are practiced in using these gifts because they use them with one another all the time.
Church families are just that... families. They are people we work with and eat with and live with... not formally visit once a week. The Holy Spirit draws us together for the purpose of learning from and practicing with one another. God never intended for us to be Christian on our own. We CAN'T be Christians on our own.
Pentecost is the perfect time to shine up those gifts received through baptism. If you don't have a small group... grab a couple of brothers or sisters and form one! Happy Pentecost!
Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we shall be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Joys: a nice evening out with Richard; sleeping in; the weekend!
Friday, June 10, 2011
FaithWatchers
Train yourself in godliness, for while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. -1 Timothy 4:7-8
I remember a few years ago when my son, Kevin was really into physical training. He would weights, run, ride his bike everywhere, and work around the neighborhood doing physical outside labor for extra cash and the physical benefits it brought him. He really enjoyed showing off his strength and new look! And I enjoyed watching him. I was very proud of how he had succeeded in what he set out to do. It takes a lot of self discipline and a strong desire to do what he did. You can’t just sit around and hope to have a better body… you have to work at it.
Likewise, you can’t just sit around and wait for the fruits of the Spirit to bloom within you. You have to work at it. You have to exercise each fruit as you would each muscle. Happily, our equipment doesn’t include weight benches, treadmills and stationary bikes… but a bible, other spiritual reading matter, weekly worship, prayer, giving, serving and witnessing. Unfortunately, we have just as much of a tendency to let this equipment get dusty as we do the treadmill.
When we work on our bodies, we know how much it helps to be a part of a club or organization where we receive encouragement when we slide and pats on the back for a job well done. We need to be more intentional about doing the same for each other in our spiritual lives. That is what a faith community is all about… encouraging one another in our spiritual growth.
Maybe we should form a “Faith Watchers” group and develop a point system to follow each week. But, unlike Weightwatchers, in this case, points would be good! 5 points for every chapter of the Bible read… 5 points for every 15 minutes spent in prayer, 50 points for bringing an unchurched friend to church with you… etc. The benefit? Promise for this life and the life to come. Even Weightwatchers can only make promises for this life.
Father,
Help us to give at least as much attention to our spiritual lives as we do our physical, for our spiritual lives are eternal. Amen.
Joys: AIR CONDITIONING!!; Ability to work at home when necessary; did I say air conditioning??
I remember a few years ago when my son, Kevin was really into physical training. He would weights, run, ride his bike everywhere, and work around the neighborhood doing physical outside labor for extra cash and the physical benefits it brought him. He really enjoyed showing off his strength and new look! And I enjoyed watching him. I was very proud of how he had succeeded in what he set out to do. It takes a lot of self discipline and a strong desire to do what he did. You can’t just sit around and hope to have a better body… you have to work at it.
Likewise, you can’t just sit around and wait for the fruits of the Spirit to bloom within you. You have to work at it. You have to exercise each fruit as you would each muscle. Happily, our equipment doesn’t include weight benches, treadmills and stationary bikes… but a bible, other spiritual reading matter, weekly worship, prayer, giving, serving and witnessing. Unfortunately, we have just as much of a tendency to let this equipment get dusty as we do the treadmill.
When we work on our bodies, we know how much it helps to be a part of a club or organization where we receive encouragement when we slide and pats on the back for a job well done. We need to be more intentional about doing the same for each other in our spiritual lives. That is what a faith community is all about… encouraging one another in our spiritual growth.
Maybe we should form a “Faith Watchers” group and develop a point system to follow each week. But, unlike Weightwatchers, in this case, points would be good! 5 points for every chapter of the Bible read… 5 points for every 15 minutes spent in prayer, 50 points for bringing an unchurched friend to church with you… etc. The benefit? Promise for this life and the life to come. Even Weightwatchers can only make promises for this life.
Father,
Help us to give at least as much attention to our spiritual lives as we do our physical, for our spiritual lives are eternal. Amen.
Joys: AIR CONDITIONING!!; Ability to work at home when necessary; did I say air conditioning??
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Change Could Be the Answer
But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse. –Ezekiel 3:27
Sometimes I just wish God would MAKE us do the right thing. Free will is our downfall. Even when we know for sure what God wants us to do, we all too often don’t do it. And we always pay the price.
We know that God answers prayer 3 ways… “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” I think God says “yes” way more often than we think… we just refuse the gift of that answered prayer. Not intentionally. But seldom do we see a prayer answered miraculously and in the way we anticipated. Prayer is often answered through change… and you know how we humans are about change! We’ll do anything to hold on to the same ol’-same ol’! But often circumstances in our lives have to be different before a prayer can be answered.
I’ve been through a lot of changes in the last several years… Richard serving in the military; my boys growing into adults; becoming a grandparent… and all of them I went into kicking and screaming about not wanting things to change. But so much good has come out of each of these things. God was answering a big YES to some of my most earnest prayers. But those answers had to come through difficult changes.
Our free will makes us want to rule our own lives… be our own gods. And it’s our free will that makes God’s voice so hard for us to hear, especially when he is telling us something we don’t want to hear… especially when we are hell-bent on getting our own way.
When those opportunities for change come, don’t dismiss them because there is too much struggle involved or because you have other plans. The more radical the change opportunity, the more likely it comes from God. Before you dismiss it, make sure that God is not trying to answer your prayers of deepest longing. Make sure you are not saying “no” to God’s “yes.”
Lord God,
Joys: another hike up South Mountain; spending the day with Richard; 8 more days until beach time!
Sometimes I just wish God would MAKE us do the right thing. Free will is our downfall. Even when we know for sure what God wants us to do, we all too often don’t do it. And we always pay the price.
We know that God answers prayer 3 ways… “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” I think God says “yes” way more often than we think… we just refuse the gift of that answered prayer. Not intentionally. But seldom do we see a prayer answered miraculously and in the way we anticipated. Prayer is often answered through change… and you know how we humans are about change! We’ll do anything to hold on to the same ol’-same ol’! But often circumstances in our lives have to be different before a prayer can be answered.
I’ve been through a lot of changes in the last several years… Richard serving in the military; my boys growing into adults; becoming a grandparent… and all of them I went into kicking and screaming about not wanting things to change. But so much good has come out of each of these things. God was answering a big YES to some of my most earnest prayers. But those answers had to come through difficult changes.
Our free will makes us want to rule our own lives… be our own gods. And it’s our free will that makes God’s voice so hard for us to hear, especially when he is telling us something we don’t want to hear… especially when we are hell-bent on getting our own way.
When those opportunities for change come, don’t dismiss them because there is too much struggle involved or because you have other plans. The more radical the change opportunity, the more likely it comes from God. Before you dismiss it, make sure that God is not trying to answer your prayers of deepest longing. Make sure you are not saying “no” to God’s “yes.”
Lord God,
Give us flexible hearts. Help us to be open to change in our lives no matter how different it is from the plans we made for ourselves. Teach us to receive your “yes” answers to our prayers. Amen.
Joys: another hike up South Mountain; spending the day with Richard; 8 more days until beach time!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Living Lutheran
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. - 1 Corinthians 7:17
We often ask ourselves what it means to live as a Christian. We explore the answers through sermons we hear, Sunday school, small group discussions and many others avenues. However most of us have chosen to express our Christianity through a particular denomination.
Yesterday on FaceBook the ELCA page asked the question: "What does it mean to you to 'live Lutheran?'" I loved the answers. Most dealt with God's grace. Some of my favorites:
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for my church and my church family. Protect us, guide us and strengthen us. Help us to be you lips, hands and feet. Amen.
Joys: Being an ELCA Lutheran; fun hosting a birthday party at Heath House with friends (and Cecelia!); plans to go hiking with Richard today.
We often ask ourselves what it means to live as a Christian. We explore the answers through sermons we hear, Sunday school, small group discussions and many others avenues. However most of us have chosen to express our Christianity through a particular denomination.
Yesterday on FaceBook the ELCA page asked the question: "What does it mean to you to 'live Lutheran?'" I loved the answers. Most dealt with God's grace. Some of my favorites:
- I don't have to have every question and quandary answered by a specific answer because trying to define God/Jesus/salvation/script
ure, etc is to make God small. - In addition to being a follower of Jesus, I feel a certain obligation to stand up to injustice and bad theology because of our history of rebellion.
- To recognize God's gracious, loving care every day, and to extend that kind of grace wherever possible.
- Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God....and trust that God doesn't give up on me during the times I fall away from Him.
- Strive to give God glory in all I do--and when I fail there's GRACE!!!
- Not being labeled a heretic by my church if I choose to believe that the Creation Story is a poetic account of creation.
- Our beliefs and practices in regard to Baptism and Communion
- Our liturgy, whether well-defined in traditional worship or more loosely defined as in contemporary worship
- Feeling free to discuss, ask questions about and even challenge our theology.
- Respect for the spiritual gifts, talents and call of women.
- I especially love that we refuse to put God in a box, saying that God "can't" do something or "won't" work through a particular kind of person... Knowing that ALL things are possible with God.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for my church and my church family. Protect us, guide us and strengthen us. Help us to be you lips, hands and feet. Amen.
Joys: Being an ELCA Lutheran; fun hosting a birthday party at Heath House with friends (and Cecelia!); plans to go hiking with Richard today.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Prayer Request?
20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. -Corinthians 12:20
Gossip. We know it's a no-no. Even non-Christians know that gossip is a bad thing. If we didn't know better, we wouldn't close the door or suddenly drop the volume of our voices before we spoke. But just like any rule or law, we find our loopholes. We dress up gossip as "concern." Some would say it isn't gossip if it's true. And then there are those who would dress up gossip as "a prayer request." I love this video of the Anjelah Johnson monologue...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2jYbrnVDs
Wow... really not far from the truth, is it?
We gossip because it makes us feel like we are in a position of power. It makes us feel important. We "know" something others don't. But we need to also remember the hurt it causes... even if it is true. Don't forget that it takes at least two to participate: a speaker... and a listener. It only takes self-discipline not to be the speaker, but it also takes courage not to be the listener. We may have to risk hurting the speaker's feelings by either pointing out their sin or walking away.
A good tactic to try though is to speak positive things about the one being gossiped about. It can turn a negative conversation into one that builds someone up. This is the option I try for when I have not been sucked in by the gossip, which I confess, happens all too often.
Let's take today and try to speak only good about other people, no matter what others are saying about them.
Lord Jesus,
I confess that I am often drawn into gossip. Help me to build others up rather than tear them down. Amen.
Joys: A day off with Cecelia; Richard cooking supper each night; funny videos
Gossip. We know it's a no-no. Even non-Christians know that gossip is a bad thing. If we didn't know better, we wouldn't close the door or suddenly drop the volume of our voices before we spoke. But just like any rule or law, we find our loopholes. We dress up gossip as "concern." Some would say it isn't gossip if it's true. And then there are those who would dress up gossip as "a prayer request." I love this video of the Anjelah Johnson monologue...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2jYbrnVDs
Wow... really not far from the truth, is it?
We gossip because it makes us feel like we are in a position of power. It makes us feel important. We "know" something others don't. But we need to also remember the hurt it causes... even if it is true. Don't forget that it takes at least two to participate: a speaker... and a listener. It only takes self-discipline not to be the speaker, but it also takes courage not to be the listener. We may have to risk hurting the speaker's feelings by either pointing out their sin or walking away.
A good tactic to try though is to speak positive things about the one being gossiped about. It can turn a negative conversation into one that builds someone up. This is the option I try for when I have not been sucked in by the gossip, which I confess, happens all too often.
Let's take today and try to speak only good about other people, no matter what others are saying about them.
Lord Jesus,
I confess that I am often drawn into gossip. Help me to build others up rather than tear them down. Amen.
Joys: A day off with Cecelia; Richard cooking supper each night; funny videos
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Church of Today
Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. - 1 Corinthians 14:27b
Another interesting quote from Synod Assembly:
"If you insist on calling the younger members of the church 'the church of tomorrow,' maybe we ought to start calling the older members 'the church of yesterday.'"
Isn't it true that every member... young or old, rich or poor, well-educated or not... is a member of the church of TODAY? Our younger folks should be every bit as involved in the ministry and political aspects of the church as anybody else. The trouble is, they aren't.
I think a big part of the reason is that many 20-somethings are not as spiritually focused as the 50- and 60- somethings. But I think another reason is that we don't expect them to want to be involved so we don't make enough room for them. We may ask them to "help" with ministries but we don't ask them to lead them and take ownership of them very often.
It is so true that in most churches 20% of the people do 80% of the work. But I sometimes think that the 20% secretly like it that way. We think we have to "hand over the reigns" of leadership if we invite more people to lead. There is no retirement age when we work for God. Neither is there a required minimum age. We are ALL called to use our gifts and talents to bring God's love to the world. There is room for all.
We are ALL members of the Church of Today.
Lord, help us to be more intentional about inviting others to do the ministry you have laid upon their hearts... no matter their age. We are all brothers and sisters in your kingdom. Amen.
Joys: wonderful weekend; another graduation celebration at church... where does the time go?; so many babies at church yesterday
Another interesting quote from Synod Assembly:
"If you insist on calling the younger members of the church 'the church of tomorrow,' maybe we ought to start calling the older members 'the church of yesterday.'"
Isn't it true that every member... young or old, rich or poor, well-educated or not... is a member of the church of TODAY? Our younger folks should be every bit as involved in the ministry and political aspects of the church as anybody else. The trouble is, they aren't.
I think a big part of the reason is that many 20-somethings are not as spiritually focused as the 50- and 60- somethings. But I think another reason is that we don't expect them to want to be involved so we don't make enough room for them. We may ask them to "help" with ministries but we don't ask them to lead them and take ownership of them very often.
It is so true that in most churches 20% of the people do 80% of the work. But I sometimes think that the 20% secretly like it that way. We think we have to "hand over the reigns" of leadership if we invite more people to lead. There is no retirement age when we work for God. Neither is there a required minimum age. We are ALL called to use our gifts and talents to bring God's love to the world. There is room for all.
We are ALL members of the Church of Today.
Lord, help us to be more intentional about inviting others to do the ministry you have laid upon their hearts... no matter their age. We are all brothers and sisters in your kingdom. Amen.
Joys: wonderful weekend; another graduation celebration at church... where does the time go?; so many babies at church yesterday
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Go Get Evangelized
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.-Luke 24:28-30
Thankfully, yesterday at Synod Assembly was much more interesting. We got to vote on a few interesting, though not very controversial issues and heard some good presentations. I particularly enjoyed a talk given by the our Synod head of Youth and Family Ministries, Tammy Jones West. She said that one of the questions she gets most from churches is "How do we get young adults into our church?"
I think that has been a struggle for many churches for a long time and there is no easy answer and no "one" answer. But several points were brought up all day of how to get all sorts of people into our churches. And what it boils down to, is we need to be asking those people what THEY need. Tammy quoted someone... and I don't remember who... who said "WE need to GO OUT into our communities and the world and get OURSELVES evangelized." We need to learn the needs of those who believe in God, but don't respond well to "organized religion." We need to find out what it is that is keeping them away and what we aren't offering.
And then our keynote speaker preached along the same lines at the Saturday night worship. The scripture was the Emmaus Road passage and a stranger appearing to the disciples and this "guest" becoming the "host." He told us that we need to do more than "be nice" to visitors. We must make them feel a part of the church family. Allow the to become the host. Allow them to serve. Because it is the host who is in the position of power and Christianity is all about empowering others.
We were given a lot of food for thought yesterday. Hopefully some good ideas will come out of it.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for thoughtful speakers and preachers. Help us to put your word into action. Help us to evangelize ourselves by really getting to know others. Amen.
Joys: An awesome traditional worship... there is nothing like worshiping in large numbers!; Saturday; beach vacation in 2 weeks
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.-Luke 24:28-30
Thankfully, yesterday at Synod Assembly was much more interesting. We got to vote on a few interesting, though not very controversial issues and heard some good presentations. I particularly enjoyed a talk given by the our Synod head of Youth and Family Ministries, Tammy Jones West. She said that one of the questions she gets most from churches is "How do we get young adults into our church?"
I think that has been a struggle for many churches for a long time and there is no easy answer and no "one" answer. But several points were brought up all day of how to get all sorts of people into our churches. And what it boils down to, is we need to be asking those people what THEY need. Tammy quoted someone... and I don't remember who... who said "WE need to GO OUT into our communities and the world and get OURSELVES evangelized." We need to learn the needs of those who believe in God, but don't respond well to "organized religion." We need to find out what it is that is keeping them away and what we aren't offering.
And then our keynote speaker preached along the same lines at the Saturday night worship. The scripture was the Emmaus Road passage and a stranger appearing to the disciples and this "guest" becoming the "host." He told us that we need to do more than "be nice" to visitors. We must make them feel a part of the church family. Allow the to become the host. Allow them to serve. Because it is the host who is in the position of power and Christianity is all about empowering others.
We were given a lot of food for thought yesterday. Hopefully some good ideas will come out of it.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for thoughtful speakers and preachers. Help us to put your word into action. Help us to evangelize ourselves by really getting to know others. Amen.
Joys: An awesome traditional worship... there is nothing like worshiping in large numbers!; Saturday; beach vacation in 2 weeks
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Church Body
16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? -1 Corinthians 10:16
Wow... Synod Assembly was pretty boring yesterday. Hopefully today will be a little better. But it wasn't a complete loss. We began with worship, and mostly... there was nothing unusually special about it. Except for one thing.
We had communion and several intinction stations were set up around the auditorium in order to serve the 600 or so people there. What was really neat about that was in between the communion hymns you could hear several different pastors saying, "The body of Christ given for you" or "The blood of Christ shed for you." Their voices overlapped or echoed one another and I just felt a sense of extended community. Not just of the community gathered there... but in my mind I could hear the echo of the same phrases being spoken all over the world and through time past and present and even future. It was feeling the knowledge that we are joined with ALL the saints - past, present and future - in worship.
I love worshiping each week with my church family, but there is something to be said for worshiping in larger groups too. It helps us to understand that Christian community is much more than just the folks at our own churches. We are a vast body that encompasses more than our individual churches, more than our denominational groups, more than Christians in just our own country. We have Christian family everywhere on earth. We are one body with many parts. And whenever different combinations of the parts get together we see the body in new and amazing ways.
I enjoyed worship yesterday, but I hope the business part of the assembly is a tad more interesting today....
Father,
Continue to guide us as we make decisions for our synod today. Amen.
Joys: Memorable worship experiences; catching up with some old campfirmation buddies; having a Kindle app on my phone ;)
Wow... Synod Assembly was pretty boring yesterday. Hopefully today will be a little better. But it wasn't a complete loss. We began with worship, and mostly... there was nothing unusually special about it. Except for one thing.
We had communion and several intinction stations were set up around the auditorium in order to serve the 600 or so people there. What was really neat about that was in between the communion hymns you could hear several different pastors saying, "The body of Christ given for you" or "The blood of Christ shed for you." Their voices overlapped or echoed one another and I just felt a sense of extended community. Not just of the community gathered there... but in my mind I could hear the echo of the same phrases being spoken all over the world and through time past and present and even future. It was feeling the knowledge that we are joined with ALL the saints - past, present and future - in worship.
I love worshiping each week with my church family, but there is something to be said for worshiping in larger groups too. It helps us to understand that Christian community is much more than just the folks at our own churches. We are a vast body that encompasses more than our individual churches, more than our denominational groups, more than Christians in just our own country. We have Christian family everywhere on earth. We are one body with many parts. And whenever different combinations of the parts get together we see the body in new and amazing ways.
I enjoyed worship yesterday, but I hope the business part of the assembly is a tad more interesting today....
Father,
Continue to guide us as we make decisions for our synod today. Amen.
Joys: Memorable worship experiences; catching up with some old campfirmation buddies; having a Kindle app on my phone ;)
Be Perfect-Agree With One Another-Live in Peace
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, good-by. Try to be perfect. Pay attention to what I'm saying. Agree with one another. Live in peace. And the God who gives love and peace will be with you.-2 Corinthians 13:2
"Try to be perfect"; "Agree with one another"; "Live in peace." Impossible words to live by, don't you think? But these are the words on my mind as I start off three days of church politics at the NC Synod Assembly today. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE church politics? But I often find myself in the midst of it, whether attending assembling, sitting on my church council or simply discussing it with friends.
It is through these political channels though that we actually strive to "be perfect; agree with one another; live in peace." Sadly, our means to that end is often littered with great imperfections, disagreements and verbal violence. It is our very love for God that can bring out the worst in us. Each of us has our own idea of who God is and what he wants from us and when others don't see him the same way, we think we need to defend God. And that is what leads us to nasty church politics.
The good thing about Assembly though, is there is a lot of prayer and worship also. It keeps recentering us and bringing us back to what we are supposed to be there for and reminding us of who we are and Whose we are.
As much as I dislike church politics, it is a necessary evil. We NEED church community and to be a community, we need an identity. We have to use the political avenue to define and redefine that identity. It's that redefinition that brings out the bad politics, because even though we know change is necessary, it is also very difficult.
Please pray that good decisions will be made for the NC Synod of the ELCA over these three days and that after all is said and done, we will be able to continue to "try to be perfect; agree with one another and live in peace."
Father,
Watch over our gathering these three days. Send your spirit to each voting member that we will be able to do your will. Bring peace to the hearts of those who bear ill will and let them bring their grievences with a humble heart. Amen.
Joys: Looking forward to seeing some folks I haven't seen in a while; two month break on newsletters!; coffee ready when I woke up this morning
"Try to be perfect"; "Agree with one another"; "Live in peace." Impossible words to live by, don't you think? But these are the words on my mind as I start off three days of church politics at the NC Synod Assembly today. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE church politics? But I often find myself in the midst of it, whether attending assembling, sitting on my church council or simply discussing it with friends.
It is through these political channels though that we actually strive to "be perfect; agree with one another; live in peace." Sadly, our means to that end is often littered with great imperfections, disagreements and verbal violence. It is our very love for God that can bring out the worst in us. Each of us has our own idea of who God is and what he wants from us and when others don't see him the same way, we think we need to defend God. And that is what leads us to nasty church politics.
The good thing about Assembly though, is there is a lot of prayer and worship also. It keeps recentering us and bringing us back to what we are supposed to be there for and reminding us of who we are and Whose we are.
As much as I dislike church politics, it is a necessary evil. We NEED church community and to be a community, we need an identity. We have to use the political avenue to define and redefine that identity. It's that redefinition that brings out the bad politics, because even though we know change is necessary, it is also very difficult.
Please pray that good decisions will be made for the NC Synod of the ELCA over these three days and that after all is said and done, we will be able to continue to "try to be perfect; agree with one another and live in peace."
Father,
Watch over our gathering these three days. Send your spirit to each voting member that we will be able to do your will. Bring peace to the hearts of those who bear ill will and let them bring their grievences with a humble heart. Amen.
Joys: Looking forward to seeing some folks I haven't seen in a while; two month break on newsletters!; coffee ready when I woke up this morning
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Summertime
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker –Psalm 95:6
June is a great month! The weather is great. The trees are the most beautiful shade of green. Graduation celebrations are in the air. Time for summer vacations. The hectic pace of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter that keeps anyone who works at a church busy is over and we look forward to the much slower pace of the summer months.
But just because the church calendar isn’t quite as demanding, that doesn’t mean that we should take a break from our spiritual lives. We don’t have mid-week services or Bible study or Lenten disciplines to keep us reminded of our lives of discipleship, so we have to work harder to keep up healthy spiritual habits.
It’s really easy to give into the temptation of putting our spiritual lives on hold for the summer. Boating, hiking, picnics and a host of other activities all call to us Sunday morning and we find ourselves “getting an early start” on our activities by skipping worship. The longer daylight hours keep us out longer and when we get home, we don’t have time or energy to give to those good Bible study, prayer or devotional habits we began during Lent. How do we keep focused on Christ when all these wonderful summer activities threaten to pull us away?
We can let the beautiful sunshine remind us to have a thankful heart. Let the rain remind us that God works his purpose in all things. Graduations can make us remember that every day is a new beginning for those who love Christ. And all those wonderful family activities will keep us mindful of the fact that our relationships with one another are far more important than the material things we crave.
Let’s try to keep our discipleship practices sharp during the long season of Pentecost. Pray daily. Worship weekly. Read the Bible. Serve one another. Keep your Christian relationships active through regular fellowship. Give generously. And enjoy the summer!
Creator God,
Thank you for the beauty and slower pace of summer. Help us to remember that we wouldn’t really want to take a vacation from you! Keep us mindful of our healthy spiritual practices. Amen.
Joys: Lot's of family time; Richard cooking supper; short work week.
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