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LESSONS LEARNED

2010-07-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I completed the sermon series "The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss." It was a fun and intriguing series. It's amazing just how much you can learn about yourself and the world in which we live from children's books. Let me recap the series and one learning I had from each story:

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back - Jesus Christ is our Savior, our God, who came into the world we messed up to collect the trash and kick it out of our lives (the power of 'Voom!').

Yertle the Turtle - Build your houses and your very lives on the rock – Jesus Christ. We do this by living in humility, by being caring instead of selfish, by pursuing justice instead of power, and by letting the light of love for others shine far and wide.

What Was I Scared Of? - Fears limit our ability to reach our full potential as individuals and as the church. While faith will not eliminate our fears, faith does give us the discipline, confidence and courage to move forward in spite of our fears.

Horton Hears a Who - "A person is a person, no matter how small." (See previous post)

The Zax - We have a choice - we can reach out and accept God's free gift of grace, or we can live like the Zax: dependent upon old patterns and habits (I did it my way...) that only lead to being stuck.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck - Two simple words, "I'm sorry," have the power to save marriages, friendships, and relationships. But the words, "I forgive you" carry even greater potential.

The Sneetches - Instead of focusing on our differences, let us celebrate those things which we have in common with all Christians: creation, calling, Christ. Proclaiming and celebrating unity in the church means learning from our differences instead of allowing them to divide us.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - We cannot raise ourselves up by bringing people down. Even the hard-to-love need to experience love freely given. People can change...they really can!

If you weren't able to join us for this summer series, I would invite you to check out the full sermon texts on our church website: www.willmarumc.org. After you've read them, or after listening, I'm curious to know what (if anything!) you've learned from Dr. Seuss.

Let's chat!

HORTON TEACHES US ABOUT IMMIGRATION

2010-06-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

This summer, I have been using a great resource, The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, in worship and Sunday School. It has been great fun and the response, for the most part, has been very positive.

This past week, we looked at what Horton, the cute and compassionate elephant from Horton Hears a Who, teaches us about immigration. Here is the last part of that message:

* * * * * * *

When Horton is faced with the mocking and ridicule of his friends, he begins to wonder if it’s all worth it. He faces the dilemma I mentioned earlier - walk away from this act of justice, or stick it out amid the junk. Horton wonders our loud:

"Should I put this speck down?" Horton thought with alarm.
"If I do, these small persons may come to great harm.
I can’t put it down. And I won’t! After all
A person’s a person. No matter how small."

A person’s a person, no matter how small. It’s not difficult for me to make the leap and expand on that phrase:
A person’s a person no matter how young…or how old
A person’s a person no matter male or female
A person’s a person no matter his or her sexual orientation
A person’s a person no matter the language they speak or their country of origin
A person’s a person no matter what kind of documentation they possess…or don’t

But again, this isn’t just my radical thought. We find a similar sentiment in the words of Jesus. In Luke chapter 12, Jesus is teaching his friends about living fearlessly. He reminds them of their importance to God with these words: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

What Jesus is saying here is that God cares for us - all of us - deeply and intimately. Jesus references the common sparrow - the most plain and ordinary and probably worthless bird in all of creation. If a person was looking for a low-budget bird, sparrows were always on sale - five for two pennies. And yet, Jesus says, God cares even for these clearance sale priced creatures. And if God can care for the lowly sparrow, how much more will God care for the human creation? It may be beyond belief, but God loves us so much…God cares for us so deeply, that even the hairs on our head are counted and known by God.

Later in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, we are told to love one another just as God has loved us. Doesn’t it follow that if God loves us so much that even the hairs on our heads are known and numbered, that we ought to get to know one another that intimately? And if in God’s Kingdom there are no unimportant persons - no throw-aways - no second-class citizens, shouldn’t we look at all persons in that light?

At the end of Horton Hears a Who, when the tiny voices have finally been heard and the village of Whoville is saved, Horton the elephant smiles and says:

"Do you see what I mean?…
They’ve proved they ARE persons, no matter how small.
And their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All!”

And the big kangaroo, who had been Horton’s biggest critic, has an epiphany:

"How true! Yes, how true, said the big kangaroo
And, from now on, you know what I’m planning to do?…
From now on, I’m going to protect them with you!"
And the young kangaroo in her pouch said,…

"ME TOO!

From sun in the summer. From rain when it’s fall-ish
I’m going to protect them. No matter how small-ish."

May we do the same. AMEN.

AWED...AND ODD

2010-06-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Last week I was at Annual Conference and listened to (among other things) our Bishop, Sally Dyck. It’s not easy being a Bishop, especially at the time of the Annual Conference session. Along with having to run the “business” part of the meetings (think Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules of Order, and a whole host of other technicalities…), the Bishop preaches at least twice – at the opening worship (which is really called the Episcopal Address) and at the Service of Ordination. Both of her messages this year were quite memorable; her Ordination sermon spoke to me personally, and her opening message presented a challenge to the church.

In her Episcopal Address, Bishop Dyck spoke about being awed. Have you been awed by God lately? Do you live your live with a sense of awe and wonder?

Awe is the emotion described in the opening verse of the great old hymn “How Great Thou Art:”
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Awe is also the emotion poured out by the psalmist when he considered God as the creator in Psalm 33:
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
He put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.

When was the last time you were awed by God?

But that word – awed – is pronounced just like another word with a completely different meaning – odd. Are you odd for God?

In today’s world, we seem to be complacent with the disasters that happen around us. Another oil spill, another tornado or hurricane, another war. We can get just as complacent about the more ‘personal’ disasters happening to the people around us: hunger, violence, homelessness, racism, poverty, and the list goes on. In today’s world, it is considered odd to care, to take a stand, to perform not just acts of charity, but also acts of justice.

It is odd to live the words of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 58:
Is not this the fast I choose: To loose the bonds of injustice,
To undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And bring the homeless poor into your house;
When you see the naked, to cover them,
And not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Being awed by God ought to lead to being odd for God.

Are you being awed?

Are you being odd?

Let's chat!

Charity and Justice

2010-05-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Within the church (and even outside of the church), there are a number of opportunities to 'do good' for others. We can make a serve a meal, visit someone in the hospital or prison, assist with rent or mortgage payments, or facilitate medical treatment. There are just a few of the acts that would fall into the category of charity.

Charity is doing the 'good works' that are needed to assist people with an immediate need. Anyone who has time or money or energy can participate in acts of charity.

Working for justice is a bit different. Justice work involves contacting legislators, lobbying local and national elected leaders, marching in a rally, or supporting a local community organization that empowers low-income people to address issues that impact them.

Charity and justice are different...and yet they are the same. Because hopefully both produce the same or a similar result - to right a wrong, to eradicate injustice and oppression, and to comfort the afflicted. We need both - charity and justice - to be Jesus in the world today.

Charity meets the immediate needs of persons and families; but charity alone does not change social structures that attack human dignity, oppress people, and contribute to poverty. Pursuing social justice helps us change oppressive social structures; but we cannot ignore the urgent needs of persons while we work for social change.

As Americans with our emphasis on "me, me, me," we tend to emphasize charity over justice. We know that we should be doing something (because "the Bible tells me so"), and so we pull out our wallet or checkbook or credit card and we give. That's easy for us. That's comfortable. And in some cases, that's all that is needed. But in many more cases, a greater action is called for. This action cannot be fully effective unless it is a communal effort. But when carried out, it has the power and ability to transform institutional policies, societal laws, and unjust social situations.

Charity and justice - may we work not just to recognize both, but to do both.

Let's chat!

Ages and Stages

2010-05-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1

As pastors, we have the wonderful privilege of seeing the entire life cycle in the people with whom we serve. We see babies shortly after they are born, and then have the opportunity to baptize them, welcoming them into the family of God. We see children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as they expand their knowledge and love of God. We am blessed to be able to present third graders with what for many is their first Bible.

We see youth as they move into Middle School and youth group. We get to teach Confirmation to these students, and then celebrate with them as they finish that part of their journey. We have the wonderful opportunity of helping these youth celebrate their graduations from high school and college, congratulating them on the completion of this step of their journey and offering a blessing for the next steps.

As these young people grow older, some will choose their life partner, and we am invited to help prepare for and officiate at their wedding. Some of these couples will have children, and the cycle for that infant begins. For the adults the journey continues.

We am invited into hospital rooms when injury or illness occurs, and when death is imminent, we are often called upon. We gather with families to care for the grieving and plan a funeral. And in the midst of death, we celebrate life.

Sometimes these events are spread out over the course of a year; other times they come quickly. This month has been one of those periods. We’ll celebrate two baptisms, the end of the Sunday School year, graduation, Confirmation, and a funeral. And I wonder why events pile up the way they do. But then I remember, it’s not my plan, not my schedule – it’s God’s.

“He [God] has made everything suitable for its time”
-Ecclesiastes 1:11

I continue to cherish the opportunity to experience birth and death and all of the events in between. I give thanks that God has called me and offered me the privilege of walking life’s journey – the full circle of life – with folks. And I give thanks that at every stage of life – of my life and the lives of others – God is there, too.

The words of a newer hymn, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry,” remind us of that. It’s as if God sings to us:

“I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.”

Let's Chat!

Why Immigration?

2010-05-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I have become involved in the immigration reform "movement." In addition to my role as a pastor, I serve on our Annual Conference Church and Society Ministry Team with a specific role as the Refugee/Immigration Coordinator (RIMCOR).

People often ask me why I have chosen this area of advocacy and my first response is "I didn't - God chose it for me." You see, for 15 years I served in local churches that were 100% white. Even in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the congregation I served was homogeneous.

Then, 3 1/2 years ago, I was appointed to serve the Willmar United Methodist Church. My initial thought was rural, county seat community = homogeneity (another all white community). That thought was quickly dispelled.

Moving here, I learned of the great diversity present. I was told that approximately 20% of the population was Latino, about 5% Somali, and a smaller percentage of a number of other ethnic backgrounds. When our daughter started kindergarten, her class was 50% white and 50% "non-native."

At the same time we moved here, a Spanish-language ministry had begun meeting in the church. The ministry, led by a man named Tomas, was enthusiastically teaching the gospel through bi-lingual songs, prayers, readings, and a sermon.

Tomas quickly became a friend. He and his wife and their four children made quite an impression on our family, and we talked often. One morning - a weekday morning when Tomas should have been at work and the children in school - Tomas and his entire family showed up at my office. I invited them in and they anxiously told me about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that had taken place in Willmar the previous day. Some of their friends, including two people from their ministry (one who was an accomplished musician and led music for their service) had been detained and their whereabouts was unknown. Many others from the Latino community had gone into hiding - afraid to show up at work or school for fear that ICE was still in the area. Tomas and his family had left their mobile home and spent the night at a friend's home in the city, where they felt safer. Throughout the community, there was a noticeable absence of Latinos.

I had listened to their story of fear and feelings of intimidation. In addition, I knew that the scriptures of Christians and Jews, the Bible, have a lot to say about "resident aliens," "foreigners in your midst," "sojourners and strangers among you." How a society treats strangers, foreigners and resident aliens is arguably a major focus, even preoccupation, of the Bible. I knew then that I could not sit idly and do nothing.

Since that time, I have written a piece of legislation for our Annual Conference. I have attended training sessions and workshops in New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. I have spoken at events, assisted in leading workshops, and participated in both a march on the Capital Mall and a local Interfaith Prayer Vigil. I have sat in the offices of my Senators and Representative in DC, and communicated with politicians at the state and city level.

For me, all of this boils down to one simple understanding - all persons are created in the image of God, and all persons are deserving of worth and respect. Some will argue, "But they're illegal," or accuse me of supporting "the illegals." But to me, no human being is illegal (undocumented, maybe, but certainly not illegal). And until something happens that allows my friends like Tomas to come out of the shadows, I will continue the fight.

Care to join me? Let's chat!

Always Be a Child

2010-05-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, I was privileged to share in the sacrament of baptism. At the conclusion of that baptism, as is my tradition, I walked up and down the center aisle of the church singing to Raelynn. The song I sang on Sunday, as requested by the parents, was “Always Be a Child.”

I’ve sung that song literally hundreds of times (counting all the rehearsals and singing in the shower), but I’ve never had quite the same feeling as I did on Sunday. Let me try to explain.

As I walked and sang, I could see the baby's eyes growing heavier and heavier. She was obviously very relaxed and enjoying every moment. As I watched her eyes finally close, I listened to the words that I was singing:

“You will always be a child in my eyes.
And when you need some love, my arms are open wide.
And even when you’re growing old, I hope you’ll realize
You will always be a child in my eyes.”

I couldn’t help but connect the message of the words from the song with the actions of this tiny infant. It was almost as if she was saying (without saying anything at all):
As a child of God, I am happy
As a child of God, I am content
As a child of God, I am at peace

And therein lies the message for all of us. As children of God, we have been given some pretty awesome promises. God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God promises to prosper us, and offers us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God tells us as God told Paul in a dream, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you” (Acts 18:9-10). God even promises blessings to those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger for righteousness, those who are merciful, those who are pure in heart, or those who strive for peace. Theirs, God says, will be the kingdom of heaven.

Do we believe these promises? Do we live our lives as if we have already received these promises? Are we actively seeking out these and other promises from God?

If we are, then I am quite sure that we, too, will be happy;
If we are, then we, too, will be content;
If we are, then we, too, will live in peace, for we are all children of God.

Let's chat!

Broccoli...with Cheese

2010-05-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I preached on Jesus' "new commandment" as found in John 13. In giving the Children's Sermon, I asked kids about their favorite food. The answers were as expected (most of them): pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, candy, lefsa (OK...that one caught me off guard). I then asked them why nobody said "Broccoli." Nobody, it seems, names broccoli as their favorite food.

That image obviously stuck - with kids and adults alike. I've had people this week tell me about their 'broccoli' neighbors, or people they had met during the week that they had termed 'broccoli people.' The point is that there will always be people in our lives who aren't our favorites.

But using that image gives broccoli a bad name. After all, I like broccoli. It happens to be one of my favorite vegetables. I'll eat it raw or cooked. Even our 8-year-old daughter eats broccoli. But for her, what makes it tolerable is when it is covered in cheese. It could be shredded cheese melted over the florets, or a thick cheese sauce poured over, it doesn't matter. What matters is that the broccoli is "enhanced" with cheese.

As I thought about that, I thought how many things are made tolerable with an addition or two. Heck, even lutefisk is edible when it's floating in a bowl of melted butter! The same is true with people (but keep reading, lest you try to drown your neighbor in butter). Every person who comes into our midst, everyone with whom our paths might cross is tolerable...even loveable. Sometimes it just takes a little something extra.

But I'm not suggesting that our hard-to-get-along-with neighbor will be more tolerable if they add something to their lives. No, we're the ones who need to add something - to offer them something. And that something is grace. If we can just sprinkle a little grace into our relationships, we will find that they will be a bit happier and a lot healthier.

Who are the people you find most difficult to get along with? How have you shown them love and grace? What difference has that made? Let's chat!

THE MOTIONS

2009-08-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

If you listen to contemporary Christian radio, you’ve undoubtedly heard Matthew West’s song “The Motions.” For those who haven’t heard it, here are the lyrics to the verses and refrain:

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

Whenever I hear the song, I have to admit that I’m indicted. There are times in my life (far more than I’d probably like to think about or admit) when I coast. I get complacent and think, “The status quo is OK for today.” And in those moments, while I’m not hurting anyone through my half-way attitude and actions, I’m certainly not helping anyone.

Somehow I don’t think I’m alone. We all go through those “nothing” times in our lives when our minds tell us that we deserve a break, that we don’t have to work at justice or compassion or kindness today because we did it yesterday and it’s on our agenda for tomorrow. But living as a follower of Jesus Christ is not like that. Living as a faithful follower means that we work at these things non-stop, because the needs never stop surfacing. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

But we can’t do it alone. We can’t keep up a breakneck pace of ministry without returning to the well to be refilled and refueled from time to time. And we can’t wait until it’s too late or else we end up like the tinman in the Wizard of Oz…frozen, motionless (and sometimes e-motionless), and useless. And so in the midst of doing justice and loving kindness, let us remember to walk humbly with our God. God’s consuming passion in our lives can make us whole and supply us with exactly what we need to continue strong in the tasks God has set before us.

I don’t want to get to the end of my ministry…the end of my life…and wonder “What if…?” I don’t want to simply go through the motions. Lord, I need your help…let’s chat!

NEED OR GREED?

2009-08-11T07:37:00.001-07:00

I came across a quote from Mahatma Gandhi who said, “In nature, there is enough for every one’s need, but too little for one’s greed.”

I hear about the economic situation and corporate bailouts and I wonder, need or greed?

I hear about military spending (which in 2008 was about $1.7 trillion worldwide) and I wonder, need or greed.

I hear about churches that build multi-million dollar facilities on vast acreages of land (or the Dallas Cowboys who recently completed their new stadium at the cost of $1.15 billion!) and I wonder, need or greed?

At a time when affordable health care for all is being debated, when poverty and hunger still run rampant in our backyards and around the world, when schools are closing and teachers are being laid off, when diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis kill thousands daily, I wonder if the world's greed is standing in the way of caring for some very significant needs.

I recently read that if just 10% of the world military outlays, or 20% of the U.S. military expenditure were diverted yearly, we could fund programs that would end poverty by the year 2015, ensure that adequate health care was available to everyone, and end the spread of deadly diseases. Isn't that a better way to invest our money? Or maybe I'm just being greedy.

What do you think? Let's chat!

FOREVER DANCE

2009-08-04T08:57:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Much has taken place, but nothing that should have kept me from writing. And so I return...

Because many of my posts are a sharing of something I have read, the fact that I haven't been blogging is a good indication that my reading has lagged as well. Again, there is no good reason other than "I've been busy..." (and who isn't busy, so that's really not a good reason). And so I return...

Turning again to the poetry of the mystic Hafiz, I came across this gem:

I am happy even before I have a reason

I am full of Light even before the sky

Can greet the sun or the moon.

Dear companions,

We have been in love with God

For so very, very long.

What can (we) now do but

Forever Dance!

When is the last time you felt like dancing? When were you so filled with joy or love or peace that the only fitting response was to kick up your heels, spin and twirl, and fall to the ground laughing? Has it been a while?

Remember the Spirit's word to the church at Ephesus: "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance...I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name and that you ahve not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:2-4).

I know that when it seems like my dancing shoes have gathered dust, when it feels like my relationships are becoming hard work, when I find myself engrossed in simply going through the motions, it's because I've abandoned my first love - God.

Been there yourself? Felt the same way? What has been your response? Let's chat...

Mr. Rogers Wisdom

2009-06-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Having raised four kids and many more foster kids, I'm pretty sharp on children's television. I can tell you how to get to Sesame Street (and, while you're there, tell you about the People In Your Neighborhood). I can sing the Barney song (but don't get me started). And I'll help you remember that "It's You I Like."

That last reference, for those not quite as sharp on their children's television, is from a song that Mr. Rogers often sang on his show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Mr. Rogers always had some wonderful things to say about how we ought to treat one another. And did you know that Fred (Mr.) Rogers had some pretty insightful things to say to adults, too? Consider this quote of his:

"When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is
far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you
that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive.
Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that
proves more powerful than greed."

Love that conquers hate...peace that rises triumphant over war...justice that proves more powerful than greed. What are other things without which humankind cannot survive? Let's chat...

DRINK OF LOVE

2009-06-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

The mystic poet Hafiz writes,

I know the way you can get
When you have not had a drink of Love;

Your face hardens,
Your sweet muscles cramp.
Children become concerned
About a strange look that appears in your eyes
Which even begins to worry your own mirror
And nose.

Squirrels and birds sense your sadness
And call an important conference in a tall tree.
They decide which secret code to chant
To help your mind and soul.

Even angels fear that brand of madness
That arrays itself against the world
And throws sharp stones and spears into
The innocent
And into one's self.

O I know the way you can get
If you have not been out drinking Love;

How often have we felt that way? Empty...longing...searching...? And as hard as we try to hide the pain or emptiness we're feeling, we can't fool those closest to us. Sometimes even strangers see it or sense it in us. And sometimes, try as we might, our pain is transferred to others by the unhappiness we project on to them.

What do we do? Where do we go when we begin to feel this way? Let me answer with two possibilities:

Hafiz continues,

Bring your cup near me,
For I am a Sweet Old Vagabond
With an Infinite Leaking Barrel
Of Light and Laughter and Truth
That the Beloved has tied to my back.

Dear one,
Indeed, please bring your heart near me.
For all I care about
Is quenching your thirst for freedom!

All a sane man can ever care about
Is giving Love!

And then from the words of scripture, the book of 1 John:

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another (3:16).

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action (3:18).

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us (3:23).

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God (4:7).

We love because he first loved us (4:19).

Who is your "Sweet Old Vagabond" to whom you can turn when you need a fill of love? How often do you position your "Infinite Leaking Barrel" so that you can fill the empty reservoirs of others? And when you find yourself living in love, do you give thanks to God who is love, and who makes it possible for us to love others? Let's chat...

HOPE?

2009-06-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

I spent the morning on the phone with two people in grief. The first was a woman whose 18 year old daughter gave birth last week to a baby who was stillborn. Quite premature, the baby was not expected to survive long outside the confines of the mother's womb. Yet still, there was hope. Hope that the doctors were wrong. Hope that the contractions would cease and labor could be held off until the baby was more fully developed. Hope for a miracle. Later this week, I will lead a Memorial Service for this tiny child of God.

The second was a woman calling to tell me that her 30-something son had just passed away at the University of Minnesota Hospital. This young man has suffered with an immune system deficiency for at least the second half of his life. Earlier this year he received a bone marrow transplant in hopes that it would kick start his body to begin producing the necessary cells to boost him immune system. For a short time, it appeared that the transplant had worked. Hopes were high that he would get back to living a "normal" life. But last week he developed pneumonia and influenza. The high doses of medication he was receiving took their toll on his heart and other organs. At the end of this week, this young man will be eulogized by his friends and family members.

What is the proper response when our hopes are dashed?
What can we say to someone who placed so much hope in God, only to have God answer with something totally unexpected?
What, if anything, can be done to restore hope when it has been lost?

Let's chat...but please don't stop there. If you would, join me in praying for these two families...sometimes it's the only thing we can do.

Cross the Road

2009-05-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

I'm at Annual Conference (our denomination's 'annual' meeting with clergy and laypeople from each United Methodist Church in Minnesota) this week. It's always good to catch up with people I haven't seen for a year, and our times of worship are always inspirational.

Last night our bishop, Sally Dyck, preached on the topic of the Good Samaritan. Her sermon title was "Why Did the United Methodist Cross the Road?" Her short answer to that question was that Jesus always crossed the road, and when we cross the road, that's when/where we'll find Jesus.

At one point in her message, she asked the questions, "Why don't we cross the road?" and "What are we afraid of?" As I listened, I thought of this past week and people who showed up at the church seeking help. I'm proud to say that we crossed the road and did what we could to help. And here's what I learned:
1. Crossing the road is going to cost you something. It may be time, it may be an emotional investment, but in many cases, it's going to be money. People are coming to the church with financial needs.
2. If you cross the road once, you run the risk of developing a reputation as a 'road-crosser' and others in need may begin to flock to your door.

Do these facts translate to fears? Do our fears translate to inactivity? Will we see those crying out in need and walk by on the other side, or will we cross the road, extend our hand, and offer help? Let's chat...

Having Nothing

2009-05-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

by Rumi

Whatever comes, comes from a need,
a sore distress, a hurting want.

Mary's pain made the baby Jesus.
Her womb opened its lips
and spoke the Word.

Every part of you has a secret language.
Your hands and your feet say what you have done.

Every need brings in what's needed.
Pain bears its cure like a child.

Having nothing produces provisions.
Ask a difficult question,
and the marvelous answer appears.

Build a ship, and there will be water
to float it. The tender-throated infant cries,
and milk drips from the mother's breast.

Be thirsty for the ultimate water.
Then be ready for what will come
pouring from the spring.

Are you thirsty? Do you have faith that when we ask, we will receive? Do you see God as a God of abundance who not only provides for our needs, but fills us to overflowing?

When you have received that which comes pouring from the spring, will you be willing to share with others and refill their parched souls?

Let's chat!

FAITH STATEMENTS

2009-05-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

We're quickly approaching Confirmation Sunday in our church. This year we have four 9th graders who will be making that public profession and confirmation of their faith. I know that they're excited...and I'm excited for them.

One of the things that is asked of our students preparing for Confirmation is that they write a personal Faith Statement. We look at examples of the historic creeds, as well as more modern affirmations, but in their final instructions the students are told to be a creative as possible. I encourage them to write about their faith as if they were writing for someone who has never heard of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the church.

I'm always amazed at their responses. I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being such a wonderful teacher, but I know better! These young people, at this stage of their lives, have done a lot of living. They have seen and heard and experienced things far beyond what I had experienced at their age. And they're not afraid to talk about their source of hope and strength.

In reading this year's Faith Statements, I was struck by the way each of them, in their own, way, talked about their journey, and how their journey would not be over when they received that Certificate of Confirmation. Each of them shared their desire and their commitment to remain connected to the church and continue the learning, growing, and serving they have experienced thus far.

While I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being a good influence on their Christian lives, I know better! What they have learned throughout their lives is the kind of important lesson that Jesus tries to teach in John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from my you can do nothing."

I am reminded through these young people that I need to be more attentive to my journey - that while I may be 45 years old (did I say that out loud???) my journey is far from over. There are more books to read and more conversations to have with the wisdom folk. And while I may be an ordained pastor with a graduate degree, my learning will forever continue. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from our youth.

I hope that you'll join me in praying for Brady, Halee, Rosie and Tia, and congratulating them on passing this mile marker on their journey. And if you'd like to share where you've been influenced on your walk, or what you're doing to stay connected to the vine, let's chat!

For a While

2009-05-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to the poetry of the mystics at a clergy retreat I attend a couple of times a year. I will admit that I was apprehensive at first - I'm not a big poetry fan. But the more I read, the more I appreciate insights about the Holy shared in this fashion.

Periodically, I will share poems or portions of poems through this avenue to introduce these masters to others and invite conversation on their work.

For a While
from I Heard God Laughing
Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky

We have all come to the right place.
We all sit in God's classroom.

Now,
The only thing left for us to do, my dear,

Is to stop
Throwing spitballs for a while.

Personally, I find it difficult to picture hurling spitballs towards God (or even in the vicinity of God!), but I love the image as a metaphor for our inattentiveness to God. I can think of a number of spitballs in my life, those things that get in the way of simply sitting at God's feet and "being." I know that sometimes I get caught up in the administrative end of what I do far too deeply (someone reading this is chuckling loudly right now!) and it cuts off my ability to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Other times I find myself more absorbed in the news or the box score of the game than I am in the pursuit of God. Perhaps someone needs to take careful aim at my soul and launch a soggy yet solid wad to wake me up! Let's chat...

Back to Blogging

2009-05-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted, and hopefully you'll notice a new format. Part of my challenge in the past was the cut-and-paste method I needed to update the old blog...mostly (and honestly) it was due to laziness. Hopefully this format will also increase visibility and invite more conversation with others. It's no fun to write a blog that is only seen by a small number of people...it's even less fun to write a blog that is seen but isn't commented on! With that introduction...let's chat!