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...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Having Nothing
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
FAITH STATEMENTS
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
For a While
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...
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
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!
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