11/30/10 I am preaching a series of sermons from John Wesley's 3 simple rules: do no harm, do good, stay in love with God. This past Sunday I began with do no harm. I challenged the congregation and myself to pick one behavior that God might want us to change for this season of Advent. I want to guard my tongue. I so easily can attack, blame, and belittle others. I am finding this very hard to do. This behavior is so ingrained in me that before I even know it the words come flying out of my mouth. I realize it may take more than the season of Advent for God to work in me this simple rule of doing no harm.
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Do No Harm
from my sermon on Nov. 28 and Gal. 5:15
Let me be the first to say to you, "Happy New Year!" I know our culture today tells time more by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but we church people tell time by the coming of Christ. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the first day of the Christian year, so Happy New Year. Today we celebrate Christ who has come and is coming. I am not focusing so much on the baby Jesus in the manger, but Christ who challenges us to follow Him.
Today marks the start of a short term study on the Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of LIving. I picked up this little book months ago and thought, "What a great way to celebrate Christ's coming! Not filling up our calendars with more things to do or our closets with more stuff we will never use, but living in Christ's presence. The simple rules are do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.
Today, we start with do no harm. When I reread the chapter this past week, I thought this first chapter was pretty touchy-feely even for me. It said that words can wound, and relationships can rip. That's why the author, UM Bishop Rueben Job, chose this strange verse from Galatians, "If however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." Paul writes to churches in the region of modern day Turkey. The imagery that he uses is that of a dogfight, with fangs barred and teeth going for the throat, that ends up with us destroying one another. He uses this imagery to describe the church! I know that none of you have ever experienced this level of hateful speech and relationships in the church!
What harm is done by our gossip, our envy, our backbiting in the church. Whoever said that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" ...lied! I appreciate the honesty of the Bible in not sugarcoating over our differences. Around this church we try to practice the HEART principles to minimize the hurtful effects of our communication: Hear me and understand me, Even if you disagree don't make me wrong, Acknowledge the greatness within me, Remember to look for my loving intentions, Tell me the truth with compassion.
I know the most powerful words we say are "I love you." But I learned that the second most powerful words are "you may be right." Do no harm starts with guard our tongue against words that wound.
There are many of you in the medical field, in the healing arts. I bet you have heard these words before, "DO no harm." It is part of an oath that you take. It means at the very least don't do anything that would cause more injury. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is to pause before rushing in. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is nothing. Do no harm means we don't want to make a situation worse than it already is.
So at this point in the sermon it is Friday, and I am full of turkey and dressing, but short on the message. I prayed, "Surely Lord there is more you have for your people." I was led to the original context for Mr. Wesley's 3 simple rules. I picked up our UM Discipline. Discipline has in it the word disciple. This book contains how we UM Christians try to follow Christ.
In the year 1739, some 8-12 persons came to John Wesley wanting to save their souls. They asked him for guidance. After prayer, he came up with these 3 simple rules. I am going to read them now and update them. I would for you to be listening for one thing you might be led to change this Advent.
First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:
The taking of the name of God in vain. This is the third commandment. You might think that it is about cussing and it could be. But more, it is about dishonoring God, taking God for granted. What got me is that we could hurt God's heart. Do no harm can mean do no harm to God.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling. This is the fourth commandment. We forget that Sabbath rest is God's gift to us. We are not machines; we are human beings. Do no harm may mean do no harm to ourselves. We can unhook from the culture around us that says, do more, get more, work more.
Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity ( much laughter from the congregation). Ah, there must be many cases of extreme necessity. In Wesley's day, gin was the common working person's antidote to the harshness of life. It was cheap and effective. There was a phrase from that time: you can get drunk for a half penny, dead drunk for a penny. The Methodists were abstainers because they saw what alcoholism could do to destroy a life or a family. Now 62% of Methodists drink. 10 to 15% of those who drink have a problem with alcohol. Maybe do no harm might mean you could start attending a 12 step group and get out of the shame cycle. I have helped any number of people over the years get freedom from this drug of choice. It could be another drug, even work or pornography.
Slaveholding; buying or selling slaves. Methodists were some of the first abolitionists. This was a radical stance back in the 1730's when much of the business model was built around this labor. Today do no harm means to be aware that many still don't make a living wage. Human trafficking still happens along the I-35 corridor as people are bought and sold like objects.
The next one really gets to that verse in Galatians. Fighting, quarreling, brawlin, brother going to law against brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling ( here I drop a stack of newspaper ads from the holiday period). Just a small fraction of ads that have come to our house in the last few days.
There are many clauses that have to do with economics. The buying of selling goods that have not paid the duty. It was the black market in those days. Today we still try to get around paying taxes. We have get rich schemes like Ponzi schemes. We have robo-signing of home loans. Do no harm involves our economic lives. The giving or taking things on usury--i.e., unlawful interest.
This next one I want you to pay special attention to. Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers (much laughter). I know we never speak uncivilly of civil servants. I know that you always speak well of your ministers!
The next one is the golden rule in the negative. Doing unto others as we would not they should do unto us.
Doning what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
the singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Softness and needless self-indulgence.
Laying up treasure upon earth.
This next one I want to put a little different spin on. Borrowing with a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. On this day when we have the Hanging of the Greens in our sanctuary, I wonder if we are not harming our environment. We are borrowing from our future without a probability of paying. I fear we may have gone too far and caused irreparable harm. Do no harm means to take care of the world over which we have been made stewards. In Australia this summer, I was impressed by my friends Dennis and Lulu. Their house had a huge tank to catch the rainwater from the roof. They used the grey water from the dishwasher and the clothes washer to water their lawn. In the shower, they had a little 4 minute timer. Under the category of too much information, you might know that I use hardly any water in showering. I do a pre-rinse, turn off the water and lather up, and then rinse off. Maybe I use 1 minute of water. I grew up on a farm in the Panhandle of Texas. I know the value of water.
I have asked you to consider doing one thing that would fulfill do no harm. I would have you embrace that not as a rule but as an adventure. Do you hear the word Advent in adventure? I understand from the behavioral sciences that you need to practice a new behaviour for at least 21 days before it becomes a part of you. What a great season to get started! There is good news in this first simple rule: do no harm. Happy New Year!
Let me be the first to say to you, "Happy New Year!" I know our culture today tells time more by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but we church people tell time by the coming of Christ. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the first day of the Christian year, so Happy New Year. Today we celebrate Christ who has come and is coming. I am not focusing so much on the baby Jesus in the manger, but Christ who challenges us to follow Him.
Today marks the start of a short term study on the Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of LIving. I picked up this little book months ago and thought, "What a great way to celebrate Christ's coming! Not filling up our calendars with more things to do or our closets with more stuff we will never use, but living in Christ's presence. The simple rules are do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.
Today, we start with do no harm. When I reread the chapter this past week, I thought this first chapter was pretty touchy-feely even for me. It said that words can wound, and relationships can rip. That's why the author, UM Bishop Rueben Job, chose this strange verse from Galatians, "If however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." Paul writes to churches in the region of modern day Turkey. The imagery that he uses is that of a dogfight, with fangs barred and teeth going for the throat, that ends up with us destroying one another. He uses this imagery to describe the church! I know that none of you have ever experienced this level of hateful speech and relationships in the church!
What harm is done by our gossip, our envy, our backbiting in the church. Whoever said that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" ...lied! I appreciate the honesty of the Bible in not sugarcoating over our differences. Around this church we try to practice the HEART principles to minimize the hurtful effects of our communication: Hear me and understand me, Even if you disagree don't make me wrong, Acknowledge the greatness within me, Remember to look for my loving intentions, Tell me the truth with compassion.
I know the most powerful words we say are "I love you." But I learned that the second most powerful words are "you may be right." Do no harm starts with guard our tongue against words that wound.
There are many of you in the medical field, in the healing arts. I bet you have heard these words before, "DO no harm." It is part of an oath that you take. It means at the very least don't do anything that would cause more injury. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is to pause before rushing in. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is nothing. Do no harm means we don't want to make a situation worse than it already is.
So at this point in the sermon it is Friday, and I am full of turkey and dressing, but short on the message. I prayed, "Surely Lord there is more you have for your people." I was led to the original context for Mr. Wesley's 3 simple rules. I picked up our UM Discipline. Discipline has in it the word disciple. This book contains how we UM Christians try to follow Christ.
In the year 1739, some 8-12 persons came to John Wesley wanting to save their souls. They asked him for guidance. After prayer, he came up with these 3 simple rules. I am going to read them now and update them. I would for you to be listening for one thing you might be led to change this Advent.
First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:
The taking of the name of God in vain. This is the third commandment. You might think that it is about cussing and it could be. But more, it is about dishonoring God, taking God for granted. What got me is that we could hurt God's heart. Do no harm can mean do no harm to God.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling. This is the fourth commandment. We forget that Sabbath rest is God's gift to us. We are not machines; we are human beings. Do no harm may mean do no harm to ourselves. We can unhook from the culture around us that says, do more, get more, work more.
Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity ( much laughter from the congregation). Ah, there must be many cases of extreme necessity. In Wesley's day, gin was the common working person's antidote to the harshness of life. It was cheap and effective. There was a phrase from that time: you can get drunk for a half penny, dead drunk for a penny. The Methodists were abstainers because they saw what alcoholism could do to destroy a life or a family. Now 62% of Methodists drink. 10 to 15% of those who drink have a problem with alcohol. Maybe do no harm might mean you could start attending a 12 step group and get out of the shame cycle. I have helped any number of people over the years get freedom from this drug of choice. It could be another drug, even work or pornography.
Slaveholding; buying or selling slaves. Methodists were some of the first abolitionists. This was a radical stance back in the 1730's when much of the business model was built around this labor. Today do no harm means to be aware that many still don't make a living wage. Human trafficking still happens along the I-35 corridor as people are bought and sold like objects.
The next one really gets to that verse in Galatians. Fighting, quarreling, brawlin, brother going to law against brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling ( here I drop a stack of newspaper ads from the holiday period). Just a small fraction of ads that have come to our house in the last few days.
There are many clauses that have to do with economics. The buying of selling goods that have not paid the duty. It was the black market in those days. Today we still try to get around paying taxes. We have get rich schemes like Ponzi schemes. We have robo-signing of home loans. Do no harm involves our economic lives. The giving or taking things on usury--i.e., unlawful interest.
This next one I want you to pay special attention to. Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers (much laughter). I know we never speak uncivilly of civil servants. I know that you always speak well of your ministers!
The next one is the golden rule in the negative. Doing unto others as we would not they should do unto us.
Doning what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
the singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Softness and needless self-indulgence.
Laying up treasure upon earth.
This next one I want to put a little different spin on. Borrowing with a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. On this day when we have the Hanging of the Greens in our sanctuary, I wonder if we are not harming our environment. We are borrowing from our future without a probability of paying. I fear we may have gone too far and caused irreparable harm. Do no harm means to take care of the world over which we have been made stewards. In Australia this summer, I was impressed by my friends Dennis and Lulu. Their house had a huge tank to catch the rainwater from the roof. They used the grey water from the dishwasher and the clothes washer to water their lawn. In the shower, they had a little 4 minute timer. Under the category of too much information, you might know that I use hardly any water in showering. I do a pre-rinse, turn off the water and lather up, and then rinse off. Maybe I use 1 minute of water. I grew up on a farm in the Panhandle of Texas. I know the value of water.
I have asked you to consider doing one thing that would fulfill do no harm. I would have you embrace that not as a rule but as an adventure. Do you hear the word Advent in adventure? I understand from the behavioral sciences that you need to practice a new behaviour for at least 21 days before it becomes a part of you. What a great season to get started! There is good news in this first simple rule: do no harm. Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
seminary
11/23/10 Yesterday, I went to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary to teach the United Methodist Polity class for Dr. Paul Barton ( no immediate relation, but I did know his parents, Roy and Rosa from Perkins School of Theology). I serve on our Board of Ordained Ministry so I was to address the topic of ordination. I thought the class would be only an hour long, but it was to be an hour and a half. I didn't know if I had enough material, but the time flew by. Paul had to give me the signal to stop while I was still rolling. It was very energizing to dialogue with these who are just coming into the ordination process.
Today, I was back at APTS to talk to the loose group of UM students. They wanted to hear about the partnership we have formed with Parker Lane UMC on the east side of Austin. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed their questions and insights. In short, the last 2 days have reminded of why I attended seminary from 1976 to 1979.
Love,
Lynn
Today, I was back at APTS to talk to the loose group of UM students. They wanted to hear about the partnership we have formed with Parker Lane UMC on the east side of Austin. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed their questions and insights. In short, the last 2 days have reminded of why I attended seminary from 1976 to 1979.
Love,
Lynn
Monday, November 22, 2010
Jesus remember me
Jesus remember me from my sermon on 11/21/10 from Luke 23:33-43
(we sing the Taize chorus, "Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom," as ushers pass out nails to the congregation.)
Warning: this message may contain material that some listeners will find offensive. You think I am kidding, but I am not. I would rather talk about football and other light matters, but the text is not headed that way. If you have been reading Luke's Gospel, it is no surprise that we find ourselves here today. Three times Jesus has said that he is going to Jerusalem, and there be rejected, crucified, and die. We have been on a journey with Jesus for months now in our worship services. Way back in the 9th chapter, Luke said that when the time came for him to be lifted up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
So we find ourselves today in this ominous place called the Skull. Is it a hill that is shaped like a skull? Is it because there have been so many crucifixions that there are many skulls lying around? We don't know. All we know is that we don't want to be here. It is ugly, gruesome, upsetting. We want to avoid this place, where Jesus is dying on a cross. Luke tells the story briefly, compactly, but compellingly.
Warning: you may find this material objectionable. I know my former congregation did. I was talking about Jesus dying on the cross. Rome had chosed this form of punishment because it brought public humiliation and maximum pain upon the criminal, and it discouraged others from similiar crimes. But we have santized the cross. Today, we wear the cross as jewelery--a bracelet, a necklace. We polish the cross and put it up in our sanctuaries. Our Roman Catholic friends still have Jesus on the cross in suffering and pain. We Protestants have Jesus resurrected, so our crosses are empty. It is a symbol of victory for us. But we may have lost the emotional impact , the shock value of the cross. Now here is the part that you won't like. In my former church, I said, "what if we put a modern day symbol of death in our sanctuaries? What if we put up front an electric chair? Or here in the state of Texas a gurney with leather straps and hoses with needles?"
After the service, a dear faithful woman came up to me with tears in her eyes and gripped me by my shoulders. Lana Kay said, "You can't do that without giving us some warning. Don't you remember what happened to my son?" Of course I had forgotten. Her son had worked as a clerk at a convenience store up over that big bridge in Corpus Christi. A robber had come in and demanded money. He was inept, scared, maybe high on drugs. He botched it. He got away with very little cash, but he murdered Lana Kay's son. The security camera caught it all on tape. The TV stations played it over and over again for days. The young man was caught, sentenced, sent to prison, and placed on death row. Lana Kay wrote him letters, formed a relationship with him, got on his visitors' list, and had even gone to see him in prison. His execution date had been scheduled. Lana Kay said to me, "You have to give us some warning before you tell us stuff like this." We will return to Lana Kay in a minute.
We don't like Jesus on a cross. We want a different kind of Messiah. Some people tell me that they follow Jesus because he is a good man; they want a moral example. Some say they like Jesus because he is sort of a guru full of wise teachings. But we don't get to pick what kind of Messiah Jesus is. God has chosen to show His love for us in Jesus on a cross.
This is Christ the King Sunday. We have a king. His throne is a cross. He wears a crown...of thorns. We don't get to choose this. God already has.
We shout "Save yourself!" Did you notice 3 times in the text people are shouting at Jesus to save himself? It sounds an awful lot like the opening scene of Jesus's ministry when he is out in the wilderness and the tempter comes to Him and says, "If you really are the Son of God....then change these stones into bread, .....worship me and all this world will be yours...., jump from the Temple pinnacle and you won't be hurt."
The religious leaders, the Roman soldiers, and one thief all yell at Jesus to save himself. One thief gives a minority report. He says, "Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom." He gets what no one else gets. The disciples don't get it. The crowds don't get it. The religious leaders don't get it. The Roman soldiers don't get it. The other thief doesn't get it. Only this one thief gets it while hanging on the cross beside Jesus. He sees Jesus as King, as Messiah, as Savior. He gets it because he is totally helpless. He has no other hope. It is before the resurrection. It is the first Christian sermon. He sees Jesus as Messiah because he is desperate.
There is no one beyond hope. Even a thief on a cross. There is always time till the very last breath to be forgiven. No one is beyond God's grace.
I wonder if we don't avoid the ugliness of the cross because we think we don't need it. Let me put it another way. I went to workshop recently where I heard a really great preacher. He asked his congregation this question: "Are you a sinner or just a mistaker?"
I ask you, do you just say as a mistaker, "Oops, my bad?" Or do you acknowledge that you are a sinner and have offended God? Are you a mistaker who just bends the rules? Or are you a sinner who has broken God's heart?
I wonder if we miss the power of the cross because we think we are just mistakers, not sinners. We don't like to be helpless.
Back to Lana Kay, I am not breaking any confidences here, on the day the young man was executed for killing her son, she went on the Today show on NBC, and she said, "I forgive him." When you are helpless, when you turn to Jesus in desperation, and are welcomed, that forgiveness can flow through you and into others.
Remember what Jesus says earlier in the passage, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The Greek verb tense is one of continuing action. Jesus is literally saying over and over again, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
There is incredible good news in this passage. To the ones who are helpless, hopeless, and cry out, "Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom," Jesus says, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
I want you to go to the ugly cross now, holding that nail in your hand. I know that nail is dirty and oily; it marks you. I want you to mediate on that nail as we sing once more. I want you to answer the question: "Are you a sinner or just a mistaker?"
(We sing, Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom.)
(we sing the Taize chorus, "Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom," as ushers pass out nails to the congregation.)
Warning: this message may contain material that some listeners will find offensive. You think I am kidding, but I am not. I would rather talk about football and other light matters, but the text is not headed that way. If you have been reading Luke's Gospel, it is no surprise that we find ourselves here today. Three times Jesus has said that he is going to Jerusalem, and there be rejected, crucified, and die. We have been on a journey with Jesus for months now in our worship services. Way back in the 9th chapter, Luke said that when the time came for him to be lifted up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
So we find ourselves today in this ominous place called the Skull. Is it a hill that is shaped like a skull? Is it because there have been so many crucifixions that there are many skulls lying around? We don't know. All we know is that we don't want to be here. It is ugly, gruesome, upsetting. We want to avoid this place, where Jesus is dying on a cross. Luke tells the story briefly, compactly, but compellingly.
Warning: you may find this material objectionable. I know my former congregation did. I was talking about Jesus dying on the cross. Rome had chosed this form of punishment because it brought public humiliation and maximum pain upon the criminal, and it discouraged others from similiar crimes. But we have santized the cross. Today, we wear the cross as jewelery--a bracelet, a necklace. We polish the cross and put it up in our sanctuaries. Our Roman Catholic friends still have Jesus on the cross in suffering and pain. We Protestants have Jesus resurrected, so our crosses are empty. It is a symbol of victory for us. But we may have lost the emotional impact , the shock value of the cross. Now here is the part that you won't like. In my former church, I said, "what if we put a modern day symbol of death in our sanctuaries? What if we put up front an electric chair? Or here in the state of Texas a gurney with leather straps and hoses with needles?"
After the service, a dear faithful woman came up to me with tears in her eyes and gripped me by my shoulders. Lana Kay said, "You can't do that without giving us some warning. Don't you remember what happened to my son?" Of course I had forgotten. Her son had worked as a clerk at a convenience store up over that big bridge in Corpus Christi. A robber had come in and demanded money. He was inept, scared, maybe high on drugs. He botched it. He got away with very little cash, but he murdered Lana Kay's son. The security camera caught it all on tape. The TV stations played it over and over again for days. The young man was caught, sentenced, sent to prison, and placed on death row. Lana Kay wrote him letters, formed a relationship with him, got on his visitors' list, and had even gone to see him in prison. His execution date had been scheduled. Lana Kay said to me, "You have to give us some warning before you tell us stuff like this." We will return to Lana Kay in a minute.
We don't like Jesus on a cross. We want a different kind of Messiah. Some people tell me that they follow Jesus because he is a good man; they want a moral example. Some say they like Jesus because he is sort of a guru full of wise teachings. But we don't get to pick what kind of Messiah Jesus is. God has chosen to show His love for us in Jesus on a cross.
This is Christ the King Sunday. We have a king. His throne is a cross. He wears a crown...of thorns. We don't get to choose this. God already has.
We shout "Save yourself!" Did you notice 3 times in the text people are shouting at Jesus to save himself? It sounds an awful lot like the opening scene of Jesus's ministry when he is out in the wilderness and the tempter comes to Him and says, "If you really are the Son of God....then change these stones into bread, .....worship me and all this world will be yours...., jump from the Temple pinnacle and you won't be hurt."
The religious leaders, the Roman soldiers, and one thief all yell at Jesus to save himself. One thief gives a minority report. He says, "Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom." He gets what no one else gets. The disciples don't get it. The crowds don't get it. The religious leaders don't get it. The Roman soldiers don't get it. The other thief doesn't get it. Only this one thief gets it while hanging on the cross beside Jesus. He sees Jesus as King, as Messiah, as Savior. He gets it because he is totally helpless. He has no other hope. It is before the resurrection. It is the first Christian sermon. He sees Jesus as Messiah because he is desperate.
There is no one beyond hope. Even a thief on a cross. There is always time till the very last breath to be forgiven. No one is beyond God's grace.
I wonder if we don't avoid the ugliness of the cross because we think we don't need it. Let me put it another way. I went to workshop recently where I heard a really great preacher. He asked his congregation this question: "Are you a sinner or just a mistaker?"
I ask you, do you just say as a mistaker, "Oops, my bad?" Or do you acknowledge that you are a sinner and have offended God? Are you a mistaker who just bends the rules? Or are you a sinner who has broken God's heart?
I wonder if we miss the power of the cross because we think we are just mistakers, not sinners. We don't like to be helpless.
Back to Lana Kay, I am not breaking any confidences here, on the day the young man was executed for killing her son, she went on the Today show on NBC, and she said, "I forgive him." When you are helpless, when you turn to Jesus in desperation, and are welcomed, that forgiveness can flow through you and into others.
Remember what Jesus says earlier in the passage, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The Greek verb tense is one of continuing action. Jesus is literally saying over and over again, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
There is incredible good news in this passage. To the ones who are helpless, hopeless, and cry out, "Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom," Jesus says, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
I want you to go to the ugly cross now, holding that nail in your hand. I know that nail is dirty and oily; it marks you. I want you to mediate on that nail as we sing once more. I want you to answer the question: "Are you a sinner or just a mistaker?"
(We sing, Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom.)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
terry lord's testimony
here's what Terry Lord said for her testimony during 11/14/10 message:
Good morning. Excuse me I need some water.
Three years ago, Abby Parker, Kathy Langley, Kim Weidmann and I sat around my kitchen table and tried to brainstorm about a project to bring the Missions Committee and our Youth together. We were led to the idea of an Alternative Christmas Market where we could inspire others to think outside the Christmas box ... to have a paradigm shift ... to encourage all of us ... instead of giving more things, to give more meaning.
We were stunned by your response. That first year we raised over $11,000. Last year we raised over $13,000. We were shocked that our little mustard seed of an idea seemed to catch on. Pastor Lynn asked me to speak today about how lives might have been changed by our efforts through alternative holiday giving and that has led me to talk to you about water.
(Slides need to pop up here.)
There are two situations with children that are difficult for me to wrap my mind around. The first is that there are children living in Austin that don't know food security. The second is that there are children anywhere that do not have access to clean water. Can we really imagine that?
It is the responsibility of women and children in many parts of Africa to collect water for their families. This often means walking many miles to sites that are contaminated. With your help families in two communities (1 in Kenya; 1 in Uganda) are developing clean water resources through the use of shallow wells, tanks, and sub-surface sand dams. With clean water close at hand, young girls can attend school.
In Malawi, only 32% of the people have access to a safe water supply. Because of your efforts, people in one village are providing labor and locally available materials to drill one borehole well.
Now, I would like for you to meet Micah Lokorobee. He is from northern Uganda. He is 9 years old and he is blind. He had no clothes to wear, no place to bathe, and during raids he was often left behind when people ran away for safety and in search of water. Because of your donations, a sand dam has been constructed near Micah's village, which provides access to clean water even during the dry season. We helped provide the materials and Micah helped provide the stones and part of the labor.
In Michah's home culture a blind child is considered a curse to his family. But because of Micah's work on the dam, he was given the opportunity to go to a school for the blind in Kenya. As he put it, "The sand dam has made me to be recognized."
So, yes, our little Alternative Gifts market has changed lives. It has changed mine ... I don't take the gift of clean water for granted. And I am trying really hard to remind myself not to buy things my friends and family don't really want or need. (Hold up sweater and tell story). I am trying to give gifts in their honor that actually do have meaning to someone ... like good, clean water.
Good morning. Excuse me I need some water.
Three years ago, Abby Parker, Kathy Langley, Kim Weidmann and I sat around my kitchen table and tried to brainstorm about a project to bring the Missions Committee and our Youth together. We were led to the idea of an Alternative Christmas Market where we could inspire others to think outside the Christmas box ... to have a paradigm shift ... to encourage all of us ... instead of giving more things, to give more meaning.
We were stunned by your response. That first year we raised over $11,000. Last year we raised over $13,000. We were shocked that our little mustard seed of an idea seemed to catch on. Pastor Lynn asked me to speak today about how lives might have been changed by our efforts through alternative holiday giving and that has led me to talk to you about water.
(Slides need to pop up here.)
There are two situations with children that are difficult for me to wrap my mind around. The first is that there are children living in Austin that don't know food security. The second is that there are children anywhere that do not have access to clean water. Can we really imagine that?
It is the responsibility of women and children in many parts of Africa to collect water for their families. This often means walking many miles to sites that are contaminated. With your help families in two communities (1 in Kenya; 1 in Uganda) are developing clean water resources through the use of shallow wells, tanks, and sub-surface sand dams. With clean water close at hand, young girls can attend school.
In Malawi, only 32% of the people have access to a safe water supply. Because of your efforts, people in one village are providing labor and locally available materials to drill one borehole well.
Now, I would like for you to meet Micah Lokorobee. He is from northern Uganda. He is 9 years old and he is blind. He had no clothes to wear, no place to bathe, and during raids he was often left behind when people ran away for safety and in search of water. Because of your donations, a sand dam has been constructed near Micah's village, which provides access to clean water even during the dry season. We helped provide the materials and Micah helped provide the stones and part of the labor.
In Michah's home culture a blind child is considered a curse to his family. But because of Micah's work on the dam, he was given the opportunity to go to a school for the blind in Kenya. As he put it, "The sand dam has made me to be recognized."
So, yes, our little Alternative Gifts market has changed lives. It has changed mine ... I don't take the gift of clean water for granted. And I am trying really hard to remind myself not to buy things my friends and family don't really want or need. (Hold up sweater and tell story). I am trying to give gifts in their honor that actually do have meaning to someone ... like good, clean water.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
armadillo express
11/16/10 Usually I write about serious stuff--what is going on in my soul, a breath prayer that sparks deep reflection, justice issues, etc. Today's posting will be lighter fare.
I have been working hard, too hard the last few days. Church conference is coming up, which means I have lots of details to attend to, lots of meetings to get at some of those details. I found myself this morning out walking, as usual, but my face set in a frown, not usual. It means I was expressing bodily how I was under stress.
I took one of my favorite walks, leaving our house, walking across Searight park, crossing Slaughter Creek by way of the dam. In the greenbelt on the other side of the creek, I was on a path that parallels the water. I could hear a noise growing louder, coming closer. Now, there are many leaves on the ground so that even a tiny squirrel can make quite a racket. The noise was coming from behind me. I turned around and looked. There was an armadillo moving at maximum speed like a runaway armored army tank. It was coming right up the path I was on. I stepped off the path. It did too. I finally jumped at the last instant and it went into the brush. The only thing I could do was laugh. I was not frowning any more.
Love,
Lynn
I have been working hard, too hard the last few days. Church conference is coming up, which means I have lots of details to attend to, lots of meetings to get at some of those details. I found myself this morning out walking, as usual, but my face set in a frown, not usual. It means I was expressing bodily how I was under stress.
I took one of my favorite walks, leaving our house, walking across Searight park, crossing Slaughter Creek by way of the dam. In the greenbelt on the other side of the creek, I was on a path that parallels the water. I could hear a noise growing louder, coming closer. Now, there are many leaves on the ground so that even a tiny squirrel can make quite a racket. The noise was coming from behind me. I turned around and looked. There was an armadillo moving at maximum speed like a runaway armored army tank. It was coming right up the path I was on. I stepped off the path. It did too. I finally jumped at the last instant and it went into the brush. The only thing I could do was laugh. I was not frowning any more.
Love,
Lynn
Monday, November 15, 2010
opportunity to witness
from the message on 11/14/10 from Luke 21:5-19, 3 laypersons offer testimonies as part of the message
This message will be out of the ordinary. It begins with a song I heard when went to the Holy Land for the first time in 1987. We saw lots of ruins, including the place where the Temple used to be, before it was destroyed in AD 70 just like Jesus said. Our pilgrimmage included going to a huge Roman ampitheater at Caesarea, an ancient port on the Mediterrean. Imagine this: huge semicircles of stone benches in tiers rising up...the large stage down below with massive stone columns...and stretching out into infinity that particular blue that is the Mediterrean Sea.
A woman on our bus was the music director at her church. She was walking across the stage, getting a feel for the place. Several from our tour group shouted down to her, "Cynthia, sing something!" "No, I couldn't." "Yes, sing something." "Ok," she said. She was a black woman, steeped in the Gospel music tradition. When she began to sing, pilgrims from all over the world who had been speaking in French, Japanese, Spanish, and German, stopped and grew instantly silent.
She sang, "Who'll be a witness for my Lord?......I'll be a witness for my Lord." (I will sing, Terry can move to microphone as I finish)
We have our first witness today...Terry Lord
She talked about the Alternate Gift Market where we have helped supply clean drinking water to villages in Africa.
Luke writes this account many years after Jesus spoke the words. The Temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed. The emotional, spiritual impact of that event is hard to measure. Think back to 9/11.....a few radical terrorists fly airplanes into the Twin Towers in NYC...that can't possibly happen...it's unthinkable...that's what the people were feeling when Luke wrote. The words that Jesus spoke about all of the terrors...nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom....have seemed to fit every generation...including today. He talks about earthquakes, famines, and plagues...sounds a lot like what has happened in Haiti.
(I sing again)...who'll be a witness.....(Tom moves to microphone)
Our next witness is Tom Rioux
I was 1 of 10 Central Texans that went on a Southwest Texas Conference sponsored United Methodist Volunteers in Mission trip to Haiti on October 6-14, 2010, to help rebuild housing. Please see the insert in your bulletin for a more detailed discussion of my trip and the latest church newsletter for the full story.
It took all of the first and last day to fly to and from Austin and Port-au-Prince. We stayed at the Methodist Guest House in Petion-Ville (a suburb of Port-au-Prince about 5 miles east of the palace) and worked at Carrefour (a suburb of Port-au-Prince about 5 miles west of the palace). The daily commute took 1 hour. We worked 5 days removing debris using pick axe, shovels, 5 gallon buckets, and a wheelbarrow. We drank only bottled water the entire time.
One day our Haitian interpreter Joseph said
You really don’t understand why I am so thankful to God for your team… for all the teams. I am grateful because it is hard to live in Haiti, even before the earthquake. It is hard to walk the streets and see the people hungry and searching for something to eat; to see children playing in trash, and water running down the road from the houses. It is hard to live in a place that you love, but that breaks your heart and makes your spirit sink. Since we won our freedom, each election we vote hoping that the new leaders will help the people, but it has not happened. It gets harder and harder to convince friends and family members to vote because nothing ever changes. The powerful take the money and do not improve the lives of the people. I vote because I am a Haitian, but then I feel bad when someone I voted for disappoints the people again. And then there was the earthquake, and everything became much worse. When we watch television, we see pictures of other places in the world, and it is easy to believe that Haiti is forgotten. Or that maybe God has made Haiti the world’s trashcan and its people don’t matter. I know that isn’t true, but sometimes it is easy to think that. I know that Jesus came for all people, for me and for you; that God loves all people, me and you, and everybody in the world. But it is easy to be discouraged by what you see around you. Sometimes you have to work hard to hold on to hope and to live what your faith tells you. I am thankful for your team and others because by coming you remind us that we matter. When you work with us and talk with us and worship with us, you are saying that it is true – Christ’s love is for EVERYONE.
A very close friend of mine asked “Why didn’t you just write a check for $2,000 and send it?”. As Joseph expressed, money could not have done what our presence in Haiti accomplished.
On February 7-16, 2011, I will lead a Westlake United Methodist Church Haiti Mission Trip. The trip is limited to 10 people. Next Sunday at the Alternate Christmas Market, I will have a booth where you can express your interest in going on this mission trip, your financial support (American Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles and/or money), and your spiritual support (the Prayer Team).
Thanks.
As I read Luke's gospel, I thought about how every age represents the last days. The signs of evil and destruction and fear are evident. Jesus words still ring true. Whatever the hardship, we as believers have the opportunity to witness. Even when there are wars and insurrections.
(I sing again)..who'll be a witness...(Dugie moves to microphone)
Our next witness is Dugie Graham
May I tell you a story? About one year ago, a faithful and humble servant who loves the Lord with all she has and is, started on a project for a group of soldiers preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. As the soldiers were preparing for their work for the US Army, this servant who is a dear friend of mine, was preparing a little bit of comfort for these men who will live out the winter in a very cold area of Afghanistan. She started knitting 85 helmet caps for the 85 soldiers in a company led by my son-in-law and she prayed for them as she knitted. Well, we all know that our God has a sense of humor. The Captain, my son-in-law, was promoted to a new job within his battalion and with just a few months before their deployment, this servant was told that his new company had 245 men in it. Her commitment to this Captain and his soldiers didn’t change. So she started to knit faster and for many more hours each day and then felt God’s nudge to ask for help with her project. She needed other knitters. So in a loaves and fishes sort of way, her project of helmet caps, prayers, and concern for a group of soldiers grew. Earlier this week, 245 helmet caps were shipped to Afghanistan to warm the heads and hearts of some of our soldiers.
But there’s more to this story. I was one of her blessed helpers and on a recent international flight, I knitted my last cap with the yarn I had for this project. When I was finished, I put it away. A little while later, I guess I got a nudge too, and I asked the young man sitting next to me if he was a soldier. He introduced himself as Adrian and told me he is serving his 4th deployment in Iraq. He was traveling home on sympathy leave to attend his dad’s funeral. We chatted then about his service and his family and then I dug into my bag and pulled out that last cap. I gave Adrian that cap. He thanked me warmly and then after a few moments he, being a gentleman, asked me if he could give me a hug. With that one small gesture, Adrian hugged all the knitters everywhere for all the soldiers everywhere. God used my friend to teach many that His Love can be shown in countless ways and that it GROWS! Even in the midst of war, we can show God’s love through warm heads and hearts. “My God, How Great Thou Art!”
Who'll be a witness? I think it may be harder to witness today than it ever has been. We are not persecuted; we are counted as irrelevant; We are not thrown in jail; we are faced with apathy and cynicism. The evils we face may be consumerism and comfortablity. I read a great quote this past week, "We live in classy suburbs with too much freedom and too few limits."
God, Jesus, Spirit, Bible, Church....what difference do they make?
Who'll be a witness? Now is the time. We are the people. It makes all the difference in the world...as you have heard these three testify. It made a difference to the Petreski family. We have shown Christ’s love to Igor after his accident. His mom, Sonja has been after me for weeks to be baptized. She grew up in communist Yugoslavia; her father was in the military. God, Jesus, Spirit, Bible, Church...they were not done. Why today I asked her? Why do you want to be baptized now? She said, "I want to say thank you to God."
(I sing again) Who'll be a witness.....(Petreski's come forward as I sing) I'll be a witness for my Lord..
This message will be out of the ordinary. It begins with a song I heard when went to the Holy Land for the first time in 1987. We saw lots of ruins, including the place where the Temple used to be, before it was destroyed in AD 70 just like Jesus said. Our pilgrimmage included going to a huge Roman ampitheater at Caesarea, an ancient port on the Mediterrean. Imagine this: huge semicircles of stone benches in tiers rising up...the large stage down below with massive stone columns...and stretching out into infinity that particular blue that is the Mediterrean Sea.
A woman on our bus was the music director at her church. She was walking across the stage, getting a feel for the place. Several from our tour group shouted down to her, "Cynthia, sing something!" "No, I couldn't." "Yes, sing something." "Ok," she said. She was a black woman, steeped in the Gospel music tradition. When she began to sing, pilgrims from all over the world who had been speaking in French, Japanese, Spanish, and German, stopped and grew instantly silent.
She sang, "Who'll be a witness for my Lord?......I'll be a witness for my Lord." (I will sing, Terry can move to microphone as I finish)
We have our first witness today...Terry Lord
She talked about the Alternate Gift Market where we have helped supply clean drinking water to villages in Africa.
Luke writes this account many years after Jesus spoke the words. The Temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed. The emotional, spiritual impact of that event is hard to measure. Think back to 9/11.....a few radical terrorists fly airplanes into the Twin Towers in NYC...that can't possibly happen...it's unthinkable...that's what the people were feeling when Luke wrote. The words that Jesus spoke about all of the terrors...nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom....have seemed to fit every generation...including today. He talks about earthquakes, famines, and plagues...sounds a lot like what has happened in Haiti.
(I sing again)...who'll be a witness.....(Tom moves to microphone)
Our next witness is Tom Rioux
I was 1 of 10 Central Texans that went on a Southwest Texas Conference sponsored United Methodist Volunteers in Mission trip to Haiti on October 6-14, 2010, to help rebuild housing. Please see the insert in your bulletin for a more detailed discussion of my trip and the latest church newsletter for the full story.
It took all of the first and last day to fly to and from Austin and Port-au-Prince. We stayed at the Methodist Guest House in Petion-Ville (a suburb of Port-au-Prince about 5 miles east of the palace) and worked at Carrefour (a suburb of Port-au-Prince about 5 miles west of the palace). The daily commute took 1 hour. We worked 5 days removing debris using pick axe, shovels, 5 gallon buckets, and a wheelbarrow. We drank only bottled water the entire time.
One day our Haitian interpreter Joseph said
You really don’t understand why I am so thankful to God for your team… for all the teams. I am grateful because it is hard to live in Haiti, even before the earthquake. It is hard to walk the streets and see the people hungry and searching for something to eat; to see children playing in trash, and water running down the road from the houses. It is hard to live in a place that you love, but that breaks your heart and makes your spirit sink. Since we won our freedom, each election we vote hoping that the new leaders will help the people, but it has not happened. It gets harder and harder to convince friends and family members to vote because nothing ever changes. The powerful take the money and do not improve the lives of the people. I vote because I am a Haitian, but then I feel bad when someone I voted for disappoints the people again. And then there was the earthquake, and everything became much worse. When we watch television, we see pictures of other places in the world, and it is easy to believe that Haiti is forgotten. Or that maybe God has made Haiti the world’s trashcan and its people don’t matter. I know that isn’t true, but sometimes it is easy to think that. I know that Jesus came for all people, for me and for you; that God loves all people, me and you, and everybody in the world. But it is easy to be discouraged by what you see around you. Sometimes you have to work hard to hold on to hope and to live what your faith tells you. I am thankful for your team and others because by coming you remind us that we matter. When you work with us and talk with us and worship with us, you are saying that it is true – Christ’s love is for EVERYONE.
A very close friend of mine asked “Why didn’t you just write a check for $2,000 and send it?”. As Joseph expressed, money could not have done what our presence in Haiti accomplished.
On February 7-16, 2011, I will lead a Westlake United Methodist Church Haiti Mission Trip. The trip is limited to 10 people. Next Sunday at the Alternate Christmas Market, I will have a booth where you can express your interest in going on this mission trip, your financial support (American Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles and/or money), and your spiritual support (the Prayer Team).
Thanks.
As I read Luke's gospel, I thought about how every age represents the last days. The signs of evil and destruction and fear are evident. Jesus words still ring true. Whatever the hardship, we as believers have the opportunity to witness. Even when there are wars and insurrections.
(I sing again)..who'll be a witness...(Dugie moves to microphone)
Our next witness is Dugie Graham
May I tell you a story? About one year ago, a faithful and humble servant who loves the Lord with all she has and is, started on a project for a group of soldiers preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. As the soldiers were preparing for their work for the US Army, this servant who is a dear friend of mine, was preparing a little bit of comfort for these men who will live out the winter in a very cold area of Afghanistan. She started knitting 85 helmet caps for the 85 soldiers in a company led by my son-in-law and she prayed for them as she knitted. Well, we all know that our God has a sense of humor. The Captain, my son-in-law, was promoted to a new job within his battalion and with just a few months before their deployment, this servant was told that his new company had 245 men in it. Her commitment to this Captain and his soldiers didn’t change. So she started to knit faster and for many more hours each day and then felt God’s nudge to ask for help with her project. She needed other knitters. So in a loaves and fishes sort of way, her project of helmet caps, prayers, and concern for a group of soldiers grew. Earlier this week, 245 helmet caps were shipped to Afghanistan to warm the heads and hearts of some of our soldiers.
But there’s more to this story. I was one of her blessed helpers and on a recent international flight, I knitted my last cap with the yarn I had for this project. When I was finished, I put it away. A little while later, I guess I got a nudge too, and I asked the young man sitting next to me if he was a soldier. He introduced himself as Adrian and told me he is serving his 4th deployment in Iraq. He was traveling home on sympathy leave to attend his dad’s funeral. We chatted then about his service and his family and then I dug into my bag and pulled out that last cap. I gave Adrian that cap. He thanked me warmly and then after a few moments he, being a gentleman, asked me if he could give me a hug. With that one small gesture, Adrian hugged all the knitters everywhere for all the soldiers everywhere. God used my friend to teach many that His Love can be shown in countless ways and that it GROWS! Even in the midst of war, we can show God’s love through warm heads and hearts. “My God, How Great Thou Art!”
Who'll be a witness? I think it may be harder to witness today than it ever has been. We are not persecuted; we are counted as irrelevant; We are not thrown in jail; we are faced with apathy and cynicism. The evils we face may be consumerism and comfortablity. I read a great quote this past week, "We live in classy suburbs with too much freedom and too few limits."
God, Jesus, Spirit, Bible, Church....what difference do they make?
Who'll be a witness? Now is the time. We are the people. It makes all the difference in the world...as you have heard these three testify. It made a difference to the Petreski family. We have shown Christ’s love to Igor after his accident. His mom, Sonja has been after me for weeks to be baptized. She grew up in communist Yugoslavia; her father was in the military. God, Jesus, Spirit, Bible, Church...they were not done. Why today I asked her? Why do you want to be baptized now? She said, "I want to say thank you to God."
(I sing again) Who'll be a witness.....(Petreski's come forward as I sing) I'll be a witness for my Lord..
Thursday, November 11, 2010
hair
11/11/10 My breath prayer comes from Luke 21:18-19, "But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." I had a full head of hair until my 40's. By age 50, the hair was thinning pretty fast. A few years ago, the church I was serving had a lot of people undergoing cancer treatments which meant that they lost their hair through chemotherapy. So to identify with them, I trimmed what little hair I had very short. Really, it wasn't that big a sacrifice. My nearly bald head is a good reminder though of all who are living with cancer every time I look in the mirror.
In this passage, Jesus says that not a hair of your head will perish. It reminds us of a similiar passage in Matthew where he says all the hairs of your head are numbered by God. In doing some research this past week, I found other hair references in the OT. They all seem to be imagery of God's intimate care for us. God knows us even down to our hair. God knows me even down to the little hair I have left.
Love,
Lynn
In this passage, Jesus says that not a hair of your head will perish. It reminds us of a similiar passage in Matthew where he says all the hairs of your head are numbered by God. In doing some research this past week, I found other hair references in the OT. They all seem to be imagery of God's intimate care for us. God knows us even down to our hair. God knows me even down to the little hair I have left.
Love,
Lynn
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
thank you
11/10/10 This coming Sunday I get to perform a baptism of an adult. Her name is Sonja. She grew up in the former Yugoslavia where Tito ruled as dictator. Her father was a military man, and in that communist regime, his family could not be associated with the church or the Christian faith. So Sonja was never baptized.
Sonja's son Igor is the young man from Macedonia (one of the seven countries carved out of the former Yugoslavia), who was injured in a diving accident. Our congregation has adopted the whole Petreski family as Igor has gone through surgeries, ICU, rehab, and now outpatient care.
For months, Sonja has been asking me about baptism. Last Sunday she attended our baptism workshop. On Monday, I got to do a follow-up visit with her. I asked her why, now, at this point, did she want to be baptized. She said, with tears in her eyes, that she wanted to say thank you to God.
Love,
Lynn
Sonja's son Igor is the young man from Macedonia (one of the seven countries carved out of the former Yugoslavia), who was injured in a diving accident. Our congregation has adopted the whole Petreski family as Igor has gone through surgeries, ICU, rehab, and now outpatient care.
For months, Sonja has been asking me about baptism. Last Sunday she attended our baptism workshop. On Monday, I got to do a follow-up visit with her. I asked her why, now, at this point, did she want to be baptized. She said, with tears in her eyes, that she wanted to say thank you to God.
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
anticipation
11/09/10 This is not the kind of anticipation that you usually think about...about a child looking forward to opening presents on Christmas morning or Carly Simon singing about a lover in her song, "Anticipation." What I am talking about comes from my breath prayer for the day from Isaiah 65;24, "Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear." God anticipates our prayers, our deepest longings, our hopes, our cries, etc. before we can even put them into words.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Monday, November 8, 2010
good
11/08/10 My breath prayer today comes from Psalm 118, "O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever." In my early morning walk/prayer time, I was impressed that God is good. I know that some people have other images of God--that God is vindictive, angry, petty, mean, unforgiving, etc. But I choose to believe that God is good. I choose to believe that God loves us in spite of what we do sometimes. I believe that because God is good, we who are created in God's own image have the possibility of being good also.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Sunday, November 7, 2010
an extra hour
11/7/10 Today is the first day of the annual time from daylight savings to standard time, which means that we got an extra hour over the last day. What to do with an extra hour? I know lots of people, myself included, who wish we had an extra hour every day. Would we use to sleep, to work more, to make love, to make peace, to make trouble? An extra hour....what a gift...what a responsibility!
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Thursday, November 4, 2010
all saints
11/04/10 This coming Sunday, we celebrate as All Saints' Sunday, a time when we realize that we are a part of the communion of saints, all those who have lived and died and now are a part of the Church Victorious. My breath prayer today talks about the God who gathers all the saints, Luke 20:38, "Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
chesed
11/3/10 My breath prayer today comes from Psalm 145:8, a line that is repeated several times in our Bible, "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." My perfectionism can really get me down. I see how far short I fall to be loving toward God and toward others. Thank God, literally, thank God, that God loves us with a love that will not let us go, that will not give up, a covenant love, a steadfast love. The word in Hebrew for this kind of love is chesed.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
work
11/2/10 My breath prayer for the day comes from a minor OT prophet called Haggai, who has in the 2nd chapter, verse 4, "Take courage, all you people of the lnad, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts." I admit that the older I get, the quicker I tire and the more I consider retirement. But today, I am grateful that I have meaningful work to do. I am well compensated financially for being a senior pastor of a suburban church. Even more I am gratified that I get to make a difference in peoples' lives. The best pay I get is when someone "gets it", when someone understands that they are loved because of what God has done in Jesus Christ. The best pay I get is when Christ shows up in a worship service and He does something that changes folks' hearts, something that was written in the order of worship. I enjoy what I do, and I think I am pretty good at it. Today I am thankful that I get to do holy work.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Monday, November 1, 2010
teamwork
11/1/10 Yesterday, our Stewardship Committee met. We started with lunch and started coming together. We are planning a different kind of stewardship emphasis for 2011. We will be using the resource, "Enough: discovering joy through simplicity and generosity." So as you can see it is not about the budget; it is about helping people get out of the addictive cycle of wanting too much, spending too much, and getting into too much debt. Our committee gave me valuable counsel. It wasn't me telling them what we were going to do. It was me presenting some options and them presenting their opinions. As we talked, we also were placing stick-on messages to the back of the members' name tags that had our church vision statement and our vows as United Methodists--prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We met for almost 2 hours, but the time flew by. We were a team working together.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
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