5/31/12 Tis the season for weddings. Last weekend, I performed a wedding on Friday night, and another one on Saturday night. I could have performed one on Saturday about noon, but I was already pretty well booked by the time that last couple contacted me. I leave tomorrow to attend the wedding of our niece. I am usually officiating, but that couple has another pastor, so I get to sit with my wife and experience the wedding from a different perspective.
Lately, I have been struggling with the issue of going back to perform weddings of members of churches where I have formerly served. The driving and the time involved in premarital counseling takes me away from my marriage to Cathy and my ministry in my currrent church. Where I am struggling the most is officiating weddings at non-church venues. At such places, there often are wedding co-ordinators, who have a rigid agenda. I feel like a cog in a machine. I am coming to the place where I want to do weddings at my current church for current members.
Love,
Lynn
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
alternatives to usury
5/30/12 I just had breakfast with one of our church members who has lobbied against payday lenders in the State of Texas. She was joined by another woman who lobbies on behalf of Texas Impact, a faith-based organization that carries its message to the Texas legislature. The concern/dream/burden on my heart is to come up with an alternative to the practice of payday loans which can charge exorbitant fees and lending rates, which the Bible calls usury. My church member says that 70% of payday loans are made in the State of Texas. Yes, Texas is the leader in usury. We're number 1. My idea is to have churches form relationships with people who need short-term loans and provide them these funds so that they can get on with their lives. I have seen the example of micro-loans in other cultures, and I want to copy that here. I don't necessarily want to put payday lenders out of business, but I do want to provide an alternative for those who want a different relationship/experience where it comes to getting a loan.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
fiery red
from my sermon on Pentecost, May 27, 2012, from Acts 2:1-21
Red. Fiery Red. How many sermons do you remember? I do remember one from more than 20 years ago. It was preached by one of our younger female clergy at Annual Conference in San Antonio from this text. She had gone to her church where they got out the liturgical banners for the sanctuary for Pentecost. The banners were in pastels and pinks. She thought to herself, "This isn't right. Pentecost is about red, fiery red."
She told the story of going to visit a man in the hospital with AIDS. She was invited to visit by the man because the man's own pastor had refused to come in. The man's own pastor had come to the door of the hospital room and had yelled in, "We're thinking of you. I hope you're doing okay." This was in the 1980's when AIDS was very scary. She went into the room. She sat down by the bedside. She talked with the man. She prayed with the man. She took the man's hand. She didn't wear a glove. The man said to her, "Nobody touches me anymore." Pentecost is not about pastels and pinks; the color is fiery red.
That's how the Church was born...in fiery red. On that first Pentecost, the early followers of Jesus were gathered together, maybe still afraid, certainly not sure of what to do. When the Spirit came upon them, it was as if flames came upon their heads. Do you remember going to chemistry lab for the first time? Do you remember the Bunsen burners? If you had long, loose hair, and it got too near the flame, there would be this sudden spppprrrrttt....and a flame and a smell, and your hair would burn for a second. Can you imagine a room full of people with their hair on fire? And they had fiery speech and they communicated the gospel in every language.
Peter was there. Remember Peter? He had been voted by his class of disciples as "least likely to preach." Remember his last speech? He was in the courtyard outside the place where Jesus was being tried. People kept coming up to him, saying, "Aren't you of those followers of Jesus? You sound like a Galilean." And Peter's stump speech was, "I don't know him." Now here's Peter boldly proclaiming the gospel. He chooses a most interesting text for his sermon, the prophet Joel. The text is one about the last days, the day of judgment, but Peter finds good news in it. The signs are blood red. Three thousand are baptized that day. Pentecost comes not in pinks and pastels, but fiery red.
Let's admit it....we are scared of fiery red. I will illustrate. I was the associate pastor at St. John's here in Austin for 4 years. I left for 5 years and came back to be their senior pastor for 6 years. In that 15 years, there is one thing that remained constant. If you looked inside the pulpit, you would have found a fire extinguinsher! Do you get the symbolism? "We don't want any fiery preaching coming out here!"
But the Holy Spirit continues to burn fiery red. When I was pastor in San Saba, I would get together with other area pastors in an accountability group. One of them was Bob Huie at Mason. Bob had been preaching against the military-industrial complex. He thought our priorities should be more to taking care of the poor. On this Memorial Day weekend, I don't mean to offend anyone, especially those who have served in the military. Bob was not trying to offend those good German Methodists in Mason, but he did. They stopped giving to the church. There was a woman in that church named Mary Maude McMillan. She was a long-time member of the church and full of credibility. She got on the phone and called every single member of the church. This is what she said, "The bishop appointed Bob to be our pastor. You may not like what he has to say, but the pulpit is not for sale. You will give your money to God, not to Bob." And they did give. The color for Pentecost is not pink or pastels, but fiery red.
We're scared of fiery red. There has been a movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church called the Walk to Emmaus. It is a 3 day spiritual retreat where the sacrament of communion is celebrated each day. It is based on the scripture passage in Luke 24 where Jesus meets some of his disciples on the road to Emmaus on Easter afternoon. They talk, but the disciples don't recognize him in his resurrected form. Their eyes are opened as he breaks the bread at meal; it is like communion. They said to one another, "Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road?" Mine did as I attended my walk.
How many of you have been on a Walk to Emmaus? A lot. I went on Walk #19, in April of 1985. At that time, there was a waiting list of months to get in. I can tell the Holy Spirit is leaving this movement because today, many walks don't make because the minimum number don't sign up. I know because today this is the spiritual director's manual (I hold up a 3 ring binder that is 4 inches thick with papers). We say, "Come, Holy Spirit, in these words. We don't want you to get out of control and burn us."
Yet the flame of the Holy Spirit won't be quenched. The Holy Spirit is fiery red. In the United States and Western Europe, the Church struggles, but the Church is growing tremendously in India, China, Indonesia, and Africa. Pentecost is happening everyday.
Even in the USA, where money and possession, security and success tend to drown out the gospel, I see the fiery red of the Spirit. Even in this church, I see people leaving their gated communities and car alarms and going into the prisons with Storybook Project and Kairos walks. I see people working with the poor. Not for the poor, but with the poor, to change the dynamics of our culture and give people a chance to succeed. I see this in this church through Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and many other outreach ministries. The Spirit comes not in pastels and pinks, but in fiery red.
I see the fiery red in the Reconciling Ministries Network. This group is working for radical inclusion of all people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. I read this passage from Acts and see that the Holy Spirit comes to male and female, young and old, slave and free. Why not to straight and gay? I know not all of you agree with me on this point, but this is where I see the Spirit burning today.
I see the fiery red in our emphasis on making disciples, not just making church members. We are moving beyong maintenance to mission. I have been in a continuing education series this year, called the Healthy Church Initiative. We had our last session just this past Thursday. Rueben Saenz who heads up our new church development office was with us. He talked to us about the E-word, Evangelism. You know that we can do this: be credible Christians. His last word to us was in his native Spanish. It was "Fuego." It means "Fire."
So graduating seniors, I have no advice to give you. But I will tell you what God is like. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Fire. Fiery Red.
Whatever else you may remember about this sermon, remember this: on Pentecost, pink and pastels don't cut it. The color for Pentecost is Fiery Red. That is the good news I have to share today.
Red. Fiery Red. How many sermons do you remember? I do remember one from more than 20 years ago. It was preached by one of our younger female clergy at Annual Conference in San Antonio from this text. She had gone to her church where they got out the liturgical banners for the sanctuary for Pentecost. The banners were in pastels and pinks. She thought to herself, "This isn't right. Pentecost is about red, fiery red."
She told the story of going to visit a man in the hospital with AIDS. She was invited to visit by the man because the man's own pastor had refused to come in. The man's own pastor had come to the door of the hospital room and had yelled in, "We're thinking of you. I hope you're doing okay." This was in the 1980's when AIDS was very scary. She went into the room. She sat down by the bedside. She talked with the man. She prayed with the man. She took the man's hand. She didn't wear a glove. The man said to her, "Nobody touches me anymore." Pentecost is not about pastels and pinks; the color is fiery red.
That's how the Church was born...in fiery red. On that first Pentecost, the early followers of Jesus were gathered together, maybe still afraid, certainly not sure of what to do. When the Spirit came upon them, it was as if flames came upon their heads. Do you remember going to chemistry lab for the first time? Do you remember the Bunsen burners? If you had long, loose hair, and it got too near the flame, there would be this sudden spppprrrrttt....and a flame and a smell, and your hair would burn for a second. Can you imagine a room full of people with their hair on fire? And they had fiery speech and they communicated the gospel in every language.
Peter was there. Remember Peter? He had been voted by his class of disciples as "least likely to preach." Remember his last speech? He was in the courtyard outside the place where Jesus was being tried. People kept coming up to him, saying, "Aren't you of those followers of Jesus? You sound like a Galilean." And Peter's stump speech was, "I don't know him." Now here's Peter boldly proclaiming the gospel. He chooses a most interesting text for his sermon, the prophet Joel. The text is one about the last days, the day of judgment, but Peter finds good news in it. The signs are blood red. Three thousand are baptized that day. Pentecost comes not in pinks and pastels, but fiery red.
Let's admit it....we are scared of fiery red. I will illustrate. I was the associate pastor at St. John's here in Austin for 4 years. I left for 5 years and came back to be their senior pastor for 6 years. In that 15 years, there is one thing that remained constant. If you looked inside the pulpit, you would have found a fire extinguinsher! Do you get the symbolism? "We don't want any fiery preaching coming out here!"
But the Holy Spirit continues to burn fiery red. When I was pastor in San Saba, I would get together with other area pastors in an accountability group. One of them was Bob Huie at Mason. Bob had been preaching against the military-industrial complex. He thought our priorities should be more to taking care of the poor. On this Memorial Day weekend, I don't mean to offend anyone, especially those who have served in the military. Bob was not trying to offend those good German Methodists in Mason, but he did. They stopped giving to the church. There was a woman in that church named Mary Maude McMillan. She was a long-time member of the church and full of credibility. She got on the phone and called every single member of the church. This is what she said, "The bishop appointed Bob to be our pastor. You may not like what he has to say, but the pulpit is not for sale. You will give your money to God, not to Bob." And they did give. The color for Pentecost is not pink or pastels, but fiery red.
We're scared of fiery red. There has been a movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church called the Walk to Emmaus. It is a 3 day spiritual retreat where the sacrament of communion is celebrated each day. It is based on the scripture passage in Luke 24 where Jesus meets some of his disciples on the road to Emmaus on Easter afternoon. They talk, but the disciples don't recognize him in his resurrected form. Their eyes are opened as he breaks the bread at meal; it is like communion. They said to one another, "Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road?" Mine did as I attended my walk.
How many of you have been on a Walk to Emmaus? A lot. I went on Walk #19, in April of 1985. At that time, there was a waiting list of months to get in. I can tell the Holy Spirit is leaving this movement because today, many walks don't make because the minimum number don't sign up. I know because today this is the spiritual director's manual (I hold up a 3 ring binder that is 4 inches thick with papers). We say, "Come, Holy Spirit, in these words. We don't want you to get out of control and burn us."
Yet the flame of the Holy Spirit won't be quenched. The Holy Spirit is fiery red. In the United States and Western Europe, the Church struggles, but the Church is growing tremendously in India, China, Indonesia, and Africa. Pentecost is happening everyday.
Even in the USA, where money and possession, security and success tend to drown out the gospel, I see the fiery red of the Spirit. Even in this church, I see people leaving their gated communities and car alarms and going into the prisons with Storybook Project and Kairos walks. I see people working with the poor. Not for the poor, but with the poor, to change the dynamics of our culture and give people a chance to succeed. I see this in this church through Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and many other outreach ministries. The Spirit comes not in pastels and pinks, but in fiery red.
I see the fiery red in the Reconciling Ministries Network. This group is working for radical inclusion of all people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. I read this passage from Acts and see that the Holy Spirit comes to male and female, young and old, slave and free. Why not to straight and gay? I know not all of you agree with me on this point, but this is where I see the Spirit burning today.
I see the fiery red in our emphasis on making disciples, not just making church members. We are moving beyong maintenance to mission. I have been in a continuing education series this year, called the Healthy Church Initiative. We had our last session just this past Thursday. Rueben Saenz who heads up our new church development office was with us. He talked to us about the E-word, Evangelism. You know that we can do this: be credible Christians. His last word to us was in his native Spanish. It was "Fuego." It means "Fire."
So graduating seniors, I have no advice to give you. But I will tell you what God is like. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Fire. Fiery Red.
Whatever else you may remember about this sermon, remember this: on Pentecost, pink and pastels don't cut it. The color for Pentecost is Fiery Red. That is the good news I have to share today.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
movie reviews
5/22/12 I watch a lot of movies. We have some of the premium movie channels through our cable provider at home. We have Netflix, getting one DVD at a time and the on-line streaming. I read the movie reviews in the paper. I watch a lot of movies because I think movies try to do what I try to do each week in worship, and that is, to say something about the human condition and how God's presence intersects with us.
Cathy and I saw the Muppet Movie last week on Netflix DVD. We loved it. One could say that it was simply a lot of puppets acting out a reunion script, but we laughed and cried at the touching story. I appreciated the humor of the time when the Muppets had to cross over to France from the USA very quickly and so they traveled "by map." They pushed a button on their car that said, "travel by map," and they suddenly were driving on shore at Nice. There were all kinds of layers to the story so that children and adults could relate. I give it 2 thumbs up. There was no mention of faith, but there was strong theme of hope, commitment, and community.
Two weeks before we saw The Way, a film starring Martin Sheen, with his son, Emilio Estevez heavily involved. This was a journey film, as Martin completes a pilgrimage across northern Spain for his son who died just starting the trip. The role of faith is in almost every scene as Martin and others on the road try to figure out why they are walking. The importance of community is key in this film also. Two thumbs up.
Love,
Lynn
Cathy and I saw the Muppet Movie last week on Netflix DVD. We loved it. One could say that it was simply a lot of puppets acting out a reunion script, but we laughed and cried at the touching story. I appreciated the humor of the time when the Muppets had to cross over to France from the USA very quickly and so they traveled "by map." They pushed a button on their car that said, "travel by map," and they suddenly were driving on shore at Nice. There were all kinds of layers to the story so that children and adults could relate. I give it 2 thumbs up. There was no mention of faith, but there was strong theme of hope, commitment, and community.
Two weeks before we saw The Way, a film starring Martin Sheen, with his son, Emilio Estevez heavily involved. This was a journey film, as Martin completes a pilgrimage across northern Spain for his son who died just starting the trip. The role of faith is in almost every scene as Martin and others on the road try to figure out why they are walking. The importance of community is key in this film also. Two thumbs up.
Love,
Lynn
Monday, May 21, 2012
My prayer for you
from my message on 5/20/12 from Ephesians 1:15-23
I pray for you. I usually get up early in the morning and walk. As I walk, I remember my family in my prayers. I pray for you my church family. I lift up many situations, concerns, and joys. This is not just something I encourage others to do. I actually practice this. I pray for you.
Many letters in the New Testament begin this way, including this letter to the church at Ephesus. "I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers." It is not simply a business relationship. It is more than problem solving. It is more than following rules. Prayer for others means care for others.
Praying for others is normal Christian behavior. I would argue it is normal human behavior. I had a member of my extended family who was raised as an agnostic. Her parents were college professors, very learned, caring people. They simply did not orient their lives around faith, the Bible, worship, church, prayer. They were rational, thinking people. But when my cousin's father, my uncle went into the hospital, she found herself outside wandering in the parking lot, praying for him. You see, if you are a pastor, you sometimes become the family chaplain. She confessed to me, "I prayed. I said, 'I don't know who you are or what you are, but please help. Don't let my dad die.'" We were made to pray for others.
Richard Foster has a terrific book simply titled Prayer. He says praying for others is "wanting more for others than it is in our power to give." It is a way of "loving others."
There is no one right way to pray for others. Our blue prayer insert is one way. But I want to go over at least 6 ways. The first is using that blue prayer insert. It is praying according to a list. This is the way many of us learned to pray as children. At bedtime, or mealtime, we would go, "God bless mommy and daddy and memaw and papaw...." Do you children still do this? It is praying a list. I bet many of you big people do too.
The second way is pray a specific kind of list. George Buttrick prayed first for his enemies. He would pray, "God bless so and so whom I foolishly regard as my enemy." There is something about "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Beyond enemies, George would pray for leaders (of the world, nation, state, local, church, education, etc.), the needy, friends, and loved ones. His list kept him from playing favorites. It moved him beyond a narrow circle.
The third way is what I call "flashing prayers." Auditory cues like a siren or ring tone or school bell can call us to prayer. When you hear a siren, pray for the police, fire, EMS, those injured, etc. One funny story: when I lived in San Antonio, I listened to a Christian radio station, not just because they played great music, but also because they gave the traffic report every 10 minutes. One day the traffice reporter came on and said, "There's been an accident at Loop 410 and San Pedro. Fire and PMS are on the way." I don't think PMS helped the situation much at all. When the phone rings, you might pray for the person on the other end of the line or the situation that waits there. School bells can be a great time to get your focus on the presence of God moving in our midst amongst your fellow students, teachers, and staff. Even getting stuck in traffic can call you to prayer. What else are you going to do with your time? Prayer is totally portable. Pray for those around you, especially those frustrated ones honking the horn.
The fourth way is holding a person or situation quietly before God, listening for God's prayer. We are not in this alone. God is not only listening, but also speaking. In my church in San Saba, I had a beautiful young woman named Ellen. She was married, and had a great little boy. She was artistic. She had cancer. I prayed fervently for her. I asked God to heal her. One day, I was simply being still and quiet. I was taking people before God, not with any agenda, simply holding them before God. As I brought Ellen to God, it was almost as if I heard a voice. The message was this: "She belongs to me." Oh, that's right. In life, in death, in life beyond death, she yours. She belongs to you. Ellen did die. But she belonged to God. I could let her go.
A fifth way is to let a scripture passage with its words or images call persons or situations to heart. In this passage I was drawn to the word "wisdom." Where in the world is wisdom needed? Syria! I was drawn to the words for power (actually 4 differenc Greek words in this passage having to do with power). Where in the world are folks feeling disempowered? I was drawn to the image of "having the eyes one's heart enlightened." Who needs to see like that? I was drawn to the image of all things being at the feet of Jesus. How can we act as if he is Lord over all things?
The sixth way is to admit that there are many ways you as individuals pray. Some of you walk neighborhoods. You may pray, "I know that marriage is in trouble. God bless them." Some of you use music as your call to pray for others. Some of you journal. Some of practice breath prayers in order to slow down, tune out the noise so you can pray for others. Some of you let the news call you to pray for that situation.
Let's hear some testimonials from some of you gathered for worship this day.
I am challenging you to commit to praying for others for the next 7 days. How will you do that? If you can go 21 days, it will become part of you. If you can practice this praying for others for 3 weeks, it will become deep within you.
I am also challening you to pray in groups: your family, your Sunday School class, your Bible Study, etc. Our circle of quiet on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Library has been doing this. I am amazed at how persons aligned in prayer together can channel such power of God.
Now let us practice, as we pray for others in whatever way seems right for you.
I pray for you. I usually get up early in the morning and walk. As I walk, I remember my family in my prayers. I pray for you my church family. I lift up many situations, concerns, and joys. This is not just something I encourage others to do. I actually practice this. I pray for you.
Many letters in the New Testament begin this way, including this letter to the church at Ephesus. "I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers." It is not simply a business relationship. It is more than problem solving. It is more than following rules. Prayer for others means care for others.
Praying for others is normal Christian behavior. I would argue it is normal human behavior. I had a member of my extended family who was raised as an agnostic. Her parents were college professors, very learned, caring people. They simply did not orient their lives around faith, the Bible, worship, church, prayer. They were rational, thinking people. But when my cousin's father, my uncle went into the hospital, she found herself outside wandering in the parking lot, praying for him. You see, if you are a pastor, you sometimes become the family chaplain. She confessed to me, "I prayed. I said, 'I don't know who you are or what you are, but please help. Don't let my dad die.'" We were made to pray for others.
Richard Foster has a terrific book simply titled Prayer. He says praying for others is "wanting more for others than it is in our power to give." It is a way of "loving others."
There is no one right way to pray for others. Our blue prayer insert is one way. But I want to go over at least 6 ways. The first is using that blue prayer insert. It is praying according to a list. This is the way many of us learned to pray as children. At bedtime, or mealtime, we would go, "God bless mommy and daddy and memaw and papaw...." Do you children still do this? It is praying a list. I bet many of you big people do too.
The second way is pray a specific kind of list. George Buttrick prayed first for his enemies. He would pray, "God bless so and so whom I foolishly regard as my enemy." There is something about "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Beyond enemies, George would pray for leaders (of the world, nation, state, local, church, education, etc.), the needy, friends, and loved ones. His list kept him from playing favorites. It moved him beyond a narrow circle.
The third way is what I call "flashing prayers." Auditory cues like a siren or ring tone or school bell can call us to prayer. When you hear a siren, pray for the police, fire, EMS, those injured, etc. One funny story: when I lived in San Antonio, I listened to a Christian radio station, not just because they played great music, but also because they gave the traffic report every 10 minutes. One day the traffice reporter came on and said, "There's been an accident at Loop 410 and San Pedro. Fire and PMS are on the way." I don't think PMS helped the situation much at all. When the phone rings, you might pray for the person on the other end of the line or the situation that waits there. School bells can be a great time to get your focus on the presence of God moving in our midst amongst your fellow students, teachers, and staff. Even getting stuck in traffic can call you to prayer. What else are you going to do with your time? Prayer is totally portable. Pray for those around you, especially those frustrated ones honking the horn.
The fourth way is holding a person or situation quietly before God, listening for God's prayer. We are not in this alone. God is not only listening, but also speaking. In my church in San Saba, I had a beautiful young woman named Ellen. She was married, and had a great little boy. She was artistic. She had cancer. I prayed fervently for her. I asked God to heal her. One day, I was simply being still and quiet. I was taking people before God, not with any agenda, simply holding them before God. As I brought Ellen to God, it was almost as if I heard a voice. The message was this: "She belongs to me." Oh, that's right. In life, in death, in life beyond death, she yours. She belongs to you. Ellen did die. But she belonged to God. I could let her go.
A fifth way is to let a scripture passage with its words or images call persons or situations to heart. In this passage I was drawn to the word "wisdom." Where in the world is wisdom needed? Syria! I was drawn to the words for power (actually 4 differenc Greek words in this passage having to do with power). Where in the world are folks feeling disempowered? I was drawn to the image of "having the eyes one's heart enlightened." Who needs to see like that? I was drawn to the image of all things being at the feet of Jesus. How can we act as if he is Lord over all things?
The sixth way is to admit that there are many ways you as individuals pray. Some of you walk neighborhoods. You may pray, "I know that marriage is in trouble. God bless them." Some of you use music as your call to pray for others. Some of you journal. Some of practice breath prayers in order to slow down, tune out the noise so you can pray for others. Some of you let the news call you to pray for that situation.
Let's hear some testimonials from some of you gathered for worship this day.
I am challenging you to commit to praying for others for the next 7 days. How will you do that? If you can go 21 days, it will become part of you. If you can practice this praying for others for 3 weeks, it will become deep within you.
I am also challening you to pray in groups: your family, your Sunday School class, your Bible Study, etc. Our circle of quiet on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Library has been doing this. I am amazed at how persons aligned in prayer together can channel such power of God.
Now let us practice, as we pray for others in whatever way seems right for you.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
in the world, but not of the world
5/15/12 There is a famous theologian who came up with that line that Christians were to be "in the world, but not of the world." It is very similiar to what Jesus says in his prayer for his followers in John 15:15, "I am not asking you to take them our of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one." We believers understand that we are here in this world but for a short time. Our true identity comes not from our DNA, or the environment, but from our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God. Jesus offers us the comfort that although we may find ourselves in conflict with this world, he is praying for our protection.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I am praying for you
5/15/12 John's Gospel chapter 17 is a long prayer that Jesus offers for his disciples, not just the original small group, but anyone who will ever believe in him. In verse 9, Jesus offers a comforting word, "I am praying for you; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours."
I believe our prayers for others are powerful. We believers need to be in intercession on behalf of others. But the best news is this: Jesus Christ is our Intercessor. He is praying for us.
Love,
Lynn
I believe our prayers for others are powerful. We believers need to be in intercession on behalf of others. But the best news is this: Jesus Christ is our Intercessor. He is praying for us.
Love,
Lynn
Monday, May 14, 2012
Nike
from my message on Mother's Day, 5/13/12, from I John 5:1-6
I like to win. They say, "It does not matter whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." "They" have obviously not been a football coach in the State of Texas. What happens when you lose? You get fired.
We like to win. I went to a 6 man football regional championship game while I was in San Saba. The football field was right next to the church. Cherokee was in my county and playing in the game. I remember those cute little cheerleaders on the sidelines. The cheer they led has been etched into my brain. They said (pardon the grammar), "We don't take no chumps; we don't beginners; we don't no losers; we just take winners."
We like to win. I remember going to a Mother's Day service with my Mama Barton, my grandmother, in Glen Rose, TX. Mama Barton was a life long Methodist, but she had strategically placed herself at another congregation on this particular day in the hopes of winning the oldest mother attending the service. The pastor invited all of the mothers to stand. They were suitably recognized and blessed. Then the competition bgan. "All those 50 and older, please remain standing." About 1/2 the moms sat down. The pastor continued, "60 and older, 70 and older, 80 and older." It was getting down to a handful, including Mama Barton. "90 and older." It was down to 2 persons. "95 and older." Mama Barton sat down, leaving one standing. Mama Barton said, "I forgot about Miz Brown."
We like to win. We don't like to lose. We have greater losses in our lives than an oldest mother on Mother's Day contest. I was sitting last night at a choir party across the table from Jean. We were out in the country. Maybe it was because there was a storm shelter on this ranch that Jean said, "It was 59 years ago yesterday that I was a nurse in Waco when 114 people lost their lives in a tornado. I worked over 100 hours that week." That memory was as fresh to her as if it had happened yesterday. This may be the first Mother's Day since you lost your mom in death. It may be some other significant person. How about losing a child? Is there anything worse? I had an email several weeks back from a woman who has been visiting our church. The email said, "We got the doctor's report back. I can't have children." Now there's a loss, the loss of a future, of what might have been. You may be a woman in the State of Texas, wondering about health care for you as the state government continues to play with reproductive services. Are they covered or not? What kind of loss is that for you if you are poor?
About now you are asking, "Pastor Lynn, what does all this have to do with the scripture we read and that title, 'Nike.' We have seen the swoosh logo; we have it on articles of athletic ware and on our shoes." The Greek word nike is used 4 times in this passage, traslated as conquers or as victory. "For whatever is born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Christ?" Nike in Greek mythology was the goddess of victory, strengthy, and speed. You can see why a shoe company would like that name.
But how does Nike connect with Mother's day? How does one live victoriously? I am glad the passage says that "whatever is born of God conquers the world." There's a good Mother's day image, being born of God. But how does that get lived out? I was stuck here...till yesterday when I was walking the beach at Corpus Christi. I really love that, hearing the sound of the wind and the waves. It is very soothing. My reverie was broken up though by the sound of 4 wheel ATV's going up and down the beach. They were looking for turtles that come to nest and lay their eggs along the beach. Especially Kemp-Ridley turtles which are endangered. I was reading a report that only 89 have been sighted this year from Galveston to Brownsville. There is a woman there, who has her doctorate in "turtle-ology." To continue the species, they look for V-shaped tracks in the sand that indicate a turtle has come ashore. They find the nest of some 60 to 100 eggs. They take the eggs and sand surrounding the eggs to an incubator. There they hatch them. Then they release them at sunrise along the beach. The little turtles are motivated by the sun; they are "heliotropic." The Texas coast is perfect for this as the sun rises in the East. The little turtles start moving their flippers heading for the water. They are very fragile. A park ranger is up the beach casting cheetos into the air to attrack all of the birds there and to distract them from the turtles. All of this is done to imprint the turtles to this beach.
You have been imprinted. This is the victory that conquers the world. You have been born of God. No matters what happens to you, no matter how fragile you are, you are God's children. You are motivated by the rising of the Son. You belong to Christ, no matter how many losses you face. This is our faith. This is our victory. Whatever is born of God conquers the world.
Imagine a world where you live knowing that you are a child of God. Imagine seeing others as God's children too. Why you might dress in red so you could go down to the Capitol on a Tuesday at noon to express your displeasure to the state government, joining with thousands of others who don't want women's health to be a political football. You see yourself and other women as being born of God. You might be a woman in Cuba and dress in white and walk the streets of Havanna because someone you love has been taken into custody without any charges. You know yourself and your loved one to be children of God. You might be a bubushka in Russia. Sometimes the machinery doesn't deliver goods and services so well. So you take your place in line. You shuffle forward a few steps. You wait. You move ahead a few more steps. You wait all day if necessary for the bread or the toilet paper or whatever you family needs because you all are born of God. You might not be able to bear children of your own, so you adopt a child, maybe even a child with a medical condition, because you know that whatever is born of God conquers the world.
How will you live Nike? How will you live victoriously?
I have one last story to leave you inspired. I will call her "Miss Hattie," not her real name, but close enough. She was an old maid school teacher. You have the picture in your mind. She was a member of my church in San Saba. She died. She had very few family members, some nieces and nephews. When I started her funeral service at the church, I was surprised to see that the sanctuary was filled. As I preached her funeral sermon, I said, "Miss Hattie was never married. She never had a single child. But if you were one of her students, please stand right where you are." Scores of teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, fathers and mothers stood. I said, "No she didn't have a single child. She had a multitude."
Miss Hattie lived the victory. You don't have to be a biological mother in order to be a theological mother. Whatever is born of God conquers the world. That's the good news I have to share.
I like to win. They say, "It does not matter whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." "They" have obviously not been a football coach in the State of Texas. What happens when you lose? You get fired.
We like to win. I went to a 6 man football regional championship game while I was in San Saba. The football field was right next to the church. Cherokee was in my county and playing in the game. I remember those cute little cheerleaders on the sidelines. The cheer they led has been etched into my brain. They said (pardon the grammar), "We don't take no chumps; we don't beginners; we don't no losers; we just take winners."
We like to win. I remember going to a Mother's Day service with my Mama Barton, my grandmother, in Glen Rose, TX. Mama Barton was a life long Methodist, but she had strategically placed herself at another congregation on this particular day in the hopes of winning the oldest mother attending the service. The pastor invited all of the mothers to stand. They were suitably recognized and blessed. Then the competition bgan. "All those 50 and older, please remain standing." About 1/2 the moms sat down. The pastor continued, "60 and older, 70 and older, 80 and older." It was getting down to a handful, including Mama Barton. "90 and older." It was down to 2 persons. "95 and older." Mama Barton sat down, leaving one standing. Mama Barton said, "I forgot about Miz Brown."
We like to win. We don't like to lose. We have greater losses in our lives than an oldest mother on Mother's Day contest. I was sitting last night at a choir party across the table from Jean. We were out in the country. Maybe it was because there was a storm shelter on this ranch that Jean said, "It was 59 years ago yesterday that I was a nurse in Waco when 114 people lost their lives in a tornado. I worked over 100 hours that week." That memory was as fresh to her as if it had happened yesterday. This may be the first Mother's Day since you lost your mom in death. It may be some other significant person. How about losing a child? Is there anything worse? I had an email several weeks back from a woman who has been visiting our church. The email said, "We got the doctor's report back. I can't have children." Now there's a loss, the loss of a future, of what might have been. You may be a woman in the State of Texas, wondering about health care for you as the state government continues to play with reproductive services. Are they covered or not? What kind of loss is that for you if you are poor?
About now you are asking, "Pastor Lynn, what does all this have to do with the scripture we read and that title, 'Nike.' We have seen the swoosh logo; we have it on articles of athletic ware and on our shoes." The Greek word nike is used 4 times in this passage, traslated as conquers or as victory. "For whatever is born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Christ?" Nike in Greek mythology was the goddess of victory, strengthy, and speed. You can see why a shoe company would like that name.
But how does Nike connect with Mother's day? How does one live victoriously? I am glad the passage says that "whatever is born of God conquers the world." There's a good Mother's day image, being born of God. But how does that get lived out? I was stuck here...till yesterday when I was walking the beach at Corpus Christi. I really love that, hearing the sound of the wind and the waves. It is very soothing. My reverie was broken up though by the sound of 4 wheel ATV's going up and down the beach. They were looking for turtles that come to nest and lay their eggs along the beach. Especially Kemp-Ridley turtles which are endangered. I was reading a report that only 89 have been sighted this year from Galveston to Brownsville. There is a woman there, who has her doctorate in "turtle-ology." To continue the species, they look for V-shaped tracks in the sand that indicate a turtle has come ashore. They find the nest of some 60 to 100 eggs. They take the eggs and sand surrounding the eggs to an incubator. There they hatch them. Then they release them at sunrise along the beach. The little turtles are motivated by the sun; they are "heliotropic." The Texas coast is perfect for this as the sun rises in the East. The little turtles start moving their flippers heading for the water. They are very fragile. A park ranger is up the beach casting cheetos into the air to attrack all of the birds there and to distract them from the turtles. All of this is done to imprint the turtles to this beach.
You have been imprinted. This is the victory that conquers the world. You have been born of God. No matters what happens to you, no matter how fragile you are, you are God's children. You are motivated by the rising of the Son. You belong to Christ, no matter how many losses you face. This is our faith. This is our victory. Whatever is born of God conquers the world.
Imagine a world where you live knowing that you are a child of God. Imagine seeing others as God's children too. Why you might dress in red so you could go down to the Capitol on a Tuesday at noon to express your displeasure to the state government, joining with thousands of others who don't want women's health to be a political football. You see yourself and other women as being born of God. You might be a woman in Cuba and dress in white and walk the streets of Havanna because someone you love has been taken into custody without any charges. You know yourself and your loved one to be children of God. You might be a bubushka in Russia. Sometimes the machinery doesn't deliver goods and services so well. So you take your place in line. You shuffle forward a few steps. You wait. You move ahead a few more steps. You wait all day if necessary for the bread or the toilet paper or whatever you family needs because you all are born of God. You might not be able to bear children of your own, so you adopt a child, maybe even a child with a medical condition, because you know that whatever is born of God conquers the world.
How will you live Nike? How will you live victoriously?
I have one last story to leave you inspired. I will call her "Miss Hattie," not her real name, but close enough. She was an old maid school teacher. You have the picture in your mind. She was a member of my church in San Saba. She died. She had very few family members, some nieces and nephews. When I started her funeral service at the church, I was surprised to see that the sanctuary was filled. As I preached her funeral sermon, I said, "Miss Hattie was never married. She never had a single child. But if you were one of her students, please stand right where you are." Scores of teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, fathers and mothers stood. I said, "No she didn't have a single child. She had a multitude."
Miss Hattie lived the victory. You don't have to be a biological mother in order to be a theological mother. Whatever is born of God conquers the world. That's the good news I have to share.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
fierce conversations
5/9/12 One thing I am proud of is that I have developed trust with my staff, so much so that they are not afraid to have fierce conversations with me. That is, they will not hold back their opinions of me, of what I am doing, or of what I have said. They ask questions. They hold me accountable. They openly talk of their concerns. What a gift it is to have such relationships! I appreciate the fierce conversations.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Monday, May 7, 2012
community
5/7/12 I am surprised that I have not written about this previously in my blog. The concept of community is central to my understanding of the Christian faith. We can not follow Christ just as individuals. We do not know who we are except in relationship to others. To make the point biblically, the most common image for the Church in the New Testament is "y'all," a word we Texans know as you all. I had a meeting with my prayer/accountability group this morning. It is no big deal; just 3 other pastors who meet with me 2/month to talk about our souls. It is a huge deal; it is the life of sanity and wholeness for me. I am writing this morning out of gratefulness for the gift of Christian community.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Sunday, May 6, 2012
love,love,love,love
from my message on 5/6/12 from I John 4:7-21
Love, Love, Love, Love. I don't much about love, but what little I know is this: it take more than one word to describe what love is. Our English language is so limited because we have just this one word for love. Thank goodness that years ago, I ran across a little book by C.S. Lewis, called the Four Loves, which talks about the 4 Greek words used for love. As I have taught about this in the past, some youth especially found it helpful to have words for what they were feeling. I hope it helps you today to see where you are in relationship with others and with God.
Storge is the first word, which might be known as affection in English. It is the humblest and most modest form of love. It is the love that exists between parents and children. It is natural, built-in. Even animals practice this kind of love. You can have a whole flock of sheep, and the ewe and its lamb will find each other out of the crowd. For whom do you have affection? Who has affection for you? Is this where you with Christ? Remember how he said that he is the good shepherd and that he knows his sheep and they know him? Do you feel that affection for Christ?
Philia or friendship is the second form of love. You have heard this in the American city, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. It is often ignored, maybe because so few experience it. It is the least natural, instinctive, or necessary form of love. We cannot choose our family, but we do choose our friends. What a gift it is to find someone else who says, "What, you too?" You find that you have a commonality. Here's what I have found: that you if you have 2 to 3 good friends over a lifetime, you are rich indeed. Who are your friends? Who is the person you could call at 3 a.m. for help? Is this where you are in your relationship with Jesus? Remember how he said, "I no longer call you slaves/servants; I call you friends."
Eros is romantic love or being in love, the third word for love. Here all rational calculations are thrown out the window. They are irrelevant when it comes to being in love. Maybe you have been in love? Isn't it a bit crazy? People try to talk you out of it. Edwin Friedman, the rabbi/psychotherapist who taught me family systems, said that he thought he never did any good when it came to pre-maritial counseling. The couple was moving at each other at the speed of light. They only had eyes for the other. Nothing could penetrate that. Have you been in love? Maybe even now? Have you ever been in love with Christ? I have read a little book called The Dark Night of the Soul. We think it is about being depressed or struggling in our faith, but that's not the impression I got when I read it. The Dark Night of the Soul was about longing to be with the Beloved, about having a lover's tryst with Jesus. Is this where you are? Are you in love with Christ?
Agape is the fourth expression of love. The best illustration of this love is Jesus on the cross. It is the self-sacrificing, self-giving love. It is the love that calculates the cost and yet still loves. This kind of love makes one vulnerable. To love like this means you will be hurt. Lewis says, "the only place outside of heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is hell." Twenty-nine times in this passage the word used for love is agape. It is God's love for us. But we can also love like this. "We love, because he first loved us." Once we have experienced this love, we can love others the same way.
Chuck Colson, one of Nixon's hatchetmen, was caught, convicted, sent to prison. He had a conversion experience and became a Christian. He started a prison ministry. He was talking with his son, Chris, about evidence for God. The grandson, Charlie, then 4, interrupted. "But grandpa, there is a God." Chuck nodded, agreeing with him. "See, if there wasn't a God, people couldn't love each other."
Is this where you are? Have you experience the love of Christ to the point that you can love others, even the unloveable, knowing you probably will be hurt?
The General Conference of the UMC has just wrapped up. This meeting of some 1,000 delegates from around the world comes together every 4 years to see how we can share Christ's love in the world. It can be difficult as Robert's Rules of Order, 1000's of petitions, motions and seconds, and substitute motions get tossed about. I was reading the blog of our lead clergy delegate from the SWTx Conf, Laura. She shared a bright moment that came from a testimony from a clergy in our area, a woman named Lorenza Andrade Smith. Lorenza's ministry is with street people. She was trying to get into a homeless shelter in San Antonio to spend the night. She was trying to bring her paten (plate for communion bread) and chalice (cup for the grape juice) into the shelter with her. The shelter wouldn't allow for that, as her paten and chalice could be used as weapons. So Lorenza went to sleep on a bench outside of the Alamo. There she was arrested for vagrancy and taken to jail. The punishment for her crime was to do community service...wait for it.. at the homeless shelter she was trying to enter! These (holding up the paten and chalice from our communion table) are our weapons in the world, to share the love that Christ has for us with others! That is the good news I have to share today.
Love, Love, Love, Love. I don't much about love, but what little I know is this: it take more than one word to describe what love is. Our English language is so limited because we have just this one word for love. Thank goodness that years ago, I ran across a little book by C.S. Lewis, called the Four Loves, which talks about the 4 Greek words used for love. As I have taught about this in the past, some youth especially found it helpful to have words for what they were feeling. I hope it helps you today to see where you are in relationship with others and with God.
Storge is the first word, which might be known as affection in English. It is the humblest and most modest form of love. It is the love that exists between parents and children. It is natural, built-in. Even animals practice this kind of love. You can have a whole flock of sheep, and the ewe and its lamb will find each other out of the crowd. For whom do you have affection? Who has affection for you? Is this where you with Christ? Remember how he said that he is the good shepherd and that he knows his sheep and they know him? Do you feel that affection for Christ?
Philia or friendship is the second form of love. You have heard this in the American city, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. It is often ignored, maybe because so few experience it. It is the least natural, instinctive, or necessary form of love. We cannot choose our family, but we do choose our friends. What a gift it is to find someone else who says, "What, you too?" You find that you have a commonality. Here's what I have found: that you if you have 2 to 3 good friends over a lifetime, you are rich indeed. Who are your friends? Who is the person you could call at 3 a.m. for help? Is this where you are in your relationship with Jesus? Remember how he said, "I no longer call you slaves/servants; I call you friends."
Eros is romantic love or being in love, the third word for love. Here all rational calculations are thrown out the window. They are irrelevant when it comes to being in love. Maybe you have been in love? Isn't it a bit crazy? People try to talk you out of it. Edwin Friedman, the rabbi/psychotherapist who taught me family systems, said that he thought he never did any good when it came to pre-maritial counseling. The couple was moving at each other at the speed of light. They only had eyes for the other. Nothing could penetrate that. Have you been in love? Maybe even now? Have you ever been in love with Christ? I have read a little book called The Dark Night of the Soul. We think it is about being depressed or struggling in our faith, but that's not the impression I got when I read it. The Dark Night of the Soul was about longing to be with the Beloved, about having a lover's tryst with Jesus. Is this where you are? Are you in love with Christ?
Agape is the fourth expression of love. The best illustration of this love is Jesus on the cross. It is the self-sacrificing, self-giving love. It is the love that calculates the cost and yet still loves. This kind of love makes one vulnerable. To love like this means you will be hurt. Lewis says, "the only place outside of heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is hell." Twenty-nine times in this passage the word used for love is agape. It is God's love for us. But we can also love like this. "We love, because he first loved us." Once we have experienced this love, we can love others the same way.
Chuck Colson, one of Nixon's hatchetmen, was caught, convicted, sent to prison. He had a conversion experience and became a Christian. He started a prison ministry. He was talking with his son, Chris, about evidence for God. The grandson, Charlie, then 4, interrupted. "But grandpa, there is a God." Chuck nodded, agreeing with him. "See, if there wasn't a God, people couldn't love each other."
Is this where you are? Have you experience the love of Christ to the point that you can love others, even the unloveable, knowing you probably will be hurt?
The General Conference of the UMC has just wrapped up. This meeting of some 1,000 delegates from around the world comes together every 4 years to see how we can share Christ's love in the world. It can be difficult as Robert's Rules of Order, 1000's of petitions, motions and seconds, and substitute motions get tossed about. I was reading the blog of our lead clergy delegate from the SWTx Conf, Laura. She shared a bright moment that came from a testimony from a clergy in our area, a woman named Lorenza Andrade Smith. Lorenza's ministry is with street people. She was trying to get into a homeless shelter in San Antonio to spend the night. She was trying to bring her paten (plate for communion bread) and chalice (cup for the grape juice) into the shelter with her. The shelter wouldn't allow for that, as her paten and chalice could be used as weapons. So Lorenza went to sleep on a bench outside of the Alamo. There she was arrested for vagrancy and taken to jail. The punishment for her crime was to do community service...wait for it.. at the homeless shelter she was trying to enter! These (holding up the paten and chalice from our communion table) are our weapons in the world, to share the love that Christ has for us with others! That is the good news I have to share today.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
transitions, part II
5/3/12 For many months, maybe a full year, we had looked for an assistant to the youth minister. We tried parttime college kids from the Wesley Foundation. We looked for students from the local seminary. We advertised on various websites. No bites. The right person was not found. Finally, we bumped up the compensation package and looked for a full time person. We found Diane, one who had just completed a Master's degree from a west coast seminary. She wanted to move back to Austin, where she had gone to the University of Texas. Hurrah! We found a gifted, committed youth assistant.
About this time, Tonya, whom we had hired to help with the Point, a new movement involving worship and service, announced that she needed/wanted to move back to South Carolina where her mother lived. How we find a replacement for such a one who could play the guitar, sing, do website design and maintenance, be good at relationships and organization? The very day Tonya told us she was going to be moving out, Diane told us that she had a boyfriend who wanted to move to Austin (for obvious reasons). This young man, Jonathan, had also just graduated from the same west coast seminary as Diane. He played the guitar, sang, had been doing video production and web communication for a church in California. Diane asked if we knew of anyone who could use his skills. We got his resume' that very day. In short, we hired Jonathan to start work with us on May 15, right as Tonya is leaving.
Now this week, our youth minister, J.D., announced that he will be leaving us so that he can go to seminary full time, instead of half time, so he can finish in 2 years instead of 4.
At staff meeting, I closed as I often do, by asking them how Christ has shown up in that hour. Tonya remarked that she had seen Christ at work in the providing of the right persons with the right gifts at the right time. Christ had shown up in the transitions.
Love,
Lynn
About this time, Tonya, whom we had hired to help with the Point, a new movement involving worship and service, announced that she needed/wanted to move back to South Carolina where her mother lived. How we find a replacement for such a one who could play the guitar, sing, do website design and maintenance, be good at relationships and organization? The very day Tonya told us she was going to be moving out, Diane told us that she had a boyfriend who wanted to move to Austin (for obvious reasons). This young man, Jonathan, had also just graduated from the same west coast seminary as Diane. He played the guitar, sang, had been doing video production and web communication for a church in California. Diane asked if we knew of anyone who could use his skills. We got his resume' that very day. In short, we hired Jonathan to start work with us on May 15, right as Tonya is leaving.
Now this week, our youth minister, J.D., announced that he will be leaving us so that he can go to seminary full time, instead of half time, so he can finish in 2 years instead of 4.
At staff meeting, I closed as I often do, by asking them how Christ has shown up in that hour. Tonya remarked that she had seen Christ at work in the providing of the right persons with the right gifts at the right time. Christ had shown up in the transitions.
Love,
Lynn
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
transitions, part I
5/2/12 This is the time of year when United Methodist pastors and their families are thinking about moving. Hopefully, they have heard from their District Superintendents by now about their new place of ministry. This morning I had breakfast with Dan who is going to be the new pastor at San Saba, where Cathy and I were sent in 1983, almost 29 years ago. Dan wanted to get my impressions of that county seat, hill country town. I was happy to oblige him over a super breakfast burrito from Mi Ranchito. He asked all the right questions. He demonstrated excitement about going to San Saba by entering their classic domed sanctuary for the first time and shouting "Wahoo!" He and his wife have 2 little girls, just like Cathy and I had 2 little boys while out there. I think they are going to make this transitions just fine.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
privacy
5/1/12 More than at any other time in my ministry, I am dealing with folks who don't want their situation in life to be shared with anyone else. They value their privacy. I have church members in the hospital for surgery, in ICU, for tests, etc. Of course, the government passed the HIPAA law several years ago, where the H stands for Health, and the I for information, and the P for privacy. Everyone is entitled to protect their individual health information and to share with others only what they want. As a pastor what I find difficult is learning about these situations long after the fact and feeling distant from my congregants. When does privacy become isolation? I believe that the community of faith has a lot of healing to share through their prayers, their visits, their cards, their sharing of scripture and songs, etc. The desire for privacy cuts folks off from the very thing they need most, the love of others. Yes, I know that information has not always been used for prayerful purposes and that one's situation can become nothing more than gossip. I understand that privacy has its place. But community also has its place.
Love,
Lynn
Love,
Lynn
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