Today's Lectionary continues the Christmas story with the flight of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus into Egypt to escape Herod's murderous intentions. My mind is drawn back to how this adventure began for Mary, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you!" While these are words most of us think we'd like to hear coming from an archangel's mouth, the truth is, they heralded a future most of us would shrink from.
Mary and Joseph said 'yes' to God and embarked upon a grand adventure. But it wasn't easy on any level. If it wasn't enough for them both to endure the speculation and rumors that had to surround Mary's pregnancy, they had an arduous trek to Bethlehem. Then there was no room in the inn, so Mary was forced to deliver her child in an animal's stall.
The wonder of the shepherds' and Magis' visits had to make them feel better. These visitors confirmed that something special - something big was happening. Maybe that's why God sent them. If I was Mary, I would probably have been wondering if I'd imagined the archangel's visit... Shouldn't things go more smoothly when you're following God's will?
Well... as the saying goes, "There's no rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need one." No sooner do the Magi leave, than Joseph is told in a dream to flee into Egypt. It's hard enough traveling when your really pregnant, but traveling with a baby or toddler is much more challenging. Saying 'yes' to God is a dangerous thing to do if you're looking for easy street...
There are people who will tell you that favorable circumstances are a sign of God's favor toward you. The biblical witness doesn't really support that notion, however. More often than not, those whom God favors live God-sized adventures. So... if things aren't going your way, don't assume it's because you're not favored by God. Your troubles may be evidence that you are.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
What I Love About Bob
I have a friend named Bob who continually inspires me to be a better person, a better Christian. I received his Christmas letter today. It made me think of him - appreciate him. Bob's in his early eighties, a retired UCC pastor. He worshipped at our Presbyterian church (he said hoping to convert us all) for many years.
Bob moved to a retirement community in a city about an hour away from Danvegas a couple of years ago. Before he left, Bob lead the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He played on the church's golf team (yes, that's right, golf team). When on the golf course, however Bob was really more interested in finding balls that folks had lost on the course. He collected them, bagged them, and sold them - with the proceeds going to Habitat. That's the kind of person he is. Any good work that presents itself, Bob embraces.
He recounts his 2007 travels in his letter. Bob was on the road 7 out of 12 months last year. He began the year leading a team to Orlando to receive training as Stephen ministers, spent a week as a camp counsellor this summer, and managed this fall to make it to New Orleans to see what he could do to help. The rest of the time Bob was visiting family and friends. This guy is active!
In 2006 Bob joined my kids and me in a short mission trip to Colombia, South America. We built a road. Heavy work for a guy in his eighties, but Bob joined right in. Because of his age, experience, and obvious wisdom, he finds himself asked to take on leadership roles - praying, preaching, offering fatherly advice.
Bob ends his letter with: "Once again I wish for you all the hope and joy that are part of our celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace and pray that the coming year will be filled with opportunities to reach out to others in His name and to find ways to help make this battered world a more livable and lovable habitation."
I'm certain that Bob's prayer will be answered in the affirmative: we all will be given a year filled with opportunities to serve and love others. My prayer is that we will jump on those opportunities with the same gusto and faithfulness that Bob does.
Bob moved to a retirement community in a city about an hour away from Danvegas a couple of years ago. Before he left, Bob lead the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He played on the church's golf team (yes, that's right, golf team). When on the golf course, however Bob was really more interested in finding balls that folks had lost on the course. He collected them, bagged them, and sold them - with the proceeds going to Habitat. That's the kind of person he is. Any good work that presents itself, Bob embraces.
He recounts his 2007 travels in his letter. Bob was on the road 7 out of 12 months last year. He began the year leading a team to Orlando to receive training as Stephen ministers, spent a week as a camp counsellor this summer, and managed this fall to make it to New Orleans to see what he could do to help. The rest of the time Bob was visiting family and friends. This guy is active!
In 2006 Bob joined my kids and me in a short mission trip to Colombia, South America. We built a road. Heavy work for a guy in his eighties, but Bob joined right in. Because of his age, experience, and obvious wisdom, he finds himself asked to take on leadership roles - praying, preaching, offering fatherly advice.
Bob ends his letter with: "Once again I wish for you all the hope and joy that are part of our celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace and pray that the coming year will be filled with opportunities to reach out to others in His name and to find ways to help make this battered world a more livable and lovable habitation."
I'm certain that Bob's prayer will be answered in the affirmative: we all will be given a year filled with opportunities to serve and love others. My prayer is that we will jump on those opportunities with the same gusto and faithfulness that Bob does.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Clarity vs Luminosity Revisited
My meeting with the Committee for the Preparation for Ministry last week offered a chance to experience luminosity. Not clarity, but luminosity. I meet with this committee once per year to review my status as (for now) an 'inquirer'. I went into the meeting feeling that I really had nothing to report. I am sure of God's call on my life (for something). Though I'm leaning toward pastoral ministry, I couldn't articulate why.... I'm just becoming more certain...
Seminary is going slowly because of my life circumstances. We actually spent most of the time talking about my work/life/family situation. That's when I had a moment of luminosity. 2007 was difficult in a number of ways:
- I've found myself dealing with the health and end-of-life issues of family members.
- I've been in the place of mediator with my siblings - something as the oldest, that has not been my function within the family historically.
- I have suffered some of the worst loneliness of my life.
I thought these issues were distracting my focus from seminary and my call. But in talking with the committee I realized that all of these circumstances are helping me to love people better - preparing me for ministry to hurting people.
At 45 I am keenly aware that I can't fix things or people. I know that I don't have a lot of answers, and I'm okay with it. I've resisted the idea of pastoral ministry for a really long time. I don't want people to look to me for answers. As usual Eugene Peterson has something to say about that too, "The vocation of pastor does not permit trafficking in either miracles or answers. Pastors are in the awkward position of refusing to give what a great many people assume is our assigned job to give...We are asked to pray for an appropriate miracle, we are called upon to declare and authoritative answer. But our calling equips us for neither. In fact, it forbids us to engage in either the miracle business or the answer business."
So... out of my own mouth, came some enlightenment for myself... The meeting benefited me. I'd been praying for answers, and God shed some light for me. Do I totally get it - i.e. clarity? No. But the Lord has given me a glimpse of some of what He's up to in my life. That's enough for now...
Seminary is going slowly because of my life circumstances. We actually spent most of the time talking about my work/life/family situation. That's when I had a moment of luminosity. 2007 was difficult in a number of ways:
- I've found myself dealing with the health and end-of-life issues of family members.
- I've been in the place of mediator with my siblings - something as the oldest, that has not been my function within the family historically.
- I have suffered some of the worst loneliness of my life.
I thought these issues were distracting my focus from seminary and my call. But in talking with the committee I realized that all of these circumstances are helping me to love people better - preparing me for ministry to hurting people.
At 45 I am keenly aware that I can't fix things or people. I know that I don't have a lot of answers, and I'm okay with it. I've resisted the idea of pastoral ministry for a really long time. I don't want people to look to me for answers. As usual Eugene Peterson has something to say about that too, "The vocation of pastor does not permit trafficking in either miracles or answers. Pastors are in the awkward position of refusing to give what a great many people assume is our assigned job to give...We are asked to pray for an appropriate miracle, we are called upon to declare and authoritative answer. But our calling equips us for neither. In fact, it forbids us to engage in either the miracle business or the answer business."
So... out of my own mouth, came some enlightenment for myself... The meeting benefited me. I'd been praying for answers, and God shed some light for me. Do I totally get it - i.e. clarity? No. But the Lord has given me a glimpse of some of what He's up to in my life. That's enough for now...
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
I was driving home this evening craving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That sparked a chain reaction of thinking about stuff I just love. I guess tonight a PBJ would be at the top of the list. It could be on any bread, but I really like them on 7+ grain bread with some Fritos and a nice glass of tea. Yum!! There was a time in my life when I couldn't go to bed at night until I'd had at least one PBJ (we used to call them 'choke' sandwiches). Now that I'm almost grown up, I can manage up to a couple of days without one...
Other things that really ring my bell*:
- My kids are at the top of the list. They are both really interesting, funny, sweet people.
- The rest of my family. I have to give special mention to my sis Jeanette. She's like my other half. We can complete each other's sentences. Our minds tend to make some leaps that other people can't follow, but we track right along together. Jeanette knows precisely who I am and what makes me tick - and she loves me better than anyone. I'm crazy about the rest of my family too, but she holds a special place in my life and my heart. She is an indescribable gift.
- The serendipitous.
- Adventure of all shapes and sizes
- Music - most genres. The exceptions would be Country Music and Metal. I heard a commercial on TV where parents were describing some of their kids' music as a paper cut on their ears... yeah... I don't like that music.
- Mysteries - both the kind in books and the kind in life.
- Love stories. I kind of hate to admit this one. I don't read Romances, but I do like movies about love.
-Long walks - strenuous or leisurely. I like a nice hike too (as long as I don't have to sleep on the ground).
- The mountains
- The ocean - my territory for work is Eastern NC and SC. The lines for me have fallen in pleasant places.
- FOOTBALL! I like to play and watch. This year I've even watched college ball. Maybe this is the yin to my love story yang...
- I really dig doing the liturgy at church. I believe this is where I feel most alive in ministry.
- Charleston, SC - I don't have a lot of favorites, but this is hands down my favorite city.
- Crossword puzzles, Word Mojo, Cubis 2, Hearts, Spider Solitaire.
There's a lot more stuff I love. But it's 10:41 at night and the shades are lowering on my brain. I'll add more later. Maybe.
*God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (it goes without saying) is numero uno.
Other things that really ring my bell*:
- My kids are at the top of the list. They are both really interesting, funny, sweet people.
- The rest of my family. I have to give special mention to my sis Jeanette. She's like my other half. We can complete each other's sentences. Our minds tend to make some leaps that other people can't follow, but we track right along together. Jeanette knows precisely who I am and what makes me tick - and she loves me better than anyone. I'm crazy about the rest of my family too, but she holds a special place in my life and my heart. She is an indescribable gift.
- The serendipitous.
- Adventure of all shapes and sizes
- Music - most genres. The exceptions would be Country Music and Metal. I heard a commercial on TV where parents were describing some of their kids' music as a paper cut on their ears... yeah... I don't like that music.
- Mysteries - both the kind in books and the kind in life.
- Love stories. I kind of hate to admit this one. I don't read Romances, but I do like movies about love.
-Long walks - strenuous or leisurely. I like a nice hike too (as long as I don't have to sleep on the ground).
- The mountains
- The ocean - my territory for work is Eastern NC and SC. The lines for me have fallen in pleasant places.
- FOOTBALL! I like to play and watch. This year I've even watched college ball. Maybe this is the yin to my love story yang...
- I really dig doing the liturgy at church. I believe this is where I feel most alive in ministry.
- Charleston, SC - I don't have a lot of favorites, but this is hands down my favorite city.
- Crossword puzzles, Word Mojo, Cubis 2, Hearts, Spider Solitaire.
There's a lot more stuff I love. But it's 10:41 at night and the shades are lowering on my brain. I'll add more later. Maybe.
*God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (it goes without saying) is numero uno.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Bells Are Ringing
From an early age we hear bells ringing. Alarms tell us it’s time to wake up. We know it’s time for school to begin or end when a bell rings. Morning announcements at school used to be signaled by the tones of bells. We know someone’s at our door when we hear the doorbell ring, or that someone wants to talk to us when we hear the telephone ring.
At one time it was common for churches to ring bells on the hour, allowing folks to keep up with the passing of the day. Some churches today still ring bells on the hour. Bells were rung to call the faithful to gather at church for worship. Before the days of mass media, bells also signaled that something important was happening. This might be a marriage, the birth or death of some important person or another event that affected the lives of many people. Bells alert us to pay attention.
Bells are rung during Christmas to announce the arrival of the season, to proclaim the birth of Christ. The ringing of bells at Christmas is actually a holdover from pagan midwinter celebrations. Long ago people believed that they could use bells to frighten away evil spirits. Bells were a simple form of noisemaking. They could be easily obtained or made and everyone knew how to use them.
The tradition of using noisemakers like bells during these times carried over into the celebration of Christmas. But instead of making noise to keep away evil things, folks made noise to celebrate something happy. Kids then, like kids today, believed that making noise was just a part of Christmas. Bells were an easy way to make that noise. They were inexpensive and could be taken caroling or wassailing and almost every family had one or more. Bells also provided a bright and cheery sound and were acceptable to parents as proper tools to celebrate and make noise at Christmas.
The ringing Christmas bells serve all of the functions that I listed earlier. They are rung to wake us up. They tell us that we need to pay attention – that something significant is happening. Christmas bells announce the arrival of the One who came to save us. They signal an important hour –the appointed time of our visitation. God Himself has come among us. This is reason for joy – for the ringing of bells and celebration.
Do you hear the Christmas story with the wonder that is proper to it? Have you heard the story so many times, that it fails to thrill you? Has your attention been diverted by crowds and noise, and the purchase of gifts? Have you decorated your home, but failed to prepare your heart? Christmas bells are ringing! It’s time to wake up, be alert, and make ourselves ready for the coming of our Savior.
At one time it was common for churches to ring bells on the hour, allowing folks to keep up with the passing of the day. Some churches today still ring bells on the hour. Bells were rung to call the faithful to gather at church for worship. Before the days of mass media, bells also signaled that something important was happening. This might be a marriage, the birth or death of some important person or another event that affected the lives of many people. Bells alert us to pay attention.
Bells are rung during Christmas to announce the arrival of the season, to proclaim the birth of Christ. The ringing of bells at Christmas is actually a holdover from pagan midwinter celebrations. Long ago people believed that they could use bells to frighten away evil spirits. Bells were a simple form of noisemaking. They could be easily obtained or made and everyone knew how to use them.
The tradition of using noisemakers like bells during these times carried over into the celebration of Christmas. But instead of making noise to keep away evil things, folks made noise to celebrate something happy. Kids then, like kids today, believed that making noise was just a part of Christmas. Bells were an easy way to make that noise. They were inexpensive and could be taken caroling or wassailing and almost every family had one or more. Bells also provided a bright and cheery sound and were acceptable to parents as proper tools to celebrate and make noise at Christmas.
The ringing Christmas bells serve all of the functions that I listed earlier. They are rung to wake us up. They tell us that we need to pay attention – that something significant is happening. Christmas bells announce the arrival of the One who came to save us. They signal an important hour –the appointed time of our visitation. God Himself has come among us. This is reason for joy – for the ringing of bells and celebration.
Do you hear the Christmas story with the wonder that is proper to it? Have you heard the story so many times, that it fails to thrill you? Has your attention been diverted by crowds and noise, and the purchase of gifts? Have you decorated your home, but failed to prepare your heart? Christmas bells are ringing! It’s time to wake up, be alert, and make ourselves ready for the coming of our Savior.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The O Antiphons
These are absoulutely beautiful. The are the Antiphons used to pray the hours in the days before Christmas:
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth. Come Lord Jesus!
O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power. Come Lord Jesus!
O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay. Come Lord Jesus!
O Key of David, Scepter over the house of Israel, you open and no one can close,you close and no one can open: Come to set free the prisoners who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: Come, shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Ruler of the nations, Monarch for whom the people long, you are the Cornerstone uniting all humanity: Come, save us all, whom you formed out of clay. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Immanuel, our Sovereign and Lawgiver, desire of the nations and Savior of all:Come and save us, O Lord our God. Come, Lord Jesus!
O great mystery and wondrous sacrament, that animals might see the newborn Lord lying in a manger.
Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Christ!— O magnum mysterium
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth. Come Lord Jesus!
O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power. Come Lord Jesus!
O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay. Come Lord Jesus!
O Key of David, Scepter over the house of Israel, you open and no one can close,you close and no one can open: Come to set free the prisoners who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: Come, shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Ruler of the nations, Monarch for whom the people long, you are the Cornerstone uniting all humanity: Come, save us all, whom you formed out of clay. Come, Lord Jesus!
O Immanuel, our Sovereign and Lawgiver, desire of the nations and Savior of all:Come and save us, O Lord our God. Come, Lord Jesus!
O great mystery and wondrous sacrament, that animals might see the newborn Lord lying in a manger.
Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Christ!— O magnum mysterium
Saturday, December 22, 2007
A Wise Man Changes His Mind
I grew up hearing, "A wise man (or woman) changes his mind, but a fool, never." I can't begin to count the times I've heard it - and now say it - to my own children.
These are true - and very biblical words. A wise man does change his mind. In fact, the Greek word for repentance is 'metanoia' which means a change of mind. When we repent we change the way we've been thinking - about our desires and actions and motivations. This change of mind leads to life - the abundant kind of life that Jesus came to open to us.
My mom recently changed her mind. She has been in declining health for a number of years. She's not been feeling or looking well recently as a result of her kidney failure. Mom's an RN. Old school. She's seen lots of patients in kidney failure. She's witnessed many folks on dialysis, and decided - in advance- that it wasn't for her - no way, no how.
My brother in law is Mom's Nephrologist. Earlier this week he had my sister Jean call to say that dialysis NOW is a matter of life and death for Mom. After some talking and pondering Mom chose to give it a whirl, even though it required an admission to the hospital (something she vehemently opposed at Christmas time).
Mom chose life. She's feeling better too, and looking alive. There's color back in cheeks that prior to dialysis had a gray pallor - the color of death. A wise woman does change her mind. Dialysis isn't so bad. A good cleaning of the blood can do wonders for a person.
Along with the dialysis there's a diet to be followed - the renal diet. It's pretty restrictive. Basically a patient can comply with it or jeopardize their health. There are foods for her to avoid all together and some foods she needs more of to ensure she stays healthy. She'll be taking a special vitamin that has no potassium at all (bad for someone in renal failure) but concentrations of folate (and something else I can't remember) that dialysis tends to remove.
I don't want to push the analogy too far, but it's irresistible for me to make a connection to life in Christ... From the beginning the Bible makes it clear that there are two choices - life or death. Choosing life always requires a change of mind. How often? If you're like me - daily! Every day I'm given the opportunity to choose abundant life or a living death. I can choose to be cleaned up (by the blood of Christ- sorry I can't help myself with this analogy!) or not. I choose life. I choose to be surprised again and again by the grace of God.
There's a diet for me to follow too. It involves avoiding somethings all together and focusing on others. It's pretty obvious what I mean here...
Choosing life means a change of mind. Every day.
These are true - and very biblical words. A wise man does change his mind. In fact, the Greek word for repentance is 'metanoia' which means a change of mind. When we repent we change the way we've been thinking - about our desires and actions and motivations. This change of mind leads to life - the abundant kind of life that Jesus came to open to us.
My mom recently changed her mind. She has been in declining health for a number of years. She's not been feeling or looking well recently as a result of her kidney failure. Mom's an RN. Old school. She's seen lots of patients in kidney failure. She's witnessed many folks on dialysis, and decided - in advance- that it wasn't for her - no way, no how.
My brother in law is Mom's Nephrologist. Earlier this week he had my sister Jean call to say that dialysis NOW is a matter of life and death for Mom. After some talking and pondering Mom chose to give it a whirl, even though it required an admission to the hospital (something she vehemently opposed at Christmas time).
Mom chose life. She's feeling better too, and looking alive. There's color back in cheeks that prior to dialysis had a gray pallor - the color of death. A wise woman does change her mind. Dialysis isn't so bad. A good cleaning of the blood can do wonders for a person.
Along with the dialysis there's a diet to be followed - the renal diet. It's pretty restrictive. Basically a patient can comply with it or jeopardize their health. There are foods for her to avoid all together and some foods she needs more of to ensure she stays healthy. She'll be taking a special vitamin that has no potassium at all (bad for someone in renal failure) but concentrations of folate (and something else I can't remember) that dialysis tends to remove.
I don't want to push the analogy too far, but it's irresistible for me to make a connection to life in Christ... From the beginning the Bible makes it clear that there are two choices - life or death. Choosing life always requires a change of mind. How often? If you're like me - daily! Every day I'm given the opportunity to choose abundant life or a living death. I can choose to be cleaned up (by the blood of Christ- sorry I can't help myself with this analogy!) or not. I choose life. I choose to be surprised again and again by the grace of God.
There's a diet for me to follow too. It involves avoiding somethings all together and focusing on others. It's pretty obvious what I mean here...
Choosing life means a change of mind. Every day.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Shooting the Moon
A few days ago my sister Jeanette and I had a discussion about the meaning of the phrase 'shooting the moon'. I don't remember how we got on the topic, but as we discussed it, I was struck by how shooting the moon (or not) is illustrative of how we live our lives.
Jeanette looked up the phrase on-line and found this:
"The meaning of 'shoot the moon' or sometimes 'shoot for the moon' is to go for everything or nothing, to go whole hog, to pull out the stops, to go for broke, to make an all-out effort..." You get the picture.
"The term 'shoot the moon' is also used in the card game 'hearts.' Hearts is a points based game and most of the time the goal is to acquire the least number of hearts possible. But if one chooses to risk 'shooting the moon' and wins all the hearts and the queen of spades in the course of play, the player may deliver a crushing blow to their opponents....So this card game strategy follows directly from the above meaning."
I am an avid and fairly skillful hearts player. I shared with Jeanette that when I play a hand, sometimes I know from the outset that I can shoot the moon, and other times the possibility slowly dawns on me. During these times I must make the decision to be daring or timid. While it's possible that one can make the attempt to take all the tricks and fail, the exhilaration of shooting the moon is undeniable.
Going for broke is a scary proposition for many people. Much effort and anxiety are spent to maintain the status quo. "Don't rock the boat." "No news is good news." Sentiments like these may sound attractive when change seems scary, but they never turned the world upside down.
The mystery of the Incarnation is the ultimate expression of "shooting the moon." There could certainly be nothing more bold or risky than god sending his Son in the form of an infant into our dark world. The status quo was the last thing on the Almighty's mind! Instead, He set out to ransom our hearts - to restore our fellowship with Him.
There is something in us (no matter how risk averse we are) that longs to shoot the moon. Life is really a grand adventure. "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good works that God prepared for you in advance, that you should walk in them (Eph 2:10). God's kingdom is going forward, and we are invited to share in His work. Just as the Incarnation was marked by boldness and daring, we are invited to boldly follow. Though shooting the moon involves some risk, like in the card game, success delivers a crushing blow to our opponent.
In the coming year it is my prayer that you shoot the moon whenever you're dealt a hand that will allow for it. Make it count for the One who "went for broke" to achieve our redemption.
Jeanette looked up the phrase on-line and found this:
"The meaning of 'shoot the moon' or sometimes 'shoot for the moon' is to go for everything or nothing, to go whole hog, to pull out the stops, to go for broke, to make an all-out effort..." You get the picture.
"The term 'shoot the moon' is also used in the card game 'hearts.' Hearts is a points based game and most of the time the goal is to acquire the least number of hearts possible. But if one chooses to risk 'shooting the moon' and wins all the hearts and the queen of spades in the course of play, the player may deliver a crushing blow to their opponents....So this card game strategy follows directly from the above meaning."
I am an avid and fairly skillful hearts player. I shared with Jeanette that when I play a hand, sometimes I know from the outset that I can shoot the moon, and other times the possibility slowly dawns on me. During these times I must make the decision to be daring or timid. While it's possible that one can make the attempt to take all the tricks and fail, the exhilaration of shooting the moon is undeniable.
Going for broke is a scary proposition for many people. Much effort and anxiety are spent to maintain the status quo. "Don't rock the boat." "No news is good news." Sentiments like these may sound attractive when change seems scary, but they never turned the world upside down.
The mystery of the Incarnation is the ultimate expression of "shooting the moon." There could certainly be nothing more bold or risky than god sending his Son in the form of an infant into our dark world. The status quo was the last thing on the Almighty's mind! Instead, He set out to ransom our hearts - to restore our fellowship with Him.
There is something in us (no matter how risk averse we are) that longs to shoot the moon. Life is really a grand adventure. "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good works that God prepared for you in advance, that you should walk in them (Eph 2:10). God's kingdom is going forward, and we are invited to share in His work. Just as the Incarnation was marked by boldness and daring, we are invited to boldly follow. Though shooting the moon involves some risk, like in the card game, success delivers a crushing blow to our opponent.
In the coming year it is my prayer that you shoot the moon whenever you're dealt a hand that will allow for it. Make it count for the One who "went for broke" to achieve our redemption.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Recovering Eternity
"Hurry means that we gather impressions but have no experiences, that we collect acquaintances but make no friends, that we attend meetings but experience no encounter. We must recover eternity if we are to find time, and eternity is what Jesus came to restore. For without it, there can be no charity." — D. T. Niles, The Preacher's Calling to be a Servant.
Advent calls us to move more slowly; to take time to visit with people. We often hear from friends that live far away at this time of year, and fellowship with those who live close by. Families gather. It is a time to be present. To pay attention. To listen. To say things that need to be said: things like, "I love you." "Remember when...?" "I'm glad I know you."
Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming: to be present with Him. To pay attention. To listen. To reflect with gratitude on God's presence in our lives. Let's recover eternity in this Advent season.
Advent calls us to move more slowly; to take time to visit with people. We often hear from friends that live far away at this time of year, and fellowship with those who live close by. Families gather. It is a time to be present. To pay attention. To listen. To say things that need to be said: things like, "I love you." "Remember when...?" "I'm glad I know you."
Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming: to be present with Him. To pay attention. To listen. To reflect with gratitude on God's presence in our lives. Let's recover eternity in this Advent season.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Second Sunday in Advent
This week I was watching a show (I think it was on one of the Disney channels) about one of the places you can swim with dolphins (something I definitely want to do). At this place they brought the dolphins over and had them lie on their sides and folks put their hands on them as an instructor taught them about dolphins and what goes into training them, etc.
As the dolphins lay on their sides in a very vulnerable and trusting position, it struck me anew how 'right' that it is for animals and humans to be in that kind of relationship. There have been times when I've felt sorry for them because they're living in captivity. But maybe these dolphins (and whales too) are really the lucky ones. They get to experience the kind of relationship that was intended by God all along:
"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. "
One day there will be no more snarling dogs, screeching cats, no more prey and predator. No more violence of any kind. One day there will be peace. Advent is a time to celebrate it! When you think about it, although we focus on hope, peace, love, and joy on separate Sundays, these concepts are really inseparable. They're all bound up in the great and glorious future we will enjoy.
Maranatha!
As the dolphins lay on their sides in a very vulnerable and trusting position, it struck me anew how 'right' that it is for animals and humans to be in that kind of relationship. There have been times when I've felt sorry for them because they're living in captivity. But maybe these dolphins (and whales too) are really the lucky ones. They get to experience the kind of relationship that was intended by God all along:
"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. "
One day there will be no more snarling dogs, screeching cats, no more prey and predator. No more violence of any kind. One day there will be peace. Advent is a time to celebrate it! When you think about it, although we focus on hope, peace, love, and joy on separate Sundays, these concepts are really inseparable. They're all bound up in the great and glorious future we will enjoy.
Maranatha!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Being Happy
My sister and I had a conversation about happiness last week. She was telling me that she used to have all kinds of resources but no time to enjoy herself. Now she has lots of time, but no resources. It's always something, isn't it?
During my growing up years I spent most of my time being unhappy. We have a pretty large family, and what happens when you're one of many is that things rarely go your way. I truly thought during that time in my life that I would be happy if things would only go the way I wanted them to. Interestingly, though, even when things did go my way, they never quite lived up to my expectations.
Meeting Christ put an end to my unhappiness. Somehow (it must be the magic of God's work ) happiness came into my life and has pretty much stayed. One thing that growing up in a large family taught me was that though things would rarely go my way, I found that I could enjoy myself even when things went someone else's way.
I don't jump out of bed saying, "I can't wait to _________." That's probably because (as I mentioned above) those things we can't wait to do never satisfy the way we think they will. Usually God has things in mind for the day that keep me interested, busy and challenged until bed time.
In the end, maybe expectations play a large role in whether someone is happy or not. I do not expect ideal circumstances. Shoot, I might even fear circumstances that were too good. But I know that my Heavenly Father has things planned for me that are good - whether I recognize it or not. His plans not only live up to expectations, but they far exceed anything I could ask or imagine.
During my growing up years I spent most of my time being unhappy. We have a pretty large family, and what happens when you're one of many is that things rarely go your way. I truly thought during that time in my life that I would be happy if things would only go the way I wanted them to. Interestingly, though, even when things did go my way, they never quite lived up to my expectations.
Meeting Christ put an end to my unhappiness. Somehow (it must be the magic of God's work ) happiness came into my life and has pretty much stayed. One thing that growing up in a large family taught me was that though things would rarely go my way, I found that I could enjoy myself even when things went someone else's way.
I don't jump out of bed saying, "I can't wait to _________." That's probably because (as I mentioned above) those things we can't wait to do never satisfy the way we think they will. Usually God has things in mind for the day that keep me interested, busy and challenged until bed time.
In the end, maybe expectations play a large role in whether someone is happy or not. I do not expect ideal circumstances. Shoot, I might even fear circumstances that were too good. But I know that my Heavenly Father has things planned for me that are good - whether I recognize it or not. His plans not only live up to expectations, but they far exceed anything I could ask or imagine.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Happy New Year
The Christian year began today with the first Sunday in Advent. Christians end the year by affirming Christ as King: King of All and King for Ever. We begin the church calendar with a focus on HOPE: the coming and second coming of Jesus. Today's Lectionary readings describe Jesus' Second Coming and admonish us to be ready because we do not know the day or hour. It's hard to imagine living without hope. I know that many do, and frankly don't know how they get out of bed in the morning.
We wait with hope for the time when the rule of God is fully manifested among us. When all will be made right.
Check out what Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate goes the longing for the final Advent, where it says, 'Behold, I make all things new' (Rev. 21:5). Advent is a time of waiting. Our whole life, however, is Advent - that is, a time of waiting for the ultimate, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, when all people are brothers and sisters and one rejoices in the words of the angels, 'On earth peace to those on whome God's favor rests.' Learn to wait because he has promised to come. 'I stand at the door...' We however call to him, 'Yes, come soon, Lord Jesus.'"
Maranatha!
We wait with hope for the time when the rule of God is fully manifested among us. When all will be made right.
Check out what Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate goes the longing for the final Advent, where it says, 'Behold, I make all things new' (Rev. 21:5). Advent is a time of waiting. Our whole life, however, is Advent - that is, a time of waiting for the ultimate, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, when all people are brothers and sisters and one rejoices in the words of the angels, 'On earth peace to those on whome God's favor rests.' Learn to wait because he has promised to come. 'I stand at the door...' We however call to him, 'Yes, come soon, Lord Jesus.'"
Maranatha!