Lenten Fast 1: Who is Jesus?

My Lenten journey this year... Day 1:  "Who is Jesus"...

Drawing from the text found in John 1:1-18 which begins with a bold statement: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  All things came into being through Him..."  

Right off the bat we are told of the ETERNAL nature of God.  In the beginning, God was already there.  So eternal... before the worlds and beyond the worlds!  This is our God!!  Nothing came to be except through God.  WOW.  What amazing power and greatness is found in our Lord.

Then the passage tells us: "He was in the world, and world came into being through Him, and yet, the world did not know Him.  He came to what was His own, and yet His own people did not accept Him..."

So often we cannot see what is right in front of our faces.  God is so "right-before-our-eyes" that many of us miss seeing God at all!

Oh, God, let my heart know you.  Let my heart welcome you.  Let my heart be true and faithful.  Let my life accept you.  Amen.

Calendar Girl

My husband handed me the large white envelope.  "Here, this is for you," he said.  As soon as I saw the size and packaging, my eyes lit up with anticipation.  I had been wondering when it would arrive: My new desk calendar from the United Church of Christ!  I eagerly began ripping into the envelope.  "I wonder what the cover will say this year.  I wonder what color it will be!  I wonder what..."

And then it was in my hands-- this crisp, clean calendar, boldly proclaiming, "GOD'S VISION:"  Behind the white words, printed in capital letter's and cleverly using a red comma in place of the apostrophe, there were other words in varying sizes and shades of gray.  Hospitality, Restore, Redemption, Revive... Dream, Diversity, Welcome, Breathtaking, Together, Wondrous, Inclusive...and in larger fonts, words such as: LOVE, GRACE, ETERNAL, FAITH, HOPE.  Largest of all, screaming from the lower right-hand corner-- JOY!

In Stephen Sondheim's musical, "Sunday in the Park With George", there is a moment when the artist, George Seurat, contemplates a blank canvass.  It is, for him, perhaps even more exciting that when a work is "complete".  Many year's later, his son, reading from his mother's journal, speaks the words she wrote as she watched his father paint: "White. A blank page of canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities..."

I opened the calendar and looked at the clean boxes... month after month of empty dates.  I could feel the excitement in my soul.  I wonder... What will fill those days?  Where will God take me in the coming weeks and months of this new year?

Wherever it is, I pray that it will be filled with moments of discernment, smiles, artistry, transformation (all printed on the cover of the calendar)... I pray that God's vision speaks to me and through me, that I will foster places of hospitality and welcome, that I will be enriched by the diversity of God's kingdom, that if there is a small role for me to play in restoring people to God, I will find courage to play it.

Prodigal Mother

The text came this morning as I dressed for the day:  "Call me when you get a minute."  It was my husband.  Immediately, I began to wonder about possible emergencies from our two parishes.  I had spent the night with our two younger children, both of whom were still sleeping peacefully upstairs, so I knew that they were okay.  Perhaps my husband had misplaced the mapquest directions I had given him for our meeting spot today... 

We planned to meet our oldest son for lunch, and meet the son and wife that he claims to have. ("Claims" is the word I use, because his mental illnesses have made telling the truth a challenge, and he has claimed falsely to be married before.)  But we were to meet today.  Today is his birthday.  I made a cake this weekend-  the first one I have made in 15 years for him- to celebrate his day of being born.  It sits in the back of my car even now, heart-shaped, and frosted with ooey-gooey pecan caramel icing on German chocolate cake.  It's what he asked for, and I smiled-- also his father's favorite.

It's been 15 years since I gave him a cake because he has not lived in our home since just after his 15th birthday.  Abused in his birth home, he became an abuser, and had to spend time in detention centers.  First, he was in a therapeutic placement; later in a juvenile facility.  Since turning 21, he's been in and out of jail repeatedly, usually involving assault charges-- sometimes towards women.  Because my physical health has improved, I was willing to begin building a relationship with him again, and it seemed quite timely that our reunion was planned for the day after I preached about the Prodigal Son.

But the call came to my husband's cell phone last night, shortly before midnight.  An inmate at a county jail was trying to reach him.  He didn't get the message until this morning- hence, my text message.  And, sure enough, when I checked the online data-base, our son is in jail, and his birthday cake will not be eaten by him yet again.  We have done this before.

As I drove through the foggy morning, I made a choice not to give in to the "poor me" mentality that was beginning to pull me towards a "pity party".  I prayed:  "God, show me whatever it is I can learn from this."  When I pray like this, and honestly mean it, I am ALWAYS given clarity.  The clarity that came this morning is this:

• This is not personal.  This has been our child's pattern in the 22 years we have known him.  He sabotages the good things in his life because he doesn't really believe he deserves them.  (God, plant Your love deep in his heart so that someday he may know that he is worth loving.)
• It IS personal. God is protecting my heart from deeper pain. If I had met the child that may or may not be my grandson, I would not have been able to keep from falling in love.  That's just who I am.  It's not time yet to make that commitment of love.  Maybe there WILL come a time, but it's not now.
• I have been blessed beyond belief!  My two younger children are the delights of my heart.  They do not have to DO or BE anything other than who they are already.  They don't have to "make up for" the heartache of their prodigal brother, for they are enough-- just as they are.
• I may be surrounded by "prodigals" (brother, son, friend...), but I can always choose to show grace and forgiveness.  I can choose to celebrate those days and moments when they wander home.  I can choose to cling to hope and not despair.  I can choose to give the burdens of worry over to God, remembering (as the new Danny Gokey song says) Who it is that has carried me this far.

I will serve the heart-shaped cake tonight to two children and a husband who also deserve to know how much they are loved.  Maybe we will sing, "Happy Birthday" to our prodigal. We will say a prayer for him and perhaps shed a tear.  And I will cherish the memories of a little boy who is still searching to find his way in this world.  I trust that God will carry him all the days of this life.

What the Wise Ones Seek

In my stack of Christmas cards, there are some very lovely pictures... There are lots of angels, several nativity scenes, mother and child... There are cards with pictures of St. Nicholas and Santa, Frosty and other snowpeople... There's one of fox in the snow that I particularly like.  There's even one of the Grand Canyon from our attorney (who happens to be Jewish, but always sends "Happy Holiday" cards) and a card with the president of a seminary and his wife featured on the cover.

There are very few, however, depicting the 3 Kings or Wisemen.  This drew my notice as I was preparing a Children's Message for this morning, the Second Sunday of Christmas or Epiphany Sunday.  I was looking for images of the kings, and found only two. I wanted to talk with them about what or who the wise men were seeking, what or who WE are still searching for, why the kings brought gifts (and what they were) and lastly, what gifts we bring to the manger and the altar of God.

The wise men weren't exactly sure what they were going to find when they arrived at where the star was leading.  They were expecting a king.  Surely they were not expecting to find him in a manger!  Their gifts reflected their expectations: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Had they known that Jesus was lying in a manger, they might have brought clean linens, soft bedding, sweet cream for Mary's breakfast.  Or would they, perhaps, have thought this child unworthy of their notice?  Would they have ignored the celestial light that beaconed them to follow?

What is it that draws our attention and affection to the Christ-Child?  There were many others who did not find the expected king in the manger.  Their image of what and who the Messiah would be was too far different from the reality of this Infant King.  Surely there are many today who ignore the signs all around them, and who chose to turn their backs on the manger, on the child, on the Christ who comes to save.

"Come and worship!  Come and worship!  Worship Christ the new-born King!"

What gifts will we bring to the manger... to the altar of God?

While we may not have fine oils and perfumes... while our "gold" takes the form of paltry coins or crinkled dollar bills, there is a gift far greater, far more precious, far more difficult for us to part with.

"What can I give him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb. If I were a wiseman, I would do my part. But, what I CAN, I give him:  give my heart."

Our hearts, our lives, our devotion to the way of Jesus Christ.... These are the gifts that we bring if we are wise enough to seek the True Light for our lives.

May we seek and find this Light and Love, and may we share it with all the world.

No Strings Attached

While digging through papers on my desk, I found a hand-written paper.  It was obviously written on Christmas Day several years ago.  I likely tucked it away to add to this blog, but it never made it past the pile of "things to be done... SOMEDAY."  Although I wrote it on Christmas Day, I share it today- mid-June.  The sentiments are timeless and for all seasons...

Today (Christmas Day), if you haven't done so already, most of you will gather, as I will, around a Christmas Tree to give and receive a multitude of packages.  We will be carefully watching to catch the look on our loved ones faces as they open their gifts, hoping that the one we chose for them will be as "perfect" in their eyes as it was in ours when we chose it.  We may plaster smiles on our own faces to hide disappointment or our eyes may fill with tears as we open those handcrafted presents from our children and grandchildren-- hearts full of love.

Today, we will be given gifts.  How we use them-- what we do with them is up to us.  Today, we will give gifts.  How they are received and what is done with them is out of our control.  Gifts, if they are really gifts, are not given with strings attached.

This can be hard for us to accept!  Many of us may smile to remember the countless toys our toddlers ignored in favor of the boxes they came in!  Even our teens can be heartless without meaning to hurt our feelings.  Several years back, I searched in every store I could think of for the perfect mp3 player for our son-- I was so excited to finally find it at a home improvement store about an hour from our house.

It didn't work.  I returned it- driving the hour each way and haggling with the clerks.  The second one did not work either.  This time, I asked for a refund.  I searched online for a better player, and spent more than I really wanted to, but at this point, I knew that I wanted a name-brand.  It arrived.  It worked.  All was well with the world... until...

He attended a school event and won an i-pod.  From that point on, the gift from me was put aside in favor of this new one.

Every instinct in me screamed: "FINE!  Give it back, then!!"  But a small voice inside said: "But it was a GIFT."

God has given the world a gift-- the ultimate gift.  Salvation is ours through Jesus Christ-- a free gift to ALL.  There are no strings attached except this:  we must believe and accept it.  When we try other ways... other "gifts" besides this wonderful gift, God does not "take it back".  God's grace, love, mercy, and everlasting life are gifts for all the world and are free for the taking any time we make the choice to receive!  They are gifts.  What we do with them is up to us.

When Children Worship

Something exciting is happening in our rural Indiana church.  Children are worshiping God.  Let me say that again:  CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPING GOD!!

On Good Friday, this became abundantly clear.  Between one young boy's excited questioning of what we would be doing at the service ("Is it like Ash Wednesday? Are you handing out nails again this year?  Can I extinguish the candles?") and the sound of his younger sister's sweet loud voice trying to read along with us on the responsive readings, I realized.  These children are worshiping God.  Let me say that again, with the emotion I feel.  THESE CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPING GOD!  Even as I write these words two months later, I smile.

After I wrote about this in the church newsletter, other parents and grandparents shared stories.  I was told of the little girl who was excited to receive a $5.00 bill on her third birthday because now she would have her OWN money to give to the church.  When her grandparents offered to give her five $1.00 bills so that she could keep some of it, she became indignant, and insisted on putting the whole thing in the collection plate.

I was reminded of my own daughter's tears at the age of four when there was criticism from a few members of the church we were serving because our children took communion before they had been CONFIRMED!  Through her tears she wailed: "BUT I WANT TO WORSHIP GOD, TOO!"  If I had needed to be convinced, that would have done it.

Congregations make promises at a child's baptism or dedication to be part of the faith-building process.  We promise to nurture the children and provide opportunities for them to grow in faith.  It's up to the parents to take advantage of what we, as a community of faith, have to offer.  it's up to the families to follow up on what they learn in church.  It's up to the parents to choose to get them here-- even if and when that means choosing church over sports or going to bed earlier on Saturday night to be able to rise for worship on Sunday morning.

The best hope your children have for maintaining a faith relationship lies in these formative years.  Even if they leave church for awhile after they leave home, there is a better chance they will return to the roots of faith when (not if) they face obstacles and challenges as adults.

As children learn to worship, here are some things that congregations can do:

• When reading responsive readings, litanies or unison prayers, slow down a little so that children who are learning to read can keep up with us.  Otherwise they might give up.
• Talk to your children or grandchildren about your own faith.  Let them know why faith is important to YOU.  If you don't know the answers to their questions, include your pastor in the conversation.
• Invite families to Sunday School. Offer to pick up the children and bring them with you.  In rural communities like ours, some of the parents may still be trying to feed the animals on the farm!
• Make a commitment to attend faith-building opportunities for a month or two. Once you are in the habit, it's easier to "rise and shine and give God the glory!"

Jesus said, "Let the children come unto me."  That's a good enough reason for me.

Plugged In or Tuned Out?

Does improved technology “plug us in” to one another, or tune us out from life?

Recently, I was part of a group of parents and teens who shared a table at a Steak and Shake restaurant. We had just sent their older siblings off to Germany for a three-week “young ambassador” trip. As we were seated, one of the adults suggested that the kids, who we are hoping will be the “next generation” to represent our conference overseas, might like to sit together at one end of the table so they could "bond". It's not like the kids don't know each other-- the two boys have been at church camp together for years and the girl has known one of the boys since she was about four years old.  

The parents have shared camp experiences, conference activities and long friendships, too. We chattered almost non-stop, pausing only to order our food and take periodic bites of it when it arrived. We talked about the wonderful opportunity our older children were embarking upon. We shared memories about the German youth who had stayed with us the previous summer, and would be soon reunited with the American partners. Occasionally we received an update from the travelers: “We're on the plane. We're about to leave. Can my girlfriend pick me up at the airport when we get home?” Those messages were shared with everyone at the table.

Our younger teens sat at the other end of the table, texting, checking emails and saying few words to each other at all!  So much for bonding!

It reminded me of a band trip to New York City that I chaperoned two year's ago. It was somewhat disconcerting to discover just how “plugged in” the others on the trip were to their electronic devices. Not just the kids, but also the adults, all seemed to have cell phones, laptops, portable music devices... They spent their time sending messages, watching videos, talking to friends on the other bus, or doing work. I suppose if the trip were taken today, they might also be reading books on their Kindles!

This was fine for the long bus ride to New York City, but it continued even on the short tours! At one point I even noticed my own daughter, who did not have a cell phone at that time, passing another student's phone back and forth across the bus aisle-- texting instead of talking! It was almost tragic when we dined at a special restaurant, designed to look like we were on Mars. The other adult and I looked at each other from either end of the table, helpless as we could not get them to stop texting friends at other tables long enough to talk to each other! They were so plugged into technology that they missed the wonders around them!

There were a few who noticed the daffodils blooming in Central Park, and others who delighted in the rich baritone voice of a homeless man who sang for donations outside of the Guggenheim Museum. But even those soon returned to cell phones for communication. I cannot help but think there were missed opportunities because of it.

As we sat in the airport, waiting the return of our young people, we again gathered the teens at one table and the adults around another. We shared what had happened in our lives in the past three weeks, as our children were overseas. We laughed at pictures that had been shared on Facebook and as cellphone messages began to come in, those were shared, too: “We've left Atlanta. They say we are 10 minutes out. We've landed. Is my girlfriend there yet?”

The “next generation” finally began to talk, bond a little, and, at the very least, passed their iPods back and forth to share music or websites that were of interest to the others. Tuned out? A little less than before. Hopefully plugged in to new friendships and opportunities yet to come.