Sermon August 31, 2008
Exodus 3:1-15
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Where did the summer go? How did it get to be September so quickly? Wasn’t it just last week that we were celebrating Memorial Day? Doesn’t it seem like the school year just ended? Doesn’t it seem that it was just yesterday that we put the boat in, or opened the cottage, got out the fishing poles and golf clubs, or took off our shoes for the first time to walk along the beach?
Can you believe it is already September? Can you believe that schools are already starting. Where did the summer go?
Labor Day weekend is a weekend on the cusp between summer and fall. Labor day weekend is on the cusp between a season of schedules filled with times of rest and relaxation and a season when the schedules are filled again with times for study and labor.
This Labor Day weekend is different for Linda and I, as we are standing on a different cusp, in the midst of a different transition. This year, for the first time in 18 years, we have no children at home preparing for the first day of school. Tuesday morning we will not follow our usual ritual of taking a picture of the boys headed out the door for the first day of school. This year our boys began the first day of school at College. The boys are on the cusp, beginning school many many miles away. And we are on the cusp, beginning life together in a nest, a home that is empty.
How many of you are in the midst of some sort of transition? How many of you find yourself living on a cusp? Perhaps on a cusp related to your health or the health of someone you love. Perhaps on the cusp of a new life---a birth in the family, or perhaps of a death in the family. Perhaps you are on the cusp of a friendship or marriage beginning, or ending. Perhaps you are on the cusp of new employment, or no employment, a new career, or a new hobby, or maybe even retirement. What transition are you in the midst of, what cusp do you find yourself standing on?
In our readings this weekend, we find people who are on a cusp in their relationship with God.
Peter has just declared Jesus to be the anointed one of God. In response, Jesus has declared Peter blessed. And now, on the cusp, a transition takes place. Jesus begins to change direction, to turn toward Jerusalem. Jesus begins to teach his disciples that as God’s anointed one, he will undergo great suffering and die. Peter refuses to make this transition with Jesus. Peter refuses to give up his understanding of what God’s anointed must do. Peter refuses to accept that God’s anointed would suffer and die. So, Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes him. God forbid it Lord. This must never happen to you.
In Exodus, Moses is hiding from Pharaoh after having killed an Egyptian. While tending sheep, Moses encounters God in a flaming bush. From the burning bush, God declares to Moses that God has heard the cry of the people and is about to act. God has chosen Moses, to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let God’s people go. Moses does not understand, and questions God. “Who am I” that I should be the one you choose? Eventually, after many questions, Moses agrees to go to Pharaoh to demand the release of God’s people.
Moses and Peter both experience startling encounters with God. Both are called to understand God in a new way, and to follow God in a new direction. Both, are on the cusp of something new.
How differently they react!!! Peter arrogantly takes Jesus aside to rebuke him. He does not seek to understand Jesus. No, Peter tells Jesus that he cannot be right, this cannot be so.
Moses knows that he is standing on holy ground. Moses takes off his shoes so his feet touch the holy ground, earth “humus“. . To touch the earth, is to be humble. Barefoot Moses humbly questions, as he tries to understand who this God is, and what this God is asking of him.
Our readings this weekend remind us that those times we find ourselves “on the cusp” are holy times. Times of transition, times “in between” are times when God is especially present in our life.
In transition times, we can follow the example of Peter. We can take God aside and rebuke him. “No, God I will not accept that which I do not understand. No God, I will not accept this new way, this new vision of who you are, this new direction that you are calling me to follow. No God, my way of thinking is better than yours.”
Or we can imitate Moses. We can begin with a spirit of humility. We can acknowledge that life on the cusp is holy, life in transition is holy. We can acknowledge that when we are living on the cusp, when we are living in transition, when we are living on holy ground, and in holy times, there are more questions than answers. We raise our questions in a humility that acknowledges that the ways of God are far beyond our ability to comprehend. We raise our questions, remembering that it was in a spirit of humility that Moses came to a new awareness of truth.
Paul gives us some examples of how to live humbly: outdo one another in showing honor, bless those who persecute you, do not be haughty, give your enemy food and drink, associate with the lowly, contribute to those in need,
On the cusp of this Labor day weekend, we look back and wonder, where did the summer go? Where did the months go? They all passed so quickly! On this Labor day weekend, we look forward. Where will the autumn take us? On what new adventures is God inviting us? To what new places does God want to lead us? On what new adventures does God want to lead you? On what new adventures does God what to lead this Church? To what new places does God want to lead this nation? On what new adventures does God want to lead this world?
We are living on the cusp. We are living in a holy time. God calls. God invites. May we take of our shoes so that our feet are touching the holy ground. May we take off our shoes and follow where God wants to lead.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
sermon for today
Eleventh Sunday after PentecostJuly 27, 2008Proper 12Genesis 29:15-28Romans8:26-39Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
For the last three weeks I have been in Chicago , completing the second year of my residency requirement for my Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development. During this time we had classes regarding Church Systems, Leadership, Stewardship, and as I said a couple weeks ago, 4 stimulating days about writing a thesis, and crafting an argument. (Actually, in truth, the sessions regarding writing a thesis were quite enjoyable.)On almost everyday of the residency I added books and articles to the list of books that I was feeling the need to read during our two week vacation at Mackinaw. As I scanned that list this past Monday, I was horrified as I realized that there were no novels on my reading list. All my books were either about history, theology, or leadership. How depressing, what a waste. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I broadcast an urgent plea to members of the congregation asking for suggestions. Over the past few days I have heard from dozens of you with suggestions of novels. I thank you. Not only have I added dozens of books to my list, I have also added two weeks to my vacation time. (Just kidding) So many books, so little time. I made the decision, that Congregational development, theology, and leadership can wait. For the next two weeks its time to read some good novels.
Ironically, one of the other members of the class I am in told me this past Thursday that as past of her sermon preparation, she is always reading at least one novel.
Over the last many weeks, we have been reading from the first book of the bible, the book of Genesis. In Genesis we have found everything we could possibly find in a great novel: love and romance, seduction, envy, passion, greed, deceit and murder. It is all there, in this first book. What a great reminder to us during these summer months, that even from the beginning, God also loves a good novel.
This weekend’s Genesis reading continues this good story. Jacob falls deeply in love with Rachel. He labors for 7 years for the right to marry her, only to be deceived. On his wedding night, Laban sends Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel. When he discovers this deception, Jacob though angered, professes his love again for Rachel and promises to work another 7 years for the right to marry her.
Now, before we feel too badly for Jacob, let us remember that he has a life history of deception. Remember how he deceived his father Isaac and stole the birthright of his brother Essau. Jacob has only received a taste of his own medicine. In the chapters from Genesis to follow, we will read how Rachel was unable to conceive, and so sons were born to Jacob through Leah and her servants. Jacob became Israel , and his twelve sons were the twelve tribes of Israel . It is only after 11 sons were born to Leah and her maidservants that Rachel finally conceive and bore Joseph, who of course was sold into slavery by his elder brothers.
Genesis is truly an epic novel with all of the passion, all of the treachery, all of the deceit that we could ever find in the greatest of novels and in the most dysfunctional of families. Is it any wonder that the people of God have been in such a state of chaos and dysfunction through history??? Is it any wonder that the church seems to be in a constant state of chaos bordering on dysfunction. Is it any wonder that in the story of every single parish and congregation, there are times of chaos and dysfunction. Chaos and dysfunction have been part of the story of God’s people from the beginning.
As much as we try to deny it, the truth is that history is filled with chaos and dysfunction. And in truth, it is in the midst of such chaos and dysfunction that God works. It is through such imperfect people that God acts. So it was in the beginning. So it is today. God works in the chaos of our life. God acts in and through our imperfect lives. Has anybody ever told you that you should write a book about your life? If so, what be included. Stories of success and achievement, of course. But also, if we are honest, stories of failure, and brokenness. In some chapters we would be the hero and some the villain. We would be proud of some chapters and ashamed of others. If last week were a chapter in the book, think of the what you would include, stories of illness, of relaxation, of stress at work, of delights at home, or perhaps delight at work, and stress at home, of financial and health worries. I am sure there in each chapter of your life story there would be laughter and tears, delight and failure, pride and shame. And, in and through each of those stories, in and through each of your stories, God works.
The story of Jacob and Laban, and Leah and Rachel, are holy, not because they are perfect, but because God is at work through them. Your life story is holy, imperfect as it is, because God is at work in you. God is working through your life, not just the perfect loving successful paragraphs, but each and every paragraph, every sentence, every word, every comma, every doodle on the page. God has made every story of your life just as holy as every story of the bible.
Paul’s letter to the Roman this morning/weekend was written many hundreds of years after Genesis. It was written many hundreds of years ago. Paul was writing in the midst of the hardship and terrors of the first decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He was writing in the midst of the hardships and terror of his own life. He was writing convinced that in knowing the love and mercy of Jesus, he knew the end of the story of the history of the world. He knew that in the midst of the terror and hardships of his day, God was achieving the divine purpose. Paul knew that in spite of all the hardships of his day, nothing would prevent creation from achieving its destiny of glorification. Paul knew that no powers of this world would prevent God from bringing history to fulfillment. You might say, that while Paul did not know all the details of the story, he knew the author. Knowing the author, Paul knew that the ending of the story would be too marvelous to be imagined.
So good friends, I head off to Mackinaw, for two weeks of readings, two weeks where I confess I hope to read more novels than theology. I go off, knowing that the novels I read are holy, because they tell holy stories of human life. I go off reminded that God is still writing a holy story in the holy lives of imperfect people----God is writing a holy story in our holy imperfect lives. I go off, reminded that God is the author of the story of history, and the that in the end, by God’s grace, nothing will separate us from the love of God. Really, to say that is to say nothing more, nothing less than saying, that in the end, in the loving mercy of God, all of us, imperfect people though we are, will be graced to live, happily ever after.
For the last three weeks I have been in Chicago , completing the second year of my residency requirement for my Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development. During this time we had classes regarding Church Systems, Leadership, Stewardship, and as I said a couple weeks ago, 4 stimulating days about writing a thesis, and crafting an argument. (Actually, in truth, the sessions regarding writing a thesis were quite enjoyable.)On almost everyday of the residency I added books and articles to the list of books that I was feeling the need to read during our two week vacation at Mackinaw. As I scanned that list this past Monday, I was horrified as I realized that there were no novels on my reading list. All my books were either about history, theology, or leadership. How depressing, what a waste. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I broadcast an urgent plea to members of the congregation asking for suggestions. Over the past few days I have heard from dozens of you with suggestions of novels. I thank you. Not only have I added dozens of books to my list, I have also added two weeks to my vacation time. (Just kidding) So many books, so little time. I made the decision, that Congregational development, theology, and leadership can wait. For the next two weeks its time to read some good novels.
Ironically, one of the other members of the class I am in told me this past Thursday that as past of her sermon preparation, she is always reading at least one novel.
Over the last many weeks, we have been reading from the first book of the bible, the book of Genesis. In Genesis we have found everything we could possibly find in a great novel: love and romance, seduction, envy, passion, greed, deceit and murder. It is all there, in this first book. What a great reminder to us during these summer months, that even from the beginning, God also loves a good novel.
This weekend’s Genesis reading continues this good story. Jacob falls deeply in love with Rachel. He labors for 7 years for the right to marry her, only to be deceived. On his wedding night, Laban sends Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel. When he discovers this deception, Jacob though angered, professes his love again for Rachel and promises to work another 7 years for the right to marry her.
Now, before we feel too badly for Jacob, let us remember that he has a life history of deception. Remember how he deceived his father Isaac and stole the birthright of his brother Essau. Jacob has only received a taste of his own medicine. In the chapters from Genesis to follow, we will read how Rachel was unable to conceive, and so sons were born to Jacob through Leah and her servants. Jacob became Israel , and his twelve sons were the twelve tribes of Israel . It is only after 11 sons were born to Leah and her maidservants that Rachel finally conceive and bore Joseph, who of course was sold into slavery by his elder brothers.
Genesis is truly an epic novel with all of the passion, all of the treachery, all of the deceit that we could ever find in the greatest of novels and in the most dysfunctional of families. Is it any wonder that the people of God have been in such a state of chaos and dysfunction through history??? Is it any wonder that the church seems to be in a constant state of chaos bordering on dysfunction. Is it any wonder that in the story of every single parish and congregation, there are times of chaos and dysfunction. Chaos and dysfunction have been part of the story of God’s people from the beginning.
As much as we try to deny it, the truth is that history is filled with chaos and dysfunction. And in truth, it is in the midst of such chaos and dysfunction that God works. It is through such imperfect people that God acts. So it was in the beginning. So it is today. God works in the chaos of our life. God acts in and through our imperfect lives. Has anybody ever told you that you should write a book about your life? If so, what be included. Stories of success and achievement, of course. But also, if we are honest, stories of failure, and brokenness. In some chapters we would be the hero and some the villain. We would be proud of some chapters and ashamed of others. If last week were a chapter in the book, think of the what you would include, stories of illness, of relaxation, of stress at work, of delights at home, or perhaps delight at work, and stress at home, of financial and health worries. I am sure there in each chapter of your life story there would be laughter and tears, delight and failure, pride and shame. And, in and through each of those stories, in and through each of your stories, God works.
The story of Jacob and Laban, and Leah and Rachel, are holy, not because they are perfect, but because God is at work through them. Your life story is holy, imperfect as it is, because God is at work in you. God is working through your life, not just the perfect loving successful paragraphs, but each and every paragraph, every sentence, every word, every comma, every doodle on the page. God has made every story of your life just as holy as every story of the bible.
Paul’s letter to the Roman this morning/weekend was written many hundreds of years after Genesis. It was written many hundreds of years ago. Paul was writing in the midst of the hardship and terrors of the first decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He was writing in the midst of the hardships and terror of his own life. He was writing convinced that in knowing the love and mercy of Jesus, he knew the end of the story of the history of the world. He knew that in the midst of the terror and hardships of his day, God was achieving the divine purpose. Paul knew that in spite of all the hardships of his day, nothing would prevent creation from achieving its destiny of glorification. Paul knew that no powers of this world would prevent God from bringing history to fulfillment. You might say, that while Paul did not know all the details of the story, he knew the author. Knowing the author, Paul knew that the ending of the story would be too marvelous to be imagined.
So good friends, I head off to Mackinaw, for two weeks of readings, two weeks where I confess I hope to read more novels than theology. I go off, knowing that the novels I read are holy, because they tell holy stories of human life. I go off reminded that God is still writing a holy story in the holy lives of imperfect people----God is writing a holy story in our holy imperfect lives. I go off, reminded that God is the author of the story of history, and the that in the end, by God’s grace, nothing will separate us from the love of God. Really, to say that is to say nothing more, nothing less than saying, that in the end, in the loving mercy of God, all of us, imperfect people though we are, will be graced to live, happily ever after.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
sermon; may 25
May 25 2008The Second Sunday after PentecostIsaiah 49:8-16 Psalm 131I Corinthians 4:1-5Matthew 6:24-34
If someone were to ask me what was the one thing that I love best about summer, I really do not think I could answer. There is just so much, so many things that I love about summer. So, instead of coming up with the one thing….I wonder what might be on my list of top ten things I love about summer.
On my list would be corn on the cob. Baseball. Going out for ice cream cones. Ice tea brewed in the sun. Lake Michigan. Long days, evenings on the deck. Morning coffee on the deck. Fishing.
What would be on your top ten list of summer?
There is just so much to love about summer. On the one hand it would be impossible to come up with the one thing we love best. On the other hand, we might be able to come up with a list of our 10, 20 or 50 favorite things.
Fr. Mark David Janus of the Catholic Information Center commented to me this past week that his vision of summer is of God coming to the door to ask us if we can come out and play. What a great image for summer. It was a long cold winter, so many days, so many nights when snow and ice and wind caused us to cancel our plans. So many days and nights when we just had to stay home. Now, its is summer, and God is at your back door asking you to come and play. If we play with that image a bit, perhaps you might ask God, what he wanted to do. God, would say to us…..its up to us, God wants to do, whatever it is that we want to do. Its summer, the days are long, and bright, the evenings cool. Its summer, God says, its yours. Lets do whatever you want to do.
On this memorial day weekend, we have the whole summer ahead of us. There is so much time to play. So many things we want to do. The children among us, the child within us can’t wait to get started playing. But, perhaps the adult voices in our heads are not quite so excited. In fact, many adult voices are more than a little bit anxious. We are anxious about many things, the economy, the war, family issues, health issues, disasters around the world. This anxiety has been growing more noticeable over the past six or seven weeks. The anxiety grows every morning when we go out and drive past the closest gas station. Each day we anxiously wonder, “How much is gas today, $3.75, $3.80, $3.99, $4.20?” Who could have imagined? The other day I saw gas for $3.98 and I almost pulled over because it was so cheap. Gas prices, economic worries can make adults very anxious indeed. How much will gas cost by the end of the summer? Can we afford our vacation? Can we do everything we want to do this summer?
God is at the back door, asking if we want to come out and play. Perhaps, we are so anxious that we say “no“. Perhaps anxiety has sucked the play right out of us. Perhaps, on this first weekend of summer fun, we are tempted to tell God that gas is so expensive that we can’t come out and play this year. What a mistake that would be.
This weekend we move back to a more ordinary time in our liturgical year. After our weeks of readings devoted to Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Trinity, we return to where we were in Matthew’s Gospel way back in January. We return to Jesus and the sermon on the Mount. The Gospel for today is a gift for us this holiday weekend.
In this section of the Gospel Jesus warns us that it is impossible to serve two masters. Any earthly master we serve will make us slaves. When we make wealth our master, we become slaves to money. The economic fears that grip so many reveal that truth that slavery to wealth can destroy us, can destroy nations, indeed devotion to wealth can destroy the planet. Jesus is not telling us that wealth and money are not important. He is not telling us that food, and clothing and life are not important. He is simply stating a truth that when we devote ourselves so completely to any earthly master we in fact, are making ourselves slaves. Serving God makes us free. Serving any other master makes us slaves. Serving God gives us life. Serving any other master gives us death. Jesus is not telling us that we should live in a state of denial. The message not to worry does not mean that we pretend that energy is unlimited or that we pretend that we live in a day when gas was 35 cents a gallon. Rather, Jesus says, don’t let anxiety become your master. Do not become slaves to worry.
Jesus is inviting us to open our eyes, Come out and consider the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field. As you admire their beauty, as you admire the beauty of creation, consider that the God who cares for them, cares more deeply for you. Come out and play and as you enjoy the delights of summer, consider the God who delights in you. Consider the goodness of God, the love God has for you, and do not be anxious. It is not that the necessities of life, food, clothing are not important. Of course they are. But, Jesus is telling us, do not let anxiety about them rule us. He is not telling us not to think about the future. Rather he is telling us not to let anxiety about tomorrow rule our life.
Jesus is inviting us this memorial day weekend not to let high gas prices ruin our summer. Don’t let the anxieties of life cause you to miss the invitation to come out and play. Consider the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, and glory of creation. Know of the love God for you, and give thanks.
This morning friends we give thanks for all the things we love about summer in Michigan. It may be that we will not be able to do all the things, or go all the places we would like, It may be that we cannot do all that we did last year. Still, even with gas moving up from $4.20 a gallon. Even with the realities of the numerous crisis and tragedies our world faces, there is still so much to celebrate, so much to delight in. Even though plans may have to change, may have to be adjusted, it is still summer, it is still a holiday weekend. God is still God. God is still knocking on our door, God is still inviting us to come out and play.
If someone were to ask me what was the one thing that I love best about summer, I really do not think I could answer. There is just so much, so many things that I love about summer. So, instead of coming up with the one thing….I wonder what might be on my list of top ten things I love about summer.
On my list would be corn on the cob. Baseball. Going out for ice cream cones. Ice tea brewed in the sun. Lake Michigan. Long days, evenings on the deck. Morning coffee on the deck. Fishing.
What would be on your top ten list of summer?
There is just so much to love about summer. On the one hand it would be impossible to come up with the one thing we love best. On the other hand, we might be able to come up with a list of our 10, 20 or 50 favorite things.
Fr. Mark David Janus of the Catholic Information Center commented to me this past week that his vision of summer is of God coming to the door to ask us if we can come out and play. What a great image for summer. It was a long cold winter, so many days, so many nights when snow and ice and wind caused us to cancel our plans. So many days and nights when we just had to stay home. Now, its is summer, and God is at your back door asking you to come and play. If we play with that image a bit, perhaps you might ask God, what he wanted to do. God, would say to us…..its up to us, God wants to do, whatever it is that we want to do. Its summer, the days are long, and bright, the evenings cool. Its summer, God says, its yours. Lets do whatever you want to do.
On this memorial day weekend, we have the whole summer ahead of us. There is so much time to play. So many things we want to do. The children among us, the child within us can’t wait to get started playing. But, perhaps the adult voices in our heads are not quite so excited. In fact, many adult voices are more than a little bit anxious. We are anxious about many things, the economy, the war, family issues, health issues, disasters around the world. This anxiety has been growing more noticeable over the past six or seven weeks. The anxiety grows every morning when we go out and drive past the closest gas station. Each day we anxiously wonder, “How much is gas today, $3.75, $3.80, $3.99, $4.20?” Who could have imagined? The other day I saw gas for $3.98 and I almost pulled over because it was so cheap. Gas prices, economic worries can make adults very anxious indeed. How much will gas cost by the end of the summer? Can we afford our vacation? Can we do everything we want to do this summer?
God is at the back door, asking if we want to come out and play. Perhaps, we are so anxious that we say “no“. Perhaps anxiety has sucked the play right out of us. Perhaps, on this first weekend of summer fun, we are tempted to tell God that gas is so expensive that we can’t come out and play this year. What a mistake that would be.
This weekend we move back to a more ordinary time in our liturgical year. After our weeks of readings devoted to Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Trinity, we return to where we were in Matthew’s Gospel way back in January. We return to Jesus and the sermon on the Mount. The Gospel for today is a gift for us this holiday weekend.
In this section of the Gospel Jesus warns us that it is impossible to serve two masters. Any earthly master we serve will make us slaves. When we make wealth our master, we become slaves to money. The economic fears that grip so many reveal that truth that slavery to wealth can destroy us, can destroy nations, indeed devotion to wealth can destroy the planet. Jesus is not telling us that wealth and money are not important. He is not telling us that food, and clothing and life are not important. He is simply stating a truth that when we devote ourselves so completely to any earthly master we in fact, are making ourselves slaves. Serving God makes us free. Serving any other master makes us slaves. Serving God gives us life. Serving any other master gives us death. Jesus is not telling us that we should live in a state of denial. The message not to worry does not mean that we pretend that energy is unlimited or that we pretend that we live in a day when gas was 35 cents a gallon. Rather, Jesus says, don’t let anxiety become your master. Do not become slaves to worry.
Jesus is inviting us to open our eyes, Come out and consider the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field. As you admire their beauty, as you admire the beauty of creation, consider that the God who cares for them, cares more deeply for you. Come out and play and as you enjoy the delights of summer, consider the God who delights in you. Consider the goodness of God, the love God has for you, and do not be anxious. It is not that the necessities of life, food, clothing are not important. Of course they are. But, Jesus is telling us, do not let anxiety about them rule us. He is not telling us not to think about the future. Rather he is telling us not to let anxiety about tomorrow rule our life.
Jesus is inviting us this memorial day weekend not to let high gas prices ruin our summer. Don’t let the anxieties of life cause you to miss the invitation to come out and play. Consider the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, and glory of creation. Know of the love God for you, and give thanks.
This morning friends we give thanks for all the things we love about summer in Michigan. It may be that we will not be able to do all the things, or go all the places we would like, It may be that we cannot do all that we did last year. Still, even with gas moving up from $4.20 a gallon. Even with the realities of the numerous crisis and tragedies our world faces, there is still so much to celebrate, so much to delight in. Even though plans may have to change, may have to be adjusted, it is still summer, it is still a holiday weekend. God is still God. God is still knocking on our door, God is still inviting us to come out and play.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Easter is a way of living
ALLELUIA, THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!!!!The 50 days of Easter invite us to celebrate for 7 weeks!!!!! Here is the first list of 7 things to do with your family/friends over the next week. If you run out of ideas, check out more on the church website. Offer more suggestions.
1. Go for a walk with your beloved or your children.2. Call your parents, your brothers and sisters, your children or grandchildren just to say you love them.3. Pray for family members by name for a whole week.4. Work on a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle together.5. Do something unexpected just to show them you love them6. Visist the GR Childrens Museum.7. Visit the Meijer Gardens Butterflies exhibit.
1. Go for a walk with your beloved or your children.2. Call your parents, your brothers and sisters, your children or grandchildren just to say you love them.3. Pray for family members by name for a whole week.4. Work on a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle together.5. Do something unexpected just to show them you love them6. Visist the GR Childrens Museum.7. Visit the Meijer Gardens Butterflies exhibit.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Here are some questions for the first chapter of: Christianity for the Rest of Us.
They are taken from the back of the book.
1. Where did you grow up? What was the world like then? How have things changed since your childhood?
2. How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3. Do you relate to the ideaof being a "spiritual nomad"/ Why or why not?
They are taken from the back of the book.
1. Where did you grow up? What was the world like then? How have things changed since your childhood?
2. How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3. Do you relate to the ideaof being a "spiritual nomad"/ Why or why not?
sermon: Lent 1
Lent 1, February 9 and 10
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
I received the following email from my sister this past week. Its subject was “snow day humor”. She is talking about her son and daughter.
She writes:
So last night, Mary put her pajama bottoms on inside out to some how ensure that she would not have school today. It did work there is no school today ( I think it has more to do with the snow.) Geoff being the ever concerned brother he is, told her that she had to go to confession because that was superstition. He told her she had committed "adultery". I, of course, had to explain to him that his 10 year old sister did not commit adultery…idolatry maybe but not the other.
Now on the one hand, it is of course very important to be able to distinguish the difference between idolatry and adultery. Especially if you are an older brother accusing your 10 year old sister of adultery. On the other hand, idolatry and adultery may have more in common than one would first suspect. Both are about "loving" inappropriately….whether that “something” is someone to whom we are not married. Or, whether that something is a something or someone whom we worship as a god. Adultery and idolatry are both about improper relationships.
As I got to thinking about this, it occurred to me that in fact each of the 10 commandments are centered in improper relationships. Thou shalt not bear false witness against one’s neighbor, is about poisoning the truth that must be central in all relationship. Thou shalt not steal, or thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods both highlight improper relationships with possessions. Thou shalt not kill is about how we relate to another’s body, another’s life. Honor thy father and thy mother is certainly about relationships. Even the commandments to honor the Sabbath, and against invoking God’s name with malice are about not relating to God in a way that God deserves.
So, then, idolatry and adultery and each of the commandments really do have much in common. All are about being in proper relationship.
Our readings this Sunday, for the first Sunday of Lent are about temptations which effect relationships.
In Genesis, we hear the mythical story that many of us know so well. It is a story that the Hebrew people told to explain the coming of evil into the world. How did evil come to a world created to be very good? In the story the crafty serpent seduces the woman and the man into eating the fruit of the tree. The eating of the fruit is symbolic of the sin of disobedience and how it ruptured the relationship between humankind and God. God is God. And the right relationship is for the man and the woman to be obedient to God. The sin came about when the man and woman wanted to be like God. When they wanted to be rulers instead of creatures, their sin ruptured the relationship with God. And, with that relationship ruptured, human relationships are ruptured as well. The man and the woman have lost their innocence and now they hide themselves from each other and from God. According to Genesis, from this first broken relationship between God and humankind have arisen all the sin, the war, the murder, the injustices of the world.
From that story at the beginning of Genesis the remainder of scripture unfolds as the attempt of God to restore the broken relationships that sin caused between human kind and God, the humans with one another, and humans with the rest of creation.
Jesus is story of God‘s last and best attempt at restoring the ruptured relationships caused by sin. In Jesus, God becomes flesh, and comes to earth. In Jesus fully God and fully human, God will finally restore the broken relationship. In Jesus, reconciliation will finally be achieved.
The story today from Matthew’s Gospel this weekend is of the temptation of Jesus. In the temptation the devil tries to rupture the relationship between Jesus and God. This scene follows directly on the baptism of Jesus. At the baptism in the Jordan , the voice of God declared that Jesus was the beloved son of God. Now, in the desert the devil tempts Jesus to doubt this relationship. The temptations begin----"if you are God’s son". The devil tries to seduce Jesus into questioning if in fact he is beloved by God. If the devil can make Jesus doubt that he is beloved of God, than, he can destroy the relationship between Jesus and God. Perhaps he can convince Jesus to worship him. If he can destroy the relationship of the Beloved Son and God, than the devil has won.
Unlike the man and the woman, Jesus withstands the temptation. He proclaims that one is fed by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The word that he is referring to includes the word that was spoke to him by God at his baptism. This is a word from God that feeds him. He remembers the voice that declared him beloved. Jesus the human one, never gives into the temptation to doubt that he is beloved. In Jesus overcoming the temptation, the relationship between God and Humankind is restored. When that relationship is restored, than is hope that all human relationships can be restored as well.
My friends, in our heart, all human beings hunger for love. Temptation comes when we seek to satisfy that hunger to be loved in the wrong places. We look for satisfaction to our deepest hunger overindulgence in food, in wealth, in possessions, in improper relationships, in alcohol…..in all the wrong places. Only God can satisfy our hunger for love.
Lent began last Wednesday with the reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Today, we are called to remember the basic truth of our existence, that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. We have been tempted to believe that other things can satisfy the hunger we have for God. We have been tempted to forget that we are beloved by God. We have been tempted, and like the man and the woman we have sinned.. We have lost our innocence, and our relationships with God and each other have been broken.
Lent is the time to celebrate the wonderful truth that even though we forgot that we are beloved, , even though we have fallen, even though we have sinned, we are still God’s beloved. God has not forgotten that we are beloved daughters and sons. Lent is the time to celebrate that Jesus has repaired our broken relationships and we can begin again. We can be in right relationship again.
So, my friends, as we begin this holy season. I invite you to spend the next few moments, repeating out loud. That you are beloved of God.
Say with me, out loud, your name.
Now add to it…you are beloved by God….
Your name..say it…out loud…you are beloved by God….
Say it again…
Your name…you are beloved by God
You are beloved by God
Again….
Again...
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again…..
Remember, You are beloved by God.
May this truth bless you during this joyful season of lent.
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
I received the following email from my sister this past week. Its subject was “snow day humor”. She is talking about her son and daughter.
She writes:
So last night, Mary put her pajama bottoms on inside out to some how ensure that she would not have school today. It did work there is no school today ( I think it has more to do with the snow.) Geoff being the ever concerned brother he is, told her that she had to go to confession because that was superstition. He told her she had committed "adultery". I, of course, had to explain to him that his 10 year old sister did not commit adultery…idolatry maybe but not the other.
Now on the one hand, it is of course very important to be able to distinguish the difference between idolatry and adultery. Especially if you are an older brother accusing your 10 year old sister of adultery. On the other hand, idolatry and adultery may have more in common than one would first suspect. Both are about "loving" inappropriately….whether that “something” is someone to whom we are not married. Or, whether that something is a something or someone whom we worship as a god. Adultery and idolatry are both about improper relationships.
As I got to thinking about this, it occurred to me that in fact each of the 10 commandments are centered in improper relationships. Thou shalt not bear false witness against one’s neighbor, is about poisoning the truth that must be central in all relationship. Thou shalt not steal, or thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods both highlight improper relationships with possessions. Thou shalt not kill is about how we relate to another’s body, another’s life. Honor thy father and thy mother is certainly about relationships. Even the commandments to honor the Sabbath, and against invoking God’s name with malice are about not relating to God in a way that God deserves.
So, then, idolatry and adultery and each of the commandments really do have much in common. All are about being in proper relationship.
Our readings this Sunday, for the first Sunday of Lent are about temptations which effect relationships.
In Genesis, we hear the mythical story that many of us know so well. It is a story that the Hebrew people told to explain the coming of evil into the world. How did evil come to a world created to be very good? In the story the crafty serpent seduces the woman and the man into eating the fruit of the tree. The eating of the fruit is symbolic of the sin of disobedience and how it ruptured the relationship between humankind and God. God is God. And the right relationship is for the man and the woman to be obedient to God. The sin came about when the man and woman wanted to be like God. When they wanted to be rulers instead of creatures, their sin ruptured the relationship with God. And, with that relationship ruptured, human relationships are ruptured as well. The man and the woman have lost their innocence and now they hide themselves from each other and from God. According to Genesis, from this first broken relationship between God and humankind have arisen all the sin, the war, the murder, the injustices of the world.
From that story at the beginning of Genesis the remainder of scripture unfolds as the attempt of God to restore the broken relationships that sin caused between human kind and God, the humans with one another, and humans with the rest of creation.
Jesus is story of God‘s last and best attempt at restoring the ruptured relationships caused by sin. In Jesus, God becomes flesh, and comes to earth. In Jesus fully God and fully human, God will finally restore the broken relationship. In Jesus, reconciliation will finally be achieved.
The story today from Matthew’s Gospel this weekend is of the temptation of Jesus. In the temptation the devil tries to rupture the relationship between Jesus and God. This scene follows directly on the baptism of Jesus. At the baptism in the Jordan , the voice of God declared that Jesus was the beloved son of God. Now, in the desert the devil tempts Jesus to doubt this relationship. The temptations begin----"if you are God’s son". The devil tries to seduce Jesus into questioning if in fact he is beloved by God. If the devil can make Jesus doubt that he is beloved of God, than, he can destroy the relationship between Jesus and God. Perhaps he can convince Jesus to worship him. If he can destroy the relationship of the Beloved Son and God, than the devil has won.
Unlike the man and the woman, Jesus withstands the temptation. He proclaims that one is fed by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The word that he is referring to includes the word that was spoke to him by God at his baptism. This is a word from God that feeds him. He remembers the voice that declared him beloved. Jesus the human one, never gives into the temptation to doubt that he is beloved. In Jesus overcoming the temptation, the relationship between God and Humankind is restored. When that relationship is restored, than is hope that all human relationships can be restored as well.
My friends, in our heart, all human beings hunger for love. Temptation comes when we seek to satisfy that hunger to be loved in the wrong places. We look for satisfaction to our deepest hunger overindulgence in food, in wealth, in possessions, in improper relationships, in alcohol…..in all the wrong places. Only God can satisfy our hunger for love.
Lent began last Wednesday with the reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Today, we are called to remember the basic truth of our existence, that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. We have been tempted to believe that other things can satisfy the hunger we have for God. We have been tempted to forget that we are beloved by God. We have been tempted, and like the man and the woman we have sinned.. We have lost our innocence, and our relationships with God and each other have been broken.
Lent is the time to celebrate the wonderful truth that even though we forgot that we are beloved, , even though we have fallen, even though we have sinned, we are still God’s beloved. God has not forgotten that we are beloved daughters and sons. Lent is the time to celebrate that Jesus has repaired our broken relationships and we can begin again. We can be in right relationship again.
So, my friends, as we begin this holy season. I invite you to spend the next few moments, repeating out loud. That you are beloved of God.
Say with me, out loud, your name.
Now add to it…you are beloved by God….
Your name..say it…out loud…you are beloved by God….
Say it again…
Your name…you are beloved by God
You are beloved by God
Again….
Again...
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again…..
Remember, You are beloved by God.
May this truth bless you during this joyful season of lent.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
sermon, last epiphany
February 3, 2008
Exodus 24:12-18
2Peter 16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Last week I preached a SAD sermon. I cited all the reasons which made the past couple of weeks the saddest of the year. There was sad economic news, sad weather, the sad state of the union, with sad events in the world, our state, our community and even many of our families.
Well, if the last two weeks are notable for being sad, the next couple weeks may be notable for being super. We will quickly pass the midway point of winter. Soon pitchers and catchers will report to spring training and a baseball season with super possibilities will begin. The awards for the super movies and music of the year will be given soon. This week a super party will take place at mardi gras in New Orleans. Super Tuesday is just two days away, almost two dozen states will cast votes for party nominations. And of course, today is Super Bowl Sunday. A day of Super parties, super entertainment, super commercials, and a super football game that may just crown the New England Patriots as the most super dooper football team in the history of the world.
Whoever wins these super contests--either in politics, entertainment, advertizing or football, will cash in big. More money, more publicity, more endorsements will be awarded to the super stars or the super candidates who win these super contests. I have to say, that after two weeks of SAD, I am ready for some weeks of SUPER.
Well, a reading of the scriptures offered for today highlight some pretty super events as well.
It’s a Super week for Moses. After leading the Hebrew people through the Red Sea and out of the slavery of Egypt, Moses ascends the mountain of God. For six days he waits on the mountain until on the seventh day God invites Moses into to cloud where he is surrounded by the Glory of God. In the Glory of that Mountain God gives to Moses the covenant. He instructs Moses on what the people must do to remain the chosen, holy people of God. It has truly been a gloriously super week for Moses.
Jesus likewise comes to the end of fairly super week. Six days previous Peter has proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah of God, the anointed one of God. For six days Jesus and the disciples may have pondered its meaning. Now, on the seventh day, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain. We are not told why they go there. Perhaps, like Moses before him, Jesus is looking for direction, looking for a way to understand all that has happened. Perhaps, he needs some time to consult with his closest advisors. There on the mountain the Jesus is surrounded by the glory of God. Peter, James, and John are amazed to see Jesus in conversation with the ancient leaders of Israel, Moses and Elijah. They are amazed to Jesus transfigured. The glory of God shines in the face of Jesus.
This is truly super. This is more than they could have ever dreamed. Can you imagine their excitement!!!! Peter’s first response is to want to stay. Lets build some dwellings and stay here longer. Jesus though leads them down the mountain. Surely on the way down Peter, James and John could hardly contain themselves. Just think of how jealous the others will be. Just think of how famous we will be. We were there….we say Moses and Elijah. We have seen for ourselves and we the inside scoop of who Jesus is!!!! We will be famous, we will be super stars!!!!
Can you imagine how devastated they must have been when Jesus ordered them to be silent. Surely they must have wondered…”whats the point of being part of something so super if you can’t cash in on it.”
What is the point? Jesus has been shown to be superior to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is declared to be God’s beloved. Peter, James and John are told to listen to Jesus. The glory of God shined radiantly in the face of Jesus. Why the command for silence?
The disciples are told to be silent because the light that shined when Jesus was transfigured on that mountain is nothing compared to the light that will shine when Jesus is resurrected. Jesus has been shown to be God’s beloved, but that title is not given as an award. The title is given for a purpose. God’s beloved, God’s chosen, has been given mission. God’s beloved is chosen to bring God’s healing to the world. Jesus, has been chosen for a mission that will save the world from destruction. God’s beloved is given the mission to conquer evil and death. This mission will be accomplished not on the mountain where he is transfigured. This mission will be accomplished on another mountain. After the transfiguration, Jesus descends the mountain and turns to Jerusalem where he will ascend the mountain of Calvary to die. On that mountain, when he is raised from the dead, the Glory of God’s Triumph over evil and death will truly shine. On that mountain, Jesus will bring healing to the world.
And, dear friends, what then are we to do?
I would suggest that the message Jesus gives to us today is no different than that which he spoke to his disciples when he touched them and said, Get up. Don’t be afraid.
Following his time on the mountain, things got pretty rough for Jesus. In the days ahead he would face rejection, betrayal, suffering and death. His radiant clothes would be stripped. His face would be slapped, his back whipped, he head crowned with thorns. The voice that proclaimed Jesus beloved will be silent. The only voices he will hear will be those which mocks him as he dies. In the days to come, no one will imagine that through this man, the radiant light of God once shined brightly. When it comes, Jesus tells his followers, don’t be afraid. You will see the glory of God shine even more brilliantly than you do today.
Jesus tells us the same. There are difficult days that come. They come in all life. We often feel betrayed, abandoned, and rejected. We too face suffering and death. But, in those days, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. You too will know the healing touch of Jesus. You too will conquer death. You too will be victorious. You too will shine with the radiance of God.
Do not be afraid.
By God’s grace, you too will conquer all that is sad. By God’s grace, you too will share in the healing power of God‘s love. You too will know the fullness of life. Do not be afraid. By God’s grace, and in God’s love you too will know life that is truly Super.
Exodus 24:12-18
2Peter 16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Last week I preached a SAD sermon. I cited all the reasons which made the past couple of weeks the saddest of the year. There was sad economic news, sad weather, the sad state of the union, with sad events in the world, our state, our community and even many of our families.
Well, if the last two weeks are notable for being sad, the next couple weeks may be notable for being super. We will quickly pass the midway point of winter. Soon pitchers and catchers will report to spring training and a baseball season with super possibilities will begin. The awards for the super movies and music of the year will be given soon. This week a super party will take place at mardi gras in New Orleans. Super Tuesday is just two days away, almost two dozen states will cast votes for party nominations. And of course, today is Super Bowl Sunday. A day of Super parties, super entertainment, super commercials, and a super football game that may just crown the New England Patriots as the most super dooper football team in the history of the world.
Whoever wins these super contests--either in politics, entertainment, advertizing or football, will cash in big. More money, more publicity, more endorsements will be awarded to the super stars or the super candidates who win these super contests. I have to say, that after two weeks of SAD, I am ready for some weeks of SUPER.
Well, a reading of the scriptures offered for today highlight some pretty super events as well.
It’s a Super week for Moses. After leading the Hebrew people through the Red Sea and out of the slavery of Egypt, Moses ascends the mountain of God. For six days he waits on the mountain until on the seventh day God invites Moses into to cloud where he is surrounded by the Glory of God. In the Glory of that Mountain God gives to Moses the covenant. He instructs Moses on what the people must do to remain the chosen, holy people of God. It has truly been a gloriously super week for Moses.
Jesus likewise comes to the end of fairly super week. Six days previous Peter has proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah of God, the anointed one of God. For six days Jesus and the disciples may have pondered its meaning. Now, on the seventh day, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain. We are not told why they go there. Perhaps, like Moses before him, Jesus is looking for direction, looking for a way to understand all that has happened. Perhaps, he needs some time to consult with his closest advisors. There on the mountain the Jesus is surrounded by the glory of God. Peter, James, and John are amazed to see Jesus in conversation with the ancient leaders of Israel, Moses and Elijah. They are amazed to Jesus transfigured. The glory of God shines in the face of Jesus.
This is truly super. This is more than they could have ever dreamed. Can you imagine their excitement!!!! Peter’s first response is to want to stay. Lets build some dwellings and stay here longer. Jesus though leads them down the mountain. Surely on the way down Peter, James and John could hardly contain themselves. Just think of how jealous the others will be. Just think of how famous we will be. We were there….we say Moses and Elijah. We have seen for ourselves and we the inside scoop of who Jesus is!!!! We will be famous, we will be super stars!!!!
Can you imagine how devastated they must have been when Jesus ordered them to be silent. Surely they must have wondered…”whats the point of being part of something so super if you can’t cash in on it.”
What is the point? Jesus has been shown to be superior to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is declared to be God’s beloved. Peter, James and John are told to listen to Jesus. The glory of God shined radiantly in the face of Jesus. Why the command for silence?
The disciples are told to be silent because the light that shined when Jesus was transfigured on that mountain is nothing compared to the light that will shine when Jesus is resurrected. Jesus has been shown to be God’s beloved, but that title is not given as an award. The title is given for a purpose. God’s beloved, God’s chosen, has been given mission. God’s beloved is chosen to bring God’s healing to the world. Jesus, has been chosen for a mission that will save the world from destruction. God’s beloved is given the mission to conquer evil and death. This mission will be accomplished not on the mountain where he is transfigured. This mission will be accomplished on another mountain. After the transfiguration, Jesus descends the mountain and turns to Jerusalem where he will ascend the mountain of Calvary to die. On that mountain, when he is raised from the dead, the Glory of God’s Triumph over evil and death will truly shine. On that mountain, Jesus will bring healing to the world.
And, dear friends, what then are we to do?
I would suggest that the message Jesus gives to us today is no different than that which he spoke to his disciples when he touched them and said, Get up. Don’t be afraid.
Following his time on the mountain, things got pretty rough for Jesus. In the days ahead he would face rejection, betrayal, suffering and death. His radiant clothes would be stripped. His face would be slapped, his back whipped, he head crowned with thorns. The voice that proclaimed Jesus beloved will be silent. The only voices he will hear will be those which mocks him as he dies. In the days to come, no one will imagine that through this man, the radiant light of God once shined brightly. When it comes, Jesus tells his followers, don’t be afraid. You will see the glory of God shine even more brilliantly than you do today.
Jesus tells us the same. There are difficult days that come. They come in all life. We often feel betrayed, abandoned, and rejected. We too face suffering and death. But, in those days, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. You too will know the healing touch of Jesus. You too will conquer death. You too will be victorious. You too will shine with the radiance of God.
Do not be afraid.
By God’s grace, you too will conquer all that is sad. By God’s grace, you too will share in the healing power of God‘s love. You too will know the fullness of life. Do not be afraid. By God’s grace, and in God’s love you too will know life that is truly Super.
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