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Sermon February 7, 2010

2010-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 6:1-8
1 Corintahins 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
Epiphany 5C

Every day has its rituals. Mondays are different than Fridays which are different than Saturdays, which are different from Sundays. My Sunday morning rituals are the ones I follow, shall we say, the most religiously.

I never sleep well on Saturday nights, so Linda usually shoves me out of bed on Sunday morning between 4 and 5. The first thing I do is when I get turn on the coffee. After I shower and dress, I to prepare my English muffin with peanut butter and raspberry jam, pour my coffee, and turn on my computer. I check email, face book, espn, and cnn. The last website to be checked is the NYTimes. They say that the three biggest lies are, I am from the IRS and I am here to help you. Its even easier than it looks, and I read the Entire Sunday NY Times. So, I won’t try to tell you that I read the entire NYTimes. No, the only page I read before church Sunday is the editorial page. There are 4 columnists I read each Sunday. They address issues of issues related to world events, politics and culture. Always, the last one I read is Nicholas Kristof. Mr. Kristof has been a columnist for the Times since 2001 and is a winner of two Pulitzer prizes. He cowrote with his wife, Sheryl WeDunn, the 2009 award wining book , Half the Sky which is a book about the achievements of women who have overcome oppression and turned it into opportunity. Every year, Mr. Kristof selects one college student to travel with him to places in the world mired in desperate poverty. Mr. Kristof’s columns are not sarcastic, hateful, partisan, or cynical. He is not obsessed with the latest Washington scandal. He writes from all over the world, speaking about every day people and the difference they make. He has written with passion about the world wide sex trade that enslaves women and children, prison reform, religious persecution, health care, water purification, the Sudan, Pakistan, Haiti, Kenya. This morning his article is about the holocaust that is gripping the Congo. His writings almost always end in a challenge and hope. When I finish his column I often say to myself, I wish I could preach like he writes. Often it is the people I meet through his works that I hold in my heart when I pray, “Help me to preach in a way that honors and respects those who suffer and die today for your Gospel.”
In the last few weeks Kristof has written 3 columns that deeply moved me. He wrote on January 20 about the desperate situation in Haiti. He stressed the beauty, resilience and strength of the Haitian people. He called on people and nations to assist in providing short tem assistance and relief and long term development in that country. On January 17 he wrote a column entitled Food Sex and Giving which addressed scientific studies which introduce scientific studies which show that it is part of the make up of human beings to give, to be generous, to be part of a cause bigger than themselves. It feels good to give, and to be generous. In fact, helping others, he wrote, may be as primal a pleasure as food and sex.

On January 24, Kristof wrote a column that asked “What can you live without?” In that column, he introduced his readers to Kevin and Joan Salwen . Kevin tells the story of a conversation he had with his 14 year old daughter Hannah. He was driving his daughter back from a sleepover in 2006. While waiting at a traffic light, they saw a black Mercedes coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other.“Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal,” Hannah observed. The light changed and they drove on, but Hannah continued to talk about the car and the man. She pestered her parents about inequity, insisting that she wanted to do something.“What do you want to do?” her mom responded. “Sell our house?”

Ooops.

Eventually that is exactly what they did. The family sold their home, downsized, and donated their earnings to a foundation supporting development in Ghana. In so doing they discovered that the smaller home brought them closer together as a family.

These columns have been very much on my mind since I read them, and especially as I read today’s Gospel. The Gospel is one that we are perhaps very familiar with. The crowd presses on Jesus to hear the word of God. Jesus preaches from the boat of Simon Peter. After preaching Jesus instructs Simon to put down his nets. Simon protests, yet does what he is asked. The nets are filled, the boats begin to sink. Simon confesses his sinfulness. Jesus calls. Simon and the others leave everything to follow Jesus.

After a night of empty nets, Jesus fills the nets with fish. Something about that catch shakes Simon’s world. Friends, I want to tell you that if I come back from a day of fishing with four or five fish, I am ecstatic, I am literally beside myself with glee. With Simon, there is no excitement, no elation. Instead, just the opposite, Simon is humbled, he bows in confession and leaves his nets.

It was the biggest catch of his life. And Simon walks away. It was a catch that he only could of dreamed of, and he walks away. I wonder. Could it be that the filled nets spoke to Simon about how empty his life was. All his life, this is what he dreamed of. This catch made him successful, it added to his wealth. In the face of this success, perhaps Simon knew that his life had been as empty as the nets were all night long. Perhaps, just perhaps, this is the sin that Simon is confessing. Jesus, I have wasted my life in pursuit of selfish goals.

Jesus lifts Simon and calls him. Come follow me and I will make you fish for people. Come follow me and I will make you bring people into the kingdom of God. Come follow me and I will fill, not only your nets, but your life. Have you ever reached some milestone, achieved a well deserved award, accomplished some long sought after goal only to discover that your joy is short lived, only to discover that there is still emptiness in your stomach. You have landed the job, written the essay, bought the house, mounted the trophy , won the race and still you are not satisfied. For all the late night talk show jokes about Tiger Woods, isn’t he just an extreme example of someone who had it all, and more, and was still empty, still unsatisfied. He was full, and yet still starving.

The crowds pressed in on Jesus because they were starving. They were starving for the word of God. Starving for that which could satisfy. Simon had a dream catch, his nets were filled to the breaking point…..and he walked away from it because Jesus offered him more.

Jesus makes the same offer to you and I. Peter walked away from his bursting nets. The Salwen family walked away from their home. In walking away from what they had, they were walking toward a fuller and richer life. Jesus invites us to a fuller and richer life as well. It is not as if we need to walk away from everything we have forever. What we can walk away from is the big lie that it is our nets, our trophies, our successes that make us human or give our life meaning. We can walk away from the biggest lie that pursuing my individual happiness will ever bring me happiness. Jesus, showed us, in his life, and in his ministry that true happiness, true life is found in serving God by serving our neighbors, by serving those in need. Jesus is inviting us to be part of something bigger than ourselves, be part of something that will satisfy us longer than a Super bowl trophy or even a tremendous catch of fish.

Jesus invites us to share his purpose, to share in the building of God’s kingdom. Jesus invites us to follow him and be eternally satisfied.

Sermon January 24

2010-01-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

Epiphany 3
Nehemiah 8:2-10
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Luke 4:14-21

On the morning of December 8, the flight I was on landed in Port au Prince. After passing through customs, our luggage was put on a bus and taken to the Hotel Montana. I, and the other 23 participants in the Food for the Poor Pilgrimage boarded another bus and began our visits to ministries sponsored or supported by Food for the Poor. Our first stop was a “fish farm”. The intricate science of harvesting and reproducing fish, and the concept of “fish farming” was something I could barely understand. Next we traveled to “The Little Children of Jesus Home”. Here, orphaned children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities lived and were cared for. I had the pleasure of feeding a young boy, Jean. Because of the language difference, and the severity of Jean’s illness, we could not communicate. My prayer that I recited to myself as I fed him, wiped his face, and helped him drink, was that through my small ministry to Jean, Jesus might touch my soul. It became so clear to me as I was feeding him that I needed Jean much more than Jean needed me.
From the orphanage we traveled to the grounds of Notre Dame. On these grounds were homes for the elderly and a school and orphanage for young boys. We attended the Mass that was held for the elderly and visited the school and orphanage. At the orphanage we were entertained by the singing of the boys. We then distributed to them various small gifts. Notebooks, pencils and pens, crayons, candies and wrist bands. On the wrist bands were the words so identified with the Christmas Feast that was coming soon: Peace, Joy, Hope, Jesus. After the gifts were distributed two of the boys came up to me and pointed to the wrist bands that I was wearing. I had been wearing these wrist bands for a few years. On the green band that I wore, was written, “Save Darfur” I wore this band to remind myself of the suffering of the people of the Sudan. It was a reminder to me to keep the people of Sudan in my prayers. The other was a white band on which was written the word: “One“. This I wore to remind myself of the “One Campaign”. This is an organization involved with advocacy for justice, for adequate health care, for education, and for an end to the poverty that afflicts millions of persons around the world.
I could not possibly refuse to give the boys the wrist bands that I was wearing. In the weeks after I returned from Haiti, even before the earthquake there were many moments when I noticed that the bands were not on my wrists. When I did so, I thought of the boys to whom I have given them.
I wonder where those wrist bands are today? Perhaps they have been tossed aside, maybe now in the bottom drawer of a dresser. Maybe they are buried in the rubble someplace in Port au Prince. Are the boys perhaps still wearing them? Do the wrist bands remind the boys that I promised to keep them in my prayers? Do they remind the boys to pray for me?
One. I have thought of that wrist band often as I read the reading from Corinthians this week. The word “one” appears in the reading repeatedly. One body, one spirit, one another. Paul is repeating his deeply held conviction that in the one spirit of God, we, though many are one body. In the one spirit of God, we though many are members of one another. In the one spirit of God, we though many are the body of Christ, doing the work of Christ.
This truth gives me much hope as I continue to see the heart breaking images of the continued suffering of the people of Haiti. The one body of Christi is suffering in Haiti. The one body of Christ is dying, is homeless and is thirsting in Haiti. The one body of Christ is at work in Haiti. The one body of Christ is at also work in the ministry of those who are tending to the injured, consoling the bereaved, feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty. The body is at work in those who are building shelters and hospitals and schools. They of course are the people who are engaged in the hands on relief and assistance ministry. But, the truth that Paul is emphasizing is that we are part of the body as well. Others do what they can do there. Here we do what we can. The body of Christ, the spirit of Christ empowers us to do what we can. And what can we do? First of all, dear friends we pray. Those who are suffering, those searching for food, or water, shelter or medicine may not have the time or the energy to pray. Those involved in ministry in Haiti are working around the clock. They may not have the time to sit and pray. There are few churches still standing in Haiti. It is hard for them to pray. Time and energy for prayer is a luxury that we have. Pray.
We give. The money we give, the pennies, the nickels, the dollars all do add up. All our financial assistance is part of the body of Christ which supports ministries of those who are there in Haiti. We can also be mindful of our abundance. We can remember with every glass of water we drink the millions of people in Haiti and around the world who lack clean water for drinking. We can be responsible stewards of all that we have. We can raise our voice. One of the true gifts that we have is the ability to be advocates for justice. We, here in this country, can raise our voices to change unjust systems that exist in Haiti and around the world We can be a voice for those who have no voice. We can also give our time to support ministries here. As so much attention is given to the suffering in Haiti, the ministry needs continue in our community. At this time, we are invited to be the body of Christ here as we offer our time in local ministries. I cannot go to Haiti, but there are ministries I can be involved with here, in a few weeks St. Andrews will be hosting families who are without housing---in the power of the one spirit, the work we do on behalf of the families who are with us, support the ministries of those engaged in Haiti. Here in Grand Rapids I can donate blood. Here in Grand Rapids, I can work in a food ministry. Here in Grand Rapids I can visit the sick It is the one spirit giving power to the body of Christ at work in Haiti and in Grand Rapids.
We can also remember that just as the people of Haiti need our support at this time of their need. So we also need them. In the face of such calamities, they bless us with their faith filled perseverance and hope. We are one body, equally needing each other.Indeed, it may be that we need the people of Haiti as much as they need us.
In the Gospel this morning, Jesus proclaims himself to have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. At your baptism, you also were anointed by that same spirit. Like Jesus, you have been sent to proclaim good news to the poor, release to those held captive by poverty and despair, and freedom to all who are oppressed by the tragedies of our time. The spirit that was alive and at work in Jesus, is now at work in the body of those who believe in Jesus. You carry on his work in our day. Today his work is being fulfilled in Grand Rapids, in Port au Prince, in Sudan. His one body is at work in our one world.
This past week I ordered another bracelet. On it will we written the word “ONE”. When it comes I will wear it. When I wear it I will remember the people of Sudan and the people of Haiti. I will remember Jean whom I fed at the orphanage. I will remember the boys of the school and orphanage of Notre Dame. I will remember one to whom I gave my wrist band. The one for whom I promised to pray. When I wear it I will remember the one Spirit of God who is at work in the one body of Christ. The one body of Christ that is carrying on the ministry of Jesus. One spirit, one body, one ministry, that is at work through us who are members of one another.
Now, dear friends, I ask you to pray.
This prayer was written by another part of the Body of Christ. The Sojourners community in Washington DC:
Break our hearts, Lord, break our hearts. For the lives lost in Haiti, each one loved by you, break our hearts. For those who have lost family members -- sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers -- break our hearts. For those who have lost homes and belongings, who sleep on the streets, break our hearts. For the crippling poverty that afflicts millions of Haitians, break our hearts. For our complicity in the sinful structures and systems that lead to oppression and injustice, break our hearts. For the state of your creation -- groaning for redemption and restoration -- break our hearts. And then put us back together, and make us one so that with peace, humility, and your perspective, we might work toward seeing your kingdom on earth. Amen.

Food for the Poor

2009-12-15T17:35:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

I am sure that most of you have been involved in conversations about what you would do if you ever "won the lottery". I suspect that many of you said at some point in that conversation that you would use some of your winnings to do something for someone in need. Maybe you would make a huge donation to a family, a school, a hospital in need. Maybe you said that you would make a huge contribution to a cause that you support. I am sure that you promised that if you ever won the lottery you would do something charitable as a sign of your gratitude. Maybe the conversation ended with you jokingly saying: "Of course, if I ever hope to win the lottery, I suppose I need to buy a ticket."

When I was in Haiti I discovered that even though I have not bought a ticket in nearly 20 years, I have won the lottery. Through no effort on my part, I have been blessed to be born into a life more comfortable than most in the world can even imagine. I have an overabundance of life's comforts: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, access to health care. I do not need statistics to tell me that I live more comfortably than at least 90% of the people in the world. In the lottery of life's pleasures and comforts, I was given a winning ticket.

I cannot possibly describe the poverty that is in Haiti. We drove through streets in the country that passed along rivers of garbage. People lived in shacks that were made with rusty wasted metal. The stench of the squalor was overpowering.

What I will remember most from my time in Haiti however is not the poverty, but the hope. The schools, orphanages, fishing villages, and homes sponsored and supported by Food for the Poor improve the lives of tens of thousands of people throughout the Central and Latin America: children are taught, the elderly are cared for, the outcast are welcome, the hungry are fed, people are employed, the Gospel is lived. I come back from our pilgrimage to Haiti impressed by the work done by Food for the Poor. Many of you have contributed in the past to this ministry. Many of you have received their mailings and publications. I want to tell you, that Food for the Poor lives up to its press. They walk their talk.

In the weeks to come Christian Baron (who also took part in the pilgrimage) and I will continue to share our reflections on the experience of the pilgrimage. We will also explore ways for you to learn more about Food for the Poor. We hope to find ways for others from the congregation to take part in a pilgrimage in the coming year. We invite your questions. To learn more about the Ministry of Food for the Poor, go to their website: www.foodforthepoor.org.

One morning during our time in Haiti we visited a clinic that is located in one of the poor neighborhoods of Port au Prince. The doctors who volunteer their time at the clinic spoke to us of the many challenges they face in the clinic. Among those challenges is the vast number of people in Haiti who are infected with HIV/AIDS. In the midst of the conversation one of the doctors mentioned that he has himself tested for HIV every six weeks. I was stunned by this. Here is a man, blessed with the opportunities opened to him by his education, and he puts himself at risk to help heal the sick. In many ways, this doctor has won the lottery. In his work at the clinic he has found a way to share his "winnings". What would I do if I ever won the lottery? By God's grace, I have won. I have been abundantly blessed in so many ways. How can I possibly show my gratitude? One way will be to continue to support the ministry of Food for the Poor. Another way, is to invite you to support them as well.

Gracious God, help me to live in a way that honors and respects those who suffer and die today for the Gospel. Help me to live in a way that shows my gratitude for all the blessings of my life. Amen.

In God's Peace,

Mike

Gospel and reflection question for November 1

2009-10-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

John 11:32-44

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

How has Jesus used others to “unbind” you?

Sermon, October 25

2009-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

October 25

Proper 25
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52
Ask a person on any given morning, “how did you sleep last night”, the response will usually fall somewhere between, “ok” and “not very good”. At least, that’s the impression I get. Most of us, most nights are not getting a great nights sleep. There might be lots of reasons for this: the overall sense of anxiety and tension that is in the air. The fact that TV stations broadcast all night long, internet is available all night long. The world never sleeps, so neither do we. Illness in the home effects the sleep of everyone that is there. There are many factors, physical and emotional that cut into our sleep.
In response, to this epidemic of insomnia, there are many suggestions on how to improve your sleep. Some suggest sleeping medication. Some suggest watching what you eat or drink in the hours before you sleep. Cut down on the spicey food, and caffeine. Some suggest following the same schedule each night, having a regular bed time, and taking time before going to bed to wind down. Turn the tv off well before you go to bed. Go to bed calm and sleep improves.

Another option would be to buy some eye coverings to shut out any and all light. Of all the options, this seems to me to be the most frightening. I am not sure that I could sleep in the midst of such total darkness. Plus, I think I would be afraid that waking up in the morning I just might forget to take the blindfolds off. Imagine the danger of forgetting to take off the blindfold. With my blindfold on, I just might walk into the closet instead of the bathroom. How would I make my morning coffee. How wo0uld I drive to work? How would I find my clothes. Yes indeed. Living life in blindfolds would be disastrous.

Our readings this morning are about learning to see clearly. The book of Job is not a biography. Rather, it is a short story that is meant to teach. The readers of Job are taught how to see “suffering”. Job was written in a time when people were taught that the good were always blessed, and the evil always suffered. Yet, many could “see” that this simply was not true. To believe that the good are always blessed and that the evil are always punished, one has to be blind to the way the world really is. It takes a certain amount of blindness to believe that only evil people suffer or to believe that all riches and comforts are proof of a persons goodness. Job stands for many persons in the world, good, holy God fearing people who suffered tremendously. The story of Job teaches us that in this world there is a randomness to suffering. Too often the innocent do suffer, and the guilty seem to live very comfortably. It is through his suffering that Job comes to see that God is found not surrounded by riches and comforts, but God is found in the midst of suffering.

As I have read the Gospel throughout the week, the phrase that stood out to me most powerfully, was the response Bartimaeus gave when Jesus asked him: “What is it you want me to do for you?” “Teacher”, Bartimaeus said, “I want to see again.” I wonder: Why did he call Jesus “teacher”? Might you not expect him to refer to him as “Healer” or “Miracle worker”? Why teacher? Could it be that the Gospel is trying to teach us that the ability to see is something that is learned. “I want to see again.” At one time, Bartimaeus could see. Now, He wants to see again. Teacher, Teach me to see again. Perhaps Bartimaeus is a symbol of the person who puts on blindfolds and forgets to take them off.
Do you ever wear blindfolds so that you do not have to see the truth of your life. Do you ever wear blindfolds so you don’t have to see how your actions, your words are hurting those around you? Do you ever wear blindfolds so you do not have to look at your self, So you do not have to see how anger, and jealousy and resentment are turning your heart cold. Do you ever wear blindfolds so you do not have to look at the suffering in the world. So you do not have to see the ravages of violence, poverty and disease. Do you ever wear blindfolds so you do not have to see that the comforts we take for granted cause suffering to others? Do you ever wear blindfolds so you do not have to see the injustices which surround us in our city, our nation and in the world.
Sometimes it is as if we have put blindfolds over our eyes and left them there. We are blind. Jesus have mercy on us. Teacher restore our sight. Teacher, help us to see again.

After he his healed, the Gospel tells us that Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way. “On the way” where? “The way” for Mark is the way of the cross. On the way to resurrection through suffering. On the way to life through death. The Gospel is teaching us that the way to find God is not to flee from suffering but to pass through it. In the Eucharistic Prayer that we will offer in a few minutes, we will pray: Open our eyes to see you hand at work in the world about us. Open our eyes, take off our blindfolds. Teach us to see again. Teach us to see you in the suffering of the world. Teach us to see you in those who are today crucified on the crosses of poverty, disease, injustice and war.
After he is healed, after the teacher restores his sight, Bartimaeus springs into action. The Gospel invites us to do the same. When we take our blindfolds off, we act. Might I suggest to you all that each one of us, reads one article this week about suffering and poverty. One article about homelessness, one article about the suffering caused by global climate change. One article that will help us take off our blindfold and see again. And after reading one article, may we act. May each of do something, one thing to care for the poor. May we write one letter to congress, may we bring one can of food for a pantry, may we give one hour in service of the community, may we say one prayer for those who suffer.

May we take off our blindfolds and see. May we spring to our feet and act. May we follow Jesus on the way. Maybe when we see, maybe when we act, maybe when we truly follow Jesus on the way, we will finally come to the end of a day, lay down, and get a good nights sleep.

Gospel for September 27 with reflections

2009-09-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

Mark 9:38-50
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
"For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

From today's Gospel reading:"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off....If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.... And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

"Reflection:Jesus tells us to cut off a hand or foot or pluck out an eye if they cause us to sin. We get the point -- don't we? Sin is serious, not just for us, but for the community. One person might sin; but the whole community suffers -- especially "the little ones" -- those whose faith is vulnerable. He's calling us to make whatever changes we must to live his life, He knows making serious change can be as painful as cutting off a limb.

So he is here to encourage and enable us. So we ask ourselves: What necessary changes must I make now to follow Jesus more closely?What's holding me back?Do I believe he will be there to help me, once I determine to do something? The Rev. John Boll OP, The Preachers Exchange

Sunday Gospel and Forum Question for September 6, 2009

2009-08-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mark 7:24-37

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go-- the demon has left your daughter." So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Has there been a time in your life when Jesus miraclously “opened” your ears, your eyes, or your heart?

Sermon for August 30, 2009

2009-08-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sermon August 30, 2009Prop 17BSong of Solomon 2:8-13James 1:17-27Mark 7:1-23

One of the delightful gifts of sons growing into young adult hood is getting to know the young women in their lives. As some of you know, our middle son’s girl friend lived with Linda and I this past spring. What was most delightful is that while Erin was living with us, Ben was still in Mount Pleasant finishing his degree. It was a gift to get to know Erin as a person, and not just as someone who came along with Ben.

After she graduated this past spring, Erin was offered a teaching position at Marysville High School just south of Port Huron. The weekend after she was offered the position, Erin came to our house, bubbling with excitement about her new job and community. Her only complaint was that when she was scouting out apartments a landlord asked her what she would be teaching. “High school English and History” she said enthusiastically. “Oh, I am sorry, that is too bad“, he responded. Erin was beside herself, almost offended by his comment. “What did he mean by that? Why was he sorry? What is “too bad” about teaching high schoolers English and History?

Well, I have to confess I did not say what I was thinking. I did not tell her that as I remember high school my high school classes in English and History I knew what he meant by too bad, and so sorry.

Do you remember high school English and History? Do you remember diagramming sentences, and practicing all the rules of grammar? Do you remember memorizing dates and names and places that seemed to be of absolutely no use then, now, or forever? Do you remember papers covered with red ink?

Because I so sadly remember those teachers who made English and History such sorrowful experiences, I more gladly remember the magnificent teachers. I remember Mrs. Willard and Mrs. Brooks who brought history and literature to life for me in high school. I remember college professors: Don Spitzka who spent weeks on the poem Dover Beach, and Tom McInerny who spent almost a whole semester talking about the 1912 presidential election. It was these great teachers whose passion for teaching, for students, and for their subjects helped me to fall in love in with history and literature.
Our readings this weekend present us with two styles of teachers. In the Gospel, there are the Pharisees. The Pharisees knew that the rules were important. The Pharisees feared that without the rules to govern the Jewish religion, the people would get so sloppy in their faith that they risked losing their faith. The Pharisees, at their best, loved their God, Yahweh, and wanted to be sure that faith in Yahweh would remain strong. But, at their worst the Pharisees fell so much in love with the laws and the rules, that they failed to recognize Yahweh in the flesh. They loved their law so much, that they did not love Jesus. They loved the law so much, they used the law to put God to death.

Jesus knew and kept the rules and the laws. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Jesus came to teach that faith was not about following rules, not about loving laws, but about loving God. Faith for Jesus was about loving that which God loves: God’s creation, God’s children.

The Song of Solomon, which is our reading from the Hebrew Scripture today is a poem about love. Most believe that it was not originally written about God, but rather was a love song written by lovers to their beloved. It’s place in scripture reminds us that God‘s love is revealed in human love. The song is a reminder that to love another person is to experience God. To love another person is to see the face of God. The Song of Solomon is not about laws and rules, but about human love in all of its passion. In this song about human love we learn of the passionate love which is at the heart of the relationship between God and God’s people.

The Epistle of James was written in the years just after the life of Jesus. In this Epistle, James invites his readers to consider how love is to be lived out. The perfect law of love is enacted not in what we hear, not in what we think, but in how we act. The perfect law of love is not about how well we keep ritual laws of washing pots, cups kettles, or even our hands, but about how pure we keep our hearts. The perfect law of love is fulfilled in keeping ourselves unstained by the violence, the greed, the seductions, the hatred of our world. The perfect law of love is fulfilled by living gratefully and generously. The perfect law of love is fulfilled when we are mindful of the words we speak. The perfect law of love is fulfilled when we care for widows and orphans.

Dear friends, today we give thanks for teachers. We give thanks for those who taught us how to diagram sentences, those who taught us the rules of grammar, those who helped us memorize all those dates, and all those persons who were important in history. Today we give thanks for those teachers whose passion helped bring English, and History and Math, and Chemistry, and Physics, and Business and Music, and every other subject to life. Friends, today we give thanks for those who taught us the rules, and commandments and traditions of our faith. We give thanks for those whose passion helped bring our faith to life, those whose passion for God taught us how to love God, others and our self.

We pray that we might live what we have learned. May we love our self and others as beloved daughters and sons of God. May we be grateful. May we be generous. May we unstained by the world. May we care for widows and orphans. May we love as God loves, not in only in hearing and in keeping laws. May our love be lived in action.

Sermon, August 23, 2009

2009-08-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2009
I Kings 8:22-43
Psalm 84
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:51-58

Gracious God help me to preach in a way that is good news to the poor , the weak, the widows and the orphans and all those who are most vulnerable. Help me to preach in a way that honors and respects those who will suffer and die today for your Gospel . Help me to preach in a way that seeks not my glory but yours. Not the growth of this church, but the spread of your kingdom.
Whenever I meet with parents and godparents to talk about baptism, I begin by asking them to remember at least 10 stories from scripture which involve water. Usually they are able to come up almost ten: the story of creation where God divides the land from the sea, the crossing of the red sea, Moses being rescued from the water, noah’s ark, the Baptism of Jesus, Jesus calming and walking on the sea, Jesus turning water into wine. They remember some of the miracles of healing that take place in water, the sermons Jesus preached from a boat on the water. Indeed, water is present in scripture stories from the beginning of the bible to the end, from Genesis to Revelation.
Almost as prevalent as stories about water, are biblical strories about food, about eating and drinking: (How many stories about food can you think of…can we come up with 10.) In the Hebrew Scriptures, Abraham and Sara provide food to guests who are messengers of God. The Hebrew people eat the Passover meal. As they flee, they complain about the food they are forced to eat in the wilderness, God provides them with manna, and quail, food from heaven. The Hebrew Scriptures are filled stories of food sacrificed to Yahweh, as well as rules of purity associated with food. In the Gospels, Jesus eats countless meals with the disciples, Pharisees, tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners. Jesus appears on the lakeshore after the resurrection and eats breakfast with his friends, he breaks bread at his last supper before his crucifixion and in Emmaus on the evening of the resurrection. Jesus multiplies bread and feeds thousands. Throughout the books of scripture, one of the images of the fullness of God’s realm is that of a banquet with an abundance of fine food and choice wine.
Food, sharing meals is central in the history of the Jewish people and in the life and ministry of Jesus. As a faithful Jew, Jesus would have appreciated the deep symbolism of food. We often take the abundance of food for granted. But, in most of the world , throughout most of history one’s next meal is seldom taken for granted. For most people throughout history, there is great uncertainty about how long food supplies will last, how long before food will run out. Because of this, in the Scripture, to share food with someone symbolized deep friendship, and intimacy. In the scripture, God and Jesus eats with people to symbolize the deep intimate love that God has for people.
For the past 5 weeks, our Gospel reading has been taken from the 6th Chapter of John. Beginning with an account of the miracle in which Jesus multiplies bread and feeds thousands of people, John’s Gospel has offered an ever deepening reflection about Jesus, as the bread of life. I believe this is the only chapter in the Scripture that is read over the course five consecutive Sundays. I would like to suggest that the reason we have been invited to spend so much time with the Chapter of John is central to our faith. This chapter speaks to the very core about who Jesus is, and who we are as his disciples. In this chapter Jesus deepens the symbolism of food and intimacy to its most profound and richest level. In this chapter, Jesus proclaims that not only does God prepare the banquet and eat with his people, but God in fact becomes food for that people. God not only shares a meal, God becomes the meal which people devour. This idea was so offensive, so scandalous, that the early Christians were mocked as those who ate their God. Indeed, it is almost offensive even to us today…..this bread we eat is the flesh of Jesus, the wine we drink is the blood of Jesus. In this bread and wine, God becomes our food, God becomes part of us. We are nourished on the very body and blood of God.
John’s 6th chapter is proclaiming that in eating and drinking, the bread and wine, the flesh and blood of Jesus, Jesus comes to abide in us. And, as Jesus body abides in us, God who abides in Jesus, also abides in us. The Gospel is proclaiming that by eating this bread and wine we are transformed. We become that which we eat and drink. As we eat and drink the flesh and blood of Jesus, we become the flesh and blood of Jesus in our world today. As we eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus, we are transformed. We no longer see only with human eyes, but we begin to see with the eyes of Jesus. we begin to see with the eyes of God. We no longer work with human hands, but with the hands of Jesus. We begin to work the hands of God. We no longer love with human hearts, but with the heart of Jesus. We begin to love with the heart of God.
In the days of Jesus, such talk was offensive. At the beginning of the John’s 6th chapter, the huge crowd was ready to make Jesus king. In today’s Gospel, the end of that chapter, all but a few have deserted him. The idea of God becoming their food was too much for them to bear.
Is this difficult teaching too much for you? Is the thought of Jesus truly present in this bread and wine too scandalous to you? Are you willing to willing to become the one eat? Are you willing to be the eyes and the hands and the heart of God? Are you willing to let God live and act in your flesh? Today, as our planet is in such danger, are you willing to enflesh God’s love for creation? Today when thousands of people lack food and water are you willing to enflesh God’s justice in our world? Today, as our nation debates health care reform are you willing to enflesh God’s healing presence? To enflesh God's healing presence does not mean that we side with one reform plan or another. What matters is that we side with God. Are we will to side with a God who always makes a divine option for the poor? Are we willing to side not those who benefit from the way things are, but with those whom God sides with--- the poor, the broken, the lame, the sick, and those in need of healing. Are you willing to let God use your flesh to be the voice of those are left out of the debate---the least, the lost, and the lowly.
The words of Jesus are challenging, and offensive. John’s 6th chapter ends with Jesus asking his closest friends, is this too much? “do you also wish to go away?” The question is meant for us as well. Do we wish to go away? May we have the courage to respond, with Simon Peter: "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life."

Gospel Reflection

2009-08-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

The Gospel for Sunday August 23 is John 6:26-59

Share your reflections on the following questions:
How does Jesus abide in you? How do you abide in Jesus?
How does Jesus abide in our congregation?
How do we abide in Jesus?
Are there words of Jesus that you find offensive?

Reflections on the Readings for August 2

2009-07-26T10:49:00.001-07:00

To comment on the blog just click on the title of the blog....this will open it up for comments.

Some questions to consider for next weeks readings:

Have you ever had the experience of someone "speaking the truth in love" to you?
Have you ever, "spoken the truth in love" to someone else?

What do you believe people hunger and thirst for? What do you hunger and thirst for in your life? How has Jesus satisfied your hunger?

Sermon of July 26

2009-07-26T09:54:00.001-07:00

July 26, 2009Proper 12 BThe Eighth Sunday after Pentecost2 Samuel 11:1-15Ephesians 3:14-21John 6:1-21
Years ago, when we were using the a different cycle of readings, the reading from the Hebrew scripture each week was chosen to match a theme that was found in the Gospel. This reflected the belief that the Hebrew scripture reached their fullness in the life of Jesus, and the Gospel. The new reading cycle, the Revised Common Lectionary that we have used for the past few years, the reading from the Hebrew Scripture is no longer chosen to reflect a theme of the Gospel. On most Sundays now, the readings from Hebrew Scripture and New Testament are completely independent of each other. More often than not, there is no connection between the readings.
In this weeks readings, not only is there no connection between the readings from 2nd Samuel and John, but in fact, the readings are almost opposite. The theme in Samuel and the theme of John go in completely different directions.
2nd Samuel recounts the descent of King David into the abysss of evil. David had it all. He was the chosen one of God. By God’s grace David defeated Goliath, driven out the Philistines, united the 12 tribes of Israel, and built the city of Jerusalem. David was loved by God, and loved by the people of Israel. David had wealth, power, and prestige; all that he could possibly want and he still wants more. All that he has was not enough. So, in his desire for more, David begins his descent into sin. David’s descent into sin reaches its evil low when he plots to have Uriah, his faithful general killed. David’s plot succeeds. Uriah dies in battles. David is a murderer. Betrayal, adultery and murder—all because with all that David had, he was never satisfied. With all he had, he wanted more.
John’s Gospel recounts a wondrous miracle. Jesus sees the crowd and knows that they will need to be fed. Phillip anxiously declares that there is not enough money to feed the crowd. It is then that the miracle begins to unfold. An unnamed boy is brought to Jesus with simple gifts of bread and fish. The boy who does not even possess a name, offers what he has, and the miracle occurs. The boy offers what he has, and thousands are satisfied.
The evil of David ends with murder. It begins with his desire for Bathsheba. His gazing upon her, his inquiring, his sending for her all precede his fall into murder and betrayal.
The miracle of multiplication of the loaves ends with a crowd of over 5000 fed and enough food left over to fill 12 baskets. 12 baskets full----enough to satisfy each of the twelve tribes of Israel. It begins with the unnamed child offering what he has to Jesus. It ends with enough food for all.
The stories of scripture reveal a truth: the choice for evil often begins with the desire for more. Sin begins when those who have more than enough, still crave more. Sin begins when those who have more than enough, think that the world is theirs for the taking. We could make the case that all of sin is rooted in a desire for more. More power, more pleasure, more things, more money, more toys, more more more. Even when we have enough, we want more.
Grace begins, goodness begins, miracles begin to occur when those who have enough offer what they have to God. When the child offered the little he had, a miracle occurred. When we offer what we have, miracles can still occur.
Where do we find ourselves in the stories? We who live among the most indulged people on earth. Even in financially difficult times, we have more than enough, more than most in the world would ever imagine having, and yet we crave more. Of course we do not go as far as David, we do not give in to murder. Yet, our indulgent life style, our desire for more does put the poor of the world at risk. The global climate change spawned by our high standard of living causes suffering pain and death for those who are poor. Sadly, truthfully, I am more like David than I would like to admit.
Perhaps we find ourselves in the place of Phillip, the practical one. Phillip knows that cost of food. He sees how many mouths there are to feed: Even 6 months wages cannot begin to feed the crowd. When we look at the needs of the world, might we be more like Phillip than we might like to admit. Surely we do not have enough wages to care for the needy in the world. We cannot possibly feed all the hungry, we cannot possibly give clean water to those who thirst. We cannot possibly give everyone adequate health care. The Philllip in us looks at our resources and the needs of the world and we simply give up. We cannot possibly provide the God given rights of food, water and health care. Sadly, truthfully, I am more like Phillip than I would like to admit.
Or, perhaps we can find ourselves in the place of the young boy. Can we take what have and bring it to Jesus?
Each week at the Offertory we bring our gifts to the altar. Each Sunday we step into the sandals of the young boy and offer our loaves and fishes to Jesus. After we bring these gifts, thanks is offered and miracles occur. Our gifts of bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. Our gifts of food and are multiplied and the hungry are fed. Our financial offerings spread the Good News of God’s love.
Most likely, we find within ourselves traces of David, Phillip, and the unnamed child.
We confess that we are too much like David and though we have more than enough, we still want more. Lord have Mercy.
We confess that we are too much like Phillip, we see the poor and try to avoid our responsibility to care for them. Christ have Mercy.
We pray that we may become more like the unnamed child. May we offer our gifts to Jesus, trusting that our gifts in his hands will bring miraculous results. May our gifts in his hands be enough to satisfy those who hunger. May our gifts in his hands be more than enough to heal the world.

sermon reflection for July 26

2009-07-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

Offer your thoughts and reflections on the Gopsel for July 26.

John 6:1-21

The young boy offered 5 loaves and 2 fish. From these meager gifts, Jesus fed over 5000 people. What gifts can you offer for Jesus to give thanks for and multiply?

The hunger of the crowd was satisfied. What do you hunger for? How has God satisfied that hunger?

July 19 sermon

2009-07-20T04:06:00.000-07:00

Proper 11The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 19, 2009
2Samuel 7:1-14
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 630-34, 53-56

A friend of mine is a Roman Catholic priest who at one time served in my home parish back in Portland Michigan. His experience of Portland as a priest was very different than my experience growing in Portland. Even though he served in Portland long after I moved away from there, we still have memories of some of the same people, and chuckle at some of the personality quirks that are very present in Portland.

This past week he was talking about Portland and a series of meetings he was having years ago with some of the local clergy. They were talking about drinking and alcoholism, and underage drinking---all big problems in small towns. As part of their discussion, my friend suggested that the clergy and churches work together to bring in a speaker to address the community regarding alcohol and alcoholism. In the midst of the discussion, a number of the other clergy from town stated that “it would be fine to invite a speaker to come, but members of their congregation would not benefit…….after all, they said quite seriously, “its only members of the Catholic Church and the Congregational Church that have problems with drinking. We other churches don’t. Our people don‘t drink.”

Now years ago, I might have commented that : #1: I didn’t know there were non Catholics in Portland. And 2: Everybody in Portland drinks.

Now I know of course that both those comments are wrong. There are many other denominations in my little town of Portland. I was just a bit too smug to notice. And, even I had to admit, there are lots of people in Portland who did not drink then and now.

The story underlines how easy it is to make assumptions about others and ourselves. Only certain types of people drink, only certain types gamble, certain types divorce. Only certain types of people lose their jobs, or their homes. Only certain types of people like baseball or hockey or Nascar. Only certain types of people care about the environment or the right to life, only certain types of people support this political party, or this cause. While many of these assumptions are silly, and ignorant, most generally, the assumptions we live with are relatively harmless. Some assumptions however are the root of deep divisions, prejudice, and bigotry. Some assumptions about how others live and how they are different lead to hatred, violence and war.

The divisions, suspicion and hatred between Jew and Gentile at the time of Jesus was profound. The wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile was real. Much of the anger which Jesus provoked in the religious authorities of his day grew out of his ministry with Gentiles. He touched them, he healed them, he taught them, he ate with them, he used them as examples of Godly living. One could make the case that it was the radical hospitality which Jesus showed to those outside the Jewish nation which led to his death.

The divisions between Jew and Gentile continued in the time after Jesus death and resurrection. In the earliest decades of the Church, there were bitter disputes regarding the place of Gentiles in the Christian community. Should gentiles be accepted? Did they need to be circumcised in order to be baptized? What about Jewish dietary rules, did Gentiles have to follow them? The discussions were intense. In the midst of the discussion, Paul would called Peter a hypocrite. In the letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote that he wished that those who insist on circumcision would mutilate themselves with a slip of their knife. Ouch.

It is in the midst of these controversies that the letter to the Ephesians is written. Paul states that the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised has been torn down by the cross . Peace and reconciliation have been established by the death of Jesus. Jew and Gentile are now members of the one humanity, the one household of God. The wall of hostility and hatred has been replaced by a new and holy temple. One new humanity, one new body has been born out of the blood of Jesus on the cross.

In Christ our unity, our common humanity, our one fellowship has already been established. It is accomplished. Yet, we know because of sin that walls still stand. Divisions still exist. Divisions related to age, and gender, and race, nationality, sexual orientation and religion. . In our world sins of racism, and bigotry still threaten us always.

At the heart of our life as disciples of Jesus is the call to overcome these hostilities; to be ministers of reconciliation. As disciples of Jesus we are called to live as one new humanity. This was at the heart of discipleship in the time of Jesus. In our Gospel today, we see the return of the apostles to Jesus. He invites them to come away to a time of rest. Do you notice thought that there is an odd gap in the reading, 19 verses are missing. Jesus is teaching the crowd. Then the Gospel skips to the disciples landing at Gennesaret and mooring the boat. Do you wonder about whats missing? I did. And here is whats missing.

In the verses not read in the Gospel, Jesus sends the apostles across the lake. He sends them to the other side. He sends them to Gentile territory. In Marks Gospel, Jesus is always sending the apostles over to the other side of the lake. . He is always sending them to Gentile territory. And, just about every time they cross the lake they face a storm. In the verses missing from todays account, the apostles face an adverse wind that prevented them from making any progress. In other accounts, there are storms. What Mark is telling us is that in the ministry of Jesus and his first followers, Jesus was trying to bring together Jew and Gentile. And, even then, even in the time of Jesus it was a difficult, and stormy endeavor. In one of the crossing stories, in the midst of a storm Jesus is asleep in the boat, the disciples cry out: don’t you care that we are perishing.

I believe that the work of reconciliation is the hardest work for disciples to be engaged. The work of tearing down walls, the work of helping one new humanity to be born, the work of ending hostility between peoples continues to our day. It is a work that is filled with storms and treacherous seas. At times we would rather not go. We would rather not try to cross the sea. But Jesus sends us.

Some would say that the Episcopal Church is in the midst of some pretty stormy seas these days. The discussions about sexuality, and blessing of unions continue to swirl around the Episcopal Church and other churches in this country and around the world. Sexuality is our today’s version of the issue the early church faced regarding Jew and Gentile. The walls of division and hostility are still strong. But, in Jesus these walls have been broken down. In Jesus, peace and reconciliation gives birth to one new humanity. With Jesus as the cornerstone, the walls are torn down and a new and holy temple will be built. and holy temple. That is our prayer. That is our hope. That is our work.

In the Gospel, after crossing the treacherous sea of Gallilee, Jesus and the disciples moored the boat and began to heal the sick. General Convention has passed, the seas were stormy, some wondered if the Church would completely capsize. But, convention passed and we, so far, have stayed afloat. We have reached shore, safely. Will there be other storms, of course. There always are. We pray in confidence, that after every storm Jesus brings us safely to shore. As we come to shore, we pray that we might continue his work and bring his healing to our world.

Passionate Spirituality: Julianne Day

2009-06-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Where have you seen expressons of passionate spiriutality n your life, and in the life of the parish?

Julianne Day:

I actually think about passionate spirituality every time I drive past St. Andrew's now. "Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come." In the last few weeks, it's struck me that passionate spirituality often shows in our everyday interactions with one another b/c these are ways we express our faith just as much as how we respond in worship. Several people in the congregation have suggested where I should look for a job or people for me to meet with, and I think this urge to help is evidence of passionate spirituality.

I was also impressed a few Sundays ago by Sergei Guider's actions while helping to serve breakfast to homeless/jobless/foodless people at St. Mark's: he spent most of his morning sitting and talking with them (instead of preparing food in the kitchen) and then lined up WITH them to receive his breakfast. Instead of simply serving them, he tried to become one of them. I was so impressed.

Has your personal prayer life been effected by our NCD involvement?
I'd say the only thing I've done differently was signing up to pray for the Easter Vigil this year. Since I don't usually spend much time in structured prayer, I had second thoughts after I signed up -- what if I couldn't pray for a whole hour? But it wasn't as hard as I'd feared. Something about walking into that quiet chapel space, where two of my fellow parishioners were already kneeling in prayer filled me with peace and allowed me to focus. The tag team aspect of the vigil reminded me that we "relieve" each other in the work of the parish; not one of us is expected to meet the needs of the world (or even of ourselves) alone.That's all that comes to mind at the moment. What are everybody else's experiences?~Julianne

Passionate Spirituality: Barb Visota

2009-06-06T07:33:00.001-07:00

Where do you see expressions of passionate spirituality in your life or in the life of the congregation?

From Barb Visota

I have been thinking about passionate spirituality and asking friends what it means to them. What I have realized is that it is completely personal and different for everyone.
I keep remembering what Clark said at one of our early meetings about quiet devotion. That makes me think about the story of Martha and Mary. One expressed her passion by working hard to meet the practical needs of others as a way to serve. The other chose to be passionate about listening for the voice of God. One expression of passion is every bit as valid as the other.
What I have to remember is not to get perturbed with anyone because the way they choose to express their spirituality is not the way I would choose.
For me, being passionately spiritual is a choice. I don't wait for passion to strike like inspiration, I choose to be passionate. And once I've made that choice God keeps it going. There is a thought that runs through my day, a feeling that there's always someone walking next to me and that keeps me making the choice every day to continue to be passionate.
Last week I was at a memorial service for a friend. The priest was talking about the ways we practice Christian values in our lives and he said that "we follow as we know". Maya Angelou says "we do what we know and when we know better, we do better".
Just by contemplating the meaning of passionate spirituality I am beginning to "know better" which is bringing me and keeping me closer to God.
I was surprised that people in the focus groups were surprised that we scored lower on passionate spirituality. They saw very plain evidence of it all through our congregation. Maybe it was always there, we just weren't expressing it openly. And maybe just contemplating that will help more people "know better" and follow as they know.
I'm praying that God will release our potential and our faith.

Passionate Spirituality: Will Campbell

2009-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Where have you seen an expression of passionate spirituality in your life or in the life of St. Andrews?

From Will Campbell:

I love to sing, making a joyful noise as it were. I sing in the car, in the shower, along with the radio; and sometimes I make up my own songs. I’ll sing Broadway Show tunes, pop, ballads, country, you name it.

If memory serves me well (and let’s just face the truth, sometimes it doesn’t) I’ve been with St. Andrew’s choir since the fall of 1995. In that entire time, I’ve never sung a solo. I had been asked to do so, but decided it wasn’t for me. Now there have been one, maybe two times, I’ve had to sing my tenor part alone, but everyone else was singing their part also. So that really doesn’t count.

I was asked to sing the Exultet for Easter Vigil this year. At first, when I got the e-mail, after reading it, I ignored it. Then, after a day or so, I looked at the words and listened to a recording of a real life Cantor. It was frightening to think I might actually do this. You see, it’s sung a cappella, or singing without instrumental accompaniment. And, it’s about seven minutes long. There was no way I was going to do that. Then, the call came. “Did you get the e-mail?” “Are you going to do it?” After having a week to think about it, I blurted out “YES!”

When I reflect on why I said yes, I grasp that the Holy Spirit was weaving in and around my life. Our church family was in the midst of learning about Natural Church Development (NDC). I am a contributor to the Health Team. Through a survey based on the experience of thousands of churches worldwide, we discerned that while we have a strong parish and passionate parish family, we could increase our spiritual passion. The many meetings, reflections, readings and sharing within the Health Team led me to say yes to singing the Exultant. I would say that the Holy Spirit moved me.

Was the singing of the Exultet perfect that night? Was I on pitch throughout? No. But that doesn’t really matter. I did practice singing it through the weeks leading up to the Easter Vigil, and I did my best. That is all that God asks of me, of any of us. I left it in God’s hands to work out the details.

Will I sing another solo? Funny thing about that, I already have. Again, I was nervous. Would I be able to remember the words, the notes, the timing? While discussing these fears with a close friend, she said to me, “Just hand it over to God,” which is what I did. I let go of the fear of making a mistake. And God led me through it. It’s said that God moves in mysterious ways. Actually, God moves through those who love him. He continually puts friends in my path who challenge me, who love me, who support me.

Learning about Passionate Spirituality, what it means, how it can positively affect me, has been the catalyst I needed to push the envelope of my comfort zone. Thanks be to God!

2009-06-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Pentecost Sermon
Acts 2:1-21
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-16:15

Some months ago, as we were beginning our Natural Church development process here at St. Andrews, I was trying to gain some understanding about the meaning of Passionate Spirituality. As part of the effort, I began to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. My prayer was quite simple….I would just repeat the words, “Come Passionate Spirit Come” again and again….Come Passionate Spirit Come, Come Passionate Spirit Come. Come passionate Spirit. As I prayed this simple prayer, I noticed, that these same sounds, with just a bit of a change in rythm also produced a different prayer: Compassionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come.

This morning, as we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, would you please join me in this prayer. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come………….

16 times a minute. 960 times an hour. 23040 times a day. Over 8 million times a year. In a lifetime of 80 years, over 670 million times. We breathe. Each time we breathe, we capture oxygen from the air. As we breathe, we bring energy to our cells. As we breathe out, carbon dioxide, waste gas is removed from our cells. We breathe to bring life’s good energy into our bodies. We breathe to remove poison, bad air from our bodies. When we breathe we are alive. When we stop breathing we die.

The spirit of God is described as the wind, the breath of God. In the beginning, God breathed her breath into the void, and creation was born. God breathed his spirit into Adam and Eve and they came to life. God breathed over the waters of the Sea, and the people of Israel were freed. God breathed through the prophets and the Israel heard God’s word. God breathed over Mary and Jesus was conceived. God breathed over Jesus at his baptism, and Jesus began his ministry of healing the sick, feeding the hungry, freeing the captives, and raising the dead. At his death Jesus breathed his last, and handed over his breath to God. God breathed into the tomb and raised Jesus from the death on Easter. Easter night Jeus breathed his gift of Peace over the Apostles. On Pentecost, God breathed the spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus over the followers of Jesus and sent them out to then ends of the earth.

Every time you breathe, the spirit of God comes into your body. That’s how close God is to you. Every breath you take, Gods energy fills you. 16 times a minute, 23 thousand times a day. Hundreds of million times in your life, the breath of God, the Spirit of God fills you. Every breath you take is filled with the energy of God. Every breath you take is filled with the power of God.

When we breathe, our cells are cleansed of poisonous carbon dioxide. To breaths is to be cleansed. God’s Spirit is a cleansing Spirit. What are the poisons that you need to exhale. God’s spirit sanctifies. She fills us with good air, as she removes the bad. What bad air needs to be removed: The poison of jealousy, lust, hatred, division, greed, despair, fear. As you ask for God’s life giving spirit to come. What poisons do you wish the spirit to cleanse.

What power from God do you need this day. Is it the power of courage. Is it the power of forgiveness. Is it the power of hope. Is it the power of truth. Is it the power laughter. Is it the power of wisdom. Is it the power of humor.

Pleae pray with me. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit Come, Compassionate Spirit Come.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul says that creation is in agony. Creation is groaning.

Floods, fires, droughts, famine, disease, earthquakes, and storms, violence and war, poverty and racism, and hatred, terrorism, countries spending billions and trillions on the latest weapons of mass destruction while thousands die each day for lack of clean water. Creation is groaning in agony. Reports this week state that climate change will kill 300,000 people annually. This number will rise in the years and decades to come. Creation is in groaning in agony, as it waits for redemption. The Spirit of God has been poured upon us to bring creation to new birth. God has given us the Spirit of Jesus, the power of Jesus to bring redemption to the world. God wants to recreate the world through us, God wants to recreate the world through you. We are the midwives of the new creation. The word compassion means, to feel with. I know absolutely no hebrew, but I am tolkd that in hebrew, the word for compassion comes from the words "to feel in the womb". To feel compassion is to feel another's pain, in our womb, in our gut. God feels the pain of the world in his womb. And, it is from the womb of God that a new world is born. God's compassionate spirit is bringing a new world to birth through you. Do you have the courage to bring that world to life. Do you have the courage toto dream God’s dream, to see God's vision of justice and peace? Do you have the courage to hope for what you cannot yet see. Do you have the courage to be God’s instrument in redeeming the world? Do you have the courage let the Spirit work through you?

Please pray with me. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. . Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit Come.

Most pictures of Pentecost show the tongues of fire on the disciples. Many show the Holy Spirit as a dove also hovering in the room. The dove is one of the images most of us has of the Holy Spirit. One of the images recently discovered for the Holy Spirit is that of a wild goose. Some claim that the image of the Spirit as a goose goes back to the earliest centuries of the Church. Whether or not it is centuries old or not it is still an image that has power. Wild Geese are not sweet and serene but raucous and loud. They do not fly away from the face of danger, but can be quite aggressive. They are annoying and uncontrollable. They make a mess. Wild Geese in flight are majestic.

How easily we try to tame and domesticate the power of God. We imagine God’s spirit to be gentle and soothing, someone that we can easily control. A spirit that is as passive as a gentle murmuringcooh. But the spirit of God is not always or only passive, or controllable, or quiet or gentle.

The Spirit of God can also loud, raucous and annoying. She bites at our heals to get us to move. There are times when she makes a mess of our well ordered lives and plans. As much as we would like to do so, we cannot control the Spirit of God. She blows where she wills. She howls when she wishes. There are times when she acts exactly as we wish she would not. The Spirit of God is not tame but wild.

In the midst of our worship each Sunday, we ask the Spirit to be with us. We ask her to cleanse us and gather us together. We ask her to come upon our gifts to make them body of blood of Jesus. We ask her to come upon us to renew, sanctify and unite us. We ask her to send us out into the world. As we pray for the spirit this morning, let us imagine not the gentle dove, but the wild goose. Picture that wild spirit coming upon us . Ask that spirit to make us wild and raucous. Ask that spirit to make us annoying and uncontrollable. Ask that wild spirit to blow through us. Ask that spirit to fill us with the passionate power of God.

This morning, we celebrate the Baptism of Charlie and Christopher. We aks that the Spirit be with them and us. We ask that the Spirit give us energy, we ask that she sends us into the world that the world might be recreated through us. There is no Baptismal hymn this morning, instead, I ask you to pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon the waters of this font. Ask that spirit to be unleashed through all who are baptized in the spirit. Ask that spirit to be renewed in us. Ask that spirit to be with us today and forever.

Pray, like thunder: Come Passionate Spirit. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit Come. Compassionate Spirit Come. Come Passionate Spirit.

NCD update

2009-04-03T03:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who have taken part in our NCD Focus Groups.

Gordon Finnie has offered this reflection on the NCD process:

What is Natural Church Development (NCD) ?

NCD is an ongoing program that involves the people of St. Andrews to identify the strengths and weaknesses as a church and creates opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in the development of making St. Andrews Episcopal in Grand Rapids Michigan a better church experience.

Why is St. Andrews using the NCD program ?

Everybody in the church desires it to be an interesting and good place for all.
NCD offers pathways for God to make connections on a deeper level.
Offering a broad range of spiritual activities leeds to a balanced approach to God.
The process helps individuals to see God at work in themselves and others.
The creator supports energy for improvement.
Each individual has a unique spiritual awareness that is recognized in the process.
Church needs to be a powerful source for personal spiritual exploration.
God’s values and goals are identified and better expressed in our daily lives.
If a church can help enrich families and individuals with good programs, it enables them to give greater love to others and the world.

Gordon Finnie

Natural Church Development

2009-03-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Linda Hoxsey writes this about NCD:

What is NCD? A process of opening our hearts to God for change and growth for ourselves and St. Andrew's.

Why St. Andrew's? As our lives change our church changes. NCD will help us grow and develop in our relationship with God, our church, and our community.

Sermon of February 22

2009-02-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

Last EpiphanyFebruary 21/22 20092 Kings 2:1-12Psalm 50:1-62 Corinthians 4:3-6Mark 9:2-9

I am not real big on titling my sermons. Unless the date of a sermon counts as a title. It would not exactly be awe-inspiring to write on the sign on 3 Mile Rd. the sermon title: February 22.

This week though, I have a title for my sermon that’s more than just a date. The title I have comes from a broadcast of a Speaking of Faith, a radio show found online and NPR. In an archived show, The Spirituality of Addiction and Recovery, the host and guest were speaking about a book about spiritual awakening. The author of the book is Jack Kornfeld, and the title: “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry”. “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry”, now that’s a title! The book reflects on the fact that after a moment of ecstasy, there is still laundry to be done. After a moment of insight, after a moment of great awareness, you still have the day to day responsibilities of life that need to be met. When someone has had a breakthrough experience, when someone has experienced a time of great ecstasy, the challenge before them is learning how to integrate that experience into their life. After the ecstasy, the laundry. What a great title for my sermon!!!! The only problem is that I came up with the sermon title yesterday, in the middle of the snow storm, and I really didn’t feel like changing the sign in front of church.

Every year, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday recounts the Gospel story of Transfiguration of Jesus. The transfiguration Gospel is the culmination of our season of Epiphany. Epiphany began with the story of the star with led the wise men from the east to Jesus. The light of Epiphany has continued to shine over the past weeks as the truth of who Jesus was continued to be revealed. Over the past weeks Jesus has been manifested as the beloved son of God, and a man of great prayer. Jesus has been revealed to be one who has power to heal, and cast out demons. Jesus has been manifested as one with the power to forgive sin.In the chapter just before the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus was revealed to be the Messiah, God’s chosen, anointed one; the one that Israel has been awaiting for centuries. Jesus declared however that he would not be a messiah who rules with power from a throne in a palace. Jesus declared that he would be a messiah who would suffer and die. Jesus is a messiah who will rule from a cross.Six days later, on a mountain in prayer. Jesus is transfigured. The face of Jesus shines, his clothes become dazzling white. The starlight which led the wise men to Jesus has now come to radiate from the face, the clothes, the person of Jesus. The manifestations which began at epiphany are now complete. This human face of Jesus now shines with the very presence, the very light, the very face of God. Truly, this a moment of ecstasy for Jesus, Peter, James and John.But, after the ecstasy, the laundry.

After the ecstasy Jesus leads them down the mountain. After the ecstasy Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem. After the ecstasy, Jesus continues his journey to suffering and death on the cross.

The season of Lent, which begins Wednesday is a 40 day journey to Easter. It is a journey which will end in our celebration of the most important events in the history of the world; the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a journey which recalls that the journey through death to resurrection is a journey which Jesus has taken. This is a journey which were are taking as well. Lent begins with a recognition of our mortality, a recognition that one day we will die. Lent begins with the acknowledgement that we are made of the dust of the earth, and that to the dust of the earth we will return. Jesus, shared our humanity completely. Jesus experienced suffering and death that comes to all humans. We rejoice however in the hope that we have been invited by Jesus to journey with him through death, to resurrection. This is the ecstasy, this is the breakthrough, this is good news we celebrate. We who are dust, are promised eternity. We who are human, are invited to share life in its divine fullness. This is the ecstasy of our faith.

Meanwhile, there is the laundry than needs to be done. Lent is the season to do our laundry. Lent is the season where we acknowledge the truth that our world, and our lives are filled with a lot of dirt, a lot of filth. Lent is the season where we acknowledge the truth that we have sinned. As we draw close to the beginning of lent, we ask ourselves: what areas of our life need a good soaking wash? What relationships, what habits need to be cleaned up? What areas of our world and community need cleaning? As we come to the beginning of lent, we consider what we are going to do to be part of this cleansing. How will we, as individuals and as the people of God begin to turn from those sins which soil God’s magnificent creation? How will we turn from those sins which have soiled our life? How will you turn from those things which prevent our faces from shining with the dazzling radiance of God’s love? How will we pray for the forgiveness and the cleansing of the world?After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. After the shining light of Epiphany, the cleansing season of lent. Ah, but dear friends, we enter this season of cleansing filled with the radiant hope, that the bright light of Easter awaits. Yes, after the ecstasy there is laundry. But, after the laundry is finished, when are lives and our world are fully cleansed, there is ecstasy that lasts for eternity.

Natural Church Development

2009-02-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

The Vestry has decided to be part of a process named Natural Church Development. In an effort to better acquaint the congregation with NCD, members of the NCD Health Team are answering the following 2 questions: What is Natural Church Development and Why is St. Andrews committing itself to this process? Over the next few weeks the Health Team members' answers will appear in the newsnotes. You can also be part of an online discussion of NCD on our parish blog found on our website. Please pray that through the Natural Church Development process God might release the potential God has placed within St. Andrews.

From Diana Sherman:

NCD
Natural Church Development is a process for improving the quality of the church by focusing on the individuality of that church and by striving to reach the fullest potential of the gifts God has given us.

Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement.
"Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."
What better way to do this than to use the gifts God has given us to help our church grow spiritually and to passionately embrace the world around us.

From Jennifer Johnston:

What is NCD?
Natural Church Development is a process that helps congregations assess and improve the health of their church by leveraging their strengths to improve their weaknesses. As its name implies, the process of development is 'natural' - not something processed or artificial - and requires patience and nourishment from the people.
NCD is not something that begins and ends (think of it as healthy lifestyle choices rather than a crash diet)
NCD is not a set of rules or a specific model for churches to follow
NCD is not a membership drive
NCD is not committee run - it involves the entire church family - young and old alike

Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement
St. Andrew's is engaging in this process to ensure the future of the church. Just as parents plan and make decisions that affect the health and well-being of their children, the Church is interested in assessing and improving the health of the church for today's members and future generations.

From Barb Visota:

What is Natural Church Development?

NCD is a way of understanding church health and growth that views the church as a living organism. NCD is a means to improve the quality of our church's overall health by encouraging each individual to grow into the potential God has already put in each of us.

In 1 Corinthians 1:7 Paul tells us, "Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ." Each of us has gifts, even though it may not always be clear to us just what those gifts are. NCD is a process that can help us discover and develop our gifts so that we can live up to our God-given potential.

As we each grow and develop in our relationship with God, our church, as a whole will naturally grow and develop too.

Why is St. Andrew's committed to NCD ?

According to our mission statement: "Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."

We are committed to NCD because it is a tool we can use to identify and remove any stumbling blocks that keep us from living out our mission.

We maintain our church building; keep it in good repair and make changes as we go along so that the building can better serve our purposes. NCD is a maintenance program for us as church members. It is a way for us to keep ourselves in good repair so that we can better serve God's purpose. It is a way for us, as members of the living church, to move closer to the Living God, a way to satisfy the longing in our hearts to experience more of what God has in store for us and for our church.

Natural Church Development

2009-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Sermon of February 15, 2009

2009-02-19T07:49:00.000-08:00

February 15, 2009Sixth Epiphany1 Kings 5:1-14Psalm 301 Corinthians9:24-27Mark 1:40-45

In his memoir entitled, Squint, Jose Ramirez recounts his life with the disease, leprosy, or as he prefers, Hansen’s disease. Ramirez, who was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease in 1968, at the age of 20, chose the title “Squint” for two reasons. The first is that he recalls, that after he was diagnosed with the disease, he was immediately transported to the last leprosarium in the United States, in Carvel Louisiana. Since, ambulances were for persons who were “living”, Ramirez, considered to be among the living dead, was transported to Carvel in a hearse. He recalls stopping at gas stations, en route, and watching people as they would squint their eyes to peer into the hearse. He also said, that squint was an architectural feature that was used back in the Middle Ages to signify an opening in the back of a church. And it was specifically set up for persons who were considered to have leprosy. Whenever anybody was deemed to have leprosy, they were given the last rights, banished from the community and then forced to come back on Sundays for service. But they could only participate through looking at - through this architectural feature called squint.

Ramirez spoke of the loving support he received in those days from his mother. He remembered the first weekend he was allowed to go home to be with his family. To try to help alleviate any fear that his family members might have had of catching the disease from him, Ramirez recalls that he was marking his silverware, his glasses, and his plates so no one else would use them. When his mother saw him doing this, she burst into tears, and smashed the plates and glasses that he had marked. He was part of her family she said, and she would not allow him to separate himself in any way from others in his family. Her love for him, her embrace of him as part of her family allowed him to overcome the fear and isolation so often associated with the disease.

The disease of leprosy is certainly central in our readings this weekend. In our reading from Kings, we hear the much loved story of Naaman, the Syrian who was healed by the God of Israel through the waters of the Jordan. There is so much human drama in this story that makes this story so marvelous. There is the fact that The Lord was at work beyond the borders of the people of Israel and heals a pagan. There is the young nameless girl who who first speaks of the power of the prophet of The Lord in Israel. There is the anger of the King of Israel, the intervention of Elisha, stubbornness and pride of Naaman, which nearly prevents him from being cured. And there is of course, the cleansing and cure itself. God works through creation, through the waters of the Jordan to bring healing. Even today, it is important to honor the healing powers of creation. Barely noticeable in the story is the fact that Elisha does not come out to see Naaman. No, instead he sends his messenger with the instructions. Why? Perhaps it is because Elisha is afraid. He does not want to risk that he himself might be afflicted with the disease. Perhaps it is because Elisha does not want to be made unclean. Elisha heals Naaman from a distance. Naaman is cleansed of his leprosy, but the isolation of those afflicted with leprosy remains.

Contrast this with the Gospel. The Leper comes and begs Jesus to make him clean. Lepers were isolated not only because of their disease. They were isolated also, because it was believed that the leprosy was a result of their own sin. They were spurned because it was believed that spiritual impurity was the root of their physical impurity. In response to the man‘s cry, Jesus does not send a messenger. He does not keep his distance. Instead, Jesus reaches out and touches the leper. The compassionate touch of Jesus overcomes fear and embraces the man afflicted with leprosy. The compassion of Jesus cured the man physically and spiritually. Jesus reached out and touched the man with leprosy, and overcame the physical and spiritual isolation that afflicted him.

We may not be able to heal the sick by the touch of our hands. As faithful followers of Jesus, we do however have the power to heal persons of their isolation. In our society there are many who are considered by some to be impure, unfit physically or spiritually. In our society there are many persons that we are afraid of. We may be afraid of some with certain addictions, certain physical or mental illnesses. We may be afraid of those who are guilty of certain crimes or sins. We may be afraid of those who have been in prison. We may be afraid of those who act differently than we, who believe differently than we, who look differently than we do. We may be afraid of those who are in any way broken, any way less than whole. In our day people who have lost jobs, often feel cut off from former colleagues. Those who experience divorce feel isolated and alone. Isolation makes difficult times worse. At the root of this isolation is often fear. Our fears too often build walls of division. Our fears too often isolate others. The leper said to Jesus, if you choose, you can make me clean. If we choose, we can over come our fears and bring healing to others.

Indeed dear friends, is it not true that each one of us knows some of the isolation felt by the man with leprosy in the Gospel? We know what it is like to be cut off and separated from others. Each of us know what its like to be broken. Each one of us knows those areas of our life that are less than whole, less than pure. Each one of has those areas of our life that cry out for pity. Each one of us knows what its like to cry out to Jesus, to beg Jesus: “If you want, you can make me clean“. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s compassionate love. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s healing touch.

We gather, celebrate and give thanks that all are washed in God’s compassionate, and merciful love. We gather, celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has tore down the walls of the squints and invited all God’s children to come together. We celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has smashed the plates and the glasses of our isolations, and invited us all to eat of the one loaf and drink from the one cup. All of us are invited to share in the meal of his body and blood. Our celebration and thanksgiving are complete as the compassionate spirit of Jesus sends us into the world. We go into the world to embrace the suffering, to welcome the lonely, to tear down all walls that separate , to smash all that divides. We go into to the world proclaiming that by God’s loving touch all can be made clean. We go into to world proclaiming that by God’s loving embrace, all are made one.

August 31, 2008 sermon

2008-08-31T04:08:00.000-07:00

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.

sermon for today

2008-07-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

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.

sermon; may 25

2008-05-25T06:30:00.001-07:00

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.

Easter is a way of living

2008-03-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-02-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

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?

sermon: Lent 1

2008-02-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

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.

sermon, last epiphany

2008-02-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

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.

yancey 21, 22

2007-12-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

Prayer and Others
What did you underline most? What touched you most deeply? Puzzled you? Angered you?
Is prayer a pyramid scheme? How does another benefit from my prayer? Do people on a church prayer list, or on dozens of prayer lists have a better chance of being cured than someone on no prayer list? Are some prayer lists more effective than others?
“Now I see intercession as an increase in my awareness. When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs to that person. “ What does he me by the stream of love?
Prayer allows me to see others as God see them…..and uniquely flawed and uniquely gifted…how are we all uniquely flawed and gifted?
Praying for enemies is an opportunity for self reflection. Why do our enemies hate us?
Do you pray for your enemies?
Through prayer, we stand beside our enemies and plead to God on their behalf.
God loves his enemies, that is the glory of his love. (Bonhoeffer)

Prayer and God
What did you underline most? What touched you most deeply? Puzzled you? Angered you?
If someone asks me for help in prayer, I tell them to find what they most enjoy and do that, only do it for the glory of God.
Without ceasing? How? Can it become part of your breath? Are you aware of your breathing in and out, yet you do…can prayer be this simple?
Are there inappropriate prayers?
When are you moved to offer prayers of praise?
The story of Helmut Thielicke---how did it move you?
I pray in order to put myself in the stream of God’s healing work on earth. I pray as I breathe--because I can’t help it.
What did you learn about prayer from the book?
Has your attitude toward prayer changed?

What questions do you have remaining about prayer?

Sermon, November 25, 2007

2007-11-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Feast of Christ the KingNovember 25, 2007Jeremiah 23:1-6Colossians 1:11-20Luke 23:35-43
Perhaps its came at the stroke of midnight Thursday night, perhaps at 4:00am Friday, perhaps it came as early as some time Thursday itself. I am not sure when exactly it happened, but at sometime over the past few days the Thanksgiving holiday ended and the Christmas holiday season began. At some time, I am not sure exactly when, the turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie were put away, and we began to focus on what has become the most important piece of our thanksgiving weekend, Christmas shopping. Doesn’t Thursday already seem to be so long ago? Isn’t all the attention already focused on the Christmas Holiday that we will celebrate one month from today?
In keeping with the Spirit of the Season, I too would like to focus my sermon for this Feast of Christ the King on Christmas. I would like to focus though not on the Christmas that comes one month from today, but rather on the Feast of Christmas that we celebrated 11 months ago, Christmas 2006. On the Feast of Christmas 2006 we heard the story of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. In that story we heard of Mary saying yes to the angel as she consented to be the mother of Jesus. We heard of the Spirit of God coming over Mary and by the power of the spirit, that she conceived a son in her womb. We heard of the birth of Jesus outside Jerusalem in a small town of Bethlehem. We heard of him being laid in a wooden manger, and wrapped in swaddling clothes. We heard of shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, and the angels announcing to them “news of great joy” that a savior has been born. We heard of the heavenly hosts filling the heavens and proclaiming this great news.
With that Christmas story from the beginning chapters of the Gospel of Luke in our mind then, I would invite you again to ponder today’s Gospel from the ending chapters of Luke that we just heard proclaimed. Between these stories, we see some very deep connections. The story takes place once again, near Jerusalem, not in Bethlehem but on Calvary. Keeping watch are not shepherds but a crowd of people. Standing guard, are not angels but soldiers. Jesus is not laid in a wooden manger, but nailed to the wooden cross. There is no swaddling cloth, Jesus has been stripped and his garments divided. Instead of angels announcing his birth, there is an inscription which announces the reason for his crucifixion. In just a few verses after the Gospel story of today, Jesus commits the spirit that came upon him in the womb of Mary back to his heavenly Father. After the death of Jesus, a centurion declares news that this was an innocent man.
Luke skillfully frames the life of earthly Jesus with these two connected stories. In between these stories, Luke has focused much of his Gospel on the mercy and compassion of Jesus. In Luke, Jesus is presented as truly one with the people. He is surrounded by ordinary people; women, children, the poor, the lame, the outcasts. He is moved by the sufferings and sorrows of widows and orphans. In Luke Jesus reveals the depth of God’s mercy. In Luke, Jesus tells the story of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. In Luke the woman, known to be a sinner, washes the feet of Jesus with her hair. In Luke Jesus visits the home of the tax collector Zaccheus. The mercy and compassion of God revealed in Jesus are central in the Gospel of Luke that we have been hearing since last Christmas. Today on this Feast of Christ the King, Luke presents us with one last, great story of compassion and mercy. Today Luke presents us with the story of the thief crucified with Jesus.
Jesus, has ascended to the throne of his cross. As he is crucified, he shares the sentence of death with the outcasts and criminals. He is not a king who is distant from his people, but one who is with them even as he shares in their shameful suffering and death. He is a king, who has been stripped of every symbol of royalty----except one. He still holds his power to pardon. Jesus, the compassionate and merciful king forgives the criminal and promises him that he will accompany Jesus into paradise. Today, the criminal will share the reign of God.
Dear friends, that is the promise given to us this day as well. Jesus is a compassionate and merciful king who promises us that we will share in the reign of God.
Decades earlier, in the hymn that we heard read today from Colossians, Paul proclaims that in Jesus the fullness of power of the creator came dwell on earth. This hymn reaches in climax in the proclamation that on the cross Jesus reconciled all things on earth and in heaven. In Christ all that is destroyed by sin is restored. In Christ all that is torn apart is made one. Even more, the hymn proclaims, the reign that began in Jesus at his birth, the mercy revealed in Jesus at his death, continues in and through his body the Church
Jesus the compassionate and merciful one, continues his reign of reconciliation through us and in us, and with us even to today.
So, dear friends, as we end our holiday weekend celebrating the Feast of Christ the King, let us look forward to the Feast of Christmas that we will celebrate in one month. Let us prepare for that feast not primarily in looking for sales and bargains in gifts to purchase and wrap. Let us look forward to Christmas by looking for ways to seek reconciliation in acts of compassion and mercy. From the cross, Jesus offered the gift of forgiveness to one person. In that one act of mercy, he revealed is power over all creation. Perhaps, in the midst of many gifts of compassion that we will be invited to share in the month to come, we can seek and offer the gift of reconciliation to one person. May we pray for one who has wronged us, one whom we have wronged. May we remember one person in our life who has, like us been forgiven by our merciful God. May we forgive them as we have been forgiven. May Christ, whose death we remember and whose birth we celebrate continue his work of reconciliation and forgiveness through us. May our gifts of compassion, our gifts of mercy, our gifts of forgiveness bring the reign of Christ to reality in our world.
That will indeed be the greatest gift that we can give.

Yancey 17 and 18

2007-11-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17
Unanswered Prayer. Living with the Mystery
What struck you most from the chapter?
Is there anything that surprised you, confused you, upset you?
How did you feel as you were reading the chapter?
Is my prayer at times a desire to escape my human condition?
Why pray if prayers are not answered?
What value is there in “waiting”?
What does it mean to be an occasionist in prayer? What would happen if God never answered prayer? What would happen if God always answered prayer?
Has an unanswered prayer in your life ever opened the door to something better?
What is the difference between a theist and a Christian?
Does asking God for world peace, or justice, or that the hungry be fed, or the sick cared for let me off the hook?
Last paragraph of the chapter, page 247 captures it all for me.

Chapter 18 Prayer and Physical Healing
What struck you most from the chapter?
Is there anything that surprised you, confused you, upset you?
How did you feel as you were reading the chapter?

Yancey, chapter 13 and 14

2007-11-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

Chapter 13 Prayer Grammar
What struck you most from the chapter?
Is there anything that surprised you, confused you, upset you?
How did you feel as you were reading the chapter?
Page 170 Learning to pray is like learning to talk, read or walk. Have you ever thought of that before?
Which phrase of the Lord’s prayer touches you most deeply?
Dorothy Sayers quote on 173 about the psalms. Do you agree?
Are your prayers sanitized?
Do you memorize prayers? Is it artificial to do so?
Does a structure for prayer work for you? How much do you pray using prayers written by others?
Is there a time when you remind yourself to pray? In traffic, before meals, waiting in line, on hold, passing a church? Have you ever tried this? What if I prayed during commercials……..or before the news……or whenever….when I start my car?
Chapter 14 Tongue Tied
What struck you most from the chapter?
Is there anything that surprised you, confused you, upset you?
How did you feel as you were reading the chapter?
What distracts you from prayer? How do you try to deal with these distractions? Can distractions be prayers?
“People of sinking ships do not complain about being distracted”. Any comment to this quote? What focuses you in prayer?
“Keep it simple, keep it honest, keep it up”. Is this enough instruction for prayer?Is your prayer honest?
How does your personality effect the way you pray?
Do we sometimes try to “copy” another’s prayer, and then feel guilty when it does not work for us? Do churches have different personalities….thus, different ways to pray?
He returns to the psalms---how central are they in your prayer?
Have you tried to read prayers aloud---even when you are by yourself? How might this help you pray the psalms?

All Saints Sermon

2007-11-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sermon
All Saints Sunday
Sunday November 4
Luke 19:1-10
Ecclesiasitcus 2:2-11
Ephesians 1:11-23

It has been a full week here at St. Andrew’s.
On Monday we remembered and gave thanks to God to one of our charter members. John Van Slooten, was father, grandfather and great grandfather to some in this congregation. John was a friend to many of us who knew him in different ways through the 98 years of his life. There was much in his life to be thankful for. During his funeral we remembered the day of John’s baptism, the day when the church gathered around him and professed the Apostles Creed. The Apostles Creed dates back to the earliest years of the Church and has been proclaimed by Christians at baptism through the centuries. As the Church, we gathered Monday and professed our confident hope that the journey John began at his baptism has reached its fulfillment as he now rests in peace, and lives with all of God’s faithful departed sons and daughters.
On Thursday this week, we celebrated the Feasts of All Saints, and the Day of Remembrance for all the Faithful Departed. On that day we remembered the lives those men and women who have through the centuries lived as disciples of Jesus. On that day we remembered the great saints, the cloud of witnesses from every tribe and people and nation and tongue. On that day we remembered those who lived and died centuries ago. On that day we remembered the saints that we have known, the saints who have touched our lives. We remembered our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. We remembered the Saints of this Church who are buried in the memorial garden. Again, as we remembered the Saints and the Faithful Departed, we proclaimed the Apostle’s Creed.
It has been a full week here at St. Andrew’s even as it has been a full week in your homes and neighborhoods. It has been a week when perhaps you went to work or school. It has been a week when perhaps you cared for children, grandchildren or parents. A week when perhaps you dressed up in a costume and collected candy, or perhaps you gave candy away. Maybe it was a week when you went to a game or two, or a concert or two. A week when perhaps you experienced illness yourself, or the illness of someone you loved. It was a week when you probably had some successes and some failure, some joys and disappointments. It was a week when you said or did some things that you were proud of and some things that embarrassed you. It was a week when you laughed and cried. It was a week when perhaps you had a disagreement with a member of your family or a co-worker or maybe a week in which you were reconciled with someone. It was a week when perhaps the news of the world left you in despair or perhaps inspired you to hope.
As we celebrated the lives of All the Saints here at Church this past week, it is important for us to remember that saints are not people who necessarily spent a great deal of their time in Church. God forbid. No, the Saints were people who spent most of their life outside of Church doing many of the things that you were about this past week; working, studying, laughing, crying, succeeding and failing, caring for loved ones, facing their own struggles. We do the saints a disservice when we lock them up in church.
Zacchaeus is a great model for us as we gather on All Saints Sunday. The Zacchaeus we meet in the Gospel is not a church goer. In fact, Zacchaeus was despised by righteous church goers of his day. He was the chief tax collector. Everything I said last week about tax collectors being thieves, traitors and extortionists is even more true for Zacchaeus. He is the chief tax collector, and he was rich. That means he was good at what he did. He excelled as a thief, traitor and extortionist. My suspicion is that the righteous Jews of Jericho hated Zacchaeus with a passion. That is why they grumbled when Jesus chose to stay with Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus is a model for sainthood not because he kept the law, he did not. Not because he spent time in Church, he did not. Zacchaeus is a model for sainthood because he was found by Jesus. Zacchaeus, was lost, and Jesus found him. The name Zacchaeus means righteous and pure. When he climbed that sycamore, Zacchaeus was anything but righteous and pure. He became righteous and pure by the mercy of God. Likewise, Zacchaeus was made a saint by the mercy of God.
Zacchaeus is a model for sainthood because he was extravagant in his gratitude. He repaid those he defrauded and cheated over and above what the law required. Extravagantly, he gave half of what he owned to the poor.
God was rich in the mercy he poured upon Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was rich in the thanks he returned to God. Did Zacchaeus become a follower of Jesus? Did he join other Christians in remembering Jesus after Easter? Perhaps. Some say that Luke records his name in the Gospel because Zacchaeus was known among the post Easter disciples. But regardless, Zacchaues lived his life extravagantly in his service, not in the Church, but in the world. That is where the holiest of saints are living their faith. In the world.
This weekend our celebration of All Saints ends with the baptism of Zachary Danks. Isn’t it too ironic that Zachary is to be baptized on the day we hear about Zacchaeus?What a perfect what to end our All Saints celebration! We began on Monday by professing our faith at the funeral of our oldest, charter member John, and we end today by professing our faith at the baptism of our newest member Zachary. The same Apostles Creed we proclaimed for John on Monday, we proclaim for Zachary today. We remembered through the week the fullness of life given to the Saints who have died. We celebrate today the fullness of life promised to Zachary. As we celebrate this baptism, Kim and Brandon, together with his god parents, and maybe his older sister, will make some promises. They will promise to bring him up in the Christian life and faith. They will promise to help him grown into the full stature of Jesus. And, we will make promises as well. We will promise to support Zachary in his life in Christ. We will promise to introduce Zachary to Jesus and to show him by our lives, who Jesus is. We will promise to reveal to Zachary a God who seeks the lost, a God who dines with outcasts, a God who is extravagant in mercy. We will promise to show Zachary how to be extravagant in our gratitude. We will promise to show Zachary how to live as a saint. How to live that as those whom Jesus seeks and finds. How to live as sinners, to whom Jesus brings the fullness of life. How to live lives that are extravagantly grateful.

sermon October 28, 2007

2007-10-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Sermon for October 28, 2007
Proper 25CJeremiah 14:1-10, 19-22
2nd Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Whenever I am asked to offer a “humble opinion”. In fact whenever I offer one even that has not been asked for, I will usually build up to it by offering some kind and flattering preliminary remarks. “But” all of us know that the most important words in an opinion are those that come after the three letter word “But”. Everything that comes before might be nice, it might make us feel good, but…... What really counts, what really matters is that which comes after “but”
It was a great meal mom, but….. The meat was a bit overdone…..
Great idea dad, but….. It is really a bit out of date……
I really liked the movie but…… I fell asleep for the last 20 minutes…..
We really like the house, but…..we were looking for something a little more in our price range…..
I really had a wonderful time, and I think you are a great person, but……I wish we could just be friends……
It was a great sermon Mike, but….(you fill in the blank.)
What is true about the word “but” when we are offering our “humble opinions” is also true when we are offering our prayers. Most prayers at some point get around to addressing God. Whether we are praying about the weather, an illness, a request, a concern, or something we are thankful for, soon or later, we get around to voicing these prayers to God. God is the given in prayers. In our prayers, often the most important words we say come after we say “God“.
In our Gospel reading this weekend, the Pharisee and the tax collector are praying, they are addressing their prayers to God. But, do you notice the words which come immediately after the Word, God. For the Pharisee, the next word is I. He can hardly wait to get the most important subject of the prayer. “God, I“. Do you notice the words that follow, “I”? “I thank you that I am not like other people. “ The arrogance and the pride are really quite chilling aren’t they.
The tax collector meanwhile, also begins his prayer addressing God. But, immediately after invoking God’s name, the tax collector begs for mercy. His humility is almost as chilling as the Pharisees arrogance.
It is important to realize that the Pharisee had reason to be proud. He was a man who did his duty. He prayed, he fasted, he tithed. Part of me would love him to be in this parish. I would recruit him in a minute to serve on the vestry, to give our stewardship talk. Heck, I would probably send him off to seminary. And, the publican was a scoundrel. Tax collectors in those days were traitors. They collected taxes for the occupying empire of Rome. They had earned the hatred that came their way. They were thieves. They skimmed money off the top of the taxes for themselves. They were extortionists. If they knew your dark secrets, they would use that knowledge to blackmail you into giving them more money. The more dirt they had on you, whatever it took, the more money they got, the more money it meant for them. The publican was every bit as despicable as Jesus makes him out to be. He deserved to be on his knees, face to the ground begging for mercy.
But, what is most important is not what he has done, but his prayer. “Be merciful to me a sinner.” The Pharisee trusts in his self righteousness. The tax collector trusts in God’s mercy.
But, dear fellow sinners, the Gospel sets a trap for us. The trap of the Gospel comes if we begin to choose sides.
There is a story told about a bible study which was held at a church. The people had a great discussion of the story. And, at the end, there was time for prayer. A very respectable and well loved member of the congregation began the prayer. “God, we thank you that we are not like the Pharisee.”
To avoid the trap in the Gospel, we must face the truth that we are like other people. I know that there are times in my life when I can be just as proud, just as arrogant as the Pharisee. I know, that there are times in my life when I can act just as despicably as the tax collector. I know that I am quite capable of being just as sinful as the worst. In truth, the most honest prayer I can pray arises out of my need for God’s mercy.
Our readings from Jeremiah and Timothy certainly take up the same theme today.
Jeremiah speaks concerning the drought that ravaged his nation at the time. The cisterns are empty, the ground is cracked. They farmers are dismayed. The animals in the forest abandon their young. What makes the drought worse is the people of Israel knows that they have brought this on themselves. Their sinfulness have brought them to this time of terror.
We know what it is like to be Jeremiah, and the people he is speaking to. As we gaze upon the fires, upon the droughts that plague our world today. As we gaze upon so much disaster in our world today, we know that human kind bears responsibility for the shape of our world. We know that we share some or the responsibility for the fires in our life. We know, that as citizens of a small and shrinking world, we are like every one else. We cannot escape the terrors of our day. Whether drought, or fire, or violence, or MRSA, the troubles that plague others in the world, plague us as well.
Our hope rests not in our goodness. Our confidence rests not in arrogance or pride. Our hope rests not in the belief that we are different from every one else. Our hope and confidence rests in the faith that God is in the midst of our world. God is in the midst of us, and will not forsake us. Our hope and our confidence rests, that like Paul, the Lord, in his mercy will rescue us from the punishment we deserve.
Does this mean that disease or destruction or death will not come near to us? Unfortunately, no. Disease destruction, and death fall on all. But, we believe that it does mean that in the end, these terrors will not separate us from the Love of God. In the end, by God’s mercy, we will triumph over all disease, destruction and death.
So, fellow sinners. We acknowledge our sinfulness and w give thanks.
We acknowledge that are as arrogant and proud as the Pharisee. But, God, we give thanks that in your mercy, you love us still.
We acknowledge that we are like the thieves, the rogues, the adulterers and even like the tax collector. But, God, we give thanks that in your mercy, you love us still.
We acknowledge that we are like everyone else and that we deserve your just punishment for our sins. . But, God, we give thanks that in your mercy, you love us still.

Yancey chapter 11 and 12

2007-10-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some questions to ponder after reading chapter 11 and 12 of Yancey's book "Prayer".

Yancey 11 Seek Ask Knock
What particularly caught your eye or your ear?
Is there anything that surprised you, angered you, confused you, excited you?
What was the main point to the chapter?
Page 146 --What does it mean to pray like a salesman with his foot wedged in the doopopening, like a wrestler who has his opponent in a head lock and won’t let go?
When I really want something, I strive and persist. I will do whatever it takes. Why don’t I show that same persistence in prayer?
Do you use the changelessness of God as an excuse not to pray? God’s decisions are set, so, why pray?
When I pray, is God knocking, seeking, asking of me? Maybe that is why I don’t pray. I don’t want God to get what God wants out of me.
We are God’s workmanship. Prayer offers an opportunity to God to make us into God’s work of art.

Yancey 12 Yearning for Fluency
What particularly caught your eye or your ear?
Is there anything that surprised you, angered you, confused you, excited you?
What was the main point to the chapter?
Do you have a routine for prayer?
What does Yancey mean when he says that prayer is like sex? Have you ever thought of that before? Will you again? Its about relationships. The cacophony of life drowns out relationships---there is no time or energy for relationship. This effects all aspects of relationships--prayer, sex and every thing else as well.
How is prayer like learning a language?
Like exercise? Like learning a musical instrument?
I thought that the quote from Yankelovich, on page 164. Was very profound regarding deferred vs. instant gratification. This “change” effects all areas of our life, perhaps most especially prayer.

Sermon October 21

2007-10-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30
Luke 18:1-8a

Gracious God, help me to preach in a that seeks not my glory but yours, not the growth of this Church but the spread of your kingdom. Help to preach in a way that honors and respects those who will suffer and die today for your Gospel. Help me to preach in a way that is good news to the poor, the weak, the orphaned, the vulnerable, and the widowed.

Do you ever wonder where words come from? The history of words and languages is fascinating. The study of words reveals that some words that we use today are merely years old, while some words we use date back thousands of years. The are some words that exist in our language and our culture that do not exisit in other languages. There are concepts that we attach words too that do not exist in other languages and cultures.

When we understand some of that history, it deepens our understanding of the stories, and the books that contain these words.
This is true of all literature, and it is most certainly true of scripture.

In our reading from Genesis this weekend we are told that the name Israel means “one who has wrestled with God”. Israel the man, and Israel the people are identified as those who have wrestled with God. The faith of the people of Israel, and indeed the person of Jacob/Israel we claim to be our ancestors int he faith. Thus, the tradition of wrestling with God continues in our life as well. We who believe continue to wrestle with God in our life and in the world as God struggles with us to help us become the people God has created us to be, as God struggles to make this the world God created it to be.
Another word that caught my eye today was “widow“. I discovered this week “widow” has its roots in the Hebrew concept of being “mute”. Thus, a widow is one who is voiceless. A widow is voiceless because in patriarchal soiceties then and now, a woman’s voice came only through her husband. Once her husband died, the woman “lost“ her social and economic voice.
The image of the voiceless widow certainly deepens our understanding of the parable we heard today from Luke’s Gospel. In the parable, this voiceless one demands justice from the one whose word is law. Jesus tells us nothing of the circumstance behind her demand. Maybe she was demanding that she be treated as equal to a man. Maybe she wanted economic justice. We are not told the circumstance, but are told that she is wearing the judge out, she is shaming him. In fact the translation is that she is “blackening his eye“ she is causing him to lose face. Can’t you picture her there at his side every time he turns around. There in the court room, there when he breaks for lunch, there when he heads home for the evening. The voiceless one will not go away, and she will not keep quiet. Can’t you picture him offering her, a patronizing word, a little bit here and there in hopes that she will be satisfied and go away?Can you hear him making excuses as why he won’t give her what she demands: “Its just the wrong time.” “Can’t you be patient with me?” “Don’t you appreciate how much I have already done?” The judge has perhaps even tried to buy the widows silence with some crumbs of charity. But, she will not be silenced. The voiceless one continues to cry for justice.
Finally, he realizes that the only way for him to save face is to give in. This pestering widow has made him the laughing stock of the court. This powerful judge cannot silence a widow. The only way for him to save his reputation is to decree for her the justice she demands.
It is clear that Jesus does not want us to equate the unjust judge with God. If even the unjust judge will decree justice for the voiceless widow, surely our God of Justice will decree justice for those who cry out in prayer. This theme is certainly central to the parable. I wonder though, if perhaps we might see God in the other person in the parable. Perhaps we can find the presence of God in the widow. In the scripture, God often reveals Godself in the strangest places. In a burning bush, in a gentle wind, in a baby born in a manger. God’s voice speaks through the most surprising of people. Prophets, kings, queens, shepherds as well as those who are among the least, the lost and the lonely. Is it really any surprise that God might be revealed in the voice of a widow. Might the voice of God be found in the widow crying for justice.
Might God speak in our day through those who are voiceless.

Think of all the voiceless ones in our day, who cry for justice. The poor in the world who cry for clean water. The sick in the world who cry for medicine. The victims of war who cry for peace. Desperate people who cry out for a reason to hope. The unemployed who cry out for meaningful work and a just wage. The outcasts who cry for the right to be welcomed. Those who suffer from prejudice who cry to treated with respect. The young who cry for a future. Creation that cries to be cared for.

Perhaps, we can hear in the these voices the voice of God.

If these voiceless ones are the voice of God then perhaps there are times when we find ourselves in the place of the unjust judge? Perhaps we are there as individuals, or perhaps we are there as a society, or a church, or as a nation. Now, to say that we do not fear God and have no respect for people would not be fair--even on the worst of our days. But, on the other hand, I have to admit that there are times when I try not to hear the cries of the widows, the poor, the orphans, the weak, and the most vulnerable. Often I, like the judge try to silence those who cry for justice with a few crumbs of charity. Often I plead with for them to be more patient, I give my litany of reasons why a truly just world is not possible at this time. I plead with them to bear their sufferings a little bit longer, until justice is more convenient. Sometimes I plead with them to be more understanding, a bit less intense, a little less angry, and certainly less political. Sometimes, I have to admit, I wish that those who continually cry for justice would just be quiet. I wish they would leave me alone. I grow tired of their persevering, relentless plea.

Perhaps, if I were to remember that these cries for justice might be the voice of God, I might be more inclined to listen. If I remember that God is speaking through the cries of those who are poor, weak, orphaned, vulnerable and widowed, maybe, like the unjust judge, might relent and I might work for a world in which they receive the justice they deserve.
The widow wrestles with the judge. He finally relented and granted her justice. By calling him to act justly, the widow was inviting him to live a more blessed life. In Genesis, the man wrestled with Jacob. Jacob’s life was never the same. His hip was out of joint. His name was changed, and he was blessed.
May we recognize God in the cries of those seeking justice. May we feel the presence of God in those who demand justice. May we allow them to change our hearts, and in changing our hearts may we thirst for the justice of God. And when we thirst for justice for the voiceless ones on God, may we be blessed.

Yancey 9 and 10

2007-10-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Chapter 9 What difference does it make?
What surprised you? Confused you? Troubled you? What new insights did you gain?
Yancey seems to be struggling about whether prayer makes a difference or not. It did in the USSR and South Africa, and Romania, but not with the holocaust. Do you struggle with this as well?
What did he mean on page 116 by saying: “I must remember that God’s kingdom is not an adjunct to US politics.”
We live on a planet ruled by powers intent on block and perverting the will of God. (p117) Do we think of evil powers ruling the world? Does he mean devils, or something else?
Do you believe that prayer in the face of evil will prevail.
Why are action and contemplation important? Why is “and” the most important word in the phrase? To which do you usually rely on most?
“The message is clear, history belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being.” (p130) Do you agree?
Most important sentence to me, p130, “What would happen it we followed literally Jesus Command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?” Do you do this? Why don’t we do this? What if we did it in Church? The enemies of our country?
What difference doesprayer make?

Chapter 10 Does prayer change God?
What surprised you? Confused you? Troubled you? What new insights did you gain?
Does Yancey think prayer changes God?
Is God changeless or does God change? Does it trouble you that Scripture seems to agree with both statements?
Is a willingness to change essential to relationship? Does our love for God change God?
If God is outside time, can I pray for things that have happened before? Does my prayer for past events have an effect on these events?
Is there a quote that stands out for you?
Does prayer change God?

Yancey Chapters 7 and 8

2007-10-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

Join our online discussion, or come to disussion group on Yancey's book, Monday, October 15 7:00pm at the Church.

Yancey Chapter 7
Wrestling Match
Anything new from the chapter, what caught your eye? What excited you, made you wonder? Confused? What was the central insight of the chapter?
Can prayer be too polite? Is your private prayer as polite as public prayer.
Have you ever experienced public prayer that made you uncomfortable? Why do we prefer polite prayer?
Often, the expectation is that I as priest will help calm a situation. Is that helpful or should I let emotions be expressed honestly even if they are not “polite”?
As a leader of public prayer, it is much easier to control polite prayer.
I was struck by the insight that with Abraham, God did not put an end to the bargaining for mercy at Sodom but Abraham.
What do the prayers of Abraham, Moses and Jacob teach us?
“Wrestling feels a lot like making love”.
Is our prayer too indifferent? Am I too indifferent to the injustice in the world? Should I call God to task more?

Chapter 8
Partnership
Anything new from the chapter, what caught your eye? What excited you, made you wonder? Confused? What was the central insight of the chapter?
Yancey begins the chapter with the quote: ”History is the story of God giving away power.” What do you think he means?
God is reluctant intervener in history. The kingdom advances now through grace and freedom. What responsibility then do we have?
Prayer is cooperation with God, a consent that opens the way for grace to work. Is this a new insight for you. Does my prayer open me to do God’s will, is it a way of making myself available to do the work of God? What does this say about the importance of our life?

He mentions three stages of prayer.
1. Childlike request.
2. Meditation
3. Submission
Any reaction to these?
“Be slow to pray” cautions Eugene Peterson, p. 109. Why?
God relies on human partners to advance the process of creation.
Does the image of prayer as partnership change your way of praying, your expectation of prayer?
What is the result of prayer, if it deepens the partnership?
If we are God’s partners, in creation, what does that mean for our life?

sermon for October 14

2007-10-14T17:07:00.001-07:00

October 14, 2007

Ruth 1:8-19
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke17:11-19

Not to rub it in any more, but I am sure some of you remember that two weeks ago the Episcopal clergy of Michigan were invited to a conference on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel. This was the fourth gathering of the clergy at the hotel, every other year for the past six. In some ways, we knew what to expect when we reached the island. And, I have to say, for the money we spent at the hotel, even with a huge discount gave us the right to some expectations. The food at the hotel was every bit as delicious as before. The service as exquisite. The setting as elegant. Everything about the island met our expectations. The discussions with the Presiding Bishop, the times of prayers, and the closing liturgy filled many of us with a sense of confidence and hope for the life of the Episcopal Church. We were fortunate to have had much time to leisurely walk through the shops on the Island without the crowds that descend in July and August. We were fortunate to have been able to rent bikes and ride around the Island in the peak of its fall colors. Even a year in which the splendors of autumn is a bit muted, the beauty was majestic. I am grateful for the opportunity Linda and I had to be on the Island.
But what I treasured most from our time on the Island, besides being with Linda, was not the meals, or the hotel, or the presiding bishop. What I treasured most was the opportunity I had on Wednesday afternoon to run around the Island. This is something that I began to think of way back in February and March when I was puttzing around in the wheel chair. This is something I dreamed of doing as I sat in St. Mary’s Hospital back in April with my blood clots. I barely dared to hope, and had no right to expect that come October I would have been a to be able to run around the Island. Friends, I did it. Much more slowly than before. And, definitely in more pain than in years past. But, I did it. And when I sat it the tub after I finished, I was also most in tears. I had skipped to famous Grand Hotel Luncheon Buffet to have time for the run. But, the ice water, grapes and the crackers I devoured after the run was the most delicious meal of the week.
Running has never been as joyful as it has been since I broke my leg.
Do you ever wonder what it must be like for someone who has been blind to see a sunrise? Do you ever wonder what it must be like to hear the voice of someone you love, after years of silence? Do you even wonder what it must be like to feel joy after months of depression? Do you ever wonder how delicious food must taste after you have starved? Do you ever wonder how exhilarating it is too laugh, after months of grief?
Think of all you experienced this past week, or just yesterday. The coffee, the apple pie. The voices of loved ones. The things you have seen, heard, touched or smelled. Think of friends you were with. Think of the games you watched or played. Think of the laughter shared. Think of driving your car, walking your pet, reading a book, hugging your children, embracing your beloved. How rich your life is because of each of these moments? Can you imagine these being taken away from you? Can you imagine how grateful you would be to have them back?
In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus cures ten lepers. Can you imagine the gratitude they felt in being cleansed? Not only were cured of a horrific disease. They were also cured of their isolation. After they were cleansed they could be welcomed back to their community, back to their family. After they were cleansed, they could return to the people they loved. In healing them, Jesus gave them back their life. There is no reason to doubt that all ten were grateful for the healing Jesus had granted them.
But, one man returned to Jesus, threw himself prostrate on the ground at this feet and thanked him.
What made him different? Why did he return, and not the others? It seems that the difference is somehow related to the fact that he was a Samaritan, he was a foreigner. Maybe the nine who were Jews expected Jesus to heal them. Jesus was a well known healer. He was a Jew like them, he was one of them, a fellow countryman. They, like him were of God’s chosen people. The Samaritan, had no right to any such expectation. He was despised by the Jews, hated, unclean, unworthy. He shared nothing with Jesus, he had no right to assume that Jesus would heal him. Yet, like the nine countrymen of Jesus, he too was made clean. He had no right to presume he would be healed. Yet he was. All were grateful, but the Samaritan was overwhelmed with gratitude. His gratitude, made him not only clean but well. His gratitude brought him salvation, fullness of life.
Sometimes I fear that we who have so much assume that God owes us. We--or I--have a sense of entitlement. Like the Grand Hotel, sometimes I come to God with my expectations. I almost presume that God owes me the food I eat, the air I breathe, the home I live in, the people who love me. I presume God owes me the right to go where I want to go, do what I want to do, buy what I want to buy. I have so much, and I take so much for granted. Sometimes, too often in fact, I forget to say thank you to God. Sometimes I fear that we who have been given so much assume that God even owes us forgiveness. I am not so bad. We are nice people. Never mind the state of our world. Never mind the violence in our cities, the weapons manufactured in our land, the wars waged in our name, the destruction caused by my standard of living. Never mind my waste, my neglect, my indifference. God will forgive us. Too often I mumble my way through the confession of sin, and too often I am so presumptuous, that I assume God owes me forgiveness. Too often, I barely utter my thanks.
The Samaritan throws himself at the feet of Jesus. How can we do the same? Did you notice that one of the ten returns? Perhaps, in this one in ten we have a clue. The Episcopal Church affirms the tithe as a standard of giving. Tithing means one tenth. Often we assume that tithing is about enriching the church. But it really is not about raising funds for the church. Tithing is about showing gratitude. Tithing is a way to make ourselves well. Perhaps we could move toward tithing. Move toward giving to God one tenth of what we have received as a way of giving thanks. Imagine if we gave to God one tenth of our day. One hour in ten of prayer, study, service to God’s people. If I am awake 15 hours a say…..give an hour and a half to study, to prayer, to visiting a lonely neighbor, to making a phone call, knitting a shawl, to writing congress, to making a meal, to serving as a tutor. When I buy groceries, buy one bag in ten and give it to a food pantry. To tithe my riches, and give one dollar out of ten to the spreading of God’s kingdom.
I do not doubt the gratitude of all the lepers healed by Jesus. The nine did their duty after were cleaned of their leprosy. But, it seems that perhaps they were not cured of their expectations, their sense of entitlement. They expected Jesus to heal them, and he did. May we imitate the Samaritan, the foreigner, the one who was not entitled, the one who had no right to expect healing. May we show our gratitude, not only by what we say but by what we do. May we show our gratitude and thank Jesus by placing our lives at his feet, in service to his world.
May we imitate the faith of the foreigner and like the Samaritan, may our faith filled gratitude make us well.

Yancey, Prayer, Chapter 5 and 6

2007-10-08T08:39:00.001-07:00

Here are some questions for Chapter 5 and 6 of Yancey's book "Prayer". Join us tonight, Mnday October 8 for our discussion at Church or post your comments/answers to the questions here.

Chapter 5 Coming Together What new insights did you gain from the chapter? Was there anything that confused you, troubled you, angered you, surprised you? Was Yancey’s comparison to prayer as a dialogue between friends helpful? Do you speak to God as a friend? If you have friendships of different levels, at what level is you friendship with God? An acquaintance? A neighbor? How close is this friendship? Friendships may deepen at times, or they may be more shallow, same with God? Is it hard to express your true feelings to God? The Jews, as many mid Eastern cultures are much more emotional than we in the Midwest. Does our Midwest “niceness” effect the way we pray? If we “hide” our emotions from ourself, how do we reveal them to God? Is serenity overrated in prayer? Maybe God wants our passion? “If I march through life pretending to smile, while inside I bleed, I dishonor that relationship.” Do you tend to smile over your bleeding in prayer? Does public prayer tend to be too nice? Have you ever heard raw emotion from someone in public prayer? Do you pray to know God? How does prayer help you know yourself?

Chapter 6 Why Pray? What new insights did you gain from the chapter? Was there anything that confused you, troubled you, angered you, surprised you? If God did not answer Jesus prayers, what hope do I have? Do you pray for trivia? Jesus prayed before he chose his apostles. Are you troubled by the choices he made? P. 85 Jesus prays for Peter, and perhaps Judas as well--expresses God’s unfathomable respect for human freedom. Even when he senses him close friend will betray him Jesus does not intervene with a freedom crushing miracle. He allows history to take its course, at enormous personal cost, praying all the while that even betrayal and death may be redeemed as part of the outworking of the grace of God. Does praying for a miracle interfere with freedom? Jesus knows the cost of divine restraint. He understood that redemption comes from passing through pain, not avoiding it. (p88) How hard it is to understand this. So much of prayer is about avoiding pain.

Yancey, Prayer, Chapters 3 and 4

2007-09-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3
Anything that particularly stood out to you as you read the chapter? Any thing you really did not understand? Anything that you really disagreed with? Anything that particularly moved you? Any ah hah moments that took your breath away?
How important are words to you prayers? If not words, what is important? Art? Music? Silence?

Why is it hard to come to God “Just as we are?” or as the song says, “Just as I am?”
I love the line on the bottom of page 31, the preacher prays, “God , if these people knew about me what you know about me, they wouldn’t listen to a word I said.” That is true about preachers, how is it true about the rest of us? Why if we all feel guilty, do we hide it so? If we are all so helpless, why do we hide it?
Even in church we like to speak of how well things are going. Our marriage is perfect, our family life is perfect, finances are perfect. We all present the image of having things perfectly together, and any flaw reflects poorly on us. Sometimes we present this same image to God in prayer.
Helpless is not an american description. We like to have it together. How do you experience helplessness? How do we as a nation experience helplessness? As a world?
Are you afraid of being seen a helpless?

How does humility effect prayer? It is not grovelling, but, what is it.
How does doubt enter into prayer? If I doubt prayer, is my prayer doomed to failure?
Do you pray honestly? Do we sometimes try to present the same image of ourself to God as we do to the world. If God truly does know us at our deepest level, why do we hide the truth about ourself? Am I hiding the truth from God or myself?

Why is it hard to trust God with my naked self?

Chapter 4 The God who is.

Any part of the chapter raise questions? Anything you disagree with? Any thing that really caught your attention?

How does the image of God we bring to prayers affect the way we pray. What image of god do you bring to prayer?
Do I enjoy my time as I would enjoy time with a close friend?
How does our vast difference from God make prayer difficult. “Since I is God you are speaking of , you do not understand it. If you could understand it, it would not be God.”
No wonder prayer is so difficult and mysterious!!!! We who do not understand ourselves are speaking to a God we understand even less!!!
How do you reconcile God’s distance and closeness?

Any last comments on the chapters?
What more would you say?
What new insights do you have? What new questions do you have?

sermon 9/30

2007-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2007
Amos 6:1-7
1 Timothy 6:11-19
Luke 16:19-31

A few weeks ago, I was late for a meeting on the south side of Grand Rapids. Since I was late, I was getting pretty impatient. I headed down the beltline and, as always, whenever I am late, I find myself stuck in traffic behind a construction vehicle of some sort. Why does it always happen like this? To top it off, I swear, the construction vehicle in front of me began to slow down almost as soon as I got behind it. I put up with this for about 15 seconds, seemed like hours, and then I said to myself, “I have had it.” I pulled out to pass.
Immediately I heard a screech of tires, and the blaring of a car horn.
I swerved back into my lane before I caused an accident that would have most certainly resulted in serious injury.
In my frustration, I had not noticed the car in the passing lane. Thank goodness, the driver noticed me.
Just try to imagine, try to ponder how many things we do not notice every day. Most accidents are caused by those things we do not notice. We do not notice the shoes on the steps, the car on the side of the road, the water on the floor, the ice in the parking lot. We do not notice that more and more sarcasm is creeping into our conversation. We do not notice the pain in our arm, the flutter in our chest. We do not notice the sad looking face of a loved one, when we are not able to give them time that they need or want.
How often we put ourselves at risk of accident because of some things we fail to notice?
Just imagine also how much more rich life could be if we did take more time to really notice life around us?
How much of life today have you already failed to notice? Did you miss the glorious sun rise, or the colors of leaves changing. Did you fail to notice your breakfast as you ate this morning? Did you notice the wonders of creation this morning: the birds singing, the wind against your face, the smells of autumn? Did you notice the greetings your loved ones gave you as you or they awoke?
Sometimes we miss the best of life simply because we fail to notice.
Of course there are reasons we miss so much. We are pre-occupied with stresses and problems at work or home, in our life or the lives of those we love. We have so much on our plates. So much to do and so little time. Our gadgets sometimes prevent us from noticing life. Our cell phones, ipods, computers, and televisions so bombard us with noise and information that we do not notice those who are sitting across the room from us. We do not notice all that we have because we are so focused on that which we do not have. Our lives are filled with so much stuff; so much food, so much drink, so much comfort, we do not notice those who go without. There are many reasons we do not notice life as we pass through it.
Our readings this weekend are about “noticing” or rather, “not noticing”.
Amos speaks against the leaders of Israel because they do not notice the plight of the poor. They lie on beds of ivory, eats lambs and calves from the flock, dress in luxury, drink from bowls, and listen to finest music, yet are not grieved by the ruin of Joseph. Because of this, because they have not noticed the misery of the poor, they will be first to go into exile. It was not for their riches, it was not their luxury that angered the Lord. Israel angered the Lord, because they did not notice the poor in their midst. For not noticing, Amos charges, they will be punished.
In the Gospel, the rich man did not notice Lazarus. He dresses in purple and fine linen. He feasts sumptuously. He does not notice Lazarus longing for the scraps from his table, or the dogs licking his sores. The rich man does not notice Lazarus until he needs him. “Abraham, send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue. Send him to my brothers. Surely they will notice him.”
The rich man does not notice the chasm between he and Lazarus. The rich man has built this chasm by not noticing Lazarus. He built the chasm with the tools of indifference.
Speaking of noticing, did you happen to notice, that the rich man does not have a name, while Lazarus does. This is a theme always present in the Gospel of Luke. In the Kingdom of God, all is reversed, all is turned upside down. The nameless ones are named and the rich and powerful are nameless. The proud are cast down, and the lowly lifted up. The hungry are filled, and the rich are sent empty away.
Notice throughout the Gospel of Luke the radical reversal of fortune that turns the values of this world upside down.
If noticing is important, how can we begin to do so?
Paul gives us some clues in his letter to Timothy. Paul urges generosity. One who is generous, notices. When you are generous with your riches, you notice those who are in need. When you are generous with your time, you notice those who need your assistance. When you have a generous heart and make space in your heart and show hospitality to the stranger, you will notice the presence of God in their life. Generosity is a gift which allows us to notice.
Prayer helps us to notice. You cannot pray the scripture without noticing the poor. You cannot pray sincerely without noticing your sin, and your brokenness. You cannot pray sincerely without noticing the love which God has for you. You cannot pray sincerely without finding hope, without discovering courage, without growing in compassion. The more we pray, the more we notice.
Our study of Philip Yancey’s book prayer and our group spiritual direction meetings are about learning to notice the presence and the actions of God in our life.
So, we give thanks for our minds that think, our eyes that see, noses that smell, tongues that taste, fingers that touch, ears that hear. May our senses help us to notice more in life. May we notice the poor, and give thanks that Christ is present in them. May we notice that poor and see in them the coming of the kingdom of God. May we notice those around us, our friends and loved ones. Those who know us so well, and love us nonetheless. May we notice ourselves, where we are broken and whole, success or failures. We notice those parts of our life that make us proud, as well as those things that cause us shame. May we notice our whole true self, and when we notice our full self, may we notice the love God has for us. May we notice creation, the colors, the smells, the sights the sounds. May we notice the food we taste, the water we drink and the air we breathe.

And, dear friends, when we notice all these blessings in our life, may we notice and give thanks. Thanks be to our God who has blessed us so extravagantly, our God who has showered us abundantly with blessings and gifts.

september 23, sermon

2007-09-24T03:20:00.001-07:00

Well, as long as I have this blog, I might as well use it. Here is my sermon for September 23. Maybe it can spur some discussion.

Sermon for September 23
Proper 20C
Amos 8:4-7
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13

I wonder how long it has been since I went a whole day without once thinking about money. I wonder when the last time was that I went a whole 24 hours without commenting about how much something cost, or how little money I had. I wonder when was the last time I went to the mail and there was not some piece of junk advertising a sale or great deal on a credit card, or a mortgage or asking me for a donation. I wonder the last time I watched the news, and there was no reference to money, the stock market, the price of oil, state budgets, or team payrolls.
The more I wondered about the last time I went a whole day without thinking about money, the clearer it became that it has been a long long long time. Could it be that there has not been such a day in years….well, decades. Who knows maybe its been 50 years. Maybe I cannot remember a day, because maybe there has not been a day since infancy that I have not thought of money.
I wonder how long it takes each day before we hear something related to money. When I listen to the early morning news chances are better than average that money is mentioned. Check yourself this week, and see how quickly in each day, how early in each morning thoughts concerning money come into your mind.
Maybe if I began each morning in prayer instead of turning on the morning news, I could avoid thinking about money for a little bit longer. Maybe, but I doubt it. The scriptures are filled with references to and stories about money and wealth. I did a word check on “oremus“, a bible browsing website. Here is what I found. In the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (regarded by most to be the most accurate translation of the Scripture) the word “wealth” is found 127 times in the Bible, “riches”, 84 times, “silver”, 366 times, “gold” 544, “money” 186 times. Just, for a comparison, I did a word check on some other words ---“sex” is found 20 times, “adultery” 43 times, “lust” 56, “fornication” 26 times. And, when I did a word count for “homosexuality“, I found it came up zero times. I was even stunned by this. Now that does not mean of course that the concept of homosexuality is not in the scripture…there are some passages that refer to it. But, as far as the word, it is not there. It is clear to me that for the scripture; money, wealth and riches are much more central than is any thing related to sexuality.
Money and wealth are certainly central in our readings this weekend.
The prophet Amos speaks words of harsh judgment from the Lord to the people of Israel. The Lord judges Israel because they trample the needy and bring to ruin the poor. They fix the scales when it comes to selling grain, and they mix in the sweepings from the floor to sell with their wheat. They spend the Sabbath, the day dedicated to the Lord impatiently waiting for it too end so they can get back to their financial scheming. For them, the Sabbath is day of inconvenience, because it gets in the way of their profits.
The Gospel of Luke this weekend is about a wily, clever, and shrewd manager. Commentators and preachers love to debate this parable. Was the manager dishonest or incompetent? Did he steal from the owner or just mismanage the owners wealth? When he cuts the amount creditors owed in half, was he giving up the masters money or only his own commission? I have to confess that discussions of questions like these leave me a bit bored. These may be interesting debates, but I really think they miss the point.
The climax and main point of today’s Gospel is the last sentence. You cannot serve God and wealth.
I believe that this is why the scripture speaks more about money than it does about sex. Money is God’s chief rival. Money is the false god most likely to seduce us and draw us away from the Lord. And as it is with every false god money is the false god most likely to kill us. Think again of the news that fills our news broadcasts and papers. Isn’t 90 % of it about money …bank robberies, drug busts, budget battles, oil prices, foreclosures, recessions. Think of your own family and friends and the many squabbles that are over money? What percentage of marriages break up because of something related to money? How many family squabbles are about money. How much of your worry is about money??? How many nights do you like awake because of stress and anxiety related to money. When money becomes a god, it kills.
You cannot serve God and Money.
We sure are tempted to try.

Even Churches are tempted to try. We seek to be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel, but we also want to keep the doors open, and the lights on. Preachers are sometimes, tempted to preach about controversial issues in a way that might not offend the people who pay their salary. Preachers might avoid speaking on issues related to poverty, immigration, war, environmental concerns, the cars we drive, the homes we live in, the vacations we go on, our style of life so as to shield ourselves from the Gospel truth and not to offend the people who give generously to the church. Sometimes preachers compromise the Word of God out of their own financial concerns. Preachers are sometimes tempted, and ….sometimes they give in to that temptation. Sometimes so have I.
Jesus is clear. You cannot serve God and wealth.
How do we avoid being seduced by money? How can we avoid making a god of wealth.
I think the Gospel story gives us a clue.
The wily manager writes off a portion of the debts of those who owed. He used wealth to make friends, so that they would welcome him to the eternal homes.
I believe that Jesus is telling us, that the way to avoid wealth’s seduction is to give it away. When we give our money away, it loses its control over us. Now friends, I am not, I really am not trying to tell you to give the church your money so you can be free from its power over you. No, what I am wondering is not how we can give more to the Church, but, rather how we as a church can give more of our money away.
Do you know that there are churches, smaller and poorer than we who build hospitals in The Sudan , churches in Liberia, entire homes in Grand Rapids and along the Gulf Coast, schools in Central America, AIDS orphanages in Africa. They have fund raisers not to raise money for themselves, but for others. Why couldn’t we do that? Churches of all denominations are being asked to consider giving .7% of their money to achieve the millennium development goals of fighting the causes of poverty around the world. Why couldn’t we do that?

We can, of course we can, and when we do, we will be acting to loosen the death grip wealth can have on our soul.
Its been a long long time since I went a whole day without thinking about money. Years, decades, probably close to a half century in fact. My hunch is that not much will change in the remaining years of my life. I will probably stop thinking about money, when I stop thinking at all.

In the meantime, as long as I am thinking about money, I think I will pray about it also.
I pray that we in the Church may be as passionate in our discussion about money as we are about sex. I pray that preachers may have the courage to seek and speak the truth about money. I pray that we might begin to think more shrewdly about giving money away, than we do about protecting it. I pray that we may become more committed to using money with an eye not on earthly dividends that pass away, but heavenly rewards that endure eternally. I pray that we may become more clever in using wealth in ways that do not defraud or cheat the poor whom God loves. Instead may we use wealth to care for the poor, and in caring for the poor, may we give to God that glory praise and honor which God alone deserves.

2007-09-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1.

Our Deepest Longing

Was there anything in Chapter 1 that surprised you?
Yancey begins the book/chapter describing an accident he had while jogging in Moscow. His injuries were not life threatening. He does however describe his “fear” of getting caught in the Russian health system. So, he went to the email, and sent out a email request for prayer.
Is this what prayer is? “We send signals from a visible world to an invisible one, in hope that Someone receives them.”
Does prayer feel like that to you? How do you know if prayer is “heard”?
Why do you pray?
What prevents you from praying?
Is prayer satisfying to you? Is it a privilege or a struggle?
What disciplines do you have for prayer?
On page 16, Yancey states: “I am convinced that human beings have an inborn desire for God”. Do you agree?
Page 17 Does it help to understand prayer as “that place where God and human beings meet”? If this is true, where are some places where you meet God?

Any comments about the chapter or these questions?

Chapter 2

A View from Above
What is the major theme of the chapter?

Isn’t it amazing how live as if it were all about us. A gaze at the stars at night, or of the vast ocean, a flash of lightening exposes for a “nanosecond what I would prefer to ignore, my own true state of fragile dependence”. What do you think Yancey means by fragile dependence? Have you ever experienced such “fragile dependence”.
Do you find rest in the grace of the world as Wendell Berry describes it?
How easy it is to lose “sight of God’s perspective”!!! How does prayer restore our vision to one that more resembles God’s?
Yancey states that modern life conspires against being still. Is this true? How?
How do you withstand this “conspiracy”?
Some of Yancey’s thought follow:
Prayer invites us to play truant, to step down from our throne and allow God to be God. Prayer is a channel that helps us remember who we are, God’s creation, and faith to imagine what we will someday be, God triumph. Prayer is the act of seeing reality from God’s point of view.
What new insights into prayer did the chapter offer you?
What more would you add? Is there anything you would like to ask prayer for?

Welcome to the blog

2007-09-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

This is first effort at creating a parish blog. If it works we will begin an "on line" study of Philip Yancey's book "Prayer". Our plan will be to study two chapters a week. We began our "face to face" study at the Church this past week. In both our Sunday and Monday sessions, we had some good discussion. We answered questions about how our prayer life has change over the years? Is there a place where you go to pray? A time of day? Are there sounds that bring you to prayer? Sights? Smells? Tastes? Feelings? Think about these, and maybe add a blog. I will add some comments later this week. Here is the cover of Yancey's book. We will discuss the first two chapters beginning the week of September 23. Join us on line or, in person on Sunday morning 9:15 or Monday evening, 7:00.