Sometimes it's hard to stay in that place where your focus is on God. Pray without ceasing is not so hard for me...help me, help me, help me...floats through my head on a continuous loop. But that place of knowing God's presence and resting in God's peace is elusive at best. Hurry and prepare this service, this program, this devotional book. Write this paper so you can serve the church. Fix this meal. Shop for Christmas. Organize decorations. Have a party. Teach Sunday school.
On top of everything today, I have a headache. bleh. Help me...help me...help me...I'll be focused and resting later...help me...help me...help me...I'll be energetic later...help me...help me...help me...
Seems like this story would be somewhere in the report of the ministry of Jesus--especially if he is fully human. Probably would have been, had he been fully human female...
Help me...help me...help me...
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
What is Mine is Yours...
I've been looking at the story of the Prodigal Son. Most people focus on the grace and forgiveness provided to the younger son...the one who defined the word "selfish." That is great comfort; no matter how bad we are, we receive this incredible gift from a God who loves us.
But this time, I was really struck by the conversation between the father and the eldest son after the party starts. As the elder brother comes in from the field--remember he is the one that has stayed home and done everything right...followed the rules...supported his father...fulfilled expectations...never disobeyed--he comes in from the field and asks (in a Greek verb tense that shows great expectation) "What's happening?" You get the idea that perhaps he thinks the party is for him. He has no reason to expect the younger brother has shown up. He knows what he has been doing for God. Finally, some recognition.
And the slave informs him...nope...not for you...for the younger son. It's no wonder the elder son had his jockeys in a wad.
True confession...as a teenager, I would often come home from "youth group" feeling like a total failure. I didn't have a "testimony." Couldn't say I was drinking/smoking/flirting/insert sin here and that I had been convicted and had rededicated my life to Christ and was so glad and grateful for God's mercy and forgiveness. And then we had a party of tears and congratulations and "thank God's" and off we went, the saved into the arms of their closest friends and me to my boring, sin-free life. (OK...not sin-free, but somehow arguing with my sister didn't get the same response from the youth group.)
But I fully understand the frustration of the elder brother. For those of us who don't squander our inheritance, where's the party?! And, the elder brother refuses to come to the party. For those of us who haven't been away...there's nothing. For those of us who have done all that was expected, not even an thank you.
But it's the next verse that sturck me. As the father stands with the elder son, he says, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.".
All that is mine, is yours... Here we are, those of us who are still at home, doing the right things. We know there are expectations. There is a to-do list. There are rules to follow. And if we do all that is expected, then the father will give us a party. And we miss everything. We forget the message, "all that is mine, is yours." The party is for us now. The fatted calf is ours...to celebrate with family or to invite our friends in. This grace and celebration is already ours, always has been. But, like the elder brother, we refuse to enter the party, to live in the grace, because we are working so very hard to earn the grace that is already ours.
It's one heck of a party. And I'm getting the idea that I can party without having to eat pig slop. God is good...all the time.
But this time, I was really struck by the conversation between the father and the eldest son after the party starts. As the elder brother comes in from the field--remember he is the one that has stayed home and done everything right...followed the rules...supported his father...fulfilled expectations...never disobeyed--he comes in from the field and asks (in a Greek verb tense that shows great expectation) "What's happening?" You get the idea that perhaps he thinks the party is for him. He has no reason to expect the younger brother has shown up. He knows what he has been doing for God. Finally, some recognition.
And the slave informs him...nope...not for you...for the younger son. It's no wonder the elder son had his jockeys in a wad.
True confession...as a teenager, I would often come home from "youth group" feeling like a total failure. I didn't have a "testimony." Couldn't say I was drinking/smoking/flirting/insert sin here and that I had been convicted and had rededicated my life to Christ and was so glad and grateful for God's mercy and forgiveness. And then we had a party of tears and congratulations and "thank God's" and off we went, the saved into the arms of their closest friends and me to my boring, sin-free life. (OK...not sin-free, but somehow arguing with my sister didn't get the same response from the youth group.)
But I fully understand the frustration of the elder brother. For those of us who don't squander our inheritance, where's the party?! And, the elder brother refuses to come to the party. For those of us who haven't been away...there's nothing. For those of us who have done all that was expected, not even an thank you.
But it's the next verse that sturck me. As the father stands with the elder son, he says, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.".
All that is mine, is yours... Here we are, those of us who are still at home, doing the right things. We know there are expectations. There is a to-do list. There are rules to follow. And if we do all that is expected, then the father will give us a party. And we miss everything. We forget the message, "all that is mine, is yours." The party is for us now. The fatted calf is ours...to celebrate with family or to invite our friends in. This grace and celebration is already ours, always has been. But, like the elder brother, we refuse to enter the party, to live in the grace, because we are working so very hard to earn the grace that is already ours.
It's one heck of a party. And I'm getting the idea that I can party without having to eat pig slop. God is good...all the time.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
God or United Way...
One conversation that spins around the question of tithing (giving 10% "back" to God in gratitude for all you have been given) is "we set aside 10% for charitable giving...but we give it to several places; the church is one of those places."
The overarching question, I think, is who we are...our identity. We are the people of God. God chooses to be in relationship with us. I believe God chooses to be in relationship with all people, but not everyone recognizes that. Those of us who choose to respond to God's initiative define ourselves and are defined as the people of God. We are chosen not to be set above the world, but to be God's servants in the world, to bring the love of God to the world, to allow God's blessings to be seen by the world. And it is our practices...how we live that defines our identity to the world.
If, for us, the people of God, giving to the church, to our community of faith, is only one in a list of competing causes, we have not responded faithfully to God's call. Many people in this world do good things. God is involved in all that good. But they do not do good to point to God. They have forgotten or refuse to acknowledge God as the author of all good. Good is assigned to their choices or the organization which they serve.
If church is one in a list of many things, and the people of God do not support the church because they are supporting other causes, who picks up the slack? Folks who are not the "people of God" are not going to add "church" to their lists of causes because church people contribute to the United Way. When is the last time a church got a pledge from an unchurched neighbor because they heard the church's budget was under funded or the church needed resources for a new youth ministry.
We are certainly called to do good in the world. But we, the people of God, are called to first respond to God. God is our first and highest priority. God does not ask to be one in a list of many good causes. God gives us undeserved grace and mercy. We have blessings beyond measure. God knows how God wants to partner with us. Obedience to God's vision provides all that is needed to do God's work in the world.
First priority or one in a list of good causes? Who are we?
The overarching question, I think, is who we are...our identity. We are the people of God. God chooses to be in relationship with us. I believe God chooses to be in relationship with all people, but not everyone recognizes that. Those of us who choose to respond to God's initiative define ourselves and are defined as the people of God. We are chosen not to be set above the world, but to be God's servants in the world, to bring the love of God to the world, to allow God's blessings to be seen by the world. And it is our practices...how we live that defines our identity to the world.
If, for us, the people of God, giving to the church, to our community of faith, is only one in a list of competing causes, we have not responded faithfully to God's call. Many people in this world do good things. God is involved in all that good. But they do not do good to point to God. They have forgotten or refuse to acknowledge God as the author of all good. Good is assigned to their choices or the organization which they serve.
If church is one in a list of many things, and the people of God do not support the church because they are supporting other causes, who picks up the slack? Folks who are not the "people of God" are not going to add "church" to their lists of causes because church people contribute to the United Way. When is the last time a church got a pledge from an unchurched neighbor because they heard the church's budget was under funded or the church needed resources for a new youth ministry.
We are certainly called to do good in the world. But we, the people of God, are called to first respond to God. God is our first and highest priority. God does not ask to be one in a list of many good causes. God gives us undeserved grace and mercy. We have blessings beyond measure. God knows how God wants to partner with us. Obedience to God's vision provides all that is needed to do God's work in the world.
First priority or one in a list of good causes? Who are we?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Danger!!!!!
Waiting for TV weather this morning...
Man and wife sitting on couch appear...
She extols shopping at Thruway center...43 different stores...wow
He laments there are no condos available.
Because...if we could live at the store, life would be complete...
Man and wife sitting on couch appear...
She extols shopping at Thruway center...43 different stores...wow
He laments there are no condos available.
Because...if we could live at the store, life would be complete...
Monday, November 8, 2010
Everyday Acts...
If you didn't read yesterday's post, stop now and read it, then come back...
I did go to church this morning. Posted in the bulletin was an announcement about my being granted "candidacy" status as a seminary student, part of the Presbyterian process of becoming an ordained minister. A small part of me hoped I wouldn't be confirmed. I love my job now and my church family, and don't even like to think about perhaps having to do something else. Most of me would have been sad if I had not been confirmed. All of me really didn't think it was a huge big deal...just another hoop to jump through--something Presbyterians are good at.
After worship, a gentleman, and gentle man, advanced in years and usually reserved, found me and gave me a big hug and the most excited "congratulations" I think I have received since giving birth. I saw through new eyes. Whenever any of us takes a step to commit to a practice that deliberately moves toward bringing the Kingdom of God into our world, we should be celebrating. Ministry, sure, but also those who commit to generosity without control or payback, to service, to speaking truth to power, to teaching children's Sunday school to one or two, to singing in the choir, to prayer, to baking communion bread...the list is endless. The one criteria, it seems, is the deliberate recognition that our gift is from God and is to be used for God...that is worthy of great celebration...
Blessed by an everyday act. Here's hoping that some everyday act of mine will do the same...
I did go to church this morning. Posted in the bulletin was an announcement about my being granted "candidacy" status as a seminary student, part of the Presbyterian process of becoming an ordained minister. A small part of me hoped I wouldn't be confirmed. I love my job now and my church family, and don't even like to think about perhaps having to do something else. Most of me would have been sad if I had not been confirmed. All of me really didn't think it was a huge big deal...just another hoop to jump through--something Presbyterians are good at.
After worship, a gentleman, and gentle man, advanced in years and usually reserved, found me and gave me a big hug and the most excited "congratulations" I think I have received since giving birth. I saw through new eyes. Whenever any of us takes a step to commit to a practice that deliberately moves toward bringing the Kingdom of God into our world, we should be celebrating. Ministry, sure, but also those who commit to generosity without control or payback, to service, to speaking truth to power, to teaching children's Sunday school to one or two, to singing in the choir, to prayer, to baking communion bread...the list is endless. The one criteria, it seems, is the deliberate recognition that our gift is from God and is to be used for God...that is worthy of great celebration...
Blessed by an everyday act. Here's hoping that some everyday act of mine will do the same...
Saturday, November 6, 2010
End of the world...
I'm trying not to complain this week...but after all the political stuff...I'm having a hard time. The latest, after blasting the dems continuously for earmarks, the headline in the NYTimes is that the republicans have informed the tea party that they will not be stopping earmarks. What is wrong with us?
Come, Lord Jesus. This is your world. I'm thinking fire, flood, or rapture. Or maybe I'll just go to work at the church tomorrow and be grateful for the saints who gifted me with faith and who bring justice into the world...one everyday act at a time...
Come, Lord Jesus. This is your world. I'm thinking fire, flood, or rapture. Or maybe I'll just go to work at the church tomorrow and be grateful for the saints who gifted me with faith and who bring justice into the world...one everyday act at a time...
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