Prayers for hurtful comments...

Bind it. Remove it.

Reveal it. What is done in darkness may be brought to the light. Pray that God would reveal hidden agendas.

My Heart Hurts

It's advent, so we're supposed to hurt a little.
We're supposed to confess and be helpless--leaning on our saviour.

But it just plain aches when you know someone who is desperately sinking in the midst of addiction.

...and their partner can't carry the struggle
because they don't have any more trust to lose.

And it's awful when folk come to the church broken and beaten by life
...when pregnant mothers lose their jobs, but still have four kids to feed

 ...when women who make JUST enough to pay the rent can't pay the other bills
(and don't qualify for aid because they aren't technically homeless)

I can't fix it.

I can't heal it.

God, it hurts to even touch it!

In my heart, the words of Habakkuk echo:

How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

And God answers:
""Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."

Maranatha, Lord Jesus. Maranatha.

The scent of Holy

I opened my Bible this morning and found that the pages still smell like anointing oil from yesterday's baptism (frankincense and myrrh). 

...Holiness tends to linger, doesn't it?

·     

· Scriptural Images for anointing oil:

  Exodus 30:22-30 (God commands special oil for marking things as holy in the tabernacle)

·         Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:9 –Old testament and New testament image for anointing with “oil of gladness”

·         Psalm 23:5 -- who doesn’t love the 23^rd Psalm? There’s anointing here, too.

·         Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1 –Jesus Christ, the anointed one. Notice that he is anointed in order to do good works. Izzy will be anointed in order to participate in Christ’s work.

·         **2 Corinthians 1:21-22** This is the perfect image for baptismal anointing: God marks and seals us in Christ by the Spirit.
    (click here to read them online)

Blessed Are the Poured in Spirit

Then afterwards
   I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
   your old men shall dream dreams,
   and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves,
   in those days, I will pour out my spirit. 

~Joel 2:23-32

Art and Preaching Project

One of my contingencies assigned by the BOOM is to do an "independent study incorporating art and preaching." I'm still entirely sure what that means, but I have an incredible mentor to work with and I know that I need to get started. So....Inspired by The Painted Prayer Book, I've decided that one element of this project will be adding art to my exegetical process for sermon prep.  (total disclaimer: I'm more of a dabbler than an artist, so these pieces are more about exploration than expression).

Since starting, I've preached four sermons:

"Hydration" based on Jeremiah 2:4-13

 *for this sermon, I made sure to have a pitcher and glass of water....pausing to drink throughout.*

"99 Problems and a Sheep on the Run" based on Luke 15:1-10

"The More Excellent Way" c.f. 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19

"Prayers for Babylon" Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Luke 11:1-13 (Sermon Leftovers)

• The friend is a little grumpy about waking up (understandably, so—it’s midnight and the home is likely a one-room place. If you’ve ever tried to get several children and animals to sleep, you can imagine how complicated it would’ve been to get everyone to sleep. He would’ve had to get up, light a lamp, unbolt the heavy door, get bread... It makes total sense for the sleeping man to say something like, “Seriously? I just got the kids to sleep—I’m not waking everyone up just because you didn’t plan ahead for your guest...”) ---BUT, Jesus says, “I tell you, even if he doesn’t give bread for the sake of friendship, because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.”   
• Persistence. I’ve also seen this word translated as “shameless impudence” or “unembarrassed boldness” “extreme, excessive perseverance”…In other words, Jesus says that the grumpy sleeper might not hand bread over for the sake of friendship, but he’ll at least do it to make the annoying guy go away. That cracks me up.
  ...And in verse 9 where Jesus says to seek, ask, knock and the door will be open—he seems to mean the same kind of boldness. The ‘knock’ Jesus uses—it doesn’t mean that it happens once. The verb actually means “keep knocking” ---*knock******** and the door will be opened.
• “Be persistent in prayer” is one interpretation of this parable (kind of like the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18)…  “You want to learn how to pray?” says Jesus, “Then pray. Keep praying at all hours. Pray at midnight, pray in the morning, pray in the car, you can even pray in the bathroom…just keep praying.”
  
• Compare Luke 11:1  (“teach us to pray!”) to Luke 5:33 where Jesus’ disciples are accused of NOT praying: “John’s disciples fast and pray,” said the Pharisees, “but your disciples eat and drink….”    àon this note, it’s interesting that the disciples are just now—in Luke 11--asking Jesus about prayer. They have already done some intense things thus far (healing, preaching, casting out daemons, etc…) The question of prayer here in Luke 11 might be linked Jesus’ response to the Pharisees back in chapter 5 (“The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days…’). Perhaps this inquisition about prayer foreshadows and anticipates Jesus’ departure.
  
• The prayer that Jesus teaches here in Luke 11 (the Lord’s Prayer)  is one that brings us together as a church through time and space…but this way of praying also lines our hearts and prayers up with Jesus.
  
• In a small group this past week, someone admitted that prayer is something they often take for granted: “It’s often something we do maybe once a month in church and we’re good; but prayer needs to be a part of our whole life. Something we actually do on a regular basis. My wife and I prayed together this past week and it made a huge difference in our lives.”
  
• There isn’t an easy answer for how to pray. There’s no singular step-by-step process which lines out the ‘right way.’ Nor, I believe, is there an authentic ‘wrong’ way.

“Our Father who art in heaven, Daddy, Abba, help us to honor your name. Establish your ways here on earth just like they are in heaven. Give us food for today—and forgive us because we are forgiving other people too. And protect us from evil and temptation.”

On the topic of grief

...the content in this video is really good. Who doesn't love the skit guys?* I just wish the film quality didn't feel like a wanna-be Nooma film (background sounds, slo-mo sequences, etc...).

*note:I'm slowly learning that there ARE certain points where my theology and the skits guys' diverge (like a few lines from 'The Parachute') but I'm mostly a fan.

I'm not Catholic, but...

I'm a big fan of this pope.

Pope Francis is making sweeping gestures to include the poor and the marginalized and I love how he's shaking things up (even dismissing his body guard!). He doesn't live in the papal palace...and for his inauguration ceremony, check out how he entered:

"In the past, some popes were carried on a wooden throne, while Benedict XVI was transported in on a pope-mobile vehicle. But in light of Francis’ concerns about the poor, he made a far simpler entrance -- walking in, among the huge crowds." ~Palash Ghosh

His nickname? "The Slum Pope."
Why? Because he doesn't just sit in the Vatican. He visits the slums, kisses babies, and shakes hands--even in the rain! I particularly like the scene of this ceremony as described by a reporter:

"After he arrived at the beach-front stage, though, the crowd along the streets melted away, driven home by the pouring rain that brought out vendors selling the plastic ponchos that have adorned cardinals and pilgrims alike during this unseasonably cold, wet week."

 Imagine of ponchos everywhere--to the degree that popes and plain persons all look alike. It's a great image of the whole church clothed in Christ (c.f Romans 13:14).

My Prayer (as a pastor)

Almighty God,
Give me the strength to lead your church
Keep my heart humble and my actions sincere,
Guide all of my motives towards faithfulness in YOU.
(and forgive me when I screw it all up)
Thanks.
Amen

"There's just something about the water...."

A dear friend of mine once preached a sermon about Jesus' washing of feet in John 13. She painted a beautiful vision of care, and refreshment--highlighting the close intimacy of footwashing rather than the astounding 'self-lowering' act of servanthood--but she kept coming back to the image of bare feet standing in a stream.

"There's just something about the water..."

Now I'm not a foot person and I don't like foot images, but I DO resonate with the aching feeling of tired feet. There is something about stepping--barefoot--into a cool, rushing forest stream after a long day of hiking. Something about the water restores your breath and seeps into your soul.

The upper room is a cleansing image; a serving image; and a look-at-my-insecurities-touch-my-scars kind of moment (not to mention the obvious connection to baptism which happens with cleansing water too).

"Wash me with hyssop and I will be clean."

These were all images that crashed through my head in Yosemite campground. We had been hiking for several days and I was standing alone at the edge of a freezing river. Shoes off. Feet tired. Heart achingly open. I poured out all kinds of exhaustion, insecurity, lack of discipline, unworthiness. I told God that I felt empty of insight. How can I lead people to discipleship when my own walk is so faltering? ...but there was something about the water. There was grace and freshness there. There, by the riverside, I swear Jesus knelt with a towel around his waste and responded to my own doubt ("Me? You'll never wash MY feet....").

"Unless I wash you. you'll have no share with me."

So I walked right into that river. Literally. Not just my feet, but my hands and my face, my calves and my knees--and I stood in that water until my body was numb from the cold.

"One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean."

Things I Learned; Summer 2011

Top ten things I learned during my summer internship:

1.      The intern will never go hungry at FVUMC. (A special thanks to everyone who fed and fed and fed me this summer. My grandmother was pleased.)

2.      Congregations can show grace to those who lead them (no one mentioned it when I forgot the Lord’s Prayer at 10:50 or when I got times mixed up and walked into the 8:15 service at 8:30)

3.      Offering plates are heavy!! When lifting, stack them and use two hands instead of one.

4.      Audits are good things. (I usually associate audits with fear and the IRS, so it was fascinating to witness this church’s faithful and professional approach to finances)

5.      Church meetings can be less than an hour. (Major kudos to Lisa, our fabulous Trustees chair, who adjourned her last meeting at record 39 minutes!)

6.       With the right heart and help, church property itself can become a haven for homelessness and a garden for fighting hunger in the community (…and grape Koolaid keeps birds away from blueberries. Thanks Joy)

7.      Church life does not have to slow down in the summer. It’s amazing to see a congregation plan its own trips and mow its own lawn…. Truly, God does great things through you and your passionate initiative.

8.      Staff meetings should begin with worship—and it’s ok to laugh through them! Joan and Jane, Al and Elaine, Debbie, Bob, Terri, Jennifer, Felicia, Kevin, Lynne, Diana, Stephanie…You have all brought such joy to this place.

9.      Prayers can be authentic—even when others are listening.

10.  You can fall in love with people in just 10 weeks.

Honestly, I have treasured the time spent with you this summer. From the kids at Vacation Bible School to the seniors who can walk circles around me, I have met so many incredible people this summer and I’m thankful for your witness and your presence in this community! You have shown me how to live Church, love Christ, and share fellowship. Thank you for sharing this vision with me. The summer has been wonderful and I promise I’ll be back to visit!

Learning, Serving, and Loving the time Shared,
~Summer Intern

Senior Review

1. Forgive yourself
           (you're not supposed to be everything to everybody)

2. Take care of yourself
             (or you won't be anything to anyone)