How does one preach the good news of Jesus Christ in the shadow of a 7.2 earthquake that, within seconds, destroyed 200,000 plus lives, tore apart families, leveled buildings, made those who were already economically poor even poorer? How do we sing the Lord's song in the midst of such devastation and heartache?
The answer is to be found in the people of Haiti whose incredible faith allows a woman buried under a building for six days to come out singing; another to be rescued from under the rubble, proclaiming "I'm alive!" The answer is to be found in the people all over the world who have joined in prayer together for a country to which most of us have never been and for a people we have never met.
Before this earthquake, my connections to Haiti were limited to the French tutor Jean Max Sam who taught me enough French to get me through my language requirements in college; to the four people in one of my churches I served who went to Haiti to do some work at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital; and to the Haitian start up church in our annual conference. All in all, Haiti was simply not on my radar. It most certainly had little impact on anything I might preach. All that was changed last week when, at 4:53 in the afternoon, Haiti was altered forever.
This week I am wondering how one preaches in the shadow of an earthquake. A small child, after being rescued, offered me an answer. When asked what she wanted, she replied that she "hoped for something to happen, to happen tomorrow." Ah, I thought to myself, in the shadow of an earthquake we need to offer the expectation of a favorable future under God's direction. We need to offer hope and we need to be able to offer, to anyone who asks, the reason for the hope we have. We need to tell our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are listening, we need to remind ourselves, that hope is eternal. It makes all sorts of things possible, even the rebuilding of a city and a people who currently seem beyond help.
What does this hope look like, this good news of God? How does this sermon end? You tell me.
We've all been invited to tell the story.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
When Bad Things Happen
There's no denying that a bad thing has happened this week in Haiti. 45,000, maybe 50,000 or more, people dead. Everyone's weighed in on this tragedy: the news media, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, the General Boards of The United Methodist Church. Everyone's weighed in; that's usually the case when bad things happen.
I can only imagine the devastation that exists in Haiti, the fear that the people there have experienced, the heartbreak of families, friends, and neighbors. It's frightening to think how life can be ordinary one moment and, in the next, totally out of hand!
Where is God in all this? That's the question I heard today, several times. Where is God?
Here's the thought that came to me as I read United Methodist reports on Haiti. Where is God in all this? God is in the relief people from The United Methodist Church who were already in Haiti for reasons not yet disclosed. Already there, these trained men and women can make a difference. Where is God in all this? God is in those six VIM (Volunteer in Mission) groups from the United States who were already in Haiti to lend their talents and skills to the people of the country. Where is God in all this? God is in United Methodists who are preparing to go to Haiti as first responders. Where is God in all this? God is in United Methodist congregations throughout the world who are making up Health Kits for the people of Haiti and collecting money to send to UMCOR. Where is God in all this? God is in every act of compassion and restoration that happens in Haiti.
The people called United Methodist will gather their resources from every corner of the globe and send them into this earthquake ravaged country. Long after every other agency is gone, UMCOR will stay in Haiti until the work is done. Where is God in all this? God is in Haiti in the form of United Methodists (and many, many others) who will remain there until the country is restored to wholeness.
When bad things happen in one part of the world, it is a call to the rest of the world to remember what God requires of us, "to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God," and to respond in faith with an experience of grace.
A bad thing has happened in Haiti. What will we do?
I can only imagine the devastation that exists in Haiti, the fear that the people there have experienced, the heartbreak of families, friends, and neighbors. It's frightening to think how life can be ordinary one moment and, in the next, totally out of hand!
Where is God in all this? That's the question I heard today, several times. Where is God?
Here's the thought that came to me as I read United Methodist reports on Haiti. Where is God in all this? God is in the relief people from The United Methodist Church who were already in Haiti for reasons not yet disclosed. Already there, these trained men and women can make a difference. Where is God in all this? God is in those six VIM (Volunteer in Mission) groups from the United States who were already in Haiti to lend their talents and skills to the people of the country. Where is God in all this? God is in United Methodists who are preparing to go to Haiti as first responders. Where is God in all this? God is in United Methodist congregations throughout the world who are making up Health Kits for the people of Haiti and collecting money to send to UMCOR. Where is God in all this? God is in every act of compassion and restoration that happens in Haiti.
The people called United Methodist will gather their resources from every corner of the globe and send them into this earthquake ravaged country. Long after every other agency is gone, UMCOR will stay in Haiti until the work is done. Where is God in all this? God is in Haiti in the form of United Methodists (and many, many others) who will remain there until the country is restored to wholeness.
When bad things happen in one part of the world, it is a call to the rest of the world to remember what God requires of us, "to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God," and to respond in faith with an experience of grace.
A bad thing has happened in Haiti. What will we do?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Invitation to Be a Soul Friend (Anam Cara)
Recently I received an invitation that has touched me to the very core of my being. It was an invitation to join a small circle of soul friends. I received this invite in a face-to-face sit down with a colleague who had become aware of the Celtic tradition of the anam cara or soul friend.
Immediately, I was hooked. In a world where ordained ministry tends to create Lone Rangers, which by the way was one of my fav shows as a child, I was moved by my colleague's invitation. It struck a chord with me. Over my years in ordained ministry, while I have had many friends, I have also experienced a certain loneliness. I have lived with the sense that there was always a gap in their understanding of me; that there were some things about the life of a female clergy person that could not be understood by those outside the circle, no matter how hard they tried. When I say outside the circle, I am not speaking of non-clergy friends. Some of my clergy "friends" have little understanding of who I am and my interactions with them have led me to feel as if I was a fish out of water.
On the day I received the invitation to become a soul friend, it was an aha moment. As I listened to my colleague, I suddenly realized that my struggles have been around the co-issues of trust and security. In these two things, built on the foundation of unconditional love, of grace, is found the solution to a certain kind of loneliness that happens when colleagues are unable to accept us as we are. As we engaged in holy conversation, naming the colleagues we would entrust with anything, the best and the worst, our "successes" and our "failures," persons who wouldn't use either against us, it was a moment of great clarity. These colleagues actually exist and have been in my circle of friends, in some form or fashion, over the years. This treasure has always been available to me. With one exception, instead of appreciating this and seeking to deepen these relationships, I have spent far too many years leaning toward professional loneliness.
On the day I received the invitation to become a soul friend, the one giving the invitation didn't know it, but he gave me an incredible gift. The Spirit of God used him to open my eyes to see that there are colleagues with whom I can truly be myself, colleagues with whom I can truly open up and share when things in the church are working and when they are not. Soul friends. Anam cara.
As 2010 begins, this circle of friends will begin a new phase of our journey together. I pray that it will lead us to be defined in new ways and to be more accepting of who we are and who we can become as together we experience God's grace.
Immediately, I was hooked. In a world where ordained ministry tends to create Lone Rangers, which by the way was one of my fav shows as a child, I was moved by my colleague's invitation. It struck a chord with me. Over my years in ordained ministry, while I have had many friends, I have also experienced a certain loneliness. I have lived with the sense that there was always a gap in their understanding of me; that there were some things about the life of a female clergy person that could not be understood by those outside the circle, no matter how hard they tried. When I say outside the circle, I am not speaking of non-clergy friends. Some of my clergy "friends" have little understanding of who I am and my interactions with them have led me to feel as if I was a fish out of water.
On the day I received the invitation to become a soul friend, it was an aha moment. As I listened to my colleague, I suddenly realized that my struggles have been around the co-issues of trust and security. In these two things, built on the foundation of unconditional love, of grace, is found the solution to a certain kind of loneliness that happens when colleagues are unable to accept us as we are. As we engaged in holy conversation, naming the colleagues we would entrust with anything, the best and the worst, our "successes" and our "failures," persons who wouldn't use either against us, it was a moment of great clarity. These colleagues actually exist and have been in my circle of friends, in some form or fashion, over the years. This treasure has always been available to me. With one exception, instead of appreciating this and seeking to deepen these relationships, I have spent far too many years leaning toward professional loneliness.
On the day I received the invitation to become a soul friend, the one giving the invitation didn't know it, but he gave me an incredible gift. The Spirit of God used him to open my eyes to see that there are colleagues with whom I can truly be myself, colleagues with whom I can truly open up and share when things in the church are working and when they are not. Soul friends. Anam cara.
As 2010 begins, this circle of friends will begin a new phase of our journey together. I pray that it will lead us to be defined in new ways and to be more accepting of who we are and who we can become as together we experience God's grace.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
When It Snows on Saturday
According to the weather reports this morning, if we're going to have a snow fall of gigantic proportions, perhaps up to 20 inches, it's good that it is happening on Saturday, on the weekend! If I heard that sentiment expressed once, I heard it expressed on every weather report I listened to this morning. All gave a brief nod to the things that would have to be cancelled: holiday concerts, Christmas shopping, visits to the gym, parties with friends. I kept waiting for one of them to mention that churches would have to cancel worship; but none of them did.
Why am I surprised? The Christian Church is often viewed as insignificant in today's culture. Yet, I guess I thought that it would be factored in during a season of the year whose underlying foundation is the Christ child though I know that marketers have made it about family, a perspective that seems to be winning!
When it snows on Saturday, perhaps it is an opportunity for those active in the Christian Church to take a look at why it is ignored; why it fails to be on the radar of local reporters within a week of Christmas.
In a world where people daily are experiencing loss in their professional and personal lives, how can the church rediscover a way to be relevant? How can it be a vessel of grace to a hurting world?
The weather reporters remind me that it is urgent that we answer these questions so that when it snows on a Saturday, especially the Saturday before Christmas, they will recognize the importance of the Church's role in the community and include it in its reporting.
Why am I surprised? The Christian Church is often viewed as insignificant in today's culture. Yet, I guess I thought that it would be factored in during a season of the year whose underlying foundation is the Christ child though I know that marketers have made it about family, a perspective that seems to be winning!
When it snows on Saturday, perhaps it is an opportunity for those active in the Christian Church to take a look at why it is ignored; why it fails to be on the radar of local reporters within a week of Christmas.
In a world where people daily are experiencing loss in their professional and personal lives, how can the church rediscover a way to be relevant? How can it be a vessel of grace to a hurting world?
The weather reporters remind me that it is urgent that we answer these questions so that when it snows on a Saturday, especially the Saturday before Christmas, they will recognize the importance of the Church's role in the community and include it in its reporting.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
tiger woods and questions of grace
I have only once touched a golf club. After that, I found it far more rewarding to watch golf than to play it. If truth be told, I started watching televised golf because my mother-in-law is an enthusiastic fan and I found myself caught up in her passion.
I grew quickly into a Tiger Woods' fan. What drew me into the wide circle of Tiger-followers was his amazing gift to creatively and imaginatively work his way out of the tough spots he found himself in on the golf course, all of which, for the most part, were of his own making, as is true of any golfer.
It is difficult to be a Tiger Woods' fan these days. How can one admire a man who has seemed to handle his commitment to his wife and children so carelessly and arrogantly? It seems as if his wildchild days that he enjoyed prior to his marriage have never stopped.
Tiger's response has been to hole up and, I suspect, to try to creatively and imaginatively work his way out of the tough spot he has found himself in which, by all appearances, is of his own making. Why would we think that he would handle his personal life any differently than he would handle himself on the golf course?
Like many, I will never again see Tiger in the same way. I don't put much stock in cheating on your spouse and inflicting wounds on your family, those you claim to love. The easy thing would be for his wife to take the children and run! That would hurt him! The far more difficult thing would be for Tiger to honor his commitment to his wife and family, if his wife is willing to let him, and do the rigorous work that it would take for his marriage to work. Can you imagine the new found respect that Tiger would receive if that were to happen?
It doesn't take much to kick a guy when he's down. It takes a great more energy to encourage a guy to change his cheating ways. This is no "cheap grace" of which I'm speaking. It entails Tiger changing his lifestyle, becoming transparent and honest. It is about his being refined by many experiences of grace.
This is not some naive rambling. It is the belief of one for whom God's grace has been sufficient over and over again. It is the belief that with God, all things are possible.
I grew quickly into a Tiger Woods' fan. What drew me into the wide circle of Tiger-followers was his amazing gift to creatively and imaginatively work his way out of the tough spots he found himself in on the golf course, all of which, for the most part, were of his own making, as is true of any golfer.
It is difficult to be a Tiger Woods' fan these days. How can one admire a man who has seemed to handle his commitment to his wife and children so carelessly and arrogantly? It seems as if his wildchild days that he enjoyed prior to his marriage have never stopped.
Tiger's response has been to hole up and, I suspect, to try to creatively and imaginatively work his way out of the tough spot he has found himself in which, by all appearances, is of his own making. Why would we think that he would handle his personal life any differently than he would handle himself on the golf course?
Like many, I will never again see Tiger in the same way. I don't put much stock in cheating on your spouse and inflicting wounds on your family, those you claim to love. The easy thing would be for his wife to take the children and run! That would hurt him! The far more difficult thing would be for Tiger to honor his commitment to his wife and family, if his wife is willing to let him, and do the rigorous work that it would take for his marriage to work. Can you imagine the new found respect that Tiger would receive if that were to happen?
It doesn't take much to kick a guy when he's down. It takes a great more energy to encourage a guy to change his cheating ways. This is no "cheap grace" of which I'm speaking. It entails Tiger changing his lifestyle, becoming transparent and honest. It is about his being refined by many experiences of grace.
This is not some naive rambling. It is the belief of one for whom God's grace has been sufficient over and over again. It is the belief that with God, all things are possible.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter
"Now it begins!" On Palm Passion Sunday, I was deeply moved by the contrast of the day. Like many other Christians, that day, I waved my palm branch and shouted my "Hosannas" as we recalled Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As always, it is difficult for me to fathom the change in temperature he found in Jerusalem. Didn't the crowd follow him in? Why weren't they able to surround him and keep him safe? Why was their support so fickle? As usual, why questions just aren't helpful, are they? They keep us talking when we need, instead, to be acting! The Grace Church choir, under the direction of Neil Harmon, presented the contrast to the joyous Hosannas as they sang the Rutter Requiem. Deeply moving and thought-provoking, the Requiem led us into the tensions we discover in ourselves each Holy Week.
The tensions continued on Thursday as we delved into the sacred stories and discovered our place at the feetwashing, the table, Gethsemane, and headed toward the cross. Would I have been the one who was horrified that Jesus wanted to wash my feet, would I have rejected his humility? Would I have been the one who would betray him? Or fall asleep, instead of keeping watch in order to protect him, as he prayed in the garden? Would I have deserted him? Do I do all these in my daily life even as he offers me experience of grace after experience of grace? Even as he showers his love on me continuously?
Every year I look forward to this journey. It's stories raise so many emotions in me; and call me to a commitment and experience that otherwise I might neglect. If I arrived at Easter, without making this journey, it seems to me that Easter would stay with me only a day or two; or perhaps only until something ugly reared its head in my life! Then, I suspect, that which had been built would topple for lack of a poorly constructed foundation. I love the preparations for the journey. They are such a vital part for me. I love figuring out, with others who enjoy it as well, how to present and tell the stories. I take great pleasure from setting them up visually. Tapping all our senses in worship is the ultimate goal so we can take in the stories in a way that fits our particular skin.
Yesterday, on Easter, as I stood at the Riverfront, at what might seem to some to be an ungodly hour but for me proved to be a Godly moment, I experienced grace and saw God build an altar in the world as the sun rose over the water as we proclaimed our Easter faith: "Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!" It was an incredible moment in which I felt at one with God, totally content, at peace.
At our Easter celebration at Grace Church, the joy was palpable. Surprise was everywhere, from unexpected guests to revelations expressed in Word and music; signs of the risen Christ's presence among us!
At the end of this Holy Week to Easter journey, I am reminded that Easter signals a beginning on God's part. The "It is finished" of the cross becomes "Now it begins" on Easter. [Len Sweet and others] It's time to ask ourselves exactly what "it" is. If we don't ever consider this, then Easter will be simply a Sunday that makes us feel good; a Sunday when we experience grace without responding to the gift.
Now it begins. What is the "it" to which God invites us to give ourselves and our talents?
The tensions continued on Thursday as we delved into the sacred stories and discovered our place at the feetwashing, the table, Gethsemane, and headed toward the cross. Would I have been the one who was horrified that Jesus wanted to wash my feet, would I have rejected his humility? Would I have been the one who would betray him? Or fall asleep, instead of keeping watch in order to protect him, as he prayed in the garden? Would I have deserted him? Do I do all these in my daily life even as he offers me experience of grace after experience of grace? Even as he showers his love on me continuously?
Every year I look forward to this journey. It's stories raise so many emotions in me; and call me to a commitment and experience that otherwise I might neglect. If I arrived at Easter, without making this journey, it seems to me that Easter would stay with me only a day or two; or perhaps only until something ugly reared its head in my life! Then, I suspect, that which had been built would topple for lack of a poorly constructed foundation. I love the preparations for the journey. They are such a vital part for me. I love figuring out, with others who enjoy it as well, how to present and tell the stories. I take great pleasure from setting them up visually. Tapping all our senses in worship is the ultimate goal so we can take in the stories in a way that fits our particular skin.
Yesterday, on Easter, as I stood at the Riverfront, at what might seem to some to be an ungodly hour but for me proved to be a Godly moment, I experienced grace and saw God build an altar in the world as the sun rose over the water as we proclaimed our Easter faith: "Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!" It was an incredible moment in which I felt at one with God, totally content, at peace.
At our Easter celebration at Grace Church, the joy was palpable. Surprise was everywhere, from unexpected guests to revelations expressed in Word and music; signs of the risen Christ's presence among us!
At the end of this Holy Week to Easter journey, I am reminded that Easter signals a beginning on God's part. The "It is finished" of the cross becomes "Now it begins" on Easter. [Len Sweet and others] It's time to ask ourselves exactly what "it" is. If we don't ever consider this, then Easter will be simply a Sunday that makes us feel good; a Sunday when we experience grace without responding to the gift.
Now it begins. What is the "it" to which God invites us to give ourselves and our talents?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
On the birthday of a friend
Today was the birthday of my friend. I called her to sing "happy birthday" to her in order to make her laugh. She lives alone in a big old house that is beautiful, but is always in need of some sort of work. 10 months ago, a tornado went through the town and two trees in her backyard fell on either side of her house, causing damage to her roof! When it happened, she called us, her "walking buddies," to come and be there with her as she assessed the damage. As we came together, it was an experience of grace; a moment in which you know that there are people in this crazy world who would do anything for you because they love you, no strings attached.
As I spoke with my friend today, I realized that our experiences of grace aren't once and for all; they linger and add lasting fragrance to our lives! Each time I talk with her, the fragrance grows stronger.
As I spoke with my friend today, I realized that our experiences of grace aren't once and for all; they linger and add lasting fragrance to our lives! Each time I talk with her, the fragrance grows stronger.
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