2nd Chances: Pastoral Reflections

Light Of the World

About 40 miles south of Sedona there is a little town in the middle of no where, at the end of a long, straight, flat road. After a seemingly endless trek of nothing a sight appears. A city on a hill, called Jerome, Arizona. Jerome is an old mining town and is built literally on the cliffside. The roads are steep, narrow and full of hairpin turns. Each block is at least on story higher or lower than the next. And when you look at it from a distance, you can't miss it because you can see the tall lights shining over the flat horizon and there'€™s no mistaking where to go.

That's what God says we are to be in Matthew Chapter 5. A place no one can miss, a light so bright it guides others in. The world is dark folks, the world is dim. People can€'t see the way. They are blinded by their own pain, shielded from a better way, unable to look far enough ahead to see something good in the distance. And we must go where they are and brighten the world for them. If these verses had been written in modern times I wonder if the analogy would be about an airport landing strip, or a satellite moving through space, or fireworks in the night sky. It is our job to shine, to look different, to stand out, to be noticed, to shine and light the way for others to come.

And we do that at Living Christ, we do that as people of God. And we do it for people of God. And we do it for families. And we do it for children. And when people are drawn into the light of Living Christ they begin to reflect a little of that light on their own. They become a beacon for others to see and they are drawn in and so on the story goes.

Never forget that you are called to be where you are. I can tell you a story of how God has used each and every person in my life. I pay special attention to that. You are where you are for a reason, God has a plan for you now just as he will use you wherever in life you may be led next. For now, believe you were sent here, to serve and be served, and to touch the life of someone else who is in need. Whether its fate or just opportunity, we all have a role to play. And every thing matters. We bring the presence of God into people'€˜s lives. We must act in accordance with that great responsibility at all times. And when we do, we shine.

Keep shining for the Living Christ. Go where God leads you. There is a purpose. Be the salt of the earth that brings out the best in people. Be the light to the world that lonely people can't miss in the dark sky. Be something no one has ever seen before, some thing people want to come closer to.€“ And let God lead - amazing things will happen, people'€™s lives will be changed and the Gospel will brighten our world for this and every generation.

Dreams Visible

Its not at all uncommon at our church for the kids to lead the way.  They are honest and real, searching for truth like the rest of us, but uncomplicated in their assessments of people,the world and God.  Some of their stories make us cry, and others are real inspirations.  Here's one.

One of our 11 year olds came by the church tonight, about an hour early for church, just to talk to me.  This isn't unusual for the neighborhood kids, they see a few cars, or perhaps my van, and stop by.  It's their place too. They are always welcome.

After a long conversation about what it takes to pursue the dream of being a professional rapper, a great aspiration, I believe, we sat and talked about personal change and doing life differently because you know God.  You wouldn't think that at 11 years old it would be necessary for much personal transformation to occur. Growth and maturity perhaps, but to really become a new person? Well, for this kid it's very real.

He said he used to be a fighter (in his younger years!).  Showing off, being tough.  Saying and doing things to get in trouble, be cool and get other kids to like  him.  But since he's been coming to church he's learned how to set goals, to love God, to look forward to heaven.  He's learned that God has a plan for him and the people he loves even if he can't see it right now. He knows it's ok to be himself.  And now people look up to him (including me).  He has dreams.  He sees his life as something to offer back to help others.  He's an example for others.  He wants to help people who don't have so much as he's got.  Maybe someday his grandmother will come to church with him.

I don't know what all has happened in this little boy's heart this fall, but God is working on something big. He's an inspiration to me, to all of us each week as he comes to church alone, sings the songs, reads the lessons and listens to the sermons.  He prays for his friends.  He lives out what God's love really is.

He's thankful to God.  And I'm thankful for him.

The Church

Honestly,
The Church isn't what I thought it was
I remember a Sunday service
Bright and pretty
Ushers at attention,
Parents and children in perfect rows
Hymns and organ in harmony for all of us
To shine like Stars
And show the world how best we can be
No matter what.

But it wasn't me.

Then I thought the church was a parent
The One to tell me right from wrong
What to say, to do, to act
But that parent was distant, unclear, unsympathizing
And ultimately unhelpful.

It couldn't teach me what I needed to grow.

And then I found the Church
Among the most ordinary of the people God has ever created
Not in their perfection,
Not in my seeking it
But in the ever abundant cries for help- for hope
Where all I can do is rely on God
To lead me to them
So that I can bring His presence
Into the midst of their pain and fear
Amid the desire of others to do something good

To hold them in the Hands of God
So that some needs might be met
And some pain absorbed
By the compassion of God on earth
Through me.

Stories

Life is a story
Bits and pieces of people and their days
Struggles, triumphs, tragedies and hopes
The way we affect one another
For the good or the bad

When I think of my life,
I think of the people in it
What they said to me
How they smiled
Whether I was laughing or crying
On either inside or the outside

I think of Bobby - his bright 6 year old smile
How he loved church and brought his parents every week
And their family healed
His mom gave me the coffee mug I use every day

Dymond had a friend
She drowned in a pool right in front of her
She was about 7
She told me the story about that day
Sitting on the floor in church
As we heard the Easter message read at Kids Club
It changed my perspective about ministry forever

Ray is homeless but not without friends
He's got health issues
He's poor (but not in spirit)
He comes for gas money sometimes (and I always help him)
But he brings in a smile that says that he values his life and mine
And he helps people whenever he can
And sometimes brings his freinds here for encouragement

Byron - well Byron is my friend. 
He's made it through some of the toughest trials
Anyone could ever imagine
And he continually gives God credit for his strength
God smiles on that

The stories could go on and on forever
And they do...
In my heart
In God's heart
Every day

Share your stories.

Entertaining Angels?

I meet some interesting people in the oddest places.  I was at Aldi this morning and a lady in her 50's asked me to help her read the ingredients list off a tub of plain yogurt.  She was looking for added sugars and preservatives.  We found plenty, discussed the locations of local Trader Joe's stores and alternatives to processed foods.  I felt pretty yucky still from being sick but for some reason this woman wanted to talk to me.  So I talked to her - right there in the store - for quite a while.  She also likes cottage cheese.  Did you know they add coloring to that?  Why is that necessary?   I directed her to where they keep the cream cheese as she seemed to figure out I shop there a lot.

A man about her age, presumably her husband, came up to me next and started a new conversation, although I wasn't sure why at the time.  We got on the subject somehow of the cost of raising children on organic and non processed foods (which I don't generally buy).  Then he asked about my family, if I'd had a smooth life ( to which I said no), I listed my kids, and he congratulated me on my accomplishments in parenting them.  I said they were all good kids, and mostly are making good choices.  I told him I was proud of them all.  Believe it or not, he shared with me his philosophy on life, that is to live responsibly and do the right things, and I said mine: To be a better person tomorrow than I am today.  We agreed that is a good way to live. (all this in the cereal aisle) He said, "I can see by who you are that you are a good parent.  You care about how your kids turn out."  I said, "Isn't that our job?  To raise them to be good people?  To teach them to make positive choices?  That's why God gives them to us."

At that, I went to get my groceries and he his.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

I wonder who I met today.

"Bloom where you are planted"

A long time ago I heard that phrase.  It's so true.  Earlier this week I spent a couple scary days in the hospital for a really bad asthma attack and bronchitis. I had a cold to start, and then inhaled some potentially toxic mold and it got me. I have asthma. It's a part of my life that I have to deal with every day. It's been a number of years since I was inpatient for asthma (ER visits excluded). I get so frustrated, angry even, when I am not free...tied down.   And the inability to breathe well, iv's, monitors and limitations of my lungs certainly did that.  I was pretty miserable, not real friendly and perhaps not a great representation of my role and ministry the first day or so.  I even forgot it was my husband's birthday Tuesday. Once I got over my pity party, I realized that I had an opportunity here.  I could use the 'down time' positively; to seek wisdom, be kind to others (everyone took such good care of me)  and think about all I have to be grateful for.  That helped me heal.

here's my starter list:

• I have a husband who drove me to the doctor and stayed for 12 hours by my side through it all
  
• I received excellent medical care and I'm better now
• Two of my friends from the FD took care of me at the ER and visited me the next morning in my room.  The compassion in their eyes and skill of their hands said so much about them.
• I reached out to people I love and they cared for me emotionally
• I was away from church and they just handled things, and my job is still going to be there when I am better
• I have health insurance. Wow.  Big one.
• I learned more about how to keep my breathing in check with all the weird jobs I do and situations I get into with the community and FD
• Lots of people prayed for me and I felt those prayers
  
• I actually rested...I know, but I don't rest well or often unless I absolutely have no other choice.

My lungs are actually really sore today, I'm wired on steroids and exhausted simultaneously.  I need to go rest now and heal more.  I'm thankful for being well (almost) and I think God actually used this in my life to teach me and others about how to live better.  I'm not perfect  -in fact I can come across pretty rough sometimes.  I am very stubborn and get myself in trouble a lot. I wish that were different but seems to be the pattern.  But, my life has great purpose and I get to keep on living it out, and that means everything to me. 

It Can Be Done

My favorite poem speaks for itself, I think....

Someone had said that it couldn't be done
But he with a chuckle replied,
That maybe it couldn't but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so 'till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin on his face
(if he worried he hid it)
And he started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done...
And he did it.

(Edgar A. Guest)

All starts as a seed

A seed
Planted in shallow soil
Swept by wind, rain warmed by Son
Remains steady, struggles and grows

Small sprouts, pruned lightly
Surviving by strong roots
When winter comes again and again

And someday blossoms
Into beauty
A journey made new
Transformed

And here we are
Our lives and those of others
Seeds planted by God
Surviving and sometimes thriving
Becoming what God made us
Showing our color and ability
To share ourselves

Where has God planted seeds?
We may never know
But they are everywhere
and sometimes
we are blessed to see them grow.

The Empty Tomb

Have you ever seen something so unusual that the experience gave you pause? Did you jump to a conclusion? What happened? Did you dismiss it, or pursue it?

There are events and experiences that have stopped me in my tracks and have challenged my skepticism. I have see people come to faith. I have seen people healed. I have seen signs and wonders that are far beyond my understanding. Many times these events and experiences have deepened my faith life. The only explanation I can give them is "God."

One woman had such an experience. She told two others who saw what she saw. Only one of these witnesses saw God's hand in the experience. The empty tomb proved a transcendent event.

They didn’t notice the two men at first, they only saw their worst horrors realized in that the body they came to anoint was gone. Then, out of the corner of their eye they saw two strangers; interrupting them in the place they thought they could be alone in their grief. The glowy men spoke. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Do you remember what he said?” “He is not here, he is risen!"

Then they remembered.  They immediately left grave, left it empty. They went to tell the good news.

Remembering Jesus is more than a mental activity.

Remembering Jesus is a Living action, we are a re-presentation of Jesus

The thief on the cross asked that Jesus remember him. He didn’t mean, “Jesus, will you think about me in your throne room when you get there?” Jesus responded with action.  Jesus said, "You will be with me today!"

Jesus words at the last Supper were,; "DO THIS in remembrance of me." (not just think about it....)

We are called to act on the knowledge of the risen Christ. We are to be a living sacrifice.

Here’s a thought: Was the stone rolled away so that Jesus could get out or so that the women (and we) could get in?

Do we trust what we see when we look for a dead Jesus and find an empty tomb?

Are we desperately holding on the old rituals of familiarity just to bring us comfort, a sense that if we are doing something for Jesus it is better than nothing at all?

Are we still staring at an empty grave, wondering where Jesus is, disappointed.

Where should we look for Jesus?

Are we going to follow him away from the tomb, seek him, go where he went?

(He went back to work! To preach, to heal and to transform!)

Are we willing to follow him into the community filled with people who don’t know what we know?
Will we fear that no one will believe us and say nothing?

Are we willing to dispel our own unbelief and trust in that which we cannot understand?

Are we willing to leave the empty tomb, to let go of our disappointment and experience Jesus alive again?

Are we willing to tell our friends? Are we willing to interrupt their everyday lives and witness to those who may not have heard even that he was dead, who didn’t know the promise to rise again…Or who never heard that God is here at all.

Kids Get It

She's only 7.  Cute, blond.  Sweet high voice and eyes that draw you in.  Always a smile on this one's face.  She goes to church twice a week.  She loves church.  She's usually in the nursery with my daughter.  Sometimes you'd think she's so absorbed in her friends and her playtime and her abundant energy that nothing could possible stick...but it does. 

This little girl in my congregation explained to me last Sunday that she very well does understand what this whole faith thing is all about.  She understands how it is that we are to care for and pray for one another.  She gets that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and not just there for ourselves.

I was talking to someone else that morning. The conversation she overheard was intended for an adult.  You see, a man we all knew was sick, very sick.  He was in the hospital.  I wanted this adult to know about that so that we could do something for him.  But the little girl knew the man too.  She cared about this conversation, even if it wasn't intended for her.  "I know what we can do." the little girl interrupted.  "What is that?" I asked.  "We can pray for him." she said. 

How right she was.  That would have been my answer too, of course....after the medical explanations and words of concern and description.  But she went straight to the heart of things.  She went on to tell me about how she prays, at night in the morning, at meals, at school, on her bike, with friends... and at church.  She told us both, and the pothers who were gathering to hear her, that she would pray for the sick man.  How we could to.  And even if I missed church sometime, she would pray for (instead of) me too.  A mini pastor in the making.  She gets it.

"Unless you come to me as one of these little children..." Jesus said.  He was right.