This morning I had the privilege of preaching at a small church just a few miles from my house. The congregation was warm, responsive, and joyful, and we had a great time worshiping together.
The highlight of the service came after the closing hymn. I have to admit, my mind wasn't very focused on singing, since I was thinking ahead to my closing words.
As the music faded though, one little boy toward the back broke into applause. It caught me off guard, and I stumbled on my words. How could I have missed this beautiful moment that the boy experienced and was applauding? I stopped, smiled at him, and said, "yes, praise God!" Others echoed me and joined the clapping.
One gentleman said afterward, "sometimes the children lead the worship." Yes they do. This one also saved me from the rigidity that I abhor and yet which stubbornly sneaks up on me. Thank you God, for impetuous children whose affection for you is so unbounded.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Something must be done about the Christian Calendar
What were they thinking? I'm sure there are lots of very good reasons for the timing of Lent, but honestly, why now?
Most of us are still recovering from Christmas. One woman I talked to today still hasn't taken down her decorations. It's the coldest, darkest time of year. Many of us are tired and depressed as it is, and in a couple of weeks we get to start the season of Lent, a time of self-denial, reflection, confession, and the constant reminder that following Christ means, "taking up the cross." Seriously, do we really need it?
Fat Tuesday is looking better and better all the time. Maybe it's not a bad idea to remember, before the season of fasting, that much of Jesus' ministry on earth revolved around feasting and abundance. How can you not love a man who said at the wedding reception, "What? We're out of wine?! No problem, I'll just make more." When people flocked to hear him preach, he took a special interest in the catering. And he was always getting into trouble for partying with the wrong crowd.
Yes, his followers faced some challenges, but there must have been some really fun times, too. The movies usually depict the life of Christ and his apostles as one intense moment after another, but when I read the gospels I hear laughter, see long nights with good, plentiful food and drink, and feel some exciting adventures.
God created fun and laughter, after all, so the life of His son must have been full of these. So, at least for the next two weeks, let's laugh as much as possible. Let's feast on the good stuff. Let's stay up late with good friends dreaming big dreams.
And maybe Lent can be full of joy and smiles, too. After all, it's our time to prepare for Easter, the greatest celebration of all time, and party preparation is almost as much fun as the party itself.
Most of us are still recovering from Christmas. One woman I talked to today still hasn't taken down her decorations. It's the coldest, darkest time of year. Many of us are tired and depressed as it is, and in a couple of weeks we get to start the season of Lent, a time of self-denial, reflection, confession, and the constant reminder that following Christ means, "taking up the cross." Seriously, do we really need it?
Fat Tuesday is looking better and better all the time. Maybe it's not a bad idea to remember, before the season of fasting, that much of Jesus' ministry on earth revolved around feasting and abundance. How can you not love a man who said at the wedding reception, "What? We're out of wine?! No problem, I'll just make more." When people flocked to hear him preach, he took a special interest in the catering. And he was always getting into trouble for partying with the wrong crowd.
Yes, his followers faced some challenges, but there must have been some really fun times, too. The movies usually depict the life of Christ and his apostles as one intense moment after another, but when I read the gospels I hear laughter, see long nights with good, plentiful food and drink, and feel some exciting adventures.
God created fun and laughter, after all, so the life of His son must have been full of these. So, at least for the next two weeks, let's laugh as much as possible. Let's feast on the good stuff. Let's stay up late with good friends dreaming big dreams.
And maybe Lent can be full of joy and smiles, too. After all, it's our time to prepare for Easter, the greatest celebration of all time, and party preparation is almost as much fun as the party itself.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A shirt full of sticky rice
Some people make my job so very easy. I know ministry is supposed to be about loving the unlovable and extending grace to those who need it most, but is it ok sometimes to just dwell on those who are a pure joy?
I spent this evening with 11 of those people. We ate dinner at a Japanese steakhouse, laughing hysterically as the cook flung sticky rice at each person until a mouthful was caught, and generally taking life not too seriously.
Each of them is a beautiful person from my congregation, and they all love to serve Christ. I'm going to spend more time thinking about them, along with the other scores of people in my congregation who are not only fun, but who take their faith walk so seriously that their joy is overflowing. I won't stop loving the unlovable, especially since we are all unlovable at times, and it is love that transforms us. I will also thank God, though, for those who bring laughter and smiles.
I spent this evening with 11 of those people. We ate dinner at a Japanese steakhouse, laughing hysterically as the cook flung sticky rice at each person until a mouthful was caught, and generally taking life not too seriously.
Each of them is a beautiful person from my congregation, and they all love to serve Christ. I'm going to spend more time thinking about them, along with the other scores of people in my congregation who are not only fun, but who take their faith walk so seriously that their joy is overflowing. I won't stop loving the unlovable, especially since we are all unlovable at times, and it is love that transforms us. I will also thank God, though, for those who bring laughter and smiles.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
You're Beautiful
Thanks to DVR, I've been on a "What Not to Wear" marathon for a few months now. It's a show on TLC where friends and family nominate loved ones with no fashion sense for a style makeover. Stacey and Clinton, the hosts, fly the nominee out to NYC, giver her (or him, though usually her) $5,000 and lessons on how to shop for clothes, then finally an expert hair and make-up treatment.
What I love about the show, besides the fashion tips, is to see the transformation. The nominees always look better by the end, but quite often their attitude changes, too. They act more confidently, smile more, and even seem happier. The new wardrobe and makeover help, yes, but after watching a few times I noticed something.
Stacey and Clinton gush. They always find at least one attribute about a person's body and face and go on and on about it. "Look at those long legs!" "You have such a tiny waist!" "Your curves are gorgeous!" We're talking about average people here, not cover models. They have flawed skin, imperfect body shapes, tummy rolls, and cellulite. The idea is not to change people's bodies, but to help them embrace and celebrate the natural beauty that is already theirs.
So, why don't we gush over people at church more often? Not just about inner beauty and virtues and all that, but about outward beauty, too? Usually the message I hear at church is that it's what's inside that counts, that we shouldn't even look at someone's outside. Of course the inside is important, and an outer sheen can't cover up a lack of virtue. But the outside is important, too. It is, after all, part of God's creation which He declared, "good."
When the church denies or ignores the importance of outer beauty, we lose our credibility as well as our power to influence society. Girls go to church and hear that outer beauty isn't important, which they know isn't true, so they take their cues on how to enhance their beauty and sexuality from the latest scantily clad pop star. What if we told them, no, gushed over how gorgeous they are, then taught them that the best way to enhance and respect that beauty is in subtle, understated fashion.
The first time I read Song of Solomon I was a young teenage girl who knew she was ugly and undesirable. Then I read, "Ah, you are beautiful, my love; ah, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely." (1:15-16) Because I hadn't learned proper exegesis and so didn't know any better, I thought the words were directly from God to me. It changed my life.
So if you're reading this, take time to gush over someone today about how incredibly beautiful they are, inside and out.
What I love about the show, besides the fashion tips, is to see the transformation. The nominees always look better by the end, but quite often their attitude changes, too. They act more confidently, smile more, and even seem happier. The new wardrobe and makeover help, yes, but after watching a few times I noticed something.
Stacey and Clinton gush. They always find at least one attribute about a person's body and face and go on and on about it. "Look at those long legs!" "You have such a tiny waist!" "Your curves are gorgeous!" We're talking about average people here, not cover models. They have flawed skin, imperfect body shapes, tummy rolls, and cellulite. The idea is not to change people's bodies, but to help them embrace and celebrate the natural beauty that is already theirs.
So, why don't we gush over people at church more often? Not just about inner beauty and virtues and all that, but about outward beauty, too? Usually the message I hear at church is that it's what's inside that counts, that we shouldn't even look at someone's outside. Of course the inside is important, and an outer sheen can't cover up a lack of virtue. But the outside is important, too. It is, after all, part of God's creation which He declared, "good."
When the church denies or ignores the importance of outer beauty, we lose our credibility as well as our power to influence society. Girls go to church and hear that outer beauty isn't important, which they know isn't true, so they take their cues on how to enhance their beauty and sexuality from the latest scantily clad pop star. What if we told them, no, gushed over how gorgeous they are, then taught them that the best way to enhance and respect that beauty is in subtle, understated fashion.
The first time I read Song of Solomon I was a young teenage girl who knew she was ugly and undesirable. Then I read, "Ah, you are beautiful, my love; ah, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely." (1:15-16) Because I hadn't learned proper exegesis and so didn't know any better, I thought the words were directly from God to me. It changed my life.
So if you're reading this, take time to gush over someone today about how incredibly beautiful they are, inside and out.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Pastors are useless
Sometimes I feel useless, especially in a family full of useful people.
My grandmother recently had hip replacement surgery, and struggled through recovery. What a blessing for her that both a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter are nurses. Her daughter who is a social worker at the hospital was also a great help. In fact, most of our family members served her in significant ways. Honestly, though, sometimes I feel like the unique gifts of a pastor are impractical at best.
When I called my mom to ask when would be the best time to visit grandma, I offered to bring communion. Though I bring communion to church members in the hospital, I was half in jest this time. I'm her granddaughter, not her pastor, and how insignificant were some juice and bread compared with the real care everyone else offered.
It's shameful evidence of my lack of faith. I proclaim that communion is a mysterious means of God's powerful grace. I treat the elements with the deep respect that I believe is appropriate. I've even taught that communion can act as a converting sacrament. So why did I think it was a silly gift to bring my beloved grandmother?
But my mom said that yes, grandma would like for me to bring her communion. So I did. I visited with her for a couple of hours first, putting it off to the end, feeling a little silly when I pulled out my communion-to-go kit. Feeling like a little girl playing dress-up.
But I did it, anyway. I talked a little about the message from Sunday morning, read from Matthew, blessed the elements, and served my grandma communion, still not fulling believing in its effect.
I'm eternally thankful that God's work does not depend upon my weak, pathetic faith.
In the midst of my doubts and insecurities, God answered my prayer and was present in the bread and wine. They were for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Communion is a means of grace, after all. And no person's gift from God is useless, not even a preacher's.
My grandmother recently had hip replacement surgery, and struggled through recovery. What a blessing for her that both a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter are nurses. Her daughter who is a social worker at the hospital was also a great help. In fact, most of our family members served her in significant ways. Honestly, though, sometimes I feel like the unique gifts of a pastor are impractical at best.
When I called my mom to ask when would be the best time to visit grandma, I offered to bring communion. Though I bring communion to church members in the hospital, I was half in jest this time. I'm her granddaughter, not her pastor, and how insignificant were some juice and bread compared with the real care everyone else offered.
It's shameful evidence of my lack of faith. I proclaim that communion is a mysterious means of God's powerful grace. I treat the elements with the deep respect that I believe is appropriate. I've even taught that communion can act as a converting sacrament. So why did I think it was a silly gift to bring my beloved grandmother?
But my mom said that yes, grandma would like for me to bring her communion. So I did. I visited with her for a couple of hours first, putting it off to the end, feeling a little silly when I pulled out my communion-to-go kit. Feeling like a little girl playing dress-up.
But I did it, anyway. I talked a little about the message from Sunday morning, read from Matthew, blessed the elements, and served my grandma communion, still not fulling believing in its effect.
I'm eternally thankful that God's work does not depend upon my weak, pathetic faith.
In the midst of my doubts and insecurities, God answered my prayer and was present in the bread and wine. They were for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Communion is a means of grace, after all. And no person's gift from God is useless, not even a preacher's.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
An Extra Place for Dinner
As my husband and daughter were setting the table for dinner tonight, my daughter said, "We need to set a place for Jesus." I had no idea Jesus was planning on coming to dinner, but how could we say, "no?"So, my husband set out an extra plate and setting of silverware, and my daughter filled the plate with bread.
A sense of expectation danced over us at dinner and, although Jesus' bread went untouched, we were ready for him.
This goes beyond my normal hospitality. It's more than just a willingness to make room for unexpected guests after they arrive, it's expecting the guests and preparing their place long before they come; it's anticipating their needs and desires, so that when they walk in the door they know that they are home at last.
Maybe Jesus will be more likely to join us if we're already prepared.
A sense of expectation danced over us at dinner and, although Jesus' bread went untouched, we were ready for him.
This goes beyond my normal hospitality. It's more than just a willingness to make room for unexpected guests after they arrive, it's expecting the guests and preparing their place long before they come; it's anticipating their needs and desires, so that when they walk in the door they know that they are home at last.
Maybe Jesus will be more likely to join us if we're already prepared.
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