Recently, a good friend of mine, Rev. Dr. Ken Carter, added another title to his name - Bishop. So now I guess it's Bp. Dr. Ken Carter. He's still Ken to me. Some of you may have heard him preach at last summer's Pleasant Grove Camp Meeting. Ken has a blog. I read it often, and last week one entry caught my interest. I found in his simple "a summer prayer" a profound and touching closure to summer and entrance into a new season. As we fill the schools with children and return to the routine of fall, I share it with you here.
a summer prayer
O God of every time and season
we give thanks for rhythms of work and rest
for places apart that mark our years
for the eternal return of ocean waves
for the defiant posture of mountains
for the hiddenness of favorite coves
for pilgrimages made and then homecomings.
O God, in this season we are grateful
for sanity regained
for blessings discovered
for those who return to us
and for those who leave.
Teach us, God of wonder and creation
that your presence is woven into
the comings and goings of our lives
and having fled to our own lonely places
let us return, with Jesus
to live and work
to heal and pray
to worship and love.
Amen.
(published in Alive Now, July/August, 2000)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Succotash
There's nothing better in the summertime than succotash made from fresh garden tomatoes, okra, and corn. Now, some people will try to tell you succotash has beans in it. They are mistaken. The perfect bowl of piping hot succotash has home-grown tomatoes harvested at their peak, home-grown okra sliced and ready to go, and corn hand sliced off the cob, preferably silver queen, but any corn will do. It is manna from heaven!
I also have some strong feelings about barbeque. I was born in Lexington, NC, and therefore prefer my barbeque Lexington-style, with a vinegar-tomato based sauce. There are other forms of barbeque, I will acknowledge that, but they are the lesser forms of the species. They taste alright, and will do if there is nothing else available, but it's hard to settle when you've had the best.
All kidding aside, we all have our opinions. Some of them are more firmly entrenched than others. This is especially so, it seems, when it comes to our faith. The Moravian church has a motto that I really like when it comes to disagreements in the church:
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
Not only is that good church policy, it's good life policy! You may put beans in your succotash, but ultimately I still love you as a child of God no matter what. You may make Kansas-style barbeque, but I'll still have you over for dinner. Those differences are non-essential; so is what color we paint the walls in the church library or nursery - as is whether we have four ushers or six and whether they are women or youth or men. These are the things we should compromise on for the good of the body of Christ. It's not a power struggle. It's not about who's right or wrong. It's just beans or okra!
The essentials - those we don't compromise on. They are the tenets of our faith. Things like the doctrine of the Trinity, forgiveness for all who believe, and grace, mercy and pardon in the name of Christ. Those things we cling to for dear life! The "Top Ten" - the Ten Commandments - and the "Golden Rule"; the Great Commision; the greatest commandment; all of these are not open for compromise. In these things, we seek and work diligently for unity of understanding and practice.
In all things, charity. Love. The greatest force in the universe. From the time we are children, we hear the stories of how all kinds of evil can be dispersed with "true love's kiss." Even the secular world will acknowledge the power of love. Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39 NLT) Love covers it all. Love conquers death. Love trumps disputes, conflicts and disagreements. Love is the most important thing we can do. Love is essential to our health and well-being. It is also essential to our families, communities, indeed, to our world. The old song says it all, "It's love that makes the world go 'round."
So, maybe I'll try your succotash with beans. You try my vinegar based barbeque. And we'll call it a covered dish and invite everyone we know and share it - in love.
I also have some strong feelings about barbeque. I was born in Lexington, NC, and therefore prefer my barbeque Lexington-style, with a vinegar-tomato based sauce. There are other forms of barbeque, I will acknowledge that, but they are the lesser forms of the species. They taste alright, and will do if there is nothing else available, but it's hard to settle when you've had the best.
All kidding aside, we all have our opinions. Some of them are more firmly entrenched than others. This is especially so, it seems, when it comes to our faith. The Moravian church has a motto that I really like when it comes to disagreements in the church:
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
Not only is that good church policy, it's good life policy! You may put beans in your succotash, but ultimately I still love you as a child of God no matter what. You may make Kansas-style barbeque, but I'll still have you over for dinner. Those differences are non-essential; so is what color we paint the walls in the church library or nursery - as is whether we have four ushers or six and whether they are women or youth or men. These are the things we should compromise on for the good of the body of Christ. It's not a power struggle. It's not about who's right or wrong. It's just beans or okra!
The essentials - those we don't compromise on. They are the tenets of our faith. Things like the doctrine of the Trinity, forgiveness for all who believe, and grace, mercy and pardon in the name of Christ. Those things we cling to for dear life! The "Top Ten" - the Ten Commandments - and the "Golden Rule"; the Great Commision; the greatest commandment; all of these are not open for compromise. In these things, we seek and work diligently for unity of understanding and practice.
In all things, charity. Love. The greatest force in the universe. From the time we are children, we hear the stories of how all kinds of evil can be dispersed with "true love's kiss." Even the secular world will acknowledge the power of love. Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39 NLT) Love covers it all. Love conquers death. Love trumps disputes, conflicts and disagreements. Love is the most important thing we can do. Love is essential to our health and well-being. It is also essential to our families, communities, indeed, to our world. The old song says it all, "It's love that makes the world go 'round."
So, maybe I'll try your succotash with beans. You try my vinegar based barbeque. And we'll call it a covered dish and invite everyone we know and share it - in love.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Preacher C and the Great 50 Days
Easter lasts more than one day. Lots of people don't know that. In fact, there is a whole season of Easter in the church celebrated from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost. It's sometimes called the Great Fifty Days. The word Pentecost actually comes from the old English Pentecosten which means "Christian festival on seventh Sunday after Easter" (taken from http://www.etymonline.com). So, it's all about Easter! Everything starts at Easter for the Christian, for without it's significance, Christmas would not have much importance,
Easter is the oldest festival of the church. The Great Fifty Days has been celebrated much longer than some other festivals and liturgical seasons, such as Advent and Lent. Easter is a most joyful season! The color is white (and/or gold) and the symbols associated with it are truly gorgeous! Flowers in every color imaginable! Butterflies! Brightly colored eggs! Beautifully woven baskets - that's right, they're not just for collecting eggs, but have a symbolism all their own. Young chicks, duckling, and bunnies. The dogwood tree. Stained glass. Hot cross buns. Spring cleaning. Handel's Messiah. Faberge eggs. Ukranian eggs. All these are symbols connected with the celebration of Easter. Why must we use them only on one day?
Readings through the season of Easter are from the book of Acts, emphasizing the importance of our continued presence as a church. We must carry on Jesus' Great Commission, His last instructions to us after the resurrection. "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Yes, we must carry the message of the Gospel. But I say we do it with joy; with flowers, eggs, baskets, hot cross buns, songs, and the promise that Jesus is a living, breathing savior that walks with us and cares for us and celebrates with us and forgives us and wants us to know true peace and great joy!
Easter reaches its peak at Pentecost, when we celebrate the bursting into our world of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives the power and gifts to the church to do God's will and carry Jesus' message even more powerfully into the world. But that's a story for another day...for now, let's continue to enjoy Easter!!!!!
Easter is the oldest festival of the church. The Great Fifty Days has been celebrated much longer than some other festivals and liturgical seasons, such as Advent and Lent. Easter is a most joyful season! The color is white (and/or gold) and the symbols associated with it are truly gorgeous! Flowers in every color imaginable! Butterflies! Brightly colored eggs! Beautifully woven baskets - that's right, they're not just for collecting eggs, but have a symbolism all their own. Young chicks, duckling, and bunnies. The dogwood tree. Stained glass. Hot cross buns. Spring cleaning. Handel's Messiah. Faberge eggs. Ukranian eggs. All these are symbols connected with the celebration of Easter. Why must we use them only on one day?
Readings through the season of Easter are from the book of Acts, emphasizing the importance of our continued presence as a church. We must carry on Jesus' Great Commission, His last instructions to us after the resurrection. "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Yes, we must carry the message of the Gospel. But I say we do it with joy; with flowers, eggs, baskets, hot cross buns, songs, and the promise that Jesus is a living, breathing savior that walks with us and cares for us and celebrates with us and forgives us and wants us to know true peace and great joy!
Easter reaches its peak at Pentecost, when we celebrate the bursting into our world of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives the power and gifts to the church to do God's will and carry Jesus' message even more powerfully into the world. But that's a story for another day...for now, let's continue to enjoy Easter!!!!!
Preacher C Wonders What it Would Be Like to Be There
I have an annual Holy Week ritual. Actually, it usually begins about the Saturday before Palm Sunday. I begin to listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. Each year I choose a character from the drama to become - to live into, if you will. Through the years, I've been Mary Magdalene, Pilot, Herod, a person in the crowd, Caiaphas, Peter, John, Simon the Zealot, a leper, etc.
I've been doing this long enough that I ran out of characters! This year there was no one left to be - no one, that is, except Jesus. I was rather put off by the prospect of living into that particular character. In fact, I felt unworthy, ashamed, even a little afraid. As a director, I've coached actors to portray Jesus in productions of Godspell, Cotton Patch Gospel and Superstar. Yet when faced with the reality of trying to BE Him, to have the heart, the mind, the soul of Christ as I move through the events of Holy Week, I found it completely daunting.
Jesus and 12 men were together day and night for 3 years. They experienced life together. Miracles. Healings. Feedings. The blind can see. The lame can walk. The word Messiah keeps coming up. The teachings. Some believe He will lead a revolution against the Roman occupation. Some believe He is a prophet. Some believe He is a rabbi. Some believe they just feel good being around him.
I've served in churches for 26 years. We've been through life together. Miracles. Healings. And I can tell you as a Methodist, there've been TONS of feedings. I've seen the blind healed; the lame, too - not by me, mind you, but by the Jesus I serve. We talk about the Messiah and his teachings. There's always some contingency in the church that wants to overthrow some other group in the church and wants me on "their side". I can relate to all that.
Jesus keeps trying to lay it out for them. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. They keep trying to complicate things.
I can relate to that too. We just have to love God and each other. Yet, we get mad and hate each other over petty things like the color of the carpet or the people who wear shorts to the contemporary service.
And then when things get rough for Jesus, his friends all desert him. One even betrays him to the enemy.
Hey, come to think of it, I've been there too. Haven't we all at one time or another?
No, I'm nowhere near being Jesus. But I'm finding myself really moved, even changed by finding how much he had to face exactly the things I've had to face in my life. He knows EXACTLY how I feel when I cry out to him.
And when he was on that cross and cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", he knew God hadn't forsaken him, just like I know God never forsakes me. But he FELT forsaken, the pain of loss, the heartbreak of loneliness, the human emotion of being alone and, like us, he cried out in frustration for the One who never forsakes us.
Then, three days later, He sees his friends again. Slowly they return to Him. Now they are with Him forever, as we will one day be as well. I haven't experienced that yet. But I'm looking forward to it...
I've been doing this long enough that I ran out of characters! This year there was no one left to be - no one, that is, except Jesus. I was rather put off by the prospect of living into that particular character. In fact, I felt unworthy, ashamed, even a little afraid. As a director, I've coached actors to portray Jesus in productions of Godspell, Cotton Patch Gospel and Superstar. Yet when faced with the reality of trying to BE Him, to have the heart, the mind, the soul of Christ as I move through the events of Holy Week, I found it completely daunting.
Jesus and 12 men were together day and night for 3 years. They experienced life together. Miracles. Healings. Feedings. The blind can see. The lame can walk. The word Messiah keeps coming up. The teachings. Some believe He will lead a revolution against the Roman occupation. Some believe He is a prophet. Some believe He is a rabbi. Some believe they just feel good being around him.
I've served in churches for 26 years. We've been through life together. Miracles. Healings. And I can tell you as a Methodist, there've been TONS of feedings. I've seen the blind healed; the lame, too - not by me, mind you, but by the Jesus I serve. We talk about the Messiah and his teachings. There's always some contingency in the church that wants to overthrow some other group in the church and wants me on "their side". I can relate to all that.
Jesus keeps trying to lay it out for them. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. They keep trying to complicate things.
I can relate to that too. We just have to love God and each other. Yet, we get mad and hate each other over petty things like the color of the carpet or the people who wear shorts to the contemporary service.
And then when things get rough for Jesus, his friends all desert him. One even betrays him to the enemy.
Hey, come to think of it, I've been there too. Haven't we all at one time or another?
No, I'm nowhere near being Jesus. But I'm finding myself really moved, even changed by finding how much he had to face exactly the things I've had to face in my life. He knows EXACTLY how I feel when I cry out to him.
And when he was on that cross and cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", he knew God hadn't forsaken him, just like I know God never forsakes me. But he FELT forsaken, the pain of loss, the heartbreak of loneliness, the human emotion of being alone and, like us, he cried out in frustration for the One who never forsakes us.
Then, three days later, He sees his friends again. Slowly they return to Him. Now they are with Him forever, as we will one day be as well. I haven't experienced that yet. But I'm looking forward to it...
The Blood of Christ Shed for All
I don't get it. All this fascination with blood. The popularity of vampires, werewolves and the like. Young people choosing blood as an accessory, a condiment (supposedly fake blood, but even so euw!), and a form of entertainment. I find it quite disturbing.
I've often found it quite disturbing that we talk so much about blood in the church. Saved by the blood. Power in the blood. I'm too squimish about such things. I prefer to go straight from Palm Sunday to Easter, frankly, and skip over all that messiness of Good Friday. I'm probably the only Christian I know who hasn't seen The Passion of the Christ, not because I doubt that it's a good movie, but because I don't do well with the gore. I can accept that Christ suffered for me without having to see it, can't I?
Sometimes I even get a little perturbed with my colleagues for dwelling a little too much on all this blood talk. Have you been washed in the blood? Are you cleansed by the blood? Only by his blood are you saved. Enough already!
Michelle was 14. She was a normal kid - a cheerleader, secretary of the youth group, etc. We built haunted houses together, went on beach and ski trips together, planned Sunday school and youth group lessons together, typed youth newsletters together, and did all the normal pastor-youth things in a small rural church. But on this particular day, Michelle wasn't her normal self. She lay in a hospital bed in the pediatic hospital. Her normally well tanned freckled face was as white as the sheet beneath it. Her freckles stood black against her porcelin face, and her black hair made her seem even more pale. She had a very potent, aggresive form of leukemia. She wasn't expected to survive. Her blood was dying from what I understood.
After visiting with her, I went by the chapel. I prayed. I prayed for the blood. I prayed for all that power, that saving, that cleansing, all those things blood was supposed to do. I prayed for Christ's blood to be Michelle's blood - to replace her sick blood with his powerful blood. I begged forgiveness for the flip way I had treated the gift of blood - for now I could see that blood was life itself. I prayed and prayed and prayed for precious Michelle. When I couldn't pray anymore, I went back to see her again before I left to go home.
She wanted to tell me something. But first, in order to understand what she had to tell me, you need to know that I was 7 months pregnant with my first child at the time. She told me, "Pastor Caren, I HAVE to get well. If I don't, who's going to baby sit for your baby?" She had a point. She was the only teenage girl in the church.
Well, she did get well. She did babysit Anna. And she taught me all about the meaning of the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to bring life - new life - to those who will seek him. I remember her often, but especially when we come to this time of year when we talk more about the blood, the life-giving, wonderful blood of Jesus Christ.
I've often found it quite disturbing that we talk so much about blood in the church. Saved by the blood. Power in the blood. I'm too squimish about such things. I prefer to go straight from Palm Sunday to Easter, frankly, and skip over all that messiness of Good Friday. I'm probably the only Christian I know who hasn't seen The Passion of the Christ, not because I doubt that it's a good movie, but because I don't do well with the gore. I can accept that Christ suffered for me without having to see it, can't I?
Sometimes I even get a little perturbed with my colleagues for dwelling a little too much on all this blood talk. Have you been washed in the blood? Are you cleansed by the blood? Only by his blood are you saved. Enough already!
Michelle was 14. She was a normal kid - a cheerleader, secretary of the youth group, etc. We built haunted houses together, went on beach and ski trips together, planned Sunday school and youth group lessons together, typed youth newsletters together, and did all the normal pastor-youth things in a small rural church. But on this particular day, Michelle wasn't her normal self. She lay in a hospital bed in the pediatic hospital. Her normally well tanned freckled face was as white as the sheet beneath it. Her freckles stood black against her porcelin face, and her black hair made her seem even more pale. She had a very potent, aggresive form of leukemia. She wasn't expected to survive. Her blood was dying from what I understood.
After visiting with her, I went by the chapel. I prayed. I prayed for the blood. I prayed for all that power, that saving, that cleansing, all those things blood was supposed to do. I prayed for Christ's blood to be Michelle's blood - to replace her sick blood with his powerful blood. I begged forgiveness for the flip way I had treated the gift of blood - for now I could see that blood was life itself. I prayed and prayed and prayed for precious Michelle. When I couldn't pray anymore, I went back to see her again before I left to go home.
She wanted to tell me something. But first, in order to understand what she had to tell me, you need to know that I was 7 months pregnant with my first child at the time. She told me, "Pastor Caren, I HAVE to get well. If I don't, who's going to baby sit for your baby?" She had a point. She was the only teenage girl in the church.
Well, she did get well. She did babysit Anna. And she taught me all about the meaning of the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to bring life - new life - to those who will seek him. I remember her often, but especially when we come to this time of year when we talk more about the blood, the life-giving, wonderful blood of Jesus Christ.
Preacher C and the Little armstrong
At the approach of Christmas, you see lights on every store, tree, lamp post and home. You see red and green ad nauseum. You hear Christmas carols beginning November 1. There are Christmas cookies, Christmas parties, Christmas parades and Christmas cards. Yet, Easter, arguably the more important Christian event, doesn't have the same celebratory flair. Why?
Well, with the whole lights thing, it's not as dark, so there's a whole different kind of ambiance. God seems to be providing the lighting for this season. Bright sunlight has returned. Patio lights have replaced twinkle lights, as people have moved outside into the warmer air to celebrate the return of spring. The glow of hearth and candlelight are replaced by breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, as well as longer daylight hours.
And why limit ourselves to red and green when God paints the world in brilliant colors of pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, gold, green, and white? There are flowers, trees, butterflies, and birds forming an unlimited pallette of variegation for God to dip His paintbrush into. And though I have never heard of Easter carols, there are certain songs associated with this time of the church year that I look forward to: Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?, What Wondrous Love is This? and others that we sing only at this time of the year.
There used to be Easter parades. At least, in the movies there were! In one of my favorites, Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby (my children are going "Who?"), there's the song about the Easter parade. Many of us do still wear new clothes on Easter Sunday and "parade" to church to show our best! There may not be Easter cookies, but I love hot cross buns and moravian sugar cookies. And why not send Easter cards?
Okay, so I'm grasping at straws. Yet, there are some very rich Easter traditions so ingrained in our culture that we don't even know they are associated with Easter. Oh, we know about the bunnies and eggs, signs of fertility adapted from the pagan cultures by the church and assigned new "chrisitanized" interpretations. But did you know that pretzels were developed by monks as unleavened bread to be used during Lent? Their original shape of the twist was supposed to resemble arms folded in prayer. Think about that next time you munch a pretzel. And I know you can find marshmallow hearts, rabbits, santas and shamrocks, but they were origanally developed in the 1950s in America (I think in Boston, but don't quote me on that) as little peeps for Easter treats.
Easter is the oldest of all the Christian traditions and holidays. It is the holiest of days. It is the day that gives us a reason to be Christians - the day Jesus conquered death, rose from the grave, and called us to live as His disciples. We are, in fact, Easter people, when we have died to self, and risen with Him to a new life lived according to His purpose.
I, for one, plan to celebrate like crazy. Party at Pastor Caren's house! I'm making the Hot Cross Buns, someone else bring the ham, chocolate bunnies anyone? Up from the grave He arose (He arose), Hallelujah, Christ arose!
Well, with the whole lights thing, it's not as dark, so there's a whole different kind of ambiance. God seems to be providing the lighting for this season. Bright sunlight has returned. Patio lights have replaced twinkle lights, as people have moved outside into the warmer air to celebrate the return of spring. The glow of hearth and candlelight are replaced by breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, as well as longer daylight hours.
And why limit ourselves to red and green when God paints the world in brilliant colors of pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, gold, green, and white? There are flowers, trees, butterflies, and birds forming an unlimited pallette of variegation for God to dip His paintbrush into. And though I have never heard of Easter carols, there are certain songs associated with this time of the church year that I look forward to: Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?, What Wondrous Love is This? and others that we sing only at this time of the year.
There used to be Easter parades. At least, in the movies there were! In one of my favorites, Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby (my children are going "Who?"), there's the song about the Easter parade. Many of us do still wear new clothes on Easter Sunday and "parade" to church to show our best! There may not be Easter cookies, but I love hot cross buns and moravian sugar cookies. And why not send Easter cards?
Okay, so I'm grasping at straws. Yet, there are some very rich Easter traditions so ingrained in our culture that we don't even know they are associated with Easter. Oh, we know about the bunnies and eggs, signs of fertility adapted from the pagan cultures by the church and assigned new "chrisitanized" interpretations. But did you know that pretzels were developed by monks as unleavened bread to be used during Lent? Their original shape of the twist was supposed to resemble arms folded in prayer. Think about that next time you munch a pretzel. And I know you can find marshmallow hearts, rabbits, santas and shamrocks, but they were origanally developed in the 1950s in America (I think in Boston, but don't quote me on that) as little peeps for Easter treats.
Easter is the oldest of all the Christian traditions and holidays. It is the holiest of days. It is the day that gives us a reason to be Christians - the day Jesus conquered death, rose from the grave, and called us to live as His disciples. We are, in fact, Easter people, when we have died to self, and risen with Him to a new life lived according to His purpose.
I, for one, plan to celebrate like crazy. Party at Pastor Caren's house! I'm making the Hot Cross Buns, someone else bring the ham, chocolate bunnies anyone? Up from the grave He arose (He arose), Hallelujah, Christ arose!
Preacher C and the Endless Wilderness
This year for Lent, I chose to give up television. The first two weeks were NO PROBLEM. I thought, "This is gonna be a breeze!" Then I had surgery and was bed-ridden for a week. I couldn't quilt. I couldn't scrapbook. I couldn't cook. I couldn't get outside in all the nice weather. I couldn't even read because the meds made my eyes all blurry. The anesthesia made me sick. I was basically hating life. AND THEY STARTED A NEW SEASON OF DANCING WITH THE STARS! ARGH!
I remembered why I had chosen to give up TV. It was so that I'd have more time to do the things I enjoyed, and more time to spend with God. So God and I had a good looooong chat. And another. And several more. I did all the talking, I'm afraid. I'm prone to do that, being that I talk for a living. Last Sunday, I had given in to a bit of a pity party. I cried out to God that I just didn't have any fight left in me. I wondered if Jesus felt that way after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Not long after that the phone rang. It was my Sunday night Bible study group. They were calling to see if I would mind if they visited me.
My husband said a smile came to my face. I just know my prayer was answered. I said, "Mind? I'd love it if they'd come!" My loving husband set to cleaning the house; I put on some clean pajamas; and soon they arrived. Even though my beloved Tar Heels had just lost, it seemed so trivial, because what really mattered was that I was loved by an awesome God and his awesome angels who had come to minister to their minister in her time of need. I told them that at the end of that story about Jesus in the wilderness, when he had faced his last temptation, angels came and ministered to him. So maybe, just maybe, I've met my last temptation...at least for this trip through the wilderness. All I know is, my angels showed up just in time!
Often people from all walks of life come to me for help in their circumstances. I always encourage them, no matter who they are, to get involved in a faith community. I don't know how anyone goes through life without one. Yes, any local church will help you all they can. But YOUR church will go that second mile, and stand by you, walk with you, and share your burdens and your joys. We all have our wilderness times. We all need God and we all need each other. If you are reading this and are a church member, reach out to someone in need - just a card or a call. If you are in need and no one is reaching out - does your pastor know? Sometimes we're the last to know! Have someome let us know if you are sick or in need. Who knows, you just might find angels on your doorstep!
I remembered why I had chosen to give up TV. It was so that I'd have more time to do the things I enjoyed, and more time to spend with God. So God and I had a good looooong chat. And another. And several more. I did all the talking, I'm afraid. I'm prone to do that, being that I talk for a living. Last Sunday, I had given in to a bit of a pity party. I cried out to God that I just didn't have any fight left in me. I wondered if Jesus felt that way after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Not long after that the phone rang. It was my Sunday night Bible study group. They were calling to see if I would mind if they visited me.
My husband said a smile came to my face. I just know my prayer was answered. I said, "Mind? I'd love it if they'd come!" My loving husband set to cleaning the house; I put on some clean pajamas; and soon they arrived. Even though my beloved Tar Heels had just lost, it seemed so trivial, because what really mattered was that I was loved by an awesome God and his awesome angels who had come to minister to their minister in her time of need. I told them that at the end of that story about Jesus in the wilderness, when he had faced his last temptation, angels came and ministered to him. So maybe, just maybe, I've met my last temptation...at least for this trip through the wilderness. All I know is, my angels showed up just in time!
Often people from all walks of life come to me for help in their circumstances. I always encourage them, no matter who they are, to get involved in a faith community. I don't know how anyone goes through life without one. Yes, any local church will help you all they can. But YOUR church will go that second mile, and stand by you, walk with you, and share your burdens and your joys. We all have our wilderness times. We all need God and we all need each other. If you are reading this and are a church member, reach out to someone in need - just a card or a call. If you are in need and no one is reaching out - does your pastor know? Sometimes we're the last to know! Have someome let us know if you are sick or in need. Who knows, you just might find angels on your doorstep!
Preacher C and the Community gardens
Spring is in the air. Everyone is out walking. Flowers are blooming. Trees are budding. Birds are tweeting (the ones in the trees, I mean). The freshness of rain, the smell of soil. It stirs something deep in the soul. It's no accident that many of the parables of Jesus used earthy metaphors to explain spiritual truths. We connect on a deep level to the earth.
I was recently approached by some church members and townspeople about starting a community garden, with my church as the sponsoring organization. So, as the city girl I am, I immediately began to do research. I read many articles on the web, made a trip to the library, met with local experts, and began to talk to church members. There are several master gardeners in my church - who knew? Of course, I now must confess that I don't know what a master gardener is, but it sure sounds impressive! You see, I love to benefit from gardening, especially those home-grown tomatoes. But, I'm not particularly good at it. I have had a modicum of success with herbs because, frankly, I don't think you can kill herbs. Tomatoes, not so much. But my heart is in it!
I do COMPLETELY believe in the concept of the community garden. I believe we need to come together and create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and trust for the benefit of ourselves and those less fortunate. I believe in the old concept of God's acre, setting aside a portion of all we plant for the poor. I believe in teaching a new generation that is far removed from the land that once we understood our complete and utter dependence upon it and it's time we did again. Concepts like composting, rain water harvesting, crop rotation, and complemetary planting should touch our everyday lives on a regular basis, not just on a field trip at school.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the community garden is the sense of community. We are so isolated by our lifestyles today. We build ever larger homes for ever smaller families. We use iPods and kendles to close out the world, rather than smile and say, "Hello." Even with friends and family, we tune out with TV and PCs and cell phones. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a "no-tech" zone! To just talk, share gardening tips, go through life together, laugh, cry, sweat, dig, plant, harvest, and rejoice.
So, Gentle Readers, if you share my passion for this project, please contact me at pastorcaren@waxhawumc.com, or call 704/843-3931. We're trying to build a team of committed, dedicated people to make this pilot project a success. Our dream is that this would be one of many to spring up all around Waxhaw. Is this your gift? Are you called to this ministry? Do you have talents in this direction? Do you have expertise to share? Do you need something to do with your time? Are you feeling a Holy Spirit nudge? Join us. I believe you will find it a blessing.
Matthew 5:5 say "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." That makes them also rich, those meek ones, for they shall inherit all they need.
I was recently approached by some church members and townspeople about starting a community garden, with my church as the sponsoring organization. So, as the city girl I am, I immediately began to do research. I read many articles on the web, made a trip to the library, met with local experts, and began to talk to church members. There are several master gardeners in my church - who knew? Of course, I now must confess that I don't know what a master gardener is, but it sure sounds impressive! You see, I love to benefit from gardening, especially those home-grown tomatoes. But, I'm not particularly good at it. I have had a modicum of success with herbs because, frankly, I don't think you can kill herbs. Tomatoes, not so much. But my heart is in it!
I do COMPLETELY believe in the concept of the community garden. I believe we need to come together and create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and trust for the benefit of ourselves and those less fortunate. I believe in the old concept of God's acre, setting aside a portion of all we plant for the poor. I believe in teaching a new generation that is far removed from the land that once we understood our complete and utter dependence upon it and it's time we did again. Concepts like composting, rain water harvesting, crop rotation, and complemetary planting should touch our everyday lives on a regular basis, not just on a field trip at school.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the community garden is the sense of community. We are so isolated by our lifestyles today. We build ever larger homes for ever smaller families. We use iPods and kendles to close out the world, rather than smile and say, "Hello." Even with friends and family, we tune out with TV and PCs and cell phones. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a "no-tech" zone! To just talk, share gardening tips, go through life together, laugh, cry, sweat, dig, plant, harvest, and rejoice.
So, Gentle Readers, if you share my passion for this project, please contact me at pastorcaren@waxhawumc.com, or call 704/843-3931. We're trying to build a team of committed, dedicated people to make this pilot project a success. Our dream is that this would be one of many to spring up all around Waxhaw. Is this your gift? Are you called to this ministry? Do you have talents in this direction? Do you have expertise to share? Do you need something to do with your time? Are you feeling a Holy Spirit nudge? Join us. I believe you will find it a blessing.
Matthew 5:5 say "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." That makes them also rich, those meek ones, for they shall inherit all they need.
Preacher C and the Vanity tags
Recently, my husband decided, for reasons known only to him and God, that I needed a vanity tag for my car. He did not consult me on the matter. If he had, he would have discovered that I don't care for the things. After all, isn't vanity one of the seven deadly sins? I detest those cutesy little tags proclaiming the owner to be a "NSCRGRL" or announcing the car is "BECASBUG." I don't care, frankly, if you are a "SK8TR" or the "NXTIDOL." Yet, now my car proudly proclaims for all the world to see that I am "REVCAREN."
Now, at first glance, this might not seem so bad. But, you see, I drive like a little old lady. I drive exactly the speed limit. If it says 35, I set my cruise control on 35. This apparently irritates the people who get trapped behind me on Providence Road. And now, they know exactly who to blame!!!!!
And it gets worse! My husband actually does most of the driving. He drives like a maniac. He weaves in and out of traffic, cuttting people off, running red lights, and generally driving like he's Dale Earnhardt reincarnated. And whose name is on the back of his car? Rev. Caren, of course!
This all gets me thinking. What if all of our deeds were known by everyone? They say that character is what you do when no one is looking. What if your car, clothes, home, friends, family announced to the world what kind of person you are? Maybe they do. What do the vanity tags in your life say about you? Would you be proud to have you name associated with all that you do?
Now, at first glance, this might not seem so bad. But, you see, I drive like a little old lady. I drive exactly the speed limit. If it says 35, I set my cruise control on 35. This apparently irritates the people who get trapped behind me on Providence Road. And now, they know exactly who to blame!!!!!
And it gets worse! My husband actually does most of the driving. He drives like a maniac. He weaves in and out of traffic, cuttting people off, running red lights, and generally driving like he's Dale Earnhardt reincarnated. And whose name is on the back of his car? Rev. Caren, of course!
This all gets me thinking. What if all of our deeds were known by everyone? They say that character is what you do when no one is looking. What if your car, clothes, home, friends, family announced to the world what kind of person you are? Maybe they do. What do the vanity tags in your life say about you? Would you be proud to have you name associated with all that you do?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
It's How You Play the Game
"Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified." I Corinthians 9:24-27 NRSV
I've been glued to the Olympics. I love to watch them. My favorite is the opening ceremony. I watch each and every country as it marches into the arena. I love the gymnastics, the swimming, the track and field, the water polo, and the basketball. I watch as much as I can. I'm proud of our American athletes, but I have some international favorites, too.
When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he used the language of the Olympics. Actually, they were more familiar with similar games held in Corinth called the Isthmian Games. The language and the imagery were something they could very easily relate to, and Paul drew on that to teach an important lesson about our walk with Christ. We have to train just as vigorously, diligently and purposefully as any athlete to be spiritually fit. The Olympians vie only for a laurel wreath that will die eventually; or a gold medal that will tarnish. We fight for our life - the abundant one promised here and the everlasting one promised after we die. Paul emphasized self-control, discipline, and the drive to win the prize.
As summer winds down to a close, and we look to building the routine of life around the schedule of school, work, or seasons, it is imperative that we include intentional spiritual formation as a part of that routine. As we sign up the kids for cheerleading and basketball, we must also sign them up for mid-week Bible studies, and commit to Sunday school every week. We have to remember that Sunday is a time for family, yes, but also Sunday is the time when most youth fellowships meet. So homework must be done BEFORE Sunday night. The spiritual lives of our youth depend on it!
Just as much as our bodies depend on exercise and our brains depend on education, our spirits depend on spiritual formation through the intentional study of God's word, attention to a life of prayer, and regular attendance at a service of worship where we join others on the same journey we have chosen to take in life. It's always easier to train with a buddy! So set your eyes on the prize - a life lived in glory - and GO FOR THE WIN!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Why do bad things happen to good people? There are so many sides to this complex question. Entire books have been devoted to the topic. In the wake of recent events in Colorado and around the world, someone always raises the question, "How could God let this happen?"
One theory says it's to show God's glory as he strengthens us in our time of need. Really? God allowed millions to die in the holocaust, in the tsunamis, and others just so he could comfort the bereaved? What kind of God is that?
Another explanation goes something along the lines of, "We can't understand ways, so we must just find acceptance." This camp tends to turn to the book of Job for proof texting their cause. Yet, one of the glorious lessons of Job is that he doesn't accept what's happened! He objects rather profusely! It's his well meaning, but misinformed friends who harp on the need to just put up and shut up. Or worse, they tell him it's his fault! He had to have sinned in order to deserve this, right?
Still another school of thought says there's no such thing as a good person. The Bible clearly states that we all live in the natural state of sin. Since we are all sinners, we cannot be good people. Though this is true, we ALSO believe God is good. And he forgives and restores us by grace. Would this God who sent his only son to die for us even though we didn't love him suddenly decide just to capriciously obliterate us because we are sinners? I don't think so.
Then there's the one I dislike the most. This one goes something like this: It's God's will. Really? God willed all those people to die just for attending a movie premiere? Really? Not the God I know and love and trust my life and my living to. "God's punishing those people." For what? "God's teaching them a lesson." Seriously? I thought "all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching...so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NRSV). What else do we need to be taught?
So, why do bad things happen to good people? Here's my belief. It has three parts.
1. We all have free will, and we are all sinners. God doesn't swoop down and zap us each time we are about to sin. We have a choice. Each day we choose between sin and no sin many times. And many of us choose sin.
2. Evil is real. It exists. Satan, the devil, whatever you call it, evil is real. To ignore or deny it is to set yourself up for failure and a whole lot of pain. Some people choose evil. They may be damaged, insane, hurt, abused, whatever the reason, they choose evil. God does not stop them. They, too, have free will. And until the moment they draw their last breath, God in Christ will continue to reach out to them in love.
3. There are natural consequences to our actions when we choose to sin. God doesn't put up a shield of protection around everyone to keep our sin from affecting them. If you drive recklessly and you kill someone, God didn't cause them to die. But he didn't stop it from happening. It was the natural consequence of your sin of reckless driving.
Bad things happen. Period. Sometimes good people are there. Sometimes bad people are there. Sometimes no one is there. Always God is there. And I believe, he weeps.
One theory says it's to show God's glory as he strengthens us in our time of need. Really? God allowed millions to die in the holocaust, in the tsunamis, and others just so he could comfort the bereaved? What kind of God is that?
Another explanation goes something along the lines of, "We can't understand ways, so we must just find acceptance." This camp tends to turn to the book of Job for proof texting their cause. Yet, one of the glorious lessons of Job is that he doesn't accept what's happened! He objects rather profusely! It's his well meaning, but misinformed friends who harp on the need to just put up and shut up. Or worse, they tell him it's his fault! He had to have sinned in order to deserve this, right?
Still another school of thought says there's no such thing as a good person. The Bible clearly states that we all live in the natural state of sin. Since we are all sinners, we cannot be good people. Though this is true, we ALSO believe God is good. And he forgives and restores us by grace. Would this God who sent his only son to die for us even though we didn't love him suddenly decide just to capriciously obliterate us because we are sinners? I don't think so.
Then there's the one I dislike the most. This one goes something like this: It's God's will. Really? God willed all those people to die just for attending a movie premiere? Really? Not the God I know and love and trust my life and my living to. "God's punishing those people." For what? "God's teaching them a lesson." Seriously? I thought "all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching...so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NRSV). What else do we need to be taught?
So, why do bad things happen to good people? Here's my belief. It has three parts.
1. We all have free will, and we are all sinners. God doesn't swoop down and zap us each time we are about to sin. We have a choice. Each day we choose between sin and no sin many times. And many of us choose sin.
2. Evil is real. It exists. Satan, the devil, whatever you call it, evil is real. To ignore or deny it is to set yourself up for failure and a whole lot of pain. Some people choose evil. They may be damaged, insane, hurt, abused, whatever the reason, they choose evil. God does not stop them. They, too, have free will. And until the moment they draw their last breath, God in Christ will continue to reach out to them in love.
3. There are natural consequences to our actions when we choose to sin. God doesn't put up a shield of protection around everyone to keep our sin from affecting them. If you drive recklessly and you kill someone, God didn't cause them to die. But he didn't stop it from happening. It was the natural consequence of your sin of reckless driving.
Bad things happen. Period. Sometimes good people are there. Sometimes bad people are there. Sometimes no one is there. Always God is there. And I believe, he weeps.
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