"See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." - Isaiah 59:1-2
Dear Friends in Christ -
God is always, always paying attention to us, giving us guidance, offering protection, helping us along. But sometimes we're not experiencing the benefit of that. And sometimes it's our fault. Sometimes the reason we don't experience God's loving care is that our sins are getting in the way.
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he says, "[nothing] in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." And he's right. Ultimately. Eventually.
But one of the reasons - perhaps the main reason - we experience static on the airwaves of our connection with God is that we're creating interference. With thoughtless, unkind words. By brushing people aside in haste. By indulging in little things that do harm to our bodies and souls - and add another brick to the wall between us and God.
We teach our children: "if at first you don't succeed, try again." Today, it's our turn to practice what we preach. No matter how many times we've failed, now is the time to do what we know we should. And as we do, the barrier between us and God will begin to fall, and his power - and joy - will begin to stir in us again.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Working on a Dream
"Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised, for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see . . ." - Simeon's words at the presentation of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:29-30)
Dear Friends in Christ -
Simeon had a dream. Before he died, he wanted to greet the Messiah. He was 100% confident that the Messiah was coming, and he didn't want to miss him. So he dedicated his life to the work of God in God's temple. And he waited. And he worked. And he prayed. And he never gave up his dream. Eventually he held the baby Jesus in his arms.
Evalyn, my priest friend from Kenya, had a dream. Ten years ago, when I first met her, she told me all about it. She wanted to build a school in the very poor, very remote town in which she grew up. She waited. she worked. She prayed. She shared her dream with me and many others in such a vivid way that I could see the school in my mind. Ten years later, the school is beginning its third year, full to capacity with 120 students in preschool through third grade. When Evalyn came for dinner on Sunday, she had photographs of the students and their school. It's just exactly as she described it years before it actually existed.
What's your dream? Everyone needs to have a dream. I sense that God is working on revealing more of his dream in me, in St. Paul's. So I'm waiting. I'm working. I'm praying. What is the next dream God will plant in our hearts?
For me, it's a particularly good day to be thinking about dreams because today is the anniversary of the fulfillment of two dreams. Nine years ago today, I was ordained to the priesthood. Eight years ago today, my beloved daughter was baptized. As I celebrate the fulfillment of past dreams, I am filled with joyful anticipation of discovering what God has for us next.
Rejoicing,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
Simeon had a dream. Before he died, he wanted to greet the Messiah. He was 100% confident that the Messiah was coming, and he didn't want to miss him. So he dedicated his life to the work of God in God's temple. And he waited. And he worked. And he prayed. And he never gave up his dream. Eventually he held the baby Jesus in his arms.
Evalyn, my priest friend from Kenya, had a dream. Ten years ago, when I first met her, she told me all about it. She wanted to build a school in the very poor, very remote town in which she grew up. She waited. she worked. She prayed. She shared her dream with me and many others in such a vivid way that I could see the school in my mind. Ten years later, the school is beginning its third year, full to capacity with 120 students in preschool through third grade. When Evalyn came for dinner on Sunday, she had photographs of the students and their school. It's just exactly as she described it years before it actually existed.
What's your dream? Everyone needs to have a dream. I sense that God is working on revealing more of his dream in me, in St. Paul's. So I'm waiting. I'm working. I'm praying. What is the next dream God will plant in our hearts?
For me, it's a particularly good day to be thinking about dreams because today is the anniversary of the fulfillment of two dreams. Nine years ago today, I was ordained to the priesthood. Eight years ago today, my beloved daughter was baptized. As I celebrate the fulfillment of past dreams, I am filled with joyful anticipation of discovering what God has for us next.
Rejoicing,
Janet+
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
10 Ways to Pray on (another!!!) Snow Day
"Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem;
loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion!" - Isaiah 52:2
Dear Friends in Christ -
Another snow day?! I can hardly believe it! In the 14 years that my husband and I have lived in Connecticut, we've never seen weather like this. Intense. Unpredictable. Treacherous. Beautiful.
A friend of mine said that the problem with so many snow days is that it throws off all her rhythms. How true!
When we're thrown out of our regular rhythms, though, there's opportunity for fresh new things. So on this snow day, instead of completely letting the grey-day doldrums or the honey-it's-your-turn-to-yell-at-the-kids blues take hold, try one of these TEN WAYS TO PRAY ON A SNOW DAY . . .
10. Cry out "HELP". In a moment of frustration or anxiety, it sometimes feels good just to shout out loud to God.
9. Create. People of any age can make a collage out of magazine photos or pick up a box of crayons and sketch the view out the window. Don't feel creative? Remember you're made in the image of the One who created the universe, and you CAN make something, just for fun.
8. Dance. In your living room, just move to whatever music you love. Today, there's not even anyone passing by to see you through your window. Move your body in thanksgiving for having body parts that work.
7. Read. Anything that inspires you is appropriate. Whether it's the Science section of the NYTimes or a chapter of a biography about a sports hero you admire. Reading allows your spirit to be revived - and that's prayer for yourself.
6. Breathe. When we're stuck indoors and still for a long time, we don't breathe in deeply enough for oxygen to fill us, and we can start feeling droopy or depressed. Breath in deeply in thanksgiving for all the ways God provides for us, including the very air we breathe.
5. Sing - or listen to someone singing. Music stirs the soul and connects us with beauty. Noticing beauty leads us to gratitude to the One who sang everything into being.
4. Eat. Slowly. This is one of the few days when no one needs to go anywhere, so there's no need to rush. Take time to enjoy the things you usually don't have time to notice. And give thanks.
3. Hug. Hug your kids. Hug your spouse. Hug your cat. When we're all stuck indoors, it's easy to get on each others' nerves. Make it your goal to hug everyone near you today. Offering that blessing of connection to those you love is a prayer.
2. Laugh. Turn off the news; there's nothing funny going on there (except the repetitious shots of silly drivers sliding into ditches - and that's not really very funny). Instead, find some cartoons to look at or call someone and share a joke over the phone.
1. Light a candle. "The light shines in the darkness . . ." And the grey-ness too. A flickering candle warms the room. As the flame reaches toward the heavens, tell God about something you hope for . . . Spring, perhaps?!
Though today we are captive in our homes due to the whims of the weather, we are free to connect with each other (through the internet!) and with our good Lord in prayer . . . God is good - all the time. All the time - God is good.
Faithfully,
Janet+
loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion!" - Isaiah 52:2
Dear Friends in Christ -
Another snow day?! I can hardly believe it! In the 14 years that my husband and I have lived in Connecticut, we've never seen weather like this. Intense. Unpredictable. Treacherous. Beautiful.
A friend of mine said that the problem with so many snow days is that it throws off all her rhythms. How true!
When we're thrown out of our regular rhythms, though, there's opportunity for fresh new things. So on this snow day, instead of completely letting the grey-day doldrums or the honey-it's-your-turn-to-yell-at-the-kids blues take hold, try one of these TEN WAYS TO PRAY ON A SNOW DAY . . .
10. Cry out "HELP". In a moment of frustration or anxiety, it sometimes feels good just to shout out loud to God.
9. Create. People of any age can make a collage out of magazine photos or pick up a box of crayons and sketch the view out the window. Don't feel creative? Remember you're made in the image of the One who created the universe, and you CAN make something, just for fun.
8. Dance. In your living room, just move to whatever music you love. Today, there's not even anyone passing by to see you through your window. Move your body in thanksgiving for having body parts that work.
7. Read. Anything that inspires you is appropriate. Whether it's the Science section of the NYTimes or a chapter of a biography about a sports hero you admire. Reading allows your spirit to be revived - and that's prayer for yourself.
6. Breathe. When we're stuck indoors and still for a long time, we don't breathe in deeply enough for oxygen to fill us, and we can start feeling droopy or depressed. Breath in deeply in thanksgiving for all the ways God provides for us, including the very air we breathe.
5. Sing - or listen to someone singing. Music stirs the soul and connects us with beauty. Noticing beauty leads us to gratitude to the One who sang everything into being.
4. Eat. Slowly. This is one of the few days when no one needs to go anywhere, so there's no need to rush. Take time to enjoy the things you usually don't have time to notice. And give thanks.
3. Hug. Hug your kids. Hug your spouse. Hug your cat. When we're all stuck indoors, it's easy to get on each others' nerves. Make it your goal to hug everyone near you today. Offering that blessing of connection to those you love is a prayer.
2. Laugh. Turn off the news; there's nothing funny going on there (except the repetitious shots of silly drivers sliding into ditches - and that's not really very funny). Instead, find some cartoons to look at or call someone and share a joke over the phone.
1. Light a candle. "The light shines in the darkness . . ." And the grey-ness too. A flickering candle warms the room. As the flame reaches toward the heavens, tell God about something you hope for . . . Spring, perhaps?!
Though today we are captive in our homes due to the whims of the weather, we are free to connect with each other (through the internet!) and with our good Lord in prayer . . . God is good - all the time. All the time - God is good.
Faithfully,
Janet+
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