CHURCH CROSSING

DAY 12 - SO NOW WHAT . . . ?

2012-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

Not just one but all twelve of the days of Christmas are now over (almost - today's the last day).

What will the season of Epiphany hold?

Time. Second longest season of the year after the "Ordinary Time", the long summer/early fall season.

Time to think about fresh hopes and important ideas. Time to begin to live into "The Work of Christmas . . ." (poem by Howard Thurman)

"When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and Princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins.

To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner,
To teach the nations,

To bring Christ to all,
To make music in the heart."

In the days and weeks to come, may God pour into you all His goodness, that it may pour through you to the places you go and the people you meet.

Blessings,
Janet+

THE SIGNS LEAD ME TO . . . PRAISE!

2012-01-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. - Psalm 34:1

Dear Friends in Christ -

As we stand on the prow of the year, we strain to see what lies ahead, seeking a sign. This year, whether we peer into the annals of history or the pages of the NYTimes or the words of the pundits and politicians, all seem to bear the same message: 2012 promises to be a momentus year. The winds of change are blowing, and fiercely so. There will be great challenges in weather, in war, in politics, in economics.

In the face of dire predictions, some may be tempted to fear, but I'm opting to take the advice of yesterday morning's preacher, Deacon Knute Hansen, and meet the year with praise. Praising God and His world's goodness lifts my eyes from this present moment to the glories of the past and the hope of the future. Praising God and His world's goodness sets the current press and rush in the context of the grand flow of time, reminding me that what has been will be again, and what has not been may yet occur.

I invite you to join me in praise, and I offer to you a poem, from another troubled time, the days following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. May it nourish your spirit today and in the days to come . . .

Faithfully with you,
Janet+

Try to praise the mutilated world.

Remember June’s long days,
and wild strawberries, drops of wine, the dew.
The nettles that methodically overgrow
the abandoned homesteads of exiles.
You must praise the mutilated world.
You watched the stylish yachts and ships;
one of them had a long trip ahead of it,
while salty oblivion awaited others.
You’ve seen the refugees heading nowhere,
you’ve heard the executioners sing joyfully.
You should praise the mutilated world.
Remember the moments when we were together
in a white room and the curtain fluttered.
Return in thought to the concert where music flared.
You gathered acorns in the park in autumn
and leaves eddied over the earth’s scars.
Praise the mutilated world
and the gray feather a thrush lost,
and the gentle light that strays and vanishes
and returns.
—Adam Zagajewski
(Translated, from the Polish, by Clare Cavanagh.)
From THE NEW YORKER issue of September 24, 2001.

A NEW YEAR'S PLEA FOR 2012

2012-01-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! - Psalm 8:3-4,9

Dear Friends in Christ -

There's no more faithful way to start the New Year than to humbly come to God with prayers of praise and pleas for help. My own prayers this day are guided by one that was written by Edgar Guest, an immigrant who came from England to the US as a young man, and who worked as journalist and writer through two World Wars. I invite you to join me in Guest's prayer for courage, discernment and faithfulness.

Wishing you a blessed New Year,
Janet+

A New Year's Plea

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight,
Let me bear what I must without whining;
Grant me the wisdom to do what is right,
Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade,
Make me bigger than skillful or clever;
Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid,
And harken to false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,
Faithful when wounded by sorrow;
Teach me, when troubled, with patience to wait
The better and brighter to-morrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,
Open my eyes to life's beauty;
Let not the glitter of fortune or fame
Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,
Let me stand to my task without whining;
Let me be right as a man, as a friend,
Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

By Edgar Guest

Come to the Manger

2011-12-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Come all who are harried
Come all who are sad
Come all who are wistful
Come all who are glad.
Come to the manger,
for the bed in this stall
holds a grace-gift for you:
the Savior of all.
-- JCWaggoner

My heart swells with joy as I anticipate raising our voices together tonight in praise of our Savior and Lord!

Merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Janet+

Maybe there's a reason . . .

2011-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

"Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God." - Luke 1:64

Dear Friends in Christ -

All it took was one act of faithfulness, one time of standing up for truth, and Zechariah was free to speak again.

Thinking about the unfaithfulness that caused Zechariah to go mute and then the faithfulness that set his voice free again might cause us to think that the answer is easy. Just do it.

But sometimes turning the corner from hopelessness to hopefulness, from lies to truth, from darkness to light is NOT easy. Sometimes there's something in the way.

And sometimes what's in the way isn't out there, in some other person or external situation. Sometimes what needs to change is something in us.

In this season of hope and waiting, may God give us the grace to see the things in us that need to change in order for us to break through to freedom.

Faithfully waiting and humbly hoping to see . . .
Janet+

Silenced, waiting to receive

2011-12-19T05:59:00.000-08:00

"because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." - Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah (Luke 1:20)

Dear Friends in Christ -

What would the world be like if all the doubters, non-believers and nay-sayers were silenced? Then there would only be words of belief and assurance and possibility . . . and silence.

Not long ago, I was sitting in the cafe at Barnes & Noble, sipping a cup of hot tea and gathering ideas for my writing. I paused to listen, and when I did, I heard dozens of little snatches of conversation - and for several mintues, not one positive word. It wasn't that people were talking about great atrocity, natural disaster or grave injustice. They were speaking about the ups and downs in their daily lives, yet without any words of hope or beauty.

My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Picture it: if people really didn't have anything hopeful or helpful to say, the room could have been filled with meaningful glances of encouragement, warm handshakes of connection, hugs of support. And silence. Silence into which something good and true - perhaps even something game-changing - could break through.

In this season, may we so boldly believe in the goodness of God that we are empowered to wait in silence to receive it.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Messiah - or Menace??

2011-12-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

Sermon for the people of God at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Shelton, Connecticut on Sunday, December 18th (Advent IV)

PRAYER: And now to God, who is able to strengthen you according to the gospel proclamation of Jesus Christ – to the only God of heaven and earth – to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
INVOCATION: I speak to you in the name of the living God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Didn’t the kids do a lovely job again this year sharing the Christmas story with us?

We have this tradition here of having the pageant on the fourth Sunday of Advent, a tradition which I like because it gives us more time to steep ourselves in the most important thing about this season – which is our encounter with Jesus.

We need this time because Jesus broke into history to change things, in powerful yet not always obvious ways, and it takes us time to understand what he’s up to and – to allow him to do what he came to do, which is to save us.

The pageant itself is a gift from our children to us, to help us understand what this season is all about, and at the end our kids actually pray for us. Did you catch that??? The pageant closes with these words, “We pray that God will make the mystery come alive for you, so that you may truly rejoice and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.”

When I heard that just now, a chill went up my spine. If, as Scripture promises, the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, then the prayers of our children are likely to really blow the roof off of things, don’t you think???

Our children live into the story they tell, this Christmas story, for several weeks. They choose their parts and get their scripts. The adults prepare their costumes and help the musicians prepare. Then everyone comes to rehearsal and after a couple of run-throughs the show goes on. I always look forward to the happy mayhem of it all . . . because I know that somewhere, somehow along the way, the mystery will come alive.

It happened again yesterday. I was working with the members of the Confirmation class, who serve as Narrators for the pageant tableau created by the younger children. The Archangel read the classic lines: “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing to you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the MENACE, the Lord.”

The kids were so intent in their practice, that they just went right on, reading the next lines, as I sputtered and brought them to a halt. I didn’t want the Archangel to be embarrassed, but I thought I should just . . . clarify.
Menace: pesky threat
Messiah: promised Savior

As the rehearsal of lines got back underway, though, my imagination was running wild with thoughts of Jesus as a menace . . . There was at least one person who definitely saw him that way: Herod. Herod didn’t want things to change. He liked things the way they were. He wasn’t the biggest king in the land. He was only a governor, but he had aspirations. Because the King of the Empire was so far away, for all practical purposes he was in charge, in control, and he liked it that way. This “important” child could potentially be a problem, but he wasn’t about to let that happen. He quickly formed a plan. He schemed to use the wise men to get reports back on the child, and if he started to be a threat . . . well, Herod wouldn’t let that happen.

In this season of light breaking through darkness, love breaking through fear, we are drawn again to peer into the manger, to ask the question: who is this child Jesus – for us?

Messiah – or menace?

Do we come to him to offer to a Savior our hearts, our very lives? Or do we see him as a threat, potential troublemaker in our lives, to be controlled, contained?

There really is very little middle ground here. Jesus’ powerful presence and purpose requires response. All the characters in the story – from Mary to the shepherds to Herod – are convinced of this. They can’t sit idly by. They have a choice to make.

Messiah – or menace?

We seem to forget, in the rush of our busyness, in our efforts to manage and control, that change has come. Change is actually not an option we can choose or not choose. Jesus incarncation – God putting flesh on – means that transformation is always happening. Change for the better is promised and is here, for us. The question is how we will live in relationship to that change.

Though the change Jesus came to bring – hope and justice, joy and peace – is GOOD, in our human frame, we greet it always with some fear and trepidation. That’s OK. God doesn’t despise us for our fear. Instead, he offers an invitation . . . the invitation of the angels – to Mary, to the shepherds, . . . to have courage, to “Fear not!” and instead, to focus on the promise.

What is that promise? Nothing more or less than this: an inbreaking of love that will bring us to freedom and delight.
Maya Angelou paints a picture of this promise in her poem, Love’s Exquisite Freedom . . . and I leave you this morning with her words . . .

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free

AMEN.

Lights on

2011-12-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

"When . . . glory . . ." - Matthew 25:31

Dear Friends in Christ -

Every year, my friend has those Christmas candle lights in all her windows. When I drive past her house in the evening, they're always on. Always. After several years of running around the house every night to get my lights plugged in, I asked for her secret. When she got finished laughing at me, she said two words: "Light timers."

Ri-i-i-ight! Why didn't I think of that???

So this year, I went out and bought light timers. I hooked them all up and - presto! Light! Every night!

Except. Except when something else interferes. There are a surprising number of possibilities. Dead bulbs. Outlet switches that get turned off accidentally. Timers that get unplugged so that someone can plug in something else.

There are a surprising number of things that can interfere with our ability to experience the light of God's glory. Disappointments that cause dead spots in our hearts. Anger that switches our listening off, so we can't hear God's voice. Places where our relationship with God is unplugged due to busyness.

Choosing to be a Christian is like choosing to buy a light timer. We do it because we know we need light - consistently. But the one-time purchase won't solve all our problems. We have to tend the connection in order to shine.

Faithfully with you, seeking to shine,
Janet+

"Do You Hear What I Hear"?

2011-12-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

"The word of the Lord came . . . But they refused to listen, . . . Therefore great wrath came from the Lord . . ." - Zechariah 7:8ff

Dear Friends in Christ -

It's a popular Christmas carol, so lots of famous people sing it: Bing Crosby and Vanessa Williams and Carrie Underwood and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir among many others. Often, musical artists say they want to avoid doing the song as it's always been doing and about their desire to "leave their mark" on the song.

But I wonder: did this song leave its mark on them? This song is about listening. It's about really hearing the traditional things in the Christmas season that we might pass by or take for granted.

As the days count down to Christmas, may we choose to slow down rather than to rush, so that we may see the star, hear the song, and know the power of the Babe in the manger - who is Christ our Lord.

Faithfully,
Janet+

PS - I've been doing a lousy job of going slow enough to see and hear. Sigh. Lack of posts here are evidence of an important thing I've been rushing through - time with Scripture. Hopefully my time with God over the next few days will bring to ME more peace and throug me to you more posts!!!

Wide-eyed Wonder

2011-12-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

"Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." - Jesus (Mark 10:14-15)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Happy St. Nicholas' Day!!!

Today, December 6th, is the Feast of St. Nicholas, the real saint after whom Santa Claus is patterned. Traditionally this day is celebrated by giving an unanticipated gift or doing an unexpected kindness - things that push people out of the ruts of their everyday lives and stir them to wonder . . . How did I get so fortunate to receive this? Where did this come from? Is there more where this came from?

Whenever the commercialism or the pressure of the season gets me down, all I have to do is spend some time with children. Even more than they want stuff, they want to throw themselves headlong into the mystery, wonder and fun of it all. They want a series of little surprises to lead them like a trail of breadcrumbs through Advent to Christmas. They want to hear the stories again: the story of what Christmas was like when Grandpa was a little boy, as well as the story of the Baby who was born in a barn.

This Advent, may you come to the manger like a child: not knowing quite what to expect, eagerly noticing everything, hoping for some great surprise. God will surely meet you there!

Faithfully moving toward the manger,
Janet+

Faithfully

Advent reflections . . . on living!

2011-12-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Jesus answered them, "[God] is God not of the dead, but of the living.’ - Matthew 22:32b

Dear Friends in Christ -

We're alive, but are we really living? We're going through the motions, but do we have joy in the midst of it all?

Our Advent reflections are an attempt to reconnect with what life's really all about. These words of Richard Rohr (from his book, "Preparing for Christmas") have stirred my mind and heart to press on to "really living" - and I pray they'll touch you, too.

In His peace and joy . . .
Janet+

"'Come, Lord Jesus' is a leap into the kind of freedom and surrender that is rightly called the virtue of hope. The theological virtue of hope is the patient and trustful willingness to live without closure, without resolution, and still be content and even happy because our Satisfaction is now at another level, and our Source is beyond ourselves.

We are able to trust that the Lord will come again, just as Jesus has come into our past, into our private dilemmas, and into our suffering world. Our Christian past then becomes our Christian prologue, and 'Come, Lord Jesus' is not a cry of desperation but an assured shout of cosmic hope!"

Hope

2011-12-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up. — Anne Lamott

Dear Friends in Christ -

Is there something you're tempted to give up on? Something you've longed for for so long that you are beginning to think the time for it has passed?

Well, then this prayer of encouragement by King David (from Psalm 20) is for you:
"The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary,and give you support from Zion. May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices. May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans."

It may seem like God's not listening. It may seem like good will not prevail. But God's promises are true, and our hope is sure.

In this Advent season, you could give up. It's always an option. Therefore, it's an option you can risk NOT exercising now. It may not be easy, but you can . . . wait . . . work . . . watch . . . And when the dawn comes - and it WILL come - you'll be there to receive it.

Faithfully in hope,
Janet+

The secret of Life

2011-12-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

"Seek the Lord and live . . ." - Amos 5:6a

Dear Friends in Christ -

As you may have figured out by now, I'm celebrating the season of Advent by offering up an Advent meditation each day. The daily writing process draws my personal need for Scripture together with my desire to connect with you about how God's Word impacts our daily living.

So far, I've been slow in getting the daily posts up. The days have been so full of work and family life that I've been falling asleep over my computer in the evening, still in the midst of my prayers at the end of the day. But my hope is to turn the corner and find time FIRST THING in the day for extended time with God's Word. I know from the witness of the Saints, as well as from my own past experience, that doing so puts my day in a whole different frame. And boy, do I need that alternative frame! Others do, too, it seems: in the past five minutes, 26 people have come into the Starbucks where I'm writing and only one of them is smiling. Maybe that's not an indication of anything other than the cares of the day, but I wonder: how many of these folks started their day with Jesus?

As we move deeper into this Advent season of waiting, may we discover that the words of the prophet Amos are true: real, hopeful, joyful LIFE comes to us as we seek (first!) our Lord.

Faithfully with you, seeking -
Janet+

It all adds up . . .

2011-12-01T09:13:00.000-08:00

" O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart . . ." - Psalm 15:1-2

Dear Friends in Christ -

Today is the Feast Day of the Saint Nicholas Ferrar, the founder of the British spiritual Little Gidding. The peace and power of the chapel at Little Gidding was immortalized in T.S. Eliot's poem, "The Four Quartets."

In February, 2001, I went to Little Gidding to do research for my final project at the Institute of Sacred Music. The little chapel, built by Nicholas Ferrar as the cornerstone of his little Anglican community, is a mystical place.

What makes the chapel at Little Gidding special is not its beauty (though it is remarkably lovely), not its quiet (though it sits in isolation in the English countryside), and not its longevity, (it is one of many little chapels that dot the landscape_. What makes the Little Gidding chapel special is that it's clearly a prayed-in space. From the founding of the chapel, Ferrar and his community focused not on the "thou shalt nots" of their faith, but on simply doing the things they knew to be right, the things they could do, one day at a time. The simple, good acts of Ferrar and the gathered community added up to righteousness that echoed out in their community and echoes still, down through time, to those who spend time at Little Gidding.

(To take a peek at this place of deep blessing, visit http://www.littlegiddingchurch.org.uk/)

May this be a season in which we pause to take stock and ask, "How are the little things I'm doing day to day adding up?" And may we be investing ourselves in daily goodnesses that echo out into our community and down through time . . . to eternity!

Faithfully yours,
Janet+

Getting Ready

2011-11-30T19:02:00.000-08:00

"Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you." - Matthew 21:31

Dear Friends in Christ -

"If all children of God are equal in His sight, then why are the tax collectors and prostitutes getting into heaven ahead of respectable, righteous community leaders?"

When I put this question to my favorite resident theologian (my beloved professor husband, Ed), he said: Because everyone lies, but tax collectors and sinners are still keenly aware of where the lies end and the truth begins, while these leaders are so caught up in their own lies that they can't see the truth when it appears right in front of them.

Hmmm . . .

Is there anything in our lives, in our hearts, that we hang onto so tightly that we can't embrace Truth when it appears?

In this Advent season of preparation, may we dare to let go of any and all facades and pretenses so that we can recognize and receive our Savior when He appears.

Faithfully with you, getting ready,
Jane+

"Whatever you ask for" . . . Really???

2011-11-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

"Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive." - Matthew 21:22

Dear Friends in Christ -

REALLY??? Dare we believe that it's true that we'll receive whatever we ask for??

Yes - as long as we ask 'with faith.'

Asking 'with faith' doesn't mean without doubt. Asking 'with faith' doesn't mean we have to reach a certain level of belief - and when we do, we'll get what we want. Asking 'with faith' means trusting beyond the present circumstances to the loving Father who gives - only and always - GOOD things.

Jesus tells his disciples that they'll receive whatever they ask for just days before He prays "let this cup pass from me." Jesus clearly didn't want to be crucified. But He chose hope over fear, trust over control. It was "for the joy set before Him" that Jesus endured the pain and suffering of the cross.

In the midst of the trials we face, in the midst of our suffering, we're tempted to focus on getting relief. But God desires to give us so much more than that, and if we come to Him in faith, we'll receive it.

With you, seeking to believe - and receive! -
Janet+

SHOPPING - WITH A TWIST

2011-11-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

"May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." - 2 Peter 1:2

Dear Friends in Christ -

Grace and peace came to me in an unexpected way today . . .
I had some Christmas shopping to do, but I had to move a little more slowly than usual because I fell this weekend (ER diagnosis: coccyx contusion!). For a breather between stores, I sat in my van, sipped some coffee and wrote in my journal. Result: I got the things I needed in record time - and bought less overall.

So on this second day of Advent, I'm giving thanks for a little slower pace - even if it took an injury to get me there!!!

Faithfully easing into this new season,
Janet+

SERMON: "DIFFERENT THIS YEAR" - First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

Year B – First Sunday of Advent – November 27, 2011
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
"DIFFERENT THIS YEAR" by the Rev. Janet Waggoner

It could be different this year, we think.

This year, we’ll be on top of things. Shop a little more efficiently than usual. Get the Christmas cards in the mail earlier.

This year, things will be more simple. We’ll buy less – and maybe even try making a few things . . . maybe . . .

I read a story this week about a woman named Lisa (story adapted from Sarah M. Foulger's short story "Yards of Purple"), who decided that rather than doing her usual “favorite aunt” Christmas thing for her four nieces and buying each of them an expensive present, she would make Christmas dresses for them this year. She was proud of herself for buying the fabric well in advance, but as the Fall months rolled by, she got less sewing done than she anticipated. Just as her discouragement in the project hit a peak, she received a check in the mail from her aunt, with a note that said, “Do something wonderful with it.”

Lisa laughed to herself about her sewing frustrations, and drove down to the bank to cash the check. She put the couple hundred dollars in the envelope in her back pocket and headed to ToysRUs. Though she felt guilty about the prospect of wasting all the fabric she had purchased, she felt relieved not to have the project hanging over her head as the round of holiday parties started up. And then, of course, she found that the toy store had exactly the things her nieces had told her they wanted.

It could be different his year, we think.

But then, we waver. We doubt ourselves, our goals, our values. We’re speeding through life at such a fast pace that bumps in the road become obstacles that cause us to swerve off our intended path.

When Lisa got up to the check-out counter, the four gifts – all on sale, she could feel good about that, right? – rang up to just less than the money she had in her pocket, and she thought about how happy her nieces would be to receive the gifts as she reached to hand over the bills. Except they weren’t there. She double-checked her pockets and her purse – even though she knew for certain right where she had put the money. It was gone. A pickpocket? Had she dropped it?

Though she was holding up the line, Lisa quickly retraced her steps into the store. No luck. So she returned to the checkout counter and reached for her credit card to pay for the gifts anyway. But as she did, she had the sense that maybe she should have stuck with her plan to make the dresses. So she said, “thanks, anyway” to the attendant at the checkout counter, who replied: ‘just so you know, this stuff might not be here later; we’ve sold a lot of these.’

It could be different this year, we think.

But the world around us just seems to keep pressing, pressing for more of what’s out there to be in here, in our minds, in our hearts. The good news for us is that it’s in just these places of stress and tension, these places of decision, where Jesus comes to be with us. Personally. Compassionately. Quietly. So quietly, in fact, that if we’re not still, we may not even notice.

And with Jesus, it could be different this year . . .

Lisa was at home that evening, listening to Christmas carols and making remarkably good progress with her sewing, when the phone rang. The man on the phone said that he found some money in the parking lot at ToysRUs, and that he thought it might be hers because the envelope he found it in was addressed to her. He told her that he felt bad keeping it all day, but, he confessed, he had struggled about returning it. He had gone with his son to ToysRUs because his son had begged to go look at the toys so he would know what to ask Santa for. It was a lean year, though, and the man went to the store wondering how ‘Santa’ was going to afford any gift this year.

Lisa thanked him for his honesty and chatted with him about connecting the next day near the local McDonalds to pick up the money – before she found herself blurting out, “Oh, please just keep it. I don’t really need it.” And they wished each other a shy and slightly rushed ‘Merry Christmas’ as the man said breathless thank yous as they hung up.

And then Lisa realized, she had fulfilled her aunt’s wish: she had “done something wonderful with it.”

It could be different this year.

But really, only if we are different. And we likely – won’t – be – different – without – . . . Jesus . . .
I’m so struck by the invitation Jesus gives to his disciples in today’s Gospel lesson . . . Jesus is in a situation where the outcome is predictable. The authorities who have been mad at him for years are going to challenge him again. Each time they’ve questioned Jesus, it’s been more aggressive, so he’s preparing for the same old thing to happen again. But in the midst of the predictable happening, Jesus’ words to his disciples encourage them to “keep awake” for what is new.
The newness of the Living God in the power of His Spirit flows in and through all creation – and is available to those who seek it at all times. We don’t have to wait for Christmas to experience the newness of Christ. It is here, now, for us. And we are enabled to be different and to engage in revolutionary acts of love as we steep ourselves in Him.

In this holy season of Advent, we “keep awake” by:
Keeping silence in the midst of the rattling din, so that we may hear His voice drawing us on.

Being still in the midst of the rush, so that we may receive Him whenever and wherever He comes.

For our Lord does speak, our Lord will come. In glorious and unexpected ways, He will come to save us. And his goodness, light, and power will flow to us and through us, making us – and all things – new.

In this new season, let us choose to be awake – and ready. If we are, it will be different, – WE will be different – this year.

Amen.

Thanksiving Gratitude

2011-11-24T16:23:00.000-08:00

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melodie Beattie

Thanksgiving blessings to all!!!
Janet+

Not Letting the Saints Off the Hook

2011-11-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

"let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith" - Hebrews 12:1b-2a

Dear Friends in Christ -

Today is the Feast of All Saints!!! On this joyful occasion, I invite you to celebrate with me by recalling a couple of the saints in your life who have shown Jesus to you, who have had an important positive impact on your life.

What are the saints in your life like? What key characteristics set them apart from other people you know?

Without exception, the true saints in my life have two characteristics in common: (1) they are loving and (2) they persevere. The truth is, any of us can be loving on occasion, when we want to or when we think it's important or when we want to impress someone. But the true saints among us persevere - they love even when people aren't watching, even when no one else cares, even when other people think it's a lost cause.

Perseverance isn't something we're born with, I think. Perseverance is something we choose to develop - or not - as life rolls along and things fail to go as we hope or expect.

As a friend, as a fellow Christian, I'm inclined to let people off the hook when they fail to persevere - when they're lax about fulfilling their Christian responsibilities, when they fail to make time for the important in the midst of the urgent. But as your pastor, as your priest, I'm here on All Saints Day to say "you're NOT off the hook!" You've got to do justice even when it's difficult and unpopular. You've got to give to help others even when you're stressed about making ends meet. You've got to be kind even when you're not in the mood. If you want to have a life worth living, if you want to leave a legacy, you've got to follow through.

The saints in our lives persevered through thick and thin so that their love could make a difference in our lives. Will the way you're living make a difference in anyone else's life?

On this day when we "sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true," may we strive "to be one, too."

Faithfully,
Janet+

The "Enough" Prayer

2011-10-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing." - Matthew 13:22

Dear Friends in Christ -

Obviously, I haven't figured out what "enough" is in my own life. I say "obviously" because I've neglected writing here for some time - and I really enjoy doing this! My schedule overfloweth. Many of the good things I want to do I don't get around to - and I spend more time than I would like to admit on things that seem important (or praiseworthy) but that, in the long haul, don't prove to be worth that much. Sigh.

Enough. What is enough? How much money is "enough" money? How much time is "enough" time? How much effort is "enough" effort? And how are we to know?

Today's Gospel lesson points out what happens to the Word when the cares of the world and the lure of money get to us: the Word gets choked out. And when the Word gets choked out - out-yelled in the daily shouting match for our attention, forced to take a backseat to other "crucial" things in our agenda - we yield nothing. Nothing of significant value, at least.

I have a friend I really admire. She does important work: she's a peacemaker who's job is to bring warring, wounded parties together to try to work out peace and reconciliation agreements. She's been working overtime lately, with more and more work coming her way. Recently, I asked her: "How do you know when you've done enough?" She said, "I ask myself the question, 'Was I kind to people each person who crossed my path today?'" If the answer is yes, then she believes she's done well, she's done enough.

Another friend of mine shared with me the prayer she's been praying lately: it's a prayer asking for guidance to "enough." I'm praying it these days, and I invite you to join me.

Whether it's "enough" time or money or grace we need, this prayer draws us to Jesus, the source of all we need . . . (It's from a book entitled, "Enough")

"Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don't need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity. Amen."

Faithfully in Him,
Janet+

Pray always - and take cover!!! (SUNDAY SERVICES CANCELLED)

2011-08-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
For great is his steadfast love towards us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Praise the Lord!
- Psalm 117

Dear Friends in Christ -

Psalm 117, a song of praise to God, is the one appointed for us to read today. It's the song God wants to put on our lips even as we scramble about doing everything from buying water and batteries to taking in the garden furniture.

God IS worthy of praise and He WILL see us through - no matter who we are, no matter where we are. God is noticing YOU on this day of storm preparation. "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you" . . . that's more than just a pretty saying; it's God's everlasting promise to us.

Please continue to pray for all those in the storm's path as you hunker down in your homes with some good food and a few good books you can read by candlelight if necessary!

SERVICES AT ST. PAUL'S FOR TOMORROW (SUNDAY, 8/28) ARE CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE IRENE. If you or someone you know needs pastoral assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at home (203-929-2929) or on my cell (203-246-8646).

All peace to you as you pray through yet another challenging weather ordeal!!
Faithfully yours,
Janet+

PS - In the midst of storm preparations, I find it very ironic that the name "Irene" means "peace"!!!

Pass It On

2011-08-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes . . ." - 2 Kings 2:2

Dear Friends in Christ -

Each year, it gets easier, and it gets harder. I'm talking about the back-to-school routine. This is the fifth year for me, the fifth time 'round that I'm getting the kids ready for a new year, a new set of challenges, a new season of growth. I've pretty much got the basics down: the school uniforms are purchased, washed and hanging in their closets; the backpacks are selected and have been filled with the stuff on their school list; the summer homework is almost complete.

Each year, it gets easier, and it gets harder. Getting the "stuff" organized is a flurry of activity but easier to manage each time I do it. The hard part is getting the kids ready - in their minds, in their hearts, passing on to them what they need to know to be who God is calling them to be.

In today's Old Testament lesson (see the sidebar on the right for information on how to find the full Daily Office Readings for yourself), David is passing things on to his son, Solomon. The truth is, he almost waited 'til too late. He nearly died before he passed along some things that Solomon really needed to know.

What do your kids - or your grandkids or the kids in your neighborhood - need to know? Do you live your life in such a way that they pick those things up from you? Have you come right out and told them what's important to you - and why?

As a country, we've spent a lot of time bemoaning the state of our ecomony, the state of our city government, the state of our schools. But have we done what our God calls us to do? Are we living in His love and light, and passing that love and light down to our children?

An old camp-song says, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going." Of course, the presumption is that we have the spark, that we will "Pass It On."

At this crucial time in the lives of our families, in the life of our world, may we all have the power and the grace to equip the next generation not only with stuff, but also with the power that comes from living in God's way.

Faithfully with you,
Janet+

It's Not Too Late

2011-07-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

1 Samuel 19:18 - "Now David fled and escaped; he came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all . . ."

Dear Friends in Christ -

In the summer, we all need and want a change of pace. But when I talk to many of you and to my friends from around the community, I'm not hearing much of a difference from the rest of the year.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Busy." "Crazy busy." "Tired." These are the most common responses.

Now the school year pace seems to have set in year round. It seems that folks have just traded in one set of obligations for another set, one way of overcrowding the calendar with another way of overcrowding the calendar.

This isn't just a work problem or a family problem, it's a SPIRITUAL problem.

The good news is that we're only about 2/5 of the way into summer. It's not too late. YOU can, with God's help, center down, refocus and receive what you need. Though fear ('what will people think if I change our plans now?'), exhaustion ('I'm too tired to make the call'), and anxiety ('we haven't done it that way before'), may at first loom large, wouldn't you rather take a step in faith and risk getting what you need than go along and get the same old unfulfilling results?

In today's Old Testament reading, David is facing some pretty difficult situations. He manages to get through it by escaping to talk to a trusted mentor and friend.

Maybe you need time with a friend, too. Maybe you need something else. Talk to God. Make a change. It's not too late.

Blessings,
Janet+

Treasure found at camp

2011-07-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

What I enjoy most about camp is that it takes me back to the basics . . . sitting on dirt watching skits around the campfire, being silent at prayer time to hear the birds, seeing the slithery snakes and the little brown bunnies on my morning walk.

The isolation from "everything" allows me to get down to some things that I've let sit on back burners for a while . . . including a backlog of email. (Yes, there's an email connection available here, though mercifully not "too" available). I'm ashamed to say that I've had emails languishing unanswered since LAST summer. People - friends, parishioners, people I've handed my card to in line at the grocery store - send me emails that I don't always have time to get to. Sigh.

In digging through the pile of miscellaneous things, I found a significant amount of trash (let's face it, there's some humor but not a lot of depth in most of those "pass it on" emails). But today I also found a real treasure . . . a video clip from this site called TED . . . the clip is about really getting to the heart of things in our lives. When you get a chance, pour yourself a cup of iced tea, and watch . . . it may just change your life . . . really!
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Slowly breaking open into more greater deeper LIFE,
Janet+

Independence Day

2011-07-04T03:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

Around holiday times, I always search for a fresh way to express the connection between the event of the day and our souls. Today I want to share with you a piece by the Rev. David Anderson, a priest who ministers down the road from here. His words below on "True Freedom" invite us to reflect on Christ's invitation to us to be really, fully free.

A blessed Independence Day to you!
Faithfully,
Janet+

True Freedom
I don't know if it's true, but someone once told me that domesticated birds can be trained to sit by an open window---and not fly away. You put their perch next to an open window, but you tie one foot to the perch, so that when the bird attempts to fly out the window, it can't. You do this for days and weeks, and before long the bird stops trying to fly out that window. It's impossible. Eventually, you can untie the foot and the bird will sit by that open window and never try the "impossible."

That reminds me of the circus elephant, trained to sit quietly with his foot chained to a stake in the ground. At first, the trainer chains the elephant's leg to a stake driven deep into the ground: it's impossible even for an elephant to yank it free. The beast tries of course, heaves on the spike, but to no avail. Once the elephant has learned that stakes are impossible to fight against, you can drive a little picket into the ground that a rabbit could probably pull out, and the elephant no longer even tries. He knows what he knows.

The Fourth of July always brings us hot dogs, parades and speeches about freedom. America is indeed the "land of the free," and we ought to be proud of our liberty. But political liberty is not the same as spiritual freedom. You can have all the political liberty in the world, and still be a soul in chains. You can be like that bird by the window, that elephant tethered to a toothpick.

True freedom dawns when we recognize that the real bondage is deep within our hearts. Somehow we've been trained to sit still, not even to try the "impossible" anymore. It takes soul work, but God is in the business of freeing hearts. Now that's a liberty worth celebrating.

Pass the mustard!

On Mission

2011-06-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

OUR 2011 MISSION TEAM IN HARRISBURG, PA

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Hard but good." That's the underlying riff I hear from this mission trip - and from every mission trip I've ever been on myself or heard reports from.

There's no easy way to make a deep difference in the lives of others. It's HARD. But I'm betting when the youth come back and greet their families in the church parking lot on Friday afternoon (tomorrow!) and when they offer their reflections on Sunday morning, we'll hear that it was . . . GOOD.

Their experience will, I hope, press the rest of us to think about whether or not we're "On Mission" - in our church, in our community, in our world. Sometimes we all (yes, including ME) come to church seeking comfort and encouragement. When we find challenge instead, we're tempted to walk away and seek comfort somewhere else: at an ice cream parlor, at a bar, at the home of a friend who will lend a sympathetic ear to our complaints without nudging us down a better path.

The disciples following Jesus never had it easy, but they had it GOOD: love flowed through them so powerful they changed the world and, through our missionaries (and through the rest of us, right?!), are changing it still. That's GOOD.

Faithfully on mission with you,
Janet+

Tension . . . and Relief

2011-06-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

As I write this, they sky drapes overhead, a white-grey sheet full of moisture waiting to let go at any point. There's a tension in the air. Even the birds feel it. Less of them are singing this morning; it's as if they're hold their breath, waiting . . .

The tension in the sky seems to heighten the general tension I feel these days. Tension about the economy. Tension about war. Tension about transitions . . . even though summer is a welcome change of pace, it is still a change, requiring more give and take, more fleet-of-foot adaptation.

Today, I looked for relief in the pages of Scripture, in the passages assigned for this day in the Daily Office (see sidebar for more information). And I found . . . well, not what I hoped! I found three stories of people living in the midst of HUGE tension. The story of Samuel, leader of the Israelites, being beseiged by people who are demanding a king to rule over them and lead them. The story of Stephen, a follower of Jesus, giving brave witness about the power of God to people who are about to stone him to death. The story of Jesus who, sitting with his disciples at the Last Supper, answers their greedy question about who is the greatest without flinching and then tells them - in spite of their pettiness - that they're beloved heirs of God's whole kingdom.

The singular thing that stands out to me in these stories is the power of choice. Samuel, Stephen and Jesus are all living SMACK in the middle of HUGE tension. And they stay the course. They keep their focus on what's important. They rely on God for strength. And they SING. They sing out words that are truth and justice and hope for those around them.

It would be a lie to say that the tension doesn't touch Samuel and Stephen and Jesus, doesn't impact them. Of course it does. All of them are human. But God's goodness continues to ripple to them and through them in their brave, steady faithfulness.

Today, in the midst of the tension, may you sing - sing the bit of truth you know, sing the hopeful longing in your heart - and may the presence of God invoked by your song bring sweet relief.

Singing,
Janet+

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

Psalm 100 - A Psalm of thanksgiving.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;*
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Dear Friends in Christ -

Today is the day of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. At 1:06 p.m., the sun was at the highest point in the sky. It has long been said that the sun stands still (sol - stice) for just a moment right at its apex. People of all times and cultures have thought that this moment was a good spot to praise God.

As grace would have it, most of the psalms appointed for reading on this day in the daily office are psalms of praise. On this day, I invite you to join me in giving thanks to God for the blessings in our individual lives and in our life together at St. Paul's.

Indeed, God is good, all the time . . . all the time, God is good!

May blessings as bright as the sun in the summer sky be upon you this day and always,
Janet+

Retreat Report

2011-06-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

As I write this, I am sitting in a rustic "cabin" in on the northwestern coast of Massachusetts. The sun in shining and the birds are singing and the temperature is just right for sitting here with the sun dropping down in flashy bits through the pine needles and the leaves.

Some of you have asked what I "do" on retreat. Well, perhaps the most important thing I "do" is ONE THING AT A TIME. I "do" the regular rhythm of life - sleeping, eating, exercising, praying, talking with people, reading, even a little bit of working - but everything slower and with more space for solitude and silence, which makes way for noticing things and realizing things.

This past Friday through Sunday, I participated in a "guided retreat" led by famous spiritual author Esther de Waal. She led four sessions entitled "Imagine," and she wove personal reflections, poetry, and short films together to invite all of us (60 participants) to imagine God and our relationship with God in new ways, which makes room for new possibilities.

Done properly, retreat is both entirely hard work and entirely refreshing. Thomas Merton once said that getting in touch with God in this way is getting "beyond the shadow and the disguise." Indeed, when I go on retreat, I run into things in myself I've been trying to avoid and pains I haven't allowed myself to feel. Working through those with God and trusted friends is hard - and renewing.

Esther says that "retreat is NOT a time of escape, but a time of deepening ones powers to deal with reality." This is certainly true for me. And I make my way home on this day with my body and spirit energized and my mind and heart full of new insights and hope.

I can't wait to see what God has for me - and for us - as we continue God's work together!

Faithfully,
Janet+

In anticipation of Pentecost

2011-06-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

The season of Easter has passed without many posts on this blog. Ironically, for St. Paul's the season of Resurrection has meant many, many funerals and many, many visits to people who are elderly or ill, including my own parents. Time does fly - when we're having fun and when we're tending to things that are urgent and important.

I'm hoping that tomorrow's celebration of Pentecost will mark the beginning of a new season - not only a new season on the calendar, but also a season of fresh encounter with God's Spirit. When I talk to people and when I read the newspaper, it seems like I'm not the only one who could use a dose of Spirit goodness and power!

A song has been playing in my mind today, a song that I learned as a child:

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is love.
There is comfort in life's darkest hour.
There is light and life.
There is help and power,
In the Spirit,
In the Spirit of the Lord.

As we gather tomorrow for worship, may we bask together in this Holy Spirit, and may this Spirit empower us for new ways of living His light in our daily lives.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Wrestling for . . . good . . . . and better . . .

2011-05-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

"Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling." - the apostle John (1 John 2:9-10)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Osama bin Laden is dead. Today, his family and friends and followers mourn his loss; to them, he was husband, father, friend, leader. Many, many others do not mourn his death. For military and intelligence personnel, this is "mission accomplished." For people who lost loved ones on September 11th - and for all who have felt less secure since those terrible acts of terrorism - yesterday found them feeling relief . . . closure . . . celebration.

Personally, I feel a sense of relief - though I'm not exactly sure why. I don't believe that terror will end with bin Laden's death. Perhaps the relief I feel is connected with my longing for justice; now the one who killed - and gloated over it - has been killed, silenced forever. But my relief is tinged with feelings of confusion: his one life doesn't seem like fair exchange for all the lives he took.

I can't bring myself to celebrate bin Laden's death. Not because of what today's Scripture reading says; at such emotional times my heart isn't convinced by bland moralistic assertion, true though it may be. I can't celebrate because following September 11th, I spent a good deal of time as a chaplain at St. Paul's Chapel at Ground Zero. There, I experienced grief with relatives who lost loved ones, anger with fire-fighters who lost friends, and agony with recovery workers finding body parts. Through connection with these people, I came to understand the HUMANITY more deeply - our fragility and strength, our wisdom and failings, our fears and hopes. BECAUSE of my encounters with the tenderness and hardness of these people, I now see the HUMANITY of people first - and ideology, and even action, second.

Yes, bin Laden is responsible for his actions - and I do trust that he has now seen God face to face and experienced God's own judgement. That's right. That's good.

But consider this: if there was no fear, if there was no hate, none of this would have ever happened. Wouldn't that be better?

Faithfully wrestling,
Janet+

”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everything is God's Grace

2011-04-25T03:43:00.000-07:00

When the righteous man searches for the nature of all things,
he makes his own admirable discovery:
that everything is God's grace.
Every being in the world, and thhe world itself,
manifests the blessings and generosity of God.
- Philo of Alexandria

In this in-between space . . .

2011-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ - Jesus (John 16:16)

Dear Friends in Christ -

One of our parishioners sent this prayer to me this week, and it struck a chord deep in my spirit . . . There's something comforting about it. In essence, it says that we can be who we are because God is who he is.

In this in-between space of Holy Saturday, may praying this prayer bring you clarity, humility, confidence - and peace.
Faithfully,
Janet+

I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming a human being
so I do not have to pretend or try to be God.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming finite and limited
so I do not have to pretend that I am infinite and limitless.
I thank you, crucified God, for becoming mortal
so I do not have to try to make myself immortal.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming inferior
so I do not have to pretend that I am superior to anyone.
I thank you for being crucified outside the walls,
for being expelled and excluded like the sinners and outcasts,
so you can meet me where I feel that I am,
always outside the walls of worthiness. Amen.

-- Richard Rohr, Hope Against Darkness, p. 38

The End of the Story

2011-04-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

"It is finished." - Jesus (John 19:28-30)

"The infinite beauty of God is constantly being discovered anew." - Gregory of Nyssa

Dear Friends in Christ -

The story we hear on this Good Friday is old to us: we've heard it over and over again. We come to it again in sadness, in curiosity, in hope, in wonder. We come to this story again because it is powerful to us.

Though they don't know it, my children watch their favorite movies over and over again for the same reason. They bask in the power - and comfort - of seeing the bad guys lose and the good guys win.

HOW we come to these stories makes all the difference. My children come to their favorite movies as if they had never seen them before, with fresh eyes and open hearts, ready to say "take that!" when the bad guys are vanquished and to cheer "yeahhhh!" when the princess is saved. Are your eyes ready to see something new? Is your heart open to experiencing this story afresh?

The end of this story is just the beginning . . . .
Faithfully waiting for the end
and the beginning,
Janet+

Examine yourselves . . .

2011-04-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

"Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup." - 1 Corinthians 11:28

Dear Friends in Christ -

By this point in Holy Week, I've done it all. Yelled at my adorable kids. Ignored my loving husband. Shouted unkind words at people "in my way" in traffic. Lied to myself and others . . . by not being sober about my finitude and overextending. Watch out. Cheating and stealing could be next. At this point in Holy Week I know the truth: I really am capable of anything . . .

The Angel on my shoulder (the same one who was at the open tomb??) says, "OK, then. That means you're ready. Ready to let go and let God. Ready for Resurrection . . .

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There's crack in everything
That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)

Bring on the light!
Unfaithfully - and yet, by grace, still here with God and you,
Janet+

Jesus knows

2011-04-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Jesus: ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’
John: ‘Lord, who is it?’
Jesus: ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’
(exerpts from John 13)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Jesus knew who would betray him. In this scene, Jesus points out the one who betray him to the authorities: Judas.

But the reason this scene sticks in John's mind so clearly is that he realized the implication of what happened here: Jesus knew EVERYTHING. He knew that not only Judas, but also, eventually, all of the disciples would betray him. Not one of the twelve would be loyal to the end.

Jesus knew about them. He knows about us, too. He knows that sometimes we're more honest than we care to admit because we don't want to look like a goody-two-shoes. He knows that sometimes we're less honest than we care to admit because . . . well, for all sorts of reasons.

Jesus NEVER stops knowing us, NEVER stops loving us. Even when we blow it.

May that thought comfort us all as we stumble our way to the Cross this week. (And may it dis-comfort you if you're not stumbling your way to the Cross this week!)

Faithfully stumbling,
Janet+

It's amazing, really

2011-04-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

"‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - "Father, save me from this hour"? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.'" - Jesus (John 12:27)

Dear Friends in Christ -

As I've been preparing for this Holy Week, one thought has greatly impressed me, remained with me . . . Jesus CHOOSES to do his Father's will. God never coerces Jesus to go to the cross. God doesn't guilt Jesus into into it. God doesn't manipulate or trick Jesus into it. In spite of the fact that he's troubled about what lies ahead, Jesus goes to the cross freely because he wants us to have the what we've lost: love, freedom, peace, eternity.

It's amazing, really . . . "For since by man came death, by man came also resurrection . . . " Astonishingly amazing.

In awe,
Janet+

There's nothing more compelling than . . .

2011-04-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

"When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus." - John 12:9-11

Dear Friends in Christ -
. . . a resurrection story. We all love them. Remember last fall when, for 69 days, we were fixated on the story of the miners trapped underground - and rescued - in Chile. Remember just a month ago, when we followed the story of the tsunami in Japan, waiting to hear about - and rejoice with - survivors and their families.

We know what death is. People around us have died. Parts of our very own selves have died - due to grief, physical injury, heartbreak, betrayal.

Our deepest longing is to live. The longing for life is so great in us that we breathe without even consciously willing it. The longing for life - abundant life - is so great that we strive not just to make ends meet, but also to make a difference.

For those who follow Jesus, this week is more than just a family gathering, a special dinner. This week, we walk again with Jesus, who died and rose again FOR US. There's nothing more compelling that a resurrection story, THIS resurrection story, the greatest story ever told.

Don't forget to share YOUR resurrection story with a friend this week. It just might bring them to Jesus. It just might change a life.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Still waving palms . . .

2011-04-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

"They brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and [Jesus] sat on them." - Matthew 21:7

Dear Friends in Christ -

When Palm Sunday is over, I never feel like I'm quite finished. I always have the sense that I'm still standing on a streetcorner, palm branch in hand, my cloak in the middle of the street with hoof-prints on it. Jesus has passed by, and now the rest of the crowd has moved on. But there I am, still drinking it all in.

It's a beautiful scene, and I want to remember it, hold onto it: thousands of people hailing Jesus as their radiant king, waving to people from the back of a donkey.

This is it. He's the one. The Messiah for whom we have waited. The one who will save us.

Matthew, the author of today's Gospel, is so eager to impress upon future readers that Jesus really is the Messiah, that he goes to great lengths to point out EVERY prophecy that is fulfilled by Jesus' coming - including prophecies from different Old Testament prophets that say Jesus will enter Jerusalem on a colt AND a donkey.

The thought of Jesus riding two animals simultaneously brings a smile to my lips. That would have been a sight to see! And I'm sure it's not quite what Matthew had in mind. No, he was just trying to tie up all the loose ends.

But that's impossible. At least for now, not even Jesus himself tries to do it. The story has to play out - messily - to the bitter end. On the same streets where people waved branches of palm and hailed him as their king.

Faithfully,
Janet+

What is the darkness . . . ?

2011-04-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

"I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness." - Jesus (John 12:46)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Clearly, this promise that we won't remain in darkness has nothing to do with the weather! It seems like we haven't seen the light, the s-U-n in WEEKS!

What kind of darkness IS Jesus talking about here?

Certainly, the darkness in our lives isn't lack of information; there's more of that to be had than we can process.

Certainly, the darkness in our lives isn't lack of basic necessities; we all have a roof over our heads and most of us would actually be a bit better off for skipping a meal now and then.

Certainly, the darkness in our lives isn't lack of opportunity; even if we don't have the job we would most love to have, there are abundant places where we can use our talents for good.

What IS the darkness in our lives? The chief darkness in our lives is in our own hearts. The dark corner of our hearts where resentment festers. The dark corner of our hearts where jealousy lurks. The dark corner of our hearts where fear constantly mutters 'not enough' and 'what's in it for me?'.

Jesus came not only to bring light around us, but also IN us. And if we believe that we need His light and open ourselves to it, it will allow us to put away the worst kind of darkness, the darkness IN us. Forever. THIS is the whole point of the Holy Week to come.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Getting Out of the Box

2011-04-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

"Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was." - John 11:5

Dear Friends in Christ -

Management experts have this grid called the "urgent important matrix." It's a grid with four boxes:
Not Urgent, Not Important
Not Urgent, Important
Urgent, Not Important
Urgent, Important
(if you want to see a picture of this matrix, Google "urgent important matrix')

This past week, I've been living in one of these boxes: Urgent, Important. When emergencies arise, this is where I usually need to be. Where I want to be. Where I can often be most helpful. There's a problem, though, with camping out in the "Urgent, Important" box: the things in the other boxes don't get done!

Jesus spent a lot of time camped out in the "Urgent, Important" box, too. But after a while, he refused to stay there any longer. Healing ("urgent, important" stuff), he said, isn't my first job. Heck, he said, it's not even my most important job; my #1 job is to give glory to God.

I'm sure that Jesus' friends thought that it was a mighty darn inconvenient time for him to make a move from one box ("Urgent, Important") to another box ("Not urgent, Important"). But people - including US - never would have received Jesus' message, never would have known His true purpose, if he stayed in one box.

As we roll into Holy Week, it's crucial that I'm not stuck in the "Urgent, Important" box (visiting the sick, helping folks with emergencies, going to meetings) - but make a move into the "Not Urgent, Important" box - preparing, studying, writing . . . blogging! . . .

I have to confess that getting out of the box - even to write this blog post this morning - feels strange, and risky! I feel concern that folks I care for won't have their needs met. I feel frustration about important things left undone. But years ago, I signed on to be a disciple, and that means following where my Lord has led the way.

And I'm not the only one called to "get out of the box!" You, too, are a disciple. In Holy Week you, too, are called to get out of the "busy box" and spend some time in "Not Urgent, Important." It will save your life.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Refreshment for Tonight: A Prayer for the Morning

2011-04-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water. - Psalm 107:35

Dear Friends in Christ -

Someone at our "Adventures" study group this evening shared this prayer, which she prays every morning. It was so powerful that I asked if she would share it. She sent it immediately, so I now pass it along to you. I'll be praying it tomorrow morning, and I invite you to join me!

Blessings,
Janet+

SIX GESTURES OF THE MORNING PRAISE
By Joyce Rupp

1. Offering the Creator praise and gratitude:
Stretch your arms high and wide above your head.
I THANK YOU, HOLY ONE, FOR THE GIFT OF ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE.

2. Intentionally being aware of my spiritual bond with all of creation:
Hold arms out from your sides, a little below shoulder height. Move (pivot) to the left and to the right with your arms stretching outward toward the cosmos.
I REACH OUT IN COMPASSION TO MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE.

3. Offering my life to the Holy One:
Stretch your arms out straight in front of you, slightly apart, palms up.
I GIVE TO YOU ALL I AM AND ALL I HAVE.

4. Opening to accept what the Holy One offers me this day:
Pull your hands close together and cup them as a container.
I OPEN MY ENTIRE BEING TO RECEIVE THE GIFT THAT YOU HAVE WAITING FOR ME IN THIS NEW DAY.

5. Remembering to be kind to our planet Earth:
Bend over, reach down, and touch the floor, or better yet, the ground, if you are outside.
I TOUCH THIS PLANET, EARTH, WITH AWE, REVERENCE, AND GRATITUDE, PROMISING TO CARE WELL FOR HER TODAY.

6. Awareness of the indwelling presence of the Holy One:
Stand up, cross hands over your heart, and bow to the waist.
MAY I BE UNITED WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THIS DAY, AWARE OF YOUR LOVE STRENGTHENING ME AND SHINING THROUGH ME. AMEN!

-- From "Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems and Reflections for Every Season" by Joyce Rupp

Message for today

2011-04-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

Here's today's message from the apostle Paul:
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Letter to the Romans 8:38-39)

Here's today's message from me:
Glad to hear it, Paul, 'cause I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment!

Faithfully trusting,
Janet+

Lost in the Shuffle?

2011-04-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit* set their minds on the things of the Spirit.* To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit* is life and peace. - Romans 8:5-6

Dear Friends in Christ -

Someone once said that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect different results. Yeah. Well. Then color me insane, BUT trying to be less insane.

As a priest, Lent is my "busy season." So it's easy for me to be preaching deeper spirituality and reflection while rushing around like a mad woman for 18 hours a day. This year, I'm trying to shed some insanity and get different results by doing something different.

My Lenten discipline has been to practice noticing and doing beauty. And I'm striving to keep that up - even in the face of feeling like the ever-rolling stream of time is speeding up, rushing toward Easter.

When I stay faithful to this discipline of beauty, something different does happen. The cloudy noise in and around me seems to subside. I cease to feel lost in the shuffle. I can hear and see things. Today, I noticed the fresh-tilled earth in my garden and paused to run my hand through the silky clumpy damp dirt. And all of a sudden, I felt less overwhelmed and more like singing . . . "Almost heaven, West Virginia . . . country roads, take me home" . . . and smiling.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Prayer for a Whirlwind Day

2011-04-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life . . ." - Jesus (John 6:27a)

Dear Friends in Christ -

It's a whirlwind day for me today. Happy busyness at home (my adorable young son's birthday - he's 6!). Lots of work at the church (including assisting a couple of people with serious emergencies). Errands that need to be run to keep up with our volunteer and community commitments.

When everything on my list involves working "for the food that endures" how do I find the place to touch down? Just a simple prayer . . .

GOD grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change;
COURAGE to change the things I can;
and WISDOM to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His will -
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.

Faithfully,
Janet+

4/3 SERMON - Hard Work AND Design

2011-04-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

WAY OF SALVATION: THE BIBLE AND THE 12 STEPS - Part 5 of 6

Dear Friends in Christ -

I offer you this exerpt from the sermon I preached at St. Paul's on Sunday, April 3rd . . .
Blessings
Janet+

"One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." - Man Born Blind, after Jesus put mud on his eyes and he washed them in the pool (John 9:25b)

Every once in a while, there’s something that I want to put in my sermon, even though it has nothing to do with the Scripture passages or theme for the week.

I haven’t talked about sports in church recently, so I thought it was time . . . Final Four Basketball is underway. Butler – a team from a small, liberal arts college in the mid-west – has made it to the national championship game for the second year in a row. Certainly the players are incredibly talented. Some are saying they’re lucky. A news analyst commented, “Luck is the residue of hard work.”

“Luck is the residue of hard work.”

I’m wasn’t sure that that had anything to do with our sermon series or today’s Gospel lesson, but I liked the notion that luck could be a side benefit of our hard work, so I thought I would throw it in.

Then I stumbled on an article about Tiger Woods. Remember him? He’s long been known as one of the most talented golfers in the world, ever. Part of the reason he’s so good is that he chose not to rely on talent alone; he added hard work to the equation. At a time when many pro golfers hit the course without a regular workout regimen, Tiger worked out hard. In the early 2000s, he started working out a couple of times a day, piled on the muscle, and bulked up from 160 to 185. With the combination of talent and hard work, he became nearly unstoppable.

But then we all know what happened next. Human failings got the better of him, pulled him under. Tiger himself said that he lost everything that meant anything to him – his wife, his kids, his reputation. Hard work alone didn’t get him where he most wanted to go.

All that made me curious . . . curious about the role of luck in our lives, and curious about quote that I had been turning over in my mind. I wondered if the quote was original to the news analyst. So I looked it up on Google. And I discovered that the original quote, which is slightly different, is attributed to a guy by the name of Branch Rickey, an innovative Major League Baseball executive who was famous for breaking the color barrier in baseball by signing Jackie Robinson for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey was also known to be a man of deep Christian faith.

What Branch originally said is something more like this: “Luck is the residue of hard work and design.”

Ah, now that sheds an interesting light on things, doesn’t it?

Hard work AND design. The combination surely resonates with the 12 Steps we’ve been working through. God’s design is the foundation. Hard work is required to bring us into the fulfillment of that design.

As we work our way through the 12 Steps of AA, the 12 Steps of Healing, the 9th and 10th Steps are the ones we’re reflecting on today. Step 9 is: Wherever possible, made direct amends to such people we’ve harmed, except when to do so would injure them or others. Step 10 is: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

These two activities show up over and over again in the twelve steps: “admitting” and “making amends” Fully two thirds – 8 of the 12 steps – involve admitting powerlessness or wrong and making amends for things done or left undone. Holy cow! Any way you slice it, that’s a lot of work, a lot of very humbling, very hard work.

And this is where we come back to design. One of the things that’s amazing about the way God designs things is God’s fearless generosity. When God designed all things in the beginning, he designed them beautiful and full. He poured all of his own goodness into it – power and beauty and knowledge - without concern for what might go wrong. He made man and woman in his own image, sharing with them, granting them god-like powers – free will, creativity, love.

Indeed, God knew even then, that things could – and would – go badly wrong. But his design had space for that, too. And for a perhaps even deeper kind of perfection – redemption – experience of Mystery beyond measure – that from the ashes of disaster, glory burst forth, from death, life can rise.

Doing The Stuff You Know

2011-04-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

"But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." - Paul (Romans 6:17-18)

Dear Friends in Christ -

A couple months ago, one of the beloved parishioners here at St. Paul's (beloved by others, beloved by me) asked me how I was doing. He asked the question on one of those days when I was looking a little ragged around the edges - dark circles under my eyes from not quite enough sleep the night before, clothing slightly askew from getting down on the floor with the kids at church, shoes clicking quickly along as I rushed between meetings. I replied, "Good, a little tired, but good!" With a knowing smile, he said, "You know, all those wellness training things we send you on don't do any good if you don't DO the stuff they teach you."

If I had a bull's eye painted on my chest, he couldn't have made a better shot. I felt humbled - and grateful for his honesty.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Yep.

The main challenge in the Christian life - in all of life, really - isn't to amass more knowledge, but to live true to what we already know. If we actually DID the two commandments in the New Testament - (1) Love God and (2) Love your neighbor as yourself - astonishing things would happen.

Over the past couple of months, God has brought my encounter with this parishioner to mind many times, continuing to call me to DO the good I know to do. This week, God teased my attention back to this with the following story. May it bless - and CHALLENGE - you as it did me.

Faithfully,
Janet+

A young agricultural official was sent out by the County Extension to help farmers improve their crops. In visiting the first farm on his agenda for the week, the young official talked excitedly with the farmer about the practices recommended in a book he was offering. “This book will tell you everything you need to know about farming,” the official said enthusiastically. “It tells you when to sow and when to reap. It tells you about weather, what to expect and when to expect it. This book will tell you all you need to know.” “Sir,” the farmer said, “that’s not the problem. I know everything in that book. My problem is doing it.”

Springs

2011-04-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

"Singers and dancers alike say,
‘All my springs are in you.’" - Psalm 87:7

Dear Friends in Christ -

The little boys at our house today for my son's 6th birthday party ran and leapt in the short spring grass like jittery little lambs stumbling out into pasture after being penned up. The fact that it was pretty darn chilly and the sun was under the clouds most of the time didn't phase them in the least. Their delight in each other and in the games they played overflowed - and dislodged my grumpiness.

I've been feeling impatient. Impatient to find the finishing touches for tomorrow's sermon. Impatient for some resolution in a couple of sticky situations. Impatient for warmer weather.

Usually, I come away from the frenzy of children's birthday parties exhausted. Today, though, in witnessing their tumbling revelry, I felt gentled, satisfied to be drinking in the springs of beautifully good moments with a bunch of blissful little kids.

With thanksgiving for the Source of the springs,
Janet+

Oh-oh.

2011-04-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

"'Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’" - Jesus (John 8:47)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Heard the voice of God lately? If not . . . oh-oh. Perhaps the problem is the same one the Pharisees were having almost 2000 years ago. Jesus tells the Pharisees straight up that the reason they don't hear the word of God is that they're "not from God."

How is it that people seeking so hard after God that they became religious leaders, people "made in the image of God", could end up "not from God"?

Somewhere deep inside me a voice replies . . .
"Inch by inch
day by day
slipped a little
off the path
and lost my way."

There are so many destructions (oops - I meant to type distractions - or did I?) all around. Right things can turn out wrong, good things can turn out bad if they're set in incorrect framework, lived out of proportion. And then it's as if someone put earplugs in for us when we weren't looking, and . . . silence. It's as if God isn't speaking anymore.

Oh-oh.

God is always speaking. So if we can't hear Him, the problem is with us, in us. The way to get the cotton out of our ears? Do something we know God has been telling us to do. Any little thing, any bit of faithfulness will start the process.

Though we're sometimes afraid to hear God, it's GOOD to hear his voice. And the absence of it: deadly.

Faithfully striving to hear,
Janet+

Encountering the Word

2011-03-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

"‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’" - Jesus (John 8:31b-32)

Dear Friends in Christ -

My experience of reading the Scriptures today was as blah and grey as the weather outside. While I'm hearing Jesus say, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples . . .", I'm feeling less like a disciple and more like a squirrelly second-grader itching to go out to recess!

So what to do, what to do . . . ???

Well, what I needed today - and many days - was to read God's word and then to find a place to encounter truth "with skin on." Places I reliably find incarnation that helps me hear God's Word afresh:
The rhythm of poetry or the melody of song
A super-sqeezy hug from one of my kids
Touching nature - with my feet or my hands
Giving a kind word to someone in need

And . . . today . . . today, I encountered Goodness in a delicious little book, a book that's a rhymed blessing from a father to his daughter. Here's one of my favorite lines . . .

"[Keep her from]Dull days at fourty,
false friends at fifteen -
let her have brave days
and truth,
Let her go places
that we've never been,
trust and delight
in her youth."

All these things, I pray for you as well.
Faithfully,
Janet+

PS - The book is called "Blueberry Girl;" it was written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess.

Because of love

2011-03-30T19:55:00.001-07:00

". . . because God's love has been poured into our hearts." - Romans 5:5b

Dear Friends in Christ -

The apostle Paul knew something about suffering. In the course of his career as a missionary, he was beaten and chased out of town and jailed and mocked and shipwrecked . . . and beaten some more. But when he talked about his suffering, he didn't talk about how unfair it was. He didn't dwell on his aches and pains or quit being a disciple because of the horrible way he was treated.

There's something else Paul didn't do in response to suffering: he didn't say he enjoyed it! NO ONE enjoys suffering, and God doesn't expect us to pretend that things are hunky-dorey when they're not.

But God does ask us to be patient and to trust him while we're waiting-waiting-waiting for God's promise to unfold. What promise? His promise to make ALL THINGS work together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) The trick for Paul - and for us - is not to give up on God while he's in the process of getting the job done.

Paul didn't give up on God, and because of God's love, he learned the following secret, which he shared in a letter to the church in Rome:
" . . . suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us . . ."

Faithfully,
Janet+

Who Do We Expect God To Be? - Redux

2011-03-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

"When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?'" - John 7:40-41

Dear Friends in Christ -

What a great Scripture lesson to follow on the heels of Kate's sermon!

The questions raised here are such important ones: Who is this Messiah? How is he - and how is he NOT - who we expect him to be?

Some of the people I know who are most distant from God are distant because they are angry with God. Underlying their anger is a tremendous well of disappointment that God hasn't made good on his promises.

I struggle to talk with them about their disappointment because I'm so aware of their pain. Some of them have children who have died. Some of them struggle mightily with addiction or depression or another overwhelming problem over which makes just getting through the day a HUGE struggle.

God promises to be with us always, but he never promised to fix our problems. God promises to bring us Life, but he doesn't promise that someone we love won't get killed in an accident. And yes, that's confusing. And yes, that doesn't feel like enough.

Relationship with God requires us to move forward even when we can't see our Guide, to receive this day as a gift even though we will almost surely encounter loss and pain in it.

These days, I'm operating on this set of expectations:
I expect God to be perfectly good, but I expect all people and situations in this world to be imperfect.
I expect God to give me what I need to get through this day, and as He does that, I expect myself to continue learning to trust Him with tomorrow.

Faithfully,
Janet+

3/27 SERMON - "Who God Is and What God Does" (Part 4 of a 6 part series)

2011-03-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

WAY OF SALVATION: THE BIBLE AND THE 12 STEPS - Part 4 of 6

Dear Friends in Christ -

Our seminarian intern, Kate Spelman, preached a really wonderful sermon this week. Her sermon was the fourth in our six-part sermon series "Way of Salvation: The Bible and the Twelve Steps."

Here are a couple of excerpts from her sermon. Hopefully it will stir your interest in reading the entire text of her sermon, which, along with the texts of all the sermons in this series, will be available from our parish office soon. Hopefully by the end of this week!
Blessings,
Janet+

WHO GOD IS AND WHAT GOD DOES . . .

Listen, I once heard a story –
A man, a very religiously devout man, died. And of course he went to heaven. And he gets to the pearly gates, and meets St. Peter. And Pete says to him, "Would you like to meet God?" The man says, "Absolutely!" He wants to see God face to face, and worship God like he was taught to do. So Pete brings him to a giant chicken coop, and there is God. And God is a chicken. A talking chicken, but otherwise a normal-looking chicken. St. Peter has to muck out the coop once a day. God needs some gravel to digest what God eats.

Now go ahead tell someone who missed the sermon that the intern told you God is a chicken. (And if they come after me, I will cite for them Luke 13:34 and Psalm 17:8!) But that’s not really the point to this story – and it isn’t over yet. But think – would you know God if you saw him? Would you be able to see God If he was right before you, but looked all wrong? Or would you end up saying, “This cannot be the Messiah, can it?!?” I also want to suggest that just seeing God isn’t everything. Certainly, it’s not the end of the story. Lent is about a deeper connection with God, A God who surprises us and confounds our every expectation.

The very religious man has met Chicken, that is, God, and is understandably a little upset. And he says to Chicken, “You have to send me back. I have children, I have to warn them!” The Chicken shrugs (as much as a chicken can shrug and says, “OK.” And the man wakes up in his hospital bed, with his wife and his oldest daughter standing over him. And when he opens his eyes, they begin thanking God for answering their prayers. The man has too many tubes in his nose and mouth to communicate. But he is glad to be back.

When the man is well enough to go home, he’s stewing and planning his words. The family gathers for dinner; all the kids shower and put on some nice clothes. The younger boy picks up all his art supplies from the table, without being asked. The teenage son who seems to spend all his time at his girlfriend’s house comes home for dinner. And his wife brings out the main course – roast chicken!

The man becomes so agitated he starts to get up from his wheelchair But his oldest daughter reprimands him and tells him to sit. “I have to tell you!” He yells “What, dad? What?” The kids ask. “I have to tell you about God!” He is stammering now, impatient. “OK, Dad. “ “All right” “Tell us” they all say. And he looks at the faces of all his children, the younger boy’s hair still wet from the shower, the oldest daughter looking more like her mom every day. And he looks at his wife, who put on the earrings he bought her for their anniversary last year, even though he heard her telling her sister on the phone that they’re not really her style. He looks at his family, And the man who has seen God says, “God has been so good to me. God is all knowing and all loving. Let us praise the name of the God who brought me back from the dead.” And he bows his head and leads his family in the same grace they’ve used since the kids were babies.

So what happened in that story? Did the religious man lie? Did he cover up the truth? I don’t think so. I think he told an even greater truth than he knew he was speaking.

Through a cracked windshield, what can be seen?

2011-03-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

"He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! Do not harden your hearts . . ." - Psalm 95:7-8a

Dear Friends in Christ -

One of my dear friends wrote the following Lenten reflection for her church. I was so touched by it - particularly by the "heart" questions she asks - that I wanted to share it with you.

Blessings,
Janet+

When the rotted-out tree landed on my car while driving to work this winter, I numbly pulled over on Mansfield Avenue, called for help, and from my seat surveyed the dreadful damage to my husband's luxury SUV. Surrounding drivers emerged, incredulously inquiring about me, and five men started hauling the tree's broken limbs out of the road so the surrounding world could resume. Despite the immense impact to the base of the windshield, precisely where my legs had been, I was 100% fine. Swiftly thereafter, repair-mode ensued. And although that uprooted day led to a whirlwind of routine frustrations that accompany all accidents, we relish in God's blessing that I am alive and unharmed.

But somewhere inside, I can't help but wonder: what if I had been hit by another car, rather than a tree? What if there had been a person to blame? How would we have treated the stranger who almost killed me and caused a huge headache with our insurance company? Would we have chosen to forgive? Would we have noticed God's blessing? I forget sometimes that people, like trees, are inherently beautiful, intricately designed through nature and nurture. Depending on how others enter my world, I may see them as lacking dimension. But I think God graced me with His tree to remind me that just as trees can rot from within, drop branches or fall entirely, people are equally susceptible to causing these kinds of accidents. And I must be wise and avoid convenient blame or even hatred when I feel wronged. Instead, I must trust that like me, my enemies have many dimensions, and by meeting them with mercy and forgiveness, I will undoubtedly unearth another one of God's blessings.
-- Lindsay Hayes Hurty (2010)

The Secrets of the Psalm

2011-03-26T19:11:00.001-07:00

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1

Dear Friends in Christ -

Often, when I hear this Psalm, I get stuck on the first line . . . "I shall not want."

While it's true that I'm not lacking for food or clothing or shelter, I have so many wants. I want things that I truly NEED - like new windshield wipers so that I can see while driving in the rain - and things that I DON'T need - like a new KitchenAid mixer to replace a 40-year-old hand-me-down mixer that still works.

Deeper than that, I have these other wants . . . longings for forward progress in so many areas of my life. Longings for safety for my kids and peace in the world.

As I've prayed this Psalm over and over today, one of its secrets unlocked. The first word in each of the next four phrases is the key. "HE makes me to lie down in green pastures; HE leads me beside still waters; HE restores my soul. HE leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Ah, yes. When I bring my whole self to my Shepherd, everything falls into the right order, the right perspective, the right priority. I can relax even my most intense agendas for good and enjoy God being in charge.

When I do that, another of the Psalm's secrets is revealed . . . "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for YOU are with me." Praying this Psalm shows me how prayer itself moves me closer to God. What starts out as a third person prayer, becomes an intimate first person conversation . . . and Life in His house, where my whole heart is at rest, its deepest longings fulfilled.

Faithfully resting this day,
Janet+

What made the world fall away

2011-03-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

"O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" - Psalm 95:1

Dear Friends in Christ -

Though the date stamp at the top of this blog post says "Friday," I'm actually writing it on Saturday. Last night, I was so excited about what was happening that I simply forgot to sit down and write.

What was so exciting? Bible study. I attend lots of things at church that are exciting or interesting or inspiring, but rarely do I attend something (at church or anywhere else, for that matter!) that really makes the world fall away.

What is it about this Bible study . . . ? Well, I think it's the no-holds-barred approach. We're tackling life's most important questions and issues head on . . . what are we clinging to that keeps us down, holds us back? . . . what does it mean to really be committed to Jesus?

I was seven years old when I first asked Jesus to come into my heart. The next time I remember praying to God to help me with my life was when I was fifteen. When I was a freshman in college, I sank to new lows and asked God to show me a better way. When I was a junior in college, I renewed my commitment to God again - and was baptized.

If I heard that story about someone else's relationship with God, I would probably be tempted to think that either: (1) The person was somewhat insincere about committing to God, so it took multiple attempts for it to "stick." OR (2) The person was pretty sincere, but relationship with God was a challenging process.

Since this story is my story, I can tell you that . . . both A and B are true! These experiences, and many more, have been occasions when the world fell away and something new in me opened up to Life, to GOD.

It happened again for me last night, and my fondest wish for you is that God finds you in this way, too - and soon.

Refreshed by His love,
Janet+

The Choice for Today

2011-03-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praises to you [God];
my soul also, which you have rescued. - Psalm 71:23

"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life." - Jesus (John 5:24)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Every day, I have a choice: to hope or to despair.

The evidence for hope shows up first: the sun rises, so bright that even on days like today, when there is a great blanket of clouds between it and me, the light shines through to waken the birds, and their songs waken me.

The evidence for despair arrives close on the sun's heels: the news on the radio breaks into the morning quiet with the latest about war and natural disaster abroad, about state budget cuts and school bullying.

At a fundamental level, the evidence on both sides is "true." So then it's up to me. I have to make the choice. What will I choose to focus on? What emphasis will order my day?

God's desire for what I should choose is no secret. Joy . . . hope . . . truth . . . and He states it most clearly in the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy. He says, "CHOOSE LIFE!"

So this day, I'm not going to forget about the things in this world that are broken and unjust, painful and wrong. I'm just going to breathe God's love in deeply and work like crazy to share that love, until all creation is choosing Life as one.

Faithfully choosing,
Janet+

"Do not sin any more!"

2011-03-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

"See, you have been made well. Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." - Jesus, to the man he had healed (John 5:14b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Jesus rarely comes off as peevish as he seems in this quote from today's Gospel lesson (John 5:1-18), but Jesus is completely fed up with this guy who keeps blaming others for everything that happens to him.

You might know someone like that . . . heck, some days you might BE someone like that: someone who complains about the actions of others rather than doing what you can to take responsibility for yourself, to reach out to ask for the help you need.

Jesus takes us up on even our smallest movement in this direction. Though the guy in today's Gospel lesson doesn't call out to Jesus for healing or even acknowledge that's what he really wants, Jesus takes his presence near the pool to be the tiny crack of openness required to start the man's healing process. While the guy's body is healed instantly, it takes longer for his heart to change. And Jesus sticks by him each step of the way, even prodding him firmly along when necessary.

In these days of Lent, may you have the courage to stop blaming others, to receive Jesus gift of healing and live into it, and to give Him all the praise, so that He can make you well.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Technology . . . and fear

2011-03-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith . . ." - Romans 1:16a

Dear Friends in Christ -

Technology always seems to be racing ahead of me, turning corners into places I've never been before, opening up possibilities I'm not ready to entertain. In addition to all that, I'm an INTROVERT by nature, which means that I have no need whatsoever to have a "presence" on the internet.

However, I believe that our church . . .(St. Paul's on the Huntington Green in Shelton, CT - which I'm spelling out here so that anyone running a search today for "church" and "Shelton" might stumble on St. Paul's today through the 'back door' of this blog post) . . . Anyway, as I started to say, I believe that St. Paul's has a CALLING to have a presence on the internet. The modern-day version of shouting God's faithfulness from the housetops is to host a blog or website that's attractive enough to get 100,000 hits and/or pop up on the Google search engine when someone's searching for "inspiration and Connecticut."

I'm overwhelmed and frightened by technology, but I've been asking God for the strength to face my fears and us in venturing forth . . . because the Good News is worth sharing. Today, I felt God's encouragement through - of all places - the internet. I was blown away by the dozens and dozens of birthday blessings that came my way through Facebook. Thanks to all my faithful e-friends, I'm inspired to try to figure out how to use Facebook to bless others.

Perhaps I'll start by figuring out how to actually use the Facebook page I created but now almost never look at! All the agony and frustration of learning to work this technology will be worth it if, through it, even a handful of folks encounter God's saving power.

Faithfully facing my fears,
Janet+

PS - Afterword: Just yesterday, my daughter came home from school and announced that for the rest of the year, they'll be doing 90+ percent of their homework on the internet. I felt a chill, as if a grey shadow passed low over my head on a blustery day. Did dinosaurs have this feeling before they became extinct??

"Gone Fishin'"

2011-03-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Christ -
I wanted to let all y'all know that I hadn't forgotten about you. I just didn't get a post up today due to birthday revelling!
I'll be back tomorrow!
Blessings,
Janet+
PS - And I'll post Sunday's sermon summary later this week, too!

Light refreshment for the Second Sunday of Lent

2011-03-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

"I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:1-2

Dear Friends in Christ -

Happy sunny first day of Spring!

You remember, of course, that Sundays in Lent are days of refreshment . . . so it's time for a few little funny stories that were sent my way this past week. I hope they lighten your heart and bring a smile to your lips, as they did to mine. Enjoy!

Blessings,
Janet+

One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during morning worship. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
________________________________________
One particular four-year old prayed:
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
________________________________________
Another little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."

Is the promise for me?

2011-03-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

"If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves. Every place on which you set foot shall be yours . . ." - Deuteronomy 11:22-24a

Dear Friends in Christ -

So here's what I really want to know when I read a passage like this from the Bible: Are the promises for ME? Or were the promises for THEM, and I'm just reading about them 4000 years later?

I SO badly want the promises to be for ME. I know that I don't get all the "loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways" stuff right all the time, but I LONG to be rewarded for the things I do get right. I want to see the fulfillment of at least some of God's promises in the now.

It's at this point that I can practically see God sitting in the rocking chair in my office, chuckling under his breath and shaking his head. The evidence that God IS fulfilling his promises is literally all around me, in the roof over my head, in the scent of hot coffee in the air, in the nutritious breakfast comfortably digesting in my belly.

Perhaps if I focused on being grateful for those things rather than pouting about the unfolded laundry, the windy chill in the air and the work I still have to do, then Way would open for me to receive even more of His promises.

How about you . . . what's getting in the way of God's promises being fulfilled in your life?

May God's strength give us strength to live in His way and receive His goodness this day,
Janet+

What To Do?

2011-03-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

"So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being." - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Dear Friends in Christ -

On this day, even as the sun rises and the birds sing here in Shelton, it seems that well-being is threatened in so many parts of the world by diaster and war. Radioactive meltdown continues in Japan. International "intervention" in Libya has been authorized by the UN. And in the midst of this we have our own troubles. Economic woes, illness, running arguments with family members and neighbors.

In all these stresses and struggles, how do we get our bearings? By following the basic rules of His road. The things God asks of us don't ever change: to love Him, to obey His commands.

When troubles - small and big - arise, we're tempted to think that we need revised instructions, a "new and improved" program of action. But what we really need is trust His Way even more, to focus on doing what God calls us to do. If we neglect this emphasis, we often find ourselves wasting energy complaining about the actions of others or criticizing our leaders, at home or abroad. Sinking into depression or negativity drains our own energy and the energy of those around us.

In staying close to God through prayer and obedience, we gain strength and courage for whatever lies ahead. Our own well-being is enhanced - enough that we often find we have more than we need, enough to share.

Faithfully staying close,
Janet+

St. Patrick's Day, a Day for Courage

2011-03-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

"Though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated . . . we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts." - 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4

Dear Friends in Christ -
Today was a day for eating corned beef and cabbage, for drinking green beer. But in the midst of the celebration, we are called to remember what the celebration is about.

The Irish celebrate Saint Patrick as their patron saint because he came to bless them and to save them. Well, the truth is, the first time he set foot on the shores of Ireland, it was as a 16-year-old slave, stolen away from his family. Eventually, Patrick snuck away, caught a boat back to England, and studied to be a priest. After he became a Bishop, Patrick felt called to go back to Ireland - not to curse the people there in anger, but to bless them. Using the three leaf clover as a symbol, Patrick taught the Irish about the Trinity. I imagine that many came and listened to Patrick because they learned the story about the slave boy who became a Bishop, and their priest.

On this day of celebration, I invite you to remember the courage and love of Patrick and to follow his example. Surely there are people in your life who have earned your wrath. Likely those same people would benefit from receiving God's gift of truth and love, through you.

Blessings,
Janet+

While many would have harboured undying bitterness toward their former captors, Patrick didn't.

Speechless

2011-03-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

"For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end." - Hebrews 3:14

Dear Friends in Christ -

What kind of confidence do you have in Jesus? Is it enough?

"Enough for what?" you might ask.

Enough for whatever you are called to do, whatever is required of you.

This morning, a front-page article in the New York Times humbled me, left me speechless. The article was about the "faceless 50" - the brave few who volunteered to stay behind at the nuclear reactors in Japan to try to help prevent a deepening catastrophe. Though they know they could well die, these few are offering up their very lives for the good of the many.

In the midst of this catastrophe, we, too, are called to do something: to pray. After working at two of the most recent disaster sites in this country, I know that there are sometimes, though I wish to pray, I have no words. So today, as in past days at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I reach for a Psalm, an ancient prayer with new meaning in the midst of this latest disaster:

Psalms 130
Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.

5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.

6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Praying with you for "the faceless 50" and the other 450,000 people who are homeless in Japan this day,
Janet+

What you can do for the people of Japan

2011-03-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Because [Jesus] himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested." - Hebrews 2:18

Dear Friends in Christ -

The pictures of the suffering in Japan are gripping my heart. People whose lives were flowing right along from one sufficiently fed, well-landscaped day into another are now homeless and, literally, living in darkness because their power plants are melting down.

I don't have any personal friends in the affected area. But some of you do. I hope that as you find out what people need, you will let those of us in your parish family know, so that we can help.

In the mean time, I challenge you to join me in being the hands and feet of Jesus, to do what you already know needs to be done -
1) to pray to the One who, because he knows suffering, also knows how to bring comfort, and
2) to give whatever you can to one of the large aid organizations (AmeriCares, Save the Children, etc.) that is already landing relief on the shores of Japan and will continue to do so in the days and years to come.

If you think such small efforts don't matter, consider this: there are hundreds of churches in Japan today because of a small band of 12 apostles who lived 2,000 years ago and in Israel, half a world away.

Faithfully,
Janet+

3/13 SERMON - Way of Salvation: The Bible and The Twelve Steps (Part II)

2011-03-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

WAY OF SALVATION: THE BIBLE AND THE TWELVE STEPS (Part 2 of 6)
(An exerpt from yesterday's sermon)
Gospel text for the day: Matthew 4:1-11

I spent a lot of time in church as a child, and years of observation taught me that church people sorted out into a couple of groups. One group was the “wanna be” people – they wanted things to go better for them; they wanted to be good, except they didn’t seem to be exerting much effort of their own to help things work out. The other group was the “try again” people . . . These folks chose over and over to put their effort into trying to do the right thing even when things kept going wrong.

After a while, a pattern was readily apparent. The people who had the most amazing stories about how Jesus had helped them weren’t the most perfect people, they were the people who were the try again people, the “one day at a time” people.

“One day at a time” is a mantra among the folks who are members of Alcoholics Anonymous. It means they’re living in the moment, not getting ahead of themselves. Not rushing ahead of their God. It means they’re showing up for the God they trust is going to show up for them. Even when things aren’t going well. Even when they don’t understand.

This "Way of Salvation: The Bible and the Twelve Steps" sermon series was born out of a deep longing that I had for all of us to really meet God in Lent. So I asked myself: where do I see people meeting God on a regular basis? Where do I see people’s lives really being changed? Every morning of the week, I look out my window into the church parking lot, which is full by 7:00 a.m. every day. Why? Because something is happening here that it changing people’s lives, it’s called Alcoholics Anonymous.

For some of you, the Lenten discipline you’ve chosen – praying or fasting or giving – is enough to connect you with God, it’s enough to take you the next step forward in your relationship with God. But some of you are really in a difficult spot and need a full-life overhaul. If you’re one of those folks, I want to suggest that HERE, in the Twelve Steps of AA is a faith that works.

In the years since the founding of AA, many different kinds of groups have tested the effectiveness of the Twelve Steps. Not just alcoholics and addicts, but also people with all sorts of “hurts, habits and hang-ups.” And there isn’t a one of us who doesn’t have at least a few of those!

Concern has been raised in some Christian circles that AA and the Twelve Steps might not be “Christian,” after all, they mention a “Higher Power,”, but not “GOD” in specific. In order to find out if they’re fit for us, I think we should test them against the teachings in the Bible.

The founders of AA, Bill W. and his companions, actually hit bottom in such a way that they didn’t build the Twelve Steps of AA from Scripture. Many of them were too alienated from the church for that. What they did was build the Twelve Steps of AA from their experience of what it took to get sober. And then, no surprise, folks took a look at the Steps and realized they fit right in with what the Bible teaches.

How do we see this in the steps we're considering today? [In Steps 3 and 4: 3) We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4) We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.]

Fundamentally, I think the questions behind these next two steps is “what truths are we willing to see?” and “what are we willing to do about those truths?” So in the first two steps we “saw” our weakness and God’s strength. But this is where the rubber meets the road: are we willing to trust God?

In today’s Gospel lesson, this is precisely the question that Jesus himself faces when he is tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus has just been baptized and has started his ministry by being driven out into the wilderness by the Spirit to prepare for what lies ahead through fasting and prayer. After 40 days, Jesus is in the paradoxical position of being extremely spiritually strong, but extremely physically weak. And this is the time that Satan chooses to pounce.

It would be easier for Jesus - and for us - if Satan dangled temptations for bad things in front of us, but no! Satan tempted Jesus - and tempts us - with things he knows we long for, things we feel we need. Satan's tricky; his real temptation isn't even the things themselves, it's that he tries to get us to reach for things in the wrong way. Each time, Satan’s invitation to Jesus was to forget trusting in God and instead reach out for things on his own strength.

Each and every time, Jesus stayed strong and rebuffed Satan. How did he do it? Well, notice what he did: each and every time, he flung the very words of Scripture in Satan’s face. Jesus was victorious because he held onto what he knew to be true - about his God and about himself.

In AA, steps 3 and 4 are the pivotal point, the point where belief has to turn to action. And the most important action is willingness to see who God is and who we are. The "fearless moral inventory" isn't done to make us feel small; it's done to make us honest, to bring us nose to nose with our God, the One who raises us up.

A Psalm and a Story for this Day of Refreshment

2011-03-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him . . . As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made . . ." Psalm 103:11,13,14a

Dear Friends in Christ -

The Sundays during Lent are set apart as days of refreshment, days when we take a break from our Lenten disciplines to celebrate how amazing God is and how wonderful it is to be His children.

The most celebratory thing I read this week was an article from National Public Radio's "This I Believe" series. It flows in perfect harmony with today's uplifting Psalm, so I wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Janet+

"THIS I BELIEVE" by Kimberly Woodbury

I remember an article about a group of astrophysicists who sent a probe deep into space. They sent it to a place so far away that you would expect only bottomless silence. And instead they found waves — sound waves that they traced all the way back to the Big Bang.

I believe that those sound waves carry the borning cry of the cosmos. That a whisper from God’s lips created all that is and all that was and all that will be, and that that whisper set it into motion in a cataclysm so great that 14-billion years later those sound waves still echoes through a world without end.

My father used to tell me that I was stardust. It wasn’t until I was grown that I learned that he stole the line from Joni Mitchell. But it’s still true. Every molecule, every atom, every subatomic particle that ever was came into being with that whispered word of God. And they are all still here, circulating through the universe and binding us to each other through all of time and space.

I believe that I will, during my lifetime, inhale seven of the very same molecules of air that were exhaled by the incarnate Christ. I believe this because I did the math. I really did.

It’s where the energy came from, too –- from God’s great cataclysm. All of the energy born at the dawn of creation still dances through the universe. Energy, traveling on different wavelengths, changing from gamma rays to x rays, to heat and to light. We say that God is light, and imagine celestial illumination — a ray of light, a ray of hope, the eye-light of a newborn savior, carrying God’s love directly into human hearts. I do believe that this is so.

But I also believe that God is a like a single photon, a particle of light so mysterious that it makes me think of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle: We can never know exactly both its position and its composition. If we try to hold onto a photon, to slow it down enough so that we can really see it, we find that we have, in our grasping, lost the very thing we sought to hold. I think I do this to God when I try to make Her small enough to understand.

I believe that those sound waves are a siren call of invitation. Invitation to remember that we are all stardust and that we are all connected, each to each. Invitation to let go and to follow a dancing wave to the edge of mystery, where the God who is among us waits in bottomless silence.

-- Kimberly Woodbury wrote this essay for a colloquium at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, while working towards her master’s degree. She enjoys exploring the space between science and faith. After her graduation this spring, Woodbury will work as an Episcopal priest and chemistry teacher in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Another invitation to "Come and See"

2011-03-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ - John 1:46

Dear Friends in Christ -

Jesus found Philip. Philip found Nathanael. In response to Philip's enthusiastic announcement that he's found the Messiah, Nathanael is all bluster and blow. I can just picture the air whooshing out of Philip's heart balloon as it's punctured by Nathanael's pin-prick response.

And here's the thing: Nathanael really IS interested in this Messiah. When Jesus meets him, Jesus knows it, and says to Nathanael, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." No deceit, perhaps, but certainly some conceit. Jesus gamely overlooks Nathanael's flaws, and welcomes him on board as a disciple anyway.

But have you ever been in Philip's shoes? Have you ever invited someone to come see what you're seeing, to enjoy what you're enjoying, only to have them pooh-pooh it with some disparaging remark?

Following Jesus - and inviting others to see what you see, to experience what you've experienced - is not for the faint of heart. Just stay strong, as Philip did; extend the invitation again, just as Philip does here. Jesus is pushing toward the person you long for Him to meet. And Jesus has the power to cut through all the bravado, all the bluster and blow, to call out their goodness and welcome them to follow, too.

Blessings,
Janet+

First encounters

2011-03-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

"The next day John [the Baptist] again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed*). He brought Simon* to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter*)." - John 1:35-42

Dear Friends in Christ -

A couple of weeks ago, my eight-year-old daughter spoke dreamily of what it might be like to meet her favorite teen rock star. The impression her wistful wonder made on me came wafting back when I read this passage from the Gospel of John, this story of first encounters with Jesus.

Of course, the situation was very different in many ways. For one thing, my daughter knows all kinds of details about what her favorite teen star looks like and sounds like. She could pick him out of a crowd in a hot second. Jesus arrived on the scene without posters, without fanfare. The closest thing he had to an agent or a manager was his cousin, John the Baptist, who pointed Jesus out to people and encouraged them to pay attention to what he was saying and doing.

Another difference between my daughter's hoped-for encounter with the teen star and people's first encounters with Jesus was that the teen star is doing all sorts of stuff to draw attention to himself. Jesus isn't making it easy for people to understand him or get to know him. He avoids answering their questions straight-on and had the audacity to tell a guy he's just met that he's going to have to change his name.

Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus? What impact did it have on you?

If you haven't had a first encounter with Jesus, seek one. How? By showing up at places Jesus is likely to be. Or by having someone who knows Jesus point him out to you.

Jesus wasn't just "back then." He is alive and even today leading his followers into new adventures . . . showing them where he lives, changing their names. Take him up on his invitation: "Come and see."

Faithfully,
Janet+

Where will your Lenten discipline take you?

2011-03-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession . . .the Lord set his heart on you . . ." - Deuteronomy 7:6-7

Dear Friends in Christ -

And so, today, Lent shuffles in on quiet foggy feet jostled along by a cold gusty wind. The Farmer's Almanac promises a taste of Spring around the corner. I can't wait.

Sometimes Lent happens almost entirely before Spring arrives. This year, Lent forms something of a seasonal bridge from Winter to Spring. Hopefully Lent will also be a time when whatever is wintry in our hearts also is transformed into fresh springy newness.

The source of newness in our hearts is ALWAYS God, in one manifestation or another. Have you adopted a Lenten discipline that will cause you to encounter God on a regular basis? Let's face it, while giving up chocolate or eating more fish might be good for your body, it likely won't get you closer to God.

In the run-up to this Lent, I have prayed long and hard about my own Lenten discipline. Usually I choose a Lenten discipline through which I can accomplish something - I give up chocolate secretly hoping to lose a few pounds. Or I commit to reading the Bible secretly hoping to find a few nuggets I can use in my sermons. Even when I "succeed" I generally fail to get closer to God. Soo . . . this year, something different . . .

This year, my discipline is to engage in one act of random kindness, delighted laughter and/or senseless beauty. Why this? Because whether I succeed or whether I fail, I think God will find me and I will find God in the midst of it.

What's your discipline? Will it take you closer to the One who has set his heart on you?
Blessings,
Janet+

The Lenten Invitation . .

2011-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me . . . The sacrfice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:11,18

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent." - Book of Common Prayer, p. 265

Dear Friends in Christ -

Because the invitation to a holy Lent is accompanied by instructions to pray, fast, repent and give to those in need, we may be tempted to think that the purpose of this season is to get us straightened out and perfected. It's not. The purpose of this season is not perfection, but CONNECTION, connection with the God of our salvation.

For many of us, the thing that gets in the way of our connection with God is not failing to try hard enough but, rather, trying too hard. We work, we sweat, and we struggle. Then we berate ourselves for our shortcomings, we feel guilty about our failures, and we worry about what we might have done better. We think we can do it. We think we should do it.

For thousands and thousands of years, Hebrew and Christian spirituality was based in an understanding of a perfect God and imperfect human beings. But with the Industrial Age came a fresh sense of empowerment - and power. Surely human beings who could make bright shiny things in the world could also perfect themselves. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Christian churches - Catholic and Protestant - emphasized greater "holiness" - and became increasingly rigid, moralistic and judgemental. As striving for perfection was encouraged, faith started to flag, because experience taught something different than the church was teaching. People discovered that the pursuit of perfection was fatally flawed. No matter how hard they tried, they never "got there."

A spiritual revolution sprang up in the 1930s. Bill W. and his companions started exploring a spirituality that was ancient, but also proved practical for modern times. Their quest for sobriety and their desire to really live was characterized by getting things back in the right order. They said, "First of all, we had to quit playing God."

In the season of Lent, we are invited to disciplines of prayer, fasting, repentance and giving, not as a way to perfect ourselves, but as a way to discover over and over again how God saves us. As a way to see - one day at a time - that God is God and we are not. We are people who need God.

Today, the black ashes we wear on our foreheads call us back to the foundation: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." We receive these ashes as a reminder of our fragile, flawed nature and as an invitation to connection with the God of our salvation.

Faithfully,
Janet+

(PS - I've missed a couple of days of posting, so before I push further into my Lenten discipline of writing here each day, I'm going to post things for the last three days . . . if you're curious, go back and take a peek!)

Shrove Tuesday Quiz

2011-03-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

We had a great time at the pancake supper. We even had entertainment! It was provided by those who came to eat; they didn't know that they would also be the stars of the show!

Those gathered answered the questions of the Great Shrove Tuesday Quiz put together by Rev. Janet (with the help of Wikipedia and a few other websites). See how well you do with the questions . . .

Faithfully rejoicing (and loving those pancakes! - thanks, Byron and crew!!)
Janet+

SHROVE TUESDAY QUIZ

1. What does the "shrove" in "Shrove Tuesday" mean?
Shrove is the past tense of the word "shrive," which means 'to obtain absolution.' The root of the word comes from the Middle English 'shriven' or 'schrifen' meaning to write or to prescribe (related here obviously to a priest prescribing a penance for a sin)

2. Why is it Shrove TUESDAY and not Shrove Monday or Shrove Thursday?
Because it immediately preceeds Ash Wednesday, which is on a WEDNESDAY!

3. What is another name for Shrove Tuesday?
FAT Tuesday. This name derived from the practice of consuming especially rich foods before the fasts of the season of Lent.

4. What does the English "Highway Act of 1835" have to do with Shrove Tuesday? (This is an especially tricky one - and, no, it doesn't have anything to do with taxes!)
As far back as the 12th century, "mob football" was a game played as part of community celebrations of Shrove Tuesday. It was played on public roadways. The Highway Act of 1835 banned the playing of football on public roadways.

5. Who traditionally participates in a pancake race, and how is it done?
Women are the tradition participants in a pancake race, in which participants run a certain distance while flipping a pancake in a skillet a certain number of times. Currently a "Great Pancake Race" is part of a famous Shrove Tuesday celebration competition between the towns of Liberal, Kansas and Olney, Kansas.

6. When is Ash Wednesday? (Yes, some smart aleck said 'tomorrow' - which, while true, was not exactly the point!)
Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter. Lent is a celebration of 40 days, which does NOT include the six Sundays that occur during the season.

7. Why are black ashes used to mark peoples foreheads on this occasion? (Yes, some smart aleck said, 'because white ashes don't show up.' Again, while true, not the point!)
Using black ashes as a sign of repentance echoes a Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over ones head to signify repentance before God.

8. Is receiving ashes a sacrament?
No. Ashes blessed and used on this occasion are considered a 'sacramental' - a material object that is blessed and set apart to 'excite good thoughts and increase devotion.'

9. What are the three traditional spiritual disciplines of Lent?
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to help those in need)

10. Name someone in the Bible who fasted?
Jesus, Moses, Elijah
What was the effect?
To cause them to rely less on their own strength and more on God

3/6 SERMON - What to do in the Waiting Place

2011-03-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

Eventually, I'm going to figure out how to post copies of my sermons online (print and/or audio). Until then, I'm going to post the high points / hot spots here on the blog on Monday mornings, so that you can carry it into the week with you. Also, feel free to share it with your friends; studies show that you learn even more about something as you share it!

Blessings,
Janet+

WHAT TO DO IN THE WAITING PLACE

Now is the time when we cross over from the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent. God knows that these transition spaces, these waiting places are especially difficult for us, so the story we have from the Gospel today is a big, flashy important one. It's a story of a time when the disciples were crossing over, too.

The disciples had been following Jesus for quite a while, and they had figured out that he was, for sure, the Messiah. Peter even got up the gumption to say it out loud to Jesus: "You are the Christ." But then, what next? After six days of letting the truth of that statement set in, Jesus took a few of his disciples up onto a hill and was transfigured before them in dazzling light.

What happened next between Jesus and his disciples shows us clearly how we should NOT - and how we should - live in an in-between time, in a waiting place:
Not speaking, but listening
Not staying down, but rising up
Not fearing, but living in faith

NOT SPEAKING, BUT LISTENING
Of course, as soon as the light around Jesus dims, the first thing Peter does is start talking. It takes a voice from heaven to shut him up. And what does the voice say? "This is my beloved Son; LISTEN to him." In times when we're not sure what to do, the most important thing to do is to . . . LISTEN . . . to God.

NOT STAYING DOWN, BUT RISING UP
When the voice from heaven booms out, the disciples are terrified and drop to the ground, cowering. But Jesus doesn't want them to stay there. He comes to them and touches them, gently encouraging them, in the face of all distress and fear, not to stay down, but to RISE UP, with his strength to guide them.

NOT FEARING, BUT LIVING IN FAITH
And what does Jesus say to his disciples? The same thing that people always hear from God when they've seen a mind-boggling, heart-stopping flash of glory . . . like when the shepherds saw the bright angels in the field, or when the angel came to talk to Mary . . . "DO NOT BE AFRAID," that's what Jesus says to his disciples. Whenever Jesus tells his disciples NOT to do something, though, he also gives them something TO DO. In this case, he tells them NOT to speak about what they've seen. So what are they supposed to do? Share what they've experienced by LIVING the truth of it . . . by healing and encouraging and showing God's goodness through the way they live.

LISTENING, RISING UP, LIVING IN FAITH . . . that's what we're to do in our waiting place . . .

Sunday Sermon . . . from 2 Weeks Ago

2011-03-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

In an effort to keep a promise I made two weeks ago, I'm posting (at long last!), the main points from my sermon on Sunday, February 20th. The Gospel text for that day was the passage from Matthew (5:38-48) in which Jesus tells his disciples to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and surrender not only their cloaks when asked, but also their tunics. At first glance, such instruction could lead one to think that Jesus was teaching his followers to give in to their oppressors. But what Jesus was actually doing was teaching his followers to be revolutionaries.

I hope you enjoy benefit from these summary notes from the sermon I offered two weeks ago . . .
Blessings,
Janet+

CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS' REVOLUTION

Indeed, revolutions are springing up all over the world these days. Political revolutions in Egypt and Bahrain and Libya and Yemen are changing political landscapes and toppling governments.

The kind of revolution that God wants to happen here – beginning with us – is just as powerful – and has the potential to be even more sweeping and long-lasting. The kind of revolution that God wants to happen here is a revolution of the heart.

Jesus himself teaches us what this revolution looks like – and it’s like nothing this dog-eat-dog, all-about-me world has ever seen. The keys to the revolution are the four ‘S’s – it’s SUBVERSIVE, it’s SWEEPING, it’s SHOWN, it’s SUSTAINED.

SUBVERSIVE - Jesus taught his followers that the best way to be free from oppression was to choose for themselves, to declare their independence by offering more than was demanded of them. On the surface, this may look like giving in, but really it's graciously rising above the circumstances and oppressions around you.

SWEEPING - The Gospel passage for the day ends with Jesus invitation to "be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Before we give up trying before we get started on this seemingly impossible task, we need to be aware of the real meaning of the word that's translated here (from the Greek) as 'perfect.' This word actually means 'whole' or 'complete.' In other words, Jesus is inviting his follwers to be fully who they were created to be: power-full children of the living God.

SHOWN - Jesus did not expect his followers to figure out on their own how to live the life to which he was calling them. He lived in order to SHOW them how to be full, holy, true, joyful people of God. The path to living the kind of faith we're called to live is paved with the stories of the faithful. Think of the people you most admire, people who are fully good, fully alive; follow the example they've shown.

SUSTAINED - Remember that Jesus only expects us to do the possible. And what makes this kind of revolutionary living possible is the power of God. We cannot - we should not even try! - to do this on our own steam. This kind of life, this kind of love, requires us to be connected to God so that his goodness and hope and peace can flow through us. It is God's never-ending supply of power that sustains us in the wild kind of loving life to which we are called.

What made Jesus different?

2011-03-05T07:34:00.000-08:00

"Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." - Matthew 7:28-29

Dear Friends in Christ -

What made Jesus different from all the other leaders and gurus out there? There was a deep internal consistency between what he SAID and what he DID. In other words, he walked the talk. How this played out in day to day living, however, looked more like a steady goodness spilling out all along a winding path rather than a lockstep march in a singular direction.

Jesus lived 100% in tune with the Spirit - and the spirit of the law (the commandments). The Scribes lived 100% in tune with the letter of the law. But have you ever noticed that there's no capital L "Letter" associated with the letter of the law? That's because even from the beginning, God gave the gift of the law only as a way of getting us on the right track to relationship with Him. Once we figured that out, His hope was that we would move from leaning on the law to leaning on Him.

Most rule-breakers aren't known for their "authority." Rule-breakers are usually known for being against authority. Jesus was different. He had authority because he was 100% true to the Spirit - the Spirit of God, the Spirit of love. In that Spirit, he once "broke" the Sabbath to mill grain with this fingers to feed those who were hungry. In that Spirit, he once turned away from people who were clamoring for healing and moved on to another town so that he could fulfill his #1 mission of teaching the Good News.

People didn't always like Jesus. They didn't always treat him well. But they always recognized that he was different, that he alone had authority. Even his enemies respected him for that. The question for us is this: Will we live like Jesus' enemies and respect him from a distance - or will we live like Jesus' disciples and follow him as our Lord?

Striving to follow,
Janet+

The Waiting Space

2011-03-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

"Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I am addressing to you today; you shall learn them and observe them diligently." - Deuteronomy 5:1b

Dear Friends in Christ -

It happens on a fairly regular basis that my 5 1/2-year-old son asks me for something and, in the few seconds of space while I'm still deciding what to give him, he throws a fit. Then, of course, if I was going to give him exactly what he wanted right that minute, I have to give him a consequence first. When he learns to wait, the quality of his little life will improve significantly.

I wonder if there's a similar dynamic going on between us and God. In the Scripture passage we read yesterday, we heard Jesus himself encouraging us to ask God for things. And he pretty much promised that God would answer and that we would 'receive.' But yet, we often don't feel like we 'receive.' Why is that?

Well, perhaps it's because we don't wait. And if we do wait, we don't wait long enough. Let's face it, most of the stuff we ask God for is significant, and maybe God needs time to be with us, to pray for us, to prepare us to receive. But instead of believing in God's goodness and waiting patiently for His loving response, we stomp off in our own direction. When God gives you what you asked for, will you still be around to receive it?

Because God is the good, wise parent that He is, He has given us something to do in that waiting space: to learn and observe the Commandments diligently. Doing this is not our ticket to get what we want; it's our way of being faithful to the One who is faithful to us, especially in the waiting spaces.

Struggling to be faithful in the waiting spaces,
Janet+

Really?

2011-03-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

"Ask, and it will be given you . . . " - Matthew 7:7a

Dear Friends in Christ -
Whenever I come to this verse in Scripture, this is my question: "Really? Anything?" So tonight, instead of wondering any longer, I'm just going to try it. I'm going to ask God directly. Sooooooo . . . here's my prayer . . . and I encourage you to say one of your own. Down the road, when (notice I didn't say 'if'!) God comes through, we can compare notes on His goodness.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Dear God -
Really? Anything? OK, then. You know what's on my heart. Even though I'm afraid to say it out loud. I'm asking. I trust you to come through. Thank you in advance.
Very truly yours,
Janet

Knowing what God knows

2011-03-02T17:32:00.001-08:00

"In your distress, when all these things have happened to you in time to come, you will return to the Lord your God and heed him." - Deuteronomy 4:30

Dear Friends in Christ -

Have you ever asked God to tell you about the future? I have. I went through a period of time some years back when I asked, begged, cajoled, and pleaded for God to reveal things to me. I thought that more information would enable me to make better choices. Really, I just trusted myself more than I trusted God.

Of course, God has had people ask him for this sort of thing before . . . a lot, in fact! In this passage of Deuteronomy, God even responds to this request in the affirmative: God tells the Israelites not only that they're going to make it to the Promised Land, but also what's going to happen when they get there. Unfortunately, it's not good news. God tells them that when they get there they will be rebellious and disobedient - and they'll suffer for it. Obviously, this is not what the people had hoped to hear!

Perhaps God doesn't answer our questions about the future more often because if we stop to think about it, we already know the answers:
1. We're going to make some mistakes.
2. No matter what, God will be with us.

So now, knowing what God knows, could you, would you trust Him more?

Faithfully,
Janet+

IN or OUT . . . or Half-Way In Between

2011-03-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

"But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron-smelter, out of Egypt, to become a people of his very own possession, as you are now." - Deuteronomy 4:20

Dear Friends in Christ -

It's been a long time since I've written . . . February is my least-favorite month, the month I find it hardest to get motivated. The cold. The gray skies. And, this year, the SNOW! But today is the first day of March, and even though there's not yet a chance of crocuses poking up through the snowbanks in my yard, there are flowers on the new page on my calendar. So it's time to start growin' again, time to get rollin' . . . toward LENT (which begins March 9th).

One of the classic Bible stories associated with Lent is the story of Exodus, the story of God's chosen people moving out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. The same God who rescued the Hebrews from the Egyptians reaches out to rescue us from our bondage, whatever that bondage may be - depression, addiction, worry, negativity, self-recrimination.

When God reaches out to us, we have an important choice to make: are we going to stay IN or are we going to let God lead us OUT? Like the Hebrew people, we rail against the things that hold us IN, but when God starts to lead us OUT, we get scared. All of a sudden, the familiar bondage we are in has more appeal than the uncharted freedom God promises. It feels risky to trust God.

So then we hedge a little. And we end up exactly where the Hebrew people ended up: Half-Way In Between. It wasn't God's "Plan A" to have His chosen ones stuck in the desert for 40 years. But they kept focusing on what they didn't have rather than on what they did have, they kept trying to take matters into their own hands rather than trusting in God.

God wants to help us, but in order for Him to be able to do that we have to stop hanging on to thoughts about how "it was warmer in there by the furnace." Do you know what an iron-smelter is? It's a furnace so hot that it burns the hardest substances known to man. And it WILL consume us if we don't follow God OUT, all the way OUT.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Sometimes, it's our fault

2011-02-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

"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+

Working on a Dream

2011-02-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

"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+

10 Ways to Pray on (another!!!) Snow Day

2011-02-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

"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+

Remembering, for our future

2011-01-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

"Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant . . ." - Isaiah 44:8,21

Dear Friends in Christ -

I could say that I like writing my Annual Report to the parish, but that would be a bald-faced prevarication. In other words, a lie. Writing anything is something of a struggle, but writing for the recordbooks is an out-and-out slog.

So why do I put nose-to-grindstone and sit down to do it? Because it's a requirement of the job. Why do I always end up writing more than required? Because I always learn stuff as I do it. The past unfolds its secrets as I clickity-click play-it-again-Sam on my computer keyboard. "Ah, yes; I had forgotten about that." OR "Oh"-sigh-"surely we can do that differently next time." OR "Wow! I hadn't realized that small thing had such an impact!"

Over and over the prophets of the Old Testament call us to remember. The word remember literally means 'to reassmble' or 'to put back together again.' Remembering puts God back in God's place, not only in our past, but in our present. Remembering puts us in our place, too; it humbles us and realigns us for the present, as well as for the future.

Today is a day that our entire country has set aside for remembering, but I wonder how many of us actually took time to remember that
. . . less than 40 years ago, schools were still segregated.
. . . less than 45 years ago, redlining (boxing black people out of certain neighborhoods) was still legal.
. . . less than 45 years ago, interracial marriage was illegal.
Because of the passion for justice held by Martin Luther King, Jr., and others, all of these things have changed in our lifetimes!

As we remember the noble things done by King and other God-fearing, Jesus-following folks who have gone before us, let us leave our own marks in the pages of history by recommitting to those things which invite 'justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.'

Faithfully,
Janet+

Cure or Call

2011-01-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

". . . I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." - Jesus (Mark 2:17b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

This past Wednesday morning, as I was typing my blog post during the huge snow-storm, it was snowing on my fingers, INSIDE my house. The snow was coming in over my desk through a crack between the window and the frame that's been developing as this 170-year-old house shifts bit by bit, season after season.

Today, as I was covering the window with double-sided tape and plastic sheeting and tightening the plastic with my 1850 watt hair dryer (done in a flash!), I was thinking about all the other frayed edges of my life. Messes not cleaned up, things left undone. Author Kris Carr's words from the morning newspaper echoed in my head, "Everyone has an under-the-gun feeling . . . maybe they are overweight, depressed, they hate their job, or their cholesterol is too high . . . they all have a piece of the puzzle to tweak." Yep. That sounds about right.

But the remedy Carr is currently touting - the "Crazy Sexy Life Diet" - didn't seem like quite the answer. While her green-stuff diet certainly seems capable of helping me shed that extra ten pounds, it certainly wouldn't help with my other problems - getting the bills paid or getting the kids to do their chores or . . . or . . . or . . . I'm looking for more.

What Carr has to offer is a cure - a remedy for a specific problem. What Jesus offers his disciples is a CALL - a way of life. Following Jesus goes beyond simple problem solving. His call is an invitation to move with Him along the path where truth and beauty are all tangled up together, the path toward heaven. Jesus didn't spend much time giving his disciples diet and exercise tips. That's probably because He figured those things would fall into place for His disciples if they were putting first things first. It's not that good habits won't help. It's just that tweaking the puzzle pieces - sealing up the cracks, losing the weight - doesn't add up to the same thing as focusing on the one most important thing. We 'get out from under-the-gun' by knowing our purpose and living it, by answering Jesus' call.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Peace

2011-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

"For [Jesus] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us." - Ephesians 2:14

Dear Friends in Christ -

It would be good if the Arizona shooting that cost six people their lives and seriously wounded Congresswoman Gabby Giffords brought a cessation political hostilities. But so far it hasn't. And my guess is that it won't. It could. But it won't. Unless . . .

There is one way to breach the dividing walls we have so expertly erected: trust.

Rational minds immediately put forward the argument: but we CAN'T trust those people. And rational minds are correct. 'Those people' can't trust us either. None of us is trustworthy. No, not one. We all do bad things, squander justice, compromise on truth, fail.

Trust is still the answer. We just have to pick someone to trust who is truly trustworthy. Someone who laid it all on the line. Someone who REALLY risked big to win big.

Whether people believe Jesus is Savior or prophet or teacher, the example of his life stands: he did what was right even when it infuriated those in power; he said the truth even when his popular support dropped. These examples may look like the opposite of peacemaking, but a true word spoken or an honest action taken is like a light that pierces through darkness or like a plumb line that reveals what straight looks like, even when we're standing on uneven ground.

Peace. We know what it looks like, smells like, feels like. We know it in our bones. We're called to follow Jesus into putting skin on it. Our skin. Now.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Interruptors

2011-01-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

"But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus* could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter." - Mark 1:45

Dear Friends in Christ -

Some years ago, a friend of mine gave me a handful of little things; each one was about the size of a stack of 8-12 quarters. These little things were made of pieces of colorful clay twisted and folded together into fun, imaginative shapes. He called them "interruptors," and he said that they were to be hidden around the house in places where family members would run into them unexpectedly, so they would be playfully interrupted on their way to grab the Chex box at breakfast or the car keys on the way out the door with a reminder that someone was thinking of them. Then the person interrupted would, hopefully, place the interruptor in someone else's path. I would hide one in Ed's shoe. He would find it and, days later, I would find the same interruptor in the cup-holder in my car. To this day, the interruptors turn up around the house occasionally in unusual places.

Today it's Mother Nature - the Great Interruptor - that reminds me of the NECESSITY of being shaken out of our regular routines. We need to have something, someone break in and remind us that we're more than just cogs in a machine. It's not only OK, it's important to step outside of the regular pattern, to shake things up a bit in order to get in touch with what's really real.

Today's Gospel lesson reads like the author is following one of those little toy cars that turns around when it bumps into something. Jesus interrupts a woman's illness so that she can provide hospitality to the guests her son brings home for dinner. Jesus interrupts the demons' regular pattern by not allowing them to speak. Jesus himself is interrupted by his disciples when he's praying . . . and maybe it's that interruption that makes him decide to interrupt their planned schedule and visit Galilee, a place not formerly on their itinerary. When Jesus gets to Galilee, he heals a man with leprosy, interrupting what otherwise would have been a permanent separation from his family. Then the healed man returns the favor: he interrupts Jesus' plans to fly under the radar by telling everyone about what has happened to him.

Interruptions are often uncomfortable. But if we receive them as Spirit-gifts, interruptions can be healing. On this day of winter wonderland interruption, may you enjoy the grace of being stopped in your tracks, redirected and renewed.

Joyfully at home instead of at church (the place I usually enjoy being at 7:00 a.m. on a Wednesday morning),
Janet+

A new name?

2011-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

"Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it." - Revelation 2:17

Dear Friends in Christ -

Names are important. They signify life-giving connection. When parents want to guide or protect their children, they call them by name: "Michael, come here." And if a first call isn't headed, unfurling more of the child's name often proves effective . . . "Michael Frederick Jones, come to me NOW!"

The apostle John tells us that God promises to give three gifts to churches that remain faithful to their first love (Christ) by listening to the Spirit. The three gifts are manna, a white stone, and a new name.

These are no ordinary gifts.* Manna is a gift of nourishment that sustains body and spirit, connects us with our Source, and never spoils or runs out. The white stone is a gift of power for living (a white stone signfies a vote). The new name is the biggest gift of all. A new name signifies that we have so become God's own that he blesses us with a new, even deeper, specific kind of connection with himself. A new name affirms us and moves us even further down the path of transformation.

My friends, in 2011, let us commit again to listening to the Spirit, that we may receive all the blessings God has for us. If God was going to measure us by our fruit and call us by a new name, what would that name be? Joy? Hope? Faithfulness? Kindness? What would we want that name to be?

My friends, in 2011, let us commit again to listening to the Spirit, that we may receive all the blessings God has for us, including food that doesn't run out, power for living, and new name.

Faithfully with you, listening -
Janet+

*Resource: www.revelationcommentary.org

Unfinished Christmas

2011-01-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

"I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." - Revelation 2:3-4

Dear Friends in Christ -

Over the past 10 days, I have done lots of good things. I have rested, I have played, I have done TONS of laundry, I have worked (much less than usual!), I have prayed. And I've made progress on getting Christmas presents out to my parents and friends, but I'm still not done.

I called my mother today to confess what she already guessed: her gifts haven't even been entrusted to the good folks at UPS yet. She said, "That's OK. I'm just calling this the 'unfinished Christmas.'"

I laughed . . . and felt relieved by her patience and good humor. And then I started to wonder: Is Christmas ever 'finished?' Is it supposed to be finished?

The birth of Christ was just the beginning. Our annual celebration of Christmas is the reminder that we're all in the midst of a process of being made new. And though we often for finished perfection NOW, heaven is not yet. We still have work to do.

The words of the apostle John (above) in today's reading from Revelation call us not only to continued patience and good work, but also to remember to keep Christ, our "first love," at the center of our lives even as we cross over beyond the Feast of Epiphany into a new season.

The words of Howard Thurman (below) point the way for us to live Christ's love in the days ahead.

Faithfully with you in the continuing work of Christmas,
Janet+

When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and Princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner
To teach the nations
To bring Christ to all
To make music in the heart.
--- Howard Thurman

Epiphany Blessing

2011-01-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only Begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.

Let there be peace on earth . . .

2011-01-02T03:52:00.000-08:00

. . . and let it begin with us . . .

If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation,
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
- Omaha Home for Boys

Faithfully with you as we open our souls to light,
Janet+

15 Exercises NOT to do in 2011

2011-01-01T05:51:00.000-08:00

15 Exercises NOT to do in 2011 (Source unknown)

1. Jumping on the bandwagon

2. Wading through paperwork

3. Running around in circles

4. Pushing your luck

5. Spinning your wheels

6. Adding fuel to the fire

7. Beating your head against the wall

8. Climbing the walls

9. Beating your own drum

10. Dragging your heels

11. Jumping to conclusions

12. Grasping at straws

13. Fishing for compliments

14. Throwing your weight around

15. Passing the buck

Here's to a New Year full of standing firm on our solid rock (Christ) and jumping for joy!
Blessings,
Janet+

The 12 Days of Christmas . . . and Christmas Blessings

2010-12-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Jesus is the reason for the season." Indeed, that's true.

In addition to that, I want to offer a new saying:

"Christmas: it's a season for a reason!"

Yesterday, Christmas Day, wasn't just an event, a one-off holiday. Christmas Day was the FIRST day of the TWELVE days of Christmas. Christmas is a SEASON so that we can live into the incarnation we celebrate, a mystery so powerful and amazing that it takes more than a day to let it sink into us and begin to transform us.

During these 12 days of Christmas, my prayer for you is that you will be able to spend some time doing whatever it is that brings you closer to God - praying, playing, singing, resting, dancing, creating, sharing, giving . . .

And I pray that in doing so, you will find yourselves receiving the Christmas blessing prayed over us all on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness.
May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior's birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.
May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth
and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.

Faithfully rejoicing,
Janet+

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ - the angelic host (Luke 2:14)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear Friends in Christ -

This is the greatest joy, the greatest hope, the greatest wish of all: that God would be glorified and that all people would have peace. God 'favors' the whole human race above all creation, even above the angels.

On this Holy Day, this is what the angels pray for us: peace. To be at peace with ourselves is to live into the fullness of who our Father created us to be, whole and joyful. To be at peace with each other is to respect the dignity of every human being and seek justice's fulfillment: love. To be at peace with God is to open ourselves to receive everything He has for us, and to respond with adoration to Him and kindness to ourselves and others. A prayer for peace is a prayer for God to overwhelm us with good.

On this most Holy Day, we join the angels in singing glory to God for His fresh inbreaking into our world, into our lives. And the angels - the angels who sang at Creation, the angels who greeted our Lord at His birth - pray for us peace. That's powerful stuff!

With that power filling me, surrounding me, I'm going to rest in joy . . . and take a nap!

Merry Christmas!
Joyfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Ready for Christmas?

2010-12-24T08:31:00.000-08:00

"'By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’" - Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79)

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Less Hurry, More Holy" - the title of this series of Advent meditations now makes me chuckle and shake my head. When I started writing these daily reflections, I had in mind an increasingly peaceful spiritual glide toward the holy port of call that is Christmas. For me, this Advent was anything but that!

For many others, too, it seems. Everyone I have spoken with these past few days has said the same things: 'I can't believe it's Christmas; I'm not ready!'

What does it look like to be ready for Christmas?

The words from the prophet Zechariah (John the Baptist's father) remind us of this: the goodness that Christ brings is not about who we are, it's about who He is. And the goodness 'breaks upon us' like the dawn, ready or not.

In these waning hours of Advent, may you conclude your preparation with the only thing that's really necessary to be ready for His coming: asking God for an open heart.

(Almost) Merry Christmas!
Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: . . . again! . . .

2010-12-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

"'so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing.'" - GOD (Isaiah 29:13-14a)

Dear Friends in Christ -

It's the night before the night before Christmas, and all through the house . . . nothing is finished, nothing is ready. The holiday menu hasn't been planned, the refrigerator is empty, the Christmas packages aren't in the mail, the sermons aren't finished, the kids' Christmas vacation play-dates haven't been arranged.

I thought that I had figured out the keys to Christmas success - plan ahead, shop early, get the packages in the mail before Dec. 15th, fill the freezer. But this year, the demands on my time have been unusually heavy. I've done some good things, made some good choices, but I've also fallen prey to distractions. Much is left undone. In the midst of the rush and crush, I missed fulfilling some basic commitments, like the honor-your-father-and-mother commandment: my parents' Christmas gifts won't be under their tree for Christmas morning.

The words of the prophet Isaiah give me hope. What is God's response to my imperfect habits and heart, to things left undone? "So I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing."

How wonderful is that? God's response to my limitations and failings, my inconsistencies and insufficiencies (and yours, too!) is to do amazing things AGAIN.

On this night before the night before Christmas, as I sit by the fire with my children going crazy with excitement all around me, I'm slowly breathing in and out, letting my heart fill with anticipation of the amazing things He will do . . . again . . . soon!

In joyful expectation,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Remembering how it all started . . .

2010-12-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ - Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:28b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Three days to Christmas and counting! And what do we hear from the Scriptures? A reminder of how this whole incarnation thing got started. Just one young woman.

One young woman who said 'yes.'

After Mary's first 'yes,' then Joseph was convinced to get on board with the plan. Then Elizabeth and the infant in her womb (John the Baptist) confirmed that this was something special. Then Zechariah, Elizabeth's husband. Then shepherds and wise men. Then, eventually, many-many-many people - from poor Israelites to Roman kings.

What might happen if you said 'yes' to God?

"Well," you might say, "God hasn't asked anything of me lately."

Really? He hasn't asked anything of you? Nothing has stirred in your spirit, pushing you on to some good thing? Nothing has pricked your conscience, challenging you to a change that would bring more health and wholeness?

What God is asking of you might not be as dramatic as birthing a Savior, but if you say 'yes' to God, the good from your choice will ripple out to places and people you never expected.

Say 'yes.'

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Hearing from God

2010-12-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

"'Do not be afraid . . . for your prayer has been heard." - Luke 1: 13a

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Dear _______ - I got your message, and the answer is yes." This is what we most want to hear from God, right?

But what would you DO if you did actually hear this from God?

Zechariah heard these words. From an angel, no less. And what did he do? He basically said, "I doubt it." The angel struck him mute for several months in order to convince him.

I've always thought that if I heard an angel speak directly to me, I would believe him. But then again, maybe I wouldn't.

It's hard to believe God, to receive God. But as chosen ones, that's what we're called to do. And here's the good news: we don't have to believe or receive God perfectly in order for Him to come to us. God won't pass us by if we're doubting or afraid.

This Christmas, God wants us to offer our honest requests and praises to Him . . . and then wait. He's coming.

Faithfully with you, praying and waiting,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Peace on earth?

2010-12-20T18:57:00.001-08:00

"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid . . . They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain . . ." - Isaiah 11:6a, 9a

Dear Friends in Christ -
Peace on earth. This time of year, we sing these words. We read them printed on pretty cards. We see them emblazoned on the sides of buildings in twinkly red-green-yellow lights.

Peace on earth . . . an activist slogan? a dream? Maybe it's just my imagination, but as we sing and think and read about peace MORE this time of year, I seem to see it LESS: families torn apart by addiction or divorce, communities hurt by partisan politics, nations plotting war.

What do families, politics, and war have in common? They're complicated. Perhaps it seems unrealistic or even silly, then, to look to the prophet Isaiah for answers. The picture he paints is so simple: wolves laying down with lambs and all that.

It seems unrealistic until you actually see it happening. Some of the most popular videos on YouTube are videos of the unlikely - dogs and cats sharing beds and food dishes, people singing in shopping malls instead of shoving people to get at sale items. Yes, I know some of the stuff on YouTube is staged. I also know that for every incident that is staged, there are many wondrous peace-making gestures that are never caught on tape.

Peace is possible. As St. Francis said, it begins with us. The requirement is this: willingness to believe in what we hope for, and willingness to take a risk - just one small step - in that direction.

Faithfully believing,
Janet+