I am being reminded that winter weather is fun, fun, fun.
When I was a child I wondered why folks went south for the deep winter months. Why would they want to miss all this wonderful snow and cold weather? I was serious.
I enjoyed the crunch of new snow under foot, the flock of snow geese overhead, the tracks of rabbits over the snow drifts. I looked forward to shadowed evenings in the barns bedding the animals deep with new straw. I found pleasure in lighting a cowboy stock tank heater full of cobs and wood scraps with a little kerosene while pumping water by hand. The cattle were so appreciative with their frosty beards and eyebrows.
It was pure joy to fill the truck full of square bales and run out over the hills of new snow stringing out those bales on that clean stark white table to the following hungry cows. As we stopped to watch and count the herd, a couple of broken-in-half ears of corn went to last years 4-H heifer, still a pet, almost a nuisance.
Supper tasted good, what ever it was, after being out in the evening air taking care of God’s creatures. Double gloves, coveralls, wool hats with ear-flappers, and five buckle-overshoes with bread sacks for liners were standard equipment. So was a heart open to the wonder of God’s creation all around us.
Yes, even now surrounded by melting parking lots and slippery streets I am reminded that this winter weather can be fun if I take the time to see the beauty.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Letting Go
Here is a very interesting quote from Richard Rohr’s book, “Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer” (Crossroad, 2003.) The idea of “letting go” is foundational. Of what are we willing to let go, so that it can be renewed, reborn?
“The last experience of God is frequently the greatest obstacle to the next experience of God. We make an absolute out of it and use it to strengthen our ego to self-aggrandize and self-congratulate. Then of course, nothing more happens. We need to be converted again and again. We aren’t born again. We are born again and again and again. Accepting and acting upon that principal takes a lot of letting go. If we aren’t willing to move out of our comfort zone, it won’t happen. All great spirituality is about letting go.”
“The last experience of God is frequently the greatest obstacle to the next experience of God. We make an absolute out of it and use it to strengthen our ego to self-aggrandize and self-congratulate. Then of course, nothing more happens. We need to be converted again and again. We aren’t born again. We are born again and again and again. Accepting and acting upon that principal takes a lot of letting go. If we aren’t willing to move out of our comfort zone, it won’t happen. All great spirituality is about letting go.”
Eulogy for CB Clark
As a gift to the famliy, I wrote this eulogy for CB Clark on October 3, 2009. The Rev. David Kruse preached CB's funeral and used this piece as a witness.
CB Clark liked a straight row of fence posts.
CB’s farmland adjoined the farm where I grew up just north of Dexter. He had two places, one on the East side of the road where he fed some hogs and kept some machinery and the home place on the West side of the road. We could easily see and hear what was happening at the place on the East side across the road from the telephone building as it was only a short walk, 20 rods or so from our house. The home place was further north and stood on the South edge of the South Raccoon River valley and we seldom heard much from that distance. It was a quiet neighborhood with folks who knew each other and were friends, but pretty much did their own work.
My brother: Chuck, sister: Cathy and I rode the school bus with the Clark boys, Charlie and Rod. They were just a few years older and I looked up to them like one would look up to a younger uncle or older brother. That was a good and a bad thing. On the one hand it was great to have additional folks who could and would watch out for each other from the neighborhood, but I have to tell you that Rod and Charlie, especially Rodney, could get me laughing so hard that I could not breathe. He was the funniest guy I ever met.
We were in 4-H with Charlie, Rod, and most all the other kids from up and down that road: the Sanborn’s, Herring’s, Atherton’s, and the Weesner’s. One of our 4-H leaders was CB Clark. I remember CB yelling quite a bit at the meetings; usually to get Rod to sit down and be quiet because he had me, and a lot of others, laughing so hard I was ready to throw-up. That being said, I was kind of afraid of CB because it seemed to me that he yelled all the time.
It was on one of those days at the Dallas County Fair between the show and the sale when not much was happening. I was 12 or 13 years old, just a kid. I remember like it was yesterday. Our Union Pride township club calves were in the East Isle by the big open North doors of the barn. I was sitting on a show box by myself. CB Clark came wandering up the isle and sat down next to me. For the next 30 minutes we visited. We talked about the weather, the crops, the prices of corn, hogs, and cattle. We talked about normal stuff, nothing much important, just talked.
I doubt very much that CB ever gave a second thought about our conversation, but it was life changing for me and I consider it the day I grew up. In everyone’s life there is a time, an experience, which changes our path and further defines our lives. This was just such a day for me and I have pondered it time and again throughout my life.
This was the first time I can recall an adult outside of my family, ever looked at me with enough respect to ask a question and then listen for an answer. It was a simple thing, to sit and be in conversation with the young neighbor boy. I cannot offer a long list of profound examples of the triumphs of CB’s life other than this simple one that he made a difference in my life by his kindness and willingness to take seriously a conversation with me. However, just perhaps, that says it all. Without being too churchy, I would also add that this is how I have always envisioned Jesus visiting with folks; engaging, listening, responding.
And by way, I also noticed: Whenever CB made fence, the fence posts were always tall and straight. My love and respect to you, Charlie and Rod, on this day.
Amen.
CB Clark liked a straight row of fence posts.
CB’s farmland adjoined the farm where I grew up just north of Dexter. He had two places, one on the East side of the road where he fed some hogs and kept some machinery and the home place on the West side of the road. We could easily see and hear what was happening at the place on the East side across the road from the telephone building as it was only a short walk, 20 rods or so from our house. The home place was further north and stood on the South edge of the South Raccoon River valley and we seldom heard much from that distance. It was a quiet neighborhood with folks who knew each other and were friends, but pretty much did their own work.
My brother: Chuck, sister: Cathy and I rode the school bus with the Clark boys, Charlie and Rod. They were just a few years older and I looked up to them like one would look up to a younger uncle or older brother. That was a good and a bad thing. On the one hand it was great to have additional folks who could and would watch out for each other from the neighborhood, but I have to tell you that Rod and Charlie, especially Rodney, could get me laughing so hard that I could not breathe. He was the funniest guy I ever met.
We were in 4-H with Charlie, Rod, and most all the other kids from up and down that road: the Sanborn’s, Herring’s, Atherton’s, and the Weesner’s. One of our 4-H leaders was CB Clark. I remember CB yelling quite a bit at the meetings; usually to get Rod to sit down and be quiet because he had me, and a lot of others, laughing so hard I was ready to throw-up. That being said, I was kind of afraid of CB because it seemed to me that he yelled all the time.
It was on one of those days at the Dallas County Fair between the show and the sale when not much was happening. I was 12 or 13 years old, just a kid. I remember like it was yesterday. Our Union Pride township club calves were in the East Isle by the big open North doors of the barn. I was sitting on a show box by myself. CB Clark came wandering up the isle and sat down next to me. For the next 30 minutes we visited. We talked about the weather, the crops, the prices of corn, hogs, and cattle. We talked about normal stuff, nothing much important, just talked.
I doubt very much that CB ever gave a second thought about our conversation, but it was life changing for me and I consider it the day I grew up. In everyone’s life there is a time, an experience, which changes our path and further defines our lives. This was just such a day for me and I have pondered it time and again throughout my life.
This was the first time I can recall an adult outside of my family, ever looked at me with enough respect to ask a question and then listen for an answer. It was a simple thing, to sit and be in conversation with the young neighbor boy. I cannot offer a long list of profound examples of the triumphs of CB’s life other than this simple one that he made a difference in my life by his kindness and willingness to take seriously a conversation with me. However, just perhaps, that says it all. Without being too churchy, I would also add that this is how I have always envisioned Jesus visiting with folks; engaging, listening, responding.
And by way, I also noticed: Whenever CB made fence, the fence posts were always tall and straight. My love and respect to you, Charlie and Rod, on this day.
Amen.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Letter to Addilyn Grace - Born Oct 3, 2007
“The River is Here”
The Revelation to John 22:1-7
Dave Weesner: Sermon Preached Salem UMC - Oct 14, 2007
My Dear Addi,
As I held you last Wednesday, just hours after you breathed your first breath, I decided then to share my heart with you through a letter; this letter. I plan to be around for many years to watch you grow into a beautiful young woman, full of love and yes, grace, just like your name.
However, these thoughts I share with you are important, and I do not want miss any opportunity to offer these gifts that I have learned throughout my lifetime. Like wading into the water of a flowing river these ideas will gain power for your life as you learn to trust the current and move further into the flow, finally finding yourself swimming without touching the bottom. Here Goes:
Obey Your Parents
They are the people who love you more than anyone on earth. I have known them for quite a while, and they can be trusted, especially where your well-being is concerned. They have and are sacrificing for you. Did you know you will cost your parents about a quarter of a million dollars to raise? They will not withhold one good thing from you that they believe you really need. Truth is, you will never know the extent of their sacrifice, but you will know their love. That is all I can ask.
So, Obey Your Parents
Honor Your Brother and Your Sister
Today, when I was with you, they would not stop kissing you. And they kissed you with such tenderness and concern, I was surprised at first and then moved to try and understand their love for you even at this young age. You see, you have done nothing for them, except give them someone to love. Maybe that is the best we can ever do in life, give ourselves to someone else openly and honestly, so they can love us. I think that is what God wants from us. So, Honor Your Brother and Your Sister
Do Not Whine
No person anywhere likes someone who whines. Whining ruins good friendships and is wearisome to God. A good rule to live by is: “Never Complain About What You Allow.” If you do not like something, change it. At the very least, do not put up with it and whine about it, as if you have no power to make change. You are a child of God and are able to accomplish far more than you can imagine. Nothing of value will ever be accomplished in your life by whining. So, Do Not Whine.
A Good Attitude Changes Everything
Smile every morning, be cheerful and greet those around you with joy and interest. Refresh your soul with a positive focus on everything that moves through your life. If you can practice this one little step of cheerfulness, you will live a life blessed with friends and good will.
The measure you give will be the measure you get in return. Yes, there will be days of pain and grief. You will lament many things over your lifetime, however the good, will far out weigh the bad, and you will find the world filled with wonderment; if only you will choose to smile and offer a cheerful greeting. It really is just that simple. So, Carry a Good Attitude, it Changes Everything.
Choose to Make a Difference in Another Persons Life
The saddest life is one lived for the self. Work to make a difference in another persons life and you will find fulfillment. This is the second great commandment from Jesus, “To love your neighbor as yourself.” It is not enough to have things and work to make a way in the world for ourselves. The real meaning of life is offered when we sacrifice for another so that their lives may be blessed. You will never find one truly great person in your whole life who did not sacrifice to make a difference in another persons life. Not One.
So, Choose to Make a Difference in Another Person’s Life.
Keep your mouth in your mind, not your mind in your mouth
Many people rattle on with words about nothing. Whatever is in their mind is in the same moment in their mouth and past their lips. They never consider a word before they speak, and in all honesty, they are thought of as fools. Rather, keep your mouth in your mind and consider your words before you speak. Do your words lift and inspire others, or do they tear down and degrade another? Do your words build unity or do they wound and separate? How you speak is just as important as what you speak. Measure your words carefully. Speak truth in all humbleness. So, Make your father proud, and your grandfathers smile, keep your mouth in your mind, not your mind in your mouth.
There is Enough Love for You
As the third child, sometimes you will feel as if you are left behind and maybe there is not enough love for you. Do not trust and believe these feelings. Love has no boundaries, like a river flowing which has no end. Trust me, you are loved regardless of what your sister and brother say or do. There is enough love for you.
Love God with All Your Heart, Mind, and Strength
Loving God is the key to a wonder-filled life. If you want to see miracles, love God. If you want to find blessing upon blessing, love God.
This is hard to do. We are all human with a wildness that wants to turn away from God. (Actually, we want to be God, and try to make our selves into God. But it never works.) We must learn to love God with all our heart. We choose to love God with our feelings, our heart. Much like we choose to love ice cream. Pretty soon it is not only what we like, but we crave God in our lives.
We must learn to love God with our mind. This means we need to study and learn all we can about ourselves and this mysterious God who created you and me. The more we learn the more we will love God and each other.
And we must learn to love God with our strength. It is hard to love God when the day is filled with pain or grief. And yet, that is probably the very day we will find God waiting to offer us our greatest insight or deepest season of peace. Be strong and learn to love God always.
Here is the other part of this same lesson. As you grow, you will need tore-consider your relationship with God. They way you love God you are five or seven or thirteen will not be the way you should love God when you are thirty or fifty. As you grow, so should your love of God and you will need to go deeper in your faith as you grow older. I see folks all the time who have quit growing in their faith. Many quit as a child, they still attend church, but they have not grown for years. This second part is as important as the fist or else you will end up hard and thorny like the stem of a rose branch that once held a glorious blossom.
There are so many things we will visit about as your life unfolds, these are just a little sample. Yet they are foundations, rocks along the river on which to warm yourself on a sunny autumn afternoon.
As you learn to accomplish these things, my child, you will learn to live fully and live well. You will find friends at every turn on days of sunshine and grace to fill your stormy days. You will learn to swim in the river of life and not just stand sadly on the river bank, never trusting enough to enter the water, never faithful enough to swim as the current begins to move your life forward. Live fully, live well.
One final request: Plan to meet me in heaven.
All your grandparents, Grandpa Kurt and Grandma Terri Jo, Grandma Cheryl and myself, have all made plans with Jesus to be present in His heavenly kingdom, and we want you to join us. We cannot make it happen for you, even as much as we would like. But we know you will get to choose, just like we have. And we want you to choose life and join us, just as we have chosen to join our parents and grandparents who have accepted Jesus Christ, and so it has gone for over 2000 years. And we want you to join us someday in that wonderful place.
Read aloud the first few verses of chapter 22 of The Revelation to John from the Bible. Consider how we can wade into the water of the river of life and let ourselves be carried by the current of the Spirit. Do not be afraid. The river is here and before you, even as you hear or read my words.
By faith, I am already there, even as I am still physically with you now. This is the mystery of God and the blessing of God’s grace. And that is the second name your parents have chosen for you; Grace it is, so Grace you will be.
Until I hold you again, Grandpa Dave.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Ragbrai – Take Me to the River
I patiently waited my turn in line. Finally I was at the edge of the river and I positioned my bike, the old Trek, with both tires just into the water. Folks were laughing and snapping pictures, enjoying the moment. I was quiet, introspective, holding on to my emotions. Handful after handful of that Mississippi river water I lifted and carefully washed the frame of the bike which had so gallantly carried me from one river to the other. The top bar, the front forks, the rear chain stays all received a washing, almost a blessing as I mumbled under my breath once again, “ride your own ride,” and, “I can do all things through God who strengthens me.” I recalled the similar actions just days before on the bank of the Missouri, the other river. That day I was alone and quiet, but expectant. This day I also felt quite alone, but was jostled and pushed by a huge crowd. I was again reminded being alone is a feeling, not a literal reality. I kept my sunglasses on.
Then I quickly rose as my turn at the river was completed and I walked the bike up through a waiting crowd. I did not look up, rather kept my head down and moving toward the top of the ramp. Without thinking I moved to a place on the rocks next to the river just downstream. There I dropped the bike and sat on the rocks while I wept for some time. It just came out of me, the emotion, the feelings, I could no longer contain.
My thoughts centered to the sacrifice which allowed this bicycle adventure to be competed. Yes, I trained and put my body through some difficult, even painful days. But my sacrifice was not on my mind, mine seemed the easy part. My thoughts were to the sacrifice of those who rode with me; or more clearly, the sacrifice of those whom I carried in my heart across the state of Iowa. I carried my wife, who cried as I prepared to leave, making me promise to be safe. I carried my family; my sons and their wives and their children. I realized how much I missed them. As a witness to my family I wore tie-dyed shirts from Molly and Ellie. Daily those shirts reminded me of family. I carried my church staff, who are never far from my mind or my heart. I carried my training partners who instructed me and pushed me to go further, farther, faster than I would have on my own. And in my heart, I carried a couple persons who could not ride. Particularly, I carried Bruce Bryant whose tragic bicycle accident last 4th of July changed us all. I carried Bruce with me down every hill. I also carried Randy Osborn whose ongoing battle against cancer inspires me and offered me hope to gain the top of every hill.
It was crowded on the rocks along the riverbank as I sat and wept. Oh, I was all alone, as even the one fellow standing behind me moved along when I began to cry. However, I was in the midst of all these precious ones whom I carried with me, first as I invested mile after mile in training, and finally on the trip across the state itself. As I unpacked my emotional baggage along the river that day, not surprisingly, I also found a familiar small still voice speaking to me. “You are never alone David, I am with you always.” As the tears fell, I offered this simple prayer, “Thank you Lord. I know it, Thank you.”
I rode every mile, climbed every hill. Slept in a tent and showered from a bag. This was glorious and I was never really alone.
After I sat for a while, I went exploring and found our team truck. It was then that the leader of our charter asked if I had any pictures taken by the river. And so I lifted the bike above my head in fine Ragbrai fashion.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Enough
Within the sacred text
We scour to find grain.
The potential for life, sustained, renewed.
And we find grass and weeds
Enough to choke an ox.
We seek the seed to plant
So the harvest comes full.
Our anger rises
As we find only fodder
And it still green and growing.
Where is the grain;
Enough to serve and plant?
Finally we lay our bodies in the dewy carpet
Exhausted from the empty search.
Perhaps only then shall we find
The grain is in the head
The head is on the grass
The grass is at our hand.
Enough to fill a dream.
All is well, all is well.
- D. A. Weesner
We scour to find grain.
The potential for life, sustained, renewed.
And we find grass and weeds
Enough to choke an ox.
We seek the seed to plant
So the harvest comes full.
Our anger rises
As we find only fodder
And it still green and growing.
Where is the grain;
Enough to serve and plant?
Finally we lay our bodies in the dewy carpet
Exhausted from the empty search.
Perhaps only then shall we find
The grain is in the head
The head is on the grass
The grass is at our hand.
Enough to fill a dream.
All is well, all is well.
- D. A. Weesner
Monday, June 22, 2009
Middle of the Road
The middle of the road is a safe place. I find when I get too far to the right or too far to the left I can easily slip into the ditch. And then I am not going anywhere. The middle of the road is not always popular or in style, but it does keep one moving forward.
There are a whole lot of folks who live in the middle of the road. They just go to work and do thier job, no big drama, just keep things moving. Perhaps they are the real heros in life, instead of the guy on the TV news who rides a lawn chair hooked onto hot air ballons over the city. Seems many times people in the ditch or even the ones who ride the edge of the road are lifted up as special. Different yes, special no.
Give me a mom working two jobs with barely enough time to get her hair done, or see the children's school program; now there is someone special. We will never see her on the TV news. Give me a man who invests his time keeping the water running for an entire town; late nights, early mornings, working holidays. His name will not be in the running for volunteer of the year, but it ought to be lifted up somewhere.
So I guess the middle of the road is my place. It may look boring, slow paced, and without fanfare. I am good with that, as looks don't really mean very much to people who have been around. What matters is keeping things moving. That is the secret to the middle of the road. And by the way, even a Seven-lane freeway has a middle lane.
There are a whole lot of folks who live in the middle of the road. They just go to work and do thier job, no big drama, just keep things moving. Perhaps they are the real heros in life, instead of the guy on the TV news who rides a lawn chair hooked onto hot air ballons over the city. Seems many times people in the ditch or even the ones who ride the edge of the road are lifted up as special. Different yes, special no.
Give me a mom working two jobs with barely enough time to get her hair done, or see the children's school program; now there is someone special. We will never see her on the TV news. Give me a man who invests his time keeping the water running for an entire town; late nights, early mornings, working holidays. His name will not be in the running for volunteer of the year, but it ought to be lifted up somewhere.
So I guess the middle of the road is my place. It may look boring, slow paced, and without fanfare. I am good with that, as looks don't really mean very much to people who have been around. What matters is keeping things moving. That is the secret to the middle of the road. And by the way, even a Seven-lane freeway has a middle lane.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Word on Immortality
Have we confused immortality with resurrection? Samuel Clemmons was quoted as saying, “The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated.” Of course he was responding to a newspaper account that he had died. How curious it would be to see our own obituary in the press. Interestingly, this is not at all unlike Clemons’s fictional character of Huck Fin who faked his own death and attended his own funeral.
I wonder if the news of our lives may have also suffered the same illness as Clemons’s death of having been greatly exaggerated. Our culture seems to expect, even demand, a reality of immortality apart from any relationship with God. To be immortal is to stand over and above the trials of time and history. The immortal human life transcends all earthly powers and, if we are honest, perhaps even God. I find many funerals primarily concerned with offering a sense of human immortality, a kind of disembodiment of the Spirit, rather than sharing the reality of physical death and resurrection as offered through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15 offers, “We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed…the mortal puts on immortality…” The mortal life here celebrated is the created life, both physical and spiritual, even in a fallen and sinful state. The immortal life being “put on” by the change of accepting new life in Christ is also both physical and spiritual. The immortality of Jesus Christ is accepted and appropriated during the change. Simply put, our immortality is the resurrection immortality of our God. Note the key operative here is God. Without God we are left with good deeds and kind words offering a kind of temporary buffer against meaninglessness. However we are also without real power to hold back the dark night of the soul. Neither are we able to consistently view and understand the body and soul as still together in one package, one person.
Resurrection offers both the immortality of God and the final oneness of Body and Spirit. This is the final resolution and wholeness we seek. Here, in resurrection, we find true immortality of both body and soul.
I wonder if the news of our lives may have also suffered the same illness as Clemons’s death of having been greatly exaggerated. Our culture seems to expect, even demand, a reality of immortality apart from any relationship with God. To be immortal is to stand over and above the trials of time and history. The immortal human life transcends all earthly powers and, if we are honest, perhaps even God. I find many funerals primarily concerned with offering a sense of human immortality, a kind of disembodiment of the Spirit, rather than sharing the reality of physical death and resurrection as offered through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15 offers, “We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed…the mortal puts on immortality…” The mortal life here celebrated is the created life, both physical and spiritual, even in a fallen and sinful state. The immortal life being “put on” by the change of accepting new life in Christ is also both physical and spiritual. The immortality of Jesus Christ is accepted and appropriated during the change. Simply put, our immortality is the resurrection immortality of our God. Note the key operative here is God. Without God we are left with good deeds and kind words offering a kind of temporary buffer against meaninglessness. However we are also without real power to hold back the dark night of the soul. Neither are we able to consistently view and understand the body and soul as still together in one package, one person.
Resurrection offers both the immortality of God and the final oneness of Body and Spirit. This is the final resolution and wholeness we seek. Here, in resurrection, we find true immortality of both body and soul.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 31, 2009
Read: Acts 2:1-12 Pentecost
What do we really know about the Holy Spirit? Maybe the best we can ever know is the feelings we have when the Spirit wants to be known to us. The Spirit goes where and how it wants. The best we can do is open our lives to be a living vessel into which the Holy Spirit may be poured. We invite our lives to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Most days we go through the motions of work, eat, play, and sleep. We may even find some of our activities enjoyable, but much of the time is spent simply breathing. However every once a while a very special day comes along which lifts us and moves our hearts. We may feel empowered to say and do giant things for God. We may feel prayerful and deeply connected with our neighbors. We may even fall to our faces in honor and praise of our God.
Consider the most special of all those special days over the course of the history of the world. For those who follow Jesus Christ, that day is Pentecost. This was the day when the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, cut loose and filled the believers to overflowing with Spiritual fruits. Everything was in process, anything was possible, and nothing was out of the question.
We in the church like to celebrate Pentecost much like we celebrate a birthday or a holiday. We may pause to remember, sigh, eat some cake, and go home pretty much like we came. But that was never the intent in Pentecost, not then, not now. After all they were people just like us.
What do you have in process? What do you find impossible? What have you been told is out of the question?
Now we are talking; a little Holy Ghost action. Oh, Yeah! Come Holy Spirit, be our guest.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-12
Sermon: “People Just Like Us”
What do we really know about the Holy Spirit? Maybe the best we can ever know is the feelings we have when the Spirit wants to be known to us. The Spirit goes where and how it wants. The best we can do is open our lives to be a living vessel into which the Holy Spirit may be poured. We invite our lives to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Most days we go through the motions of work, eat, play, and sleep. We may even find some of our activities enjoyable, but much of the time is spent simply breathing. However every once a while a very special day comes along which lifts us and moves our hearts. We may feel empowered to say and do giant things for God. We may feel prayerful and deeply connected with our neighbors. We may even fall to our faces in honor and praise of our God.
Consider the most special of all those special days over the course of the history of the world. For those who follow Jesus Christ, that day is Pentecost. This was the day when the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, cut loose and filled the believers to overflowing with Spiritual fruits. Everything was in process, anything was possible, and nothing was out of the question.
We in the church like to celebrate Pentecost much like we celebrate a birthday or a holiday. We may pause to remember, sigh, eat some cake, and go home pretty much like we came. But that was never the intent in Pentecost, not then, not now. After all they were people just like us.
What do you have in process? What do you find impossible? What have you been told is out of the question?
Now we are talking; a little Holy Ghost action. Oh, Yeah! Come Holy Spirit, be our guest.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-12
Sermon: “People Just Like Us”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
100 Books
A fellow shared a while back that his library was only 100 books. If he purchased a new book for his shelves, then one had to go. That got me thinking and looking at my library. What 100 books would I keep and which would I let go? What do you think might be the best 100 books for a pastor's library?
Some of my favorites I would ahve to keep (not including my Bibles) are:
A History of the Christian Church, Walker
Homiletic, Buttrick
The Moral Vision of the New Testament, Hays
The UMC Book of Worship
The UMC Hymnal
John Wesley's Sermons, Outler
Generation to Generation, Friedman
Theology of the Old Testament, Brueggemann
Servant Leadership, Greenleaf
The Nature and Destiny of Man, Niebuhr
Some of my favorites I would ahve to keep (not including my Bibles) are:
A History of the Christian Church, Walker
Homiletic, Buttrick
The Moral Vision of the New Testament, Hays
The UMC Book of Worship
The UMC Hymnal
John Wesley's Sermons, Outler
Generation to Generation, Friedman
Theology of the Old Testament, Brueggemann
Servant Leadership, Greenleaf
The Nature and Destiny of Man, Niebuhr
Notes for Sunday May 24, 2009
Read: Luke 24:44-53 Ascension Sunday
I trust you all had a wonderful Easter celebration and are enjoying the spring weather I am sending you. I am encouraged by all I see happening among you in my name.
I thought a little update since I last wrote you might be in order:
Since the ascension I have been hanging out here with the Father doing a lot of remedial kind of work. As much as you may think there has been a lot of water under the bridge, and things have changed, I have to say most of that change is on your side of the river. Here in heaven it is pretty much business as usual and overall business has been good.
I know that I left you all in a pretty big hurry and some of you are still hurting about the fact that I cannot be physically with you all the time. I am, however, with you in Spirit which is perhaps an even a better thing for all of us in the long run. In the short term consider ways we can be in communication throughout every day. I am really open to visiting with you when ever you have time.
Most of my time here is currently taken up with worship. As I think about it, worship has taken up most of the last 2000 years. We have had some excellent times of powerful worship. Sometimes I even get to singing and waving my hands in the air to join in the chorus. But that is for another day.
Right now I want to share that you are my hands and feet. Your willingness to reach out to the people in your neighborhood is quite important. Please know that I will go with you and even speak a quiet word to you about where to go and how to speak. I want the best for you, but also for the others who do not yet know me. I know this may leave you feeling stuck in the middle, but this was the plan I was given by the Father, and it has worked out good so far with many others before you.
The future is not to be revealed to you, but if you could see what I see for the future, you would follow with all your heart. Do not be scared by this; because nothing can harm you while you are with me and I am with you. Thanks again for all you are doing. Hold me in prayer as I hold you.
Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53
Sermon: “Mixed Feelings”
I trust you all had a wonderful Easter celebration and are enjoying the spring weather I am sending you. I am encouraged by all I see happening among you in my name.
I thought a little update since I last wrote you might be in order:
Since the ascension I have been hanging out here with the Father doing a lot of remedial kind of work. As much as you may think there has been a lot of water under the bridge, and things have changed, I have to say most of that change is on your side of the river. Here in heaven it is pretty much business as usual and overall business has been good.
I know that I left you all in a pretty big hurry and some of you are still hurting about the fact that I cannot be physically with you all the time. I am, however, with you in Spirit which is perhaps an even a better thing for all of us in the long run. In the short term consider ways we can be in communication throughout every day. I am really open to visiting with you when ever you have time.
Most of my time here is currently taken up with worship. As I think about it, worship has taken up most of the last 2000 years. We have had some excellent times of powerful worship. Sometimes I even get to singing and waving my hands in the air to join in the chorus. But that is for another day.
Right now I want to share that you are my hands and feet. Your willingness to reach out to the people in your neighborhood is quite important. Please know that I will go with you and even speak a quiet word to you about where to go and how to speak. I want the best for you, but also for the others who do not yet know me. I know this may leave you feeling stuck in the middle, but this was the plan I was given by the Father, and it has worked out good so far with many others before you.
The future is not to be revealed to you, but if you could see what I see for the future, you would follow with all your heart. Do not be scared by this; because nothing can harm you while you are with me and I am with you. Thanks again for all you are doing. Hold me in prayer as I hold you.
Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53
Sermon: “Mixed Feelings”
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 17, 2009
Read: Psalm 98, Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 Easter Six
“Abide in my love.” One of the last things Jesus offered to the disciples before his death was this command to abide. The word abide can be defined: to wait patiently. Abide can also be defined: to remain or dwell, in other words, to stay put. To wait patiently for Christ’s love is a wonderful idea, nice to offer, but hard to accomplish. Most days we are anything but patiently waiting. Rush, rush, rush.
How lovely to linger in the path of the love of God. I like the idea of dwelling in Christ’s love. To remain, as if I already have that love about me, I dwell richly; I stay put in the midst of grace offering life. What if … I was able to live my life in the midst of a constant experience of God’s love? What if … we as a church we willing to stay put in the midst and not allow our minds or our tongues to wander or wag causing divisions and hardships in our relationships? That would be something to behold. I believe it is possible, yet not easy. Abiding is not our thing. But Christ helps us again.
The next verse (vs. 10) offers Christ abiding in the love of the Father. As we abide in Christ, so Christ abides in the Father, therefore we have direct access to the Father through the Son, or along with the Son. “Where I am, there you will be also,” Jesus said to the disciples just a few verses before this passage. Fear not, my sisters and brothers in Christ; Abide.
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon: “What If …”
“Abide in my love.” One of the last things Jesus offered to the disciples before his death was this command to abide. The word abide can be defined: to wait patiently. Abide can also be defined: to remain or dwell, in other words, to stay put. To wait patiently for Christ’s love is a wonderful idea, nice to offer, but hard to accomplish. Most days we are anything but patiently waiting. Rush, rush, rush.
How lovely to linger in the path of the love of God. I like the idea of dwelling in Christ’s love. To remain, as if I already have that love about me, I dwell richly; I stay put in the midst of grace offering life. What if … I was able to live my life in the midst of a constant experience of God’s love? What if … we as a church we willing to stay put in the midst and not allow our minds or our tongues to wander or wag causing divisions and hardships in our relationships? That would be something to behold. I believe it is possible, yet not easy. Abiding is not our thing. But Christ helps us again.
The next verse (vs. 10) offers Christ abiding in the love of the Father. As we abide in Christ, so Christ abides in the Father, therefore we have direct access to the Father through the Son, or along with the Son. “Where I am, there you will be also,” Jesus said to the disciples just a few verses before this passage. Fear not, my sisters and brothers in Christ; Abide.
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon: “What If …”
Monday, April 27, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 10, 2009
Read: Psalm 22:25-31, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Easter Five
Pruning sounds harsh. In fact, it is harsh. Take the plant by the hand, reaching into the inner crown, finding a fork of a branch, and cutting away the longer, larger of the two branches. Make the cut with sharp, clean pruning shears large and powerful enough to make the cut with grace and efficiency.
Pruning opens the plant to allow light and air to penetrate and circulate properly. Pruning encourages new growth and proper fruit setting. A properly pruned plant will look natural, not scalped, not mowed.
Keep in mind pruning is NOT a size control. If you need to prune to reduce the overall size of the plant or to reduce the impact of the plant upon its neighbors, then you have the wrong plant growing in this particular place. Proper planting leads to proper pruning. Never substitute a poor planting choice with abusive pruning.
The goal in pruning should never be to control size; rather the goal is to maximize fruitfulness. Unfortunately pruning in order to control size is the rule we have all learned to accept as valid, even while it has never been particularly effective. Just like the guy who mows the grass at one inch of height, verses a healthy height of 3-4 inches. He has just caused more problems for himself by this behavior, but the grass is much shorter and he does not have to worry about it for another week or so. However, later in the summer he will stop and wonder why his yard looks sick compared to a neighbor. So it goes with pruning, slowing down and taking your time is your long-term friend.
The key to pruning is to remember the goal. If your goal is to make the plant shorter, smaller, less productive, stunted, looking something like a poodle just home from the groomer, then get out there with the power shears and go at it in 20 minutes. However, it your goal is to encourage the plants natural DNA, the God given structure and capability, to encourage the natural shape and flowering, if you are hoping to reach the maximum potential for fruit bearing, then you will prune carefully with wisdom and thought. You will secure the proper tools and take the time to see clearly the potential risk and benefit of each cut.
Then, the harshness of the cut can make sense and offer hope. The pruning, even while painful, can be life-affirming and life-giving. May it be so.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon: “The Pruned Life”
Pruning sounds harsh. In fact, it is harsh. Take the plant by the hand, reaching into the inner crown, finding a fork of a branch, and cutting away the longer, larger of the two branches. Make the cut with sharp, clean pruning shears large and powerful enough to make the cut with grace and efficiency.
Pruning opens the plant to allow light and air to penetrate and circulate properly. Pruning encourages new growth and proper fruit setting. A properly pruned plant will look natural, not scalped, not mowed.
Keep in mind pruning is NOT a size control. If you need to prune to reduce the overall size of the plant or to reduce the impact of the plant upon its neighbors, then you have the wrong plant growing in this particular place. Proper planting leads to proper pruning. Never substitute a poor planting choice with abusive pruning.
The goal in pruning should never be to control size; rather the goal is to maximize fruitfulness. Unfortunately pruning in order to control size is the rule we have all learned to accept as valid, even while it has never been particularly effective. Just like the guy who mows the grass at one inch of height, verses a healthy height of 3-4 inches. He has just caused more problems for himself by this behavior, but the grass is much shorter and he does not have to worry about it for another week or so. However, later in the summer he will stop and wonder why his yard looks sick compared to a neighbor. So it goes with pruning, slowing down and taking your time is your long-term friend.
The key to pruning is to remember the goal. If your goal is to make the plant shorter, smaller, less productive, stunted, looking something like a poodle just home from the groomer, then get out there with the power shears and go at it in 20 minutes. However, it your goal is to encourage the plants natural DNA, the God given structure and capability, to encourage the natural shape and flowering, if you are hoping to reach the maximum potential for fruit bearing, then you will prune carefully with wisdom and thought. You will secure the proper tools and take the time to see clearly the potential risk and benefit of each cut.
Then, the harshness of the cut can make sense and offer hope. The pruning, even while painful, can be life-affirming and life-giving. May it be so.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon: “The Pruned Life”
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Notes for Sunday April 05, 2009
Read: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14-15 Passionate Trust
“Can God be trusted?” continues as my primary ministry question. Boil it all down, all the talk and all the speculation and we are left with this one simple question. Can we trust a God who feels distant? Can we trust a God who allows my neighbor’s cancer or her daughter being run over by a drunk driver? Can we trust a God who creates a world where millions suffer in poverty without daily water or food; while a comparative few worry if their lifestyle will have to suffer because of a downturn in their massive wealth? Can we trust a God who allows a world to be more concerned with a pet’s food preferences than its own children’s future? Can we trust you God when we lose our job, lose our sanity, or lose our life?
Lately, I have been responding to a lot of questions with, “The proof is in the pudding.” We can say we trust God; however, our actions will be the proof of our willingness to trust God. How we respond to the trials and events in our life displays our trust. It is not the events or trials in themselves; rather it is always our reaction to those events which reveals the focus of our trust.
Now listen to this, if we trust is not the question. We all trust in something, someone. To trust is to breath, to have being. Trust is the human experience. However, where we place our trust is up for grabs. Should trust be placed in ones ability, or wealth, or appearance, or spouse, or children? In what, or whom, do we trust? And just how is that trust moved from one place to another? Does trust move quickly in a shock and awe move, or does trust take some time to shake and bake? Both seem possible. Both are within our experience.
Our actions display the focus of our trust, even the level or intensity of our trust. Who or what we trust is a choice. We see Jesus on the cross and realize his trust in the Father calls out for our lives to follow. Can God be trusted?
Scripture: Mark 15:1-39
Sermon: “Trust, not Rust”
“Can God be trusted?” continues as my primary ministry question. Boil it all down, all the talk and all the speculation and we are left with this one simple question. Can we trust a God who feels distant? Can we trust a God who allows my neighbor’s cancer or her daughter being run over by a drunk driver? Can we trust a God who creates a world where millions suffer in poverty without daily water or food; while a comparative few worry if their lifestyle will have to suffer because of a downturn in their massive wealth? Can we trust a God who allows a world to be more concerned with a pet’s food preferences than its own children’s future? Can we trust you God when we lose our job, lose our sanity, or lose our life?
Lately, I have been responding to a lot of questions with, “The proof is in the pudding.” We can say we trust God; however, our actions will be the proof of our willingness to trust God. How we respond to the trials and events in our life displays our trust. It is not the events or trials in themselves; rather it is always our reaction to those events which reveals the focus of our trust.
Now listen to this, if we trust is not the question. We all trust in something, someone. To trust is to breath, to have being. Trust is the human experience. However, where we place our trust is up for grabs. Should trust be placed in ones ability, or wealth, or appearance, or spouse, or children? In what, or whom, do we trust? And just how is that trust moved from one place to another? Does trust move quickly in a shock and awe move, or does trust take some time to shake and bake? Both seem possible. Both are within our experience.
Our actions display the focus of our trust, even the level or intensity of our trust. Who or what we trust is a choice. We see Jesus on the cross and realize his trust in the Father calls out for our lives to follow. Can God be trusted?
Scripture: Mark 15:1-39
Sermon: “Trust, not Rust”
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Fable: The Little Girl who Lived in a Tree
Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a tree in the midst of the forest. Every morning she counted every single leaf on the whole tree. And every afternoon she fed the birds who also made the tree their home. She was a very thoughtful little girl.
One day in the early spring of the year, a great storm came by and the wind blew upon the tree. The wind caused many leaves to fall and the little girl was very busy trying to keep track of all the leaves. She felt overwhelmed with her inability to keep the leaves on the beloved tree.
Then the wind blew even more and one of the twelve birds nests fell out of the tree, and then another. After that great wind, only one of the bird’s nests was left in the tree. The little girl mourned the loss of the nests, as she loved the tree with birds singing.
The storm was still raging however, and one strong wind gust after another began to break some of the branches from the tree. In horror she witnessed her own branch, her home, crack and break and fall to the ground without pomp or ceremony. At first she was confused; then she became angry. She cried out to the storm, “Why are you so mean? Don’t you care what happens to the tree?”
When the storm ended, the birds, even the ones who had lost their nests, began to sit in the braches of the tree and sing.
The little girl calmly collected her things and walked off into the forest to find a new tree.
Questions:
• Do you mostly indentify with the little girl, the birds, or the tree? Why.
• Who do you indentify as the wind in this story?
• What is important about this being an, “early spring” story?
• Why was the little girl feeling overwhelmed?
• What purpose did counting the leaves have in the story?
• With what did the little girl feed the birds?
• Why did the little girl walk to find a new tree?
One day in the early spring of the year, a great storm came by and the wind blew upon the tree. The wind caused many leaves to fall and the little girl was very busy trying to keep track of all the leaves. She felt overwhelmed with her inability to keep the leaves on the beloved tree.
Then the wind blew even more and one of the twelve birds nests fell out of the tree, and then another. After that great wind, only one of the bird’s nests was left in the tree. The little girl mourned the loss of the nests, as she loved the tree with birds singing.
The storm was still raging however, and one strong wind gust after another began to break some of the branches from the tree. In horror she witnessed her own branch, her home, crack and break and fall to the ground without pomp or ceremony. At first she was confused; then she became angry. She cried out to the storm, “Why are you so mean? Don’t you care what happens to the tree?”
When the storm ended, the birds, even the ones who had lost their nests, began to sit in the braches of the tree and sing.
The little girl calmly collected her things and walked off into the forest to find a new tree.
Questions:
• Do you mostly indentify with the little girl, the birds, or the tree? Why.
• Who do you indentify as the wind in this story?
• What is important about this being an, “early spring” story?
• Why was the little girl feeling overwhelmed?
• What purpose did counting the leaves have in the story?
• With what did the little girl feed the birds?
• Why did the little girl walk to find a new tree?
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
A Fable: The Old Man and the Bridge
Once upon a time there was an old man who lived on the hill just above the railroad tracks on the edge of a village. Within sight of his house was the railroad bridge over a small creek which ran alongside the town.
Now the railroad was busy with passenger and fast freight trains coming through the gap in the mountains to the West and running East toward the large cities along the ocean. The old man lived alone with nothing much to do except watch the trains.
On this particular day, as would sometimes happen, a group of children from the village came up the hill walking in the creek and began playing on the railroad bridge. The old man watched as they climbed on the timber supports and walked the rails and ties of the bridge. Finally, he could not bear to watch the children on the bridge any longer. So he came down the slope to the bridge and with a big voice told the children to stop playing on the bridge and go home.
The children were frightened by the look and tone of the old man. However, as they left the bridge, they threw rocks from the creek at the old man and yelled things they had heard their parents say when they were angry. Not long after the children left the bridge and were heading back to town a fast freight train rumbled through the gap in the mountains crossed the bridge and headed down to the cities along the ocean.
Later that day, as families gathered to share their evening meal, the children told the story of the gruff old man who lived on the hill above the railroad tracks. They mimicked his big deep voice telling the children to, “get off the bridge and go home to play.” The parents of the children all shook their heads and commented how something needed to be done to protect their children from such a man. Silently they vowed to spurn the old man for being so hard and uncaring.
Questions for Pondering
1. Why did the old man chase the children from the bridge?
2. How should the parents of the children react to the old man?
3. Did anyone on the trains know or even care about the situation?
4. Where do you see yourself in the fable? Which of the characters are you today?
5. Tell about a similar experience to “The Old man and the Bridge” in your lifetime?
Now you finish the fable using these starters:
1. One spring day a new family moved into a home just below the tracks and brought a plate of warm cookies to the old man who…
2. The old man died later that year and three weeks after his death the children were once again playing on the railroad bridge when …
3. And so it went for many years with the old man at odds with the village when one day a visitor came to town and …
4. Over the next couple of years the train tracks were abandoned by the railroad and a bicycle path was established. The old man found …
5. That year In the middle of winter, the old man died. When the people from the village came to clean out the house above the tracks, to their amazement they found …
Now the railroad was busy with passenger and fast freight trains coming through the gap in the mountains to the West and running East toward the large cities along the ocean. The old man lived alone with nothing much to do except watch the trains.
On this particular day, as would sometimes happen, a group of children from the village came up the hill walking in the creek and began playing on the railroad bridge. The old man watched as they climbed on the timber supports and walked the rails and ties of the bridge. Finally, he could not bear to watch the children on the bridge any longer. So he came down the slope to the bridge and with a big voice told the children to stop playing on the bridge and go home.
The children were frightened by the look and tone of the old man. However, as they left the bridge, they threw rocks from the creek at the old man and yelled things they had heard their parents say when they were angry. Not long after the children left the bridge and were heading back to town a fast freight train rumbled through the gap in the mountains crossed the bridge and headed down to the cities along the ocean.
Later that day, as families gathered to share their evening meal, the children told the story of the gruff old man who lived on the hill above the railroad tracks. They mimicked his big deep voice telling the children to, “get off the bridge and go home to play.” The parents of the children all shook their heads and commented how something needed to be done to protect their children from such a man. Silently they vowed to spurn the old man for being so hard and uncaring.
Questions for Pondering
1. Why did the old man chase the children from the bridge?
2. How should the parents of the children react to the old man?
3. Did anyone on the trains know or even care about the situation?
4. Where do you see yourself in the fable? Which of the characters are you today?
5. Tell about a similar experience to “The Old man and the Bridge” in your lifetime?
Now you finish the fable using these starters:
1. One spring day a new family moved into a home just below the tracks and brought a plate of warm cookies to the old man who…
2. The old man died later that year and three weeks after his death the children were once again playing on the railroad bridge when …
3. And so it went for many years with the old man at odds with the village when one day a visitor came to town and …
4. Over the next couple of years the train tracks were abandoned by the railroad and a bicycle path was established. The old man found …
5. That year In the middle of winter, the old man died. When the people from the village came to clean out the house above the tracks, to their amazement they found …
Notes for Sunday March 15, 2009
Read: Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 Community Marks
Every town in Iowa seems to have a town sign. Many of them have a town slogan which goes along with the sign. Minburn, Iowa calls itself, “The Little Town with the Big Heart.” My home town of Dexter, Iowa has the slogan, “A One Horse Town.” (Dexter was named after a famous race horse from 150 years ago.) One of my favorites is the town of Stuart, Iowa which has on their sign the slogan, “1000 Good Eggs and a Few Stinkers.” Slogans mark the towns and people take pride in the marks of their particular place or family.
Our Christian heritage is no different. We have marks and slogans with which define us. These marks offer others a glimpse of our focus and mission. Beginning with Father Abraham, the Jewish people were marked by circumcision. Moses offered the marks of the Ten Commandments as a way of life which was strange and different from the prevailing culture. Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple as a witness to a new lifestyle mark of his life and those who would be his disciples. The Apostle Paul shared with the early Christian church in Corinth the marks of God’s wisdom which appeared as foolishness to many. He argued for the courage of the people to let go of the marks of the world and cling to the salvation of the cross.
Today we carry many marks on our bodies and our lives. We are defined by those marks. Or even more important, we define the world around us from within the context of these same marks. Married or single, childless or large family, working or retired, young or old, healthy or battling illness, we all have marks and live within the space these defining marks provide. Most important are our marks as disciples. These are radical love, justice, hospitality, grace, and peace. If you were a small town what would be your slogan, your mark for the world to see?
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Sermon: “Community Marks”
Every town in Iowa seems to have a town sign. Many of them have a town slogan which goes along with the sign. Minburn, Iowa calls itself, “The Little Town with the Big Heart.” My home town of Dexter, Iowa has the slogan, “A One Horse Town.” (Dexter was named after a famous race horse from 150 years ago.) One of my favorites is the town of Stuart, Iowa which has on their sign the slogan, “1000 Good Eggs and a Few Stinkers.” Slogans mark the towns and people take pride in the marks of their particular place or family.
Our Christian heritage is no different. We have marks and slogans with which define us. These marks offer others a glimpse of our focus and mission. Beginning with Father Abraham, the Jewish people were marked by circumcision. Moses offered the marks of the Ten Commandments as a way of life which was strange and different from the prevailing culture. Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple as a witness to a new lifestyle mark of his life and those who would be his disciples. The Apostle Paul shared with the early Christian church in Corinth the marks of God’s wisdom which appeared as foolishness to many. He argued for the courage of the people to let go of the marks of the world and cling to the salvation of the cross.
Today we carry many marks on our bodies and our lives. We are defined by those marks. Or even more important, we define the world around us from within the context of these same marks. Married or single, childless or large family, working or retired, young or old, healthy or battling illness, we all have marks and live within the space these defining marks provide. Most important are our marks as disciples. These are radical love, justice, hospitality, grace, and peace. If you were a small town what would be your slogan, your mark for the world to see?
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Sermon: “Community Marks”
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Notes for Sunday March 08, 2009
Read: Genesis 17:1-7, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 Following Calls
One of the best things about living here by the church for the past nine years has been the birds. As spring approaches the Cardinals begin calling to one another from the tops of all these beautiful pines. Cheryl and I have found there are at least three sets of Cardinals who live here year around. But it is at this particular time each year that they seem to become more vocal in their calling to one another. We enjoy hearing them calling back and forth from the church to the parsonages, then back to the church. It is like music from heaven to us.
When I was a child my father used to call the cows to follow as he would feed or water them. I remember that try as I might, they would only look at me. The cows did not know my voice as one to be trusted or one who would supply their needs. Dad used to laugh and tell me that as I became older they would recognize my voice and follow. He was right.
God has called to people from the beginning of time. I like to imagine it is much like our use of cell phones today. Some of us answer every call, while others look to see who it is before we answer, a few walk around with the phone turned off, life is all “voice mail” to these individuals. How is God calling you? Do you know God’s voice? How have you responded?
One day this week I was rushing from the parsonage to the church, with my mind going a hundred miles an hour, when I stopped in the middle of the parking lot. All of a sudden it occurred to me the birds were singing.
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: “Following Calls”
One of the best things about living here by the church for the past nine years has been the birds. As spring approaches the Cardinals begin calling to one another from the tops of all these beautiful pines. Cheryl and I have found there are at least three sets of Cardinals who live here year around. But it is at this particular time each year that they seem to become more vocal in their calling to one another. We enjoy hearing them calling back and forth from the church to the parsonages, then back to the church. It is like music from heaven to us.
When I was a child my father used to call the cows to follow as he would feed or water them. I remember that try as I might, they would only look at me. The cows did not know my voice as one to be trusted or one who would supply their needs. Dad used to laugh and tell me that as I became older they would recognize my voice and follow. He was right.
God has called to people from the beginning of time. I like to imagine it is much like our use of cell phones today. Some of us answer every call, while others look to see who it is before we answer, a few walk around with the phone turned off, life is all “voice mail” to these individuals. How is God calling you? Do you know God’s voice? How have you responded?
One day this week I was rushing from the parsonage to the church, with my mind going a hundred miles an hour, when I stopped in the middle of the parking lot. All of a sudden it occurred to me the birds were singing.
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: “Following Calls”
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Word on Dealing with Stalking
Afer reading a bit from two books from the Public library and speaking to some professionals who counsel folks dealing with stalking, here is a list of ten things you should know in relationship to this issue. The main idea I learned is that the person being stalked has to change thier behavior, because the stalker never will. Unfair as it seems that is the bottom line, your life has to change to make change in the other persons life. Ouch. Now for the additonal list of ten:
1. You have a right to defend yourself
2. You have a right to be protected
3. Go to the school, go to the police, report the situation.
4. There must be accountability in every single case, Every single contact must be reported and it must documented that you reported.
5. If you are a student, have the school mediate with the other parents
6. Change your cell phone #, and no sleeping with the cell phone turned on.
7. You must be accompanied at all times. You should not be going anywhere by your self at any time. To do so is to invite problems and escalate the issue.
8. Need to be aware this could escalate into violence very quickly
9. Make sure your school documents meetings and situations.
10. Let your no be no. Only tell the person "no" one time, then have no contact of any kind, if you do respond after saying no they will think you have changed your mind, that there is a chance afer all, or that you are simply weak and can be controled.
1. You have a right to defend yourself
2. You have a right to be protected
3. Go to the school, go to the police, report the situation.
4. There must be accountability in every single case, Every single contact must be reported and it must documented that you reported.
5. If you are a student, have the school mediate with the other parents
6. Change your cell phone #, and no sleeping with the cell phone turned on.
7. You must be accompanied at all times. You should not be going anywhere by your self at any time. To do so is to invite problems and escalate the issue.
8. Need to be aware this could escalate into violence very quickly
9. Make sure your school documents meetings and situations.
10. Let your no be no. Only tell the person "no" one time, then have no contact of any kind, if you do respond after saying no they will think you have changed your mind, that there is a chance afer all, or that you are simply weak and can be controled.
Notes for Sunday March 01, 2009
Read: Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 Water Words
Water is life. Even more than the air we breathe, or soil we walk upon, water is the primary life supplier. We know there is life without air, such as anaerobic bacteria, however we cannot find life without water. We can find life without soil, such as the water-born protozoa, but water always is involved with life in one of its physical forms of vapor, liquid, or a solid. Water is the essential building block, the foundation of life.
The human body is 65% water. We must take in 80 oz. of water a day, about 2/3 of a gallon, just to maintain that percentage. As my body came into being it took on water. At death my body will dry out, lose its water, and once again become the same “wetness” as the rest of the world. So in an almost strange primordial metaphor, water can be understood to offer life. While we are physically alive our bodies contain significantly more water than the world around us. Without life, our bodies are similar in dryness to the surroundings.
So it is with our spiritual life. As we gain Jesus Christ we become alive in that spirit. The sacrament of baptism uses water at the metaphor to offer this hope. Through the application of water, the spiritual body becomes alive. Without the life of the spirit we remain separated from our own potential. We live spiritually on the same level with the world around us, experiencing no greater power, offering no greater sacrifice.
To hydrate our lives we look to the means of grace such as the sacraments, scripture, friendship, and prayer. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary with the addition of the water of the spirit. Our goal in these 40 days of Lent is to drink in the water of life and allow God to once again give spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “Water Words”
Water is life. Even more than the air we breathe, or soil we walk upon, water is the primary life supplier. We know there is life without air, such as anaerobic bacteria, however we cannot find life without water. We can find life without soil, such as the water-born protozoa, but water always is involved with life in one of its physical forms of vapor, liquid, or a solid. Water is the essential building block, the foundation of life.
The human body is 65% water. We must take in 80 oz. of water a day, about 2/3 of a gallon, just to maintain that percentage. As my body came into being it took on water. At death my body will dry out, lose its water, and once again become the same “wetness” as the rest of the world. So in an almost strange primordial metaphor, water can be understood to offer life. While we are physically alive our bodies contain significantly more water than the world around us. Without life, our bodies are similar in dryness to the surroundings.
So it is with our spiritual life. As we gain Jesus Christ we become alive in that spirit. The sacrament of baptism uses water at the metaphor to offer this hope. Through the application of water, the spiritual body becomes alive. Without the life of the spirit we remain separated from our own potential. We live spiritually on the same level with the world around us, experiencing no greater power, offering no greater sacrifice.
To hydrate our lives we look to the means of grace such as the sacraments, scripture, friendship, and prayer. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary with the addition of the water of the spirit. Our goal in these 40 days of Lent is to drink in the water of life and allow God to once again give spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “Water Words”
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 22, 2009
Read: Mark 9 & 2 Corinthians 4 The Transfiguration
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 15, 2009
Read: Mark 1 Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Notes for Sunday January 25, 2009
Read: Mark 1:14-20
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Writings for Sunday January 11, 2009
Read: Mark 1 The Baptism of the Lord
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
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