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”
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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”
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