Someone is designated as the “Garbage Person” in our Christmas celebrations. The task is simple, hold open a garbage sack and allow everyone to toss their wrappings into the bag. It keeps the mess in the room to a minimum and everyone has a little fun throwing wrapping paper garbage.
Just a minute before the paper was not garbage. Instead it was highly prized, yearned for, and waited upon. That which has become garbage was not the thing which was desired, yet it covered the very thing with celebration and joy. The wrapping has become garbage to us based on our need, or lack thereof.
Three things strike me about this whole Christmas garbage thing.
The first is a curious memory of my days before the “garbage person” when my grandmother would gently unwrap her gifts, fold and smooth the pretty paper, then save it for wrapping new gifts another year. In her quiet way, she found a gift even in the wrapping. Not only that, but she found a new year, another person, another Christmas in the paper. Nothing was overlooked, everything was sacred. I compare that to my childlike tearing away at the outside to find the inner “real” gift. How many times have I failed to see the gift within the gift? Can our garbage become more, even a blessing?
The second thought is the Christ as our garbage person. The incarnation of God in human flesh was for one purpose, to save us from our sin. The Messiah came to catch our garbage and is holding open the sack for us to throw all the stuff which blocks our path and clutters our world.
My friend Dean, who is the pastor of Glenwood Grace UMC, shared on January 3 the youth purposely filled the sanctuary with paper wrappings, garbage if you will. Then when it came time for Holy Communion everyone was asked to clean a place, a path of the garbage. Bring your garbage to Christ, even help clean the path for others, and then come and receive the free gift of life.
The third is to consider the Christ as the wrapping paper, the covering for a real gift of life. We may struggle when we see others throwing away the incarnation, the Christ child, wanting only the offered life of peace and joy. We feel the strong connection of the Easter passion week of knees bowing and gifts offered on Palm Sunday, while Friday finds the same crowds throwing away the Messiah.
It seems someone is always designated as the “garbage person” in our Christmas celebrations.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Winter Weather
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.
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.
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.
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