A couple of Sundays ago, I took the morning off. Yes, I was in town, not at the cabin or anything. Didn't have to take my kids to any sports tournament. No relatives were coming over, so I didn't have to clean the house. I wasn't on vacation. I didn't really have a any good excuse not to go to church (and I'm a pastor!) I was a little under the weather, but could have easily made it. I simply asked the other pastor if I could take the morning off and he said, "Yes." (thanks Bill)
Not that I'm going to do it all the time, but I did learn some things. Mostly, that it was pretty nice to sleep in, drink a cup of coffee, leisurely read the entire paper and eat a late brunch.
Knowing where my paycheck comes from, I won't be doing this very often. I also know I didn't want to go all day without going to church. I wanted the time with God, the community, the fellowship time (and the cookies?) So I went to church, as usual, at 5 p.m. at Northern Light and got fed.
What I don't understand, is why more people don't do this. It's kind of a re-structuring of the way people think about their Sundays, but it seemed to make sense to me. Stay out late Saturday evening if you want. Go to Grandma's for brunch. Watch a little TV. Catch up on the laundry, fix the leaky faucet, rake the leaves, whatever ... relax a little ... and then go to church.
If I could get away with it more often, I definitely would.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Farming
I never thought I would like farming. I grew up in the country, but not FARM country. We used to drive by some farms, though, on the way to the suburbs, where I have lived for the last twenty-seven years. Even though I've been fully itinerant as a United Methodist minister, I've always secretly prayed I wouldn't get sent to farm country.
I may have to reconsider.
Our work team just back from farming in Jamaica. We planted 144 avocado tress within two acres on a hillside by a school we support there. I knew it would feel good to help the local agricultural students to learn the basics, and that it would feel good to help the school become more self-sustaining. What caught me by surprise was how much I enjoyed digging in the soil.
Others have told me how great it can be, including my wife, who, unlike me, enjoys her day off working in the garden. I also remember another man once telling me, "Never trust anyone who isn't willing to put their hands in the dirt." I thought he was rather eccentric. Not so sure anymore.
It was pointed out to me that the first person created in Genesis lore (Adam) was a gardener. "And the Lord put him in the garden to dress it and keep it." And the Hebrews raised vegetables in Egypt. (cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic)
And when Jesus needed to talk with his Father, he sought the solitude of a garden. People who tell you to never trust a non-gardener, also say, "The most important growing which takes place in a garden is that of the gardener himself or herself."
I know my wife will want me to join her out back this year again. So far, I have resisted. But, I might surprise her this spring. And after I plant a few flowers and pull out the weeds, I might just sit there and have a little talk with the Master.
I may have to reconsider.
Our work team just back from farming in Jamaica. We planted 144 avocado tress within two acres on a hillside by a school we support there. I knew it would feel good to help the local agricultural students to learn the basics, and that it would feel good to help the school become more self-sustaining. What caught me by surprise was how much I enjoyed digging in the soil.
Others have told me how great it can be, including my wife, who, unlike me, enjoys her day off working in the garden. I also remember another man once telling me, "Never trust anyone who isn't willing to put their hands in the dirt." I thought he was rather eccentric. Not so sure anymore.
It was pointed out to me that the first person created in Genesis lore (Adam) was a gardener. "And the Lord put him in the garden to dress it and keep it." And the Hebrews raised vegetables in Egypt. (cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic)
And when Jesus needed to talk with his Father, he sought the solitude of a garden. People who tell you to never trust a non-gardener, also say, "The most important growing which takes place in a garden is that of the gardener himself or herself."
I know my wife will want me to join her out back this year again. So far, I have resisted. But, I might surprise her this spring. And after I plant a few flowers and pull out the weeds, I might just sit there and have a little talk with the Master.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Volunteering is a Win-Win Opportunity
I'm delighted to be going to Jamaica again this week, not in the least because there are eight new people coming with me who have never been on a mission trip, let alone to one out of the country. It seems everyone wins on a volunteer-in-mission experience. The people and communities they serve benefit. Trip participants become closer to one another. Team members and hosts become close as they serve one another. There is nothing like living, eating and working together for a week or two to build community and fell connected to others working to accomplish the same task.
Many times persons who volunteer receive just as much or more as the persons they go to serve. Lives are touched and changed through their experience. People learn what it means to put their faith into action. They see the example of God's work through their hands. A new school is built, a church is painted, or a new roof is put on an elderly woman's house. Not only can the volunteers feel good about what they did, but usually the children of the school come to shake their hands and sing songs, or they might attend services in the renovated church, or they receive a meal cooked by the owner of the house.
Particularly when visiting another culture, participants also begin to question what they value, what they believe in and how they should live. Statistics show that teens who are involved serving others are half as likely to get involved in risky behaviors. Going on mission trips changes the way youth and adults look at the world, at the poor, at their time and financial commitments. It may also change the way they feel about their church and what it means to be a part of a community of faith.
Volunteers also feel empowered as they learn construction, leadership, planning and interpersonal skills. One might learn how to swing a hammer. Another might share her gift of caring for children. Many may even learn lessons of patience and flexibility when projects and timelines don't materialize quite the way they were planned.
Everyone wins on a volunteer-in-mission trip. It is one of the fastest growing movements in the modern church. The reasons are simple: trips like these make the world a better place and make us better people.
Many times persons who volunteer receive just as much or more as the persons they go to serve. Lives are touched and changed through their experience. People learn what it means to put their faith into action. They see the example of God's work through their hands. A new school is built, a church is painted, or a new roof is put on an elderly woman's house. Not only can the volunteers feel good about what they did, but usually the children of the school come to shake their hands and sing songs, or they might attend services in the renovated church, or they receive a meal cooked by the owner of the house.
Particularly when visiting another culture, participants also begin to question what they value, what they believe in and how they should live. Statistics show that teens who are involved serving others are half as likely to get involved in risky behaviors. Going on mission trips changes the way youth and adults look at the world, at the poor, at their time and financial commitments. It may also change the way they feel about their church and what it means to be a part of a community of faith.
Volunteers also feel empowered as they learn construction, leadership, planning and interpersonal skills. One might learn how to swing a hammer. Another might share her gift of caring for children. Many may even learn lessons of patience and flexibility when projects and timelines don't materialize quite the way they were planned.
Everyone wins on a volunteer-in-mission trip. It is one of the fastest growing movements in the modern church. The reasons are simple: trips like these make the world a better place and make us better people.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Learning from the Less Fortunate
All last week our site in Anoka hosted overnight guests in the church. These families are at a local day center (or go to school) during the day and stay in our Sunday School rooms in the evening. We give them a warm place to sleep, meals, transportation to and from the center, and friendship. We work with Family Promise of Anoka County along with twelve other congregations who agree to host them one week at a time for four weeks a year. It is a wonderful program in many ways, not in the least that the faith community, county and schools all work together to do this. Its called by different names in various places and is quickly spreading throughout the country. The success rate of getting people off the street and into permanent affordable housing is nearly 100%. We never see the same families again each time we host. I suggest others look into this ministry.
Last Tuesday I was having a bad day. The snow was beginning to hit. I was in a crabby mood. After eating dinner with our guests, three girls, ages 7-9, decided to spontaneously put on a "show." What followed was about a half hour of singing, dancing, giggles and just plain silliness. When it was over, one of the mothers said, "I am so blessed."
Who knows what these girls had been through in the last few weeks/months? But we were meant to sing and dance. God put it in us. At all times ( the Apostle Paul reminds us) we can "count it all as joy."
Lesson learned.
Last Tuesday I was having a bad day. The snow was beginning to hit. I was in a crabby mood. After eating dinner with our guests, three girls, ages 7-9, decided to spontaneously put on a "show." What followed was about a half hour of singing, dancing, giggles and just plain silliness. When it was over, one of the mothers said, "I am so blessed."
Who knows what these girls had been through in the last few weeks/months? But we were meant to sing and dance. God put it in us. At all times ( the Apostle Paul reminds us) we can "count it all as joy."
Lesson learned.
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