I'm getting used to the idea of "showings." We're trying to sell our house. The realtor calls almost every day to let us know that a prospective buyer will be at our house at such and such time ... and can you please kindly not be there. So now, when we leave in the morning, we have to make sure the house looks right, just in case they call because there might be a showing before we can get home to make things look presentable.
Making things look presentable involves cleaning, getting rid of any clutter, making the place look warm and inviting, putting out the welcome mats and having chocolate in the candy dish. It also involves turning on all of the lights. There can't be any area that seems dark. We've even moved a few lamps around in order to make sure the light shines everywhere. I'm sure our electrical bill will be high. Its one of many reasons I hope we actually sell the place soon.
Used to be I thought of SHOWING in a different way, as in "something's showing." As in a piece of undergarment or something else that the public should probably not be seeing, intentional or not. But now I view the word in a more positive light. It actually feels good to be showing a home that is clean, etc.
This got me to thinking about my personal life. What do people "see" when they are around me? Do I live a "clean" life? Am I concentrating on what is important in life, and not cluttered up with needless trivia pursuits? I am warm and inviting? Do I welcome people around me and truly enjoy their company? How many dark shadows do I have where I try to block the Light from reaching? Oh that I would always feel as good about the showing of my personal life as I do our house right now.
Something's showing all the time, whether we admit it or not. Might as well try to make it presentable.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
something Better
I used a well-traveled Easter illustration in my sermon on Sunday. But, funny how they come alive sometimes.
The illustration goes like this: A woman was dying of cancer. She called the minister over to the house to talk about her last wishes, and said, "When I'm lying in my coffin, I want to have a Bible in my left hand and a fork in my right." The minister understood the Bible request, but was perplexed by the other one. She continued on, saying, "I've always enjoyed church potlucks with the food, friends and everything. But, my favorite part was always toward the end, at dessert time, when someone would clear the table and then say 'keep your fork,' because I knew something better was coming."
I went to visit a woman in hospice. We talked about her condition, and after a while, she brought up the fact that she didn't have very many more days on this earth. I bravely said, "Something better's coming," not sure how she would respond to it. She said, "You're absolutely right. I'm going on a long trip, and looking forward to it."
If we could only all be so ready. I'm keeping a fork on my desk.
The illustration goes like this: A woman was dying of cancer. She called the minister over to the house to talk about her last wishes, and said, "When I'm lying in my coffin, I want to have a Bible in my left hand and a fork in my right." The minister understood the Bible request, but was perplexed by the other one. She continued on, saying, "I've always enjoyed church potlucks with the food, friends and everything. But, my favorite part was always toward the end, at dessert time, when someone would clear the table and then say 'keep your fork,' because I knew something better was coming."
I went to visit a woman in hospice. We talked about her condition, and after a while, she brought up the fact that she didn't have very many more days on this earth. I bravely said, "Something better's coming," not sure how she would respond to it. She said, "You're absolutely right. I'm going on a long trip, and looking forward to it."
If we could only all be so ready. I'm keeping a fork on my desk.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Different View of Holy Week
I had a conversation a couple of days ago with a man who told me he thought Jesus was a peaceful anarchist. That's a pretty inflammatory word, whose definition I wasn't quite sure of, so I looked it up. I know it's old-fashioned, but I still use the dictionary right next to me on the shelf in my office on occasion. It read: "absence of any cohering principle, as a common standard or purpose: disorder and confusion." Not sure I can go with calling him one. But, the point is well made. He was definitely a radical "disrupter."
I like the pomp and circumstance of Palm Sunday, the drama of Holy Week, the hope and promise of the resurrection, the brass quartet on Easter Sunday and saying "He is Risen!" as much as anybody, but my friend did cause me to re-think the events that happened two thousand years ago that we "celebrate" this week. And since "re-thinking" is what my denominational leaders are asking us all to do, I submit this for your reflection.
Think about it: A king would have rode in on a horse, with armor and a helmet, and with many others dressed the same way. Jesus rode a donkey. That's quite a slap in the face to the Roman authorities. Then he went to the temple, not exactly respecting and receiving a blessing from the local clergy and denominational leaders, but instead overturned some tables. Then he went on before the judges and didn't exactly follow due process. When asked to state whether he was guilty or not, he skirted around the question by saying: "Well, YOU say I am." Then, while dying on the cross, he says to his executioners and enemies in general, "Father, forgive THEM." (for THEY don't know what they are doing) Then when they think they got him in a grave, he disappears and soon after starts APPEARING to a few select people, giving them hope, just when the authorities thought it was over and done with.
This is not business as usual. Which, I guess, is the whole point. I can go with the "peaceful" part of my friend's statement. But, to say there is an absence of principle or purpose would be wrong. The principles (lessons learned) seem to be 1) violence is not the end all, 2) forgiveness will prevail over condemnation, 3) God's ways (process) are not the same as ours.
I'm think I'm ready to seriously look at a broadened view of Holy Week: Jesus, the rabble-rousing "disupter." As long as we keep the Hallelujah Chorus.
I like the pomp and circumstance of Palm Sunday, the drama of Holy Week, the hope and promise of the resurrection, the brass quartet on Easter Sunday and saying "He is Risen!" as much as anybody, but my friend did cause me to re-think the events that happened two thousand years ago that we "celebrate" this week. And since "re-thinking" is what my denominational leaders are asking us all to do, I submit this for your reflection.
Think about it: A king would have rode in on a horse, with armor and a helmet, and with many others dressed the same way. Jesus rode a donkey. That's quite a slap in the face to the Roman authorities. Then he went to the temple, not exactly respecting and receiving a blessing from the local clergy and denominational leaders, but instead overturned some tables. Then he went on before the judges and didn't exactly follow due process. When asked to state whether he was guilty or not, he skirted around the question by saying: "Well, YOU say I am." Then, while dying on the cross, he says to his executioners and enemies in general, "Father, forgive THEM." (for THEY don't know what they are doing) Then when they think they got him in a grave, he disappears and soon after starts APPEARING to a few select people, giving them hope, just when the authorities thought it was over and done with.
This is not business as usual. Which, I guess, is the whole point. I can go with the "peaceful" part of my friend's statement. But, to say there is an absence of principle or purpose would be wrong. The principles (lessons learned) seem to be 1) violence is not the end all, 2) forgiveness will prevail over condemnation, 3) God's ways (process) are not the same as ours.
I'm think I'm ready to seriously look at a broadened view of Holy Week: Jesus, the rabble-rousing "disupter." As long as we keep the Hallelujah Chorus.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday Schedules
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.
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 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)