The Breadcrumbs of Life

Good Morning All,

“Can you find your way home?” I jokingly asked Megan as she walked up the hill after worship to go to her home one block away. “I think so,” she laughed. “But if not,” I continued. “You can always look down and follow the bread crumbs back here and someone will help you.” As I looked at her face, I somehow knew she was simply accommodating the minister with a weird sense of humor. And when I stopped to think about it, I realized that she might never have heard the fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel, in which case she had every right to look at me quizzically.

With all the justifiable concerns we have these days about the safety and well being of our children some of the beloved stories of my childhood have been brushed aside by parents, especially when literally interpreted. Isn’t it funny, when stories or sayings that once brought us meaning and or pleasure, when literally interpreted, either make no sense or the meaning and message go beyond simple make-believe.(“If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride..” comes to mind! And I’m sure you can think of several of your own…)

But back to the breadcrumbs metaphor…what kind of breadcrumbs would help someone find their way to church? I suppose there’s a direct correlation between people’s needs and desires and the type of breadcrumbs that would attract them…If people are in deep sorrow or pain, then a breadcrumb of comfort would speak to them. If one is lonely or feeling isolated and forgotten, then a breadcrumb of community would begin to satisfy their need.

If some have spent their entire lives only peeking in the church windows instead of having the courage to enter, then a breadcrumb of welcome and acceptance would help them on their way. If one were facing a personal crisis in the midst of divorce or other broken relationships, then a breadcrumb of support might bring them into the circle of faith. If one has simply lost his or her way in life, a breadcrumb of direction and guidance would help…

The breadcrumbs of life are as vast as the stars in the night sky. And the Good News is that God doesn’t miss a one…the challenge for us lies in joining forces with God to cast the breadcrumbs along the way; sharing the love of God that we have experienced with those who have yet to know what it means to delight in God.

God is calling us to do some “crumby” work. In the midst of placing breadcrumbs along the different paths in our lives, as we encourage others to find their way home to God and the community of faith, called church; we are also called to gather the crumbs together; to receive the fractured parts of our lives and this world, mix well with compassion, love, acceptance and welcome, as God transforms us into the Bread of Life offered for all…

Blessings, Joanne

Challenge of Trust

Good Morning All,

Last Sunday I used the African rain stick as our call to prayer, reminding us of the great need for rain in our area and throughout this part of the country. I also was reminded that “We don’t have, because we don’t ask…” It’s in the bible, you know…in John’s gospel, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you” (John 15:7); and “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (John 16:24)

Of course when we hear these words all kinds of questions and concerns arise…especially when we ask God for something…we pray and we pray and we pray and at least in our opinion, God has turned a deaf ear to our requests and petitions. And we end up believing that God doesn’t really answer prayer…at least not our particular prayer. And so most of us end up thinking it does no good to pray and we end up giving up on prayer altogether. Sound familiar?

I believe that God DOES answer prayer…we just don’t always get the answer we desire or think is best. Of course we can never fully know God’s mind or exactly what’s behind God’s answer to our prayer. So we are called to do something that I believe is one of the most difficult challenges of having faith in God—and that’s the challenge of trust. We must trust God…to always have our best interests at heart…that God indeed desires the best for us. Trust is at the heart of God’s covenant with us as God’s people…it’s a 2-way street…God trusts us and we trust God.

I also believe in the power of corporate prayer…no, not the prayers of some large corporation…but the power that comes when we come together and pray the same prayer, whether it’s the Lord’s Prayer or when we are like-minded in purpose as we pray. The answers are not always immediate, nor in ways we expect. After all, God is the God of surprise and delight! But the power comes from being in prayer together, seeking God’s wisdom and guidance for whatever is most on our minds and in our hearts.
If we believe “We don’t have because we don’t ask,” Let’s get busy and ask…

We pray this day for our own personal needs whatever they may be; for friends and family; for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur and so many other places in our global village; for justice; for reconciliation among the races and any and all barriers that divide us from one another; for our nation’s leaders; for the leaders of all nations; for prisoners and captives; for those serving our country; for those in need of life’s basics—food, medical care, clean water, shelter; for healing of body, mind and spirit; for the children; for families; for those who are abused and oppressed...Whew…
In your tender mercy, O God…hear our prayers…

…for the Church wherever it may be found as we strive to share our faith with those who are hungering and thirsting to be in relationship with God in Jesus Christ; and for Covenant Christian Church in particular, O God, as we celebrate the renewed energy and excitement that abounds; as you call us to meet the challenge of being faithful stewards, managers of all that you have provided for us…for ALL things come from you, O God. May we give of our time, energy and money; that we may give out of our abundance and not out of scarcity as you call us to sustain the ongoing ministries; while you are also calling us into YOUR future--to grow and provide programs and facilities that reach out to those who need a community of faith such as Covenant…Whew…
In your tender mercy, O God, hear our prayers…

Does God hear out prayers? YES! Does God answer prayer? YES! Will God answer the prayers we have just prayed? YES! How do I know this? I know this because I trust God in God’s wisdom to help us know that YOU and I are God’s answer to prayer…
Yes, whatever we dare to pray for, we must be open to God using us as the answer…

In your tender mercy, O God, reveal your answers to us as we open our hearts and lives to You, as you work in and through us…Blessings, Joanne

Grace and Mercy

Good Morning All,

Yesterday I was in Wilson at the Regional Office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in NC to conduct the quarterly meeting of the Commission on Ministry. During our meetings we spend most of our time listening to the faith stories of those who believe God has called them to serve in various forms of ministry as well as learn about what they are experiencing as they serve a congregation or as seminary students. It truly is a privilege to hear how God is at work in their lives. Often times they say things that cause even the most experienced of ministers to sit up and take notice or at the very least to ponder for a while.

One such minister shared a part of his story as one in need of forgiveness for a past behavior. We can all relate to being in need of forgiveness from time to time, right? He told us how one of his mentors in the faith once asked a group of ministers, “Can you tell me the difference between grace and mercy?” The ministers began to share their understanding of these meaningful, yet “churchy” words…but he told them they were a bit off the mark—which usually means, he had the answer and they had yet to come close to his answer. :)

“Listen carefully,” he cautioned. “Grace is getting what you don’t deserve and Mercy is NOT getting what you deserve…” Hmmmmm…interesting distinction, isn’t it? I spent some time thinking about the difference between the two and hope you will as well...And let me stir the waters just a bit and add this one fact: of all the major world religions, Christianity is the ONLY one that embraces grace or even has the word grace expressed in the basic tenets.

I believe that God is the source of both grace and mercy; that grace and mercy go hand in hand; that God’s judgment is tempered with grace and mercy. Grace comes to us a gift, freely given; grace is the unmerited, free act of God to plant and nourish within our hearts a new spirit. And it is God’s mercy that allows us to embrace a new way of being; a new lease on life; that gives us the strength and courage to be drawn closer and closer to the love of God.

Frederick Buechner reminds us that, “Grace is something you can never get, but only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth. Grace is a good sleep; good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain (I we certainly could use some), is grace…

…The grace of God means something like: Here’s your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It’s for you I created the universe. I love you.

There’s only one catch. Like any other gift, the give of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it, is a gift too…”
(Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC, Frederick Buechner; 1973. Harper & Row)

May God’s grace and mercy be yours today…Blessings, Joanne