Dear Lenten Trekkers,
I recently saw the award-winning film, Hugo, that addresses what it means to feel invisible, lost and forgotten as they are experienced in a young boy, Hugo and his young friend, Isabelle; along with Papa Georges Méliès & Mama Jeanne. Hugo, recently became an orphan as a 10 year old, but not before his father taught him about clockwork & tinkering with machines; Isabelle’s parents were killed in an accident when she was a baby and was adopted by her godparents, Georges & Jeanne.
Georges was an early filmmaker and an inventor of special effects in the 1930s; his wife, Jeanne, starred in many of his early movies. Georges & Jeanne became discouraged with these early attempts of filmmaking at the onset of WWI and he was forced to sell his films in order to get money in order to survive. Georges had also created an automaton (robot) that he believed was lost in a museum fire; leaving him to think that there is nothing left of his life’s work.
Regardless of the varied circumstances that unite these characters, so much of their lives left them feeling lost and forgotten. But there’s a conversation between Hugo & Isabelle that speaks of how having a real purpose in life can help overcome one’s sense of being lost &
forgotten:
Hugo: “It’s important to have a real purpose in life…”
Isabelle: “What does real purpose mean?”
Hugo: “Doing what you’re meant to do…”
Isabelle: “Everything has a purpose—clocks tell time; trains take you places.”
Hugo: “That’s why broken machines make me sad. They can’t do what they’re meant to do. It’s the same with people…If you lose your purpose, it’s like you’re broken…like Papa Georges Maybe we can do something to fix him…
Isabelle: “I wonder what my purpose is…”
(Hugo takes Isabelle to the top of the clock tower high above the streets of Paris and looking out into the dark night, Hugo speaks):
“I come up here a lot. And when I look out in the night, I see the whole world before me; as if it were one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need…So I figured if the entire world were one big machine, I couldn’t be any extra part either. I had to be here for a reason…and you are too…”
We continue to make our way with Jesus and his companions as we travel to Jerusalem during this second week of Lent…
Ponder this:
· Do you believe that everyone is here for a reason?
· Who are the people in your life, near and far, who
feel alone and forgotten; who don’t believe they are here for a reason?
· Do you believe that discovering or re-discovering
one’s purpose in life helps one not feel forgotten/like an extra part?
· If so, what can you do to help someone regain a
sense of purpose and wholeness, who has fallen or about to fall, among the forgotten:
maybe an older person who lives alone or is homebound;
maybe a street person; a neighbor; someone whose health has been
compromised;
someone who’s lost his/her job; a recently retired person;
or a young purpose examining the meaning & purpose for his/her life;
someone whose loved-one has died;
or maybe it’s you?
Will you reach out to someone who feels forgotten? Will you help someone discover or re-discover how much God loves them and how God can help them figure out his/her purpose? Will you allow God into your own life and help you figure out your purpose? God is our constant guide and companion along this journey and stands ready to give us all we need to be whole once again…Thanks be to God…
Blessings, Rev. Joanne
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Instruction Manual
Good Morning All!
This past Sunday we took a closer look at Micah 6: 1-8 that contains the wonderful exchange between God and God’s people as if they were present in courtroom. God asks, “Dear people, how have I done you wrong?...” and goes on to point out some of the many ways God has provided for the people.
And then the people get their chance to speak and we hear the familiar question,
“With what shall I come before God?...and Micah speaks out, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does God require of you but to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
Much of scripture is like an instruction manual. We’re all familiar with the phrase, “When all else fails, read the instructions!” And I fear the same may be true for many of us when it comes to seeking guidance and wisdom for the living of our lives. When in doubt; when we’ve run out of time and patience; when we are at our wits end; when we are at the end of our rope; when our life is in a mess; when we’ve dismissed any and all hope; when we’ve exhausted all other resources to answer the big questions in life; it’s then that we finally turn our thoughts to God and God’s Word for our next instructions.
Anne Lamott In her book Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year, describes the afternoon she misplaced her father. It seems his brain cancer had progressed to the point where he was functioning much like an eager-to-please three year-old. She needed to go to the bank and because she could not leave him home alone, she took her father with her. The nature of her bank business was such that she couldn’t use the drive-thru so she made sure he was securely belted in his seat and gave him a candy bar to keep him busy.
Of course there was a long line. And because she was uncomfortable leaving him there in the car she found herself asking those around her to hold her place and she checked on him through the bank window. The last time she looked, he wasn't there -- the car was empty! She felt like adrenaline had been injected directly into her heart. She paused to calm herself and as she went to leave the bank, she could see her disoriented dad passing by the window, his face smeared with chocolate…holding his candy bar, staring up at the sky as if were expecting his next operating instructions.
Sometimes you and I pace back and forth; drive endlessly through the country back roads to clear our minds; or we toss and turn at night restlessly trying to figure out our next operating instructions. And we too find ourselves looking up toward the heavens for God… (and more than likely I too have chocolate smeared on my face :) ) seeking God; seeking desperately for a word from God; to hear God telling us what to do next…
We are guilty of wasting so much time and energy looking for answers in unsatisfactory places. People of God! God’s has already given us an instruction manual and has made it plain how to live; what to do. It’s quite simple and yet it’s quite complex. And it’s so life changing if we dare to live it out. "Do what is fair and just to your neighbor; be compassionate and loyal in your love; and don’t take yourself too seriously…take God seriously…" (Eugene Peterson’s translation)
Blessings, Joanne
This past Sunday we took a closer look at Micah 6: 1-8 that contains the wonderful exchange between God and God’s people as if they were present in courtroom. God asks, “Dear people, how have I done you wrong?...” and goes on to point out some of the many ways God has provided for the people.
And then the people get their chance to speak and we hear the familiar question,
“With what shall I come before God?...and Micah speaks out, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does God require of you but to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
Much of scripture is like an instruction manual. We’re all familiar with the phrase, “When all else fails, read the instructions!” And I fear the same may be true for many of us when it comes to seeking guidance and wisdom for the living of our lives. When in doubt; when we’ve run out of time and patience; when we are at our wits end; when we are at the end of our rope; when our life is in a mess; when we’ve dismissed any and all hope; when we’ve exhausted all other resources to answer the big questions in life; it’s then that we finally turn our thoughts to God and God’s Word for our next instructions.
Anne Lamott In her book Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year, describes the afternoon she misplaced her father. It seems his brain cancer had progressed to the point where he was functioning much like an eager-to-please three year-old. She needed to go to the bank and because she could not leave him home alone, she took her father with her. The nature of her bank business was such that she couldn’t use the drive-thru so she made sure he was securely belted in his seat and gave him a candy bar to keep him busy.
Of course there was a long line. And because she was uncomfortable leaving him there in the car she found herself asking those around her to hold her place and she checked on him through the bank window. The last time she looked, he wasn't there -- the car was empty! She felt like adrenaline had been injected directly into her heart. She paused to calm herself and as she went to leave the bank, she could see her disoriented dad passing by the window, his face smeared with chocolate…holding his candy bar, staring up at the sky as if were expecting his next operating instructions.
Sometimes you and I pace back and forth; drive endlessly through the country back roads to clear our minds; or we toss and turn at night restlessly trying to figure out our next operating instructions. And we too find ourselves looking up toward the heavens for God… (and more than likely I too have chocolate smeared on my face :) ) seeking God; seeking desperately for a word from God; to hear God telling us what to do next…
We are guilty of wasting so much time and energy looking for answers in unsatisfactory places. People of God! God’s has already given us an instruction manual and has made it plain how to live; what to do. It’s quite simple and yet it’s quite complex. And it’s so life changing if we dare to live it out. "Do what is fair and just to your neighbor; be compassionate and loyal in your love; and don’t take yourself too seriously…take God seriously…" (Eugene Peterson’s translation)
Blessings, Joanne
Thursday, November 11, 2010
God Moments
Good Morning All,
It’s been a while since I’ve put a musing in print; though hardly any day goes by without some spark of spiritual insight igniting my soul. Reflecting on the 3+ hours on most Sundays, I find myself laughing or at the very least smiling or perhaps even holding back a tear or two; at the various events, observations and conversations that always bring a “spark to my soul.” These are what I call, “God moments” that keep me going in the days ahead. And last Sunday was no exception…
First off, I was on the lookout for a family who had spoken with Mary Lou earlier in the week who were seeking a community of faith. She shared about the 2 services; childcare and morning classes, including Disciples 101 class and invited them to attend. They came to the 9a Gathering and remained for the Education Hour.
Right before I began Disciples 101, the class members were getting acquainted and I learned that they are from Billings, MT. I told them that we had 2 other households from Billings who were actively involved here--referring to the Swanser households. And just as I finished that statement, in walks Judy Swanser and Kole Swanser. And as I observed them making “home” connections with each other, I smiled knowing that even strangers who come from the same home town can instantly feel like long lost friends. “Six Degrees of Separation” is alive and well at Covenant!
And each Sunday without fail, there are the Acolytes who approach their responsibilities with such serious concentration. They bring such joy to me and to so many of you. I am always amazed at how the younger children who are not much taller than the Communion Table are able to make wick and flame ignite; reminding us of the Light of Christ in our presence.
Later that day, one by one, on a crisp Fall afternoon, cars and trucks began to arrive in the parking lot, filled with owners and families , accompanied by a variety of dogs; and one brave cat who came to be blessed. Just before we were about to begin, I saw a couple sitting in their truck watching all the activity. When I greeted them I learned that their dog died last year and their cat, just a few months ago; and they simply were there to celebrate all pets & their owners and to remember the wonderful memories that their own pets had brought to their lives…a convergence of healing and joy…
Another woman from the community arrived with her dog, Baxter; as did another couple from the community with their 3 large dogs, Bruiser, Ripkin & Emmie. What fun to see the true welcoming spirit of Covenant, as all were warmly greeted by friendly barks and jumping paws by Covenant pets: Hans, Heidi, Diego, Chloe, Tucker, Boone, Hurricane, Casey & Polly. As we prepared for the time of blessing all the pets were curiously checking each other out; and the children could be heard introducing their pet to another. All were then blessed and received a commemorative medal and treats!
While we were all enjoying human treats of hot apple cider, animal cookies, apples and lively conversations, some of the younger children were off by themselves being quite busy. I watched Tess Rutledge take a full pitcher of water from a card table taller than she as she very carefully filled the 4 water bowls at the Canine Corner. And a few of us also watched Seth Baldwin, as he lifted his cat in her carrier, step by step up the ladder of the slide on the playground…waiting to see if Chloe was about to have the ride of her life! But Seth decided otherwise… :)
In the midst of the “f(l)urry of activity” I met a man named Tracy, who had recently returned to Cary after 20 years living elsewhere; and when I asked his last name, I couldn’t believe it. Turns out he is one of founding era members of Covenant! What fun it was to make that connection and to share Covenant stories together…
So, with a smile in my heart, I bask in the many memories of just this one day and paws (pause) to remember that each one of us experiences so much of life on any given day…and as we make our way through, we can choose to affirm that God is in the midst of it all providing us with many unexpected joys and satisfactions…or we can choose to move headlong, full steam ahead, elbowing our way from sunrise to sunset, totally oblivious to all there is to celebrate…May we move through this day and every day, in the words of Jesus, with “eyes to see and ears to hear…” As well as minds to think and be aware, accompanied by hearts that feel...May it be so…may it be so…
Blessings, Joanne
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Humor with a Message
Good Morning All,
Hopefully as one spends even just a little bit of time around Covenant, it becomes increasingly clear that humor and laughter play an important part in our life together as this community of faith. Humor is a gift from God and when appropriately used, can greatly diffuse anger or defensiveness and overall, humor has the ability to “cure whatever ails us!”
God’s humor was evident during Holy Week, even on the most somber of nights when we gathered for worship on Maundy Thursday…it was April 1st…April Fool’s Day…what irony when you stop to think about it…The scriptures remind us of how Peter was so insistent with his words and assumed attitude regarding his undying loyalty to Jesus as recorded in John 13, as Jesus was sharing the Passover Feast with his friends; telling them that he will only be with them a little while longer; and then giving them the new commandment to love one another.
Peter, genuinely being caught up in the moment, declares that he REALLY wants to go with Jesus, wherever he’s going…
”No matter where, Lord…I will lay down my life for you, Lord…”
“Really, Peter? Hmmmmm….”I tell you this, before the rooster crows, you will have denied me 3 times…”
“Oh no, not me Lord…You’ll see…I’m gonna go with you, Lord…hide and watch… Hmmmmm…April Fool’s, Lord…April Fool’s…
We’ve heard it said that laughter truly is the best medicine. And Frederick Beuchner reminds us that laughter comes from as deep a place as tears; and in a way, I believe it is the same place, deep within our very souls. As much as tears do, laughter comes out of the darkness of the world; the shadows of life. Because of laughter & shadows occupying the same place within us, the shadows of life are not ever totally eliminated.
And here we are, just a few days out from Easter Sunday and aware of it or not, anyone who celebrated God’s great miracle of Christ’s resurrection has also celebrated God’s biggest joke accomplished in the face of evil. Having said this then, it’s obvious right from the start, that God’s sense of humor and God’s ability for joke telling doesn’t bear much resemblance to the kind of humor we readily recognize in our everyday world.
God’s humor is probably more appropriately viewed as irony—public scrutiny of either a vice or some kind of foolishness with no attempt to be cruel or harmful to another. It’s a story about a particular situation or a person or group of people that evokes some kind of subtle insight. There is always something to be learned from irony. It’s humor with a message. This is what God’s humor is.
And while it may be a stretch or at the very least, uncomfortable or disrespectful to think that God has a sense of humor, yet alone dare to link God’s humor with Jesus’ resurrection; there are several examples of God’s humor found throughout both the Hebrew Testament and the New Testament. All we have to do is to begin by reading the Creation stories and then pause to look in the mirror for confirmation of God’s humor! :)
Each day, as we celebrate God’s love for all of Creation, our love for God and for those with whom we share life, we are reminded over and over again of the outlandish, extravagant, prodigal God we worship…the God who does the impossible, the highly improbable with the impossible and the highly improbable.
We know and believe the miracle of Christ’s resurrection to be God’s finest hour of sharing humor with a skeptical and cynical world. God has played the trump card and God indeed has had the last laugh. God’s love has triumphed over evil and over death. Thanks be to God!
Blessings, Joanne
Hopefully as one spends even just a little bit of time around Covenant, it becomes increasingly clear that humor and laughter play an important part in our life together as this community of faith. Humor is a gift from God and when appropriately used, can greatly diffuse anger or defensiveness and overall, humor has the ability to “cure whatever ails us!”
God’s humor was evident during Holy Week, even on the most somber of nights when we gathered for worship on Maundy Thursday…it was April 1st…April Fool’s Day…what irony when you stop to think about it…The scriptures remind us of how Peter was so insistent with his words and assumed attitude regarding his undying loyalty to Jesus as recorded in John 13, as Jesus was sharing the Passover Feast with his friends; telling them that he will only be with them a little while longer; and then giving them the new commandment to love one another.
Peter, genuinely being caught up in the moment, declares that he REALLY wants to go with Jesus, wherever he’s going…
”No matter where, Lord…I will lay down my life for you, Lord…”
“Really, Peter? Hmmmmm….”I tell you this, before the rooster crows, you will have denied me 3 times…”
“Oh no, not me Lord…You’ll see…I’m gonna go with you, Lord…hide and watch… Hmmmmm…April Fool’s, Lord…April Fool’s…
We’ve heard it said that laughter truly is the best medicine. And Frederick Beuchner reminds us that laughter comes from as deep a place as tears; and in a way, I believe it is the same place, deep within our very souls. As much as tears do, laughter comes out of the darkness of the world; the shadows of life. Because of laughter & shadows occupying the same place within us, the shadows of life are not ever totally eliminated.
And here we are, just a few days out from Easter Sunday and aware of it or not, anyone who celebrated God’s great miracle of Christ’s resurrection has also celebrated God’s biggest joke accomplished in the face of evil. Having said this then, it’s obvious right from the start, that God’s sense of humor and God’s ability for joke telling doesn’t bear much resemblance to the kind of humor we readily recognize in our everyday world.
God’s humor is probably more appropriately viewed as irony—public scrutiny of either a vice or some kind of foolishness with no attempt to be cruel or harmful to another. It’s a story about a particular situation or a person or group of people that evokes some kind of subtle insight. There is always something to be learned from irony. It’s humor with a message. This is what God’s humor is.
And while it may be a stretch or at the very least, uncomfortable or disrespectful to think that God has a sense of humor, yet alone dare to link God’s humor with Jesus’ resurrection; there are several examples of God’s humor found throughout both the Hebrew Testament and the New Testament. All we have to do is to begin by reading the Creation stories and then pause to look in the mirror for confirmation of God’s humor! :)
Each day, as we celebrate God’s love for all of Creation, our love for God and for those with whom we share life, we are reminded over and over again of the outlandish, extravagant, prodigal God we worship…the God who does the impossible, the highly improbable with the impossible and the highly improbable.
We know and believe the miracle of Christ’s resurrection to be God’s finest hour of sharing humor with a skeptical and cynical world. God has played the trump card and God indeed has had the last laugh. God’s love has triumphed over evil and over death. Thanks be to God!
Blessings, Joanne
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Makeovers
Good Morning Lenten Trekkers,
I have been spending some time this week as a participant in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Black Ministers’ Retreat in Goldsboro . It’s been quite a warm and welcoming experience as well a challenging time filled with great preaching, worship and forums to help us better understand the history of the Black Disciples congregations and the Assemblies Churches unique to NC/VA & northward to NJ. All of us come out of the same history; separated during years of segregation due to racial prejudice and bigotry, aka fear and ignorance. How refreshing it is to know that many of us are committed to breaking down these barriers and how discouraging at times to realize how slowly the drum beats for all of us.
The theme for the retreat, “Lord, Make Me Over,” is based on Jeremiah 18:1-10--kind of like a call for a spiritual “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition” …recognizing that it’s a bit more extreme for some than for others! :) Nonetheless, it is good to be among folks who aren’t afraid to admit their own flaws who also accept yours as well. It’s a great theme for Lent---Make Me Over…a time for introspection and a time to change whatever needs changing in one’s life. And so often that means a lot of hard work in the deep recesses of my soul…
I have to admit that I can only do so much “gloom and doom” and “Oh, what a worm am I” kind of meditation, prayer and soul-searching at any given time. I always need a bit of joy thrown in for good measure. Maybe that’s why Lent doesn’t include Sundays; so we can celebrate and discover the joy of God’s Resurrection Miracle and God’s miracles from day to day. And then to also find time to laugh; to enjoy God each day and to enjoy God forever.
While few among us enjoy criticism or even a little critique about who we are as a person or the work that we have done, I must admit I enjoy the banter on most given days that takes place with those who take time to comment or challenge a message I have labored over and then dared to proclaim each week during worship. It lets me know that you are out there listening and thinking and brooding about it all.
But this past Sunday was a first for me…I had shared a couple of stories to support the reading from Luke 13: 31-35 about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because the people didn’t listen to God and yet how God still desires to gather God’s children as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wing. Through these stories my intent was to share the good news of how God always cares for us no matter what…no matter what pain or suffering comes our way. But one young person heard it quite differently.
What follows is a brief account of an exchange I had with Dane Swanser, age 9, as he, his mom, Lynn & younger brother, Gabe were leaving after the 9am worship:
Lynn: Tell Rev. Joanne some of your thoughts about her message this morning…pause…
Dane: Well, I thought worship was supposed to make you feel good…
Me: So, you don’t feel good after being here? Why is that?
Dane: Well, first you tell a story about a girl taking care of baby quails and how they got to the point where they would fly into the air and come back to her when she called them to come home…and then you tell me that a cat had come and killed them all!
Me: OK…hmmmm….
Dane: Then you went on to tell a story about how a chicken coop burned to the ground and the farmer found a burnt up chicken who died and left her 4 chicks all alone. What’s good about that? And then in the last song we sang, we were singing about death and dying…I tell you what…I’m not feeling good at all!
(Now Dane also had a twinkle in his eye during most of this exchange, so when I began to laugh, he did too)!
Me: Well, I guess you got me this time, friend. Even though you have missed the point of the gospel lesson about how God cares for us in the good times and bad…I have to tell you I so appreciate your take on all this…
First off, how wonderful it is that you were paying attention to the message and how good it is for you to take time to tell me what you’re thinkin’. And you have given me so much to think about…
You’re right, I’ve just finished telling you two pretty sad stories…I never thought about it that way…I guess I was too busy trying to get a certain message across and totally lost sight of how it could be taken otherwise. And I thank you…I really do thank you…I so enjoyed our conversation
What I did next was exactly what Jeremiah speaks about in Jeremiah 18: 3-4; how “Jeremiah goes down to the potter’s house and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him…”
I quickly went to the pulpit and did an instant makeover on the 11am message! :)
May your own Lenten make-over attempts bring a smile to your face…
Blessings, Joanne
I have been spending some time this week as a participant in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Black Ministers’ Retreat in Goldsboro . It’s been quite a warm and welcoming experience as well a challenging time filled with great preaching, worship and forums to help us better understand the history of the Black Disciples congregations and the Assemblies Churches unique to NC/VA & northward to NJ. All of us come out of the same history; separated during years of segregation due to racial prejudice and bigotry, aka fear and ignorance. How refreshing it is to know that many of us are committed to breaking down these barriers and how discouraging at times to realize how slowly the drum beats for all of us.
The theme for the retreat, “Lord, Make Me Over,” is based on Jeremiah 18:1-10--kind of like a call for a spiritual “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition” …recognizing that it’s a bit more extreme for some than for others! :) Nonetheless, it is good to be among folks who aren’t afraid to admit their own flaws who also accept yours as well. It’s a great theme for Lent---Make Me Over…a time for introspection and a time to change whatever needs changing in one’s life. And so often that means a lot of hard work in the deep recesses of my soul…
I have to admit that I can only do so much “gloom and doom” and “Oh, what a worm am I” kind of meditation, prayer and soul-searching at any given time. I always need a bit of joy thrown in for good measure. Maybe that’s why Lent doesn’t include Sundays; so we can celebrate and discover the joy of God’s Resurrection Miracle and God’s miracles from day to day. And then to also find time to laugh; to enjoy God each day and to enjoy God forever.
While few among us enjoy criticism or even a little critique about who we are as a person or the work that we have done, I must admit I enjoy the banter on most given days that takes place with those who take time to comment or challenge a message I have labored over and then dared to proclaim each week during worship. It lets me know that you are out there listening and thinking and brooding about it all.
But this past Sunday was a first for me…I had shared a couple of stories to support the reading from Luke 13: 31-35 about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because the people didn’t listen to God and yet how God still desires to gather God’s children as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wing. Through these stories my intent was to share the good news of how God always cares for us no matter what…no matter what pain or suffering comes our way. But one young person heard it quite differently.
What follows is a brief account of an exchange I had with Dane Swanser, age 9, as he, his mom, Lynn & younger brother, Gabe were leaving after the 9am worship:
Lynn: Tell Rev. Joanne some of your thoughts about her message this morning…pause…
Dane: Well, I thought worship was supposed to make you feel good…
Me: So, you don’t feel good after being here? Why is that?
Dane: Well, first you tell a story about a girl taking care of baby quails and how they got to the point where they would fly into the air and come back to her when she called them to come home…and then you tell me that a cat had come and killed them all!
Me: OK…hmmmm….
Dane: Then you went on to tell a story about how a chicken coop burned to the ground and the farmer found a burnt up chicken who died and left her 4 chicks all alone. What’s good about that? And then in the last song we sang, we were singing about death and dying…I tell you what…I’m not feeling good at all!
(Now Dane also had a twinkle in his eye during most of this exchange, so when I began to laugh, he did too)!
Me: Well, I guess you got me this time, friend. Even though you have missed the point of the gospel lesson about how God cares for us in the good times and bad…I have to tell you I so appreciate your take on all this…
First off, how wonderful it is that you were paying attention to the message and how good it is for you to take time to tell me what you’re thinkin’. And you have given me so much to think about…
You’re right, I’ve just finished telling you two pretty sad stories…I never thought about it that way…I guess I was too busy trying to get a certain message across and totally lost sight of how it could be taken otherwise. And I thank you…I really do thank you…I so enjoyed our conversation
What I did next was exactly what Jeremiah speaks about in Jeremiah 18: 3-4; how “Jeremiah goes down to the potter’s house and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him…”
I quickly went to the pulpit and did an instant makeover on the 11am message! :)
May your own Lenten make-over attempts bring a smile to your face…
Blessings, Joanne
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Open the Door
Good Morning All,
How many doors can you think of? I recently came across this question in a devotional book I am using during Lent entitled, Open the Door; A Journey to the True Self, by Joyce Rupp. I first thought of a screen door; revolving door; glass door; patio door; front /back door; car door; garage door; swinging door; trap door; and if you’re old enough to remember or come from an area of the country where tornadoes come calling, there are cellar doors.
It’s not much of a stretch to move from the naming these physical doors that we use almost daily to “door” as a metaphor for our spiritual lives; and to begin envisioning the door of our heart or the door of our soul…the entry into our deeper, more spiritual selves as we dare to begin a journey with God as our companion, our spiritual director and guide.
On the first Sunday in Lent we spent some time with Jesus in the wilderness and his exchange with the Tempter (aka Evil One; Devil; Lucifer, Beelzebub, et al.) There was no mention of a door or even a gate or gateway into this wilderness; the two of them were simply there.
Sometimes I guess you just find your way there, not too sure how you actually got there. But the challenge, I think, comes from exploring how one arrives or through which entryway or door one comes, to begin or to re-enter one’s spiritual journey…filled with time in the wilderness as well as “lying down in green pastures.”
Does the door of your heart/soul have a sign on it? What does it say? I can think of a lot of signs that may hang on the door of my heart and I imagine that the sign on the door on any particular day and time would be different; depending on what drives us to this time of deeper spiritual exploration; the need and desire to walk and talk with God. I can see the door of my heart with a sign that says Welcome, complete with a welcome mat and a light in the window…Come on in God; you’re warmly welcome here!
And then there are times when that sign would appear in bold letters, maybe even all caps: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Or DO NOT DISTURB! NO TRESPASSING! NO LONGER AT THIS ADDRESS! Whew! When this happens, just like Alexander in the children’s story, I must be having “a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.” But I think many times when I dare to delve deeply into my spiritual being, the sign above my door says, Doorbell Broken…Please knock! I am brooding; mulling things over...not much is going all that well; but I still want to be open to God’s presence in my life.
Whenever I think about the metaphor of the door, I can see the famous painting by Warner Sallman of Jesus knocking at the door…”Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door; I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me.” (Rev. 3: 20)
Jesus is standing at the door “politely” waiting an invitation to enter your heart/life. The most intriguing part of this painting is, there is no doorknob on the outside of the door. We’re told he intentionally left it out...letting us know that the door to our heart is only opened from the inside.
So we hold the power; we choose to open the door or to keep it closed.
But when it comes to everyday life’s pushes and pulls, there are always the uninvited circumstances that swoop down and begin clobbering us and clamoring for our attention. And these uninvited occurrences or people force their way upon us…accidents; test results; diagnoses; betrayals; death of a loved one…No matter whether we willingly open the door to our heart or the uninvited circumstances force their way in with a battering ram…we are never alone…God IS always there, offering God’s hand; God’s presence; power; courage; comfort…and somehow, maybe not immediately, but eventually, we learn and grow and change in unimaginable ways…Thanks be to God…Who’s that knocking at your door?
Blessings, Joanne
How many doors can you think of? I recently came across this question in a devotional book I am using during Lent entitled, Open the Door; A Journey to the True Self, by Joyce Rupp. I first thought of a screen door; revolving door; glass door; patio door; front /back door; car door; garage door; swinging door; trap door; and if you’re old enough to remember or come from an area of the country where tornadoes come calling, there are cellar doors.
It’s not much of a stretch to move from the naming these physical doors that we use almost daily to “door” as a metaphor for our spiritual lives; and to begin envisioning the door of our heart or the door of our soul…the entry into our deeper, more spiritual selves as we dare to begin a journey with God as our companion, our spiritual director and guide.
On the first Sunday in Lent we spent some time with Jesus in the wilderness and his exchange with the Tempter (aka Evil One; Devil; Lucifer, Beelzebub, et al.) There was no mention of a door or even a gate or gateway into this wilderness; the two of them were simply there.
Sometimes I guess you just find your way there, not too sure how you actually got there. But the challenge, I think, comes from exploring how one arrives or through which entryway or door one comes, to begin or to re-enter one’s spiritual journey…filled with time in the wilderness as well as “lying down in green pastures.”
Does the door of your heart/soul have a sign on it? What does it say? I can think of a lot of signs that may hang on the door of my heart and I imagine that the sign on the door on any particular day and time would be different; depending on what drives us to this time of deeper spiritual exploration; the need and desire to walk and talk with God. I can see the door of my heart with a sign that says Welcome, complete with a welcome mat and a light in the window…Come on in God; you’re warmly welcome here!
And then there are times when that sign would appear in bold letters, maybe even all caps: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Or DO NOT DISTURB! NO TRESPASSING! NO LONGER AT THIS ADDRESS! Whew! When this happens, just like Alexander in the children’s story, I must be having “a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.” But I think many times when I dare to delve deeply into my spiritual being, the sign above my door says, Doorbell Broken…Please knock! I am brooding; mulling things over...not much is going all that well; but I still want to be open to God’s presence in my life.
Whenever I think about the metaphor of the door, I can see the famous painting by Warner Sallman of Jesus knocking at the door…”Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door; I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me.” (Rev. 3: 20)
Jesus is standing at the door “politely” waiting an invitation to enter your heart/life. The most intriguing part of this painting is, there is no doorknob on the outside of the door. We’re told he intentionally left it out...letting us know that the door to our heart is only opened from the inside.
So we hold the power; we choose to open the door or to keep it closed.
But when it comes to everyday life’s pushes and pulls, there are always the uninvited circumstances that swoop down and begin clobbering us and clamoring for our attention. And these uninvited occurrences or people force their way upon us…accidents; test results; diagnoses; betrayals; death of a loved one…No matter whether we willingly open the door to our heart or the uninvited circumstances force their way in with a battering ram…we are never alone…God IS always there, offering God’s hand; God’s presence; power; courage; comfort…and somehow, maybe not immediately, but eventually, we learn and grow and change in unimaginable ways…Thanks be to God…Who’s that knocking at your door?
Blessings, Joanne
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Norm Factor
Good Morning All,
Have you ever found yourself overhearing, maybe even eavesdropping on a nearby conversation? I’m not talking about a covert operation or juicy bits of gossip; nothing intentional…just simply being within earshot of people talking to one another…OK, enough of my trying to justify my own actions…:)
Well…recently I was seated outside a treatment room at my chiropractor’s office where the door is always open and if the patient has a particularly loud voice, sometimes the conversation takes over whatever else you may be doing at the moment. I was working on the morning crossword puzzle trying to think of an answer when the gist of what I heard was that the woman (patient) worked at Trader Joe’s and she made it a point to learn the names of the regular customers…back to the puzzle…A few moments later a phrase came wafting through the air and landed in my ear. I heard her say, the “Norm Factor.” So much for 37 down…I found myself mulling over that phrase, first thinking that it might refer to “the norm as in normal, factor;” perhaps meaning doing whatever in a routine or normal way.
Then it hit me…a flashback to the once popular television show, Cheers…set in a neighborhood bar in Boston , MA . One of the principal characters was a guy named Norm…always there seated at the bar engaged in conversations. I remember that his persona and role was responsible for the memorable phrase out of the show’s musical theme, “…where everybody knows your name…” Maybe you’re already ahead of me (not too difficult a task when it comes to the latest business world approaches/gimmicks/techniques).
Popular culture once again gives us a phrase that we can incorporate into our lives in some way. Think about it. The “Norm Factor” can play an important role in so many situations: if you live in a retirement community; or an officer or member of a particular club or organization; or work teams; office staffs and colleagues; or your child’s classmates/teammates and parents; staff and faculty of schools and colleges…any and all settings that are based on welcoming others and assimilating them into a particular community or organization…
And so it goes with our community of faith…you and I have so many opportunities to put the “Norm Factor” into play by welcoming and assimilating others into life at Covenant…getting to know the people who walk through Covenant’s doors—members and guests alike as we worship, study, lead and serve together; i.e. Do you know our childcare workers? Choir members?
Today is Ash Wednesday, (worship at 7:30p) the beginning of Lent, as we journey to Jerusalem and beyond, with Easter Morning just around the next few bends in the road…some of us are called to “give up” something…usually it’s a bad habit that we can simply pick it up again after Easter. But I want to challenge each of us to “take up” something…
I want us to take up the “Norm Factor” here at Covenant…Each week I challenge you to make a concentrated effort toward meeting and welcoming someone—member or guest--that you don’t know along with the challenge of remembering his/her name…write it down on your Sunday bulletin or notepad; whatever works best for you, so that you can greet them by name the next time you see them… WEAR YOUR NAMETAG!
And…I especially challenge each of us to begin learning the names of all our children; and an even greater challenge is matching them with their parents. What a wonderful gift that keeps on giving…creating a lasting memory of being part of a church family where everybody knows your name.
Isaiah 43:1 reminds us that God names and claims us; calls us by name…and I believe, God in turn, calls us to do the same…
Cheers, my friends! Come to Covenant…where everybody knows YOUR name…Joanne
Have you ever found yourself overhearing, maybe even eavesdropping on a nearby conversation? I’m not talking about a covert operation or juicy bits of gossip; nothing intentional…just simply being within earshot of people talking to one another…OK, enough of my trying to justify my own actions…:)
Well…recently I was seated outside a treatment room at my chiropractor’s office where the door is always open and if the patient has a particularly loud voice, sometimes the conversation takes over whatever else you may be doing at the moment. I was working on the morning crossword puzzle trying to think of an answer when the gist of what I heard was that the woman (patient) worked at Trader Joe’s and she made it a point to learn the names of the regular customers…back to the puzzle…A few moments later a phrase came wafting through the air and landed in my ear. I heard her say, the “Norm Factor.” So much for 37 down…I found myself mulling over that phrase, first thinking that it might refer to “the norm as in normal, factor;” perhaps meaning doing whatever in a routine or normal way.
Then it hit me…a flashback to the once popular television show, Cheers…set in a neighborhood bar in Boston , MA . One of the principal characters was a guy named Norm…always there seated at the bar engaged in conversations. I remember that his persona and role was responsible for the memorable phrase out of the show’s musical theme, “…where everybody knows your name…” Maybe you’re already ahead of me (not too difficult a task when it comes to the latest business world approaches/gimmicks/techniques).
Popular culture once again gives us a phrase that we can incorporate into our lives in some way. Think about it. The “Norm Factor” can play an important role in so many situations: if you live in a retirement community; or an officer or member of a particular club or organization; or work teams; office staffs and colleagues; or your child’s classmates/teammates and parents; staff and faculty of schools and colleges…any and all settings that are based on welcoming others and assimilating them into a particular community or organization…
And so it goes with our community of faith…you and I have so many opportunities to put the “Norm Factor” into play by welcoming and assimilating others into life at Covenant…getting to know the people who walk through Covenant’s doors—members and guests alike as we worship, study, lead and serve together; i.e. Do you know our childcare workers? Choir members?
Today is Ash Wednesday, (worship at 7:30p) the beginning of Lent, as we journey to Jerusalem and beyond, with Easter Morning just around the next few bends in the road…some of us are called to “give up” something…usually it’s a bad habit that we can simply pick it up again after Easter. But I want to challenge each of us to “take up” something…
I want us to take up the “Norm Factor” here at Covenant…Each week I challenge you to make a concentrated effort toward meeting and welcoming someone—member or guest--that you don’t know along with the challenge of remembering his/her name…write it down on your Sunday bulletin or notepad; whatever works best for you, so that you can greet them by name the next time you see them… WEAR YOUR NAMETAG!
And…I especially challenge each of us to begin learning the names of all our children; and an even greater challenge is matching them with their parents. What a wonderful gift that keeps on giving…creating a lasting memory of being part of a church family where everybody knows your name.
Isaiah 43:1 reminds us that God names and claims us; calls us by name…and I believe, God in turn, calls us to do the same…
Cheers, my friends! Come to Covenant…where everybody knows YOUR name…Joanne
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