Recipe to Savor

It’s a few days before Thanksgiving and recipe books are opened as the cooks of each house are looking for “something different.” Often the eaters of the house are happy with plain corn or mashed potatoes, but the preparers want to sneak in a new combination of mixed ingredients (even though the rule is not to try out new recipes on guests). Maybe “earth bread,” “eggplant dressing,” “spinach sunflower,” or “banana yam casserole” will make it to the table this year, but surely “ziplock chicken” should wait for a more ordinary meal. Some families have almost a prescribed menu: “Who is making the pistachio salad this year?” “I’ve got the green bean casserole.” But sometimes the adventure gets the best of someone and they’ll announce as they walk in the door too late for revisions, “This year we’re having gumbo instead of turkey!”

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are ever thankful for the blessings in our lives. As we go to grocery stores in preparation for the meals we will prepare, help us to have a sense of wonder as we choose our vegetables, a sense of humbleness as we choose our spices, a sense of gratitude as we choose our bread, and a sense of joy as we choose in which line to stand. In every task we have the choice to honor you. Let us not forget the most important ingredient to our meal and to our lives, love. Amen.

When Does it Get Hard to Forgive?

In the book, My Grandfather’s Blessings, Rachel Naomi Remen recalls a Yom Kippur service which has held a special meaning for her. Yom Kippur is normally a day when the rabbi speaks of God’s forgiveness as the congregants contemplate their shortcomings over the past year. Instead of the anticipated sermon, the rabbi picked up his one-year-old daughter and held her as he told about the meaning of the holiday. Throughout the sermon the little girl was a typical adorable toddler, reaching for her father’s nose as he spoke, putting his tie in her mouth, and enjoying the attention that was being given to her. The entire congregation was engaged and engrossed by the smiling, flirtatious little girl who reminded them of a cherished child in their own family. Over the top of her head the rabbi said, “Think about it. Is there anything she can do that you could not forgive her for?” As if on cue, the little girl reached up and took off his eyeglasses. The rabbi and the congregation had a good laugh, but as soon as things quieted down the rabbi asked, “And when does that stop? When does it get hard to forgive? At three? At seven? At fourteen? At thirty-five? How old does someone have to be before you forget that everyone is a child of God?”

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, teach us how to forgive. Sometimes it seems more profitable to withhold forgiveness and retain our control and our power when we feel that it is within our rights. We have been wronged and we want the other partner in this reality storyline to share our feeling of hurt and pain. If we could review our transgressions every year, would we be able to put some to rest? Could we set a time limit on grievances? Could we clean out our personal cases as judge and jury at the same time we relinquish unworn clothes? Could we give others the same latitude that we hope for ourselves? Could we remember what a child of God looks like? Could we increase our love so that there is no room to harbor resentment? We can, we pray, with your mediation and intervention. Amen.

Getting Into

When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God, somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

I know denominations have different practices and ideology about youth deciding to become members of a church and making their decision to declare Jesus as Lord. As a benefit of confirmation classes our youth have a greater idea of what they are getting into more than many adults sitting next to them: the history of the church, the beliefs and framework of the denomination, the relationship with a faith partner, and the responsibilities involved within the community of believers. It could sound like an academic and sterile approach if you are used to an invitational call, but passion, spirituality and emotion are as great a factor as any. Today our confirmation class led both services, reading their faith statements in the first service and all deciding to continue their faith journey by joining the church. Then in the second service, which they organized and planned, they led the entire worship from the opening announcements to the closing benediction. I’m sure it would have been a memorable day under the best of circumstances, but there were a few unscheduled surprises which will make this the one that people will remember with a knowing nod: “Ahhh, the Confirmation class of 2008, the one where the power went completely out.” But more than that, people will remember their faith statements. They will remember taking communion to a song that shares their decision and ours: Yes, I know what I’m getting into - and I am here thankful and grateful, with my whole life.

I'm getting into you
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are blessed and we praise you for the lives of Ashton, Brooke, Carson, Chas, Jordan, Mariah, Mary, Mychelle, Peyton, Raquel and Ryan. We are going to learn more about your vision and the dreams of this church through the lives and gifts of these youth. May we continue to study and search our own hearts to have as clear an idea of our faith as the statements shared today. May we be taught how to love with joy, energy, thoughtfulness and sincerity by watching and following our younger pilgrims. We are eager to continue within your grace and love, knowing what a blessing we have found ourselves getting into. Amen

You say you will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do
You say I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

Amazing, Rising Grace

What a treat! I just got home from “The Preservation Hall Band” along with “The Blind Boys of Alabama.” By the end of the concert people just kept looking at their hands wondering if there was any feeling left because you can’t listen to 95% of the songs without clapping along; and if you had not been clapping, then you were swaying to the beat. One way or another you were as involved with the band as if you were on stage with them, and sometimes that was encouraged as well! One of the songs that you could listen to without helping along the percussion was “Amazing Grace.” And for me, and for the “Blind Boys of Alabama,” that means singing the words to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” I’ve heard “Amazing Grace” in its traditional setting to the other extreme of using the theme tune from “Gilligan’s Island!” But the version that sends a coolness of Spirit in my body every time is when the song is poured out over the minor, soulful keys of “Rising Sun.” Some people object to this version because the original lyrics of “Rising Sun” have been attributed to prostitution or a prison, but how can Grace be anything but amazing to turn those lyrics and actions from:

Now the only thing a gambler needs
is a suitcase and a trunk.
And the only time he'll be satisfied
is when he's down and drunk.

to:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

My prayer for the congregation?

Amazing God, You rise above our hopes and dreams! You seek the lost and give them a home; You take our sins and wash us clean. Let us remember to whom we belong, and to whom we bless for miracles of changed lives and changed situations. Remaining faithful is not a one-time revelation, but a daily struggle between the world of our culture and the world of your kingdom. We usually keep one foot in each realm, swaying our bodies between each one. Let us call upon you for stability and consistency, for perseverance and wisdom, for help when we are lost. Let us worship You as Lord of our lives, amazed that you have called even us, even now. Amen.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.

There is a house in New Orleans,
they call it Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy,
and God, I know I'm one.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.

Oh mother tell your children
not to do what I have done
spend your lives in sin and misery
in the House of the Rising sun.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

The Things We Do

A few Sundays ago I was in a rush. Imagine! We have a small team that has taken on various responsibilities to set up for our early worship service and at the last minute I realized I might be responsible for the communion elements, which in our congregation is a loaf of bread and grape juice. I rushed into the grocery store, vacillated over which type of bread to get (which usually means leaving with multiple types) when I really didn’t have the time to be indecisive. I hurried to the check-out lane and the cashier asked lightly, “Oh, are you getting ready for service?” “YYEEEESSS!” I said with great exasperation and slumping shoulders to accentuate the weight and critical standing of the mission. “Oh, that doesn’t sound very good.” She said rather disappointedly and sadly. I felt about two inches tall. “Are you in a rush?” she kindly offered as an excuse. “Yes! Yes! That’s all that’s wrong. I’m in a rush! Thank you and I hope you have a nice day!” Walking out to the car I thought that perhaps I might have a nice day once all of the tasks were behind me and I could go home and start my Sunday hibernation. After worship and Sunday School I started to drive home to start my nap, but realized I had left early enough that I could attend a worship service at another church whose praise band I had previously heard at a joint program. Perhaps this would erase the sustaining feeling of work not worship that I had started with that morning. Sometimes it can be so refreshing to go where there are no demands, no expectations, and no worry over details. Someone else has that covered. I knew the music would be first-rate, but it was also interesting to see their stage presentation with sweeping bolts of fabric and theater lighting. And while it was true that I was present without worry it was also true that I missed the gifts of participation and preparation. “There’s no place like home.”

My prayer for the congregation?

Blessed Jesus, how many times have you heard the objections of Marthas, who feel tired and worn from their self-appointed duties? How many times have you asked us to be still and remain in your presence? How many times have we missed your message because we were busy checking our lists and focusing on the next duty? How many times have we gotten enveloped in your Word instead of wrapped up in our own? Let us remember that it is not our works that create our faith, but that because of our faith and the grace of Your love that we cannot help but respond through acts of love. Let us keep the source of our faith in the purpose and execution of our actions. Let us never forget Grace as we labor, as we rest, when we taste exhaustion and when we long to do more. We know we can do more, because You love us so much more. Amen.

Green Lights

This week I am taking #2 son to work while his car is in the shop. It’s not exactly on my way to work, and by the time I drive to my work I’ve made two legs of an Isosceles triangle around Dallas, which would and then we rewind at the end of the day. But it’s not a huge burden and I spend very limited time creeping on interstates, instead most of the traveling is done on major roads that at least offer some decent travel speeds. In fact this morning we made remarkable time because the lights are timed to promote thru traffic and as long as you travel at the correct speed you can ride from one side of town to the other with relative ease even during the heavy morning traffic. This was in direct contrast to the previous night when we caught almost every red light on the same road, slowing down our retreat home. When the lights are always green you feel like you are where you need to be and you want to stay on that road for as long as you can. Sometimes our faith journey takes us on similar roads, when funds fall into place, relationships offer support, independent conversations put forward confirmation, and ministries are blessed - when all lights stay green.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Sometimes we need road blocks to stop our progress and recalculate our next move, and sometimes when we are following your vision we need all barriers taken away so that we find no reason to diverge from our course. We praise your wisdom and power. Act as our guide to direct us towards the road we should travel and give us the clarity to recognize your intercessions in our lives. We believe and desire your interaction in our lives. Amen

The Beat of Freedom

The normal charge for freedom is often heard “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Which is true, but my own personal plea may have to be “Freedom Isn’t Easy.”

As far as your self-control goes, as far goes your freedom.
Maria Von Ebner-Eschenbach

I suppose freedom isn’t easy for me because my self-control needs something similar to a tazer gun to keep it in check. Left on my own whims I can make hours disappear without a trace better than David Copperfield can make an elephant vanish. And at the end of both acts we are all left wondering how it is done. I can’t tell either. It’s a trade secret. Somehow I have managed to make vanishing hours multiply into days and now into weeks and the rhythm of writing got interrupted. I had a week of leave from work that included travel but also included time at home. I had freedom and I basked in it. But when it came time to rejoin my routine it was as daunting as trying to start a diet, “Just wait until Sunday and start the new week.” “Okay, start on Monday because Sunday is still part of the weekend.” Similar to learning how to jump into a turning rope, I’ve tried to find that place in the beat where you jump back in, and I don’t have a lot of athletic muscle memory to recall how it is done. Yet it’s a thrill to make it inside the loop while the ropes are turning, not starting with the rope flat on the ground waiting to start after you are ready, but to fall into the beat of the active rope, finding the rhythm of the rope with the ground with the pace of the turners. You have to feel the pulse, and then commit.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are constant and steadfast. Give us the sensitivity to feel your beat, the initiative to join the rhythm, and the resolution to remain in step. We are likely to grow weary or short of breath, but you are resolute and continue the course. Let us purge our defenses and resolve our struggles to rejoin the marathon of your works. Let us fall into the tempo of the beating of our hearts, following your heart. Amen.

(The Message) Galatians 5:13-14It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom.

Vote

I Samuel 8:19-20 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."

Normally I don’t have firm political stands, if you chose side “A” then my natural reaction is to argue for side “B.” However, in the next room I may debate for side “A” if the mood of the room is for side “B.” (There are a few politicians that I cannot stand beside, no matter the sparring partner.) I have some interesting conversations with #2 Son about government, laws, and politics. Talking with him, instead of taking sides, it’s considering whether any government is needed. He argues that there are some people who will do the right thing whether or not there are laws in place, and conversely there are people who will do the wrong thing which no law will influence or deter. #2 Son would have been in the minority of the Israelites who decided that they needed a king to rule over them. I suppose as a federal employee I’m a bit biased in favor of some government. Today we elect our next President for the next four years.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You rule with mercy, wisdom and justice. Let us seek leaders for our nation and for our congregation who mirror those same attributes. Let us choose leaders not strictly by familiarity or family ties, but by weighing in favor of the good of the entire body. Let us remember that despite our compliance to earthly kings, you are Lord of all. We surrender our lives to your authority and seek to be devoted citizens of your kingdom. Amen

I Samuel 10:23-24 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people."
Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"