Make Someone Happy

Can you hear Jimmy Durante? I can! Hupmph, I guess that means I'm old enough to remember Jimmy Durante! Yet another cultural divide! But shouldn't we all know about Jimmy? From the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" another generation leaves the theater smiling and swaying to "Make Someone Happy." "Fame, if you win it, Comes and goes in a minutes, Where's the real stuff in life, to cling to? Love is the answer." I also remember another catchy song: "Ink a Dink a Do." "Now here's a little tune that's goin' 'round,You can hear it all over town" Yesterday we had a new set of volunteers on our campus at work. Clowns! They went around to various waiting areas and helped bring smiles to people who were tired from waiting, weary from finding their way around our huge campus, and drained from absorbing all the different information they were expected to remember when they get home. So when clowns come into the room making balloon hats, roses and fishing lines - it turns their outlook from depleted to energized. I never was good at blowing up balloons, and the little knots at the end gave me problems, so I probably won't look into making balloon art, but I can smile! "It's so important to make someone happy.
Make just one someone happy...One smile that cheers you. One face that lights when it nears you." An acquaintance of Jimmy Durante remarked "You could warm your hands on this man!"
The good news of Jimmy Durante. Share it!

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Help us to be aware of the people we meet each day who could be energized by a nod of acknowledgement and a simple smile. Help us to be mindful of the legacy that we leave, and the first impression as we meet. Let people see the joy of our Christian life in our eyes and in our countenance. Let us make one person happy each day. Love is the answer! Amen.

Selah

Selah. It's one of those awkward words that appears in the Bible, and you're not quite sure how to say it, or even if you are supposed to say it. It appears about seventy-four times in Scripture, usually in the Psalms.

• "Beyond the fact that Selach is a musical term, we know absolutely nothing about it." Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.)
• "Its meaning is doubtful. Some interpret it as meaning 'silence' or 'pause;' others, 'a louder strain,' 'piano,' etc..." - Easton's Bible Dictionary

Some interpret it to mean silence while others interpret louder? How did selah make it past the editors??? I can't tell you how many times in high school English I would get a returned paper marked with red ink: "no such word." I was utterly surprised that once again I had used a word that didn't exist. It existed in my world! So in my vocabulary, selah is going to mean silence or pause. I need to pause tonight. I stayed late at work and then brought work home with me on top of that. Can you say "pause"? Can you say "pause" with a loud voice? SELAH! Maybe I'll hear that!

Actually, last night the soft word selah came to mind after reading a comment from one of the posts:

"...It's amazing how long reaching gods arms! A friend in Virginia"

Selah. It sounds like a breath prayer. "Se" (breathe in) "lah" (breathe out). Virginia did make me pause and take a deep breath. selah. First to consider the truth of the statement, second to consider how connected we are, and how suddenly smaller the world gets. One minute you're all by yourself with a keyboard; the next minute you're being blessed from a thousand miles away...
se(in)-lah(out).

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Help us to pause from our busy days to recenter ourselves to you. Like a breath of fresh air, you bring new life into our soul. When our minds are racing, bring to mind a word that can be our governor. Selah! When our anxiety is such that we can't sleep, bring to mind a word that can be our comforter. Selah! When our hope seems far away, bring to mind a word that can fly like a dove to lift our spirit. Selah! Help us to share words of connection to those near and far. There is no doubt that your name is above all names. How reaching your arms. Selah. Amen.

The Happy Wanderer

I'm wearing a t-shirt that says, "Not all that wander are lost." It's an affirming message to me that helps explain the wanderlust of the bend around the corner. I'll never forget rounding one curve and having the majestic Tetons revealed. One minute earlier we saw nice landscapes, but we had no idea we were about to behold a vision unlike anything ever seen before by our limited experience.

Every so often I have to find an alternate route home on my drive after work. Not because of traffic or bad weather, but just because I have to switch things around from time to time. I like to see where a road leads, I formulate a shortcut, and sometimes I determine that's an area I won't revisit. Lesson learned. Even though I don't own a GPS, I don't get stressed as I'm scouting out new leads. I know that eventually I'll run into a road that I know, or that my keen (?) sense of direction will face me in the right direction. And sooner or later, those excursions pay off when there is a traffic snarl or if the interstate bridges are iced over. Maybe if my car were less dependable I might be a little more cautious in my adventures; and as much as I enjoy taking new roads, I equally dislike being the lead car and having someone follow me as I change lanes, make U-turns, and flounder in choices. I'm fine when my choices only affect myself, but once my actions domino into other people's courses, I'm less likely to gamble on a new route and I question the routes that I do know. The questions arise - Will we arrive together? Does everyone drive the same speed? Will someone be uncomfortable with the course that we're on? Will we still be speaking to each other?

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are not the first to wander, nor the first to wonder as we wander! We grow impatient as we sit in traffic gridlock much less tolerate the forty-year wait of the Israelites in Exodus. O God, we do not like to wait. We look for short cuts to rebuild the church and we plot an itinerary for rebirth. As we advance, the road begins to curve, and just around the bend your majesty is unveiled and we are reminded that you are Lord of all. Dear God, We have time, but you have eternity. We have schemes, but you have a mission. We have goals, but you have grace. Let us seek the roads less traveled and the roads mostly traveled, and give us the foresight to agree on a haven where we come back as one to share our joys and our lessons learned. Together we can learn more about that which we have yet to conceive. Amen.

Flaming Appetite

“Color! What a deep and mysterious language,
the language of dreams.”
Paul Gauguin, French Post-Impressionist Painter, 1848-1903

Everywhere you looked today you could see waves of red throughout the sanctuary. On Pentecost we wear read as a visual reminder of the flames of the Spirit that appeared (When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. Acts 2:1-3)Marketers and restaurants intentionally use color in their products and settings to create a certain mood, to affect a subconscious reaction in their consumers. Psychologically, red is a powerful, active color. The color red effects us mentally and physically by: increasing enthusiasm; stimulating energy; encouraging action and confidence; and creates a sense of protection from fears and anxiety. Sometimes when I go to work, and I'm aware of the fact that I'm exceptionally tired, I will deliberately wear red to help boost my energy level and add some color to my face. One of my co-workers is color blind with red-green deficiency. Instead of a vibrant red he sees a muddy brown. It's hard for me to imagine life without red!

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are hungry for the Spirit! As remembered on the day of Pentecost, the words of Joel: "God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." We long to envision, to dream and to prophesy. Help us to give vibrant descriptions of your grace, so that even those who are blind to your miracles will be able to see them more clearly. Supply the words that we need to share so that their ears can hear the calling of their name to participate in the kingdom. Let us be bearers of the truth, clothed in red from head to toe, full of energy, excitement and a hunger for sharing the good news. Amen

Wallpaper

One of my favorite scenes from the movie "Toys" is when Captain Patrick Zevo, in his perfect camouflage with the wallpaper, steps away from the wall. No one knew he had been in the room. An odd scene to remember, especially considering all of the unique toys, the incredible sets, and Robin Williams as the main character, but it's one that resonates with me. If I could, I would rather be camouflaged into the wallpaper than sitting in a seat of prominence, with eyes focused towards me. Oh, I do find myself in that focused position rather frequently, but that only confirms to me that it's not my own desires - but that I'm giving into, and relying on the Spirit. On Monday I posted a photo that I took at the church picnic. I'm a visual person and I thought it was time to incorporate a little interest beside the text. I made deliberate choices about which photo to use; I cropped and manipulated levels to help make the photo as neutral as possible but still demonstrated that rock climbing was involved. I contacted the mom to make sure I wasn't crossing any boundaries, and assured her that only about 10 people even knew that I was posting. This is why I don't live in the world of absolutes: You make a statement, it gets cut in half. :-) Two days after that posting, that specific entry was mentioned in Jane's Journeys as an alternative reading for the day. Well, everyone knows that Jane has millions of faithful readers! (I don't live in absolutes anymore) What about my private little space? What about the photo? What happened to my camouflage? It's okay... I'm at peace. I'm sure of grace. It's not about my desires, it's not my page. It belongs to the congregation. In the movie, when Captain Zevo steps away from the wallpaper he joins forces with the heroes of the story. They are the champions of the toys that had been cast aside, that had no voice, that had no hope. You know, it may be time to rent that movie again, I think I've changed since the last time I saw it.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, when we allow your vision to surpass our own misgivings and shortcomings, we can marvel at the changes within us and around us. Help us to be mindful of those who linger on the edges, who are waiting for the nerve and the encouragement to step into their role in your greater mission. When we think in absolutes we are shortening our horizons and limiting our responses. Open up the myriad of challenges, opportunities, and possibilites to further your kingdom. Our God is an awesome God! Amen.

These Are Called What?

I hate to admit there's a league in our church that I know very little about. They are a bit of a mystery to me and I don't feel that I have a good point of reference with which to connect. They are a happy lot, a generous group, and they generate a loving community. They are a blessing indeed, but I can't quite figure out how they function, what makes them tick. It's my problem; I'll be the first to claim the blame. I think they are called youth??? As any good psychological study would set to prove, part of my issue probably goes back to my own childhood. I didn't have much to do with the youth at church then either. I would guess a mixture of being an introvert combined with not necessarily wanting to be there at all, didn't bode well for fond memories. I have gone to an early worship service ever since I was in high school and that's not exactly the prime setting of most teenagers. When our sons reached high school age I sent them to Synod Youth Workshop, a week-long youth retreat that is often a life-changing experience for most participants. They never met this family before!! #1 son hid in the bathroom for most of the week, and the next year #2 son felt the need to make up stories during small group time. I didn't see the point of furthering the mockery. Raising teenagers was not exactly my forte so I never engaged in impairing other family's children. I do keep tabs from afar, watch them grow, and appreciate their gifts and individuality, but recently, I've had more direct contact with these mystifying organisms. Do you know what I've found? They are pleasant, easy to talk to, and are gracious to me - even if I am like the odd aunt from the awkward side of the family. :-)

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You have entrusted our children at their baptism to the entire community of faith. Oblige us to uphold our commitment to the children, to their parents and to the congregation and actively assist in raising them, nurturing them, and loving them. Help us create an environment of curiosity, of study, of mission, and of living in relationship with each other and with the world at large. These children are only in our homes for a short while. During the time that we share, help us mentor and encourage them to be mindful of your laws, to listen for the call in their lives, to treat others fairly and with respect, and to go forth into the world in peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the Gap

One of the most important responsibilities that we have is to support those who are facing medical issues and to build up their care givers. Tomorrow we have two close friends who are entering the hospital to receive care. One should recover quite well in a short while; the other may not have the option of recovery. As a couple, we discussed and signed Advance Directives at the same time we made our wills years ago. Logically, my decision makes complete sense for me, but when I saw the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) bracelet on my aunt's arm, logic went out the window as my heart realized what that meant. Two totally different scales were used to measure the same practice. When one faces critical diagnoses, or the loss of a loved one, it can feel like the ground beneath your feet is not sure. You exist between the gap of reality and the gap of coping; not quite in either realm. I recently read a journal entry of a mother who is living in this gap of Job; trying to wrestle with her own big questions and the "helpful" answers of friends. At the end she concludes:

Interestingly, my bravest friends, be they Christian pastors or confirmed heathens, have tended to explain the least. Instead, they have quietly anointed us with their kindnesses. They have prepared meals for us in the presence of our bitter enemy. They are holding our hands as we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

How many times do we hear our friends express the fact that they are not sure how they could have endured if not for their church family. How do those without a church family cope?

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Our hearts pour out for those who are suffering, who are coping with medical concerns, and for those who are providing their care. Often we struggle to find words to express our sorrow; we want to remedy the situation and we feel useless and powerless against such an adversary. How often do we hear it wasn't the words that made the difference, it was the hand being held or the quiet company of coupled souls. O God, while we may experience tribulations and hardships, we know that ultimately we are never alone. Help us to share what we know so well, that you bridge the gap from grief and distress to comfort and peace. Use us to provide a meal, a hand, a quiet presence, a force of continual prayer. Amen.