Forever Young

Things most people keep in their trunk to be prepared: jack, spare tire, flash light, tools, fire extinguisher, safety cones and blanket. One additional item I keep in my trunk in attempts to be prepared for the surprises that come along is a kite. Under the right circumstances it is as comforting as the blanket and as uplifting as the jack.

At the end of May came a cool wind from the north that brought North Texans out of the air conditioning and out of doors. The lake was bustling with runners, bikers, and sails. On one old pier a grown woman stayed on the pier for hours, hair whipped by the wind, and a small butterfly kite dancing in the air. Woman??? Not usually a word I use to describe myself. Perhaps a girl with age added.

The kite reminded me of a toddler saying “Again! Again!” I would barely get the kite pulled from the water when another gust of wind would lift the kite back into the sky like a father tossing his young child into the air. It was a love affair between the kite and the wind, each drawing delight in the other. I was a simple bystander with a lone string connection that gave me a small sense of the engagement and play.

One flight lasted for more than an hour, and at one point I wedged the string holder into the pier giving up any pretense of having an influence on the success of the flight. But usually I wanted to hold the string and feel a part of the dance and have a tangible link to the source. Initially I should have known this flight would be different as the kite lifted opposite of the kite’s optimum positioning. The string was coming over the top from the back side rather than pulling directly in front, but the only limitation on this flight was the length of my string. However, without a string and anchor point, the kite could have been tossed uncontrollably into trees, wrapped around motor blades or even into power lines. Even free spirits need a bit of grounding and purpose.

I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday, with a gift that couldn’t be imagined nor bought. I had the freedom of time to enjoy being a child of God and to delight in the presence of Joy. This is a birthday wish that I would share with the world.

Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don’t be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only God’s Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. John3:6-9

And rather than the traditional "Happy Birthday" perhaps I might request "Forever Young"

"May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young"

Bob Dylan

Jeremiah Luke - A Story to Tell

He can’t yet form words, but he has stories to tell! Accounts of bravery, of faith and of love that defies boundaries. He’ll have the voice of Jeremiah and Luke, proclaiming the promises of God. Like the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament, he’ll address and remind the people of faith of their righteousness, and like Luke in the New Testament he will announce the favor of the Lord to the disenfranchised and marginalized. He’ll have the responsibility to speak even when it isn’t comfortable or expected because if he doesn’t, even stones will shout (Luke 19:40).

But I think our Jeremiah will do his part, the stones can remain vigilant. He came rushing into the world with a passion and longing that couldn’t be contained. Being born into a family full of brothers he has already learned that if you wait you will be at the end of the line and you could miss a chance of a lifetime! Jeremiah seized the opportunity to share the entire family leave that his deployed father had been allotted, arriving that very day rather than waiting for a calendar date given by a stethoscope-wearing provider.

Jeremiah hears the Lord and doesn’t delay. His immediacy doesn’t mean he’s reckless or wild but that he is obedient and intentional. He will buy a field (Jer 32) even in a time of unrest and instability if he determines that is God’s will. It’s easy to discern your calling when it has been written on your heart. (Jer 31:33), but it takes a man of conviction to acknowledge and a man of honor to follow. He has the foundation of all his namesakes to offer guidance and courage through his life. On the first day, Jeremiah Luke displayed his unique vocation and talents. What a wonder it will be to watch him reveal his stature.

There is a very good chance that when he learns to speak, his first word will be “Yes.” (Jer 11:5b).

The Lord said to me [Jeremiah], I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.

I answered, Sovereign Lord, I don't know how to speak; I am too young.

But the Lord said to me, Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken! Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak.

Jeremiah 1:4-9 Good News Translation

Occupy Advent

In much the same way “gate” became the shorthand for anything dishonorable with suspicions of cover-ups from the Watergate scandal, now “occupy” is the shorthand for anything resembling a common man taking personal, visible action to reject unjust policies. There is no manual to follow, no union to mediate, and no financier to contribute. It’s acting on a primitive, urgent level whose restitution is doing the next, right thing.

I was so excited by a thought this morning that came as a revelation.
Occupy Advent. It’s timely. It’s cool. It’s a clever play on words. More than that it’s meaningful! It’s.. it’s already on Google?!?! http://occupyadvent.blogspot.com/ But I can’t be disappointed that I wasn’t the first to coin the idea. They are using their time, energy and imagination to evoke a change, and I have to say, it’s everything I hoped it could be.

What would Occupy Advent look like? Tents set up around a living manger scene? Protest signs at retail stores? Stripping the house of lights and presents? What other visible displays could show our disregard for the status quo and our hope with the coming Christ?

Could it be letting others see you in daily reflection, seeking silence as an honored companion, giving gifts of joyfulness and good will, setting aside impatience in favor of patient waiting, or nurturing wonder rather than shackling its wildness?

What is the next, right thing to do? Occupy Advent

We Are Family, I Got All My Sisters With Me

An old adage states, you can choose your friends but not your family. Sometimes lines blur and the friends that you choose, become part of your family. Or maybe, more wisely, you come to understand yourselves as sisters of a larger family.

I believe my dream was prompted by a discussion in a recent study group. We tried to think more openly about the rich young prince who had been asked to give up his money and follow Christ. The young prince couldn’t let go of his treasure of wealth and had to walk away. It always seems to be a relief in this situation to not have the wealth of a king! But is there something else in your life you hold so dearly, that you might have to decline your invitation and return home so you could linger with your treasure rather than walk beside Christ? We all have things we value: our job, our families, our pride, our pet, our power… that would be just as dire to consider relinquishing as the prince considered his wealth.

I woke up with the dream so vivid that I could write two pages worth of details! There had been some type of huge gathering which brought many of our friends and family together. The next morning I woke up and joined the others who filled two patios. I made my way to the gathering on the left. Who knew manna looked like waffles? I had not arranged breakfast plans, but part of my family was looking out for me. Phyllis had brought enough waffles to share!! Sisters know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I sat down across the table from my sisters Barbara and Gail who were finishing breakfast. “We want you to reconsider” said Barbara. “Wow! That was quick,” as my eyes looked down at the table. I presumed the topic was whether I would reevaluate my decision and return to the church in Garland. As much as I didn’t want to disappoint them; my course would remain with peace and clarity of mind. “We’ll we’ve been rehearsing.” Then Barbara looked at Gail who said “Everyone who has left is gone!” Wait! That could not have been what proficient Gail had practiced! “Help us Anne,” she entreated. With that Anne stood up from another table and asked Kat to sing. How could I turn down an invitation to sing with Kat? She started singing “I Believe.” I had to admit to myself that I added some decent harmony for a song we had never rehearsed, but that’s the way it is singing with Kat, Deb and Shirley. There’s the guided spirit of the fifth participant. I did join Kat in song, but remained seated at the table. No, even singing with my sisters, as cherished a gift as I have ever been given, was not a stratagem that could change the course. Families are used to loving even when they don’t understand.

Then it was time to leave. And like a family vacation, we jumped in the car together. It’s always an adventure when I drive and even more serendipitous because I really had no clue what city we were visiting. The best plan was to start driving to the interstate and take our clues from there. Any exit with the word south seemed to be our best choice to head back to Dallas. All of my normal dependable plans weren’t working. I couldn’t even get into the right hand lane to take an exit because of a convoy of trucks, and the one exit we could have tried we missed by conversation and stories being shared in the car. So further down the highway we drove, still looking for clues of direction but without much trepidation. Eventually we came to a roadside park. The only options were a long straight road ahead saddled by water on either side, leading to a large city, or returning the way we had come. We got out of the car and gazed at the city ahead of us. The buildings lit up the night sky and gave a sense of the city’s energy and vitality. The lights reflected in the water and we tried to guess what city it could be. Someone spotted a whale swimming beside the road ahead! How magical! We properly ooohed and ahhhhed. Were we in Canada? I knew Dennis could probably name the city by the sports arenas that were on the waterfront. We were clueless, but we were enchanted.

And that’s where the dream stopped, but it’s not where our journey ends. One of the admissions shared at the study group, was the fact that she would have a hard time letting go of her church, an option that may be in her future as a graduate student. I could sympathize completely, but I am also certain that family relationships can endure and God’s hand will guide us through reunion and hope to a united kingdom aglow with lights and saints.

My Lenten devotional the next day echoed the thoughts as a rector shared his decision to change congregations: “I can’t solve this neatly with a clever phrase or Biblical insight. It’s too early... I just know nothing can separate us from the love of God. Relationships here will be disrupted, but the journey with God will go on for all of us. This new thing God is doing in my life will also mean a new thing in theirs. God is forming us all.” (Thomas Ehrich)

Six Small Months

I have a strange measure of time passing - Coffee filters. It seems like a pack of 200 coffee filters will last forever, and I’m always surprised when I reach the last few. Six months have passed, the coffee filters are almost used, and it’s about time to resupply. Six small months from June to December; enough time to harvest a pumpkin from a seed, enough time for six different litters of mice, but only one pale-throated three-toed sloth. :-) I perhaps didn’t accomplish all that I wanted to do in my six months. I still haven’t made it to Potter’s House or Whitesboro or who knows where else, but I realized earlier this month that my desire/drive to visit different churches has subsided. It's okay to be still and know God - through the community at Preston Hollow. I wanted to share that I have started the process of transferring membership to Preston Hollow. We have been fortunate to be led to welcoming churches and look forward to a new facet of God's outstretched arms.

Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through you where you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.
Richard C. Halverson

I cried the first time Anne introduced this benediction. As we shared with our neighbor it hit too close to home that not only did my partner have a purpose, but I did too. I always said FPC Garland was a dangerous place…. You find yourself in places you never expected to be. It encourages you to grow within the life of the congregation, it empowers you to live as Christ’s hands out in the community, and it challenges you to question how grace and faith are changing our world. My life has changed, my hands have changed, and my world has changed – thanks be to God! And thanks to my church family in Garland!

I don’t think I was called out of my comfort to be the next missionary to Haiti, or the next fiery prophet… my friend at work suggested maybe it’s just a call to become more dependent on God. I am convinced that this is a necessary step of my journey. I’m convinced it took different propellants to move us from comfort, but I am convinced that good will be the victor. BTW – teaching did not at all rise high on my spiritual gifts inventory… I am convinced the Breakfast Club will find a voice of wisdom and vitality to add to their compassion and servanthood. I am convinced that Garland has passed a wave of changes and that a peace with conviction, stability and perseverance is settling, but not limiting, what the congregation is charged to carry out in Christ’s name.

As someone who can never make a decision, the word convinced is a rarity. I am convinced that I am a loved child of God. I am convinced that our paths will continue to cross and encourage. I will continue to pray for you! I love you!! n

100 Feet Away

I had a small tug of war going on in my head on Sunday. Part of me wanted to return to the fellowship of the class I was so familiar and offer a card of Thanksgiving for their friendship, but the other part of me wanted to continue on the journey of discovering the wide variety of worship communities available in such a large city. I finally had to make a decision and forge ahead because time wouldn’t allow for both. Mystery prevailed over comfort.

When I arrived at the location, the church bells were ringing one of my favorite hymns, “This Is My Song.” And I thought, yes, this is where I should be today. The church was stately with bells, red-bricked exterior, and a tall, white steeple, but I never even ventured inside. The service I attended was out of doors, as it is every week, with a group who has little intention of making the 100 foot walk towards an open door into the church. The congregation has adapted their schedule, meeting location and expectations to meet the needs of the small, diverse group. As a result there is a very real, combined, rich community. This would not be an ideal setting for those who have trouble concentrating. There was a lot of activity in the brisk morning air, and the random roar of jet engines as part of a flight-path overhead from a nearby airport caused conversations to pause until voices could be heard without yelling. Regardless of the impediments the group was genuinely happy to be together.

I was greeted almost immediately by one of the youngest of the brood, running up to meet me, covered from head to toe all in black, with such a genuine gentle countenance that made my heart melt and I reached out and touched her head. There was a lot to absorb in the initial evaluation. A small circle of adults gathered around a chimenea to dispel the chill of the morning; instead of incense, the aroma of wood-burning smoke followed the breeze. Like all congregations, there are those whose gifts are hospitality, service, sage experience, listening, and a few with the knack of creating disruptions. :-)

There was an elderly member who spent his entire time, rooted near the circle with eyes closed, but still very present. Every so often someone would reach over and softly brush an arm to recognize the importance of his presence. Another was looking for extra snacks and someone made it easier to share by placing his own leftovers at their level. One of the smallest, dressed smartly in a lined fuzzy vest, was embraced and picked up to share the warmth and softness of an open lap. There was another who simply wanted to be noticed and happily went along once an acknowledgement had been made. There were one or two flurries of over-zealous play, but there was an expected level of accepted behavior and any one of the adults took the time to quiet the participants whether it was one of their own or not. Likewise, there was generous praise and admiration shared universally.

There wasn’t an official call to worship, no music, candles or readings, but a mutual understanding of practice as the majority joined the circle. The pastor shared some antidotes both personal and historical; he shared a conversation more than gave a sermon. Heads nodded in understandings and appreciation of points made. While it wasn’t a traditional service the pastor made no pretense at disguising the message of Christ’s place as Lord in his life and his hope for those around the circle to realize the same relationship available for their lives.

This service happened to mark the end of a relationship as the pastor is following a call out of state and many offered their appreciation of this unique ministry that he fostered and groomed. They jokingly chided whether he should put this ministry on his resume at all because the concept is so hard to explain. It was an easy one for me to accept, but I’m a dog lover.

The worship service took place in the church’s dog park which is open, and visited frequently and with gratitude by those in the neighborhood. The dogs are not expected to sit as part of the service; they come and go, running, sniffing, playing, and occasionally resting. The ministry team realized there was a community that could be served and who could also offer blessings in return if they only walked 100 feet to meet them where they were. It was joy to discover this ministry.

What is 100 feet away right now?

This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine;
this is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;
but other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine:
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.

To Have and To Hold

We have quite a collection of Bibles: NRSV, Jewish Study, Parallel, CEV, NIV, Illustrated, Annotated Study with Apocrypha, Amplified, Spanish-English, The Message, and sometimes more than one of the same verision! Bearing in mind we don’t have to prepare sermons or make a living parsing discrete details from the scriptures, and considering the benefits of Bible Gateway and Oremus offering instant variations on the Internet, it really makes my assortment seem excessive. But I’m stubborn about wanting a Bible to hold in my hands, not an e-reader, not a netbook, but a real book with pages and substance.

There is one Bible to which I return over and over, which was a gift, not even one that I chose for myself. I like its study notes; I really like the tabs that help me find those challenging books like Habakkuk, Philemon, or Amos. With its leather cover it lays open easily and even has my name embossed on front. But what makes this one my favorite is that stuck within random pages are photos, poems, clipped sections of a bulletin, lyrics to a song, bookmarks, and even cartoons. In an uncharacteristic mood to organize, I looked through to see if I should decrease the amount of keepsakes. There was a photo of Margaret paddling her canoe at the women’s retreat, a photo of Royanne talking, a photo of hundreds of Origami cranes hanging above a communion table, a photo of Evan in his Marine dress blues with Spencer, the lyrics to “Screen Door”… Instead of taking things out, I found things to add: A graphic of a whirling Dervish, a birthday card with a remembrance from Anne, lyrics sang with my chicks, a bookmark with a star, and a piece of cloth from Advent.

I love this version of the Bible; written and unwritten, the message is love.