(Thoughts for the first Sunday of Advent)
Please read Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24-36-44
I sought Peace, this day before Advent begins. And so, with coffee in hand, I sat on the sofa … in the early hours … in the silence … with only small white lights on an otherwise bare tree to break into the darkness of the early morning hour. And it was good.
I sought Peace, this day before Advent begins. And so, I moved to another sofa, in front of the only nativity I’ve ever known; you know, the one that was bought when my older brother was born, 59 years ago. I remembered days of my childhood, standing on my tiptoes, in “footie”pajamas, with my hands on top of the cabinet, trying to pull myself up to see the wonder of this story of animals and a stable, of shepherds and sheep, of singing angels, of a young mother and a father kneeling with folded hands before a little baby, and of magi and gifts. I felt a bit of the wonder again. And it was good.
I sought Peace, this day before Advent begins. And so, I began to read the Scriptures. Words of Isaiah … words that say that we shall stream to the mountain of the LORD’s house. Isn’t that a glorious thought … “streaming” toward God? I heard the beckoning. “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” I heard words of promised peace. Swords into plowshares. Spears into pruning hooks. In the twinkling lights of the tree, in the darkness of my morning, I heard “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” And it was good.
I sought Peace, this day before Advent begins. And yet, I heard “KEEP AWAKE! BE READY! YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE LORD IS COMING!” Such yelling broke into the silence of my morning. Such questioning crept into the feel-good sights of twinkling lights and a nativity that is worn by the careful touch of little fingers and the toll of years. I read of a thief in the night and suddenly realized that Advent is not such a quiet, still or safe time. And it was good.
I sought Peace, this day before Advent begins. But I heard, “You MUST be ready” and I wondered how many times the Son of Man has come to me … in unexpected places … with a face of the unexpected … at a most unexpected time and in a most unexpected way. I have been brought to a place of unpeace this day before Advent, so that I might seek Peace anew. What is it that you want of us? To be heralds as well?
And it is good.
O LORD, do break into that place where our hearts are housed. Break in, O God, into the darkness, into our complacency, into those places where we are not ready and help us to become ready. Open our eyes and our hearts so that we might recognize Jesus in the unexpected. Teach us your ways so that we might walk in your paths, illuminated by your Light. Amen.
anna
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
"Kingdom Words - Kingdom Ways"
Ponderings on the Reign of Christ the King
Sure, it's easier to some to avoid the words "Christ, The King" but when have we, as disciples and Christ-followers, found that the easiest routes are the ones to take! (or ?) My best advice for our "Christ the King" focus is to not allow this to be a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees. This is a king who leads by example, who kneels on a dirty floor and washes feet, who pours out hope and grace and mercy, intermingled in his blood. So, as Christ-followers, isn't it topsy-turvy and somewhat unbelievable that we too want to be a part of this kingdom? Perhaps this reflection is most important. Are we also active participants in this kingdom?
“KINGDOM WORDS - KINGDOM WAYS”
(Please read Luke 23:33-43)
Just hours earlier, it was pre-dawn and they stood, face to face. The
room was filled with the golden glow from lit oil lamps. The governor,
in a robe befitting of his position in life. The accused with a
bruised face, looking nothing like a king. And yet, Pilate asked, "Are
you the King of the Jews?" The answer echoed throughout the halls of
the headquarters and echoes to this very day. "My kingdom is not from
this world." Jesus said, "My kingdom." With that declaration, a piece
of wood was soon found and the words “This is the King of the Jews”
were carved into it.
Both this “King” and this inscription would soon be hanging from a
cross at the place that is called The Skull. To his left and to his
right were criminals, nailed to similar crosses, who surely heard the
words “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”
coming from the lips of this “King”. Kingdom words. Intermingled
with the blood flowing from his cross were words of grace and mercy
flowing down as well. This is the proclamation of the kingdom? This
“King” died as he has lived, among sinners, among the questionable
ones, among the outcasts. In his dying words, he spoke as he had
always spoken - with words of hope and promise and words of grace and mercy. One criminal demanded that Jesus prove himself to be “King”. He scoffs at Jesus. The soldiers join in. All are sarcastically
demanding that Jesus put on his “kingly” robes and save himself. All
except for one, that is. The other criminal took to heart the words
spoken from this “King”. Forgiveness for his criminal ways at this
late hour? Is this possible? Did this “King” just give a thumb’s-up
instead of a thumb’s-down? This unbelievable, last-minute hope
brought the words “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” from the weakened voice of the criminal. From the like-wise weakened voice of the “King” came “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Grace and mercy indeed!
Such a strange time to place these Scriptures before us, isn't it? Or
is it? Soon we will find ourselves in Advent waiting. We will once
again hear the words from the prophets of the promise of a Messiah, of
a Wonderful Counselor, of the Prince of Peace. In the weeks ahead, we
will look into a manger as we have done year after year and call this
baby the Newborn King. We will hear an angel proclaim that Good News has been born into this world. A Savior. Christ, the Lord. And yes,again the heavens will explode with "Glory Be to God" from the heavenly host, right on cue! But this day, before we step into a time of Advent waiting or look into the face of the Infant Jesus, we find ourselves standing at the foot of the cross and overhearing words of grace and mercy. We look into Jesus' face. We remember him telling us to look at his own birth in a different way. "My kingdom is not from here. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Kingdom words from the King whose birth we will soon celebrate.
Today, we too look into the face of Jesus the Christ as we prepare in
the coming weeks to look into the face of a newborn king. We can
understand the confusion as to this kingship. The King we worship wore the most unlikely of crowns. It was brow-piercing. His "royal" robe was placed around his shoulders with mocking allegiance and later gambled away. His scepter was a shepherd's staff. His royal chalice was filled to overflowing with forgiveness. Our King was lifted high by human hands, not on an elevated throne, but on a cross. Yes, this is Christ the King, the One who proclaims the kingdom of God to be on this earth. As he walked with his disciples then and as he walks with us now, we hear his kingdom words. "Love the Lord your God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive them. My Peace I give to you. Follow me. Pray this way. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Our King kneels at the feet of all, both leader and servant by example, with commands to go and do likewise. Kingdom words. This is a reign different from any other.
In a way, these kingdom thoughts are unsettling for it requires of us
to consider who Jesus is in our lives. Within both a democracy and
monarchy, the people hope for an easier way of life. Within this life
of a disciple and Christ-follower, we find that this kingdom goes
against any of the little kingdoms of ease of beliefs and responses
that we have built for ourselves. I choose to follow this King. I
want to follow his example … to be an instrument of justice and grace
and mercy. Yes, I choose to follow this King even though it would be
much easier not to … for with this choice, comes the picking up of my
cross, daily.
I keep on my bookshelf a framed quote from Mother Teresa which has
become both a daily prayer for me and a “kingdom creed”. It seems
right to share these words with you as our closing prayer. Christ the
King has surely turned the kingdom upside down!
Gracious God … hear our prayer,
When I am hungry, send me someone in need of food.
When I am thirsty, send me someone needing a drink.
When I am cold, send me someone to warm.
When I am grieved, offer me someone to console.
When my cross grows heavy, let me share another's cross too.
When I am poor, lead me to someone in need.
When I have no time, give me someone I can help a little while.
When I am humiliated, let me have someone to praise.
When I am disheartened, let me have someone to cheer.
When I need people's understanding, give me someone who needs mine.
When I need to be looked after, send me someone to care for.
When I think only of myself, draw my thoughts to another.
Amen.
anna
Sure, it's easier to some to avoid the words "Christ, The King" but when have we, as disciples and Christ-followers, found that the easiest routes are the ones to take! (or ?) My best advice for our "Christ the King" focus is to not allow this to be a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees. This is a king who leads by example, who kneels on a dirty floor and washes feet, who pours out hope and grace and mercy, intermingled in his blood. So, as Christ-followers, isn't it topsy-turvy and somewhat unbelievable that we too want to be a part of this kingdom? Perhaps this reflection is most important. Are we also active participants in this kingdom?
“KINGDOM WORDS - KINGDOM WAYS”
(Please read Luke 23:33-43)
Just hours earlier, it was pre-dawn and they stood, face to face. The
room was filled with the golden glow from lit oil lamps. The governor,
in a robe befitting of his position in life. The accused with a
bruised face, looking nothing like a king. And yet, Pilate asked, "Are
you the King of the Jews?" The answer echoed throughout the halls of
the headquarters and echoes to this very day. "My kingdom is not from
this world." Jesus said, "My kingdom." With that declaration, a piece
of wood was soon found and the words “This is the King of the Jews”
were carved into it.
Both this “King” and this inscription would soon be hanging from a
cross at the place that is called The Skull. To his left and to his
right were criminals, nailed to similar crosses, who surely heard the
words “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”
coming from the lips of this “King”. Kingdom words. Intermingled
with the blood flowing from his cross were words of grace and mercy
flowing down as well. This is the proclamation of the kingdom? This
“King” died as he has lived, among sinners, among the questionable
ones, among the outcasts. In his dying words, he spoke as he had
always spoken - with words of hope and promise and words of grace and mercy. One criminal demanded that Jesus prove himself to be “King”. He scoffs at Jesus. The soldiers join in. All are sarcastically
demanding that Jesus put on his “kingly” robes and save himself. All
except for one, that is. The other criminal took to heart the words
spoken from this “King”. Forgiveness for his criminal ways at this
late hour? Is this possible? Did this “King” just give a thumb’s-up
instead of a thumb’s-down? This unbelievable, last-minute hope
brought the words “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” from the weakened voice of the criminal. From the like-wise weakened voice of the “King” came “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Grace and mercy indeed!
Such a strange time to place these Scriptures before us, isn't it? Or
is it? Soon we will find ourselves in Advent waiting. We will once
again hear the words from the prophets of the promise of a Messiah, of
a Wonderful Counselor, of the Prince of Peace. In the weeks ahead, we
will look into a manger as we have done year after year and call this
baby the Newborn King. We will hear an angel proclaim that Good News has been born into this world. A Savior. Christ, the Lord. And yes,again the heavens will explode with "Glory Be to God" from the heavenly host, right on cue! But this day, before we step into a time of Advent waiting or look into the face of the Infant Jesus, we find ourselves standing at the foot of the cross and overhearing words of grace and mercy. We look into Jesus' face. We remember him telling us to look at his own birth in a different way. "My kingdom is not from here. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Kingdom words from the King whose birth we will soon celebrate.
Today, we too look into the face of Jesus the Christ as we prepare in
the coming weeks to look into the face of a newborn king. We can
understand the confusion as to this kingship. The King we worship wore the most unlikely of crowns. It was brow-piercing. His "royal" robe was placed around his shoulders with mocking allegiance and later gambled away. His scepter was a shepherd's staff. His royal chalice was filled to overflowing with forgiveness. Our King was lifted high by human hands, not on an elevated throne, but on a cross. Yes, this is Christ the King, the One who proclaims the kingdom of God to be on this earth. As he walked with his disciples then and as he walks with us now, we hear his kingdom words. "Love the Lord your God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive them. My Peace I give to you. Follow me. Pray this way. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Our King kneels at the feet of all, both leader and servant by example, with commands to go and do likewise. Kingdom words. This is a reign different from any other.
In a way, these kingdom thoughts are unsettling for it requires of us
to consider who Jesus is in our lives. Within both a democracy and
monarchy, the people hope for an easier way of life. Within this life
of a disciple and Christ-follower, we find that this kingdom goes
against any of the little kingdoms of ease of beliefs and responses
that we have built for ourselves. I choose to follow this King. I
want to follow his example … to be an instrument of justice and grace
and mercy. Yes, I choose to follow this King even though it would be
much easier not to … for with this choice, comes the picking up of my
cross, daily.
I keep on my bookshelf a framed quote from Mother Teresa which has
become both a daily prayer for me and a “kingdom creed”. It seems
right to share these words with you as our closing prayer. Christ the
King has surely turned the kingdom upside down!
Gracious God … hear our prayer,
When I am hungry, send me someone in need of food.
When I am thirsty, send me someone needing a drink.
When I am cold, send me someone to warm.
When I am grieved, offer me someone to console.
When my cross grows heavy, let me share another's cross too.
When I am poor, lead me to someone in need.
When I have no time, give me someone I can help a little while.
When I am humiliated, let me have someone to praise.
When I am disheartened, let me have someone to cheer.
When I need people's understanding, give me someone who needs mine.
When I need to be looked after, send me someone to care for.
When I think only of myself, draw my thoughts to another.
Amen.
anna
Sunday, November 14, 2010
"A Child in the Sanctuary ... Again"
(Please read Ephesians 4:11-16)
When I was a very young child (soooo long ago) there was always a “buzz” in the sanctuary of Broad Street UMC/Statesville, NC whenever our missionary to Hong Kong, the Rev. Lonnie Turnipseed, would come back to the States and worship with us. I would hear those around me whisper, “Lonnie Turnipseed is here!” Oh, I was too young to completely understand the work of a missionary, but I knew that it was God’s work. So, when he worshiped with us, I would search the sanctuary, hoping to catch a glimpse of “the missionary” ... the one who had created such a "buzz"!
Today, after the worship service was over and most of the people had left, I heard the words "Lonnie Turnipseed is here!" I felt very much like a child in the sanctuary again. I looked around, hoping to see this person of my childhood. I saw him! He spoke to me for a few minutes and tolerated me telling of my long-ago memories of his visits to our church.
It was then when I REALLY looked at this man and saw that there was no aura surrounding him or halo above him. I heard no angelic voices singing in the background. He was an ordinary man called to do God's work. I was looking into the face of Lonnie Turnipseed, but seeing also you and me ... ordinary people called to do God's work.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear a "buzz" in the sanctuary when it begins to fill for worship each Sunday? "Look, look around at all who are here. HE is called to do God's work! SHE is called to do God's work! Just look!"
Today, I was a child in the sanctuary again. I pray that next Sunday I will be as well, as I find myself in the midst of those who do God's work.
Gracious and Loving God … You know our names and call each of us. You delight in the “buzz” that is anywhere when we gather and when your work is being done. Oh, how often we feel like children though, looking toward others as the ones who have answered your call. Help each of us to grow up in your ways, in your love, in your calling and in your rejoicing in the “buzz”. Help us to not feel so small in your kingdom-work. Amen. (oh, and thank you for Lonnie Turnipseed from this child of yours named "anna"!)
anna
When I was a very young child (soooo long ago) there was always a “buzz” in the sanctuary of Broad Street UMC/Statesville, NC whenever our missionary to Hong Kong, the Rev. Lonnie Turnipseed, would come back to the States and worship with us. I would hear those around me whisper, “Lonnie Turnipseed is here!” Oh, I was too young to completely understand the work of a missionary, but I knew that it was God’s work. So, when he worshiped with us, I would search the sanctuary, hoping to catch a glimpse of “the missionary” ... the one who had created such a "buzz"!
Today, after the worship service was over and most of the people had left, I heard the words "Lonnie Turnipseed is here!" I felt very much like a child in the sanctuary again. I looked around, hoping to see this person of my childhood. I saw him! He spoke to me for a few minutes and tolerated me telling of my long-ago memories of his visits to our church.
It was then when I REALLY looked at this man and saw that there was no aura surrounding him or halo above him. I heard no angelic voices singing in the background. He was an ordinary man called to do God's work. I was looking into the face of Lonnie Turnipseed, but seeing also you and me ... ordinary people called to do God's work.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear a "buzz" in the sanctuary when it begins to fill for worship each Sunday? "Look, look around at all who are here. HE is called to do God's work! SHE is called to do God's work! Just look!"
Today, I was a child in the sanctuary again. I pray that next Sunday I will be as well, as I find myself in the midst of those who do God's work.
Gracious and Loving God … You know our names and call each of us. You delight in the “buzz” that is anywhere when we gather and when your work is being done. Oh, how often we feel like children though, looking toward others as the ones who have answered your call. Help each of us to grow up in your ways, in your love, in your calling and in your rejoicing in the “buzz”. Help us to not feel so small in your kingdom-work. Amen. (oh, and thank you for Lonnie Turnipseed from this child of yours named "anna"!)
anna
Monday, November 8, 2010
"Huddle Talk"
(Please read Luke 6:20-31)
It seems right to refresh our memories this morning with the words of Jesus that have become known as “The Beatitudes” (or blessings). Surely, these Scriptures could be the makings for weeks of thoughts but that isn’t why they have been given to us as Scriptures for All Saints Day remembrances. Jesus is looking at his disciples, then and now, and telling us that walking in his footsteps will most certainly not be easy, but the rewards will be great. It’s as if Jesus has brought disciples into a huddle and spelled out the guidelines for the saints of all of the ages. Take heart, my friends! Saints aren’t constrained by wearing cumbersome ornate robes nor are they made obvious by a constant halo floating above their heads! Saints are fishermen and tax collectors and you and me! They are those who have lived, and continue to live their lives according to Jesus’ “huddle talk”. Jesus warns the saints-in-training as he offers the “blessed’s” and the “woe’s” to us. It will not be an easy way of life. That which society claims as blessed is far from it! That which seems so difficult has been raised up! As one friend shared with me, “Jesus, in the Beatitudes, is setting his disciples then and is setting us now, apart. Being set apart is never easy but it is the way of the “saints”.
There is a time in many of our churches when we pause and give thanks for those in our lives who have taken to heart Jesus’ call to discipleship and accepted the shifting in their own lives of what all society thinks is “blessed”. Although the day after Halloween is All Saints Day, many will reflect, as a part of our worship services, on those who have been “set apart” in the ways that Jesus shared with his disciples.
You and I are, in part, products of those very special people in our lives who have chosen not to make excuses when Jesus looked at them and said “be set apart”. This morning, let us be thankful for these examples to us and remember that those saints we have never met have affected our lives by the trickling down of God’s strength and love from one generation to the next.
I am thankful for those who have claimed Jesus’ words from the huddle as the road to discipleship, trusting in the blessings to come. I am so thankful for those who loved me enough to partner with God in order to help shape my heart. Also, I am thankful for those in YOUR life who did the same for you. Why? Because you are becoming increasingly important to me in my life. I see this same partnership in you. I see faith in you ... and Christ in you ... and I am a better person for this. Who knew that the people of faith in your life, those you hold dear as "saints", would affect my life through you? God knew. I am truly thankful that God has chosen to cross our paths.
Today, I "Sing a Song of the Saints of God" which includes so many who have taught us all the meaning of love and friendship, of faith and courage, and who have encouraged us all in the ways of Jesus Christ. As the song goes ".... and there's not any reason, no, not the least, why I shouldn't be one too."
Let us huddle together this day, listening once again to the words of Jesus, hearing the familiar Beatitudes as the often difficult way of disciples and saints and trusting that there will not only be a blessedness in our own lives but through our lives, others will be “set apart” as well.
Gracious and Loving God, give us hearts of the faithful and loving "saints" in our lives that we might be a reflection of your goodness to others as well. Give us strength as you set us apart and as we accept this often difficult way. There are those who can’t afford for us to make excuses for an easier way. In your promises and in your constant presence, both now and always, we do indeed rejoice and leap for joy! Amen.
anna
It seems right to refresh our memories this morning with the words of Jesus that have become known as “The Beatitudes” (or blessings). Surely, these Scriptures could be the makings for weeks of thoughts but that isn’t why they have been given to us as Scriptures for All Saints Day remembrances. Jesus is looking at his disciples, then and now, and telling us that walking in his footsteps will most certainly not be easy, but the rewards will be great. It’s as if Jesus has brought disciples into a huddle and spelled out the guidelines for the saints of all of the ages. Take heart, my friends! Saints aren’t constrained by wearing cumbersome ornate robes nor are they made obvious by a constant halo floating above their heads! Saints are fishermen and tax collectors and you and me! They are those who have lived, and continue to live their lives according to Jesus’ “huddle talk”. Jesus warns the saints-in-training as he offers the “blessed’s” and the “woe’s” to us. It will not be an easy way of life. That which society claims as blessed is far from it! That which seems so difficult has been raised up! As one friend shared with me, “Jesus, in the Beatitudes, is setting his disciples then and is setting us now, apart. Being set apart is never easy but it is the way of the “saints”.
There is a time in many of our churches when we pause and give thanks for those in our lives who have taken to heart Jesus’ call to discipleship and accepted the shifting in their own lives of what all society thinks is “blessed”. Although the day after Halloween is All Saints Day, many will reflect, as a part of our worship services, on those who have been “set apart” in the ways that Jesus shared with his disciples.
You and I are, in part, products of those very special people in our lives who have chosen not to make excuses when Jesus looked at them and said “be set apart”. This morning, let us be thankful for these examples to us and remember that those saints we have never met have affected our lives by the trickling down of God’s strength and love from one generation to the next.
I am thankful for those who have claimed Jesus’ words from the huddle as the road to discipleship, trusting in the blessings to come. I am so thankful for those who loved me enough to partner with God in order to help shape my heart. Also, I am thankful for those in YOUR life who did the same for you. Why? Because you are becoming increasingly important to me in my life. I see this same partnership in you. I see faith in you ... and Christ in you ... and I am a better person for this. Who knew that the people of faith in your life, those you hold dear as "saints", would affect my life through you? God knew. I am truly thankful that God has chosen to cross our paths.
Today, I "Sing a Song of the Saints of God" which includes so many who have taught us all the meaning of love and friendship, of faith and courage, and who have encouraged us all in the ways of Jesus Christ. As the song goes ".... and there's not any reason, no, not the least, why I shouldn't be one too."
Let us huddle together this day, listening once again to the words of Jesus, hearing the familiar Beatitudes as the often difficult way of disciples and saints and trusting that there will not only be a blessedness in our own lives but through our lives, others will be “set apart” as well.
Gracious and Loving God, give us hearts of the faithful and loving "saints" in our lives that we might be a reflection of your goodness to others as well. Give us strength as you set us apart and as we accept this often difficult way. There are those who can’t afford for us to make excuses for an easier way. In your promises and in your constant presence, both now and always, we do indeed rejoice and leap for joy! Amen.
anna
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