"Prayers For My Friends Who Are Pastors"

Prayers for my friends who are pastors ...

for those who are remembering the stumbling blocks in their call ...
for those who are facing adversities ...
or those who have health issues ...
for those who love much, rejoice much and weep with us ...
for those who find joy and for those who wonder ...
for those with a shepherd's heart whose hours
 seem to be filled with meetings ...
for those who have served well.

'Tenacity' is tightly clinging to something.
They have held tight and continue to hold tight to you, O God.
I pray for their continued grasp (and for yours as well).

Yes, prayers and thanksgiving for the shepherds this morning.

"A Good-News Gift"

Long ago, I discovered that my writings joyfully and painfully brought people in and out of my life. There are times when I have found that it is incredibly hard to delete an e-mail address because of a death. My reluctance is part of my release, I guess. Less than a year ago, one such friend, Paula Morse, died of cancer (3-9-16). She was a UMC licensed local pastor who had served churches in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. She was an encourager to me and one who prayed for me from afar. Paula was also a potter and a person who took every opportunity to tell others that they were indeed beloved children of God. She reminded me of that truth often.

Yesterday, I received a box in the mail from Paula’s sister. It contained a small pottery angel (about 2 1/2" tall) that Paula had made … an angel holding a heart. As if I didn’t already know and hadn’t been reminded over and over again by Paula and others that I am a beloved child of God, this special gift made by the hands and heart of a pastor and generously given by her sister reminds me of this once again. I never tire of that good news.

May I continue to find words and ways to share with others what Paula knew with all certainty and passed along so lavishly … that you and I are beloved children of God. In our days, may we look at others through the eyes of the One who calls us “beloved”. Perhaps then we will truly see one another.

"These Are the Makings of Magi"

(Matthew 2:1-13)

As I look back, it was one of those "should have" moments. Quite a few years ago, a young acolyte, seeing that no one was dressed as magi for Epiphany Sunday, turned to me and whispered, "Where are the magi? Are there no wise men today?" My answer (with all of the “grand knowledge” of the worship team leader) was, "Nope, not today. Not this year." Her question echoed within me as I sat on the pew during the worship service that day and all I could do was to shake my head in dismay at my own answer. Why did I say that to her? I should have said, "I am looking at one when I look at you and you are looking at one when you look at me. To follow the star, to not only look heavenward but to travel with others in our faith and questions, to ask where Jesus can be found, to bow in worship in the presence of our Lord, to present the best gifts of ourselves to God … these are the makings of magi."

Our Epiphany-thinking so often is centered around the details of the story found in Matthew … details that are both quite obvious and omitted. It seems important for me to add verse 13 to the story of the Visit of the Magi. With it brings a darkness that has never really left when the cries of the Christ-child first pierced the night air. The world is still a world that finds itself in darkness. Herod somehow still creeps into the outskirts of the sweetness of our Christmases. For all that the magi brought with them on their journey and for the perseverance of their searching and seeking and traveling "moor and mountain", for carrying precious gifts, they were also following the Light that shines in the darkness. These are the makings of magi.

I can take a deep breath and remember the first time that I smelled the strange, sweet fragrance of frankincense or the heavy, foreboding fragrance of myrrh. My eyes might gleam at the sight of gold. I wonder, at times, if the gift canisters of the magi were encased with jewels or if the dust of the journey ruined their robes. Did the camels (and naysayers) spit on them? Were their bodies aching to the point of exhaustion? I can search for the details not found in the Scriptures but what leads me to the Christ-child once again is the Light in the darkness that keeps us focused and moving forward.

God is exceptionally good at Star-hanging and Light-giving, you know …. and each of us has the makings of magi within us!