Psalm 27

I have been working on the sermon for tomorrow with a focus on the 27th Psalm, written by King David. The words have become more and more like Poetry and so I want to share them with any an all who are reading this.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
10If my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me up.
11Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
(Oremus Bible - NRSV)

I then came across this work by Cheryl Ann Toliver in response to the Psalm. I found it to be truthful and direct. Enjoy...

Psalm 27
by Cheryl Ann Toliver

The world's gone mad!

Our God-given reason is overthrown By our animal craving for blood.

My own desperate prayer for reason Is stifled by overwhelming fear.

I see only the destruction our madness will bring in its wake - misery, poverty, hatred, despair, evil, chaos - As the 21st century's first decade disintegrates into insane war.
All that is good - morality, kindness, mercy, patience, compassion, self-control, forgiveness, wisdom - seems lost, forsaken.

We reject the Spirit's power to act in our lives,

Exposing humanity's ugly wretchedness without God's grace, And thus, we have damned ourselves.
How have we come to this hell?

When did we set out on this "inevitable" path?

Why can we find no other way? What has blinded us to your grace, O! Holy God?

Where, O! Lord, is your salvation from this mad darkness? Who but Thee can save us from ourselves?
I hear you cry out to us, Lord - "Don't be molded by the world, be metamorphosized!

Let your reasoning be completely, utterly new,

So you can comprehend what is good through my eyes.

Then you'll understand that you need to bless those you hate,

Instead of inciting more evil and anger and hatred

By seeking to repay the evil done against you with more evil.

You can only overcome evil with good.

Goodness is the only weapon that can destroy evil. It's the only cure for your insanity and unending cycles of hatred and vengeance."
So few hear you, Lord God. Yet, in my despair, I hear your words of comfort - "I am your hope, your salvation, your fortress. Why are you afraid?

Evil may assail you, lay siege and make war against you,

But it will fail. I am your shelter from trouble on the high ground.

You will one day walk before your enemies without fear or shame."
So, Almighty God, Holy Lord,

In the midst of the world's madness, whatever terror is to come,

You are with me. You say, "seek me", and I do seek Thee. I will seek your grace amid our human wretchedness and evil

And I will yet live to see your good triumph.
Now help me to wait for you, Lord God.

Help me to be strong, to not be afraid, in the overwhelming madness,

So I may endure the coming metamorphosis.

Cheryl Ann Toliver grew up in rural Idaho and small-town Colorado, had her first experience of encountering Jesus as a child of 7, and has been writing poetry since she was 11 years old. She has been in California for the last 19 years, working as an editor of a legal index database. Copies of her poetry book Visions, are available for no charge or a small donation. Contacting her at: c.a.toliver@sbcglobal.net

An inward or outward church?

My good friend Allen Ewing-Merrill recently wrote this article and it speaks to me about what it means to be "the church". His reflection reveals an easy way for churches to move from survive to thrive mode. It's as simple as turning in a different direction...ok, so it's not quite that simple but once we stop looking into the circle and look out, we will see some amazing things revealed to us that we could never see before. Enjoy it and let me know what you think....


COMMENTARY: Inward or outward?

If you want to see me get all worked up, talk to me about how we in the church need to take care of ourselves before we can begin to look outward. This happened recently at a monthly interfaith meeting that I facilitate. We were brainstorming about joint community outreach projects when one of my colleagues spoke up. I’m sure he had no idea he was about to push one of my buttons. “You know, we have to take care of ourselves before we can begin to look to the needs of others,” he said. “We’re a very busy church with a lot going on. We’ve got to take care of our own needs first.” Oh man. I wanted to jump across the table.

My first thought: Does this guy read the same Gospels I read? Are we following the same Jesus? I spoke up with more passion than substance, letting him know that I totally disagreed. I think it surprised him. But isn’t this why so many of our churches are struggling—or on the edge of closing their doors—because we’ve lost our bearings, because we’ve become little more than social clubs focused on institutional maintenance? Does anybody really believe that when we’ve taken care of all of our own needs, when the institution is finally running like a well-oiled machine, when we’ve focused inwardly long enough, that somehow we’ll then have the resources to begin caring for needs outside our church? Does anybody really believe this?

Before we moved to Portland, I served a church that had bounced back dramatically from a place of dismal decline. The church, once strong, had declined over the decades, not unlike other mainline Protestant churches across the U.S. Worship attendance was such that in the winter, they’d move out of the sanctuary into a small adjacent meeting room because they couldn’t afford to heat the big, beautiful sanctuary and they were also small enough that they could. Their focus was inward. Morale was low. They wondered how long they’d survive. But then over the course of a decade or so, this congregation experienced dramatic change. Worship attendance began to grow from a low of about 40 to close to 300.

The church came alive with children, youth and adults of all ages. A growing spiritual vitality produced diverse programs of mission and ministry that enlivened the church and impacted the community. This church had experienced revitalization—new life! I remember hearing a pastor from another church trying to understand what had led to such dramatic change.

One of the church’s leaders described it this way: “We used to be a church that looked inward. We were most concerned that the bills were paid, and when money was tight, we worked harder to balance the budget. All of our efforts went into trying to keep this church afloat.” (How many churches could describe themselves this way?) “But then one day, a newcomer stood up during the sharing of joys and concerns, and through tears, she shared her struggle. She had a parent back in Brazil who was dying, and she was desperate to make it home to see this parent before it was too late. It was hard for her to ask, but she wondered if there was anyone who might be able to help her financially.” Presented with a challenge, the church’s members began to understand that they could help a sister in need. The tearful concern of an immigrant in their midst grabbed their hearts and took precedent over a balanced church budget. They began to work together to meet the need of the newcomer and it became their rallying cry. When they were able to raise enough funds to send this person to Brazil, they realized God could use them for powerful things. “Our focus changed, from inward to outward,” said the church leader, “and that made all the difference. Once we began looking outward, we never stopped.”

There were many factors that led to this church’s revitalization, but the point was clear: When the focus is outward, some of the inward things begin to take care of themselves.
Allen Ewing-Merrill, Aug 6, 2009

The Rev. Ewing-Merrill and his wife, Sara, co-pastor Chestnut UMC and New Light community in Portland, Maine. This was excerpted from his blog at forwardonthejourney.blogspot.com.

Run for your life!!!!!

I received this email from Tangle.com. They send out daily videos for reflection and consideration. This video created a variety of emotions within me. What really struck me was the call to run from the church. He wasn't calling us to run from all churches but certain ones (I'll let you watch to see which ones he talks about). I am interested to hear what folks think. Do we know such churches? Are we such a church? What can keep us from falling into such categories...

Click on the title for today's post to see the video...

"Good for nothing"

How many times do we look at someone through our eyes and wonder if they can ever amount to anything. We've got a vision, a thought, an expectation, or whatever that allows us to only see this person in one way. Or, maybe we've been the one being viewed and heard the words "good for nothing" spoken in our direction.

I came across this story on sermons.com and it reminded me that even when the world sees us as a failure, God has given us gifts that will make us a sure success if we will but use them. Some will make us successful by the standards of this world but all of them, whether appreciated by those around us or not, will help us to be a part of the great success of God's kingdom on earth.

Some can cut fish and others can swing a bat...both can lead to success...

Switching Tracks

Sometimes the best thing we can do is to move on to another field. Paul Harvey tells the story of Joe, who was born into a family of Sicilian immigrants, a family who had a 300-year history as fishermen. Joe's dad was a fisherman. His brothers were fishermen. But Joe was made sick by the smell of raw fish and the motion of a rocking boat. In a family where the only acceptable way to earn a living was by fishing, Joe was a failure. His dad used to refer to his son as "good for nothing." Joe believed his dad. He believed that his attempts at other types of work were an admission of failure, but he just couldn't stand the smell of the fishing business. One thing that Joe could do was to play baseball. Giving up a field where he could not succeed, Joe DiMaggio moved to another field and became one of the great successes of baseball.

David G. Rogne, Sermons for Sundays after Pentecost

Do we have the courage to dance alone?

While checking out facebook today I found this connection through Leonard Sweet. As you watch the video that is found on this page, consider the questions that are asked below about leadership. As ambassadors of Christ, sometimes we may feel we are dancing alone but in reality it might simply be that we are giving others the courage and empowerment to join us and to dance as well. What do you think? Consider the words of the song as well as the actions. I am amazed at how the initial folks walked to him but soon, as people experienced the excitement and joy from a distance, they began to run and wanted to be a part of it. How might we share the excitement we have for Jesus and the faith community in which we worship so that others might come running and when they get there, feel a part of something very special...

97 Pounds...how do we carry things?

Found this story on one of my daily devotionals "Mountain Wings" and wanted to share it...

97 Pounds
==========

It was a national holiday. I was at work; everyone else was off. It was one of those privileges of the boss.

The doorbell rang at the front door. I left my office and went to open it. It was a UPS driver.

"How many boxes do you have," I asked.
"Just one," he replied "but it's 97 pounds.

I told him that he could just drive the truck up to the front, and I could take the box off and leave it in the lobby. He then explained that the truck was dock height, and his back wasn't in good shape and that he didn't like to lift boxes from the back of the truck to the ground. I understood.

I then told him that we could just take it off and leave it on the dock, and I would bring it inside later. To open the dock doors required me to walk through the dark warehouse area, unlock the gates and open the doors so I just walked around to the dock area from outside.

As we both lifted the box he said, "I think they lied about that 97 pounds."

About 30 minutes later, I opened the dock doors and began to lift the box. It wasn't just heavy, it was awkward. You had to really spread your arms to get a grip on the box, and I could feel the pull on my back. I thought about the UPS driver's back and decided to get a hand truck.

I maneuvered the box onto the hand truck and rolled it easily into the warehouse. You could roll that reportedly 97-pound box with two fingers and absolutely no strain. I was amazed at the ease of movement with the hand truck versus pure muscle power.

God then spoke.
"That's the difference, when going through life, between a happy attitude and outlook and a sour one."

The same box, the same distance and the same result but a vastly different effort was required using my muscles or the hand truck.

Use the happy hand truck with your heavy loads.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
(Mat 11:30 KJV)

~A MountainWings Original~

Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:
http://www.mountainwings.com/past/9180.htm

Prayer of Thomas Merton

As I was looking at Lindsay's blog, I found this prayer by Thomas Merton. How power the words are! A realization, like I often have, that I want to be following God's will, I believe I am following God's will, but in reality, only God knows if I am. I find comfort in Merton's last words of trust that God is always with me and will never leave me to face my perils alone. How do you see your relationship with Christ? Is it one of confidence, arrogance, assurance, doubt, uncertainty? I believe a humble relationship is a good place to start and grow. Humble in the sense of placing God in the center of our lives and allowing ourselves to follow one whom we cannot see, touch, hear, taste, but is always there in ways that we can't even begin to comprehend.

Prayer of Thomas Merton
My Lord God I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are every with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Lindsay's favorite quotes and pictures

Over the years I have made many wonderful friends through worship. I can't remember the exact year that it happened, but I met two of those friends. They were from NJ and were up visiting a grandson, daughter, and husband. Each year they journey to Maine for a period of time. Maybe I get to see them for a couple of weeks or maybe just for a visit. But like the sun, they are faithful and will always make an appearance when in the area. Their names are Lindsay and Sue. Lindsay just recently wrote to tell me that at 76 (almost 77) he was going to start a blog that mixed quotes, scripture, and photos he has collected over the years. I invite you to check it out and to support his ministry of words and wonders!

What do you think?

We get images and pictures of God's presence in tragedies and miracles. Here is another. As we look at God holding up the plane, how do we see those same strong hands supporting us in life threatening events? Do we acknowledge that it is God who holds us up when we can't stand, keeps us warm when we are chivering from the cold of the world, keeps us comfortable when we find life uncomfortable? As I looked at the picture, and as I remembered the live images of the people standing on the wings, it did appear that somehow they were being held up. Now if I can just remember that in my life when something shuts down my engines and I think I'm going to crash. God gave "Sully" the experience, wisdom, and ability to land the plane where it would do the least harm and save the most folks, why don't we remain calm and believe that God will do the same in our lives? Something to think about...Did I mention I am flying out of JFK next week???

A Prayer for a New President and a New America

In the January issue of "Sojourners" there are prayers for the new president. As I was reading through them I found one by Shane Claiborne that really struck home. It is a prayer of confession and hope. There are many others who wrote prayers and letters to the new president but this one stood out for me and where I am. Let me know what you think...

God of love, grace, and hope, thank you for creating a perfect world. Forgive us for the mess we have made of it. Forgive us for the groaning of creation, for the millions who die of hunger and curable diseases, for warehousing people in prisons and using them for labor, for the scandal of billions wasted in war, for an economy that mirrors the seven deadly sins, for the violence and greed in our own hearts. Save us from ourselves.
Give us the courage to bless the poor in a world that blesses the middle class, to bless the meek in a world that admires aggression, to bless the hungry in a world that feeds the already fed, to bless the merciful in a world that shows no mercy on evildoers, to bless the pure in heart in a world of clutter and noise, to bless the peacemakers in a world that baptizes bombs.
Give us imagination that we might not conform to the patterns of this world, that we might shatter indifference and interrupt injustice with grace, that we might choose the cross over the sword, that we might be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves, that we might consider the lilies and sparrows as they shame Wall Street's splendor, that we might choose the dream of God over the dreams of nations, that we might cling to the God who so loved the world, not just America, that we might allow our Jesus to change America rather than America to change our Jesus.

Giving blood with a spiritual perspective...

Below is a daily reflection on giving blood. What do you think about what he has to say? I found it quite interesting and gives the whole process a new look for me...

Have a great day and don't forget to give blood if you are able...


Blood
======

I gave blood today.

It was the first time in over 6 years and I had only donated once before. As I reflect on the day's event, I see spiritual truth and application in what appears to be a simple thing.

Christianity is symbolized by the cross. The blood of Jesus is the verbal wording and pictorial image of the sacrifice and salvation for Christians. If you are not Christian, bear with me, this will relate.

The symbol of the organization that collects blood to save lives is The Red Cross. I got a chance to stare at it while I was on the donating couch. It's not a Christian cross, it's a plus sign.

Most of the south is Christian by a large majority. Less than 5% of the eligible population donates blood. I saw interesting parallels in the blood donation today.

Most Christians don't truly donate of their blood in helping strangers. Blood is blood. Blood is money. Blood is effort.

In Christianity, it takes pure blood to save life and give salvation. At the Red Cross, you have a battery of questions to answer concerning past disease and sexual partners. You must consent to have your blood tested for AIDS and other diseases. If your blood isn't healthy or pure, you can't donate. If it doesn't test clean, they won't give it to anyone.

You sacrifice material resources.
They don't pay you for your blood and they don't reimburse you for transportation costs. You have to get to the donation center on your own. Real spiritual mission often means that you will sacrifice your material resources, not get rich.

You sacrifice time.
It took about an hour and a half. By the time you fill out the forms, answer the questions, have a mini-physical, have your blood drawn, and wait 15 minutes to get up, it takes an hour and a half. You will never get spiritual growth and reward without investing time.

It hurts.
No, it is not excruciating pain but you have to be stuck twice.
Once in the finger so they can determine whether you have enough hemoglobin in your blood. If you don't, you might faint. Once in the arm as they draw the blood. If it felt good, you wouldn't need a higher leading to do it. You would do it from the gratification of the flesh. So it is with spiritual things, it often hurts to change and make sacrifice.

There are risks.
Although donating blood is statistically very safe, there is a slight chance that something could go wrong.
Walk the narrow path and there are great risks.

If someone doesn't give, others will die.

All of the above are spiritual principles and each one you must endure to really help. Becoming unselfish and helping others is the basis for all spiritual disciplines.

If you ever want to meet a special breed of people, go to a Red Cross donation center. Don't go to the commercial centers where they pay you for your blood, go where the donors give their blood without pay.

There were five other people giving blood when I went.
There was a black woman in her 30's. Two white men in their mid 30's to 40's and two white women in their 50's or 60's. The attendant knew three of the donors by first name.
Evidently, they were regulars. All of them had a peace about them. For lack of a better word, they had a spirit of goodness.

The Southern Red Cross needs 1,200 units of blood a week.
This is the largest collection facility in Atlanta. There were a total of six people in the room.

If you ever want to see what a real giver looks like. Go to a Red Cross collection center. Think about it. What type of person takes their time, gas and automobile to give something that will go to someone that they don't even know? A giver, that's what type.

I felt an urge to go today for the second time in over six years. I decided to go every 56 days. That's the most you can donate. One pint every 56 days.

I always knew the need. I always knew that someone had to give the blood. I was always too busy and figured someone

else would do it.

Do you figure someone else will do it?

I don't necessarily mean donating blood. I mean the things that you see around you that you know need to be done. We are too busy and we figure "it will get done by someone else".

Maybe it's time to move to being a giver. Not just with your immediate family, but to someone that you don't even know.

Oddly enough, the Red Cross runs into critical shortages of blood during the first two weeks of January each year.
People don't give very much during the holidays.

It is an interesting thought, that in the very season of giving, giving the gift of life is at it's lowest.

It's three hours later and I actually feel better. Not just mentally, I physically feel better.

The shedding of blood was a medical practice from the 5th century to after the time of George Washington. Doctors believed that to lose some blood periodically kept you healthier. That is of course considered medical non-sense now but who knows what truth the ancients knew?

The red, white and blue barbers pole is from the practice of bloodletting. The red stood for blood, the blue for veins and the white for the bandage. You went to the barbershop to get a haircut and some blood let out. That blood however, went in the trash, not to save lives. They thought it improved their health and kept them from getting sick or if they were sick it made them well.

The old fashioned barbers even used leeches. Sound terrible doesn't it? Well, they are now using leeches in modern surgery. Like I said, who knows what truth the ancients knew.

Heart disease is our leading killer. Most of it results from the blood clotting because it's too thick. Maybe if we shed a little every now and then our own blood wouldn't be so thick. Women outlive men in every country on earth.
They shed blood every 28 days. 2 x 28 = 56

Just an interesting thought.

The Christian cross and The Red Cross are both plusses if you understand the math.

It's the type of math where when you subtract something from you,

...you add something to you.

~A MountainWings Original~
-------------------------------------------------
MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#1013 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
-------------------------------------------------

My name is David and I'm a work-a-holic..

I've seen this before but I am reading it today just after the conclusion of a funeral. This person would have been 81 today. The reality is that none of us are promised tomorrow and so it's important that we consider just how precious our time is to those whom we love. I remember being in school and having my son Chris come to my desk and ask if he could make an appointment for Saturday so that we could spend time together. This season of Advent has been very busy and the church has seen far more of me than my wife. It's time to change that because my time with her is priceless! I invite you to read and reflect...

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD: 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.

SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door..

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $50 now.. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

Antsy? No Ant-see. It's a great view!!!!

As we struggle with the various events and experiences in our lives, here is an interesting story from across the world that might help to give us a little perspective on how we can see things if we do not, or we do, trust them to God...I know if gave me something to think about...

The Child's Ant
================

God had been trying to get my attention for some months, but I was too deep in debt to hear Him. However, it took just one divinely orchestrated incident to put everything in perspective.

I had woken up early to prepare my two little daughters for school. As I tried to put the older one in the bathtub, she saw an ant right there. You would have thought she saw a viper.

All my entreaties to her to put down her feet were ignored: her greatest problem at that point was an ant. To her, an ant was a big deal, but it wasn't to me. I could easily take care of an ant any day. Then I got impatient with her for fearing an ant.

At that point, I had a MountainWings Moment! It was as if I heard an audible voice: "Is that not what you have been doing to me all these past months?"

What? You mean all the debts I thought were big enough to crush me were like that ant to God? I had to apologize for having a low impression of God.

Today, a few months later, all the debts are gone.

~A MountainWings Original by Sylvester Ojenagbon, Lagos, Nigeria~

Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:
http://www.mountainwings.com/past/8347.htm

Received this and it gives some perspective to how we consider ourselves in God's plans. Yes, we make mistakes and sometimes really screw up but if God can do amazing things with the folks below, what can God do with you?!?!?



Here's another thought, as we do God's work, we might also consider what God can do with the folks we've labeled because of their bad habits or characteristics.....hmmmmm


The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced,
more than once Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...

AND

Lazarus was dead!

What do you have that’s worse than that?
So no more excuses!

God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.


(Mountainwings #4289)

It was an interesting day...

On July 11, 2008 my dad died from a horrific disease Stevens Johnson Syndrome. It has no cure and they hope it works through the body and then the person gets better. In his case, it covered almost 95% of his body by the time he could fight no longer. As we walked through the next few days, I thought ahead to the "first" holidays without dad and figured they were a long way away.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, I realized that these past months went very quickly. As I awoke, I gave thanks that mom had come down the night before to help us get ready for the day. I think just having her around was a great way for me to prepare. We were only going to be a group of six folks but I wasn't sure what to expect. I decided I wanted to go for a run in the morning and not wanting to focus on the "pain" of running, I decided to think about dad. I began to create a list of thanks to God for how God had blessed my life through James H. Abbott Jr. Though I didn't finish the list on the road, I'd like to share what I did think of and add a few more. It won't be a complete list as I continue to reflect on the many ways that dad impacted and empowered my life, but it's a beginning.

God,

Today I give you thanks for my dad and the special times we had together...

1. For getting us involved in rabbits and though I wasn't real good about feeding and cleaning them you still shared them with me in love. I will always remember the fairs, the best of show, ohJ, the new friends we made who also showed rabbits.


2. For giving me a chance the day that Russell and I made a really dumb decision. I figured I'd be punished for weeks but you figured I had learned enough and anything you did wouldn't be beneficial. By doing nothing, you did everything.


3. For driving from Bath to Winthrop in the spring when I played baseball for the team the Gulls. We were horrible and only one two games but you were always supportive and willing to drive the hour each way to see some really bad baseball.


4. For taking me with you on those weekends when we opened Mechuwana and for being the director for three years. Had you not been the director there I am not sure if I would have come to know the power and presence of God, not only on that holy ground, but also in my life. It was at Mechuwana that I struggled with what it meant to be called by God.


5. For crying when I graduated from the University of Maine. I tell folks that was the first time I saw tears in your eyes and it meant a great deal to me as your son. I knew I had done good when I saw your smile moistened by tears. It gave me the freedom to share my tears with my boys, both of sadness and joy at very important moments in all of our lives.


6. For going to Washington DC for my Doctoral graduation. I wasn't all that interested in the event until Lisa pushed me to go and when I saw your determination I began to give thanks to God that we could share it together.


7. For your loyalty to your doctors. Though we will always disagree on it, you did show me that we've got to trust in folks, especially when we don't know. At the same time, I want to thank you for being willing to get a second opinion or two as we struggled with your cancer.


8. For teaching me that if there is something we can't fix or change, we can't let it take up our life. If we can do something about it, great, do it. If we can't, use the time to make a difference somewhere else. When I've been worried about decisions that others are making, I've let go and done other things, knowing I couldn't impact thier choice. It saved me a great deal of "worry time".


9. For supporting mom in her many ministries. You showed me that it's just as important to be the support person as it is to be the person on the move. Your grace and love of that role helped me to pull back and allow others to do "their thing". It has been a blessing as I've witnessed some amazing things.


10. For loving me as me. For telling me again and again that you loved me and for telling me whenever you could that you were proud of me. In a world where love is sometimes a scarce commodity and folks would rather tear you down than build you up, you helped me to understand that love is always in abundance and encouragement should be shared whenever you've got the chance. I end every conversation with my boys by telling them I love them and never miss a chance to let them know how awed I am at the great things they are doing.

There are many more things to which I give thanks to God for my dad and I'll continue to lift them up as often as I can. I realize that for some folks, "dad" was a word that had no meaning or only negative images. Dad and I did tussle and disagree but whenever I say "dad" my eyes tear up but my heart fills with love and thanksgiving.

Yes, the holidays are here. Yes, it is a challenge to be without him. Yes, I am very blessed to have a mom who is just as great as my dad was. And yes, if you haven't told your parents, or those who raised you, that you love them, don't waste another minute for you never know when you'll only be able to say it in a prayer.

I love you dad!

(The picture is of our family at a family reunion last summer.)

A different perspective...who is the real pane...

I received this email from "mountainwings" today that was a real eye opener. How many times have we complained about how people are doing things? How many times have we come up with just the solution they need to make their life better? As we head into this time of the year when folks are collecting food for the hungry, before we talk about those who "abuse" the system, maybe we ought to think of how we are looking at those very folks with our "Christ-like" eyes...

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?" The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows." And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. ~Author Unknown~

Psalm 23...It's more than just a reading at a funeral!

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!

I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death = That's Tribulations!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =That's Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life =That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

It's time to come back...

It's been many months since I last wrote in my blog. My dad died on July 11, 2008 and I've been trying to figure out how to walk through this event and begin to share again on the blog. I've had many good intentions but I've not had to right words to share. Today though, I want to share a connection to a PBS story about Camp Ray of Hope (Click on the words for the link) held at Mechuwana (truly sacred and healing ground in my life). I'm not involved whatsoever in the camp, though a member of the congregation I serve is, but it spoke to me of grief, loss, and building back what has been crushed and taken away. Thanks for being patient. I'll see you soon on these pages...

The Upper Room: A wonderful daily devotional to share with you.

I receive the Upper Room Devotional by email each day. Many times I quickly read through it, especially as I recognize the text upon which they are focusing. As a pastor, I've used parts of the following text in funerals to celebrate how someone with an illness or disease endured their final days. As I read through the July 10th reading this morning (I'm a little behind on things!), it spoke to me in amazing ways in relation to how we as members of the Body of Christ and the world around us should see each other. I hope you enjoy it as well. If you've like to receive this devotional on a daily basis, read all the way to the bottom. I realize there is a copyright law involved in sharing this, but I believe that they would be very happy to know that their work is helping to build God's kingdom here on earth...

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Let Us Pray with You
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Cracked Pots

Suggested Bible Reading
Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture--"I believed, and so I spoke"--we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
-2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (NRSV)

Today's ScriptureWe have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
-2 Corinthians 4:7 (NRSV)

MY life in Christ has helped me to accept the nature of the clay jar that I am. I have weaknesses. I have strengths. For some people who know me, my strengths outweigh my weaknesses. For others, my weaknesses outweigh my good traits. But we all live somewhere between what we have been and what God is reshaping us to be.
This is an image of God's kingdom. We live in an "already-but-not-yet" time. God's salvation in Christ has already come, but it is not yet enjoyed by all people and all creation. Jesus gave us a glimpse of God's future glory, but its full realization remains future. We live between the already of what God has done and the not-yet of what God will do. The work God has begun in us is not complete.
Yet God's glory is seen clearly in our sinful, broken, imperfect humanity. "We have this treasure in clay jars." We can focus on the clay jar, or we can focus on the treasure. We can condemn each other for being a cracked, chipped, misshapen, leaky, brittle, traditional, or contemporary jar. But if we focus on the treasure, we have hope - hope for me, for you, for enemies as well as friends, for the world - because the treasure is God's extraordinary power at work in us.
Mike Ripski (Tennessee, U.S.A.)
Prayer
Dear God, fulfill your purposes in the world and in us. Amen.
Thought for the Day

Today, I will look for God's treasure in myself and others.

Prayer Focus
For the peace of God among all people

Related Reading
Companions in Christ: The Way of Transforming Discipleship (Participant's Book)Discover what spiritual formation and authentic spirituality are all about in THE WAY OF TRANSFORMING DISCIPLESHIP, the sixth title in the Companions in Christ series. Reflect on what your faith means in terms of who you are, how you must change, how you deal with pain, and how you relate to others.
The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.PLEASE SHARE THIS MINISTRY with a friend. Invite them to sign up for the free E-Mail Devotional by visiting: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/Copyright © 2008 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute without written permission from the publisher. http://www.upperroom.org

Are we asking the right questions????

This morning I ventured away from the sports pages of the Boston Herald and moved to the front page of the Boston Globe. I know that I should be doing this on a regular basis but I find following the moves of the Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox much more interesting. I began by reading of Senator Kennedy's return to the Senate floor to vote on the Medicare Bill and then decided to venture further into the national news of the day. It was then that I came upon this article which had me shaking my head. The argument is not whether or not the trailers are safe for human occupation but whether or not someone can be held accountable for their actions. Is there something wrong with this? Could this be one of the problems of our society today, that we don't want to accept responsibility for our actions? Or, that we don't really care about the impact of our decisions on other individuals as long as we make our profit? As we walk through the day today, I invite us to consider if we are asking the right question when making decisions. My suggestion for two possible questions would be:
1) Do we praise God with our decision?
2) Do we serve our neighbor by our actions?

If the answer to either is "No" or the decision doesn't allow for us to ask such questions, I would invite us to stop, pray, and seek God's guidance. No one should suffer from the poison of our unwillingness to make a change in our lives, even if there is a cost involved to us!

GOP backs trailer makers
Report: Firms not to blame for toxins
By Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press July 10, 2008
WASHINGTON - Manufacturers say they are not responsible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers that had toxic levels of formaldehyde, despite Democrats' findings that companies knew of the dangers yet sold them to the government anyway after Hurricane Katrina.
The report by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is at odds with an analysis by Republican staff members on the same committee. The Republican report backs the companies and found that trailer manufacturers should not be held accountable for the high levels of formaldehyde - a preservative commonly used in building materials - in trailers that FEMA set up to house people displaced by Katrina in 2005. Republicans say it is the government's fault for not having standards for safe levels of formaldehyde in trailers.
But Democrats say their staff interviewed employees from one of the manufacturers, Gulf Stream Coach, who said they, too, were suffering effects from formaldehyde exposure, including nose bleeds, shortness of breath, dizziness, and bleeding ears.
Gulf Stream Coach Inc., received the bulk of the FEMA trailer contracts after Katrina, collecting more than $500 million.
Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California and committee chairman, said the Democrats' investigation found that Gulf Stream tested the trailers, but treated the results as a public relations liability instead of a health hazard.
"It found pervasive formaldehyde contamination in its trailers, and it didn't tell anyone," Waxman said yesterday.
Jim Shea, chairman of Gulf Stream, said there was no actual testing of trailers. Instead, there was informal screening with a Formaldemeter, which is not a scientific test.
Shea said, however, that his company asked FEMA in 2006 whether it should test the trailers, but FEMA said no.
Last year, scientists tested hundreds of FEMA trailers and found potentially dangerous levels of formaldehyde.
There is no government standard for the amount of formaldehyde in travel trailers. Standards are set for indoor air quality for materials used to build mobile homes, but not travel trailers. Katrina victims now occupy 15,000 travel trailers in the Gulf Coast, down from the more than 143,000 trailers that once housed victims.