Com Pasio

I'll be the first to admit - well, not the first, but you know what I mean - that the Apostle Paul is sometimes difficult to follow. His rhetorical thoughts form a tight web from which there can only be one conclusion; Paul's. Today's passage from the lectionary for this Sunday is a good example. Romans 8:12-17 begins with us being debtors (someone who owes something to another) and ends with us being heirs as God's children.


However, we do not claim to be sole heirs as God's children. According to Paul we are joint heirs with Jesus if we suffer with him. And this act of suffering with Christ allows us to be glorified (the actual phrase used here in the Greek is syndoxazō which actually means to join in approving) alongside Jesus.


I hope we haven't lost anyone yet. It's just a thing of mine to break down Paul's writing so I can understand it better. 


So what is it that we have the honor of jointly approving with Jesus? All that God has to offer us, of course; all-encompassing love, unconditional acceptance, and the joy and peace that comes with that. I mentioned in the last post that my wife and I went to the Lantern Floating Ceremony on Memorial Day. The crowds were massive, and I want to say every race and religion was represented. There were people of all colors sitting shoulder to shoulder. Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and atheists all gathered in one place for one purpose; to share in compassion with those around them.


It was as if Christ was alive in each person there as the Spirit kept a calm and respectful atmosphere. Just imagine 40,000 people gathered in one mind, one heart, one purpose, and not one person with a bad intent. Imagine, now, 6 billion people all living the same way. 


The theme of the ceremony is Many Rivers, One Ocean. Humanity is symbolized by the rivers and the universe by the ocean. There are many paths to happiness, I just wish some people wouldn't build dams.


Com Pasio - Suffer With.

Sometimes It Takes Burning Coals

I'm trying something a little different today. I'm posting this from my phone, so don't judge my typos. The reason I'm doing it this way is because I slept in an extra 30 minutes after a rather long and emotionally exhausting day and still had to get to work on time.

Yesterday my wife and I went to a church picnic for lunch then went over to watch the 14th Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park. For those unfamiliar with lantern floating it's a way for certain cultures to honor those who have passed on from this life. This year the ceremony was attended by approximately 40,000 people and over 1,000 lanterns were floated. We have been going to this ceremony from the beginning and I honestly have to say this is by far the most people we have seen gathered for this event, ever.

My wife and I were talking about it and it seems this year, especially, there were a lot more people needing to rid themselves of the pains they had experienced for whatever reason.

The lanterns are suppose to represent a way for the survivors of the passed loved ones to let go of some, if not all, their grief. It has also become a way to release a lot of other pain those same people are feeling. Some of that pain is from events which surround these individuals and some of that pain is within themselves.

It's that pain, the one that lives inside us, that when we find a way to let it go we can begin to live the life God intended for us. Isaiah 6:1-8 tells us the story of the prophet's call from God. In the passage Isaiah doesn't feel worthy enough to be a messenger of God, but when his lips are touched with burning coal and he is told his sins have been forgiven he immediately accepts the life God has planned for him.

A true testament to living in accordance to the will of God is what I beloved this passage is trying to give is. Maybe you're feeling good, living a happy life, but maybe somewhere deep within you can still feel that emptiness. Those who floated their lanterns yesterday, as well as those who were witnesses, found a way to begin the cleansing process.

How will you begin?

Listen To That Voice

I was planning on taking an extra day off from posting something today; it being Memorial Day and all. However, God must have had something else in mind. I kept hearing that "little voice" tell me to just read the Psalm for this week. you all know that "little voice". The one which enters your brain as a whisper, and the more it's ignored the louder it gets. Which is why when I finally gave in to reading the Psalm I had a chuckle, closed my eyes, and said to God, "I get it, thank you."

Psalm 29 talks about giving credit where credit is due because, after all, God is the reason for creation's very existence. And, as they have for the past few weeks, The Psalmist lets us know exactly how omnipotent God is. I got the feeling if I hadn't stopped to listen when I did I might have been snapped in half like one of those cedars. Which brings me to what I am thinking today; why don't we stop to listen anymore?

Recently my wife made a comment which somewhat surprised me, not so much that she said it but more because it's how I've felt for a while. It was just after 6:00 pm and we were watching an old war movie. I grabbed the TV's remote control, and before I had a chance to change the channel she asked what I was doing. "It's 6, time for the news." I said. Watching the nightly news has been a routine of ours for so long I never thought twice about changing the channel at 6; in fact, neither has she.

That night, however, there would be a change in our routine. "Leave it here, I'm tired of watching the news."

With those words she had found a way to say that all of the negativity being highlighted in this world is no longer something we will ascribe to in this house. Instead, we will ascribe to things more positive, more in line with where our spirit is. Yes, with those words she made it known that this house has no place for things which divide and separate us from each other and from God.

So, we've been watching other things; old movies, funny sitcoms, shows on travel or history. We're taking a break from the voice of the world and are listening to the voice of, well, not sure what it's the voice of, but it's not a voice that brings news of pain and suffering and sadness and despair.

Take time out today to listen for the voice of God. Don't wait until the earth shakes or the forest is stripped bare. Listen for the voice of God when God is still whispering; it's just so much more a pleasant experience.

While you're at it, say thank you to a veteran. I'm sure they'd like to hear a pleasant voice as well.

Who's On Your Side?

It's a sad statement in today's western culture that has us believing we have to be on one side or the other. Definite lines in the sand have been made on issues such as abortion, deforesting,  marriage equality, hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking), religion, ocean dumping, and many other issues. It's not all right anymore to say I believe in being in the middle. Saying, "I can see the need for it, but maybe how it is done should be limited or look for other ways to conserve." about ecological issues or "I know it's a difficult topic, but honestly, isn't that their choice and all I should really do is support them in where their lives go from here." about social issues are no longer acceptable. We are expected and sometimes pressured into choosing a side.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:22-27 that all of creation is on the verge of change and in fact that change is already taking place. His imagery of "groaning in labor pains" paints a picture of a world that is going through what most, if not all, women who have given birth will tell you is one of the most painful experiences of their lives. These same women will also tell you that the joy of holding their new born immediately takes away the pains they have just endured.

Once again Paul shows us how endurance and suffering brings about hope and joy. But this time, in this passage, Paul reminds us we won't go through these pains alone. We have someone who will intercede on our behalf as we go through them. That "interceder" is the Spirit of God. The same Spirit which Jesus told us was coming to guide us and the same Spirit which unified a room full of men on the verge of major disagreement; the same spirit which filled a valley full of dry bones to help Ezekiel spread the message that God is always by our side.

Somewhere, somehow, someway humanity has forgotten that we have one who goes through what we go through, regardless of the depths of suffering or the heights of joy. God doesn't demand we be on God's side; even though nothing would make God happier. God allows us to live our life and make decisions along the way which we feel is best for our lives. What's missing from how we decide things today is remembering to include others, creation, and God in those decisions.

God is on our side. More importantly, God is at our side. Let's try to be remember that the next time we are being asked to choose sides.

The Conversation Continues

The divisions between hard-line Christians and the rest of the world seem to be growing wider. It would also seem that those same divisions are separating hard-line Christians from other Christians. As the few who hold on to antiquated ideas and beliefs become more vocal, and as those increasingly vocal people are shown to be unwilling to accept, or at least listen to, other ideas, more and more people who are considered unaffiliated with any religion are less and less willing to look at Christianity as a possible way to build a relationship with God, other people, creation, and/or themselves.

The main argument those hard-line Christians give for being entrenched in their beliefs is usually "because the bible says so." Unfortunately, because words are written in a book there are those who think that's all there can be said about it.

The United Church of Christ's motto is "God is still speaking", using a comma as its logo and a tag line of "Never put a period where God has placed a comma." In other words, we need to be listening to what God is trying to tell us in the times which we are living. John 15:26-27 and John 16:4b-15 reminds us of just that.

The Gospel reading from this week's lectionary has Jesus telling his disciples that soon someone will come to help them. This Advocate will come to speak to them, and us, in truth about things like sin, judgment, and righteousness. I especially like how 16:12-13 is written for us. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Even Jesus himself admits that not everything that needed to be said has been said. He even tries to tell the people of his time that they weren't ready to know the truth yet, but in time the truth will be revealed in all its entirety. Maybe that time is closer than we think.

Christianity is not the only way to have a relationship with God. Neither is it the only answer to bringing hope, joy, peace, and love to the world. Christianity is one of the ways, though, and it just so happens to be the way I have chosen to live my life by. By living in the way Jesus did - accepting all people regardless of differences, compassionate with those in need, standing up for justice, and with open and unconditional love - my life and that of the people around me might possibly become a better one.

What do you think?

By the way - I really like Pentecost!

Dem Bones, Dem Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-14 tells us a great story about the prophet being placed in a valley filled with dry bones and through the words of God being able to bring those bones to life, complete with sinew and flesh and breath. Such a beautiful story with a great message.

Of course that message was meant for the prophet to speak to the people of Israel. That message was to remind the people of Israel that even though things look bad, that life as they know it seems as dead as dried bones, God is a God who never abandons them and if they can remember that life will once again fill them.

What a beautiful message for our churches today. Mainline Christianity is slowly becoming that same valley in which Ezekiel stood. A look at many of our churches show an ageing congregation with dwindling attendance. A further look shows that the younger people who do attend are not as forthcoming in their financial gifts as are the older members. Yes, in a sense our churches are drying up.

And maybe that's happening because we've forgotten to let God breathe new life into us. There are churches which are thriving, growing, and full of vibrant-ness. These churches are not that way because of the music they play, or the multi-media presentations during the service, or all of their "house" ministries. No, these churches are thriving because they have allowed a new breath of God to blow through.

Not all of these churches are "mega" churches either. I know of many smaller churches - less than 100 members could be the definition, if you need to define small - that are fully involved in the life of those who come to their church and those who don't. Community outreach, compassionate sharing, simple acts of kindness, acceptance of all people regardless of life choices, and truly living the life taught us by Jesus the Christ are what makes these church's bones begin to come to life again.

Israel forgot that God is a living God, and as such continues to speak to us in the vernacular of the times in which we live. The Christian Church is in danger of being in that same place; in that valley already beginning to fill with some bones. Our churches need to remember that God is a loving God and Jesus gave his life to prove that point.

Did I say I love Pentecost.

What's That Sound

Pentecost is one of my favorite times of the year. The message of Pentecost brings with it that of a new beginning filled with exciting, albeit risky, adventure. The story of Pentecost as told to us in Acts shows just how this adventure will be as it's told with images of misunderstanding, confusion, conversation and finally understanding all possible because of the unifying spirit of God.

Acts 2 paints us a wonderful picture of these images. We see a room filled with devout Jews (some commentaries say about 500, some say more, some say less, I say it doesn't matter) and yet we really don't have an idea on why they're there. The chapter simply begins with them gathered and suddenly being overcome by a sound of a violent wind and having their heads touched with tongues of fire. Whoa! Imagine being there.

Then all heck breaks loose. People begin arguing, people start to accuse each other of being drunk or practicing trickery. Peter, probably having had enough of the nonsense, then get's up and says (paraphrasing), "OK...That's quite enough!" and goes into what is argued to be the first sermon of the new Christian church.

In his sermon, Peter points out that the people gathered should not be surprised about what happened, after all, it's what they were expecting and waiting for. Which brings about my thought of the day - What are we expecting?

God's presence is always and ever. God wants to be in a relationship with us, and reaches out to us all day long, everyday. God's voice is everywhere and all we need to do to hear it is listen. God shouldn't have to come to us in the sound of a tornado or touch our heads with burning coals. No, we should hear our God in the little things; birds singing, waves lapping on shore, leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, the laughter of children. That's where God is easiest to hear.

All we have to do is listen.

All Together Now

Last week was one of organized chaos. I did my best controlling all the things that were going on and in the process I was reminded  about something important; things work out better when I let God take control.

Last week I had no car and was dependent on others to get me to the places I needed to be. That one thing really disturbed my normal routine as I had no time to read my bible and reflect on the passage I read. I tried to find other times, but my life being what it is right now there just wasn't any other time. Well, I got a car back this past weekend and already I'm feeling a difference as I have my usual 30 minutes in the morning to read, reflect and respond on the lectionary passages for the week (I just made that up, the 3 R's of bible study).

So this morning I went straight to the Psalm for the day. As some of you may know this Sunday is Pentecost. Pentecost is considered by many as the birthday of the Christian Church. It's also one of my favorite times in the life of the Church as we get to celebrate how the spirit of God is with us and helps us to better understand one another. As the week goes on we'll talk more about Pentecost. Today I want to talk about the Psalm for this Sunday.

Verses 24-35 of Psalm 104 keeps with our Easter theme (yes, we're still in Eastertide) of God being greater than one can possibly imagine. The Psalm is once again filled with images of God being everywhere and in everything, helping me to realize that humankind is not the reason for the world's existence. Rather humankind is a part of things, no more, or less, important than any other part of creation. To prove this point verses 25 and 26 puts together innumerable things both great and small with ships and the Leviathan, all using the vast seas for "sport".

Maybe it's just me, but I smiled at the thought of people on a ship being accompanied by dolphins and sea turtles playing in the open sea with a very large sea monster. You know what, though, that's what my week was like last week. The only thing missing was my realization that God was the reason it was all happening. I did the human thing and made it all about me and that's what I now believe made my week as hectic as it was.

This week should be - no, will be - a better week. I will make every effort to put God first in everything I do and in that process I'm sure any sea monster that happens to pop its head up will do so only because it wants us to play catch.

Adjustments

Today had the potential of being another day like yesterday. Who knew 45 minutes every morning could alter my attitude as much as it does. I don't like being a grouch, especially towards those who deserve my sharp tongue least. So this morning instead of worrying about not being able to perform my usual routines I decided to make an adjustment.

Instead of checking my emails, updating Facebook, looking at my calendar, and the other tasks I normally perform each morning, I simply sat watching the morning news and sipping coffee I found the time relaxing. I didn't feel the same stresses as yesterday in having to do this or do that or do anything before I got ready for work. In the extra time I found myself with I was able to think through and organize my day. I actually made a "to-do" list which I followed.

On that list was a bunch of little tasks I've been putting off; you know, the little things that take a back seat to the bigger, more important ones. There must have been a dozen of them and included things like email the thing to so-and-so and update the list for that thing. As the day proceeded I also found I was able to get to those things on my list and one by one they were crossed off.

Now, as I sit here writing this post at the end of my day, I am finding a peace in the knowledge that I can go to sleep with very few things to do in preparation for the weekend. I'm also thinking back on the week and realize how much those things left undone were working on my stress level. All this because I decided to go with the flow and make a small adjustment in my day. Who would've thought.

I think I'll be looking for more opportunities to adjust my life.

Where Did The Day Go?

Wow! What a day. I'm currently without a car so I'm depending on the goodness of others to get me where I need to be. I am blessed to have a loving family who helps whenever they can in whatever ways they can. As a result of being car-less I am having to get ready for work 45 minutes earlier than usual. This is cutting into my daily centering time in a way that doesn't allow me to read my daily passage and put my thoughts here.

That's not a bad thing, it's just now that I actually had one day during the week where I my normal routine wasn't kept I honestly feel, well, un-centered. My thoughts and focus was on everything today except for the things that really matter; God and my relationships. I admit, I got a lot done, but I don't feel complete. And so, in the moments before I close my computer for the night I suddenly remembered to insert a little God into my day.

I am preparing for what our church calls Graduate Sunday. It's a day when we, the church community, honors the graduates from high school and college. I've taken on the task of planning the service and writing the liturgy (look it up). I am not finished, but I'm tired so I need to stop. It's funny how God calls out to us when we need to hear God most. Let me share with you the words I wrote as a way to invite everyone to be with God and each other in church.

Leader:  The voice of the Lord can be heard in the sea                                    People:   As the waves come to rest on our beaches                                        Leader:   The voice of the Lord can be heard in the skies                                    People:   As the gentle breezes blow through the Koolaus                              Leader:   The voice of the Lord can be heard throughout our land                                                People:   As all of creation sings songs of joy                                                            All:          Let us come together and listen for God’s voice

As I say goodnight, let me listen to the wonderful voice of God. I may not remember to be with you tomorrow. And for that I apologize in advance. I do know I'll carry these words with me, and because of that, I will also keep the voice of my God close. Be well, my dear friends, and never forget to listen.

The Final Stretch Was Just The Beginning

Yesterday, as I stood in a classroom watching the seniors in our academy being honored, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride soar through the room. As each senior's name was called I began to remember the first time we met as they entered the academy as juniors. In the two years we were together I have been blessed with being able to reach out a helping hand to many of them. Whether it was in small ways (such as letting them borrow a pen) or big ways (as in sitting with them as they share the pains of parents who have kicked them out of the house) the time I spent with them was always special to me.

I will miss those seniors. I will miss the laughs and the cries, the arguments and the acceptance, the attitudes and the understandings, and I will miss the conversations the most. Of course in today's culture they will never be too far away. We can continue to be friends through social media and be able to see what's going on with each other's life.

My thoughts will always go to them and my heart will always keep the room they made in it open for them to stay in when they need it. Mostly, though, my prayers will be for their continued success in finding their gifts and developing those gifts in a way that will best make the life of others around them better.

Yes, the high school chapter of their lives is over and the coming into adulthood is just beginning. May the search for what life is about never end.

Awesome Is As Awesome Does

This past weekend was absolutely, positively, without a doubt one of the best weekends I have had in recent memory. It was filled with times well spent with friends, colleagues, and family. It was also time well spent with my God.

Between, and within, the conferences, meeting, lunches, and shopping I found time to be in conversation with people I care about. In between, and within, all the stuff I found time to reflect, time to be active, time to participate, time to listen, time for others, and time for myself. I'm not sure where all this came from, maybe it was always there, but I am grateful for everything that happened this past weekend.

There is one thing each moment of each day had in common; a spirit of love, kindness, acceptance, and love. That's right, each moment of each day was filled with positive people who only had good things to say or do. It was a positiveness that was not only contagious but also held within it the inability to surround itself with anything else. The weekend was so filled with goodness I honestly don't think the feeling of magnificence will be going away any time soon.

On looking back at the weekend and the moments I experienced I can also say they shared one more thing in common; the fact I was not in control. I had two full days of participation and observation. I did not go into the weekend with expectations or to "seek" anything. I had decided to just let things go as they go and they went better than I had hoped they would.

This brings to mind an almost out of date church saying: Let Go, Let God. I let go, and God just took over.

Thank you, God, for my awesome weekend.

Feeling Needy

Whew! Today I will be taking some of my own advice and taking some time off for myself. Well, not really all for myself as I have some work to do, but I plan to spend a lot of time napping. I'm noticing that lately I'm short tempered, grouchy, easily irritable, and whatever else one can use to describe someone you really don't want to be around. In other words I haven't been a good friend to those around me or to myself.

That realization is what prompted me to stay home and do my work and get as much rest as I can. Somehow, though, even in my grouchiness I was still called on to be a friend yesterday. mot once, not twice, but three times. It took everything I had to give myself to listening with honest and true compassion. And that's exactly what I did. Anything less than that would not have been fair to those who wanted to share their life to myself, or to God.

Maybe that's what Jesus meant when he says there is no greater friend than one who gives his life for another. No matter how tired we get, no matter what our personal circumstances are, if we are needed to be with someone that  needs to be with us then that's where we need to be. And if this takes a personal sacrifice of some kind, then so be it. I'll always have opportunities to rest and recollect myself. I won't always have opportunities to help someone deal with the pain they're going through.

So, next time you're feeling a little tired, stressed out from everything you have to do just remember that God will always give you the strength you need to take just one more step. Take it, it'll bring you that much closer to someone who needs you.

It's Good To Be A Friend

I had one of those days yesterday. I have been using my mom's car for the last 6 or 7 months because I got into an accident about a year ago and just don't have the means to get a car of my own, yet. As I was driving to work the transmission on the van gave out. Add to this I really wanted to be at the school to work with that friend of mine and get her to graduation, I had a hard deadline for materials I need to make for a workshop this Saturday, I have deadlines past for materials needed for a summer event our church's youth are sponsoring, I need to plan a service to be done in 3 weeks, and just a little more. Oh, and I still have a paper to write on the theology of the Apostle Paul.

Once again the things I need to do have surpassed my ability to keep up with those things. Or so I thought. I decided not to go into the high school because in all honesty I wouldn't have gotten there with enough time to really do anything, so I just went straight to my church. I checked in, talked a little with others, went into one of our pastor's office, briefly told him about where I was spiritually, and got invited to have a seat and talk.

It was good to have someone I could just pour out my frustrations to. It was good to just have someone sit and listen and not judge. It was good to have a friend. The rest of my day went fine. I was able to organize the things I need to get done and check a lot off my list. All because I had a friend who took the time to simply sit and listen and share in my life.

Jesus tells us in John 15:9-17 that there is nothing better than true friendship. I agree.

These Three Things...

Yesterday was another good day for me. I want to keep you abreast of my friend who is in trouble of not graduating high school. On Monday I took another, more definite look at whether or not she's really going to make it. It looked good in four of her classes, one of them is going to be close and one of them will be close to impossible.

After a full day of looking at every different angle possible to get this young lady over the finish line I sadly came to the realization there was a none to slim chance she was going to graduate. My heart was heavy and I was not looking forward to having that conversation with her. I asked the teachers not to tell her anything yet because I didn't want to break her spirit while she was giving her best to graduating.

I thought about her and this situation all night, prayed for a glimpse at a possibility of her graduating and if not, a gentleness in telling her so. As I was driving into the school the next morning a thought came to me. "Hey, she actually has until June 24th to turn in all her work." Yes, that's right, I was living under the belief that seniors need to get all their work in before graduation, when the truth is they have until the last day of school just like everyone else.

A new light dawned, there was new hope.

As I parked my car I bumped into the grade-level counselor for the girl and asked her to double check how many credits we absolutely need. I got a call from the counselor early in the day and a second, closer look told us that we have half a credit cushion. This meant that even if we can't pass that one class she will still graduate.

A new light dawned, there was new hope.

I refuse to give up on this person. In reality I refuse to give up on anyone. I see us - by us I mean everyone, yes, all of humanity - as one big family. I know I can't help everyone, believing I could would be delusional. I do know, however, that I can help those I'm close to. By showing the love of God to those around me somehow I know that same love will spread until it's gone around to as many people as possible. If enough of us show God's love and spread this love then my faith tells me the world will see, feel, and live this love.

When I read 1 John 5:1-6 three words stuck out to me; love, faith, and truth. These three things are the basis of  the message Jesus was trying to help us understand. Have faith in yourself, others, and God - share all things in truth - and love those around you just as God loves you.

But, But, But...They're Different

As I sat and let the passage for today sink in I overheard a news story about some people accusing our President of treason. I have to admit I wasn't listening very hard, and don't know the full story, but still, I would like to know how our country has become as divided as we currently are.

Now, I may be wrong, but I have heard comments from people I know and respect that they honestly believe our President is bad for the country only because he is "different". They truly believe he is a Muslim, or was not born in this country, or lies and cheats and is stealing from our future. I ask them why they think this way, and the answer is always the same, just told with different words and never really said; because he's not like us.

I find it very difficult to understand how we can still judge people based on their skin color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender choice, or lifestyle. This is not something new, humanity has been dividing itself along "us" and "them" lines for millennia. Just take a look at today's reading. Acts 10:44-48 is the tail end of a story that has Peter telling the Gentiles about Jesus. He begins the conversation earlier in verse 34 with the words, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality."

By the end of that speech the Gentiles were touched by the Holy Spirit and Peter baptizes them into the church, a church that is to include Gentiles and Jews in a time when those two people had deep-seeded hate against each other. Peter found a way to unite these two sides and the way he did it was through the message of God's ultimate love given to us through Jesus Christ.

We're in need of another Peter. We need someone that can find a way to unite us as a people, under one love, undivided, regardless of our differences. Let me rephrase that last part; embracing our differences.

As I sit, apparently finished with this entry a public service announcement plays on the same station I heard the story of division. The message said we need to find a way to come together in spite of our differences to form a more united states. Who says TV isn't sacred.

I Can Hear The Floods Clapping

I am now convinced the best way to start one's week is reading a Psalm. Somehow, someway, at least for me, the Psalms I've been reading each Monday for the past few weeks have been nothing less than...I can't even think of a word to describe it...monumental, no, invigorating, still doesn't do it, humongously awesomtastic! That's what I was looking for. Yep, if all else can't describe the feeling, then a new phrase must be invented.

Today's lectionary reading is Psalm 98. The images of all creation applauding, singing joyous songs, and blowing their trumpets is nothing short of being awesomtastic, don't you agree? To wonder how God might take in all this acclamation will be my day's journey.

As I ponder how I might approach this journey a recent event which may help comes to mind and I want to share it with you. Recently there's been a story of a 14-year old boy who has stage 4 brain cancer who has made a bucket list of things he'd like to do before dying. On his list were simple things like spend a night in a hotel, swim in a pool, and eat at a restaurant. His list also included going to American Samoa to see his grandfather.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation got involved and, as they always do for deserving people, they made his wishes come true. The best day for this 14-year old boy was when the Foundation presented the airline tickets to American Samoa to him and his family. They decided to do it at a local restaurant, with the flare of a star-studded red carpet event. Everyone was invited to come and make signs that cheered him on, to bring cameras and snap pictures as a paparazzi would, and bring enough lei (this is Hawaii after all) to hide is head from the chest up.

The public didn't disappoint. The images of this young man being cheered on, surrounded by people who love him, was touching not only to those involved but to the young man and his family as well. When asked how he felt his response was not one might expect from a 14-year old boy who's mere presence is being celebrated by dozens of cheering fans. "I'm humbled by all this attention."

This, I think, is what God feels like when the earth and all creation shouts its accolades in God's honor. God isn't in it for the praise. God is not a "what's in it for me" kind of God. All God wants is to be loved and for us to love each other and to take care of creation. Maybe, just maybe, God created the roaring seas to applaud us.

It Rhymes With Inside

If my memory serves me I'm pretty sure  a couple days ago I mentioned a student of mine who is in danger of not graduating with the rest of her class. Maybe a quick summary will help. We had to tell her she may not pass, she got sad, all of her teachers helped make a plan to get her to graduation, she felt a little better because of all the support.

Yesterday she came to see me after school and we talked for a bit. She said she felt much better about her chances and she didn't want to give up. She then sat at a computer to finish an essay that had to be turned in.

As she gave me the finished essay she had a huge smile and her spirit beamed with joy. I couldn't help but smile as much as she was because the aura she sent was very contagious. As I looked at the other teachers in the room I noticed they too had a smile on their faces as they watched her walk into the room.

This young girl, in the midst of whatever she was going through, had found happiness in spite of her challenges. She became giddy, talkative, and almost burst with excitement. I couldn't take it any longer as I was going to burst with her. I just had to ask, "Why are you so excited?" Her answer made my eyes tear with joy. "Because I believe in myself again."

God wants nothing more than to be with us in times of need and to walk side by side with us as we work through our challenges in life. We sometimes forget that and falsely create a sense of alone-ness, shutting out God and everyone around us who may be trying to help. It's not until we get close to hitting bottom before we decide to let someone get close enough to pull us out of whatever is bringing us down.

It's in that moment when someone decides to open up to the possibility of accepting help we need to be ready to be the Christ people are looking for. And how do we be that Christ? By abiding in the love of God, in the lives of those around us, and in ourselves. It's only when we stay at people's side, never giving up on them, showing them there is always hope that God can truly get inside our lives and begin to let us feel the joy which is God's all-accepting love.

What Is It Really Trying To Say?

8. That's how many times the word "abide" appears in today's passage. From what I've learned about literary composition as presented in the bible the more times something is repeated the more important that thing is. So when John writes in his 15th chapter in verses 1-8 the word "abide" 8 times I think he means it.

More than the use of that word, though, I appreciate the metaphor John uses to make his point. The image of a branch holding on to its vine as the vine gives it life and helps it to bear fruit has always been one of my favorite images. Not because it makes me feel dependent on the vine, but because I realize it takes both the vine and the branch to bear fruit. One cannot and will not produce what the vine-grower is hoping to accomplish without the other.

Yesterday, as I sat in my office at church thinking of all the things I have to do and wondering how I was going to get it all done, I began to think of all the people around me who help accomplish the tasks I do. There are other staff, volunteers, youth, young adults, parents, siblings, various church members, and so much more that actually go into accomplishing anything we do for our church. And nothing would ever get done without the help of all those people; nothing.

This past Sunday we had a fundraiser for the Youth of our church. We sold tickets for a steak dinner at $10 each and on Sunday we cooked over 163 pounds of steak. Each plate consisted of rice, salad with dressing, dessert, a drink, and steak. We put the items in a take-out container with flatware and put each finished plate in a carry-out bag.

Every item except the steak, drinks, and salad was donated. Each Youth and youth group leader sold as many tickets as they could. We had about a dozen volunteers besides the Youth and families to help cook and put the plates together. We stood side by side as we worked in harmony, each person there because they wanted to be. In other words we had many branches attached to our vine and the results were nothing short of amazing.

As the story in John 15:1-8 tells us God is the vine-grower and Jesus is the vine for Christians. We each need to work side by side with one another to ensure the people we touch in our lives will know what the love of God is truly like; one of complete acceptance, understanding, and patience. Let the fruit we bear be one worthy of our vine-grower.

Don't Blame Me, I Didn't Start It

Let me start this post with a short story from yesterday. As some of you may, or may not, know I work in a high school as an educational assistant tutoring juniors and seniors who need the extra help. One of the students I'm working with is in grave danger of not passing this year and yesterday we had to tell this student that she may not make it to graduation. As expected she didn't take the news well and it really broke my heart as I watched her eyes tear in the realization that she may have to take another year of school.

After she calmed down a little we let her know there is still hope and what happens in the end depends fully on how she reacts to the news and acts in the next 2 weeks. We sat down, made a plan, met with all her teachers, and marked a path that will lead her to success. After that meeting she felt much better and understood that it was all up to her now. After everyone had left I talked to her a little more and let her know she wasn't alone and that all of us are there to pull her through, even though we could no longer do more than cheer her on.

Just as we were about to leave the room I felt the need to ask her something. "Can you feel what everyone has for you and how much we want for you to do this?" She looked at me, eyes tearing again, and nodded as she began to cry. She looked me in the eye and said, "I know you all care about me and I know you'll never leave my side."

Today's passage comes from 1 John 4:7-21. Today's focus is 7 simple words from verse 19, "We love because he first loved us."

If a true sign of love is to never leave one's side, whether it's in times of joy or sorrow, happiness or pain, good or bad then yesterday I witnessed what love can do. If this is the kind of love God has for me, and if my calling as a Christian is to share this love with others then by all means let it begin.

Got Invitations?

I have to admit I'm not familiar at all with the stories told in The Acts of the Apostles (aka Acts). I'm reading today's passage from Acts 8:26-40 and kind of wishing I did. At the same time, I'm maybe glad I don't so that my thoughts aren't cluttered with what is or is not historically correct.

I like how this story unfolds and the characters used to tell it. I imagined two people from different worlds with nothing much in common except that they were both in the same place at the same time. Many questions crossed my mind; "Why was an Ethiopian eunuch in Jerusalem to worship?"..."Why was the eunuch reading the prophet Isaiah?"..."If this eunuch was in charge of his queen's treasury and riding a chariot wouldn't Philip have a more difficult time gaining access to the eunuch?"

Maybe a closer study of Acts is in my near future. For now, however, I want to focus on what our theme for the week is; abiding. I read through this passage three times and on the third passing my focus was drawn to verse 31b. It says, "And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him." Until this point in the story the eunuch seemed to have as many questions about what the prophet Isaiah was saying as I did about this passage, and the eunuch knew enough to know he needed guidance to help him understand.

Peter hops into the chariot and beginning with the scripture in Isaiah he starts to share about the life of Jesus. The eunuch seemed to be so moved by the what he was hearing that when they passed a body of water he asked to be baptized. A very nice story indeed.

What interests me is not how Philip approaches the eunuch and begins a conversation, but how the eunuch invites Philip to spend some time with him. This, in my opinion, is where the story makes its point. There are many opportunities throughout our lives when we are asked to sit and share ourselves with those looking for understanding about the many questions in life. It's in our response to these opportunities we are to look out for. These are the moments we need to become more aware of; the small moments to simply be with others to share God's love.

So, the next time a rich eunuch asks you to sit in his chariot and just talk about life, do it. You never know who's life you'll change.