Revelations 21:1-6a
Yesterday one of the students I work with at school shared that her brother had died because of a workplace accident the day before. I asked her why she was in school and she answered that she didn't know where else to go or what else to do. She just wanted to do what she would have normally done.
I admire her courage. She wanted to be in a place, physically and emotionally, that felt comfortable to her. It may have been a good decision because she was able to share in the love and care of everyone around her. Her friends, teachers, and varied random people all came to her to spend a little time with her.
By the end of the day she was feeling a little stronger, able to at least hold her head up and smile; a little. Time will heal the pain she is feeling, and time will take as long, or as short, as it needs to heal. When she gets to the other side of this point in her life she will be able to look back and know she was loved without conditions and without judgment. That's what I think the "new heaven and earth" our passage mentions will look like.
Verse 4a put's the description of this new world in perspective; "he will wipe every tear from their eyes." God comforts us through the people around us. It's when we forget to remain connected to those around us that sometimes makes the journey through that which ails us more difficult.
Whatever your pain, whatever your trials, wherever you find yourself on the journey of life please know you have people who care and a God that loves without end. Hold on to the belief that one day that pain will be gone.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Stop Hiding
Isaiah 25:5-9
As we all, or mostly all, know a massive storm hit the east coast of the United States yesterday. This storm is said to have spread its effects almost 1000 miles across. I've heard there is damage in all areas between Maine and Virginia and into Ohio. Of course, one can't believe everything they read on the internet, but I'm just saying.
Being in Hawaii we get to watch what would be the overnight news on the east coast before we get to bed, and so my wife and I did. We watched as night-vision cameras showed eerie shadows cast in an eerier green backgrounds. We saw the empty streets of New York City lit only by the lights from news organization trucks. We watched as picture after picture taken between midnight and 3 in the morning showed what was obviously going to be days of what they're calling "restoration" efforts.
Suddenly it was 10 pm in Hawaii, and 4 am on the east coast. I had began to fall asleep when I heard a voice other than the woman who was reporting from her news desk for the last 3 hours. This other voice was talking about how their state brought in electrical workers and phone company crews and various other non-safety first responders from other states to help with the task of putting their towns and cities back together.
I went to bed thinking everything is going to be ok. As I sit at the table this morning, listening to more stories of people beginning to come together to help in whatever way they can, I begin thinking definitely that everything will be better than just ok. It's as though those in the storm's path know this isn't about themselves it's about those around them.
As our passage for today says, the sheet that covers all of humanity has been removed. The sheet that is spoken of is the one that divides people. For now, at least, people have stopped hiding behind these sheets and are coming together to help their neighbor. We always say it's too bad disasters have to happen to bring people together in this way. Well, then, let's stop hiding behind the sheets forever.
Right?
As we all, or mostly all, know a massive storm hit the east coast of the United States yesterday. This storm is said to have spread its effects almost 1000 miles across. I've heard there is damage in all areas between Maine and Virginia and into Ohio. Of course, one can't believe everything they read on the internet, but I'm just saying.
Being in Hawaii we get to watch what would be the overnight news on the east coast before we get to bed, and so my wife and I did. We watched as night-vision cameras showed eerie shadows cast in an eerier green backgrounds. We saw the empty streets of New York City lit only by the lights from news organization trucks. We watched as picture after picture taken between midnight and 3 in the morning showed what was obviously going to be days of what they're calling "restoration" efforts.
Suddenly it was 10 pm in Hawaii, and 4 am on the east coast. I had began to fall asleep when I heard a voice other than the woman who was reporting from her news desk for the last 3 hours. This other voice was talking about how their state brought in electrical workers and phone company crews and various other non-safety first responders from other states to help with the task of putting their towns and cities back together.
I went to bed thinking everything is going to be ok. As I sit at the table this morning, listening to more stories of people beginning to come together to help in whatever way they can, I begin thinking definitely that everything will be better than just ok. It's as though those in the storm's path know this isn't about themselves it's about those around them.
As our passage for today says, the sheet that covers all of humanity has been removed. The sheet that is spoken of is the one that divides people. For now, at least, people have stopped hiding behind these sheets and are coming together to help their neighbor. We always say it's too bad disasters have to happen to bring people together in this way. Well, then, let's stop hiding behind the sheets forever.
Right?
Monday, October 29, 2012
Who Do You Hangout With?
Psalm 24
Yesterday, while we were putting the final touches on our church's 20th Annual Community Penny Carnival, I was listening to our youth talk with each other. As they talked with one another they shared a little bit of what their lives are. There was talk about school, friends, food, and the such.
Then they found a common ground - music. They began finding songs they knew, searching for it on their music players, and singing along. The fun really began when they abandoned the music player and just began singing songs they all knew, and there was a lot. They laughed as they sung and danced, and every adult in that room simply smiled and let them be who they are.
To me there is nothing better than the sounds and actions of friendship wrapped in commonality and based in unconditional acceptance. This kind of togetherness is what I think the Psalmist is trying to explain. The Psalmist proclaims God as the ultimate creator and because of God we have many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is being in each other's company while in the presence of God.
In this commonality we find a community of people who love us regardless of belief, economic background, color of skin, gender identification, or any of the other things that separate us from ourselves. It's in this environment we can finally let the walls come down, or the gates lifted up, and live in joyful peace.
I can't think of better place to be, can you?
Yesterday, while we were putting the final touches on our church's 20th Annual Community Penny Carnival, I was listening to our youth talk with each other. As they talked with one another they shared a little bit of what their lives are. There was talk about school, friends, food, and the such.
Then they found a common ground - music. They began finding songs they knew, searching for it on their music players, and singing along. The fun really began when they abandoned the music player and just began singing songs they all knew, and there was a lot. They laughed as they sung and danced, and every adult in that room simply smiled and let them be who they are.
To me there is nothing better than the sounds and actions of friendship wrapped in commonality and based in unconditional acceptance. This kind of togetherness is what I think the Psalmist is trying to explain. The Psalmist proclaims God as the ultimate creator and because of God we have many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is being in each other's company while in the presence of God.
In this commonality we find a community of people who love us regardless of belief, economic background, color of skin, gender identification, or any of the other things that separate us from ourselves. It's in this environment we can finally let the walls come down, or the gates lifted up, and live in joyful peace.
I can't think of better place to be, can you?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Please Stop
I'm not sure If I've ever told you who one of my heroes are. Just in case I haven't his name is Mattie Stepanek. Mattie was born with an incurable form of muscular dystrophy called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. The disease slowly took away all of Mattie's muscle control until one day he could no longer breathe on his own. Mattie passed away at the age of 14.
Mattie is one of my heroes because along the journey of his life he found ways to overcome his abilities and bring a new, positive view of life to everyone he met. Mattie is probably best known for the poems he wrote. His poems are filled with insight, acceptance and true love of self and others people 4 times his age are just beginning to understand.
It's in one of Mattie's poems I found myself launching through a wall that had previously stopped me from understanding how best to bring peace to the world. So, in the place in which we find ourselves today, when it seems to me that the world is becoming more and more divisive, I want to share that poem with you.
Words from an 11-year old man who just wanted it all to stop. Mattie said that his life's goal is to be a peacemaker.Why don't we do our best today to help Mattie achieve his dream of making peace in our world a reality.
Mattie is one of my heroes because along the journey of his life he found ways to overcome his abilities and bring a new, positive view of life to everyone he met. Mattie is probably best known for the poems he wrote. His poems are filled with insight, acceptance and true love of self and others people 4 times his age are just beginning to understand.
It's in one of Mattie's poems I found myself launching through a wall that had previously stopped me from understanding how best to bring peace to the world. So, in the place in which we find ourselves today, when it seems to me that the world is becoming more and more divisive, I want to share that poem with you.
For Our World We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment...
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment...
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment...
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice...
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment...
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
Words from an 11-year old man who just wanted it all to stop. Mattie said that his life's goal is to be a peacemaker.Why don't we do our best today to help Mattie achieve his dream of making peace in our world a reality.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
You Can See! Now What?
Mark 10:46-52
I was deeply touched by that open letter I posted yesterday. The words in that letter from a young man in response to hate speech stayed in my heart all day long. It stayed with me in a way that I felt the need to do something about it - so I did.
In every conversation I had along my day I was sure to ask, "Did you see that letter by that man? No, let me show it to you." The reaction to the words written in a tweet that spewed hate was all the same; disgust. The response of each person I shared the letter with was the same; hope.
They saw, without a doubt, how our communities are becoming one of individuals who care only for themselves and think they can do or say anything they want; sort of a societal anarchy. The people I was in conversation with yesterday also saw how a few words by those who are hurt the most by hatred and division can not only show a willingness to forgive, but also offer the love they feel around them each day.
As I sat and watched people read through that letter I saw an awakening of sorts. I can't say what that awakening will lead to, but I can say that their hearts, minds, and souls have seen the truth and I can only hope they decide to follow what is right and just, or as we say in Hawaii - pono.
I was deeply touched by that open letter I posted yesterday. The words in that letter from a young man in response to hate speech stayed in my heart all day long. It stayed with me in a way that I felt the need to do something about it - so I did.
In every conversation I had along my day I was sure to ask, "Did you see that letter by that man? No, let me show it to you." The reaction to the words written in a tweet that spewed hate was all the same; disgust. The response of each person I shared the letter with was the same; hope.
They saw, without a doubt, how our communities are becoming one of individuals who care only for themselves and think they can do or say anything they want; sort of a societal anarchy. The people I was in conversation with yesterday also saw how a few words by those who are hurt the most by hatred and division can not only show a willingness to forgive, but also offer the love they feel around them each day.
As I sat and watched people read through that letter I saw an awakening of sorts. I can't say what that awakening will lead to, but I can say that their hearts, minds, and souls have seen the truth and I can only hope they decide to follow what is right and just, or as we say in Hawaii - pono.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
An Open Letter
Hebrews 7:23-28
Please follow the link to read an open letter by John Franklin Stephens. Mr. Stephens is a young man who champions the view points of people living with intellectual disabilities. He is also the Global Spokesperson for Special Olympics.
When you're done following the link please read today's passage and ask yourself, "Are we subjected to the same weaknesses as this young man and do we find ways to rise above those weaknesses to be the best person we know how?"
That's really all I got. This young man says it all for me, and for all people.
http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/an-open-letter-to-ann-coulter/
Please follow the link to read an open letter by John Franklin Stephens. Mr. Stephens is a young man who champions the view points of people living with intellectual disabilities. He is also the Global Spokesperson for Special Olympics.
When you're done following the link please read today's passage and ask yourself, "Are we subjected to the same weaknesses as this young man and do we find ways to rise above those weaknesses to be the best person we know how?"
That's really all I got. This young man says it all for me, and for all people.
http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/an-open-letter-to-ann-coulter/
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Happy Is As Happy Does
Jeremiah 31:7-9
I will put yesterday down as one of the better days in my recent life. I actually made it through the day without a single grouchy moment. Normally I would have at least one of those moments, usually when I'm in the middle of doing something and I get interrupted more times than I want to or when I'm trying to help someone understand something and they just don't understand. Yesterday, however, it seems that everything went smoothly.
Thinking back to how yesterday was different than any other day I have to say I'm not sure. I was interrupted many times and there was more than one moment in which my instructions weren't being understood, but I didn't get grouchy. What, then, was the difference?
This morning's passage helps me to better understand why my yesterday was better. I can honestly say everything I did was for someone else, and when I did do something for myself it didn't interrupt anyone else.
It would seem that these past few weeks I've done what I often do; forget to accept help in the things I need to get done. This eventually makes me want to be isolated, which is never a good thing for me or others around me. Yesterday I did things for others, without thought to myself, and in a way that invited everyone to be included. I didn't allow myself to be isolated. In the relationships I experienced yesterday I found a peace that brought with it honest happiness.
Not only was I happy, but those I interacted with seemed to find comfort in the things they came for help with. In today's passage Jeremiah reminds us that things are bad and might get worse, but we have a God whom we can go to with our troubles and that our God will take us in, hold us tight, take us through our trials, and bring us out on the other side.
Relationships are important, especially those with God and others and our selves.
I will put yesterday down as one of the better days in my recent life. I actually made it through the day without a single grouchy moment. Normally I would have at least one of those moments, usually when I'm in the middle of doing something and I get interrupted more times than I want to or when I'm trying to help someone understand something and they just don't understand. Yesterday, however, it seems that everything went smoothly.
Thinking back to how yesterday was different than any other day I have to say I'm not sure. I was interrupted many times and there was more than one moment in which my instructions weren't being understood, but I didn't get grouchy. What, then, was the difference?
This morning's passage helps me to better understand why my yesterday was better. I can honestly say everything I did was for someone else, and when I did do something for myself it didn't interrupt anyone else.
It would seem that these past few weeks I've done what I often do; forget to accept help in the things I need to get done. This eventually makes me want to be isolated, which is never a good thing for me or others around me. Yesterday I did things for others, without thought to myself, and in a way that invited everyone to be included. I didn't allow myself to be isolated. In the relationships I experienced yesterday I found a peace that brought with it honest happiness.
Not only was I happy, but those I interacted with seemed to find comfort in the things they came for help with. In today's passage Jeremiah reminds us that things are bad and might get worse, but we have a God whom we can go to with our troubles and that our God will take us in, hold us tight, take us through our trials, and bring us out on the other side.
Relationships are important, especially those with God and others and our selves.
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