Making a Difference

I want to do something of great importance.  Epic.  I'd like to make a difference in this world - leave it a better place than when I arrived.  Something big, something memorable, something that people will remember...and talk about years after I'm gone.  Like Mother Teresa, or the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or W.E.B. DuBois, or Anne Lamott.

Recently, I watched "Argo," a movie about the Iranian hostage crisis from the late 70s - early 80s.  Hopefully I won't give anything away in case you haven't seen the movie yet, but it's an amazing story.  Of courage, and creativeness, and hope, and fear, and the height of humanity's best, and the depths of our disconnection.  And it's a story about making a difference in the world.  I found myself wrapped up in this story, complete with my heart pounding, shoulders tense, and adrenalin running through me.  When the end credits rolled, it was hard to come back to today.  But I did.

I haven't done anything of great importance.  Epic.  But I'd like to think that I've made a difference in this world, and that I've made it a better place.  Simply because I'm here.  Because God created me and placed me in a particular time and place.  Sure, I've made some mistakes and some bad choices in my life.  But that doesn't take away from the big picture of life.

Life is full of variety.  Some of us will do epic things - things that will be remembered for a long time.  Some of us will make epic mistakes - mistakes that become the learning curves and slang of tomorrow.  But all of us are here on purpose.  God wants us here.  And that is pretty epic.  I don't need to seek notoriety, because I'm already known.  By the One who matters most.

And the One who matters most knows my gifts and talents, and simply asks me to participate.  To appreciate where I am, and do what I can do to make the world a better place.  And the One who matters most doesn't want me to define epic by human standards.  Because the One who matters most sees epic in the transformation of lives - when we put aside fear, hatred, segregation, and judgment.  When we stop disconnecting from ourselves, each other, and God.  When we realize that epic is found all throughout our daily lives - sunrises, breath, coffee, rain, friends, tears, seasons, potato chips.

Epic is all around us.  And God wants us to add to epic by loving ourselves, our neighbors, and God.  God wants us to add to epic by participating in daily life.  Add to epic by paying attention.  By living fully into the image after which we have been created.  By being who we are.  By being where we are.  Is this making a difference in an epic fashion?  Maybe not the way we define it.  But it's epic to the One who breathed creativity and greatness into our time and space.  We are epic creations, simply because...

How to Serve

So it's one of my favorite times of year.  It's early September, and autumn is just around the corner.  Here in Asheville, we're getting a taste of it this week.  The air is cool in the mornings, and the shadows are crisp and dark during the day, letting us know that the humidity is low.  And, the final tennis Grand Slam of the year is now taking place - The U.S. Open.  I sooooo enjoy watching the great plays, and even the frustrating ones - when my favorites aren't doing so well.  I guess I dream a little bit about being a player on the courts in Flushing Meadows serving at a blistering 22 miles per hour to my unsuspecting opponents.  Ahhhhhh...what a great life!

But, alas, 22 miles per hour won't get the job done at Flushing Meadows.  Because that's not how one serves in the world of tennis.  In order to serve effectively, one must imitate a master-server.  And that got me thinking about how we as Christ-followers are to serve in this world.  Are we imitating our master-server?  Jesus truly showed us the way by becoming one of us, by humbling himself, by being concerned about our interests, by spending time with us, and not seeking recognition or fame.

And although service is something we do, it really is about a way of life.  We're not to view serving as something we do for or to people, but rather, we serve with people.  We serve with those in need, because all of us are in need of something.  None of us are better or worse than anyone else - even though we do our best to label people.  Humility, like Jesus.  We look out for what's good for everyone, not just our self-interests.  That also means we serve without expecting to get anything in return - like a thank you.  Because, if we expect to get a thank you for something "good" we did, that means we really are more concerned about ourselves than others.  It means that we're not quite willing to meet people where they are, but expect them to meet us on our level.  That's not what Jesus did.  He meets us where we are, but helps us get to where he is.  And he does this by serving us.  Wow!

And serving others comes in countless packages.  We church folk sometimes get tunnel-vision, and view serving others as a project, or an outreach, or a free meal.  Although these can be heartfelt areas of service, let's not limit what God wishes for this world.  What if serving others meant we take a Thursday afternoon to help create a community gathering space? (Thanks for this idea, Carly!)  Serving others comes from listening to each others' hopes, dreams, and concerns.  Serving others is something we do together, because we all need a helping hand every now and then.

So let's be creative in the ways we serve one another.  Because God is creative and cares about the diversity within Creation.  Let's imitate our master-server.

Being Present

It's easy for me to forget that I'm not here on this planet to please myself.  Even though there's a survival instinct that came with the package, I sometimes need to remind myself that survival isn't about being self-centered or trying to build an empire of power or wealth.  Survival also isn't about isolation or separation from others.  Sure, there are times that I need to be by myself.  We all need that from time to time.  We need to relax, pray, play, and recharge the body's systems so that, together, we can fully engage life.

It's easy for me to forget that ours is a shared experience because of the "To-Do" lists, the bills, the chores, the responsibilities, and the way I seem to run through time.  And I also have moments when, even though I am present with people, I'm really not there.  My mind is a million miles away whirling through all the things that I "have" to do.  And if I'm not careful, when my presence is needed most, I miss a moment of shared grace with someone.  All because I'm distracted.

I wonder how God feels when wanting to share a moment of grace with us, and we miss the still, small voice - or loud, booming one?  Do you think God mopes when we sometimes don't pay attention?  Because we'd rather hunt through Home Depot for the most obscure item that we "have to" have, than sit outside in the sunshine and feel the presence of God in the wind or the silly squirrels?  I don't think God mopes, but I think God's heart breaks a little bit.  And I think it breaks for us, not for God.  See...God's nature is all about sharing love.  God just wants to give love.  So much so, that God spoke Creation into existence - as an act of love, and to continue to share love.

Yet, for some reason, we humans tend to hold onto stuff instead of sharing.  That hard-wired survival instinct kicks in, but goes a little haywire and tries to tell us that we can't give away our time, our love, our feelings, our money, or our coffee.  The more we have, the more we feel "safe."  But the reason God gives out love is so that we can stay connected to the One who helps us live fully awake.  Fully alive.

So here's my suggestion for today.  If you have windows you can open, open them.  Let God remind us of our connection with the world outside our home, office, or car.  We are connected to one another.  We share space with each other.  We need each other's presence - annoying at times and all.  Or better yet, get outside.  Listen.  Share.  Move.  Talk.  Listen.  Smell.  Laugh.  Cry.  Do all these, if you can, with someone else, or with a group of others.  I think when we're truly present with others, God's heart gets happier.  So much so that it spills even more love back into our lives.  And so on, and so on.  Here's to the Great And So On.

Prayer

This week at church, we're going to talk about prayer - what it is, and how we should pray.  And I'll admit, at times the topic of prayer gives me the "doe in the headlights" stare.  Meaning, sometimes I think I'm doing okay with prayer, and other times...well... not so good.  There are moments when the words flow without thought; they are natural, and authentic.  I also have moments of "prayer block."  What comes out is clunky, cold, and shallow.  Not that I ever want the words from deep within my soul to be clunky, cold, or shallow.  But that is what they are sometimes.  Even when my intentions are pure, and I am trying to shoulder someone else's grief or burdens by offering words to our Creator, sometimes the words get stuck.

So what is prayer?  Why do we pray?  What should we pray?  How do we pray?  Yes, prayer is something we do, but I've learned along my journey that prayer is more a way of life.  Something as simple as acknowledging my neighbors with a smile, a hello, or that man-head-bob that says, "'Sup?"  - that's prayer.  Prayer brings us into a sacred time and space, no matter where we are, and links us to God and each other in ways beyond mere words.  And as we go about our daily lives and interact with one another, there are numerous opportunities to be the answers to others' prayers.  Sharing space and time, a meal, a laugh, a hug, a caring hand of help, a voice for those who are overlooked, a moment of silence to listen for God's still, small voice - all this allows us to enter into prayer.  Time with God, and with others.

Jesus gives us insight about prayer when he's giving the Sermon on the Mount.  He says we shouldn't be showy and don't need to use big words and antics to get God's (or people's) attention.  He says we should go into a private space and give God our complete attention.  When we talk to God in prayer, first we acknowledge God - whoever God is for us.  Then, we confess whatever's on our hearts and mind - things where we feel we've fallen short.  Then, offer God thanks for all our daily provisions.  After all this, we bring our requests to God for others and ourselves.  It's simple in format, but as with anything meaningful, it takes a commitment of practice.

So here's to practicing today's prayers - in their countless shapes and forms.  Spoken.  Unspoken.  Doing.  Giving.  Love.  Dessert.  Forgiveness.  May our Creator inspire us, challenge us, and remind us who and whose we are today through prayer.

Love

Okay...I'll admit it.  It's been a tough week.  Lots of stuff going on at the moment that's vying for my attention, including the unexpected death of someone I recently met - and instantly loved.  It was a shock to me and definitely to family and friends.  As I spoke with friends and family in preparation for the funeral tomorrow, I heard the word love used a lot to both describe this person and how this person approached life.

And that got me thinking about the love in my life.  And once again, I am able to breathe a little easier and feel God's peace wash over me to calm the chaos in my spirit.  I am grateful that in the midst of noise and clamor this week, I was able to spend some time with my daughter and her BF.  I am glad that she makes good, loving choices in her life, and her BF is proof of that.  In fact, 99.9% of her friends are proof of that.  Hey...I can't say 100% because no one's perfect :-)

And I'm soulfully grateful for my wife.  She is without a doubt the best part of my life.  Because of her, I can see God's love in my life and in the lives of all she touches; I can feel God's presence in this world; I experience God smiling down upon Creation; and I am a better man because of her influence.  She believes in me.  Like God believes in me.  She challenges me.  Like God does.  She accepts me, warts and all.  Like God does.  Sometimes, she frustrates me.  Like God sometimes does.  She's not perfect, but she sure does live into the image after which she was created.

And I am eternally thankful for all the family in my life.  They all have left their marks on me - some more than others.  But all have left a part of themselves with me.  And what would life be without friends?  This week we made 2 new good friends, and we will spend time with 2 good old friends.  Not old, as in chronologically superior, but old as in - we've known them a while.  And have been through a lot together.  And I look forward to catching up, and hearing what's going on in their world.

Life is often messy.  Sometimes broken.  Love helps clean up the messes and is the glue that holds us together.  And love is more than a squishy feeling inside.  Love consists of all the things we choose to do for those around us - whether they love (or even like) us in return.  This God-inspired type of love forgives, moves on, matures us, reconciles us, heals us, sustains us.  So whether you feel like you have love in your life or not, you do.  Turn to the One who created you.  Open your heart, mind, body, soul, and life to the One who is love, who is always with us, and always loves us!  May you feel love today!

Situational Pornography

The house...

The car....

The high-power job.  The perfect partner(s).  The look, clothes, computers, smart phones, boats, and all the other stuff that's supposed to make us feel larger than life.  I'm not here to 'dis' the cool stuff that exists in the world.  Quite frankly, I could see myself in a really sweet Donzi - the Porsche of powerboats.  What I'm talking about is where we place our focus and what we chase after.  In other words, do we chase after fantasy situations - unrealistic conditions, settings, relationships, jobs, body image, and status we believe will fulfill us and make us happy - life's situational pornography?

I recently heard a term "ministry pornography" used to portray a picture of a fantasy ministry setting that most pastors will never experience.  It describes the 'rock star' pastors who have stadium-sized congregations every Sunday, incredibly large campuses, and everything seems to be going their way.  This type of unrealistic image can distract us from the glorious realities of our ministerial settings.  This term isn't slamming mega-churches or their pastors.  It's a wake up call for the majority of pastors who lead smaller congregations to not forsake the settings we have been called to.

And that got me thinking not just about  ministry - but life in general.  I think back to when I was a teenager and an early 20-something.  I'll admit...I often fell into situational pornography thinking: "I'm gonna be a famous musician with lots of fans, a great beach house, lots of money, and I'll be really happy when I achieve it."  Reality check - last time I took inventory of myself I wasn't a famous musician with lots of fans, I don't have a beach house, and I'm not super rich.  But...I am happy.  And that's a big deal.  I'm happy with where I am in life, because where I am is where I am supposed to be.

I'm not saying we shouldn't try to better our lives, our communities, and our world.  And I'm not saying we should be content with poverty, unemployment, racism, or other injustices that affect our lives.  And I'm also not saying that we shouldn't dream.  But facing our realities as they are empowers us, guides us, directs our dreams, pushes us to do bigger, better, greater, God things that will have lasting impacts.

Sometimes life is good.  Sometimes it's not so good.  But God is with us every step of our journeys whether we feel it, know it, or acknowledge it.  And when we embrace God's peace and contentment, we do great things in our everyday rituals and interactions.  We don't need to escape through situational pornography thinking.  God wants us to participate in life! 

Who is God?

Wow, what a loaded question!  Most of us have some sort of understanding and description of God, but how do we really know who God is?  I mean, we can't see God, although we see evidence of God.  It's hard for us to put into human terms that which encompasses all we know and experience.

But I'll try my best.  If you asked me this question 20 years ago, my answer would have some similarities to how I would answer today, but there would be drastic differences as well.  See...I've been growing and maturing over these past 20 years (I hope, anyway), and everything I have experienced has shaped me as a person.  All these experiences have also shaped how I understand who God is.

Sometimes I think a good way for me to answer who God is, is to say who God isn't.  For instance, God isn't bound by our human thoughts, emotions, and limitations.  Yet God comes to us, up close and personal, on a daily basis.  And, God isn't Santa Claus.  In other words, if I ask God for a pony, God won't 'make good' on my prayer only if I'm good.

Also, God isn't boring.  In fact, God is downright exciting, challenging, and quite an interruption to our daily lives.  Yet, I think we humans often downplay God by the way we try to squeeze God into our human thinking.  In other words, do we allow God to shape our lives and guide our thinking and actions?  Or do we go about life and ask God to line up with our plans, prejudices, and agendas?  I'm often guilty of the latter because I'm human.  So I have to seek out God, study God, and listen for God.  This is done when I am present with people, when I listen to, and interact with my neighbors.  I learn who God is when I share a cup of coffee and a story, when I listen to the dreams of a child, when I walk or run and truly take in the awesome wonder of creation, and when I thank God for the gift of my wife and daughter.

God can be found everywhere, but we often are distracted - by work (or lack of), bills, sports, vacations (or lack of), social media, TVs, cars, clothes, relationships, and...you get the picture.  But...God is also present in all the things I just listed.  Because God is everywhere.  And God cares about all that we do and experience.  So, who is God?  Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.  Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  Great One.  Abba.  I am. All That Is.  And on, and on, and on.  May we find out who God is today.  And, if we're here, may we start the process over again tomorrow.

Conviction and Conversation

Ever been in a situation where what you believe was harshly or critically questioned?  Maybe you were even the brunt of gossip, rumor, criticism, or slander.  Still...you couldn't shake the feeling deep inside that you needed to stick to your guns.  It's not easy when it seems like you're the only one (or one of a very few) whose thinking and actions are in contrast to those around you.  Situations like this test our character and convictions.

Once, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a church he founded in Thessalonica.  This city was the capital city in the Macedonian province, and in the heart of the oppressive Roman Empire.  Paul wrote this letter because he had heard that folks there were sticking to their guns - even in the midst of opposition.  He, himself, was encouraged by their faithfulness.  So he wrote the letter to reciprocally encourage the church to continue to be strong in their convictions no matter what others said.

Paul had his share of conviction-standing moments.  Once he was the church's number one enemy.  He killed many early Christians in an attempt to curb a new religious movement that threatened his way of belief.  But after his conversion moment - where he encountered the living and loving Jesus - his convictions changed.  In many situations after this point, the persecutor became the persecuted.  Many of Paul's letters include details about suffering and imprisonment as a result of sticking to his convictions.

So what are our 'black sheep' moments?  What do we face that causes us to stick out like a cultural sore thumb?  Do we stand up for the person being bullied?  Do we share the good news about God's love for the world?  Do we choose to say something about a joke that targets people because they're outside the 'norm' of society?  Do we let someone else have the easy and convenient parking space?  Do we seek out to accept and affirm all people - even our enemies?  Even the enemies of God?

Newsflash: at times, we're all enemies of God.  Because at times, we all want to do things our way and look out for number one.  That's one of the paradoxes we live with.  God wired a survival instinct within us.  But I believe God wants us to expand our survival instinct beyond the self.  God wants us to think about others.   Instead of seeing what's 'wrong' with and always competing with others, God uses other people to remind us of the diversity that exists in this world.

And with diversity comes differing ideas, opinions, and convictions.  How we deal with our differences is one of the biggest challenges God allows us to experience.  Sure, we can stand on our convictions in the midst of cultural diversity.  But we must not become islands of 'righteousness' when doing so.  We should allow room for conversation, reconciliation, and transformation - for all involved.  God wants us to seek higher and better ways.  God wants us to know what breaks God's heart.  God wants us to stand against oppression and injustices.  God wants His convictions to be ours.  Let us learn and reflect the convictions of our Creator - even when they're not easy or popular.

How Will We Respond?

Suzanne and I are still fairly new at this whole United Methodist thing.  But we know that we know that we know we're supposed to be here.  Even in the midst of boxes and upheaval and changes.  I don't mind change too much.  And I realize that change constantly occurs.  If I try to kid myself into thinking that change doesn't always happen, all I have to do is think back to what I was doing just 10 years ago versus today.  Wow, what a difference!

Being a United Methodist pastor means that I agree to go serve where I'm appointed.  Right now, we're packing our house up and will be moving it up the road a'piece to Asheville.  It's only 80 miles, but there's so much involved - so much to think about.  Turn this service off; return that piece of equipment; make sure things are wrapped securely so that they won't break.  The list is pretty long.

And I think about those in the Bible who were called by God, and packed everything and simply went.  Take Abram and Sarai: Abram was about 75, which would put Sarai at about 65, when God invited Abram into a covenant relationship.  God asks Abram to pack up all his belongings, take his family, and leave the safety and security of his surroundings, extended family, and community protection in order to travel.  To where?  God doesn't tell Abram.  God simply says, "Go."  And Abram takes God up on this invitation and goes.  Now I think about the times they were living in and I cannot even imagine how hard it must have been for them to go.  Even if they only traveled 80 miles, like we're doing, it would have been an incredible endeavor.  No roads.  No moving trucks.  No cell phones.  No fast food joints to stop along the way when the kids say, "Are we there yet?"  And no boxes to pack everything in.

Hmm...no boxes.  Maybe that was their advantage over our "easier" and "convenient" times.  No boxes means they more than likely didn't collect the amount of things we humans tend to have these days.  Boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff!  And our move was just two of us!  I'm sure that Abram and Sarai had valuables.  But I'm betting they didn't have as many as we do today.  Yet...I bet they  had just as much stress involved with their move as we do today.

Because when God calls, usually, God interrupts our lives.  And that's okay.  Whether it's in a move, or a call for us to renew our thinking, or stand up to do the right thing when others aren't, or help end legalized discrimination, or step outside ourselves to share the love of God with others, God constantly challenges us.  Sometimes God gently nudges us.  Sometimes God bonks us over the head and screams, "Hello!?!?!"  Either way, when God calls, how will we respond?  We have the ability to choose our responses - to God and others.  Will we be risk-takers?  Will we be timid?  Will we try to calculate our potential gains?  Honestly, the answer is yes.  We'll probably respond in all these ways - and more.  Because we're human.  And we'd like answers...concrete plans.  But most of the times, we won't get them.  We want safety and security, but we don't want people telling us what to do.  That's the paradox of life.

How will we respond when God stirs in our spirits?  It's up to us.  And God trusts us because we were made in an incredible image!

Our Connections

Today is the first day of summer, and I like summer.  I like all the daylight we get; usually it'll be after 9:00 pm here in NC before it gets completely dark.  And I like the summer fruits and vegetables, and I like the life in the trees, plants, grass, and yes, even the bugs.  I like ice cream and warm days, and I like to watch thunderstorms form.  Their massive structures fascinate me.  Now...I like all the seasons for their diversity, but I often feel more connected to nature and to God in the energetic summertime.  

These past few days I have been attending Annual Conference for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Say that three times fast - whew!  We meet at Lake Junaluska, NC, which is a little bit west of Asheville.  It's a beautiful place near Waynesville and Maggie Valley.  Interspersed among the beauty of nature, we gather for worship and attend to some of the business of the Church.  Granted, we all don't agree on all that gets voted upon, but hopefully we remember the reason we exist as the church - to help transform the world by sharing God's love in real and tangible ways.  And we're here because of God's equal love for all of us.

Annual Conference also reminds us that we are connectional.  That means that we don't exist as individual churches; we're part of the big United Methodist Church.  And beyond that, we are all connected to the Church - God's church.  And we're connected to each other whether we're church-goers or not.  We're all human, after all.  We're connected to each other in the midst of our differences, diversity, worship styles, clothes preferences, stations in life, and on and on.  God's love is displayed through our differences.  So we should celebrate our God-gifted differences and allow them to bring us together to talk - to get to know one another's stories.  At times, we see our differences as reasons for separation and labeling.  But our differences connect us together; they bind us together into a vibrant tapestry of humanity.

We all have our hopes, dreams, fears, joys, tragedies, and triumphs.  We are fragile creatures, yet we are incredibly strong and resilient.  Together, we can create beautiful, life-affirming, and reconciling connections that cross over cultural, age, gender, sexual orientation, class, and language differences.  We can come together to appreciate and celebrate one another in the different 'seasons' of our lives.  Sometimes we find ourselves in warm, life-giving seasons like summer.  Sometimes, we're smack in the middle of cold and darkened days.  Sometimes we agree; other times we don't.  That's life.  But we're created to live together.  And we all matter to our Creator.  And we are all here on purpose.  We're all connected.  We just need to remember that.

Working on the Details

In preparation for our upcoming move, Suzanne and I have been doing some home improvements in our new digs.  Right now, we're in the throes of kitchen revamping - sanding cabinetry to remove old stain, in order for us to paint.  It is a very dirty, dusty, and tiring job.  For the bigger and easily-accessible sections, we need to apply sheer brute strength.  Bur this work also requires patience and an eye for detail, as some of the nooks and crannies are proving to be quite difficult.  And, they require special tools to get the job done.  Instead of allowing the bigger tools to do what they do best - chew off the coating - we need to gently and intentionally guide detailing equipment into very obscure sections that no one, and I do mean no one, will ever see.

So why put so much effort into a job like this - especially into the sections nobody will notice?  Well...the answer is obvious for the doors and the cabinet faces.  People will see the outer shells.  And most will judge the finished product by what can be seen.  But, it also requires spending time refining the obscure inner parts in order to complete the whole picture.  Because the obscure inner parts are important.  They matter.  Even though they will not be often (or ever) seen, their character will be reflected through the outer and visible parts.

And that's how it is with people, too.  We tend to make quick judgments by observing the outer shells.  She's pretty.  He's a snappy dresser.  Nerd.  Skate rat.  Bum.  Important.  Worthy.  Useless.  But the inner parts, the parts that we don't see right away, are what make us who we really are.  And in order to really know someone, it takes time and intentional effort to get to know the inside - one's character.  Sometimes these things called relationships are dirty, dusty, and tiring work.  At times, we apply brute force, but we really need to slow down and gently and intentionally appreciate the details of someone's character.

Same is true for ourselves.  It takes time and effort to develop the parts of our character that no one will directly 'see.'  Like faith, honesty, integrity, and the willingness to sacrifice for others.  These are traits that will not be seen with a quick first impression.  But they are important because they are 'seen' through our words and actions.  They might not be the most glamorous parts of ourselves, but they make us who we are.

And our faith is about the details as well.  In fact, it's the details that make up the foundation of our faith.  If we don't take the time to work on the smallest details of our faith, then the rest is truly just a shell with no substance.  Jesus once told a story about building a house on sand.  It might look beautiful on the outside.  But if we don't pay attention to the details of the house and the surroundings, it won't last.  The least little bit of wind and weather, and it will crumble.  Because the builder didn't see the importance in the obscure inner parts.

God cares about our obscure inner parts.  And God cares about the outer shells, too.  God took the time to sculpt us into who we are as people, and wants us to take the time to appreciate who we are - as individuals and as community.  But this takes time, patience, and intentional effort.  So let's slow down in order to work on and observe the details - in ourselves, each other, and God.

Maybe You Really Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

Three days ago, in my quiet morning time, I was reading my local newspaper.  As I got through each section one by one, I found myself on the page with the comics, horror-scopes, and the crossword puzzle.  Briefly I perused Lio (a new favorite) and B.C. (an old favorite).  Yes, I also humored myself by checking out the answers to life's dilemmas for Aquarians.  And then my eyes stopped on the crossword puzzle.

Crosswords remind me of my dad.  When growing up, I remember him working on crosswords.  A lot.  Big ones.  Scary Ones.  Epic ones.  I've tried to do crossword puzzles over the years, but I've never been able to get past roughly 5 Down or 15 across.  Guess the apple fell too far from the tree.  Guess the puppy wasn't paying attention to the adult on how to root out the needed words.  Sigh.

Nonchalantly I look at the first "Across" clue only to realize...hey, I know the answer!  So I looked at the next clue.  I know this one, too.  Must be a fluke.  Onward I read, and to my surprise, I knew the third answer as well.  Three in a row.  Quick!  Go buy a lottery ticket!  Thinking my luck was about to run out, I timidly looked at the "Down" clues.  Whadda ya know, I know these, too.  Onward I proceeded with pencil in hand, filling in box after box with letter after letter, until... I finished.  Oh my gosh!  I actually finished a crossword puzzle with no help.  What a red letter day!  Since Monday, I've done the crossword puzzle everyday, and I've finished every one.  Maybe I actually know more than I thought.  Maybe I'm really lucky.  Maybe they're super easy puzzles.  More than likely it's a combination of all three.

But it got me thinking...it's taken me this long to really work at a crossword puzzle and actually finish one.  Maybe it's not too late to teach an old dog new tricks.  Maybe there's more I'd like to try.  And there is.  I really want to learn how to play the guitar.  Guitar players are cool to me.  And they have cool names like Sean, Jeff, David, and J.C.  I tried to self-teach a few years ago, but that didn't go too well.  But that shouldn't stop me from trying again.  Really trying.  Like...with a teacher, really trying, effort.  Maybe someday.

It's not too late to try something new, learn something new, be someone new.  It's not too late to change an attitude, say "I'm sorry," forgive someone, or go back to school.  Don't let a past failed attempt stop you from trying again.  Don't prejudge your outcome by looking at your current circumstances.  Where would we be if Mr. Edison gave up after the first try, or second, and so on?  Or George Washington Carver?  Or Gandhi?  Or God?  What if God gave up on us when we failed at something?  But God doesn't.  God knows our potential and encourages us.  God always reaches out to us and meets us where we are.  But God loves us too much to leave us where we are.  God believes in us.

It's not too late to work at making a change you've been wanting.  Believe in yourself.  Because when you do, you believe in the One who created you!

Anxiety and the New Guests at Our House

As spring has progressed and the leaves have transformed from just-born light green to a mature hue, and the flowers continue to flower and leaf, there has been a wonderful recent addition to our family.  See...in one corner on the outside of the house, a bird had been persistently building an addition.  Guess he or she didn't think the house was big enough for da both of us!  Day after day, layer after layer, careful construction continued until one day the 'door' to the room was visible.  The guest accommodations are complete, and we now have the Bird Family living with us.  And they have been quite active.  Yesterday, the mama bird was flying in and out all day long as she brought back 'food' for her younglings.  This morning, while doing some reading and studying, I noticed 2 adult birds at the doorway.  I got a little worried because one had its head in the nest as the mama bird landed with more food.  I thought another bird had swooped in to do harm to our babies.  But...turns out that it must have been papa, because he took the food from mama bird's beak and reached into the kid's room.  What an incredible sight!

That got me thinking about something Jesus said about worrying.  Paraphrasing Matthew's Gospel, he states, "Don't worry about the little things in life - food, clothes, cars, boats, stuff.  Life is much more than that.  Consider the Bird Family.  They technically are 'homeless,' yet they know they can build a shelter if needed - for their younglings.  And after they build it and the babies are born, they don't worry about trying to get a table at Cracker Barrel or whether or not their SUV is the latest model.  God knows they're hungry and directs them to the food. God loves all of Creation and takes care of it."

God knows all of creation.  And takes care of us.  And I appreciate that because I tend to worry about things.  Usually small things.  Things that in the grand scheme of things won't add moments to my life.  In fact, they take away from life.  They distract me from what's really important: loving, sharing, giving, participating, reflecting the image of the Creator.  So I'll take a few lessons from the Bird Family today and realize that everything is God's.  I am just a fortunate recipient of grace and lots of gifts.  May I use them appreciatively and wisely.

Until next time...

Transitions

Transitions are part of our lives.  Whether we're transitioning from school to summer vacation, high school into college, college into the work force, singleness into committed relationship (or vice-versa), or work into retirement, just to name a few, we face numerous transitions/metamorphoses/changes throughout our lives.  Some of them, we wholeheartedly welcome; others...well...not so enthusiastically.  Some downright scare us.  Some make us mad or sad.  Some we instigate; others are thrust upon us.  Some are smooth and seamless - often unnoticed.  Some are obvious, and even clunky.  Transitions are everywhere, and they are natural part of the cycle of life.

I think about the transition (for lack of better word) of thought and action for those who directly heard Jesus' messages.  He said he came not to do away with the law, but rather to fulfill the law.  Though he knew, and honored, and respected the Law, he challenged His listeners with his, "But I say unto you..." statements.  His higher and better ways allow us to transition from absolute 'one-ways' to considering all sides of the story and viewing the bigger picture.  Instead of an eye for an eye, Jesus challenges us to turn the other cheek.  Think about it: if we all followed the eye for an eye rule, eventually we'd all be blind.  Jesus knew this.  His suggestion to turn the other cheek is not a sign of weakness or passiveness.  In fact, Jesus' way of thinking and action truly is one of strength, because it is motivated by love.  And not the quiver-in-the-liver kind of love.  But real get-your-hands-dirty, up-close-and-personally involved love.  Love that the Apostle Paul says will bear, believe, hope, and endure.

With the words and actions of Jesus in mind, I think about the upcoming transition in my life.  Suzanne and I are ending one chapter in our lives and beginning another.  We are moving from Hickory to Asheville around the end of June/beginning of July as I will be pastoring a church there.  The transition is full of emotions, and I know that God is calling us to this next chapter in our lives.

God walks with every one of us through our many transitions and cycles of life.  God cares about the details of our lives; I am completely convinced of this!  We humans are such complex beings, yet we are so tiny compared to the planet.  And the planet is tiny compared to the sun; and the sun is tiny compared to the entire universe!  Yet...here we are, facing the beauty and challenges of each day.  We're given opportunities to choose - life or death, blessings or curses, love or hatred, inclusion or exclusion, affirmation or segregation.  God gives us countless opportunities to transition into higher and better ways.  We get to choose whether or not we wish to be transformed - by love.

So Suzanne and I embrace this transition with love.  Oh...I'm sure stress will creep in and try to distract us.  But love that bears, believes, hopes, endures, and transforms us into higher and better ways will always be with us during every transition we encounter.  That, we all can be assured of.  Until next time...

Am I "All In?"

All in.  When I think about the term, and ponder whether or not I am fully committed to my relationship with God, sometimes it's easy for me to say, "Yes.  Of course I am all in!"  After all, I am a pastor.  I have committed to pray, study, teach, lead, and share my life with as many folks as possible.  And I have been so richly blessed along my life's journey.  I have encountered ups, downs, and inbetweens; and people have trusted me to walk with them during their best and worst times.  Together we have seen triumphs and tragedies; we have shared meals, coffee, laughs, and tears.  All in?  Well, yeah...of course I'm all in.

But recently, I got to thinking about some of the "All In" people of the Bible.  People like Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Joseph, Daniel, Mary, and the Disciples.  These folks really were all in.  God asked Abraham if he would leave everything and everybody he knew and was comfortable with, and go.  God didn't tell him where he was going.  God didn't tell Abraham what his life would look like from that point on.  God simply asked Abraham for his trust and participation.

Same with Noah.  "Build a big boat friend, because it's going to rain...A LOT," speaks God.  Noah's anxious response, "Um, okay.  But what's rain?"  God speaks again, "Don't worry, you'll find out."  And find out he did.  Wow!  Again, God didn't tell him how things would turn out or what the details of the journey would look like.  God just asked if Noah was all in or not.

Mary.  Whew!  What can I say about Mary that hasn't already been said.  She's a teen-aged girl and God comes to her and asks if she would be all in.  Mary...thank you!  Thank you for participating in the greatest life-altering, history-changing event the world has seen!  Even though you weren't given all the details and plans in advance, you said yes.  WOW!  Talk about being all in!

Then there's me.  Again, I like to think I'm all in.  But I'm human, like everyone else.  I have my hopes, dreams, fears, doubts, and goals.  And though I seek God to guide and direct me, at times I also box God into my plans for how I think things should look.  In other words, I try to figure God out.  And just when I think I have one tiny part of God figured out, God surprises me.  "Betcha never thought of that one, did you?" asks God.  "Well...I guess not.  Thank you for showing me yet another way of seeing things," I humbly retort.

And that's how I think God is.  God asks us to experience and participate in a relationship.  But, God usually doesn't tell us how things are going to turn out.  And that's a good thing.  Why spoil our life's experiences by telling us exactly what lies around the bend?  Yet, at times because we're human, we get a picture in mind of how we think things will turn out.  That's okay.  We're human.  But we need to be flexible.  And we need to also focus on God and not on the journey, not on the details, not on the plans.  Yes, God wants us to participate, but we can't lose sight of God because we're too busy on the details - even the details of sharing God's love.  Jesus simply said, "Go.  Make disciples.  Baptize.  Love."  How we do these things is up to us, but we still have to keep God at the center of our lives.

All in?  Yeah, I really am.  So I'll remind myself to keep my focus clearly on the one who invites us to, "Come.  Follow me."

Until next time...

The Water of Relationships

During Lent, we at First United Methodist in Hickory have been walking through a "W" series: Waiting, Welcoming, Water, Who, What, and Wow!  This message is the third of the series: Water.  In this message, we discuss Jesus washing the disciples feet.  It's a story that makes me squirm a little because it's a very personal moment between Jesus and the disciples.  And it makes me uncomfortable because Jesus says we should wash others' feet, and, well...that makes me uncomfortable.  I feel like I'm being too up close and personal.  Maybe I don't understand what Jesus is really saying.


Peter, one of the disciples, didn't understand either.  He flip-flops in his attitude between protesting against it and asking Jesus to wash more than just his feet.  What does Jesus really mean?  What does he want for us to do today with this?  Let's dive into the Water of Relationships.

Until next time...

Why didn't I think of this in the first place?

Hello all:

Life's funny sometimes - the way we learn things.  Usually for me, that means in retrospect.  Recently, I wrote that I would post my sermons on my blog so people could go back over them to better digest.  Well...in theory, I guess that's a good idea.  But they get rather long - sorry.  Then it hit me...DUH...get someone to record them and then upload them.  Sorry I haven't thought 21st century for a while.  So as long as I can get people to record the messages, and they turn out okay, I'll go that route.  Plus, now my family can actually see me "on the job."  Hope you enjoy this one from Sunday, February 24, 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eDoTqVsZoQ

Until next time...