What you see is what you get.
I had my eyes checked the other day. It’s the annual thing I have to do in order to buy my two-week-throw-away contacts.
I’m not quite at the bi-focal stage, but I’m real close. They gave me the option of getting reading glasses or trying the “mono-eye” contacts; one contact in one eye for distance, one contact in the other eye for reading. They said it doesn’t work for everyone. And it’d take about a week to re-train my brain. But it would keep my vanity intact. There would not have to be any reading glasses in the pulpit just yet.
Cindy doubted that my brain could be re-trained. But I said, I’d give it a try. I’m just a few days into it, but it has been an amazing experience. Yea, I started out closing one eye a lot. But I’ve learned that turning my head one way or another can make the world come into focus. Each eye is learning to take over when the situation demands it.
I’m still in the middle of the learning curve, but every little success gives me hope. It also makes me feel a little better about this slippery slope called middle age. Just when I thought that all I had to look forward to was a long slow physical decline, my brain steps up to the plate and learns something new. Alleluia! Praise God! I’m not dead yet.
Grace & Peace,
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Journeys 1-14-07
What good is a forecast? In Nebraska you learn to keep an eye on those five day forecasts of the weather for your area, ‘cause they’re always changing. As of this writing, its 40 degrees outside, but the forecast calls for a drastic change in the weather tonight and through the weekend. You can feel it when you go outside; the moisture, the gray clouds, the wind.
Forecasts have been known to be wrong. In fact, my experience has been that the snow storms that are most predicted tend not to happen. It’s the ones nobody saw coming that you have to watch out for. Only a Nebraskan would say that.
Precipitation and high temperatures in the teens are not something I look forward to. Add any wind and you’re talking real misery.
This year I have an additional fear of falling. After my car wreck in May, the picture of my x-rays on my Palm Pilot remind me how much I don’t want to slip and smack those 13 titanium screws in my hip and pelvis down onto the ice. I used to call the heels-first shuffle you have to do on ice “penguin walking.” Now, penguin walking is not enough. Every step is deliberate, strategic. That fragile feeling I had back when I was on crutches comes back. I don’t like that feeling.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with a couple ladies after church this summer. I was whining about the pain in my joints and muscles and one friend looked up at me and said, “Well, now, you know what it’s like to be 76.”
I thank God for forecasts; they help me to know how many layers of clothes I’ll need. I also ask you to pray for all those who get trapped inside when the snow and ice comes. Please, God, make that fragile feeling melt away soon.
Grace & Peace,
Forecasts have been known to be wrong. In fact, my experience has been that the snow storms that are most predicted tend not to happen. It’s the ones nobody saw coming that you have to watch out for. Only a Nebraskan would say that.
Precipitation and high temperatures in the teens are not something I look forward to. Add any wind and you’re talking real misery.
This year I have an additional fear of falling. After my car wreck in May, the picture of my x-rays on my Palm Pilot remind me how much I don’t want to slip and smack those 13 titanium screws in my hip and pelvis down onto the ice. I used to call the heels-first shuffle you have to do on ice “penguin walking.” Now, penguin walking is not enough. Every step is deliberate, strategic. That fragile feeling I had back when I was on crutches comes back. I don’t like that feeling.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with a couple ladies after church this summer. I was whining about the pain in my joints and muscles and one friend looked up at me and said, “Well, now, you know what it’s like to be 76.”
I thank God for forecasts; they help me to know how many layers of clothes I’ll need. I also ask you to pray for all those who get trapped inside when the snow and ice comes. Please, God, make that fragile feeling melt away soon.
Grace & Peace,
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Journeys 1-7-07
Journeys 1-7-07
Its got to happen some time. We can’t just keep going and going. At some point, the ongoing movement of time has got to stop to tuck the past away before looking to the future. On modern times, we call this break in the time-space continuum the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Modern media gives us, “the best of 2006” in as many forms as possible before we launch into 2007. This year the break was accentuated by the snowstorm that stopped most sane people from going anywhere on New Year’s Eve anyway.
The danger of stopping in the dead of winter (of course) is that its hard to get going again. You’re tired from scooping snow. The college football bowl games aren’t done yet. So it’s hard to squint toward the horizon of the New Year and think about the future.
What is there to look forward to in this new year? What do you expect to do in 2007? Of all your dreams, which ones will come true this year?
In this yearly transition time we call January, I invite you to try out an old religious concept called “Discernment.” Discernment is simply making an extra effort to listen. Listen for God’s direction for you in this new year. Take extra time to listen in prayer, or, through the reading of a different psalm every day or a chapter of a gospel. Put chunks of silence before and after the scriptures. Use all your senses to absorb from God how your gifts can be used to do what God wants this year.
What does God want you to do/be for your family this year? Who does God want you to serve? What hidden gift does God want you to pull out and use this year? What ancient sore in your soul does God want to help heal this year?
January is the time to ask these questions. We’ll spend the rest of the year listening for the answers.
Grace & Peace,
Its got to happen some time. We can’t just keep going and going. At some point, the ongoing movement of time has got to stop to tuck the past away before looking to the future. On modern times, we call this break in the time-space continuum the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Modern media gives us, “the best of 2006” in as many forms as possible before we launch into 2007. This year the break was accentuated by the snowstorm that stopped most sane people from going anywhere on New Year’s Eve anyway.
The danger of stopping in the dead of winter (of course) is that its hard to get going again. You’re tired from scooping snow. The college football bowl games aren’t done yet. So it’s hard to squint toward the horizon of the New Year and think about the future.
What is there to look forward to in this new year? What do you expect to do in 2007? Of all your dreams, which ones will come true this year?
In this yearly transition time we call January, I invite you to try out an old religious concept called “Discernment.” Discernment is simply making an extra effort to listen. Listen for God’s direction for you in this new year. Take extra time to listen in prayer, or, through the reading of a different psalm every day or a chapter of a gospel. Put chunks of silence before and after the scriptures. Use all your senses to absorb from God how your gifts can be used to do what God wants this year.
What does God want you to do/be for your family this year? Who does God want you to serve? What hidden gift does God want you to pull out and use this year? What ancient sore in your soul does God want to help heal this year?
January is the time to ask these questions. We’ll spend the rest of the year listening for the answers.
Grace & Peace,
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Journeys 11-26-06
Journeys 11-26-06
Only 29 days until Christmas! By now, the pies are all gone and all that’s left of the turkey is the dark meat. You can only re-heat the dressing so many times unless you really do like the blackened crusty stuff at the bottom of the pan. By now, most of those related have headed home. There is that old olfactory wisdom about fish and relatives after three days.
We are in the rarest of years. This year, there is this gap; a full week between Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent. This also means that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. Even though the retail world now shifts directly from Halloween to Christmas with a just spattering of Thanksgiving, the church doesn’t begin its Advent countdown until the first Sunday in December. The church also has this distant memory that the season of Christmas starts Christmas Day and goes for 12 days until Epiphany.
The reality of our culture is that the Christmas race started at 5 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving. To finish the race you have to get the house decorated, the tree up, the presents bought and wrapped, and the family herded together for the 2-20 minute Christmas Day moment when the presents are unwrapped. Once the Christmas moment has been visually recorded, we then enter the season of returns, (the week between Christmas and New Years). After New Year’s Day and the 2-3 day spill over of the College Football Bowl Season, we return to regular time until Super Bowl Sunday which is now in February due to the need for greater Neilson ratings at that time of year.
My advice would be to take advantage of this extra week. Rest up. Take extra naps. Conserve electricity. Stay off ladders. Eat only what’s left over from Thanksgiving. Spend extra time in prayer and meditation. Resist all catalogs and commercials. We’ll call this week the season of “Race Preparation,” or, “Pre-Advent,” or maybe, “Christmas Prior.”
God be with us in this calm before the storm.
Grace & Peace,
Only 29 days until Christmas! By now, the pies are all gone and all that’s left of the turkey is the dark meat. You can only re-heat the dressing so many times unless you really do like the blackened crusty stuff at the bottom of the pan. By now, most of those related have headed home. There is that old olfactory wisdom about fish and relatives after three days.
We are in the rarest of years. This year, there is this gap; a full week between Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent. This also means that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. Even though the retail world now shifts directly from Halloween to Christmas with a just spattering of Thanksgiving, the church doesn’t begin its Advent countdown until the first Sunday in December. The church also has this distant memory that the season of Christmas starts Christmas Day and goes for 12 days until Epiphany.
The reality of our culture is that the Christmas race started at 5 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving. To finish the race you have to get the house decorated, the tree up, the presents bought and wrapped, and the family herded together for the 2-20 minute Christmas Day moment when the presents are unwrapped. Once the Christmas moment has been visually recorded, we then enter the season of returns, (the week between Christmas and New Years). After New Year’s Day and the 2-3 day spill over of the College Football Bowl Season, we return to regular time until Super Bowl Sunday which is now in February due to the need for greater Neilson ratings at that time of year.
My advice would be to take advantage of this extra week. Rest up. Take extra naps. Conserve electricity. Stay off ladders. Eat only what’s left over from Thanksgiving. Spend extra time in prayer and meditation. Resist all catalogs and commercials. We’ll call this week the season of “Race Preparation,” or, “Pre-Advent,” or maybe, “Christmas Prior.”
God be with us in this calm before the storm.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 12-24-06
Journeys 12-24-06 Christmas Eve
“Are we there yet?”
“Almost, but not yet.”
I thought about those childhood car conversations as I remembered asking “How many days until Christmas?” - to our children during their time in worship a couple weeks ago. One brother answered with the exact number of days. The other brother sighed, rolled his eyes, threw up his arms and said, “A trillion.” I’d forgotten how two weeks can seem like forever to a four year old. Our children have been waiting forever for Christmas to come. Now, we’re almost there.
Our family has this running joke about time. In our cell phone age, there are the constant questions back and forth over the air ways, “Where are you? When will you be home?”
Here’s where the code comes in. My children have determined that when Mom and Dad say, “I’m just leaving.” That means 30 minutes. “I’m on my way” =’s twenty minutes. “I’m just pulling in.” =’s 15 minutes.
When we’re all in the car and somebody has to go to the bathroom, “We’re almost there.” – can mean anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. That’s where we are today. “We’re almost there.” “Can you hold it?”
Lots of families get together to exchange gifts today. For many this whole weekend has been a rotation from one grandparent to another. My physical therapist has five family places to go to today and tomorrow. (You get to know somebody when you’ve worked with them three days a week, an hour each time, for the past six months!).
Today is still about anticipation, expectation, and waiting. Tomorrow, after the 2-20 minutes of unwrapping, the Christmas Moment will be over. My hope is that this annual exercise in expectation will once again strengthen our relationship with God. Stretching our waiting muscle reminds us how God works. God may not be on the same time schedule as us, but eventually, God keeps God’s promises. Today, we remember that when we ask, “God where are you?” – sometimes, God says, “I’m just pulling in.”
Grace & Peace,
“Are we there yet?”
“Almost, but not yet.”
I thought about those childhood car conversations as I remembered asking “How many days until Christmas?” - to our children during their time in worship a couple weeks ago. One brother answered with the exact number of days. The other brother sighed, rolled his eyes, threw up his arms and said, “A trillion.” I’d forgotten how two weeks can seem like forever to a four year old. Our children have been waiting forever for Christmas to come. Now, we’re almost there.
Our family has this running joke about time. In our cell phone age, there are the constant questions back and forth over the air ways, “Where are you? When will you be home?”
Here’s where the code comes in. My children have determined that when Mom and Dad say, “I’m just leaving.” That means 30 minutes. “I’m on my way” =’s twenty minutes. “I’m just pulling in.” =’s 15 minutes.
When we’re all in the car and somebody has to go to the bathroom, “We’re almost there.” – can mean anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. That’s where we are today. “We’re almost there.” “Can you hold it?”
Lots of families get together to exchange gifts today. For many this whole weekend has been a rotation from one grandparent to another. My physical therapist has five family places to go to today and tomorrow. (You get to know somebody when you’ve worked with them three days a week, an hour each time, for the past six months!).
Today is still about anticipation, expectation, and waiting. Tomorrow, after the 2-20 minutes of unwrapping, the Christmas Moment will be over. My hope is that this annual exercise in expectation will once again strengthen our relationship with God. Stretching our waiting muscle reminds us how God works. God may not be on the same time schedule as us, but eventually, God keeps God’s promises. Today, we remember that when we ask, “God where are you?” – sometimes, God says, “I’m just pulling in.”
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 12-17-06
Journeys 12-17-06
The First Gift of Christmas.
Growing up, the first gift of Christmas was always in a brown paper bag. It would happen just seconds after finishing the children’s Christmas program at the Albion Methodist Church. We three kings would rush down the back stairs in our bath robes, crowns, and slippers, dump our gold, frankincense and myrrh on the Sunday School table and run to get in line. Our Sunday School teacher would be there with a big box full of little brown paper bags. Inside would be an orange, salted peanuts still in the shell, and hard candy.
I never ate the hard candy much. It melted in your hands, not in your mouth. And after opening up all my peanuts and dumping the shells in the bag, it was hard picking the peanut residue off the peppermint candy. My hands would be salty from the peanuts while my finger nails were full of the white stuff from the underside of the orange peal. It was a labor intensive gift meant to be consumed with hot chocolate.
I don’t remember much of what I did in the Christmas play. What I remember is what it felt like. It felt like I was part of something big. The adults knew the story by heart and were trying to put it into our hearts. It meant a lot to them. And they would smile and clap and cheer us on when we came anywhere close to getting it right.
Those who see the Christmas program today will be a part of a shared multi-generational experience. Our kids are following in the footsteps of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Somewhere in all that the meaning of the Christmas story gets passed on. And we all remember what it feels like to be a part of something big. Maybe that feeling is the real first gift of Christmas. You can’t get your hands on it, but peanuts, oranges and brown paper bags bring it all back.
Grace & Peace,
The First Gift of Christmas.
Growing up, the first gift of Christmas was always in a brown paper bag. It would happen just seconds after finishing the children’s Christmas program at the Albion Methodist Church. We three kings would rush down the back stairs in our bath robes, crowns, and slippers, dump our gold, frankincense and myrrh on the Sunday School table and run to get in line. Our Sunday School teacher would be there with a big box full of little brown paper bags. Inside would be an orange, salted peanuts still in the shell, and hard candy.
I never ate the hard candy much. It melted in your hands, not in your mouth. And after opening up all my peanuts and dumping the shells in the bag, it was hard picking the peanut residue off the peppermint candy. My hands would be salty from the peanuts while my finger nails were full of the white stuff from the underside of the orange peal. It was a labor intensive gift meant to be consumed with hot chocolate.
I don’t remember much of what I did in the Christmas play. What I remember is what it felt like. It felt like I was part of something big. The adults knew the story by heart and were trying to put it into our hearts. It meant a lot to them. And they would smile and clap and cheer us on when we came anywhere close to getting it right.
Those who see the Christmas program today will be a part of a shared multi-generational experience. Our kids are following in the footsteps of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Somewhere in all that the meaning of the Christmas story gets passed on. And we all remember what it feels like to be a part of something big. Maybe that feeling is the real first gift of Christmas. You can’t get your hands on it, but peanuts, oranges and brown paper bags bring it all back.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 12-10-06
Journeys 12-10-06
The List.
Only 15 days until Christmas! It still seems far away. If you haven’t made your Christmas list yet, you still have time, barely. I have grown up around list makers. My Mom makes Christmas lists. My Grandma made a Christmas list. I keep my “To Do,” list on my Palm Pilot.
Cindy has always been a Christmas list maker, especially the year Zack was born. Zack came into the world on Christmas Eve, 1990 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Imagine the intensity of the list of a pregnant nesting pastor mom in Advent! We were ready for Christmas two weeks early, just in case.
At this stage in the game, your list may still seem possible: get the lights up outside – check; tree up inside – check; boxes mailed to east coast – check; stamps bought for annual Christmas epistle – check. With 15 days until “the day,” our lists still calm the soul. You can’t forget Aunt Suzy, she’s on your list.
Next week, the list will reverse its energy. Instead of reducing anxiety, it will cause it. Because by then, the number of items on your list will be growing, not shrinking.
May God bless our lists this week. Thank God humanity was on God’s list 2000 years ago. This week, may we discern how God’s list and our lists coincide. Please God, help keep me off my wife’s list. And God, help me find my list. It was just here and now its gone!
Grace & Peace,
The List.
Only 15 days until Christmas! It still seems far away. If you haven’t made your Christmas list yet, you still have time, barely. I have grown up around list makers. My Mom makes Christmas lists. My Grandma made a Christmas list. I keep my “To Do,” list on my Palm Pilot.
Cindy has always been a Christmas list maker, especially the year Zack was born. Zack came into the world on Christmas Eve, 1990 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Imagine the intensity of the list of a pregnant nesting pastor mom in Advent! We were ready for Christmas two weeks early, just in case.
At this stage in the game, your list may still seem possible: get the lights up outside – check; tree up inside – check; boxes mailed to east coast – check; stamps bought for annual Christmas epistle – check. With 15 days until “the day,” our lists still calm the soul. You can’t forget Aunt Suzy, she’s on your list.
Next week, the list will reverse its energy. Instead of reducing anxiety, it will cause it. Because by then, the number of items on your list will be growing, not shrinking.
May God bless our lists this week. Thank God humanity was on God’s list 2000 years ago. This week, may we discern how God’s list and our lists coincide. Please God, help keep me off my wife’s list. And God, help me find my list. It was just here and now its gone!
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 12-3-06
Journeys 12-3-06
This year the United Methodist Church will be offering a multi-media Advent Ad Campaign called, “Find Your Path This Christmas - at the United Methodist Church.” We thought it fit well with the “Life is a Journey of Faith” message that’s on the back of the bulletin each Sunday. We’ve incorporated it into our ad at the Beatrice Movie Theatres and in our Beatrice Daily Sun pre-Christmas ad. We’re hoping it may bring some of the 7,000 un-churched folks in Beatrice through our doors.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. According to Wikopedia:
“Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. It is the beginning of the Christian year.
'Adventus' is literally the Latin word for "coming," and is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Thus the season of Advent serves as a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Jesus the Christ.
The theme of readings and teachings during advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Christ as Savior, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.
Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of advent are often traditionally celebrated with four candles with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant hope sometimes associated with prophecy. The others are Peace, Love, & Joy. The fourth is generally to be symbolic of Joy at the imminence of the coming of Christ.
The color scheme and order of symbolic associations for the candles is largely arbitrary but several traditions have adopted them for the meaning they carry. For Catholics and Protestants alike, the color of the first, second and fourth candles are purple (or blue), but the third is often rose-colored, to joyfully represent Gaudete Sunday with a less somber liturgy. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on Christmas Day or used to replace the wreath altogether.
In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The earliest Advent can begin is November 27 and the latest is December 3. From the 8th century the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict as that of Lent but in the Protestant churches this rule was relaxed, with the Roman Catholic Church doing likewise later, but still keeping Advent as a season of penitence. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden, and to the present day, in accordance with the symbolism of liturgical colors, purple vestments are worn at the church services, although in recent years blue has gained favor, an apparent revival of the Sarum Rite, which dates from medieval England.”
That’s probably more than you ever wanted to know about Advent.
Grace & Peace,
This year the United Methodist Church will be offering a multi-media Advent Ad Campaign called, “Find Your Path This Christmas - at the United Methodist Church.” We thought it fit well with the “Life is a Journey of Faith” message that’s on the back of the bulletin each Sunday. We’ve incorporated it into our ad at the Beatrice Movie Theatres and in our Beatrice Daily Sun pre-Christmas ad. We’re hoping it may bring some of the 7,000 un-churched folks in Beatrice through our doors.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. According to Wikopedia:
“Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. It is the beginning of the Christian year.
'Adventus' is literally the Latin word for "coming," and is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Thus the season of Advent serves as a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Jesus the Christ.
The theme of readings and teachings during advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Christ as Savior, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.
Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of advent are often traditionally celebrated with four candles with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant hope sometimes associated with prophecy. The others are Peace, Love, & Joy. The fourth is generally to be symbolic of Joy at the imminence of the coming of Christ.
The color scheme and order of symbolic associations for the candles is largely arbitrary but several traditions have adopted them for the meaning they carry. For Catholics and Protestants alike, the color of the first, second and fourth candles are purple (or blue), but the third is often rose-colored, to joyfully represent Gaudete Sunday with a less somber liturgy. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on Christmas Day or used to replace the wreath altogether.
In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The earliest Advent can begin is November 27 and the latest is December 3. From the 8th century the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict as that of Lent but in the Protestant churches this rule was relaxed, with the Roman Catholic Church doing likewise later, but still keeping Advent as a season of penitence. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden, and to the present day, in accordance with the symbolism of liturgical colors, purple vestments are worn at the church services, although in recent years blue has gained favor, an apparent revival of the Sarum Rite, which dates from medieval England.”
That’s probably more than you ever wanted to know about Advent.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 11-19-06
Journeys 11-19-06
Kids Kamp was winding down this past Wednesday as the kids and leaders gathered in a circle, held hands and Terri Goldsmith said, “O.K., Thanksgiving is coming up so lets say something we’re thankful for before we close with prayer.”
The kids rolled their eyes and giggled and one by one said things like, “my dog, my horse, my family, kids kamp, my mom, and food.” The adult helpers leaned more toward, “My family, my children and the gift of life.”
It made me think about my gratitude list this year compared to last year. See a part of me has just one item on my 2007 Thanksgiving list, “I’m thankful to be alive (not dead).” But seeing the end, (much closer than I ever want to see it again) has also made me relish things I’d taken for granted for most of my life.
Not being able to get in a shower for about six weeks there has made me adore my shower bench, warm steaming water poured from above, and feeling clean. Not being able to put weight on my left leg for 10 weeks has made me cherish one heal to toe, non-assisted, weight bearing step forward. If fact, now, just getting myself anywhere from point A to point B, nobody noticing, without it being a group project is deeply satisfying. 12 weeks of having to sleep on my back after 46.8 years of sleeping on my side makes me groan with pleasure now when I shut the light off, put the specially designed pillow between my legs, roll onto my side and close my eyes. If fact, getting my nights and days mixed up there when I went off my pain medication has made me thankful for sleep at any time, but especially between the hours of midnight and six a.m..
When you’re in a car crash, have major surgery, get that cancer diagnosis, lose a loved one, its like the puzzle of your life gets turned over and dumped on the floor. Then life after the disruption is about attempting to put the pieces of that puzzle back together again. My experience has been that it’s the caring of others that’s helped me live here while I try and fit the pieces of my puzzle together again. This Thanksgiving, I thank God for all your prayers, words of encouragement, hugs, handshakes, pats on the arm, cards, books, more cards, food, movies, gift cards, e-mails, and phone calls. I am so blessed. That turkey is gonna’ taste really good this year.
Grace & Peace,
Kids Kamp was winding down this past Wednesday as the kids and leaders gathered in a circle, held hands and Terri Goldsmith said, “O.K., Thanksgiving is coming up so lets say something we’re thankful for before we close with prayer.”
The kids rolled their eyes and giggled and one by one said things like, “my dog, my horse, my family, kids kamp, my mom, and food.” The adult helpers leaned more toward, “My family, my children and the gift of life.”
It made me think about my gratitude list this year compared to last year. See a part of me has just one item on my 2007 Thanksgiving list, “I’m thankful to be alive (not dead).” But seeing the end, (much closer than I ever want to see it again) has also made me relish things I’d taken for granted for most of my life.
Not being able to get in a shower for about six weeks there has made me adore my shower bench, warm steaming water poured from above, and feeling clean. Not being able to put weight on my left leg for 10 weeks has made me cherish one heal to toe, non-assisted, weight bearing step forward. If fact, now, just getting myself anywhere from point A to point B, nobody noticing, without it being a group project is deeply satisfying. 12 weeks of having to sleep on my back after 46.8 years of sleeping on my side makes me groan with pleasure now when I shut the light off, put the specially designed pillow between my legs, roll onto my side and close my eyes. If fact, getting my nights and days mixed up there when I went off my pain medication has made me thankful for sleep at any time, but especially between the hours of midnight and six a.m..
When you’re in a car crash, have major surgery, get that cancer diagnosis, lose a loved one, its like the puzzle of your life gets turned over and dumped on the floor. Then life after the disruption is about attempting to put the pieces of that puzzle back together again. My experience has been that it’s the caring of others that’s helped me live here while I try and fit the pieces of my puzzle together again. This Thanksgiving, I thank God for all your prayers, words of encouragement, hugs, handshakes, pats on the arm, cards, books, more cards, food, movies, gift cards, e-mails, and phone calls. I am so blessed. That turkey is gonna’ taste really good this year.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 11-12-06
Journeys 11-12-06
“I’m Kelly Karges and I approve this message.”
No matter who it was these past few weeks, if I heard those words I’d change the channel. If the next station was more of the same, I’d just mute it and walk away. I got so overwhelmed with the constant barrage of political ads that I stopped listening. Why is it easier to get elected if you can make people mad at your opponent? Do people really vote more against someone than for them?
I’ve got to admit, when I heard how much money had gone into our Nebraska Senate campaign I thought of how many poor people could be helped with those millions.
Our oldest, (Katie), turned 18 in October. So this was her first experience of voting. She read everything she could get her hands on and filled us in on what the latest internet buzz was. When she voted, she was amazed at how “basic” it was. After all the hype and rhetoric, when you stand there and look at the ballot in black in white, it’s really pretty simple; yes or no, him or her. Try and color within the circle. In local elections one vote can be the determining factor.
My parents are of different political parties. Over time, I’ve forgotten which is which. So now, I’m afraid to ask. The rule in my home of origin was that you didn’t have to tell anyone how you voted. It was a private matter.
Cindy and I are of the same political persuasion. So dinnertime can be about who we’re going to vote for and what that constitutional amendment is really about.
To be honest, I’m just glad the whole thing is over. Decisions and choices are hard enough on a personal level, let alone on a city, state or national basis. And although our system is far from perfect, I do thank God for the right to vote in a free democratic society. Many have worked and sacrificed to give me that right. Now, may God give us the strength and patience to fix the inequities in our present political process so that the poorest and the wealthiest eventually can have an equal say in who is in power.
Grace & Peace,
“I’m Kelly Karges and I approve this message.”
No matter who it was these past few weeks, if I heard those words I’d change the channel. If the next station was more of the same, I’d just mute it and walk away. I got so overwhelmed with the constant barrage of political ads that I stopped listening. Why is it easier to get elected if you can make people mad at your opponent? Do people really vote more against someone than for them?
I’ve got to admit, when I heard how much money had gone into our Nebraska Senate campaign I thought of how many poor people could be helped with those millions.
Our oldest, (Katie), turned 18 in October. So this was her first experience of voting. She read everything she could get her hands on and filled us in on what the latest internet buzz was. When she voted, she was amazed at how “basic” it was. After all the hype and rhetoric, when you stand there and look at the ballot in black in white, it’s really pretty simple; yes or no, him or her. Try and color within the circle. In local elections one vote can be the determining factor.
My parents are of different political parties. Over time, I’ve forgotten which is which. So now, I’m afraid to ask. The rule in my home of origin was that you didn’t have to tell anyone how you voted. It was a private matter.
Cindy and I are of the same political persuasion. So dinnertime can be about who we’re going to vote for and what that constitutional amendment is really about.
To be honest, I’m just glad the whole thing is over. Decisions and choices are hard enough on a personal level, let alone on a city, state or national basis. And although our system is far from perfect, I do thank God for the right to vote in a free democratic society. Many have worked and sacrificed to give me that right. Now, may God give us the strength and patience to fix the inequities in our present political process so that the poorest and the wealthiest eventually can have an equal say in who is in power.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 11-5-06
Journeys 11-05-06
The leaves are coming down; great drifts of tree debris. On calm days the leaves come down like salt out of a salt shaker, forming a 3-D shadow of their tree on the ground. Windy days throw the leaves across town, cross-pollinating the waste of oak and elm, birch and cotton-wood. This year the un-harvested corn is a natural leaf-fence catching them like a net. With half the leaves up and half the leaves down, it still feels like fall is wrapping its arms around us in a cozy sweater.
At Halloween we crossed over. All the trees got a wake-up call, and their leaves started checking out like it’s the end of some huge foliage convention. Each leaf knowing that tomorrow its got to be some place else.
These next few weeks are a test of our tolerance for clutter. Some have that urge to “clean” while others prefer to leave the ground “A-nat-ur-‘al.” At the parsonage, our front yard is at the vortex of a great north wind funnel known as The Lincoln School Field. Any northerly wind over five miles an hour gifts our front yard leaves to the neighbors. Our back yard is dominated by two monstrous pin-oaks. They prefer to let go of their leaves from mid-winter to early spring. So their collection is a wet, snowy kind of thing.
Yard-care prepares now to go into hibernation. Before we know it, the angst of outward appearance and homeowner self-esteem will be transferred to keeping the sidewalks cleared of snow.
May God bless the blisters and splinters that define our relationship to that old rake. And may God find a way to reduce the constant calm day droning of the leaf blowers and the lawn mowers jacked up to vacuum the grass.
Grace & Peace,
The leaves are coming down; great drifts of tree debris. On calm days the leaves come down like salt out of a salt shaker, forming a 3-D shadow of their tree on the ground. Windy days throw the leaves across town, cross-pollinating the waste of oak and elm, birch and cotton-wood. This year the un-harvested corn is a natural leaf-fence catching them like a net. With half the leaves up and half the leaves down, it still feels like fall is wrapping its arms around us in a cozy sweater.
At Halloween we crossed over. All the trees got a wake-up call, and their leaves started checking out like it’s the end of some huge foliage convention. Each leaf knowing that tomorrow its got to be some place else.
These next few weeks are a test of our tolerance for clutter. Some have that urge to “clean” while others prefer to leave the ground “A-nat-ur-‘al.” At the parsonage, our front yard is at the vortex of a great north wind funnel known as The Lincoln School Field. Any northerly wind over five miles an hour gifts our front yard leaves to the neighbors. Our back yard is dominated by two monstrous pin-oaks. They prefer to let go of their leaves from mid-winter to early spring. So their collection is a wet, snowy kind of thing.
Yard-care prepares now to go into hibernation. Before we know it, the angst of outward appearance and homeowner self-esteem will be transferred to keeping the sidewalks cleared of snow.
May God bless the blisters and splinters that define our relationship to that old rake. And may God find a way to reduce the constant calm day droning of the leaf blowers and the lawn mowers jacked up to vacuum the grass.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 10-29-06
Journeys 10-29-06
Today is Consecration Sunday. Our Stewardship Campaign concludes with a special guest preacher, Rev. Nita Hinds, from our Conference offices in Lincoln, and, a brunch after each worship service. Today, we begin to give folks an opportunity to fill out commitment cards, stating our financial commitment to our church’s ministry in 2007.
The emphasis of this year’s campaign is that our giving deepens our relationship with God. When we give of our prayers, presence, gifts and service, we’re doing so because we’ve felt touched by God and want to reciprocate. God has transformed us, healed us, let us know we’re not alone, or brought us through a difficult self-examination to regret, repentance and forgiveness.
As in all friendships, God has made a move toward us, and we want to make a move toward God. So we give ourselves to God, to the work of God, to things that we think will make God happy. We give back not ‘tit for ‘tat, but as a sign of our seriousness about the relationship; out of our need to grow into a deeper relationship.
I’ve not met anyone yet who knows the limits of a relationship with God. Like a great friendship, the more you get into it, the deeper you want to go. And the relationship changes you. Over time you become more Godlike, bearing the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). It is a growth process that never stops.
Today, we celebrate what we do in response to the love of God; our giving.
Today, we show our appreciation for all that is done in gratitude for God’s grace in our lives.
Today, we stand together to say that we want to grow closer to God. And I believe God has let us know that the way we do that is by giving ourselves away, in service to each other, and, in serving the least and the lost of our world.
Grace & Peace,
Today is Consecration Sunday. Our Stewardship Campaign concludes with a special guest preacher, Rev. Nita Hinds, from our Conference offices in Lincoln, and, a brunch after each worship service. Today, we begin to give folks an opportunity to fill out commitment cards, stating our financial commitment to our church’s ministry in 2007.
The emphasis of this year’s campaign is that our giving deepens our relationship with God. When we give of our prayers, presence, gifts and service, we’re doing so because we’ve felt touched by God and want to reciprocate. God has transformed us, healed us, let us know we’re not alone, or brought us through a difficult self-examination to regret, repentance and forgiveness.
As in all friendships, God has made a move toward us, and we want to make a move toward God. So we give ourselves to God, to the work of God, to things that we think will make God happy. We give back not ‘tit for ‘tat, but as a sign of our seriousness about the relationship; out of our need to grow into a deeper relationship.
I’ve not met anyone yet who knows the limits of a relationship with God. Like a great friendship, the more you get into it, the deeper you want to go. And the relationship changes you. Over time you become more Godlike, bearing the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). It is a growth process that never stops.
Today, we celebrate what we do in response to the love of God; our giving.
Today, we show our appreciation for all that is done in gratitude for God’s grace in our lives.
Today, we stand together to say that we want to grow closer to God. And I believe God has let us know that the way we do that is by giving ourselves away, in service to each other, and, in serving the least and the lost of our world.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 10-22-06
Journeys 10-22-06
We’re beginning to ease into winter. There are places in western Nebraska that have already had snow. The other day, our high for the day was 40 degrees. We started the day with fog and cold. Then the winds dragged down the leaves that were too saturated and too brittle to hang on. Now there are naked trees next to the full ones that refuse to give in to the change in seasons. The wind won’t let them argue long. It’s a losing battle.
In my mind, I’m getting ready for snow. I’ve got to move my snow shovels from the shed out back to the garage. I’ve got to get my gas containers filled and mixed for the snow blower. I’ve got to teach Zack how to run the snow blower. Is that bag if de-icer any good, or do I have to get a new one?
October snow storms are sloppy, premature winter. But they equalize the turning of the trees. All leaf color ‘morfs to brownish-grey. And the trees seem to scream, “Just get it over with,” as the massive stripping of the leaves begins.
My kids can’t wait for snow. They thrive on change. I just try and survive it.
Change isolates my soul; tricks my mind in to thinking I’m the only one forced to deal with this. But my experience is that God is with me through the change. God lets me know in subtle ways that I am not alone in this. Friends step forward who have gone through the same thing. People say they’re keeping me in their prayers. Survival becomes a group project.
So, yea! Let winter happen. With God’s help, we’ll be o.k.
Grace & Peace,
We’re beginning to ease into winter. There are places in western Nebraska that have already had snow. The other day, our high for the day was 40 degrees. We started the day with fog and cold. Then the winds dragged down the leaves that were too saturated and too brittle to hang on. Now there are naked trees next to the full ones that refuse to give in to the change in seasons. The wind won’t let them argue long. It’s a losing battle.
In my mind, I’m getting ready for snow. I’ve got to move my snow shovels from the shed out back to the garage. I’ve got to get my gas containers filled and mixed for the snow blower. I’ve got to teach Zack how to run the snow blower. Is that bag if de-icer any good, or do I have to get a new one?
October snow storms are sloppy, premature winter. But they equalize the turning of the trees. All leaf color ‘morfs to brownish-grey. And the trees seem to scream, “Just get it over with,” as the massive stripping of the leaves begins.
My kids can’t wait for snow. They thrive on change. I just try and survive it.
Change isolates my soul; tricks my mind in to thinking I’m the only one forced to deal with this. But my experience is that God is with me through the change. God lets me know in subtle ways that I am not alone in this. Friends step forward who have gone through the same thing. People say they’re keeping me in their prayers. Survival becomes a group project.
So, yea! Let winter happen. With God’s help, we’ll be o.k.
Grace & Peace,
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Journeys 10-15-06
Journeys 10-15-06
Today we celebrate “Children’s Sabbath” at all three worship services. Our United Methodist Women have taken charge of bringing Children’s Sabbath (a program of the Children’s Defense Fund) to Centenary for several years. The goal is to raise awareness of the needs of children. If you Google it you’ll find that they have “A Compact with America's Children,” that:
I. No child shall be hungry in America.
II. No child shall be homeless in America.
III. No child shall lack health care in America.
IV. No child shall be poor in America.
V. No child shall be unsafe in America.
VI. No child shall be illiterate or lack the education and skills needed to work and support a family in America.
VII. No child shall be left alone or in unsafe care when parents work in America.
VIII. No child will be abused, neglected, or exploited for personal or commercial gain in America.
IX. No child will be discriminated against because of race, poverty, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability in America.
X. Every child will be respected and protected by family, community, state, and nation as a citizen with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Part of the ministry of the UMW is to children. At a recent UMW program by our school Superintendent, Dr. Dale Kruse, the women were considering how they could be mentors to elementary age children in our school system.
At Centenary, we minister to the children of our community by offering Sunday School, Kids Kamp, Vacation Bible School, various day trips offered by our Children’s Council, (we’re going to Rocca Berry Farm today!), Faith Factor Middle School Youth Group, four High School God Parent Groups, (the Crittendon’s, the Woodward’s, the Husa’s & the Clabaugh’s), and, work mission trips for Middle School and High School age youth. We hire a part-time Youth Ministries Director (Mrs. Janine Harvey) to coordinate our youth groups and Kid’s Kamp. We have Kid’s for Christ Children’s Choir, Youth Bells, and two musical productions directed by our Music Director, Dr. Jon Gruett.
The sad thing here in Beatrice, is that with all the programs of the churches and community, there are still kids on the edge, kids who fall through the cracks and are vulnerable to the predators on the underside of our society. Today, we stop to consider what else we can do to show the love of God to the children and youth of our community. If you get a chance, say thanks to our UMW, and Mrs. Patti Crittendon, (this year’s Children’s Sabbath Coordinator), for giving us this opportunity.
Grace & Peace,
Today we celebrate “Children’s Sabbath” at all three worship services. Our United Methodist Women have taken charge of bringing Children’s Sabbath (a program of the Children’s Defense Fund) to Centenary for several years. The goal is to raise awareness of the needs of children. If you Google it you’ll find that they have “A Compact with America's Children,” that:
I. No child shall be hungry in America.
II. No child shall be homeless in America.
III. No child shall lack health care in America.
IV. No child shall be poor in America.
V. No child shall be unsafe in America.
VI. No child shall be illiterate or lack the education and skills needed to work and support a family in America.
VII. No child shall be left alone or in unsafe care when parents work in America.
VIII. No child will be abused, neglected, or exploited for personal or commercial gain in America.
IX. No child will be discriminated against because of race, poverty, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability in America.
X. Every child will be respected and protected by family, community, state, and nation as a citizen with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Part of the ministry of the UMW is to children. At a recent UMW program by our school Superintendent, Dr. Dale Kruse, the women were considering how they could be mentors to elementary age children in our school system.
At Centenary, we minister to the children of our community by offering Sunday School, Kids Kamp, Vacation Bible School, various day trips offered by our Children’s Council, (we’re going to Rocca Berry Farm today!), Faith Factor Middle School Youth Group, four High School God Parent Groups, (the Crittendon’s, the Woodward’s, the Husa’s & the Clabaugh’s), and, work mission trips for Middle School and High School age youth. We hire a part-time Youth Ministries Director (Mrs. Janine Harvey) to coordinate our youth groups and Kid’s Kamp. We have Kid’s for Christ Children’s Choir, Youth Bells, and two musical productions directed by our Music Director, Dr. Jon Gruett.
The sad thing here in Beatrice, is that with all the programs of the churches and community, there are still kids on the edge, kids who fall through the cracks and are vulnerable to the predators on the underside of our society. Today, we stop to consider what else we can do to show the love of God to the children and youth of our community. If you get a chance, say thanks to our UMW, and Mrs. Patti Crittendon, (this year’s Children’s Sabbath Coordinator), for giving us this opportunity.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 10-8-06
Journeys 10-8-06:
I love the fall; the fullness of the trees and the fields before the emptiness of winter. This year we have color in the turning of the leaves; more gold than yellow now, with promises of red to come. The rains have left the corn to dry while huge green and red monsters create moving clouds of dust through the bean fields. The grass is in one last growth spurt before the frost. And Indian Summer wants to happen in-between the rolling storm fronts. Maybe we’ll have a slow Fall instead of a fast one this year.
This fall, I’m proud to have the duties of a Drum Major Dad. Since our oldest, Katie, was chosen to be one of the Drum Majors for the Beatrice High School Band, Cindy and I have inherited certain responsibilities as a Major Dad and Major Mom. Cindy dove right into the lion’s share of tasks in helping organize the band parent’s support efforts. In my limited physical state, I do what I can do right now. And one thing I can do, is hold the ladder.
During the pre-game and half-time band performances, I hold Katie’s ladder while she stands up high to direct. The ladder sways to the rhythm of her waving arms, and I push the legs down and out. I can’t carry the ladder out to the forty yard line, or, bring it back. But I can hang my cane on one of the support beams of that ladder and hold on and add my weight to the base. And that moment when Katie runs over and steps up on that first rung, smiles, and looks me in the eye and says, “Hey Daddy,” makes all the pain and work of rehab and physical therapy worth it. I whisper my standard prayer of thanksgiving, “God is good.” And I thank God for letting me be there for my daughter for this one simple thing.
I am on the field, under the lights, once again. The band plays and goes through their steps as the sun sets to the west and the smell of the grass takes me back to my days of high school football playing and refereeing. My fall is full, once again. “God is good.”
Grace & Peace,
I love the fall; the fullness of the trees and the fields before the emptiness of winter. This year we have color in the turning of the leaves; more gold than yellow now, with promises of red to come. The rains have left the corn to dry while huge green and red monsters create moving clouds of dust through the bean fields. The grass is in one last growth spurt before the frost. And Indian Summer wants to happen in-between the rolling storm fronts. Maybe we’ll have a slow Fall instead of a fast one this year.
This fall, I’m proud to have the duties of a Drum Major Dad. Since our oldest, Katie, was chosen to be one of the Drum Majors for the Beatrice High School Band, Cindy and I have inherited certain responsibilities as a Major Dad and Major Mom. Cindy dove right into the lion’s share of tasks in helping organize the band parent’s support efforts. In my limited physical state, I do what I can do right now. And one thing I can do, is hold the ladder.
During the pre-game and half-time band performances, I hold Katie’s ladder while she stands up high to direct. The ladder sways to the rhythm of her waving arms, and I push the legs down and out. I can’t carry the ladder out to the forty yard line, or, bring it back. But I can hang my cane on one of the support beams of that ladder and hold on and add my weight to the base. And that moment when Katie runs over and steps up on that first rung, smiles, and looks me in the eye and says, “Hey Daddy,” makes all the pain and work of rehab and physical therapy worth it. I whisper my standard prayer of thanksgiving, “God is good.” And I thank God for letting me be there for my daughter for this one simple thing.
I am on the field, under the lights, once again. The band plays and goes through their steps as the sun sets to the west and the smell of the grass takes me back to my days of high school football playing and refereeing. My fall is full, once again. “God is good.”
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 10-1-06
Journeys 10-1-06
Today is World Communion Sunday. Churches all over the world are celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion today.
We here at Centenary celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. So this congregation has it 12 times a year plus Christmas Eve. Other denominations (Catholic, Lutheran, Disciple) celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. These churches take more seriously Jesus’ request that his disciples “do this when ever you gather in my name.”
The story I like to tell confirmation classes is that early Methodist Pastors were used to serving Communion every time worship happened. In the days of western American expansion, pastors preached in circuits of sometimes up to 30 churches. So those churches got communion once every 30 weeks. When the Preacher wasn’t there they had Sunday School and prayer meeting and singing.
When there became enough ordained ministers so that there could be one for every two or three towns, the pastors expected communion to be served every Sunday when the people were used to it every quarter, or twice a year. There was no firm “rule” on the matter, just as long as communion was offered on a “regular basis.” So the people won out. Once something is done twice in the church it is, after all, a tradition. By the time Cindy and I went to seminary (circa 1981-84) most U.M. churches celebrated Communion on a monthly basis.
In the United Methodist Church, our founder John Wesley was adamant that this sacrament be “open” to anyone who came forward. He believed that the ability of God’s grace to work in our lives is not limited by our understanding. God can work on, in and through us whether we understand it or not. So children under the age of “understanding,” mentally handicapped, un-churched, un-baptized, all can receive God’s mysterious saving grace through the sacrament of Communion even if they don’t fully understand how it works. The same goes for the rest of us.
Wesley believed in “Prevenient Grace,” the grace that happens before we respond; before we make a choice and decide for God. He believed God works on our souls to get us to the place of making a conscious decision about our belief in God, then God helps us do something about it with what Wesley called “Justifying and Sanctifying Grace.” The Cliffs Notes version of this is that God is with us, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when.
So as you come forward to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion today, my hope for you is that God’s grace brings you a sense of forgiveness, peace and power; that you feel once again connected to all disciples of Jesus Christ and feel empowered to serve as Jesus served where you live and work and play.
Grace & Peace,
Today is World Communion Sunday. Churches all over the world are celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion today.
We here at Centenary celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. So this congregation has it 12 times a year plus Christmas Eve. Other denominations (Catholic, Lutheran, Disciple) celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. These churches take more seriously Jesus’ request that his disciples “do this when ever you gather in my name.”
The story I like to tell confirmation classes is that early Methodist Pastors were used to serving Communion every time worship happened. In the days of western American expansion, pastors preached in circuits of sometimes up to 30 churches. So those churches got communion once every 30 weeks. When the Preacher wasn’t there they had Sunday School and prayer meeting and singing.
When there became enough ordained ministers so that there could be one for every two or three towns, the pastors expected communion to be served every Sunday when the people were used to it every quarter, or twice a year. There was no firm “rule” on the matter, just as long as communion was offered on a “regular basis.” So the people won out. Once something is done twice in the church it is, after all, a tradition. By the time Cindy and I went to seminary (circa 1981-84) most U.M. churches celebrated Communion on a monthly basis.
In the United Methodist Church, our founder John Wesley was adamant that this sacrament be “open” to anyone who came forward. He believed that the ability of God’s grace to work in our lives is not limited by our understanding. God can work on, in and through us whether we understand it or not. So children under the age of “understanding,” mentally handicapped, un-churched, un-baptized, all can receive God’s mysterious saving grace through the sacrament of Communion even if they don’t fully understand how it works. The same goes for the rest of us.
Wesley believed in “Prevenient Grace,” the grace that happens before we respond; before we make a choice and decide for God. He believed God works on our souls to get us to the place of making a conscious decision about our belief in God, then God helps us do something about it with what Wesley called “Justifying and Sanctifying Grace.” The Cliffs Notes version of this is that God is with us, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when.
So as you come forward to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion today, my hope for you is that God’s grace brings you a sense of forgiveness, peace and power; that you feel once again connected to all disciples of Jesus Christ and feel empowered to serve as Jesus served where you live and work and play.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 9-24-06
Journeys 9-24-06
Harvest has begun. I saw combines in corn fields on the way to Lincoln this week. I love the sight of a full field turning from green to brown. The edges have been mowed and everything is ready for harvest. For two weeks here the anticipation has been building. Grease guns were working overtime as farmers crawled out the combines and trucks and started getting them ready for the fall push. Implement parts and service people were working overtime to get that old combine up to snuff, one more time.
Sure the choppers get it going. Those dairy farmers get out early and chop that tall green stuff up for feed, leaving the field with a crew cut. But you know the real harvest is not far behind. The farm families I’ve talked to try and describe the urgency that’s been bred into them for several generations. They say, “Unless you’ve lived it, its hard to understand.” You gear up for Harvest in August and September, then all human resources are put toward getting the crop in from late September through November. It’s something you do together. The old timers down at the coffee spots tell me that back in the hand picking days, harvest happened all winter. That it was nothing to be harvesting in the snow. But now, in the mechanized age, it’s about getting that corn or beans or milo in and dried to the best selling condition, ASAP.
Somehow, everybody knows who’s combine gets in the field first. The weight and crop dryness numbers are attached to that piece of ground and it’s owner. Reputations and value as a farmer are at stake. Everybody knows about the inequity of the weather. But you’re still measured by the results of your harvest. As a stranger, getting those final big numbers out of a farmer is like asking your wife of 40 years what she weighs today. It’s just not done. If they want you to know, they’ll tell you. That’s knowledge for family and friends. The people who operate the scales at the grain elevator can tell you what that farmer’s face looks like when he or she feels good about their crop, and when they don’t.
So pray for our farmers this week. Pray that the rain stops now. Pray for the multiple support systems that have to be there for this single focused activity to get completed. Pray for safety, calm, patience, and compassion. Harvest is a time for prayer.
Grace & Peace,
Harvest has begun. I saw combines in corn fields on the way to Lincoln this week. I love the sight of a full field turning from green to brown. The edges have been mowed and everything is ready for harvest. For two weeks here the anticipation has been building. Grease guns were working overtime as farmers crawled out the combines and trucks and started getting them ready for the fall push. Implement parts and service people were working overtime to get that old combine up to snuff, one more time.
Sure the choppers get it going. Those dairy farmers get out early and chop that tall green stuff up for feed, leaving the field with a crew cut. But you know the real harvest is not far behind. The farm families I’ve talked to try and describe the urgency that’s been bred into them for several generations. They say, “Unless you’ve lived it, its hard to understand.” You gear up for Harvest in August and September, then all human resources are put toward getting the crop in from late September through November. It’s something you do together. The old timers down at the coffee spots tell me that back in the hand picking days, harvest happened all winter. That it was nothing to be harvesting in the snow. But now, in the mechanized age, it’s about getting that corn or beans or milo in and dried to the best selling condition, ASAP.
Somehow, everybody knows who’s combine gets in the field first. The weight and crop dryness numbers are attached to that piece of ground and it’s owner. Reputations and value as a farmer are at stake. Everybody knows about the inequity of the weather. But you’re still measured by the results of your harvest. As a stranger, getting those final big numbers out of a farmer is like asking your wife of 40 years what she weighs today. It’s just not done. If they want you to know, they’ll tell you. That’s knowledge for family and friends. The people who operate the scales at the grain elevator can tell you what that farmer’s face looks like when he or she feels good about their crop, and when they don’t.
So pray for our farmers this week. Pray that the rain stops now. Pray for the multiple support systems that have to be there for this single focused activity to get completed. Pray for safety, calm, patience, and compassion. Harvest is a time for prayer.
Grace & Peace,
Friday, September 15, 2006
Journeys 9-17-06
Journeys 9-17-06
Half-way healed. That’s how I feel right now. Yes, I’m making progress. Yes, I’m taking steps to build my atrophied muscles back. But there is the nagging question in my mind, “Will this ever be over? Will I ever actually walk again?”
Since May 10th, I’ve gone from bed to wheelchair to crutches to one crutch to my new one week old cane. As I’d get fast with one apparatus, we’d move to the next one and start all over again.
Physically, it’s about healing bones, ligaments and muscles. Mentally and spiritually, its about trusting that my leg won’t give out on me if I put full weight on it; having the confidence to take a risk. This week for the first time, my physical therapist said, “Go ahead, try taking some steps without touching the parallel bars.” For some reason, those parallel bars make this creaking noise when I lean on them, so even if he was working with another patient, I couldn’t cheat without making some noise.
My Spiritual Director talked with me some this last week about the possibility of being “whole” even though I’m only half-way healed. He said, my soul, my person, is still the same in God’s eyes even if my body is broken and unable to perform. We talked about how, age makes it possible for something to be “wrong” all the time for the rest of my life. Everything doesn’t have to be fixed and in perfect condition for me to be whole.
I told him that going to those first two Husker football games had helped put me back together again inside. Even from the handicapped section, hearing the band play those same old songs, the sound of eighty-some thousand clapping and cheering together, healed something that had come apart inside of me. It was kind of like worship. It was coming home. In worship we sing the same old songs, do the same old things, shake the same hands, see the same people, and whatever has been pulled apart inside of us gets put back together again. We know who we are and who’s we are, and we have confidence to step out that church door and risk giving ourselves away again.
Everything is not, “right.” Everything is not perfect, and may never be perfect again, but through our brokenness we can see the brokenness of others and God nudges us to step forward through the pain offering love and caring.
Now, I think, maybe, my whole life, I’ve been half-way healed, and just didn’t know it.
Grace & Peace,
Half-way healed. That’s how I feel right now. Yes, I’m making progress. Yes, I’m taking steps to build my atrophied muscles back. But there is the nagging question in my mind, “Will this ever be over? Will I ever actually walk again?”
Since May 10th, I’ve gone from bed to wheelchair to crutches to one crutch to my new one week old cane. As I’d get fast with one apparatus, we’d move to the next one and start all over again.
Physically, it’s about healing bones, ligaments and muscles. Mentally and spiritually, its about trusting that my leg won’t give out on me if I put full weight on it; having the confidence to take a risk. This week for the first time, my physical therapist said, “Go ahead, try taking some steps without touching the parallel bars.” For some reason, those parallel bars make this creaking noise when I lean on them, so even if he was working with another patient, I couldn’t cheat without making some noise.
My Spiritual Director talked with me some this last week about the possibility of being “whole” even though I’m only half-way healed. He said, my soul, my person, is still the same in God’s eyes even if my body is broken and unable to perform. We talked about how, age makes it possible for something to be “wrong” all the time for the rest of my life. Everything doesn’t have to be fixed and in perfect condition for me to be whole.
I told him that going to those first two Husker football games had helped put me back together again inside. Even from the handicapped section, hearing the band play those same old songs, the sound of eighty-some thousand clapping and cheering together, healed something that had come apart inside of me. It was kind of like worship. It was coming home. In worship we sing the same old songs, do the same old things, shake the same hands, see the same people, and whatever has been pulled apart inside of us gets put back together again. We know who we are and who’s we are, and we have confidence to step out that church door and risk giving ourselves away again.
Everything is not, “right.” Everything is not perfect, and may never be perfect again, but through our brokenness we can see the brokenness of others and God nudges us to step forward through the pain offering love and caring.
Now, I think, maybe, my whole life, I’ve been half-way healed, and just didn’t know it.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 9-10-06
On this, “Bring a Friend to Church, Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday School Kick-off, Third Grade Bibles, All Church Picnic,” Sunday, I thought it would be good to re-introduce you to our Centenary Staff.
Cindy and I are Co-Pastors. We’re starting our fifth year here in Beatrice. We are entering our 22nd year of full time ministry at Elders in the Nebraska Conference. We both received our Master of Divinity degrees at the Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Cindy received her bachelor’s degree from Wofford College in Spartenburg, South Carolina. I received my degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.
Today we consecrate two new members of our staff: Mrs. Janine Harvey, Youth Director/Kids Kamp Coordinator, and, Mrs. Cindy Waltke, Treasurer/Secretary. Cindy has been holding down the duties of church secretary most of the summer. We have now hired her as one-quarter church treasurer, three-quarters church secretary. Come take a look at the newly re-arranged office! Cindy has been with us 5-1/3 years.
Mrs. Linda Bierman is our part-time financial secretary overseeing the counting and accounting of our incoming offerings/building funds/special funds/stocks/bonds/commodities, quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies. Linda has been with us 11-1/3 years
Terry Terhune is our part-time T.V. Ministry/Sound System Coordinator. Terry coordinates fundraising for our T.V. Ministry and makes sure volunteers are available to operate the audio and video systems for worship, weddings and funerals. Terry has been on staff 3-1/2 years.
Kathryn Denny is our part-time janitor, cleaning our building mostly in the late evenings and early mornings. Kathryn has been with us 1-1/2 years.
Beth Mais is our part-time Nursery Worker, taking care of our little ones during worship and Sunday School Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.. Beth has been here for 1-1/3 years.
Mrs. Edna Schmidt is our part-time Organist/pianist/summer gracenotes director/summer music coordinator/chancel choir accompaniest. Edna plays the organ in worship at all three worship services all year round. She also sings solos and plays for funerals and weddings and special programs throughout the year. She has been with us 22 years.
Sue Sindlar is our part-time adult handbell director. They meet on Monday nights to practice each week. They present their musical selections with us about once a month. Sue has been with us for 15-1/2 years.
Grace & Peace,
Cindy and I are Co-Pastors. We’re starting our fifth year here in Beatrice. We are entering our 22nd year of full time ministry at Elders in the Nebraska Conference. We both received our Master of Divinity degrees at the Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Cindy received her bachelor’s degree from Wofford College in Spartenburg, South Carolina. I received my degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.
Today we consecrate two new members of our staff: Mrs. Janine Harvey, Youth Director/Kids Kamp Coordinator, and, Mrs. Cindy Waltke, Treasurer/Secretary. Cindy has been holding down the duties of church secretary most of the summer. We have now hired her as one-quarter church treasurer, three-quarters church secretary. Come take a look at the newly re-arranged office! Cindy has been with us 5-1/3 years.
Mrs. Linda Bierman is our part-time financial secretary overseeing the counting and accounting of our incoming offerings/building funds/special funds/stocks/bonds/commodities, quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies. Linda has been with us 11-1/3 years
Terry Terhune is our part-time T.V. Ministry/Sound System Coordinator. Terry coordinates fundraising for our T.V. Ministry and makes sure volunteers are available to operate the audio and video systems for worship, weddings and funerals. Terry has been on staff 3-1/2 years.
Kathryn Denny is our part-time janitor, cleaning our building mostly in the late evenings and early mornings. Kathryn has been with us 1-1/2 years.
Beth Mais is our part-time Nursery Worker, taking care of our little ones during worship and Sunday School Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.. Beth has been here for 1-1/3 years.
Mrs. Edna Schmidt is our part-time Organist/pianist/summer gracenotes director/summer music coordinator/chancel choir accompaniest. Edna plays the organ in worship at all three worship services all year round. She also sings solos and plays for funerals and weddings and special programs throughout the year. She has been with us 22 years.
Sue Sindlar is our part-time adult handbell director. They meet on Monday nights to practice each week. They present their musical selections with us about once a month. Sue has been with us for 15-1/2 years.
Grace & Peace,
Journeys 9-3-06
Journeys 9-3-06:
According to Wikipedia.com:
"The origins of the American Labor Day can be traced back to the Knights of
Labor in the United States and a parade organized by them on September 5,
1882 in New York City. They were inspired by an annual labor parade held in
Toronto, Canada. In 1884 another parade was held, and the Knights passed
resolutions to make this an annual event.
Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United
States since the 1880s. The September date has remained unchanged, even
though the government was encouraged to adopt May 1 as Labor Day, the date
celebrated by the majority of the world. Moving the holiday, in addition to
breaking with tradition, could have been viewed as aligning the U.S. labor
movements with internationalist sympathies.
Labor Day is generally regarded simply as a day of rest and, unlike May Day,
political demonstrations are rare. Forms of celebration include picnics,
barbecues, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events.
Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel
before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the
last weekend for parties before returning to school.
One of the largest modern traditions of Labor Day in the United States is
the annual telethon of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, hosted by Jerry
Lewis to fund research and patient support programs for the various diseases
grouped as muscular dystrophy. The telethon raises tens of millions of
dollars each year. In 2005, despite the recent catastrophe caused by
Hurricane Katrina, nearly $55 million was raised over 21 hours."
In the Karges family, for years, Labor Day meant getting together in Albion
for my grandma's birthday. It started on her 90th and continued a decade
until her death a couple years ago. We'd get together at the City Park or
at the Wolf Home's "Hospitality Room," and eat and cluster in generations
around the room to talk. The third and fourth generations would run around
getting to know each other. For me it brought back memories of growing up
years and Sunday dinners at Grandma's house; the adults in the dining room,
the "kid table" in the kitchen. You had to be married to sit with the
adults. After dinner, the adults would sit around and talk while we kids
would go outside for football or baseball and play until somebody got hurt.
This year, Labor Day means the first Husker home football game in
conjunction with the State Fair and a day of rest on Monday. It is a
Sabbath day of rest before the fall schedule takes off in full stride. May
God grant you rest as we transition to the next season, (starting NOW!).
Grace & Peace,
According to Wikipedia.com:
"The origins of the American Labor Day can be traced back to the Knights of
Labor in the United States and a parade organized by them on September 5,
1882 in New York City. They were inspired by an annual labor parade held in
Toronto, Canada. In 1884 another parade was held, and the Knights passed
resolutions to make this an annual event.
Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United
States since the 1880s. The September date has remained unchanged, even
though the government was encouraged to adopt May 1 as Labor Day, the date
celebrated by the majority of the world. Moving the holiday, in addition to
breaking with tradition, could have been viewed as aligning the U.S. labor
movements with internationalist sympathies.
Labor Day is generally regarded simply as a day of rest and, unlike May Day,
political demonstrations are rare. Forms of celebration include picnics,
barbecues, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events.
Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel
before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the
last weekend for parties before returning to school.
One of the largest modern traditions of Labor Day in the United States is
the annual telethon of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, hosted by Jerry
Lewis to fund research and patient support programs for the various diseases
grouped as muscular dystrophy. The telethon raises tens of millions of
dollars each year. In 2005, despite the recent catastrophe caused by
Hurricane Katrina, nearly $55 million was raised over 21 hours."
In the Karges family, for years, Labor Day meant getting together in Albion
for my grandma's birthday. It started on her 90th and continued a decade
until her death a couple years ago. We'd get together at the City Park or
at the Wolf Home's "Hospitality Room," and eat and cluster in generations
around the room to talk. The third and fourth generations would run around
getting to know each other. For me it brought back memories of growing up
years and Sunday dinners at Grandma's house; the adults in the dining room,
the "kid table" in the kitchen. You had to be married to sit with the
adults. After dinner, the adults would sit around and talk while we kids
would go outside for football or baseball and play until somebody got hurt.
This year, Labor Day means the first Husker home football game in
conjunction with the State Fair and a day of rest on Monday. It is a
Sabbath day of rest before the fall schedule takes off in full stride. May
God grant you rest as we transition to the next season, (starting NOW!).
Grace & Peace,
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