Blogging with Father John

Finding God in Child Like Wonder

2009-09-01T06:16:00.000-07:00

Standing the top of North Mountain, I gazed out across the rolling and lush green hills of the Shenandoah Valley. In the distance, like unmovable bulwarks were the Blue Ridge Mountains, while far bellow us on the valley floor the sunlight glimmered and bounced off the tin roof tops of Shrine Mont and the community of Orkney Springs, Virginia. With incense burning on our make-shift rock altar, we lifted our voices up to the highest heaven in song to the energizing rhythm of an acoustic guitar. As I prepared to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in this natural cathedral, God’s Living presence was overwhelming and very real. Along with eighteen middle school campers and several councilors we praised God as one voice, and one people. In that holy moment as deep shadows lightly danced across the valley floor then leapt over the mountains beyond, all I could think was that God is surely in this place; the Incarnate Christ is an integral part of all creation. How could he not be?

For ten days during the month of July, I had the wonderful experience of serving as chaplain to Explorer’s III Middle School Youth Camp at Shrine Mont. I went to camp not knowing what to expect, hoping I would be able to provide some sort of spiritual guidance to these eighteen youth and their councilors. Today as I reflect on my time spent with these wonderful young people, I hope I was able to give them half as much spiritual nurturing and substance as they gave me. I arrived at Shrine Mont tentative and a little uneasy, I left full of the Spirit with an incredible reminder of just how many gifts our children have to offer our community of faith. Like all generations of people in the parish, our children and youth provide a unique and delightful perspective of God’s church and the world. Like a bright ray of sunlight bursting forth through dark and heavy clouds, my ten days of ministering to these young people reinvigorated the absolute importance of never losing the need or ability to play, to act a little crazy and have fun in this life. While life’s burden’s will always be around, attempting to weigh us down, I was reminded by these children that life is simply too short and too important to allow stress and worry to overwhelm us. When we become like children we touch that often hidden or even forgotten place in our hearts that is still full of innocence, vulnerable and hungry for what is new.

While I realize that it is unrealistic for most of us to go off to summer camp, it is very feasible to seek out the child like wonder and love that still exists in every one of our hearts. Through an old but long forgotten lens we may just find a renewed hope and child like freedom in an often troublesome world. We may also encounter the Incarnate Christ, who says, “Bring the children to me. Anyone who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven must first become like one of these.”

For Heaven's Sake Someone's Sitting in my Pew!

2009-07-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

I recently came across an article that I read a year ago in the Alban Institute’s quarterly publication, Congregations entitled “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Churches.” In an era of individualism in which our faith is constantly challenged, communities of faith divided and churches struggling to gain new membership, this article left me inspired and enthusiastic. We church folks are such creatures of habit, especially Episcopalians! (Remember the old joke? - In the Episcopal Church if we do something more than once then it becomes tradition). How true! We often miss the joy in life and new opportunities for ministry because we are so consumed with preserving our own needs, or those of the institution. I'll never forget one Sunday morning in church, my Grandmother insisting that someone move because they were sitting in "her" pew! Good grief! We get so bogged down in the silly minusia!

This list, composed by the United Church of Christ, is a beautiful reminder of how God calls us to live in community. It illumines the beauty of healthy change, and reminds us just how easy it is to become stuck in spiritual ruts.

It reads as follows:

1. Strive for excellent service to Christ. In other words, give God our best and continue to have fun, enjoying our ministry.
2. Cultivate a spirit of innovation and experimentation. Try new ministries and different approaches. Perhaps even try sitting in another pew on Sunday morning. Its really OK!
3. Take initiative to build relationships with people and groups in the wider community beyond our congregation.
4. Accept responsibility for mistakes; learn from them, and in all things LET GRACE ABOUND. Mistakes happen, so give each other a break and ourselves too! Our achievements are secondary to God’s abundant grace.
5. “Always be prepared to give an account of the hope that is within you.”
(I Peter 3:15). Find the places where love, energy and life flow and trust God to find ways to meet life’s challenges, even when we feel we can’t.
6. Find the willingness to allow folks have their feelings, and stay focused on the core mission of the parish. Love, compassion and acceptance of diversity are important spiritual elements in the life of a healthy congregation.
7. Splash it on! Finally, God loves cheerful givers. Spend your time, talent and money wisely, well and freely in God’s mission and ministry.

(For more inforamtion go to www.alban.org)

I express my sincere thanks to the United Church of Christ, the Alban Institute and it’s publication, Congregations for providing us with this simple but most effective way to grow and thrive spiritually in challenging times.

Don’t let Prayer Interfere with Life’s Interruptions…. Say What?

2009-07-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

Making time for prayer and contemplation is often challenging and even difficult for many of us. Schedules, and more schedules along with the intrusion of life’s daily requirements and responsibilities often interfere with our best prayerful intentions. I can’t count how many times I have told myself, “This time I am determined to do this prayer thing right!” Yet all too often those well meaning, sincere and heart felt intentions fall way short. Why? Well, life happens! Am I alone in this or what? Answer: Probably not.

I have found over the years that my prayer time has had to adapt to my crazy life and its often busy schedule. I have come to the reality that I do not live, work and worship in a monastery; therefore I don’t have the benefits of solitude, silence and intentional time for prayer. Instead, I have learned to give myself a break. I have learned to use life’s opportunities to pray. Often while running, I am able to use that time to reflect and focus my mind on God’s presence and prayer (that is if my heart rate is not topping 170 or if I don’t have some rock tune blaring in my ears from my ipod). Depending on traffic and my subsequent mood, driving in the car is an occasional good time to pray, although I don’t recommend closing your eyes! The best place I have found to pray at home is in that brief island respite known as the shower. It is one of the very few places I can escape and relax for at least 10 minutes (OK let’s be honest – 20 minutes). Although even there I am bound to be interrupted by arguing children or even the nosy cat!

It is important for us to understand that prayer is not just words (or demands) spoken to God; prayer is active listening and looking for God in everyday life. Believe it or not, prayer happens in the ordinary and mundane daily tasks. It is an integral part of how we live, inner act with each other and form relationships. Real prayer often exists in our lives, yet its presence goes unnoticed. So many of us are children of structure; we love our formulas. I grew up believing that God only spoke the language of Kings and Queens (King James Bible) and if we were not in certain prayerful positions (on our knees) with the ambiance just right, then the prayer was null and void. Arrrrgh! What a trap I found myself having to exist! I spent more time trying to set the prayerful mood, along with choosing every word perfectly than I did experiencing God’s holy presence.

Today, intentional prayer still has its challenges, but I have learned that God is always with us and I can listen or talk with him any time. The Incarnate Christ is a deep and genuine part of each and every one of us. My active ministry has opened my eyes to the fact that we often experience and profoundly encounter God in life’s daily interruptions. After all if we think about it for a moment, isn’t that what God does best – interrupt our lives by calling us out in our busy daily tasks and work? Think of Moses, the Prophets, the Disciples and Paul. God interrupted their busy lives, transforming them forever. Perhaps we should stop trying to do everything so perfectly and let God interrupt our lives, allowing him to meet us where we are in life.

Freaking Out on a Sea of Despair.....Someone Wake up Jesus!

2009-06-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

The church nave (the central part of the church) is often referred to as an upside down ship. In a traditional setting if we stop and look at the high pitched roof with beams crisscrossing the space inbetween, we can easily imagine the parish building itself as a vast ship; a ship named Casa di Dio (God’s House). God’s House is a refuge that often rides the stormy waves and perilous seas of life, tossed about by the winds of fury. And while God remains faithful, it is the crew and passengers that seem to consistently fall into fear and disarray. The winds and violent storms of life often arise out of nowhere, raining down doubt and ambiguity upon our lives. Yet despite the fact that God’s House takes on water and on occasion appears to ride low in the waters of despair, Christ is our ever present Captain and source of strength. Jesus will keep us afloat providing us with comfort and peace (when we allow him too!). We often forget that in Christ Jesus the storms will pass and the seas will calm. But just like the disciples on that frightening evening as they were caught in a vicious storm in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, we too find ourselves in panic mode and experiencing a whole range of terrifying fear.

The disciples were mostly sea worthy men. Several of them were seasoned fishermen and would certainly know and have experienced the temperamental mood swings of the sea. The Sea of Galilee is notorious for storms which brew and move in literally out of nowhere. As the Wind blows south down the Jordan River and through deep canyons that feed into the large lake, it picks up intensity and speed which it ravenously releases onto the open water. Fishermen in this region are all too familiar with the fickle nature of Galilee. It can be calm one moment and in the very next, a literal rain of terror. This is why it is so perplexing in Mark’s Gospel that these seasoned fishermen who are now Jesus’ disciples would so easily panic in this storm. One would think or assume they would be right at home on the temperamental sea. Obviously this was no ordinary storm.

As we read the Gospel of Mark a reality begins to surface and take shape. Perhaps this was no ordinary storm. It was made more intense and terrifying because the disciples were increasingly seeking and finding security in the presence of Jesus, and not their own selves. A subtle spiritual transference was quietly occurring as Jesus’ followers began to place their true reliance on him. The Adversary would certainly wish to have derailed God’s divine mission of hope and freedom found in Christ. Even though Satan couldn’t trick, intimidate or mislead Jesus, there was always the human element that was most vulnerable and susceptible to the Devil’s deception. Since he couldn’t tempt or derail Jesus and his mission, the old Adversary attacks what he perceives to be the weak link in God’s creation. You got it! The Church; the very place of refuge and hope is now the primary target of assault by Satan. And believe me, the Adversary often has a “field day.”

Riding on the stormy seas of gossip, schism, rumors and personal motive, the Adversary swoops down on God’s House like a sudden and violent storm. I imagine out there on the Sea of Galilee as Jesus rested peacefully in the stern, the storm that arose probably brought out the worst in the disciples personalities. These men remind us that in times of trouble and fear, if we are not spiritually grounded in a life of faith and service to Christ Jesus, the very brokenness of our humanity surfaces, causing the strong personal desire to control our environment. I’m certain that on that fishing boat there were more than a few barbs exchanged between the disciples. I am sure that the anxiety created out of faithless fear and self-preservation brought every raw emotion and hostile remark to the surface. This became an intense and driving storm, one that threatened the very life of the crew and ship. The Adversary threw a huge tempest in their path and waited for the crew and passengers to self-destruct. But as we all know, Jesus didn’t allow that to happen. With only a two words, “Be still” the rough seas calmed and the storm was dispelled.

How often do we call on the presence of Christ to calm the storms we face in and outside of the church? The disciples intuitively turned to Jesus in their despair, which speaks well of their reliance on him, yet they still struggled to understand his identity as the Messiah; the Christ; the One to Come; the Divine Liberator and Pioneer of Faith. They continued to struggle with that innate need to control their environment. They continued to struggle with the concept of faith. And guess what? 2000 years later we still do the exact same thing. Its easy to claim to love, follow and have faith in Jesus; particularly when life’s seas are smooth. Its easy to get along with one another in the church when life is calm and folks go unchallenged or unthreatened by change, authority or conflict. However, at the first sight of rain this fine balance is easily upset, as we often forget that Christ is in the stern with us.

Most of us are familiar with John Wesley; the great 18th c. evangelist to the American English colonies. He spread the Good News of Jesus faithfully in the age called “The Great Awakening.” Trust me; John Wesley could hardly have been called a faint-hearted or easily intimidated person. But there were times when even he lost his nerve and struggled with his faith. During one of Wesley's several Atlantic crossings, a frighteningly fierce storm broke out. The violent nature of this storm was terrible. It pitched and tossed the ship about on its rough seas; threatening to sink her along with the crew and passengers. While Wesley and others clung to their bunks in fear and doubt, a community of Moravians, traveling to their new homeland, calmly gathered to hold their daily worship service. Despite the vicious storm and its fury, they gathered in sincere faith to sing praises to God. Watching these Moravians, who were unperturbed by the hounding winds and crashing waves, Wesley realized he was witnessing a truly “waterproof faith.” From that moment on, John Wesley prayed that God would give him the ability to likewise ride out life's storms with the same confidence he witnessed in the Moravians.

Whatever storms we face in our personal lives; whatever tempests threaten those of us sailing aboard this vessel called the Church; know this – Christ is our faithful Captain who calms the winds, restores peace and brings comfort. Trust in Christ and allow him to be our navigator. The storms will come and go, yet Jesus is calm and steady. Throw all your personal desires for control overboard and embrace the winds of change. Unencumbered, Jesus will lead us into a deeper, richer and more nurturing life of faith and service.

Giving It Away to Keep It…Living a Christ Centered Life

2009-06-17T04:13:00.000-07:00

I think most of us in the Church would agree that a Christ centered life is a gift worth sharing with others (a spiritually demanding gift I might add). Yet sharing of ourselves without condition or assurance is often challenging and difficult. Giving without concern for the self, and sharing through our vulnerability are rather alien concepts in today’s world – but so often that is how Jesus’ counter cultural teachings are perceived – outlandish! We live in a very individualistic society; one that teaches us to put ourselves first, seize as much power and control as possible, and a society that often teaches us to measure our self-worth based on the opinions of others. Think for one moment - how many times do we seek validation from outside sources? How many times do we base our success and failures on the reaction of our peers? This is just another form of self-centeredness and completely contrary to a life in Christ. Yet what are we supposed to do? We are after all human beings! Perhaps we should look deeper into what it means to live a Christ centered life.

We exist in a world in which we consistently experience a tug towards superficial achievements where success tends to be measured by worldly standards. Perhaps we have days in which we feel torn in several directions all at once. Those are the kinds of days in which I often feel it is everything I can do to take care of myself, much less give of myself to anyone else! It is hard not to put ourselves first in a society that teaches us might makes right, success is measured by how much worldly wealth we can accumulate, or how many goals we can accomplish in a day. Yet in contrast to the hustle and bustle of this world and it's standards, Jesus calls us to a life of complete and utter humility, poverty and a lifestyle of continuous self-giving (one without expectation of return or pay back). The counter culture love of God is radical in its nature. It knows nothing less than complete surrender and self-abandonment.

The very mystery and nature of God as Trinity celebrates self-abandoning love in diversity. And while we can debate and discuss the mystery of God, what is most important is to not lose sight of God’s pure benevolence; a gift that expects nothing in return. The economy of God is unconditional and ecstatic love for the other. In God there is no individual, but community. So what does that mean for us? Well, a life in Christ is all about acceptance of the self; the person God made us. It also means the acceptance of the beautiful diversity of all God’s people. The economy of God is not based on a fiduciary system, trade or the stock market. Instead the economy of God is the rock solid gift of life that is lived, shared and grounded in the community of faith. When we are initiated into the Body of Christ and immersed into the community of faith we die to our old selves and take on a new life, not only for ourselves, but for the sake of others as well. Just as the mystery of God is three divine “Persons” yet one being, so too do we become one with each other, yet remain personally valued and blessed with unique spiritual gifts. In other words, God calls us to build and rebuild relationships with others through the sharing of ourselves without condition. God invites us to celebrate our individual gifts as pieces of the puzzle that complement the community as a whole. Life in the community of the church recognizes that while we are diverse in nature, we need each other! A life in Christ is an immersion into unconditional love for God and our neighbor. Where many of us balk is that a genuine life in Christ requires nothing less than total self-sacrifice and self-abandonment. That is hard! Yet a life shared with others is a life that is constantly receiving the blessings of others and then selflessly passing along the gifts we receive. In the economy of God this exchange is a perfect cycle. But for human kind and our relationships, let’s just say we fall way short.

In this Ordinary time in the liturgical life of the church (the season of Pentecost), it is my sincere hope we will all continue to practice this cycle of self-giving love, even though we are far from perfect. The more we share of ourselves, the more vulnerable we all become as a community. It is in that vulnerability that sweet surrender occurs. It is in surrender that we find the meaning of unconditional love and service, sharing from our very poverty rather than excess.

Making Time for God

2009-06-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Most recently I had a meeting with a diocesan consultant at the former Catholic Convent of Richmond Hill, Richmond, Virginia. The convent was originally built after the War Between the States in the 1860’s. Situated on a hill overlooking the city, Richmond Hill's primary purpose was to watch over the city in careful, methodical and unceasing prayer. Richmond, like many southern cities was in utter chaos and destruction after its fall. The Southern troops and local inhabitants actually did most of the damage to the city as they fled the Union army. They burned all of the warehouses and anything else that might provide comfort and support for the enemy. To say the least, the city was in shambles and suddenly under Union control as well as marshal law. The sisters, who were moved to Richmond Hill by their bishop, had one mission – to pray without ceasing over the devastated city.

Richmond Hill, like so many monastic or former monastic facilities is a place that is rich and immersed in prayer. While Richmond Hill is no longer a convent, it is a place of spiritual retreat and solitude. So much sincere and faithful prayer has been lifted up to God within that small but beautiful compound; there is a genuine presence of stepping onto Holy Ground.

We all need respite from the daily grind of life. We all need a few moments to simply stop and pray and listen to that still small voice of God. We live in a fast paced world that demands immediate results, and as much of our time as it can steal. Work ethic has transformed in many places to ‘the more we do in a day, the more productive we are in that day.’ Never mind taking care of oneself spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally; the world demands a price to function in our modern day society and if we don’t pay the piper then we are taught the consequence is utter failure and ridicule. What a terrible way to live! Many of us have experienced the challenge of balancing work, family and self-care. The first item that usually goes by the way side when we are under pressure is the one thing we need the most – healthy lives committed to a solid spiritual formation. Trust me, as ironic and strange as it may sound the church and her clergy, lay staff and volunteers often fall into the exact same trap. The church is made up of human-beings and not immune to our brokenness.

I learned a valuable lesson regarding my spiritual life and ministry during my brief stay at Richmond Hill. I learned just how easy it is to become so self-absorbed and distracted that we neglect our prayer life and spiritual growth. Standing, kneeling and sitting in a room that was so rich and immersed in prayer was not only incredibly refreshing and spiritually reinvigorating, it was also a blessing and reminder from God about my true priorities and needs.

Christ is the Incarnate God who abides in us whether we take time to recognize his presence or not. I encourage us all to seek out time and places to renew our lives and spirits. I encourage us all to enter into a life of intentional prayer and silence, even if it is for just a brief amount of time. It is amazing how even the briefest time spent in the presence of God has the ability to rejuvenate our lives, calm our spirits and reprioritize our lives in a most healthy manner. Life’s challenges will always be there to confront us as that is simply living life on life's terms. Yet when we take the time to enter Holy Ground we will emerge refined and better able to meet those challenges with a deeper faith and steadfast spiritual foundation. It is in the still silence and quietness of our hearts that we become grounded in God's love and compassion, and much better prepared to meet the daily grind that lies just around the corner.

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones, but Words can be Brutal

2009-05-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Relationships are fundamental to our lives not only as Christians but as part of our basic human DNA as well. While relationships provide us with companionship, friendship and colleagues, they also provide us with numerous challenges. The church is certainly not exempt from the complex nature of relationships. A friend of mine used to say in reference to the diversity of human nature and personalities – “It takes all kinds to make up this world.” How very true is this statement when it comes to the complex make up of individual people. Of course what makes our personalities and individuality interesting is when we enter into relationships with others, or become a part of a larger group.

Church folks, especially the clergy often take their fair share of criticism and beatings at the hands (or should I say words) of disgruntled people. The natural reaction for most of us when confronted with difficult behavior is to become defensive or simply withdraw. Knowing this raises several questions, especially when it comes to life in the church. What do we do with the hurt and pain caused to us by others in the church? How do we as Christians transcend the malicious intent of gossip? How do we, the Body of Christ seek out reconciliation rather than revenge? These are difficult questions, but often the reality we face in the corporate community of faith.

From time to time random people outside the congregation approach me in the grocery store, mall, restaurant or some other public place in order to express and explain why they no longer attend church (It must be the collar!). Part of the mantle I bear upon my shoulders as an Episcopal priest is to be a magnet for the disenfranchised, hurt and lost. I listen to these folks as they share their plight and painful experiences in the church. Whether it is due to gossip, power struggles or parish politics, these folk’s stories have a common thread – they left their community of faith with a bitter and disgusting taste for life in the church. Most of these folks leave their church feeling battered and in desperate need of healing and recovery. Many folks seek God elsewhere, while others become so put off by the internal squabbles and unhealthy reactions that they simply drift along as non-active members who only grace the doors of the church when it is absolutely necessary. Is this the Christian life and fellowship that we are called to live? What kind of example are we setting for the world at large when all it ever witnesses is our internal feuds and fights?

We do hurt each other in the church, and often. While it is a sad fact, it is also the broken nature of human-beings to want control their environment, need to be right, and nurture ego-centric and dysfunctional behavior. In his book, Never Call Them Jerks, Arthur Paul Boers explains that unfortunately in the name of Jesus destructive mental health issues are all too often protected and enabled by well intentioned people in the congregation, providing the dysfunctional behavior with a genuine sense of empowerment and validation; no matter what the cost. Of course the clergy are certainly not exempt from these divisive self-serving needs either.

So the real question is – when these divisive, unhealthy and selfish actions occur, how do we deal with them in a healthy, accountable and loving manner? In other words, how do we reconcile with each other and stop the unhealthy cycle of dysfunctional behavior? The key - don't enable the difficult behavior while continuing to reach out and try to build bridges, not walls. Of course this sounds easy but in reality is much harder to do, especially when human emotions are factored into the situation. Yet to ignore difficult behavior or to retaliate only deepens and widens the chasm which separates us. After all, isn't that the nature of sin -to divide? Jesus tells us to go to a person who we have issues, and speak with them directly. He goes on to say if they will not listen then go back to them with a witness. If they still refuse to reconcile then take it to the church. If that doesn't work then we have to let them go in love so that we might move forward with healthy and joy filled spiritual lives. Unconditional love and Reconciliation are after all at the very heart of the Gospel, but so is accountability. As for me, I want to be a bridge, not a chasm. Life is so much better when we are able to let go, and let God!

God is our Divine Artist

2009-05-27T03:31:00.000-07:00

Art is one of many creative and intimate avenues of spiritual expression. It is a tremendous (and even prayerful) outlet for our inner most feeling and thoughts. From humanity’s earliest existence, art has played an important role in humanity’s creative ability and process. There is a deep and innate part of each one of us that longs to capture and express energy and movement, light and dark, as well as emotions such as love and hate. Art is revealing and secretive. It tells a story that bursts forth onto a canvas, page, palate or molded clay; often in a unique and personal way. Art captures our likes and our dislikes. It tells others something about our inner most selves, and the mysterious story behind our eyes. When looking at a painting, a piece of sculpture or drawing we enjoy, often there is something (known or unknown) in that work which touches us in a deep and profound manner. Sometimes whether we like the piece of art or not, we find ourselves drawn into the life of the work; stimulated, captivated and even overwhelmed by what we find. In many ways it is our interpretation or the evoked emotion that gives that piece of art life, meaning and purpose.

We often forget that God is the divine artist, constantly creating and recreating life, the world and universe. God molded humanity out of the earth and then blew his holy breath into the sculpted clay, giving us life and substance. Filled with the creative life force of God’s breath, we too have an innate drive to create and find expression in the beauty of this world (whether we realize it or not).

Do we have a way, place or medium to release and exercise our creativity? This summer as many of us take vacation, go to camp or simply relax at home in the backyard, I encourage us to stop and look around at the vast and lovely creative work and energy of God. It is everywhere. Who knows, maybe we will be inspired to open up those tightly guarded places in our hearts and allow our creativity to bubble to the surface.

Love....Its Not Mere Lip Service

2009-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

A well known actor was asked at a special Christian gathering to recite the 23rd Psalm. So, with great drama and flair, he mounted the stage and artfully articulated the vivid imagery of this familiar piece of Scripture. The people were entertained and in awe of his ability to articulate each word and to sprinkle just the right amount of inflection in key spots throughout the Psalm. Later in the same program, an elderly, respected woman of the community was asked to make some kind of contribution to the evening. She rose to the stage and apologized to the people because she could think of nothing else to share but a piece of Scripture she knew best; and you guessed it - the 23rd Psalm. Her voice cracked as she started, “The Lord is my shepherd.” She stumbled over her words, and the people had to strain to hear her low, monotone voice. Yet, there was a very real passion and sense of faith that resignated from her heart. She spoke the psalm as if it were something deeply internalized within her soul. Every monotne word was spoken in genuine affection for her love and gratitude to God. When she finished, there was not a dry eye in the house. The great actor climbed onto the stage and hugged the old woman and explained the difference. “I know the psalm,” he said, “but she lives the psalm.”

Believing what we live, and living what we believe. How many times have we looked at our spouse or someone else we are close to and apologized for failing to live up to a promise? Again! And how many times has that person(s) looked us in the eye and told us to save our apologies because ‘actions speak louder than words?’ I don’t know about other folks but when I find myself in this position I always feel spiritually rotten inside. I feel as if I dropped the ball by failing to follow through with my commitments. Or perhaps, and even more concerning, maybe there is no commitment or conviction in my words.

Actions do speak louder than words. We can make many claims in our lives; we can make promises galore; we can have the best intentions in the world, but unless we follow through with those deeds (no matter how admirable our sincerity and willingness) they count for nothing; nothing more than meaningless and hollow articulated sounds. Words are a most vital in our communication with one another. They have great power to bring us together or drive us apart. Words can bring peace and comfort, or they can bring war and conflict. Words have power; for both good and bad. Every single day words have the ability to open the encounters of our hearts and minds to new and exciting interpretations. In our daily lives words also have the ability to rob us of meaningful relationships. Words cannot stand alone. Unless there is substance, trust and action behind them, they are nothing more than meaningless verbiage that drive wedges between us, and those we love.

The Apostle John understood the need to not only speak the truth, but live it as well. In his first letter he wrote, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” Literally translated: "...let us love, not with lip service, but in truth and action." A colleague of mine when preaching often says in his opening prayer, “Lord, let me faithfully preach the Gospel today, and when necessary --- use words.” Each of us is called to live our lives as faithful Christians who read, digest and embrace God’s Holy Word. After all, Christ is the living Word of God; the way, the truth and the life. We can profess this all day long, but in the end do we practice what we preach? Do we put our faith in active motion and truly live as wholesome examples in Christ?

In his first epistle John maintains consistency with his Gospel. He emphasizes the importance of faith actions and deeds. For John, this is vital and relevant to our salvation. While love, truth and light are revealed in Christ they only become pertinent in our lives through active faith (deeds and actions). Many of us know how to talk the talk (for some of us talking has never been a problem), but do we know how to walk the walk?

These 50 days of Easter are about learning to both talk the talk as well as walk the walk. Easter presents us with multiple opportunities to encounter the Risen Lord, and like the Apostles, allow him to open our minds to his Word. Like the disciples after the resurrection, once we encounter the Risen Lord and inwardly digest his living Word, we can’t help but move into truthful and loving action.

The bottom line – it is easy to say we love others and want to reach out to them in reconciliation, kindness or thoughtful concern; but unless we seek them with truthful intentions and right actions our faith becomes stagnant and wrought with despair. Know Christ, but live Christ and make him known!

I Want to Walk with Jesus: Barefooted and Free!

2009-04-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Some of my fondest memories of growing up in the Deep South are forged from my youthful days of freedom; an innocent freedom born out of my dear affection for summer (despite the incredibly hot temperatures and near 100% humidity). The long lazy days, afternoon thundershowers and endless time playing outside (barefooted of course) until long after dark are as much a part of my spiritual formation as time spent in church. For many of us the outdoors is God’s vast cathedral, one that no work of brick and mortar can ever match. Summer is a time in which life thrives intensely, just before the sudden, necessary and natural cycle of fall’s decay announces the silent dormancy of winter.

Jesus’ life and ministry (most likely barefooted) was one that was fully thriving, growing and spreading throughout Galilee and Judah. Like a bright summer’s day full of life, thunder and seemly never ending, Jesus was in the prime of his mission when suddenly the winds of change shifted, and the darkness of winter abruptly arrived. Did he expect this change? Was he prepared for this sudden and abrupt transition? His divinity certainly understood the demands of his mission, but Jesus’ humanity railed against the bitter chalice filled with gloom and death. In the youth of his life a cold chill stirred the night air in the Garden of Gethsemane; a bone cutting coldness brought on by the kiss of betrayal. The thriving life of summer came to a deafening and eerie hush, as Jesus began his silent plight to winter’s barren cross.

The very life of God flows through us because Jesus sacrificed himself for us; spilling his precious blood so that our ravaged, lost and shattered spirits might be preserved from the oppressive bondage of sin and death. Through the love and faithfulness of Christ Jesus our Lord, in the midst of winters harsh, savage and barren coldness life and hope awoke. Jesus destroyed the black emptiness of the desolate tomb, transforming the gloom of that early Easter morning into light and joyful reunion. Nothing of this world, not even death, could contain the Lord of all Creation. As hard as it is to sometimes believe, nothing of this world can separate us from the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. The cold season of winter will still fall across the landscape of our lives; the snow and hard ice will form on our hearts from time to time; and the life around us will still feel desolate and barren on occasion; that is simply life on life’s terms in this broken world. The good news is that spring will come, flowers will bloom and our lives will feel the warm hope that gently blows across our shattered hearts and dispirited dreams. And if we listen very carefully, we will hear the sounds of an eternal summer; a delightful enunciation of grace beckoning us to cast aside our heavy burdens in order to run forever, barefooted and free.

Leaving Loose Ends Untied.

2009-04-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

An Arab chief once told a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the ‘big, black door.’ As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, “What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?”The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. Finally, after much fearful deliberation he chose the firing squad.Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution. The general turned to his aide and said, “They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice.”The aide said, “What lies beyond the big black door?”“Freedom,” replied the general. “But very few people have the courage to dare and risk opening that door, much less walk through it’s portal.”

Fear of the unknown; that is what we find on this glorious Easter morning. Mark’s account of the resurrection is one that makes us all some what uncomfortable and uneasy. After sixteen chapters Mark simply leaves us with the women running as fast as they can to escape the empty tomb (and of course an angelic encounter!). His Gospel narrative leaves us in desperate need of closure. The last thing we actually see are the women high-tailing it out of the garden in great fear. I don’t think they had any problem in choosing the door over the firing squad (metaphorically speaking). They ran as fast as they could back into their own comfort zones and the comfortable reality it provided them. After all, someone or something had moved that giant stone from the entrance into the tomb and Jesus’ body was nowhere to be found. The removal of the body must have been devastating enough for Jesus’ friends, not to mention all of the mystery surrounding that early morning encounter.

But what if the women had found Jesus’ body in the tomb? What if every thing had worked out nice and neat the way they expected? What if there was no shocking surprise or heavenly encounter? What if there was no risk involved and every thing went as planned? What if there were no choices to make beyond (say) what spices to anoint Jesus’ corpse; or no decisions beyond how to remove the stone from the entrance? If every thing had gone as expected for the three women on that first Easter morning; if they had found their closure by anointing the body of Jesus; and if they had tied up all of their loose ends - we wouldn’t be here today. Mark, the brilliant and inspired evangelist he was – intentionally left the Gospel ending open and loose ends untied.

Many of us like to have everything wrapped up nice and tidy in an orderly and explainable fashion. But guess what? That is not the nature of God and it is certainly isn’t characteristic of a life in Christ! God sent the women to tell the disciple’s of Jesus’ resurrection, without even giving them even the tiniest glimpse of the risen Lord! Mark leaves us wondering if they metaphorically chose the firing squad or the big black door; because the evangelist tells us they ran away in fear and said nothing (Nothing) to anyone. The greatest event in creation occurs (the Resurrection) and fear, doubt and ambiguity appear to win out; or do they?

The angel told the women that Jesus had risen and already gone to Galilee. The disciples and followers of Christ would certainly encounter him there. In the end, God’s grace will always transcend our faithlessness. In the end, God’s love will always overcome our fear. And in the end, God’s triumph of life eternal will always conquer death. Nevertheless, the choice of what kind of life we choose to lead is important to our quality of faith and spirituality.

We like to know what is coming next in life - don’t we? Most of us don’t care for surprises. We aren’t about to choose “the big black door” if we are afraid. It is amazing that we will choose self- destructive and sometimes deadly paths even though we know they are roads to nowhere; but in a sick manner, we at least can rationalize and are content with the certain knowledge of where they lead!

Often when confronted with such choices in life we find ourselves frozen in fear and indecisive. It’s a difficult and unfortunate position when we stand with one foot in yesterday and another in tomorrow. In the words of one theologian, “We crucify ourselves between two thieves: on the one side is regret for yesterday, and on the other is fear of tomorrow;” - two thieves that rob our lives of so much joy. That is one wretched place to exist my dear friends. A life of fear is one of sorrow, resentment and much regret. Yet its our choice isn’t it?

For one moment I ask us to think about those fear filled times in our lives; think back on the joy as well as opportunities that fear has caused us to miss. Touch those wounds received by life. Feel the ridges and contours of those bitter scars. In the light of the resurrection, are we willing to risk opening our hearts just a little, even though every fiber of our being rails against the hurt that could take place in that vulnerable moment? The resurrection gives us another chance at living life to its fullest potential without the overwhelming and daunting fear. Jesus rose from the grave and bought for us with his own precious blood a renewed hope and new shot at life. The risen Lord beacons to us - leave behind those consuming fears, rejoice in the power of God’s redeeming love, and don’t worry about what we don’t or can’t see (untied, loose ends). Freedom despite life’s uncertainties is what the resurrection in Mark’s Gospel is all about – freedom; freedom to embrace what lies in the unknown without worry or stress. Christ is calling us on this glorious Easter morn to walk with him down a path named – Faith. It is faith that leads to truth and it is the truth (as Jesus tells us) that will set us free.

So Mark reminds us that a life in Christ Jesus is one that thrives in the gray areas of life and embraces the unknown. True spiritual growth only occurs in the ambiguity of risk and the acceptance of change. Spiritual maturity occurs when we faithfully step through the big black door, even though we know not what awaits us behind its mystery. But by stepping through the door of faith and embracing the risen Christ we can let go of our regrets of yesterday, as well as those phantom fears of tomorrow. We can then live my sisters and brothers- truly live! We can live a full life (with all of its challenges) with faith, joy and hope in the present!

Today Christ has risen!!! Today we have a renewed hope, a new covenant with God and an assurance of freedom from the bondage of sin and death. Today, we are bathed in the glowing light of the resurrection and brought through that mysterious door that leads to eternal life

Jesus is Laid in the Sepulchre

2009-04-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

Laid in a borrowed tomb, awaiting the sign of Jonah
-the only sign that would be given to His generation
-that after three days and nights in the womb of the earth,
the belly of the fish, the grave and hell,
He would come forth to do His Father's will
-Jesus the humble Son of God , the exultant Son of Man,
the eternal contradiction, the Blessed One.
The end is not yet. Weeping endures for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
The good news - 'He is risen' -
will burst upon the Son-rise.

Therefore with joy we shall draw water
out of the wells of salvation.

When all is dark,
and Hope is buried,
it is hard to trust His words
that promised, before the pain:
He died that I might live.

In His death is my birth.
He dies that I might live.

In His life is my life.
He died that I might live.

My Jesus! He died that I might live.
He died that I might live.
~ 'The Way of the Cross,' Celtic Daily Prayer.

I dared to Look in the Mirror and What did I See?

2009-04-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

During this most Holy Week in Christendom, like many faithful believers, I have decided to do all I can to walk with a more intentional purpose with our Lord Jesus Christ through his passion. I hope to journey through this week and emerge with a stronger vision and embodiment of Christ. I want to look deep below the surface of the passion narrative to see just how and (probably more importantly) why God relates to us.

I ask myself: When we look into the face of the tortured, flogged and mocked Jesus, what do we see? When we hear the hostile crowds yell to Pilate, "Crucify Him!" do we hear our voice mingled amongst the mob?

I truly enjoy the little book, "Love Set Free" by Brother Martin L. Smith, SSJE. In the Gospel of John during Jesus' trial we hear Pilate say, "Here is the man!" Brother Smith stresses that this one tiny sentence is a profound revelation to our inner selves. The humanity of Jesus is important and vital to our salvation and hope. The longer and more deeply we gaze at Jesus the better we are able to internalize and witness "the dignity of his [Jesus'] stillness and suffering compassion and companionship of God." By entering into the darkness of Christ's passion and suffering, we realize the profound truth; "God is not a distant God looking down at this scene[Jesus' trial and execution] or a remote God peering over the horizon." By looking into the suffering eyes of Christ Jesus we get a tiny glimpse of the incredible nature of God. For it is "only by drawing near enough to us to be caught up in the cycle of human self-destructive violence does God get near enough to end the cycle with healing, reconciliation and reunion."

God strives to get as close to us as we will allow him. This is how our lives are transformed and the cycle of self-destructive behavior is broken. God is an engaging God who genuinely wants to be in communion with us. Through Christ Jesus we are drawn nearer to God; we are made one with him - just as he and the Father are one. There is a genuine dignity in this precious moment; for it is here, in this intimate moment that our inner most pain and suffering are not only revealed, but absorbed in Christ's suffering and pain. Gods meets us where we are in life and thus opens our hearts to shine through the darkness, and live as wholesome examples in Christ.

In conclusion, when we look into the tortured, blood stained and bruised face of Jesus what do we see? I see a compassionate God who loves and honors the dignity in all people, even when those same people lash out and turn away from him. I see a loving God whose passion for humanity far exceeds our often selfish and rebellious behavior. I see a God who allows us to throw him under the bus, only to reach out in reconciling forgiveness and invite us to sit beside him on the bus.

Will we accept God's invitation to walk through this most holy week with Jesus? Will we dare to look into the face of Christ and risk seeing a reflection of our broken selves? Do we dare acknowledge those places where we harbor our most intense pain and shame? Will we open our hearts to the compassion of Christ and let him heal those festering sores; sores that are infected with resentment, hate and self-centeredness?

This Holy Week dare to look into the mirror eyes of Christ. Embrace the truth that stares back at us; for it is not only a reflection of our own hurt, sorrow and pain, but a reflection of Christ's redeeming love as well.

Palm Monday Hangover?

2009-04-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Palm Monday. The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. “I’ll show myself to them,” he thought.

But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind. “Throw your garments down,” he said crossly. “Don’t you know who I am?” They just looked at him as nothing more than a wandering mule. Then to add insult to injury, someone slapped him across the tail and ordered him to move. “Miserable heathens!” the donkey muttered to himself. “I’ll just go to the market. The good people there will remember me for sure!” But when the little donkey arrived in the busy Jerusalem market the same thing happened - no one (not a single person) paid him any attention. Then the donkey thought, “Oh yes, the palm branches! Where are the palm branches?! Yesterday, these people raised, waved and threw palm branches!” Hurt, baffled and confused, the donkey sulked and returned home to his mother. When she heard what had happened, she compassionately whispered to the little donkey, “Foolish child, don’t you realize that without Jesus, you are just an ordinary donkey?”

Today we are reminded that without Jesus to accompany us in this life, we are like the donkey in this (made up) metaphor; we too are simply misguided creatures, full of false hope and lofty expectations. We end up living superficial lives that seek nothing more than to live in moments of self-centered glory.

The people who crowded into the streets of Jerusalem in order to welcome Jesus into the city had worked themselves up into a frenzy; a frenzy driven by false hope and unrealistic, lofty expectations. Jesus was the Messiah. This was a triumphant military entry into the most holy city in the universe. The Christ would liberate these people from the burden of Roman oppression; the Christ would raise Israel up above her enemies in triumph; the Christ would bring down the reign of God, and Zion would flourish. Yet, as we shall see the Jewish leaders and people of Jerusalem set themselves up for a major disappointment.

Like our little donkey, Holy Monday (Palm Monday as the story called it) brought a completely different tone. Where were the mighty acts of this Messiah? Where were the angel and heavenly hosts? Where was their “self” prophesied liberation? Why were the Roman soldiers still occupying the city? Nothing had changed! Disappointment, discouragement and ultimately anger must have festered in the city streets of Jerusalem. I imagine each time a discarded palm branch came into view; it only served to stoke and ignite the angry disappointment of the Jewish people. To make matters worse, not only did Jesus not call down a heavenly army of liberators, Mark tells us that as quickly as he entered the city, he left. Jesus didn’t even make a sacrifice in the temple, address the people or challenge the Roman authorities. Jesus and his disciples go back outside the city to Bethany and retire for the night. Is Mark joking? All the hype and energetic build up and then – nothing? Ironically the very moment the crowds seem at last to recognize Jesus and eager to affirm his identity, Jesus decides to emphasize that he is not the kind of Davidic and liberating Messiah they expect. So Jesus and the twelve disciples simply left Jerusalem leaving nothing more than a (disillusioned) donkey to show he had been present.

Palm Sunday is a subtle reminder to each of us that it is often our own expectations (spoken or not) that get us into trouble and cut us off from God. Our perceptions of what we want God to do in this life often become the stumbling blocks that trip us up as we journey through this life. If only God would have saved that person from death; if only God had not allowed that criminal to commit such a heinous act; if only God had allowed me to avoid those painful experiences….(the list goes on and on).

We have all stood in the street and waived our palms at Jesus, expecting him to do for us those things that we desire or project on him. And we have all felt the bitter disappointment when those expectations go unmet. Yet God is not manipulated by our actions, nor tricked by our careful plans. Instead, God loves us despite the isolating and divisive nature of sin. God longs to be in communion with each and every one of us, and looks beyond our human shortsightedness to the eternal truth. And just what is that eternal truth? It is the fact that God’s nature is to draw all things to him. While sin ran amok in this world, unchecked and ramped, God’s task was not possible. But in Christ Jesus, that would change!

Like the label on the back of a bottle of salad dressing that says, Shake well before using - shaking is a part of God’s divine nature. God doesn't forewarn, he doesn't explain, sometimes he just shakes.God shook Job -- he lost everything.God shook Jonah -- the bottom dropped out of his plans.God shook the apostles -- the vibrations didn't stop until they reached heaven.Left unshaken, a bottle of salad dressing creates sour sediment like that at the bottom of a wine vat. The world had become stale, flat and sour because she was sedimentary, calcified, hardened. Through out the history of the world we witness God restore his people and nations by shaking them up. God doesn't shake just for the sake of shaking. There is a reason. The stuff of life is being rearranged, and people are going to be affected.

Therefore on the day we call Palm Sunday, God decided to radically shake things up in this world. God did the most unexpected and selfless act by sending Jesus as the living sacrifice that would restore the world to freedom. Through this jarring action - sin and death are defeated and the hope for all creation is restored. The eternal truth is - that our hope (yours and mine) is restored, and nothing (Absolutely Nothing) will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

As we move forward into Holy Week and journey with Jesus to the cross, I ask each of us to prayerfully reflect:

What selfish expectations do we wave like palms in the air as we seek Christ?
What parts of our lives need to be shaken and jarred?
Are we like the donkey on “Palm Monday” blindly caught up in our own life needs and wants?

The journey that lies before us as we enter Holy Week is one that will take us ever deeper into the mystery of God. This is a journey that will shake our lives to their very core, shaking loose the sediments and calcified deposits of sin that weigh us down; the hardened film that cuts us off from God. Holy Week has begun; darkness falls; the light is dimmed; Christ has triumphantly entered Jerusalem (only) to quietly leave and prepare for the earth shattering darkness to come.

Go to Dark Gethsemane

2009-04-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

Let go in faith and journey into the unknown. Easily said, much harder to do! The author of the Book of Hebrews tells us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the assurance of things unseen.” In other words, faith is a means of letting go of all the “control issues” in our lives; those predetermined plans that we often interject or sneak into our prayers as we try to influence God to “just let things turn out my way!”

Throughout Scripture we witness God’s people do great things because of their willingness to step outside of themselves in faith. Abraham left behind all he knew and led his people into a new land, becoming the Father of all Nations. Moses answered God’s call and returned to Egypt to face Pharaoh, in order to free the Children of Israel from the bondage of sin and slavery. God’s prophets were driven (sometimes kicking and screaming) by faith to hold God’s people accountable when they strayed away from Yhweh. Countless Christians in the early church (as well as today) experienced intense persecution by governments and authorities because of their faithfulness to Christ. And finally, Jesus faithfully accepted his fate in the Garden of Gethsemane even though he prayed to the Father, “If it be your will please remove this cup from my lips, but thou will be done.”

As we prepare to embark on this journey with Christ and disciples through Holy Week, we find ourselves on a path that is most uncomfortable and often harsh. Like the disciples, it is easier to fall asleep, run and avoid the painful darkness of Holy Week. This is the time for Jesus’ passion and suffering; a faithful suffering that buys our freedom from the bondage of sin and death. All too often we go to sleep on Palm Sunday and awake on Easter morning. We miss the whole journey! In many ways we are no better than the faithless disciples who abandoned Christ in his most desperate hour. Faith is not comfortable. Faith is not easy. Faith is not an assurance that we will always get our way in life (thank goodness!). Faith requires us to stand, walk and trudge forward, even though life sometimes hurts and becomes very dark and grim. Faith is the grains of sand used to polish our armor of light (as Paul describes in his Letter to the Ephesians) so that our spirits burn brighter and more radiant despite the darkness of our age. Faith simply requires that we believe; believe in Christ Jesus’ unconditional love and the wholesome desire to do the next right thing no matter the cost.

During this most holy week of Christendom, as we prepare to undertake this difficult journey of faith with Jesus, one that will lead us right through the painful abandonment of the cross; it is my most fervent prayer that we find the courage to believe in God’s redeeming grace and love. Dear Father I believe! Help my unbelief!

A Journey through Christendom's Most Holy time of Year

2009-03-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Liturgical Season of Lent:

Lent is the season of prayerful journey and self-reflection. It is the forty days plus the six Sundays of preparation and self-denial that lead up to Easter. For centuries, Lent has been observed as a special time of personal examination and penitence. Today we find ourselves in a barren season that beacons us to concentrate on our fundamental Christian values and priorities. Contrary to the views of many, the season of Lent is not a time for self punishment; instead it is a time of letting go of those things that cut us off from God. Lent is a time in our spiritual lives in which we are called by God to prepare our hearts for the redeeming love of Christ.

Perhaps we find ourselves living in this world as one of the many aimlessly lapsed Christians, wandering away from church and neglecting our spiritual lives. For centuries, Lent has offered God's people the opportunity to return to the fellowship of the church. In fact the season of Lent historically is a period in the life of the church in which the lapsed, as well as those who have committed notorious sins were received back into the community of faith. If you are questioning your own faith and wondering what to believe, this is a most appropriate reflect and ask the difficult questions with sincerity and truth. For some Lent is a pathway that leads back into the Body of Christ or the Church.

Throughout Lent, the worship services of the church take on a simpler tone, appropriate to this season. Crosses showing the risen Christ are veiled. The word "Alleluia" is not used in the words of the liturgy or hymns. These practices help the worshipping community to mark this season of renewal as a special time in the church year.

Observing a Holy Lent ~ The custom is to mark the season of Lent by giving up some things and taking on others. Both can serve to mark the season as a holy time of preparation. Some examples of things people give up for Lent include sweets, meat for all or some meals, and alcohol. In most cases, giving up something for Lent can be made more meaningful by using the money or time for another purpose. For example, meal times on fast days could be spent in prayer. Another example is that if you give up meat during Lent, the extra money that would go to meat dishes can be given to a group, such as World Vision, which works to end hunger worldwide. Some things added during Lent are daily Bible reading, fasting on Fridays, times of prayer, taking a course of study related in some way to spirituality.

Note that the season of Lent is forty days plus the six Sundays. This is because Sundays are celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection and are always an appropriate day to lessen the restrictions of Lent. So that if you have, for example, given up chocolate for Lent, you could indulge in a weekly candy bar on Sunday.

The Sacrament of Confession ~ Lent is also an especially appropriate time for the sacrament of confession. While confession to a priest is not required to receive God’s forgiveness, it can be a meaningful rite of reconciliation to God.

Special Days and Services:

Shrove Tuesday ~ This is actually the day before Lent begins. The day is named for the "shriving" or confessing that was traditional on this day before beginning Lent. This day is also known as Maddi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," because it was a time for eating the things from which one would abstain during Lent. Pancake suppers are traditional as they were a way of using up some of the ingredients not needed during Lent.

Ash Wednesday ~ The first day of Lent is marked with a special liturgy. The theme for the day, though not for all of Lent, is that we stand as sinners condemned to die, but for God’s grace. This is symbolized by the imposition of ashes on the forehead, with the words, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." In the Old Testament, ashes were a sign of penitence (feeling regretful at offenses) and mourning.

Ash Wednesday is one of two days of special observance (the other being Good Friday) for which fasting is recommended. While this usually refers going without food for the entire day, this practice is not practical for all persons, including, but not limited to, diabetics. Use your own discretion in determining how you can best observe this day.

Stations of the Cross ~ These are depictions of 14 incidents in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death from Pilate’s house to being placed in the tomb. They are used for the service called the Way of the Cross, which visits each station in turn with a brief reading, response, collect and on some occasions, a meditation. This is particularly appropriate for Good Friday.

Palm Sunday ~ This Sunday before Easter is the last Sunday in Lent. The day commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem with a blessing of palms and a procession in which the whole congregation carries palms. The day is also marked by reading the story of Jesus’ passion (the word used to describe Jesus’ death comes from "suffering," which is one old meaning of passion).

Maundy Thursday ~ This is the Thursday in Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). The day is a time for remembering The Last Supper. The name comes from the Latin word "Maundatum" for "commandment" as Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment; that you love one another." This is also the moment in which Jesus showed his disciples the meaning of servant hood by washing their feet. We will observe the foot washing during the liturgy. At the conclusion of this service, altars are stripped of any ornamentation and crosses are removed or veiled to mark the solemnness of the occasion.

Good Friday ~ The Friday in Holy Week is a time for remembering Jesus death. Traditionally there is a Good Friday service at noon as Jesus hung on the cross from noon until 3 p.m. This is the second day of special observance for which fasting is recommended. One should use discretion in decided how best to observe this day. There is no celebration of Communion from Maundy Thursday until the Easter Vigil on late Saturday or early Sunday. However, it is customary in many churches to give out the elements of communion blessed during the Maundy Thursday service.

The Easter Vigil ~ This service is appropriate from after sunset on Holy Saturday until sunrise Easter morning. This is our most ancient Christian Liturgy. In the early Christian Church it was the traditional time of baptism, reaffirmation and reconciliation. This service begins in darkness and a new fire is lit, from which the Christ candle is lighted. It signifies the light of Christ coming into the world anew at the resurrection. This service ends the season of Lent and begins the joy of the Easter season.

I'm with Peter!

2009-03-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

In the 16th c. the Pope sent Jesuit missionary’s into China in order to evangelize the huge population. He had them take art work with them that depicted scenes from Jesus’ life. He thought this would assist with the obvious challenge of the language barrier. Interestingly the Chinese people took an instant liking to paintings of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. However, when it came to depictions of the crucifixion and the missionary’s explanation that this was the same child that Mary was holding, they were shocked. The Chinese people were even more disturbed that this Child was the Christian God and that was treated so repulsively. They were horrified to see how Jesus was made to suffer and ultimately die. This was extremely counter cultural to them, so the Chinese people decided they would rather worship the Blessed Mother Mary, since she was pictured in love and adoration for the child.

None of us likes suffering do we? It is counter cultural to our need to survive and live. When Jesus tells the disciples that he must be delivered into the hands of his enemies, suffer and die by crucifixion, they naturally were appalled. Peter, who had just identified Jesus as the Messiah (after all Peter is the guy in the bunch who most often spoke first and thought later) – he was the stunned enough to actually rebuke Jesus. Think about it for one moment and put yourself in Peter’s shoes (or sandals). He and the rest of the disciples had witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons and work miracles. Jesus was their hope; Jesus was their leader; Jesus was their inspiration. Yet, Jesus must die.

Well, I don’t know about you all but I’m with Peter! I would have had the same reaction. I would have been just as confused, protective and ready to argue with Jesus as Peter. I would have been ready to keep my dear friend safe and secure. Friends protect friends; that is the way love and friendship work! There would be no reason for useless suffering. Look at all the good Jesus was doing for his people. Like the Chinese, I would have been repulsed had Jesus revealed his hideous fate on the cross; one that was reserved for thieves, murderers and rebels.

Jesus reaction to Peter was even harsher than Peter’s reaction to him. The Greek word Mark used for ~ rebuke ~ is the exact same word he uses when Jesus casts out demons. This was a very serious rebuke! It was a direct command with the authority of God. Jesus would not be tempted. He knew this was one of those moments that the Adversary seized to try and derail his divine mission; even though the temptation came in the form of concern from an innocent and loving friend.

Jesus mission was one of love and sacrifice. In the process he redefined discipleship. Jesus says, “Set your mind on divine things, not human things.” And here is the real kicker, he says, “Be ready to suffer!” Suffer! That’s right, you heard me correctly. To be a follower of Jesus means that we must become willing to suffer. What Mark is telling us is that self-sacrifice, self-abandonment and self-empting are at the very core of God’s divine love for all creation. Jesus is telling us that in order to follow him, we are called to suffer through the same self-sacrificial acts. This is what he means when he says, “In order to save you life you must lose it.”

One January afternoon in 2007, 50-year-old Wesley Autrey was waiting with his two young daughters to board a train at Broadway’s 137th Street station in Manhattan, when the unthinkable happened. According to cbsnews.com, Cameron Hollopeter, 19, fell onto the subway tracks while suffering a seizure, just as an oncoming train was approaching. In a split second Autrey, a construction worker and Vietnam War veteran jumped onto the tracks to save him. As the train barreled toward them, unable to stop in time, Autrey realized he could not lift Hollopeter to safety. So he threw his body on top of the still convulsing young man, pinning him down in the shallow drainage trough, roughly a foot deep, between the tracks. The train’s front two cars rolled over them with just about two precious inches to spare before the operator was able to bring it to a stop. Hollopeter and Autrey emerged largely unharmed. Cheers erupted and Autrey was hailed as a hero. But Autrey, as humble as he was brave, told The New York Times, “I don’t feel like I did something spectacular; I just saw someone who needed help. I did what I felt was right.”

Wesley Autrey provides us with an incredible example of what it means to deny ourselves of our self, and give to others (even those we do not know) in unconditional love and sacrifice.

In this season of Lent we often give up things, by denying ourselves chocolate, coffee, sodas, TV or something important to our daily lives. While this act is an important reminder of the act of sacrifice, God’s call to follow him is far deeper and demanding than these (often inconvenient) but small reminders. Jesus wants us to give to God ~ our complete selves: our thoughts; our dreams; our egos; our goals; our burdens and problems. God wants every single little piece of us.

The path to sacrifice is what leads us to God and allows us to identify with God. While this is counter culture to the world, God made the world and God put his unconditional love and labor into our very existence. Therefore we should really flip this around and say, “The world is counter cultural to the original way God created and brought it into existence.”

Mr. Autrey understood something that the Chinese culture of the 16th c. had not yet learned: Jesus defines true discipleship as a way of life that imitates God. Since God made himself vulnerable to the extreme (ultimately allowing the Son to perish on the cross) he calls us (you and I) to the same life of vulnerability. Our God loves us so much that he longs to be in communion with us, and will go to what ever length required to show us. God gives so completely of God’s self (to us) that nothing is ever held back in reserve.

So, whether it is leaving the comforts of home and traveling all the way around the world on mission; whether it is jumping on a train track, using our own body to shield and protect a complete stranger from the train; whether it is saying the blessing before a meal in the restaurant in order to give God thanks, at the expense of a few stares – Christ is calling us to a life of self-sacrifice; one that demands all of us (heart, mind, and body). God holds nothing back and neither should we.

As we follow this road of Lent together. I pray that we continue to keep our attention focused on Jerusalem and the cross. While the heavy burden and fear will only grow and become darker over the next few weeks, we shouldn’t over look one tiny, but major and significant statement Jesus makes at the very end of this mornings passage from Mark. After he tells the disciple of his fatal destination and fate, he says, “And on the third day I will rise again.” In all the shock, the disciples missed that one liner! God is reminding us that through Jesus’ suffering that we are promised life eternal. When giving of ourselves unconditionally don’t forget the beautiful reward that awaits us all.

Floods, Deserts and Dust. It Must be Lent!

2009-03-01T15:10:00.001-08:00

The shadow of Lent has fallen upon us. The light of the Epiphany has dimmed and been covered. The dark cloud of inevitable death is only a stones throw away. God has empowered his only begotten Son with a mission of salvation to all creation. While this isn’t the first time God has made a covenant (or promise) with his creation, this will be the ultimate and last covenant necessary.

Long before Jesus is sent on his divine salvific mission, there is the story of Noah. Once again we learn that God has become displeased and disgusted with his very free, but very broken creation. Once again God looks down at not only humanity’s waywardness, but on at the negative effect we have had on the rest of his creation. One would think that we might have learned something in the Garden of Eden. But that is the nature of sin. Left unchecked it continues to repeat its destructive patterns over and over again; each time becoming a little worse until it has consumed all the things it touches (especially us) cutting us off from the light and love of God.

In this mornings reading from the Book of Genesis we find the whole earth at fault before God. God’s patience is gone. His tolerance of humanity’s self-centered, faithless behavior is at its end. God will no longer allow his creation to live in such a filthy and sinful manner. So He brings the flood. Since all of God’s creation is closely linked the destruction of the earth and all living things is part of God’s divine plan. Yet we have a loving God. A God whose nature it is to create; and rather than wipe out his work completely, God has his faithful servant Noah build an ark and herd two of every kind of animal (both male and female) aboard the big boat. Now, I used to work for the Biology Department while in college at UGA. I was the animal caretaker for the lab animals. That smelled bad enough, but can you imagine what the ark must have smelled like?! I often wonder who got the job of cleaning the stalls.

The important thing to note about the flood story is that after it was all over, God made a covenant with Noah. He said he would never again destroy the earth by flood waters. To mark the sign of this covenant he hung a beautiful rainbow in the sky. In Christ Jesus, God will do the same for us. Accept rather than hang a rainbow in the sky, he will hang his only Son from a cross.

In today’s reading from Mark, we witness Jesus’ baptism and literal expulsion into the Judean desert (not a good place to be). This reading in Mark is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to his people and eventually to all creation. In many ways, Jesus is the “New Ark.” We find Jesus suffering through merciless temptation for 40 days, with the wild beasts and angels. (You see) once again we see that all creation is linked.

As we look at the nature of God and his covenants, there are interesting parallels between today’s two readings:

In Genesis the clouds form and the rain pours down. In Mark the heavens are violently torn apart at Jesus’ baptism, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a Dove.
In Genesis, Noah floats on the waters for 40 days; adrift in a wet and abandoned world. There is a dark void where abundant life used to exist. In Mark, Jesus is set adrift in the desert. For 40 days he endures the desolate void found in a dry and abandoned waste land.
In Genesis, Noah herds God’s creatures into the ark and cares for them during this 40 day period. In Mark, Jesus draws the desert creatures to himself. He is God’s new Ark or refuge.

We don’t know what kind of sailing Noah experienced during the flood. We are not told if he faced terrible waves and violent tempests. But we do know that Jesus faced a terrible onslaught by the Adversary; an attack meant to derail and destroy the future hope of God’s creation. If Jesus gave in or failed, the world was doomed. But as we all know, where Adam failed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus will succeed in the Judean desert. And just as the flood waters eventually subside, so does Jesus’ wilderness exile. God’s plan for redeeming all creation is now in motion.

All too often we find ourselves adrift in this world. We find ourselves frightened, worried and consumed with the weight of our problems. Perhaps we long for the heavens to open up and have God deliver us. Perhaps we desperately hope to find refuge and sanctuary on a rescue boat, as we slowly drown in a sea of doubt and despair.

There is no doubt that today’s world is a difficult place to exist. We all have major worries. If it is not the deflated economy, it is the violence we see in society. If it is not war and conflict, it is the abuse of the innocent. We exist in a very harsh and world in which the Adversary is always brewing up a new tempest or sand storm to make our lives difficult, full of doubt and distracted. This is why it is absolutely vital that we remember that Jesus (the New Covenant) is (dare I say the word!) our Bailout Package. Except unlike the monstrosity in Washington, this bailout comes at no cost without interest. This morning as Jesus undertakes his mission to redeem the world, deep down in creation a change is subtly taking place. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness, the Adversary knows that he has already lost the battle. While he will make a few subtle returns, Jesus will not fall for his tricks or ploys. Jesus has turned his face toward Jerusalem and the cross. Lent has begun.

As we undertake this Lenten journey with Christ; the more faithfully we commit ourselves to stay the path; the less power our fears will have over us. Please remember, no matter what storms or hardships we face, God is faithful and God will not abandon us. Through Christ Jesus our Lord we have a new hope and a new life. So, please – join me and together, (together) we will take this Lenten journey – (a journey) which will eventually lead to the greatest bailout package of all – the Resurrection.

Indifference, the Refined Art of Exile

2009-02-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I preached a sermon on the hurtful nature of indifference. This particular sermon was a difficult one to preach, because not only did several folks in the congregation find it challenging, but so did the preacher! The question as well as the challenge is - as Christian's how can we remain indifferent to people who genuinely suffer? How can we turn our backs on people whose pain is only magnified by society's blatant abandonment? The political prisoner, the homeless refugee, starving families, the sick, destitute and abandoned; by ignoring their existence and looking the other way we exile them from our consciousness. The Jewish Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel states it best when he says, "By denying their humanity, we betray our own."

Remaining indifferent to those who truly suffer in this world is nothing new to our time. Indifference is a cruel form of social marginalization. A Darwinian theorist might even justify that marginalization of those who are sick, needy or in desperate trouble is the "natural order of things." But for those who claim Christ as our Lord, we are called to usurp the "natural order of things."

First century Palestine was no different than any other age when it came to the outcast, socially marginalized and loathed. Actually it was probably worse since the Jewish law gave credibility to the exile and expulsion of those considered unclean. Leprosy most assuredly was one such death sentence to a life of normal social acceptance. It was an ancient curse that guaranteed a person of a life stripped of dignity, hope and any kind of value. This terrible disease caused grotesque disfigurement of the body. It was considered highly contagious, and those who contracted it were condemned to a life of exile, desperation and poverty. Lepers were cast out of society, avoided and treated as despicable objects. The lepers of Jesus day lived a life of deep humiliation, and were treated with an attitude of indifference. In Wiesel's words, they were reduced to a mere "abstraction."

Can you imagine every time encountering a "clean" person having to yell, "Unclean! Unclean!" so that they might avoid contact with you? That was exactly what the Jewish law required. Can you imagine the humiliation of being bound in filthy rags from head to toe in order to distinguish yourself as a disease infected leper? Can you imagine having to live near the city dump so that you could out run your fellow lepers for scraps of food? Well, that was exactly the hopeless existence the lepers of Jesus' day were forced to live. They were treated as rude and unwanted interruptions, reduced to mere abstractions.

Yet the leper in Mark's Gospel ran to Jesus. He broke the law and asked Jesus to please make him clean; and Jesus did exactly that - he touched him and made him clean; made him whole and restored his dignity. One might argue at this point that Jesus is God and he knows the heart of all people. True; that is a correct thought and understanding of the nature of God, and we know (at least most of know!) that we're not God. But still, as Christians we are given a few direct marching orders from Jesus to take care of the poor, the destitute, the widows and orphans, as well as the oppressed and alien (legal or illegal).

A few days ago I gave a man ten dollars so that he could buy gas in order to get to a job interview near Petersburg. I found out within the hour that he took that ten dollars straight to the liquor store. At first, I was frustrated and disappointed because the gentleman lied to me; I felt deceived and used. No wonder people (myself included) often walk right by or step over those who claim to be in desperate need. But is that what Jesus is telling us to do - make judgments regarding those who ask us for help? For those of us who have experienced the abuse of trust and the deceptive ploys of the needy and homeless, Jesus' direct commandment to us to take care of the sick and poor is most difficult.

The last I checked, God doesn't ask us to determine who is worthy of our assistance and who is not (at least I haven't been charged with that daunting responsibility). God simply asks us to be faithful conduits of his love and mercy to all those in trouble, sorrow, sickness or adversity. God also didn't tell us to be door mats for those we know abuse the system either! There is a fine line of accountability and enablement that we need to recognize, yet this is learned through our willingness to love unconditionally and give of ourselves as Christ has taught us. Our directive is to serve Christ as his humble servants and become icons of love, hope and light to all people; even the ones who abuse the system. (You never know what transforming action or word might invite the Spirit into their lives).

In conclusion, Jesus treats all people as just that - people. Everyone from the most desperate leper to the most pious Pharisee, Jesus refuses to treat them as a rude intrusion or mere abstraction. He treats all of God's children the same - with love (some time's rather testily - but nevertheless love) compassion and dignity. This is the model that we as Christians are called to live and inwardly digest. While this lifestyle is not easy, it is the food that nourishes our spirits and the life line that connects us and God to the community. When we become willing to step outside of ourselves and become vulnerable (even to the abuse of society) we suffer with those who suffer; we suffer with Christ as he continues to tirelessly unite his Body as one in Him. So I encourage all of us to be a conduit of God's love and mercy and not a gatekeeper or judge.

Fear Driven or Faith Driven

2009-02-13T11:35:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to experience life through a "Fear Driven" lens? What does it mean to experience life through though a "Faith Driven" lens?

To live driven by fear means we are usually running away from someone or something that creates anxiety in our hearts. A fear driven life also has the ability to drive us toward something (healthy or unhealthy) in order to escape those threats. I spent much of my youth living on the fear driven side of the scale; either running towards denial or running away from reality and pain. Like many people today I too experienced those dreaded demons who whisper words of phantom doubt and anxiety into the soul's ear, cultivating various forms of spiritual sickness and disease. It is a nightmare existence to live in constant and unceasing fear - fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of others, fear of self, fear of conflict, fear of authority, fear of things beyond our control, and fear of retribution. For many of us this list has the potential go on and on, forming an endless litany of despair.

How are we to live a life centered in Christ if we spend a life immersed in fear? The answer is quite simple; we can't!

The prophet Jeremiah wrote:

"Blessed is the man who trusts the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by water that sends its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

I want to be like that tree planted by the water; a clean, clear and nutrient laden water; one that provides spiritual refreshment and growth; a living water that brings peace and calmness to the very core of life's storms; a water that cools and refreshes the heart, even when the heat of life creates a parched and dusty drought. When our roots are spiritually deep, planted in the rich soil of Christ, we suddenly experience what it means to lead a faith driven life. Those deep roots are grounded in trust; a holy and unbending trust in God, who provides the sustaining nutrients our spirits and consciousness need to live. In Jesus Christ we find an unconditional love that when tapped into, we are able to experience the benefit of a joy filled confidence.

The true fact of the matter is spiritual droughts will always occur in this life. Challenges will rise and fall with whatever season we find ourselves. There are days in which we will feel parched and dry; we may even find ourselves in a desert. But if our spiritual roots are spread out and firmly attached to Christ, the one thing we can most assuredly count on is God's living water. In the most barren time it will bubble up and nourish our hearts, minds and bodies.

The holy and life giving spirit our hearts long for is God. He is the nurturing water that gushes out of rocks, rises out of sand and flows through dry desert crags. Christ is the living water that gives rest to the weary, strength to the weak, love to the reviled, calmness to the restless in spirit, and peace to those who are desperate.

While fear will always exist in this world and constantly assault us, looking for any crack or crevice to breach our faith, know that in Christ there is an endless ocean of hope that is filled with grace and love. In Christ Jesus nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.

Founded on the Love of Jesus - Anything else is Just a Bad Substitute

2009-01-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

This week I attended the Diocese of Virginia’s 215th Annual Diocesan Council, held in Reston, Virginia. The theme of this year’s council was – "The Church is One Foundation." This is such an appropriate theme as the Diocese of Virginia continues the unfortunate litigation process regarding our property with those 11 break away parishes. I was reminded at council of our need to live, worship and exist in community. At the heart of Jesus’ ministry, community was important. For Christ, not only was gathering his followers around him an essential part of his ministry, but embracing diversity was vital as well; and what a diverse group of disciples he called to service! Jesus had a band of people from all walks of life serving as his Apostles. Through his band of followers, Jesus created a microcosm and model of the Christian community. He called and welcomed a tax collector, a Zealot, ordinary fishermen and even a traitor into his community of followers. What does this say about Christianity when even those who have bad intentions are allowed into the community of faith? It tells us that we are all welcome and that God loves the sinner. God welcomes the hurt, the oppressed, the sick, the lost, the outcast and loathed people. Jesus opened the community up to us all in order to redeem us all.

Still, how quickly we forget what it means to be a Christian. How easily we forsake community for individuality. How ever so subtly we become a club of exclusiveness, rather than a community of inclusiveness. From our roots we Christians have always been a diverse bunch. The reason we live together despite our petty arguments, disagreements and differences is that we are formed in Christ Jesus our Lord. He is at the center of our lives and faith. Jesus is truly the “Sure Foundation” that bonds us together providing the common ground for us to stand and gather.

If we are to grow as a community of faith and carry the Gospel message to all nations, we need to learn to accept each other for who God created us. While it is alright to recognize and even discuss our differences, in the end it is vital to the Church Universal that we embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, laying aside the divisive need to be right or prove others wrong. There is no room for that kind of behavior in the economy of God.

“The Church is One Foundation with Jesus Christ her Lord” and she stands in magnificent beauty despite the threats of schism and sin's wicked stain. I encourage us to look at Jesus’ disciples and their diversity. I encourage us to look at the church and the diversity of her membership. I encourage us to look in the mirror and know that while we are a unique being, formed in the image of God, so are others; even those people we may not like or understand. As the Christian community we are founded on Jesus Christ our Lord, anything else is just a bad substitute.

Divine Living in a Human State of Mind

2009-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to be fully human? What does it mean to embrace this heart, mind, body and soul that God has created? These are important questions when examining our faith. These questions remind us that we are not merely a spiritual being trapped in a bodily shell; we are reminded that our body, mind and soul are all connected and integral parts of one another; we are reminded that God is a divine artist, sculptor and creator. So what does it mean to be fully human and alive in this world?

We don’t have to look very far for the answer to these questions. Jesus is the perfect example of what it means to live life to its fullest human potential. Jesus, the Word made Flesh (the Incarnation) is fully human, yet fully divine. This is the mystery of God. Through his human nature, Jesus teaches us how to live in our mortal bodies with a rich and deep spiritual fortitude. To live a life that is fully human means to live a life that is spiritually nourishing and grounded in Christ. When our spirits are healthy, our humanity thrives despite our shortcomings, hardships and challenges. A healthy spiritual life allows us in our humanity to face life with compassion, love, forgiveness and with a fearlessness that comes from an open and vulnerable heart.

Jesus was made perfect in everyway, but he experienced the full spectrum of emotions in his humanity that we do. While Jesus lived his life without sin, that is a luxury that you and I don’t have in this life. We are sinners whose humanity is broken, divided and consumed by burdens. Yet God made us perfect. God made us in his image. God blessed us and molded us to be above all of his creatures. Christ in his humanity reminds us of the perfect nature of God; a breath of life that we once shared. But God doesn’t make junk, and despite our human fallibility we are saved through the perfection of Jesus Christ.

So what does it mean to be fully human? It simply means that we will make mistakes in this life, yet we are fully redeemed. We bear burdens, but we’re not alone. We stumble and fall, but Christ is always there to pick us up. To learn what it means to be human is to accept the diversity in which God has created in each of us, and become willing to live life on life’s terms in joyful gratitude for the rich blessing of communion with Christ and one another.

The Baptism of our Lord

2009-01-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a moment of clarity when you could see things the way they really were?
Often we live our lives caught up in the fast and furious pace of the world; robotically living from one moment to the next. Occasionally however there are those rare times when everything
seems to snap into focus. Sometimes we have these insights in prayer, sometimes in relationships, sometimes in the overlooked details of daily living. Sometimes those moments are fleeting. Sometimes those moments are life changing.

A moment of clarity is a gift from God in which we are shown the truth; a truth that causes us to look deep into our own hearts and face what we see there. Those moments of clarity often affect us in a penetrating and personal manner. They lead us to spiritual crossroads that define our lives and direction.

Jesus had such a moment of clarity. One that brought him to a crossroads in his life. Jesus went to the Jordan to be baptized. The immersion of Jesus in that dirty filthy water revealed his place, his power, and his mission. In a moment of intense clarity, as Jesus rose from beneath the waters surface, his identity was revealed by the voice of God -“This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”(You see) Jesus’ baptism gave him the verbal assurance that he was indeed God's son.
He was born of the Holy Spirit, but his baptism gave him the visible assurance that the Spirit was present with him.(The Spirit descended upon him like a dove).

Jesus baptism gave him the positive assurances he would need during his temptation
and time of ministry, his sufferings and death. But despite knowing this, the road Jesus chose to walk certainly didn't make his life any easier; nor does our baptism make the challenges we face each day any less real. People still suffer, get sick, die, and experience the unfairness of life.
Challenges are always present in this world. Our baptism reminds us that we are renewed and reconciled children of God; beloved children of the resurrection.

There is a powerful sense of security in the knowledge that our baptism unites us to a community of faith. Because of our initiation into this Christian faith, we never have to walk life's journey alone.

Jesus’ ministry began in an act of solidarity with the lost.That act of solidarity was his baptism.
His baptism marked the beginning of his Salvific mission to save us from sin and death. Jesus’ baptism foreshadowed his ministry as the “Suffering Servant.” Being counted with sinners in baptism, he would be killed at the hand of sinners. But just as Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan, so too would he rise form the grave. By his baptism, all barriers that kept us from God’s presence were broken. Through the water of baptism,the Holy Spirit flooded into the world. There was an intense moment of clarity unloosed upon God’s creation. What was revealed in that moment of immersion and rising up out of the water was: No longer was God’s Spirit reserved for only a few chosen people. Through Jesus the Spirit would be offered to all.
Salvation was suddenly available to everyone. That is a profound revelation! That is Good News!

Have you had precious moments of clarity regarding your relationship with God?
What moments of grace have you experienced?
How have these moments changed you?
How did those moments affirm your baptism
and life as a Christian?

Ouch! When Clergy Drop the Ball

2009-01-10T06:47:00.000-08:00

Arise; shine for the light of the Lord is upon us! I love the season of Epiphany. It is the season of renewal and hope, sparked by the healing radiance of God. The Epiphany begins with the long journey of the wise men. While our manger scenes often depict “these ‘three?’ kings of Orient Old” showing up at the stable, in reality it was much later when they arrived at the home of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus (behave yourself all of you Ricky Bobby fans! Jesus was the ‘baby Jesus’ long before the movie).

We find this beautiful story of the wise men and their westward journey early on in the Gospel of Matthew. While this is a beautiful passage and one that demonstrates to us the far reach of God’s endless light, there is also a subtle and often glossed over disturbance which subtly haunts this passage. It is not the obvious and sinister hatred of King Herod (a true narcissistic murderer and fiend); it is not his tricky and treacherous nature; nor is it the fact that the wise men went to Herod in the first place (after all, if a king is born what more logical place to go look for him than at the palace?). What bothers me most of all in this passage is the clergy - the religious leaders and authorities.

Herod discovered through the wise men’s visit that a King and Savior was born somewhere in his region. He discovered through the wise men that a Liberator and Great Councilor was somewhere out there amongst the people. He realized in his narrow, yet terribly cunning mind that any ‘King’ was a threat to his sovereign reign (even though in reality he was nothing more than a Roman puppet). So what does Herod do? Not only does he attempt to trick the wise men into leading him to the Christ child in order to kill him, but he summons the clergy as well. Herod was probably certain that these preists must know something through their daily contact with the people. And here is the rub - they all fearfully respond. Herod enlists their assistance in his wicked plan to murder Jesus, and they oblige. It is important to note that these are the same religious leaders who are reading the Scriptures and looking (awaiting and anticipating) the coming of the ‘Liberating Messiah.’ And even if Jesus is not the type of liberator that they seek, they didn’t know that at this particular moment in time; and they sell him out!

Perhaps the Clergy were enjoying the ‘good life’ at the expense of their own people? Who really knows, but the fact is they responded to Herod’s call out of fear for their own safety and security. Perhaps this is the reason that as the wise men arrived in Jerusalem, the star they were following mysteriously disappeared. They had lost their guiding light and beacon. We are told in Scripture that it was only after meeting with Herod that the star reappeared to the three kings. The star certainly never appeared to God’s own ordained leaders!

It is most unfortunate when God’s own shepherds betray their flock. It is bad enough when the clergy become consumed with the need for worldly power and greed, but it is horrific when they betray the people they are called to lead and protect into the hands of the wicked. What is so distressing is when (we) the clergy cast aside faith in God and bow to fear. Fear! Fear for personal safety; fear over the loss of a comfortable lifestyle; fear of change. As clergy, when we sell out to the world, we to lose our guiding light and holy beacon. The night becomes pitch black and we lose all sense of direction. That is an aweful and lonely place to exist.

While it is easy for us to judge the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, this is a most unfortunate pattern that has existed in the history of the church. All we have to do is look at the corruption of the clergy during the Middle Ages, or the blind eye turned by the church during World War II as Hitler attempted to execute a whole race of people. The Pope and much of the church didn’t dare make a stand against Hitler or draw attention to the awful atrocities he and his Nazi thugs were committing against the Jewish race. Out of pure fear they abandoned their faith and bowed to Hitler, betraying the trust of so many people who desperately looked to them for guidance.

The clergy in this passage did the same thing. They betrayed their beliefs and people out of fear. Their faith was nothing more than a false façade. They did absolutely nothing to intervene or take a faithful stand, even as Herod went on to slaughter all the baby boys of their people (the Holy Innocence).

When clergy drop the ball it has an awful and lingering affect on God’s people. After all, we are God’s ordained and trusted Shepherds. But despite the past, it is not our place to stand in judgement against the failures of others; for none of us are 'super-persons' or perfect without sin. We are after all only human beings who are sinners, and we all drop the ball on occasions. Thank goodness for God's redeeming grace! Therefore it is my most sincere prayer that in our day and age that corruption, power, greed nor fear will prevent us from perserving the faith and mission we are ordained to serve. It is the clergy’s mission to stand in love, holding accountable the corrupt governments of this world; to embrace our people (especially those who suffer) and stand firm in our faith - even if it means personal suffering and persecution. It is our responsibility to embrace our conviction to Christ, and become icons (living windows) to God’s liberating glory.

What would have happened if the Jewish clergy had stood up to Herod? What would have happened had the Catholic Church (as well as many other denominations) made a faithful stand against Hitler? Who knows; we certainly have no right to judge those folks, as that is solely up to God. But we can learn from the past, and as God’s modern day church do all we can to put faith before fear. I pray for myself as a member of the clergy, as I hope others do as well by saying, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Relationships: Modeling the Life of God...As best we can!

2008-12-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

Healthy relationships and our connection to others are important to our lives. Whether in the context of the larger community, or with a special person, relationships are absolutely vital for our psychological and emotional needs; as well as for our spiritual growth and nurture. Humanity was not meant to live as individuals, in isolation. Even the Desert Fathers of the early church who lived as hermits in their cells, gathered together in communal worship on occasion. The very nature of God is community, for God is Trinity. The mystery of God is three diverse “persons” yet one complete and holy substance. We are made in the image of God and therefore have the same need to be in community with each other, as well as one substance (in the theological sense of the word) with those we love. Connection to others is an essential and core need that we all have and desire. However, we often find sharing our lives in community or in communion with one another difficult and a double edged sword.

We exist in a broken and imperfect world. The nature of sin is to divide and cut us off from God, our inner selves and each other. All too often while we find ourselves desperately craving communion and relationship with others, we also find ourselves struggling with the demands of what it means to live in those relationships. Since we are not God and will never be able to live a life in perfect communal harmony in this world, nor achieve the ability to completely give of ourselves wholly and unconditionally, the struggle with relationships is an ongoing and constant tension; we deeply desire communion with each other, yet at the same time struggle with the preservation of the self, and our own needs and identity. The constant human struggle to find the perfect balance between the self and the other is a continuous and ongoing challenge. This is the exact reason why personal relationships and life in community should be built on the sure and solid foundation - Christ Jesus.

Jesus was God’s outreach mission to this divisive and struggling creation; a creation that experienced the “Great Fall” in the Garden of Eden. What was once a perfect communion between humanity and God, and humanity within its own context, became a split and self-centered need for individuality. Here lies the real crux and root of our struggle with relationships. We were innately created to live in perfect harmony with one another, yet because of the divisive nature of sin we long to grow as selfish individuals with the sole desire to have our own needs met.

God longs for us to live in perfect communion with him and each other. Jesus’ mission was a sacrifice that brought to each of us the opportunity for reconciliation, renewal and forgiveness. In Christ there is a new creation which means there is a new hope and a renewed opportunity for communion. When we place Jesus at the center of our lives and build our relationships on him we find that we have a strong foundation to live and exist in community. With Christ as our sure foundation our relationships in this lifetime and world, while still far from perfect, are continuously renewed and reconciled. The miracle that we experience is the ongoing ability to live in a healthy, meaningful and nurturing relationship with each other, despite the constant struggle with our self- centered tendencies. The key here is Christ Jesus. The key is centering ourselves in him so that we are better able to center our thoughts and actions on others. The key is losing ourselves in Christ, so that we may find ourselves living a life of unconditional love for others. The death of the individual self brings on the resurrected self. A new identity is born and expressed in selfless love and a desire to sacrifice ourselves for not only the other, but the greater community as well. If we all live our lives in this unselfish manner then we find our own needs met in ways that go beyond our superficial desires. We also find ourselves living a life in community that is modeling the community of God.

Christ is...

2008-12-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

In the dark stillness of the morning we encounter the Risen Christ.
In the stillness of the heart we feel Christ's presence.
In the stillness of the mind our souls transcend the brokenness of the world.

Christ is my governor;
my sure defense.
Christ is my hope and source of all strength.
Christ is my master and beloved guide.
Christ is my redeemer and transformer;
my font of joy.
Christ is my source of true humility and sincere kindness;
yet powerful and fearful.
Christ is the sword;
the living Word of God that cuts through all evil.

Jesus is my redeemer and source of hope.
Jesus is my recompense and all that is made whole.
Jesus is my peace and source of healing.
Jesus is my comforter in times of turmoil;
my beloved companion in times of fear and doubt.
Jesus is my source of reassurance and standard for truth.

In the mirror I must look deeply into the eyes of the person who stares back.
There is Christ who searches my heart.
There is Christ who shows me my faults.
There is Christ who brings my secrets to light.
There is Christ who exposes my broken dreams and crushed heart.

Come mighty Savior and bring healing and hope.
Come mighty Savior and wash away the tears of despair.
Come most Holy One of God and liberate my soul.
Come most Beloved Redeemer and renew me from within.

Christ is the holy light of God that transcends all darkness.
May the joy of this Christmas season fill your hearts with the passion;
the blessed passion that comes from living in the presence of the Incarnate God.

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
he will guide you into all truth.
He will not speak on his own;
he will speak only what he hears,
and he will guide you into all truth.

John 16:13

To us a Savior is Born! On the Wrong side of the Tracks?

2008-12-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

As a young child growing up in Augusta, GA my family and I had a nice home and a good life. There was just one problem – we lived on the wrong side of the railroad tracks. We lived on the more impoverished and lower class side of the city, and believe me -those railroad tracks were a very real and invincible barrier or (invisible wall). My father’s job, our schools and church were all located on the other side of the tracks (the politically and socially right side). Everyday we crossed over those railroad tracks as we went about our daily routine. When we told folks where we lived I remember (vividly) the slight pause followed by a drawled out southern – “Oh, I see. Over there.” That invisible barrier was something that haunted me, and at times even caused shame. It was hurtful to be looked at as “one of those people who lived over there.”

Walls and barriers are hurtful and they are a complete contradiction to the divine nature of God. Many of you may have read about, or be familiar with the Israeli construction of a 25’ concrete wall around the city of Bethlehem. Because of very real fear and threat of suicide bombers, the Israeli government has taken extreme measures to protect itself and her people. While I certainly understand the need to protect and preserve our safety, unfortunately there are many innocent people who now suffer due to this wall.

Can you imagine the hardship that this wall has created for the people who live in Bethlehem – on the wrong side of the wall? They have to go through intense screening in order to pass through to the other side just to get to work or visit family. This wall has virtually sealed off the people of Bethlehem, and destroyed the cities economy. (Yet) that’s what walls tend to do that don’t they? That is their nature; they cut us off; they confine us and narrow our views; they separate us from the world, and all too often cast some kind of negative label on those who happen to live on the wrong side.

Walls are not a part of God’s nature; instead they are part of the nature of sin. The very nature of sin is to divide, and cut us off from God. This is why God decided that enough was enough. God decided that he had been cut off from his people long enough. God didn’t build these walls, we (humanity) built them, and whether we realized it or not – suddenly found ourselves trapped on the wrong side. Rather than allow a barrier to separate us, God sent his only son to be born into this world; and guess what? He was born on the wrong side of the tracks (or wall).

In Jesus’ day, Bethlehem was still a small, out of the way and forgotten town. It certainly wasn’t as magnificent as the city of Rome, nor did it have the appeal and attention of the city of Jerusalem. Bethlehem was an impoverished area that was basically on the wrong side of the tracks. But note, God doesn’t allow barriers to interfere with his judgment and desire for community. Why? Well just look at this evenings Gospel reading from Luke - Who did God send the angels to visit? It wasn’t the powerful and rich; it wasn’t to the mighty and powerful Rome; nor was it to the thriving towns and villages surrounding Jerusalem. Instead, God sent his angels to Bethlehem – in other words - “Over there.” They then proclaimed their good news and tidings of joy to the poorest of the poor – the shepherds. Shepherds – these were the despised people of the night. They were virtually unknown to the world that slept during the darkness. By the light of day the shepherds went unnoticed, and ignored – seen as nothing but despised beggars or unclean pests.

The shepherds are important to God’s Incarnation; they are important because they represent all of the lowly who live in this world. They represent all those who are despised, unnoticed and living on the wrong side of the tracks or wall. But the shepherds remind us that we are all (every single one of us, no matter where we find ourselves in life) under God’s heavenly protection and divine love.

(You see) Christ came into this world to smash the walls that separate us from God, and to pull up the divisive tracks that sin has laid down. This is the whole purpose of the Incarnation – God became flesh and humbly dwelt among us to liberate you and me from the walls, chains and tracks created by sin.

In the Nativity story in Luke's Gospel (a story that I have read a million times- at least!) I discovered something new; a word seen in a new light. The Gospel doesn’t simply say that “Christ was born;” Luke writes. “But to you he is born.” The Angel of the Lord doesn’t simply tell the lowly shepherds tending their field under the shroud of darkness, “ I bring glad tidings.” The Angel of the Lord proclaims to the shepherds, “But to you I bring glad tidings of great joy!” The key word is “you.” Luke is telling us that Christ came into this world for the sake of - “you” (and of course me too). This joy would spread outward from Christ across all barriers (invisible or not) to be for all people. Christ in the manger levels the playing field. Christ in the nativity transcends the walls erected by humanity; Christ in his simple yet glorious birth strikes a spear of brilliant light and hope into a dark, dismal and broken world. And when the tip of that spear penetrates sin's barriers and prejudices, a transcendent love of great magnitude is born; a penetrating light that is of God; a radical and healing light that transforms every single life it touches!

Tonight is a night of Good News for "you!" For tonight Christ doesn’t just become an icon of hope; Christ becomes our actual living hope; a hope that is personal to you; a living hope that abolishes all worldly barriers that separates you and me from the love of God. Tonight the angels bring us great news and joyful tidings of God’s redeeming and reconciling love. So rejoice! The birth of Christ crumbled the spiritual walls that cut us off from God. The birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has renewed our connection to God and absolutely nothing (not even the divisive tracks) can ever separate us again.

God's Light in the Innocent Eyes of Hope

2008-12-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

God's transcendent grace and benevolent hope never ceases to amaze me. Just when everything looks bleakest, God suddenly moves and works at the most unexpected times, and often in the most expected places. This morning I experienced one of those incredible moments and divine encounters.

Today I had the privilege of leading the weekly chapel service at my children's school. It was an awesome experience! St. Andrew's is a wonderful Episcopal Church school located in Richmond, Virginia. The schools original and primary mission is to elementary age children of low income families. St. Andrew's is rich in diversity, and a place in which God's love is truly at work.

Because I had to work late last night, I was tired and didn't feel as prepared as I would have liked this morning. I walked into chapel all worried and stressed out about 'my' message to the children; worried about what 'I' was going to say to them; hoping 'I' would be able to preach a few profound words of faith. As usual my hope was to assist the children in their faith development by planting a few good seeds. Well, what ended up happening was - they assisted me in my faith. Where as I though I was the one with the message to deliver, it turned out to be the other way around. It was the children who had the actual message for me.

While leading the service, I looked into the bright and radiant eyes of innocence, and suddenly witnessed God's profound revelation of hope to this broken world. These young children whose ages range from 5 years old to 10 years old are our future. Their beautiful voices lifted up in song and praise to God, while at the same time the piano rang out with its wonderful melody. It was in this instance that a peaceful sense of clarity overcame my spirit. While we adults continue to struggle with the poor economy and worry over the pressures of life, I was reminded by these little children that love and joy are an innate and important part of our lives. When we approach Jesus as a child, God draws out that beautiful and untainted innocence that exists within each one of us. As his children, no matter what this world thows at us, in Jesus we are made innocent and pure, untouched by the shadows of decay.

Nevertheless, as I sit here at my computer I still have all of the same worries and concerns that I awoke with this morning; I still let out a few bad words that I shouldn't say; and I still sigh and fret over things that I really don't want to do. But despite my broken human nature I have a child like hope and joy for life that no darkness can dispel.

Perhaps today we can all approach Jesus in prayer as a child, opening our hearts and minds up to his presence, experiencing that inner peace and joyful innocence. As for me, well in this very moment, I'm going to do exactly what the song we sang this morning suggested we do - With this Little Light of Mine, I'm going to let it shine; let it shine; let it shine; let it shine!

Holy Rollers...Pass Me Another Amen!

2008-12-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

This past Thanksgiving my family and I traveled from our home in Richmond, Virginia to visit and stay with our famlies who live in Augusta, Georgia. We all loaded up - Sallie, Jack, Annabel and even Mandy the dog and headed south. The week was nice despite a few family arguements (usually over the same old silly things!) The only real soar spot of the whole trip (besides the fact that my mother didn't like my sisters new hair color) was that my beloved Georgia Bulldogs got beat in football by our much loathed arch rivals, Georgia Tech.

One of the highlights of my Thanksgiving week in Augusta was a most unexpected opportunity to co-celebrate the Eucharist with one of my dear friends who is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Georgia, and lives in Augusta. Joe is a wonderful and fine gentleman. He and his wife Cissy are dear friends and the god-parents of my two little children, Jack and Annabel. Joe is not only a priest but a surgeon and teacher at the Medical College of Georgia. I often tease him by saying that he is the only person I know that can diagonse a medical problem, operate, and if everything goes south (as in death) give his patient last rites!

Now, one might quickly assume that Joe and I were celebrateing the Eucharist at his parish, Holy Comforter, Episcopal Church; but that was not the case. Joe got invited to celebrate the Episcopal Eucharist at the Penticostal Worship Center in a very impoverished area of Augusta. The minister at the church was admrally teaching his non-denominational Penicostal church about the broader church and her diverse liturgical traditions. I was so impressed with their pastor. He genuinely wanted his congregation to experience other Christan faith denominations so that they would not become narrow-minded in their faith.

Well, what a night! I have to tell you that it was much livelier than most traditional Episcopal services. The music was awesome, using a diverse set of intruments such as the keyboard, drums and guitar. Everyone sang from their heart like there was no tomorrow. It was an incredible and moving experience.

There is one tradition that these fine folks have that really stood out that evening - they enthusiastically say Amen anytime they are moved by the Holy Spirit. Man, they were moved by the Holy Spirit! After every sentence in Joe's sermon he was met with a round of Aaaaaamens! They Amened everything in the Book of Common Prayer. They even Amened me when Joe introduced me to the congregation!

We Episcopal priests don't often get many Amens when we preach, teach or celebrate (unless it says to do so in the Book of Common Prayer). Joe told that beautiful congregation that he and I were going to load up on all the Amens we could possibly get, since we rarely receive that kind of spontaneous congregational affirmation.

So my dear sisters and brothers - here's to you - and have a Aaaaamen kind of day! As for me and Joe, we decided that we will take as many Amens as we can possible stand.

Prayer: Listening for God's voice in Blessed Silence

2008-12-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Catholic priest, author and theologian, the late Henri Nouwen wrote the following regarding prayer: "The real 'work' of prayer is to become silent and listen to the voice that says good things about me." Silence! How often do we simply sit still enough to allow our hearts and minds to quietly embrace the silence. If you're like me, probably - Never! Why is it that we are so against embracing silence as an effective means for prayer?

Sitting in silence doesn't come easy for many of us. It is uncomfortable, and even a Little unnatural, especially for an off the chart extrovert like me! We are used to a world that is full of constant noise, and relentless audio visual stimulation. To actually take a brief moment out of each day to quietly reflect on God's presence, while remaining still is almost a cardinal sin in a world that grades our accomplishments by how much stuff we can get done in a specific time frame. Believe me, the church is really no different in this regard. We often like to imagine ourselves as a contemplative haven providing a spiritual respite for those who are weary, burdened and in search of a deeper relationship with God. While we do indeed work to make the church a spiritual haven (at least at Emmanuel) the parish is quite a busy place, often abuzz with a flurry of work, and noise (mostly pleasant sounds). Even in our Sunday liturgy we tend to fill every single moment of worship with words, music or some form of announcements.

As rector, I'm as guitly as anyone else when it comes to remaining still and embracing the silence. I often find myself pushing aside those important reflective moments in order to complete the many administrative tasks I encounter daily. Even at this very moment I am reminded of how subtle is the need to fill our life with noise; as I am writing an article on silent prayer I just realized that I am listening to music! (It is church music if I must justify my need for sound).

Silence in prayer is vital if we are to listen to God and hear his voice. I will never forget many years ago while driving down the road in my old beat up Chevy Blazer, just a praying to God about something I considered most important, and certainly deserving of being placed first on God's priority list. Suddenly I stopped talking and simply shut my mouth (I like to pray out loud that way I am assured God hears what I say - Yea, right!). I will never forget that beautiful moment of clarity, an epiphany. In my hearts ear I heard God's voice say, "John, would you please hush for one moment so that I can get a word in this conversation?" Well, what a powerful and profound revelation. You mean if I shut up, quiet my heart and mind and allow God to speak then I just might experience God working in and around me? Simply put - Yes!

One of my seminary professors used to always say, "Silence is the language of God; anything else is a bad translation." Silence is an important and an integral part of our prayer life. I encourage all of us to take 30 minutes out of our day (15 minutes if that is all you can do) and sit silently (with no TV, radio or computer running). As Nouwen goes on to tell us, "We will gradually discover that something is happening which we were not even conscious." How will we know something is happening one might ask? Nouwen goes on to say, "The movement of God's Spirit is very gentle, very soft - and hidden. It does not seek attention. But that movement is also very persistent, strong and deep. It changes hearts radically." Silent prayer is the "faithful discipline that reveals to each one of us that we are truly blessed by God, and that God gives us the power to bless others." Trust me, we will hear and know in our hearts when God speaks to us.

The day I had my profound revelation while driving my truck down some south Georgia road was a true blessing; one that has remained with me for the past 15 years. I hope that you too may find this reminder to quietly listen for God in prayer a blessing. When practiced on a regular basis silent prayer truly does strengthen the spirit, and draws us into a deeper relationship with God.

When We Say Yes To God

2008-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

As we rapidly approach the birth of Christ, I can't help but think about Mary and her unselfish willingness to accept and bear God's child. Mary said to the angel Gabriel, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be according to your word." In that one moment she risked everything in her life that she considered significant, or of value.

Let's take one moment and think about the burden Mary took on when she said 'yes' to God. She risked losing and humiliating Joseph; she risked being cast out of her community for infidelity; she risked disgracing herself and family; she risked her dignity, honor and integrity; all because she responded to God by saying, "Yes, let it be with me according to your will."

Are we willing to take such risks in our lives in the name of Christ? Are we willing to put God first and trust God's divine will and actions? Or do we timidly hide behind the cloak of fear and doubt, afraid to risk failure and the cruel ridicule of others? These are not easy questions to answer, especially if we take a sincere look deep inside ourselves. Doubt seems to always lurk in the dark recesses of our hearts. There is often a cloud of anxiety that shrouds our spirits when we are called by God to step outside of our comfort zones.

Maybe we find ourselves called to work with the poor, the homeless and destitute - people that we may not normally associate with in our daily existence. Perhaps our relationship with Christ is one that becomes evangelical, inviting people to church who may come from a different social-economic or racial background. When we say 'yes' to God we may risk losing friends who feel threatened by that relationship. Maybe we get shunned by family members who don't understand or approve of our relationship with God. Perhaps we are called to mission and have to leave behind our life as we know it, and make the required sacrifices it takes to serve Jesus Christ. Maybe the 'yes' is something as simple as daily prayer, or going to Alcoholics Anonymous in order to overcome harmful behavior. A 'yes' to God always involves the revelation that we must learn to be more giving and less selfish. Saying 'yes' to God as Mary discovered is a revolutionary act. That one word ( a simple 'yes')has a life altering and transforming affect on lives and spirits. Why? Because once we respond to God by saying 'yes' to God's will for us, it is difficult to go back to the life we led before. It is similar to a person who works hard to become sober through AA, and then decides to begin drinking alcohol again - "A belly full of AA really messes up your drinking" it is never the same after that encounter. The same is true with God. Once we experience a heart full of God it messes up our justification to live a life without God. Our lives have experienced a 'revolutionary' message of love and acceptance that transcends this world and its emphasis on instant gratification.

As I travel this long spiritual journey of faith, I have found that my relationship with Christ becomes more and more important each day. This ongoing and ever maturing relationship allows me to more easily and willingly surrender my life to Christ. After all if we don't surrender our will and life to God, how can God initiate conversation and build a relationship with us? What I find through this sweet surrender is nothing less than total victory in life. You see, the more I become willing to step out in faith, taking the necessary risks, the less I worry about myself and the judgment of others.

Mary gives us such a beautiful example of what it means to say 'yes' to God. We know that we have grown in a deeper more fulfilling relationship with Christ when self-denial supersedes self-preservation. The journey begins with the words of radical revolution and revelation: "Yes God, let it be with me according to your will."

Hope in the Desert

2008-12-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."

Psalm 139:9-10

The desert is where we lose ourselves, only to rediscover ourselves. The desert is a frightening place; a place full of danger; mid-day heat; night-time coldness. The desert calls out to us in its barren beauty, while at the same time intimidates us with the loudness of its silence. Massive rocks jut up out of the sandy floor; rocks that are embroidered with cadnium reds, rich grays, and Sapphire wrinkles. These desert rocks have witnessed the history of ages past. These are the same rocks that listened to the Children of Israel cry out against God. They are the same rocks that yielded water to Moses at Merribah. They are the same rocks, stacked as ancient Bedouin toombs long before Father Abraham walked the earth.

The desert is the place where the Ru ah (the breath of God) stirs the timeless space of creation. This is the place where the Shroud of God settled on the mighty crag of Horeb, and his glorious voice thundered down upon the Israelites.

The desert is a place in which we come face to face with those wicked demons that seek to disrupt and bring pain and sorrow to our lives. Yet, the desert is where we learn to face these elusive devils and discover the peace which comes from listening to the still, quiet voice of God.

Listen for that voice! It rides upon the arid winds of the desert. God's voice is found in the often uncomfortable hot and stagnant air, or on the blustery sand storms that arise out of nowhere. God's word is light and unencumbered, while at the same time heart changing and transformative. In the desert times of life God's voice calls out to us and meets us in the solitude and stillness. Be still then, and know God. He will guide us down whatever paths we travel, making them straight, while holding us fast.

Zimbabwe, A Living Hell

2008-12-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

This morning I received an e-mail from a dear friend of mine who lives in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from South Africa and knows all too well the uphill challenges that many of the African nations face. The e-mail she forwarded to me was not only eye opening, it was most distressing and gut wrenching as well.

As if draught and famine are not terrible enough, the government of Zimbabwe under the brutal and ruthless control of President Mugabe have brought utter decimation, and intense persecution to a large portion of the Zimbabwean population. The president, along with his close circle of cronies has blatantly ignored the nation's Constitution which was adopted in 1980. A promising country on the continent of Africa, Zimbabwe was once a place where personal freedoms, human rights and democracy thrived and were deeply valued. Today, through selfish greed and personal agenda's Mugabe and his allies are systematically destroying all the opposition to their oppressive regime. The reports of violence against humanity is staggering and woeful. Mugabe and his derelict thugs are apparently willing to use any and all means possible to secure the government, and Zimbabwe's national resources. Awful stories of torture, murder and displacement of the nations inhabitants are slowly leaking out of the country. Naturally the current government views this as a huge threat to its selfish motives, and is doing all it can to stop the hemorrhaging of information. Zimbabwe is now a human rights nightmare, in which literally all hell is breaking loose.

The various militias are rounding up those who oppose Mugabe and his tyrannical rule, and sending them to torture camps, where there is severe and hopeless suffering. Many of the inhabitants have been forced from their property by this greedy and sinister government. Displaced people are now forced to sleep in the streets, starving to death in disease ridden slums, and have no water to drink. Many people have fled the country and are now living the life of refugies. To the distress of many of us, this human suffering includes many little children. Amnesty International is telling us that the government of Zimbabwe is one step away from out right genocide.

Please keep the people of Zimbabwe in your prayers. Many people are suffering under the most horrific and terrible conditions. The main opposition to Mugabe and his government is the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

I encourage anyone concerned to contact the Rev. Mike Kinman who leads Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation at http://www.e4gr.org/. Other organizations to contact are the Nation Episcopal Church - http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/, or your congress representative.

Watch, Remain Awake, For You Know Not When the Hour Will Come

2008-12-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

My family and I returned to Richmond, VA yesterday (Monday) in hopes of avoiding the heavy Sunday traffic that always occurs with people returning home after Thanksgiving. We made wonderful time; that is until we crossed over the state line into Virginia. Apparently there was a terrible car accident that claimed the life of at least one person. A tractor-trailer truck had wrecked and caught fire shutting down both the north and south lanes of I-95.

As one can imagine, sitting in traffic gave me much time to reflect on all kinds of things going on in my personal life, as well as the world around me. As I sat there moving at a snails pace, I couldn't help but think about this past Sunday's reading from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus said, "Watch, be alert, remain awake, for you know not when the hour will come." That truck driver and anyone else invloved in that accident had no idea what literally lay instore around the next bend; none of us do in this life. Therefore watch, be alert; live life in faithful service to Christ each and every moment. Give unto others, love unconditionally and be quick to forgive. While we often can't control our surroundings and what others do with their lives, Jesus is telling us that spiritual preperation will allow our hearts and souls to be ready for the most unexpected hardships and challenges of life.

I encourage each one of us to use this season of Advent to deepen our spiritual lives and cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ and those we love; "for we know not when the hour will come."

Thanksgiving Day Peachtree Rd Turkey Bowl Shootout

2008-11-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude, eating, and the gathering of family and dear friends. It is a time we come together in love (along with all of the family dysfunction) to visit and reconnect with one another. My mother’s house, fondly known and called by my children as “Grammy’s” is no different. We have plenty of delicious food around the table, yet over the years the number of hungry little mouths has substantially increased. With the added number of grandchildren and friends there has emerged over the years yet another West tradition; laying the good food aside, the West family Thanksgiving transforms into the site of the annual Peachtree Road Turkey Bowl Shootout. Yes, football takes over! Bodies of all shapes and sizes fly around the front yard. There is much love, fun, laughter and of course, arguing with each other. It is a time of family fellowship, bragging rights (at least for the next year) and an opportunity to work off at least a little of the Thanksgiving feast.

2008-11-27T05:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ shine upon you and yours, enriching your life with God's many blessings.

World Hunger and U.S. Aid

2008-11-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

Following is a teaser for a feature to run on Religion & Ethics Newsweekly this weekend. You can find airtimes at:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/

According to a new report from the Christian anti-hunger group, Bread for the World Institute, the number of people living in extreme poverty has increased by 100 million in less than two years, while the number of hungry people has grown by more than 75 million. The report said the world is facing a hunger challenge unlike anything seen in the past 50 years, and called on Congress and the new Administration to revamp U.S. foreign assistance in order to more effectively reduce global poverty and hunger.

Kim Lawton is joined by Reverend David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World Institute, for a studio discussion focusing on the global food crisis and what reforms the U.S. needs to make to provide adequate help to developing countries. "We did a poll of voters on Election Day and 70 percent of American voters said they would like our government to spend more money to deal with the global hunger crisis. I think people know it’s the right thing to do," Rev. Beckmann observes. "I think we also know it’s not smart to neglect misery in far-off places. And we’ve seen how the whole global economy is interconnected. So it’s good for our economy to pay attention to the global dimensions of development." (New) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
This message is sent out courtesy of the Google Groups "E4GR" group.
To post to this group, send email to E4GR@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/E4GR?hl=en
Visit the EGR website for all your MDG needs -- http://www.e4gr.org/

The Beauty of the Liturgical Season of Advent

2008-11-25T05:43:00.000-08:00

The liturgical season of Advent is my absolute favorite time of year. It brings back wonderful memories of growing up in my home parish, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Augusta, Georgia. I loved that youthful time of innocent wonder and anticipation (probably more of Santa than the birth Jesus in those days). However, there was still a mystery that surrounded those often cold and bluish, purple days of Advent. A mystical cloud of anticipation hung over the church and the old brick parish hall.

The influence of the church with its beautiful Advent music, Advent wreath along with the chill in the air had a profound impact on my early spiritual formation. Even today I still sing from my heart all the rich Advent hymns and Anthems that we learned in Good Shepherd's Junior/Children's Choir. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," along with the Charles Wesley hymn, "Lo He Comes with Clouds Descending" are both ever present tunes, readily perched on my lips.

As a visual artist I am drawn to the rich darkness and highlights of piercing light that is associated with Advent. There is also a feel and presence in the church that is different from any other time of the year. Advent is a season in which fear and joy collide giving birth to peace; might and humility melt into one another; light and darkness bind together and form an incredible holiness. In other words, "The Lion and the Lamb (opposites) lay down beside one another," and there is a quiet and transorming peacful hush that falls across the landscape of God's creation.

I wish each of you a most happy and blessed Advent Season, and hope that you too may find its mystery attractive and meaningful.

A Christ Filled Response to the Global Ecconomic Crisis

2008-11-22T06:31:00.001-08:00

In times of crisis very real and tangible fears tend to rise to the surface creating harmful anxiety, stress and worry. Often the unfortunate bi-product of that fear causes us to either withdraw into ourselves, or to lash out at others or iconic institutions. Yet I ask the question, is this difficult economic crisis an opportunity for the church to shine and provide spiritual strength and fortitude for her members, as well as those in search of spiritual substance? My answer to that question is – “Yes, absolutely Yes!” When we read the Bible many times we see the suffering of God’s people. Yet we always see God’s redeeming love and renewal that comes out of the turmoil. As faithful Christians God’s Word leads the way for us in our daily lives, reminding us that God is ever present and hears our cries; God feels our pain; God endures our suffering and fears. God will see us through this desert journey.

The economic distress of our day, while most unpleasant and troubling, presents all faithful Christians with an opportunity to rise up and meet the ever growing dimness of fear and doubt with a renewed faith, a determined zeal and unbending hope. As a priest and servant of Christ, I wish to assist us in navigating these difficult and tumultuous waters, so that we might remain the ever steady and non-anxious presence that brings peace of mind, stability of heart and gentleness of spirit to the rest of the Church and our community. I realize in some ways that this is a monumental task and one that requires deep and genuine spiritual centeredness. But please hear me when I say, “It is not an impossible task.” In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….. I (WE) can do all things through him (Christ Jesus) who strengthens me (US).”

We are children of God and created in his image. As Christians we are blessed and equipped for ministry to the world as well as in our own backyard. Since we proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior, this global financial crisis presents us with the chance to claim our place in that life. I understand in this difficult time that we are genuinely afraid; I know we feel insecure, real worry, stress and doubt; and I understand the anxiety sparked by the dark cloud of the unknown. Not many of us freely choose to walk in darkness, but the liturgical season of Advent is an ever present reminder that while the darkness is a natural part of our lives; the light of God will always shine through. In that same terrifying darkness we often unexpectedly stumble onto what we discover is Holy Ground. Through the ages suffering has brought us into the very real presence of God. Therefore I encourage each one of us to steady ourselves in faith and the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ, so that we can set the spiritual example for the rest of the Church and the world. It is more important now than ever that we work together through this difficult and frightening time as a community of faith, bound by our common love in Jesus Christ. As an old friend of mine used to say, “This too shall pass. But in the meantime, (well) its just that – a mean time.” I encourage us to shine like a ligh on a hill and try to set aside (as best that we can) our own fears and doubts, and live our lives as a wholesome example in Christ; setting the spiritual standard and groundedness for others.

In everything we face in this increasingly unstable world it is important to remember that Christ is with us. When we suffer, Christ suffers with us. God is interjecting himself into the very heart of the pain, and working to redeem and reconcile us (and all things) to him. This is the Church’s time to shine through the darkness and become a proactive part of God’s larger plan. And while we may not fully know or understand that plan, we are certain of this: God is with us (Emmanuel) and will never leave us.

Our very wise fore fathers and founders of this country stated, “United we stand, divided we fall.” That statement is a reminder to those who live by faith that we must stand together through thick and thin, united in our diversity by the laying aside of our differences and the casting off of our fear. The burden of the darkness may now weigh heavy upon our shoulders, but the light of hope will cut through that darkness like a sharp razor, revealing God’s ever present self and eternal grace.

Hang in there! Do not give up hope. God has brought us this far and he will not leave us. We are blessed with a strong, faithful and committed church that has the spiritual fortitude and faith to guide and lead us through these murky waters of despair. So let go of whatever it is that holds us back, and let God take over. Together we will make it through this most difficult and uncertain time. That is not a speculation; it is God’s true nature a very real promise.

On the Road in Tanzania

2008-11-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

The road (if one can call it that) was one of the worst I have ever ridden. The ruts and holes were enough to shake and rattle any vehicle to pieces. Because of the lack of rain and extremely dry conditions, the dust from the dirt road created an impenetrable screen that at times severely impaired our ability to see beyond a few feet in front of us. As we sped along, the car of my good friend and colleague Fr. Yohana Mazaguni sounded as if it would fall apart right there on the road. Interestingly, a little later in the day while standing outside of St. John’s Bible College in the Anglican Diocese of Shinyanga, Tanzania, East Africa, Bishop Charles Ngusa told our small group of Virginia ambassadors (and one Californian) because of the poor road conditions, each Saturday he had a standing appointment with his auto mechanic to get all of the lose screws tightened on his vehicle. What an adventure; just a few days earlier I discovered not only were some of the paved roads as bad as the dirt ones, but saw with my own two eyes the only traffic light in the entire northeastern portion of Tanzania. It was located in the city of Arusha and was apparently not only a novelty for the local inhabitants, but a mystery as well.

The trip to Arusha was an adventure all of its own. The twelve hour bus ride that began at 6am on my first morning in the country was an experience that I shall not soon forget. Many of us are probably familiar with the saying, “He/She went around their elbow to get to their thumb,” (actually there is another more familiar translation of this saying, but believe I’ll pass on that version). We left Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania on the most patched together and crowed bus that I had been on since peak class time at the University of Georgia. Our destination was to travel north east to the city of Arusha, but not in a conventional or direct way. We actually drove south on one of the few paved roads in the country in order to go north. Ironically it was the same road that we flew over in a charter Missionary Flight Association plane from Dar es Salam to Dodoma in which I prophetically stated out loud to the other passengers – “Boy, I sure am glad we don’t have to drive down that road to get to Dodoma!” God certainly has a sense of humor.

If this sounds strange, believe me, it gets even more bazaar. Realizing in my extreme jet lagged brain that I was not only the sole American aboard the bus, but probably the only blond haired, blued eyed, Caucasian person for miles and miles as well, my sleep deprived system hit an all new high on the anxiety charts. Naturally I didn’t speak Swahili, so I had to rely on Fr. Yohana to tell me what the conversations were about that surrounded me. Apparently, I was a true anomaly in the eyes of the locals. According to Yohana the people on the bus were amazed to see a white American riding the public bus (I was proudly wearing my Georgia Bulldogs baseball cap). Apparently most foreigners rent cars, charter a plane or ride in cabs to their destinations. Naturally at first I had no clue what they were saying; only catching the word “Americana” every so often.

The trip was long, tiring and gave me a true sense of the difficulty the average person faces when it comes to travel in Tanzania. Between the road blocks every ten miles, the bribes given to the policemen at every stop, the crowded bus and beer guzzling passengers (there was a real party beginning to ensue) I witnessed and experienced Tanzania just as the average African does each day. Trust me, it is a challenging lifestyle that tested me to my limit, yet amazingly my African friends smiled, relaxed and took everything in stride.

Tanzania is beyond doubt a third world country in every sense of the word. Things such as electricity, water (yes I did say water) medicine, automobiles and fuel; basic necessities that we often take for granted are actually luxury items for much of the country’s inhabitants. Did I mention water? People in the outlying villages can spend up to 90% of their daylight hours searching for food and water; mainly water. Sadly these same people are often forced to drink from the same well (more like a ditch) that the livestock bath and drink. In some areas the living conditions are so deplorable that disease is a real concern and personal hygiene is simply nonexistent. Electricity is sketchy at best. Many homes do not have service due to either their rural location, or because they simply can’t afford to pay for the service. We drove past one particular village that had no electricity despite the fact that it was located right next to a huge power line grid.

To state the obvious, the infrastructure in Tanzania is weak, corrupt and poorly organized. There is no middle class, therefore leaving the country with a huge financial and social gap between those “That have” and “Those who don’t have.” Many of the top government officials are dishonest and driven by selfish greed; that or they simply don’t care about the basic needs of the average population.

Perhaps worst of all is the poor medical treatment and lack of basic medicines. Doctors and hospitals are few in number or simply nonexistent in many areas of the country. Buck Blanchard (The Missioner for Global Mission for the Diocese of Virginia) and I experienced firsthand the average person’s dire need for adequate and basic medical care. The very afternoon we returned to the city of Shinyanga from St. John’s Bible College, our car was waved down in a small village by an adolescent boy who charged into the street in front of Fr. Yohana’s car. He was desperately signaling for us to stop. To the unknowing observer such as me, this young man appeared to be just another person seeking to either sell something, or ask for money. This was far from his purpose on that October afternoon. Fr. Yohana stopped the car, got out and spoke to the young man. He then disappeared into a red mud brick hut. Yohana soon emerged with a very young girl holding her injured infant son. The baby had somehow fallen, hit his head and was bleeding badly from his injury. We quickly learned that over the past two hours the family had desperately tried to stop the ugly gash from bleeding, but were unsuccessful. The baby’s little head was wrapped in a blood soaked cloth as he quietly stared into space through his big dark eyes. Sadly this kind of tragedy is something that the average folks in Tanzania live with everyday.

We soon arrived at the hospital in the city of Shinyanga, and our fear for the child went from bad to worse. The hospital conditions were absolutely deplorable. Sanitation was apparently not a concern, and the rooms smelled of urine. The hospital ward was full of patients of all ages. Men, women and children alike were all stretched out on gurneys with only a few nurses tending to their desperate needs.

I wish I could say that the child was fine and everything turned out well, but the fact is I don’t know. He and his mother certainly remain in my prayers. What I am certain is that Tanzania is an impoverished third world country whose people need our help and support. While our dollars certainly make a difference, they are only part of the solution. The church leadership and congregations desperately long to be in actual community with us. They wish very much for us to visit them and build lifelong relationships. They want us to share our faith, ideas and talents with them, so that they might do the same with us.

The people of the Anglican Church of Tanzania are strong in their love of Christ, and determined to persevere in their faith. Despite their abject poverty they are a joyful people, who greeted us with genuine hospitality and sincere smiles. It is my hope that with the Diocese of Virginia, Emmanuel will continue to build on our wonderful relationship with the Anglican Church of Tanzania, especially the Diocese of Shinyanga. While the Episcopal Church, USA has much to offer our brothers and sisters in Christ in sub-Saharan Africa, believe me, the love and grace we receive in return far exceeds anything we could have imagined or realized.

The Mystery of God in Liturgy and Worship

2008-11-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

Many folks don't like the use of incense during corporate worship, yet it is such a powerful reminder of the mystery of God. The smoke rising to the ceiling of the church represents our prayers rising to meet God in heaven. The smell of the incense permeates the walls and the tapestries providing another avenue to experience the presence of God.

I love the use of incense during the Holy Eucharist. For me the smoke surrounding the altar reminds me of God's Holy presence on Mount Sinai, and the thick dark cloud that covered his mysterious presence, hiding his face from the Children of Israel.

The Sanctus Bell being rung at the peak moments in the Eucharistic Prayer is another wonderful reminder that Christ is present in the breaking of the bread and consecration of the wine. Our auditory senses are touched; our olfactory senses are touched; our very being is touched through the rhythm and motion of the liturgy.

As an Episcopal priest, it is my sincere belief that we need to revive holy mystery in our liturgy and worship. We are a sacramental people made to experience God's presence through all of our senses. Christ is incarnational and part of all things created by God. There is a certain reverence in this mystery of faith that grounds us as Christians and generates a very real perception of awe as we consider God's vast and Omnipotent presence.

I invite your thoughts and prayers to this maiden voyage of my Blog. In the days and weeks to come I hope to use this site as a platform for prayer, theological reflection, spiritual devotion and ecclesiastical discussion.