We cancelled our meeting this week because of the threat of impending foul weather, and it was a good call. The sirens were going off all afternoon and evening, it seemed. I'm sure we are all giving thanks that in our immediate area there was no major damage.
Other areas not so far away have not been that fortunate. Indeed, one of our church members still has a family member missing after the storms on Monday in Joplin. Unfortunately, the other side of being thankful for having been spared is a heart breaking for those who were not. I don't know about you, but I will be offering flip-flopping prayers. Giving thanks for what I have received (without knowing why I should have received it) and asking for miracles for those who are suffering. The hard part is accepting the answer if it isn't the one I anticipate.
Our group is finished meeting for the summer, but we will begin a church-wide sermon and study series on June 26 - The Prodigal God. I am intrigued by the title alone. I think we will use this forum as follow up so that those who have vacation and other commitments can follow along even if we have to miss a Sunday or two. In the meantime, all you will get is my crazy musings unless someone else would care to weigh in...?
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Let's Go Fishing,Or...
We have been looking at the story of the risen Jesus, what it took for the disciples to believe in the resurrection, and what it takes for us to believe. This week we looked at John 21, after the empty tomb, after Jesus reveals himself, after he breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit, after Thomas feels the wounds. And what did the group do next? They went fishing.
As I reflected on the group dynamics going on at that time, it occurred to me that I probably would have been more comfortable engaging in an activity that could be explained as necessary, that would allow me to avoid thinking about everything that had just happened, and that would perhaps restore some of my lost self-image and self-worth. I am definitely more Martha than Mary, always busy, seeing and feeling the value of doing. As fishermen, even though they had spent the last three years in ministry, I think that same work-ethic-comfort would have been deeply ingrained in the disciples.
By this time it was clear that Peter was going to be one of the leaders, if not the leader. But how could he effectively lead when he had denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times? If he doubted himself and his worthiness to serve, how could he lead? How could he ever redeem himself from that awful betrayal? In the face of all that tumult, emotion, doubt, misery why not go fishing? It was something concrete, familiar, comforting, that he knew how to do well, that could help him retrieve a little self respect. I imagine the others felt the same way because they just went along. No discussion, just followed.
And what happens? Peter and the others are a failure, catching no fish all night. Nada. Zip. Zero. None. BUT, when they listen to the stranger on the shore and face the failure the net comes back full. There are many explanations for the significance of the number of fish - 153 - but I think it really means that there were so many it could have broken the net. And it didn't. They trusted and followed, from where they were, engaged in a familiar activity in which they were proficient and comfortable, in their broken, dejected confused and overwhelmed state.
When they recognize Jesus he doesn't chastise them for fishing instead of following the commission he gave them. First he tells them what to do in order to be successful, then he sets the stage, a charcoal fire on the beach that mirrors the fire where Peter denied him. And then three times He asks the question, and three times Peter answers, finally feeling the redemption from his betrayal. No matter what state of broken-ness, doubt, failure, Jesus still sees value and cares about each one. Each one still has the ability to go out and carry The Message to the world. And I can't help wondering, if Jesus reached out and thoroughly redeemed Peter then what will He do for us? For me?
As I reflected on the group dynamics going on at that time, it occurred to me that I probably would have been more comfortable engaging in an activity that could be explained as necessary, that would allow me to avoid thinking about everything that had just happened, and that would perhaps restore some of my lost self-image and self-worth. I am definitely more Martha than Mary, always busy, seeing and feeling the value of doing. As fishermen, even though they had spent the last three years in ministry, I think that same work-ethic-comfort would have been deeply ingrained in the disciples.
By this time it was clear that Peter was going to be one of the leaders, if not the leader. But how could he effectively lead when he had denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times? If he doubted himself and his worthiness to serve, how could he lead? How could he ever redeem himself from that awful betrayal? In the face of all that tumult, emotion, doubt, misery why not go fishing? It was something concrete, familiar, comforting, that he knew how to do well, that could help him retrieve a little self respect. I imagine the others felt the same way because they just went along. No discussion, just followed.
And what happens? Peter and the others are a failure, catching no fish all night. Nada. Zip. Zero. None. BUT, when they listen to the stranger on the shore and face the failure the net comes back full. There are many explanations for the significance of the number of fish - 153 - but I think it really means that there were so many it could have broken the net. And it didn't. They trusted and followed, from where they were, engaged in a familiar activity in which they were proficient and comfortable, in their broken, dejected confused and overwhelmed state.
When they recognize Jesus he doesn't chastise them for fishing instead of following the commission he gave them. First he tells them what to do in order to be successful, then he sets the stage, a charcoal fire on the beach that mirrors the fire where Peter denied him. And then three times He asks the question, and three times Peter answers, finally feeling the redemption from his betrayal. No matter what state of broken-ness, doubt, failure, Jesus still sees value and cares about each one. Each one still has the ability to go out and carry The Message to the world. And I can't help wondering, if Jesus reached out and thoroughly redeemed Peter then what will He do for us? For me?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Yet another late post. Better late than never, right? Last Wednesday we tried to discuss the 23rd Psalm. I say tried because even though this is not a shy group when it comes to talking or expressing opinions, last week's session was decidedly quiet.
1The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This comforting psalm is so closely associated with funerals that I find it difficult to think of it in any other context. I did a quick search and found lots of commentary, but the one that intrigued me suggested we see this as a comfort for this life, not the passage into the next, and that it addresses the past, present and future. For instance, loosely paraphrasing:
Past - Because the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want for anything. I shall not want for food because like a sheep he makes me lie down in green pastures. I shall not want for drink because he leads me beside still waters. (Someone told me that sheep will not drink from running water, but I haven't been able to verify that.) God restores my soul, He sees that I have everything I need. By keeping me on the right paths he protects me from danger.
Present - Even though I am in the deepest trouble, walking through the Valley of Death, God is with me to comfort me and protect me, just as He has always done.
Future - I will come out of this trial and God will provide for me, setting a table before me in the presence of my enemies, anointing me with oil to show that I am His. Because I belong to God, His goodness and mercy will follow me until I go to live with Him in the next life, forever. This is the true joy in life, to love and be loved by God.
Pretty basic wants, especially when we are bombarded with messages telling us what we want, what we should want, what we lack. Critical thinking when doing anything these days is essential to identifying what we truly need, and what is media-induced want. Food, water, comfort, safety. Is that all there is?
The other part of this that I find uncomfortable is the submission, as sheep. Everything I have read says that sheep are dumb as a box of rocks and will follow whatever the first one does. So the image of a shepherd caring for His flock implies that the sheep are incapable of caring for themselves, they require a shepherd in order to survive and thrive. In this driven, individualistic society it is difficult to accept or embrace the idea that we cannot do it all for ourselves. That we have to humble and submit and allow God to do things for us.
I can see the different point of view on this psalm now, but I still don't think I can separate it from funerals, from death. How do we break that association in order to use old, familiar things in new, life-giving ways?
1The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This comforting psalm is so closely associated with funerals that I find it difficult to think of it in any other context. I did a quick search and found lots of commentary, but the one that intrigued me suggested we see this as a comfort for this life, not the passage into the next, and that it addresses the past, present and future. For instance, loosely paraphrasing:
Past - Because the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want for anything. I shall not want for food because like a sheep he makes me lie down in green pastures. I shall not want for drink because he leads me beside still waters. (Someone told me that sheep will not drink from running water, but I haven't been able to verify that.) God restores my soul, He sees that I have everything I need. By keeping me on the right paths he protects me from danger.
Present - Even though I am in the deepest trouble, walking through the Valley of Death, God is with me to comfort me and protect me, just as He has always done.
Future - I will come out of this trial and God will provide for me, setting a table before me in the presence of my enemies, anointing me with oil to show that I am His. Because I belong to God, His goodness and mercy will follow me until I go to live with Him in the next life, forever. This is the true joy in life, to love and be loved by God.
Pretty basic wants, especially when we are bombarded with messages telling us what we want, what we should want, what we lack. Critical thinking when doing anything these days is essential to identifying what we truly need, and what is media-induced want. Food, water, comfort, safety. Is that all there is?
The other part of this that I find uncomfortable is the submission, as sheep. Everything I have read says that sheep are dumb as a box of rocks and will follow whatever the first one does. So the image of a shepherd caring for His flock implies that the sheep are incapable of caring for themselves, they require a shepherd in order to survive and thrive. In this driven, individualistic society it is difficult to accept or embrace the idea that we cannot do it all for ourselves. That we have to humble and submit and allow God to do things for us.
I can see the different point of view on this psalm now, but I still don't think I can separate it from funerals, from death. How do we break that association in order to use old, familiar things in new, life-giving ways?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Called... And Equipped
Yes, this post is very late. Life got in the way, as it sometimes does. Our meeting on May 4 focused on the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, a follow up on the previous week's discussion about what it takes for us to believe that Christ rose.
In this story Jesus is equipping the disciples with the tools they will need to carry The Message out into the world. They have learned what to say during their time in ministry with Jesus on Earth. How many times did he sit the group down for a parable or two? After his resurrection they seem in need of focusing. He re-instructs them on the scriptures of the Old Testament that will allow them to connect with the Jews in their audience, but also provide prophecy that anyone could see fulfilled in Jesus. He eats the fish so they can honestly, believingly claim they saw his risen body. He hides his identity from them until they break bread together to give them the understanding that not everyone will recognize him at the same time in the same way. He is teaching them how to say the what.
The infamous "they" say that it takes 21 separate encounters with Christ before a person is ready to make a commitment. This knowledge gives us the opportunity to reflect not only on our own experiences, but how we provide those opportunities for others through the ministry of our congregation. We do a good job of knowing the "what", but I think the "how" is more important. Looking back at how Jesus equipped the people who had walked with him in the flesh helps me remember to be more open and diverse and accepting of the world views I encounter in our community. As "they" say, "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called."
In this story Jesus is equipping the disciples with the tools they will need to carry The Message out into the world. They have learned what to say during their time in ministry with Jesus on Earth. How many times did he sit the group down for a parable or two? After his resurrection they seem in need of focusing. He re-instructs them on the scriptures of the Old Testament that will allow them to connect with the Jews in their audience, but also provide prophecy that anyone could see fulfilled in Jesus. He eats the fish so they can honestly, believingly claim they saw his risen body. He hides his identity from them until they break bread together to give them the understanding that not everyone will recognize him at the same time in the same way. He is teaching them how to say the what.
The infamous "they" say that it takes 21 separate encounters with Christ before a person is ready to make a commitment. This knowledge gives us the opportunity to reflect not only on our own experiences, but how we provide those opportunities for others through the ministry of our congregation. We do a good job of knowing the "what", but I think the "how" is more important. Looking back at how Jesus equipped the people who had walked with him in the flesh helps me remember to be more open and diverse and accepting of the world views I encounter in our community. As "they" say, "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called."
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