Virtual Cove

Thy Will, Not Mine... but give me a hint, eh?

2012-01-31T17:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Water's Edge Worshippers,

Have you ever been absolutely convinced -- to your core, no doubts -- that you were destined to do something in particular, connect with someone, do something radically different but all you? So powerful it was, that you could feel it in your bones? I have.

I was a TV reporter for 17 years and knew from the moment I walked into the student-run TV station at American University that I was "hard wired" for the craft. But that was then; what about now? Is God calling me to serve? I'm sure He is... or surely I hope He is?

Either way, Why? is it sometimes so difficult to discern God's will for our lives? That's the subject we'll be tackling this week at Water's Edge. This is week #3 of the Adam Hamilton-based, churchwide Why? study. So far, parts 1 & 2 have elicited a lot of thought-provoking discussion in the groups I've attended.The best part about it is that we can all express our thoughts in safety, without fear of rebuke or shunning (unless of course you're rolling your eyes AFTER I leave the room).

This week's scriptures will take us into a discussion of predestiny versus free will. What do you believe? Does God have a set plan for your life, already laid out with twists and turns, good and bad? Or does He have a purposeful plan, with an ending in mind, that allows you the opportunity to make choices (free will) and veer this way and that? If it's the latter, then, does He step in to always help you get back on His track? Or, could you change your entire destiny if you don't follow the plan... such as Marty McFly almost did in Back to the Future? Remember? Marty -- who had time traveled back to his parent's high school days -- ended up having to get his dad to kiss his mom by midnight or it was going to be all over! Goodbye McFly! (The photo above shows his brother disappearing -- his sister is next -- to indicate that time is running out!)

Be sure to appear for this Sunday's discussion!

Is Garth Brooks Right? Do We Need to Thank God for Unanswered Prayers?

2012-01-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the last time one of your prayers went (or seemed to go) unanswered? Can we ever really know that a prayer has definitively gone unanswered? Maybe we just didn't recognize the answer. Maybe the answer was given, but not on our time-table. There are so many variables and we're going to take a serious crack at them this Sunday.

Why are we doing this? Glad you asked! Last Sunday, January 22, we began our church-wide study of the Adam Hamilton book "Why? Making Sense of God's Will."

- Week #1 concentrated on explaining (or prompting us to think and talk about) why good people suffer, the different kinds of suffering in this world, such as natural disasters, and God's role in suffering.

- Week #2 will cover God and prayer... and what happens when he doesn't answer.

Take a look at this week's scripture readings; two very different takes on prayer in the Bible:

- In the Psalm, the psalmist is in great distress over his sense of abandonment. But then he takes heart remembering that God saved those who walked before him (the psalmist); those who suffered http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifthe slings and arrows in previous situations turned out alright.

There's a movie trailer playing in theaters now promoting a British dramedy. A bunch of British seniors have 'retired' to a resort in India, site unseen, based only on pictures in a beautiful brochure. Upon arrival, they realize the magnificent facilities they saw in pictures don't really exist. One woman demands her money back and a young boy answers, "We have a saying: It will be alright in the end. And if it's not alright, it's not the end."

Ha! I love that! Could be a new approach to prayer... speaking of prayer, back to our subject:

- Check out our second scripture, this time, from Luke. How about that one?! Jesus, on his knees, praying, "... remove this cup from me..." Wow! That's not how any of the stories of his life went in my Sunday school. My classes always focused on the Son listening to his Father and doing what he was told. And I can remember first reading this Luke passage and thinking, "Jesus gets it! He is the Son of God with human understanding through and through!"

Jesus did not want to have to go through with what was coming next. How many of us know that feeling too? Something really heavy and important weighing on your shoulders, something only you can deal with; you know you have to take care of business but still, you go through all sorts of mental gymnastics trying to figure out how to get out of it and let the 'cup' pass from you.

Well, this Sunday, you will not bear the cup alone. We will lift our concerns and prayers together. Better buckle up! We're getting ready for some heavy lifting!

I Have Called You by Name, You Are Mine

2012-01-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

Water's Edge will be bubbling at the brim with worshipers this Sunday as we will be joined by this year's class of candidates for confirmation and their fans! Please come early, grab a seat, and prepare to ponder plenty.

One of our confirmands is also going to baptized so this provides another opportunity for anyone within Water's Edge to renew their baptism. At about the mid-point in the service, our confirmands will dip some locally harvested, leafy branches into our baptismal bowls and sprinkle our collective heads. I can imagine this could feel kinda wild and look like a party, but in preparation for our sprinkling, we will be reflecting on our own journey with God.

Most of the folks in our Water's Edge planning group had clear recollections of confirmation: one former Catholic remembers choosing his new confirmation name and meeting the bishop; another remembered trying to memorize all the books of the Bible, and really knocking a home run with the books of the prophets; and I remembered that the new, very cute boy who had just come to our church/town from Texas, and who wore REAL cowboy boots ALL THE TIME, was in my class and held my hand during group prayers.

Clearly there are many potential ways to remember your confirmation, so, what is our message tohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif the incoming class? "Slow down and pay attention." It all goes by so quickly. Take just a minute or two to really think about what this day holds for you and try to remember it. Yeah, yeah. We all have had adults tell us that "time flies." And we all have rolled our eyes and g-fawed as soon as the adult left room. But here, years later, we find they were right. And I do wish I could remember more. It surprised me to realize that I just don't remember!

But, then, Randy (youth minister) reminded us that each of the confirmands receives a cross inscribed with Isaiah 43:1, "I have called you by name, you are mine." That passage provided the comfort I needed. We don't need to recall all of the details surrounding our confirmation. We simply need to remember that we were called and we said "Yes."

See you Sunday!

(The black and white photo above is from a confirmation class at Emmaus Lutheran, just over one hundred years ago... Class of 1911. I started to poke fun of their crazy hair bows and then I remember what my picture would have looked like, with the awful shoulder pads and big earrings we wore in the '80s! I am humbled.)

Baptism and The Beginning

2012-01-06T15:00:00.000-08:00

This Sunday is a special Sunday in Christian tradition; we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. And, we have an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves, renew our baptismal vows. Also, if you have never been baptized, we ALWAYS welcome that gesture, anytime of year at Water's Edge.

This week's scriptures relate to baptism in distinct ways -- Rev. Molly will explain that more fully on Sunday -- but, join me in taking a look at the first scripture, Genesis. This brings us the very first words written in the Bible: "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters."

See? Water is an integral part of our experience on earth... it has been since "the beginning."

- Our bodies are 60% water
- 70% of the fresh water on earth feeds our agriculture
- Oceans make up 71% of the earth's surface.
John the baptist spoke of water v. spirit baptism, and we often see images related to cleansing as well.

One of my favorite depictions of baptism comes from a rather unorthodox source, the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" The haunting voice of Alison Krauss, along with choir voices in the background, and the abundance of the river... it gives me chills just thinking about it. As corny as the characters are in the movie, the look on the face of the one baptized is so real, so good, so- joy-filled (pops up at 2:06), I feel as though I'm standing on the river bank waiting too...

So, as we gather this Sunday, be ready to share those images that come to mind for you in baptism... of the spirit, the beautiful... the light from dark.

Son of God, Son of Man... Sudden Insight.

2011-12-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hello dear Water's Edge team!

First, a quick reminder that we will NOT be holding services at Water's Edge this Sunday, December 25, 2011. On that Christmas Sunday, please consider attending the 9:30am or 11 am service in the main sanctuary. We'll return to the Cove on New Year's Day, January 1, 2012, which is also a special day in church history: Epiphany.

We will be reading about Jesus' baptism, the moment when his parents realized the magnitude of his being. Jesus was not only their son, but the Son of God and the Son of Man. All the great joys related to "their" baby boy would be shared with the world. And they realized this.

For we mere mortals, this is often of time of recommitment, refreshment and a new start. You will have that opportunity as we will be sharing the history of, and reading, the UMC covenant prayer in a renewal service. Check it out on page #607 in your Methodist Hymnal.

I would also like to remind you that (the inmates are running the assylum) the Water's Edge team is leading the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 11pm. Chris and the band will play in the santuary, Rev. Molly will share the homily, and several of your W.E. faithful will deliver readings of scripture and Christmas-related poems.

One of the favorites this time of year, John Bell's "Cloth for the Cradle," is pasted below. (Click on the highlighted link to hear an audio version from a Mission Viejo church). We won't be reading it at 11pm on Christmas Eve, so I thought I'd share it with you here, for good measure, as it sets my heart at ease.
This is such a busy time of year, with shopping and shipping to be done, worries about finances, health, travel, family gatherings, crazy relatives... if there is one thing I'd like to close with, it's this: please take care of yourself. Take time to sit in silence, whether you listen to Christmas carols, watch the blinking Christmas lights, or just soak in the silence and the dark, take some time to listen for God. In this busy, exciting, expectant time of year, God leans in close to us, through the creche and baby Jesus. We have but to reach out and take his tiny hand to feel whole again.

See you on Christmas Eve!

Cloth for the Cradle- John Bell

When the world was dark
and the city was quiet,
you came.

You crept in beside us.
And no one knew.

Only the few who dared to believe
that God might do something different.

Will you do the same this Christmas, Lord?

Will you come into the darkness of tonight's world;
not the friendly darkness
as when sleep rescues us from tiredness,
but the fearful darkness, in which people have stopped believing
that war will end
or that food will come
or that a government will change
or that the Church cares?

Will you come into that darkness
and do something different
to save your people from death and despair?

Will you come into the quietness of this town,
not the friendly quietness
as when lovers hold hands,
but the fearful silence when the phone has not rung
the letter has not come,
the friendly voice no longer speaks,
the doctor's face says it all?

Will you come into that darkness,
and do something different,
not to distract, but to embrace your people?

And will you come into the dark corners
and the quiet places of our lives?

We ask this not because we are guilt-ridden
or want to be,
but because the fullness our lives long for
depends upon us being as open and vulnerable to you
as you were to us, when you came,
wearing no more than diapers,
and trusting human hands
to hold their maker.

Will you come into our lives,
if we open them to you
and do something different?

When the world was dark
and the city was quiet
you came.
You crept in beside us.

Do the same this Christmas, Lord.
Do the same this Christmas.

Amen.

4th Sunday in Advent: Love

2011-12-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Ones!

I hope you are enjoying this Advent season at The Water's Edge as much as I am. Many thanks to all who have helped with our weekly lighting ceremony, and to everyone for participating in the "call and reponse" of our Advent readings.

This week's candle -- the fourth -- represents LOVE.
God sent love in the form of an angel to tell Mary about what was to happen. And Mary, I'm still amazed, answered with a loving, trusting heart.

'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’

And then, she breaks into song! I don't know if I would have had the strength or the wisdom to do the same; to trust God so completely that you just do it. Even when I am considering my own call toward ministry, I come up with a handful of different scenarios and run them by God, as if He's going to pick and chose from a list of my possiblities/plans. (You wanna make God laugh? You know the punchline).

Mary's trusting nature fits in so well with our churchwide theme of "More than you asked for..." It's true. We've all experienced it to some extent and many of you have shared those experiences in our Sunday discussions. We ask for X; God delivers X, Y, and Z. And we could never have predicted how great it would be. How to remember and trust that... well, maybe, it would work if we remembered what the angel said to Mary.

When she asked "How can this be?"
The angel answered "... For nothing will be impossible with God."

If we could just remember that in our daily outreach -- whether dealing with a rude co-worker or a close friend stuck in an addictive cycle or a neighbor who's lost a job - when the situations we're in seem like they'll never change, we have but to remember that 'nothing will be impossible with God.'

Consider those words when we're praying this Sunday. We've gathered a list of "more than we asked for" for ourselves, for others, for our church, and now we will ask prayers for the world. Let 'er rip! Lose your mind! Ask for the biggest and the wildest thing you can imagine. World peace? An end to hunger? No more war? Economic stability? Ask! And remember what Mary knew: "nothing will be impossible with God."

I will miss this Sunday and Darin, who's returning from school, will be assisting Elbert, with help from Simon and Evan. Molly is in the sanctuary and I'm officiating a wedding in Berkeley. My dear friend, whom I've known since we were 3 years old (that's us in her parent's crazy 1970s flowered kitchen), is getting married and she asked me to perform the ceremony. I'm honored and excited. I hope and pray that officiating this sacred union is the beginning of something big... Why not? Nothing's impossible, right?

You're in my prayers and my heart, always!
See you on Christmas Eve (if not sooner).

Advent 3: Joy!!!

2011-12-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Ones!

The third Sunday in Advent is all about pink! The pink candle which reminds us of the Joy brought to Earth by the Christ Child's birth.

Truly, I can't think of a better color to represent JOY. My precious little niece, Grace Mae, is starting to out-grow her 'everything pink is perfection' phase and it's killin' me! I love that she loves pink. The joy she brings into my world is framed perfectly by her passion for pink! Her favorite book is (was) Pinkalicious, for Halloween she dressed as Super Girl (who wears pink) and last Christmas, she had a pink tree in her room, covered in pink ornaments. But, alas, she has discovered navy blue is fabulous too!

As we prepare to light the third candle in advent, JOY, we have an opportunity to shift our focus a bit. If you've been at Water's Edge the past couple weeks, or are following the advent lectionary on your own, you know that our scripture readings have been... well, let's just say the scriptures have not exactly painted a rosy (another word for pink) glow of Christmas tidings around the good news of Christ's birth. They have been a tad more somber than we're used to at advent.

Back in the day... advent season was much longer and the focus leaned more toward repentance and penitence... a time for reflecting, followed - eventually - by a time of joy and celebrating the birth. In our modern times, we tend to focus more on the birth and the great news of Jesus' coming. And because this week celebrates the lighting of the (pink) joy candle, we will shift gears, to celebration. Even the Isaiah scriptures follow suit, replacing ashes with garlands and mourning with gladness.

Our ongoing prayer list -- "More than you asked for..." -- continues as well. During our first week, we prayed for our own concerns; last week, for others; and this week, we will concentrate on praying for More for the church... Our fourth week will be devoted to prayers for the World.

Put on your thinking caps and prepare for a stimulating, thought-provoking and JOYOUS Sunday.

See you soon!
Kim

PS- aren't you glad I didn't write this blog blurb in pink?

More Than You Asked For... Part 2

2011-11-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

Dear ones!

Our friend and fearless leader, Rev. Molly, returns to Water's Edge this week after leading all three services in the Sanctuary last Sunday. Many thanks to Rev. Elbert for helping ignite our passion for the Advent Season (we almost had a real fire when one of the altar candles got a little too happy).

Nancy and Mark Palmer lit our first advent candle: expectation, leading us in a tradition that we will continue each week for the season. If you are interested in lighting a candle, contact kedwards@fumcsd.org

"More Than You Asked for..." is the church-wide theme for this advent. Last Sunday we gathered ideas from the congregation at Water's Edge regarding what YOU are asking for. We received some positive feedback on our "list" of things or gifts concepts/ideas and this Sunday, we'll have that list compiled for all to see and share. We'll add to it those things that you wish for OTHERS.

This week, our advent study continues with some relatively somber scriptures as we are concentrating on 'waiting,' preparing the way of the Lord. Other portions of the season will focus on the more joyous birth of Christ and celebrating/anticipating/preparing for His coming.

Rev. Molly posed this question in our weekly meeting, "What am I spending my time on that is 'preparing the way of the Lord?'" We'll take up that discussion as well as take a look at the invitation God issues in this week's scripture.

If you're interested in knowing more about advent - especially the part about waiting -- visit this site featuring the arch Bishop of Canterbury... a quiet but well-shared lesson about some of our traditions.

Be thinking about your Wishes for Others and come ready, as always, to share at WE!

See you Sunday!

More Than You Asked for...

2011-11-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays All!

Time to start your engines because this season is going to be short and power-packed. Even though we will have barely digested our turkey and cranberry sauce, we will be kicking off the Advent Season on Sunday.

Advent means many different things to each one of us and we will explore those thoughts and feelings. But this year, the church-wide "theme" for the season is "More than you asked for..." That can be good and that can be cause for pause. Maybe it means you get more of the best stuff you've ever wanted in life: happiness, love, laughter, serenity, understanding... It can also mean more of the stuff you might not have realized comes with your wishes: responsibility, decision-making, leadership... The list goes on!

Speaking of lists, that's exactly what we're going to do for prayer time this week. We'll fashion a way for you to come forward and share your wishes and thoughts on paper. What would you like to have "more than you asked for..."? (We're thinking intangible but if you really want a red Ferrari, no one's going to judge!)

Rev. Elbert will be preaching (Rev. Molly is in the sanctuary 8. 9:30, 11am) and leading us through what can be some tough scripture readings. But, as always, his insight and passion for the Bible will shine though and Advent 1 at Water's Edge will unwrap a season of great love and hope for all of us.

See you Sunday!

Clueless and Humble

2011-11-17T15:59:00.000-08:00

Whew! Buckle your seatbelts... it's going to be a bumpy ride across the seed-strewn farmland we plan to harvest again this Sunday! Plenty of "food for thought."

If you were at Water's Edge last week, you know Rev. Molly tackled what can be a very heavy scripture reading... The Parable of the Talents. Armed with her courageous honesty and innate humility, she simply let us know that "It bothers me too." That set our course for a great journey. We explored what it means to use your God given talents... as well as various takes on wealth and want, the haves and have nots.

This week will be another soul-searching quest as well when Rev. Molly leads us through the Judgment of the Nations... the sheep v. goats. Yep. That one. No easy task, but fear not! We will learn together and will also explore Psalm 100, a prayer of thanksgiving... which provides our Hollywood, happily-ever-after ending.

Communion and prayer time will be celebrated after the sermon, giving us an opportunity to tie-in the teachings with our joys/concerns and communion prayers of supplication, thanksgiving and confession. We will be able to individually contemplte, over an individual communion serving, our role in the sheep v. goats scenario.

If you read ahead to Matthew, keep this in mind: the goats and the sheep were both clueless as to what they had (or hadn't) done to be invited into the kingdom. They were goats or sheep long before they came to be judged. And, we're not each called to save all of our brothers and sisters on Earth from sickness, hunger and imprisonment, all the time. We are to help in the here and now, when we can, which allows us to live the life that reflects the gospel. So, bring your confusion, cluelessness and a health dose of humility, and we'll ponder together!

See you Sunday!

A Beautiful Attitude

2011-11-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

Dear ones! What a treat we are in for this Sunday! Rev. Molly will be back from Mexico -- thank you for your prayers for her safe journey and return -- and we will be exploring The Beatitudes.

Somewhere along this path, I started to see 'Beatitudes' as two words in one: beautiful and attitude. And, if you follow the scripture, and put the spirit of its message into play in your everyday life, that's bound to be the outcome, a beautiful attitude. Verdad? (That's for Molly).

If we are feeling poor in spirit, ours is the kingdom of heaven. If we are in mourning, we will be comforted. If we are merciful, we will receive mercy. The pure in heart will see God. Those who thirst for righteousness WILL BE filled. And the peacemakers will be called Children of God.

What kind of plan is that? What kind of GPS gets you there? Surely not one of Earthly making. As Rev. Molly explained, that's the great news about Jesus: His grading rubric is different from all the other instructors.

His plan is not about having the most toys. It's not about having the most gold. How great we look and our Earthly successes are not on the extra credit list. His plan centers on what we do for others, how we love God, and how we handle adversity. And, as Molly emphasizes, even when we blow it -- we don't stand up for righteousness, we fail at peacemaking -- even then, we are not kicked out of the club. When we fail, that's when Jesus really shortens the distance between His steps and ours. That's when He leans in really close and whispers into our ear "I love you and always will."

Sunday is also All Saints' Day. It is celebrated in many ways, around the globe:
Krakow
New Orleans
Manila
Mexico
San Diego

We will remember those who have left us by lifting up the names of loves ones, and we also take prayer concerns, lifting up the concerns of those currently suffering. During this time, there will be candles available for lighting and remembering or celebrating... we will light candles and say names aloud.

So pack your attitude... good or bad... bring the names of those you love, in memory or in person... and we'll work on a beautiful attitude, together.

Gather Up the Fragments... So More May Eat

2011-10-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

This Sunday launches FUMCSD's financial campaign, "Beyond Our Wildest Dreams." It's a financial update as well as a reminder of our collective power, our collective faith that God will always provide.

Our scripture, John 6:1-14, highlights the Feeding of the 5,000... one of the best known stories in the Bible. Rev. Elbert is creating a message that will stimulate conversation, and, provide some relief... perhaps even prompt a couple "Amens!"

But the key idea I'm dwelling on is this, as Elbert explained: When Jesus gathered the 5,000 together and said to His disciples "What do we have to feed them?," they immediately resorted to typical human reactions: calculating cost and impossibiliites of the situation. Meanwhile, Jesus knew God would provide. The disciples saw scarcity; Jesus saw an opportunity for generosity...

I've learned, time and again, that if I stop and think of God first, before reacting to a situation, I will be provided for, the situation will resolve peacefully, and there will be no time wasted in worry. They key is remember to STOP my human reaction and go for my faith... see the opportunity for generosity.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Also, a reminder that this is our last week hosting the Saint John's Bible series in Trotter Chapel. Please go! I've been more than once and get something different every time. And, if you haven't already seen it, here's last week's appearance of the Saint John's creator/art director, on the Today Show.

Are You on the Barren Path? Or in the Rocks? Thorns? Good Soil?

2011-10-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Our scripture study for this week is based on one of the many parables Jesus told in his teachings, one you likely know well... which we will read three times at Water's Edge (more on that later).

The scripture is the parable of the sower, again, paired with the corresponding illumination in the Saint John's Bible. The picture shows a modern Savior, a Jesus in Jeans, sowing seeds across four variations of land: a path, rocky, thorny, and good soil.

Rev. Molly is out of town so Rev. Richard Smith will be preaching, or, as he put it, "Lead Listener." Why "listener?" Because we are going to employ some of the tools from "lectio and visio divina" to explore and understand the text and the illumination.

"It's a process," explains Richard. "Listen to the text with new ears. See the illuminated text with new eyes. And open a prayerful dialogue with God through scripture."

Consider this: back in the day, most early Christians could not read, so they had to "get" the word through aural delivery. They had to hear it and digest it to interpret it for themselves. That is one step in our three step process. We will read. We will listen. We will look.

As you look at the Sower illumination (click here for a more indepth analysis), consider this:

- What grabs you the most?
- After relating to the illumination or text, what would your prayers be?
- What is this scripture asking of you?

Rev. Richard will explain in more detail on Sunday, but it will be a nice time for personal reflection within a community in communication with God...

We will also be handing out bibles to the kids who have reached that age and will wrap up with a visit from our missionaries. A busy Sunday!

THE LAW: Limitation? Chaos? Freedom? What Do You See?

2011-10-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

For some this may be a week of "heavy" scriptures. At least that's how I felt when we first read Exodus 20. That's the great and iconic scripture when God delivers the 10 Commandments to the "slaves" He has brought out of Egypt. This is the serious stuff. This is where we get our marching orders, right?

Yes. But it doesn't have to be "heavy" or restricting. In fact, perhaps it's freeing. In our Wednesday night discussion with Dr. Standiford, one attendee opined that this 10-item "to do" list freed and liberated God's people. No more multiple gods. Just one. The great I AM. And no more worrying about what's required in sacrifice. It's laid out. 10 Steps to Salvation. Done. Not easy. But simple.

The artist's interpretation (seen here, top) is also an interesting take. There are four panels dipicting acts of God, overlaid with God's word to the Israelites... But, as you'll notice, the words of the 10 commandments begin to fall apart, or become kind of chaotic, in the middle. What's that about? We'll tawk. On Sunday. You will definitely want to hear Rev. Molly's interpretation. Trust me. She nailed it.

Here's a hint: Remember that the gold lettering, or any trace of gold in the Saint John's Bible, indicates God's presence. The illumination begins with HERE I AM. I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. And it ends with similar wording. Perhaps another nod toward simplicity?

In the sanctuary, Dr. Standiford will also be discussing the second image (bottom image) of Paul as we read from Romans 3. Paul is holding a dome (St. Paul's Basillica in Rome) in his hand... and it's broken. What was broken in Paul's time? What about later in church history? What part did Paul's writings play in the great Reformation? Ahhhh. Yes, these questions will be pondered and perhaps answered on Sunday.

If you haven't yet seen the illuminations from the Saint John's Bible, please do. I'm absolutely obsessed with the interpretations. That doesn't mean I agree or even like all of them. Some I absolutely LOVE... but, most importantly, it has us talking about SCRIPTURE!!! Real dialogue about what the Bible means to each of us, individually and collectively. Exciting, promising and uplifting.

Take a listen here to the interview Tom Fudge of KPBS (his parents are members at First Church) conducted with one of the Saint John's experts in Minnesota. And thanks again to our dear Liz Cogdill for arranging another great interview.

See you Sunday!

Feelin' Like a "Bag O' Bones?" Join Us!

2011-10-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

The dark illumination to the left is from the Saint John's Bible.

Look at it.

No. Really look at it.

There is a CAR in this Bible! (Two, in fact. You just can't see the other here). This is not your long-gone Granny's Bible. This Bible is for You.

This is a contemporary take on a classic story. The committee and artist who crafted the Saint John's Bible have provided their "take," and we'll share that below, but first, let's find out what this says to you.

Hearing and seeing what God is saying to you is one of the key hopes of the creators of the Saint John's exhibit. What does the Bible say to each individual through the illuminations?

This week, the entire church is moving into week #2 of the Saint John's Bible tribute. At Water's Edge, Rev. Molly says she will be concentrating on the Ezekiel passage. Here's what it says to her: "This passage emphasizes that, even when hope feels as far away from you as a pile of dried up bones is from a vibrant life, God comes into that hopelessness and pieces us/it back together again."

Union Tribune religion reporter, Karla Peterson, wrote an article regarding the month-long display in Trotter Chapel. Karla describes the Ezekiel piece as a "stunning print featuring both a dark tangle of bones, skulls and wrecked cars and a brilliant blur of rainbows and golden menorahs."

And in the article, Rev. Elbert explained what the illumination says to him. “In the midst of tragedy, there is hope and light here before us. This is the message we preach, that there is hope in the world. This is what I just love.”

So, look again. Any thoughts? Feelings?

I see the bones and mangled mess we humans are apt to make of life. And I have had moments when I feel as far from God and hope as a bunch of dried up ol' bones. But, His word always brings me back. And as He told Ezekiel, surely He tells us: "I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live." And again, "I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live." In this illumination, that spirit, for me, is shown in the rainbow explosion at the top of the illumination.

What about you? Please visit the Saint John's Bible exhibit! I promise you will not be disappointed. Saturday's from 10 am - 4pm and Sundays 10 - 2m to 2pm, or weekdays by appointment. Call 619-475-6628.

View. Take in. Experience. Ponder your interpretation of the illuminations. As the director of the project told the Union Trib reporter, "Don’t worry about having someone tell you what it means. Make it mean something for yourself.”

P.S. If you still want to know what the "official" Saint John's word is on the Valley of Dry Bones illumination, check this out. Author Susan Sink explains in the viewer's guidebook.

2011-09-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday, October 2, is a busy day, with two meaningful themes occurring at the same time.

First, it's World Communion Sunday, one of six "special Sundays" in the United Methodist calendar. Your offering gifts given on this day helps provide scholarships for racial and ethnic minority students. During the last four years, the UMC family has raised $900,000 to $1.1 million each year.

Secondly, October is Saint John's Bible Month at First Church and we will be celebrating this remarkable achievement church-wide.

Our scripture for this week -- Genesis 1 - 2, there's only one because it's rather lengthy -- is a rather fitting way to honor our opportunity to participate in the Saint John's Bible tour. This is the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago. The bible was written and drawn entirely by hand using quills and paints hand-ground from precious minerals and stones such as lapis lazuli, malachite, silver, and 24-karat gold.

Prints of some of the artwork and scripture will be on display at FUMCSD throughout October. This Saturday, First Church is hosting a kick-off evening, an opening gala with a price that can't be beaten, $10. If you haven't registered, but sure to do it soon. We expect a lot of interest. There are also classes and events throughout the month of October that will satisfy your need to learn more.

Those who attended the Wednesday evening classes with Rev. La Due and Rev. Smith agreed, the classes set the stage for a deep learning experience. We reviewed some of the illustrations from St. John's Bible and you may be surprised, as we were! "The Saint John’s Bible illustrates scripture from a modern perspective, reflecting a multicultural world and humanity’s enormous strides in science, technology and space travel, as well as recent wars and genocide." One of the prints we studied, pictured above, showed a communion table as one might imagine it in biblical times. however, if you look closely, there are modern-day reference. For example, in the upper left-hand corner, the small chapel. Definitely NOT from biblical times. In fact, it is a chapel on the Saint John's campus.

What I have enjoyed most is reading the reviews... imagine! People getting excited about the Bible. What a tribute, what a miracle... Why? According to the Pew Research Center, in 2010, religion stories accounted for two percent of all coverage, up from one percent in 2009. "The uptick in coverage was driven by a few big stories, including controversy over the Ground Zero Mosque and Pastor Terry Jones' plan to host a Koran-burning event."

Now, thanks to the folks behind the Saint John's Bible, the world is taking notice. Perhaps this "undertaking of biblical proportion..." will touch a new heart, change another life... and the Good News marches on!

See you Sunday!

Rivers, Oceans, Bodies of Water

2011-09-20T17:13:00.001-07:00

We have reached our fourth and final Sunday in our Season of Creation celebration: River Sunday. But since your Water's Edge Worship Team is San Diego-based, we had to broaden the subject a wee bit. We're going to celebrate the ocean too, and frankly, just about any body of water that is sacred or significant to you!

I'm guessing a lot of you will feel like Beckie Henselmeyer and I, two girls who grew up Boogie boarding and body surfing in the great Pacific: to us, the ocean is God. The power and majesty of crashing waves, the never-ending horizon, the place where your crazy day comes to a close with a breath-taking sunset. Our ocean is a constant and reliable reminder of just how small we are and how much bigger God is. Surely, if he can handle the great waves of the Pacific, he can handle our concerns and problems, no?

I lived in Missouri for the first year or so of my reporting career. My house was in Macon, Mo., a very small town with one stop light, a Wal-Mart and an adorable town square centered next to the courthouse. The nearest body of water was right there, Long Branch Lake State Park (Picture above). I made about 10 cents an hour back then so my days off were filled with free recreation. I often loaded up my bike and headed for the lush, tree-rimmed lake. One time, a friend and I rented a canoe and promptly tipped it over. We were laughing so hard we couldn't get back in the canoe, but made new friends when a speed boat full of folks came to rescue us.

As beautiful as it was, that lake did not tap into my spirit as a visit to the shores of our Pacific would. I could not shake the feeling that I was land-locked. I longed for the violent crashing roar of some monster waves. Years later, living at the edge of Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I thought that feeling would ease, afterall, that horizon seems never-ending too. Not a chance. I need the ocean. Even though God is with me wherever I go, and I never doubt that, I get claustrophobic if I can't "feel" the nearby shoreline.

Hmm. Whadya make of that? My cousin (pictures above) would say, "You're a bird!" By that, she would mean I'm odd. I say, "Okay, I may be a bird, but at least we know what kind of bird I am: a seagull!"

Where in God's great creation are the waters that speak to your soul?

See you Sunday!

Jesus' Wilderness

2011-09-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is Wilderness Sunday, according to the Season of Creation liturgy. In previous posts (see below), some of us mentioned trees, flowers, mountains... as the images that come to mind when "wilderness" is mentioned.

But Rev. Elbert pointed out that, in Jesus' time, and really throughout the Bible, "wilderness" is more akin to a desert scene.

In Mark, we read about Jesus' baptism and his temptation... in the wilderness/desert. In Hebrew, the word "midbar" means wilderness, uninhabited land, tracts of land (around cities). So, wilderness is more than a place; it's a concept... an area that is beyond: beyond cities and organized civilization. Perhaps that's why the word, in our modern day, elicits thoughts of getting away, putting down the electronics, turnning off the phone, and spending time in a place and space where faith can be honed and the spirit can take root.

See you Sunday... and leave your Blackberry/iPhone at home! ;-)

Call of the Wild

2011-09-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 18, our third in the Season of Creation series, we will be celebrating wilderness. (Forests. Land. Wilderness. Rivers.)

The related Bible verses are many... we'll chose key portions for Sunday's service, but, if you'd like to read all of the related texts, here's what the Season of Creation liturgy recommends:

Joel1:8-10, 17-20
Psalm 18:6-19
Romans 8:18-27
Matthew 3:13-4:2 OR Mark 1:9-13

Do you have a favorite spot in "wilderness?" I'll admit, I'm not much of an outdoorsy gal. Silver-level Girl Scout badge aside, I'd rather read about wilderness from the comfort of a down-filled hotel bed... or so I thought.

Then, I read John Steinbeck. His capacity for description is boundless. He made me fall in love with the Salinas Valley before I ever set foot near it. After reading this, I made a pilgrimage of sorts to Monterey-Salinas to experience- in person- Steinbeck's Salinas wilderness.

In East of Eden, (modern version of Cain and Abel... man was cast out, East of Eden, after his "fall.") Steinbeck describes the good and the bad in all of us, beginning with the land. He hits this theme, from the opening chapter, using the splendor of Salinas Valley, saying

I remember that the Gabilan Mountains to the east of the valley were light gay mountains full of sun and loveliness and a kind of invitation, so that you wanted to climb into their warm foothills almost as you want to climb into the lap of a beloved mother. They were beckoning mountains with a brown grass love. The Santa Lucias stood up against the sky to the west and kept the valley from the open sea, and they were dark and brooding—unfriendly and dangerous. I always found in myself a dread of west and a love of east. Where I ever got such an idea I cannot say, unless it could be that the morning came over the peaks of the Gabilans and the night drifted back from the ridges of the Santa Lucias. It may be that the birth and death of the day had some part in my feeling about the two ranges of mountains.

Later, he describes the bounty of the flowers, in all their glory... and this is truly, exactly what I saw:

The whole valley floor, and the foothills too, would be carpeted with lupins and poppies. Once a woman told me that colored flowers would seem more bright if you added a few white flowers to give the colors definition. Every petal of blue lupin is edged with white, so that a field of lupins is more blue than you can imagine. And mixed with these were splashes of California poppies. These too are of a burning color—not orange, not gold, but if pure gold were liquid and could raise a cream, that golden cream might be like the color of the poppies.

Land Ho!

2011-09-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

As we head into our second week in the Season of Creation, we're leaving the forest and heading out to explore "the LAND, the soil and land creatures."

The particularly cute "creature" in the picture above is Marion Hart's son, at home in the garden, enjoying the soil! Thanks for sharing, Marion! And to all of you who sent photos, many thanks.

Do you have any favorite memories of land? Maybe it's the land that your favorite school sits on? Or memories of a special hide-away you built as a kid? Land, soil, Earth - the connection can provide stability and calm in so many ways.

When they were young women, my great aunts joined their father and "homesteaded" in the great land rush in Oklahoma in the late 1800s. Even though I grew up in California, I love the idea of being connected to that land.

Maybe it's because I'm Irish, but I adore that scene in Gone with the Wind when Gerald O'Hara promised Tara plantation to Scarlett: "Land is the only thing that lasts..." he said.

And, eventually, even Scarlett O'Hara set aside her vanity and recognized the the power of that land and of going home.

Connecting the land back to its Creator God, our creator, is our Season of Creation journey for this week. So, come on back to the Water's Edge... come home...

2011-09-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Just thought you might enjoy reading the poem that Bill wrote and shared in Sunday's (9/4) service at the Cove.

Pride

The task of every generation is to make sure

They don't end up knowing a lot about nothing.

Wisdom is knowing what is and is not important.

In my "tribe"

There are those who are "in" and those who are "out."

There are those who are "good" and those who are "bad."

There are those who are "saved" and those who are "lost."

What tribe does God belong to?

How do we break through our prejudices and judgments?

Who I listen to depends on what I hear.

Do I listen to CNN or CNBC or Fox?

Do I listen to the Democrats or Republicans?

Do I listen to the Conservatives or the Liberals?

Jesus, listened to the victims, the persecuted, the survivors.

If I am to make it through this crisis I am in,

Then I must seek the courage and humility

To expand my love so that no one is left out.

Not even the one who is causing me so much hurt.

I must be open to the breath of God into my life...

The breath that is common to all of us.

To breathe yet again,

And deeper,

And bring me to my own soul's awakening.

It is then that change and hope will follow.

A Poem as Beautiful as a Tree

2011-09-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

Trees on the brain. That's my new malady. I've been thinking about trees all week. As we approach our first Sunday in the Season of Creation, we will be considering and honoring the forest. That could mean any creature in the forest... lush ferns, tiny, hopping frogs, freshly-fallen pine needles... But, what's the most prominent picture you see when you close your eyes and picture the word "forest?"
For me, it's the trees.

My sister-in-law, Jennifer, loves to re-connect with nature and God by visiting the Muir Woods in Northern California. For her, it's an all-senses experience with sounds: birds, babbling brooks, a quiet where "everything stops"; smells of pine and fresh air; sight- those magnificent redwood trees. "It's so majestic. You couldn’t possibly be any closer to God than when you're lost among in those trees. I feel like such a tiny, little spec next to something so huge and old and gorgeous."

What are your favorite trees? The avocado tree in mom's backyard? Palms trees in Hawaii? Share your memories with us!

For more on writing about trees, I turned to an expert- Joyce Kilmer: poet, journalist, father and man of faith. Some say his poems were too simple, but his most famous - TREES - surely speaks to what we are celebrating on Sunday.

TREES
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

See you Sunday!

We're Gettin' Out the Slide Projector

2011-08-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

So you never got to show your neighbors those fabulous photos of your nature trip to the Australian Outback? Well, even if your trip was only "outback" on grandma's farm, Water's Edge wants to see your photos!

Send us your favorite pictures and/or videos of you enjoying/experiencing nature! We are celebrating the Season of Creation and want our Water’s Edge friends to participate.

What’s the Season of Creation? You’ve probably heard of some of the “seasons” in the Christian year: Advent (Christmas), Epiphany, Lent and Easter. Each of these seasons celebrates the life of Christ; Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit; and now, the newly designed “The Season of Creation” celebrates the Creator God. This provides an opportunity to remember our kinship with Earth and the creatures of Earth.

http://seasonofcreation.com/

We have a different theme for each of the four Sundays in September:

September 4 1st Sunday in Creation – Forest Sunday
September 11 2nd Sunday in Creation – Land Sunday
September 18 3rd Sunday in Creation – Outback Sunday
September 25 4th Sunday in Creation – River Sunday

Please send us some of your favorite moments in nature… either pictures or video… and we’ll share them in Water’s Edge various services.

Thank you for participating. This is a new “season” at Water’s Edge and we’re looking forward to exploring it together.

An Invitation to the Good Stuff

2011-08-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yum!

That's the best way to describe today's gathering at Water's Edge: yum! From scripture selection to baptism to the sermon, the main message centered on the deliciousness of what it means to follow Jesus... to leave behind our lives as we knew them and follow His lead into this new way of living.

Rev. Molly's sermon wove together a scrumptious picture of ancient scriptures by using very relatable imagery - specifically dark chocolate, her favorite.

(http://bit.ly/pe7zwX Click here to read about a completely chocolate hotel room created by Godiva!)

You know when you're craving a certain something... such as good chocolate... but you grab what is nearby to fulfill your momentary hunger? How satisfying is that? Halfway through the nasty, no-name chocolate bar, you realize, "Ugh! This is not what I wanted! Wish I'd gone for the good stuff."

When we follow Jesus, we're reaching for the Good Stuff. And He promises that when we feast at His table, we will be sated.

In Isaiah 55, (this week's scripture), we are reminded that this invitation to follow Jesus is extended to everyone. Yep. Everyone. Even your annoying neighbor. And that mean kid from high school. Rev. Molly explained why this open invitation works: because we have the power of transformation when we take this journey together. When we feast together, everyone is invited to "... eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness- the profuseness of spiritual joy (Amplified)."

Like I said, yum!!!

Kim

PS- More to come on Lucy's baptism. We'll post pictures.

Remember Your Baptism (and the Communion Bread)

2011-08-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Ones!

We are well into week two of my role as Water's Edge Worship Coordinator and so far, so good! Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I felt very much "at home" last Sunday, despite the fact that it was 8:55 a.m. before I remembered that I am supposed to bring the communion bread!

This Sunday we will be participating in a very special ceremony that is a perfect fit for the shores of the Water's Edge: baptism. Rev. Molly will baptise Becky Henselmeier's youngest... and we, as believers and friends, will have the great honor of standing witness for this beautiful, new spirit.

This is also an opportunity for each one of us, as a child of God, to remember our own baptism and to be grateful. During communion, you are invited to renew your baptism with us at the front altar as well.

I was baptised in the Methodist Church in Tuskegee, Alabama... where my mom's family lived. The dress I wore is pictured here, on my niece, Grace Mae. Gracie, her daddy Kyle, and my cousins Jamie, Robin, Riley, Judson and I were all baptised in this dress! My mom bought it in Wales, more than 50 years ago, when she was teaching overseas on American Air Force bases. She also had the good sense to get several vials of holy water, from the River Jordan, while traveling through Israel. Several of the children in our family were baptised with that water. Coincidentally -- my brother was baptised by Rev. Bob Fehlman (Our Rev. Bob!) when he was senior pastor at Riviera United Methodist, in Redondo Beach, where I grew up.

Do you remember your baptism?

I'll bet most of us were too young. But I surely do remember the baptism of the little baby girl in that picture above! My brother and his sweet wife, Jennifer, asked me to be Gracie's godmother. I am so honored to have that role and it thrilled me to NO END when, upon being sprinkled with water and not liking it, she reached out for her Auntie Kim! Holding that baby doll in my arms is one of the greatest gifts of my life. Her hugs are the best! And my prayers for her well-being are never-ending. I take very seriously my role as a guide in her faith journey.

So, my friends, as you cruise through the remainder of this week, take a moment to recall the baptisms in your life, and be thankful. Together we will celebrate all every single one on Sunday...

Kim

PS- No worries on the communion bread! I already bought it this week!

"You've Got Some Big Shoes to Fill"

2011-08-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Ones,

Right about now, our intrepid Water's Edge Worship Coordinator, Darin Arntston, should be somewhere in the great state of Texas. She is on the first "leg" of what I pray is a grand, alluring and never-ending journey through her walk with God.

As most of you know, Darin is attending Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. http://www.candler.emory.edu/ This is an incredible school, ranked among the top 20 national universities, according to US News & World Report http://www.usnews.com/rankings. Candler is also one of several universities founded by the United Methodists. (Coincidentally, I graduated from American University, in Washington, D.C., which is another UMC school http://www.american.edu/).

This past Sunday (Aug 14), Molly announced that I would be joining the Water's Edge Team to (try to) take up Darin's mantle. Upon hearing this, one of the Water's Edge regulars pondered aloud, "You've got some big shoes to fill." I couldn't agree more!

Darin is actually the person who encouraged me to consider this position. She knows that I, too, am searching for discernment. I adore being part of the Lay Liturgists group-- the regular folks who offer prayers every so often in the Santuary services -- but I feel a pull to do more. Do what? I don't know, exactly. But Molly -- along with Revs LaDue, Standiford, and Ristine -- has graciously shared her time with me and provided an ear as I try to figure it all out. This opportunity is perfect and very important to me.

I am thrilled (and a smidge nervous) to be joining the Water's Edge Worship Team. Please say hello this Sunday. Let me know what's going on in your life... your thoughts about how we can do more here, virtually... anything you think might help my transition at Water's Edge.

Yes, I have some big shoes to fill. Darin is kind, intelligent, funny, beautiful and a LOT younger than I. (Maybe I should quit right now). But, I do have something in my favor: great shoes. Did you catch a glimpse of her shoes on Sunday? Taupe suede with 4" heels! Excellent! This, I can do!

See you, and your shoes, on Sunday, August 21!

Blessings,

Kim Edwards

2 Corinthians 5: 7 (more about shoes)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

you, me, and jesus

2011-07-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

This has been a pretty incredible year for me. Not only with lots of new and exciting changes and challenges in my personal life, but with a fullness of blessings and growth in my journey with God, too. I have been incredibly lucky to have spent so much time worshipping and talking about faith with the Water's Edge family, and have been blessed by the welcoming, gracious, and loving nature of this congregation (within a congregation).

In addition to getting to know wonderful members of this family, I feel like this year has opened me up to a deeper understanding of my relationship with Jesus as well. Through the detailed studies of the last 24 hours of Jesus' life during lent, and now discovering the different ways Jesus interacts with me through the "Glimpses of Jesus" series, I feel these roots deepening-- a foundation settling and strengthening. These feelings are a gift to me as I prepare to embark on a journey of theological education and life committed to ministry. And, as the message from last week illuminated, it is not a result I can claim to be solely mine.

If you were not in worship last week, I apologize, but it would not do remote justice to attempt a summary here. The theme was "Jesus in one another," and I suggest you take Molly out to coffee some day to discuss her perspective... it's a good one. But, I will mention the bit that challenged me, and all of us, to see how every person we encounter can teach us something about Jesus-- that there's something unique in each person that allows him or her to teach us this one thing better than anyone else. This call to see Jesus in each other is not just about the challenge of accepting and appreciating everyone-- even those who are more than difficult to love-- but about the importance of community.

This connectedness, and strengthening relationship with Christ I feel is rooted in the community here. By learning your stories, strengths, joys, and hardships-- through the faith of this congregation paired with its diversity-- I have witnessed a broad spectrum of Christ-like qualities. My faith has been strengthened by your openness to share with me your gifts, your lives, your faith, and your membership in the body of Christ. And, through learning more about you, I have been able to see myself more clearly, and how I fit into this life in Christ also.

This coming Sunday we'll be talking about Jesus as our light. Sometimes we see this light as it illuminates a new path, or guides us through uncharted territory, but other times it's the porch light, or lighthouse beacon, reminding us how to get home. I have been blessed to have found a new home with you all at the Water's Edge, and will hold fast to the gifts you have given me throughout this past year. Thank you for your love, encouragement, and support, and for empowering me to know and share the goodness of our God and Jesus Christ.

:)

a warm welcome

2011-06-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

We are blessed this Sunday to be welcoming Rev. Christian DeMent as our guest preacher. Christian is the appointed pastor of a new church start in the Otay Ranch area named Foundry UMC. He is also the associate pastor at Foothills UMC in La Mesa, and a dear friend of mine.

Christian was (back in the day) a youth director at La Mesa First UMC and then at Foothills, where he played a foundational role in fostering faithfulness in countless youth and young people (including me!). He has served as the leader of mission trips to places like Waveland, Mississippi and Vladivostok, Russia, demonstrating his commitment to Christ-like service. His dynamic personality and compassionate demeanor are reflected in his ministry, and make him an all around great guy to know.

Christian is taking a new approach to church building. Rather than starting by developing a worshipping congregation, the Foundry is involving members in existing community service events and activities-- building it's foundation first in mission. Christian will be offering the message this week at the Water's Edge, incorporating some of his ideas about evangelism and the language we use as Christians to share the word of God. At 11am, he will also be offering a brief presentation about his efforts in Otay Ranch, and how the Foundry UMC, if supported in healthy ways, may also strengthen our own community here at First Church as well as other congregations in our district.

For more information about Christian and the Foundry visit:

http://www.foundryotayranch.org/

or Foundry United Methodist Church on facebook

I hope you will join me in welcoming Christian this Sunday, and in offering our support to him as he works to expand the reaches of Christ's love and light here in San Diego.

moved by the spirit

2011-06-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Pentecost is this Sunday. Usually when I think of Pentecost I think of red, or fire, or even Pentecostals and their zealous worship and speaking in tongues. I'm not a huge fan of red, or overly dramatic improvisational dance (it's those mild-mannered Methodist roots...), but the beautiful thing about Pentecost, I'm discovering, is that those are actually outside indicators of something amazing that happens on the inside.

I am finding, through participating with you in worship each week, that there is a large difference between when I try to be in control and when I let the Spirit guide me. Perhaps you can tell also... those times when words come more easily, prayers flow more smoothly, or elements piece together more fluidly. Though there is always careful preparation, I don't take credit for those times when things just seem "right." When those preparations are met with trust in the Spirit, the message communicates more distinctly and easily.

In the story of Pentecost, found in Acts 2:1-21, the notable piece is not that they were capable of speaking new languages without study or practice-- it was that the Spirit allowed them to communicate with those outside their own culture. The Spirit made it possible for their message to be articulated past language barriers to reach new people in more distant places. It's an exciting story about how the Holy Spirit allows us to communicate in our lives if we accept it and let it move us.

I'm looking forward to worship this week when we can explore some creative ways the Spirit breathes into us, blessing us here and now, and empowering us to share the message we've been given.

a plan to live

2011-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

The rapture may be this Saturday, but I'm planning to be in worship on Sunday. It's not that I don't believe in heaven, or think I'm not worthy to go. I do. I just don't think I should wait to float up into the sky to be with God-- to experience fulfillment, happiness, joy.

A Time Magazine poll revealed that 56 percent of Americans believe the "prophecies in the book of Revelation will come true." I wonder how many people that actually signifies who are anticipating leaving all their earthly posessions behind this Saturday. I can't definitively say it wont happen, but I feel pretty cynical about it. This is because I don't think our lives here on Earth are some elaborate entrance exam into something else. I think our earthly lives are not just a way to kill time until Jesus comes to swoop us up and away with him. I believe Jesus came to live among us to show us that we are capable of living in ways that allow us to experience God's kingdom here and now. Not just after the rapture.

However, in order to experience heaven on earth we need to change or evolve. We must take responsibility for ourselves, our communities, our planet. To be raptured might be a nice escape into a new world-- a fresh start-- but I don't think it's that easy. In her article Why I Want To Be Left Behind, Brenda Peterson shares that she hopes to continue her life here to "figure out a way to fit more humbly into this abiding Earth, this living and breathing planet we happily call home, we call holy."

So, for now I'm planning to live-- to continue to follow the path I believe God calls me to, to hope for a future where we live constructively and peacefully with all who share this planet. I will plan to be faithful in my pursuit of the kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

a wonder indeed

2011-05-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

"All who believed were together and had all things in common...." Acts 2:44

This is the video that Molly made reference to in her sermon yesterday, Sunday May 15th.

Painful

2011-04-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

In the last post, Darin noted that the time we've spent studying the last day before Jesus's death have led to some uncomfortable moments. For me, the most uncomfortable one is coming up this Sunday. Even more than the (admittedly horrible and inhumane) Crucifixion, I am hit, every year, by the torture scenes we'll read this week.

I have always hated to see people in pain. Once when we were kids, my brother had a splinter so bad that my parents took him to the pediatrician to have it removed. I was in the exam room when the doctor attempted to take it out, but fled the room minutes after my brother began to scream in pain. I hate it.

Needless to say, every year when we read the Passion story, I end up weeping right about the time that Jesus is handed over to the Roman soldiers to be flogged. I hate imagining Jesus in so much pain. When we read the Stations of the Cross (a Roman Catholic tradition) at school, I shied away from hearing about Jesus undergoing these hideous, cruel punishments.

These days, I still weep when we read the torture scenes, but not only for Jesus's unimaginable suffering. I weep because it was so needless. He was condemned to this treatment by ordinary people--the local clergy and congregations, the city and state government--and for what? I cry because I can't bear to think of anyone going through that, but also because it still happens all the time, today, in this world where we live--and for what? People are in pain, people suffer, because of the actions and inactions of ordinary people.

The question is, how can we live with this, and how can we change it?

it may not be comfortable...

2011-03-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Throughout Lent, we've been looking at the 24 hours before Jesus' death, and I'm finding that (despite my long history of church-going) I know very little about the details of that day in history. I imagine I'm partly to blame for this– typically avoiding scripture and images that aren't particularly uplifting. I wonder whether it is because in general I shy away from subjects that are upsetting, or if it's because in some way I feel responsible. Looking more deeply at Peter's denial of Christ and at the crowds who convict and condemn him yelling "Crucify him!," would I have done the same?

In our small group this past Sunday, the question arose whether or not we would recognize Jesus if he showed up in our presence today. How would we truly know THIS was the man to follow? How would we know this particular man was the one sent from God? If even those who claimed to be looking for Jesus sentenced him to death, how can we better recognize and receive the gifts God offers us?

It may begin with being open to experiences that are a little uncomfortable. It may mean opening ourselves to accept a new or different reality from what we know. In the next few weeks, as we near Easter, we'll be reading and exploring more deeply texts we normally like to glance over. Although we may think understanding the outcome is enough, perhaps this time around we'll learn something more from looking at the details. Maybe we'll find Jesus' offering and God's saving love to be even more incredible this time around because we sacrificed some of our own comfort to receive them.

making preparations

2011-03-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

Lent is intended to be a time to prepare ourselves for the rich and powerful gift of the resurrection. Many of us participate in the practice of giving things up- chocolate, soda, girl scout cookies, t.v.- and if you live in my house you take the literal approach and sacrifice those things the 40 days before Easter NOT including Sundays. (Even God rested on Sunday...) Others commit to adding practices into their lives for those 40 days, such as daily devotion or prayer, acts of service, or communicating with friends and family. But how are these actions really preparing us for this incredible gift Christ offers? What are we really expecting on Easter?

I think the beauty of faith is being able to offer up our best intentions and let God work out the rest. In the first verse of this week's gospel reading Jesus tells the disciples to go and make preparations for the passover meal, but didn't reveal to them the particular significance of this meal together. He didn't expect them to understand fully the weight of their actions, only that they would take care to do what they were asked. I believe that's what Jesus asks of us also.

As we move through this season, I hope as a community we will be open and ready to receive the gifts God has in store- that through our preparations we will truly see his glory this Easter.

Don't Worry

2011-02-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

This is a very exciting time in my life: I'm now living in those days when I could become a mother at any moment (over about the next 4 weeks...). It's a strange expectancy, waiting for childbirth, believing it could be any moment and knowing it could be a good while.

It's not a bad metaphor for how we live our lives of faith--as if the Kingdom of God could come in its fullness in any moment. And as if it may take a while.

One of the joys of this time, as I get ready to give birth, is that I know our worship community will be well while I'm away for a bit. We have such a rich blessing of gifts and such wonderfully talented leaders who will see us through!

Many thanks to Darin, who will continue to guide, direct, shape and coordinate our worship throughout my maternity leave (as she has been doing already!).

And, many thanks to the many guest preachers who will share their insight into scripture and life with our community. It's so rad that we have a number of young folks who are called to ministry, who are willing to preach to us during these formative years in their calling. Evan, Darin, Randy and Lea will all preach during this time. And, some of my good pastor-colleagues here at First Church will get the chance to be with you all: Greg and Mary will each preach once, and Elbert will be here more often. It'll be good to hear these diverse voices and share together in worship.

This week, I hope to be present as Evan preaches. It's going to be an especially fun week, as the band is going all bluegrass on us, with Bob Enstad back as special guest.

And, the scripture is a good one: Jesus command to us, from his Sermon on the Mount, that we shouldn't worry. (This is a good message for expectant mothers and everyone else.) So, here's a song I wanted to share with you, from a project seeking to unite people through music called Playing for Change. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope to see you Sunday!

peace,
Molly

wwjnd

2011-02-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

As we continue our read through parts of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (from Matthew's gospel), I found this cartoon pretty on-point. Over and over, Jesus asks us to think about things in a new way, and calls us to faithfulness beyond what the world tells us...

a late night resolution

2010-12-31T23:34:00.000-08:00

With the little time left before 2011 arrives, I find myself thoughtfully making lists. Lists of the many things that need to get done next week before my seminary applications are due (yikes!). Lists of things I should have done in the past year, or just sometime before today. Lists of things I hope to do before the end of next year. Of all these, I'm having the most trouble coming up with my list of resolutions. Typically, resolution making is something I enjoy- picturing how my life will be better in the year to come if I live by a new set of "rules." But this year is different.

I'm usually a fan of the "eat less, exercise more, save money..." type of resolutions. And, although those are all things I probably should do, I'm finding them a little hollow this year. Maybe it's because I'm riding an incredibly powerful advent wave that helped me keep focused on the spiritual side of this season. Or maybe I'm just ready to add some depth to my vision of a "better life." Either way, I'm feeling challenged to (in the next few minutes) make some God-centered resolutions.

This Sunday, as we celebrate Epiphany, we'll look at the story of the wise men, and their gifts to a newborn Christ. The new year will soon rush in, and with it come countless new opportunities for us to offer ourselves, and our own gifts to God. I pray that through resolution making, we may each seek to deepen our faith, and offer what we can to God in 2011. May we find new joy and strength in doing so.

Holiday Dessert Exchange

2010-12-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

Holiday baking is definitely a tradition in my family. And, like others this time of year, we end up giving a lot of those cookies and treats away as gifts. We also end up receiving a bunch, which means we always have more sweets and treats that we can possibly (or really should) eat ourselves. If you have extra, lovingly-made treats you can't bear to throw out, pack them up and bring them with you to worship this coming Sunday, 12/26. Just after worship, we'll share in a time of good fellowship and festive desserts. Let's put those extra cookies to good use, and spread a little more Christmas joy with our Water's Edge family. What could be better?! :)

expecting

2010-12-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here are are in the midst of Advent; for a season that's supposedly (at least in our churchy circles) about waiting, I feel like things are flying by.Which is, maybe, why I'm still hungry for Advent this year. I want to pause from busyness and take time to focus on the things I'm really hungry for: justice for all people, hope for situations that seem impossible like immigration reform, our financial systems, local schools.

This Advent, we've been making a holy icon out of your junk mail advertising from the holiday season. I like the simple subversion embodied in taking time to dismantle the mail, find useful bits inside, and paste them into something beautiful. I can't wait to post it as it comes together...

I hope you'll join us in worship as we do all this. I believe it's important. Holy, event.

See you Sunday?

-Molly

p.s. This advent poem from the Iona Community in Scotland has been a favorite of mine for the past several years--maybe you'll find it helpful, too.

Deep (Water) Thoughts

2010-11-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

After hearing an incredible message from Rev. Bob Edgar last week, I've been doing lots of "deep" thinking. (Not quite as deep as the "Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy," but you get the idea.) If you missed it, Rev. Edgar delivered his sermon in three sentences: 1) Lord, help me to notice the stains when others get spilled on. 2) We are the leaders we've been waiting for. And 3) I love you, and there's nothing you can do about it. I've been considering more what these phrases look like when we put them on, and breathe life into them.

The first statement is really powerful for me because the entire focus is on the stains– on the consequences or reaction to some event. It doesn't say, "Lord help me to discern who is to blame, and find who is responsible for cleaning this up." It merely reminds us to be mindful that people are hurting. Our planet is hurting. It's not about who's at fault. It's about recognizing a need, and addressing it with compassion.

His second statement caught me off guard, and even now I feel a little anxiety in thinking it. We generally like that the expectations on us are pretty low. No one (that I know of) is expecting me to change the world, and I kinda like it that way. But, I heard a song on the radio the other day that said, "What you have is freedom of choice. What you want is freedom from choice." As Christians, it is our responsibility to choose. To choose truth in the face of lies, love in the midst of hatred. To be the lone guy (or girl) standing even if everyone else is sitting down.

God's love for us is complete and unfailing. We are really lucky there isn't anything we can do to change or alter His love, because inevitably we would do it. As Christmas approaches, a time of joy and love, I hope that we'll remember to see the needs of others without judgement, to lead when called, and to share His amazing love with everyone we encounter.

A Guest Appearance

2010-11-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

I'm learning quickly that the good people of the Water's Edge are folks who embrace the phrase, "Go with the flow." Luckily for us, the "flow" has brought us the opportunity to have an exciting guest preacher this week– one you may not want to miss.

Rev. Bob Edgar is the president and CEO of Common Cause, a national nonpartisan, non-profit "citizens" lobby working to make government at all levels more honest, open and accountable. He has also served as the General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ, the President of Claremont School of Theology, and served six terms as the Representative of the 7th District of Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives. He is the author of Middle Church, a call to progressive people of faith to take back the moral high ground from the extremists and make America a better and less divided country.

Rev. Edgar will be preaching about "Deep Water Courage," referencing the "deep water" to which Jesus sends the fishermen in the gospel of Luke. I am excited for the ways in which we might, as a community, be encouraged and challenged by his message this Sunday, and hope you will join me in welcoming him to the Water's Edge.

breaking the mold

2010-09-23T15:53:00.001-07:00

Matruska
Originally uploaded by Empirically Grounded

This Sunday, we finish our 3-week journey through the core mission of our worship. We welcome everyone. We share Christ. And we change--ourselves and the world.

As I have been getting ready for Sunday, I've been moved by Martin Luther King, Jr's sermon on one of the scripture passages we're using this week, Romans 12:1-8. In "Transformed Nonconformist" (which, incidentally, is available here on Google Books, as chapter 3 of a sermon collection), MLK calls us to live lives intentionally out-of-step with the majority in our world, and in-step with the amazing work of God's kingdom, which is coming into our world.

Jesus was always doing that kind of thing--catching people off-guard with his new way of life. Fighting against expectations and powers, he carves out a new way of living. And dying.

Which means this "change" we're called to is also a kind of challenge--a challenge against to status quo and for a new way of living.

What we're about

2010-09-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

I'm really looking forward to the next three weeks: we're going to spend them thinking about what we're all about.

I've been thinking and praying on this for much of the summer--I have the sense that something special is happening at the Water's Edge, and that we're called to grow in new ways. But, before we can talk about any external changes, we've gotta get clear on what we're about.

So, in reflection and in talking with some of you, I've come up with three things that are at the heart of our mission: welcoming everyone, sharing Christ and changing (ourselves and the world). Each week, over the next three weeks, we'll think about one of those ideas in worship. Afterwards, at 11, we'll have some extra time to reflect and dream on these ideas together, too. I hope you'll come, and that you'll stay for the discussion at 11, too.

This week, we're talking about welcoming. And I don't mean that lame kind of welcome that's like: anyone is welcome to come as long as they want to do things our way. I mean the kind of prodigal hospitality that might make us rearrange our plans. I mean the kind of welcome that leaves no one in the corner, wondering if they belong.

This week, we're reading from Matthew's gospel, about Jesus' answer to the disciples query about how to be the greatest. He surprises them, I suppose, with instruction to be like children. Humble. Invisible, even.

Then, we're also reading from Romans--some of my favorite verses in that book, with a tough list of expectations for those of us who want to follow Christ. It turns out that as soon as we find ourselves welcomed into God's salvation, we're expected to live differently, daringly in the world. This is good stuff.

So, I hope to see you Sunday!

walking on water

2010-08-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

According to YouTube, "walking on water" has been replaced by "liquid mountaineering." (It's worth a click...) And if we believe what we see there, under the right conditions, it could be possible for any of us.

I do have to say, though, that I think this whole thing misses the point. As, of course, does the comedic version of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, who asks Jesus to walk across his swimming pool to prove he's special.

When Jesus walked on water, it was never about showing off his savior cred. It had more to do, I suspect, with his habit of going to the places where there's deep water, lots of wind, fear and uncertainty. There, where things get deep, he reminds the disciples to let go of their fear. And he gets in the boat with them. What an assuring image: Jesus, with us in the midst of deep stuff.

Queen Esther saves the day

2010-07-01T14:39:00.001-07:00

Queen Esther before King Ahasuerus
Originally uploaded by Lawrence OP

This morning, in my Bible study at the Rescue Mission, we read all the way through the the Book of Esther. Usually, we share responsibility for reading; today, I claimed it all. Esther's story is too full of riotous details that we risk missing if we read it in standard serious, biblical tones. It's a wild story, and deserves verbal inflection. That way, it can't help but elicit cries, cheers and booing from its audience.

I slowed down, though, when I got to the passage we're sharing this Sunday. If I were making a movie of the book, this section would provide contrast, with a restrained color scheme, silence in the background, and slow careful speech. It's a big moment:

Mordecai is setting before Esther the challenge of her life: to put her own life on the line for the sake of (possibly) saving her people.

See, she's in a special position--her wild and unlikely life has brought her to a place where she's the only person who can do this thing she's being asked to do. It's as if all her life previous was preparing her for this big moment.

Which is, from time to time, a feeling we all have, I think: at least a sense that, while we'd have never guessed it, some previous challenge in life has given us a set of skills or an insight that's suddenly exactly what's needed.

I love that God offers calls like this to all of us, all the time: a call to use all the particularities of who we are for some beautiful work that, really, only we are in a place to do.

It's not like our inaction at this moment is going to mean the downfall of everything good and godly--but we are called, each one of us, to do something that works because of who we are. That uses our connections, our quirks and our scars to create new possibilities for our people.

May it be so.

heroes in a least expected way

2010-06-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

I don't follow sports much (as you can tell by the fact that I'm about to talk baseball just as the World Cup draws global attention). Now and then, though, even sports stories move me. Like the story of Armando Galarraga, who pitched a perfect game, except for a bad call by the umpire. My favorite bit is the last paragraph in the story from the NYTimes:

Galarraga told reporters that Joyce apologized to him after the game, adding that he had no instinct to argue the call. “He probably felt more bad than me," Galarraga said. Smiling, he added, “Nobody’s perfect.”

There's something beautifully heroic about a humble player, willing to accept the imperfections that cost him a heroic record. I confess that I much prefer these heroes to the big, powerful, always-winning ones.

Our hero story this week is a story of one who was certainly not the poster child for super-heroes: a (nameless to us) gentile widow from Zarephath. At Elijah's word, she gives up her last bits of food to feed Elijah, and finds that she continues to have enough to save her and her son from starvation through the rest of the drought.

I like heroes like this: not the ones that look like the robust football champion or the perfect captain of the cheerleading squad, but the ones that are human, vulnerable. And, even more beautifully, give what they have.

May it be so.

You Gotta Have Faith

2010-06-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we heard the familiar story of David and Goliath, and I have to admit that usually, what I remember about this story is the triumph of the little guy. Like Rev. Elbert said, we love stories of the underdog. We root for the Cubbies. We watch The Karate Kid. We read Harry Potter. We love Glee. We cheer the Jamaican bobsled team.

But that's not really the point of the story of David. David didn't overcome a giant because of any special skill, and he didn't get lucky. David had a great degree of faith that God would provide for the security of God's people. David said, "battles are not won with spears or swords... The battle is the Lord's."

David knew that we ourselves don't have the kind of power it takes to defeat the kind of looming obstacle that Goliath represented. We have to rely on the greater power that God provides--and God is bigger--so, so much bigger--than anything that this world can throw at us.

A Promise to Noah

2010-06-03T14:02:00.001-07:00

BP716 Rainbow and Bird
Originally uploaded by listentoreason

This summer, we're focusing on some of the heroes of our scriptural tradition. First up: Noah.

I have to admit, though, that I don't totally love his story (especially the whole "God destroys everything" aspect of it)--and I have a few issues with his "heroism" (since we don't get any signs that he protested against the destruction of everyone else).

What's it all about, then?

Here, in the first book of our Bible, we get a story in which God changes. In a move that is startlingly human, God wishes to start over--to wipe the slate clean and be rid of all the mess. Noah, who we're told was the lone righteous person, gets to be saved, but also has to take up responsibility for saving all the other creatures. After a year and ten days aboard what must have been a noisy, smelly ark, Noah and his family get to set foot on dry ground. And God makes a promise: this will never happen again. Noah may be a hero, but God is the one we're to believe is most changed by the flood.

As God tells Noah that all creation will live in a new covenant relationship with God, a rainbow appears in the clouds as a sign of that promise. Whenever it appears, it will be a reminder of the everlasting covenant between God and all creations: a promise that God will not destroy everything again.

This is a good reminder for me, this week. It feels like so much is precarious and falling apart. Photos of the continuous fountain of oil pouring into the Gulf of Mexico, stories and allegations of deep wrongs committed between Israel and Palestinians (and Turks), posturing and fear of violence between North and South Korea--it all feels like we're barely hanging on. It'd be nice to have a few more rainbow-like signs of promise.

strange beauty 2
Originally uploaded by dmixo6

Rev. Elbert reminds me that rainbows are not material realities, but simple refractions of light on water--the very same water, perhaps, that caused the flood of destruction. Which makes me hold on to the hope that somewhere, amid the very present struggles of our time, possibilities for hope are tucked inside.

I pray that we'll be ready to undertake the hard work it may take to live out those hopes, making them real in our work for justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

Trinity Sunday

2010-05-27T12:12:00.001-07:00

This Sunday, we celebrate Trinity Sunday--an occasion for remembering and honoring our God who exists in relationship from the beginning.

Holy Trinity
Originally uploaded by Lawrence OP

We'll read from Proverbs 8, in which we hear the voice of holy Wisdom, calling out to us in the middle of the city. She beautifully describes how she was the first thing birthed from God, and how she was at his side as the whole creation was crafted. And, the best part: she and God delighted in creation, together.

It's so much better to share things with others than to keep them to ourselves, isn't it?

Many interpret this character--holy Wisdom--as being the same that the Gospel of John describes with the name "Word." With God from the beginning, God's Word becomes flesh in Jesus Christ.

We give thanks for a God who's always been in relationship--who's being is interrelationship in the holy trinity.

Picnic: May 30

2010-05-19T11:58:00.001-07:00

1950's Gulf Coast Picnic
Originally uploaded by Patrick Q

We hope you'll join us for a Memorial Day weekend Water's Edge Potluck Picnic!

At the Old Trolley Barn Park, just up the hill from the church in University Heights.
Directly after worship on Sunday, May 30.

It's a potluck, so bring something to share, and chairs or a blanket to sit on.
(We'll bring some drinks and plates and things--though if you're really cool, you'll bring your own washable plates and utensils...)
Oh, and bring some games to share, too--a frisbee, croquet, Apples to Apples, whatever.

Everyone's welcome--it'll be a great chance to get to know each other better and enjoy a beautiful day in San Diego.

left behind

2010-05-11T15:12:00.001-07:00

First off, an apology: this dear blog has been too often left behind in our worship preparations lately. I'm sorry.

But, it's been a fine time at the Water's Edge in this Season of Easter, as we follow stories of the earliest church through the acts of the apostles (in the book of Acts, appropriately enough) and as we listen to the Revelation of John. Each has told wild stories: healings, conversions, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it kind of stuff.

The lion came to take it's throne, and turned out to be a lamb, undoing our whole system of expectations and challenging the idea of what's powerful in our world (and beyond).

Agnus Dei
Originally uploaded by tracX

We have one more week of this wild stuff. And it's a perfect time to pray and discern about a vision for our own time and place. As we dream of what God is calling us to, as a congregation together in this place and time, I trust that something remarkable will become possible, and ask you to be in prayer and discernment with me.

I believe that something special is happen at the Water's Edge--our community is rich, with a diversity of people who seek to follow the world-changing, life-transforming way of Jesus Christ. We have something to offer this world in need.

I encourage you to pray about what God is inviting us to next--how we're called to change or grow or strengthen ourselves as we seek to be faithful, together.

And then join in conversation--comment here, talk to each other, talk to me, talk to our planning team... We'll be blessed by your participation!

This week, Rev. Elbert is preaching, and we'll get all the way to the end of Revelation. We trust it'll be good. ;)

See you Sunday.

Mighty powerful

2010-04-08T12:15:00.001-07:00

Pantocrator
Originally uploaded by E.n.d.e.r

In this season of Easter, we're going to be reading texts from Acts and from Revelation--following the stories of the apostles as they formed the early church (Acts) and watching as John's wild and divine vision uncovers something true and powerful about what is and has been and will be (Revelation).

This week, we jump into Revelation near the beginning, as the author starts off this telling of his mystical vision by naming God. And John uses a special word: Pantocrator. In English, this word is ofted translated into "Almighty," but has nuance that we're tempted to miss if we just slip into familiar words for God.

Christ as "Pantocrator" implies that Christ is, now, in power, doing everything. It's less about naming what God could do (as in, watch your step, 'cause God could strike you down if you mess up), and more about naming a present reality: Christ is at work in all things. This power is about sustaining and giving life.

Which is exactly what was happening in the midst of the life of the early apostles. They were doing wild things, in Christ's name. Sometimes, it got them into trouble; always, it came from a deep grounding in a new reality.

During this season of Easter, we get to do the same thing those apostles were doing: figure out how to live in this life, in the midst of resurrection power.

Holy Week

2010-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

We've made it to a big week in the life of the church; this past Sunday, we celebrated Jesus' king-like entrance into Jerusalem, and then journeyed with him to the cross.

There are many ways to share more deeply in the holy week journey this week--on Maundy Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, on Good Friday at 12:10 p.m. in the sanctuary.

And, in Easter Eve, come join us for the great Easter Vigil--one of the oldest traditions of the Christian faith. We'll mark the vigil with a prayer pilgrimage, encountering stories of salvation since creation, and celebrating resurrection with song and sacrament. Several of you from our worship community have helped design the experience, and it promises to be rich. The "journey" starts any time between 7:30 & 9 p.m., at the firepit on the church plaza.
Then, of course, we come to Easter Sunday--a celebration of resurrection. Of love overcoming everything. Of getting our joy back.

The story begins with Mary doing what she were supposed to: taking care of the body of a friend and teacher who'd been executed by the Roman state. But she didn't find what she expected at the tomb that morning.

Responding first with concern--as if Jesus' body had been stolen--she finally came to realized that something wildly different was happening when Jesus himself appeared, calling her by name.

I love to imagine what that moment must have been like--that "aha" moment when Mary was jolted out of her grief and awakened to the reality of Christ risen. (Usually, I don't like to be proven wrong; I suspect that, in this instance, it would be so worth it...)

Where she expected to find death, she found life--and the living Christ called her by name. My sense is that everything was different on the other side, having been named and known by one whose power transcended death. As if walking from a black-and-white world into Technicolor reality, Mary came face to face--made contact--with a whole new reality.

May it be the same for us this Easter.

stepping in

2010-03-18T17:03:00.001-07:00

This Sunday will be special: we are baptizing two beautiful babies into the family of the church.

Feet + Surf
Originally uploaded by mattsabo17

It's a special joy to get to welcome new people into the family that is the church. We welcome them not only into this congregation, but into the Body of Christ--the church in very time and place.

One of the wildest things about Christianity is its insistence that we are all called and empowered to be like Jesus--that we become Christ's presence in the world, together.

This Sunday's scripture passage is a story in which one of the disciples--Peter--finds himself doing what Jesus does: walking on water. But, then, the reality of the moment overcomes him. He begins to sink.

Jesus accuses him of having little faith--but the wild thing is, he'd never lost faith in Jesus. Peter lost faith in himself--in his own ability to do something that looked crazy and impossible.

This week, as we welcome Honor and Orson in baptism, we remind ourselves that we are called, everyday, to do the crazy and impossible things that Jesus did. To dare to feed hungry people, heal those who are sick and broken, and live as people unafraid of even death.

May it be so.

breaking barriers

2010-03-10T14:48:00.001-08:00

This Sunday's gospel lesson is a story about people who refused to see barriers: friends who broke a hole in the roof to make sure a paralyzed man could get to Jesus.

Originally uploaded by bryanecho

Several years ago, I went to a conference in Seattle, organized by Mustard Seed Associates, called "The Church has Left the Building." A playful reminder of something really important: church isn't about what happens in our building, on our campus, or during regularly scheduled events. Church is what we do every time we go into the world with daring acts of love.

Today, I ran across an artist and activist in England who's planted little gardens inside potholes--seeing in damaged streets an invitation to new life. I think our life of faith is a little like that: an invitation to see ways of cultivating and embodying hope everywhere we turn. And showing the world a little selfless beauty.

This weekend, Elbert is going to be preaching; while you worship on Sunday, I'll be finishing up a meeting with our General Board of Church and Society in Washington, DC. But, really, we're all a part of the same thing: trying to orient our lives around a God of love, and to find ways of making sure that love becomes real in our care for all of creation. So, enjoy worship together, and our work together in the Church.

like water for a thirsty soul

2010-03-02T13:57:00.001-08:00

Fountain at Spili
Originally uploaded by macropoulos

This past October, while traveling in Greece, my friend and I found Spili, a charming mountain town in the south of Crete. In the center of town is a fountain, fed by natural springs, that's given water to the community for generations--at least since the Venetians ruled Crete. And, even before the fountain, the springs certainly provided water to thirsty people.

The water was delicious: cool and refreshing.

When we imagine telling others about our faith, do we imagine that we're offering something so life-giving and refreshing?

One of our scripture passages this week tells a story of Jesus that is set at a well where generations have found the water they need for life, and where a woman has come to draw water at noon, in the heat of the day. We get a clear sense that she's feeling thirst: both for the water, and for acceptance. Jesus' conversation with her is itself a life-giving one: letting her know that she is both known (including all the bits she might rather hide) and loved.

Both the quality of the conversation and its content are like water for her thirsty soul.

And yet, somehow, when I think about talking to people about my faith, I worry about being oppressive--of being experienced as judgmental, self-righteous, overly pious or hypocritical. The idea of "introducing someone to Christ" gives me the knots in my stomach that come from experiences where others judged me as being in need of their way of believing.

And yet...

I have experienced Christ as life-giving and liberating, as like a tall drink of cool water on a hot and dry day. And so, this week, I've been praying that I would be able to introduce others to that Christ--with the ease that I might introduce friends at a party. That I'd be able to embody--in the quality of my conversation as well as its content--a grace that is free of ignorance and full of love.

May we share access to that fountain freely.

This Sunday in worship, we're going to hear another story of one of our members: Marian. I hope you'll be there to hear of her journey in faith, and to give thanks to God life-giving water.

come together

2010-02-25T12:58:00.001-08:00

Coventry Cathedral, Closeup of Altar
Originally uploaded by DanieVDM

The old Cathedral in Coventry England, destroyed by bombing in 1940, is a poignant reminder of the scars of human violece; in the shell of the old cathedral, the stonemason found two charred timbers from the medieval roof forming a cross. They were installed on the altar, and the words "Father Forgive" with inscribed on the wall behind.

Our own relationships bear similar scars. The scripture passage we'll read on Sunday--of a moment where Joseph reveals himself to the brothers who'd sold him into slavery many years previously--is filled with reminders of the pain of brokenness we live with. And the destruction it causes in lives far beyond our own.

But Joseph and his brothers are also a story of hope--of reconciliation and restoration. Of integrating this that had seemed to have disintegrated.

They're an invitation to us to find ways of connecting our lives back together--to God and to our communities.

May it be so.

_____________

[I'm sorry to have been away from the blog so long--it's good to be back! We're enjoying Unbinding Your Heart this Lent, and hope you'll read, pray and join in a small group along with us.]

road blocks

2010-01-13T10:08:00.001-08:00

road blocks
Originally uploaded by s myers

An in-car GPS really shines when you hit a roadblock, especially when you're somewhere unfamiliar. With its guidance, it becomes possible to take any turn, knowing that it will help you find a new way to wherever you were going. Suddenly (assuming your GPS has accurate information) you fall back on a whole network of knowledge that will get you through the present crisis.

Our spiritual lives are that way, too, I think: when we find ourselves stuck at an unforeseen obstacle and it blocks the one path we'd had figured out, God offers new possibilities. Connected to and present in everything in all creation, God can work through anything that comes up in our lives to keep us on the path toward the justice, hope and love God desires for the world. Sometimes, in our detours, we find things we hadn't even known to look for.

This week, we'll read the story of Jesus turning water into wine: when a wedding party hit a roadblock (running out of wine only 3 days into the celebration), Jesus saves the party and begins to show something important about his mystery and power.

We'll also read from the prophet Isaiah, of God's promise of restored hope. With God's assurance, we will no longer be known by our desolation, but by our forward-looking hope.

A GPS for New Life

2010-01-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Check it out: this January, we're starting the new year with direction for new life. Using the metaphor of a GPS, we'll imagine how to negotiate spiritual journeys that are filled with salvation. Hope you'll join us for the rest of the journey!

See more here.

recognition

2009-12-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Jenny Williams, in this article for the Ekklesia Project, lifts up Mary as someone who was faithful to God in, really, a smallish way. It had real and serious, life-changing consequences for her, but what was at work through God was way beyond her. While acknowledging that the Christmas story is about salvation on a cosmic scale, she gives us this provocative quote: "But I wonder if this Sunday is a time to instead give credit to the small acts of subversion that we really don’t see as subversive at all, or that come from places or people who do not see themselves as subversive."

Mary and Elizabeth--The Magnificat-Powerpoint Slide 2
Originally uploaded by Will Humes

I wonder, along with her, if this Advent, we're called to give special attention to the ways each of us is able to do the work of Mary and Elizabeth. Our scripture, from Luke's gospel, tells of Mary--having just had her encounter with the Angel Gabriel and having just assented to God's mysterious work in her--fleeing for the hills, to be with her cousin Elizabeth. There, Elizabeth recognizes the powerful mystery at work in her.

I think there's space for both kinds of actions: being willing to be bearers of the Holy Spirits work in our world (like Mary) and being willing to name, acknowlege and celebrate the Holy Spirit's work in others (like Elizabeth). Powerful.

Our Christmas stories have so much to offer in terms of hope and possibility. This week, they made me think of a story from Barbara Kingsolver that I read several years ago, and have posted as in the entry below. Enjoy!

Small Wonders: Nature, Stillness, Foreign Policy | Barbara Kingsolver | Orion Magazine

2009-12-16T14:50:00.001-08:00

Small Wonders: Nature, Stillness, Foreign Policy | Barbara Kingsolver | Orion Magazine

Posted using ShareThis

Advent Waiting

2009-12-02T10:20:00.001-08:00

Waiting
Originally uploaded by alan(ator)

Since Advent is a season of waiting, and since I hate waiting rooms, long waits and generally have a negative conception of "waiting," I thought I ought to dig a bit deeper in this.

Turns out, "wait" has a wonderfully rich history of definition. Entries on the word span 5 pages in my old OED. The first definition clues me in that something is going on here: "In various phrases with the general sense: To take up a concealed position in order to make an unforeseen attack, or to be in readiness to intercept one's enemy or intended prey in passing; to lurk in ambush."

Perhaps our Advent waiting is more than just killing time until Christmas--delaying the celebration so that we can have had the appropriate (and probably holy) period of restraint.

Maybe the kind of "waiting" that a waiter does is more apt--tending to, preparing for, watching for Christ's coming.

But there are other fabulous definitions of wait. My favorites involve music: first, in 1300, a watchman who would sound an alarm by horn or trumpet. Then, by 1430, a watchman attached to the royal household who would sound the royal trumpets. In 1438, it was used for a small band of wind instrumentalists, kept by a city for festive occasions, often strolling the streets. In 1773, it was used for a band of musicians and singers who would roam the streets near Christmas and the New Year, playing carols and seasonal music (!).

Waiting, in most of the 5 pages of entries, is much more than mere delay. It implies watchfulness and readiness for something big happening. Maybe there's even trumpets.

Just a glimpse

2009-11-18T12:24:00.001-08:00

Through a knot-hole in the fence
Originally uploaded by chrisjohnbeckett

This week, we mark the end of our Christian year as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. Which we like to catch a glimpse of the much-better work we think possible through God. As we were peering into God's Kingdom...

Which, really, is a little like what we tend to do on Thanksgiving every year: share in a meal that looks like the kind of eating we'd always like to do. It gathers together extended and often separate family and friends, plenty of nourishing and delicious food, and is as lovely as possible. And, as far as I can tell, it's the one day when more of us are more likely to take time to pause and give thanks for the good stuff we enjoy. Even if these things don't happen every day, maybe we do them once a year to remind us that they're possible.

The thing is, this Christ the King Sunday celebration is even better: it gathers together a wild and diverse assortment of people and is open to the whole world, the sacrament of Holy Communion sustains our souls and is divinely beautiful. As usual, we pass time in worship giving thanks, confessing our failures, and seeking to be remade in God's image.

And, most importantly, it reminds us that we belong in a reality even bigger, more powerful and important that the perfect Thanksgiving holiday feast.

(This is very good news for those of us whose Thanksgiving feasts won't look like the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Nothing against Martha; I just know that distance from loved ones, grief over those missing from the table, budgets that are already stretched and cannot include the foods or decorations we might rather have, work schedules, ongoing interpersonal conflicts and tensions and many other things get in the way of our "perfect" holidays.)

We're reminded this weekend that Christ is Alpha and Omega, A-through-Z. God's power is bigger and more amazing than anything else. And, though it's not always fully obvious in the midst of our current troubles, God's truth is on a whole 'nother level. It means justice, peace and life for all creation.

So, come help us peek ahead to the kingdom, and get a glimpse of the other world that is possible.

daring prayer

2009-11-11T16:11:00.001-08:00

StayinLove
Originally uploaded by Matthew San Diego

This week's scripture, from 1 Samuel, tells another story of a faithful woman; here, Hannah is a model of a faithful, prayerful follower of God.

At a time when few trusted in the mess that was their political and religious structure, Hannah's personal life is full of struggle, too. Unable to bear children, she's taunted by her husband's other wife, and haunted by her own desire for a child.

So, she does a bold thing: she prays about it. Fervently, and without the help of a priest or the interceding powers of an offering. Her prayer is so wild that the priest assumes she's drunk; after they talk, though, he affirms the power of her genuine, deep, whole-hearted prayer.

She doesn't behave as though she's entitled to what she wants; she is willing to make promises and sacrifices, too.

When her child, Samuel, is born, she sings another bold prayer. It tells of the power of a God who turns things around and upside down, inverting everything we think we know about the world.

As I read Hannah's prayers--the one where she pleaded and bargained with God and the one where she sang God's praises--I'm struck by how genuine they are. They are authentic, unmitigated, heartfelt expressions of herself. They need to polishing, no professional's help, no gold-embossed typesetting. They are real.

Perhaps this is what God is asking of us: that we would come to God with our pain and our joy, trusting in and celebrating connection to a God in whom all things are possible.

widows and heroes

2009-11-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

This week, we get the end of the book of Ruth--a beautiful (if a bit racy) story of faithfulness and redemption. Having risked the little she had left in following her mother-in-law Naomi back to Judah, she now follows Naomi's direction, using the small window of opportunity she had available, and secures not only a husband for herself, but a future for Naomi, too.

Where there seemed to be very little opportunity no hopeful future, a new way forward emerged. It relied on the goodwill of Boaz, Ruth's new husband, but also on the planning and action of the two widows in the story: Ruth and Naomi.

In our gospel lesson from Mark, there's mention of more widows: first, as the scribes are called out for preying on them, and then as one humble, faithful widow gives all she has to God--her last dollar.

I love that in all these stories, we're taught important values: that we should give care to the vulnerable in our midst. It is sinful to take advantage of those who are poor.

But I also love that the most vulnerable in these stories--the "have-nots"--also show themselves to have a whole lot: a power to proclaim something important about how God works in the world. No mere recipients of abuse or of care, these widows are agents in the world, showing us all how to live.

This makes we wonder who I should be looking to for lessons on faithfulness...

remembering the saints

2009-10-28T16:29:00.001-07:00

Last Judgement fresco underneath Duomo
Originally uploaded by Paul Robert Lloyd

This Sunday, we celebrate All Saints' Day.

Our worship is always a special time--besides getting us together in God's presence, it also becomes a way of transcending our own time and place. I think worship is more than a little like time travel.

Only, unlike the Land of the Lost kind of time travel, worship doesn't transport us to some distant past. It's projects us forward to the Kingdom of God, where the whole of God's community--all through time and space--is gathered together. Worship is a glimpse into the future that God holds, and it's a good time...

There's lots of things I love the tradition of painting the images of saints on the walls of churches. Mostly, I love the way it reminds us of our belonging in this really big community, and that our church life today comes along with the blessing and spiritual presence of our ancestors in faith. "A cloud of witnesses," Paul called them, in his letter to the Hebrews.

When I visited Crete recently, with the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Plenary, we worshiped on Sunday at the Cathedral of Kastelli-Kissamos on western Crete. Though the Divine Liturgy was ancient, the cathedral building is modern, and some of the frescoes were still being painted. Which left this set of saints toward the back of the main nave:

Some others and I wondered if these were left here as in invitation--a sort of "if you were a saint, your picture could be here." An invitation to church to remember that we are among those called to be witnesses to Christ's love in a way that has power even after our deaths.

This week, we'll read a story from the Hebrew Bible of a woman who made a powerful choice for belonging with another, as we begin Ruth's story. And, we'll remember the law that's at the heart of our life in the church: our command to love God and neighbor.

In all this, we'll also be remembering the saints in our midst--members of our congregation, families and community who have died in the past year. And, as always, we'll gather at the communion table in a feast that connects us to them, by the mystery of God.

Hope to see you there.

For such a time as this

2009-09-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I used to spend hours reading stories from the Old Testament. I loved them--all those vivid accounts of God interacting with his people; all those fascinating characters.

Esther was always one of my favorites... As a little girl, I loved to read about the beautiful woman who became a queen, and who dared to bend the rules and save her people from destruction. See, Esther started out as just another girl, but God used her to deliver an entire population from death. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

This week, we'll hear a little of Queen Esther's story, and how she was able to use her influence to stand up for a people who didn't have a voice. We're continuing our theme of laying a foundation of good, solid life lessons, and this week's is just that: to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, even when we might catch some flak for doing so.

Our lesson from Mark gives us more solid advice about dealing with people weaker than ourselves. It's vivid--maybe even a little shocking--but sometimes we need this kind of wake-up call. We're called to be the salt of the earth... And if we don't fill that role, then who will?

It doesn't all revolve around you.

2009-09-17T11:09:00.001-07:00

Solar System.
Originally uploaded by popoPsan

If last week we learned to bite our tongues, this week, we get another lesson for good living from James: remember that it doesn't all revolve around you.

We're to let go of jealousy and selfish ambition, and to take up a "gentleness born of wisdom" that comes from God. And it will be a good life.

And I agree that I'd like to live in a world free of hypocrisy, selfishness, judgmentalism and the like--it's just scary to be the one to start, sometimes. I mean, really: it's hard to be considerate all the time, especially of inconsiderate people.

But, then, I guess it's not an easy work we're called to. As I was pondering this, words of an good ol' hymn popped into my head. (The third verse, so I confess that I had to Google to get 'em all right...) They come from "This is My Father's World" (with apologies for having only masculine images of God):

This is my Father's world.  
O let me ne'er forget 
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
God is the ruler yet.  
This is my Father's world:  
why should my heart be sad?  
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

So we also rejoice in the words of Psalm 1, which imagine our faithfulness as infinitely stronger and more "real" than the ways of evil.

God's ReCreation

2009-09-09T15:19:00.001-07:00

Honeycomb drip
Originally uploaded by chrisjohnbeckett

This fall, we're celebrating God's ReCreation for several weeks in worship. (We thought that after spending the summer tearing down walls of injustice, it'd be good to spend some time in re-creating the good stuff, in collaboration with God.)

There will be many good and meaningful things to come, and this week it all begins. Our scripture lessons for the week set us off in the right direction, with some basic ground rules and perspective to help in our work.

James admonishes us to watch what we say: our words can be dangerous weapons against each other and God. But, then, they also have great potential for life-giving power.

Psalm 19 lays a much more lovely vision--it sings of the beauty of God, as present in creation and in God's law. Both are deliciously sweet. (As sweet as the honeycomb's drippings, it says.)

Which is to say, I think, that it's in our power to bear sweetness or only sour. So hold your tongue. Save it for the sweet stuff...

Passing Judgment

2009-09-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

We've all seen him--that old, scruffy guy in the intersection holding a cardboard sign emblazoned with a plea for mercy: "Unemployed, anything helps", it might say, or "Disabled, please help". And while we might roll down our windows and hand over a couple of dollars, or the change in our ash tray; while we might offer to walk over to the nearest 7-Eleven and buy him a sandwich, sometimes less-than-generous thoughts pass through our minds. We think, "Man, just get a job" or "He'll just use the money to get his next fix."

In this week's scripture from James, we are warned not to pass these kinds of judgments on the poor, because God can work through them--bless them--just as he can the rich. He loves us all as his children, rich or poor, and wants us to love each other the same way.

Jesus' ministry was all about this kind of love. We'll hear the story this week of how he met a Gentile woman who was begging for the kind of mercy that only he could give: her daughter "had an unclean spirit", and she knew that Jesus could heal the little girl. Jesus had a strange reaction--he told the woman that "it is wrong for the dogs to eat the food that was meant for the children." She responds by saying that "even the dogs eat the scraps that the children leave behind".

Instead of being affronted, she responds to Jesus with humility. She has a need, and she is not ashamed to beg for Jesus' help. Jesus has pity on her and heals her daughter, even though she is a Gentile.

We are called to this same generosity, but often we fall short. What are some judgments that we pass on those who ask it of us?

We'll use your replies in worship this Sunday, so please post your thoughts in the comments!

love song for God

2009-08-25T15:58:00.001-07:00

springtime :)
Originally uploaded by chris bartnik photography

This week's texts might seem pretty far from each other: love poetry from Song of Solomon and a story of Jesus challenging the Pharisees and calling them out on hypocrisies.

But really, perhaps, they're not so disconnected. See if you agree:
The love poetry gives voice to what it's like to be caught up in the ecstatic joy of God's amazing love. It's an experience that's really indescribable--as incredible as the fresh beauty of springtime flowers.

When we forget this enchantment--when we lose the life-giving joy of our faith--it's easy to fall back on the lifeless forms of rigid, empty rules. And get all caught up in how other people are breaking them. How other people aren't doing the right things.

Jesus challenges the Pharisees: it's"the things that come out of you are what defiles."

Back in the springtime love poetry, all that comes out are words of love, grace and beauty.

Do it

2009-08-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone: it's good to be back. I've been blessed by 8 weeks of leave for spiritual renewal, and they've been rich. (See above.) I've heard bits and pieces about beautiful and inspiring things that have been going on during this time, and I look forward to hearing more. Thanks to everyone, especially the folks who stepped into new and greater leadership in my absence.

This Sunday, we have a special treat: our youth, who've been preparing for this all summer, are leading worship. The texts they've chosen are Luke 15:8-10, about a widow who loses and then finds something important, and James 1:17-27, which (among other things) invites us to be "doers of the word," not just folks who hear the word.

I'm looking forward to what worship will contain: the youth have been "doing" their faith this summer, at camps and on work trips and elsewhere, and now they're ready to share testimony about it.

I hope you'll be there with us, to worship together and share God's grace in communion.

____

In other news, we started a new Water's Edge Facebook group. You can join us there, too... Jerry even posted Lollo's videos of our Music Team. It's all very cool.

walls of injustice

2009-06-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

All summer long, we'll be breaking down walls of injustice in our worship.

We labeled this wall in our prayer time a few weeks ago, and ever since, have been working at reminding ourselves how it is that Christ breaks down this wall, and gives us a better view of the Kingdom of God.

I'm excited about how good it will be to keep taking this wall down, and grateful for the many people who are going to help in that work. Mostly, you.

For the next 8 weeks, I'll be away on a renewal leave. I'll miss being in worship, but am excited about the plans already made for powerful and prophetic worship through the summer.

The blog will be even less-regularly updated, but Sunday worship will always be rich.

Hope you can be there!

grace and peace,
Molly

Pentecost

2009-05-28T13:32:00.001-07:00

The Art of Flame
Originally uploaded by Jeremy-G

This week, we celebrate Pentecost--the birthday of the church. (And, concurrently, we're marking the 140th Anniversary at First UMC San Diego.) At Water's Edge, there will be bluegrass music (and I get to play spoons).

Pentecost is a bit wild: the Holy Spirit, like tongues of fire, rests on the apostles and gives them the ability to speak to a diverse crowd of people in a multitude of languages which are, for their hearers, everyone's native language.

Amazing.

They hear the same story, but in a mess of different sounds.

How beautiful that the beginning of our church life happened through a unity expressed in vividly diverse ways.

This gives me hope that the future of the church rests secure, as we continue to follow the Spirit's lead, making the good news of Jesus Christ visible in a wide variety of expressions and styles.

I've been excited by the United Methodist Church's new ad campaign, which asks us to "rethink church." Pentecost seems as good a time as any I know to remember that church is not a building, but a way of living. And our call is to be those 10,000 doors that open people to life in the Spirit. May it be so.

Extravagant Generosity

2009-05-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

This week's practice is extravagant generosity. Which makes me think of a song in our hymnal:

Cuando el pobre nada tiene y aun reparte, cuando el hombre pasa sed y agua nos da, cuando el débil a su hermano fortalece, va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar, va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.

When the poor ones who have nothing share with strangers, when the thirsty water give unto us all, when the crippled in their weakness strengthen others, then we know that God still goes that road with us, then we know that God still goes that road with us.

There's something powerful about the extravagance of generosity that God's love inspires in us--not so much that we always have impressively large sums to donate others, but that our giving makes a significant difference to us.

My dad has some favorite sayings related to giving. One of my favorites is an invitation to give until it feels good--somewhere past giving 'til it hurts is a joy that comes in being able to share something that matters to us.

Photo by Jack Hynes, shared through Creative Commons via Flickr.com

In Luke, Jesus tells the story of a woman who gave something that, from the outside, seemed insignificant; for her, it was everything.

Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, we're told how the Macedonian's joy and poverty somehow, mysteriously and miraculously, overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

I'm digging that phrase: a wealth of generosity. More than being about the measurable sum collected, their wealth lay in their spirit of giving. Surely, none would have need if we lived with a true wealth of generosity.

I do, however, think of the times when I have seen just this kind of spirit--courageous, risk-taking generosity inspires others to the same.

Intentional Faith Development

2009-05-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, as we focus on intentional faith development as a practice that strengthens our church life, we also celebrate Mother's Day.

And, while Mother's Day is a relatively new holiday (in comparison to our ancient celebrations like the season of Easter), the practice of honoring our foremothers is not new. Our passage for this week from 2 Timothy tells of the important role a mother and grandmother played in shaping a life of faith, as Paul gives thanks for Timothy's mother Eunice, and grandmother, Lois.

As may be expected for a time a culture when women's roles were limited by a boldly patriarchal society, we know little about these two women; we learn, from Paul's mention of them, though, that their role in the shaping of their son and grandson's faith was critical.

In Deuteronomy, just after Moses has shared the central law that God gave on Mt. Sinai in what we've come to call the "Ten Commandments," Moses summarizes the law, and gives clear instruction to pass it on. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might," he says, continuing that we should impress this on our children.

I've been intrigued with the phrase about how to teach them to our children. Some translations say to "impress them" on our children. Others read "teach them diligently." Or, simply, "recite them." The Hebrew word used, shanan, can be defined either as teaching diligently, or (as it's used more commonly in the Hebrew Bible) as having a slightly more visceral definition: something like whetting, piercing or incising. Tattoo them on your kids hearts, perhaps.

Photo by Piero Sierra, shared through Creative Commons via Flickr.com

This doesn't seem to be about the kind of teaching that might allow one to do well on a standardized test; this teaching comes with a kind of whole-self, lifelong demonstration of loving God.

I give thanks for those who have been models for me in this work--who teach by a way of living that models deep love for God and neighbor.

May it write this law incisively on my heart.

Risk-Taking Mission and Service

2009-04-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Our Scripture passages this week are two old favorites of mine:

The prophet Micah clarifies that faithfulness isn't about fancy worship, but about lives of humble service. "What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God."

Then, in Matthew's gospel, Jesus clarifies what kind of criteria God might use in our judgment: how we treated the "least of these" in our midst.

Humility seems to be a key piece in both--a willingness to the unglamorous work of serving.

In a world when marketing strategies tell us that public service can be good for our "brand," when community service improves our college resumes, and when famous personalities are tapped for photo ops for non-profits, these passages seem to call us to something even more.

(Not that making service cool is a bad thing--I think it's pretty fabulous to lift up heroes who model serving others.)

These passages ask us to go a step further--to risk serving people who no one else would choose. Or to take the chance that our investment in another person won't solve their problems and doesn't necessarily depend on them doing things like we think they should.

Risk-taking mission and service also opens up the possibility that our service will change us, our ways of thinking and our priorities in life.

This is risky business.

I wonder what risks you've taken to be in mission and service?

Passionate Worship

2009-04-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Note: My apologies for not posting this sooner--I started it early last week, and then forgot to ever change it from "draft" to "published" status! Hopefully, it might still be fun conversation for this week...

Photo by Sean Dreilinger, shared through Creative Commons via flickr.com

Our scripture this week includes tale of a dramatic sea crossing and the rejoicing that followed from Exodus, as well as a story of prayerful singing in worship at a time of transition and hope from Luke's gospel.

Worship is a beautiful response to God's liberating work in the world. Both in a narrow escape in a time of very real danger and oppression (as in Exodus) and at a moment when God's salvation is finally incarnate (though still just a little baby), music gives form to thanksgiving, and expresses a joy that can be shared.

I'm especially moved by Simeon's song, the piece from Luke's gospel. Here, and old man gets a chance to meet Jesus--but not full-grown Jesus. He sees little, days-old baby Jesus. And then sings of the fulfillment of God's promise.

How wild to have such confidence and trust in a tiny newborn.

I think this is what I like about worship, though--it's our way of naming and celebrating the wonderful wholeness and salvation of God's kingdom, even though the best we can see these days are our little, tiny signs of grace. Fits and starts, as precarious as a newborn.

But, we gather, holding to what we know matters most, and we let it change us.

May it be so!

Radical Hospitality

2009-04-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Note: For the next five weeks, our whole congregation is going to be reading and praying about Five Practices for Fruitful Congregations. I encourage you to follow the link and participate with us. Our worship will focus on one practice each week. Then, on May 31, we will celebrate them all, as well as Pentecost (the birthday of the church!) and our congregation's 140th anniversary. This should be a rich time, as we look at what makes church "church," as we look at our past, and as we prepare ourselves for bearing good fruit into the future.

This week, we have two texts. One from Deuteronomy and one from the gospel of Luke, each with a lesson about what it means to offer hospitality.

In Deuteronomy, as God delivers the law that will be at the core of the relationship between people and God, we hear words that echo through scripture: that we should love God with our heart and soul. And, then, that we should care for the widows and orphans in our midst. And for the strangers, because we were once strangers in Egypt.

How wild that here, at the very heart of God's commandment, is the expectation that we offer hospitality and care. And that we acknowledge our own need for hospitality, too.

That we should welcome the "stranger" has pretty powerful implications in our own time. Other translations use terms like "alien" or "foreigner." Without regard to citizenship status.

I wonder who we're most called to offer hospitality to, today? Who ought we be welcoming, and how will we find ways of offering that hospitality?

Experience New Life

2009-04-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

Easter Vigil Prayer Pilgrimage

Helping us Get It

2009-03-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

How do you explain your faith to others?

What helps you "get it" yourself?

I marvel at the many ways Jesus tries to help Nicodemus understand faith. In the third chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus tries in many differing ways to help Nicodemus understand faith. (The part we'll consider this week is here.

Most confusing for Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came go Jesus under cover of night, was the concept of grace.

God didn't send the Son into the world to condemn the world.

This is not about judgment. This is about new life.

The Vernal Equinox -- Spring -- seems a wonderful time to celebrate faith as new life, transformed life, new birth.

Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!

2009-03-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

This week's gospel sound-bite catches another shockingly confrontational moment in Jesus life: in his first moments of public ministry (according to John), Jesus makes as scene at the temple where he's come to celebrate Passover.

Finding the courtyard full of people selling animals to offer to God, and moneychangers to help folks from lots of different places make those offerings, Jesus fashions a whip and chases them all out.

"Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"

The other Gospels give him another line, about turning the temple into a "den of thieves." But John leaves his complaint with having made God's house a "marketplace." Which makes me wonder what the difference is between a marketplace and a den of thieves...

It leaves me to imagine that what set Jesus off wasn't that the booths are charging outrageous tourist prices for the sheep, doves and cattle folks would have been purchasing to fulfill their obligations to make offerings to God on this holy day. It was something about them selling sheep, doves and cattle at all.

I'm wondering if maybe he was overcome by a shocking realization that people were giving way more energy to buying the right sheep, doves and cattle for worship than they were to worshipping God?

I confess: I sometimes spend way too much time thinking (obsessing?) about things that aren't what really matters. And I wonder how clearly my life--what people see me spending my time on and giving myself to--communicates about God's role in my life.

What if we're not supposed to ask "Am I putting the cart before the horse," but "Am I putting the sheep, doves and cattle before real worship?"

Get behind me, Satan!

2009-03-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

We are continuing our "Gospel Sound Bites" with this quick quip from Jesus to Peter: "Get behind me, Satan!"

I'm sort-of kicking myself this Monday, wondering what I was thinking in picking this phrase out of this week's rich text from Mark. (I could have easily gone for "Take up your cross and follow me," for example...)

I confess: articulating a theological understand of Satan's power is not the pastoral task that puts me most at-ease.

(You can see a clever cartoon of the dilemma here, from ASBO Jesus in England.)

Last week, we focused on repentance. This week Satan. Dangerous ground--these ideas are laden with the baggage of a legacy of self-righteous, judgmental use. And yet, I admit my own curious inability to resist giving them a go.

(As if I can be the one to wrest new, true, life-giving, liberating meaning out of the stuff of fear-mongering fire-and-brimstone preaching, and hand-painted signs waved by end-predicting fanatics.)

I suppose this would be a good place for a little Lenten humility. I can't claim to understand exactly why Jesus chose this angry rebuke, renaming Peter (who, incidentally, was given the name "Peter" by Jesus, too, because, apparently, because of his rock-like foundational leadership) as Satan.

Satan, in Mark's gospel, is the one who was testing Jesus in the wilderness. And the one who steals the Word of God before it can bear fruit, in the language of the Parable of the Sower. An adversary, at the least, and, somehow, the incarnation of temptation to the opposite of God's intentions for the world.

What did Peter do to earn this name? He spoke up in opposition to Jesus' description of the suffering and rejection he was to experience from the folks in power at the time.

It looks as though Peter had a different vision of what the Messiah should experience--something other than suffering in the hands of those in power. I imagine Peter thought Jesus would become the hands in power.

(Which, come to think of it, is one of the temptations Satan offered to Jesus in the wilderness, according to Matthew and Luke's gospels.)

In Lent, we're tempted to talk a lot about suffering. Many take on Lenten practices that are uncomfortable--fasting, for example. (Or, perhaps, giving up chocolate. Or Facebook.) I suspect, though, that this is not the kind of suffering that Jesus was taking about. Not fasting, or self-flagellation, or ever self-imposed guilt.

Jesus was to suffer rejection by the powerful leaders of his time, because he presented a different way of living in the world. His message and his ministry were a threat to the established power and priorities of his time. (And, come to think of it, in a whole bunch of ways, ours...)

So, when Jesus called Peter out, he was clarifying that this ministry is not about accumulating power. It's about being fully-committed to a new way of living.

I'm not thinking that I'd much like being called Satan, but I do admit to my need for help in staying on track toward God's kingdom values.

In the midst of a world filled with far too much suffering, we are called to honor a God who calls us out when we put our own power above the needs of the suffering of the world.

repent and believe the good news

2009-02-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

Photo by slworking2 on flickr.com; used by creative commons license.

So much in our world gets reduced to sound bites--quick sayings, repeated over and over become the way we know things. Which is, really, the only way I can win that one part of Cranium where you have to impersonate funny people. I succeed best when I draw someone known by a sound bite. You know: "I am not a crook." "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." "I have a dream." "Yes we can."

Reading the gospel lessons for this Lent--a season in our church life that begins today--Jesus' gospel sound bites jumped out at me.

For reasons very different from those in our over-saturated news of today, short, powerful quotes became one of the primary ways that folks in the early church passed Jesus' message on.

This week, Jesus delivers a sound bite that invites us into this season of Lent, a time of repentance, refocusing and devotion: "Repent and believe the good news."

Now and then, I get quite infatuated with little things. This week, its the word "and." See, when I searched the internet for depictions of repentance, the most common images I found were end-times predictions: "repent or perish." "Repent or else." "Repent sinner."

Not a single "repent and..."

So I tried a bit of biblical research. The Greek work for repentance is metanoia, which literally implies a turning--a changing of one's mind. In Mark, the shortest and earliest-written gospel, Jesus is quoted as saying, "repent and believe the good news." In Matthew, the similar message, translated into English, comes: "repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."

I love these translations--at the turning of repentance, which orients us away from our previous, isolated lives, we turn toward God's good news and set our vision on the kingdom of God. In both Matthew and Mark, these words become a sound bite that condenses the basic message Jesus takes as he begins his ministry in the world.

You have to look to Luke to get "repent or..." line from Jesus. And, there, it comes much later in his ministry, in a particular story about the necessity of change (as opposed to as a condensation of the whole message.)

Where am I going with all this, you wonder?

I'm feeling like, on this Ash Wednesday, as we enter into Lent together, we're called to change our hearts and minds. But not because we're afraid, or because we're threatened; we are invited to change because there's good news to be found when we turn to God.

Change (if you'll indulge me) that we can believe in.

So, here at Ash Wednesday, as we are invited to make confession to God, we are invited to turn our lives toward a new and life-giving possibility: the good news of God's kingdom.

Justice and peace. Abundance. Infinite, generous love.

Repent and believe the good news.

--

I hope you'll join us in worship tonight, on Ash Wednesday. I love the humbling and reorienting act of confessing our own sins, and of being marked with a cross of ashes. We are mortal, and called to repent so that we can receive God's good news.

During this whole lenten season, we will orient our worship around the Gospel sound bites that carry core message of our faith. I hope to see you at the Water's Edge as we journey through this season.

We also invite you to pray along with our congregation, daily, starting Monday. Devotions will be posted online, here.

a revelation

2009-02-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

This week, we celebrate the Transfiguration--a moment when Jesus reveals something of his divine identity with dazzling clarity. Our scripture (linked above) tells the account: Jesus hikes up a mountain with three of the disciples, and suddenly appears in a brighter light than the disciples knew possible. Moses and Elijah appear with him, as if to clarify that Jesus belongs in their tradition, but is more than they were. Then a voice is heard--God speaking, claiming Jesus as a son.

Things that were true before were revealed suddenly, with new clarity.

Revelation and apocalypse, in their most literal definitions, are just that: an uncovering of what is truest. Sometimes, what is most real is hidden to our eyes--then in a moment, they are revealed. Jesus' image was transfigured, appearing differently and making the reality of his power clearer.

If revelation and apocalypse are about uncovering, in confess that they make me think of artists who do just the opposite: Christo and Jeanne-Claude are known for their large-scale works which often cover, wrap or obscure things. For instance, this installation in Switzerland, where they wrapped the trees in a park.

Funny how wrapping these trees up makes me much more aware of their beauty and the particularities of their shapes.

Knowing that God is present all around us, and that there are signs of the reality of God's kingdom all around us, I wonder what it would take for us (the church) to be better at revealing them?

Walking in faith

2009-02-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

When I reflect on the scriptures we will consider in worship this week, the concept I keep coming back to is that faith requires all of who we are.

Faith touches our hearts.

Faith captivates and sometimes challenges our minds.

And, faith breathes through our bodies.

Walking in faith is a full-body experience.

Paul makes this point to the early Christians in Corinth using athletic images. He wants his body -- metaphorically and physically -- to be ready whenever he is called to act on his faith.

In Mark's gospel, a leper comes to Jesus asking to be made clean. To be healed. To be made whole.

How do we need to prepare ourselves to practice our faith?

How do we need to be healed to embody our faith?

As we consider these scriptures and as we prepare for Lent, consider your own preparations, consider what request you would make for healing and wholeness in your life.

How will you walk in faith?

meeting needs and pleasing people

2009-02-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Our scripture passages are rich this week. And, for at least this preacher who falls victim to the lure of pleasing people, a bit confusing:

Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, talks of how he meets all people where they are, on their own grounds. He says he has "become all things to all people," for the sake of the gospel. The first thing I hear here is an expectation that I should do whatever it takes to meet the needs around me in a way that takes care of everyone.

That's a lot of work.

Then, Jesus, in the first chapter of Mark's gospel, has this weird encounter with the disciples. First, he heals this throng of people who'd come to be healed by him. Then, he takes off, early in the morning, without telling anyone. The disciples sound worried as the "hunt" for him, asking why he took off; they invite him back, because there are more people wanting to see him. But Jesus points them in a different direction: toward the neighboring towns, where he is called to take the gospel.

To me, it feels as if Paul is telling me to meet the whole world's needs, and Jesus is modeling a way of boundary-setting as he moves on, before everything's taken care of.

I wonder if, perhaps, one of the differences here is that Paul is speaking to (and teaching) a community. And, even more, a community of free people, accustomed to enjoying their own personal rights and liberties. Perhaps his claim to be "all things to all people" is an invitation to choose to do things that serve others, rather than doing what we're free to do, for our own selves. A kind of freely chosen obligation to one another.

Clearly, Paul is saying these things because he wants others to try them too: he doesn't mean to be the only person seeking to serve others' needs. Which, I suppose, is one of the tricks of servant ministry--it is most glorious and powerful when shared in community.

(I mean, have you ever been with a group of people who are trying to outdo each other in caring for one another, where no one is left to do the big pile of dishes alone, and folks share in other labor, too? It's good stuff...)

The passage we read today ends with this line: "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." The footnote in my New Interpreter's Study Bible tells me that this "sharing in blessings" is a legal term of Paul's time, meaning something like "to be a partner."

So, perhaps, Paul is inviting us to be partners in his firm. People who work together in service, and get a taste of God's kingdom.

I suppose that this work, just as Jesus modeled, often sends us out on new paths--refusing to let us settle for pleasing people in one place as we seek to meet the needs of a hurting, isolated world.

missing the point

2009-01-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about what it means to be a Christian. In my humble opinion, we spend far too much energy defining our belonging in the life of the church by our behavior. Even worse: by what we don't do.

A danger of such definition is that it misses the point of the heart of our gospel message: God's love.

This week's scripture, from I Corinthians, finds Paul writing to the early church, as if answering a question posed about what the outward behavior of Christians should be. (Perhaps they were wondering what should go on the sign at the door?) The main point, he says, is that we remember God's unique place in our world, and that we love.

Lately, I've been thinking about conversations I had while living in Niger, in the midst of a Muslim majority. "I think I'd like to be a Christian," one man said to me. "We have to pray 5 times a day, and you only have to pray once a week."

He, too, missed the point of what it means to be a faithful Christian.

If we reduce our faith to a list of things we do or don't do, it's too easy to measure our success. (And, worse, too easy to waste time measuring and judging others' success...)

If we're captivated by the love of a gracious God, we've got far too much to do in trying to be built up in that love to spend time tallying our adherence to rules. Faithfulness can't be tabulated on a checklist.

And, as Paul goes on to explain, our relationships to one another and to God matter most. If our behavior is going to cause someone else trouble--especially if they're newer in their faith--than we need to be extra cautious. Not because God wants to catch us being bad, but because take seriously our responsibility to one another.

We've got a lot of work to do.

Really, I think I think it all resonates pretty well with those three simple rules we celebrated just after Christmas: do no harm, do good and stay in love with God.

Way of Living with Good News: rule 1

2008-12-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

During the 3 weeks after Christmas, we're going to spend some time thinking about what Christmas means, after the parties are over: at Christmas we celebrate God coming into the world as a human. Incarnation.

Which is a pretty good thing to celebrate.

But, after that good news has sunk in, we might ask ourselves: so what?

And the answer, I think, is pretty big: a whole new way of living.

At the beginning of the movement that would become the Methodist Church, John Wesley and some of his colleagues wrote some basic rules the would live by. They centered around 3 simple-enough fundamentals.

That said that, having received God's gracious love, we're changed. And, as a result, we live differently. We should seek to:

do no harm

do good

and stay in love with God.

We'll look at each of those rules during the next 3 weeks of worship. You can read more about them--and some reflections by our church members--here.

On the 28th, Rev. Elbert will preach, challenging and inviting us to live in ways that do no harm.

Merry Christmas!

giving birth

2008-12-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

"Annunciation" by Henry O Tanner, 19th Century African-American painter

I have been contemplating young, unmarried Mary's reaction to the news that she would give birth to the Son of God.

I love that Mary believes this crazy news is possible. She questions the possibility at first--but not because she doesn't think herself worthy, or thought such crazy/good news impossible. Without cynicism, self-protecting irony or low self-esteem, she accepts the good news that God could be borne in her. And, even more, she knows that it means wild and world-changing things for everyone else, too.

She busts out in song, the news is so good, in a passage later in the chapter: the powerful have been knocked off their thrones, and the humble poor have stood tall. Words of promise, conviction and hope that would have been as wild in Mary's day as they are in these days when CEO's ask for government bail-outs.

All of this makes me wonder how I might get myself ready to have the same, hope-filled reaction to God's good news today. This Christmas, am I ready to help give birth to a new way of living in the world?

As all this has been rattling around in my head, I stumbled into these beginning words of Brian McLaren's Finding Our Way Again: the return of the ancient practices:

"You can't take an epidural shot to ease the pain of giving birth to character. In a sense, every day of your life is labor: the rhythmic agony of producing the person who will wake up in your body tomorrow, creating your reputation, continuing your legacy, and influencing your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and countless strangers, for better or worse."

Perhaps this Christmas work, this work of bearing Christ's light into a world of so much darkness and despair, is going to be harder than the shiny bows and tinsel suggest. But, then, perhaps it's also going to be wild and world-changing.

This season has so many good songs. And they're thick with possibility. I offer you this final verse from O Little Town of Bethlehem, full-up with a prayer for us to bear Christ into this world. To accept that we're the ones God chose to be with, and that it's gonna be good.

(You can sing along at home.)

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel

give pause

2008-12-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's a busy world, and this time of year can get worse than usual.

So, this year we're asking you to do something crazy: slow down.

Give pause this Christmas.

To help, we've made a daily devotional to use in your prayer life. It includes a particular prayer practice for each week of Advent--each week between now and Christmas.

Some of you helped write the online devotional, so that gives you extra reason to check it out.

I trust it can be transformative.

Find it here, updated daily. Or, use the link in the right-hand sidebar.

king

2008-11-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

Since this Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, I've been turning to my annual contemplation of kings. This year, that certainly includes King Corn. A documentary about our food economy, the film is both amusing and sobering, as we learn more about how entrenched we are in an agricultural economy that is far from the just, life-giving system we might hope for. Our economy has been shaped and trained to maintain the current structure. Too often, it means profit for the most powerful (King Corn), at the expense of many others.
What a good image to hold in mind as we celebrate Christ the King.

This year, as always, we need reminders that, as followers of Jesus, we need to be vigilant in making sure nothing else--no other person or power--is "king" in our lives.

Instead, we celebrate the unlikely King Jesus, whose reign was secured with self-sacrifice. Crazy, and beautiful.

This King, Christ the King, is all about justice, and life-giving grace.

So, as we gather to worship God this week, we'll celebrate this unconventional reign. We'll read stories of God's promised river of life, from Revelation 22. There, we're given an image of God's grace, which comes like a river in the very midst of the city. It brings life and healing to the city.

All of which is good cause for Thanksgiving, I'd say. And a good reason to again ask for God's vision to be our vision. Imagine what would be possible if it were to guide our everyday living.

I hope to see you there!

wide open space

2008-11-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

The Psalm for this week opens up a space between the dangerous and life-giving qualities of nature. Disaster and storm shake our world up. Somehow, in the midst of all that, God brings us out to a broad place, a hopeful place.

In a similar way, Matthew's gospel moves Jesus very quickly--from the glorious affirmation of God at his baptism to a time of deep testing the wilderness.

In both of these lessons, danger and grace are held together, smashed up against each other, and make us feel a little motion sick on account of the quick switch-up.

But isn't that how it happens in our lives, too? Tremendous uncertainty and anxiety come to us alongside moments of absolute confidence. A child is born as we grieve the death of a loved one. I celebrate my husband's return from war even as I grieve that someone else's spouse is sent to replace him. Inexcusable suffering somehow makes way for unimaginable grace as a victim of violence chooses a path of forgiveness and reconciliation.

These things are all tangled together. And, often, I find myself most able to find the beautiful bits when I give myself a little space. Sometimes I need to just take a moment, breathe, and ponder.

Which brings me to a Wendell Berry poem that's been on my mind for the past week:

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free

making choices

2008-11-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Election day seems like as good a day as any to consider this week's Old Testament lesson: Joshua (who, in last week's scripture, assumed leadership in the generation after Moses) delivers his farewell address. In it, he sets a clear choice before the people: follow God (the God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt) or serve other would-be gods.

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD," he says, in an inspiring call to a better way of living.

My challenge is that, even having proudly cast my ballot in our elections this week, I know that I'm called to something more difficult: casting my life in with God's work in the world.

Joshua dares to make it clear, telling the people exactly what they're going to have to give up. I wonder, if he were to speak to me today, what he would ask me to surrender. I suspect it would be a challenge.

Talitha Arnold, writing in Christian Century nailed me when she wrote: "Had Joshua presided at my ordination, I doubt he would have let me get by with a simple vow to study, pray, teach and preach. He probably would have demanded, 'Will you give up your personal gods of procrastination, perfectionism and the pursuit of trivia?'"

I'm guessing we still have a lot to give up. Greed, selfish individualism, hatred, fear, self-doubt, the belief that we can secure our own futures by accumulating things or building fences, and more.

---

As we continue to celebrate the season of creation, Joshua's words seem to have new implications. "As for me and my household," he says. As members of the household of God, we're called to be a part of making choices as a society that reflect Jesus' values. Choices that turn away from sin, injustice and oppression and turn us toward one another and God.

We know that this also requires us to make changes in the ways our habits and systems treat creation. Besides the reality that we are harming God's creation, we're also aware that our pollution and destruction of resources harms others in our household. Environmental damage hurts those who have least in our world first--the developing world suffers before we in San Diego suffer.

I wonder what it will mean for us to, again and anew, turn from the gods that have tempted us to destruction, and toward the God who is salvation. What new, big household habits will we need?

deeply rooted

2008-10-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

This photo from National Geographic caught my imagination today, as I pondered this week's scripture and themes. There's a lot going on:

We celebrate All Saints' Sunday, as we remember and honor those who have gone before us, and who surround us as a cloud of witnesses. We stand on their shoulders, as is they were a part of the root system on which we bear fruit and grow today.

We begin our celebration of a Season of Creation, a time to honor and remember our belonging in a household of God that counts this earth as its home. Belonging in creation requires humility, repentance and attentiveness to God's grace. This week, we honor the land in our observance.

And, we finish this crazy journey we've been on for many weeks, moving with the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, to the promised land. Last week, we read of Moses' death, and this week, Joshua shows that God is continuing to lead the people, now through him. As they step foot into the Jordan River, on their final crossing into the promised land, they know they're a part of something much bigger than themselves.

We're on a journey much bigger than any of us can see, too.

As we remember that first step into the river, as the waters of the Jordan River became dry ground, I'm feeling called to ponder my own steps as I try to walk in God's ways.

Rivers aren't the boundary I feel most called to cross these days, but I have been feeling the pull of God as I ponder how to live more responsibly in this world.

As our world economic systems' collapse reveals that they are not the source of our truest security, I wonder if I'm called to rethink where I most put my trust. And, as we ponder the gift of the land, on this precious sphere we call earth, perhaps we need better ways of sharing its blessing with all God's children.

images of God

2008-10-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

The gospel story this week is yet another reminder of how God's ways are not our ways: met again with an attempt at cornering him into answers that would get him into trouble, Jesus busts the argument wide open.

Asking a question about whether it's "lawful" to pay taxes, some Pharisees want to trap Jesus in a polarized political battle of their time. They know that this is not a campaign rally, where most people present want to hear the same thing, but a debate in which people who were eager to hear opposing answers were all present.

Jesus refuses their answer. Asking whose image is on the coin they'd use to pay taxes, he offers that it's fine to give it to that person. Caesar's image is on the coin, so go ahead and give it to Caesar.

But then it gets crazy: he says to give to God what is God's. And we know that each of us is made in the image of God. Suddenly, argument over some coins seems trivial. We're called to give our whole selves.

I love that this call comes because God's image is all over us. It's a beautiful reminder to remember that all that we are and all that we have is, really, God's. We are blessed, known, named and marked by God's love.

Which, really, is what Moses was worried about in this week's Exodus passage. Negotiating with God for evidence that God would continue to be with the people of Israel, Moses's story reminds us that God is, even when we disobey, still with us. God's image is all over us and deep within us.

giving up

2008-10-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been occupied with the sense that we ought to spend more time talking about what the church is not. Or, better, what being a Christian means you ought to give up.

In this week's scripture passages, folks have a hard time giving up old ways of being. While Moses is up on Mount Sinai hanging out with God, Aaron and the rest of the folks get restless and anxious and decide to make a god on their own--not God's preferred activity, to say the least. Then, in the New Testament, Jesus tells a story about some folks who go to a wedding party the King is throwing, but don't bother to put on their party clothes; it's clear that they should have.

Maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but it seems to me both are stories of people unwilling to give up their old ways of being. In the first, their anxiety prompts them to try to find their own gods. In the second, not even a wedding invitation from the King is enough to make people change their clothes.

In baptism, since the early church, we are asked to take on vows that speak both of what we take on (belonging in the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ) and what we give up (our ties to sin, evil, injustice, the powers of this world, and more). Becoming a part of God's people requires both: we let go of who we were to become someone new.

Some things are hard to let go of. Mostly, though, it feels really good.

The fact that the seemingly all-powerful economic systems of our time are collapsing around me certainly makes it a relief to lay down my own false belief that I could secure my future with good financial investments, anyhow.

How good it is to know that our salvation is to be found in something altogether different, better, and more life-giving.

whose world? whose vineyard?

2008-10-01T18:17:00.001-07:00

If you're not wanting church to have political implications, this is not the season for following our lectionary's Gospel texts! Jesus just keeps telling these stories that are loaded with politics and economics.

Again this week, for our third week in a row, Jesus has a story about workers and vineyard. This one's about real estate ownership, though--it features an absent landlord, who leaves slaves in charge of things, and sends back to collect income off his property.

The funny thing about this story, though, is that Jesus is playing with our assumptions about the cast of characters. Like in our own times, the regular people in Jesus' audience were likely resentful of the rich, powerful and greedy folks who seemed to be in charge of things. As the wealthy, absent owner of the vineyard appears, I bet they're already starting to boo and hiss.

But he messes with them--because this vineyard owner also reminds them of God. If God is the vineyard owner, then the people who seem to be in power become the tenants. And suddenly, the playing field they'd imagine shifts: the people who seemed so powerful are really nothing, in comparison to God who is God of everything and everyone. The tenants are punished for their attempts at greed, and the land is to be given into someone else's care.

How quickly perspectives can shift when we remember God! What seemed powerful suddenly looks pretty weak.

This Sunday, we celebrate World Communion Sunday. I pray that our sharing in communion, especially this week, will remind us of the perspective shifts God keeps asking us to make, over and over, as we remember how big God is, and how big God's grace is.

The communion table is one place where we're already working out the arrangement that will come to fullness in God's kingdom: everyone welcome and included as a part of one family and fellowship.

This Sunday afternoon, I'm going to share in communion worship at the US/Mexico border. Along with others in our worldwide Christian family, we'll pass the body of Christ through a fence that keeps our nations separate. And, I suspect, we'll taste a power that cannot be contained or constricted by any kind of border fence.

In invite you to join me--we'll meet in Friendship Park, inside the Border Field State Park at 2:30. All are welcome. (To get there from San Diego, take the 5 south, nearly to the border. Exit at Dairy Mart Road, and go west until you enter Border Field State Park. There is a $5 entrance fee for each car, and you'll need some valid US ID to get out of the park afterwards.)

water, greed, word

2008-09-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a bit of what has caught my attention this week:

Our text from Exodus is about the thirst of the people in the wilderness--and, as gracious relief, the goodness of the water God provides out of a rock. I wonder what this story has to say to our present time, as we struggle to figure out how we will distribute, care for, and regulate our water supply. I've been reading about struggles in the developing world, where World Bank policies have encouraged water supplies to be held by private corporations. In South Africa, for example, recent court rulings are seeking to determine the appropriateness of selling water only through pre-paid allotments in a number of poor areas.

Just like last week's passage, which emphasized the greed-proof qualities of un-hoard-able manna, our scriptures seem charged with the energies of our current economic climate.

God's work seems, again and again, to be on the side of making sure everyone has access to daily bread and adequate water.

God also seems to be less interested in creating a global structure than God is passionate about giving life in the places where there is hunger and thirst.

As our nation makes decisions about how to move forward in a time where the economic systems we've relied on are collapsing, I hope we will not forget to feed real people, and meet the thirst of people with refreshing water.

I also give thanks that our biblical stories seem increasingly relevant in times of struggle and change--our faith is not one meant for people who have it all together. Our Bible tells the stories of people trying to hang on through incredibly trying times.

2008-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of the many reasons I love the stories of the people of Israel who went through the wilderness with Moses is that they're so, well, human. Like me. This week's text talks about the complaints of the people, over and over. Seven times, the text uses the word for complain, complaining, or complaint.

There are things in the world worth complaint. Hunger for one: the people had been walking for a month and half since they left Egypt. I can't blame them for having a few items on their list of things to grumble about. That's a long time to be hungry.

Heck, I can get grouchy from hunger in WAY less time.

So, they complain. And God hears their complaining. And God loves them and provides graciously for them.

Manna, a mysterious, flaky substance, rains down on them each day, providing sustenance for that day. And, on the day before the Sabbath, they can get what they'll need for two days.

I wonder how this gift of nourishment was received. I wonder if they were just glad for the food, or if they were a little ticked off that they had to let go of their complaints? If they quickly shifted their attitudes because of the gift, or if they wanted to hold on to their old ways of doing things?