REDEMPTION IS CALLING-- by Christy Gunter

Grandpa Jacob's Funeral, 8/29/05

2010-05-16T20:31:00.004-05:00

I'm currently on the east coast for my Grandmother's funeral. And one of the things we found... was the sermon I did at my Grandfather's funeral, 8/29/05.

As I read through it, I laughed.

It's funny-- I can point out exactly which professor taught me every piece that makes it in this sermon-- each part of my theological training on death and resurrection. I remember I had just finished a class tiled "resurrection" when my Grandfather died and all that class knowledge slipped right into this sermon. But that's all it is, knowledge-- and maybe a little shock as I try to process how that class knowledge is going to fit into this new experience.

And so I also laughed because it seems to have absolutely no base in experience whatsoever. This was before I had a son, before I took my first church, before I took my second church, before I wrote sermons every week, before I edited books, before I wrote articles and published chapters, before I burried anyone or walked with people through grief. This is my early, early work-- and it's packed with knowledge and very little leadership experience.

And it's funny-- because it really wasn't that long ago and yet I've changed so much in style and perspective because of where I've walked and the people I've particpated in life alongside. And yet-- I haven't changed at all theologically-- a lot of what I said here makes its way into Grandma's funeral service too. I simply figured out how the head knowledge works its way into real life.

But I decided I'd post this naive sermon here (on my blog)-- because it does have some good theology for grief. I didn't change anything in this copy-- I didn't make it flow better with my current writing style or anything. It's just as it was when I spoke it as a young, idealistic seminary student 5 years ago.

___________________________

Grandpa Jacobs Funeral, 8/29/05

Death brings pain.
We feel it here today.
Our hearts rip apart because of death.

Death brings us face-to-face with our own mortality.
We ask ourselves: Who am I? And—whose am I?

On normal days we “strut our stuff” and try to impress others with our self-confidence—hoping to actually be what we pretend. But death brings us face-to-face with the questions of “who am I? and “whose am I?”

Thankfully—we don’t have to live with death’s questions. We know WHO we are because of WHOSE we are.

We are God’s and we are safe in the arms of God.

Death isn’t the last thing we’ll stare in the face. Because we are God’s—we have hope.

It is because God raised Jesus from the death that (in our pain and sadness) we can hope for the resurrection of the dead.

Death is the last enemy of God.

And we have hope—because God has defeated it already.

Jesus’ resurrection was a first fruit of what will come for those who follow Christ.

We, as followers of Christ, in our sadness- have hope.

Today is a celebration of that hope—because we know WHOSE my Grandpa is. He is God’s and he is held safely in the arms of God.

Therefore, we have hope.

As you’re faced with death today—do you know WHO you are and WHOSE you are—or is the presence of death suffocating you?

If “whose we are” is merely a slave to ourselves, economic advancement—or whatever else… then the answer to “who am I?” is fairly bleak and hopeless.

My Grandpa would want me to tell you that you don’t have to settle with bleak and hopeless answers.

There’s hope.

If you ask “who am I” and “whose am I” and are unhappy with your answers—then all you need to do is let go, and let God.

So often we heard the story of Abraham and Sarah.

God told Abraham they would have a baby—even though they were way past child-bearing years.
And Sarah laughed.
She laughed because she saw there was nothing she could do.
She laughed because she realized how incapable she was for her to make this happen.
She laughed.

To find the hope of knowing WHOSE you are as you stare death in the face today—we must laugh with Sarah.

Laugh and realize there’s nothing you can do.
Let go and let God.

Because the hope we share in Christ is so peaceful—we can celebrate today.
The last enemy, death, has been conquered—and we hope, in God’s power, it will be conquered again.

This IS the Christian hope.
Paul says—Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ.

Do you sense this hope as your heart breaks and the tears flow?

My prayer for all of us is that we sense the deep love of God, closer than the pain we feel.

Let’s pray together:

Lord of all life, giver of hope, and one whom we trust—

We come before you with our hearts breaking within us. We hurt.

With death staring us in the face today, we are confronted with our own mortality and questions of who we are.

We admit that all too often we walk confidently—hoping we actually are what we self-force and make ourselves out to be.

Save us from this so that we might laugh with Sarah and know that death’s answers aren’t up to us.

May we give up ourselves to you and let you take care of us.

Remind us of the hope we have in Christ—for it is because you had the power to raise
Christ from the dead that we have hope now.

May we truly be the community of faith as we love each other in this time of pain.

And may we step back and let this man we know as husband, father, friend… and Grandpa rest in the arms of God.

For it is in the arms of God where we also find ourselves.

Amen.

Grandma Jacobs Funeral Service, 5/15/10

2010-05-14T09:19:00.003-05:00

Here is the sermon I'm planning on giving at my Grandmother's funeral service, 5/15/10:

___________________

So often, at funerals, we speak of the Kingdom of Heaven. We say things like “We know she’s in heaven” or “we have hope for an eternal heaven.”

But today—because of the amazing woman we honor today… I want to talk about the Kingdom of Heaven my Grandmother brought to us—here and now, in this place.

Sure—she is held in the arms of God in the Kingdom of Heaven…
But today I call out the times Ruth Miller Jacobs became the arms of God here and now. The arms that now hold her are the very arms she became- for us.

I can remember my Grandmother embodying the Jesus she followed. She did not simply claim to be a Christ follower—she became the kind of person who was the answer to people’s prayers to the Christ she followed. It is one thing to tell people you’re praying for them. It’s an entire other thing to actually allow your life to become the answers to people’s prayers. My Grandmother became the answer to my prayers more times than I can count… and I’m confident for most of you as well.

My Grandmother became the kind of person she called us to be. She lived a life of love and hope.

Ruth Jacobs very life redeemed creation. Her entire life was an offering to God—renewing and restoring the brokenness and darkness around her.

She sent cards. And even mastered email and facebook (thus making her a 91 year old rock star). :)

She donated money. She supported missions.

She loved people.
Church kids would give her big hugs and she loved on them—becoming the very presence of Christ to each child she touched.

She played music- she sang.

Her eyes were always fixed on her Lord.

She read her bible—knew most every line.
Her heart was shaped by that Word.

Ruth Jacobs was the matriarch—the pillar, the stronghold of the family. She lived her life on her knees before the Lord and her heart before her family.

She emptied herself—giving up all of who she was—to become who Christ was calling her to be (and who she was created to be).

She became redemption.
She lived out renewal.
She embodied restoration.

I don’t know about you—but people like my Grandmother cause me to want to live the same.

I look around the world and I see destruction. I see pain. I see abuse. Sin and selfishness have destroyed everything.

I feel sorrow. I hear sobs and tears. The world is a mess.

People are hungry. Starving. Suffering.

Masses are lonely. Hurt. Rejected.

I, myself, have experienced extreme trauma—(like many of you, I’m sure).
I know darkness. I am well acquainted with the depths of despair.

But women like my Grandmother did too.
Her college roommate was killed in a car wreck.
She lost her parents.
She buried her husband.
My Grandmother breathed in the stench of pain and suffering.

But- she chose to live differently than the pain and suffering around her. She chose to live a life that called forth the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. A life that breathed back out—hope and love.

My Grandmother lived redemption.

And today—as we celebrate her and say goodbye… we watch as her life is offered before God.

What an offering!

Some may give money. Some may give time.

This woman’s whole entire life was a beautiful offering to God—a life lived in a way that called forth life from the ashes.

I want to do the same.
And I call all of you to do the same too.

Live redemption.
Call forth restoration for the destruction here and now.
Become the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let your arms become the arms of God for the world.
Breathe out hope.

The same arms that hold Ruth Jacobs—are the arms you can become.
For God needs a body here on earth—and you can become that body.
Love the hurting.
Support the weak.
Become the answer to people’s prayers.

Follow the example of my Grandmother—
Who followed the example of her Jesus.

Become who you were created—too, just like we saw Grandma become.
So when you find yourself no longer breathing in the stench of the world’s pain—you might be able to have those who love you say your life was an offering—hope and love breathed out on the world.

I know I am who I am—tenacious and strong as I am—clinging to hope and love as I am…
Because of this woman. Her prayers—her embodiment of Christ—her presence.

And with her gone—t he world needs the rest of us to pick up that spirit- that gift- that hope… and keep on breathing restoration, redemption, and renewal.

This woman didn’t just love—she became love.

Go and do the same.
When you suck in the stench of a destroyed creation with the effects of sin burning your nostrils… breathe back out hope.

Choose to become the answers to people’s prayers.
Nothing else would honor this woman more than to continue the legacy of her life and choices.

So let’s go from this place- proud.
She got it right.
I can hear her Lord whispering “well done,” “well done.”

May we hear that same whisper on our lives.
And may we too—bring the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.

Let’s pray together—
Lord God—
In your great mercy—hear our prayers.
Be honored by the amazing life of this woman.
Breathe life, love, and hope on us—where we feel absence and despair from losing her.

We’re not afraid o admit—we so desperately need you.
Our lives are a mess. Pain is overwhelming us right now. We miss her.
Minister to us.
May someone become your body for us—here and now, to hold us in your arms and whisper love.
We need your comforting Spirit.

And Lord—as you comfort—change us. Purify us. Make us holy—able to love—able to live redemptively like my Grandmother.

May (when we take our last breath)—people know we loved you and breathed your love and hope out on the world.
May we become who we were created to be and may our lives be an offering to you—of where we restored and called for the renewal and redemption… where there was only sin’s destruction.

We ask all of this in your name.
Amen.

Special Needs Adults

2010-04-18T17:20:00.001-05:00

What I’ve learned from Working with Special Needs Adults:

1. Special needs adults have a voice. They want to be heard. They have things to say that could change our world if we stopped to listen.

2. Adults with special needs want to be treated like humans. We strip them of their very humanity when we talk over them or admire those who work with “such people.”

3. Special needs adults are the most loving people on earth. And they mean it.

4. Special needs adults do not know how to be fake or act like someone they are not. We could learn a lot from such behavior.

5. There is less to be afraid of (than most think) with special needs adults. Most are more sweet and loving than anyone you’ll know.

6. Special needs adults have experienced a lot of pain and hardship in their life—and they trust God anyway. Their faith is inspiring. They tend to experience more death than most people (friends in their group homes or they’ve met at special events)—and yet they still have faith in the love of God.

7. A smile and a safe touch on the shoulder will make a huge difference for special needs adults. They do not need massive, expensive things. Attention could change their world.

8. They believe, trust, and hope in a restored creation and act like it is possible. The “unspecial” among us doubt this possibility constantly.

9. Special needs adults work hard at everything and with joy. Even scrubbing floors. They just want to be a part of something—whatever it might be.

10. Special needs adults are incredibly giving. They tend not to have limits of giving of themselves on behalf of another.

11. Special needs adults let themselves go in freedom—they will dance horribly and not care. Social limitations we all are stuck with and allow guide our actions—are not important to them.

12. God listens to special needs adults. Their prayers are answered in amazing ways with their childlike faith. They’ll even clap with excitement when prayers are answered. I cannot remember the last time I saw such celebration over answered prayers.

Coming out of the Church Closet (and into creation)

2010-04-17T18:19:00.012-05:00

Dan Kimball wrote a book titled “They Like Jesus But not the Church.” I could not speak a better sentence to describe my own life right now. Which—I must admit is why my own blog writing has been lacking lately—because I cannot stand the church I see today. I wrestled in my own heart with the question: How can someone with a blog titled “Redemption is calling” dislike the church so much and write and publish things theologically on their blog?

Maybe it’s just a phase, I assured myself. I’ll get over it.

It’s been two months since my last post. I am not getting over it.

After much wrestling—I decided to “come out of my closet,” so to speak. I can’t stand the church-- I see today. There it is, in print.

I recently sat at a table of agnostics and uttered the following phrase: “I don’t blame you at all for rejecting this whole church thing; not even a little bit. I looked for God in church—and didn’t find any divine being there.” They were astonished. After all, I’m an ordained elder.

Now this is NOT to say the preaching is lacking. Actually, the church I’m attending has the best preaching ever heard. The man has got some talent theologically and has tremendous communication skills. But that does not make up a church; unfortunately. I wish it did.

This is NOT to say the programs are lacking. I attended several churches with phenomenal programs for all ages. Everyone has a place. But this does not make up a church either; unfortunately. I wish it did.

So what is lacking? Why can’t Christy Gunter stand the church?

Because I have not found God in the church— along with the rest of my agnostic friends. In fact, I've found my agnostic friends act more like the Jesus that Christians claim to follow. They love without limits and refuse to judge.

Last week I found myself at the community garden. My little boy and I were in the dirt, digging, watering, and planting. Some little girls (ages 5 and 7) were invited. They were home without an adult and had eaten chicken nuggets for breakfast. As I showed them how to plant seeds, I saw God.

A few days ago I was talking to an amazing man who goes to work in Thailand to end human trafficking and create more options for women—and I saw God.

I was working at the community coffee house (also called Meads Corner) and I was hurting. Someone saw the pain in my eyes and gave me a huge hug—and I saw God.

That same day my best friend looked at me with sheer honesty and said the most profound sentence ever. He said, “Christy, I think you went into ministry to be where Jesus is at and since Jesus is not in the church—but amongst the poor and disenfranchised—go be where Jesus is.”

He’s right.

Now this is NOT to say I am leaving community. Everyone needs community to interpret and develop who they are in Jesus. I have the most amazing community ever outside of the church. And we all love Jesus.

This is NOT to say I am ready to turn in my credentials—although they can have the piece of paper. God does not need an ordination status to use me.

This is NOT to say you won’t see me in church or that I think redemption is no longer calling. God’s Kingdom is transforming creation—and I’m going to be a part of it, wherever that might be.

I just want to be where Jesus is.

I am going to get more involved in intentional community. Being the Kingdom of God in a community of people—preferably the poor. Perhaps even around the community garden.

I am going to spend my time investing in those who work to end the sex trade and human trafficking. This is where my heart is. I know what it is like to be treated like an object… even if I do not know what it is like to be sold and traded.

I want to be free to love people regardless of what they look like or how different they are from me (like I want to be free to love the homosexual for who they are and who they want to be). This is not acceptable in the church. We say it is—but it is not. Words mean nothing. They are empty—as empty as God in the church.

Recently I was described as sounding like Martin Luther ready to start a reformation or I was told (numerous times) I need to start a church.

Perhaps they are right. That sure is one way to become the church I wish it was. Start from scratch.

Though I’m fairly confident I do not have the gumption to be a reformer, I do know the church was meant for something better. We were created for something better.

And since the church is not living out who we were called to be—I will. If anyone wants to join me, you know where to find me. I’m always at Meads or amongst the rejected of society. You can find me there.

Redemption is calling. God is renewing and restoring.

Just maybe not where I’ve always looked.

_________________________________________

In response to my excellent responders... I add this to my article:

Some responded to me by saying 'If you don't like your church- find another.' I actually love my church. I am not critiquing a specific church. I'm beyond thankful for who my church is as a body as they loved me through trauma. I am critiquing the bride of Christ who is acting more like a whore than a bride. One church location is not THE church. It is all of us- Catholic- Protestant- & Orthodox together.

Others noted the last thing we need is another church or denomination. They are right! We need to get it together as ONE Church of Jesus Christ- without divisions or seperation.

Mirror Reflections

2010-02-26T10:31:00.006-06:00

Yes, it's true. Your eyes are not deceiving you. I am actually posting again! It's only been 2-3 months since my last article. But for a writer, that's a LONG time. Life has been chaotic and painful-- but I'm getting back on my feet again- and I feel the words about to flow.

Today I'd like to talk about mirror reflections. Not-- quite like the mirror you use to see your pretty little face or floss those pearly whites. I'm talking about the mirror reflections we see when we relate to other people.

We learn so much about ourselves when we gaze into the mirror of relationships.

For example, we get into a fight-- and learn how selfish we are. A friend loses a loved one-- and we learn how deep our empathy goes. It seems the more we relate to others, the more we learn about who we really are.

When you experience a person with severe addictions, they reveal your own addictions. When you participate in life with a person who is oppressed, they reveal a capacity within you to be an oppressor.

Over the last 3 months (that this writer has been absent from posting)-- I've looked in the mirror of relationships-- a lot. I've gazed into some failed relationships and even some new relationships. I've peered into some broken relationships while viewing some strained relationships. I've experience some relationships made so strong nothing could break it.

Due to all my recent mirror reflections and peering so deeply into my very being-- I've learned more about who I really am. I now know, when you look at a person to whom you relate, you more clearly see yourself-- faults and all. And although I've come face-to-face with more faults than I care to realize, life is more beautiful because I see who I really am and feel the divine grace; even more.

Meads Corner: The Front Porch of Wichita

2009-12-03T11:01:00.007-06:00

Long ago and not so far away, people would spend time on their front porches in community. Billy Bob would sit there sipping his tea and his neighbor Jim Bob would come over and chat about the weather and the crop season. ;) Their darling wives Betty Sue and Rebecca would talk about their latest craft projects and their young children would push each other into the mud. It was a beautiful thing-- the front porch mentality. It created a way to form community and participate in each other's lives.

But today, this seems to be nothing more than an ancient practice, a distant memory. Look around the houses in your town. How many of them even have front porches? Gorgeous wood that wraps around the front of a home and the community service these porches provide are a thing of the past. And yet-- we still desire, need even, the opportunity for connection with our neighbors. We are social people who find life and purpose in our participation in life with the other.

The Church seeks every opportunity possible to recreate this front porch community. We throw in a potluck here and a meet and greet with coffee time there. All attempts to create community from within.

And then, there's the churches who are extremely creative and innovative while seeking to step outside the box; such as the crew at Wichita's First United Methodist Church. This collection of amazing people began brainstorming the idea of a fair trade coffee shop for the purpose of creating community.

From the very beginning days of the shop, this team of visionary church leaders looked for ways to create networking connections for people. Before the floorboards were ever laid, scripture verses were printed and placed on the ground. They remain under the tile to this day.

A Sunday evening service was created, with the goal of bringing together people who might not necessarily want to step foot in a traditional church but are still amazed with the man called Jesus. A coffee shop is a perfect place to do this- to incorporate a younger generation who loves Jesus but not the church (see Dan Kimball's text, "They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations").

A Monday evening TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) discussion was formed-- with the vision of bringing together people from the Wichita area to talk about hot button issues-- everything from compassion to consumerism.

Every other Thursday evening the stage is open for what is called "Espresso Theater." People are called to the stage to act, read, and perform in 15 minutes or less. Usually laughter and giggles fill the back room for this event.

All these intentional creations enable the formation of community for Meads Corner Fair Trade Coffee House-- making this particularly special coffee shop, the front porch of Wichita. If Billy Bob and Rebecca desire to chat with their neighbors in community-- no longer is the front porch the place to do this. Now, in this post-modern age, the coffee house is where one seeks such relation.

If you're intrigued by this special shop, check out www.meadscorner.com or stop by 430 E Douglas in Wichita Kansas. This place is especially close to my heart, since this is where I call home. That apartment I live in, is only where I sleep. :)

I Was Hungry—and You Gave Me a TASTE of Redemption

2009-08-25T17:23:00.003-05:00

Last week my friend, my son, and I volunteered at a food pantry. My facebook status that day read something along the lines of, “I hope that as we serve at food shelter today—my son will be formed at an early age—to be the kind of person who loves and serves.”

I often encourage parents, children’s pastors, and teachers to intentionally bring children alongside of them to serve the church and community. My personal goal, for my own son, is to enable Jayden to reflexively learn to love. For brain science teaches us (see “Liars, Lovers, and Heroes”) that we can make a choice once—and it is a choice. We make it again—and it is still a choice. But over time the chemicals in the brain work to cause us to act reflexively instead of making a choice. It becomes a habit. And even though my little man is only 3 he organized Ramen Noodles by color and did quite well.

As we were all working, sweating, and sorting through about one-hundred pounds of food, I was struck with several thoughts.

All too often, when asked to donate to the hungry, we give Ramen and starches—which is fine if you are near death. But usually people who come to food pantries need more than just starches to sustain life. They need to be given something special that conveys love and offers a “taste” of the restoration of creation—that which we (those of us doing the donating) have already experienced.

So I composed this list of advice—for those who are looking to donate to a food pantry (and reasons why):

1. If you do not already know this, most “poor” people in the US can scrape up twenty cents to buy Ramen Noodles. If you want to give something “like” this—try donating the pasta in a bowl or easily heated non-perishables you would take to work for lunch.

2. Splurge on the extra forty-nine cents and get the good cookies. Skip over the store brand (the ‘make you want to spew cookie’), and get a snack you would enjoy if you were a bit down on finances and needed to skip over the snack isle with sad eyes. Try Ritz bits crackers, Oreos, Chips Ahoy, and fruit snacks.

3. If you really want to help someone who is down on finances, give them the things that are the hardest to purchase. Milk, eggs, meat, and cheese. All these things are quite expensive and usually get overlooked when money is low. Especially meat.

4. Gas cards would be a great way to help someone feeling stumpy on cash. Particularly when the cost of one gallon of gas sky-rockets the price of a gallon of milk.

5. Forget the cheap Jell-O mixes in boxes. Seriously. I know it sounds crazy—but think about the times you had to work really hard to make ends meet. Did you want to pull out the pan, boil water, stir it, wait for it to cool, stick it in the fridge, and then serve it? Or would you rather just pull it out of the fridge and hand it to your kids? Remember next time—give the food pantries the already mixed Jell-O.

6. Think beyond the starches. If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head and wondering why those who seem to have the least amount of money are also the largest people you know, the secret can now be revealed. It is because the poor eat cheap starches to fill them up when hungry. Think about how you would feel eating starches and noodles every single day in order not to be famished. It’s not so fun. Go the extra mile and get creative about filling those starving for food like fruits, vegetables, and meats.

7. When I was going through the boxes of food at the shelter, my favorite thing to find was coffee (the good kind), tea bags, soda, and fruit drinks. This is the FIRST thing to get skipped when your finances need to be skimmed. If you really want to show God’s redemptive love, pick up some fair trade coffee beans and help both the farmer overseas AND the person short on cash.

8. Think “easy and quick” when selecting things to donate for breakfast. Usually those who are poor are running off to work in the morning to slave at a job we (those of us donating) would never think to apply. Such as factory workers, maids, and other “lowly” tasks in the eyes of the wealthy. Ask yourself: What would you want to eat for breakfast on the run? I know I enjoy eating breakfast cereals, pop tarts, breakfast bars, and even those cool cereal straws. Donate these to the food pantry.

9. Donate money specifically tagged for gift cards. This way those who come to the food pantry can get what they need from the store (which usually includes the perishable things like milk, eggs, and meat).

10. Try donating a box of cake mix and frosting or easy cookie mixes. Look at the directions and find the boxes/bags where all you do is throw in an egg, stir in some water, and thirty minutes later you have homemade cookies. For—there is nothing quite like a warm chocolate chip cookie to share God’s love with the hungry.

“For I was hungry—and you gave me a taste of the redemption of creation…”

Learning How To Be Poor

2009-08-10T17:56:00.004-05:00

Learning How to Be Poor: Stretching a little income (or savings) after a job loss
_____________________________________________

Many of us are losing our jobs these days and are unable to find another one. In fact, several of my close friends have either lost their job or cannot find one—so we came together and created this list to help others who may be in the same situation.

Hopefully, together, we can figure out how to survive these tough days. For it is when the community draws together, especially when things are rough, we have hope to make it through. True community takes care of each other.

And note, it is not exactly easy to "learn how to be poor" when your income is striped from you-- but it is quite the lesson to be learned. And instead of focusing on what you miss about the life you used to have (when you had an income), try thinking about how unfair it is that many, many people live on less than a dollar a day.

As you ponder that one, here are some of our ideas to help make it through job loss and develop a unique and beautiful sense of humility at the same time. Use these ideas to grow and develop as a Christian who cares about poverty-- and happens to be experiencing your own lack of income at the moment:

* * * * * * * * * * * *

1. Find a “Community Share Program” in your area. Often churches or community centers will buy in bulk and allow people to purchase for low amounts. (Valerie Boyd)
If you are in Wichita (or nearby in Kansas) see: http://www.prairielandfood.com/site.htm

2. Sometimes utility companies have programs for people who lost jobs—see if they can put you on a sliding scale payment schedule or assist with a few months (Chrissy McCormick Franko).

3. Shop around for the best deal before purchasing. It might take time but will be worth it in the end (Chris Lyons).

4. Take only a small amount of cash with you if you go out (for example, don’t leave the house with credit or debit cards but only $5 in cash)—so you will not overspend (Bob Gunter).

5. Rice and beans are an incredible source of nourishment. And cheap (Joseph Leppert).

6. Try the “developing nations washing machine”—where you pour some water in the tub, dump in a little detergent, and scrub away with your hands!

7. If you have student loans, call them up and ask for a form. Often times they will allow you to go into financial forbearance (with the accumulating interest) for up to a year at a time—especially when you lose a job.

8. Buy the Sunday paper and clip coupons.

9. After you clip coupons swap what you don’t need with some friends and family (Lois Gunter).

10. Become a member of your zoo—often once you pay a small fee it includes free visits the rest of the year.

11. Buy frozen meat in bulk to pull out and thaw for later (Chrissy)

12. Don’t buy it unless you can eat it or wear it.

13. Find all your local parks and visit them for fun—take picnic lunches.

14. Walk or ride your bike (Chris).

15. Join PAT (Parents as Teachers) to receive newsletters on the free events they provide for families (this often includes trips to museums and more).

16. Buy clothes only for your kids—unless yours fall apart (Valerie)

17. For a small fee-- sometimes your car loan will allow you to skip a few months. Be sure to call and ask about the possibility (Chrissy).

18. Find a bread thrift store for discounted prices on breads and snacks.

19. Buy hair dye at the store and have a friend help—instead of going to the beauty parlor.

20. Go to “Great Clips” for a haircut under $15.00. Watch for their $4.99 specials (usually in January). Sometimes they send out coupons too.

21. Use the library and stop buying books (Chrissy).
OUCH. That one hurts.

22. Christy’s book amendment: Find a used bookstore (like at Goodwill) or peruse books at yard sales. For those of us who read everything—with pen and highlighter in hand.

23. Borrow and share books with your friends.

24. Make side dishes for dinner in the microwave—it uses less energy than the stove (Chrissy).

25. Make your own bread. Here is a simple recipe (for 3 loafs of bread) from my friend Kaza Fraley:
Mix 3 cups of water, 1 ½ tablespoons of Fleischmann’s bread machine yeast or 1 ½ packets. Stir. Add 3 cups of wheat flour and 3 cups of white flour (or 6 of one or the other) and 1 ½ tablespoons of salt. Stir until it is a dough. Cover with a towel and let it sit for 2 hours. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Make grapefruit size balls, grease cookie sheet, and let it sit for 30 minutes (to adjust from being refrigerated). Preheat to 450 and bake for 30 minutes.

26. Or make your own bread by stalking your local thrift stores until you find a bread machine.

27. Trim the lattes and coffees at the coffeehouse, but buy extra tissues for the tears—(Bob).

28. Buy coffee beans and make your own coffee at home (and buy fairtrade, please).

29. Don't be afraid to barter! It may be difficult to get comfortable with this, but the worst thing that happens is that you will hear the word "no". If you're a parent, you've already heard it at least seven times that day! Barter everywhere! If a jacket is missing a button, ask the manager if they will take less money. At garage sales, people are going to sell an item or throw it away. Less money is better than no money in their eyes (Valerie).

30. Peruse Craig’s List for your needs (Valerie).

31. Join freecycle to post your needs or meet others needs. This can be a great place to give and receive.
See: http://freecycle.com/

32. Access the minutes you need in your cell plan and shave it down if you can (Chrissy).

33. Access your cable needs and shave off what you do not need (Chrissy).

34. Check all the gas stations before you buy—see which one has the lowest price (Bob).

35. Make a weekly menu. From that menu make your shopping list. Base your menu on sale items and/or coupons, and use everything you buy. For example, if you buy cabbage for coleslaw, then use the rest for cabbage rolls or bierocks (Valerie).

36. Keep off as many lights as possible to trim the electric bill (Chrissy).

37. Sometimes local animal shelters will help provide food for your pet if you stumble across hard times and lose your job (Chrissy).

38. If your local animal shelter cannot help you with food, buy your pet’s food in massive bulk (Chrissy).

39. Buy what you need used (Chris).

40. Go with a friend and split the price for Sams Club—so you can get cheaper gas and purchase in bulk (Bob).

41. Sell your kid’s old clothes and toys at a local consignment shop for extra cash (or trade in for bigger sized clothes). Sometimes you can find stores who do this for adults (like “Plato’s Closet).

42. Peruse your local goodwill and thrift stores when you’re in need of clothes. Watch Goodwill—they like to have $1.10 days (where each article of clothing only costs $1.10).

43. Go through all your items and sell what you do not need at consignment shops or at a yard sale for extra cash.

44. Start a garden to grow your own vegetables over buying every week (Bob).

45. Join a community garden or take part in a farming community workday for discounted vegetables (Kaza).

46. Buy generic brands—food, clothes, etc (Chris).

47. Try getting one song off Itunes instead of a whole CD. That could save up to $15.00 in one setting.

48. Cook from scratch. Example: 10 lbs of potatoes can be bought for 2.99 on sale. Frozen hashbrowns are 1.19 for a one pound bag (Valerie).

49. Use leftovers! A week worth of leftover vegetables can make a great soup! (Valerie).

50. Remember that your network is important. Stay connected with others. Don't be afraid to share your situation. You never know what someone else might have or who they may know! (Valerie).

51. If you’re on the east coast stop by Gabriel Brothers. There is one in Lavale, near Cumberland MD and another in Winchester. Some of the clothing is slightly damaged—the majority of it is not too bad and they have a small household section in the back. Testimonial: “I got 2 polo shirts for 10 bucks, was gonna buy a pair of jeans for 5 bucks, but I didn't like the fit” (Chris).

52. Buy white & pink nail polish and French manicure sticker guides—and do your own nails instead of getting an acrylic for $25 to start and $15 to fill.

53. Trim your magazine subscriptions down.

54. Give homemade gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
See the “Buy Nothing” Catalog for ideas: http://buynothingchristmas.org/catalogue/index.html

55. Wait until a movie comes out to Redbox and rent for $1.00 plus tax (instead of $8 per person in the theater). Or sign up to get the weekly text message codes from Redbox for one free rental each week (as long as you bring the DVD back the next day).

56. Go to church events for fun (which are usually free).

57. If you see items on clearance you know you’ll need (like tissues or Band-Aids), stock up!

58. Get on the coupon mailing lists for the things you need (Family Christian Bookstores, Borders, Barnes and Noble, and more).

59. Use electronic coupons. You can often combine them with paper coupons for even more savings (Valerie).
See: pgesaver.com

* * * * * *

No matter what, the picture above (from scripturepics.org) should remind us that God provides and will take care of us-- even in soomething as frustrating as job loss and poverty (if we can even use the word poverty and speak of "car payments" and "ipods") ...but it sure does feel pretty horrible some days.

"Bad Boys"

2009-08-05T05:52:00.007-05:00

Go ahead and hum the tune that comes to your mind based on the title of this article to yourself. It goes something like this: "Bad boys, bad boys- whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" Yes, I guess most of us know that one.

At some point or another, nearly everyone takes time to stop clicking the remote and view this show. The police come and get the "bad guy," in order to bring them to justice or save the "bad boy" from himself.

However, I want to take a moment to really consider what it means to utter the words "bad guy."

We do it often. We watch the news and feel relieved when the "bad guy" is caught. We skim through the newspaper and feel terrified when the "bad guy" is loose. We look at the posters hanging in the post office and see the visualization of the "bad guy." We watch the villains in our movies attempt to destroy the hero or heroine and then get excited as the "bad guy" almost inevitably loses.

We even utter such a phrase in the opposite direction. For example we will say, "He's not such a 'bad guy.'" Or even sometimes look at it as an exciting, positive thing. A girl will comment she enjoys the "bad boys."

And thus, I think we can easily establish the phrase "bad boy" or "bad guy" permeates our culture. It is something we barely think about anymore- it is a part of our normal routine.

But as you read this article, I want to challenge you to really think about the term "bad guy."

Is anything or anyone really bad?

When we look at the story of creation in Genesis, one particular phrase jumps out multiple times. And God saw creation was made of "bad boys." Um, no. Over and over it reads, "And God saw that it was GOOD." As we read the creation story, we cannot help but see that the creation and wonder of the matter formed by God's hand is really good!

So then we must ask- what is it that makes something or someone created by God and called "good," APPEAR BAD to us? OR- does it actually change and BECOME BAD to it's very core?

If we claim that something or someone who was created good is genuinely evil or bad to their very being, we would be implying something quite tragic. We would actually be saying this particular part of creation is BEYOND REDEMPTION. If someone is bad to their being- actually "bad" to their core, they would be beyond the ability to be good; to be transformed.

Do any of us really want to call something "bad" and thus imply that created thing is beyond redemption? That this person is beyond the grace of God to transform and be renewed?

If we look closely at scriptures and encounter the God in the Living Word, NOTHING IS BEYOND REDEMPTION. Not even the people who do the most vile, gross, pathetic, disgusting acts. That's a hard one to swallow-- especially if you throw a child being hurt in that mix. Then you just feel sick.

But all those emotional feelings aside to think theologically about what we are really saying: If nothing actually BECOMES "bad," to the very center of its being, then we must ask the other question: What is it that causes that person or created thing to APPEAR bad?

Perhaps it is our choices. This would make sense. Our choices form us into the kinds of people we are.

In fact, brain science teaches us some interesting things about habits and patterns of the mind based on the choices we make. If we choose something once, we are not in a habit quite yet. If we choose it again, we could still make a different choice. Then the third, fourth, fifth... and before long- after we choose to do something bad or good over and over and over again, we lose our ability to really chose.

Our brain is formed into a habit so it literally becomes a reflex over a choice (for more explanation on this see the text "Liars, Lovers, and Heroes: What Brain Science Reveals About How we Become Who We Are). Our brains are literally formed based on our choices and decisions.

Thus, when we make good choices-- we appear good. When we make bad choices-- we appear bad.

When a person makes bad decisions again and again, that person appears evil to us. And unfortunately, when we experience the evil choices of another, it hurts. It burns our very inside to our core, turning our stomach, and making us sick. We want to label them "the bad guy." We want justice.

But again- I want to call us toward truly thinking about that label "bad guy." Do we really want to say this person is so bad- they are beyond redemption? That the vile, horrible things they did really caused their very being to change? It is something to think about, for sure.

For when we call someone "bad," though it might seem justified to judge a person this way because we have already spent years being formed to focus on ridding our lives and families of evil and containing the world of the "bad ones," we must remember they too were created good.

The world might call them "bad guys" but we are the church! We remember the story of God-- the story of God creating all things good, even humans.

Creation was designed good. Take a moment to REMEMBER our story, God's story. We were created with a purpose, to be beautiful. But sometimes we make bad choices-- and forget how we were created. We choose what we want over what God wants. We sin. We make "bad" choices.

And since we are the church, since we are the body of Christ in the world-- called to be different and set apart; called to make choices towards the redemption of creation and not the destruction of creation-- I would like to pose this challenge: Perhaps what we are really doing is dehumanizing people when we call them "bad guys."

Go ahead, take a minute to process that one. I will say it again to help with the digestion of this one. When we call someone the "bad guy" perhaps we are really dehumanizing them, looking at them as less than ourselves.

In fact, perhaps we even view persons who make bad choices as less than human. We want to claim creation was good, according to Genesis. And thus we want to say humans were created good-- but when we label them as "bad," then we are really saying they are less than the good creation of God.

And if we are dehumanizing people by calling them the "bad guy," then we are participating in a form of oppression (a classy form, mind you), but a form of abuse- nonetheless. We call them "bad" and we thus call ourselves "good." We say they are "bad" and enjoy the power of not being "bad." We label them as "bad" and become the god in our own story.

So who is really making the bad choice here?

Which is the greater evil?

And thus, I really want to ask: Do we have the ability to step beyond our normal view of the world and see who WE REALLY ARE and what we really think? Do we have the GUTS to confront our own selfishness and sin in how we label someone? How we participate in idolatry by making ourselves the god, deciding who is good and who is not?

If we do not find the strength to look deeply inside ourselves with this one, I am afraid the church (and thus all of creation) will suffer. We will have communities filled with people who view "the other" as someone separate from themselves. Someone so different, so vile, so disgusting-- they are beyond the church and far beyond God. We will have faith based groups of people who have eyes only to see the negative. People who look out at the world and only see the pathetic waste of space and have lost their ability to see the beauty and wonder of the good creation-- even in humanity.

If we do find the strength to look deeply inside ourselves and see what we are really saying when we label someone as "bad," I think the potential is boundless. We will see churches who model for the world who they could also be. We will have communities who see God's beauty and vision for all of creation and work towards the redemption of ALL things- not just the "good guys."

Dear God-- grant us the vision to see your beauty in all of created things and forgive us for sinning against our brothers and sisters by dehumanizing them and calling them the "bad guy."

This Church Got it Right!

2009-08-02T10:39:00.012-05:00

I went to a "Back to School Community Event" at the Church at Mercy Crossing in Martinsville, Virginia. I was BEYOND impressed. This Church got it right!

Each person in the church community brought their abilities and talents to the event. A few lady stylists were doing free haircuts for the kids inside. A couple of men who were car experts diagnosed car problems- aimed at helping single parent moms.

There were free car washes- free school supplies- free clothes- free brand new socks. There were free coloring books, free reading books, free toothbrushes, & health education. There was a nurse on hand to check parent's blood pressure. There were poison control magnets and advice on helping develop babies during their "tummy time."

This event had a lot of fun too! There were moonwalks to jump in and slide down. There were pony rides. There were ice sno cones, train rides, toss games, candy to be won, and a dunk tank.

And- there was a ton of food! There were enough hot dogs to feed 500 people, nachos and chili, chips and cookies. And they kept everyone hydrated with Gatorade! What a treat for all who were playing (or watching their kids play) under the hot sun!

There were things to keep everyone's attention and entertain the community. There was a car and motorcycle show. There were two firetrucks and a sheriff who awarded the kids Junior Deputy stickers. There were coloring books about safety and there was information about drugs.

They even had a live teenage band singing Switchfoot songs and enabling the place to rock! There were prizes given away (creatively by numbered tickets, so they could simultaneously keep a running count in order to plan for future community events), and every child received a balloon.

As for the "churchy" part- well, that was on the back burner. It seemed this church had the ministry goal to "feed them, care for their needs, and they cannot help but see Jesus."

If we could all live by this philosophy of ministry and vision for loving the community, what would the world learn about God?

As attenders, my Father, Jayden, and I were asked to register our names, give our address, and write down any prayer requests we might have- and that was it. Everything was a gift to us-- to show God's love to whatever need we might have. I was beyond impressed.

This church certainly got it right- when it comes to being the body of Christ to the world! I am confident the community walked away from this event thinking "Wow- this church really cares about me." I hope we can all learn from this beautiful example of being the church who participates in the redemption of creation.

Launching a New Blog

2009-07-28T15:07:00.003-05:00

I am launching a new blog to update you, my readers, on my first fiction novel "Awaken Imagination" where ordinary characters come to life as they discover who they were created to be for the redemption and renewal of creation!

You can sign up to be a follower and learn more about publishing and printing at: imagineredemption.blogspot.com

I hope to see you there!

Christy Gunter-Leppert

Raising Grateful Kids- (With a Twist)

2009-07-28T07:16:00.011-05:00

Facebook is a fantastic way to communicate and network with people all around the world. It is also a way to learn how your friends are, discover what brings them joy, and feel their suffering alongside of them.

Yesterday I read a status update that stirred my spirit. A mom was lamenting about raising her daughter in today's world. She said "I am wondering how to teach my 12 year old daughter to be grateful, especially when we live in a world of surplus and greed."

How often do we hear this cry?

We so desperately want our children to be different and set apart from the world. We see how the world is transforming our kids when we desire for our kids to be transforming the world. And thus, we lament and grieve deeply that the church is not stepping up and forming us as we should be formed-- and instead, the world is forming us.

So what is a parent to do? We are completely aware we are deeply grieved when our kids want more stuff- but we do not know what to do about it. We feel lost.

I suggested to this dear mother- to look at things a little differently. I asked her if I could get a little crazy and suggest something completely radical.

Perhaps- instead of teaching our children to be grateful for what they HAVE (stuff, that they have what they need- even if it is not as flashy as the next kid), we should be teaching our children to be grateful for WHO THEY ARE (as beautiful children in relationship with their parents and God).

I think all too often we focus on what we have over who we are.

The fact our children want more stuff is only a symptom. It's like the sneeze. We do not say our children have "the sneeze." Rather, our children have a cold and one of their symptoms is a sneeze.

The sneeze in this case- is our children want more stuff. They want to be as cool as the next kid. They want the cutest shoes. They want to dress the best. They need an Ipod and the Jonas Brothers CD. This- is only a sneeze.

The sickness is how we (the church and parents) view our lives. Just like our kids, we care more about our "stuff." We talk in terms of how "grateful we are for what we have" when so many other people have so little. And thus, even our language of being grateful usually reflects STUFF. Just think about what you mentioned at the dinner table last Thanksgiving; for what were you thankful?

Perhaps- we should be focusing on our thankfulness in terms of who we ARE in relation to one another in community. We should be grateful for our families, our church, the little old lady who hugs us in the foyer. We should be grateful for who the church is making us- as a family formed differently in the world.

In other words: Relationships and a transformation of our very being is what matters. We must develop a passion for all who take a breath from the same air we do. And as for that "stuff" we have- this is what the world cares about the most. But remember we are not the world- we are the church! We must be grateful for those who participate in life- and adore them simply because they exist. For when we truly love each other in community, we will have all the "stuff" we need.

It is our relationships in the community of faith that form us to be different in this world. It is who we participate in life with (in the church) that forms us into who we are and who we are becoming. THIS is where our focus of gratefulness should be.

As parents, and as a church, we must teach our children NOT to be grateful for what they have (that they have more than the next person or that they have enough to supply their needs). We need to teach our young people to have a different focus. We MUST teach them to be grateful for who they are and who they are becoming. To be grateful for who they are able to participate in life with and a church family who loves them- simply because they exist.

* * * * *

The picture you see at the top is from the ministry of "The Simple Way," see http://www.simpleway.org/ (with Shane Claiborne). This ministry helps us focus on living as the slaughtered lamb (as the flag picture above portrays) rather than living by the way of this world. This visual image shouts and declares there is another way for the church to live-- and excites us to figure it out together.

* * * * *

Ephesians 4:1-16, Butterfly Calling

2009-07-27T08:44:00.017-05:00

I think Ephesians 4:1-16 is my sabbatical passage. God led me towards this scripture on Wednesday. Then randomly I went to a church who's non-lectionary pastor picked this passage to preach, and now- it is one of this week's lectionary passages. I think God is trying to speak to me through this portion of scripture. Three times is a little more than coincidental.

This passage reminds me of a butterfly garden. Have you ever visited one of these unique places? First, you walk in through a special door designed to protect the butterflies. Then, as you become a part of the garden- you are amazed.

All the pieces of the garden work together. There are the flowers where the butterflies rest. The vibrant floral design screams of wonder and thrill. There are wooden containers holding the chrysalis, delicate pouches awaiting combustion towards life and hope. The butterflies flutter around you, even resting on your fingers, trusting you to bring care. Flowers provide nutrients for the butterflies. An old lady in a hat reaches her hand to gently make sure all visitors are content and enjoy the wonder of it all.

Butterfly gardens are truly amazing-- much like the body of Christ working together towards the calling of God-- to become who we were created to be.

We need our little old ladies caring for us in community. We need the vibrant fragrance of people's life calling us towards the wonder of our own purpose in God's creation. We need safe places to transform from a chrysalis to a gorgeous, new creation. For we were all created to fly and soar- not rest in the dark. We need people called to do those up front and flashy things for the garden of life. We need behind the scenes persons planting the flowers and turning the soil- things that may never seen by the visitors.

And Ephesians 4 speaks of this calling, the calling of the entire church. We are called to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. We are to make every effort for peace. We are to be one body-- young and old alike, remembering our calling. Remembering why we are called together.

Some of us have flashy gifts-- we often called these persons the "called" ones; those called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. But ALL gifts, whether flashy and up front or not, are to equip the saints for ministry and build the body of Christ. Even if we are the ones toiling the ground, planting the seeds, and enabling those flashy flowers to grow, we are still beautiful, still called, still created to be something amazing.

Why are we called to this? What is the end goal? Or to get a little philosophical, what is the teleos of such a calling?

The answer according to this passage: To bring all creation to the unity of faith, the knowledge of God, and maturity in Christ. Thus, we (the community) have a goal that we must work toward together-- to bring all of our butterfly garden to the unity, knowledge, and maturity in Christ.

And we must live lives worthy of this calling and purpose, a virtuous life. We must live our lives being formed in faith, hope, and love. For when we are formed by these 3 theological virtues, peace will come. Peace is the result of being formed in Christ.

And to close:

God wants to share this message: Give up trying to make yourself great or trying to make a name for yourself to prove your worth; watch me create you into more than you could ever imagine. You have incredible value simply because you exist; let me enable my imaginative power spark to life as I mold you into who you were created to be-- greater than you are able to make yourself or ever dream to become.

This is my philosophy of ministry, after some sabbatical time of rest.

God can create all of us in this butterfly garden of life-- into amazing and flashy people-- when we become who we were created to be. But all too often we are so insecure, we try to top each other. We work hard at being perceived as the best, making a great name. But the truth is- we are all beautiful and special. If we are being who we were created to be, then we are as flashy as the one receiving all the praise.

So spread your butterfly wings and fly. Become who you were called and created to be- as a part of this community of faith.

"Confessions of a Shopaholic" Movie Review

2009-07-24T22:53:00.015-05:00

I watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and was pleasantly surprised. From the title, one would assume it would be a movie about a thrift store employee wearing Prada or a documentary of a young, beautiful woman who collects more and more stuff. However, movie titles- like book covers- can be deceiving.

This film should be called "Lady in the Green Scarf." Such a title would be more appropriate as the entire movie centers around the transformation of the girl who needed the green scarf to define her worth-- to the girl who needed the green scarf to remember who she can be as a valuable person (notice the play between "worth" and "value").

Rebecca Bloomwood is a person who is loved and accepted- not because of what she wears- but because of who she is able to participate in life with each day. And thus, the whole movie is about shedding the need to define who you are based on what you have-- to becoming who you can be in community! Sounds like a Pastor Christy sermon-- consumerism transformed into ontology in the context of relationship with God and others! :)

The movie is quite humorous as Amy Adams creates a great mental image of Rebecca. She rubs magazine scents on her neck before an interview, loses her best friend in a pile of designer clothes, mixes up the words "fiscal" and "fish," and a whole host of other things that might cause a few giggles.

My favorite line from the movie comes out of the mouth of Suzie, Rebecca's best friend. When Rebecca takes a job at a savings magazine-- even though bill collectors stalk her constantly, Suzie says "its like an animal rights" person "being trampled by a cow." Nice. I think we had to push pause because I laughed so hard. Good thing I didn't go see it in the theater.

Something one may not catch instantly- is the play between being defined by family and being defined by relationships in family. Fluke, the handsome boss, claims he does not want to be defined by his family (based on his mother's wealth and status). Where as Rebecca's Father claims an RV does not define him, his family does (as in, his participation in their life defines him). It is a worthy distinction to notice.

I think Rebbeca summarizes the problems of consumerism for America ever so beautifully when she is backed into a corner, forced to explain why she shops. She answers: It is because "when I shop, the world gets better." She claims to be happy-- but then, it ends and she has to do it again.

All too often we get caught in the cycle of consumerism. We are convinced we need an item or product because it will change who we ARE. We confuse our very being's worth with someTHING. And thus, we become "oholics" of some sort. Some of us become "alcoholics." Some of us become "shopaholics." Some of us become "sportsaholics." But all of us are addicted to something-- even if that something, is ourselves.

Because what addictions reveal- is our idolatry with ourselves. And if, by chance, you think you are not addicted to anything, go spend time with someone who admits their addiction. You just might learn a little about your own addiction to choosing yourself over God. We all need to be repentative of those times we decide someTHING can make and transform us who we wish we were-- over the times we should have responded to God's constant reaching out to us in love, pulling us towards relationship. Because the most amazing part of it all, is that God can transform us into more than we could have ever dreamed up for ourselves using Prada, Gap, a soccer ball, a CD, alcohol, or a host of other things.

Thanks, "Confessions," for teaching us this.

For a relationship with "someone who loves me back" and with whom we are "never declined" is quite beautiful.

Curiosity and Adventure, Matthew 19:16-27

2009-07-13T09:13:00.006-05:00

This is the sermon about curiosity I will preach at Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene, in PA next Sunday. Enjoy the pre-read.

I. Stories of Curiosity

Have you ever been curious?

I remember being curious—especially as a child.

I must have been around 8 years old. We lived in a house next to the woods.

The woods are always a great source to spur on creativity for kids. They are almost magical. As the sun streams down through the trees—it brings the forest to life. The spider webs glow in the sunlight and the rocks with glint glimmer.

Perhaps there is buried treasure in the woods!

Or perhaps there are clues in the woods—leading to an exciting adventure!

When I was a little girl—I was a combination of Sherlock Holmes the detective- meets Indiana Jones the adventurer- meets Laura Ingles Wilder the curious yet naive child. I know- odd combination. I was an odd child. J

But when my cousins came to visit us… the innocent, honorable, adorable Laura Ingles Wilder was put aside and Indiana Jones took over. I was ready for adventure! I wanted to swing through the trees in the woods until, like Sherlock Holmes, I discovered clues—leading to untold tales.

One particular day—my cousins and I were all quite CURIOUS to see what was waiting for us in the woods.

And even though I was warned of the poison ivy, potential bug bites, and sticks that could spring up and cut me—I was ready for investigation and further study into the unknown. I was CURIOUS to see what secret my woods held.

And so very gently we crept into the woods— we were a youthful team of explorers who would find something to change the world forever.

Our CURIOSITY was our guide. Anything could be waiting for us.

And then we found it.

The thing we set our hearts towards.

It was white. It looked porcelain.

It looked quite curious—although it was about an inch long.

It was probably the top to an old vase—but to us, the story of its life was boundless.

Perhaps this white section of china once was held in the hands of early settlers as they made their home in America (it was Thanksgiving time after all, and that story was fresh in our minds), and WE, the 8 year old team of archeologists, had found a piece of their story to be displayed in a museum.

Or perhaps this exciting piece of pottery was left in the woods by a thief while he escaping from the police—and WE, the team of 8 year old detectives, had found the missing link to save the town. We would surely receive medals for that.

Or perhaps this chunk of ceramic was owned by an elderly woman who left her estate to her family upon death—and the poor, mourning family had to sell all their memories of her to buy food to feed their family. Perhaps they longed for just one more piece of the memory—and WE, the team of 8 year old private investigators, had found the last sustaining heirloom for the family.

We were curious—and we were creative.

Our curiosity led us into the woods—and our curiosity for the unknown, kept our minds imaginative and creative.

Transition: I know someone else who was curious.

II. Retelling of Matthew 19:16-27

In Matthew 19 we see Jesus doing his “Good Teacher” thing. We see Jesus preaching. We hear Jesus announcing the Kingdom of God has come—when suddenly, a man approaches.

This man is wealthy. He’s a ruler.

Perhaps he has a beach house for summer breaks, a yacht he takes out on quiet peaceful days.

Perhaps he has a high speed internet and all the cable channels.
(Just seeing if you’re still listening).

So we see this rich guy come up to Jesus.

And he is curious. Quite curious!

He has a question for Jesus. “Teacher,” he asks. “What must I DO to HAVE eternal life?”

Now notice here—the man is quite concerned with doing—and having.

He wants something to DO—so he can HAVE more of what he wants—that is, to live forever.

And what does Jesus say?

Does he comment on either the “doing” or the “having?”

Nope.

Jesus talks about what is good.

Jesus changes it up. Jesus throws the rich guy a curve ball.

Jesus says, “Only God IS good.”

And we see the rich guy raising an eye brow, feeling even more curious with this odd response from the good teacher.

And so Jesus continues. “You want something to DO- follow the commandments.”

“Follow the commandments?” the rich guy asks. He gets even more curious and claims to have kept all the commandments. But- it’s just (sigh)- he feels like he needs to do more.

The rich guy feels like he’s still lacking—even though he kept all the commandments.

His heart feels empty, incomplete.

He came with curiosity to this teacher to figure out what he must DO to HAVE eternal life—and he already had the 10 commandments answer.

There has to be more! There has to be more to DO in order to inherit eternal life. There has to be something extra to DO!

And Jesus looks at the man with great compassion.

I can just see Jesus’ face softening as he looks at the man in torment- with a smile of love.
And Jesus gently says,

“If you want to be perfect, sell everything you have and give it to the poor—this is how you BECOME beautiful—this is how you participate in the renewal of ALL things.”

And here we are again. Jesus is changing it up again.

The rich man wants to know what to DO—and Jesus shows him who he can BECOME through participation in the renewal of all things.

There’s quite a difference.

Do you catch the difference between DOING and BEING?

You can HAVE a button on your shirt—but you can’t BECOME a button.

You can HAVE a donut for breakfast—but you don’t want to cover yourself in glaze and roll around to BECOME a donut.

You can HAVE a baseball in your hands to twist around—but you don’t want to BECOME a baseball.

But Jesus talks NOT about HAVING the Kingdom of God but BECOMING the Kingdom of God here and now—and suggests the man does it by selling all he has and giving to the poor.

And the rich man’s head hangs.
His eyes gently close.
He sighs.
And as his dark eyes look up at the good teacher he blinks—turning away in great grief.

Wow. What a story.

Transition: We can learn a lot from the curiosity and questions of the Rich Young Ruler.

III. First, we learn: Jesus loves our curious questions.

Jesus loves curiosity! So…

COME WITH QUESTIONS AND CURIOUSITY
—BUT EXPECT TO BE SHOCKED

Since Jesus has a tendency to change things up, shake up our questions.

Look at all the times Jesus changes things up in this passage alone:

1. The rich guy says, what must I do? And Jesus does not answer that question—he talks about what is good.
Nice change up, Jesus.

2. Then the rich guy wants to know what he lacks—and Jesus does not deal with that—he talks about giving up everything to become someone who is beautiful.
Excellent modification, Jesus.

3. Then when the rich guy walks away the disciples want to know who can be saved—and Jesus changes that up too! He says, you don’t save. Only God saves.
Wow, yet another great amendment, Jesus.

Jesus is always taking our questions and curiosity and changing it up!

So we must learn—when we come with curiosity (which is a great thing, to be curious about our Jesus)— we must come expecting to be shocked.

For—listen to this. In changing it up on us—by modifying the answer—and by amending our question—Jesus reveals to us something very powerful. Something amazing.

Jesus teaches us: Usually the questions we ask reveal we are focused on something other than what Jesus wants us to be focused on.

IV. And thus second, we learn: Jesus shows us we often are not asking the right questions.

So-- COME WITH QUESTIONS AND CURIOUSITY
—TO LEARN ABOUT BECOMING NEW AND BEING TRANSFORMED

All too often we come expecting a formula or prescription. We come asking the wrong questions. We ask questions about what to DO, just like the rich young ruler.

And Jesus tells us the Kingdom of God is so much more.

The Kingdom of God is about BECOMING who we were created to be “in the renewal of all things,” as it is phrased in this passage.

Scientists may design formulas to make products or medicines.
Mathematicians may create formulas for statistics.
Chefs and cooks might develop formulas for a world famous soufflé.

But our curiosity’s questions for Jesus are not answered with a formula as they are with scientists, mathematicians or chefs.

The Kingdom of God is not a list of things to DO or HAVE. It’s about who we are becoming.
There is no formula.

You do not DO “A” plus “B” and hope “C” is a full, correct list of things to DO in order to inherit eternal life.

Many a famous scholar, teachers, pastors, and speakers might come up with great formulas for what we must DO – but Jesus teaches us something else.

Jesus changes it up. It’s not about what we DO or HAVE. It’s about who we are BECOMING—how we are transformed to become who we were created to BE.

For so long as a young person—I searched for the right thing to DO, much like the rich young ruler.

I can remember sitting in service after service—wondering what in the world I needed to do.
If I could just figure out what to DO—I’d do it!

But Jesus was gently teaching me—in the same way he taught this rich young ruler—it’s not about what you DO.

There’s a big difference between DOING and BEING.

Who you are becoming is so much more important—holds so much more weight than doing a long list of the “right things.”

Friends, it’s not about a long list of things to DO.
It’s about the transformation of who you ARE and who you are becoming—for this changes what you do.

Let me say that again—
Friends, it’s not about a long list of things to DO.
It’s about the transformation of who you ARE—and who you are BECOMING—for this changes what you DO.

The transformation of who you ARE changes what you DO. Did you catch that?
Did you see how I changed it up—just like Jesus did for this rich young ruler?

We often ask questions of what to do—and Jesus says, “ah dear friends—participate in the redemption of creation by BEING who I created you to be! Choose what I want!”

As this scripture passage says- it is about the “renewal of all things.”

The renewal of all things!

This is beautiful!

God has a plan for the renewal of all things—the restoration of creation!

V. And thus, finally, we learn: We can get excited and develop a passion for even more curiosity and thinking about what Jesus says.

For we can: COME WITH QUESTIONS AND CURIOSITY—AND GET EXCITED. THIS IS FUN!

Come and see God’s beautiful plan for the redemption and renewal of creation! It is thrilling! It is beyond our expectations.

We get to be surprised!

We get to see how our little lives get caught up in God’s plan.
This is salvation! (Hauerwas and Willimon, “Lord Teach Us to Pray”).

Holiness is one of the most exciting things ever.

It is something to be curious about—to find that child-like curiosity and discover things we never saw before.

Holiness is fun—because we never have it all together.

What joy would we get out of a vacation if we already knew everything that would happen?

What fun would it be to go to a thrift store—if we already knew what was there?

What thrill would there be in going to a sporting event—if we knew how every play would turn out?

The discovery is- the fun!

And holiness—is about a discovery—learning, growing—and participating in the renewal of creation! Holiness is fun--because we never know it all. We get to be curious-- we get to discover.

VI. Conclusion:

Therefore, friends—come with curiosity to Jesus!

Come with curiosity-but expect to be shocked.
Come with curiosity- to learn about becoming new and transformed.
Come with curiosity- and get excited. This is fun!

This is an adventure—something to be inquisitive and CURIOUS about as we encounter the one whom loves, gives hope—and in whom we have faith.

Let’s pray together today:

VII. Prayer:

Lord God, we are so excited for the exciting beauty of your plan.

We want our little lives to get caught up in your vision for the redemption of creation and the renewal of all things.

Give us the passion for discovery.

Grant us the vision for who we might become.

Remind us—our questions of “doing” simply reveal our focus on ourselves and what we want—over what you want for us—to become the kinds of people who do and act because of who we are and who we are becoming.

So often we barely know who we are- let alone whose we are.

Remind us we are yours.

And thus we are the kinds of people who act differently because of whose we are.

And we are a unique and beautiful community—your church.

Make us who you created us to be.

Develop within us a curiosity to see your vision.

Create in us the eyes to see and the hearts to transform the world.

We love you, Lord.

Amen.

General Assembly Review

2009-07-06T07:24:00.003-05:00

I wrote a review of Nazarene General Assembly 2009 in Orlando Florida.

You can find it on Jon Twitchell's site (along with several other GA articles, a resolution tracker, and much more) at: http://www.gacorlando.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127:review-of-assembly&catid=10:opinions&Itemid=12

It is wonderful to have a renewed sense of hope after this General Assembly. We can hear God calling the Church of the Nazarene to an exciting plan for redemption. It is fun to watch it unfold and come to life before our eyes.

Nazarenes and Infant Baptism

2009-07-03T06:22:00.007-05:00

One of the hottest topics up for debate at the 2009 General Assembly was infant baptism (due to resolution MED-523 concerning manual paragraph 800.2).

Those of us unable to attend General Assembly in Orlando watched with baited breath as the debate raged before our eyes.

A college friend noticed my concern to eliminate infant baptism and began to ask really great questions. Her inquisitive spirit pushed me towards putting my thoughts in writing and I thought I would post them here, for my readers to see.

The picture at the top of this post is of my son's baptism. The minister is Rev. Phil Hamner at Overland Park Church of the Nazarene, September 10, 2006. Jayden is a little over three months old.

My friend asked: "Does the Church of the Nazarene (COTN) really believe in infant baptism?"

Such a question caused great excitement for me as I jumped to answering the question. I answered:

"We, as the COTN, do practice infant baptism. My son was baptized as a baby and the minister said something along the lines of, "Do you, as his parents, promise to raise him in the community, so he will learn he is a part of this community through baptism now?”

For the beauty of infant baptism- is it reminds us none of us KNOW enough to be baptized. My little boy did not know enough as a squirming little baby, I did not know enough as a bratty 13 year old, and the ancient old man does not even know enough. It is GOD who makes the covenant with us—drawing us towards the beauty of who we were called to be. As the water is on us, we die to ourselves—with Christ—and when the water is washed away—we rise again with Christ to new life. It is not so much about our level of knowledge as we enter into this community through this sacrament. It is about God.

Since my son was baptized as a little baby and there is no way he can remember it, we celebrate his baptism birthday every year- to remind him he is a part of the community. I usually give him a special gift and have a special dinner- so that as he grows up he will remember his baptism and that he is special. It was the day he entered into the community of faith. He is a part of us- and we are raising him together- to help him learn who he was created to be.

So infant baptism also reminds us, the community of faith, of our responsibility as a community- for our children. It reminds us we are one body- caring for one another, loving one another, and raising up our children to BECOME a different kind of people. A people who work towards the redemption of creation. A people who chose to love (which is very different than the world). A people who show the world who they could be."

Then my friend asked another great question in follow-up. She questioned, "Is that different than when we dedicate children to the church? Do you "sprinkle' water on the baby? I guess I am just curious as to how it is done."

That was a GREAT question. Of course, if you know me, I was thrilled to keep answering an inquisitive mind. I responded:

"Babies are not immersed (normally) because of the physical danger involved for dunking an infant's head. When my son was baptized, water was poured over the back of his head 'in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' For the COTN affirms sprinkling, pouring, dunking (etc) for baptism. "

And then, several of my theological scholar friends jumped in on the conversation and gave some beautiful points I would like to share next:

Rev. Melissa DeBono added: "In my local church (Nazarene) we baptize infants as the rule and only do dedications for those parents who ask for it. The liturgy is very similar to a dedication liturgy, with the parents and the congregation vowing to support the infant in their discipleship journey. This past spring we ran a confirmation class for a group of teens who had been... Read More baptized as infants and gave them the opportunity to confirm the faith they had been baptized into. (There is Naz. curriculum for this course) I was baptized as an adolescent, and I can look back at key moments of making my faith my own, but really, infant baptism would have better represented my life of faith than randomly choosing some time down the stream of faith to participate in the initiation rite of the Holy catholic Church."

Rev. Jeff Parsons commented: "Infant baptism is supported Scripturally. In 1 Cor. 1:16, Paul states he baptized "the household of Stephanus," with household being a term involving the extended family, including the young children & infants. You can also infer from Acts 10-11 that Peter baptized the entire household of Cornelius. Theologically, it is completely in line with the Church. Read more Wesleyan doctrine of prevenient grace, which declares that the Holy Spirit is at work in one's heart long before they come to accept Christ as savior. Baptism is not ultimately about us; it's about God."

Rev. Mike Fraley then explained: "When people have difficulty understanding infant baptism, I often explain to them about one of the many meanings of baptism. Baptism is not solely about the remission of sins (otherwise Jesus would not have been baptized). It is in part about the initiation into the Church. Obviously, we accept our small children as part of the church community. We baptize them as a symbol of them being recipients of God's grace as they grow to spiritual maturity."

To see an example of infant baptism in the COTN, please see my friend (Rev. David Young's) blog at: http://allthingsnew21.blogspot.com/2008/06/hannahs-baptism.html Dave baptizes his young daughter, Hannah, and shows us the beauty of infant baptism. He also explains why he baptized his young daughter. It is beautiful and I would highly encourage you to read and watch this liturgy of infant baptism.

Dr. Bowing's Rescinds Election to GS

2009-07-02T08:37:00.002-05:00

I typed as much of the speech as I could for anyone who missed it. You can read it here. Forgive me for the pieces I missed-- but you can see the general message.

_______________________

Dr. Middendorf:

"We always want to be sure, however, to the checks of the Spirit- the direction of the Spirit."

"We as a board-- had an opportunity to think and plan through the day. And we were asked to give attention to a statement we have heard. And we want now for you to hear."

"Dr. John Bowling has asked to address the assembly."

"Will you give your heart-felt attention to his words."

______________________________

Dr. Bowling:

"I was awakened about 3:00 by the Lord."

"I was moved, as you were, when Dr. Duarte was elected."

"Last night when Dr. Graves was elected-- that same feeling was there."

"I however, have been delayed."

"I so much wanted to do what was right. And felt like I did not want to disappoint you or the Lord or anyone."

"I am hereby resending my decision to accept the General Superintendency. I am embarrassed by that- and ask your forgiveness."

"But we serve a God of peace-- and I do not have that peace."

_____________________________

Dr. Middendorf:

"This is the Lord's Church."

"He said-- I will build my church. I am convinced that the Lord still desires to give us his direction, his wisdom."

"We have had a remarkable GA. We have sensed the presence of the Spirit. We have seen things occur that have been historic in proportion. This 27th GA is one to never be forgotten."

"God having spoken to Dr. Bowling-- and feeling very clearly this is the mind of God for him-- God has a mind for us as well. We rest in that. We are confident in that. And so we believe it is our responsibility to move immediately into the process of electing a 38th."

"In checking with our parliamentarian- it is appropriate to accept the decision of Dr. Bowling-- and then move."

"But we would like to ask the church, the delegation, to begin this process in prayer."

"I ask that all the delegation-- from each world region-- each district-- to gather. We want to spend the next few minutes praying together- and seeking together, the peace of God. And then seeking the mind of God. I don't think there's any panic in heaven. Let's rest in him. Let's move forward with conviction that God will make known to us, his mind."

"May I ask now- the delegations gather- and we will spend some time in prayer."

_____________________

And let me add: My respectometer just went sky-rocket high. For Dr. Bowling to humble himself THAT much to give up his position, to take on embarrassment and humiliation-- and listen to God-- that takes some spiritual guts. And I'm proud-- to be a part of a church where our leaders are vulnerable for a purpose.

Anger: Mangry Sinners in the Hands of a Redemptive God

2009-06-28T21:57:00.013-05:00

I have days when I'm angry. Have you ever been angry? I mean, so angry you mix up the words "angry" and "mad" to invent a new word-- "mangry?"

I've had days where I'm THAT mangry-- and I know a few others who've felt that way too.

However... how often do we hear this play in our heads when we start to feel the normal human emotion of anger?: "Good Christians (especially good ordained elders) should not get angry. Seriously- what would people think?" And-- "God, what would God think? We can't be mangry."

Well, today I'm throwing those thoughts out the window. Chuck it out with me-- everyone just go ahead and shout "Whoop-dee-doo."

(I'm listening).

Yeah, "Whoop-dee-do." That's what we're saying today. Because today, we're going to feel some normal human anger.

Horrid things happen to us. Mean people screw us into the wall and then laugh when we hang crooked. We get humliated, mortified, embarassed. People in power shouldn't be in power. Other people's sin limits us. That's a lot to be angry about, wouldn't you say?

So there's days I'm mangry. You've been mangry. Maybe you're mangry now. And that's okay. We have lots of reasons to be mangry.

So-- together, let's be those "mangry sinners in the hands of a loving, redemptive God," who's divine, powerful, and strong enough to deal with us-- even when we're angry. Let's, together, tell God why we're angry. Let's just spew out what makes us mad.

Go ahead, God is listening-- and I really can't hear what you're saying.

And then-- when our verbal vomit of anger is complete and we silence our spirits-- let us listen carefully to what God says.

Because I know, if we are committed to making pure, holy, and choices of LOVE even in our human anger, God will redeem... even the things we are angry about today. FAITH in God to redeem even the things that make us angry... makes all the difference in the world. So, let's together feel normal human anger-- but with the HOPE that God will use, even our anger and the sinful things we get angry about, towards the redemption of creation.

I believe in a God who can redeem ALL things. Nothing is beyond God's redemption. Not even anger or things that make us mad.

(The picture from this post is my own photography-- from a hike I took during sabbatical. This picture reminds me of creation's redemption-- even in anger).

Stones and Waves

2009-06-19T08:19:00.003-05:00

This picture was taken by Cassie Tillas, a good friend of mine and excellent photographer.

The unassigned ordained elder (pointing to herself as she types) is itching to preach... so I am posting this for for my lectionarychat friends who are preaching this week. :)

The passages for this week are Mark 4:35-41 and 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49.

I read the Mark passage earlier this week and studied the 1 Sam passage today for awhile. The question that dominated my thoughts, as I read 1 Sam, came from the mouth of my pro-war and pro death penalty friend: "How do you deal with David and Goliath as a person of non-violence?"

Good question.

I decided this was actually a humorous passage. I mean, big & powerful Goliath comes with swords, toothpics, and spears and David comes with a tiny, itsy-bitsy piece of creation (a stone)and the name of the Lord. The violence is stopped with a tiny, smooth rock. I mean, how is that not funny?

The sword, spear, and big-mean giant are stopped with a stone. Not even a big rock. Not even a mountain. A tiny stone.

That's funny.

Which I think connects to Kaza's point (on lectionarychat) about Jesus in the boat. She points out that it is Jesus who holds the power in the boat. It is Jesus who holds God's power- because he IS God. Great points, Kaza.

Which makes me ask: Who holds the power? God or man? God or Goliath? God or the confused disciples?

God shows us who holds the power with a tiny rock and a few waves.

It's like... the rock used to stop the violence of Goliath was made smooth in the water (it got pushed around until it was refined and smooth)... and the disciples get rocked around in a boat (and made smooth) to be used and transformed.

Then we see that smooth rock be used by God to redeem and reconcile. And soon in Mark, we will see the disciples invite people to join in the adventure of God's story to redeem all of creation.

These are exciting passages to preach and would be so fun to weave together. Are you being made smooth like the stone? Are you being rocked like the disciples by the waves?

Who holds the power? God does. God is still in control and has not been shocked by our suffering or afflictions (our being rocked by the water and waves).

And God just might use you, a tiny, insigificant little stone (rocked by the waves and made smooth in suffering) to get caught up in God's plan to redeem creation.

You just might find yourself... as the smooth stone used to do crazy things... like take down giants. Or you might find yourself as a disciple, bearing witness to the power of God in Jesus.

"Feed Me:" Transforming from Baby Birds to Soaring Icons

2009-06-19T06:00:00.010-05:00

I recently read an interesting book "Telling God's Story: Narrative Preaching for Christian Formation" by John W. Wright (Published by InterVarsity Press, 2007).

When I picked up this text in a Pasadena store, I was interested in reading this book over the hundreds of others in the "Archives" for several reasons. First, the author was my friend's mentor and having personal connections to the author often helps you pick up a book and start reading. Why else would any of us care that Stephanie Meyer was an English major? We like to connect to our authors.

Second, I wanted to read this book because I love the language about participating in God's story to redeem creation. This is the lens by which I read scripture and thus preach every sermon; to call people to participation in God's plan to restore and redeem creation.

And although these were the reasons I picked up the book, I gleaned so much more from these pages.

The book begins with commentary on today's church and my own heart lamented its truth. All too often congregations cry out "feed me," "feed me," much like baby birds. The picture you see here, at the beginning of this blog, was taken by my friend Cassie Tillas.

And much like my idea of tiny baby birds, Wright says often the church "gathers to enable individuals to find God's help for various personal problems" and "feed them as individuals" (10).

Although anyone could have written a book with those facts, Wright takes it much futher. He delves deep into why this is a problem; what it is that causes the Church of Jesus Christ to think this way. Wright talks about the infleunce of an individualistic, consumer oriented culture, the theraputic experience, and traces the theological figures who enabled us to get to this baby bird mentality.

He also sets up a difference between comedy and tragedy. All too often we preach using comedy. The end is resolved; no matter what drama happens, we end up in a happy, beautiful place.

However, tragedy "shatters the presupposition that it will all work out" (33) and he describes how such vulnerability opens doors for transformation. For it is those tragic moments that pave the way to enable repentance when we are called out of our society, our individual lives, and asked to participate in the very story of God.

Wright talks about how preaching with a tragic moment sends "shock waves" (43) through the church and people may revolt crying out "feed me" even louder; for they desire to be nourished and leave feeling good. But the task of a preacher is to call them out of this mentality and set them up for an exciting adventure where they become "characters participating in God's redemption of the world through Christ and the church" (159).

Shock waves create conflict. Conflict creates tension. Tension creates stress for the preacher; and unfortunately some of us do not make it past those tragic moments to watch our people flourish and become who they were created to be. And thus, those of you who know me well, can understand how reading this book was extremly redemptive for me.

The hardest part of this text to read were the parts I took my pen and wrote "sad" in the margin. These were the sentences: In today's interpretation of scripture "each individual became the story's central actor," "God may play a supporting role" in each story but only "based upon the will of the individual," thus making THE STORY, the story of "personal salvation" (53). Truly sad.

How different is this individualistic, baby bird mentality from the vision to enter into the story of God; to particpating in the redemption and salvation of all creation? I am not even sure that can be answered adequately. It is as different as you can imagine... speaking of tragedy; that ought to make you puke.

Perhaps this breaks my heart most of all because I know he is right; this is what dominates preaching these days. And thus: How will the people in the church today learn to jump out of the nest to soar as an icon (reflecting the divine image) for the world if we preach messages aimed at feeding and nourishing the individual?

When we preach to nourish the individual and "feed them" only our witness to the world becomes static. But what we are called to, as Wright says multiple times, is to live as a "peculiar people;" a people on "an adventure" to live as a sign of God's redemption in the world" (74).

Now that's exciting!

Thus, the goal of our preaching should be to preach the "teleos" of creation's redemption. Wright spends a significant amount of time teaching us HOW to do that. And if I've convinced you this book is worthwhile, I would highly recommend picking up this book and learning how to preach and interpret scripture in this beautiful story of God.

Thankfully, Wright does not end with just words in preaching. He talks about the actions that go along with the rhetoric. Wright tells us there are three things we must do (in chapter 5). We must take part in the Eucharist, forgive and reconcile, and sharing and hospitality. He says, "the practices of a local congregation provide the rhetoric background through which the Spirit might form and sustain a peculiar people" (128).

Wright uses the language of "formation" and habits (91) but having the passion for virtue ethics that I do, I could expand on these two phrases forever.

I smiled when he talked about the preacher being formed by the virtues of faith, hope, and love. For the virtue ethicist knows these are the three theological virtues, according to St. Thomas Aquinas.

Virtue ethics teaches us to be formed by faith, hope, and love and it is my passion to become creative and imaginative about how we might be formed this way.

We were formed incorrectly; many pastors know this; Wright put it in print for us to convince us of this. However, Wright is right. :) We need to think through what it means to be re-formed into a new narrative; a new way of thinking.

What will it take to shock us out of our habit of acting like baby birds, begging the preacher to feed us so we feel good?

I have several ideas, expanding on Wright's third point (sharing and hospitality); all of which include "getting dirty."

We spend time with the "least of these." We hang out with people in our community, inviting them and loving them as our community (even if they are the "stranger" as Wright calls it). We get down on our knees and scrub the floors. We allow our pastors to spend more time with the poor than the rich. We act like the people outside our church doors are as valuable as those with power. When people lose their hope and dreams, we remind them of who they CAN be; who they were created to be. We treat them like the people God envisions for them to be.

I would add, to Wright's great start in this discussion, that I believe... the way we learn how to "get dirty" is through the practices of the church (as I write over and over). For example, when we give something up for Lent, we learn a new habit. We are re-formed into a different kind of people. We learn how to give up something for God and thus when it comes time to give up our time or money for someone else, we were formed to do so. In other words, we are being formed differently through the action of self-denial. When we fast, we learn a new habit. We are shocked out of our old habit and learn a new one.

Perhaps what the church needs today, is a huge fast where we together give up what we want to learn where our little lives get caught up in God's plan for redemption of creation; where we are shocked to the point of being formed differently; that we might become a different people together.

And if my commentary and additions do not convince you to read this book, maybe Stanley Hauerwas can. He recommends it. :)

Dirty Hearts

2009-06-11T06:07:00.003-05:00

While I am on sabbatical I have a lot more time to study various passages of scripture. Usually I focus on one scripture each week; eating, breathing, and sleeping that one passage as I prepare to preach it. But while I'm on sabbatical, I read one or two passages a day. I feel spoiled.

Today I studied Luke 8:5-8, 11-15. The Parable of the Sower. Or as I like to call it: Dirty Hearts.

The story goes like this. A farmer (we'll call him Joe Bob, I am in southern Virginia for sabbatical afterall) goes out with a bag of seeds. I can see him carrying his big ol' bag, not even struggling under the weight. He reaches his hand in and casts out the first batch. They fall on the dirty dusty pathway. He takes another handful; they fall on some rocks. He reaches in and grabs another handful; they fall amongst weeds. And then he casts the last bit out, emptying the bag onto the ground as the seeds land on the good soil. And then Joe Bob walks into his house and waits for harvest.

The seeds that fell on the dirt path were trampled by his seven year old twins; and then the birds came and ate them. Farmer Joe Bob shakes his head and sighs.

The seeds that fell on the rocks started to grow but wilted quickly because they could not find nutrients or moisture to survive.

The seeds that fell amongst the weeds started to grow but Farmer Joe Bob watched as they choked and died.

The final seeds fell on good soil and grew and produced fruit beyond Farmer Joe Bob's wildest dreams. His twin boys had enough food for their whole entire school to come over for an end of the year party. It was a grand event that included large moonwalk blowups, cotton candy, and balloons.

And now what is the point of this story with my amusing additions of Farmer Joe Bob and his twins?

The seed is the Word of God. Many people hear the Word of God. But not all of our hearts are the same.

Some of our hearts are like the dirt path. We hear the Word but we get trampled easy.

Some of our hearts are like the rocks. We hear the Word but when things get tough we fall away because our roots don't go deep enough for nutrients.

Some of our hearts are like the thorns. We hear the Word but the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world choke us before we can ever produce fruit.

And... some of our hearts are like the good soil (dirty hearts). We hear the Word and we hold onto the Word. We become honest. We become good. We bear fruit. We learn to be patient, enduring even in suffering and trials.

So what kind of a heart do you have? Is it trampled? Is it rocky? Is it thorny?

Or is your heart dirty with rich, good soil?

As I was reflecting on this passage I heard God say... my church is filled with many types of hearts from thorny to dirty. All of us, in the church, heard the Word of God and were transformed by it in some way. But not all people, even church leaders, have dirty hearts. The church is often a place for those who are dealing with thorns or seeking, with desperation, more nutrients.

And so as I read this passage I began to grieve for the church of God; to pray for those who might be thorny, trampled, or seeking nutrients amongst the rocks. And I prayed that my own heart would become as dirty with good soil as possible; that in these times of deep suffering God would make my heart quite dirty so that I might produce fruit that points us all towards the redemption of creation.

God have mercy on your church. We so desperately need you. May we all have dirty hearts.

Redemption Is Calling

2009-06-07T13:34:00.014-05:00

I am enjoying my time of sabbatical; taking time to stop and rest. When things are going fast and at the speed of light we tend to see the trauma and trash over the renewal and restoration. So I thought I would take some time to share and reveal the moments I am seeing God's plan for the redemption of creation these days.

I am seeing God in the ordinary; in the moments of life we pass through everyday.

I see God's renewal of all things in the beauty from the trash (see the picture above). While we were visiting a strawberry patch I noticed a pile of pipes and trash near the field. It struck me as beautiful; even though it is a stack of unwanted trash. And I realized as I snapped the picture, sometimes the ugliest moments of life are at work revealing the beauty of renewal.

I see the vibrance of redemption in the roses out in front of the house. It was raining one day; pouring down in buckets. We opened up the door and watched the storm crash around us. But when the wind grew quiet and the drops stopped falling the roses and their stems were covered with dew looking drops, sparkling under the sun's rays. It was beautiful even when they were drenched and wilting from the pressure of the storm's heavy drops.

I also hear the symphony of renewal in the songs I keep hearing; secular and Christian. The song, "East to West" by Casting Crowns has a verse that says something like: "I'm not holding onto God; God is holding onto me." That's deeply reassuring. Starfield sings a song "Everything is Beautiful" where it says "Sometimes grace reminds me I don't get to be the King. I'm like a bird with clipped wings but I hear redemption calling; even when the tears are falling and everything is crashing. I can hear redemption calling-- everything is beautiful to me." I could not say it any better myself. And finally, for a little John Mayer: "I'm bigger and stronger than my body gives me credit for!" Ha. We all need to hear this; we are all stronger than our fragile, breakable bodies sometimes indicate.

This sabbatical is teaching me: God is at work in the redemption and renewal of all things; especially some of the painful and damaging things we experience. Sin might devastate, destroy, and divide but God's action in creation is to restore, redeem, and reconcile.

It is my prayer that all those who read this blog post will be given the eyes to see God's beautiful painting of restoration before their eyes and hear redemption's calling. Because everything is beautiful; even when the tears are falling.

The Invisible

2009-06-03T08:41:00.005-05:00

I met a Latin American woman working housekeeping during my travels to the east coast. She saw me leaving my room and greeted me with a smile and a "hello." I returned her greeting with a big smile and wave; thinking nothing of it. But my kindness to the housekeeper would soon blossom into putting a face on the suffering of Latin American women in the United States.

I sat down to breakfast- snacking on a donut; pretending I would eat the bananna on my table. By the time I hit my second cup of coffee the housekeeper walked in the breakfast room to sneak some fruit. She turned to me again, "Do you like breakfast?" she asked. "Yes- I guess I do" I replied. She questioned again, "Do you like early mornings?" "Sometimes" I said as I laughed.

She smiled- but her smile quickly faded. Her lips quivered and her eyes peirced me with an overwhelming grief. She tried to hide it and shook her head causing the dark, matted curls in her hair to bounce. She moved as if she could shake away her sadness for the moment.

I smiled at her and gave her warm eyes. Suddenly she blurted out, "It's such hard work. Such hard work. All day- all day. So I can live upstairs. But it's such hard work- such hard, hard work." She was trying, unsuccesfully, not to cry.

I had no idea what to do or say. All I could think of was my Liberation Theology class and Izzasi-Diaz's book about the suffering of Latin American women; and here she was before me-- a person; not an idea in a book.

"Do you have family here?" I asked. Any good pastor knows family is a good starting point. She had a son and a daughter. One was married and she had a grandbaby. It sounded like perhaps she provided for some of them.

She tried to eat a bananna but her grief and torment would not allow it. She grabbed me in a hug and sobbed. I was not surprised.

I hugged her tightly back-- not processing it yet; but quite aware that is what I was there to do.

She gave up on her bananna and went to throw it away; whimpering the entire way.

I looked at her hunched over body and felt incredible compassion for her. I could not stand it anymore. I jumped up and hugged her again. "God be with you" I whispered. She nodded her head.

She got a cup and filled it as her hands quivered. She turned to me one last time. "Goodbye" she said with a wave. "Goodbye" I mumbled back.

And she was gone.

I thought about my words to her. "God be with you;" and I felt sad. The way God will be "with" her is through God's physical body in the world-- the Church... and I have serious doubts many of us SEE her; let alone care.

She's invisible. She works quietly-- cleaning; suffering in silence. She works countless hours. She grieves; and a huge portion of the church doesn't see her.

We send money to the poor overseas. We desire to save those in poverty from the gates of hades-- but few of us give a rip about this lady's living conditions and her grief so overwhelming she would sob before a complete stranger.

She's invisible.

The only job she can find is cleaning up after me. She had hopes for a better life and those hopes came crashing around her.

Her pain and grief is unbelivable and unbearable-- and she's invisible.

Her name is Sengena.

* * * * * * *

God, give us the eyes to see the invisible; to be your hands and feet to those who suffer right in front of us. Make the invisible the ones whom our eyes see the most.

And God- be WITH that dear lady; through us, your body.

* * * * * * *

Faith, Hope, & Love: Letter to Alexis

2009-04-25T13:29:00.009-05:00

Tomorrow is my last Sunday as the senior pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene. I believe God is calling me to find my way back to children's ministry; where I am afraid my heart was left. However, this means I will be leaving behind several I love; including a 15 year old named Alexis.

Alexis is a special kid. When I was sobbing behind the pulpit from more torment than anyone under 90 can understand, she was the first to fearlessly run up on stage to hug her pastor. I will never forget our fantastic memories of painting a wall of the teen room "taxi cab yellow" or being (certainly) one of the only senior pastors ever to take their teenagers to a Toby Mac concert. She committed her life to God and said she wanted to sing and dance on stage too; and she could. I have the vision to see who she is becoming and it is amazing.

Tomorrow, as I sob again, I will give her a ring to match the one I wear. It reads "faith, hope, love." Depending on which virtue I need more divine help from, I twist it around that way. It's been my divine calling card when I am in such torment and anguish I am unable to find words to pray with my normal gift to use eloquent words.

I will give this ring to her with a letter. I wanted to put it on this blog so when the ink smears and the color fades... she can find her letter here. Maybe some of my readers can glean a little something special from Alexis and I's pastor/teen relationship too.

* * * * * *

Dear Alexis,

You are an amazing person and I love you so much. No matter what; always remember Pastor Christy loves you and believes in you. You're incredibly special and God thinks so too.

I'm giving you a ring that reads "faith, hope, and love" for so many reasons. These are termed the "theological virtues" by some old, dead dude named St. Thomas Aquinas. I think he was right... especially since Corinthians says much the same (1 Cor 13:13).

Faith. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whomever you become... develop the virtue of faith. Faith is about trusting in God, even when you're certain you cannot see God's hand at work. Faith is about depending on God even when everything collapses around you and you are certain you are caught in eternal darkness from the misery and pain in your life; when you can barely pick yourself up out of bed because of the horror and despair around you. Faith is repeatedly confessing belief God is still present and active even when you cannot clearly see it. Faith reminds us of the hope that things will not always remain in the present reality of suffering.

Hope. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whomever you become... develop the virtue of hope. Hope towards a restored, redeemed, and renewed creation; where there is no violence, manipulation, power-plays, or painful degrading words to be spoken. I know you wish people in the church acted differently and said different things; for you witnessed far more than anyone ever should. But I tell you this-- you can become the church you wish it was. Always hope for it. Always love enough to become it.

Love. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whomever you become... develop the virtue of love. Imagine a mother with her newborn baby. That little one cannot do a thing for the mother or give the mother any great gift. But she loves this baby anyway. She loves this child simply because it exists. Do the same. Love people... simply because they exist.

And when faith, hope, and love are developed in a person and in a community... I think the most amazing thing happens. Peace. Our characters become so reflective of the person of Jesus Christ, peace is possible. Peace is so much more than the absence of conflict. Peace is so much more than a lack of war. Peace is about a transformation of so many person's character in community that we care more about what God wants than what we want. We set aside our petty desires and selfish ambitions and let others be honored, praised, and preferred above ourselves.

Faith, hope, and love. Wear the ring; remember what God taught you through this crazy, slightly messed up, Preacher Chick.

Again, I love you Alexis. You're so special.

Pastor Christy

HE IS RISEN! Resurrection Sunday Sermon

2009-04-12T07:33:00.008-05:00

Sermon for April 12, 2009; Trinity Church of the Nazarene.

JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!

On Good Friday we mourned the loss of Jesus. He was really dead. He was really lifeless. All hope seemed lost. We felt lost all weekend.

The light of the world lay in a dark tomb.

But today—JESUS IS ALIVE! Hallelujah.

HE IS RISEN!! (He is risen Indeed)

God raised Jesus from the dead!

Death has lost. Darkness has faded. Hopelessness has disappeared.
Life wins. The light of the world shines brightly. Hope prevails.

And because God raised Jesus from the dead (from hopelessness, from darkness), we learn several things.

I. First, we learn that GOD WAS PLEASED WITH THE WAY JESUS LIVED HIS LIFE. It is divine vindication of Jesus’ choices. It is as if God says, “This one I’m pleased with.”

So if God vindicates Jesus’ life, let’s look back. How did Jesus live? And… how did Jesus die?

Because if God was pleased with Jesus, we need to live that same way; Jesus showed us another way to live… and another way to die.

A. Remember last week on Palm Sunday we talked about Jesus coming on a donkey; humbled. He did not ride into town on a white stallion swinging a divine sword. He came on a donkey.

Jesus lived by humbling himself… by riding a donkey; the weirdest animal one could choose.

So the first thing we learn about Jesus’ life—was he lived humbly.

B. And then as we look back on Jesus’ life we remember the words out of his mouth. He said, “I’ve come to bring peace, not a sword.”

Now that’s a weird way to live. If you want to die and have people attack you, maybe live without a sword. Hmm.

And that’s a weird way to die too.

Even when they beat him with sticks, put a crown of thorns in his head, made him carry his own heavy cross, whipped him, scorned him, humiliated him, broke his body, forced him to drink vinegar, and so much more… Jesus still responds with peace.

So we learn… Jesus lives in the most peaceful way at all times; even when it leads to death. He always chooses to live differently.

So the second thing we learn about Jesus’ life—was he chooses to live with peace.

C. We also remember a story Jesus told once; about a Samaritan. EWE. Not a Samaritan.

That would be like saying (whisper) “homosexual” today. Homosexuals certainly couldn’t be good (so say many Christians today) ! Samaritans certainly cannot be good!

But Jesus chooses to use the outcast—to shout loudly “live by loving everyone.” Look at who did the right thing in this story. It was the loser—the one we brand “SINNER.”

When we look back on Jesus’ life we see him loving… even the outcasts of society. We see Jesus lifting up the loser sinner as an example on how to love.

That’s quite radical.

So the third thing we learn about Jesus’ life—was he chose to identify with the outcast.

D. And then after Jesus is already dead and then raised to life—we see Jesus using the WORST possible people ever to be witnesses to his resurrection.

Women.

Women in this society were not considered to be a trustworthy witness. Only men could be witnesses.

BUT WHO DOES GOD CHOOSE TO WITNESS THE RESURRECTION?

Women.

Let’s read together from our scripture passage about these women on Resurrection morning. If you are able, please stand for the reading of the Word from John 20:1-18.

So the fourth thing we learn about Jesus’ life from this passage—was he gave value to the valueless; they held witness to the good news.

E. Wow. Jesus is one crazy, radical guy. No wonder they killed him.
He lived a life that screamed… humility, peace, love of the outcast, and honoring of the least.

What a loser.

But God says… “Uh, uh; Jesus was right. He lived as I intended for you all to live in creation. Jesus lived the better way; follow his example.”

So… the resurrection shouts out—Jesus is not worthy of death. Jesus is not a loser. Jesus was the one who got it right!

F. So the first thing we learn from Jesus’ resurrection is that God vindicated his life. God said- THIS is the way to live

The holy way to live is in self-sacrifice, in humility, speaking the truth in love, giving up yourself, and not acting violently.

For it is when people act violently and refuse to humble themselves, and take whatever they want from others to feel better about themselves… that death pokes its ugly head.

We end up killing—like we killed Jesus.

II. And so second thing we learn from the resurrection is—there is a better way to live. And this is the START OF A NEW CREATION.

A. The old is gone, the new has come. The old way of living like Adam—choosing what we want, choosing that fruit whenever we feel like it—is gone. Now we choose what God wants; even when we do not like it.

We make a conscious choice every day—to choose to do what is best for the new creation, for God’s intention for creation… even if it causes us humiliation—or if we are scorned—or if we are looked down upon.

We now choose God’s Kingdom and God’s Church over ourselves.

B. We also no longer act in a way where we try to conquer one another—where we try to dominate each other. In the new creation we act in a loving way to all people; no matter who they are. We extend grace towards all people and attempt not to conquer them with words or actions.

This new creation, that the resurrection brings, is a creation where violent domination of others is gone.

This is a creation where we work towards equality. There is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free…

C. We also no longer dehumanize each other in this new creation.

(Leaning heavily on “Liars, Lovers, and Heroes" by Stephen R. Quartz, Ph.D and Terrencde J. Sejnowski, PhD; Chapter 8)

How is it that some people are able to murder others in cold blood? How is it that a high school student can walk into a school and open fire on classmates? How is that one human can murder another human?

Because we dehumanize each other.

When humans work to make other humans less than human… this is dehumanization.

In the new creation—we do not dehumanize others. Every living person who has breath is a human; valuable, and loved by God. No matter their skin tone. No matter their lifestyle. No matter their gender. No matter their choices. No matter what—all people are valued by God.

The new creation is marked by giving people back their humanity—when they are dehumanized.

We work in this new creation to “rehumanize” people—when others tear them apart and dehumanize them.

One of my favorite books (Rob Bell’s “Sex God,” page 30) tells the story of Jewish women in Nazi Germany; battered and torn. Colonel Gonin’s stay at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is described. This is what it says:

“It was shortly after the British Red Cross arrived, though it may have no connection, that a very large quantity of lipstick arrived. This was not at all what we wanted, we were screaming for hundreds and thousands of other things and I don’t know who asked for lipstick. I wish so much that I could discover who did it, it was the action of genius, sheer unadulterated brilliance. I believe nothing did more for these internees than the lipstick. Women lay in bed with no sheets and no nightie but with scarlet red lips, you saw them wandering about with nothing but a blanket over their shoulders, but with scarlet red lips. I saw a woman dead on the postmortem table and clutched in her hand was a piece of lipstick. At last someone had done something to make them individuals again, they were someone, no longer merely the number tattooed on the arm. At last they could take an interest in their appearance.

That lipstick started to give them back their humanity.”

The new creation, after the resurrection, is marked by finding ways to “give people lipstick”—to give them back their humanity.

HOW DO YOU GIVE PEOPLE LIPSTICK EVERY DAY?!

III. Jesus’ resurrection SHOWS US HOW TO LIVE (as Jesus lived) IN THIS NEW CREATION (that began with the resurrection).

We too are to ride our donkeys into the city… We are to clothe ourselves in humility.
We too are to wave olive branches… We are to live in peace.
We too are to care for the Samaritans… We are to care for the outcasts of society.
We too are to believe the women’s testimony… We are to value all people’s words and life as Jesus did.

We too are to find ways to REHUMANIZE when the world dehumanizes.

IV. And what is most exciting… is THIS NEW CREATION SCREAMS “JESUS IS ALIVE” in the way we are—in the way we act—in the way we live.

A. We are a people who are formed differently.
We are a people who have different habits and patterns in our behavior; because we actually ARE a special people.

B. For example: Recently I had to be in the ER with my husband while he got x-rays on his broken leg. Someone came to my house and watched my son; free of charge.

She might as well screamed out “Jesus is alive. Let me watch your son while you are in the hospital.”

Her very actions lived out the new creation and screamed “JESUS IS ALIVE!”

This person who watched my son in the middle of the night… She lives differently. She is a special person with different habits and patterns—the one that lives out this new creation.

C. How do you live? Does your life scream out you ARE different? Do the things you do reflect a pattern of living as a part of a special people—where your actions say “Jesus is alive?”

Does your life work towards the redemption of creation?

Could someone use you as a sermon illustration for this new creation? Could your daily activities and the words of your mouth be a shining example of the new creation because of the resurrection? This new, beautiful creation that is ushered in with Jesus being raised from the dead--

Does your life reveal what it looks like to be a part of the new creation the resurrection brings?

What in your life says “Jesus is alive?” Anything?

If not, what could you do this week to start forming habits & patterns that reflect the message with your life of this new creation?

V. Let us pray:

Lord God, we want to live resurrection lives.

We want the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, and the actions of our bodies to be pleasing to you Lord; to shout out “Jesus is alive.”

Whatever in our lives does not help restore your creation, forgive us for it. Show us how to live in the way Jesus did; a way that brings about a renewed creation.

We love you, Lord. We proclaim together "Jesus Christ is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He alone is Lord."

Amen.

LENT DEVOTIONS Week 7, HOLY WEEK

2009-04-08T13:18:00.002-05:00

Written by: Rev. Kazimiera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter Leppert.

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Monday

John 12:1-11

As we are thinking about the sacrifice Christ made for us, we need to think about the sacrifices we make for Christ. This woman basically laid a brand new Mercury Mariner, SUV, at Jesus’ feet. She just gave it to him; put it before Jesus with no strings attached.

What do we give over to Jesus? What do we sacrifice to further Christ’s work here on this earth? Jesus gave up his place beside the Father. Jesus suffered and died. This woman was willing to give Jesus something that was her whole life’s savings, a whole year’s wages, to prepare Jesus for his death to come.

Too often we do not put Christ and his kingdom first. We do not have enough time, or enough money. We do not like doing this or are not good at that. Too often we are not willing to give Jesus the valuable things in (or parts of) our lives. We give him the leftovers, the scraps we have left after we do what we want; never putting what Christ wants first. Too often even as we look at his death and sacrifice we are not willing to sacrifice for him.

Reflection Questions:
What is your SUV? What valuable thing can you give to Christ? What about YOU can you hand over to the God who gave himself for you?

Prayer:
Lord God, I want to give you everything—even the things that could be used for something else. Take my perfume- take it all. I give it all to you.

Weekly Action:
On Ash Wednesday we talked about how we are ash and to ash we will return. What does God want to do with the ash of your life-- to make it something beautiful; to breathe life into hopelessness?

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Tuesday

John 12:27-30

Sometimes it is easy to think Jesus just gave up his life. It is easy to believe Jesus did not struggle with this idea. We come to the conclusion that the cross was something Jesus just did without thought or hesitation. Jesus was God. He knew his purpose. He knew his future and simply moved in this direction because he was supposed to do this.

But doing the right thing, doing the Godly thing, doing what he was called to do was hard for him. He struggled with it. He knew what was right and chose what was right. But he asked the Father to save him from this hour; to save him from pain and death.

Doing God’s work and doing God’s will is not easy. But as we follow Christ’s example in all things we (like Jesus) need to say “Yes” to the Father’s will. We need to say “Yes” to the things of God. We must put our selfishness and self-centered desires behind us as we follow the path down which God is leading.

Reflection Questions:
What kinds of things is God calling you to do?

How are those things difficult?

Prayer:
Jesus, in the same way you struggled- we struggle. In the same way you chose to do the right thing, please enable us to do the right thing too; to say yes to the things of God.

Weekly Action:
On Ash Wednesday we talked about how we are ash and to ash we will return. What does God want to do with the ash of your life-- to make it something beautiful; to breathe life into hopelessness?

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Wednesday

John 13:21-32

Judas is known for the actions he performs here; at the end of Jesus’ life. Judas, who knew Jesus, who listened and learned at Jesus’ feet, betrays Jesus. He takes actions which lead directly to Jesus’ capture and ultimately his death.

The beauty is, even in these dark evil deeds, God is at work redeeming Judas’ selfish, broken actions to bring glory to God’s work and move Christ toward his intended purpose here on earth.

Too often our actions do not reflect the fact that we also sat and learned at the feet of Jesus. Our actions are broken and selfish. Whenever we choose ourselves and what we want over the things of Christ and what he wants, we are betraying him, just as Judas betrayed him.

The beauty of God is even as we work against Godly purposes and God’s will becomes God’s moving to redeem our actions and the consequences of our actions; to bring the things of God to our lives and to this world. God can (and does) bring glory out of our broken sinful choices. God turns ashes into something beautiful.

Reflection Questions:
What actions in your life reflect yourself? What actions reflect sitting at Jesus’ feet?

Prayer:
Lord God, sometimes we act broken and selfish and betray you and who you called us to be. Forgive us. Purify us. Change us. We want to choose what you want.

Weekly Action:
On Ash Wednesday we talked about how we are ash and to ash we will return. What does God want to do with the ash of your life-- to make it something beautiful; to breathe life into hopelessness?

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Have you ever experienced (or heard about) a foot washing service? A service where each person follows Jesus’ example and washes the feet of others; then in turn allows someone else to wash their feet.

What does it mean to allow Jesus to wash our feet; to wash and cleanse us?

In the end, when Peter understands, he asks for Jesus to wash not just his feet, but his hands and head as well. In short he wants Jesus to wash him wholly.

How would we need to humble ourselves in order to allow Jesus to wash all of us? To step down from our doing modes and allow Christ to do for us? We are dirty and dusty with the travels of this life we need to stop and allow our Lord and Savior to make us clean, rid us of all that stains and dirties, so we can rise and do the work of the kingdom, in purity, and cleanliness.

Reflection Questions:
What kind of worldly dirt sticks to you?

How can you allow Christ to cleanse you today?

Prayer:
Lord God, I confess I am not completely clean. If I am truly honest, I desire to be preferred above others. I want to be honored and praised. I hate to be ridiculed and wrong. Please clean me; make me pure. Wash the parts of me I hide from others. I give all of myself to you and ask you to give me the grace to desire others to be honored, praised, and chosen over myself. Amen.

Weekly Action:
On Ash Wednesday we talked about how we are ash and to ash we will return. What does God want to do with the ash of your life-- to make it something beautiful; to breathe life into hopelessness?

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Good Friday

John 19:25-30

Jesus is dead. At this point in history—there is no hope. There is no light. The thing about dead people is that they are dead; they are gone.

As they looked at Jesus’ dead, bleeding body they did not see the centuries of God’s glorious Church unfolding before them. They saw their friend, their son, their mentor, the one who embodied all their hopes and dreams, dead; stone cold dead.

All was lost!

Reflection Questions:
What makes you feel hopeless?

What parts of your life are dead?

Prayer:
God, on this day we feel hopeless. Jesus is dead. Our hopes seem dead. We wonder if darkness overcame the light.

Weekly Action:
On Ash Wednesday we talked about how we are ash and to ash we will return. What does God want to do with the ash of your life-- to make it something beautiful; to breathe life into hopelessness?

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation: Holy Saturday

John 19:38-42

They took Jesus down from the cross. They laid him in the tomb. A stone was rolled in front of the opening. The lifeless cold body of our savior is lying in a dark, dank, stone tomb. Winter has fallen on all the earth. The hopes and dreams of all creation lay beneath the earth covered in snow as the harsh winter wind howls hollowly. Hope is gone. Death is real. Hate has won. Love has lost. And the world holds its breath, waiting to pass away as well. Without the savior, without the Christ, all is lost. We all die. Hope fades. Darkness reigns.

Prayer:
God, we still feel hopeless. Jesus is still dead. The light of the world- lies in a dark tomb. The resurrection of life- lies dead.

* * * * * *

To Whom Do You Wave Your Palm? Mark 11:1-11

2009-04-05T07:43:00.005-05:00

This is the sermon for Palm Sunday at Trinity Church of the Nazarene; Rev. Christy Gunter Leppert.

I. The people think they know who Jesus is.

They wave their palm branches in extreme excitement. The Messiah has come.

They heard the stories—this guy raised Lazarus from the dead! This guy turned water into wine.
"Oooh, does he have a magic wand?"

"Can he make supernatural things happen?"

Is he a wizard?

'Maybe at this big old fair we are having here… he could do some magic tricks. Let’s see a sign!"

Others were all excited because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering war hero.

"Whoo hoo—a guy coming on a white stallion with a sword in hand!"

Perhaps he is a political revolutionist!

"We will rally together and dictate others. We will overthrow the government and take over!"

"Jesus will overthrow the Romans."

"We will not be oppressed anymore!"

"The Messiah has come and we will no longer suffer domination!"

* * * *

He is a war hero… he is a wizard… he is a political revolutionist.

* * * *

The people think they know to whom they are waving their palm branches.

II. Who do we think Jesus is? What are our expectations for Jesus?

Sometimes we think of Jesus as a cop.

“Ohhh, you better stop doing that or you will get an eternal ticket for eternal damnation and condemnation.”

Or: “Tisk-tisk. I will have to pull you over in life to make you suffer the punishment for sinning!”

Sometimes we think of Jesus as a judge.

Have you ever stood before a judge? Most people tend to feel very insignificant before a judge

that controls fines and punishment.

Sometimes we think of Jesus like that…

“I therefore sentence you to an eternal dance with the evil one since you chose to speed the other day.”

Or: “Shame on you. You are a horrible person who makes horrible choices and therefore you will have your name erased from the good book.”

Or we are completely self-righteous and assume the judge will say: “Well done. You are the holiest person I have ever seen. You chose to love perfectly in every situation. You get eternal reward forever and ever. You will feel like you are floating on cotton balls and eating ice cream for all eternity.”

Sometimes we think of Jesus as Superman.

I personally love superman—so this one is easy for me.

Jesus the hero who flies through the city, saving the people in peril.

Jesus has eyes that can burn through metal and gets sick from kryptonite.

Sometimes we think of Jesus as the one who makes life easy.

"Come follow me and life will forever and eternally be simple, trouble free, uncomplicated, and undemanding."

Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

Follow Jesus and get a ticket to an eternal massage and perpetual spa treatments.

Sometimes we think of Jesus as the one who saves us from suffering.

"Follow Jesus and life will come together in utopia. There will be no suffering in this life. No tears. No crying."

Everything gets perfect when you follow Jesus.

People today think they know to whom they are waving their palm branches.

III. Philippians 2:5-11 gives a different picture.

Ah, see… perhaps Jesus is not who we think he is.

Perhaps the Jesus we THINK we know, the Jesus we EXPECT… is not the Jesus who revealed himself on Palm Sunday.

IV. Jesus the Suffering Servant:

Jesus was fully human.

Which means Jesus had the same desire we all do—to preserve ourselves.

Jesus did not want to die; just like none of us are exactly lining up for death today.

Jesus did not want to feel pain.

I mean, who likes to feel pain? Normal humans do not want to feel pain.

Jesus did not want to feel the whip or the crown of thorns… or those nails… or the weight of his body hanging on a cross.

But Jesus chose to act differently than the human desired.

He chose to make himself nothing.

He chose to humble himself.

He chose to die, on a cross.

He chose to be a servant.

Jesus came on a donkey—not a white stallion.
Jesus came on a colt—not a war horse.

Jesus came waving an olive branch—not a sword.
Jesus came with a palm—not a magic wand.

Jesus is a suffering servant; humbling himself—not at all what we often expect.

V. To whom do you wave your palm?

Do you wave your palm to a magician? A war hero?

Do you wave your palm to a cop Jesus, a judge Jesus, a Superman Jesus, a spa treatment Jesus,

or a non-suffering Messiah?

To whom do you wave your palm?

Do you wave your palm to the Jesus you THINK you know?
Do you wave your palm to the Jesus you EXPECT?

Or do you wave your palm to the Jesus who suffered and calls us to suffer too?

Because the Jesus in scripture asked his followers to go into a nasty, dirty stable and get donkeys.

That is a fun romantic task, is it not?
Who wants to sign up for that fun experience as Jesus’ disciple?

Not me.

And Jesus sends his disciples out to look like thieves to the world.

That one sounds really great, doesn’t it?
Who wants to go steal donkeys for Jesus?

Not me.

The Jesus in scripture is a Jesus who suffers—and a Jesus who calls his disciples to suffer too.

To whom do you wave your palm branch today?
To your idea of Jesus—or to the Jesus of Scripture?

VI. Let us pray:

Dear Lord,

We come before you and confess sometimes we want to tell you who you are.
We want to expect you are a conquering hero.
We want to expect you are a magician.
We expect you are a cop or a judge.

We think of you in all the wrong ways.

Forgive us.

Help us to have a renewed understanding of you today—as a suffering servant who said this world may not be easy; but you would always be with us. We love you Lord.

Amen.

Prayers of a Priest and a Female Pastor

2009-04-03T14:50:00.005-05:00

I tend not to write many blog posts in the "I" form (I think, I feel, I saw). However, today I will make an exception; because I want to tell my story of being a part of a group in my area called the "Wichita Ecumenical Christian Prayer Group." We meet once a month- Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox to pray together and celebrate what we hold in common.

Today we met at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (which may be the most beautiful church this side of Europe). The floors are made of marble with multiple domes reaching towards the heavens.

As we all prayed together (both Protestant spontaneous prayers, Catholic written prayers, and even chanting) I was aware there was a priest sitting next to me. I grinned.

Following our prayer time I leaned to him and said, "I think God is smiling with a Catholic Priest and female pastor praying beside one another." He grinned right back and we began a conversation. We might as well have taken off our shoes-- because I am quite confident the place we were standing was holy ground.

As we talked this dear man looked at me in my eyes-- affirming me; regardless of my gender and label. I looked right back at him in the eyes-- believing in him while seeing him as the personal presence of Christ to me in those moments; regardless of his assignment or title.

I walked away from my time with the Father renewed, affirmed, and confident. I can promise you that when we wipe away the lines of division among us- beautiful, holy moments are born; restoration blossoms, recreation becomes visible, and redemption becomes as close as your very breath.

I was asked to lead one of the "Pastor Led Extemporaneous Prayers" and since I am a writer first, my heart is connected to my hand; rather than my mouth. So I sketched my prayer out on paper before I arrived. It is posted below. I hope those who read this prayer can find words to speak their heart this Lenten season.

* * * * *

Lord of all we are and ever hope to be--

We come before you; asking you to

purify our hearts.

Create in us a clean heart- and remove our heart of stone.

Take away our unjust anger. Take away our fears.

Take away all that is not pure within us.

We submit our lives-

all of who we REALLY are

and all we REALLY think to you.

May the very beat of our hearts be for you only.

May each breath we take be accompanied

by thoughts and actions that honor you.

For what we all must remember-- is who we really are.

Beneath our righteous and holy facade is our selfishness,

our sinfulness, our extreme need for your grace.

Some of us choose to admit this-- depending on you to redeem us.

God, grant us the desire to allow you to help us be vulnerable,

allowing you to enable us to become

who we were created, by you, to be.

And for those of us caught up in faking our greatness

and self-confidence; forgive us.

We are a people who enjoy condemning others

and keeping a record of their wrongs

...if only to feel better about ourselves.

God, forgive us.

Grant us the grace, mercy, and GUTS to be

those who are honest, humble, and recreated by you.

Create in us a clean heart and remove our heart of stone-

so that we can proclaim together:

I choose to be a follower of Jesus Christ

...even when I feel betrayed, scorned, and humiliated.

I choose to speak the truth in love

...even when my voice shakes.

I choose to put God's Church, God's Kingdom,

and God's plans for the redemption of creation before myself

...even when I want to spew out justice to establish

my own self-worth and status.

I choose to act in a way that is entirely not my own

and can only be Christ working through me

for God's redemptive purposes.

Amen.

Top 10 Ways to Know You’re a Nazarene Gone Wild this Spring:

2009-04-01T21:02:00.003-05:00

Written in McDonalds by the Trinity Church of the Nazarene Youth Group; special credit to Charlie Boyd, Erica Phillips, and Alexis Johnson—You all crack this Preacha Chick up.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

10. You circle mistakes in the bulletin- for fun.

9. You go to church and do not have a potluck.

8. You send text messages during church and Sunday School.

7. You use your bulletin insert as a “to do” list.

6. You watched PG13 Movies… in the theater… and did not feel guilty.

5. You speak to other parishioners in text lingo just to watch their confusion (which is np; roflol)

4. You watched a nooma video… and liked it.

3. You mouthed the words in the Cantata this year.

2. You know that “Nickleback” is not change one receives from a dollar; after spending 95 cents.

1. You think hip hop is a good form of exercise.

LENT DEVOTIONS, Week 6

2009-03-26T11:48:00.003-05:00

Written by Rev. Kazimiera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter Leppert for Mulvane Church of the Nazarene and Trinity Church of the Nazarene.

* * * *

Daily Meditation One

Isaiah 50: 4-9

What a wonderful way to live! To know God awakens you each and every morning so you might listen as God speaks and you might learn as God teaches; in order that you might be the person God is calling you to be.

God help you. God will not allow you to be disgraced. God is with you. God is walking alongside of you; journeying with you through each day, teaching you, guiding you, and instructing you. All you need to do is listen, learn, and allow yourself to be guided. Walk with Christ. Follow Christ as he makes the journey toward the cross. He walks close by as you walk the roads of your life.

Reflection Questions
In What ways is God with you today?

How is God teaching you and guiding you today?

Prayer
God, I turn my face to you. Teach me; I am listening.
Thank you for walking alongside of me.
I am completely dependent on you.

Weekly Action
Spend some time thinking and praying about one way which you can give Jesus the glory he alone deserves this week. Set time aside to do this, in this way you can wave your palm branch and sing to the one who brings you salvation.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Two

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Give thanks to God! God loves you and will always love you.

Do you ever really stop and thank God? Thank God for giving you life? Thank God that your belly is full and there is food in your pantry and cupboards? Thank God you do not have to worry about where you will sleep tonight or how you will stay warm?

Thank God because God loves you and has blessed you. God has blessed you and often times we do not pause to think about it. Thank God because God “saves” you. Thank God because God’s love fills your life and because that love blesses you and make you blessed.

Reflection Questions
How has God blessed you today?

How will you thank God for blessing you today?

Prayer
Thank you Lord for loving me; for food, for shelter, for your compassion, and for your salvation. Thank you for who you are—the God who loves boundlessly.

Weekly Action

Spend some time thinking and praying about one way which you can give Jesus the glory he alone deserves this week. Set time aside to do this, in this way you can wave your palm branch and sing to the one who brings you salvation.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Three

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the mind of Christ be in you. Think the thoughts of Christ. Out of those thoughts allow the actions of Christ to come forward. You would then be doing the actions of Christ in this world.

If we band together, a group of us, all with the mind of Christ, all of doing the action of Christ, then, then we would be the Church! We would be the church thinking like Christ, acting like Christ, so the world may see Christ in us, living in us, acting in us, so they may know Christ through us. Living this passage in Philippians is what it means to be called by Christ’s name, to be called Christian. This is what is means to be a church; to be the Church.

Reflection Questions
How can you be Christ in your daily routine? How would that change your life? How would that change your church? How would that change your world?

What unselfish thing is God asking you to do—even if it kills you?

Prayer
Lord God, grant us the endurance to be unselfish like you. To give ourselves up, even to death. To follow your call for our lives, even when we feel like nothing—and know we are nothing but ash.

Weekly Action
Spend some time thinking and praying about one way which you can give Jesus the glory he alone deserves this week. Set time aside to do this, in this way you can wave your palm branch and sing to the one who brings you salvation.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Four

Mark 11:1-11

Who was the crowd greeting that morning? To whom were they blessing and singing praise? Were they greeting a great military conqueror; who would save them from Roman rule with a mighty hand? Were they praising a man who came and did mighty works and spoke great wisdom?

NO this was not who rode the colt that day. Perhaps this was the one they thought they were singing and giving glory; but the one who walked in their midst, Jesus of Nazareth, was not the one they assumed he was.

Jesus was the God/man, journeying on his way to die, on his way to the cross, on his way to give it all up, so we might live.

Let us praise God for who God is and not praise God for who we think God should be.

Reflection Questions
How do you see Jesus?

Is it similar to the conquering hero the people saw in this passage?

Prayer
Lord, I cry Hosanna in my heart. You are the blessed one—who brings the Kingdom of heaven on earth. Hosanna. Hosanna. God saves.

Weekly Action

* * * *

LENT DEVOTIONS Week 5, Covenant and Renewed Covenant: The Covenant of Our Hearts

2009-03-22T07:45:00.002-05:00

Devotions written by Rev. Kazimera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter-Leppert for our congregations during the season of Lent.

* * * *

Daily Meditation One

Jeremiah 31:31-34

The heart of the covenant is, “I shall be their God and they shall be my people.”

God’s desire is for who we are to belong to God and for our belonging to God to define our lives. The covenant given to God’s people showed them what they would do if their belonging was lived out. Not only did they neglect and break this covenant but they allowed the guidelines of what covenant life looked like to define their lives.

God does not want people to simply live by a set of rules which can easily be broken but rather wants the covenant to be written on our hearts so our thoughts, words, and actions are born out of God being within us. God wants more than simply people being forced to conform to an outward standard. God wants us to be transformed.

Reflection Questions:
How is Christianity sometimes lived like an outward standard?

How can you allow God to write the covenant upon your heart?

How would this change the way you live?

Prayer:
God, I belong to you. And because I belong to you—you transform all of creation with who you are making me.
Write your promise to create me anew on my heart—so that I might be who you created me to be.

Weekly Action:
Write down the name of the first person you meet today, who is not a family member. Think about your interactions with that person. How did that person see God in you today? In what ways did they not see God? How can you change to be certain that people see more of God in you?

* * * *

Daily Meditation Two

Psalm 119:9-16

Hey you! Yes, you. Who else would I be talking to? Come here. I need to talk with you. I need to show you who I am. I need you to search for me, to seek after me, even when I seem to be hard to find. If you feel you cannot find me the first time, keep searching with your whole heart. I am always here. You will find me. And I will show you my love. I will teach you how to live like me; how to follow my ways and how to walk in my paths. Delight in my guidance, find joy in my teachings. Do not forget me. Do not forget what I have taught you.

With Love and Mercy,
God

Reflection Questions:
If God wrote you a letter what would write back?

What do you thing God would say to you?

What would be the important things you would want to tell God?

What would you want to ask God?

Prayer (Conversation with God):

God,
It’s me; the human. I am here. I am seeking you with my whole heart. I know you’re there. I love you and want to be like you.

Weekly Action:
Write down the name of the first person you meet today, who is not a family member. Think about your interactions with that person. How did that person see God in you today? In what ways did they not see God? How can you change to be certain that people see more of God in you?

* * * *

Daily Meditation Three

Hebrews 5:5-10

The God of creation came to the earth. Jesus Christ became one of us, and walked humbly through life, showing us how to live. He was of the order of Melchizedek; our passage here in Hebrews tells us. Christ is like Melchizedek, a priest who ministered to Abraham along his journey, in the fact that like Melchizedek, Christ has not earthly lineage. Nowhere in the Old Testament is Melchizedek’s lineage given. He is simply a priest of God. Christ who truly is not of this world is also a priest without a lineage; a priest who comes to this earth, ministers, changes everything, and then returns to the place form which he came leaving an everlasting impression. We are called to be like Christ, to leave an everlasting impression of God where ever we go.

Reflection Questions:
If you do not leave a Godly impression what kind of impression do you leave?

What can you do to leave a Godly impression everywhere you go today?

Prayer:
Jesus—thank you for becoming one of us, for suffering; for showing us how to live. May we be living reflections of you.

Weekly Action:
Write down the name of the first person you meet today, who is not a family member. Think about your interactions with that person. How did that person see God in you today? In what ways did they not see God? How can you change to be certain that people see more of God in you?

* * * *

Daily Meditation Four

John 12:20-33

Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me,” and, “where I am, there will my servant also be.”

A group of outsiders asked to see Jesus. Instead of simply taking the people to Jesus, two of them discuss whether or not these people should get to see Jesus and then go and ask Jesus. Jesus does not give them a straight answer but tells them his servants are where he is and those who serve him follow him.

These people want to be where Jesus is; we might assume they want to follow Jesus. However because they do not fit these two disciples mold or understanding of who is worthy to be with Jesus, they are kept away.

Reflection Questions:
Are there people in your life, who if they asked you about coming to church with you, you would be hesitant about inviting them?

In what ways do you keep some people away from knowing and following Christ?

Prayer:
God, I want to serve you and follow you. I want to walk alongside others who serve and follow you—no matter how different they are from me.
May the grain of my heart die and bear much loving fruit for you.
I give up my life for you.

Weekly Action:
Write down the name of the first person you meet today, who is not a family member. Think about your interactions with that person. How did that person see God in you today? In what ways did they not see God? How can you change to be certain that people see more of God in you?

* * * *

John 2:13-16, Idolatry in the Church, Building our own Kingdom; Reflecting Ourselves

2009-03-15T08:08:00.002-05:00

This is the sermon for Trinity Church of the Nazarene, delivered March 15, 2009-- Christy Gunter Leppert.

* * * *

On March 11, 2008, in a town in India, a little baby girl was born with two faces.

Yes. Two faces.

She has a rare condition where a single head has two faces. She has two noses, two lips, and four eyes. She can drink from both of her mouths and opens and shuts all her eyes at the same time, like we would with our two eyes.

Her names is Lali.

According to the news, this little girl was “swarmed by villagers” in a poor little town in India to be worshipped.

Yes, I said worshipped. They are even building a temple for her.

When was the last time, in America, you saw anyone worshipped as a god?

Never.
That stuff does not happen in America.

We do not build temples to children born differently.
We do not worship people in America.
We do not make people idols in America (except in singing TV shows)
We are good church people who do not worship idols!

In Exodus, chapter 20—we find a covenant of God for the people of Israel.
We often call it “the ten commandments.”

Verses 1-3 reads as follows: “Then God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt where you were slaves. You must not have any other gods except me.”

Well, no problem- right?
We are good Christians who don’t do that sort of thing!
We do not have any idols before God.
Those people in India need those verses—but I don’t have an idol and I certainly don’t plan on having an idol.

When cultures around the world idolize a small baby girl because they think she is a goddess, they make her an idol.

But what does this have to do with us?We don’t go around idolizing small baby girls.
We do not need this scripture passage telling us not to have idols, to not have any other gods before Yahweh God.

We do not need this passage.
We are good Christian people, the good sheep, who don’t make other people idols.

OR DO WE?

Our scripture passage for this week comes from John chapter 2. Jesus is at a wedding in Cana where the wine runs out; what a tragedy.

And so the mother says to Jesus “we have no more wine!”
And Jesus takes these jars (or pots) used for purification and fills them with water and turns it into wine.

And then we come to our passage for today; John 2:13-16

Basically we have Jesus cleansing the temple.
We’ve all heard this story.

Every passion play and TV movie shows Jesus swinging around a whip, turning over cages, and chasing out greedy people from the temple.

We love it. There’s something so human about seeing Jesus angry.

But sometimes we miss what is going on here because we’re so excited about Jesus.
We miss that Jesus is cleaning the temple and shouting out with his actions—“this system of religion will not do.”

This system of religion will not do!

Jesus just turned the water into wine in the purification jars or pots.
PURIFICATION POTS.
Purification.
The temple is supposed to be the place that is pure and holy…

Do you see the huge irony?
Do you feel the massive amount of play on words here?
Jesus is becoming the purification pot for the temple.

The temple is supposed to be clean.
The pots are supposed to cleanse.

But the temple has space that is not clean.
This system of religion will not do anymore.

The kingdom they built and the system they’ve created there in the temple—will not do.
And Jesus came to cleanse it; to purify it.

To wipe away the idolatry… even in the temple.

To purify the tendency towards idolatry—towards the people in the temple building their own systems—their own kingdoms… putting themselves before God.

Ahh… so perhaps there are a whole lot of tendencies towards idolatry… even in America.

All too often, I’m afraid.

When we try to make our own systems and kingdoms within God’s church—This is idolatry.

If you want an example on what I mean… since the church and the temple are obviously good and holy places...
Take for example donuts.
Donuts are great. Donuts are awesome actually.
I love donuts.
Who does not love donuts?

Safely, I think we can establish donuts are not bad.

However, if I clothe myself in glaze, try to roll around like a donut, and try to BE a donut, then that is bad. I’ve made the donut an idol by trying to BE the donut and REFLECT the donut.
This is idolatry.

It is same for the Church of Jesus Christ.
If we try to clothe ourselves like we want, try to REFLECT ourselves and our own little kingdoms, and try to BE our own system… then we become an idol that merely reflects ourselves.

Jesus, in the temple that day, saw the dirty, rotten reflection of men and women using God’s house to raise themselves up.

The temple was supposed to be the one place where the nature of God was reflected to the people.

All the things of the temple were pure; the sacrifices were unblemished.
Everything inside the temple should reflect the holiness and purity of God.

But instead, Jesus found people trying to reflect themselves; people who created a system within the temple that did anything but reflect the beauty of God.

Jesus saw sin reflected in the Father’s house.
He saw the reflection of people’s selfishness.

The problem was not just money. The problem was not just buying and selling.

The problem was that the people were set up there in the place where God was—to further themselves and their own interest.

They were lifting themselves up next to God and putting their desire and interests before those of the one, true God.

They became an idol that merely reflects itself- like a mirror.

And we do the same thing, today in the Church of Jesus Christ.

So… if we don’t want to be an idol
By being a mere REFLECTION of ourselves in the Church—a reflection of what we want over what God wants….
Then what do we want to be?

What do we want to be if we do not want to be idols?

We want to be like icons.

What is an icon?
An icon is something that points beyond itself, to something that cannot be mastered.

I know this is really hard to understand so let me show you an icon (see the picture above).

Jonathan, our missionary, showed us a whole lot of icons from Romania last week.

In this icon:
I do not see anything about what I wish I was in someone or something on earth.
I do not see anything about myself reflected in this icon (like a mirror of what I see great about myself).

What I see in this icon…
Is it points beyond itself to God, something I can’t master or tell you what it is.

When I look at this icon
I see the nimbus around Jesus’ head (this circle thing) that points beyond itself as a symbol of his divinity.
I see Jesus’ fingers put together to separate them in a 2 and 3 pattern to point beyond itself and symbolize the trinity (the 3, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and the two natures of Christ (divine and human).
I see colors that point to something beyond itself in royalty. The gold symbolizes the holiness and purity of God.

This whole picture icon here, points beyond itself to something that cannot be mastered.

It does not reflect me as a mirror would; it reflects the Creator God.

Jesus, himself, was the perfect Icon.

Jesus was a reflection of the Father in his very life.
He did not reflect himself as if in a mirror but He reflected his Creator God (pointing to something beyond himself), as an icon attempts to do.

Jesus knew the will of the Father
And was ready to lay down his life (or what He wanted) for what God wanted.

Jesus was the perfect Icon.

REVIEW:

We are often quick to point out other cultures around the world who take part in idolatry. It’s so obvious they are making others idols.

We often skip over the fact we also have idols. We build our own kingdoms and systems in the Church—reflecting ourselves and what we want over God’s Kingdom and what God wants.

An idol is something that
a) Reflects what we wish we were
b) Reflects what we see of ourselves that we want to make great—what we want others to see about ourselves

When we participate in this type of idolatry we look a whole lot like an idol ourselves.
Idolatry is wrong. Exodus tells us, “have no other gods before me.”

We want to strive to be an Icon. An Icon does not reflect what we wish we were or reflect what we see of ourselves.

Jesus was the perfect Icon. His reflection was not of himself but of the Creator God. We know this because He was ready to give up what he wanted for what God wanted… even to the point of death.

Therefore:
We should not reflect ourselves. We don’t want to simply be mirrors.
We should strive to be like the perfect Icon, Jesus. We should try to live iconically. We should follow the example of Jesus and continue to give up what we want for what God wants… even to the point of death.

We need to be like the picture of an icon- where we point to something beyond ourselves in our daily lives, wherever we go, whomever we talk to… we point to our Creator God, whom we cannot master.

So let’s go from this place today, being icons of the Divine Creator God.

Let’s pray:
Dear Lord,
Forgive us for the times we become idols or make others idols.
When we build our own kingdoms, create our own systems, and chose what we want.
Forgive us for the times we participate in idolatry.
Change us.
Help us to become Icons for you, like Jesus.
Help us to not merely reflect ourselves or what we wish we were.
But help us to reflect you only, our Creator God; every day.
Thank you Lord.
Amen.

LENT DEVOTIONS Week 4, Covenant and Renewed Covenant:

2009-03-15T08:02:00.002-05:00

Written by: Rev. Kazimiera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter-Leppert for Mulvane Church of the Nazarene and Trinity Church of the Nazarene.

* * * *

Daily Meditation One

Numbers 21:4-9

During this passage the people of Israel are still in the desert. God miraculously provided for them by sending food, daily, in the form of manna and quail. At first this amazed them but as time went by God’s daily miracles of provision became commonplace.

As time passed the miracles of God became the object of their hatred and they grumbled to God and to Moses; the leader God had provided for them. They went so far as to say there is “no food and no water,” and declared their food to be disgusting and inedible.

God sent the people a wake-up call to remind them who is in control. God was providing for them and God’s provision is always enough.

Reflection Questions:
What are three ways that God provides for you on a daily basis? Are there any moments in your life where God is not present and active?

Are there ways God blesses you by; putting different thing and/or people in your life?

Is it easy to overlook God’s commonplace miracle?

Do you ever resent the way God works in your life?

Prayer:
Lord God, you bless me daily by providing for me and taking care of me. I thank you for all the daily miracles that you provide for me. Help me to never begin to resent your actions in my life and to always be thankful that you love me and care for me. Help me to see you are present and working in every moment. Amen

Weekly Action:

Pick one day this week. Have a pen and paper handy with you all day long and write down all the ways that God provides for, takes care of, gives you joy, brings you happiness and blesses you today. Before you go to bed, look at that list carefully read it over. Think about al the ways that God has touched your life just today. Take time to thank God for all the things that God did for you just today. Ask God how you can learn to be more thankful for all the things God does for you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Two

Psalm 107:1-3; 17-22

God is good. This is a basic understanding of the Bible. Because God is good we give God thanks and praise. We are the redeemed, those who love God, and those whom God gathered together. We are gathered in and from the places we wandered. We are the ones who were sick from our own sinful ways and God came to us and healed us. We are called to be delivered from our destructive ways. God redeems us, heals us, hears us. For all these things, we need to thank God and sing praise to God alone.

Reflection Questions:
What would YOUR song of thanksgiving and praise say? What words would you use? What things are you thankful for today?

Thank God for being a good God.

Prayer:
Lord God I praise you and thank you for who you are. I thank you for loving me and caring for me. I thank you for accepting me even when I fail and for forgiving me when I do wrong. I thank you for always being there to listen to me and to hear me when I speak. You truly are a great and mighty God and you alone are worthy of my thanks and praise. You are God and I am not. Amen

Weekly Action:
Pick one day this week. Have a pen and paper handy with you all day long and write down all the ways that God provides for, takes care of, gives you joy, brings you happiness and blesses you today. Before you go to bed, look at that list carefully read it over. Think about al the ways that God has touched your life just today. Take time to thank God for all the things that God did for you just today. Ask God how you can learn to be more thankful for all the things God does for you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Three

Ephesians 2:1-10

You were dead. You were ashes; nothing but the burnt remains of something that once was. You followed the air. It did not take you anywhere. It blew you one way and then another. You lived in death; out the decaying passions leading only to ashes.

BUT even in your death and even in your ashes Christ, through his immeasurable love and undeserved favor toward you, reached from his place of Glory and raised you up out of the ashes. He dusted you off and placed you at his side. He wiped you clean and made you pure.

He did this not because of anything you did or anything you could do, but because he loves you. He adores you. He makes you good as he is good and recreates you into a new being.

Reflection Questions:
How do you live in death?

How does Christ make your new?

Prayer:
God, I am nothing but ashes—blowing in the wind. Breathe life into me, oh Lord. I am dead in so many ways. I need life. I need your life. Touch me with your immeasurable love. Give to me your undeserved favor. Look to me in my distress and I will look to you. Make me clean. Make me pure. Give me your light, so I may shine your brightness in this dark and dead world.
Amen.

Weekly Action:
Pick one day this week. Have a pen and paper handy with you all day long and write down all the ways that God provides for, takes care of, gives you joy, brings you happiness and blesses you today. Before you go to bed, look at that list carefully read it over. Think about al the ways that God has touched your life just today. Take time to thank God for all the things that God did for you just today. Ask God how you can learn to be more thankful for all the things God does for you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Four

John 3:14-21

We all desire to be the people God wants us to be. We all desire to be “good Christians.” We want to be viewed as “good Christians.” We never want people to look at us and see our failings and imperfections. So sometimes we hide parts of who we are. We lurk in the shadows- only revealing the best, the good, and the prettiest parts of ourselves.

Jesus says, people who truly follow God, who truly love our Savior will stand fully in the light and allow God to illuminate ALL of who they really are. God wishes to cleanse all of who we are; not just the best parts, not just the good or pretty parts. God desires to cleanse the dirty parts; the parts we keep hidden in the shadows, so we can step into the light and be illuminated by the radiance of God so Christ can be illuminated in us.

Reflection Questions:
What parts of your life do you hide? Why do you hide parts of your life and who you are from others?

Why do you hide them from God?

Stop and tell God about these things.

Prayer:
Lord God, there are so many parts of my life, which I wish I could hide from you and the rest of the world. I fail you in so many ways. There is so much which I wish I could hide in the shadows away from the light of day. Forgive me for the times I fake I am better than I am.
Shine your light on me and help me to bring myself into your light and allow you to see all of me and illuminate the good parts as well as the bad parts of who I am. Reveal to me who I really am—imperfections and all.
Help me to listen to you and allow you to guide me and change me into a person that can stand in the light pure and clean, reflecting your love and grace to this world. Make me more than I can pretend. Amen

Weekly Action:
Pick one day this week. Have a pen and paper handy with you all day long and write down all the ways that God provides for, takes care of, gives you joy, brings you happiness and blesses you today. Before you go to bed, look at that list carefully read it over. Think about al the ways that God has touched your life just today. Take time to thank God for all the things that God did for you just today. Ask God how you can learn to be more thankful for all the things God does for you.

* * * *

LENT DEVOTIONS Week 3, Covenant and Renewed Covenant: Living the Love of God

2009-03-08T07:49:00.002-05:00

Lent Devotions written by Rev. Kazimera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter Leppert for March 8-15.

Daily Meditation One

Exodus 20:1-17

“Hey look the Ten Commandments! I’ve got that covered. I’ve got it: Don’t worship other gods, love my parents, don’t do mean things to other people, or desire to take their wives, donkeys or maid-servants. Don’t smoke, don’t chew and don’t go with those that do. Got that covered. This is God’s Big list of the Ten Big things for which I could burn for eternity.”

At least that is what many of us see when we look at this particular passage of scripture. But this is not a list. This is not the “rules of the house.” This is about love. It is about a God who loved us so much that that God was willing to bring us up our of our slavery, bring us up out of the deepest darkest places of our lives and desires to be in relationship with us. This relationship is a relationship of love. We are to love God and to love each other. It is about putting the First One first and the last one last. God is first, God is above all. God is alone to be worshipped. Then we are to put our neighbors before ourselves. We are to love the Lord God with all our hearts.

Reflection Questions:
Do you ever feel like your relationship with God is like a check list? Are there any other relationship where you feel you need to follow a checklist in order to be apart of that relationship?

What would it look like to have a relationship with God built on love? How would it be different than the relationship you have with God right now?

Prayer:
Dear Lord God, may we never look at our relationship with you and others as a check list. Save us from ourselves. May we look at the law as love from now on, a gift of God for the people of God-- to teach us, to love us, to love through us!

Weekly Action:
Go for a walk three times this week - take note of the things that are going on around you. Think about how they reflect who God is and God's decrees for you. List specific things (i.e. a Sunset, the beauty of trees beginning to bud, the laughter of the neighbors children, the sound of two people having a conversation) in which you can see the holiness of God reflected in the world around you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Two

Psalm 19

When reading the beginning of this passage the words of the hymn writer Michael Mills could easily ring in your head, “This is my Father’s world. And to my listening ears, all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world. I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas- His hand the wonders wrought.”

There is great joy in walking; going for a walk, to simply look at this magnificent world all around. The season’s change, the birds build nests, the worms in my garden turn the soil and make it rich. Everything in creation seems to shout of the magnificence of its Creator. It is not hard to be silenced by the wonder and beauty of it all, how it all works together and is connected. All of creation is dancing together, moving in time with each other, reflecting the very nature of God.

The psalmist does not stop with simply the beauty of the created world but then goes on to describe the beauty and wonder of God’s decrees, God’s ordinances, and God’s commandments. Everything God created is filled with wonder and awe and this includes the commandments by which God calls people to live. The Palmist does not see the law as a burden but glories in the love it proclaims. It is through the ordinances and decrees of God the psalmist sees how God loves and calls people to live lives that reflect that love.

The psalm ends with a cry to this God who created the beauty of all creation including the wonder of a law of love. He asks God to detect his errors and clear him of his faults. When we look at the world around us—are we brought our knees in prayer? Does God’s creation cause us to desire to also reflect the nature of God’s being? When we see the wonder and beauty of creation we should always be reminded of the perfection, beauty, and love of our creator. It should stop us in our tracks and bring us to our knees, asking God that we might be cleansed; that we might reflect the love of God to those around us.

Reflection Questions:
What in God's creation do you find the most fascinating? The most beautiful? The hardest thing to understand? How do you view creation? How do you view the law?
Could the Psalmist teach you anything about how God's love is reflected in creation and the law?

Prayer:
Lord God, magnificent Creator, we come before you full of awe. When we encounter you & see how you connect things, our eyes widen in adoration. You are truly amazing.

Weekly Action:
Go for a walk three times this week - take note of the things that are going on around you. Think about how they reflect who God is and God's decrees for you. List specific things (i.e. a Sunset, the beauty of trees beginning to bud, the laughter of the neighbors children, the sound of two people having a conversation) in which you can see the holiness of God reflected in the world around you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Three

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

It seems completely logical that everyone upon reading scripture should understand its message. It seems entirely comprehensible that each person as they encounter the Word should fully discern its meaning. We like to think that the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is logical; that it just makes sense. We do not understand why so many people have a hard time just believing, or why they do not understand the plain logic that put forth in the Bible. It is written there in plain English, why can the world not just read it, accept it and believe it? Scripture, the stories of the Old Testament, the teaching of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection just make sense. Thus, it only makes sense then that people should see the truth in it all and come to believe in Jesus Christ, invite him into their lives and begin to live the way God calls us all to live.

But it does not make sense! Paul tells us, "the cross is foolishness.” He tells us the cross is a "stumbling block." The fact of the matter is this thing (that makes sense to us, the only thing which is truly truth) is so hard for us to wrap our minds around, it seems to be utter foolishness and is a stumbling block.

God calls us to embrace the foolishness that we see in scriptures for the true wisdom that it is. God calls us to give up what we see as logical, to give up what we feel is right, and accept God's righteousness. We are fools for God, and it is our calling to bring God's foolish wisdom to a world that has a hard time seeing and understanding. We need to have compassion on them and help them to see the truth that we see and the wisdom that we know.

Reflection Questions:
What about the gospel seems to make perfect sense to you? What about the gospel would seem to be foolish? Are you ready to be a fool for Jesus?
Is there anyone in your life who sees the thoughts and ideas expressed in parts of the gospel or part of scripture as a stumbling block to being able to believe? What would it be like to be looking at Christianity from their point of view?

Prayer:
God, we want to be fools for you. When things do not make sense to the world, remind us of how your cross is foolish to the world and living as reflections of your life make us appear foolish too. God, make us fools for you.

Weekly Action:
Go for a walk three times this week - take note of the things that are going on around you. Think about how they reflect who God is and God's decrees for you. List specific things (i.e. a Sunset, the beauty of trees beginning to bud, the laughter of the neighbors children, the sound of two people having a conversation) in which you can see the holiness of God reflected in the world around you.

* * * *

Daily Meditation Four

John 2:13-22

No Easter Passion Play would be complete without a scene where Jesus is swinging a whip, turning over cages, chasing out pudgy, greedy looking men, and setting live tame birds free. We like the very human picture of Jesus in all his fury. It is a great image though perhaps Jesus’ fury is not the point here.

We began our journey this week in the commandments and we end here in the temple; the very place where the one true living God (besides whom we are to have no other gods and will not allow any false idols) resides. The temple was supposed to be the one place where the nature of God was reflected to the people. All the items of the temple were pure, the sacrifices were unblemished; everything inside the temple reflected the holiness and purity of God.

When Jesus stepped into the temple that day he did not see a reflection of the Father, he saw the dirty, rotten reflection of men and women using God’s house to raise themselves up. He saw the reflection of men and women who were using God’s house to get ahead. He saw the reflection of their selfishness, their greed and their sin. He saw sin reflected in the Father’s house, in the place were the very presence of God was suppose to be seen in the world.

The problem was not the money; the problem was not the buying and selling. The problem was that the people were set up there in the place where God was, and they were there only to further themselves and their own interests. They were there, in the place where God’s desires and God’s interests should be presiding, and they were lifting themselves us next to God and putting their desires and their interests before those of the one true God.

They were making themselves idols; they were sitting next to God in God’s holy temple among God’s holy things.

Whenever we bring our interests and our desires into the Church and set them up next to the interests and desires of God we are doing the same thing.

The Church is to be a mirror which is held up in front of God reflecting the very nature of God to this world. When we put our interests and desires forward instead of allowing ourselves to be a reflection of God, we are taking the mirror in our own hands and holding it up in front of ourselves. So instead of being the reflection we are making ourselves the one who is reflected.

Reflection Questions:
In what ways are we like the money changes in the temple?

How do we reflect our own interests and desires in the church?

How can we better reflect God to our world?

Prayer:
Dear Lord God, forgive us for the times we turn your Church from all about you to all about us. Forgive us for the times we seek ways to use the holy things of God to benefit ourselves. Forgive us for needing you to come turn over the tables in our lives. But we invite you to come in the temple of our hearts and show us how we might be reflections of you.

Weekly Action:
Go for a walk three times this week - take note of the things that are going on around you. Think about how they reflect who God is and God's decrees for you. List specific things (i.e. a Sunset, the beauty of trees beginning to bud, the laughter of the neighbors children, the sound of two people having a conversation) in which you can see the holiness of God reflected in the world around you.

* * * *

LENT DEVOTIONS, Journey Towards the Renewed Covenant: The Covenant of Land and Descendants

2009-02-28T14:54:00.005-06:00

Written by: Rev. Kazimiera I.H. Fraley and Rev. Christy Gunter-Leppert for March 1-8, 2009.

Daily Meditation One

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17

God makes a covenant with Abraham and Sarah. Until this point Abraham tried to gain God’s promise through his own means. God gently reminds Abraham of the covenant with him and his descendents.

God chooses to accomplish this promise in a seemingly impossible way and Abraham laughs in response. Old ladies do not give birth; not to mention that Sarah has remained barren all her days.

This story reminds us of the importance to always remember God can and will fulfill the promises God makes, no matter how impossible they may seem to us.

Reflection Questions
What promises has God made to you?

Have you ever “laughed” when being presented with the promises of God?

In what impossible ways does God want to work through you in this preparatory season?

Prayer
Lord, when I laugh at the impossible – use my laughter to remind me, I cannot do anything alone. Only you can fulfill your promises. The impossible is envisioned with possibility in light of your power and plan.

Weekly Action
Take time to allow God to give you an impossible vision, to work God’s plan, to renew people’s lives, to give you a promise for you life and trust that God can and will accomplish this in and through you.

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation Two

Psalm 22:19-31

Even in our sorrow, fear, and suffering we are called to give praise to God. We need to glorify God even in the terrible, horrible, down times of suffering. We may feel our lives are falling apart and we are standing in the ashen remains.

We are to sing of the greatness of God, no matter what is going on in our lives. The Psalmist reminds us, it is by giving God glory that others, even the unborn for generations to come, can see the true greatness because of how we lived our lives.

Reflection Questions
What makes you feel like you are under the sword, with the dogs, in a lion’s mouth, hung by the horn of bull?

Can you find a way to praise God even in the midst of that suffering?

Prayer
God, sometimes I suffer. Sometimes I hurt. Sometimes my pain is so severe I can barely breathe. In spite of this – I struggle to reach my frail arms up and praise you. You are great, holy and worthy of praise. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts deep within me – holler out praise for generations to come.

Weekly Action
Take time to allow God to give you an impossible vision, to work God’s plan, to renew people’s lives, to give you a promise for you life and trust that God can and will accomplish this in and through you.

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation Three

Mark 8:31-38

How many times are we presented with this passage and thought about how misguided Peter was when he rebuked Jesus?

How often do we, like Peter, put the things we think (and what other people in the world around us think) ahead of the things of God?

We forget we are being just like Peter. We are telling God the way things should be instead of humbly allowing God to tell us. We need to sit back, listen accept the words of God when he speaks to us, and allow God to accomplish God’s will and God’s way for this world through us.

Reflection Questions
Is there anything God is speaking with you about letting go of; be it something you want (like Peter) over something God wants?

How can you allow God to work through you in the ways God chooses instead of choosing for yourself?

Prayer
Lord God, take all my desires for what I want and mold them to what you want. Forgive me for telling you how things should be. I humbly confess before you and desire to listen for your will and way

Weekly Action
Take time to allow God to give you an impossible vision, to work God’s plan, to renew people’s lives, to give you a promise for you life and trust that God can and will accomplish this in and through you.

* * * * * *

Daily Meditation Four

Romans 4:13-25

Even when presented with a laughable promise Abraham trusted God. We can also know God will always keep promises.

Paul reminds us that although Abraham did not see the ultimate and final fulfillment of the promise made to him, God was still faithful to fulfill those promises.

Sometimes we look at our lives and feel God has left us. We think God is not fulfilling promises in our lives. We must remember, even when God seems distant or God’s promises will never come, God is always faithful.

Faith is not a lack of doubt. Faith is trusting God even when we doubt. It is trusting God to accomplish the impossible even when we have uncertainty and can not see the vision of God for ourselves. God is faithful and true; always.

Reflection Questions
In what ways do you doubt the promises of God?

How can you express faith and trust in God, even when you doubt?

Prayer
Lord God, I submit my belief or lack of belief to you. I praise you, trusting you are able to do what you promise. I believe you can accomplish the seemingly impossible – even when we cannot.

Weekly Action
Take time to allow God to give you an impossible vision, to work God’s plan, to renew people’s lives, to give you a promise for you life and trust that God can and will accomplish this in and through you.

* * * * * *

Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:18-22, “Covenant and Renewed Covenant: God’s mercy and grace in chaos”

2009-02-28T14:10:00.004-06:00

This is the sermon for Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Christy Gunter-Leppert on March 1, 2009. The picture is from "scripturepics.org"

I included my outline this time, so the reader can see where I'm going. If you want to scream out "No! No! That's not right!" Hang with me. I might be doing something on purpose-- to get us somewhere together.

I. Story of the flood (Genesis 9:8-17)

The world was a dark and dreary place.

It was cold, it was as if the sun was hiding it’s face.

It was full of sin, full of greed, full of pride, full of killing, full of misused power.

The world was hopeless; seemingly in a downward spiral towards falling apart.

The people were nothing but ashes… and acted like it.

They coveted their neighbor’s wife. They treated people as property. They stole birthrights.

They took from the tree of good and evil.

They were selfish. They were sinful. They cared more about what they wanted than anyone or anything else.

The need for power, security, and prestige dominated the world.

And then from the cloud covered darkness… it started to rain… and rain… and rain some more.

Before long it rained so much it was flood.

The world was so bad, so sinful, so pathetic… even nature responded.

The people were so selfish, so sinful—that even nature, the creation suffered.

More people died, more animals died.

The sinfulness of humanity destroyed itself.

II. Covenant: God’s mercy and grace in chaos

But in the midst of sinfulness, in the midst of chaos, in the midst of the death that comes from sin—in the death that comes to all creation because of sin… was God’s mercy and grace.

God asked the faithful one, the one who chose what God wanted over what he wanted, build an ark and collect some animals and his family- and they were spared.

God’s mercy and grace broke through the chaos and God gave a covenant.

Genesis 9:8-13

So basically—we have this loving, merciful God promising to forever hold back the natural forces that crash and kill everything as a result of human sinfulness.

We have God promise to never again deal with sin—by letting the natural catastrophic consequence to destroy everything… in all of creation.

We have hope for mercy and grace—even in the worst disasters and consequnece of sin; that caused a flood.

III. Story of flood of life, we still did not get it

And yet… we humans, the people of Israel, still did not get it.

After the flood the Old Testament is full of stories of people who still did not get the effect of their sinfulness on all creation.

The king takes another man’s wife.
Apostasy (turning away from God towards false gods) runs crazy.

The world is full of a flood—natural consequences to sin; catastrophic—but not deadly to all of creation at one blow.

But yet, even without a literal all-destructive flood, the world is still pretty bad.

The world was a dark and dreary place.

It was cold, it was as if the sun was hiding it’s face.

It was full of sin, full of greed, full of pride, full of killing, full of misused power.

The world was hopeless; seemingly in a downward spiral towards falling apart.

The people were nothing but ashes… and acted like it.

They coveted their neighbor’s wife. They treated people as property. They stole.

They were selfish. They were sinful. They cared more about what they wanted than anyone or anything else.

The need for power, security, and prestige dominated the world.

The prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven to the priests of Ba’al.
Hosea married a whore to show how sinful the people of Israel were.
Amos called them to stop using the poor to get rich.

But the world was still in bad shape.

The world was still full of people tearing up creation and destroying people.

IV. Renewed covenant: God’s mercy and grace in chaos (1 Peter 3:18-22)

But in the midst of sinfulness, in the midst of chaos, in the midst of the death that comes from sin—in the death that comes to all creation because of sin… was God’s mercy and grace.

-Yet again.

1 Peter 3:18-22

In the midst of our sinfulness, in the midst of the dark and dreary world—where sin reigned; where we were selfish…

In the midst of all this, Jesus enters the scene.

Jesus becomes the ashes, with life breathed into it.

Jesus becomes the ash—that we all once were and will all become again.

Jesus- becomes the death; the natural consequence for sin.

Jesus- becomes the catastrophic flood, if you will.

Jesus is dead. His body had returned to its once ashen state.

BUT then—the ashes came to life in AGAIN, by the power of the Spirit.

And all those who follow Jesus, who are baptized in Christ, will also have life breathed into them again.

The baptism waters are symbolic—of dying and living with Christ.

We go into the water in the same way our ashen bodies will also die—but we will die with Christ.

And when we are lifted again out of the baptism waters with Jesus, we have hope to have life breathed into our ashes again.

We are a community of the baptized. We are a community of those who died with Christ and will also live again with Christ.

The world might be a dark and dreary place—but there is hope in God’s mercy and grace—for the baptized in Christ. And there is hope for the dark and dreary world—because of the Church of Jesus Christ.

V. A better creation is not just possible; it is happening.

There is hope… because Jesus showed us with his very life and death—the way to live.

Jesus showed us how not to live in a way that brought catastrophic disaster to all of creation (as it did in the flood) or as it did to the whole of humanity throughout scripture (that brings about death).

Jesus showed us how to live a different way.

Instead of living in this downward spiral towards death and destruction—Jesus showed us how to act in an upward spiral towards life and hope.

Instead of acting by exerting power, taking what we want, stealing, coveting, killing… Jesus shows us another way to live.

Jesus’ way of living and dying is one of self-denial, sacrifice, and selflessness.

AND THUS: The world is not such a dark and dreary place anymore!!

The world has the Church!!

The Church needs to be the body of Christ (the continuation of Christ’s life and death—living in this upward spiral towards the good creation) so the world can see WHO THEY CAN BE!

We are to embody Christ, literally BE the body of Christ in the world—so the world (that is still dark and dreary) can see how beautiful they can be… if they choose to act like Jesus too… if they chose to live and die with the same self-sacrifice as Christ (and hopefully as the Church is living and dying).

We, the Church of Jesus Christ, are actually making the world better!

Through the power of Jesus Christ, through the example we follow in Him, we are enabled to act and be—towards a better creation; towards the creation as we were intended—before we chose ourselves.

And what is MOST exciting is that a better creation (as God intended before sin) is not just possible… it’s actually happening!

A better creation can be seen…

1. As my friend Kaza Fraley says, “when a meth addict walks into church on Sunday dirty and high and a lady in the church says, ‘here sweetie you look cold, take my coat and wrap yourself in it.’”