Grandpa Jacob's Funeral, 8/29/05

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.

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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

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

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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

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)

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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.