Dear Family,
We love justice, don't we? Especially if we have had to work hard to get where we are; we really dont like it when someone gets by without doing the same kind of effort. We feel cheated if someone take a shortcut to success; while we had to jump through every hoop and conquer every hill, right? We want people to earn what they get; nothing is free, right?
Many years ago, while i was in high school, there was a rumor of a guy making the basketball team without doing what the others had to do. It was, in my high school, a standard that to make the team, one had to run two miles in twelve minutes or faster. The coach wanted players in shape, because his style was intense and go, go, go. One player, who was a bit out of shape, couldn't seem to make the team, no matter how many tries he had. First time he was about five minutes too slow. Then he got it down to four. Maybe two. And i think he might have even gotten within a minute, but he didn't get it all the way under twelve minutes.
Did he make the team? No one else had? Everyone else had to run the two miles in twelve minutes, including the coach's son. So did the guy who tried like five times to do it; did he make the team?
Yes.
Was it fair?
A thief on the cross receives the same reward as the disciples: an eternity with Jesus; the thief spent his life stealing from people; the disciples serving. Both get the same reward.
Was it fair?
It seems this is the paradox that we live in. The challenge of being fair against the mercy/grace of God. We proclaim that God is gracious, and we do our best to steer our ships along God's path, believing the reward will be great. We understand our need for God's grace. But when someone comes along and doesn't do what we do, and God still gives them the same treatment, blessing, and reward that God gives us; we cry foul!
It seems this is one of the things about being human. We see things dimly through our limited understanding, and that often leads to near-sightedness. But God, like the basketball coach who saw the bigger picture, sees all and knows all. If God, as Jesus does by healing on the Sabbath and offering rest and peace to the pilgrims and picking grain on the Sabbath, chooses mercy for people, why does that matter to us? Why should we care if we labor our entire lives, loving, serving, and honoring God, and in His wisdom, He chooses to reward the laziest and most vile among us just as much as He rewards us? Aren't we still getting what He promised?
We want mercy, but can we truly handle mercy/grace being offered to people that we deem outside the sphere of acceptance? The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, because Jesus chose mercy, not sacrifice, as an attribute to highlight. Why can't we do the same?
Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
What does it all mean?
Dear Family,
I am sitting in a Barnes and Nobles Starbucks, in Miamisburg, OH, because the snowfall has kept me from making it all the way to the church. So i sit, listening to powerful Christmas songs, reflecting on the meaning of this season. Everywhere i go, it seems people have the Christmas spirit. I think i heard that sales are up. Attendance at the mall is up. People are doing more. It seems, at least this year, that we have emerged from our financial stupor. And that is something we should all celebrate.
But is that the meaning of Christmas? Is Christmas about amassing a horde of presents under our tree? Is Christmas about engorging ourselves with cookies, cakes, and eggnog? Is about looking for that jolly old fat man, you know the one with the beard and the reigndeer? Do these embody Christmas?
Christmas is just over a week away, and we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, next Friday at 6:30 PM, beginning with fellowship and snacks with worship to follow. It will be a time of sharing our stories, connecting our narratives and journeys with each other, but it will also be about tying our stories to the One whom spent his first few hours, on earth, breathing in cattle dung and hay. Christmas Eve worship should remind us what this season is truly for: honoring Jesus and loving one another.
Should we exchange gifts? Absolutely. Should we tell our children about Santa Claus, of course. And should we be thankful that our economy, even slowly, is recovering? Definately. But we must not allow the church to completely mirror the world's definition and representation of Christmas. For those of us within the Christian tradition, we must use this time to reconnect to God and each other. This is the season the reminds us to recocile with one another, restore broken relationships, and remove the barriers to a healthy, thriving community. These are key reasons for this season, and as Christians, if we are to honor Jesus, we must embrace these truths.
But we must also celebrate like kids. There is nothing wrong with making angels and build snow castles, play is a gift from God. There is nothing wrong with rehearsing Santa's story, sharing a story with kids of all ages honors God. And there is no reason to lament when people buy stuff, especially when we see the joy in the eyes of those who get to give the gifts: joy, giving, and love are some of God's best attributes. So enjoy Christmas but also reflect on the deeper spiritual meanings of this amazing season of preparation.
Have a great Sunday, and i will see you all the evening of the 24th, when we will build a stable and community for those who are hungry: spiritually, literally, communally, and emotionally. Amen..
Shalom
Salaam
Peace...
jerry
I am sitting in a Barnes and Nobles Starbucks, in Miamisburg, OH, because the snowfall has kept me from making it all the way to the church. So i sit, listening to powerful Christmas songs, reflecting on the meaning of this season. Everywhere i go, it seems people have the Christmas spirit. I think i heard that sales are up. Attendance at the mall is up. People are doing more. It seems, at least this year, that we have emerged from our financial stupor. And that is something we should all celebrate.
But is that the meaning of Christmas? Is Christmas about amassing a horde of presents under our tree? Is Christmas about engorging ourselves with cookies, cakes, and eggnog? Is about looking for that jolly old fat man, you know the one with the beard and the reigndeer? Do these embody Christmas?
Christmas is just over a week away, and we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, next Friday at 6:30 PM, beginning with fellowship and snacks with worship to follow. It will be a time of sharing our stories, connecting our narratives and journeys with each other, but it will also be about tying our stories to the One whom spent his first few hours, on earth, breathing in cattle dung and hay. Christmas Eve worship should remind us what this season is truly for: honoring Jesus and loving one another.
Should we exchange gifts? Absolutely. Should we tell our children about Santa Claus, of course. And should we be thankful that our economy, even slowly, is recovering? Definately. But we must not allow the church to completely mirror the world's definition and representation of Christmas. For those of us within the Christian tradition, we must use this time to reconnect to God and each other. This is the season the reminds us to recocile with one another, restore broken relationships, and remove the barriers to a healthy, thriving community. These are key reasons for this season, and as Christians, if we are to honor Jesus, we must embrace these truths.
But we must also celebrate like kids. There is nothing wrong with making angels and build snow castles, play is a gift from God. There is nothing wrong with rehearsing Santa's story, sharing a story with kids of all ages honors God. And there is no reason to lament when people buy stuff, especially when we see the joy in the eyes of those who get to give the gifts: joy, giving, and love are some of God's best attributes. So enjoy Christmas but also reflect on the deeper spiritual meanings of this amazing season of preparation.
Have a great Sunday, and i will see you all the evening of the 24th, when we will build a stable and community for those who are hungry: spiritually, literally, communally, and emotionally. Amen..
Shalom
Salaam
Peace...
jerry
Friday, December 10, 2010
Together...
Dear Family,
It has been two weeks since i posted my last blog, and i have missed this time. As much as it can be a chore, to write new words and thoughts, every week, i also find a lot of joy and fulfillment in the process. It enriches my soul to know, even if i cant see you read or engage in a conversation over what you read, that some are reading what i write. I like the small but powerful community we have created from this blog. I believe our future is bright and beautiful, not bleak.
It seems rather irresposible to speak of a future being bright and beautiful, when we are talking about the West Milton Church of the Brethren. I mean we did have less than thirty on Sunday, and that is, without question the lowest of the low, in attendance. I get really anxious when i see those numbers. I get a little ansy. But something overcomes me, quickly, reminding me to have hope, to live in faith, and to trust in our Creator. That's why i have hope. God is still here.
God has not abandoned us. God still runs after us. And God wants so much more for us. God knows where our journey leads, and He has all the faith in us to get there. God believes in us way more than we believe in Him or even ourselves. That's why i have hope. God is still working on our behalf. But how do we get there? How can we turn the corner to become that which God created us to be? How can we stop the seemingly downward spiral of attendance?
I dont have a clear sense of what those answers might be, but i do know this. If we can, like the letter for Sunday points to, go through this TOGETHER, then we can and will emerge more whole: as individuals and as a corporate unit. Together we can hear God speaking. Together we can stop the descent into the abyss of history. And together we will experience a nascent from our past into a brilliant future. TOGETHER God will rewrite our narrative. TOGETHER.
Alone, well we know where that leads. It got us to this point. So why keep it up? Its time to enter into ministry with breastplate of faith, the shield of love, the belt of unity, and the shoes of mission. When we embrace a life lived together for the benefits of the other in our communities, God will restore our church. No. More than that, He will create a new identity and creation out of us, one that is vibrant, lively, and healthy. So let's go. Lets get together and change the world.
Lets get together and change the course of history. And lets get together and change our own narrative as a body of believers. Let's get together and experience the Risen Lord. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS just a reminder that our Christmas Eve Service starts at six thirty pm, at the church with a time of fellowship followed by worship at seven pm. The theme for worship: "Welcome to the Stable." Come and be fed. Come and be made whole. Come and experience Immanuel, but come together..
It has been two weeks since i posted my last blog, and i have missed this time. As much as it can be a chore, to write new words and thoughts, every week, i also find a lot of joy and fulfillment in the process. It enriches my soul to know, even if i cant see you read or engage in a conversation over what you read, that some are reading what i write. I like the small but powerful community we have created from this blog. I believe our future is bright and beautiful, not bleak.
It seems rather irresposible to speak of a future being bright and beautiful, when we are talking about the West Milton Church of the Brethren. I mean we did have less than thirty on Sunday, and that is, without question the lowest of the low, in attendance. I get really anxious when i see those numbers. I get a little ansy. But something overcomes me, quickly, reminding me to have hope, to live in faith, and to trust in our Creator. That's why i have hope. God is still here.
God has not abandoned us. God still runs after us. And God wants so much more for us. God knows where our journey leads, and He has all the faith in us to get there. God believes in us way more than we believe in Him or even ourselves. That's why i have hope. God is still working on our behalf. But how do we get there? How can we turn the corner to become that which God created us to be? How can we stop the seemingly downward spiral of attendance?
I dont have a clear sense of what those answers might be, but i do know this. If we can, like the letter for Sunday points to, go through this TOGETHER, then we can and will emerge more whole: as individuals and as a corporate unit. Together we can hear God speaking. Together we can stop the descent into the abyss of history. And together we will experience a nascent from our past into a brilliant future. TOGETHER God will rewrite our narrative. TOGETHER.
Alone, well we know where that leads. It got us to this point. So why keep it up? Its time to enter into ministry with breastplate of faith, the shield of love, the belt of unity, and the shoes of mission. When we embrace a life lived together for the benefits of the other in our communities, God will restore our church. No. More than that, He will create a new identity and creation out of us, one that is vibrant, lively, and healthy. So let's go. Lets get together and change the world.
Lets get together and change the course of history. And lets get together and change our own narrative as a body of believers. Let's get together and experience the Risen Lord. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS just a reminder that our Christmas Eve Service starts at six thirty pm, at the church with a time of fellowship followed by worship at seven pm. The theme for worship: "Welcome to the Stable." Come and be fed. Come and be made whole. Come and experience Immanuel, but come together..