What is mercy?

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

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

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..

Its Turkey Time..

Dear Family,

We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, and i hope that you all took time with family and friends, and i also hope that you all took time to reflect on just how blessed we truly are. As i write these words, it seems North Korea is doing all it can to push South Korea, and by proxy and being their ally, the United States of America into war. The last few days have illuminated the acts, desperate acts, of a maniacal leader, and i am nervous where this could lead. North Korea is at a place, economically, that it would do anything to emerge from its financial crisis, even declare all out war. And by the way, North Korea has nuclear capabilities, but we never invaded North Korea to stop them from amassing weapons of mass destruction. Just think about that for a while.

Anyway. As i type, reflecting on the fact that another war could be upon us, i have to take time to be thankful for how blessed i am. When i examine my life, my family, my career, my schooling, and my church family, i feel incredibly touched by God. No amount of uncertainty can change the fact that God has touched my life, immensely. I cannot complain, and i would feel rather self-absorbed and disconnected if i didn't celebrate God's presence and blessings in my life.

Which paves the way for the greatest season of the year: Advent. It is a season to celebrate hope, joy, peace, and love, as we journey towards the birth of Immanuel: God with us. On Sunday we will honor our emergence into Advent by naming what this season promises: hope. And each successive Sunday will illumine another promise of the season, moving us to Christmas Eve, when we will honor Jesus, the promise made real.

Is it enough to worship Jesus who promises hope, joy, peace, and love? Is that all we should focus on during Advent? These are vital to our well-being, but is there more? Should we expect more? Should God expect more of us?

This year, i want us to journey, together, through a series i named LITE. It stands for Love Inspires Together for the benefit of Everyone. This Sunday we will jump into Romans 13, where Paul tells us that love, not legalism, doctrine, dogma, perfection, moral rigidity, but love is the fulfillment of the Law: Love of God/Love of neighbor. But what does it mean to love God? Love our neighbor? Who is our neighbor?

These questions should motivate us to find/discover the answers, because i sense they are going to be different per person, per community of faith, and per season of our journey. No matter how these questions reveal themselves to us, i know we will never uncover the answers, unless we journey, as one body, together, into the depths of whatever ministry God has created us for. Love is only truly love, when our lives, our ministries, and our passions are shared with other sisters and brothers. Only when our lives are shared, honestly, zealously, together, will we experience the true power of the Divine.

And now, more than ever, we need some Divine Intervention. So join me and your other sisters and brothers on an adventure that will change our lives and the world. Amen.

Shalom, Salaam, and Peace...

And in the words of a classic Christmas Hymn: "Joy to the World! The LORD has come.."

jerry

The Church with Low Standards

Dear Family,

I have a friend who tried to get into the PhD program at the University of Chicago. She was wanting to look at how theology could still impact and affect our society, even though many outside the walls of the church simply ignore anything and everything the church might have to say about certain topics. She had the grades. She had a strong reference, from an established and well-respected alum of the University of Chicago. And her written work/ thesis was above and beyond worthy of being published. It seemed a slam dunk, even in the prestigious standards of the University of Chicago. Perceptions are not always realities.

She didn't get in. They didn't accept her. They didn't have to. They had a long list of other "candidates" who were more University of Chicago style, and my friend went west, to California, where she earned her PhD at another strong university. I realize that higher education has these standards, these "yokes" if you will, which they place upon prospective students, to ensure the highest standards for those institutions. If one doesn't meet the "yoke," or if one can't carry the "yoke" well then one fails to either get in or one fails to leave there with a degree. These institutions have reputations to protect, and they just cant accept anyone, right?

We don't fault them, do we? We don't condemn for their stringent acceptance policies; we challenge the folks to raise their level of work and meet the institutions standards, but wont this always leave some people out, without a chance to prove their worth? Sure i hear the protests already, there are other places, other schools, so those who cant get the grades, do the work, or meet the requirements, should simply lower their expectations and go where they will fit. But how does this enable even the least likely to succeed to want to move beyond his failures to become something greater?

Which is what Jesus addresses when Jesus says, "Come to me all who are weary, and i will give you rest. For my burden is easy and my yoke is light." Jesus knew how hard it would be, for most of the population, to meet the high standards of the religious leaders, so what did Jesus do? He made an open door policy for any and all that would never be welcomed, accepted, or embraced in those places which require strict adherents to their "yokes." Jesus became the One who would accept and empower those persons who would never meet the standards. And Jesus, yes the One we claim to follow and believe in, this Jesus sought after those persons that not only the religoius leaders scoffed at, but society in general relegated and too easily forgot about. Jesus chased after them and said, "Hey you, yeah you, you, there, in that dusty hat, wearing those dirty clothes, covered in sheep dung, come here, and i will embrace you. I know the world has forgotten and dismissed you, but I, Jesus, want to empower you to build a Kingdom."

There is something powerful and amazing when people who have always been relegated to the margins all of a sudden become the center of what's happening. What is amazing? What is powerful? God moves in.

If thats how Jesus approaches the marginalized, what are we doing for them? If Jesus promises rest for the forgotten, how are we taking care of them. And if Jesus' words about yoke and burdens is true, that His are light and easy, then what demands are we putting on those who want to enter our church family? Can people say of us, the West Milton Church of the Brethren is a place for rest. It is a place where they create spaces for healing and restoration. It is a church family that carries the load with you. And it is a place of refuge. Can and do people say these things about us? They did about Jesus, and the people ran to Him, by the thousands...

Amen.

Shalom,
jerry

What now?

Dear Family,



Are we thankful? Are we truly thankful? I am not talking about what we do every year at Thanksgiving, which, at least for me, has become another reason to expand the American waistline. But are we truly, honestly, earnestly thankful? Do we actually take time, in our busy days, to show our Creator thanks? Do our lives reflect a deep sense of gratitude? And what about our church family/church community, can those outside our walls accuse us of being full of thanks? If not, why not?



Again, i am not wanting to descend into a debate about the role of Thanksgiving, which we all celebrate. No i am not wanting to discuss Thanksgiving. Because truth is, other than expanding our waistlines, i wonder if it, more than anything, paves the way for the Christmas shopping season, so even Thanksgiving, in its truest form, has been long lost. Anyway, what about us? What about our lives? Our churches? Have we lost the gift of being thankful?



It seems Jesus knew this would happen, when he addresses those cities that had experienced His power, and they did nothing in response to His miracles. They simply go about business as usual, which incites Jesus to bring down "woes" upon them. I fear this is our future. I fear that we have forgotten, truly forgotten, the miracles that Jesus has performed, already, in our midst, and our short term memories, more like self-serving memories, would rather attach themselves to that which is not Godly: money, wealth, status, arrogance, comfort, unfaith, complacency, apathy, spiritual malaise, etc. You get the picture.



I think, as i look not only at our church community but the entire western church landscape, i sense a deep malaise, and i wonder if Jesus isn't ready to, once again, condemn us with a series of "Woes."



Why? Because we have experienced the miraculous, and yet how have we responded? Are we making the world better? Do we chomp at the bit to get here on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc, to worship and honor our God? Are we ready to take up our crosses, no matter what? Is our community closer to the Kingdom of God because we are doing what God calls us to do? My sense, at least in my small understanding of what is of Christ, is that these questions would be answered in the affirmative if we honored Jesus.



So what are we about? Faith? Unfaith? Ministry? Judgment? Healing? Disease? Community? Dysfunction? Restoration? Destruction? Love? Hate? Some of these are of God, some of them are not. Some honor the Christ. Others dishonor Him. And some bear fruit. While the others lead to a fig tree withering away, never to bear fruit again. Which are we? Which do we want to be? The answer holds our future, and it is ours to claim.


The cities that experienced Jesus' miracles just went about business as usual, and Jesus brought some woes to them. What does Jesus have in store for us? It is not too late to invite Him to sit at our table and enjoy the fruits of our ministry, with us. Amen.


Salaam, shalom, peace,

jerry

John goes first

Dear family,



There is a famous quote, and i will paraphrase here, "If i succeed at anything, it is because i stand the shoulders of giants." In other words, if i achieve anything, if i leave any sort of legacy, and if i can make any difference, it is because i have stood in the steps of those who went before me, making it possible for me to experience success. We need trailblazers, to ease the rough roads, so we can continue their challenge and further their calling. It doesn't matter if we are talking about cancer research, discoveries in mathematics, building a beautiful garden, or continuing the work of Jesus: Peacefully, simply, together.



And its natural, biblical, to depend on the work of previous generations to guide and direct our work and our ministries. Abraham paved the way for Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Moses paved the way for Joshua and the others. Saul paved the way for David, Solomon, and the kings. Sarah proved women have a voice too, as she illuminated a path for Rebekah, Ruth, and Esther.



Hebrew heroes aren't the only ones showing us how to continue the work, but John the Babtist paved the way for Jesus, who paved the way for the 12, who paved the way for the first century church, who paved the way for Martin Luther, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and our own Alexander Mack. Mack paved the way for migration to the United States and people like Sarah Righter Major, Anna Mow, Ted Studebaker, Dan West, Norman Reeder, Kay Baker, Michael Feely, and Gina Roberts.



Each generation depends on the previous for success. It is natural. It is biblical. It is Godly.



But if the "new" generation remains in the past, well it has not carried the work on. It has, as too many churches are discovering, relegated the entire story, of their church, to a time when people went to church on Sundays and pastors were seen as model citizens and not people who perverted power and society for their own gain. So though we must not forget where we came from and who helped get us here, we must not let their addition to our story be the last words written.



To honor them and their work, their ministry, their mission, and their sacrifice requires us to write new and exciting chapters to what they begun. Jesus did it with John. Jacob did it with Abraham. And now you and i have the awesome responsibility to do with Mack and all the other Brethren voices who have made it possible for us to be here, at such a time as this. But what we do with it, well that will determine what we leave for the next generation.


You see that is the other part of the challenge. We must lay foundations for those coming after us. And we must not let the story end with us. We could lament the declining membership, attendance, and giving, or we could see this for what it is: a great challenge, given by God, to rise up and say no to fear, say no to anger, say no to dysfunction, and say no to doubt. Not us. Not now. Not ever.


We will, like our ancestors, live in faith and ministry, and we will, just like our ancestors, leave a legacy for future generations to pick, carry on, and add to. Are you with me? Only the future of our world lies in the balance.. Amen.



Shalom,

jerry