At the start of this week I am knee-deep in the book of Isaiah, as I made the decision to preach from the Isaiah texts for the season of Advent. I have much hope that I can truly hear God's word for God's people here at Epiphany within the words of the book of Isaiah, and anticipate much new learning.
This is honestly the first time I have set out to preach from Old Testament texts - although I have at times been drawn to them, or led there via a homiletics professor. So I am excited and scared. I am hopeful and nervous. I am prayerful and focused. I am well...stepping out and seeking to hear God's word in the world today...and the message of promise.
Keep popping by for random thoughts and comments as this journey moves on...
Monday, November 26, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Black Friday
Well, I don't usually join the mobs for shopping on Black Friday, but this year I did.
After doing some research and then being offered a contact by my parents, I met up with my dad to look into buying a new car. I have been looking at several makes and models, doing some research, and I even stopped at a Toyota dealership - checking into the Prius.
Today I looked at the Ford Fusion and in about three hours I bought one. I am excited because it is the color I want and it has quite a few 'bonus' features that weren't on my 'needed' list but will make the car fun and efficient to drive.
I am excited, although this also closes an age. In my deal I traded my old car - it is almost 10 years old and was the first car I bought on my own. So it is a good day and a needed day, but there are some feelings of, well, not sadness, but nostalgia. Here's to a new day - maybe Blue Friday instead of Black Friday, as my new car will be a beautiful blue.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Christ the King - Commentary
In some recent readings for this upcoming Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, I was taken aback by a comment and I thought I would share this here and see what other folks thought of this.
The context for the comment is that the author is saying that during this time in the liturgical year we are celebrating what we believe about the end of time and that we recognize Christ as our king and accept fully Christ's authority in our lives. The author then goes on to say that this authority is not to be understood as or confused with military power or might. Then the author writes, "Our King does not deign to explain or justify his desire (from the sentence before, "his supreme desire is to bring God's love into the lives of his people.") and he does not have a history of patience with those who would question his motivations."
Hmmm...before I comment more, what are your thoughts?
The context for the comment is that the author is saying that during this time in the liturgical year we are celebrating what we believe about the end of time and that we recognize Christ as our king and accept fully Christ's authority in our lives. The author then goes on to say that this authority is not to be understood as or confused with military power or might. Then the author writes, "Our King does not deign to explain or justify his desire (from the sentence before, "his supreme desire is to bring God's love into the lives of his people.") and he does not have a history of patience with those who would question his motivations."
Hmmm...before I comment more, what are your thoughts?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Living Faith - Stewardship
Well, it is that time of year when many congregations, and individual persons are reviewing and deciding upon their budgets for the year. And stewardship seems to be one of the areas that we often shy away from talking about, preaching about (except that one "Stewardship Sermon" that all preachers are forced to do each year), and challenging ourselves and others.
And so I ask why?
I think (and others do as well) that we struggle with this because we begin in the wrong place. We begin with the money (and for those of you that know me know I am the first to say that stewardship is about much, much more than money)and we get stuck. We get stuck because money becomes the tag by which we identify ourselves, by which we seek to become ourselves.
What if, just what if we seek to begin in another place? What if we were to begin in faith? In prayer? In thanksgiving to God who gifts us with all that we are and all that we have? What happens if we start in this place?
Well, first thing is we must admit our fear. Our fear that we no longer have full control. Our fear that we no longer are in our comfort zone or safe space. Our fear that we might feel this. And we should feel this. We should feel our giving - if not it is just casting off the left-overs, things, time, and money that we would have just thrown away anyway.
Many churches and people believe that we are commanded, no, rather required to give 10% of all that we have. And yes, biblically, 10% or a tithe is what is held up as an example, as a shooting point, but in a different way - as money that is given above and beyond the committed support of the local community.
We are called to give proportionately, as a commitment to our church or faith community. Proportionate giving is giving from ones means - meaning that those who don't make as much money should never be expected to give the same amount as someone who makes a lot of money; nor should a person in a unique situation (single parent with three kids, medical bills, caring for an elderly parent, etc...) be expected to give the same amount as a retired couple who are enjoying their golden years.
So as we plan our budgets, vote on our budgets, and determine our commitments for the upcoming year let us ask the question of ourselves and our communities - As a disciple of Christ, how am I called to support my congregation with my financial commitment in the coming year? Do I start with my church commitment, and then go from there? Am I giving enough that I feel it, that I notice it? Are there circumstances in my life that I need to pay attention to in order to be a good steward?
It can be scary. It is a challenge. But it is our call as disciples of Christ to live into our calling as children of God and to be a part of the work of God in the world, and this involves our stewardship commitments.
Recommended reading: Powell, Mark Allan. Giving to God: The Bible's Good News about Living a Generous Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006.
And so I ask why?
I think (and others do as well) that we struggle with this because we begin in the wrong place. We begin with the money (and for those of you that know me know I am the first to say that stewardship is about much, much more than money)and we get stuck. We get stuck because money becomes the tag by which we identify ourselves, by which we seek to become ourselves.
What if, just what if we seek to begin in another place? What if we were to begin in faith? In prayer? In thanksgiving to God who gifts us with all that we are and all that we have? What happens if we start in this place?
Well, first thing is we must admit our fear. Our fear that we no longer have full control. Our fear that we no longer are in our comfort zone or safe space. Our fear that we might feel this. And we should feel this. We should feel our giving - if not it is just casting off the left-overs, things, time, and money that we would have just thrown away anyway.
Many churches and people believe that we are commanded, no, rather required to give 10% of all that we have. And yes, biblically, 10% or a tithe is what is held up as an example, as a shooting point, but in a different way - as money that is given above and beyond the committed support of the local community.
We are called to give proportionately, as a commitment to our church or faith community. Proportionate giving is giving from ones means - meaning that those who don't make as much money should never be expected to give the same amount as someone who makes a lot of money; nor should a person in a unique situation (single parent with three kids, medical bills, caring for an elderly parent, etc...) be expected to give the same amount as a retired couple who are enjoying their golden years.
So as we plan our budgets, vote on our budgets, and determine our commitments for the upcoming year let us ask the question of ourselves and our communities - As a disciple of Christ, how am I called to support my congregation with my financial commitment in the coming year? Do I start with my church commitment, and then go from there? Am I giving enough that I feel it, that I notice it? Are there circumstances in my life that I need to pay attention to in order to be a good steward?
It can be scary. It is a challenge. But it is our call as disciples of Christ to live into our calling as children of God and to be a part of the work of God in the world, and this involves our stewardship commitments.
Recommended reading: Powell, Mark Allan. Giving to God: The Bible's Good News about Living a Generous Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Help-the-Homeless Walk-A-Thon
This coming Saturday, I along with several youth and adults from my congregation will be joining thousands (read - lots) of others in our nation's capital to awaken the area to the continued and increasing need of homeless in our communities. I have participated in this walk before, which is a great event that teaches, speaks, connects, and works to increase support financially and otherwise for local and not-so-local agencies and charities that focus their work on the problem of homelessness in our country, and in our backyards. Watch for some thoughts after the event - I am going to ask others who walk with me to share some thoughts here as well.
If you would like to make a donation to support this, you can do so by following this secure link to my walk page - where you can make a secure online donation.
Beyond that - I urge you all to explore where this issue plays out in your own community and how you can see the people behind the issue and work side-by-side with those people to change our systems and structures to help alleviate this issue and the issues that contribute to the perpetuation of this problem.
If you would like to make a donation to support this, you can do so by following this secure link to my walk page - where you can make a secure online donation.
Beyond that - I urge you all to explore where this issue plays out in your own community and how you can see the people behind the issue and work side-by-side with those people to change our systems and structures to help alleviate this issue and the issues that contribute to the perpetuation of this problem.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The "eyes" have it
I am chuckling today after getting an email from a parishioner who said, "OK, my secret is out. I read your blog."...this is about the third person who has noted a similar thing to me.
I chuckle because, this doesn't need to be a secret. My blog is a public space...a space for all to view and share in. SO...folks, I know you are out there...make yourself known. Post a response, drop a note. Let me know of your blog or website, so I can peruse your space.
C'mon...I know you are out there!
:-)
I chuckle because, this doesn't need to be a secret. My blog is a public space...a space for all to view and share in. SO...folks, I know you are out there...make yourself known. Post a response, drop a note. Let me know of your blog or website, so I can peruse your space.
C'mon...I know you are out there!
:-)
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