Remember this.

29 Mar posted by

The Cross

 

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”  - Mark 15:39

Today we remember the sacrifice he made. We remember his courage and the choice he made to bring us close with God once more. We can see how much God loves us, how far he was willing to go. Remember this. As you meditate on this day know how important you are to God and contemplate the sacrifice that Jesus made for you. The pain of this day, the hardship and suffering was for a purpose.

It was for you.

 

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Filed Under: Good Friday, Hope, Musings

An oven baked loaf, Paul Newman and Jesus.

28 Mar posted by

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I’ve spoken before about ‘Wonder Bread’ Jesus and my wish that churches would move to a heartier selection.  I’m not altogether certain if I’ve mentioned my loathing of communion wine though.  Having travelled a lot in the last 3 years to give communion to various congregations I can say that generally speaking I’m not a fan of the wine selections at most churches.  I blame this on my parents who taught wine appreciation to us kids when we turned 19.  This week when I was given the freedom to select the elements of my choosing for Maundy Thursday I was ecstatic.  Enter a hearty hearth baked loaf and Paul Newman’s grape juice.  Tonight Jesus will have substance.  The bread will be firm and moist and chewy.  The juice will be full and rich in your mouth.  Tonight when we dine together at the table of Christ we will not hate the elements but instead enjoy the experience.

I think enjoying the experience is so important.  To truly sink in and celebrate the occasion means we must enjoy it with all our senses.  The words we hear, the things we see and the people we are with are all important in their own way. I hope you enjoy your experience tonight.  Tonight we begin to understand where things are going.  Tonight we start to see how far God was willing to go to be close with us once more.

May your night be blessed and your weekend full and rich with God’s presence.  May you find Christ at the table, wander with him in the garden and meet him on the cross.  In doing so we find ourselves better equipped to understand the empty tomb, to truly appreciate what it means.

Blessings and peace as you set forth on your own Easter journey.

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings

The Prodigal returns…

16 Mar posted by

I read a story on the Huffington Post this morning about a Dad writing a note to his gay son about how he had over heard his son talking on the phone with his friend about how he was going to come out to him. There was section of the note that really struck me as beautiful and that section really brought me back again to the story of the prodigal son.

“I’ve known you were gay since you were six.  I’ve loved you since you were born.”

This acceptance, this love is beautiful. The son was scared and uncertain but his Dad made it alright with his note. As the son prepared to come forward the Dad ran to him with open arms and loved him. We should all love like this. Loving unconditionally. Loving people for who they are as that is who God created them to be. Imagine if the Church let go of judgement and just loved. Imagine how the world would see us if we followed Jesus decree and just loved one another.

Let us be known for our love.
Let us be known for how well we love one another.

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 – The Message

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Filed Under: Bible, Lent, Musings, Reflections

Things I know to be true

15 Mar posted by

There are a few things I know to be true this week.

I know that the time changed.
I know that there is a new pope.
I know it’s still cold out and that Reggie Bush is a Lion.
I know that grace is given freely to us.
I know that it’s hard to give it out ourselves.

This week I’ve been swimming in the notion of grace, of forgiveness and love freely offered.  Since Sunday when the story of the Prodigal Son was read and mulled over I’ve been sitting in the midst of the story. Wondering if I would be found walking the long road home or pouting on the back porch. I wonder, would I be able to celebrate with a brother who returned home?  Would I be excited or resentful?  At times it can be hard to overlook past wounds to offer grace.

I would love to live a grace-full life. A life that flows with grace because of the grace I’ve been given. At times it is hard to look past those wounds and wrongs to what is happening and good around us. In today’s world we are told that we should put ourselves first and strive to achieve what is best for us. We are told that we deserve things, should desire things and I suspect we are more like the brother pouting on the back porch than we would like to admit to.  I think in some ways I am anyways. I’d like to offer forgiveness more freely and be the person who accepts and loves people well.  I want to throw more parties and celebrate with people when things go well.

There are a few things I know to be true this week.  One of them is my desire to live a grace-full life.

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings, Random Blog Stuff

Silver linings

8 Mar posted by

I just finished reading the Silver Linings Playbook and I absolutely loved it.  It was hard for me to put down this week as I worked through all that needed to get done but as soon as I got settled last night in my chair I poured myself into the words and embraced the strange world of Pat Peoples.  It was exactly what I needed and like the movie, strangely uplifting.

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This week was full of silver linings for me.  When the dark clouds rolled over there were many things that I could be thankful for.  I’m thankful for grace and prayers.  I’m thankful for God’s presence with us all as we walked together (both families) through difficult times.  I’m thankful for understanding, compassion and a great sense of love from the many people in my life.  Most of all I’m thankful that I knew these people as we walked this difficult journey together. It was hard knowing them, seeing their pain and experiencing the loss with them but I’m glad I was there.  Being able to support and hold people up in difficult times is a privilege and while it may be difficult, it is something that is needed and I am glad I can help where I can.

I pulled this morning’s post because I don’t feel it accurately conveyed my feelings on the week.  It was scattered and crazy and if you’re a subscriber you’ve read it and I’m all right with that.  I was and am scattered and crazy.  Walking through such emotional turmoil with people can do that to a person.  That said it was hard, it was stressful and I do feel relief that it is over. I just wasn’t fond of this mornings post while reading it this afternoon so I thought I’d toss it, and I did.

I’m going to go do some active rest now.  My pajamas are on and my sermon’s not done so that needs some focus and attention.  There are many silver linings in my life right now and perhaps my favorite is the ability to trash a post.

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Filed Under: Musings

In death, a resurrection.

27 Feb posted by

Yesterday was grey here.  The kind of grey that looms over you and has you wondering if spring will ever come. Our city has been in mourning as our summer music festival was cancelled. The outpouring of grief that flooded the newspaper was unsurprising to me. For a generation it has been the thing that brought this struggling place to life and reminded us of what was possible. Each summer the downtown core was resurrected and we bore witness to life and vitality. As I read and listened, it wasn’t the music people were mourning but the loss of community, of connectedness. It was a place people would gather, would come home to.  It was more than just the music, it was the people.

Yesterday was grey here. The kind of grey that hangs heavy in your heart and as I walked from my car towards the hospice death was on my mind. But in that moment a burst of noise shot forth around me.  As I walked towards the place where life intersects with death I saw glimpses of what was to come. The honking grew loud, I turned to look up and I saw the Canadian Geese coming home. Together they flew in two groups, majestic and proud.  The song of their flight brought hope for the spring, remembrances of resurrection. For as they return, so too will the color.  Soon we will see green shoots on the ground.  Daffodils will dance once more.  The leaves will shoot forth and new life will be seen. The world will once again bear witness to the resurrection.

Even on the greyest of days there is hope.  Easter is coming.  New life will come.

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Filed Under: Faith, Lent, Musings, The 2013 Lent Project, Uncategorized

The Lord’s Prayer

24 Feb posted by

For the Lent Project today we were supposed to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Personally I find this a great technique when I’m distracted like I am on days like today.  Right now, I’m pooped. It’s Sunday and that means I’m essentially a zombie. I walk around grunting and nosing about for food. I steer clear of brains and go straight for the dessert I’ve got tucked away in the fridge for my Sunday afternoon snack.

The Lord’s Prayer gives us an outline, a guide on what to pray for.  It’s for those days when we are lost or confused, for those times when we think we might be praying more for what we want than what God wants. This prayer is a beginning.  A place to start and we all need somewhere to start, right? If I were to pray the Lord’s prayer it might go a little something like this…

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

You are so great God.  When I think of everything you do and are I am amazed and astounded. Thanks for being part of my life and investing in this world.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord on the one hand I’d love for your kingdom to come, for there to be peace and justice but on the other I’m scared of what that means.  I want to follow you, to do what you want me to do and go where you want me to go.  That’s scary and big and not always clear.  Nudge me and if that fails push me onto right paths so I can be where you want me to be.  Help me to share your light with those around me. Also I really need some help with surrender but I suspect you know that. 

Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts
as we have also forgiven our debtors.

I have too much bread Lord and I haven’t been sharing my blessings as I should. Help me to give more to my community. Help me to share with others the blessings and gifts I have been given. Also if you could, cultivate within me a forgiving spirit.  You have forgiven me so I should extend that grace to others and somedays I find that harder than others.

And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from the evil one.

There are things in life that are so tempting.  It’s easy for me to desire more, to wish things were different and wonder about the choices I’ve made. Help me to see that the path that I am on is the right one, if it is not please correct me. Deliver me from evil in this world and keep those things that would distract and draw away far from my presence so I may stand firm in faith and love for you. Amen.

If I’ve gotten off track, I find this is a great way to re-focus and be present in prayer. I usually throw some prayers for people I know and some extra thanksgiving for good measure. On days like today it really helps.

I’d love to know what you’re thinking.  How do you pray and stay focused?  Did you pray the Lord’s Prayer today and find it impacted your prayer life?

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings, The 2013 Lent Project

Weathering the storm.

23 Feb posted by

A little over three years ago my son entered the world in a rather dramatic way having not grown half of his diaphragm in the womb.  The condition is called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and his case was of course, one the rarest as my son doesn’t do anything halfway. He’s healthy now and amazing.  My husband and I feel so blessed to have him with us. Because of his this, last night caught me completely off guard.

As we drove home from a dinner out with family, X. moaned in the backseat, unable to get comfortable. When we arrived home he immediately crawled into bed and could not settle. He was flailing about, moaning and groaning. He kept pointing to his side and the pain seemed to get worse and worse. Anxiety hit, terror filled my heart and I began to wonder, with no fever or other obvious symptom could it be re-herniation or a bowel obstruction? Then I realized it was food poisoning as my husband got hit too. A little overreaction on my part

It’s quite fitting that the topic we are dealing with in our Lent Project reading is anxiety.  After all what is anxiety but worry over what could be, or what is going to happen. Today we are reminded that we need not be afraid, that wherever we go there is one who has been there before us.  Jesus knows our worries and we are carried by him.

Moments like last night are a good reminder that nothing is within our control. My poor husband and son got food poisoning. Regardless of the end result we did have fun at dinner and we weathered the storm that followed. Even if we’d been anxious about the potential for food poisoning or other restaurant catastrophes it wouldn’t have changed the fact that it actually happened. Worry holds us back and prevents us from truly living in the moment. Our life is a gift from God and we should live it fully.

This was a good reminder for me. Worry often amounts to nothing and even if I’m right it won’t change what happens. I need to place my trust in the one who is, who was and who will be. He’s carried me through many storms so far, I have no reason to believe he won’t continue to do so.

Let’s not forget another important lesson from last night.  Kitchen hygiene is absolutely essential.

 

 

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings, Reflections, The 2013 Lent Project

Today I am choosing to see.

22 Feb posted by

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My boys had a little disagreement this morning and after they hugged it out my son came running to me.  He crawled up into my lap, turned his head to the side and looked up at me expectantly.  I was supposed to make things better.  I was supposed to support him in his hour of need after a grave injustice had been done to him.  His Dad has said ‘No’ and that traumatized him. I gave him the cuddle he wanted, told him he had to listen to his Dad and when he realized he couldn’t get the ‘Yes’ he wanted, he went off on his merry way. He’s been doing this a lot lately. Pushing boundaries and then running back again.  He wants to explore yet stay close. He’s feeling the tug between independence and security. He is growing up and sometimes that’s hard. At times it’s hard for me too. I want to foster an adventurous spirit and encourage him to explore the world but he is my baby and it’s hard to let go. I make the choice daily to encourage him.  I remind myself that change is necessary and an important part of growing. I cherish these days and enjoy them as they are going so quickly.  I’m making a choice to see him for who he is each day even when I want things to stay the same.

Watching my son this morning after reading today’s passage from the Lent Project changed my perspective on things a little bit.  When we read this passage we need to remember that the people in the synagogue are the same people who watched Jesus grow up. He was a child in their presence. These are the people who would’ve seen him with friends and perhaps he played with their own children. These are the people who would’ve heard him shriek with glee when winning a game. They would’ve dried his tears when he scraped his knees.  They loved him, supported him and were deeply invested in the life of this community so they would’ve been proud to see him take this leadership role in the community.

That said, they might’ve been surprised to see him doing so well and it’s hard to know {as I wasn’t there} if their comment with regards to him being Joseph’s son is a slight because he’s the son of a carpenter or if it’s because he’s come so far and they’re so proud. After speaking, Jesus does what many people in a family do when things are going rather well at a family gathering, he picks a fight. Instead of overlooking the sneaky dig he goes right for the jugular. And are we surprised?  Not in the slightest. Jesus has never been one to hide, he confronts and forces people to see things for how they really are.  How they are unwilling to change and accept that which is new.

It turns out that Jesus was right, the people of Nazareth aren’t very accepting and their response to his statements is attempting to him off a cliff.  This is not a loving act, it’s a huge overreaction. In and of itself this demonstrates how little the people are willing to see. They are stuck in the past, as parental figures and leaders they’ve become offended when he speaks wisdom in their presence and don’t wish to hear it from him. What he says hits too close to home. They can see that he has surpassed them and that I’m sure it scared them. At it’s hard to let go, to see that people have grown beyond us and can now teach us a thing or too. The people of Nazareth weren’t ready to see.  They didn’t possess the faith needed to walk with Jesus and that’s sad.

This is a problem we all encounter at some point or another. Sometimes I see it at home as my son grows, other times I see it at Church when people can’t let go of the past and see where they stand in the present.  Moment pass and we miss important opportunities because we do not see, we have not opened our eyes to the things around us and will not accept that change has happened. We don’t want to learn from those we have taught and sometimes we forget to listen. When truth is painful and resonates deeply it’s hard to accept, it’s hard to see especially when it comes from someone so close to you.

As hard as it is, I want to open my eyes. I want to hear what people have to say and see truth wherever it comes from. I want to witness miracles and have faith enough to make a difference. These people of Nazareth has shown me who I do not want to be and I’m choosing to learn from them. Today I pray for open eyes, for truth to reveal itself and the path to become clear.  Today I choose to see.  Will you open your eyes and join me?

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings, The 2013 Lent Project

Temptation strikes.

21 Feb posted by

Temptation strikes and we’re left with a choice.  In our Lent Project reading today we encounter Jesus in the wilderness being tempted.  While we may not be tempted in the wild by the devil, we do face temptation on a daily basis. Temptation strikes and there’s a choice to be made.

Cherry Pie
Temptation strikes.  Do we eat a piece of Cherry Pie an hour before dinner?
Temptation strikes.  Do we sit down and write a blog or watch Community?

Many things have the potential to distract. Many things have the potential to lure away. From the iPad to authority, from pie to possession; in everything we are given a choice. What choice should we make? The one Jesus made, to live every moment knowing God.

When faced with temptation he remembered God. When faced with temptation he remembered he served God. When faced with temptation he chose to move with God, to move towards God. Each time we are faced with temptation we must remember we are given a choice.  We can choose to move with God or against God. When temptation strikes what will we do?  We choose God. We choose good.  And if we mess up, we make the choice to correct it.

Temptation strikes and we’re left with a choice.  Today I’m choosing God.  I’m choosing to walk towards him.  How about you?

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Filed Under: Lent, Musings, The 2013 Lent Project
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