Jordan - Zechariah 4

This guy is a mystery to me.  I read the passage 5 times and am still not sure what is going on.  God has 7 eyes and two annointed ones.  Great!

small beginnings

Last night, I met with Jack, Sharon, and Mary. We talked about the ministry Mary will have after her baptism in November. As parents, Jack and Sharon will not get impatient with Mary if she's not fully engaged in her calling by say December. She's a baby!

The word of the Lord: "Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings?"

On Sunday, we'll be talking about mustard seeds...and mountains being tossed into the sea. Little things make a big difference, especially faith.

A seed of faith you can barely see activates the work of the Holy Spirit, which is immensely powerful. Think Pentecost Sunday.

We don't need more faith. We already have an awesome God beyond anything we could ask or even imagine. What we need most now is patience with each other, while we wait on the Holy Spirit to move in mighty ways.

Connected

Loving God, loving neighbor.

Connecting with God, connecting with each other.

Communicating with God, communicating God's love to our neighbors.

Since Monday night's Confirmation class, I've been thinking about this. We had about 5 minutes at the end to talk about highs and lows. Next week, a couple parents are treating us to dinner a half hour beforehand, so that the youth can connect with each other.

I thought it was interesting that Mr. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," Joshua, was dressed in dirty clothes. When we're in on this faith thing, all in, we will get dirty for two reasons:
1. Life is like that. We're human and sinful.
2. We roll up our sleeves to help others. We're holy, saintly.

God proclaims in the end, "I'll strip this land of its filthy sin, all at once, in a single day. At that time, everyone will get along with one another, with friendly visits across the fence, friendly visits on one another's porches."

Loving God, loving neighbor. Connected.

Jordan - Zechariah 2

"I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.  Then I asked, 'Where are you going?' He answered me, 'To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.'" (v. 1-2)

Jerusalem is to be rebuilt to hold the multitudes of people who know and glorify God.  Look, even an angel is measuring it with a tape measure!  Please count us in!

Oh, but seriously, we Christians talk a whole heck of a lot about this God, but what do we really know?  A survey was in the news today that claims that agnostics/atheists know more about religion than any other group.   Wow.  Are we Christians dumb or lazy?  Can we really say our faith is strong when we know little about the details and next to nothing about the alternatives?

Ok, so survey results can always be manipulated to generate a good story.  Especially when some questions are more "trivial pursuit" than "pursuit of salvation."  But one of the main findings of the survey was this:

Data from the survey indicate that educational attainment – how much schooling an individual has completed – is the single best predictor of religious knowledge. College graduates get nearly eight more questions right on average than do people with a high school education or less. Having taken a religion course in college is also strongly associated with higher religious knowledge. 

Other factors linked with religious knowledge include reading Scripture at least once a week and talking about religion with friends and family. People who say they frequently talk about religion with friends and family get an average of roughly two more questions right than those who say they rarely or never discuss religion.

Whatever others think of this survey, it is clear to me that to truly be connected to our faith, we need to continue to struggle with what we know and learn more about what we do not.  Otherwise, we aren't marching to Zion, we are merely walking the plumb line, hoping to fall on the right side whenever the time comes. 

Good News!

Prophets share God's word with his people. Due to judgment, God's people have been in exile. Today they hear these words of grace:
"Return from your far exile. Come home—now!"

"I'm on my way. I'm moving into your neighborhood!" Is there any better news than this?!? A foreshadowing of Jesus?

"Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something's afoot in his holy house. He's on the move!" If you are in the sanctuary ten minutes before late service, think of this verse.

For those of you who don't know: Kelly teaches our jr high, Sue our sr high and young adults, while Jordan and I are in Bible Study with the adults every Sunday during the education hour (9 am opening, 9:10 or 9:15-9:50 am classes). We would love to have 25 people in our Bible Study group. If you are bringing your child(ren) to Sunday School, please join us. We'd love to have a bunch of empty nesters/elderly folks too! We learn so much from one another's experience of faith.

Jordan - Zechariah 1

"We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace." (v 11)

Will Jerusalem ever be at peace again?  I wish I could truly understand the significance of the Holy Land other than a historic place.  The idea of Jewish settlements revolts me.  People taking over other's peoples houses, building walls and enforcing segregation.   Is this the glory in which God will come?  I am sure that God is so thrilled that some people feel so entitled to this land that they will live in hatred of others.  Argh!

Zechariah 1

When I read this first chapter it immediately brought back a few of the speakers that I have heard in the past year.

First I remembered our speaker Jay from Hammo in 2009. He talked about God as our "daddy", someone who is always there for us, will always listen and always forgive. God is like a parent we can not push him away just like we cannot push our parents away. He will continue to love us and forgive us no matter how many times we screw up.

God wants to forgive Jerusalem even though they follow their own paths and don't listen to him. He will do that for us also. We just have to trust him and listen for his guidance. That brings to mind Mike from our mission trip this summer. Mike talked about giving up our lives to God and letting him take the lead. Put all out trust in him and listen for his guidance. We just have to open ourselves to this.

The further I move away from the experience of the mission trip and get involved in my daily life and busy work schedule the further I feel I am getting from God. It is hard to always listen for him during my busy day. I need to remember to take time for him! There just doesn't feel like I have even 1/2 hour a day, like we had in Indiana, to meditate and listen for God's guidance.

I am thankful that in a week we will take the youth to an event that is sure to fill us again with the 'fire' we had after our week of mission. We all need to refresh every now and again. I am anxious to hear Mike again and regain some of that enthusiasm. I will also be listening for God's presence and try to find time each day for a little quiet time.

The three Cs, again and again

Last Sunday, I preached about connecting, communicating, and creating a plan.

Yesterday, Pastor Mark talked about contentment, compassion, and commitment.

In today's reading God speaks three C words through the prophet Zechariah, "I care deeply for Jerusalem and Zion. I've come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time. I will comfort Zion again."

This book is all about rebuilding, which Sanctuary Lutheran is hoping to do in Marshfield. It's like the TeenServe motto (we already have 11 people signed up for next summer's mission trip!): Rebuilding homes, refocusing lives.

Sanctuary would like to renovate an abandoned church building on the busiest street in Marshfield. They would like our help. We are in the process of making sure the Faith Center is put to good use. Zechariah speaks the truth that God cares about places of worship AND the people in them.

When we sang the forgiveness waltz and that one line changed at end: from "it's like a heartbreak beginning to heal" to "it's like a desert becoming a field," I immediately thought of the garden and what it must have looked like before it was transformed into the space it is now.

God is doing that same transforming work in us.

The End

"Mordecai the Jew ranked second in command to King Xerxes. He was popular among the Jews and greatly respected by them. He worked hard for the good of his people; he cared for the peace and prosperity of his race."

This short ending left me thinking about two other books in the Bible. I remember going to the theater with a bunch of kids and parents for The Jonah Movie, Veggie Tales' first show that wasn't just 30 minutes long. Afterward, many adults had to crack their Bibles open to see if it really ended that way. Long story short: Jonah goes to Nineveh to get them to repent and when they do and God spares them, he pouts.

I get that when the walls of Jericho came down, God's people killed everyone, as they were taking the land and God didn't want them to be influenced by people who weren't God-fearing. But why did the Jews have to kill their would be killers and then kill them some more and celebrate. Aren't these the Jews who kept the commandment not to kill? It had been written on their hearts.

The second story that comes to mind is that of Joseph, who used his 2nd in command status to feed everyone in the land, not just his people. This is a great story for Jews, but who else is it good news for?

Jordan - Ruth 9

I guess the tides turned full force and the Jews that feared for their lives slaughtered their haters, but "did not touch the plunder."  What a great story!  I still don't really know what to think of it.  I don't really get its Biblical importance except that the author insists that the story is passed from generation to generation (and it looks like they succeeded there!).

Night and Day

Energy Transformation: taking all of the negative energy directed toward you and channeling it into something positive. Think surfing.

Lateral Drop: a wrestling move where you take the momentum of your opponent and "go with it," switching places with him on the way down to the mat. I can demonstrate on Sunday if you would like to see it. =)

In today's reading, after the climax of Haman tasting his own medicine, the tone changes dramatically. From weeping and gnashing of teeth to..."all sunshine and laughter: the Jews celebrated, they were honored. It was that way all over the country, in every province, every city when the king's bulletin was posted: the Jews took to the streets in celebration, cheering, and feasting. Not only that, but many non-Jews became Jews—now it was dangerous not to be a Jew!"

Fasting to feasting. Sin to forgiveness. Our lives are also marked by these dramatic changes.

We have been redeemed! Let's celebrate. Please join us for worship on Sunday at either 10 am in the garden with Sanctuary Lutheran, Marshfield or at 10:45 am at Good Shepherd in Westborough (the worship & music fieldtrip leaves Faith at 9:30 am). I'd also love to have dozens of adults join me for Bible study (meet in the sanctuary for our Sunday School opening at 9 am).

Reversal

I wrestled as a kid. There are three basic moves in wrestling: a take-down and then an escape or a reversal. The Bible talks A LOT about God choosing the lowly and then exalting them (i.e. Mary, Esther, Mordecai), as well as those who exalt themselves being brought down (Haman).

We hear stories about the first being last and the last being first. To remind myself of this reality, I always try to eat last at church functions. In case Jesus comes back during the meal, I want to be the first in line at the heavenly banquet. =)

What if we found people who needed a faith community and gave them our seats in worship, introduced them to our friends and family, helped them find their sense of belonging among us? That's a church spreading the good news of God's grace.

Jordan - Ruth 6

This story is really funny, but I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with God.  It is brilliant that Haman chooses the way Mordecai is honored, thinking that the honor was for himself.  I remember myself in a situation like this.  As a Senior, I went to the Junior prom with a girl I hardly knew and had very little interest in, basically because I was duped by my own ego.  The way it went down was like this: 


A month or so before the prom I was approached by a Junior named, lets just say "Jane" who I knew well and was very attractive.  She approached me in the hall and asked if I was going to the junior prom with anyone.  I said nope, and she started to ask if, "as just friends," I would go the prom with...  The last part I don't remember because I was already saying "sure, why not!"  And then I realized she didn't say "me" she said some other girl's name who knew me from choir and was afraid to ask blah blah blah.*

So, I feel Haman's pain here where the significance of a moment makes your brain go a little heywire and you end up kicking yourself.  We all know what "to assume" does.

*Disclaimer: Please don't get me wrong, I had a good time at the prom with the other girl and I certainly don't mean her any disrespect here.  For some reason this event jumped into my mind as I was reading this chapter in Ruth.

Timing is everything

Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for Esther to prepare back-to-back meals for the king and Haman. The king, wondering what she wanted to tell them, couldn't sleep. When the king couldn't sleep, he asked to have his journal read to him. He remembered Mordecai and how he saved the king's life.

Haman walks into the king's presence at precisely the wrong time. There is a complete reversal of fortunes. Mordecai, the outsider Jew, is lifted up. On the flip-side, I wonder what's going to happen to Haman?

The insider Haman's downfall is this: "Haman thought to himself, "He must be talking about honoring me—who else?" Haman only thought about himself.

Regarding timing, the Council affirmed last night that lots of the things I've brought to the table (Natural Church Development, Future Planning, outward looking, etc) aren't inappropriate, just mis-timed.

As a community, as sisters and brothers in Christ, we're going to take a honeymoon for the better part of a year, connecting with each other and openly and honestly communicating about how we see the church and what God desires for us. Why does he bring us together on Sabbath days? What purposes does he have for us, other than to provide a place of sanctuary and a gathering of loved ones? God's unfolding kingdom is so much bigger than that, but we'll start there.

Character flaws

Two characters are highlighted today on either side of the king: Esther and Haman. Esther comes across as a bit too timid, while Haman is a lot too eager and power hungry. They are playing a game of tug of war without Haman knowing it. All he can see is his hatred for Mordecai.

His friends encourage him to build a gallows to hang Mordecai from. I'm not sure, but that may backfire on him...

Jordan - Esther 4

Vocation.  Its a huge buzz word in our church right now.  "What is your vocation, your calling?"  Vocation and Eduction is a even the name of one of our 7 Program Units funded and run by churchwide.  As much as it is fun to talk about vocation, its a lot harder to define it for yourself.  I struggle wish it a lot these days.  When my campus pastor at Northeastern used to ask me why I wanted to be a software developer, I said that I wanted to make money to prove that I could give it away.  

And then I grew up.  

It is hard to give away money when your house is worth less than what you bought it for, you work for a giant bank whose stock went from $30 to $60 to $4 in the time you have worked there, and you have two kids who will probably cost a few houses to put through college.

Ok, so maybe giving money away wasn't my calling.  So what is my vocation?  Esther's falls into her lap in this chapter (in a horrible, biblical way).  I wonder if mine will be as obvious and whether I am living it out or I have yet to begin?

Such a time as this

Do you ever wonder why God has you where he has you? I'm not talking location, so much as position: at home with kids, moving into a new career, in your circle of friends, all the various roles you play.

Esther was honest with Mordecai about the risk and sacrifice, "Everyone who works for the king here, and even the people out in the provinces, knows that there is a single fate for every man or woman who approaches the king without being invited: death. The one exception is if the king extends his gold scepter; then he or she may live. And it's been thirty days now since I've been invited to come to the king."

She is calculating whether or not she can even get in the door without losing her life, much less if she addresses the issue.

Mordecai tries to embolden her, "Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this."

God is behind this. It's worth the risk.

Journaling

The last chapter ended, "This was all written down in a logbook kept for the king's use."

The king journaled his thoughts every day or at least when important things happened, like Mordecai saving his life.

It's a good thing for the Jews, because in today's reading a very bad thing happens that sends this story down a dangerous path.

When things like this occur, I'm glad the first two books I grab every morning are the Bible and my journal. From the Bible, I read stories like Daniel and the lions den and Rack, Shack, and Bennie (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) from Daniel 3.

God's people are God's people and sometimes they get thrown to the lions for praying to only him or into a fiery furnace for not bowing down to someone else. These threats don't stop them from being God's people, praying and worshiping the way God commands.

From my journal, I can see God's fingerprints all over my life in the good times and the bad. Every day, he is re-creating me in his image. I look forward to Sabbath days of learning, worship, fellowship, and rest. Recreation leads to this re-creation.

I hope to see you this morning at...
9 am--learning for all ages
10 am--worship
11:15 am--Rally Day brunch

Next week, Sanctuary Lutheran is leading our 10 am service (there is no 8 am until October), while a dozen or more people from our Worship & Music, Evangelism, and Youth teams (along with anyone else who is interested) will be leaving at 9:30 am to attend Good Shepherd Lutheran in Westborough. They have a contemporary service at 10:45 am. Many youth and young adults prefer that style of worship. We may not be reaching those from that generation in our neighborhood with the casual and tradition services we offer, so they are checking it out.

All are welcome

Since the synod and I have been discussing the difference between a church family and community, I have pulled back from using the "Faith is a family" mission statement. I don't think it communicates to outsiders what we would like it to. As a part of creating a plan, we will be examining this.

For now, I'm going with what our church sign says, "All Welcome." You became a part of a community simply by moving into the area, just by showing up. Getting into my in-laws' family was a lot more difficult. Anyone who is/has been married knows how that goes. After 14 years of marriage, I'm in, loved like a son.

A better example would be the neighborhood Heidi and I landed in. We were accepted just as we were, with no expectations that we would change to fit in.

"Esther, just as she was, won the admiration of everyone who saw her." This unassuming girl gets into the position of queen simply by being herself.

My hope is that we can learn to celebrate who God made each of us to be and the fact that he drew us together into this community for a purpose.

Kelly - Esther 2

Persia reached its greatest strength under King Darius (Xerxes' predecessor, key figure in the book of Daniel). Xerxes tried to continue the expansion of the empire, but some decisive losses in battle signaled the beginning of the decline of the Persian Empire.

In the year 500 BCE (under Darius) the empire reached into Africa and to the shores of Greece.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Map_of_the_Achaemenid_Empire.jpg


Xerxes took the throne in 485 BCE at the age of about 34 and rulled until his death in 465 BCE. The most noted loss in battle was against the Greeks. A video link describing that battle can be found at this site:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/650720/Xerxes-I

Kelly - Esther 1

I try not to read the Bible through militant feminist eyes -- but it's rather a difficult task in this chapter.

A drunk man in power and his drunk male advisors strike out against Vashti because she refused to obey immediately and they were afraid other women wouldn't obey following her example.

I don't honestly believe that even in "ancient times" pure obedience was part of most marriages. This may be different in the case of the king's household...but most often I believe that people who lived their lives together had to learn to compromise and share regardless of their respective genders. The male writers of the scritpures would not have spent so much energy instructing wives to be obedient if obedience were part of the social norm.

We'll see how things progress this week -- but as I remember the story of Esther, I don't think that King Xerxes of Persia is going to grow on me much.

Pride comes before the fall

Can a bunch of drunken men make a good decision?

King Xerxes called in his counselors, consulted his expert advisors: good.

He (and probably they) had been partying for the past 7 days: not so good.

Proverbs talks over and over again about the importance of wise counsel, but this move by the king seems really reactionary.

Putting the queen in her place as an example to all the women of the kingdom ultimately backfired.

Jordan - Ruth 4

Pastor Matthew has got this one pegged, this story is such a good lesson in broadening community.  A marriage of a Gentile and Jew contribute to the ancestry of Jesus.  Ruth is a matriarch of Israel.  Who are the matriachs and patriachs of our church?  Our lineage runs deep, but we also have outsiders who contribute to our legacy.  How well do we balance this and what could we do better?

Happy endings

We all love happy endings. I have to admit though seeing the world through different lenses now. These aren't rose-colored either.

This story of Ruth doesn't work out without connecting and communicating. Boaz goes to the town square and gathers ten elders. Then he personally gets with the relative who has first redeemer rights (we'll call him George).

George learns that he's in the front of the line to buy Naomi's property, but without clear communication would not have known that Ruth comes with it AND the responsibility to have children with her.

George says, "Hold the phone. I can't do that!"

So Boaz happily marries Ruth and she has a son named Obed.

But who does Obed have? Jesse. This is where it starts to get exciting!

Who does Jesse have? About a million sons, the runt of which is David.

King David?

If you want to see the full impact of this connecting and communicating, go to Matthew 1. You'll find the names of four outsider women who simply didn't fit into this lineage of God's people: Tamar (who slept with her father-in-law), Rahab (a prostitute turned spy hider), Ruth, and Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.

God used these people to bring about Joseph, Mary's husband. I think he did it intentionally.

God had created a plan long ago to redeem us. Mary would be an outsider the moment people found out she was pregnant. Joseph would have to look back at his background and realize that God is a God who reaches out to foreigners, widows, orphans, outsiders, the oppressed, the marginalized.

The age old question for the institutionalized church is...do we? Are they a part of our community?

Ruth 3

So I have to admit that I was confused by this chapter upon first reading it. It seemed to me to have sexual connotations to it. After all she is sleeping at his feet and she asks him to cover him with his garment. And it goes on to say that Boaz is appreciative that she came to him and not to the younger men. But then Boaz talks about redeeming and waiting until morning to see if he wants to redeem.??

It probably gets explained in the next chapter. I think I remember that Ruth marries Boaz? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

The theme of community and family runs through this chapter which is quite interesting as our church is going through a time of growing right now. Matthew talked about the 3 C's. One major one that we need to work on is community. I think that this goes for everyone in the congregation. We all need some help building up our community and feeling again like we are all on the same team. At times it feels like it is two teams with different goals. I do believe that we all want the same thing, to work for God's glory, but we just don't know how to do it together yet.

Pray that we can work together and that God will work within and through us. God is working through our kids, we need to open ourselves up like they do. We need to get excited about our faith and life it out loudly!!!!!!!

The three Cs

"Ruth went down to the threshing floor and put her mother-in-law's plan into action."

I have had two long meetings the last two weeks in preparation for Council next week. Jordan, as call committee chair, was a part of both of them. We are at a critical point in the life of Faith. Just over 8 months into the transition and we're finally starting to get traction.

You'll be hearing three words over and over again in the next 2-3 months:
Connecting
Communicating
Creating a plan

We will all being doing all of these together. This isn't just about me connecting to the family of Faith or communicating my vision clearly. That's a couple too many mes and mys. This is about us. The community of Faith we are creating together. This is about God's plan for us. This plan will slowly take shape and become a springboard from which our Future Planning Team can launch.

We are going to focus on the foundational things. Rally Day is a classic example:
Learning
Worship
Fellowship

Evangelism and Service (two aspects of outreach) will follow and we'll be doing them together.

Kelly - Ruth 3

I haven't posted yet - - but I'll jump in when the book hits its R-rated parts.

Rose's Godmother wrote a thesis on this chapter which will forever change the way I see Ruth. She wrote about the fertility images of the "threshing floor" and the euphemistic use of the word "feet."

Sometimes the Bible has more reality in it than the show "The Bachelor." Ruth is stuck in the Old Testament as a statement in favor of being open to the outsiders....in stark contrast to books like Leviticus or Judges that are all about keeping the insiders in and the outsiders out. It has made people uncomfortable for ages for that reason. But it also has this wonderful acknowledgement of the way things can really be. They can be messy. The heroes can be self-centered. "Christian morality" is not always a guiding factor. And Ruth will go to great lengths to ensure her survival and that of her mother-in-law.

Ruth 1 (day behind)

I read the first chapter of Ruth late last night and wanted to blog early today but never got the chance so here goes a day behind.

When I read the chapter I was reminded of this story because I had taught about Ruth in a Sunday school class the past year. I remembered her as a strong woman, very determined. The first chapter had me thinking about women and their role in bible times. How would it be to have your identity rely soley on your husband? Ruth became a widow so she had to leave her home and travel back to her family so someone could care or her. I don't think I would have faired very well in bible times.

My husband will tell you that I am pretty determined and strong willed. I couldn't imagine have my whole identity wrapped up in my husband. Yes I love him and we have a great marriage but we are individuals with our own lives. I wouldn't want it any other way.

I give the women of bible times a lot of credit I don't think I would have been very popular back then.

Jordan - Ruth 2

Community is a powerful thing.  There is always a physical connection with community.  At Faith, it is obviously our church and garden.  Up until the last century, community was always the few square miles around which you lived.  For Naomi, she goes back to Bethlehem for the community that would protect her since whe was now a widow and in a patriarchal society, her survival rested in community and family.  Ruth goes out into her community to find a way of finding income and ends up in Boaz's fields picking up the leftovers that the workers are leaving behind in the harvest.  This old style community has strange "support networks" for those in poverty.  It wasn't quite a handout, because Ruth worked hard in Boaz's fields, and yet it wasn't quite traditional labor either.


At Faith, we should work on our community.  Find out where it is working and where it seems to leave people behind.  We aren't really just a building or a physical space and it is not ok if that is our identity.  Our identity should be something that describes who we are, not where we are.

Jordan - Ruth 1

It is always neat the way things tie together in this journey through the Bible.  I had a tough time in many of the Psalms because they are songs/laments in extreme times and my life in comparison is rather dull (and no, I would not wish it to be different!).

The first chapter in Ruth, though, starts with Naomi.  Her life,  would inspire those psalms.  She moves to a new country and loses her husband and two sons and she is forced back to her homeland in hopes to find shelter and food.  True,  her daughter-in-law, Ruth, tags along too, but she is so bitter that she changes her name to the word bitter: Mara.

Breathe

When we were traveling to Indiana for the mission trip, we stayed at a Free Methodist Church in Toledo, Ohio. They had Sunday School year round, so we joined the senior high class. They were doing a Bible study on Ruth.

At Hammo this weekend, Ralph shared a story about a man he chaplained from life to death, since his family couldn't make it back in time. The farmer claimed to not be very religious, but essentially lived Boaz's life in Ruth.

Why does this story keep coming up as we reach out?

On Friday, we learned about the gathering for worship, on Saturday, the word and meal (which I was honored to preside at for 700 people), on Sunday, the sending out into the world. There was a rhythm to it: inhale (worship), exhale (service), inhale (fishing), exhale (feeding sheep).

We are to breathe God in and out.

Kelly - Psalm 29

My cousin is a poet. He's a professor of poetry at Colorado State and has published several 100 page poems that I barely understand.

But when I speak to him, I get the distinct impression that I'm talking to someone who's very deliberate about his words. He says what he means to say....using precisely the words with the nuances he wants.

Today's Psalm reminds me of talking to Dan. The power of language - and the role that words play in our faith. The Voice of the Lord is powerful -- God said let there be...and there was... ---Christ, the Word of God

There is something remarkable in the way we communicate with each other - something intricate and miraculous in the human brain's ability to use language -- linguistics, semantics, neuropsychology, and poetry -- all fields of study that delve into the power of lanugage.

And the Voice of the Lord is part of it all.

Chosen

"God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader."

What if we were chosen by God to be together?

I believe with all of my heart that we were.

I can imagine that a couple who was introduced (not even in person) one year ago today and then got "married" just three months later would still be working out their relationship.

Let's give this relationship some time to develop as I learn from you and you learn from me, as we do mutual ministry, together.

We all love God. We are all called according to his purpose. Let's trust God, who brought us together, to work all things together for good.

Stay with God

This Psalm speaks my deepest desires:

"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: to live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet."

"When my heart whispered, 'Seek God,' my whole being replied, 'I'm seeking him!'"

"You've always been right there for me; you've always kept the door open."

"Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street."

"Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God."

Jordan - Psalm 26

"Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty."

The melodramatic nature of these psalms creates a barrier for me, but as I read them, I am trying to see how they can be read through the eyes of people who aren't surrounded by murderers and other terrible people.  I would write something like:

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I try to walk the right path and I trust you for guidance.  You have always loved me and I am your faithful steward.

I do not associate with people who knowingly do wrong.  And where I am confronted by them, I pray you give me the words and strength to show them right.

I feel accepted in your presence, although I know I could do more.  Your generosity makes me sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.

O Lord, I love your sanctuary, your earth.  Do not allow me to accept mediocrity and fall into sin.  For gift of grace wills me to do all that I can in your name. 

Go! Make disciples.

Adi is up and at 'em for her first day of first grade. Why do kids have to get up so early?!?

My morning routine is to read my journal from a year ago, journal some thoughts from today, and then read my Bible.

After camp last summer, Malachi was singing, "Go! Make disciples...so all can see that you're serving me. Go!" On 9-9-09, we found out about Faith and in faith we went.

The interesting thing about this Psalm is that we hear again, "I've thrown in my lot with you, God."

Love the Lord your God with everything you have.

Oh, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The first one seems a lot easier to me. But the mission statement of David's church at the time seemed to be: "I join hands with the others...
Dancing around your altar, God,
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
Telling God-stories."

Dancing, singing, telling...very God-focused, but certainly done with others and for the sake of others.

The truth is that PJ (after a HUGE struggle to merge two very different churches) fit this new family of faith. He helped create it. I'm trying to encourage this family to become a community where all are welcome.

It's going to be difficult, but I've thrown in my lot with you.

As I was driving to work this morning I was listening to WBZ. One of the top stories was about the kids who killed the pizza delivery man. Yesterday they were talking about what a family man he was, devoted to his girls and working to send them college. Today they told how the kids ate the pizza out of the box with the mans blood all over it. Stories like this hurt my heart. I don't even know this man or his family but I am grieving with them. It is senseless.

All I could think was how sick some people are. How does someone callously kill another person and then go on like nothing happenend? These people obviously do not have any religion or faith. I then thought about all of the Psalms we have been reading which talk about death, torture, and God's wrath. I have to be honest some of these readings have been troublesome to me. I always think of the Psalms as a book of poetry praising God. But what came to my mind as I was listening to the news story was, these 3 individuals deserve the wrath of God. They malitiously killed another human being for a pizza! I now it's not christian to think that way but it was my first thought.

This one will be left up to the courts to decide their fate. But I also wonder if God will deal with them in his own way and own time??

Kelly - Psalm 26

"Test me, O Lord, and try me. Examine my heart and mind." v. 2.

I used to love the song "Sanctuary" - and would sing it to myself while driving or walking or doing dishes. I would pray a prayer similar to the one in today's psalm...."Lord prepare me..(make me) tried and true." But then I hit a time in my life when God decided to take that prayer seriously. I was tried -- I was tested --- and I came through to the other side. But I stopped saying that prayer. I stopped asking to be tested, since I now know the pain involved in such an endeavor.

Since coming back from Calumet this summer, Rose has started singing that song around the house. And it's one of the few that she'll let me sing with her. So I'm singng it again - a little bit - and with great fear.

I fear the power of that prayer and the implications of what I'm asking God. And I fear for what may happen to my child as she prays that prayer.

The words of today's Psalm are a little on the arrogant side. Even on my best days I couldn't say this entire Psalm and mean it. But I am impressed with the courage of the Psalmist who stands up and asks for God to test him and try him. This is a man who wants God's way more than anything else - God's way above his own peace, comfort, way of life, or current identity.

Perhaps someday I'll be a person like that. But the honest truth is I'm not there right now.

Jordan - Psalm 25

Sometimes, despite my many commitments, I feel like a sloth.  In highschool and college, I was just as busy, but then, I could sleep til noon on a Saturday to make up for the late nights.  I was also doing things that seemed organic where the passion wasn't all my own, but the collective group wanted to get things done.  If I slacked on something, there was bound to be someone else who pushed me along and kept the momentum going.  Now, if I fail to schedule a meeting, people are happy enough to have more free time, that noone pushes me.  As I procrastinate, my guilt grows to a nice ball-and-chain.  When I send out the meeting invite, it will remind people how long it has been since the last meeting and I will be admitting that I have dropped the ball (and thereby picked a heavier one with an ankle bracelet!).  


That's where Psalm 25 comes in handy verese 17-18: "Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.  Consider my affliction and my trouble and forgive all of my sins."

This is God's work.  God does not expect me to slow things down, but when I do, God will forgive me.  That is very freeing!  I should get to work..

A quarter

Psalm 25. Nine months into this daily relationship with God, we are about 25% of the way through his Word.

Four verse of this Psalm stood out to me.

"I've thrown in my lot with you."

This month, we will talk a lot about tending relationships: with the synod, among our Council and team leaders, how we do mutual ministry as a congregation...what relationships God would like to us to nurture within and outside of our faith community in the future. These are exciting times! We will also have the opportunity to get out of our comfort zones to love and serve God and our neighbors.

"Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways."

I have no idea if 4 or 40 of us are doing/reading this blog. The next level jump is going to be a vibrant Christian Ed hour with dozens of adults participating in the Bible study, modeling for our teens doing the Faith Lens and children in Sunday School. Rally Day is September 19th.

"My question: What are God-worshipers like? Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye."

What is God's bull's-eye for us? I think it starts when our worship is genuinely about drawing people to his glory. How can we usher others into his presence?

Looking at other churches' mission statements is pushing me to flesh ours out a little bit. When I arrived in January, we didn't have one, but growing churches do, so I asked around and Faith is a Family is what we came up with on the fly. A lot of mission statements have three verbs (i.e. learning...loving...growing, etc).

When I was called, we had a three-fold purpose, which could be written out like this:
Using our gifts,
Passing on the faith,
Serving God and loving our neighbors.

If you can't remember it, think UPS, the tightest ship in the shipping business. We could be the healthiest church in the churching business.

"Put me together; I wait to see your finished product."

God is putting us together as a community. He's not finished with us yet.

As we grow and change, our mission statement will grow and change along with us.

If I've said this once, I've said it a dozen times, but I think it's particularly appropriate today. Growing churches:
1. Talk about God like he's in the room.
2. Have a mission statement everyone can remember.
3. Have a quarter of their Confirmed members studying the Bible.

Claimed

You have been marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with his Holy Spirit forever.

Claimed as God's precious child.

My neighbor, Paul, came to worship at Faith for the first time yesterday. He told me that he felt right at home. Thank you.

Heidi, the kids, and I went to Good Shepherd in Westborough. The contemporary service was refreshing, but the welcome we lavish on visitors was missing. It felt like we were sitting in on someone else's meeting. Lots of insider language. Announcements before the benediction WAY too long.

When we come to worship, we ask the question the Psalmist poses, "Who is this king of glory?"

He's our king, our Father.

My cup brims with blessing

That's the line that stuck out to me this morning. Kelly, thanks for preaching today. You are a wonderful friend, especially to Heidi.

Jordan, from day one you have stepped up to make Faith a better church...from the call committee to NCD to Mutual Ministry.

Sue, thanks for your vision for the children's and youth ministry. I look forward to working with you as Rose, Benjamin, Adeline, Malachi, David, and James make their way into the LYFE Group.

The Lord is our shepherd. We want for nothing.

Order vs choas

I can see why New Englanders hate hurricanes. Even the best in the weather business can only project their paths, rain, and wind speeds. Hurricanes mess up Labor Day plans. The beach we vacated days ago probably sustained very little damage.

The Psalms have a basic rhythm to them. Like the structure of our worship is gathering, word, meal, and sending, your basic Psalm starts out with lament and ends with praise. In seminary, we were taught that the only exception is Psalm 88. There is no praise. But Psalm 89 is all praise.

Life has a rhythm of ups and downs. As a community, if we can rejoice when others rejoice and mourn when others mourn, we can carry each other through the storms.

Kelly - Psalm 22

I wonder about the editor the Psalms. How do you go from such praise to such despair in a few short lines?

Modern poetry books, and all hymnals I've ever seen, make an attempt to create some order out of the collected works. The Psalms lay the praise psalms, the royal psalms, and the psalms of despair in rather random order.

The emotions that I bring to God are rather chaotic - like the presented order of the Psalms - and I imagine that the emotions that we bring to God in corporate worship are even more so.

I wish that the religion would try to make order out of this chaos. That the Psalms would work the way that our hymnals or our order of service does....put an established framework down in which we can explore our faith.

God separated the light from the darkness and the waters from the dry land. God created laws for the people to follow and established the holiness rituals.

But so much about life with Christ is about disorder - Love that is uncontrolled and random and unexpected. He intentionally broke through barriers and destroyed categories, and asks us to continue to do so. Dealing with this chaos is one of the harder aspects of faith for me.

19, 20, 21...hut, hut, hike!

Until yesterday, we were on the beach, camping. Then Earl threatened to come and they closed the state park.

You should all come to family camp during week 6 at Calumet next summer. Jordan, giving his thoughts on Psalm 19 and Luke 19, covered the themes for the last two days:
Keeping the song alive (the song of all creation)
Keeping creation (i.e. finding your voice or else the stones will sing)

I love reading the Bible daily, because it reminds me that God is God (and I am not). It also brings up memories from the past. On my 2nd call, the youth initiated a contemporary worship time and called it Waymark after these verses from Psalm 19:
"The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy." I think of our stepping stones ministry the same way. Baptism, splash packs, VBS, Sunday School, 1st communion, camp, Confirmation, mission trips, graduation...each step is a reminder that you are a precious child of God and that you have a purpose for the kingdom. What stepping stones do we have for adults, as we continue to grow in our faith? How awesome will it be when 4 or 12 or 20 of us have read the entire Bible in 3 years?

The intent of the beginning of Psalm 20 can only be discovered by Scripture reading Scripture:
"[May] God answer you...put you out of harm's reach...send reinforcements...dispatch fresh supplies...exclaim over your offerings...celebrate your sacrifices...give you what your heart desires...accomplish your plans."

There is a big difference between accomplishing your plans and God accomplishing his plans through you. David was often described as a man after God's own heart. I read "Everything's going to work out" and know in my heart of hearts that things only work out because Romans 8:28 is true (God works all things together for good for those who love him, who are called according to his purpose). God is the primary actor here. History is his story. We're just blessed to be cast in it.

Today I read "Your strength, God, is the king's strength". Same song, next verse. Again, Paul's words come in handy (power is made perfect in weakness). God's work, our hands. God's strength, our weakness (vulnerability).

What could God do with our growing community of Faith if we let him have his way with us?

One year ago today, I learned about this church on the rock in Quincy, MA. My aunt lived in Boston for 20 years, but I had to pull out a map to find Quincy. Now our lives are here. Adi starts 1st grade on Wednesday.

Kelly - Psalm 20

I'm with this Psalm up to a point. It seems like one of the kindest prayers we could say for another -- that they will be protected by God.

But then I hit v. 4..."May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Seems more like a curse to me. It seriously stinks when my plans fail, but even when it happens I know that there is growth. There is no benefit to all my plans succeeding. And I'm not even sure what the desire of my heart is - so I'm not sure I would know if God granted it to me.

George Bernard Shaw: "There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire. The other is to get it."

Gypsy Curse: "May you get everything you want."

I shouldn't find greater wisdom in Shaw than I do in the Psalms.

Kelly - Psalm 19

I've been thinking about this Psalm all day - and have nothing to say about it except that I love it. This imagery has long been some of my favorite. It's one of the few places in the Bible where I feel that explanations and expositions on what is written make the text weaker. So today I am simply grateful for what is there.

Jordan - Psalm 19

I love the picture painted by the first 4 verses of this Psalm:

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Creation gives glory to God in an undercurrent of praise.  You cannot hear it or see it, but it flows like a crisp wind from a mountain peak across the valley below.  In Luke 19, Jesus enters Jerusalem and is greeted with cheers and the Pharisees tell him to make them be quiet.  To which Jesus responds in verse 40, "If these were silent, the stones would shout out."  Nature breaths God and whenever you are quiet and attentive to the earth, your body is filled with the breath of God.