Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Under Contract: God Moves In the Suburbs





The first thing we read in this passage is, "After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go."  The number 70 really jumped out at me when I read this! On any given Sunday, we fall in the range of 70 in attendance.  This passage, my friends, is about us!

We are called into all the places that God intends to go… wherever that is.  We are not called to take anything but ourselves, just us… and go wherever God intends to go.

In the month of June, we will spend an entire month on one biblical passage, Luke 10:1-12, focusing on different pieces of how it might speak to us as we move into searching for a new vision, new life, new breath in this connection called NUMC.

It is time to find our mission in the world, in the neighborhood, in the suburbs we call Gunbarrel, on the block we call Lookout Road.  God is calling us to show others the love of Christ… not alone, mind you, we don't have to do this work alone… the scripture suggests pairs… but it also suggests we don't need any props with us... only our good word telling the good news.  

We are to be kind and gracious, accept what is offered to us, but we don’t have to push ourselves on people. If people turn us away, this scripture says our peace returns to us.  We simply move to the next place. And, believe it or not, even in our unaccepted places and situations, we have left an imprint of God there.

Our God is not just within the walls of 7405 Lookout Road. Our community is not just within the walls of 7405 Lookout Road.  We also don't just find God in the Homeless Shelter or in the AA meetings, though God is surely there, as much as anywhere.  God is also in the suburbs.... moving in and among the rental signs, the for sale signs, the under contract signs.  God moves among us in all facets of our lives. God's contract is to sign us onto a lifetime mortgage of loving our neighbor.

How do we pair up to move into the world?  Where in these suburbs do you see evidence of God at work? What is God calling us 70 to do?

Email me or comment below.




Tuesday, May 21, 2013

God Sheds Grace on Thee

Romans 5:1-5

Suffering produces endurance produces character produces hope... and hope does not disappoint us.

Some of the most uplifting, keep on going, words in the New Testament. These words tell us that our trials and tribulations of life are going to lead us forward and make us strong. We won't be defeated by them; the Spirit will give us the strength to move through them.

I suppose you could also read these words and take a more negative view, suggesting that they imply that suffering is somehow good for us and what we are supposed to put up with, no matter what, but I don't see it that way. I see it as a way forward, a realization that darkness never can be the last word when the warmth and light of the Spirit guides us.

On Sunday we will remember fallen soldiers. Those who died in the line of duty, in service to country. Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure peace and freedom for their fellow citizens.  A high calling and a great responsibility.

Many of you know people who have died while serving their country.  Memorial Day is a day to stop, be silent, and pay homage to their sacrifice. Many think it is a day to honor all dead, or a day to honor all veterans who have died.  This website can give you more information on Memorial Day. It dates from the Civil War, and was a day set aside to pay tribute and remember the Union and Confederate soldiers that died in that war.

It is a civic holiday. It is not a religious one.  So, creating a service for fallen soldiers on a Sunday morning worship hour is a little risky.  But please take heed of the intent: We as a body of Christ in this place are pausing to remember those who have died in battle, those who have sacrificed their whole lives. And we are pausing to learn from their experience. And we are pausing to pray for peace that no one need die in battle again.  And we are pausing to recognize that God is with us in all of life.

Thoughts, stories, comments, etc? Email me or comment below.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Spirit Touch

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

No religion but social religion. No holiness but social holiness.--John Wesley.  Wesley's focus was always on how we are "at one" with one another. How we connect and join together as community to care for and love one another, particularly those often left unloved.

When Jesus speaks of being the Alpha and the Omega, he is emphasizing the promise that Christ is with us, from beginning to end, and we are always welcome to tap into the Christ for refreshment, nourishment, fuel for the journey.

The imagery in this text suggests cleansing and refreshing.  Washing the robes. The water of life. How do we touch one another in our everyday lives in ways that lead to affirmation and the sense that we are cared for from the beginning of time till the end? Do we reach out and touch our world in intentional ways that are infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, or do we just flail our arms and hope we reach someone or something that can make a difference?

Our graduating seniors have a new journey ahead of them. A new set of Alpha experiences as they reach this Omega moment in their lives. How do they find a sense of the Holy Spirit residing in them in ways that can guide them in all their next steps?  How can they reach out and touch the new world they are encountering in ways that will not only enrich their lives, but will expand Christ's kingdom in their new surroundings? How do they tap into the Spirit in such a way that they feel cared for from the beginning of time till the end?

How do we connect to one another to create the Christ Community in our lives today?  It is important to notice everything we touch. Each person, each creature, every THING is a potential Spirit connection, a way to bring us all into a sense of the Divine and a common purpose to guide us forward.

Washing our robes so we can receive life. Inviting everyone who is thirsty to receive the water of life.  Growing a garden so that all who hunger might receive a fresh salad. Finding a way to prepare meals, host meals for those who are hungry. Reach out and touch someone with your sense of Christ living in you. Find the Spirit Touch.

Comments? Email me or comment below.

Peace.