“20/20” I said to my beloved today.
He looked at me and said “Dateline?”
Shaking my head negatively, “20/20” I said again.
“Perfect vision?” He replied.
Shaking negative again, I said “20/20.. 20 days before, 20 days behind. We’re smack in the middle of Lent.”
“AHH...” He humors me a lot. “Really.”
Well, it’s true. We are right in the middle of Lent. The dark of winter is almost to a close. Tomorrow will be the first day of Spring. The long Dark now behind us along with the hardest part of the self-reflecting period where I challenged you to think about two questions. Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
For myself, this year has offered extra opportunity to think about my shadow. I don’t mean like in Peter Pan, the literal shadow of my self that I experience in relationship to the sun or other light source. I’m referring to what therapists refer to as the shadow. It’s a part of our make-up to have both good and bad qualities of the self. The part we dislike the most about our self and want to ignore, or conceal from others can become a heavy burden on the self. It also creates relationship tension. We tend to react negatively toward other people who exhibit the very traits which we dislike in ourselves. It seems to be the worst when we deny that part within our own self. In that case seem to become magnetic in our attracting repellant relationships. We see in others what we won’t acknowledge in ourselves.
“I’m NOT controlling.”
“I never get angry.”
“I’m a peacemaker. I don’t go around hurting people.” Well, you get the picture.
Spiritual growth depends on being able to face that within our self that keeps us trapped in repetitive non-productive cycles. Changing those patterns, behaviors, and beliefs all require looking at the worst part of our self in the full light of day. Alcoholics Anonymous is one group that emphasizes honesty for the welfare of each other. Growth occurs over time when the reality is kept in the light of conscious awareness, rather than being allowed to slip back into the recesses of our subconscious. At least that’s how I understand the process. I can’t quote whose theory it is. I just know that’s how it works for me.
Do we need to go around like members of AA and tell each other the details of our shadow in order to change? For the most part, I would say, no probably not. But I do believe there is value in having others with whom you are willing to share trusting that you will help each other, encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. I have a circle of friends from seminary# which I use as my covenant. I do encourage the use of a small circle of trusted Christians build faith and friendship. I recently met a lay member in the Annual Conference who said he has a circle of men he has been in covenant relationship with for 20 years. They meet weekly.
When you work on your shadow you need to be prepared to experience a dark period before you see the light. Done properly, you will see a death of your old self and a new birth, by the grace of God. In the cycle of Christian Life, death comes before the new birth, new growth follows the cold of winter. Lent ends in the festivities of Easter.
So here we are 20/20 gaining 20/20. We are standing in the middle of Lent observing our shadow and reflecting on our new self to come into being, anticipating the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and the power over death through the work of God. That power assures us of God’s ability to turn Bad into Good. Yes, even your bad into a “new you” good.
Before the resurrection we remember the journey of sorrows that Jesus endured leading up to his crucifixion. Through our remembrance of Jesus’ journey, we gain assurance that we worship and serve one who also knows sorrow, pain, and hardship but did so victoriously with God. This single week is more important to all of Christian faith, than any other teaching of the church. Even the birth of Jesus is second to this one week’s activities.
Holy week will be April 5 to April 12. Palm Sunday, April 5, recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and entry into the Temple. Holy Thursday marks the last night the disciples gathered with Jesus before his arrest; it included specifically the remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion, April 9. “Good Friday,” April 10, is commemorated with a Tenebrae service that recalls the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, on Sunday April 12, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, God’s great joke on Death and the Devil. I pray that you will come to the service held at the United Methodist Church here in Ashton through the week to remember, worship and receive the transforming Spirit of God.
#
We live and work across the West, from California to Washington, Arizona to Idaho, Oregon to New Mexico. We maintain that covenant through email. We miss meeting at the broken loaf of Claremont School of Theology and sitting down to share meals regularly. But now we’ve added to our reconnecting time by using Facebook just for fun. And no, you won’t find a special label on my covenant friends in Facebook.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lent- is it about Addition or Subtraction?
Lent has often been associated as a time of self-denial, giving up something near and dear to one’s heart. It’s a private act of devotion, a special act of piety, not something that you boast about or make loud announcements about if practiced as Jesus taught his disciples. Another way to look at the period of lent is to adopt an attitude of trying something new on for size. Intentionally setting aside a short period in each day to journal, pray for the church, read from a devotional book, or learn a new spiritual practice such as centering prayer.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Gracious God, help us in these forty days of reflection and renewal to become more open to the work of your Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to receive anew the message of your saving grace, offered without price and offered to all. Prick us just slightly each time we begin to slip into believing we have done, or could do anything on our own, that would merit your love any more than you’ve already loved us. Help us recover the joy and relief we first felt when we heard and received the word of hope; when we believed only in your work testified in the resurrection of Jesus. Bring forth from us the best that your Spirit would have us do to bring glory and honor to you alone. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Lenten resources, Lenten Reflection
Lent is a season of reflection and preparation. It seems a fitting time to look at what our Annual Conference membership offers and recommends as well as looking at our own personal practices.
The 2007 Annual Conference adopted a Strategic Direction for the Annual Conference. The Strategic Direction includes a commitment to 4 key points commitments. The First Point is a commitment to Practicing Personal and Social Holiness. At the 2008 Annual Conference, Bishop Hoshibata declared the year of 2008-2009 to be the “Year of Personal Holiness”. As we enter the Lenten season now is a good time for each of us reflect on what it means to live a life of personal and social holiness.
Does it feel that this is a radical expectation? If these words grouped together leave you scratching your head wondering how to live that out in your life, I suspect you are not traveling alone in your confusion. After all, our emphasis of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ sounds like a sure fire excuse to dispel any consideration of actions.
The Apostle Paul encountered similar opposition both to the message of grace available to all through Jesus, and to his calls for purity and holiness of heart among the believers. Christian life is a continual paradox. We are expected to live pure and holy lives. And yet we know that we cannot be perfect, so we trust in the merit obtained through Jesus as a salve for our troubled consciences. As Methodists we also have a heritage derived from the Oxford Movement, John & Charles Wesley, and the practice of belonging to accountability circles. Each of these urge everyone not to take our lives in Christ for granted, instead urging us to seek personal holiness, that which we commonly call “perfection.”
The practice of belonging to a study circle, or accountability group was integral to the growth of the Methodist movement in Britain. Long in remission in the United States, the Accountability Group is once again being revived in churches throughout the United States. Our General Board of Discipleship, supported by our apportionment dollars, provides excellent resources to assist local churches in starting and maintaining these covenant/accountability groups. In the groups, a commitment to confidentiality, care and concern for one another is established. From time to time members need to ask each other tough questions about where they are falling down in their Christian Life.
What are the hallmarks of being an Accountable Disciple? I have been referring to the "three simple rules," do no harm, do good, stay in love with God for daily guidance in Christian life as a summary of Wesley's preaching. This can be applied throughout each day.
In addition, whether you belong to a small group or not, Wesley’s model of faithful living as a member in the body of Christ stressed a practice of participation in four areas of life:
Living in these open spaces of the west, leads to very independent thinking, in spite of our interdependence upon one another. Belonging to a small group with the specific intent of lifting one another up on the Christian Journey may also seem very contrary to your nature. It’s certainly scary to become vulnerable to a group when we prefer to pretend we have no faults needing correction. Nevertheless, I would urge members to prayerfully seek guidance about forming a small circle of 6-8 Christian friends with a commitment to lifting up one another in a weekly meeting as an avenue to live out our call to Personal Holiness. The personal benefit you can expect is a deeper relationship with God and several brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Barbara
The 2007 Annual Conference adopted a Strategic Direction for the Annual Conference. The Strategic Direction includes a commitment to 4 key points commitments. The First Point is a commitment to Practicing Personal and Social Holiness. At the 2008 Annual Conference, Bishop Hoshibata declared the year of 2008-2009 to be the “Year of Personal Holiness”. As we enter the Lenten season now is a good time for each of us reflect on what it means to live a life of personal and social holiness.
Does it feel that this is a radical expectation? If these words grouped together leave you scratching your head wondering how to live that out in your life, I suspect you are not traveling alone in your confusion. After all, our emphasis of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ sounds like a sure fire excuse to dispel any consideration of actions.
The Apostle Paul encountered similar opposition both to the message of grace available to all through Jesus, and to his calls for purity and holiness of heart among the believers. Christian life is a continual paradox. We are expected to live pure and holy lives. And yet we know that we cannot be perfect, so we trust in the merit obtained through Jesus as a salve for our troubled consciences. As Methodists we also have a heritage derived from the Oxford Movement, John & Charles Wesley, and the practice of belonging to accountability circles. Each of these urge everyone not to take our lives in Christ for granted, instead urging us to seek personal holiness, that which we commonly call “perfection.”
The practice of belonging to a study circle, or accountability group was integral to the growth of the Methodist movement in Britain. Long in remission in the United States, the Accountability Group is once again being revived in churches throughout the United States. Our General Board of Discipleship, supported by our apportionment dollars, provides excellent resources to assist local churches in starting and maintaining these covenant/accountability groups. In the groups, a commitment to confidentiality, care and concern for one another is established. From time to time members need to ask each other tough questions about where they are falling down in their Christian Life.
What are the hallmarks of being an Accountable Disciple? I have been referring to the "three simple rules," do no harm, do good, stay in love with God for daily guidance in Christian life as a summary of Wesley's preaching. This can be applied throughout each day.
In addition, whether you belong to a small group or not, Wesley’s model of faithful living as a member in the body of Christ stressed a practice of participation in four areas of life:
Acts of WorshipThrough these four arenas of life each person can examine one’s own progress in moving on toward perfection in Christian love. Wesley found in his ministry that belonging to a small covenant circle provided strength and encouragement on the journey of faith called life in Christ. It seems quite proven to be a timeless truth for faithful discipleship.
Acts of Devotion
Acts of Compassion
Acts of Justice
Living in these open spaces of the west, leads to very independent thinking, in spite of our interdependence upon one another. Belonging to a small group with the specific intent of lifting one another up on the Christian Journey may also seem very contrary to your nature. It’s certainly scary to become vulnerable to a group when we prefer to pretend we have no faults needing correction. Nevertheless, I would urge members to prayerfully seek guidance about forming a small circle of 6-8 Christian friends with a commitment to lifting up one another in a weekly meeting as an avenue to live out our call to Personal Holiness. The personal benefit you can expect is a deeper relationship with God and several brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Barbara
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Beginning the Journey
Lenten Journey
A Service of Self Guided Reflection
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
When we enter the season of Lent with these twin questions positioned as the main emphasis of Lent we are better able to find a renewed spirit to carry us along on the journey called life in Christ.
May this be a starting place in your journey.. The readings are those used on Ash Wednesday but can be referred to throughout the season of Lent.
Opening prayer
Scripture Lesson Joel 2:1, 12-17
The Psalmist writes “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.” Human standards cannot come anywhere near the standards of Holiness that God holds. Knowing God to be perfect in all actions of first creating order out of the Chaos of the universe, we can fall into despair at our inability to achieve perfection. Should we then give up in such pursuit?
No.
Let us never give up in our pursuit of the perfection of Christian Love. Instead of despair, let us draw ever more closely to God through personal and social holiness. Because God has demonstrated love for all creation, we can take heart in the message of the gospel, and follow the advice that comes to us through the Gospel of Matthew.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Recalling again the twin focus for the season:
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
May you be renewed in spirit, finding peace and joy in the ever changing journey of devotion to Jesus, bringing glory to the One True God.
A Service of Self Guided Reflection
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
When we enter the season of Lent with these twin questions positioned as the main emphasis of Lent we are better able to find a renewed spirit to carry us along on the journey called life in Christ.
May this be a starting place in your journey.. The readings are those used on Ash Wednesday but can be referred to throughout the season of Lent.
Opening prayer
O God, maker of every thing and judge of all that you have made,
from the dust of the earth you formed Adam,
and from the dust of death you would raise us up.
By the redemptive power of the cross,
create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit,
that we may turn from our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Lesson Joel 2:1, 12-17
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Psalm 51
“O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer, come and listen to me”
The Psalmist writes “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.” Human standards cannot come anywhere near the standards of Holiness that God holds. Knowing God to be perfect in all actions of first creating order out of the Chaos of the universe, we can fall into despair at our inability to achieve perfection. Should we then give up in such pursuit?
No.
Let us never give up in our pursuit of the perfection of Christian Love. Instead of despair, let us draw ever more closely to God through personal and social holiness. Because God has demonstrated love for all creation, we can take heart in the message of the gospel, and follow the advice that comes to us through the Gospel of Matthew.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Recalling again the twin focus for the season:
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
May you be renewed in spirit, finding peace and joy in the ever changing journey of devotion to Jesus, bringing glory to the One True God.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Purple Linen, people pleasing & proper responses
It seems that I’ve been quite busy of late, occupied with responding to needs in the parish and connections for my Annual Conference. With that blogging fell a bit to the wayside. I’ve been using Facebook to keep up with my friends and a couple of family members. I’ll write about the experiment using Facebook to form community in another post. I have other thoughts on my mind to share for today.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which is the 40 day period (not counting any Sundays which are always considered mini-Easter feast days) that leads up to the celebration of Easter. In the sanctuary, we’ve changed out the colors to purple which is used among us liturgically focused worship planners and leaders to remind us that this is a season of penitence. Purple is also considered a color of royalty (King Jesus purple) and recalls the passion (from a Latin root, which mean suffering) of Jesus.
The banners were a team design by our worship committee in 2007. Seven panels using the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. The words are really statements, found in the Gospels. Of course some confusion is stirred because not all seven are contained in any one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The finest theological minds of former years nevertheless have seen fit to refer to them as the “seven last words” and have used them for meditations and sermons during Holy week. The first year we installed this set of banners I too preached each week on one of the Words.
Because today is Ash Wednesday it would have been appropriate, according to our Book of Worship* to use less (or no) purple, to choose to focus on gray or burlap for color and texture. I didn’t, by personal preference. This year, quite honestly, this small community is already very well focused on the mortality theme which Ash Wednesday is supposed to reflect upon. I didn’t feel it healthy to over emphasize our communal condition. It was also a blessing that we had our Dog Derby festivities last weekend to serve as our own form of carnival, maybe not so unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, even if around a culturally unique experience.
All of this attention to the appearance of the sanctuary may seem silly. If you aren’t a visually oriented learner, or have an appreciation for symbol and symbolism, these are details which I know are simply missed. Funny, if you went to a Stage Play and it lacked stage props, most people would immediately comment about the absence. Yet, enter a church sanctuary, and people are quite likely enter as if they were blind, paying no attention to the details. I think this is the result of a failure to interpret the meaning for observers, thus the reason for my extended commentary here.
“Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!” Do you remember the old children’s game, “ring around the rosy”? The most commonly accepted interpretation of this nursery rhyme is a reference to the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe. The Black plague symptoms included a red rosy ring on the skin, and the bodies of the dead where cremated to prevent more spreading of the contagion. I always think of this rhyme on Ash Wednesday and then wonder, how it came about that children would begin singing this rhyme in such great playfulness. Ah, those British had a rather macabre sense of humor (“London Bridge is Falling Down”) didn’t they.
In Ashton this month, we’ve seen life end early due to the worst form of cancer. Heart disease and stroke took others. Several members in the community continue to courageously battle for life as long as possible. Last week I felt as if we were already in lent. In that one week I attended or officiated at three services of death, resurrection and remembrance. The first funeral we estimated had 800 in attendance. In a town with a population of 1198, not only was there an immense turnout of extended family, there were people whose lives had been touched by the deceased from his involvement in community and business. Many friends came to demonstrate their love and loss.
Last week it was not possible to deny that death is a possibility at any time. We could not deny that the impact of one person can be felt across not just a family but an entire community. We could not deny that death may suddenly pluck a loved one, despite the best care available. We could not deny that any day may be the very last time we see someone we love. With that message delivered to so many through the very personal experiences of death in our community, I just didn’t think I needed to add any more somber notes to the tune we’ve heard in town already.
In past years I have held an evening Service of Ashes. Last year myself and several of our members joined our Lutheran brethren at their service. The turnout was small, and the service was meaningful.
This year, I chose to set aside 3 hours this evening to have the sanctuary open, a self guided reflection available. I will be present to offer the imposition of ashes or anointing and prayers with individuals as they choose. I expect there will be only one or two that come tonight. I’m not deluding myself. People simply prefer to feel good all the time, rather than risk entering into a time of reflection which might lead to making any changes in personal actions. But one or two people may be feel the need to come and I will be present. Otherwise, I expect to have plenty of quite time for my own prayers, reflections and reading.
Last Sunday I gave one specific suggestion for a Lenten practice. Rather than expecting any sacrifice of denial I am asking each person to develop the habit of daily naming at least two things for which they are grateful. I believe that the Micah 6:8 commandment calls for us to develop a deeper appreciation of how very blessed we are. This is a holy sacrifice, a sacrifice of praise. With deepened appreciation and gratitude comes greater compassion for others. In counting one’s own blessings we develop the ability to reach out to our neighbor in need.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which is the 40 day period (not counting any Sundays which are always considered mini-Easter feast days) that leads up to the celebration of Easter. In the sanctuary, we’ve changed out the colors to purple which is used among us liturgically focused worship planners and leaders to remind us that this is a season of penitence. Purple is also considered a color of royalty (King Jesus purple) and recalls the passion (from a Latin root, which mean suffering) of Jesus.
The banners were a team design by our worship committee in 2007. Seven panels using the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. The words are really statements, found in the Gospels. Of course some confusion is stirred because not all seven are contained in any one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The finest theological minds of former years nevertheless have seen fit to refer to them as the “seven last words” and have used them for meditations and sermons during Holy week. The first year we installed this set of banners I too preached each week on one of the Words.
Because today is Ash Wednesday it would have been appropriate, according to our Book of Worship* to use less (or no) purple, to choose to focus on gray or burlap for color and texture. I didn’t, by personal preference. This year, quite honestly, this small community is already very well focused on the mortality theme which Ash Wednesday is supposed to reflect upon. I didn’t feel it healthy to over emphasize our communal condition. It was also a blessing that we had our Dog Derby festivities last weekend to serve as our own form of carnival, maybe not so unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, even if around a culturally unique experience.
All of this attention to the appearance of the sanctuary may seem silly. If you aren’t a visually oriented learner, or have an appreciation for symbol and symbolism, these are details which I know are simply missed. Funny, if you went to a Stage Play and it lacked stage props, most people would immediately comment about the absence. Yet, enter a church sanctuary, and people are quite likely enter as if they were blind, paying no attention to the details. I think this is the result of a failure to interpret the meaning for observers, thus the reason for my extended commentary here.
“Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!” Do you remember the old children’s game, “ring around the rosy”? The most commonly accepted interpretation of this nursery rhyme is a reference to the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe. The Black plague symptoms included a red rosy ring on the skin, and the bodies of the dead where cremated to prevent more spreading of the contagion. I always think of this rhyme on Ash Wednesday and then wonder, how it came about that children would begin singing this rhyme in such great playfulness. Ah, those British had a rather macabre sense of humor (“London Bridge is Falling Down”) didn’t they.
In Ashton this month, we’ve seen life end early due to the worst form of cancer. Heart disease and stroke took others. Several members in the community continue to courageously battle for life as long as possible. Last week I felt as if we were already in lent. In that one week I attended or officiated at three services of death, resurrection and remembrance. The first funeral we estimated had 800 in attendance. In a town with a population of 1198, not only was there an immense turnout of extended family, there were people whose lives had been touched by the deceased from his involvement in community and business. Many friends came to demonstrate their love and loss.
Last week it was not possible to deny that death is a possibility at any time. We could not deny that the impact of one person can be felt across not just a family but an entire community. We could not deny that death may suddenly pluck a loved one, despite the best care available. We could not deny that any day may be the very last time we see someone we love. With that message delivered to so many through the very personal experiences of death in our community, I just didn’t think I needed to add any more somber notes to the tune we’ve heard in town already.
In past years I have held an evening Service of Ashes. Last year myself and several of our members joined our Lutheran brethren at their service. The turnout was small, and the service was meaningful.
This year, I chose to set aside 3 hours this evening to have the sanctuary open, a self guided reflection available. I will be present to offer the imposition of ashes or anointing and prayers with individuals as they choose. I expect there will be only one or two that come tonight. I’m not deluding myself. People simply prefer to feel good all the time, rather than risk entering into a time of reflection which might lead to making any changes in personal actions. But one or two people may be feel the need to come and I will be present. Otherwise, I expect to have plenty of quite time for my own prayers, reflections and reading.
Last Sunday I gave one specific suggestion for a Lenten practice. Rather than expecting any sacrifice of denial I am asking each person to develop the habit of daily naming at least two things for which they are grateful. I believe that the Micah 6:8 commandment calls for us to develop a deeper appreciation of how very blessed we are. This is a holy sacrifice, a sacrifice of praise. With deepened appreciation and gratitude comes greater compassion for others. In counting one’s own blessings we develop the ability to reach out to our neighbor in need.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Elephants are loose
Driving home from the airport last Friday, I had a heavy feeling of emotion gradually descend upon me. As I came closer to home, the snow was falling. Once in Fremont County the weather was a full blown snow storm. I began by thinking what I was feeling was the sadness of leaving behind all the sunshine of California. Then I realized, I was returning to a place with spaciousness which was allowing some unresolved grief to emerge, and now I just needed to say hello to this task for a while.
I’ve found that grief and loss are subjects people would like to avoid. Loss can come from any number of sources. The top of mind kind is the loss from the death of someone you care about. It’s topmost in my own mind regularly because I have a unique role to play in peoples lives. In time of illness, or emergency, I walk into peoples lives to offer support, and hopefully, if I minister well, a presence of comfort.
Following a death, I facilitate the immediate process of closure through funeral or memorial services. It’s a special place of ministry for me which I truly cherish. It’s more of a beginning for a journey, rather than an end. I tell the family and friends that they are allowed to cry. I on the other hand, will be the strong one for them.
There are other causes for grief. Loss of a job can create the climate of the mind we call grief. This type of grief is experienced as a form of depression which can spiral out of control. During difficult economic times (does that phrase sound too familiar) the formation of a support group such as a “job club” where people can network and encourage each other can help increase one’s attitude of hopefulness during the search for employment. Being in the same boat, removes the sense of being somehow less than others who are fully employed.
Illness can also cause grief, especially one which requires an amputation, as was experienced by a friend in California. His situation was unusual. He had a splinter in his finger which was acquired doing woodwork. The splinter became infected, and before he knew it he had septic shock. In the course of treatment, after being taken by emergency medical services to the local hospital, he had not one but two heart attacks. There were several weeks of hospitalization, many surgeries to remove the diseased tissue and ultimately the amputation of one thumb.
Needless to say, the alternative was far graver. He is very grateful to be alive. But people have a way of thoughtlessly asking about his wellbeing. One person inquires, “how’s your thumb?” to which he pointedly replies, “I don’t have it anymore.” He’s a good natured person, and he might even choose at some point to change the response. But truth be told, I’m certain he realizes every day, there some things he just isn’t able to do absent the thumb digit of his right hand. One task comes immediately to mind for me, the space bar key for typing. I just tried to type this one sentence without using my right thumb and failed at every opportunity. That’s just one example of how he must adapt to the loss which surely comes with emotions that need to be confronted. Can you imagine the loss that returning soldiers experience from being wounded in service to this country?
Grief can manifest itself in many forms. Anger, loss of sleep, or too much sleep, overeating and not eating are all possible manifestations of grief. Unexplained tearfulness or agitation at otherwise normal activities can be temporary. Any of these symptoms continuing beyond a two week period are a cause of concern. Start with a conversation with your family physician.
As a pastor, I look for and also learn of specialized resources which are available in the region. Ashton’s location is not optimal for seeking a support group for every special situation of grief. It’s also a sad fact that a local mental health clinic recently closed. But there are resources available and if you need help locating them please give me a call. If you are feeling desperate and at your wits end, please do not suffer alone.
One general grief recovery resource will become available in March through Hospice of Eastern Idaho in the form of a Grief and Loss support group.* I have recommended this resource to others in the past and have heard back that the experience was right on target to get the individual moving beyond the loss of the loved one. The ten sessions will be held on Monday evenings 5:30 to 7 pm starting March 2nd and continue through May 4th.
In our family we like to say “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.” Denial is a coping mechanism, and a phase of grief. It can be both blessing and curse. Embracing and confronting grief is a special journey of the soul which I pray you will travel well knowing that God is at your side. Leaving your grief unattended will not take away the work of the soul which you need to do. Some people will put off facing the important soul work for so many years that they honestly believe they have resolved all the loss. Denial is a form of self-deception with sorrowful consequences. I pray that you will not fall into this trap.
May you too join with the psalmist who wrote “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
Shalom,
Barbara
* Call 529-0342 to register. Classes will be at the office located 1810 Moran Street Idaho Falls, ID. There is a new you waiting to be birthed out of whatever loss you have experienced and companions to walk with you, if only you will seek them out.
I believe that God calls many to special healing ministries, they are found working in the secular and public arena. Doctors, therapists, are among those specially gifted to assist you in the journey of the soul. Since you are online let me recommend a free website to read more about medical understanding of grief and depression.
If the death of the loved one occurred through suicide, please check out the national website for Suicide Prevention Action Network and through EIRMC for a special grief support group.
I’ve found that grief and loss are subjects people would like to avoid. Loss can come from any number of sources. The top of mind kind is the loss from the death of someone you care about. It’s topmost in my own mind regularly because I have a unique role to play in peoples lives. In time of illness, or emergency, I walk into peoples lives to offer support, and hopefully, if I minister well, a presence of comfort.
Following a death, I facilitate the immediate process of closure through funeral or memorial services. It’s a special place of ministry for me which I truly cherish. It’s more of a beginning for a journey, rather than an end. I tell the family and friends that they are allowed to cry. I on the other hand, will be the strong one for them.
There are other causes for grief. Loss of a job can create the climate of the mind we call grief. This type of grief is experienced as a form of depression which can spiral out of control. During difficult economic times (does that phrase sound too familiar) the formation of a support group such as a “job club” where people can network and encourage each other can help increase one’s attitude of hopefulness during the search for employment. Being in the same boat, removes the sense of being somehow less than others who are fully employed.
Illness can also cause grief, especially one which requires an amputation, as was experienced by a friend in California. His situation was unusual. He had a splinter in his finger which was acquired doing woodwork. The splinter became infected, and before he knew it he had septic shock. In the course of treatment, after being taken by emergency medical services to the local hospital, he had not one but two heart attacks. There were several weeks of hospitalization, many surgeries to remove the diseased tissue and ultimately the amputation of one thumb.
Needless to say, the alternative was far graver. He is very grateful to be alive. But people have a way of thoughtlessly asking about his wellbeing. One person inquires, “how’s your thumb?” to which he pointedly replies, “I don’t have it anymore.” He’s a good natured person, and he might even choose at some point to change the response. But truth be told, I’m certain he realizes every day, there some things he just isn’t able to do absent the thumb digit of his right hand. One task comes immediately to mind for me, the space bar key for typing. I just tried to type this one sentence without using my right thumb and failed at every opportunity. That’s just one example of how he must adapt to the loss which surely comes with emotions that need to be confronted. Can you imagine the loss that returning soldiers experience from being wounded in service to this country?
Grief can manifest itself in many forms. Anger, loss of sleep, or too much sleep, overeating and not eating are all possible manifestations of grief. Unexplained tearfulness or agitation at otherwise normal activities can be temporary. Any of these symptoms continuing beyond a two week period are a cause of concern. Start with a conversation with your family physician.
As a pastor, I look for and also learn of specialized resources which are available in the region. Ashton’s location is not optimal for seeking a support group for every special situation of grief. It’s also a sad fact that a local mental health clinic recently closed. But there are resources available and if you need help locating them please give me a call. If you are feeling desperate and at your wits end, please do not suffer alone.
One general grief recovery resource will become available in March through Hospice of Eastern Idaho in the form of a Grief and Loss support group.* I have recommended this resource to others in the past and have heard back that the experience was right on target to get the individual moving beyond the loss of the loved one. The ten sessions will be held on Monday evenings 5:30 to 7 pm starting March 2nd and continue through May 4th.
In our family we like to say “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.” Denial is a coping mechanism, and a phase of grief. It can be both blessing and curse. Embracing and confronting grief is a special journey of the soul which I pray you will travel well knowing that God is at your side. Leaving your grief unattended will not take away the work of the soul which you need to do. Some people will put off facing the important soul work for so many years that they honestly believe they have resolved all the loss. Denial is a form of self-deception with sorrowful consequences. I pray that you will not fall into this trap.
May you too join with the psalmist who wrote “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
Shalom,
Barbara
* Call 529-0342 to register. Classes will be at the office located 1810 Moran Street Idaho Falls, ID. There is a new you waiting to be birthed out of whatever loss you have experienced and companions to walk with you, if only you will seek them out.
I believe that God calls many to special healing ministries, they are found working in the secular and public arena. Doctors, therapists, are among those specially gifted to assist you in the journey of the soul. Since you are online let me recommend a free website to read more about medical understanding of grief and depression.
If the death of the loved one occurred through suicide, please check out the national website for Suicide Prevention Action Network and through EIRMC for a special grief support group.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Feminism in the Church
"I'm Not a Feminist!NOT!"
I’ve been very clear about that with many people. I’m NOT a feminist. I’m absolutely not one of those women who goes around breaking barriers and challenging authorities for the right to do anything that women have never done before.
And yet, I am reminded that I am indeed a feminist. By the fact of my birth, my gender places me in the ranks of 50+% of the world’s population. I worked in banking saw the glass ceiling of the management and lending officer training programs in the 70's keep good women from advancing. I've worked in political campaigns of women candidates for congress and saw their battles end in disappointment as they challenged conservative male incumbents with the worst congressional records of attendance. I’m a woman who grew up listening to music which included a repertoire of “I am woman hear me roar.”
But I also chose to be a stay at home mother, rather than immediately enter graduate school, because I saw it as my first responsibility raise up young men with values to pursue peace and justice in their christian lives. As a mother raising my two boys in the 80’s I would tease them with the “wonder woman” twist not just to see them roll their eyes, but more importantly to reaffirm my own power as a woman of ability and accomplishment. It was sort of a mind trick I played with myself for a while when I would begin to feel like my own career had been put on hold, and I was at a loss for my own identity; something other than "Robert's and James' mom." So Yes, I am a feminist. I'm just not a cutting edge "in your face" feminist. I think of myself as more of a heritage feminist. I've accepted as given my opportunities, even as I've worked in small ways to continue the tradition.
The way I read any text, scripture or otherwise is read through the lens which I take so entirely for granted. Coming to that realization is not so completely new, just something that I need to remember. It came home to me recently in this way:
As a Pastor in the United Methodist Church I take our Wesleyan tradition seriously and with pride. I am a student of John Wesley’s sermons. Preparing sermons for my congregation will often include background reading of at least one John Wesley sermon. I was doing just that, reading Sermon 98, “Visiting the Sick” as I prepared to preach on the text Matthew 25:31-46.
In his sermon he calls the people to take seriously the call of Jesus to visit the sick as an act of compassion. He urges the wealthy especially to break out of their protective zone to reach out to the sick and lonely. Then, as he goes point by point in his argument he says, to paraphrase "this is worthy work for women also." (Italics added). At that I snapped my head to attention. All the time I had read the text I was carrying in my head the present day church, the one that I have become so familiar with in America. It sunk in to me all at once that the primary audience seemed very certainly to be Men. At that point I was really ready to give a big AMEN, because what Wesley preached in the eighteenth Century seems just as relevant, probably more relevant, now than in his day.
I am referring to the call of discipleship which is equally valid regardless of gender. John Wesley was a Feminist. And so am I!
I’m especially proud to serve a congregation in a community that has a long history of being served by women pastors. That history reaches back even before 1956 when women were granted full rights as elders by the General Conference. My male colleagues in the United Methodist Church are of kindred spirit with John Wesley (being Feminists) and for that I am also deeply grateful. We may disagree about some specific policies of and social issues adopted by our Denomination through the General Conference, but my experience is that we are also capable of cordial dialogue and civility in disagreement. That is evidence to me that the Holy Spirit is at work in each of us.
Grace and peace,
Barbara
I’ve been very clear about that with many people. I’m NOT a feminist. I’m absolutely not one of those women who goes around breaking barriers and challenging authorities for the right to do anything that women have never done before.
And yet, I am reminded that I am indeed a feminist. By the fact of my birth, my gender places me in the ranks of 50+% of the world’s population. I worked in banking saw the glass ceiling of the management and lending officer training programs in the 70's keep good women from advancing. I've worked in political campaigns of women candidates for congress and saw their battles end in disappointment as they challenged conservative male incumbents with the worst congressional records of attendance. I’m a woman who grew up listening to music which included a repertoire of “I am woman hear me roar.”
But I also chose to be a stay at home mother, rather than immediately enter graduate school, because I saw it as my first responsibility raise up young men with values to pursue peace and justice in their christian lives. As a mother raising my two boys in the 80’s I would tease them with the “wonder woman” twist not just to see them roll their eyes, but more importantly to reaffirm my own power as a woman of ability and accomplishment. It was sort of a mind trick I played with myself for a while when I would begin to feel like my own career had been put on hold, and I was at a loss for my own identity; something other than "Robert's and James' mom." So Yes, I am a feminist. I'm just not a cutting edge "in your face" feminist. I think of myself as more of a heritage feminist. I've accepted as given my opportunities, even as I've worked in small ways to continue the tradition.
The way I read any text, scripture or otherwise is read through the lens which I take so entirely for granted. Coming to that realization is not so completely new, just something that I need to remember. It came home to me recently in this way:
As a Pastor in the United Methodist Church I take our Wesleyan tradition seriously and with pride. I am a student of John Wesley’s sermons. Preparing sermons for my congregation will often include background reading of at least one John Wesley sermon. I was doing just that, reading Sermon 98, “Visiting the Sick” as I prepared to preach on the text Matthew 25:31-46.
In his sermon he calls the people to take seriously the call of Jesus to visit the sick as an act of compassion. He urges the wealthy especially to break out of their protective zone to reach out to the sick and lonely. Then, as he goes point by point in his argument he says, to paraphrase "this is worthy work for women also." (Italics added). At that I snapped my head to attention. All the time I had read the text I was carrying in my head the present day church, the one that I have become so familiar with in America. It sunk in to me all at once that the primary audience seemed very certainly to be Men. At that point I was really ready to give a big AMEN, because what Wesley preached in the eighteenth Century seems just as relevant, probably more relevant, now than in his day.
I am referring to the call of discipleship which is equally valid regardless of gender. John Wesley was a Feminist. And so am I!
I’m especially proud to serve a congregation in a community that has a long history of being served by women pastors. That history reaches back even before 1956 when women were granted full rights as elders by the General Conference. My male colleagues in the United Methodist Church are of kindred spirit with John Wesley (being Feminists) and for that I am also deeply grateful. We may disagree about some specific policies of and social issues adopted by our Denomination through the General Conference, but my experience is that we are also capable of cordial dialogue and civility in disagreement. That is evidence to me that the Holy Spirit is at work in each of us.
Grace and peace,
Barbara
Monday, January 12, 2009
Very deep water, a firey topic
Christians around the world stopped to think about Baptism this past Sunday as our Lectionary readings are dedicated to remember also the Baptism of our Lord.
Two months ago headlines across the nation ran articles regarding a Later Day Saints practice called Posthumous Baptism. That article prompted a discussion in our house. The headline read “LDS still baptizing Jews.” (POST REGISTER- NOV 11, 2008) My initial response years ago would have been “who cares?”
Now, as a pastor, and being called upon to respond to questions about other people’s practices, I had to stop to think through the issue. In doing so, I find that it puts me in a much different place.
This practice which is so important to my LDS neighbors, and probably to one or two of my own family members just seems downright strange to the average mainline Christian. To others it is entirely offensive.
This is my attempt to explain why the Later Day Saint Church practice of Posthumous Baptism is offensive to families whose members died practicing another faith. This is just one person’s personal reflection. I offer it to help create understanding, not to attack.
As I see it there is a significant difference in Orthodox Christianity’s (by which I mean virtually any Christian Church: spectrum running from Roman Catholic to Presbyterian. Anabaptist, Evangelical) understanding of salvation and Later Day Saints teaching. Rather than attempt to explain how the LDS Church teaches salvation I will limit my remarks to what I understand- what I believe about baptisms and its significance in the work of salvation. I will look at scripture, tradition, and apply reason to the issue.
For me the most important scripture describing the work of baptism is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Luke tells of an encounter of Paul in Ephesus which also tells us more about baptism and what occurs. He writes
Lastly, looking at the Gospel of Matthew we find more about what should happen surrounding baptism.
So looking strictly at texts from Scripture, there simply is no value, in my mind, for any proxy posthumous baptism.
What does tradition have to say about Posthumous baptism?
Some scholars suggest that baptism for the dead was practiced by some early Christian groups, continuing until at least the late fourth century. John A Tyedtnes, a Hebrew and early Christian scholar at Brigham Young University, Utah writes:
“That baptism for the dead was indeed practiced in some orthodox Christian circles is indicated by the decisions of two late fourth century councils. The fourth canon of the Synod of Hippo, held in 393, declares, "The Eucharist shall not be given to dead bodies, nor baptism conferred upon them." The ruling was confirmed four years later in the sixth canon of the Third Council of Carthage.
History shows that any early tradition of baptism of the dead was rejected.
Now, let me share a related line of thought which comes from my experience.
While completing work on my Master of Divinity Degree, our Christian History class was required to do genealogical research. The purpose of which was to trace the religious heritage of our ancestors. In this project many students discovered interesting and little known facts about their family history. While many were presently confessing membership through mainline protestant denominations large numbers of us could look back just one or two generations to find the Family Faith situated in the Roman Catholic Church. My maternal lineage includes four Irish Catholic lines. My husband’s family lines also have several Irish Catholic lines. All these lines carried forward the Christian faith through infant baptism, and we continued the practice for our children.
In the class we discovered that much of the changes in households of faith were due to mixed marriages in the present generation. More often than not the practice of faith remained very constant for centuries. The exceptions seemed more notable. Persecution at the time of the rise of Nationalism brought on many conversions of faith, a coincident event with the Protestant Reformation. Before that the Inquisition was a huge motivator to conversion for Jews to Christianity. More than one student discovered at least one family line of former Jews, originally from Spain but then migrating to the Philippines. While difficult to identify the actual cause, the presumed most plausible cause for conversion was persecution. Historical evidence led many to believe the families converted publicly but privately remained devout Jews who practiced the traditions and festivals of their faith in secret. The primary documents used to prove our connections and movements among the households of faith were diaries, bibles, certificates of baptism, letters and photos. So many surprises and great joys of discovery as well as sorrows and laments for those who considered the violence perpetuated on previous generations were experienced in the process of this class assignment. In the process I was surprised and delighted to learn of my great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Wright, who was an Episcopal priest in our family history. Would any dare to perform proxy posthumous baptism for this man, I would be insulted. I hold the thought that this saint has joined me in the consecration of Holy Communion throughout my appointment.
That seems to be the essence of the rub. Those of us who take our practice of religion seriously are most offended by the thought that practitioners of another form of religion which now desires acceptance as Christian like all others would regard our ancestors faith as insufficient and incomplete, which is more directly an insult to our understanding of significance of the work of God either in Jesus Christ or the work of God independent of Jesus for our Jewish neighbors.
As a minister in the United Methodist Church I accept as effective any baptism previously performed by any minister of the Christ’s Church. Roman Catholic or Baptist, Lutheran or Episcopal, Independent Christian or any of the Congregationalists, all are accepted if claimed by a prospective member. Fundamentally, it would be an insult to the work of the Holy Spirit to insist upon performing a second baptism if someone where to desire to unite with my congregation. I view proxy posthumous baptisms as an equivalent insult, not just to the practitioners a faith tradition, but more importantly to the Holy Spirit which both the Old and New Testament give witness to.
Sadly, the practice of Posthumous Proxy Baptism sets the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints miles apart from the Church which sees itself as the Body of Jesus Christ at work in the world. So, I am left with one question for our friends in the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints, which Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus; “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Father in Heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns One God, in glory everlasting. AMEN.
Two months ago headlines across the nation ran articles regarding a Later Day Saints practice called Posthumous Baptism. That article prompted a discussion in our house. The headline read “LDS still baptizing Jews.” (POST REGISTER- NOV 11, 2008) My initial response years ago would have been “who cares?”
Now, as a pastor, and being called upon to respond to questions about other people’s practices, I had to stop to think through the issue. In doing so, I find that it puts me in a much different place.
This practice which is so important to my LDS neighbors, and probably to one or two of my own family members just seems downright strange to the average mainline Christian. To others it is entirely offensive.
This is my attempt to explain why the Later Day Saint Church practice of Posthumous Baptism is offensive to families whose members died practicing another faith. This is just one person’s personal reflection. I offer it to help create understanding, not to attack.
As I see it there is a significant difference in Orthodox Christianity’s (by which I mean virtually any Christian Church: spectrum running from Roman Catholic to Presbyterian. Anabaptist, Evangelical) understanding of salvation and Later Day Saints teaching. Rather than attempt to explain how the LDS Church teaches salvation I will limit my remarks to what I understand- what I believe about baptisms and its significance in the work of salvation. I will look at scripture, tradition, and apply reason to the issue.
For me the most important scripture describing the work of baptism is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
“when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” ( Colossians 2:12 NRS)Baptism initiates, that is, it begins an act of change within the one who is baptized. So we baptize our children to begin the process, to incorporate them into the Church, which is the body of Christ in the world. It is initiation into a mystical living body. Baptism starts a process of sanctification, which we Methodists delightfully describe as “going on toward perfection.” In any orthodox understanding sanctification simply cannot occur posthumously. Baptism therefore, has no value once the vessel, the human body has ceased operations.
Luke tells of an encounter of Paul in Ephesus which also tells us more about baptism and what occurs. He writes
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”This clearly indicates something of value occurs ONLY for the living.
They answered, “no we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul said “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:1-7 NIV)
Lastly, looking at the Gospel of Matthew we find more about what should happen surrounding baptism.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)Here we see several key points. 1) People of all nations are included in the invitation to learn (“become disciples”), 2) baptism occurs in the threefold name once the initiative to become a student (disciple being a Greek word for student) is taken, 3) Continued learning is a follow-up condition of being disciples of Jesus Christ, 4) Jesus promises to be present to all disciples at all times.
So looking strictly at texts from Scripture, there simply is no value, in my mind, for any proxy posthumous baptism.
What does tradition have to say about Posthumous baptism?
Some scholars suggest that baptism for the dead was practiced by some early Christian groups, continuing until at least the late fourth century. John A Tyedtnes, a Hebrew and early Christian scholar at Brigham Young University, Utah writes:
“That baptism for the dead was indeed practiced in some orthodox Christian circles is indicated by the decisions of two late fourth century councils. The fourth canon of the Synod of Hippo, held in 393, declares, "The Eucharist shall not be given to dead bodies, nor baptism conferred upon them." The ruling was confirmed four years later in the sixth canon of the Third Council of Carthage.
History shows that any early tradition of baptism of the dead was rejected.
Now, let me share a related line of thought which comes from my experience.
While completing work on my Master of Divinity Degree, our Christian History class was required to do genealogical research. The purpose of which was to trace the religious heritage of our ancestors. In this project many students discovered interesting and little known facts about their family history. While many were presently confessing membership through mainline protestant denominations large numbers of us could look back just one or two generations to find the Family Faith situated in the Roman Catholic Church. My maternal lineage includes four Irish Catholic lines. My husband’s family lines also have several Irish Catholic lines. All these lines carried forward the Christian faith through infant baptism, and we continued the practice for our children.
In the class we discovered that much of the changes in households of faith were due to mixed marriages in the present generation. More often than not the practice of faith remained very constant for centuries. The exceptions seemed more notable. Persecution at the time of the rise of Nationalism brought on many conversions of faith, a coincident event with the Protestant Reformation. Before that the Inquisition was a huge motivator to conversion for Jews to Christianity. More than one student discovered at least one family line of former Jews, originally from Spain but then migrating to the Philippines. While difficult to identify the actual cause, the presumed most plausible cause for conversion was persecution. Historical evidence led many to believe the families converted publicly but privately remained devout Jews who practiced the traditions and festivals of their faith in secret. The primary documents used to prove our connections and movements among the households of faith were diaries, bibles, certificates of baptism, letters and photos. So many surprises and great joys of discovery as well as sorrows and laments for those who considered the violence perpetuated on previous generations were experienced in the process of this class assignment. In the process I was surprised and delighted to learn of my great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Wright, who was an Episcopal priest in our family history. Would any dare to perform proxy posthumous baptism for this man, I would be insulted. I hold the thought that this saint has joined me in the consecration of Holy Communion throughout my appointment.
That seems to be the essence of the rub. Those of us who take our practice of religion seriously are most offended by the thought that practitioners of another form of religion which now desires acceptance as Christian like all others would regard our ancestors faith as insufficient and incomplete, which is more directly an insult to our understanding of significance of the work of God either in Jesus Christ or the work of God independent of Jesus for our Jewish neighbors.
As a minister in the United Methodist Church I accept as effective any baptism previously performed by any minister of the Christ’s Church. Roman Catholic or Baptist, Lutheran or Episcopal, Independent Christian or any of the Congregationalists, all are accepted if claimed by a prospective member. Fundamentally, it would be an insult to the work of the Holy Spirit to insist upon performing a second baptism if someone where to desire to unite with my congregation. I view proxy posthumous baptisms as an equivalent insult, not just to the practitioners a faith tradition, but more importantly to the Holy Spirit which both the Old and New Testament give witness to.
Sadly, the practice of Posthumous Proxy Baptism sets the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints miles apart from the Church which sees itself as the Body of Jesus Christ at work in the world. So, I am left with one question for our friends in the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints, which Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus; “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Father in Heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns One God, in glory everlasting. AMEN.
16 things
You already know (assuming you've been reading my blog) that I have questions about how relevant a connection can be formed using Facebook as the venue, "the commons" cyber version if you will. So playing the game here is as sample of what goes on in my facebook circle: I was "tagged" in a "note" by a friend in Facebook. This is what one person started to get a conversation going:
1. I like AOL I’M for keeping in touch with our son in Iraq.
2. I love being a pastor.
3. Leading worship is my #1 priority in each week.
4. Preparing the message sometimes takes a very long time before any words are apparent.
5. I miss being near to my grandchildren.
6. Being with families as their loved one is preparing to enter the eternal is the greatest privilege of being a pastor.
7. America needs to see movies like “Yes Man” and “Me and Marley”
8. The most profound book I ever read challenged my understanding of Christianity and helped me claim my place in the Church.
9. Being blonde leads to being a redhead.
10. Snow is best enjoyed at the top of a double black diamond run in Lake Tahoe.
11. Telling stories is not about telling lies.
12. I love to garden and once only worked to be able to buy new plants for our new yard
13. Being the only female in a house of men and boys leads to independent thinking and sometimes feeling isolated.
14. I first found God at the edge of the ocean.
15. Sunrises are the best time of the day and they come way too late during the Eastern Idaho Winter.
16. The best class I took in seminary was “Preaching the Book of Revelation” taught by Cornish Rogers at Claremont School of Theology.
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you. If I DIDN'T tag you, it is only because 1) you don't post a lot or 2) I assumed you wouldn't be into this.-And this is my response to 16 things-
1. I like AOL I’M for keeping in touch with our son in Iraq.
2. I love being a pastor.
3. Leading worship is my #1 priority in each week.
4. Preparing the message sometimes takes a very long time before any words are apparent.
5. I miss being near to my grandchildren.
6. Being with families as their loved one is preparing to enter the eternal is the greatest privilege of being a pastor.
7. America needs to see movies like “Yes Man” and “Me and Marley”
8. The most profound book I ever read challenged my understanding of Christianity and helped me claim my place in the Church.
9. Being blonde leads to being a redhead.
10. Snow is best enjoyed at the top of a double black diamond run in Lake Tahoe.
11. Telling stories is not about telling lies.
12. I love to garden and once only worked to be able to buy new plants for our new yard
13. Being the only female in a house of men and boys leads to independent thinking and sometimes feeling isolated.
14. I first found God at the edge of the ocean.
15. Sunrises are the best time of the day and they come way too late during the Eastern Idaho Winter.
16. The best class I took in seminary was “Preaching the Book of Revelation” taught by Cornish Rogers at Claremont School of Theology.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas stories continue
Still being in the Twelve days of Christmas I thought this story is worth thinking about.
I'll give this to Simon: He's creative. As a preacher, I like to take license with the text too. Barbara Lundblad has written a convincing book MARKING TIME subtitled Preaching Biblical Stories in the Present Tense.
The problem with the story is how the nativity has been diminished, shredded of the mystery of the incarnation of God into the life of humanity. Instead, the incarnation of Jesus is overshadowed by an ah ha moment. Rather than really challenging us with the scandal of God's incarnation, Simon only demonstrates a revelation. It's not even an Epiphany, because none see the presence of God in their midst. It's a good revelation. If only all humanity would get it at about the same time.
More on Epiphanies later. Hope you enjoy the story, for what it's worth.
Happy New Year
I'll give this to Simon: He's creative. As a preacher, I like to take license with the text too. Barbara Lundblad has written a convincing book MARKING TIME subtitled Preaching Biblical Stories in the Present Tense.
The problem with the story is how the nativity has been diminished, shredded of the mystery of the incarnation of God into the life of humanity. Instead, the incarnation of Jesus is overshadowed by an ah ha moment. Rather than really challenging us with the scandal of God's incarnation, Simon only demonstrates a revelation. It's not even an Epiphany, because none see the presence of God in their midst. It's a good revelation. If only all humanity would get it at about the same time.
More on Epiphanies later. Hope you enjoy the story, for what it's worth.
Happy New Year
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