Over the last few weeks the weather has been warm and the snow is gone, but the earth still seems to be barren. I looked out and saw the brown grass and leafless trees and something was still missing. We celebrated Good Friday with eight other congregations last week and as I was on my way to the service I noticed how colorless things seemed to be. In the middle of the worship as we spoke of Jesus' death on the cross a crack of thunder interrupted the meditation followed by torrential rain. In less than two hours as I left the church the world had changed. The grass which lay dormant now sprang up with the deep green of Spring and in just a few hours more the trees had begun to bud.
Tomorrow we celebrate Easter and the same change that happens to the earth in Spring happens to us in the resurrection. We often live in the dormancy of the world as we try to manage all that life throws at us. We may even feel that nothing can get us out of the funk that seems to embrace us each and every day. But than something happens; new life comes, hope returns, and we are fed and nourished by the Grace of God as we are embraced by the death and resurrection of a God who loves us so much that no winter or struggles we may face will keep us from becoming who God has created us to be. We are here to grow and thrive and the promise of Easter is that God will give us the life giving gift we need to care for His creation.
Open up and embrace the life giving Grace of God this Easter and grow into the creation God has placed you in.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
I need more light! The Christmas lights are unplugged
Isaiah 60:1-6 (NRSV)
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
So the lights of Christmas are slowly being extinguished, ok so they're unplugged, and the cold of winter has officially caused me to be bundled up. It seems with all the layers I'm dressed in and the darkness I go to church and often come home in that the season seems to be getting to me. I just want to get on a plane and go somewhere where I can wear shorts and bask in the sun for a few hours, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. I even felt a bit jealous as I said farewell to those who are heading south for a few months. We may even feel the darkness and cold of the world as we read the morning paper, watch the news of the day, or deal with the difficulties life puts in our path. We need the light back!
It's no accident that the early church leaders celebrated Christmas near the darkest time of the year. They too felt the need for hope in the midst of darkness. Because light and Hope are exactly what God offers us. I was amazed at the Christmas eve services when from one candle we lit up the church with a hundred and the warmth that shone in those simple candles overwhelmed me. The scriptures tell us that God comes to us in the person of Jesus to bring that hope and light we need. In this season of cold, darkness, and new year resolutions that point to the inadequacies of our lives we can remember the hope we receive knowing that God is with us, and live in the promises that the light of God will always shine in the darkness that seems to often overwhelm us. How has God's light shone in your life?
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
So the lights of Christmas are slowly being extinguished, ok so they're unplugged, and the cold of winter has officially caused me to be bundled up. It seems with all the layers I'm dressed in and the darkness I go to church and often come home in that the season seems to be getting to me. I just want to get on a plane and go somewhere where I can wear shorts and bask in the sun for a few hours, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. I even felt a bit jealous as I said farewell to those who are heading south for a few months. We may even feel the darkness and cold of the world as we read the morning paper, watch the news of the day, or deal with the difficulties life puts in our path. We need the light back!
It's no accident that the early church leaders celebrated Christmas near the darkest time of the year. They too felt the need for hope in the midst of darkness. Because light and Hope are exactly what God offers us. I was amazed at the Christmas eve services when from one candle we lit up the church with a hundred and the warmth that shone in those simple candles overwhelmed me. The scriptures tell us that God comes to us in the person of Jesus to bring that hope and light we need. In this season of cold, darkness, and new year resolutions that point to the inadequacies of our lives we can remember the hope we receive knowing that God is with us, and live in the promises that the light of God will always shine in the darkness that seems to often overwhelm us. How has God's light shone in your life?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
What do you already have?
Isaiah 40:4-6
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Every year since I can remember, my mother has asked me for a Christmas list. Though my toys have changed from Tonka trucks to power tools I still make the list. All the things I wish I could have to meet some fancy want I have. Every year there seems to be something else.
This year as I was making my list I was feeling a little guilty. I seemed to be concentrating on what I wanted and not what I was already blessed with. Isaiah reminds us that we should give thanks to God for what he has done for us. As we approach Christmas we give thanks for all that we receive in the birth of Christ. What God gives us is simply and completely the gift of himself.
All that we need is wrapped in the promises of God come to earth who gives us hope not just for today, but for an eternity.
What is it that you really want? Do you maybe already have what you need?
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Every year since I can remember, my mother has asked me for a Christmas list. Though my toys have changed from Tonka trucks to power tools I still make the list. All the things I wish I could have to meet some fancy want I have. Every year there seems to be something else.
This year as I was making my list I was feeling a little guilty. I seemed to be concentrating on what I wanted and not what I was already blessed with. Isaiah reminds us that we should give thanks to God for what he has done for us. As we approach Christmas we give thanks for all that we receive in the birth of Christ. What God gives us is simply and completely the gift of himself.
All that we need is wrapped in the promises of God come to earth who gives us hope not just for today, but for an eternity.
What is it that you really want? Do you maybe already have what you need?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Scripture of the Day: Luke 3:1-6
It's been wonderful watching all the holiday decorations being put up the last couple of weeks. Every night as I drive home I watch as more and more Christmas lights seem to glitter in the darkness of this time of year. I too spent time on a rickety ladder placing lights around our home in hopes of bringing some twinkle to the dark of this time of the year.
I can remember once flying home one Christmas season and looking out the window of the plane to see the magnificent lights of the Twin Cities. It was as if the whole metro area was guiding some awaited traveler to its doorsteps. Maybe in some way that’s what those holiday lights do.
John the Baptist tells us in these scriptures to prepare a way for the coming Lord, and the season of Advent proclaims again and again the coming of the hope, peace, joy, and love that we are longing for. Each and every year Christmas does come and with it a reminder that God has come to us and continues to come to us again and again with exactly what we’re looking for.
As you marvel at the lights that adorn this holiday season take a moment to remember what they’re for; to prepare a way for our coming savior, Jesus.
It's been wonderful watching all the holiday decorations being put up the last couple of weeks. Every night as I drive home I watch as more and more Christmas lights seem to glitter in the darkness of this time of year. I too spent time on a rickety ladder placing lights around our home in hopes of bringing some twinkle to the dark of this time of the year.
I can remember once flying home one Christmas season and looking out the window of the plane to see the magnificent lights of the Twin Cities. It was as if the whole metro area was guiding some awaited traveler to its doorsteps. Maybe in some way that’s what those holiday lights do.
John the Baptist tells us in these scriptures to prepare a way for the coming Lord, and the season of Advent proclaims again and again the coming of the hope, peace, joy, and love that we are longing for. Each and every year Christmas does come and with it a reminder that God has come to us and continues to come to us again and again with exactly what we’re looking for.
As you marvel at the lights that adorn this holiday season take a moment to remember what they’re for; to prepare a way for our coming savior, Jesus.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Welcome
A new church year is beginning and with it we welcome the coming birth of the Christ child. As we wait, I invite you to share your thoughts on the season and the faith journey you continue to walk. We are a people of faith and as we continue to walk together it is in the relationships, thoughts, and stories we share that we begin to see God at work in the world.
This Advent season join me as we look at the scriptures that lead us to Christmas and the hope, peace, joy, and love God embraces us with.
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