Cornerstone United Methodist Church
“The Advent People: We are a people of power and gentleness”
Isaiah 40:
2 Peter
December 7, 2008
Year B
Traditions that tell us that it is time to get into the spirit – Christmas concerts, the Nutcracker, Santa Claus is coming to town, your first Christmas card in the mail –
All signs that it is time for Christmas to get started. All signs that it is time to enter into that magical time of year – when the world is a little different place to be
My favorite words…
RECITATIVE. (Accompanied - Tenor) Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness:-Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert ahighway for our God.AIR (Tenor)Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain.CHORUS And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together;for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
These are the beginning words of Handel’s messiah. I can’t wait until next week when I can go to the sing along messiah to sing those words. Not a singer by training, which is why I didn’t sing them. But it really doesn’t matter. As a matter of fact, I Handel’s Messiah is one of my favorite cd’s. I listen to that cd all times of the year – to be reminded of God’s promises to the faithful.
Words of Isaiah
These are the words of the Hebrew scripture for today. A reminder that this is the time of year when we will be comforted.
But what do they mean?
Why is Isaiah telling us that things will get better. The original audience of these words – were devastated. They had worked so hard to build a city dedicated to God – only to come back and to discover that all they worked to build ad been destroyed. What must that feel like – how can you make it better?
Realization of the needs of tender words – speak comfort to my people.
The news is filled with words of things going haywire in the world.
If we ever needed God to speak tender words of comfort – I think it is now. The news is filled with a situation getting worse and worse everyday. I cannot even fathom what $25 billions is – and the government has loaned that amount for how many times in the last two months. Then there was the story of the Chicago factory which has gone out of business – on top of the story that 533 million people who have lost their jobs last month. I could not help but to ask God when does this end – when will the angels come in and give a real word of hope – that things are getting better. I found myself telling god that I really need to hear a miracle, only a divine word could make all of this seem better.
What words do you need to hear from God this season?
The scripture also Also talks of preparing a highway for God – make the rough places plain, hills and mountains straight. How is that possible? What does that mean?
There was a time when the God’s were paraded around and the parade route had to be prepared, so the way of the God was smooth
Life in times of chaos like a construction zone. Have you ever been in the middle of a contruction zone – lots of knocking down , noise, and destruction of what is already there.
That is what life is like when things are changing.
Change is difficult – advent is not just a time of a little change – major changes. Making a way for God in our lives. And expecting it to happen
But the words from Isaiah is intended to Remind us that no matter what – God is always there. Life happens, but God always makes a way.
Last week – the first week of advent is a time for us to get in touch with the way the world is. Life is full of bad news, of dreams that fall apart, of decay, or suffering. That is just how life is and we can’t escape from that reality. The second week is time to be reminded that life is what life is – but the power of the gospel is for us to be reminded that there is something more, someone one bigger, something better. God and God’s love for us. No matter what happens – God never stops loving us caring for us, comforting us. We just have to prepare ourselves for God’s appearance in our lives. A time when things will change.
Change always starts in the desert
Isaiah says in the wilderness – to prepare a way for the Lord. Why in the wilderness? Because change always happens for us in the wilderness? In order to us to be at home in the new way, we have to be keenly aware of what it means to live in the chaos of the wilderness. The wilderness our stuggles, our problems, our worries, our unresolved issues. Our desires for things to be different.
A call that things are going to be different
It is in the wilderness – that we finally hear a voice that things are going to be different. Isaiah says that a voice cries out – and the prophet asks what shall I cry to make the people feel better. The cry is a reminder that all things that happen in life good and bad eventually come to pass – But God’s love is constant.
We are an advent people – we are the one who hears that call. We are the ones who call to others
We are the ones who point the way to God – powerful, gentle, patient and trusting
2 Peter talks of that who we are to be as a people – wait for God.
Life makes us ancient – but if we trust in the power of God – we will be patient. If we trust in the lord we will be peaceful while we are patient. That can be easier said that done.
Baby story
Todd and Dawn were remember the first anniversary of the death of their young son, from cancer. He lived to be 8 months old. He had been in the hospital for most of his life – going through every treatment imaginable. But nothing seemed to make a difference. Needless to say, this was a very anxious time for them. One night, while sleeping beside their son Todd had a dream. He had been talking with God – as many of us do in times of trouble. Asking God for an answer – the answer was 5:38. He woke up wondering what that meant – not really wanting to know the answer – as many of us do in times of trouble. He told his wife about the dream- she knew what it meant – but didn’t want to think about it. That day the doctors told the couple that they had done all that they could for the baby – and it was time for them to make a decision. That day they took the baby off of all life support. They held him in his arms as he died. And after they said goodbye – and were packing up all of their son’s belonging – they realized that at 5:38 that evening they were holding their son as he was taking his last breaths. 5:38 was their word of comfort from God. God’s message that the worst was to come – but that God would be with them in the midst of it. God would be with them, and God would love them.
Advent story
A twelve year old had an accident, where he fell off of a horse. He was not hurt – but he went into an emotional paralysis. He could not speak, he could not respond. The doctors had not idea of who to snap him out of it. They kept him in the hospital and loved him as much as they could – but it did not seem to make a difference. One day a nurse bought a six month old baby into his room. She laid the baby on the young boys’s stomache. Out of nowhere, the boy smiled, hugged the baby and kissed him – he was back to normal. It was the love of a child bought into his life that made all of the difference in the world. He was healed and able to go home soon after that.
That is advent for us – the time when a baby comes into our lives – and shows us the love of God – which heals us, brings us back to life. And changed everything.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem says your God
What do we need to hear this season?
What does the world need to hear this advent?
Be an advent people.
God’s people – spreading God’s words. Life is what life is – but this is the time of year to be reminded that is so – but the good news is that if we believe in the power of God – there is still something more. Something to prepare for – something to wait for, something to look forward – the coming of the Lord!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Don't Quit your Day Job - November 16, 2008
Our Saviour’s United Methodist Church –
50th Anniversary visit
“Don’t Quit your Day Job”
1 Thessalonians 5
Matthew 25:14-30
Year A
Story of the store owner and the tool boxes
Once upon a time there was a man who had a construction business. The man had to go away on a long trip and so he called his three employees together and said, "I have to go on a long trip and so I am leaving you three in charge. I have put together a tool box for each of you to use to keep the business going while I am gone." The man then gave each of his employees a tool box. The tool boxes contained all the tools the employees needed to do what the man expected of them, but since the three employees didn't all have the same abilities, each toolbox was different. To the first employee, he gave a very large tool box filled with every tool that you can imagine. To the second employee, he gave a smaller toolbox, but one that still had a very good assortment of tools. To the third employee, he gave a very small tool box with just a few tools, but enough tools for the employee to do what was expected of him. The man then left to go on his trip. When he returned, he called his employees together to see what they had done while he was gone. The first employee said, "I knew that you had a great love for the homeless people of the world, so I used the toolbox that you gave me to build homes for the homeless. "That is great!" said the employer. "You have done so well that I am going to put you in charge of all new construction for the entire company." The second employee said, "I knew that you had a great love for the elderly, so I used the toolbox you gave me to fix up the homes of old people who can no longer do the work themselves." "That is wonderful!" said the employer. "You have done such a good job, that I am putting you in charge of all the repair and maintenance work for the entire company." Then he turned to the third employee and asked, "What did you do with the tools that I left for you?" "I knew that you are a very demanding boss and that you expect a lot from your employees. I was afraid that if I used the tools you gave me that one of them might get broken or that I might lose one of them and make you angry. I put the tools in a very safe place. They were there all the time you were gone. Look, here they are, just like new." "What a worthless employee you are! I didn't give you the tools for safekeeping, I gave them to you to use in my business. You are fired!" Since they had proven that they would make good use of them, he took the man's toolbox and divided the tools between the other two employees. I think this story is a good picture of what God has done in us. He has given each of us tools to use in building His kingdom. We don't all have the same tools, but God expects us to use whatever tools He has given to us. If we do, He will give us even more, but if we don't, He may take them away and give them to someone who will use them. Listen to the words of Jesus, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." Dear Lord, help us to be faithful in using the gifts that you have given to us to help others and to build up the kingdom. Amen.
Modern retelling of this story
What is Jesus trying to say? That is a good question
As I talked with other pastors about this passage, amazed at the different answers that I got, and no one seem to have a definite answer one way or another.
Told during stewardship and harvest time – so we look at the story through certain filters
Talent – same word in English as in Greek – but means something totally different
Talent in English, seems to come from this story – a gift from God that we make use of to make a difference in the world. Talent in Greek is a unit of silver
Talent was more money than could earn in 15 years - $100,000 of dollars
Who is the master – God, Jesus, Warren Buffet
The scripture says that the master was a shrewd man who reaped where he did not sow. Does that explain our God? Or is it Jesus. I would like to think it was someone like Warren Buffet – who had that kind of money to spare. And would be willing to give it to me.
Who are the slaves – praised, rebuked,
But what I really want us to think about is who are the slaves? One increased his investment 10 times, another 5, another not at all. Two were praised for what they had done, one was yelled at and rebuked. Who would we want to identify with?
We want to be right and do the right thing – so we identify with the 2 slaves who made money – more importantly were praised for doing good. Often times we believe that Christianity calls us to do the right thing -, to be good, to be prim and proper. But as I think about it, particularly as I have been thinking about Matthew this year. Being right all of the time and being the good guy in the story was not jesus concern at all. Afterall – the Pharisees were good and right – Jesus was challenging his followers to go a little deeper than that.
I don’t know if I can honestly say that I am always a good follower of Jesus, even though I try – but when I look at my life, and my relationship with Jesus.
More often than not I am the 3rd slave – he is the one who did the right thing
I have to be corrected, need a second chance, have to be told to think harder, living in darkness
Really not a bad thing in this story
One thing that we have lost track of in this story – is that according to Jewish understanding of life at that time – this slave did what he was supposed to do. It is not appropriate to put money in a bank and collect interest on it, this was $100,000 - he did not want to take a chance on losing it. He did what a good jew was supposed to do with something of value – bury it. Jesus even talks about the pearl of great price – being found buried in a field.
More importantly – Jesus point was that this was not about good and right behavior- but human nature – things we all do.
Story about signs of the times – period of waiting, of hoping, of incertaintly. Same things have been going on for 2000 years
This parable comes in the midst of 2 parables – all of which tell us more about the kingdom of God. What will things be like when God’s kingdom finally comes to earth. We have been waiting – for 2000 years and that day has not come. They were concerned about having to wait then and we are still concerned.
Paul talks about these times in Thessalonions.
The book of Thessalonians talks about what we should be doing in the meantime – that time of waiting for Christ to come into our lives. It was different time, but the same issue. People were tired of waiting.
Pauls message is to be prepared. In times of darkness live in the light, in times of fear live in hope, in times of waiting – be prepared
Sign of the times waiting – We are still waiting. We are in a time of hoping for life to get better. We are still waiting for Christ to return.
As a matter of fact Avent is coming. The time of preparation for Christ to come again this year.
Message of the day from both scriptures
God’s timing is a surprise – but when it comes don’t be surprised
God’s presence is something to fear – but when it comes don’t be afraid.
When we are expecting a surprise we cant function, when we live in fear we play it safe – like the third slave
Play it safe, do the right thing, do what we are told without thinking
Being a Christian involves – caring, giving, witnessing, trusting, loving, hoping involve taking a risk and making a commitment
Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are wrong – but always being faithful no matter what
3rd slave was faithful , but also had enough of a relationship in engage his master, and to learn from his mistakes.
Story of the college student
Gordon attended a small liberal arts college in the 1940’s. His transcript said that he majored in physics. But the reality was that his major was poker. Gordon traveled all over the country playing poker. He made a decent living of it – he was not rich, but he paid his way through college. Since he was on the road most of the weekend, he spent the rest of his week sleeping and strategizing. He never went to class, never cracked a book, never did any studying. And yet whenever there was a test – he always seemed to get straight A’s. One a friend asked him why he never went to class. Gordon was irritated at the question, obviously, the person did not know he was a geniuos – that he did not have to go to class or study he just knew the answer.
One day two of his professors had lunch together. They both talked about this brilliant student in their class, who seemed to ace the test, without ever coming to class. Both marveled at what a genuious this student was. Both wondered at what gifts he could give to the world if he actually took the time to apply himself and was willing to actually use his brain and his god given talent.
What have you done with God’s world and its gifts?
What have you done with your life?
What have you done with the gospel?
Wrestling with those questions, means wrestling with not with how God praises others, but what is God saying to you?
Worst you can do is nothing at all…
Amen.
50th Anniversary visit
“Don’t Quit your Day Job”
1 Thessalonians 5
Matthew 25:14-30
Year A
Story of the store owner and the tool boxes
Once upon a time there was a man who had a construction business. The man had to go away on a long trip and so he called his three employees together and said, "I have to go on a long trip and so I am leaving you three in charge. I have put together a tool box for each of you to use to keep the business going while I am gone." The man then gave each of his employees a tool box. The tool boxes contained all the tools the employees needed to do what the man expected of them, but since the three employees didn't all have the same abilities, each toolbox was different. To the first employee, he gave a very large tool box filled with every tool that you can imagine. To the second employee, he gave a smaller toolbox, but one that still had a very good assortment of tools. To the third employee, he gave a very small tool box with just a few tools, but enough tools for the employee to do what was expected of him. The man then left to go on his trip. When he returned, he called his employees together to see what they had done while he was gone. The first employee said, "I knew that you had a great love for the homeless people of the world, so I used the toolbox that you gave me to build homes for the homeless. "That is great!" said the employer. "You have done so well that I am going to put you in charge of all new construction for the entire company." The second employee said, "I knew that you had a great love for the elderly, so I used the toolbox you gave me to fix up the homes of old people who can no longer do the work themselves." "That is wonderful!" said the employer. "You have done such a good job, that I am putting you in charge of all the repair and maintenance work for the entire company." Then he turned to the third employee and asked, "What did you do with the tools that I left for you?" "I knew that you are a very demanding boss and that you expect a lot from your employees. I was afraid that if I used the tools you gave me that one of them might get broken or that I might lose one of them and make you angry. I put the tools in a very safe place. They were there all the time you were gone. Look, here they are, just like new." "What a worthless employee you are! I didn't give you the tools for safekeeping, I gave them to you to use in my business. You are fired!" Since they had proven that they would make good use of them, he took the man's toolbox and divided the tools between the other two employees. I think this story is a good picture of what God has done in us. He has given each of us tools to use in building His kingdom. We don't all have the same tools, but God expects us to use whatever tools He has given to us. If we do, He will give us even more, but if we don't, He may take them away and give them to someone who will use them. Listen to the words of Jesus, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." Dear Lord, help us to be faithful in using the gifts that you have given to us to help others and to build up the kingdom. Amen.
Modern retelling of this story
What is Jesus trying to say? That is a good question
As I talked with other pastors about this passage, amazed at the different answers that I got, and no one seem to have a definite answer one way or another.
Told during stewardship and harvest time – so we look at the story through certain filters
Talent – same word in English as in Greek – but means something totally different
Talent in English, seems to come from this story – a gift from God that we make use of to make a difference in the world. Talent in Greek is a unit of silver
Talent was more money than could earn in 15 years - $100,000 of dollars
Who is the master – God, Jesus, Warren Buffet
The scripture says that the master was a shrewd man who reaped where he did not sow. Does that explain our God? Or is it Jesus. I would like to think it was someone like Warren Buffet – who had that kind of money to spare. And would be willing to give it to me.
Who are the slaves – praised, rebuked,
But what I really want us to think about is who are the slaves? One increased his investment 10 times, another 5, another not at all. Two were praised for what they had done, one was yelled at and rebuked. Who would we want to identify with?
We want to be right and do the right thing – so we identify with the 2 slaves who made money – more importantly were praised for doing good. Often times we believe that Christianity calls us to do the right thing -, to be good, to be prim and proper. But as I think about it, particularly as I have been thinking about Matthew this year. Being right all of the time and being the good guy in the story was not jesus concern at all. Afterall – the Pharisees were good and right – Jesus was challenging his followers to go a little deeper than that.
I don’t know if I can honestly say that I am always a good follower of Jesus, even though I try – but when I look at my life, and my relationship with Jesus.
More often than not I am the 3rd slave – he is the one who did the right thing
I have to be corrected, need a second chance, have to be told to think harder, living in darkness
Really not a bad thing in this story
One thing that we have lost track of in this story – is that according to Jewish understanding of life at that time – this slave did what he was supposed to do. It is not appropriate to put money in a bank and collect interest on it, this was $100,000 - he did not want to take a chance on losing it. He did what a good jew was supposed to do with something of value – bury it. Jesus even talks about the pearl of great price – being found buried in a field.
More importantly – Jesus point was that this was not about good and right behavior- but human nature – things we all do.
Story about signs of the times – period of waiting, of hoping, of incertaintly. Same things have been going on for 2000 years
This parable comes in the midst of 2 parables – all of which tell us more about the kingdom of God. What will things be like when God’s kingdom finally comes to earth. We have been waiting – for 2000 years and that day has not come. They were concerned about having to wait then and we are still concerned.
Paul talks about these times in Thessalonions.
The book of Thessalonians talks about what we should be doing in the meantime – that time of waiting for Christ to come into our lives. It was different time, but the same issue. People were tired of waiting.
Pauls message is to be prepared. In times of darkness live in the light, in times of fear live in hope, in times of waiting – be prepared
Sign of the times waiting – We are still waiting. We are in a time of hoping for life to get better. We are still waiting for Christ to return.
As a matter of fact Avent is coming. The time of preparation for Christ to come again this year.
Message of the day from both scriptures
God’s timing is a surprise – but when it comes don’t be surprised
God’s presence is something to fear – but when it comes don’t be afraid.
When we are expecting a surprise we cant function, when we live in fear we play it safe – like the third slave
Play it safe, do the right thing, do what we are told without thinking
Being a Christian involves – caring, giving, witnessing, trusting, loving, hoping involve taking a risk and making a commitment
Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are wrong – but always being faithful no matter what
3rd slave was faithful , but also had enough of a relationship in engage his master, and to learn from his mistakes.
Story of the college student
Gordon attended a small liberal arts college in the 1940’s. His transcript said that he majored in physics. But the reality was that his major was poker. Gordon traveled all over the country playing poker. He made a decent living of it – he was not rich, but he paid his way through college. Since he was on the road most of the weekend, he spent the rest of his week sleeping and strategizing. He never went to class, never cracked a book, never did any studying. And yet whenever there was a test – he always seemed to get straight A’s. One a friend asked him why he never went to class. Gordon was irritated at the question, obviously, the person did not know he was a geniuos – that he did not have to go to class or study he just knew the answer.
One day two of his professors had lunch together. They both talked about this brilliant student in their class, who seemed to ace the test, without ever coming to class. Both marveled at what a genuious this student was. Both wondered at what gifts he could give to the world if he actually took the time to apply himself and was willing to actually use his brain and his god given talent.
What have you done with God’s world and its gifts?
What have you done with your life?
What have you done with the gospel?
Wrestling with those questions, means wrestling with not with how God praises others, but what is God saying to you?
Worst you can do is nothing at all…
Amen.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
We are the lamps - we need oil - November 9
Judges 24
Matthew 25:1-13
“We are the lamps, and we need to have oil”
Year A
A woman was expecting her first child, and she asked her two best friends to be present at the birth. She wanted them there for support, but she also wanted them to videotape the birth. As the due date approached, each of the friends readied their equipment, making sure their cameras were ready, along with batteries and videotapes. The due date came and went and still no signs that the baby would be born soon. The two friends stopped trying to rearrange their schedules to be available at a moment’s notice. Finally, the phone call came: “I’m in labor, can you come?” The two friends packed up their equipment and headed for the hospital. Once they got there they turned on their cameras and got everything ready for the big event. But the labor stretched from minutes to hours. They had arrived early in the morning, and now it was late in the evening. Finally, the two friends fell asleep in the hospital waiting room. It was in the wee hours of the morning that a nurse burst in to say, “it’s finally time! The baby has crowned and it won’t be long now. The baby is coming!” The two friends gathered up their cameras and headed for the delivery room. As one checked her camera, she was appalled to see that she had left it on the whole time they were waiting and now the batteries were dead. “My batteries are dead!” she cried to her companion. “Give me some of yours.” “I can’t!” her friend replied. “I just put in my last fresh set. You’ll have to get your own. Maybe they have some in the hospital gift shop.” Unfortunately, the gift shop was closed, since it was the middle of the night. By the time the friend had found an all night drug store, bought some batteries and returned to the hospital, it was all over. The baby had been born and the friend had missed her opportunity to participate in the blessed event.
Point Jesus was trying to make
That was a modern version of Jesus story. Of friends being asked to share in the joy of someone – and having to wait. But either being prepared for a once and a lifetime moment or not.
Isrealite Wedding
In order to understand this story you have to understand the context of an Isrealite wedding. Before the wedding the man was supposed to go to the father’s house to negotiate the terms of the wedding. After all of the papers were signed and everything taken care of then ceremonially – the wife would be marched to the husband’s house. It was an honor for the young female relatives of the husband to participate in the procession with lighted lamps to celebrate.
Importance of being prepared
This was a big opportunity for a young girl. There was a chance that she would be seen and that she may be picked next to get married. So it was important to be prepared
But he was late
It just so happens that it took a long time this time for the groom to come from the father’s house. He did not come out until midnight when everyone was ready to go to bed. But not all of the girls were prepared to participate in this once in a lifetime event.
Early Christians felt Jesus was late
Early Christians had always been told that everything would be okay once Jesus came. They were taught that it would be any moment. And yet Jesus had not come – what did that mean?
But Jesus teaches us to share – why did they not share?
I have always thought that this was a strange story. The maidens are called foolish. That does not sit well with me, because Jesus says in another story that we are not supposed to call anyone foolish – so why would Jesus so freely call these girls foolish?
And besides we are called to help one another out and to be community as Christians. So why wouldn’t the five wise ones just share their oil with those who did not have enough oil?
Yet Jesus Speaks of five wise maidens and five foolish maidens Why the distinction? Jesus is trying to teach us that when it comes to faith, there is no sharing. We cannot be saved on behalf of another. We cannot go to heaven on behalf of another. It is an individual choice that each of us has to make.
I think that we are all wise and foolish, and we all have the opportunity to be wise of foolish based on the decisions that we make in life. We are all waiting for Jesus and we all need to be prepared. On our own.
We are lamps, God is the light
A rabbi tells the story that we are the lamps of God and that God is the light.
Oil is our Christian life
We are each responsible for filling our own lamps with oil – we do that by our service to God – reading the bible, coming to church, being in service to others , being in fellowship with other Christians. We have to fill our own lamps.
This all Fits into being present
Who we are as people, as Christians are about Making choices
I want to Briefly speak of judges
Joshua talks of Joshua bringing all of the people together. And telling them that they have to make a choice. Choose ye this day whom you must serve – God or man. He calls them together and reminds them of their history and how God had been with them all along. And then he reminds them that God has chosen them as a special people and that they have to choose God. But not to take this covenant lightly. Because God is also an angry jealous God. Who does not like to be taken for granted.
This was not a convenant – but it is a recovenant – a repromise. They are recommitting themselves to God after a period of sin.
Perfect for stewardship
This is a perfect verse for stewardship time – we too have to recommit ourselves to our relationship with God after getting comfortable with life and falling into sin.
Life is about Making choices
God made hard choices for us
Choose to be wise and let our lights shine in the way we live in the world.
This Leads us to advent
Christ comes many times and in many ways. When Bishop Sprague would talk about the second coming of Christ, he would say that he believed that God come not just once of twice in the world, but that Christ comes again and again in our lives, and we have to be prepared for Christ coming in our lives in many ways. Advent is the the time when Christ comes in a new way. And we have to prepare ourselves for this new coming.
How will you meet him this year?
Matthew 25:1-13
“We are the lamps, and we need to have oil”
Year A
A woman was expecting her first child, and she asked her two best friends to be present at the birth. She wanted them there for support, but she also wanted them to videotape the birth. As the due date approached, each of the friends readied their equipment, making sure their cameras were ready, along with batteries and videotapes. The due date came and went and still no signs that the baby would be born soon. The two friends stopped trying to rearrange their schedules to be available at a moment’s notice. Finally, the phone call came: “I’m in labor, can you come?” The two friends packed up their equipment and headed for the hospital. Once they got there they turned on their cameras and got everything ready for the big event. But the labor stretched from minutes to hours. They had arrived early in the morning, and now it was late in the evening. Finally, the two friends fell asleep in the hospital waiting room. It was in the wee hours of the morning that a nurse burst in to say, “it’s finally time! The baby has crowned and it won’t be long now. The baby is coming!” The two friends gathered up their cameras and headed for the delivery room. As one checked her camera, she was appalled to see that she had left it on the whole time they were waiting and now the batteries were dead. “My batteries are dead!” she cried to her companion. “Give me some of yours.” “I can’t!” her friend replied. “I just put in my last fresh set. You’ll have to get your own. Maybe they have some in the hospital gift shop.” Unfortunately, the gift shop was closed, since it was the middle of the night. By the time the friend had found an all night drug store, bought some batteries and returned to the hospital, it was all over. The baby had been born and the friend had missed her opportunity to participate in the blessed event.
Point Jesus was trying to make
That was a modern version of Jesus story. Of friends being asked to share in the joy of someone – and having to wait. But either being prepared for a once and a lifetime moment or not.
Isrealite Wedding
In order to understand this story you have to understand the context of an Isrealite wedding. Before the wedding the man was supposed to go to the father’s house to negotiate the terms of the wedding. After all of the papers were signed and everything taken care of then ceremonially – the wife would be marched to the husband’s house. It was an honor for the young female relatives of the husband to participate in the procession with lighted lamps to celebrate.
Importance of being prepared
This was a big opportunity for a young girl. There was a chance that she would be seen and that she may be picked next to get married. So it was important to be prepared
But he was late
It just so happens that it took a long time this time for the groom to come from the father’s house. He did not come out until midnight when everyone was ready to go to bed. But not all of the girls were prepared to participate in this once in a lifetime event.
Early Christians felt Jesus was late
Early Christians had always been told that everything would be okay once Jesus came. They were taught that it would be any moment. And yet Jesus had not come – what did that mean?
But Jesus teaches us to share – why did they not share?
I have always thought that this was a strange story. The maidens are called foolish. That does not sit well with me, because Jesus says in another story that we are not supposed to call anyone foolish – so why would Jesus so freely call these girls foolish?
And besides we are called to help one another out and to be community as Christians. So why wouldn’t the five wise ones just share their oil with those who did not have enough oil?
Yet Jesus Speaks of five wise maidens and five foolish maidens Why the distinction? Jesus is trying to teach us that when it comes to faith, there is no sharing. We cannot be saved on behalf of another. We cannot go to heaven on behalf of another. It is an individual choice that each of us has to make.
I think that we are all wise and foolish, and we all have the opportunity to be wise of foolish based on the decisions that we make in life. We are all waiting for Jesus and we all need to be prepared. On our own.
We are lamps, God is the light
A rabbi tells the story that we are the lamps of God and that God is the light.
Oil is our Christian life
We are each responsible for filling our own lamps with oil – we do that by our service to God – reading the bible, coming to church, being in service to others , being in fellowship with other Christians. We have to fill our own lamps.
This all Fits into being present
Who we are as people, as Christians are about Making choices
I want to Briefly speak of judges
Joshua talks of Joshua bringing all of the people together. And telling them that they have to make a choice. Choose ye this day whom you must serve – God or man. He calls them together and reminds them of their history and how God had been with them all along. And then he reminds them that God has chosen them as a special people and that they have to choose God. But not to take this covenant lightly. Because God is also an angry jealous God. Who does not like to be taken for granted.
This was not a convenant – but it is a recovenant – a repromise. They are recommitting themselves to God after a period of sin.
Perfect for stewardship
This is a perfect verse for stewardship time – we too have to recommit ourselves to our relationship with God after getting comfortable with life and falling into sin.
Life is about Making choices
God made hard choices for us
Choose to be wise and let our lights shine in the way we live in the world.
This Leads us to advent
Christ comes many times and in many ways. When Bishop Sprague would talk about the second coming of Christ, he would say that he believed that God come not just once of twice in the world, but that Christ comes again and again in our lives, and we have to be prepared for Christ coming in our lives in many ways. Advent is the the time when Christ comes in a new way. And we have to prepare ourselves for this new coming.
How will you meet him this year?
Blessed, Holy and Sanctified - November 2 - All Saints Day
Blessed, Holy, Sanctified
November 2, 2008
Year A
Revelation
1 John
All Saints’ Day
Halloween Experience
Halloween was a very busy day for me. Trick or treating here in the morning. Off to the parade in the afternoon and giving out candy in the evening. Gave away two bags of candy and had a wonderful time. Personally I don’t celebrate holloween. Grew up in a time and a neighborhood where I was told it was not safe to trick or treat. Family members who believed that Halloween was a bad holiday. Witches and goblins are the dominant image of the day – real pagans do not celebrate calendar holidays. Trends in nature. I think the confusion of what is pagan and Christian is unfortunate.
Pagan and Christian Elements
Halloween is truly a Christian based holiday. Hallow’s eve – hallow means holy. Holy means sanctified – just the day before All saints day.
Christmas and Easter
Article in the Wednesday journal which talked about how commercialized Christmas was. Got other religions to slam Christians for having such a worldly holiday. When Christmas truly is a pagan holiday – happens around the winter equinox. Took something that the world already did and purified it or made it holy and dedicated it to God.
Christian pattern to take what is of the world and purify it and make it holy
All throughout history – that had been the goal of Christianity. Not to create a new world – but to make the world we live in a better place, with a better set of values
That is what sanctify means
That is what sanctify means, and why it is important
A saint is a sanctified of holy person.
God’s secret weapon to change the world is God’s people
Vision of revelation
In the book of revelation, John sees a vision of a countless number of people of all different ages, sizes and races. They are all gathered around the throne and they are praising God. They are all dressed in white.
Who are these people in white
John asks who are these people all dressed in white – and the response is that they are the ones who have survived the ordeal and made it to the other side.
Holy people – saints
They are the saint of God – they are holy people.
The purpose of apolcalyptic literature
Look at the context
Revelation is an example of apocalyptic literature. Daniel is also an example. Most of us are afraid of Revelation, we don’t know what it means and we don’t understand it.
In order to interpet apocalytptic literature it is always important to know the context. What is it that the author is trying to address. Usually the piece was written to address a difficult time in history. Christians are in pain and really worried and in pain.
People in pain are asking when will the pain stop – cant think beyond what they are struggling with –
In order for them to hear – time is suspended – so don’t know if they are talking about the past, the present the future
All of which are one for God
Reminder that what we are going through is never our ultimate reality The writer reminds us that no matter where we are in the past, present or future. No matter how bad the situation it is not our ultimate reality. Our ultimate reality is to be in heaven praising God. – We are the ones who will make it through the ordeal and celebrate around the throne.
We have a future beyond all of our pain suffering and unanswered questions
I John also answers the question of who this multitude of people are
They are the children of God
Children and science answers
A group of fifth and sixth graders were asked to write some laws of science. Things that they knew to be true. For instance one said that the law of gravity was that it is no fair to jump up without coming back down. On clouds another child said that water vapors develop in clouds and when they are big enough to be called a drop that is what they do. Another said that when planets run around in circles it is called orbiting, when people run around in circles, they are called crazy. One described genetics is he study of why you should look like your parents, and if you don’t, why you should.
Our faith is the study of why we should look like our heavenly father, and if we don’t, why we should.
To be a saint is to be a child of God, and if we are Godls children. Then the lives we live, should show that we are related to God.
Children look at our parents with wonder and dependence.
When we are children, we look up to our parents with wonder and awe. We expect them to take care of us, but we have no idea of who they do it.
The relationship changes when we become adults
Once we become adults, we learn their secrets to success, and yet they are still our parents. We can do the same things they can do, but we still look up to them.
Who are those saints around the throne
Those who have matured in their faith and now live around the throne of God. Are not God, yet can see the world as God sees it – they have passed on and are not with us.
All Saints day is the day to honor their presence with us. To life up the veil and know they are with God and yet they are still with us. They understand us. We will immediately recognize them when we stand in the same place they do.
We are all saints, all holy, all blessed. Not because of what we have done, but because of how God loves us.
When we see the veil – be the veil so others can see God too. The world is purified through who the saints are for the world.
November 2, 2008
Year A
Revelation
1 John
All Saints’ Day
Halloween Experience
Halloween was a very busy day for me. Trick or treating here in the morning. Off to the parade in the afternoon and giving out candy in the evening. Gave away two bags of candy and had a wonderful time. Personally I don’t celebrate holloween. Grew up in a time and a neighborhood where I was told it was not safe to trick or treat. Family members who believed that Halloween was a bad holiday. Witches and goblins are the dominant image of the day – real pagans do not celebrate calendar holidays. Trends in nature. I think the confusion of what is pagan and Christian is unfortunate.
Pagan and Christian Elements
Halloween is truly a Christian based holiday. Hallow’s eve – hallow means holy. Holy means sanctified – just the day before All saints day.
Christmas and Easter
Article in the Wednesday journal which talked about how commercialized Christmas was. Got other religions to slam Christians for having such a worldly holiday. When Christmas truly is a pagan holiday – happens around the winter equinox. Took something that the world already did and purified it or made it holy and dedicated it to God.
Christian pattern to take what is of the world and purify it and make it holy
All throughout history – that had been the goal of Christianity. Not to create a new world – but to make the world we live in a better place, with a better set of values
That is what sanctify means
That is what sanctify means, and why it is important
A saint is a sanctified of holy person.
God’s secret weapon to change the world is God’s people
Vision of revelation
In the book of revelation, John sees a vision of a countless number of people of all different ages, sizes and races. They are all gathered around the throne and they are praising God. They are all dressed in white.
Who are these people in white
John asks who are these people all dressed in white – and the response is that they are the ones who have survived the ordeal and made it to the other side.
Holy people – saints
They are the saint of God – they are holy people.
The purpose of apolcalyptic literature
Look at the context
Revelation is an example of apocalyptic literature. Daniel is also an example. Most of us are afraid of Revelation, we don’t know what it means and we don’t understand it.
In order to interpet apocalytptic literature it is always important to know the context. What is it that the author is trying to address. Usually the piece was written to address a difficult time in history. Christians are in pain and really worried and in pain.
People in pain are asking when will the pain stop – cant think beyond what they are struggling with –
In order for them to hear – time is suspended – so don’t know if they are talking about the past, the present the future
All of which are one for God
Reminder that what we are going through is never our ultimate reality The writer reminds us that no matter where we are in the past, present or future. No matter how bad the situation it is not our ultimate reality. Our ultimate reality is to be in heaven praising God. – We are the ones who will make it through the ordeal and celebrate around the throne.
We have a future beyond all of our pain suffering and unanswered questions
I John also answers the question of who this multitude of people are
They are the children of God
Children and science answers
A group of fifth and sixth graders were asked to write some laws of science. Things that they knew to be true. For instance one said that the law of gravity was that it is no fair to jump up without coming back down. On clouds another child said that water vapors develop in clouds and when they are big enough to be called a drop that is what they do. Another said that when planets run around in circles it is called orbiting, when people run around in circles, they are called crazy. One described genetics is he study of why you should look like your parents, and if you don’t, why you should.
Our faith is the study of why we should look like our heavenly father, and if we don’t, why we should.
To be a saint is to be a child of God, and if we are Godls children. Then the lives we live, should show that we are related to God.
Children look at our parents with wonder and dependence.
When we are children, we look up to our parents with wonder and awe. We expect them to take care of us, but we have no idea of who they do it.
The relationship changes when we become adults
Once we become adults, we learn their secrets to success, and yet they are still our parents. We can do the same things they can do, but we still look up to them.
Who are those saints around the throne
Those who have matured in their faith and now live around the throne of God. Are not God, yet can see the world as God sees it – they have passed on and are not with us.
All Saints day is the day to honor their presence with us. To life up the veil and know they are with God and yet they are still with us. They understand us. We will immediately recognize them when we stand in the same place they do.
We are all saints, all holy, all blessed. Not because of what we have done, but because of how God loves us.
When we see the veil – be the veil so others can see God too. The world is purified through who the saints are for the world.
Pledge Allegiance to the flag, to God or Both? - October 19, 2008
Matthew 22:15-22
Pledge Allegiance to the flag, to God or to both?
Year A
In Miss Gabrilska’s 3rd grade class
My 3rd grade teacher was very adamant that we learn all of the patriotic songs. Miss Gabrilska was from Poland – and she was very adamant that those song were our songs and it was important that we know them. So every month we learned a new patriotic song. Today when I go to a sporting event and we have to sing the star spangled banner I am a little disappointed that many times I am the only one who knows the song in a crowd.
That evperience is in contrast to my mother’s experience, who told me that she refuses to say the pledge of allegiance, because we do not live in a country where there is liberty and justice for all.
My identity as an African American
The ironies are normal in my identity as an African American.
Question on the radio station
On the radio this week they were taking a survey – they asked people to call in and to say if they considered themselves to be an African American, an American, a black person, a black woman or just a woman.
I was amazed at how many different answers people called in with – every one had a different way and reason for identitying themselves.
Our Identity is fluid – we are more than one things at a time
I think that our identity is fluid , and we use many different experiences to shape our identity.
The same was true for Jesus
Jews or Roman Citizens
In his time, even though jews would have been roman citizens, they would never admit. The jews felt that their identity was coopted by romans. And it was a very big thing to see who you would identify with. The pharisee’s knew that they had Jesus if they asked him who he identified with – the jews or the romans.
Jesus knew better than to answer the question
He knew that anything that he said would be misinterpreted as being on one side or another.
This was all a trick to trap him and to justify punishing him for being a traiter to his own people.
Jesus had the wisdom of a politician in answering the question
He tells a parable - Render unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar
Yet the question remains, what belong to ceasar and what belongs to God
How much of ourselves do we give to God, what does God ask of us?
Tony Compolo Story
Sydaney and I attended a seminar on evangelism – Tony Compolo was the key note speaker. Tony compolo is a very popular speaker and has been speaking for years – his schedule was booked three years in advance 20 years ago.
There is a story of Tony speaking at a women’s conference. They took up an offering and needed more money. They asked Tony if he would lead the appeal for money. He refused. He said that all that we have already belong to God and that God I a god of abudance, so he knew that the money that was needed was already present and would be raised. A second offering was taken and they got more money than they needed for the cause.
God has already given us all that we have – we just have to determine how to use it.
Are we Christians, or are we citizens and friends of the United States?
We all have a mixed identity – we all have one foot in heaven and one on earth
Jesus tells us that it is okay to be a part of both worlds – there is no other way to be. Isaiah mentioned it in the old testament encouraging the children of God to take care of there city they were planted in. Paul also tells us to grow wherever we are planted.
In a sense, Jesus never really answers the question in which he was asked – he knew there was no answer he could give when which be right. But he also asks each of us a question – of whom do we pledge allegiance?
Remember the story of the man who sued so his daughter would not have to say the pledge – with the words one nation under God. Or the one who sued because our money says in God we trust –
Those are words of comfort for us Christians and jews who live in America
But the real question is if we live those words of comfort our in our lives.
We are intended to be citizens of many worlds – worlds who values sometimes clash
As citizens of friends of the world we are called to tithe – give a tenth of what we have to service to any of God’s children and to be obedient to love.
That may not make our identity clearer – but it does make our purpose in the world clearer.
Amen.
Pledge Allegiance to the flag, to God or to both?
Year A
In Miss Gabrilska’s 3rd grade class
My 3rd grade teacher was very adamant that we learn all of the patriotic songs. Miss Gabrilska was from Poland – and she was very adamant that those song were our songs and it was important that we know them. So every month we learned a new patriotic song. Today when I go to a sporting event and we have to sing the star spangled banner I am a little disappointed that many times I am the only one who knows the song in a crowd.
That evperience is in contrast to my mother’s experience, who told me that she refuses to say the pledge of allegiance, because we do not live in a country where there is liberty and justice for all.
My identity as an African American
The ironies are normal in my identity as an African American.
Question on the radio station
On the radio this week they were taking a survey – they asked people to call in and to say if they considered themselves to be an African American, an American, a black person, a black woman or just a woman.
I was amazed at how many different answers people called in with – every one had a different way and reason for identitying themselves.
Our Identity is fluid – we are more than one things at a time
I think that our identity is fluid , and we use many different experiences to shape our identity.
The same was true for Jesus
Jews or Roman Citizens
In his time, even though jews would have been roman citizens, they would never admit. The jews felt that their identity was coopted by romans. And it was a very big thing to see who you would identify with. The pharisee’s knew that they had Jesus if they asked him who he identified with – the jews or the romans.
Jesus knew better than to answer the question
He knew that anything that he said would be misinterpreted as being on one side or another.
This was all a trick to trap him and to justify punishing him for being a traiter to his own people.
Jesus had the wisdom of a politician in answering the question
He tells a parable - Render unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar
Yet the question remains, what belong to ceasar and what belongs to God
How much of ourselves do we give to God, what does God ask of us?
Tony Compolo Story
Sydaney and I attended a seminar on evangelism – Tony Compolo was the key note speaker. Tony compolo is a very popular speaker and has been speaking for years – his schedule was booked three years in advance 20 years ago.
There is a story of Tony speaking at a women’s conference. They took up an offering and needed more money. They asked Tony if he would lead the appeal for money. He refused. He said that all that we have already belong to God and that God I a god of abudance, so he knew that the money that was needed was already present and would be raised. A second offering was taken and they got more money than they needed for the cause.
God has already given us all that we have – we just have to determine how to use it.
Are we Christians, or are we citizens and friends of the United States?
We all have a mixed identity – we all have one foot in heaven and one on earth
Jesus tells us that it is okay to be a part of both worlds – there is no other way to be. Isaiah mentioned it in the old testament encouraging the children of God to take care of there city they were planted in. Paul also tells us to grow wherever we are planted.
In a sense, Jesus never really answers the question in which he was asked – he knew there was no answer he could give when which be right. But he also asks each of us a question – of whom do we pledge allegiance?
Remember the story of the man who sued so his daughter would not have to say the pledge – with the words one nation under God. Or the one who sued because our money says in God we trust –
Those are words of comfort for us Christians and jews who live in America
But the real question is if we live those words of comfort our in our lives.
We are intended to be citizens of many worlds – worlds who values sometimes clash
As citizens of friends of the world we are called to tithe – give a tenth of what we have to service to any of God’s children and to be obedient to love.
That may not make our identity clearer – but it does make our purpose in the world clearer.
Amen.
So How are the Children?
October 26, 2008
Children’s Sabbath
The intention of my time this morning is different than usual – give you some facts to think about the needs of children. I have celebrated Children’s Sabbath for the last 12 years. This day is not about children, it is intended to make adults aware of the needs of children.
It is funny how the Holy Spirit works – I say this poster in fellowship hall from the day care which outlines the Rights of all Children.
The Rights of Children Poster
Principle 1
The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.
Principle 3
The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.
Principle 4
The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.
Principle 5
The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.
Principle 6
The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and, in any case, in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security; a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother. Society and the public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and to those without adequate means of support. Payment of State and other assistance towards the maintenance of children of large families is desirable.
Principle 7
The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.
The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.
The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.
Principle 8
The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.
Principle 9
The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form.
The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.
Principle 10
The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.
As we listen to those rights- I think we will all agree that children should have these rights. They all make since, right? These rights were put forth to nations by the United Nations. And our own nation will not ratify these rights for children. Because they know that if they ratify them, then they will have to spend money on programs to make sure that these rights are protected.
Facts of poverty in our nation (Taken from the latest Children’s Sabbath book).
Dr King came to our area to address the needs of poor people in the area.
We know that Martin Luther King came to Lawndale to march for the rights of poor people. He had a ministry devoted to the needs of poor people. This year the children’s Defense fund lifts up the needs of children in poverty.
More facts. – see children’s Sabbath book
Marion Edelman’s suggestions for going forward – see children’s Sabbath book
But what is God’s suggestion for going forward?
Some words about Luke. Luke talks about a poor man who went to heaven, and Lazarus as a rich man refused to help in while on earth.
But we will focus this week and next on First John – John talks about the children of God. We are God’s children because God loves us all. But If we love God then we will love one another and take care of one another as brothers and sisters.
This week talks about love – next week about the love of God in our lives. That we are all children of God.
Remember that the children that we are responsible for come in all sizes and shapes. Some we like and others we don’t. Some we understand and some that we don’t. Just as the children of Liberty are in our building, and we are asked to treat them just as our children and to love them just the same.
How are the children – we will be judge by the world we create for our children.
There is a village in Africa, which when they meet one another, they ask, so how are the children – not how are you doing. Because they know that the way we provide for our children is a direct result to how we are doing. God will judge us also by the way we treat God’s children, we are called to take care of the children. What will you say when God asks you – So how are the children?
Children’s Sabbath
The intention of my time this morning is different than usual – give you some facts to think about the needs of children. I have celebrated Children’s Sabbath for the last 12 years. This day is not about children, it is intended to make adults aware of the needs of children.
It is funny how the Holy Spirit works – I say this poster in fellowship hall from the day care which outlines the Rights of all Children.
The Rights of Children Poster
Principle 1
The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.
Principle 3
The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.
Principle 4
The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.
Principle 5
The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.
Principle 6
The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and, in any case, in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security; a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother. Society and the public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and to those without adequate means of support. Payment of State and other assistance towards the maintenance of children of large families is desirable.
Principle 7
The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.
The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.
The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.
Principle 8
The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.
Principle 9
The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form.
The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.
Principle 10
The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.
As we listen to those rights- I think we will all agree that children should have these rights. They all make since, right? These rights were put forth to nations by the United Nations. And our own nation will not ratify these rights for children. Because they know that if they ratify them, then they will have to spend money on programs to make sure that these rights are protected.
Facts of poverty in our nation (Taken from the latest Children’s Sabbath book).
Dr King came to our area to address the needs of poor people in the area.
We know that Martin Luther King came to Lawndale to march for the rights of poor people. He had a ministry devoted to the needs of poor people. This year the children’s Defense fund lifts up the needs of children in poverty.
More facts. – see children’s Sabbath book
Marion Edelman’s suggestions for going forward – see children’s Sabbath book
But what is God’s suggestion for going forward?
Some words about Luke. Luke talks about a poor man who went to heaven, and Lazarus as a rich man refused to help in while on earth.
But we will focus this week and next on First John – John talks about the children of God. We are God’s children because God loves us all. But If we love God then we will love one another and take care of one another as brothers and sisters.
This week talks about love – next week about the love of God in our lives. That we are all children of God.
Remember that the children that we are responsible for come in all sizes and shapes. Some we like and others we don’t. Some we understand and some that we don’t. Just as the children of Liberty are in our building, and we are asked to treat them just as our children and to love them just the same.
How are the children – we will be judge by the world we create for our children.
There is a village in Africa, which when they meet one another, they ask, so how are the children – not how are you doing. Because they know that the way we provide for our children is a direct result to how we are doing. God will judge us also by the way we treat God’s children, we are called to take care of the children. What will you say when God asks you – So how are the children?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Something to Think About
Somethings to think about
October 12, 2008
Philippians 4:1-9
Phone a thon call
Last Thursday I got a phone call from a student at my alma mater, Northwestern University. I thought it was cute that this freshman, younger than my son, scrambled to find what we had in common, so that he could have a conversation with me. We talked about teachers, and favorite classes. And the conversation got around to the football team. He started bragging that Northwestern was undefeated and that was one of the assets of the school, was a winning team.
Northwestern’s records
I had to chuckle to myself, because any alumni would know that Northwestern has rarely been a winning team. And yet we were always die hard wildcat fans – that’s allright, that’s okay, your gonna work for us some day. There was that year in 1995-96 when we went to the rose bowl – we hadn’t been to the rose bowl since the 1940’s when this campaign came out – northwestern expects victory – they thought about it and thought about it that year – and it paid off- . We’ve made it to some bowl games since – but I never heard anyone call the wildcats a winning team.
My favorite things
I told the student that this is the time in the three year lectionary when I get the preach on Philippians. And that Sunday we are talking about my absolute favorite verse in the whole Bible – Philippians 4:8 – Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Northwestern’s hymn
Why is this my favorite verse in the bible – because it is Northwestern’s school motto – Quacumce sunt vera – We even have a school hymn with those words. I love that verse, because I love my school – losing football team and all.
Boxes
So this is s sermon about two of my favorite things, Northwestern and boxes. If you look in my office you will see boxes, but those boxes are filled with prayers for the church. If you come to my house you will see lots of boxes – all different shapes – all empty. I don’t know why I am so fascinated with boxes – but for me they represent potential. If I leave them empty – then there is always endless possibilities of things that I could put into the box.
The problem with boxes is that it is also possible to get stuck in them. Once you get in them, you think that is just how life is- there is all that there is but this box and what I see in front of me inside of this box. In life, we all get stuck on our way of thinking – just like being stuck in a box.
Review of Philippians
I don’t know how true the story is – but when we were touring the ruins of Philippi on our tour of Greece. The tour guide showed us several churches in this mile by mile radius. I always wondered that if denomonations had not been invented yet, why would such a small town need so many different churches. The tour guide showed us church A – Paul had told the Philippians to think with the mind of Christ, that life in anything else except Christ was loss, that Christ was all of life. And they took Paul seriously – Christ was the only thing that mattered to them. So they decided they would build this church only using biblical principles. The principles of architecture and math were greek knowledge, pagan knowledge, not of Christ. So they ignored it. They built the church, and the church fell down. They built it again and it fell down again. And finally Paul came to them and preached this verse – whatsoever things are true, honorable and just – think on these things. They could use the universal principles of architecture – that was the only sound knowledge for building a church. Even though it didn’t come out of Christ’s mouth – it was still sound knowledge of God.
That was Paul’s way of telling them that it was okay to think outside of the box. How many times in life are we so stuck on what we think we know – that we cant learn anything new. We are convinced that this is the way things are – and things will never be any different. No matter how many games Northwestern wins – in my mind Northwestern will always be a losing team – and yet this freshman showed me that there is a new way of thinking. The wildcats lost their run for being an undefeated team yesterday –they are now 5 and 1 – but for this freshman they are still a winning team.
In verse 9 Paul says keep on doing the things that you have learned and receive and heard and seen in me. In other words he is saying that it is okay to keep what you have learned – but to think also on the pure virtues of God truth, purity, honor excellence – and you will find wonderful new knowledge everywhere you go. Some versions of 4:8 say meditate – some say comptemplete, but in other words think long and hard on the things of God. Because when youre brain is occupied with thinking – that leaves little room for misery.
This is the last chapter of Philipians – I really do think that this is one of the most important books of the bible – because it tells us how to be a Christian in very small terms.
He reminds us as a community to put our differnces aside, to be a united community. To empty ourselves of personal pride and to be humble to support one another and others, to live in joy and rejoice for the gifts that God has given us, and to take the time to think – reflect on the virtues of God.
John and Nina thought of their neighbors as their second parents. So when Mr Coleman died – they were just as devastated as Mrs. Coleman. They went to her house to comfort her and noticed that as she got the tea – she seemed to be struggling a bit –her arthritis, she said. They talked about Mr. Coleman’s life – they talked about the good things and the bad, they talked about the struggles they had overcome as a couple, finally John asked Mrs. Coleman was doing in the midst of all of this – and she smiled and said that she was doing fine. She had been reading the bible – and the verses told her that no matter what God was with her – and that was worth her rejoicing and thinking about the beauty of God.
Left with today
When we rejoice for what we have and we honestly take the time to reflect and really think about the goodness of God – there is little room in our minds to focus on misery.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Journey to Hope - A monologue - 2/24/08
Oh, it feels so good to be back here again. I would never have thought that I could feel like this here, of all places. For years being in this place has just been another reminder of how alone I am, and how much I am not like the rest of them. Now I walk here and for the first time in my life I feel whole, I feel loved. There it is, my water jug. I ran off in such a hurry the other day that I left it behind. It was the way that he spoke to me, the way he looked at me, it was like he knew all about me. It is good to be here again. This place is truly holy ground. Only God can know all about your life, and still accept whatever it there. Only God can speak about the deep dark secrets of your life and tell you about yourself in a way that does not make you feel horrible.
That man that I met here must have been a gift from God. I am pretty sure that even you don’t know me. Before my encounter with Jesus that day, I have always tried to keep to myself. When people refer to me, they still call me that woman – that Samaritan women. I am the one they all talk about - the one who has had five husbands and now lives with someone who is not my husband. I know what they say about me. That is why I come here alone every day for my water. Years from now, I imagine, people will tell the story of my meeting Jesus and they still will still not know my name. They will just talk about my life and assume that I am a bad person. People think they know my story, but they only know bits and pieces. They know that I have been married many times, but they do not know why. They know that I am living with a man to whom I am not married, but they do not know the reason. That is why I now come here alone. I used to come with the rest of the women. We would come here first thing in the morning, before the sun got hot, and draw our water for the day. It was a time to talk and laugh together. It was a time to share stories and tears, but I got tired of their snide comments, and judgmental looks. So I just started coming late, at midday. While it is the warmest time of the day, and that makes carrying the water difficult, and it is so much easier than dealing with them. I come here at noon because it is safe. At least it always was, until the other day.
I am walking down that road, my jug on my head, as I always do. That is when I see him; a man sitting on the edge of the wall by this well. From his clothes I can tell he is not from here. My heart starts to beat faster. In my mind I am saying: "Who is this man? Why is he here alone? Maybe I should turn around and come back later." But it is too late. He has already seen me. I could tell that he is a Jew. What is a Jew doing in Samaria? They usually go out of their way, a two day walk out of their way, to avoid Samaria. I was hoping that perhaps he would move away as I got to the well. This is an encounter that I was not looking forward to. Then he speaks: "Shalom". He is waiting for a response. No one is within sight, so it seems all right to answer him. "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" No man speaks to a lone woman by himself, in any culture that is disrespectful. But Samaritans and Jews have not spoken for any reason for generations. He says to me: "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink', you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." I have no idea what he is talking about. I think maybe the heat or the lack of water has confused this man, so I shift my focus to his original request for a drink. I look for a cup or bucket, but he has nothing, literally nothing - not even a sack for clothes or food. This man is alone and empty handed. Obviously he needs my help. I reach for my jug and say to him: "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?" He reaches out and takes hold of the jug with me and together we draw the water from the well. His hands are strong, yet gentle. As he drinks, His words are so strange. I still have no idea what he is talking about. He doesn’t even have a bucket and he is talking to me about living water. Living Water – what does that mean? Water where I will thirst no more? What does that mean? Water is not intended to quench our thirst forever- what is he talking about?
That’s when he gets into my business and tells me to go and get my husband. The fact that I have had many relationships is not my fault- They all died, and I had to continue marrying my husband’s brothers. Joshua – the youngest refuses to marry me – he wants to find a wife of his own. But I still have to live in his house. As he is talking to me, to ease my tension, I choose to use a little humour and flattery. "Sir", I say, "I see that you are a prophet." Then I decide to change the topic completely. "Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain", I tell him, "but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." I think maybe this topic will engage is in a conversation about our different religious cultures. His response is, again, full of words and phrases that I cannot understand. He says something about the future when we will worship in spirit and truth. It is all so confusing and the sun is so hot. I just want to get my water and go home. There will never be a day when we will come out of our own small worlds to try to understand people who are not like us. But then again, this man, this Jesus is a good example of a God who loves everybody all over the world, wherever they may be. Maybe the day will come when we will be able to worship God whenever and wherever we are. But anyway, thinking I might be able to end the conversation and be on my way, I say to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will make all things clear to us." That is when he says it - a statement which opens my eyes to this stranger. "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." I stand silently before him. Looking down at the ground, I think to myself "How could he have known everything about me? Why else would I have been led to this man? Why else would I have not run away in fear if he is not who he says he is?" In that moment it is as if all of my shame, my fears and the years of self-judgement fall away.
Then, the well from within me that has been dry for so long, begins to overflow. Tears pour down my face. My broken heart cracks open. In that moment I feel, for the first time in my life, an inner peace and new sense of life bubbling forth from deep inside. This is more love and acceptance than I have ever known. I lift my head to meet his eyes. With my newfound sense of inner joy and peace, I turn and run all the way back to the village. I even forget my water jug. Out of breath, I struggle to tell everyone that I meet what has happened and I urge them, compel them, to go to the well themselves and meet this man. What makes this whole experience so extraordinary is that they listen to me. They believe me. Me, this woman whom they have shunned, who has never been called by name. They listen, and they believe. Because of that day, my hope for life has been renewed. People will still tell awful stories about me. There will be many more who will still never know my name. However, many will believe because of me. Jesus stayed for two more days, teaching and healing. We spoke together before he left and he told me that many believed because of my testimony. Me - the woman with no name. I have helped the Messiah reach a whole community.
You still don’t know me. It doesn't really matter to me but my story might matter to someone else. There are many in this world who have stories to tell that are silenced by those who would judge them because of how they look, where they live, how they speak, whom they love. As you travel through you life, encountering those who are different from you, whose stories you know only partially, walk gently and try to leave your assumptions and your judgements here at the well. In life, we all have a story to tell, we all have secrets that we don’t want others to know, we are all searching for answers, and waiting, waiting for that encounter with the messiah. Waiting for that moment when our lives will changed forever. When we can move in our lives from ignorance to enlightenment, from misunderstanding to understanding and from suffering to a hope that will sustain us. May God bring you those people and those moments in your journey of life. The man who met me here, has a living water for everyone. It is not just for those who can make to the well, but it is for all.
It is a living water that will quench even the driest thirst. You do not know my name and it is too late for you to know it now. However, it is not too late for you to know the names of those you walk beside or past every day. This place for me is now holy ground for in this place I came to know that I am loved. My hope is that someday all people will be able to walk to a well like this with hearts full of joy and love, and their thoughts blessed with the sweetness of his name. I have to leave you now, but I will leave my jug behind. May it be a reminder of all that has happened here. Let us pray…Amen.
This monologue was adapted from:Rev. Judith M. EvendenSupply Minister - Flinton-Cloyne Pastoral Charge,The United Church of CanadaBox 70, Flinton, ON K0H 1P0Phone: 613-336-2655EMail: revfcpc@sympatico.ca
That man that I met here must have been a gift from God. I am pretty sure that even you don’t know me. Before my encounter with Jesus that day, I have always tried to keep to myself. When people refer to me, they still call me that woman – that Samaritan women. I am the one they all talk about - the one who has had five husbands and now lives with someone who is not my husband. I know what they say about me. That is why I come here alone every day for my water. Years from now, I imagine, people will tell the story of my meeting Jesus and they still will still not know my name. They will just talk about my life and assume that I am a bad person. People think they know my story, but they only know bits and pieces. They know that I have been married many times, but they do not know why. They know that I am living with a man to whom I am not married, but they do not know the reason. That is why I now come here alone. I used to come with the rest of the women. We would come here first thing in the morning, before the sun got hot, and draw our water for the day. It was a time to talk and laugh together. It was a time to share stories and tears, but I got tired of their snide comments, and judgmental looks. So I just started coming late, at midday. While it is the warmest time of the day, and that makes carrying the water difficult, and it is so much easier than dealing with them. I come here at noon because it is safe. At least it always was, until the other day.
I am walking down that road, my jug on my head, as I always do. That is when I see him; a man sitting on the edge of the wall by this well. From his clothes I can tell he is not from here. My heart starts to beat faster. In my mind I am saying: "Who is this man? Why is he here alone? Maybe I should turn around and come back later." But it is too late. He has already seen me. I could tell that he is a Jew. What is a Jew doing in Samaria? They usually go out of their way, a two day walk out of their way, to avoid Samaria. I was hoping that perhaps he would move away as I got to the well. This is an encounter that I was not looking forward to. Then he speaks: "Shalom". He is waiting for a response. No one is within sight, so it seems all right to answer him. "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" No man speaks to a lone woman by himself, in any culture that is disrespectful. But Samaritans and Jews have not spoken for any reason for generations. He says to me: "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink', you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." I have no idea what he is talking about. I think maybe the heat or the lack of water has confused this man, so I shift my focus to his original request for a drink. I look for a cup or bucket, but he has nothing, literally nothing - not even a sack for clothes or food. This man is alone and empty handed. Obviously he needs my help. I reach for my jug and say to him: "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?" He reaches out and takes hold of the jug with me and together we draw the water from the well. His hands are strong, yet gentle. As he drinks, His words are so strange. I still have no idea what he is talking about. He doesn’t even have a bucket and he is talking to me about living water. Living Water – what does that mean? Water where I will thirst no more? What does that mean? Water is not intended to quench our thirst forever- what is he talking about?
That’s when he gets into my business and tells me to go and get my husband. The fact that I have had many relationships is not my fault- They all died, and I had to continue marrying my husband’s brothers. Joshua – the youngest refuses to marry me – he wants to find a wife of his own. But I still have to live in his house. As he is talking to me, to ease my tension, I choose to use a little humour and flattery. "Sir", I say, "I see that you are a prophet." Then I decide to change the topic completely. "Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain", I tell him, "but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." I think maybe this topic will engage is in a conversation about our different religious cultures. His response is, again, full of words and phrases that I cannot understand. He says something about the future when we will worship in spirit and truth. It is all so confusing and the sun is so hot. I just want to get my water and go home. There will never be a day when we will come out of our own small worlds to try to understand people who are not like us. But then again, this man, this Jesus is a good example of a God who loves everybody all over the world, wherever they may be. Maybe the day will come when we will be able to worship God whenever and wherever we are. But anyway, thinking I might be able to end the conversation and be on my way, I say to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will make all things clear to us." That is when he says it - a statement which opens my eyes to this stranger. "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." I stand silently before him. Looking down at the ground, I think to myself "How could he have known everything about me? Why else would I have been led to this man? Why else would I have not run away in fear if he is not who he says he is?" In that moment it is as if all of my shame, my fears and the years of self-judgement fall away.
Then, the well from within me that has been dry for so long, begins to overflow. Tears pour down my face. My broken heart cracks open. In that moment I feel, for the first time in my life, an inner peace and new sense of life bubbling forth from deep inside. This is more love and acceptance than I have ever known. I lift my head to meet his eyes. With my newfound sense of inner joy and peace, I turn and run all the way back to the village. I even forget my water jug. Out of breath, I struggle to tell everyone that I meet what has happened and I urge them, compel them, to go to the well themselves and meet this man. What makes this whole experience so extraordinary is that they listen to me. They believe me. Me, this woman whom they have shunned, who has never been called by name. They listen, and they believe. Because of that day, my hope for life has been renewed. People will still tell awful stories about me. There will be many more who will still never know my name. However, many will believe because of me. Jesus stayed for two more days, teaching and healing. We spoke together before he left and he told me that many believed because of my testimony. Me - the woman with no name. I have helped the Messiah reach a whole community.
You still don’t know me. It doesn't really matter to me but my story might matter to someone else. There are many in this world who have stories to tell that are silenced by those who would judge them because of how they look, where they live, how they speak, whom they love. As you travel through you life, encountering those who are different from you, whose stories you know only partially, walk gently and try to leave your assumptions and your judgements here at the well. In life, we all have a story to tell, we all have secrets that we don’t want others to know, we are all searching for answers, and waiting, waiting for that encounter with the messiah. Waiting for that moment when our lives will changed forever. When we can move in our lives from ignorance to enlightenment, from misunderstanding to understanding and from suffering to a hope that will sustain us. May God bring you those people and those moments in your journey of life. The man who met me here, has a living water for everyone. It is not just for those who can make to the well, but it is for all.
It is a living water that will quench even the driest thirst. You do not know my name and it is too late for you to know it now. However, it is not too late for you to know the names of those you walk beside or past every day. This place for me is now holy ground for in this place I came to know that I am loved. My hope is that someday all people will be able to walk to a well like this with hearts full of joy and love, and their thoughts blessed with the sweetness of his name. I have to leave you now, but I will leave my jug behind. May it be a reminder of all that has happened here. Let us pray…Amen.
This monologue was adapted from:Rev. Judith M. EvendenSupply Minister - Flinton-Cloyne Pastoral Charge,The United Church of CanadaBox 70, Flinton, ON K0H 1P0Phone: 613-336-2655EMail: revfcpc@sympatico.ca
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