Wednesday, October 28, 2009

All Saints Day

A preacher was once asked, "How many were in worship this morning?" The preacher confidently answered, "Thousands!" The person who asked the question laughed, "Your sanctuary will not hold more than 200 at best." The preacher answered, "The church is always filled with the Saints that have gone before us! Worship is all they do!"

Sunday is All Saint Day in many traditions of the faith. It is a day that we remember. Some traditions will light a candle remembering those who have died within the last year. Others will invite members to name aloud those who have long won their reward in heaven. It is about remembering the faithful.

We remember those who loved God more than life itself. They readily sacrificed their life for the sake of the Gospel. We remember those persons in our family that taught us the faith by and word and example. We remember those people in our life that dedicated themselves to the church and its service. They were Sunday School teachers, musicians, Bible teachers, youth counselors, and so on. Service was not a "jail sentence" or "serving time". It was a holy obligation or honor. It was a calling.

The lights of the this weekend for some are not about goblins and witches. The lights that shine are about faithful witness. It is about remember those who treated our life with their presence and their love of God and love of life.

This weekend give thanks for those whose rest is won. And while you are worshipping, if you open your heart and mind, you will not be surprised to feel that worship has more in attendance than one can see!

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Rev. Dr. Jack O'Dell

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

In our worship service, there is a time that has become more meaningful to me than I have ever imagined. It is a time that we call "standing in the gap" in which a situation in life is named (someone in hospice, someone unemployed, someone fighting depression, etc.). I ask members of my congregation to stand in the gap of life for someone. They are to stand and at the appropriate time in the prayer we say their name before God. We intercede in prayer for them.
Do you know the power of someone saying your name before God?
Life is filled with more gaps than we want. The gap is the time when you are so alone in the struggle of life. The gap is when there are no answers but more questions and feelings than one should have. The gap is when you are over there--alone, hurting, and vulnerable.
As Christians we are invited to look for the gaps around us. The Bible teaches us to care for those who are in need. From Joseph saving his brothers from famine even after what they had done to Moses interceding on behalf of those Israelites who had danced around the golden calf again. From the prophet's call to care for the widows, the orphans and seek justice, to the Son of God, Jesus being nailed to the cross. The gaps in life are invitations for God's people to care.
There is great power in having your name said before God by someone who cares.
How different this is from praying for all "those people'. Scatter prayers are those general words that we say because after all, God knows. Scatter prayers require little of us and alot from God.
Gap prayer is about relationships and real life. It means that we get involved in the life of those around us, not to be nosy or negative, but to care. We name those who need God's special care.
I would like encourage you to name folks before God. Stand in the gap for those who are hurting with your prayers to a loving God. Become the Word made flesh.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Jack

Monday, October 19, 2009

Life is fragile. I heard these words today at my sister, Sharon’s memorial service.

Saturday was to be a normal day if I can call any day normal. But then the phone call came. My sister, Sharon, who was recovering from surgery, had complications. Another surgery was scheduled and done. Then life was gone. And life began.

Sharon was the youngest of my twin sisters. She had grieved much 15 years earlier when her twin sister, Karen, died. Our family says that Karen was healed after 10 years of lupus. Nevertheless, the grief was great for all of us.

Sharon was a gifted musician. She could play anything on the organ and piano. It seemed unfair to us the gift she had. She used it well—played for funerals, weddings, and every Sunday morning for a 7:45 worship service at her church. Sharon loved to play games—competitively. The card game, Hand and foot was her latest thrill.

The loss of another sister so quickly has caused great grief in my life. I have found myself hearing a song and weeping. I have found myself laughing at the memory of Sharon’s love of life.

When my twin sisters were young, mom would make them go out to the weeping willow tree in the yard to cut their own switch. It was a time when parents would swat their young ones for misbehaving. To cut your own switch was an extension of the fear. Time passed and the twins did not return with their switch. Mom finally looked out to watch the girls. Karen, the eldest, was cutting different limbs of the willow and using them on Sharon’s legs. They were trying to figure out which one would hurt the least.

That was Sharon—a gifted servant to her family, friends, and even strangers. A few weeks prior to her surgery, she took time to plan and play for a friend of a friend’s funeral.

I will miss her. I will miss her music. I will grieve which is okay. But when the music plays, I will know that she and her twin, Karen, are celebrating in the kingdom of God. My sorrow will be transformed by the power of the living God to a song of joy!

I found Sharon’s Bible. As I skimmed through the pages noting the verses she had underlined, I found many keepsakes from her journey. One of them gave us all good advice: Face the worst. Believe the Best. Do the most you can. Leave the rest to God.

I think those are words of wisdom for me in my loss.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master’s Name,


Rev. M. Jack O’Dell