Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Can You Beat That?

There are times when it seems God's timing is off.  Then there are times when you just cannot beat God's timing.

Timing is everything.  Think about it.
When a joke is told, the comedian has to deliver the punch line just at the right time.  Too early or too late and the joke falls dead.   When music is played, the pace of the music as well as when certain notes are to be played or not played make the difference!  Every musician knows the agony of playing when there was a rest.  In cooking, there is the fine line between done, burnt, and raw.   I have experienced all of these!
In faith, there are times when it seems as God is too late.  When Lazarus died, Mary and Martha both told Jesus, "if you had been here...."   The endless hours of prayers that seem to go unanswered.  The wandering in the wildernesses of our lives trying to find the Promise Land--trying to discern where God would have us be.   Most of us have experienced or struggled with this at one point or another.
Then there are the moments when God does only what God can do in God fashion.  In the Old Testament book of Psalms, there is a word, Selah, that is found at different places in the Psalms.  It seemingly comes after a great act of God is proclaimed.  There is no translation of this word.  I remember one of my favorite preachers of yesterday, Willie Poole, said he had figured it out.  Selah is the Hebrew way of saying,  "Can ya beat that?!?!"
We all gathered at Jamie's grave.  I did not know Jamie, but I have come to know him.  He lived a very troubled life.  His life was seemingly either up or down.  The addiction to drugs was a battle that would claim his life.  Family and friends gathered one year later after his death to proclaim their hope and assurance in God's saving grace.
The day was overcast and the sun was being blocked by the clouds that were gathering.  The wind was blowing pretty hard when the service started.  A trace of rain was felt.  But no one moved.
Memories were shared.  Balloons were let go as stories were shared.  Tears were there as well as laughter and smiles.  And then God did what only God can do.
At the end of the service, a half rainbow began to appear in the sky.  Then a WHOLE rainbow appeared in the sky.  For those of us who gathered, it was a sign.  It was God's smile upon the gathering.  It was God's way of reminding us of God's presence and God's power.  In short, it was a moment filled with awe!
Willie's right---Can Ya Beat That?


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

When I Was Hungry....

We can make all kinds of excuses but it does not sit well with God.
Harry Chapin was one of my favorite song writers. I still enjoy listening and playing his music that tells stories. Perhaps you have heard of a few of his songs, Cats in the Cradle or Taxi. He died an untimely death in an auto accident in New York City. Towards the end of his life, Chapin became an advocate for hunger. He was one of the first songwriter/performers to do so. Chapin would end his concert encouraging people to do all they could year round for those who were hungry.
The truth is that we live in a country where there is an abundance of food available. And yet, in 2010, 17.2 million households or one in seven household were classified as food insecure. This means that normal eating patterns and food intake were reduced significantly due to economic factors. This was the highest number ever recorded in the history of the United States. Now I can hear some of you whose heart has been hardened giving good reasons why it is just the fault of those who do not work or do not use their resources wisely. We like the illusion that life can be easy if one will only work and spend wisely. For some, this is simply not true. Besides that, none of this line of thought soothes the aching belly of a child without food.
I am the first to admit that I do not have the answers. But then my inability to answer the problem does not change the fact that Jesus of Nazareth continues to call this to our attention. In the Gospel of Matthew, " when I was hungry, you gave me food..." In several gospels, when he saw the crowds hungry, he fed them. It seems to me that I ought to be concerned about the same things Jesus showed concern about.
It is too easy to just turn away.
In 1990, the Soviet Union had pulled all of its resources from the island of Cuba. Cuban were doing without basic necessities. I led a group of United Methodist pastors to the island to begin working with the Methodist churches on the island. We stayed in the heart of Havana in the Methodist Center. Each evening, a meal was provided for us as guests. The Cubans would not eat with us however. They would eat just before us and then serve us. One evening a little Cuban boy was being held by his mother as we were being served. As the chicken was served, the little boy cried out, "Pollo! Pollo!" The mother quickly held the little boy's arm and asked him to be quiet. Then I realized what I had never realized before--our plates were always filled with meat. The Cuban host and hostess plates never had meat.
It changed my eating habits for the rest of the time I was there. I found a way to share my meat with the children without embarrassing the host. You see, they were going without so that their guests could have meat.
So what can we do? Support the local food banks. Donate food, money, time to help the ministry. If you know of a family that is struggling, go the store that offers buy one get one free and give the one you get for free to that family! Invite those who are struggling to eat with you. Get some gift certificates and have them handy to share with those you might meet.
And the only reason I can give you for doing this comes from a Nazarene preacher man who told a story--"when I was hungry, you fed me".

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Make the Holidays Meaningful

I think I would have liked to be at Lazarus' house during the holidays.
Martha had cooked everything in the kitchen that could be cooked. As people gathered, Mary was the best welcome wagon one could ever have dreamed of having. And Lazarus must have laughed alot--loudly. It is no wonder that scriptures tell us that Jesus would go there as often as possible. When Jesus was at wit's end, he would say to his disciples, "Let's go see what Lazarus is up to!" And then the disciples would cheer!
The holiday season can be one of dread and duty. Reluctant folks cook more than any family can eat thinking that it must be done. Young couples drag their kids to and fro to see everybody in one day. If one does not do what is expected, the manipulators of guilt pour it on hot and heavy. And those who have been trained to respond to this, swallow it hook, line, and sinker.
Now before I am publicly flogged by the mass of those who do not understand what I am saying, hear me out. I think holidays are a great time to share with family and friends. Holidays are a wonderful time to eat more than one should. Holidays are a time to get together. However, I am one who is in favor of creating a holiday that keeps the joy in place. There are other days of the year to do what one must do.
A young couple with two little children made a conscious decision to relax the holiday schedule and obligations. They told both sets of parents that they would not be driving across Texas to see both of them on a certain day. They invited parents to do what parents felt they wanted to do. Instead of cooking the turkey (which neither of them really liked), they decided to cook hamburgers, french fries, and go get ice cream for dessert. The day was spent playing games with the children. There was no schedule of loading and unloading the car.
They received the call of shame and guilt from everyone they expected to call. Instead of reacting though, they assured each of them that they loved and cared about each of them. At the end of the day, they held each other as they watched their children fall asleep on the couch. It was a day they would remember.
For some the holidays will be filled with vacant spots. Vacancy comes from death, moving, or sometimes from kids choosing to carve out their own space. I know what this is like in my own life. Instead of running away from the vacancy, spend time thanking God for the days you were able to be with loved ones at different times and places. Spend time praying for those who are creating new spaces. Then create new spaces in your life's journey. None of us are ever too old to create new space. It may be going to a Community Thanksgiving Meal. It may be new friends or old friends. It may mean a different menu all together. It might be the old menu. Whatever it is, Give Thanks!
A widow was dreading the holidays as they approached. None of her family would be coming. No matter what she said or did, no one was coming. At one point of self pity she said to herself, "Well I guess they would come if I would die!" She came to the conclusion that she was not going to be alone at Thanksgiving or Christmas though. She had heard about a group home for abused women in the community from one of her friends. Through the friends, she was able to make contact with the director. She asked if she might bring a dessert to the home on Thanksgiving Day. The director of the home thought that would be wonderful. So she did.
Her heart was warmed as though it were a hot summer day as she spent the afternoon visiting with the women at the shelter. They laughed and shared stories. The day was truly filled with thanksgiving. What could have been a holiday of bitterness and loneliness had turned into a day of gratitude and new friends.
Life is too short to fill your holidays with little joy or peace.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

One is Too Many

It is a darkness that one cannot understand unless one has been there. If you know the truth of this, let the light of God in--now.



The silence of the church is deafening sometimes. I am as guilty as anyone else in this more than I want to admit. Jesus' words are more relevant than we realize. Scripture holds more power than we can imagine. But we fail to connect that power with real life. But sometimes we make the connection and God does wonderful works.



This Sunday I am preaching about hope. But I am going to dare to speak about hopelessness first. Did you know that studies from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) tell us that about twenty seven percent of teenagers report they have considered taking their own life? Twice as many girls confess this than boys. Twenty three percent of these have actually planned how they would take their own life. Thirteen of these have attempted their plan. If one succeeded, that is too many.


The taking of one's life is a permanent solution to a temporary problem in life--though the problem does not seem like it is temporary at the time. Some are seeking attention and never get the opportunity to get it. Others are emotionally unstable because of life. Some seem really okay on the outside, but are screaming on the inside. Most of the time we are found picking up the pieces. Or worse, we are silent while family and friends pick up the pieces.



I must confess that I wish I had the magic dust or answers to the darkness. The answer I have is the presence of God. Some would like you to think it works like magic dust, but it does not. The answer I have is to always remind people of all ages that God is at work. Life will get better with God's presence. Place your life in the hands of the Great Physician. When you can not see out of the darkness, find someone who can hold the light for you. Grasp the hand of a mentor or companion.



So when it happens, what then? Rely on the grace of God. I understand the grace of God to overcome all things in life---things present, things to come, things behind. Paul says in the book of Romans that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus. I believe it. Do not grieve alone. Worship your way through the grief. Know that God knows what it is like to experience the death of a loved one--a son. And God gives the gift of eternal life.



The darkness is only temporary. Joy comes in the morning. If one takes his/her life in the darkness of the soul, one is too many. If you know of someone who is stuck in this darkness, take their hand. Get help!



One is too many to lose.