I am recovering from highs and lows. In just one week, I have joined others in prayers for a friend having a liver transplant; two friends with prostate issues; a young man and young woman both diagnosed with dreaded diseases; a friend’s mother in her last days; and of course my own lingering grief issues. But I have also celebrated with friends getting married, shopped with a special bride-to-be, lunched with a dear mother-to-be, joined my church family in serving the community, shot a pretty decent first round of golf for the season, and rejoiced at the daffodils blooms and lettuces and peas bursting into growth with the warming temperatures. Winter is past. New life is coming.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday and the message was one of celebration and sorrow. The procession and music was all praise and worship. The sanctuary was beautifully adorned with palm branches. Thinking I would sit in church and find restoration after a rocky week only led me further to the paradox of the cross. I left with the full knowledge of this Holy Week and the steps that would lead to death on a cross. Jesus set the example. We must go there too – to the cross, that is. In our faith, we are instructed to put everything – all of our celebration and all of our sorrow – at the foot of the cross, giving it all to the One who set the example. Embracing the cross is easier when we are not carrying around all of our pride, sorrow, and shame. It is just hard to let it go. We cling desperately to our things, our dreams, and our expectations.
Two years ago, I wrote, “If we look closely, we all find ourselves somewhere between celebration and sorrow, light and dark, life and death. The big moments of life – birth, death, marriage, anniversaries, achievements – tragedies – all seem to mark the years, but the day-to-day is where our faith steps in and decides if we will face each day with celebration or sorrow.”
The day after Palm Sunday, Jesus began to face His sorrows. It was anything but celebratory. The turning of the water into wine at the wedding was just a memory. Things were now serious and His ministry was about to be completed. He charged forward – resolutely, rebuking the people in the temple, correcting His mounting accusers, never turning away from the growing momentum of impending sorrow. That was the message from the Palm Sunday sermon – we must keep the faith as we walk the difficult roads. We must get to know Jesus and live the way He lived – in the good times and the bad, as we celebrate or as we face death – He shows us the way for all of life and wants to be our best friend. We can face the difficult times when our eyes are “fixed”on Jesus. Why is it then that we just don’t want to know Him very well? Why is it that we don’t spend too much time with Him?
The good news is that sorrow for the believer in Christ always leads to celebration. Death does not have a victory. In fact, death itself will be destroyed. Imagine that! God’s ability to restore life is beyond understanding. I just have to trust it and wait for it. It’s like spring in the garden. I have to wait for the new buds and the sprouting of seeds. I watch closely every day. New life. I love it.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Cutting Up A Chicken
It sat on the kitchen counter whole – like a puzzle that had been successfully put together, and now it was my job to dissect the puzzle, piece by piece, with the hope that I could cut and carve the familiar assortment of chicken parts. I set out with kitchen shears and a sharp knife. I must say detaching the leg quarter is a confidence builder. You just have to learn how to find the joints and that becomes your clue as to where to make the cut. You can leave it whole or separate the leg quarter at the joint to double the number of pieces. I left it whole. Removing the wings is the next step and is similar to the leg in that you can separate the drummette from the wing to double that. I left those intact. Then it gets tricky. You can split the breast down the middle from the ribs or from the underneath side, yielding two pieces or four pieces, depending on your skill level. I stayed with two larger pieces.
What prompted all of this is simple – whole chickens were on sale. Plus I had a new recipe that I wanted to try in my cazuela (clay cooking pot) I had impulsively bought in Mexico. I have these wonderful memories of my mother cutting up chickens – it was almost an art form to watch her, deftly and effortlessly, create a meal from a bird she had managed to catch on our farm. Having watched her, I thought I could do it. And I did. After an afternoon of gardening, we sat down to a nicely roasted chicken that had simmered for several hours in garlic, lemon juice, bay leaf, and wine. Tasty.
We surprise ourselves sometimes. We see something – like a chicken on sale - and even though we are standing in the grocery, our minds are somewhere lost in childhood, reliving a cooking lesson. We take our past experiences and combine them with our present needs for food, and with a little dash of creativity and skill we get to work. We offer it to others with the hope that all we have put into the effort is somehow understood. When that happens, magic occurs and there is delicious appreciation.
I guess it really doesn’t matter how you cut up a chicken. Sometimes we focus more on the technique than our willingness to try and our attitude in the process. We become so intent on all the pieces looking just like the book instructs that we forget that we are reliving some wonderful memories that are unique only to us. We become chicken nuggets, all uniform in size and shape, and cannot even distinguish between the white and dark meat. We become bored with daily responsibilities, forgetting that each day God gives us new opportunities for a rich and abundant life that is ours to develop and grow. I think it is called living in the present.
I am going to buy another whole chicken next week and instead of six pieces, I am going to try for twelve. Who knows, maybe I will get out the heavy iron skillet and fry it.
What prompted all of this is simple – whole chickens were on sale. Plus I had a new recipe that I wanted to try in my cazuela (clay cooking pot) I had impulsively bought in Mexico. I have these wonderful memories of my mother cutting up chickens – it was almost an art form to watch her, deftly and effortlessly, create a meal from a bird she had managed to catch on our farm. Having watched her, I thought I could do it. And I did. After an afternoon of gardening, we sat down to a nicely roasted chicken that had simmered for several hours in garlic, lemon juice, bay leaf, and wine. Tasty.
We surprise ourselves sometimes. We see something – like a chicken on sale - and even though we are standing in the grocery, our minds are somewhere lost in childhood, reliving a cooking lesson. We take our past experiences and combine them with our present needs for food, and with a little dash of creativity and skill we get to work. We offer it to others with the hope that all we have put into the effort is somehow understood. When that happens, magic occurs and there is delicious appreciation.
I guess it really doesn’t matter how you cut up a chicken. Sometimes we focus more on the technique than our willingness to try and our attitude in the process. We become so intent on all the pieces looking just like the book instructs that we forget that we are reliving some wonderful memories that are unique only to us. We become chicken nuggets, all uniform in size and shape, and cannot even distinguish between the white and dark meat. We become bored with daily responsibilities, forgetting that each day God gives us new opportunities for a rich and abundant life that is ours to develop and grow. I think it is called living in the present.
I am going to buy another whole chicken next week and instead of six pieces, I am going to try for twelve. Who knows, maybe I will get out the heavy iron skillet and fry it.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Time to Plant
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1
This morning my friend and I watched as the American Robins feasted on the red holly berries – not one or two, but lots of Robins, feasting on the goodness of nature, gulping down the red berries - stuffing themselves with a hearty communal breakfast before setting about their task of building their first nest of the season. I love it that they stick together – friends – enjoying the bounty provided for them before launching into their work of the season.
For birds, that work is nesting. For gardeners, it is planting. I am back in my garden, launching the effort for 2010. The first warm days sent me scurrying out to spread compost, sharpen tools, and buy seeds. I have been watching the sun, trying to anticipate its path for optimum benefit for my small kitchen garden. And I am finding new places to reclaim for my much desired tomatoes – a place that’s not only sunnier, but in full view of the squirrels who are also watching me, anticipating the juicy, succulent fruit as much as I am. This year, I am determined to eat more tomatoes than those little pests. If I am successful, there will be plenty for both of us.
So I planted some cool weather vegetables. Brussel Sprouts seem to be an in-style veggie, so I planted those. I am envisioning cutting the little cabbages off the stalk, cutting them in half and saut̩ing them. I also planted two rows of sugar snap peas and created a trellis for them to climb toward the sun Рwith those I imagine a nice stir fry. I planted some lettuce varieties and onions and radishes and my mouth can already taste that first spring salad Рestimated time until eating Р65 days!
What I love about all of this is others are growing things too. Our church is starting a community garden. My neighborhood has garden plots and we are chatting about things like manure and bone meal and all of us are dreaming of the fruits of our effort. It’s fresh and promising. If you haven’t stuck your bare hands down into the earth, pushed little seeds down into the soil and covered them like you were bedding down a baby, you haven’t lived. See, there is this promise of growth – that with the sunshine and the rain and the warming temperatures and our nurturing, those little seeds will sprout and grow and climb and bear fruit. And so we must tend the garden.
Solomon made some serious observations about the way we live – “a season for every activity under heaven”. And the Byrds sang it – you know the words – turn, turn, turn. Solomon also said that God has set eternity in the hearts of men and we don’t understand it, but we can trust it and enjoy it as he gives us glimpses in creation. Like the little “glimpse” of a fact I noticed watching the weather channel. Of course we all know the days are getting longer. But did you know that the earth turns just enough for the sun to rise one-two minutes earlier each day until June? No more, no less – just a steady, ticking of time, a minute or two a day. I guess that’s why we love spring – the days are longer and we have more light in which to work. Solomon also said that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work. This season - a season of light-filled mornings, longer days, and warmer temperatures we should ask ourselves the question, “Am I enjoying my work?”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
This morning my friend and I watched as the American Robins feasted on the red holly berries – not one or two, but lots of Robins, feasting on the goodness of nature, gulping down the red berries - stuffing themselves with a hearty communal breakfast before setting about their task of building their first nest of the season. I love it that they stick together – friends – enjoying the bounty provided for them before launching into their work of the season.
For birds, that work is nesting. For gardeners, it is planting. I am back in my garden, launching the effort for 2010. The first warm days sent me scurrying out to spread compost, sharpen tools, and buy seeds. I have been watching the sun, trying to anticipate its path for optimum benefit for my small kitchen garden. And I am finding new places to reclaim for my much desired tomatoes – a place that’s not only sunnier, but in full view of the squirrels who are also watching me, anticipating the juicy, succulent fruit as much as I am. This year, I am determined to eat more tomatoes than those little pests. If I am successful, there will be plenty for both of us.
So I planted some cool weather vegetables. Brussel Sprouts seem to be an in-style veggie, so I planted those. I am envisioning cutting the little cabbages off the stalk, cutting them in half and saut̩ing them. I also planted two rows of sugar snap peas and created a trellis for them to climb toward the sun Рwith those I imagine a nice stir fry. I planted some lettuce varieties and onions and radishes and my mouth can already taste that first spring salad Рestimated time until eating Р65 days!
What I love about all of this is others are growing things too. Our church is starting a community garden. My neighborhood has garden plots and we are chatting about things like manure and bone meal and all of us are dreaming of the fruits of our effort. It’s fresh and promising. If you haven’t stuck your bare hands down into the earth, pushed little seeds down into the soil and covered them like you were bedding down a baby, you haven’t lived. See, there is this promise of growth – that with the sunshine and the rain and the warming temperatures and our nurturing, those little seeds will sprout and grow and climb and bear fruit. And so we must tend the garden.
Solomon made some serious observations about the way we live – “a season for every activity under heaven”. And the Byrds sang it – you know the words – turn, turn, turn. Solomon also said that God has set eternity in the hearts of men and we don’t understand it, but we can trust it and enjoy it as he gives us glimpses in creation. Like the little “glimpse” of a fact I noticed watching the weather channel. Of course we all know the days are getting longer. But did you know that the earth turns just enough for the sun to rise one-two minutes earlier each day until June? No more, no less – just a steady, ticking of time, a minute or two a day. I guess that’s why we love spring – the days are longer and we have more light in which to work. Solomon also said that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work. This season - a season of light-filled mornings, longer days, and warmer temperatures we should ask ourselves the question, “Am I enjoying my work?”
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Signs of Spring
The coldest days of winter seem to come just before spring. I felt it this morning as I walked, layered in warm clothes to fight off the biting wind. Still, the bitter chill stung my nose and forced me to quicken my steps and speed up my thinking. I wanted to come home and write and I looked for new inspiration. I had a few fleeting thoughts, but the cold snatched them away before I could file them in my memory.
Fleeting thoughts are just that sometimes. They come to us and we think “Wow!” capturing what we feel to be a brilliant idea and then we return to our driveway and discover we left our best ideas somewhere on the other side of the street. So we backtrack and try to hunt them down. I have resorted to a pen and paper stuck in my pocket – or even geekier, am learning how to record a few buzzwords on my Blackberry. Bodey, my Black Lab looks at me like, “Have you lost your mind? Could we just walk and enjoy this morning?”.
It would not be true to say I have not written since my last posting. In January, I committed to finish my book. I thought I had an organized story, using much of my journaling through the time of Megan’s illness and death. But, as I would reread and reread, I knew the story had to be told differently. So I did what I read about good writers doing - I started over, changed the arrangement of the book in many ways, but not the story, and have now - knock on wood - completed it and handed it over to an editor.
The day I finished the final chapter and delivered the book was like taking Blair, my youngest child, to her first day of school. Those special years as a mom were now over and life would take on a different look. This book was sort of like my child in many ways. I had fed it, nurtured it, corrected it, and tended to its needs. I could be with it all day, return to a chapter at any time, and remember and relive those special and mysterious days. I could cry freely as I rewrote a paragraph or laugh over a sweet memory. And as I handed the book over, for a moment I felt that I was letting go of Megan all over again. My editor seemed to understand and gently took it from my hands.
And now without the book to “care for” each day, my hands are empty, but there is still so much to say. I wonder if God will continue to allow me to use his voice through my writing. I know good writers must find their own voice. How like God to freely give us what we cannot find on our own. He has taught me so much and I feel that maybe he will trust me with my own voice in time.
In her book on writing, Bird by Bird, Ann Lamott said “You are going to have to give and give and give and give, or there’s no reason for you to be writing. You have to give from the deepest part of yourself, and you are going to have to go on giving, and the giving is going to have to be its own reward. There is no cosmic importance to your getting something published, but there is in learning to be a giver”.
And so I am back at my desk, working to find my voice, learning to be a giver, and trying to remember what it was I wanted to say. My Blackberry reminds me:
the coldest days are just before spring,
night before day,
death before life,
the darkest night is just before dawn
weeping lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning
The book is finished, but the story is not over. Spring is coming.
Fleeting thoughts are just that sometimes. They come to us and we think “Wow!” capturing what we feel to be a brilliant idea and then we return to our driveway and discover we left our best ideas somewhere on the other side of the street. So we backtrack and try to hunt them down. I have resorted to a pen and paper stuck in my pocket – or even geekier, am learning how to record a few buzzwords on my Blackberry. Bodey, my Black Lab looks at me like, “Have you lost your mind? Could we just walk and enjoy this morning?”.
It would not be true to say I have not written since my last posting. In January, I committed to finish my book. I thought I had an organized story, using much of my journaling through the time of Megan’s illness and death. But, as I would reread and reread, I knew the story had to be told differently. So I did what I read about good writers doing - I started over, changed the arrangement of the book in many ways, but not the story, and have now - knock on wood - completed it and handed it over to an editor.
The day I finished the final chapter and delivered the book was like taking Blair, my youngest child, to her first day of school. Those special years as a mom were now over and life would take on a different look. This book was sort of like my child in many ways. I had fed it, nurtured it, corrected it, and tended to its needs. I could be with it all day, return to a chapter at any time, and remember and relive those special and mysterious days. I could cry freely as I rewrote a paragraph or laugh over a sweet memory. And as I handed the book over, for a moment I felt that I was letting go of Megan all over again. My editor seemed to understand and gently took it from my hands.
And now without the book to “care for” each day, my hands are empty, but there is still so much to say. I wonder if God will continue to allow me to use his voice through my writing. I know good writers must find their own voice. How like God to freely give us what we cannot find on our own. He has taught me so much and I feel that maybe he will trust me with my own voice in time.
In her book on writing, Bird by Bird, Ann Lamott said “You are going to have to give and give and give and give, or there’s no reason for you to be writing. You have to give from the deepest part of yourself, and you are going to have to go on giving, and the giving is going to have to be its own reward. There is no cosmic importance to your getting something published, but there is in learning to be a giver”.
And so I am back at my desk, working to find my voice, learning to be a giver, and trying to remember what it was I wanted to say. My Blackberry reminds me:
the coldest days are just before spring,
night before day,
death before life,
the darkest night is just before dawn
weeping lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning
The book is finished, but the story is not over. Spring is coming.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Another Fresh Start
The quiet ticking of my clock reminds me to finish up my work for this year. It’s about over. A new one starts in a few hours. Finish Up! Get re-organized to start again. Forget what you didn’t get accomplished and start again. Hurry! Put away the decorations and get the dates in your new calendar. 2010 is here! We start with fresh expectations. We resolve to do things differently, or to stop doing some things. We make promises. We commit anew. We have 365 new days ahead of us.
The last reading for the year in a devotional book makes it pretty simple. Psalm 62:5 says “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation.” And the gift of Christmas in 2009 was and is Jesus, God’s Son. Scripture said during Advent, “Thou shall call His name Jesus for he shall save His people from their sins.” What sins? We’re basically good people, but who has not experienced fear, doubt, impatience, a critical spirit, boredom, depression, laziness, insecurity, insensitivity, and all the rest. You name some.
Scripture says that Jesus came so that we might experience a joyful, abundant, and productive life. He walks beside of us and wants to help us through this year. And He is able and ready to start. He just asks us to return to Him, to wait on Him, to place our expectation in Him. How freeing is that? The world will never satisfy our heart’s inner longings. We can run, work, shop, exercise, and eat until we are exhausted and yet we will never be content or much less have any joy. We will just continue to run away. But Jesus knows us and knows our every need and pursues us. He can meet us where we hurt, where we struggle and can fill every desire and hope. Jesus is enough.
It is why I have chosen “Jesus” as my word for the year. He has become my very close friend. He has walked beside of me through life – celebrating joys and comforting breaking hearts. He has given me his gifts of nature, family, and friends. He has provided an abundant life in the midst of some difficult days. He has met all my needs. I shared this poem in December 2008. It seems to be appropriate each year. I do not know the author – maybe Jesus.
I Am The New Year
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life during the past 12 months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve,
is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but did not dare to do,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have –
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew
your allegiance to HIM who said,
“BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”
I AM THE NEW YEAR
The last reading for the year in a devotional book makes it pretty simple. Psalm 62:5 says “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation.” And the gift of Christmas in 2009 was and is Jesus, God’s Son. Scripture said during Advent, “Thou shall call His name Jesus for he shall save His people from their sins.” What sins? We’re basically good people, but who has not experienced fear, doubt, impatience, a critical spirit, boredom, depression, laziness, insecurity, insensitivity, and all the rest. You name some.
Scripture says that Jesus came so that we might experience a joyful, abundant, and productive life. He walks beside of us and wants to help us through this year. And He is able and ready to start. He just asks us to return to Him, to wait on Him, to place our expectation in Him. How freeing is that? The world will never satisfy our heart’s inner longings. We can run, work, shop, exercise, and eat until we are exhausted and yet we will never be content or much less have any joy. We will just continue to run away. But Jesus knows us and knows our every need and pursues us. He can meet us where we hurt, where we struggle and can fill every desire and hope. Jesus is enough.
It is why I have chosen “Jesus” as my word for the year. He has become my very close friend. He has walked beside of me through life – celebrating joys and comforting breaking hearts. He has given me his gifts of nature, family, and friends. He has provided an abundant life in the midst of some difficult days. He has met all my needs. I shared this poem in December 2008. It seems to be appropriate each year. I do not know the author – maybe Jesus.
I Am The New Year
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life during the past 12 months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve,
is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but did not dare to do,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have –
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew
your allegiance to HIM who said,
“BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”
I AM THE NEW YEAR
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Finding Christmas – An Epiphany
It is December 26th. All is calm and all is bright. I suppose everyone is mostly resting. Some are traveling. Some have not had enough shopping and have returned to the stores to find more of whatever it is they are looking for. But I was drawn to my desk in the quiet and picked up a quote written on a note from a friend:
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." (Roy L. Smith)
This morning I am wondering if you found Christmas. Did it meet your expectations? Do you feel full of joy and hope as you participated in your traditions? I was reminded early in the season when we idly watched the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. There was a conversation between Charlie and Lucy that went something like this:
Charlie Brown:”I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed. “
Lucy : “Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”
And so this morning, the day after Christmas, when the tree all of a sudden looks a little tired, the beautiful wrapping paper is crumpled in the trash, the dog has already destroyed his new toy, and the refrigerator is bulging with too many leftovers, we could suddenly feel depressed. Part of us thinks, “It’s over. Just clean it up and put it all away.”
But is it over? Do we have to “put it away”? If Christmas resides in our hearts, couldn’t it simply continue through the year? Could Christmas be the hope of things to come? Could Christmas Day be a day of new beginnings and fresh starts? I can look at the calendar and find my answer. Our Christian calendar moves now into this time of Epiphany. It means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." The word itself most often means that “ah-ha” moment when we “get it”. Sometimes it is like a lightning bolt – like the shepherds being scared out of their wits with the message of the angels. Other times it slowly comes – like the Magi who traveled for a few years, seeking the star that led them. And because our epitaph has not yet been written, we can all experience epiphany.
I have never given much thought to Epiphany until today, but as I learn and reflect on it, I love the way it continues our Christmas season – the twelve days of Christmas starts today and goes until January 6. Remember the song The Twelve Days of Christmas? It has been debated whether the song is secular or religious. Some say it was developed in the 16th century to help children learn the catechism with the “true love” being God himself and the “me” representing every believer who is part of the Christian faith, and the “days” representing some aspect of the faith to learn. I like that. Others would argue it is purely secular and created just for frivolity.
I love what Dennis Bratcher of the Christian Resource Institute/Voice wrote about Epiphany and his explanation of the 12 days of Christmas.
“Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas. Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?”
The Twelve Days of Christmas
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)
Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." (Roy L. Smith)
This morning I am wondering if you found Christmas. Did it meet your expectations? Do you feel full of joy and hope as you participated in your traditions? I was reminded early in the season when we idly watched the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. There was a conversation between Charlie and Lucy that went something like this:
Charlie Brown:”I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed. “
Lucy : “Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”
And so this morning, the day after Christmas, when the tree all of a sudden looks a little tired, the beautiful wrapping paper is crumpled in the trash, the dog has already destroyed his new toy, and the refrigerator is bulging with too many leftovers, we could suddenly feel depressed. Part of us thinks, “It’s over. Just clean it up and put it all away.”
But is it over? Do we have to “put it away”? If Christmas resides in our hearts, couldn’t it simply continue through the year? Could Christmas be the hope of things to come? Could Christmas Day be a day of new beginnings and fresh starts? I can look at the calendar and find my answer. Our Christian calendar moves now into this time of Epiphany. It means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." The word itself most often means that “ah-ha” moment when we “get it”. Sometimes it is like a lightning bolt – like the shepherds being scared out of their wits with the message of the angels. Other times it slowly comes – like the Magi who traveled for a few years, seeking the star that led them. And because our epitaph has not yet been written, we can all experience epiphany.
I have never given much thought to Epiphany until today, but as I learn and reflect on it, I love the way it continues our Christmas season – the twelve days of Christmas starts today and goes until January 6. Remember the song The Twelve Days of Christmas? It has been debated whether the song is secular or religious. Some say it was developed in the 16th century to help children learn the catechism with the “true love” being God himself and the “me” representing every believer who is part of the Christian faith, and the “days” representing some aspect of the faith to learn. I like that. Others would argue it is purely secular and created just for frivolity.
I love what Dennis Bratcher of the Christian Resource Institute/Voice wrote about Epiphany and his explanation of the 12 days of Christmas.
“Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas. Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?”
The Twelve Days of Christmas
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)
Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Pondering The Path of Peace
They say we might have some snow on Christmas Day! And I say “Let it snow!” The magic of quiet snow falling on Christmas morning - oh, just the thought of it takes me back remembering Christmases in Kentucky on my snow-covered hill-top home – the wonder, the beauty, the silence. It can happen anywhere that the heart makes room.
In January of 2008 Atlanta was covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. I couldn’t resist but to take a few pictures in the garden that now looked so fresh and new even in the bleak of our winter of great sadness. St. Francis looked especially peaceful and content with a white cap warming his head. His presence standing strong there in the garden offered me a new appreciation for the man who gave up all of his worldly goods to be an instrument of peace during his life.
After visiting his birthplace and the city for which he is named, I came home and disciplined myself to memorize one of his prayers – maybe the one for which he is most remembered. Let’s see if I can say it for you:
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
What strikes me today is that in the first line, the prayer asks the Lord to make me an instrument of HIS peace. I may not ever find my own peace and that is what we ponder so much, trying to make sense of life and its ups and downs. But I can, in the midst of pondering offer to be used – to be an instrument of God’s peace – the peace that we seldom understand, but that we have been freely given through the one who comes again at Christmas.
Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Maybe I should return to Target and purchase what caught my eye - the gray T-shirt with the huge peace symbol on the front to remind me to live as an instrument of peace. I confess that I am not always the peacemaker. I do not always sow love, or pardon, or faith, or hope. Sometimes I am dark and sometimes I am sad and lonely even though my home is filled with abundance. That’s why I have memorized the prayer and it is amazing the times during the day when the words come to remind me “sow hope, sow love, understand, pardon, give”. Peace.
I know that Christ wants to infuse peace into all of us. He said so. His peace. Not the peace of a quiet snowfall. Not the peace of singing Silent Night holding a candle. But the opening of our souls to receive Him in our hearts – to take on his characteristics of love and forgiveness, of gentleness and hope and of purpose. But in this age of “it’s all about me” we find it hard to acknowledge our utter neediness and we simply just don’t need Jesus – or very much of him.
This Christmas, open yourself to receive the peace that Jesus brings –now, from eternity past, and forevermore. And in return, offer yourself as an instrument of that kind of peace. Knowing peace is the gift above all gifts.
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