Sunday's sermon - darkness & light and forgiveness for all.

March 8, 2020

Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 12:1-4a

Psalm 121

Romans 4:1-5,13-17

John 3:1-17

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

We are back in the gospel of John…the one that begins with the word became flesh and lived among us and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  It is from this darkness that Nicodemus approaches Jesus in our gospel lesson today.  I have heard this gospel described as a one act play, where Jesus sits center stage, in the spotlight, even radiating the light that throughout the Gospel, people enter into the light with Jesus, and exit back into darkness. 

Nicodemus comes into Jesus’ presence to question his presence, his mission, his ministry, the reason God sent him into the world, and Jesus responds with a message that confuses Nicodemus and confounds many of us today.  That because God loved the world so greatly that God sent the only begotten Son into the world, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  God did not send the Son into the world, that he might condemn or judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 

Isn’t that the message we all need to hear? 

That God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but rather to save the world. 

We, well at least me, I need to hear this message…that we aren’t enough and like Nicodemus, we don’t understand this great love of God, yet it encompasses us ALL in forgiveness, grace and love.  It calls us into the light – a place we feel uncomfortable - uncomfortable you say?  Didn’t you begin the sermon by saying that Jesus was the light?  Wouldn’t we want to be in the light? 

Yes, I dare say we do want to be in the light. 

Yet it can be a place that is uncomfortable. 

Let me explain. When we step into the light, our whole selves are revealed.  Sometimes we cling to darkness, because we can hide the parts of ourselves we do not like, or do not want others to see.  It’s easier to hide in the dark, just ask any youth that has played flashlight tag in the basement…you want the lights on to find a good spot, but you want them off when someone is trying to find you. 

But even in our unworthiness, we are called into the light, to live, to love and to serve. 

But in the light we see our imperfections, our faults, our foibles, or more importantly we are able to see and notice and point out the imperfections of others.  Am I right?  It is far too easy to spot, call out or make mention of the mistakes and faults of others. 

Why?  Because it takes the eyes off of us…and puts the attention on someone else. 

Who doesn’t like to redirect the attention?  Especially when the attention is on your own faults…I do it, too, friends.  Ugh, and I get frustrated every time it happens. 

So here we have Nicodemus, in the light, in the spotlight, for all of us to see…and when he is there, he is mired in misunderstanding.  He is in the presence of Jesus – the word become flesh – and he doesn’t get it.  He is unable to see the savior in his midst and so he exits the spotlight, he leaves the light, enters back into the darkness on not just the night, but the darkness that is his questions, misunderstandings, and struggle to understand who this Jesus is. 

I want to shout at Nicodemus, no don’t leave…come back…it’s Jesus…the light who has come into the world, not to condemn the world, but rather that the world may be saved through him. 

But I’m shouting into the darkness. 

I’m shouting into my own darkness.  

Because just like Nicodemus, I have a really hard time wrapping my mind around a God who loves the whole world so much that in this way…through the life, death and resurrection of the only Son will show the world this great love. 

I can’t save the world, but if I could, I’m not so sure I would save it the way God does….

I’m still wrapping my mind around this amazing love and grace in our world today. 

In the season of Lent, I’m reading the Chronicles of Narnia.  My dad read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe aloud to me as a kid, and I’ve seen the old PBS production and the newer Disney version of it, but I’ve never read all seven of the books. 

As I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the most familiar story to me, I disliked the character Edmund from the beginning.  He is the one (spoiler alert) who is the big jerk in the story.  He toys with his sister Lucy’s emotions by not believing her experience in Narnia, he makes fun of her, even after having been to Narnia himself, and then he desserts his siblings to side with the White Witch. 

His faults are ever before him. 

And then Edmund is rescued by Aslan's cohort and brought back into the fold. 

That’s the part I want to share right now…

“When the other children woke up the next morning (the had been sleeping on piles of cushions in the pavilion) the first thing they heard – from Mrs. Beaver – was that their brother had been rescued and brought back into camp late last night; and was at that moment with Aslan.  As soon as they had breakfasted they all went out, and there they saw Aslan and Edmund walking together in the dewy grass, apart from the rest of the court. 

There is no need to tell you (and no one ever heard) what Aslan was saying but it was a conversation which Edmund never forgot.  As the others drew nearer Aslan turned to meet them bringing Edmund with him. ‘Here is your brother,’ he said ‘and – there is no need to talk to him about what is past.’” (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis, p. 135-136)

Here is your brother, and – there is no need to talk to him about what is past.

And when Aslan speaks, no one dares question…

But the forgiveness is there…it is gifted to Edmund because of Aslan’s great love.

That my friends, is the wideness in God’s mercy.  God’s mercy flows wider than we could possibly imagine and that is the joy and wonder found in Jesus Christ. 

And each time we question, struggle, wonder, or try to figure our why and where God’s mercy reaches then we’ve missed the point – and we’re right there with Nicodemus. 

But in those moments, in those spaces where God’s grace envelopes us and we are washed in forgiveness and grace and it breaks open our hearts to forgive and love others…well, that’s what it’s like living in the light.  That’s the holy moment of being washed in God’s light and love and face and letting it reveal to others and to ourselves that we are God’s beloved – chosen, called, claimed and sent to share this message in all that we say and do. 

Come, walk in the light…

Love in the light. 

Live in the light…

And now may the peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Lent is coming...what's your practice?

Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday to be exact.  It's the 40 day period leading us to the joyous celebration of Easter.  The season of Lent is a time of repentance, a time to reflect on God's relationship with us and in essence think about and actually address the things that get in the way of God's love and grace in our lives.  The traditional focus in Lent is through prayer, fasting and giving of alms.  

When I was younger, there was a focus on giving something up for Lent.  One year I wanted to give up Brussels spouts.  (Truth is, I didn't like them back then, at all.) Come to find out Lent isn't about giving up things you don't like as much as it is giving things up that take time or space from God's presence in your life.  More recently, there has been a trend to take something on for Lent.  Either an additional devotional practice, a new way for you to serve, or an act of kindness that you extend to different people.  Some people give something up, like a daily cup of coffee from their favorite coffee shop and then donate that money to a charity or church. 

There are lots of options for the season.  This year, since my word of the year is 'intentional,' I want to  be intentional about my focus this Lent.  As I thought about ways to be intentional, I realized that I needed to think about what my goal or hopeful outcome at the end of the season would be. 

I realized that I wanted to help myself develop habits that would help my body, mind, and spirit deepen in relationship with God and with others in these ways:

• To see and experience Jesus every day.  
• To live out my best life (the life that God has in store for me)
• To help me love others more deeply and to be more deeply loved.  

As I thought about the above, I realized that I wanted to add or remove things that would help my emotional, physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing.  I believe all these areas are part of who I am as a child of God and who God created me and calls me to be in the world.  

That being said, I came up with 11 practices/activities/habits to incorporate into the 40 day Lenten journey.  

1) Read the Chronicles of Narnia.  I know as a kid, my dad read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe aloud to me.  (He has a great Aslan voice.)  I have not read the entire series and per recommendation of a friend, Lent would be a good time to read at least the first book in the series.  We'll see how the rest of the books pan out, but I feel like it's a good time to engage with these characters and these stories as we journey to the cross and the empty tomb.  

2) Drink at least 3 nalgenes of water a day.  Some days I'm really good at this and other days, I'm walking around mostly dehydrated.  This is a way to help my body function - run, recover, work, rest and play to the best of its ability.  Not to mention, my body is a gift from God, and I want to take care of it as best as I can.  

3) Write every day.  I've been working through the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron in hopes of helping my inner creative being emerge and begin the process of writing a devotional book.  I've been working through this book as a class.  Part of the class invites the reader to write 3 pages every morning.  I've started this, but want to make this an intentional focus this Lent partly for the opportunity to write, but also the opportunity to reflect on the season and the reading I'm doing this season.  

4) Write down where I see Jesus - every day.  Pretty self explanatory, but a good one to keep track of for 40 days.  

5) Cut out sugar.  I went sugar free in January and I noticed energy and solid workouts without added sugar in my diet.  I'll start this on March 1 (after celebrating my nephew's 6th birthday).  It will take on the form of baked goods, processed foods and candy - not to mention other sugar added items.  

6) Set time for a weekly Artist's Date.  This comes from The Artist's Way.  It is an intentional weekly date with myself to nurture my inner artist and creator.  

7) Nightly check-ins.  A short journal entry to include highs and lows from the day and where I saw Jesus that day, too.  

8) Date night 2X a month.  How does this help me to see Jesus and to live out my best life?  By helping me to love and be loved and experience love and time with my husband.  It is life and spirit giving.  

9) Get 7.5+ hours of sleep each night.  

10) Daily devotions.  My devotional life ebbs and flows.  This 40 day period is a perfect time to enter back into the practice of centering prayer through scripture, poems and meditation.  

11) Weekly friend dates.  Either a walk or a meal or time with a friend - outside of work time to again, help me see God's love in my life and in the lives of my friends.  


And there you have it....my Lenten practice or practices or habits to help me see and experience Jesus every day, live out my best life (the one God is calling me into daily) and to more fully love and be loved.  

What are your practices?  Changes?  Giving something up?  Taking something on?  
What is your 40 day focus?  
Whatever it is, my prayer for you is that it gives you time and space to connect more deeply with the God in whom you believe.  May this journey be the holy trek you need right now.  

+peace

Choose life.

February 16, 2020

6^th Sunday after Epiphany

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 119:1-8

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

Today’s gospel is a hard one to hear, right?  I mean it sounds like we are being hit over the head with the law.  And even with Jesus saying, you have heard that it was said, but I say to you, it seems that the laws being decreed are even stricter.  Not what I’m looking for when wanting to hear the words of Jesus. 

But what happens if we, or when we read these as laws of love?   As laws that call us into leading and living full lives that nurture relationships and community, that bring God to the forefront of all that we say and do? 

Isn’t that who God is calling us to be? 

Isn’t that Jesus command and call for each of us really, to live our best lives?

It’s like God created us and said, this isn’t just good, but this is really good, now go, live your best lives!  And what happened?  We messed up.  Time and time again.  Yet God comes back in with a word of love and the action of grace and sends us on our way again. 

And so here we are…claimed and called to live our best lives.  Yet when we think about living our best lives – it’s not just for ourselves, but for the whole world.  Let me say that again, it’s not about living our best lives for ourselves, but for the whole dang world.  These commands that Jesus declares are to help and guide us into living more fully into God’s love.  Which impacts more than our own little lives and homes…but the rest of the world as well.    

Our gospel lesson today is that not so gentle reminder that the thoughts we have, the words we speak and the actions we take can have deep and far reaching impacts on those around us not just in our own homes but in our schools, places of work, communities, nation and world. 

God wants us and Jesus calls us to live lives of integrity and lives that are not only life giving to others, but life giving to ourselves as well. 

Right?  God wants us and Jesus calls us to live lives of integrity.  Lives that are lived honestly and completely.  Lives that when lived are life giving not just to ourselves but to others as well.  That how we act and treat others deeply impacts the greater world around us.  That we are called to live lives that fulfill God’s call to love and serve, and when that happens, when we do that, not only are our lives, hearts and souls filled, but also the lives of those around us.  

And it seems to me that living the fullest, deepest life means completely surrendering to God’s call and law in our lives.  What I mean is that we are called to fully live into who God created us and calls us to be.  Doing things that do not cause others to stumble, but living and acting in a holy way by doing acts of love and service that truly let Christ’s light shine in all that we say and do. 

God’s call is clear.  The truth is that we can’t do it.  (Not on our own anyway…)  Try as we might, when given the opportunity to live our God’s word to choose life, we often fall short. 

Am I right?  We cut down those around us for having different opinions instead of listening and engaging in dialogue.  We don’t build up others around us because we are afraid that they will outshine us.  We don’t love others fully because we are afraid that a love that deep and that holy won’t be returned or even accepted.  We would rather live in the perceived safety of our own personal space bubbles surrounded by our own stuff so we don’t have to put ourselves in places where we might learn and grown through our interactions with others. 

It’s easier to stay comfortable.

And safe. 

But here’s the thing. God is still going to call us, wherever we might be, to draw us out of those safe spaces and into the places where we will learn and grow. 

God will still nudge us, some times gently and other times with the force of a mighty wind, into places and conversations where we will be given the space to listen, to speak, to learn and to be God’s presence all within the community of others. 

This call for us today is because of God’s great and amazing and unending love for each and every one of us. 

God as a loving parent in our lives, wants the best and only the best for us.  Right?  Wants us to live our best lives!  God, as a loving parent truly wants the best for each and every one of us, for each of God’s beloved children.

So, out of this unconditional love, God will continue to call us to live our best lives. 

Lives with hope and promise.

Lives that will give life to others.

Lives that will nurture, strengthen and build up community.

Lives that will transform the world as we know it through acts of service and love. 

As we heard from Moses in the reading from Deuteronomy, there are options for the future… “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

We have the opportunity friends, to choose life. 

What does that look like for you? 

Is it serving on a Wednesday evening by filling college care packages? 

Is it helping to provide food for a funeral meal?

Does it look like calling or visiting a friend you haven’t seen in a while? 

Is it joining the prayer chain so you can pray for the people of this place as part of your daily devotions? 

Is it volunteering at the food pantry? 

It will look different for each of us. 

But given the opportunity, choose life…

Choose life, friends, so that you and your descendants may live…

Choose life, friends, loving the Lord your God, living out God’s loving call in your lives…

Choose life, friends, so that all may know God’s abundant love, grace and peace in our world. 

And now, may the peace which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Enough?

January 22, 2020

Well homily

Ephesians 3:14-21

Please read Ephesians 3:14-21 as a prayer for you…

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

After a great weekend at the Harrisburg Youth Quake, I thought I would share the theme verse from the weekend – ‘Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.’ It’s Ephesians 3:20-21 and as I looked it up, I realized these verses are part of a larger passage, I mean that happens with all the verses in the Bible, but as I read around these verses, I learned that these verses are part of a longer prayer.  That’s why when Jeff read it tonight, I encouraged you to listen to it as a prayer.   I hope when you hear it again, you can hear it as a prayer, for you…

I don’t know about you, but those verses, this prayer just wrapped itself around me as I read it and reread it this morning.  Like a warm bathrobe on a cool morning, or a cozy blanket on a cold night, this prayer wrapped me in not only warmth, but a feeling of comfort, holy presence, care and peace. 

It’s that reminder, that even though we are created in God’s divine image, there will be times when we fall short of who God created us and calls us to be.  But (big but here) but, when that happens, there are others praying for us…praying that we may be filled with the fullness of God, that Christ may live in our hearts and that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through the Spirit. 

Whenever we feel like we are not enough, we are reminded that God is more than enough for all that we need in our hearts, minds, lives and world. 

At Youth Quake during times of prayer, I became acutely aware of those around me.  My heartstrings were drawn to those on either side of me and the places/situations they left to be part of this weekend, and also the worries and cares that they still carried with them to the Quake. 

I became aware of the individual needs and worries that we all have (from youths to adults) that we carry with us each day no matter where we go.  These worries/cares/needs, may be related to our families, our school or work environment, our home life, our own sense of well-being or self-esteem, our financial status, our faith journeys, our futures…all of these things enter our hearts and our minds and our lives each and every day.  And when we look outward to TV, movies, social media, it can make us even more worried that we are not fitting in or getting it just right. 

So, I encourage you to look beyond the media, the hype, social media to seek God and God’s presence in your life.  And to not only see, but feel God’s support and compassion for you – just as you are. 

You are beautiful.

You are holy.

You are created in God’s divine image. 

You are created for a purpose in this world that no one else can do. 

Yet, when you are feeling that you are not up to par, that you are not enough, remember that God is more than enough for all that you need and may you be wrapped in the encouraging words and prayers of others. 

Because here’s the truth.  As we sat there praying at Quake, I wondered to myself if I was enough.  As we share highs and lows as a group and I hear the ups and downs faced by youth and adults alike in this congregation I wonder if I’m doing enough to help shine Christ’s light in this place.  I know I am called to serve in this place, but am I doing enough? 

And so I, too, need the reminder of this prayer.  So, if you would, open your hands, place them on your lap to receive God’s blessings and let go of your worries, close your eyes and hear this prayer for you: (I took a few liberties in adjusting the language to fit our gathering.)

Holy one,

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, the Holy One may grant that you all gathered in this place may be strengthened in their inner being with power through God’s Spirit, 

and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are being rooted and grounded in love. 

I pray that the folks hearing or reading these words may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.  And let all God’s people say, amen.

Baptism of our Lord

January 12, 2020

Baptism of our Lord

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 29

Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

As we gather today, we remember Jesus’ baptism.  We began worship not with confession and forgiveness which we do almost 99.9% of the time we gather in worship, but rather with the Thanksgiving for Baptism.

It’s true, maybe you saw it in my eyes, I LOVE beginning with the Thanksgiving for Baptism, especially the sprinkling of the water part.  Billy says I really get into it.  He’s right. 

In preparation for today I got to thinking about my own baptism.  And you know what?  I don’t remember it.  I’ve seen pictures such as this one.  

I’ve heard stories, but I have no memory of it actually happening.  And yet I know, that on March 31, 1974 my mom and dad brought me to the font at Faith Lutheran Church in East Hartford and I was welcomed into the Lord’s family. 

This past year I visited Faith Lutheran while my mom was at her bell choir rehearsal, they may still have the same font, just with a new bowl.

Even though I cannot remember it, but for pictures and stories, I know it happened.  I know I’m baptized and it’s because of God’s gift of love in my life that it has happened.  It was nothing that I personally did or can do, it is entirely a gift of God’s grace.  Even though it was my baptism, it was not about me.  It was a gift to me and through that gift I have been named, claimed and called to be sent. 

I am God’s beloved child.

I am claimed by God with the mark of the cross on my forehead.

And I am sent into the world to proclaim this great love to all people. 

Today we hear about Jesus’ baptism.  Jesus heads out into the wilderness, to for a baptism of repentance.  It is done, as Jesus says to fulfill all righteousness.  As Jesus comes up out of the water, the Spirit of God comes down…and we/they hear a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”  After this act of baptism, we hear that Jesus is named, claimed, and sent.  This baptism isn’t based on anything that Jesus had done up to that point or anything he hadn’t done.  This act was a gift of God. 

As we hear about this act we know that Jesus is God’s beloved child.

Jesus is claimed by God.

Jesus is sent into the world to proclaim this great love to all people. 

Kathleen Norris writes about Jesus baptism in this way, “that the incarnation (God becoming human) is not only about Jesus but about us: ….it demonstrates to us not only what God is like but also who God wishes us to be.”  (Kathleen Norris, The Word, Christian Century)

Let me say that again, “The incarnation is not only about Jesus but about us: … it demonstrates to us not only what God is like but also who God wishes us to be.” 

So, our baptism isn’t about us.

And Jesus’ baptism isn’t about him.

Both of these amazing acts of God’s love are not about the individual being baptized, but about a God of love and how God shows and shares that love in the world around us. 

Both baptisms are all about God and God’s gift to us as individuals and as a community of faith, as the Body of Christ. 

And so today is a day that invites us to remember the gift of baptism and how it has changed us and how it changes us for life in the world around us. 

What do you remember about your baptism? 

Do you have pictures that you’ve seen? 

What stories have you heard or do you tell about that day? 

I’m sure this has the potential to be a walk down memory lane with your families later and I encourage you to do so.  Bring out the photo albums, or look through memories on social media, and talk about that day with your kids, grandkids, parents or grandparents. 

As we remember our baptisms, we remember them right now, together as a community of faith, as the Body of Christ, proclaiming together that we are daughters and sons, children of God. 

We, as the body of Christ, are named.  We are claimed. 

And we are sent. 

We are sent to live among God’s faithful people,

We are sent to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,

We are sent to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,

We are sent to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

And we are sent to strive for justice and peace in all the earth! 

Yup, we are sent, to do all of the above…and then some. 

We don’t just hang out here after worship until worship rolls around next week, although there is often wonderful times of conversation and visitation after worship.  We leave here. 

Because, again, it’s not about us! 

I know, you are awesome. 

You are created in God’s image. 

You are loved more than you could possibly know. 

But the truth is, it’s not about you.   (womp womp)

It’s all about this great gift from God. 

It’s all about God’s love for you!

It’s all about God knowing you and who God created you be and who God continues to call you to be. 

It’s all about how this great gift of God calls us as individuals together to tell stories of God’s love as have experienced it in our own lives and how we know this love can transform the world through our words and actions. 

So, go from this place, (Well, not just yet, church isn’t over yet…)

But when you do, go…washed in these waters to proclaim the good news of God in Christ in all that you say, go serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and go…strive for justice and peace in all the earth! 

You got this! 

And now may the peace which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Sugar Free January? Yup!

Happy New Year!  

Instead of kicking the year off with a New Year's Resolution that I will probably break by February, for the past several years I have been choosing one word to guide and shape my year.  Last year's word was growth (which I'll relfect upon in a later post).  
This year's word is: Intentional.  
I will be intentional in my focus in my faith life - through daily devotions and reflection time. 
I will be intentional about my relationships - marriage, family friends and my family of faith at Trinity.  
I will be intentional about my presence on social media - both the people and groups I follow as well as the posts and comments I share.
I will be intentional in working toward long term goals.  Some of these include finishing projects begun years ago while also giving time to learn new skills and spend more time writing (journaling/blogging).
I will be intentional about the care of my body.  I've been working with a coach for the past year and have seen growth in my fitness and running.  I would like to see that improve, so my diet (what I eat/how I fuel my body) will be an intentional focus this year.  
That last one being said, I'm part of a group that will be partaking in Sugar Free January.  
Yup, sugar free January.  
What that means for me is eliminating any added sugars from my diet for the next 30 days.  (I successfully made it through day one!)  
I will be avoiding baked goods, candy, hot chocolate, adding sugar to my coffee, and honey to my tea to name a few.  
I will be reading labels to see what products contain hidden sugars.  The one that almost stopped me in my tracks: bacon!  
Did you know that most bacon out there is processed with sugar?  I mean, I get it, when we make barbecue we often include sugar in the rub.  I guess I didn't put much thought into it after that.  Needless to say, there are a few brands that do not include sugar - it took an internet search (thanks, Billy) and a second grocery store to take care of it.  - Crisis averted! 
I'm sure there are challenges that will arise as the month progresses that will surprise me.  I do know that eating out and going to people's homes for meals will be the hardest.  But I will do my best to eat as sugar free as I can in those situations - no desserts, passing on processed salad dressing, and staying away from ketchups and barbecue sauces.  
Why share this publicly?  
A few reasons:  
One, to let family and friends know that I am making this change for this month.  I'm not doing it for attention or to draw others in (although Billy is along for the ride) but so people are aware of why I'm eating or not eating certain foods.  
Two, to let you all know that I am doing this with the guidance of a coach and a group of folks who are doing this as well.  
Three, to say that I am doing this because I know this is good for my body.  To be the best person, wife, friend, pastor and athlete I need to take care of this body I've been given.  Fueling it in a healthy way will help me care for my body and give it the good energy it needs.  
No doubt there will be some days when this challenge isn't perfect.  But overall, I'm committed to making a big change this month.  
Thankfully, 3 months ago I stopped putting sugar in my coffee.  That has become a daily practice that I don't even think about anymore.  (phew) Some other changes may prove to be more difficult, but I'm ready for them.  
Questions?  Let me know.  
Support?  Bring it on, I'll take it.  
Thanks for reading.
Blessings to you in the new year.  
+peace

1st Sunday of Christmas Sermon

December 29, 2019

First Sunday of Christmas

Isaiah 63:7-9

Psalm 148

Hebrews 2:10-18

Matthew 2:13-23

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen.  

Merry Christmas!  

I’m not gonna lie, this gospel text, in the midst of the Christmas season is a tough one.  It’s hard to hear about the slaughter of the innocents when we are basking in the light of the word made flesh, the prince of peace come among us on a silent and holy night.  

Yet here it is.  

We enter into the birth story with a character that is not excited or hopeful about the birth of a savior.  This Herod is not excited about this birth because it will change the status quo.  And for Herod, the status quo is good, because it benefits him, so he wants to maintain it. 

While we hear of his actions and cringe, yet at the same time, we are almost immune to the same rage and death around us today.  It’s far too easy to fall into the status quo, a place we feel comfortable because any change would mean discomfort for ourselves.  

And so, on the fifth day of Christmas we hear this text and struggle with how it fits into the Christmas season.  

Yet this text, with its discomfort has something to say to us today.    

First, in this season of Christmas, it is okay and holy, even, to pause and reflect upon the evil that exists in the world around us.  That even though God sent Jesus into the world, there are times and places when evil prevails, and it is not of God’s doing, it is of our own doing through our sinfulness and brokenness.  So we need to continually have our eyes opened to stop and see the evil around us and how with God present in the world though the birth of Jesus, we are called to respond to the evil around us.  

Secondly, that we are continually called to put our trust not in humanity, or human rulers, but in God.  How we respond to evil at work in our world and the sadness, anger and death it causes, is our call as Christians.  We are called to speak hear the voices of those weeping and mourning.  We are called to acknowledge their pain and suffering.  And we are called to respond in God’s love and grace working for justice and peace in all the world.  

Our call is to respond not out of fear, but out of love, care and compassion for all of God’s children.  Our call is to see the presence of Christ in our midst – in the birth of a baby, in the feeding of our neighbors, in sharing space at a table with strangers, in a simple act of kindness to someone we don’t know.  

Our call is to respond out of love.  

Friends, we are coming to the end of a year that has been incredibly divisive.   Our culture has seen a shift that makes it okay to put down others for different beliefs, to pick on those who are different than we are and to almost be proud about acting this way.  Friends, this MUST stop.   These actions are not living out of God’s love.  They are examples of living out of fear.  Fear of being wrong, fear of letting others truly be themselves and fear of being vulnerable.  

Not to say that we cannot be fearful, but when we act out of that fear we do so only to protect ourselves and the way things are, just like Herod.  (Oh, that’s a tough pill to swallow, right?)  That it is far too easy to live out of fear to protect what we know and how we fit into the world as we know it because we do not know how to act if the world is different.  We truly become comfortable in the systems in which we find ourselves that we work to maintain those systems, even if they are oppressive to others.  So, the truth is, we all fall victim to sin in the world and in our lives.  

We are not trusting fully that God is at work in the world.  

Yet in those moments, when we respond out of love…amazing things can happen.  

When we respond out of the abundance of God’s love and grace in the world, the world changes.  

The week before Christmas I was finishing up my homebound visits with a trip to Elizabethtown.  I was thankful that Loretta Schneck called and asked if she could join me.  We spend the day together with a good visit with Claude.  Then we were warmly welcomed into the apartment of June Brossman with smiles and tears of joy over our visit.  She gifted us with stories and a small parting gift at the end of our visit.  We chatted as we drove and as we shared lunch.  As we parted ways in the church parking lot my heart was full – overflowing even.  

The parking lot was already filling up for food pantry distribution and as I entered the narthex, I received word that there was already some issues with a patron or two arriving early.  

I took a deep breath and shared my joy filled day with the pantry volunteers.  I encouraged the volunteers to remember the amazing generosity that would happen through the food distribution and that many, many families would be grateful and fed for Christmas.  I encouraged and hoped that the volunteers would shake off the frustration from one incident to see the overall good that would happen as the afternoon progressed.  

I was able to do this because I was living out of the joy and love that I had experienced that day.  I was in a place of gratitude and joy and I couldn’t help but to share it.  

Friends, how have you experienced God’s love and grace this Christmas?  

How have you seen and felt God’s love and peace around you?  

How will you let that peace and love and grace guide to you live your life?  

We are called to live out of this love. 

When we do, it is a game changer, not just for us, but for everyone around us.  

(At this point in the sermon I shared with folks that if looking over the last week or so they were struggling to find a moment or experience that allowed them to feel God's love, peace and presence that they should check out the Angel Tree.  This tree holds tags that people take prior to Christmas that list gift wishes for families in need.  As the gifts are distributed the families are invited to write notes of thanks and the tree is transformed into a Thankful Tree.  Of the three tags I read this weekend, this one tugged at my heartstrings the most: "Dear Santa, I love you.")  If you are local to Trinity, come check out this tree.  :)

We are called to live out of this love...and when we do, it's a game changer.  

In the midst of a broken world, where we struggle with violence, anger and hatred, God still calls us to be at work in the world: 

With a heart filled with love…

With words that express welcome and love… 

And with actions that show God’s presence here and now.  

And now may the peace which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.