Dove of Peace Looks Like a Small Boy with a Sign

The Dove of Peace today looks like the small boy with a sign.  In a school related "Peace" march last May Martin Richard didn't have an inkling how prophetic his sign would become.  That was almost a year ago. 
On Monday, April 15th known as "Patriot's Day" in Boston the annual Boston Marathon took place and Martin Richard stood in the cheering crowd near the finish line.  Can't you imagine this eight year old jumping, cheering, High -Fiving anyone nearby as each contestant crossed the finish line? His dad had just finished the grueling run and Martin had congratulated him.  While waiting for his dad to return to the family the first explosion went off.  The day begun in joyful anticipation, punctuated by victory now covered the earth with smokey disaster.
The world watched in horror and then grief for the pain inflicted on so many, on Boston.  Instantly because of our information technological age we began seeing images of those running toward the wounded.  First responders appeared in remarkable numbers, others began to reach out and get the injured to help, to hold those who shook with fear and shock.  Out of the ashes rose life and affirmation that God was is and will be with us.  Out of the horror arose a God that cannot be moved.  We are assured God is present in all our storms of life. 
Be Still and know that He is God.  Be strong and courageous for the Lord is with you.  God is our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble.  Be still and know that He is God...
Thank you Martin for believing in peace for proclaiming the violence must cease.  Thank you Lord for your grace, compassion and mercy in Martin's life and now in his death.  Help us finally to see that peace begins with us and can wait no longer. 

Melissa's Tree

Melissa, my husband's first wife, childhood sweetheart was taken by disease in the prime of life .   Her death left two daughters 17 and 21, both whom attended the high school which abuts the family property.  Since the Key family was intricately involved in the high school life, especially band and foreign language club the school proposed planting a tree.  The tree they planted was a flowering crab apple tree ; it was and still is beautiful.  Because of its fragile wood the Midwest storms have taken their toll over the past 24 years.  Their is one broken branch which hangs by a thread but continues to produce flowers and fruit each year. The tree began to look ragged and old even before this past summers drought. We watered it regularly in hopes it would hang on.

This past year we decided to hang a bird feeder to specifically attract songbirds.  In the beginning we did battle with squirrels who of course found a way to hang upside down and eat.  Then out came the artillery bird feeder which was weight sensitive allowing only the smallest birds to light and eat.  Faithfully each day through drought of summer, a dry fall and harsh winter my husband without fail fills the bird feeder each day.  Throughout the snows of winter we were blessed by numerous birds from chickadees, various wrens, even flickers who wintered over.  Of course some feed inevitably falls to the ground and the cardinals and squirrels squabble over the fallen seeds.  Lately we even have two hen wild turkeys pecking away of an evening. 

The most amazing thing about all of this is the tree has new life.  It's as if by attracting the song birds resurrection has occurred. Melissa who was so compassionate about the fragil and the weak would be pleased to see her tree providing shelter and nourishment for such.  We will continue to do our best to keep this sanctuary healthy and safe and attracking all those creatures who come.  And yes, even if those pesky squirrels and turkeys find crumbs we will allow it. 

After all we are called to be stewards of God's creation.  And we are the ones blessed by it.  Thanks be to God!

It's Me O Lord

I cannot live without reading this each day.  The world is often so harsh and I find myself becoming like it.  The news media keeps us hyper-cynical and entertainment tries to relax all sense of civility and values.  When I find myself speaking, thinking and talking as the world this little sign jolts me back.  The essence of compassion reminds us we are all in need of grace, over and over.  Let's remember Jesus said "love your neighbor as yourself" Can't we all just get along?  Peace and love.

Silver Parachutes

Like so many I have been lured into the "Hunger Games" following.  One of the things most fascinating to me is the "silver parachutes" or gifts to the contestants from their sponsors.  Literally fighting for their lives the time comes when a particular thing is needed to continue to survive.  The arrival of a "silver parachute" is dependent upon your relationship with those who sponsor you and how appealing your story is to the viewers.  In other words if you don't excite and capture the audience you are unlikely to receive much support from a sponsor.  It's curious to see how and when contestants garner the favor and receive a gift. 

The twist comes when you receive a silver parachute out of pure grace.  You did not ask and yet you receive.  You might even receive the gift from an unknown source.  A loaf of freshly baked bread could come from some act of kindness you have bestowed on another contestant whom you are supposed to be  ready to destroy.  The story includes the reluctance to befriend knowing in the end only one will remain standing.  However the heart pushes some to relent into a giving nature rather than a taking one. 

What if we saw our lives as those who were commissioned to do acts of kindness, sending silver parachutes to some we do not know,  or even giving away to one who appears unworthy.  Is there not one among us who has not  longed for some act of grace and kindness thinking surely we are not worthy but want it just the same?  And how do we accept a silver parachute from  a stranger?

Of course we are not fighting for our lives.  Or are we?  We follow a God who does not care about ratings or even how we appear on the field.  A God whom lovingly accepts us as we are and sends us gifts of grace which surprise us and delight us.  We are only asked to love one another the same way.  Silver parachutes...how many have you sent lately?

De-Greet

Marketing has always fascinated me.  The way minds are manipulated into thinking we should have, look like, and desire a product amazes me.  Of course promoting any product or lifestyle changes with the culture and so today's approach differs greatly from when most of us grew up.  It doesn't take long for us to become "loyalists" to whatever is the most current and appealing approach.  We actually set aside our doubts and cynicism and begin to buy into the lines of losing 30 pounds in 30 days; a green line will lead you to financial peace and prosperity; or you are in "good hands" with insurance even if it sounds like a duck!  We can say we are a thinking discerning people until we realize there is a part of us that wants to believe what we are doing or buying is good for us.

Our son-in-law who builds a popular restaurant chain in the St. Louis area recently brought to my attention that not only is it necessary for the customer to be greeted at the door, have an outstanding server for your meal, but as you are leaving you should receive a "De-Greet".  This is when as you are walking past the host/seating area one or more employees needs to thank you for  coming and initiate an invitation to come again.  Anyone who has ever been in QT knows the line is "thank you, see you next time".  Subtlety we are being programmed to want to return.  We leave feeling as if we were wanted and needed and who doesn't get a little euphoria out of that sensation?

All of this has made me rethink how we promote our product of "Good News?" in the church.  For today's world we certainly spend an enormous amount of time tethered to responsibility and demand by our work, family and even chosen obligations.  Technology can reach us at every turn and good news is just not at a premium.  We are greeted (perhaps) when we enter our churches.  If per chance however we are a guest probably over greeted. and by the time we sit at the table (pew or chair) waiting for that friendly server, all we usually get is an opportunity to give money.  Depending on the church the guest may or may not know how to participate in all the rituals and so they wait to be fed.  When the meal of church is over they may get the "De-greet" or  simply be left to leave with their own thoughts and impressions. 

I wonder if as believers of the Good News we might adopt the attitude that everyone who enters our place of worship needs a genuine welcome, deserves a great meal with the best server (Jesus like), and leaves feeling as if it has been the churches honor to  have you as a  guest and they truly want you to come again.  Every time someone feels the love of Christ offered it makes it easier to  want to be a part of that place (body) . Every time we share the love of Christ, another heart readies itself for  the best gift of all, adoption into the kingdom of God.  Pretty simple huh?

Bringing the House Down

I have always wanted to say I was able the "bring the house down" with my preaching.  Actually that is my ego talking and in my heart of hearts I know it's what God has to say that is important.  However, still there is a small voice which whispers wouldn't be great if just once....  Well, it finally happened I brought the house down while preaching.  But true to God's sense of humor not exactly as I had hoped.  Preaching away my peripheral vision caught.sight of something flying toward my head.  Without thinking I quickly stepped aside just in time to miss a flying piece of ceiling tile.  The congregation gasped and began to shout "what is God trying to tell you?!"  I thought to myself what is God trying to tell YOU (the listeners).  Instead I gathered myself together, picked up my stand and notes and said, "I'm going to move down with you (the congregation) which I did.  Later I quipped that perhaps next week I would bring a "hard hat" just in case.  We all had a good laugh, even God I suspect.

The Lord has a way of bringing me in. Not that God is in the "tile" business but I think situations sometimes cause us to rethink about who is in charge of this thing we call "life".  While preaching a funeral sermon I thought I have to "keep up with the young pastors" so I pulled out my phone to read the Old Testament reading.  The scripture was there and just as I opened my mouth to begin sure enough someone called.  There I was with the choice to ANSWER or DECLINE the call, thankfully the phone was on vibrate.  My mind raced as I tapped the decline side and continued reading.  No one knew but my bell had been rung.  Romans 12:3 and James 4:6 are good reminders. 

 Prayer: Let us humble ourselves before you O God.  Let our pride melt away with the morning sun as we give thanks for another day in your kingdom. May I accept your gifts of grace.  And may I always seek to serve you with love and life. And oh yes, thank you for your gentle and often humorous reminders.

U Turn Ahead

It is my job to bring about change.  To open hearts and minds to commit to a new way of following Christ.  It is a struggle to change the way we have always done things, to move out of our comfort zone, to reach out to those who do not yet know "the Story".  It is especially difficult when you ask someone of several decades of faithful living to move out of pew, in order to sit in a chair; let go of the traditional worship look of paraments and staid altars in exchange for a stage with instruments, (yes, more than one) microphones and funky lighting. How do you give up the "family friendly" style of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in order to be more welcoming to a generation who would rather listen to a relevant message akin to their everyday experience of technology and sound bytes. A generation who wants to live out loud by faith in action and listen to music which rocks the very foundation of a building.  This is the task set before me as a pastor, this is my commitment to bring new souls into the kingdom.

In the midst of  leading change, my own home life suddenly made some things very clear.  You see my mom  decided to uproot 27 years of living in her home and completely change directions.   She is making one gigantic U Turn! She is showing all of her family how to be grace-filled when it comes to giving up the "things" she loved and move into a new way of doing life.  First went the car and now the house.  She decided her "driving days" were over for the safety of others. And she is tired of being in charge of all the dealings of a house and lawn, so the house is on the market.  The family has been called in to claim anything  we want or need.  Hundreds of sacks of papers, books, and things are being thrown away, given away or sold for a pittance in a garage sale.  Every time a special memory is handed to her to decide what to do she looks at it and says,  "now that was a wonderful time,"  kisses it and throws it away.  She is letting go so she can move forward.  She is hoping another family will enjoy and love her home in "their way".  She is ready to move into a retirement home where she can form new relationships and never have to eat alone again.  And she is 90!

This has made me take a close look at what holds me back from moving forward.  How can I be a faithful servant of Christ and stay clutching to what is comfortable, a good memory or is just the way I like to do it?  Where would we be if the disciples had simply gone back to Galilee with broken hearts and returned to their former lives?  Where would we be if Paul had stayed in only one town? Where would we be if Wesley had never ventured out into the fields?  No where I think.

Oh my, I see a U Turn coming.