A visiting seminary student was preaching at a church one Sunday morning. He was extremely nervous about preaching his first sermon and was shaking considerably by the time he had to begin his message. As he approached the pulpit, he froze, only able to remember the first three words of his sermon; "Behold, I come!", which he said in a squeaky voice. Using a technique taught in seminary, he backed away from the pulpit to give himself time to collect his thoughts, and then once again quickly approached the pulpit, only to say, "Behold I come!" again, stopping with no clue of what came next. The third time he launched himself at the pulpit, loudly saying, "Behold I come!", and hurdled forward over the pulpit, landing in the lap of an older woman in front row of the church. He began to apologize profusely about what had happened, but her wry response was, "Don't worry about it sonny; you warned me three times!" This serves as your disclaimer - a warning to not read further if:
a) you love technology,
b) you don't want to hear complaining, or
c) if you don't want to hear complaining about technology!
The cartoon character Pogo may have said, "We have met the enemy and it is us", but recently I learned for certain that Pogo had it wrong. It should have been, "We have met the enemy and it is technology". Or maybe it should have been, "We have met the enemy and it is companies that sell technological services!" OK that one is just too cumbersome to catch on.
Like every common drug dealer, "they" come at you with the old bait and switch ploy; "here, try it, the first one is free" routine, and then you're hooked and it's too late. Remember the old days when a "mouse" scurried across a floor, a screen was on a door, the "net" was something you put on your hair, and "digital" was an adjective preceding fingers and toes?
Did you see the movie, "He's Just Not That Into You"? Drew Barrymore bemoaned the sad fact that today you can be rejected by someone in five technologies without ever seeing them face to face. Isn't that ironic? We can Tweet, share our status on Face Book, email, text message, voice mail, as we see our friends less and less frequently face to face. All this in the name of social networking. Remember when social networking was when people actually got together and talked, laughed, debated, or even argued? Well now it can all be done from your iPhone.
Alright, I know that I'm rambling and very disgruntled for someone typing a blog, on a computer that is connected to that same Internet...yada, yada, yada! All technology you rightfully point out. But please indulge me as I've spent the last five days, with too many phone calls to count, navigating more automated phone systems than I care to think about, trying to sort out the latest complication of Internet connection issues. The Internet company I use says it's the mac computer I have; the mac people say it's the Internet service, one technician says that the other one did something wrong, and a technical support guy named "Irish" from the Philippines, (after a long conversation where I expressed my frustration over this Internet thing never really working properly since I've had the service), closed his conversation with, "Well, Mrs. Witook, I hope that we have provided you with very excellent service!" Ahhhh! It just kind of makes you go "hmmmmm!"
Anyway, today's technician, arriving at 5:30 for a 12 - 4 appointment time range, could apparently see that I was "on the edge". Without so much as an argument to "give wireless one more chance", he agreed to hard wire the computer. Two holes in my wall, an hour and a half later, I stood looking at my insulation and dust strewn floor, just as hesitant to click on the Firefox symbol as the young preacher was to approach the pulpit. Boldly, I clicked on the Firefox icon. I'm finally back online. Will it last? Will I need a new fix in a few days? Will I be back cursing the technology that I rely on more and more? Who knows?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Passing The Torch
Not long ago, I wrote about my Aunt Doris' passing. I shared how surreal it felt, along with my other first cousins, to be the elder generation of my grandparent's, Albert and Stella Sauter. I talked about how the torch had been passed from our parent's generation to ours, and how we as the oldest generation would also someday leave a legacy. What that legacy will be has yet to be determined, and so remains fraught (Don't you love that word?) with possibilities. This got me thinking about passing of torches, and what I wish to pass on to my descendants.
Then this morning Pastor Keith spoke about "Passing the Gospel Torch". He reminded us of the significance of this type of event in the opening of the Olympics. I checked online about the 2010 torch relay, and it seems that it is carried 45,000 kilometers for over 106 days prior to the start of the Olympics. The flame was carried by approximately 12,000 people, who passed the torch from one to the next, until it reached it's destination. The relay started with the lighting of the torch in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, and was carried to the site of the current winter Olympic games in Vancouver, emphasizing the connection between the ancient and modern games. Finally, one person lit the Olympic fire in the opening ceremonies for all the world to see. It occurred to me that each person who had ran had a part in lighting that Olympic flame, even though only one person had the privilege of actually physically lighting it. My pastor pointed out similarities of this relay passage to the sharing of the gospel message.
In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul addressed a young pastor named Timothy. Paul's purpose and practice was clear in passing the torch to this young man, who would teach and lead the next generation of Christians. In chapter 1, verse 3, Paul stated that he personally serves God, as did his own forefathers, with a clear conscience, and with prayer for the next generation. Thus, his practice of prayer and encouragement for Timothy were rooted in a heritage of passing a spiritual torch. He shared his joy at hearing of Timothy's sincere faith, mentioning Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, who were also faithful servants of God. He was not in any way implying that Lois and Eunice's faith was inherited by Timothy, but that Timothy was taught well, saw people of genuine faith, and so desired to personally receive and walk in the faith that his predecessors had held dear. There's something very contagious about genuine and transparent faith, and Timothy wanted that faith for himself.
Pastor Keith mentioned three things that Paul considered worthy of this young Pastor's attention, if he was to pass on a lasting spiritual legacy. First of all, in verse 8 Paul exhorted Timothy to be unashamed of speaking openly about Christ. Secondly (v. 8) he told Timothy to be prepared to suffer for the gospel. In the US today, Americans generally do not suffer physically for sharing their faith, as did Paul and the other apostles. We know though that in many parts of the world, even today, to share your faith in Christ openly may mean loss of family acceptance, job opportunities, beatings, or even loss of your life. We more consistently face culturally accepted ridicule that people of faith routinely receive. We are told by Hollywood and media alike that we are intellectually inferior, and emotionally weak. We are also considered restrictive, judgmental, and out of touch with reality. In some cases, people professing to be Christians have rightfully earned this criticism, but in many cases, people of faith are ridiculed, or stereotyped for simply believing. So, for the sincere Christian, who would like to engage in conversation about their faith, or even share a Biblical perspective on cultural issues, personal retribution may come in the form of being socially criticized or ostracized. I wonder why it seems acceptable to bash evangelical Christians for their beliefs, while in the name of tolerance it is unacceptable to criticize anyone else?
The third aspect of passing the gospel torch mentioned this morning was to preserve and protect sound teaching (Verses 13, 14). We protect what we treasure, and we are told that we should protect the accuracy of God's truth, found in the Word of God. In a marketplace of competing ideas today, we need to study and be conversant with the doctrines of the faith so that we recognize truth from error, and logical consistency from a patchwork quilt of thinking. We need to be able to make a reasonable accounting for the gospel message if is to be preserved. This is especially difficult in a postmodernist culture that says truth is relative and subjective.
The Olympic torch was carried by over 12, 000 people. I wonder how many people have carried the gospel torch over the centuries, so that I might be able to have the word of God in my language in 2010? How many have brought this gospel to the countless numbers over the last two millennium so that I could eventually be given the opportunity in 1961 to hear the gospel clearly presented so that I could respond to the call of God on my life? All of those believers who have gone before passed a torch so that I could hear. I pray that my legacy will be no less. What will you pass on to the next generation?
Then this morning Pastor Keith spoke about "Passing the Gospel Torch". He reminded us of the significance of this type of event in the opening of the Olympics. I checked online about the 2010 torch relay, and it seems that it is carried 45,000 kilometers for over 106 days prior to the start of the Olympics. The flame was carried by approximately 12,000 people, who passed the torch from one to the next, until it reached it's destination. The relay started with the lighting of the torch in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, and was carried to the site of the current winter Olympic games in Vancouver, emphasizing the connection between the ancient and modern games. Finally, one person lit the Olympic fire in the opening ceremonies for all the world to see. It occurred to me that each person who had ran had a part in lighting that Olympic flame, even though only one person had the privilege of actually physically lighting it. My pastor pointed out similarities of this relay passage to the sharing of the gospel message.
In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul addressed a young pastor named Timothy. Paul's purpose and practice was clear in passing the torch to this young man, who would teach and lead the next generation of Christians. In chapter 1, verse 3, Paul stated that he personally serves God, as did his own forefathers, with a clear conscience, and with prayer for the next generation. Thus, his practice of prayer and encouragement for Timothy were rooted in a heritage of passing a spiritual torch. He shared his joy at hearing of Timothy's sincere faith, mentioning Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, who were also faithful servants of God. He was not in any way implying that Lois and Eunice's faith was inherited by Timothy, but that Timothy was taught well, saw people of genuine faith, and so desired to personally receive and walk in the faith that his predecessors had held dear. There's something very contagious about genuine and transparent faith, and Timothy wanted that faith for himself.
Pastor Keith mentioned three things that Paul considered worthy of this young Pastor's attention, if he was to pass on a lasting spiritual legacy. First of all, in verse 8 Paul exhorted Timothy to be unashamed of speaking openly about Christ. Secondly (v. 8) he told Timothy to be prepared to suffer for the gospel. In the US today, Americans generally do not suffer physically for sharing their faith, as did Paul and the other apostles. We know though that in many parts of the world, even today, to share your faith in Christ openly may mean loss of family acceptance, job opportunities, beatings, or even loss of your life. We more consistently face culturally accepted ridicule that people of faith routinely receive. We are told by Hollywood and media alike that we are intellectually inferior, and emotionally weak. We are also considered restrictive, judgmental, and out of touch with reality. In some cases, people professing to be Christians have rightfully earned this criticism, but in many cases, people of faith are ridiculed, or stereotyped for simply believing. So, for the sincere Christian, who would like to engage in conversation about their faith, or even share a Biblical perspective on cultural issues, personal retribution may come in the form of being socially criticized or ostracized. I wonder why it seems acceptable to bash evangelical Christians for their beliefs, while in the name of tolerance it is unacceptable to criticize anyone else?
The third aspect of passing the gospel torch mentioned this morning was to preserve and protect sound teaching (Verses 13, 14). We protect what we treasure, and we are told that we should protect the accuracy of God's truth, found in the Word of God. In a marketplace of competing ideas today, we need to study and be conversant with the doctrines of the faith so that we recognize truth from error, and logical consistency from a patchwork quilt of thinking. We need to be able to make a reasonable accounting for the gospel message if is to be preserved. This is especially difficult in a postmodernist culture that says truth is relative and subjective.
The Olympic torch was carried by over 12, 000 people. I wonder how many people have carried the gospel torch over the centuries, so that I might be able to have the word of God in my language in 2010? How many have brought this gospel to the countless numbers over the last two millennium so that I could eventually be given the opportunity in 1961 to hear the gospel clearly presented so that I could respond to the call of God on my life? All of those believers who have gone before passed a torch so that I could hear. I pray that my legacy will be no less. What will you pass on to the next generation?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Super Bowl, Really?
Well most of you know that it's Superbowl Sunday tomorrow. I can't remember how many Superbowl games I've sat through over the years - you notice that I say "sat through" rather than "watched". John used to love to watch the game, even though we rarely had our Chicago Bears to root on for on that biggest football Sunday of the year. I can remember thinking that I wished we could just watch a movie, or do something else, but it was a tradition and one we always shared with other couples. Now the big day has rolled around again, but I'll be sitting in some friends kitchen talking to the ladies while the men watch the game. Isn't life funny! Now I think what a blessing it would be to sit there with the ladies (I still wouldn't watch the game!), but to be able to look into the family room and watch John enjoying the game with the guys. What an unrealized treasure to be able to just hear his voice, or catch his eye and see him smile at me, or tease him as he came for another plate of snacks. To be able to go out to a warmed car and have him hop out and open the door for me, to feel safe and cared for as we went home. Well, enough of those remembrances. Ladies! If you have a special guy in your life, and will be sitting through the game tomorrow, remember how fortunate you are. It might not hurt to go sit by him for a short time and just let him know that you're glad to be there with him.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Multi-generations
Today I saw a TV show where a Indian couple and an Argentinian man were being interviewed. OK, well it was Oprah's show, and I just hate to admit that I was bored enough to watch it, but I did. Don't judge me, OK?!? I have a couple observations about the conversation with the Indian (Asian) couple. (Needless to say the Argentinian man was charming and beautiful - OK, that's all I'm saying! But I'm going back there!)
When asked if it was true that they were living with the man's parents, he said, "Yes they were". Oprah asked how that was working for them, and he responded, "Well Oprah, do you live with your parents?" Oprah responded "No," and he said, "How's that working for you?". Everyone laughed, but the distinctive cultural response was telling. In India it is the norm for adult children to remain in the son's parent's home when they marry. The Indian actor said that despite the wealth they had gained through their careers, and being well able to afford their own home, it was normal and good for them to follow this tradition. He said that when his grandparent's were alive, they too were part of the family unit under one roof. Now I realize that this is not the norm for many American families. It seems a deeply accepted norm of our contemporary American culture to have families live in separate residences. The implication is that independence and separation is the ultimate goal and is better for all concerned. Somehow, any other living arrangements seem to be substandard, at least by implication. I want to add that this isn't the testimony of generations past in American and of other parts of the world. I want to say that I am fortunate enough to be part of a minority group of multi-generational American families that live together.
This is just a personal beef I guess, but I can't tell you how many times I have people ask me, "Do your daughter and grand kids still live with you?" My daughter gets the same question. When we respond that we are still living together, the reaction varies from, "How long are you going to do that?" to "Wow, still?", and sometimes even, "That would drive me crazy!". Now mind you, it's really no body's business what anyone else's living arrangements are, but I understand that people are interested. Let's assume that we didn't have circumstances that made this an understandable and desirable arrangement during the past years. That set aside I will add that this is a good idea for us now, no matter what past circumstances were. Why?
I get to see God's sovereign plan for my life unfolding in it's own time and way,
I get to experience the liveliness of a household with young children,
I am fortunate enough to see the world anew through their eyes,
I get to see, and be involved with my grand children's spiritual growth,
I get to have the opportunity of being a friend, up close and personal, with my adult daughter,
I get to share the household responsibilities with another adult woman (maybe that polygamy thing had some benefits -- OK, don't have a meltdown, I'm kidding, partly!),
At a stage of my life when I might be tempted to slow down, and slip down the Senior Slippery Slope, I have multiple incentives to stay active and involved,
I don't have to travel great distances to see the kids or my daughter (wish I could say the same for Mark, Azul, and Tao),
If I want to go to a show or out to eat, there's never a lack of someone wanting to join me,
I get to hear a summary of the sermon at another church (Felicia) or what's happening in another churches A.W.A.N.A. (Alex and Izzy) almost every week,
I get to hear Alex singing to himself all day long,
I get to receive some of Isabel's great hugs whenever I want,
I get to have "adult" conversations with Felicia and see what a great young woman she's become,
I get to intimately see what a phenomenal mother my daughter is and the day by day courage of her life,
I get to see my son Matt standing in as a "dad" for his nieces and nephew, showing what an extraordinary Dad he would be,
I can't imagine going a day without seeing, or talking to my daughter and grandchildren,.... and
Well, I guess you get the point. So please do me a favor; if you are curious enough to ask whether part of my family is still living here with me, be aware that I will answer, hopefully cheerfully, but that behind my response, I'm sort of feeling sorry for you if you haven't experienced the joys of this multi-generational blessing.
When asked if it was true that they were living with the man's parents, he said, "Yes they were". Oprah asked how that was working for them, and he responded, "Well Oprah, do you live with your parents?" Oprah responded "No," and he said, "How's that working for you?". Everyone laughed, but the distinctive cultural response was telling. In India it is the norm for adult children to remain in the son's parent's home when they marry. The Indian actor said that despite the wealth they had gained through their careers, and being well able to afford their own home, it was normal and good for them to follow this tradition. He said that when his grandparent's were alive, they too were part of the family unit under one roof. Now I realize that this is not the norm for many American families. It seems a deeply accepted norm of our contemporary American culture to have families live in separate residences. The implication is that independence and separation is the ultimate goal and is better for all concerned. Somehow, any other living arrangements seem to be substandard, at least by implication. I want to add that this isn't the testimony of generations past in American and of other parts of the world. I want to say that I am fortunate enough to be part of a minority group of multi-generational American families that live together.
This is just a personal beef I guess, but I can't tell you how many times I have people ask me, "Do your daughter and grand kids still live with you?" My daughter gets the same question. When we respond that we are still living together, the reaction varies from, "How long are you going to do that?" to "Wow, still?", and sometimes even, "That would drive me crazy!". Now mind you, it's really no body's business what anyone else's living arrangements are, but I understand that people are interested. Let's assume that we didn't have circumstances that made this an understandable and desirable arrangement during the past years. That set aside I will add that this is a good idea for us now, no matter what past circumstances were. Why?
I get to see God's sovereign plan for my life unfolding in it's own time and way,
I get to experience the liveliness of a household with young children,
I am fortunate enough to see the world anew through their eyes,
I get to see, and be involved with my grand children's spiritual growth,
I get to have the opportunity of being a friend, up close and personal, with my adult daughter,
I get to share the household responsibilities with another adult woman (maybe that polygamy thing had some benefits -- OK, don't have a meltdown, I'm kidding, partly!),
At a stage of my life when I might be tempted to slow down, and slip down the Senior Slippery Slope, I have multiple incentives to stay active and involved,
I don't have to travel great distances to see the kids or my daughter (wish I could say the same for Mark, Azul, and Tao),
If I want to go to a show or out to eat, there's never a lack of someone wanting to join me,
I get to hear a summary of the sermon at another church (Felicia) or what's happening in another churches A.W.A.N.A. (Alex and Izzy) almost every week,
I get to hear Alex singing to himself all day long,
I get to receive some of Isabel's great hugs whenever I want,
I get to have "adult" conversations with Felicia and see what a great young woman she's become,
I get to intimately see what a phenomenal mother my daughter is and the day by day courage of her life,
I get to see my son Matt standing in as a "dad" for his nieces and nephew, showing what an extraordinary Dad he would be,
I can't imagine going a day without seeing, or talking to my daughter and grandchildren,.... and
Well, I guess you get the point. So please do me a favor; if you are curious enough to ask whether part of my family is still living here with me, be aware that I will answer, hopefully cheerfully, but that behind my response, I'm sort of feeling sorry for you if you haven't experienced the joys of this multi-generational blessing.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Fishing
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". Proverb
This well known proverb teaches an important truth; give people things and you meet immediate needs, but teach or train them to take care of themselves and you empower them. I understand and agree with the point in the physical areas of life. I thought about this proverb today while at an annual family "giving party". About five years ago John's sister initiated this really special tradition. We meet after Christmas and have lunch at her place, and she makes several suggestions of charitable organizations that she is willing to donate to, instead of giving us things we may not want, and certainly don't need. In so doing, it raises every one's awareness of others who have far less than we, and it also promotes gratitude for what we have. Now, I'm all for anything that increases our awareness of the needs of others along with finding ways we can give out of the abundance with which we've been blessed. This is a meaningful time for the family and I'm grateful to my sister-in-law for the trouble to which she goes in preparing a nice day for us. But today I couldn't help but reflect upon the insufficiency of this proverb's maxim when related to spiritual truths.
There are many organizations out there that do good work for people. They provide food, clothing, shelter, and a myriad of support services. Some organizations have an additional component that provides mentoring, modeling, life skill instruction, vocational counseling, and self-sufficiency projects. While these are admirable and more akin to the proverb's sentiment, organizations that stop there, miss a vital point. If we feed a person's body but not their soul, they will eventually die physically and spiritually. But if we feed their souls (with the living Word of God), they will still die physically some day, but spiritually they will live eternally.
Americans are notoriously into self-sufficiency. We are a "pull yourself up by your boot straps" kind of people and culture. Go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and you'll find shelf after shelf of self-help, or do-it-yourself books. We pride ourselves on our ability to stand on our own two feet. The problem with a charitable organization or an individual stopping there is that it's easy to miss the vital truth that this is the antithesis of how things work in the spiritual realm. Christ's birth, which we have just celebrated, is a vivid reminder to us that God has done for us what we CAN NOT do for ourselves. You know the story - Jesus was born as a man to live a perfect life, and die sacrificially on our behalf, so that we might find our way back to God. God is holy and can not allow sin in His presence. Only a perfect sacrifice could be offered on our behalf to make God's forgiveness available to us. This flies in the face of human self-sufficiency. God doesn't grade on a curve, and so even if I'm pretty good 60% of the time (or even 95%), or if I'm mostly better than others, it's not the 100% required to meet His holy standard. Only Christ could meet the standard, and pay the price for the sin of mankind. When I dismiss the work of Christ as being insufficient, which is what I do when I say that I must do my part, therefore adding to His work, I show that I don't understand my situation or my peril. It also shows that I don't understand the holiness of God or how broken I really am. It also speaks poorly of a God, who would insist that Christ's death be the only solution to our problem, and let His son die, if we could earn His favor or forgiveness on our own.
So, the good news announced at Christmas, and realized at Easter, is that God has made a way for us, knowing we could not do it for ourselves. Let's not let our American independence hinder us from seeing these life saving truths. We've all received, and given gifts this Christmas. In all of that let's not forget that Christ is THE ULTIMATE GIFT; one we didn't earn, or deserve, but can receive by faith. If you have questions about how this works, feel free to email me privately and we can talk! (chwitucke@att.net)
There are many organizations out there that do good work for people. They provide food, clothing, shelter, and a myriad of support services. Some organizations have an additional component that provides mentoring, modeling, life skill instruction, vocational counseling, and self-sufficiency projects. While these are admirable and more akin to the proverb's sentiment, organizations that stop there, miss a vital point. If we feed a person's body but not their soul, they will eventually die physically and spiritually. But if we feed their souls (with the living Word of God), they will still die physically some day, but spiritually they will live eternally.
Americans are notoriously into self-sufficiency. We are a "pull yourself up by your boot straps" kind of people and culture. Go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and you'll find shelf after shelf of self-help, or do-it-yourself books. We pride ourselves on our ability to stand on our own two feet. The problem with a charitable organization or an individual stopping there is that it's easy to miss the vital truth that this is the antithesis of how things work in the spiritual realm. Christ's birth, which we have just celebrated, is a vivid reminder to us that God has done for us what we CAN NOT do for ourselves. You know the story - Jesus was born as a man to live a perfect life, and die sacrificially on our behalf, so that we might find our way back to God. God is holy and can not allow sin in His presence. Only a perfect sacrifice could be offered on our behalf to make God's forgiveness available to us. This flies in the face of human self-sufficiency. God doesn't grade on a curve, and so even if I'm pretty good 60% of the time (or even 95%), or if I'm mostly better than others, it's not the 100% required to meet His holy standard. Only Christ could meet the standard, and pay the price for the sin of mankind. When I dismiss the work of Christ as being insufficient, which is what I do when I say that I must do my part, therefore adding to His work, I show that I don't understand my situation or my peril. It also shows that I don't understand the holiness of God or how broken I really am. It also speaks poorly of a God, who would insist that Christ's death be the only solution to our problem, and let His son die, if we could earn His favor or forgiveness on our own.
So, the good news announced at Christmas, and realized at Easter, is that God has made a way for us, knowing we could not do it for ourselves. Let's not let our American independence hinder us from seeing these life saving truths. We've all received, and given gifts this Christmas. In all of that let's not forget that Christ is THE ULTIMATE GIFT; one we didn't earn, or deserve, but can receive by faith. If you have questions about how this works, feel free to email me privately and we can talk! (chwitucke@att.net)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Eve, 2009
I really didn't want to go to the Christmas Eve service this year. Not because I was feeling all "bah, humbug", but because leaving the house to go anywhere at 10:40 (and in pouring rain to boot) just doesn't have the appeal it used to. I marvel at young adults whose nights often begin at 10:40, and here I was wishing for a warm nightgown, my comfy bed and a good book. Well, I had agreed to read a motivational Christmas story, and couldn't just not show up.
I got to church and everyone was on typical Free Church time, which means only the folks leading the service were there setting up. The church was dimly lit and so quiet. It reminded me of our house, just moments before the kids burst through the door after school; unnaturally quiet and sort of anticipating. Well, before long, and very quickly, the church filled with people. I was pleased to see the good crowd. As I looked around I saw faces of people I hadn't seen for awhile. It seems that, like the salmon that swim upstream to return home, many of our former young people find their way back to Our Saviour Free on Christmas Eve.
As I looked around the sanctuary I saw faces going back to my earliest days at the church. Tim, who was in the youth group when John and I served as youth leaders had come back with his family. Others, who were from the time period when my own children were teens were also present. Bud, who'd recently had a knee replacement surgery, surprised us with his presence. It strangely still surprises me to walk into the sanctuary and experience the absence of some loving friends and family; my John, Karl, Robin, Carol, Jeff, and so many more.
The service began, and just before I was to share, the son of one of our Elders went to the pulpit. His parents had come to the church as newly weds, and now Brandon, their eldest, and his new fiance' retold some of the traditions that had been so important to them growing up in their respective homes, and the ones they hoped to take with them into their marriage. In those young and shining faces I couldn't help but remember John and I coming to the church in 1968, and spending our first Christmas as a married couple at Our Saviour Free (then called Wheeling Free Church). I felt really choked up as I went forward, realizing that this church has been my home, and family for 41 years. So many Christmas's, special events, marriages, births, deaths, fun, and fellowship. In my mind's eye I saw my Mark, Andy Lindman and Sean Sahlstrom, wrestling during the kids Christmas program, and knocking the head off one of the wise men. I saw John, dressed as the angel Gabriel, resplendent in a white robe, and his gold painted high tops during another Christmas performance. I saw myself, missing a chair during a Christmas contata, and falling down in front of a packed out church. My mother, sitting in the back of the church had yelled something like "there she blows", but I found out later she'd said, "there she goes". Well, I won't go on, but those memories and so many more, represented times that had formed bonds of love that are treasured to this day.
Tim's parents spoke after me, and shared about the 57 Christmas's they have had together. Talk about the circle of life visually and verbally represented. As in the life of any couple, there are tough as well as good times. And at church there have been some difficult times too - the last 2 1/2 years have been no picnic! But just like a good marriage, when you work through those difficult times, the bonds become stronger and more enduring. The difference in the Christian community is that we don't just spend the years of an Earthly lifetime together; these are the believers with whom we will be spending eternity. If we were left to our own devices there'd be no motivation or power to ever reconcile or get along. But Christmas is so special because it shows the extremes God has gone to so that we might have that experience of unity and eternity together. Jesus came as a baby allowing God to take upon himself the flesh and bone of the fallen and broken mankind He so loved. In coming, He invaded the mess that humans had made, so that He could live a perfect life, and then die on a cross 33 years later. In doing that he made a way for us to come back to him and to enter into an eternal fellowship of community.
All in all, I am so glad that I had a reason to force me out of my comfort zone at home. Going out into a rainy, dark night ended up so much better than that warm bed and book would have. I was reminded of the faithfulness of God and many of His people. I was encouraged, and renewed, and through worshiping that babe, I was given a glimpse again into God's magnificent plan. I hope that those few of you who read this had a blessed Christmas and will have a wonderful new year. May 2010 be a time of renewal for each of us and Christ's church; after all, God has become flesh and dwelt among us!
I got to church and everyone was on typical Free Church time, which means only the folks leading the service were there setting up. The church was dimly lit and so quiet. It reminded me of our house, just moments before the kids burst through the door after school; unnaturally quiet and sort of anticipating. Well, before long, and very quickly, the church filled with people. I was pleased to see the good crowd. As I looked around I saw faces of people I hadn't seen for awhile. It seems that, like the salmon that swim upstream to return home, many of our former young people find their way back to Our Saviour Free on Christmas Eve.
As I looked around the sanctuary I saw faces going back to my earliest days at the church. Tim, who was in the youth group when John and I served as youth leaders had come back with his family. Others, who were from the time period when my own children were teens were also present. Bud, who'd recently had a knee replacement surgery, surprised us with his presence. It strangely still surprises me to walk into the sanctuary and experience the absence of some loving friends and family; my John, Karl, Robin, Carol, Jeff, and so many more.
The service began, and just before I was to share, the son of one of our Elders went to the pulpit. His parents had come to the church as newly weds, and now Brandon, their eldest, and his new fiance' retold some of the traditions that had been so important to them growing up in their respective homes, and the ones they hoped to take with them into their marriage. In those young and shining faces I couldn't help but remember John and I coming to the church in 1968, and spending our first Christmas as a married couple at Our Saviour Free (then called Wheeling Free Church). I felt really choked up as I went forward, realizing that this church has been my home, and family for 41 years. So many Christmas's, special events, marriages, births, deaths, fun, and fellowship. In my mind's eye I saw my Mark, Andy Lindman and Sean Sahlstrom, wrestling during the kids Christmas program, and knocking the head off one of the wise men. I saw John, dressed as the angel Gabriel, resplendent in a white robe, and his gold painted high tops during another Christmas performance. I saw myself, missing a chair during a Christmas contata, and falling down in front of a packed out church. My mother, sitting in the back of the church had yelled something like "there she blows", but I found out later she'd said, "there she goes". Well, I won't go on, but those memories and so many more, represented times that had formed bonds of love that are treasured to this day.
Tim's parents spoke after me, and shared about the 57 Christmas's they have had together. Talk about the circle of life visually and verbally represented. As in the life of any couple, there are tough as well as good times. And at church there have been some difficult times too - the last 2 1/2 years have been no picnic! But just like a good marriage, when you work through those difficult times, the bonds become stronger and more enduring. The difference in the Christian community is that we don't just spend the years of an Earthly lifetime together; these are the believers with whom we will be spending eternity. If we were left to our own devices there'd be no motivation or power to ever reconcile or get along. But Christmas is so special because it shows the extremes God has gone to so that we might have that experience of unity and eternity together. Jesus came as a baby allowing God to take upon himself the flesh and bone of the fallen and broken mankind He so loved. In coming, He invaded the mess that humans had made, so that He could live a perfect life, and then die on a cross 33 years later. In doing that he made a way for us to come back to him and to enter into an eternal fellowship of community.
All in all, I am so glad that I had a reason to force me out of my comfort zone at home. Going out into a rainy, dark night ended up so much better than that warm bed and book would have. I was reminded of the faithfulness of God and many of His people. I was encouraged, and renewed, and through worshiping that babe, I was given a glimpse again into God's magnificent plan. I hope that those few of you who read this had a blessed Christmas and will have a wonderful new year. May 2010 be a time of renewal for each of us and Christ's church; after all, God has become flesh and dwelt among us!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bah Humbug, Not!
It's been so long since I've written that I don't know where to begin or what to say...I know that those of you who know me have a hard time reading that without a good belly laugh. The fact of the matter, as much as I can, and do, talk, I've realized I don't have much that is original to share. As this Christmas day approaches I really have mixed feelings.
I sat down today to watch a remake of "Christmas In Connecticut" with Dyann Cannon and Kris Kristofferson. All I can say is, "big mistake!" Not only was it a mistake because this 1992 remake is a pale shadow of the original Barbara Stanwick, Dennis Morgan film, but it was also an horrible idea because I absolutely didn't need to see any formulaic, "female is oh so sad, life is a mess, and within 90 minutes it's all fixed" kind of movie. Life just isn't like that is it? First of all, the contentment that we feel, or don't, is rarely about the things in our life, and by now most of us have realized that it's not another person that can fill up the empty holes of our lives. Why does it take so long to realize that? Perhaps a lot of life's water needs to flow under our bridges before we start to "get it". Those of you who know me, know that as a person of faith, I believe that Christ brings meaning to life and a purpose for living. But let's face it, there are those who are genuine believers who are hurting desperately this holiday season, and it doesn't help to have the urban legend of "the perfect life, in the perfect house, with the perfect children, and perfect spouse" flick messing with your head even more. It also, I'm learning, doesn't help to have other people, who's lives may currently be in a really good place, tell us how it'll get better, or how a bit more faith is what is needed. I guess I need to remind myself that Paul David Tripp's comment about not judging the inside of your life by the outside of other people's always leads to disaster.
All I have to say today is, that I'm glad that there are people out there who are currently doing ok, and for whom Christmas looks bright. I don't begrudge them anything. I just miss my husband and mother this year, and while they (like me) were not perfect, they were mine. We loved each other for a long time and it was easy to overlook the preciousness of that in day to day routine, or in the difficulties that Mom's aging, or the sameness of life before John's illness which brought me to the stark realization that when this Earthly life is over you don't have a chance for another conversation, or to do things better, or to show more appreciation. I don't need a pep talk, or anyone to try to make it better. As John used to say, "it is what it is", and so now I need to cling to the lover of my soul, who hasn't left me. This season should be all about Him anyway, right? Still, I'm sad!
I suppose the thing that drove me back to this blog after a brief start, and a long absence, was a realization that many of you out there are hurting too. The holiday's lights and glitter are just illuminaters of some dark and dreary parts of our lives that don't go away because it's Christmas. Those realities are even more glaringly apparent because of the myth of perfection that Lifetime movies and culture offer us. My prayer for myself, and those of you in a similar situation, this holiday is that Jesus--Immanuel, God with us--will be a present comfort and hope to you and to me. If life is good right now, rejoice! If it's sad, let's take hope that God will take us through the dark times once more.
I sat down today to watch a remake of "Christmas In Connecticut" with Dyann Cannon and Kris Kristofferson. All I can say is, "big mistake!" Not only was it a mistake because this 1992 remake is a pale shadow of the original Barbara Stanwick, Dennis Morgan film, but it was also an horrible idea because I absolutely didn't need to see any formulaic, "female is oh so sad, life is a mess, and within 90 minutes it's all fixed" kind of movie. Life just isn't like that is it? First of all, the contentment that we feel, or don't, is rarely about the things in our life, and by now most of us have realized that it's not another person that can fill up the empty holes of our lives. Why does it take so long to realize that? Perhaps a lot of life's water needs to flow under our bridges before we start to "get it". Those of you who know me, know that as a person of faith, I believe that Christ brings meaning to life and a purpose for living. But let's face it, there are those who are genuine believers who are hurting desperately this holiday season, and it doesn't help to have the urban legend of "the perfect life, in the perfect house, with the perfect children, and perfect spouse" flick messing with your head even more. It also, I'm learning, doesn't help to have other people, who's lives may currently be in a really good place, tell us how it'll get better, or how a bit more faith is what is needed. I guess I need to remind myself that Paul David Tripp's comment about not judging the inside of your life by the outside of other people's always leads to disaster.
All I have to say today is, that I'm glad that there are people out there who are currently doing ok, and for whom Christmas looks bright. I don't begrudge them anything. I just miss my husband and mother this year, and while they (like me) were not perfect, they were mine. We loved each other for a long time and it was easy to overlook the preciousness of that in day to day routine, or in the difficulties that Mom's aging, or the sameness of life before John's illness which brought me to the stark realization that when this Earthly life is over you don't have a chance for another conversation, or to do things better, or to show more appreciation. I don't need a pep talk, or anyone to try to make it better. As John used to say, "it is what it is", and so now I need to cling to the lover of my soul, who hasn't left me. This season should be all about Him anyway, right? Still, I'm sad!
I suppose the thing that drove me back to this blog after a brief start, and a long absence, was a realization that many of you out there are hurting too. The holiday's lights and glitter are just illuminaters of some dark and dreary parts of our lives that don't go away because it's Christmas. Those realities are even more glaringly apparent because of the myth of perfection that Lifetime movies and culture offer us. My prayer for myself, and those of you in a similar situation, this holiday is that Jesus--Immanuel, God with us--will be a present comfort and hope to you and to me. If life is good right now, rejoice! If it's sad, let's take hope that God will take us through the dark times once more.
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