My Project

Ooh. Wow, do I feel vulnerable right now! I just started sending out the invitations to participate in the project for my doctor of ministry program. Well, it is a bit akin to saying and intimating that I am going to do something—maybe—someday; and then actually doing it in front of everyone. For a person who is on the shy-side (that’s right, Melissa; you had my number), this is the equivalent of turning a bright beacon spotlight on me. There is no place to get out of the light.

So now, let me share that invitation with you as well.

Discernment Process over Divisive Issues, e.g. Homosexuality in the UMC

What: a three-session discernment process on homosexuality that seeks to strengthen participants' abilities to listen “in love,” meaning, in an open way. Between sessions, there will be homework assignments of reading and engagement with others. There is no agenda to change anyone’s perspective.

When: Saturdays 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 11; May 9; and May 30.

Where: Christ Crossman UMC, 384 N Washington St. Falls Church, VA

Who: UM Clergy and laity from a wide variety of positions, who will commit to attending all three sessions.

Sign up online, by: April 8: sign up here

Grace upon Grace, Setting Us Free

Today, one of my students reflected on his experience of imposing ashes in the parking lot of his internship church. He said he knows now some of what it feels like to be homeless when people refused to look in his eyes as they rushed by. How often do we refuse to look into the eyes of another, especially when they look seedy, or when we are too busy, or don’t want to be bothered?

As I looked into the eyes of people, some of whom I did not know, to place a cross of ashes on their head, I was aware of time standing still, at least for a moment. When I helped to remind them of how much God loved them in spite of how broken they might be, I saw a child of God looking out of their eyes.

Dust to dust; ashes to ashes; grace upon grace, setting us free.

Isaiah 58:9b-10

If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.

Image of the Invisible

Just a few weeks ago, at our church-wide Saturday retreat, our facilitator Hedy Collver reminded us that as Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, so we are now the visible image of Jesus’ own body—make that Body. This is not just some theological talk; this is reality that has great impact, or can have, on the world.

Jesus showed us in his own body how God is love, pure love. This is not a sappy, sentimental love; this is a love that goes all the way “to the mats,” as Tom Hanks’ character in “You’ve Got Mail” quotes the Godfather, or rather all the way to the cross. This is love that knows no end as in a finish. It does know an end as in a purpose. The purpose is to draw us into relationship with the One who set all creation into motion so that we—you, I—will be set free from all that binds us, to be whole, and embraced.

So what does it mean that we are now the visible Body? It means that we are a part of that Love that seeks to set us and others free; that we are a part of that purpose to embrace the whole world.

Just so you don’t get the idea that I am just spouting some theology, or even preaching right now, this has lately begun to be a call, with a capital C, to move to an entirely new level of being church—Body—together. So expect to hear more of this from me as I ponder and respond.

God Remembers

Numbers, numbers, and numbers are running through my brain as I am completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for Max’s college tuition, housing, fees, books, etc. Verses, verses, and verses are running through my mind from all the reading and preparation for worship, studying and preaching. Prayers, prayers, and prayers are running through my heart from Bible study, staff meeting, colloquy at Wesley, and small group.

How can I manage so much in my memory? Sometimes I can; sometimes I cannot. Sometimes there are things I forget, but I give thanks that God always remembers. Out of the billions and billions of stars and objects in creation, and the billions and billions who live and have lived here on the earth, I am confident that not a single one, no matter how large, no matter how small, is ever forgotten by the One in whom and out of whom we have our beginning, our present, and our end.

And so I give thanks that God remembers what I forget, that God remembers what you forget, and that God helps us remember each time we gather together.

Isaiah 49:15-16

Eternal One: Is it possible for a mother, however disappointed,

        however hurt, to forget her nursing child?

    Can she feel nothing for the baby she carried and birthed?

        Even if she could, I, God, will never forget you.

    Look here. I have made you a part of Me, written you on the palms of My hands. 

                       (The Voice)