Echo from the Heart of God

This past Sunday, I spoke about the Bible as “a window into the heart of God.”* By looking at what the whole of scripture reveals to us about God, rather than going at it in a fragmented way, we see that the impetus behind creation is the same as in the coming of Jesus born among us as well as in the new creation towards which or by which we are being pulled. That impetus is the deep concern for the other. We call that love but need to be careful in the use of that too often bandied about word. This is not a watered down romantic concern. Instead, it is what we see revealed in Jesus who did not grasp, did not cling, did not exploit equality with God, but emptied himself, poured himself out taking the form of a slave, a servant, humbling himself for the sake of others. It is here that we see the heart of God. It is in this ongoing action that we hear God’s heartbeat.

The heartbeat is the most basic detectable sign of life. I believe it is the basis of music. When we share music together, especially when we sing together, we are connecting the rhythm of our hearts with one another. In music as we share a connected heartbeat is where community is formed.

In communal music we pour ourselves out to each other and we receive each other. This is a sign and a foretaste of the community of living in relationship with our triune God. The melodies may be simple or complex; the rhythms may be straightforward or syncopated; the harmonies may be unvarnished or contrapuntal. All of this is a glimpse into or an echo from the heart of God.

Psalm 33:3

Sing to God a new song! Play your best with joyful shouts! [CEB]

[1] James Howell, “Jesus’ Church: Freedom,” May 30, http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Jesus--Church--Freedom.html?soid=1104220709083&aid=dgTzLTHo5gE

Coming Back Online

I took a somewhat unintentional break from my weekly post. Life has been going so fast lately that I have had trouble just keeping up. Two weeks ago, we were celebrating Falls Church Feeds the World and how we surpassed our goals for the event, having such fun making a huge difference in the world. Last week, we were mourning for the attack at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. With all God's people, we cry, How long, O Lord, how long, until we can see your face in the face of everyone we meet?

Last weekend, the people called United Methodists in Virginia held our Annual Conference in Roanoke. Brian Christoffersen, Jennifer Secki Shields, and I attended. It is wonderful connecting with people we don't get to see often. It was a relatively quiet session this year, with General Conference just past, and so much on hold from that global meeting. We celebrated with our Bishop Young Jin Cho who is retiring. We endorsed Ted Smith as a candidate for the episcopacy in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

We also heard a couple of reports from the lay and clergy leaders of our General Conference delegation, Martha Stokes and Tom Berlin. Tom did an outstanding job of putting the issues concerning human sexuality into sharp focus as to how they affect our global church. I would recommend Tom's blogpost on this. You can see his spectacularly creative slides. And if you are on Facebook, check out his live presentation here.

At the close of Tom and Martha's report on Sunday morning, she asked us to take hands with those next to us to pray. It is only in deeply earnest, humble prayer that we can respond to God's call. So in spirit, I ask you to hold hands with me, with each other, and with others around the world to bathe our church in prayer.

Ephesians 3:20-21

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, forever and ever. Amen.

Oh, The Places We Will Go

Have you ever decided to do something that was a major step out of your comfort zone—something that was risky? Of course, if it is risky that means it might not succeed. Oftentimes, when I contemplate an action like that I decide to stay comfortable.

Oh, the places we won’t go (apologies to Dr. Seuss) when we try to stay comfortable. I have spent far too much of my life avoiding those places of discomfort. The thing is that Jesus did not seek his own comfort, nor the comfort of others. He sought to bring people into life-giving relationship with the One who began it all.

And how do we participate in that—first, by looking into the eyes of another and seeing them for who they are; second, by listening to the voice of the other and learning their story; third, by matching your stride to theirs so you can walk side-by-side; fourth, by taking time to be with them; fifth, by learning what are their goals in life; sixth, by learning to sing with them; and seventh, by looking into their eyes and seeing Jesus.

Oh, the places we will go with Jesus when we decide to risk being in real relationship with our neighbor. Will you dare? Will you risk it?

Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’