Regardless of what anyone's beliefs { or nonbelief, at it may be}are or are not, all humans are called to a purpose. none of us exist to merely take up oxygen and other resources, each and everyone has a purpose or two[ or three or four.....} for our time hear on Earth. Today's sermon lesson was on such ' callings' and since I am a Christian, I shall take a Christian approach to this topic.
Discerning a '"call" has two components One is the inner voice that tells someone she or he is called to a particular place, job, relationship, ect. Makes sense, yes?
I've spent at least the past two years in my own discernment. for reasons which I would rather not mention, I felt a need to make a move from one Episcopal parish to another.
My decision to leave Small Parish for Beach Parish was not an easy one, nor did I make that choice to follow that call "suddenly" [ no matter what you might have heard through the local grapevine]
I'd been in a conversation with God and with some trusted friends regarding this move to beach parish for quite some time. When the right mix of events occurred, it was God SHOUTING to me " Time to move". By that time, I was ready for the next step in my walk with Christ---and as painful as my parting with Small Parish was and still is, I do not regret listening to that inner voice of God telling me that it was past time to move on.
As my mom, she'll tell you that I do not listen to anyone very well or very often. God was shouting at me to get my skinny butt to a different place . Sadly like the stubborn Irish-American hillbilly gal I am, I still didn't listen. after all, God wasn't giving me any specifics about WHY it was time to seek out a new parish home, all God kept telling me that I needed to move on from what I'd come to know and love.[ yes I do love Small Parish}
The second part of the ' call' isn't quite so easy: Does the community affirm the call? In my case, I'd felt both the inner call to leave Small Parish---but was terrified of what that might mean for the relationships that I had built with the people in that community. Best Dude was and still IS a member of Small Parish, and the idea of becoming a two-parish household DID NOT make me feel good. Yet I was restless in the former parish community, and felt out-of-place among them. try as I might, I felt lonely among them, and only continued to be a part of that parish because I selfishly wanted to spend Sunday mornings with him. Also, are we not supposed to worship in a church near where we live?
For two years I struggled with these questions and many more. God was telling me what God wanted me to do, and even as I began to see the ' big picture" of what God called me to do I still resisted until some circumstances hit me in what felt like a literal slap in the face. all I shall say about what prompted me to finally listen to God's calling me was that it SUCKED!
I can say with a clear and joyous heart that Beach Church has affirmed my ' calling' to be a part and among them. I only wish I would have answered this particular call sooner.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Showing posts with label #sermonlesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #sermonlesson. Show all posts
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Sunday, September 7, 2014
#Sermonlesson Conflict resolution according to Jesus
Matt 18:15-20
This is a very familiar passage of the Gospel of Matthew that every Christian should know. Jesus is telling His Disciples how they are to deal with strife and disagreements within their community. Jesus says:
"If another member of the church{ or community} sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church {or community}, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. "
This is how we Christians are to deal with small sins against each other. At first we are instructed to talk with the person whom we feel has offended us. If that does not resolve the issue, the next step { according to Jesus}is to take one or two other community members with you and talks with the person AGAIN. And if this approach fails, then we are to bring the community into the conflict resolution. And if THAT fails, then Scripture says that we are to treat the offender as one would a 'Gentile or tax collector'. That is, we are to figuratively or literally " cast him or her out".
How many communities of any kind follow this model of conflict resolution? how many even TRY to follow this model? In my opinion, far too few human communities Too often we humans would rather gossip behind our friends, family members and work associate's backs than respectfully approach him or her with our complaint. Admit it---all of us are guilty of this sin. Those of us who are Christians know better yet still we persist in backhanded " conflict resolution" that too often creates bigger and more numerous conflicts.
Why? Why can we not live honestly together and be open to authenticity? What good does backhanded, gossipy "conflict resolution do in the long run? Are we REALLY in such pain that we seek to hurt our sister & fellow community members just because we do not agree with them?
It is not popular to tell the truth in this society. When one is living or working in a community, decision-makers especially rarely take well to being called out on their misdeeds. Bosses do not wish to be told by their subordinates that their business practices are unethical. Teachers do not wish students to tell them that they are teaching according to a particular political agenda. The list can go on & on....
Yet in order to live authentic lives as members of communities, we must be open to practicing Jesus' model of conflict resolution.
Amen.
This is a very familiar passage of the Gospel of Matthew that every Christian should know. Jesus is telling His Disciples how they are to deal with strife and disagreements within their community. Jesus says:
"If another member of the church{ or community} sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church {or community}, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. "
This is how we Christians are to deal with small sins against each other. At first we are instructed to talk with the person whom we feel has offended us. If that does not resolve the issue, the next step { according to Jesus}is to take one or two other community members with you and talks with the person AGAIN. And if this approach fails, then we are to bring the community into the conflict resolution. And if THAT fails, then Scripture says that we are to treat the offender as one would a 'Gentile or tax collector'. That is, we are to figuratively or literally " cast him or her out".
How many communities of any kind follow this model of conflict resolution? how many even TRY to follow this model? In my opinion, far too few human communities Too often we humans would rather gossip behind our friends, family members and work associate's backs than respectfully approach him or her with our complaint. Admit it---all of us are guilty of this sin. Those of us who are Christians know better yet still we persist in backhanded " conflict resolution" that too often creates bigger and more numerous conflicts.
Why? Why can we not live honestly together and be open to authenticity? What good does backhanded, gossipy "conflict resolution do in the long run? Are we REALLY in such pain that we seek to hurt our sister & fellow community members just because we do not agree with them?
It is not popular to tell the truth in this society. When one is living or working in a community, decision-makers especially rarely take well to being called out on their misdeeds. Bosses do not wish to be told by their subordinates that their business practices are unethical. Teachers do not wish students to tell them that they are teaching according to a particular political agenda. The list can go on & on....
Yet in order to live authentic lives as members of communities, we must be open to practicing Jesus' model of conflict resolution.
Amen.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
What IS the Church? WE ARE!
Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am fulfilled and recharged weekly by going to Mass at Beach Parish. I do not go to church for entertainment or to fill a social need or obligation { as someone with autism, I have fewer needs for social contacts than does the average person} The main reason I go to church in general and Beach Parish in particular is to worship our LORD Jesus Christ among others who proclaim Him as our Savior.
Jesus Christ is our Lord & Savior. In reality, that is all that we as Christians need to agree upon in order to get along. Jesus is LORD, and the rest is secondary. Today's Gospel lesson REALLY honed that point back to me. it matters not if we Christians label ourselves as progressive , conservative, liturgical, evangelical, ect. It only matters that we recognize WHOM we worship on Sunday mornings & Whose life we should try to emulate daily.
I grew up with parents who did not adhere to any one faith path. My younger brother and I were taught to basically " treat others the way you want others to treat you". Our Mom, Jewish-in-name-only and our fallen-away-Roman Catholic Dad agreed before I was born to let their children choose our own paths { or to continue in their tradition of no organized faith path}
Although I remember attending Roman Catholic Mass with my paternal grandmother as a wee child, my cognizant walk with God started out in the youth choir of a small rural Presbyterian Church in Appalachian Ohio. We were required to sing at the Sunday service monthly during the school year. I suppose I can say that I first learned about Jesus through the medium of song.
It was here that I was formally introduced to the Gospels. At that point I was old enough to be curious about this person Jesus of Nazareth and wanted to know more of what He taught. It was here that the Body Of Christ mobilized to help me and my family during a time of need. At age 12 I underwent two drastic surgeries on my spine to correct severe scoliosis. These procedures required me to stay for 21 days in Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Of course my parents spent almost nightly vigils with me throughout the three long weeks, but I remember people from church visiting me and sending gifts { BOOKS!!} food and flowers. They BECAME the Body of Christ and with their help { and God, of course! } My family and I got through one of the toughest parts of my childhood. My Christian community cared about me and showed the love of Christ in a tangible way during my 12th summer.
We gather at church on Sundays for spiritual nourishment that should carry us out into the world to BE Christ's hands and feet. We should not be afraid to Be Christ's helping hands in the world. Now, with so many people hurting in so many way throughout our local areas, it is a perfect time to live out what we say every Sunday in the Creeds. We, 21st century coastal pilgrims, are Church.
Alleluia. Amen.
Jesus Christ is our Lord & Savior. In reality, that is all that we as Christians need to agree upon in order to get along. Jesus is LORD, and the rest is secondary. Today's Gospel lesson REALLY honed that point back to me. it matters not if we Christians label ourselves as progressive , conservative, liturgical, evangelical, ect. It only matters that we recognize WHOM we worship on Sunday mornings & Whose life we should try to emulate daily.
I grew up with parents who did not adhere to any one faith path. My younger brother and I were taught to basically " treat others the way you want others to treat you". Our Mom, Jewish-in-name-only and our fallen-away-Roman Catholic Dad agreed before I was born to let their children choose our own paths { or to continue in their tradition of no organized faith path}
Although I remember attending Roman Catholic Mass with my paternal grandmother as a wee child, my cognizant walk with God started out in the youth choir of a small rural Presbyterian Church in Appalachian Ohio. We were required to sing at the Sunday service monthly during the school year. I suppose I can say that I first learned about Jesus through the medium of song.
It was here that I was formally introduced to the Gospels. At that point I was old enough to be curious about this person Jesus of Nazareth and wanted to know more of what He taught. It was here that the Body Of Christ mobilized to help me and my family during a time of need. At age 12 I underwent two drastic surgeries on my spine to correct severe scoliosis. These procedures required me to stay for 21 days in Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Of course my parents spent almost nightly vigils with me throughout the three long weeks, but I remember people from church visiting me and sending gifts { BOOKS!!} food and flowers. They BECAME the Body of Christ and with their help { and God, of course! } My family and I got through one of the toughest parts of my childhood. My Christian community cared about me and showed the love of Christ in a tangible way during my 12th summer.
We gather at church on Sundays for spiritual nourishment that should carry us out into the world to BE Christ's hands and feet. We should not be afraid to Be Christ's helping hands in the world. Now, with so many people hurting in so many way throughout our local areas, it is a perfect time to live out what we say every Sunday in the Creeds. We, 21st century coastal pilgrims, are Church.
Alleluia. Amen.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Storytelling as medicine
I realized today that I am no longer angry. My anger has been replaced with a sadness & sense of loss. Some recent events in my life have wounded me deeply and for weeks I irritated a festering psychic wound. My " burden" has been considerably lifted, and I am at peace with the situation now.
Tonight I am proud to say that I am so OVER IT ALL. Truly. My anger has dissipated.
Instead of anger, I feel sadness. Sadness is not a positive emotion, but sadness is somehow less caustic than anger. Yet I know that the Great Physician will heal me in due time. I also know that healing will not take place in a vacuum Our faith is meant to be practiced in COMMUNITY.
We Christ-followers need to share our stories. By doing so, we remind each other of God's Presence in our lives. When we are in the midst of a situation, we often fail to see God working amidst the chaos. God does work to heal hurts caused by humans being humans...let's face it we are all egotistical creatures who can be selfish and cruel to each other.
I am blessed to have people who allow me to tell my story & " own" my emotions. Sadly, I tend to hang onto grudges and nurse wounds. But my dear friends have listened patiently to my story, and did not force their advice onto me.
Wounds, whether they be emotional or physical, are part of our stories. And it is by telling our stories to each other than bonds of affection form. I am able to heal thanks to a large part of willing ears & open hearts who LISTEN to my story without prejudging me. I try my best to be an active and effective listener. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen to our stories, and not to offer advice.
Thanks be to God for stories & the ability to share them with each other. And thanks be to the Great Physician who heals us and sustains us through anything our sister & fellow humans can throw at us.
Amen.
Tonight I am proud to say that I am so OVER IT ALL. Truly. My anger has dissipated.
Instead of anger, I feel sadness. Sadness is not a positive emotion, but sadness is somehow less caustic than anger. Yet I know that the Great Physician will heal me in due time. I also know that healing will not take place in a vacuum Our faith is meant to be practiced in COMMUNITY.
We Christ-followers need to share our stories. By doing so, we remind each other of God's Presence in our lives. When we are in the midst of a situation, we often fail to see God working amidst the chaos. God does work to heal hurts caused by humans being humans...let's face it we are all egotistical creatures who can be selfish and cruel to each other.
I am blessed to have people who allow me to tell my story & " own" my emotions. Sadly, I tend to hang onto grudges and nurse wounds. But my dear friends have listened patiently to my story, and did not force their advice onto me.
Wounds, whether they be emotional or physical, are part of our stories. And it is by telling our stories to each other than bonds of affection form. I am able to heal thanks to a large part of willing ears & open hearts who LISTEN to my story without prejudging me. I try my best to be an active and effective listener. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen to our stories, and not to offer advice.
Thanks be to God for stories & the ability to share them with each other. And thanks be to the Great Physician who heals us and sustains us through anything our sister & fellow humans can throw at us.
Amen.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Welcome, " Come Well"
We say "Welcome" in greeting whenever someone comes to our home or place of worship. But have you ever thought about how the world " welcome" is really two words? When we welcome someone { be it to our home or our church} we invite them to "come and be well"
Being authentically welcoming, as Christ commands of we His followers, is risky business. To be truly welcoming, we are { or should be{} at our most vulnerable. We invite others to com be with us, and the radical hospitality that Jesus commands we modern-day apostles to practice includes accepting other for who they ARE, not whom we wish them to be. radical hospitality to we Christ-followers demands that we put aside our prejudices, expectations and other preconceived notions of what we wish people to be when we meet them.
Manners are important, especially for meeting and/or entertaining someone for the first time. Social conventions dictate that we strive to follow a set of " norms" in order to be hospitable. But Jesus commands us to follow an entirely different hospitality. We are to love each other as He loves us. Radical hospitality is more than putting the correct number of forks on the supper table settings.
Love is costly, and the love described by an emulated by Jesus includes putting another's needs first, regardless of one's own idea of what is " normal & " acceptable".
In other words: Do not judge, and try to understand someone else's point of view when it comes to confronting differences of opinion. We humans need not always agree on eveyrthing in order to be kind to one another. We Christians, especially, need to accept each other as we are . After all, Christ accepts us without questions or reservations, so should we not follow His Example?
Amen.
Being authentically welcoming, as Christ commands of we His followers, is risky business. To be truly welcoming, we are { or should be{} at our most vulnerable. We invite others to com be with us, and the radical hospitality that Jesus commands we modern-day apostles to practice includes accepting other for who they ARE, not whom we wish them to be. radical hospitality to we Christ-followers demands that we put aside our prejudices, expectations and other preconceived notions of what we wish people to be when we meet them.
Manners are important, especially for meeting and/or entertaining someone for the first time. Social conventions dictate that we strive to follow a set of " norms" in order to be hospitable. But Jesus commands us to follow an entirely different hospitality. We are to love each other as He loves us. Radical hospitality is more than putting the correct number of forks on the supper table settings.
Love is costly, and the love described by an emulated by Jesus includes putting another's needs first, regardless of one's own idea of what is " normal & " acceptable".
In other words: Do not judge, and try to understand someone else's point of view when it comes to confronting differences of opinion. We humans need not always agree on eveyrthing in order to be kind to one another. We Christians, especially, need to accept each other as we are . After all, Christ accepts us without questions or reservations, so should we not follow His Example?
Amen.
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