Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-Sharing

Light through windows in the youth room.
Sharing

Tomorrow is the last day of 2014.

For many of us, we can reflect back on the past 365 days and smile in delight for it was a good year.

For others, 2015 can’t come quick enough as we are anxious to wave goodbye to 2014.

This year provided lots of opportunities to share life together. From a book study on Sundays to Kirk Nights on Wednesdays, a family mission trip to Wisconsin and weekly gatherings to help with Food for Thought, 2014 was a year of service and sharing for our church.

2014 was the year I began writing these weekly reflections. Some of them I hope you have found inspiring. It is also my hope you laughed at some of the stories I shared about Silas and Chloe. Regardless if you read them or not, I have found this practice life giving as I have the opportunity of sharing a part of me with you through these words on a blog.

So today, this will be the last post for the 2014 year. But it won’t be from me. Rather, I want to share with you a reflection the Rev. Bruce Allison wrote about New Years that can be found in his book Links. Though I never met Bruce, his words in this book and the stories you all have shared with me, makes it feel as if I have. And that is a good thing.

Do you know where this beauty can be found in
the church?
In fact, the title for the blog, “Through Stained Glass,” came from a story I heard about Bruce. It is my understanding he often told people one of the reasons he loved our church was because at any point during the day, one could find light shining beautifully through our many stained glass windows.

That story made me smile. And it is the reason why I write.

With all those words written, I wish you a Happy New Year!

“NEW YEAR’S day at home, a holiday except for the ‘normal’ emergencies:  a wedding date, jello pans, and an upcoming funeral. I smoked my pipe and watched the children. It seems impossible that they should change. The Christmas tree is now in the woodpile next to part of the trunk of last year’s awaiting the kindling saw. Is there anything that looks nicer than a living room without a Christmas tree?
         While I was in the mood, Kathy had me take the crib out of Josh’s room. It has stood up for almost ten years, since purchased in Toledo. ‘Macy’s Baby Kempton,’ a name that makes me smile; and it has tooth marks to bring tears. I think I’d chew on it, too, waiting to be lifted out of a morning.
Indeed, sanctuary.
         How many years do you suppose it will rest in the basement, awaiting a grandchild’s visit? No matter how many New Year’s days pass, they will seem as timeless as this one. Each child will look changeless every day to my eyes. But, I know I’ll never find the screws to put it back together properly; and our grandchildren will never believe they were daddy’s or mommy’s teeth which made those marks. I’ll doubt it myself. Nothing could have happened that long ago.
         Today, while they are all here playing on the floor, perhaps my heart can comprehend the pure beauty of what they’ll become, and my spirit know the peace of change. It’s time to light a fire.”

And of course, the church mouse.

         we are through what is called ‘the holidays,’ and am I glad! they may be holidays for you all, but for mice they are terrible. if you think it was cold and icy sunday, you should know what it’s like with no one in the building at all. they say ‘poor as a church mouse.’ well, i’ll tell you, poor has nothing to do with it. ‘lonely’ is the word. new year’s eve i would have been glad even for the company of a-excuse me i spell it c-a-t. i refuse to say that word out loud. something might think that i was calling it.
         anyway, I couldn’t even watch guy lombardo’s band. pork chop has taken the set home again, said nobody was watching it here. well, i was.
         you’ll be happy to know that the sermon sunday came through at 14.35.4, including the scripture. that’s the official word from the resident timer who got a stop watch for christmas. bonzo got a watch, too, doesn’t even have a second hand on it. a sure sign of the age i figure.

         well, you all keep your feet under you and stay warm. think of me sometimes.
cm


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Through Stained Glass: Advent Word of the Day-Near

Day 24:  Near      

The time is near. [Revelation 1.3]

Now is the time to make what we’ve hoped for
                                                               Longed for
                                                                                 Waited for
                                                                                                   A reality.

The time is not only near
                                    It
                                             Is
                                                      Now.

No need to wait anymore.

God is near.

God is with us.

Now.

Emmanuel.

Draw near to the ones you love as you would to a fire on a cold night and feel the warmth of life around you.

What has come near is simplicity.

God has come in an infant, a baby.

This is how God reigns.

Today celebrate the truth of God’s love.

God loved us so much that God chose to become one of us.

God came near. Love draws near. 

God loves you—and understands you.

As Jesus settled near the bosom of Mary, so we too are invited to rest near the
heart of God. From God’s hear flows the river of peace, peace that covers us, peace that soften hard hearts and hard eyes. A thrill of hope! Draw near, dear friends, as our “weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” Near, God is here, now. Imagine with me, please.

The sun shines on this day we celebrate the Light dawning and we are reminded how “God is substantially present everywhere, in and through all creatures, in all their parts and places, so that the world is full of God and He fills all, but without His being encompassed and surrounded by it. He is at the same time outside and above all creatures. These are all exceedingly incomprehensible matters; yet they are articles of our faith and are attended clearly and mightily in Holy Writ” ~Martin Luther

Draw near to the age-old truth that God and God alone is our savior. The time near, the time is now to believe in another world, God’s hope for us,
is
possible.

Today, on the nativity of Christ, May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

Draw near to the light, for the Love of God awaits your presence


Blessings to you and yours on this Christmas day.


Monday, December 22, 2014

Through Stained Glass: Advent Word of the Day--Afraid

Day 22:  Afraid

They fled from the tombfor they were afraid. [Mark 16.8]

My first nightmare, that I remember, was one about Harry and the Henderson’s, that bizarre movie turned TV show about a Bigfoot like creature.

I remember dreaming he was following me and when I woke up, I swore he was walking towards me. Of course, this launched me out of my bed and into my big brothers. It is funny how my eyes played a trick on me, causing me to be afraid of the dark.

Then there was the time when I went exploring in the souvenir shop at Cave of the Winds in Colorado without telling my parents. When I went to find them, well, they were gone. That feeling of adrenaline pumping through my veins and my breath quickening and the reaction to cry, I’ll never forget it. That was the first time I was afraid of being alone.

I don’t have children. But I do have two Golden Retrievers and they are like children. I remember when I took Silas, my oldest golden, to the dog park in Louisville and 2 other dogs attacked him. My heart sank. I was frozen in my tracks. And I was genuinely afraid for my friendly, gentle giant of a golden pup.

It is okay to be afraid. It happens to everyone. Mary was afraid. So was Joseph.

I often wonder if God was afraid at the thought of becoming one of us who, She well knows, have a tendency to harm and hurt each other. Just look at the headlines. Listen to the floating heads on TV.

Actually, don’t. If you do that, it will only make you more paranoid and afraid.

I guess, Advent is a time to recognize that fear and being afraid is normal, a part of our human condition.

And if Jesus is who we say Jesus is, then we can find comfort knowing that at some point, Jesus too knew what it felt like to be afraid.


So friends, the light is growing brighter. The nights are becoming shorter. The hour of uncertainty will dawn. Soon, we will no longer need to be afraid.

If you made it this far, I encourage you to spend 11 minutes and watch this video. Storyteller Karen Thompson Walker does a beautiful job articulating how fear can be a positive influence in our lives.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Through Stained Glass: Advent Word of the Day-Don't Be Afraid



Lyrics to Don't Be Afraid

Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,
My love is stronger than your fear.
Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,
And I have promised to be always near


Day 20:  Don’t Be Afraid

Jesus said to the disciples, “Don’t be afraid [Mark 6.50]

It is a mantra throughout scripture.

When things are about to get intense or when things are about to change, words Presbyterians have a hard time with, the messenger often begins, “Do not be afraid

Don’t

Be

Afraid.

You know what drives society these days, according to some researchers?

Our own unworthiness.

We are afraid of letting people see who we really are and potentially exposing ourselves, so we avoid the one thing that can make us more courageous: vulnerability. In fact Brenee Brown, a researcher at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work and author of the best-selling Daring Greatly, says courage and vulnerability are closely aligned and the two qualities can greatly improve our lives.

Being courageous can be scary in and of itself. And at the risk of sounding like one of those pop-Christianity clichés, but these words have comforted me many times:

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

I guess that is what makes what comes at the end of Advent so profound.

When God could have remained with Godself, when God could have stepped back, when God could have give up, God did the opposite. God entered fully into the story when She took on flesh. It is as if God owned God’s story.

God
                           Became
                                                      Vulnerable.

Again, Brenee Brown says, “Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.”

Expressing your vulnerability, accepting who you are and letting go of who you think you should be in the process are the key steps to feeling worthy of love and belonging.

Which we all are worthy of:

Love

and

Belonging.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself. God wants nothing more than that from you.

In a time where everyone is trying to be the next big this or that, be yourself, as ordinary as that sounds.

Because what the world needs is you.

And that, that is pretty extraordinary.

In the birth of Christ we see the vulnerability of God.


And vulnerability is the birthplace of love.

Love is our destiny. Love is our name.

Don't be afraid...