Through Stained Glass: A Lenten Commentary

Through Stained Glass: A Midweek Reflection--A Lenten Temptation

Through Stained Glass:  A Midweek Reflection—A Lenten Temptation

Last week was brutal.

If not because of the cold, then especially because of whatever I had that knocked me off my feet for three days.

Most of you know I pride myself on the fact that I do not get sick often.

Sure, a cold, a cough and the sniffles now and then, but usually, that is it.

So last week when I found myself struggling to stay warm…and then cool…and then warm…and then cool again, I was a bit surprised and annoyed.

Annoyed because there was so much to do last week.

The men’s breakfast, session meeting, Mardi Gras pancake supper, Ash Wednesday in the morning, book study at 10:30, Ashes to Go in the afternoon, and then Ash Wednesday service in the evening. Oh, in the midst of all that I needed to run 4 miles to continue the preparation for the 10k I’m running on March 12^th. Thursday would be the day I had breakfast with some folks, make visits, deliver Ashes perhaps, and then write my sermon.

A busy week, which is why I had NO time to get sick.

My body, though, my body wasn’t on board with my plans to conquer the first ½ week of Lent. My body was not up to working 14-hour days on Tuesday and Wednesday. My body was not keen on the idea that back to back nights of less than five hours of sleep was sufficient enough to do all the work that had to be done. My body…my body just couldn’t take it anymore.

I find it fitting that on Ash Wednesday, the day in our liturgical year where we ponder our mortality and the frailty of our humanity, I was lying in bed, my body aching for repose and my spirit pining for relief.

This is my problem, though, I go, go, go until my wellbeing is compromised and I am forced to take a break. Awareness is the first step in recognizing a change is needed.

Reflecting on my tendency to overdo work, I am reminded of these words from scripture: 

He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’

This comes from Exodus 33, when God commands Moses to lead the Israelites away from Mount Sinai to “the land flowing with milk and honey.” At first I read this story and thought, see even Moses worked a lot. But as I sat with the story of Moses, I was reminded of how often Moses spent time in the presence of God. And when Moses spent time with God, it was usually for long periods of time. So long that on one occasion the Israelites abandoned their leader and started worshipping a golden calf…

Here is some honesty:  my golden calf is busyness—which is my biggest temptation.

What does God require of me?

                  Not more meetings.

                  Not more emails.

                  Not more ___________.

What God requires of me is to do justice, yes; to love kindness, sure; but to walk humbly with God.

And this walking requires being present with God. Like, actually present.

Thus, this Lenten season I’ve decided to take on the practice of spending 30 minutes in the presence of God. So far, I’m struggling. But thankfully, Lent is 40 days long and each day is a new opportunity to begin again.

The journey has started. We have a long way to go. But together, I trust we will find what we are looking for…

May God be with you on your Lenten journey.

Peace,

Adam

Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-Relationships

(This weeks post comes from our very own, Carolyn Reynolds. If you are interested in contributing I would very much so appreciate whatever you submit. Photos, poems, words, or whatever!)

Mid-week Reflection

Carolyn Reynolds via Holly Thomas

A few weeks ago I received an email from a friend asking me to participate in an inspirational email chain letter. I was to send an inspirational message or picture to whomever was listed in the first slot. I was then to copy the email, move the person from the second slot up to the first one, and then add my name in the second slot. A message was sent to the person listed number one, and I forwarded it to 20 people. Well, actually, I only forwarded to about 10 people that I thought would participate. The chain letter was to continue and eventually I would receive 10 messages of inspiration. I think I received three. What stood out for me was the message/prayer I received from Holly Thomas. (thank you, again, Holly) It is copied below for you. I should add that I did a little research and this prayer was designed to help children learn how to pray, but let's be honest, sometimes thinking of the right things stumps us as adults. I hope you enjoy it as I did.

Five Finger Prayer

Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is as C.S. Lewis once said a "sweet duty."

The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This list includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

The fourth finger is out ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Through Stained Glass: A Midweek Reflection-Rest

Psalm 100 from The Message

A Thanksgiving Psalm

1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!

Bring a gift of laughter,

sing yourselves into God’s presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.

God made us; we didn’t make the Creator.

We’re God’s people, the Holy One’s well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank God. Worship the Holy One.

5 For God is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

Such a simple prayer of thanksgiving attributed to David.

My favorite line in this particular version of the psalm is “God is God, and God, God.”

It makes me giggle. Then comforts me. Finally, makes me smile.

God is God, and God, God.

God, that is good news.

I need you to do something for me, please. It won’t take but a moment.

Take 2 minutes and jot down what you are thankful for.

Ready?

Set?

Go.

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That wasn’t too bad now was it?

“God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, Loyal always and ever.”

God is God, and, God, God.

Rest in that. You need not do anything to impress God or to win God’s love. That isn’t how God works. God is God, and God, God.

I think it goes the same for us.

Adam is Adam, and Adam, Adam.

Or

To be myself, that is what God wants, always and forever.

Nothing else.

No one else.

God made us. We are God’s. God loves us.

Give thanks to God.

But not like you give thanks for the seat warmer in your car or for the iPhone that lets you know when and where you are supposed to be and who is demanding you to be there.

Not sure how to give thanks to God in a way that isn’t…cheap?

Read this again:

Psalm 100 from The Message

A Thanksgiving Psalm

1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!

Bring a gift of laughter,

sing yourselves into God’s presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.

God made us; we didn’t make the Creator.

We’re God’s people, the Holy One’s well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank God. Worship the Holy One.

5 For God is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

Breathe. Just be. Smile. That's thanksgiving.

Give thanks, friends. For when we do, we are made better by it because in thanking God, we draw deeper into the heart of the God who is God, and God, God.

With Love for you all,

A

Through Stained Glass: relax

In Matthew 6, Jesus offers a series of poetic instructions on how to live the good life, the life along the Way (the Way was how the early church referred to themselves as followers of Jesus…who is the Way…) After giving his disciples what we call “the Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus goes on to say:  “forgive your neighbor,” “don’t let others see you fasting,” “don’t store up treasures on earth,” “no one can serve both God and wealth,” and so on.

Jesus quits preaching and goes to meddlin’. “Do not worry about your life—what you will eat or drink—or about your body—what you will wear,” he says, “is not life more than these things? Can you add to your life by worrying? Why do it?”

Which is easy for Jesus to say (or so we think!), but the question remains:  What ought we do?

As I called the first person who has taken me up on my invitation to lunch/supper/coffee, we both exclaimed how we couldn’t believe we are almost ½ way through January. Though time is flying, the new beginning hasn’t escaped us entirely. Which is good because if 2016 hasn’t started out the way we would like, there is still plenty of time to turn things around.

Good Great news for me because I already see some of my resolutions fading away into the young year. Which has caused me to worry a bit:  am I enough? Am I really capable of doing these goals? Was I a little too ambitious about hiking Mt. Everest? I’m so great at worrying!

Though we, as a community of faith, may be tempted to worry about what may lie in store, asking questions like, “Will we continue to be a thriving, growing, healthy congregation?” “Will we become sensitive to what God is doing among and through us?,” Will we have the resources to continue to do ministry the way we sense ourselves called to do it?”, we have been give another option. One that lessens the stresses of worrying.

What are you worrying about right now?

What is distracting you at this very moment?

Name it.

Say it out loud.

Then,

Relax.

Rather than worrying, questioning, fretting, and fearing what if we listened again to Jesus?

“See first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (verse 33)

Now, may I please ask a favor of you?

Reflect deeply on ways you want to “seek first the Kingdom of God” in your life in the coming year, as a child of God and as a part of our community-of-faith.

Write down your thoughts. If you desire (I certainly do!), let me know how I can be in prayer for you as you give up everything but this:  seeking first the reign of God.

What will become of us?

Do not be afraid….