MANNA: 8/30/12

Reaping What We Sow

As a teenager, I went to work in a pizza shop.  I was a cook at DiCarlo's, the most popular pizza shop in the Wheeling area.  Believe it or not, cooking a pizza just right is more tricky than you might think.  Getting a large lump of dough to stretch out with proper edges, getting the feel for just the right amount of sauce, and using the ovens to cook just enough to form a golden brown crispy crust took practice.  I had a lot to learn.  Patsy, the owner, made me practice before he would allow me to cook for real customers.  I wouldn't be paid my full hourly wage until he trusted that I was ready to cook for customers.  Working alongside another, more experienced, cook I watched and learned.  When business slowed I would practice on my own.  

After a couple of weeks, Patsy asked me to come in a little early.  He said he had an order for a special customer that needed to go out before the shop officially opened.  He said he wanted me to come in and help him get it ready.  When I got there, he told me the order was for two trays.  In other words, that was two full pizzas, or 48 slices.  This was a big order, sizable enough for a party.  He said this was for a friend of his, which is why he asked me to come in early to do this favor.  

I worked carefully, doing my best, with Patsy watching everything I did.  When the two trays were done, I was very satisfied.  These were good!  I said to Patsy, "I hope your friend enjoys the pizza, cause this is the best I could do."  He looked it over, smiled at me and said, "I hope so, too, 'cause its yours."  He sent me home with two trays of pizza for my family to enjoy and the night off.  

Patsy gave me a gift that has lasted long after my employment at DiCarlo's.  We need to do our best to treat others like we want to be treated because we never know when our actions may come back to bless or curse us.  

Galatians 6:7

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

Matthew 7:12

"Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love

where there is injury, pardon

where there is doubt, faith

where there is despair, hope

where there is darkness, light

where there is sadness, joy

Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted

to understand, than to be understood

to love, than to be loved

For it is by giving that we receive

it is by forgiving that we are forgiven

it is by dying that we are awaken to eternal life.

Amen

MANNA: 8/23/12

My son begins kindergarten on Monday.  My wife and I have attended the orientation.  We bought him a new backpack, and he is so excited for his first real ride on the school bus.  I can't help but anticipate a slightly emotional moment coming.  I picture it like this.  He and I will be standing on the curb together waiting for the school bus, his hand in mine just as I taught him.  The bus will arrive, and he will let go of my hand to get on the bus, then wave good-bye to me from his seat.    I will walk back to the house...alone, with the realization that the first stage of parenting (the preschool years) was over.  

There was a similar emotional moment my wife experienced with her son recently as well.  We took him to college.  I watched as she hesitated so many times before leaving.  Each time I could tell that she felt the need to do one more thing; make his bed, arrange his closet, ask him one last time, "Do you need anything?" Finally, we walked together to our car, now empty after hauling all of his things, and drove away.  

It happens again and again through the journey of parenting.  Really, when you think about it, parenting is one big process of learning to let go.  I suppose that's because parenting is all about helping our kids to grow, and to grow is to change and learn, and learn and change.  

As parents, then, I think it makes sense that we do our best to maintain a few things that give our ever-changing children something to keep them and us grounded and connected through it all.   Consider these three steps:

1.  Love them always and let them know they are loved unconditionally.  Don't play games with this.  Don't turn love into an "If...then..." proposition for them to prove to you that they are worthy of it.  Let them know that nothing they do will ever be able to separate them from your love for them.  One of my favorite passages in the bible is Romans 8:38-39, where St. Paul declares to us God's unconditional love for us. Let God's love for us be a model for how we love our children.  

2.  Discipline them justly and consistently, so that they know that there are consequences for stepping over the line.  The process of maturation is one from dependence to independence.  With independence as the goal, we parents must understand that this pathway goes directly through the wilderness (better stated...the wild period) of rebelliousness.  During the "wild period", believe it or not, studies indicate that children are actually crying out to their parents for more structure and discipline, not less.  They have a strange way of showing it, to be sure.  But, the fact is that children do not push the limits because they don't want discipline. They do so simply to find out if we love them enough to protect them, and keep them secure.  Oh, and when step 2 gets too difficult, or when you're losing your patience with your children....refer to step 1.  :-)

3. Last, but certainly not least, pray for them unceasingly.  Pray that they will be protected from harm, that the Holy Spirit will counsel their choices, and that they will be influenced by goodness, righteousness and justice.  

Letting go is not easy, but we are able to do so because we are loved by God who always has us and our kids in His loving and protective arms.  With God's help and our love, our children are given a great gift by our letting go.  They are given the very best opportunity to grow into responsible and faithful adults.  With God's blessing, we parents get to complete the cycle when we see our children become parents themselves.  

3John 1:4

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we are your children and you raise us up to walk humbly, stand firm in faith, and love our neighbors as you have first loved us.  Help us to let go of our children with trust in you.  Give us grace to love unconditionally, discipline justly and consistently, and pray unceasingly.  Bless us with the sure confidence that in you we may one day see our children become responsible and faithful adults.

In Jesus' name.  Amen

There Are No Naturals

Hi all,
I've been either away on vacation or busy with personal matters for the last few weeks.  So, after a bit of a delay, It's good to be back to my routine.

Also, I'm very pleased that nearly 130 people are regularly reading my blog.  I'd like to know your comments on the things your reading if for no other reason than feedback on how this new idea is working.  So, please feel free to leave your comments on the blog.  If you're reading these in an email, just click the link at the top to go to the blog itself and then look for the comments icon at the bottom of each post.  If you prefer to leave a private message, you can do that by clicking my email address at the top of the blog page.

God Bless,

Sermon from August 12, 2012

Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Over the last couple of weeks, unless you were literally under a rock, you had the privilege of witnessing two of the greatest in history in their sport; Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.

Most athletes dream of winning a gold medal, BUT NOT 18 OF THEM!  That's just mind-boggling.  Add in the non-gold medals and we had the privilege of watching the most decorated swimmer in history.  Then, turning over to the track events, there's Usain Bolt; appropriately named because I think he could outrun a lightning bolt.  Usain Bolt, the only man ever to win gold in the 100 meter, and the 200 meter dash in two successive Olympics.  Hands down, the fastest man ever.

Such overwhelming athleticism from these two individuals had many in the media referring to them as "naturals".  I heard one commentator speak of Usain Bolt as the "most naturally gifted sprinter ever".   Similar comments have been made about Michael Phelps.   When interviewed, however, both of these athletes refer to the countless hours of practice and training they've devoted to their given field.  They graciously thank the coaches and family members that have made it possible for them to achieve their goals.

This raises a question, does it not?  Are there some people who are "naturals"?

This message is my attempt to debunk the myth that there are naturals.

Think about it...doesn't the term "natural" indicate that a person is born with the ability to do something without needing to be taught or trained in any way?  If this were true, then Usain Bolt, from the moment the doctor snipped the umbilical chord, should have been able to hop down onto the floor and take off runnin' lickety split through the hospital hallways.  :-)  My guess is that did not happen.  Why?  Because first someone had to teach him to walk.

The truth is, there are really only two things that we are naturals at doing.

First, we are naturals at breathing.  That's right...we take it for granted because it occurs so naturally, but in order for us to breath there is a miraculous amount of things that must happen in the proper order.  Every one of us is born with the miraculous ability to breath.  Did you know that in the Bible the ancient word for breath is the same as that of the Holy Spirit.  That's not to say that the Holy Spirit and the breathing we do are the same thing, but it is to say that there is an ancient connection between breathing and the primal gift of life given to us by God.  In Genesis 3, the Bible refers to the beginning of human life as the moment when God breathes into Adam.  Life's breath is, then, a spiritual thing.  Also, we use language today that resonates with this same ancient understanding.  When God's Word speaks to us, I mean really speaks to us...we say that we are inspired by God.  That word, inspire, literally means to take in breath.  I don't think it is much of a stretch to say that each breath that we take is a reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit...the very breath of life that inspires and sustains life.  So, we could say then that we are born with the natural gift of experiencing life spiritually.  We are born with a natural ability to believe and trust in the giver of life's breath, in other words, God has created us with a natural ability to believe.

Second, we are naturals at crying.  None of us had to be taught to cry.  It comes natural to us to cry out for help, food, comfort etc.  But, from the moment we are born, who are we crying to?  I find it interesting that the most basic expression of prayer in the Bible is to "cry" out to God.   Still today, even without being taught, we are capable of prayer.  So, ....

We are born with a natural ability to believe and trust.
And, we are born with a natural ability to pray.

Everything else must be taught and practiced.

People don't win Olympic medals because they are naturals at swimming and running.  They win medals because of countless hours devoted to practice.

Likewise, people don't become Christians because they are naturals at Christianity.  Christianity doesn't come naturally, it must be taught and it must be practiced.

This is what Paul is telling the church in Ephesus.  Now that they have come to know Jesus, and what he has done for them they need to practice this new way of life.

Christianity is one of practice and devotion.  We're not expected to be perfect, we're only expected to keep practicing.
People often complain that the churches are full of people who are 55 and over on Sunday mornings.  Maybe, this is simply because those who are older have been practicing longer, and they're just starting to get a few things right.  :-) I say that in jest, of course.  But it does make you wonder for a moment.

So, ask yourself, what do I need to practice?
Paul refers to a short list:
1.  Speak the truth to one another for we are members of one another.
Is honesty something you need to practice?  Have you been truthful to the ones you love?
2.  Be angry, but do not sin.
Oh, this is a tough one.  Anger is considered by psychology as a false emotion.  In other words, when we feel anger, what we're feeling is actually a mask or a defense mechanism for some other deeper hurt or fear.  Anger, then, isn't truthful to our psyche and when not held in check tends to produce behaviors that we regret.  Paul says that anger gives opportunity to the devil.   In other words, when we're angry at someone, our actions toward that person tends to be sinful.  Understand what's beneath your own anger, why certain things anger you, what is the deeper hurt that is being triggered.  "Don't let the sun go down on your anger", Paul says.  Practice ways of understanding it, before it becomes a doorway through which we let the devil in.
3.  Don't be thieves.  Pretty simple, huh?  Remember, Paul is writing to people who are Christians just like you.   Why would he accuse Christians of stealing, if he wasn't aware of them doing so?  Today, dare I say, the church is filled with thieves.  People come every week to take from the church the sacraments, the Word, the fellowship, and the ministry without every planning to volunteer or to contribute in any meaningful way.  They drop a few dollars in the offering plate as if to complete a transaction for services rendered.  It's consumerism of the church, and it robs the church of its potential.  When pastors and those in leadership of the church begin to solicit for more people to come and participate in such thievery the church is robbed of its truth and relevance.  If you've been a thief of the church, maybe its time to practice a bit more discipleship, and charity.
4.  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth.
How many times has this happened to you?  You're driving along, and someone gets irritated with your driving...maybe you cut them off by mistake or something.  Then, the other driver decides to use this moment to vent a bit of their own frustration.  They "let corrupting talk come out of their mouth...or their finger".  But, then the person passes you...and on the back of their car is this little fish symbol.  Ugh! That person needs to practice what Paul is referring to here.  Do you?
5.  Lastly, do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
I call this the No Whining Clause.  Because the times when we grieve the Holy Spirit are times when we are whining about  following the direction the Holy Spirit is calling us to go.  Your alarm clock goes off on Sunday morning, and your heart says to your head, "But, I don't wanna get outta bed."  You feel your heart nudge your head during the pastor's invitation for volunteers, and you say to yourself, "But, I don't wanna help those people."  You name it, when the Holy Spirit calls we are good at whining about it.  Have you been whining instead of following lately?

Christianity...not the religion, but honest to goodness following Christ...doesn't come naturally.  We have to practice.  It's a lifetime of practice.

But, fortunately, just as Olympic athletes are the beneficiaries of great coaching, God has given to us a great coach.  As a matter of fact, he's one who has already completed the race of life and won.  God gives him to us and calls us to practice by doing what Jesus does.
Why do you think the Jamaicans have the fastest sprinters right now?  It's because they have Usain Bolt teaching them what he does.  They come to him with questions, and he says, watch and follow me.
Jesus is like that for us,
So, as we practice this game of life, this challenge to be better humans...he says to us I am the expectation of the Father's humanity for you.  Watch me, and follow me.
Watch how he prays
Watch how he serves.
Watch how he cares.
Watch how he loves.
Watch how he gives.
Watch how he dies.

And then practice, practice, practice!!

Christianity does not come naturally to any of us, it's a practice.
And so we have the church...the place where we come together to practice.  What a gift it is!
For here we learn that we do not practice alone.  Here we learn that we have Christ from which to watch and learn what humanity truly looks like.
And, we have the promise of forgiveness, and eternal life to cling to as we practice.

So, go today and practice.

Amen.

MANNA: August 1, 2012

Exodus 20:12

Honor Your Mother and Father

For a variety of personal reasons, I don't think its necessary to go into detail, I have lately been pondering the 4th commandment.  Of the Ten Commandments, I dare say this one is probably the most relevant to all of us.  So, what does it mean?   Luther's Small Catechism gives us a start.  "We are to fear and love God, so that we neither despise nor anger our parents and others in authority, but instead honor, serve, obey, love, and respect them."  

I am a father.  I have a 5, soon to be 6, year old.  I am often honored by him in so many ways.  At his young age, he thinks I am invincible.  Sometimes he inspires me to believe it for a moment or two.  Most often he honors me simply by obeying the things that I've taught him to do.  One of the rules in which I have little flexibility with my son is that when I tell him to do something he does it at that instance, not later when he feels like doing it. There is a necessity for this.  As a child he is still learning boundaries.  Some of those boundaries are requirements for him to be safe, take for instance the boundary between the driveway and the street.  The driveway is relatively safe.  The street is not.  If he goes chasing after something into the street, I need to be able to tell him STOP, and have him obey in that instance.  He has learned the boundaries of street and driveway fairly well, but as he gets older I am finding this necessity for him to obey at the moment of instruction important for lots of other concerns.  It gives me great honor, now, when I tell him to do something and I see him do what I asked without hesitation.    

Our heavenly Father asks for our obedience for the same reasons.  He knows what will keep us safe, and where the boundaries are between what is right for us and what is wrong.  

I am a step-father.  I have two step-sons, one who is 20, and the other who will soon turn 18.  Both are off to college, but still call their home the same place I do...with their mom.  :-)  At their age, it's natural for them to see me and their mom as threats to their independence.  It's funny how God has designed us with this pre-existing condition of youthful rebelliousness.  God wants us to obey his commands, but then creates us with a desire for freedom and independence.  This period is such a paradox for young people.  They are no longer children, yet they are not adults.  They are in-between identities.  They are their parents' children, but at the same time they are becoming their own new identity.  Caught between identities this is such a difficult and critical time, and yet such an exhilarating time.  During this phase it may be hard to find times when they honor their moms and dads at all. But, I find great honor from my step-sons when they show just enough humility and grace to respect my and their mom's direction or guidance.  

Our heavenly Father asks for our respect for the same reasons.  His guidance and direction is true wisdom, and a moral compass for our lives.  

I am also a son.  My parents are enjoying those so-called golden years, otherwise known as retirement.  I think these years are called golden because they are so precious and rare.  They are now enjoying time with their kids and grand-kids.  Meanwhile, I am already preparing myself for the phase of honoring mother and father that I know lies just ahead for me...the time when they begin to lose the ability to care for themselves. The time will come when I will need to honor them by taking care of them, as they once took care of me.  This is a sad, yet beautiful phase that brings this commandment, as well as life, to full circle.  

When we care for others with the same love and service that God has already given to us, we honor our Father in heaven as our care for others was done to him.  (Matthew 25:31-40)

So, I find there are these three phases of this commandment:

1.  When a child is growing up in the home, the child honors their parents by obedience. 

2.  The second phase begins when children become young adults.  They aren't as dependent on their parents' structure and rules, but they don't yet understand what to do with the freedom they have without them.  In this phase, they honor their parents by respecting what they have learned and what their parents expect of them.  

3.  The third phase of honoring parents is caring for them in their old age when they are no longer able to care for themselves.  This is a tough transition when children become parents to their parents, but if done with a sense of service and love it can be a time of significant grace between parents and their children.  

Obedience, Respect, and Care---three primary stages of honoring our parents.  The welfare of the family is dependent on us living as faithfully as we can into God's command.  As we do, I believe we begin to be blessed with the latter part of the commandment.  God offers a specific blessing to this very specific commandment...the only commandment with its own blessing attached.  

"so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am your child.  You have claimed me, and adopted me in the waters of my baptism.  Send your Holy Spirit to continually prompt me to obey your commands for my own security, respect your guidance for my life's direction, and care for the ones you put before me as if I am caring for you.  Give me grace sufficient enough to be a parent who is worthy of my child's honor, and a child who honorable enough to care for my parents as they need it.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.