Fortunately I live in upstate NY, it is April, and daffodils don't smell. The saying is to "stop and smell the roses," but they are a long way from blooming - and it would have to be a whole rose garden to catch the scent these days. Yet, this time to pause and type when I could be packing for a trip, unpacking from a move, or considering how to be ready for all which lies ahead, I am able to get a wiff...
There are times when taking an extended time to consider the wonder in the smallest details and the slightest nuance is fully enriching. There are also times when the blur of life allows one to see things in its impressionistic beauty. Our Seder dinner tonight was wonderful. Sharing it for the first time with everyone around the table reminded me of when it was new to my mind. It wasn't a time to ponder, but to remember and refeel. There is so much more to Jesus - just how he fullfilled the century old traditions within the Jewish Passover is absolutely amazing! And tomorrow the fact that he rose from the dead, got out of the grave, and still lives - well that is beyond amazing.
In the blur of it all, the picture of God's love and the life He has blessed me with is breath-taking. The swirl of color, energy and texture - it's a beautiful thing!
He is Risen!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
A very good Good Friday
A Catholic Priest, Orthodox Priest, Episcopal Priest and Reformed Minister walk into a room... It's no joke, it was my day. This afternoon I was honored to help lead a prayer and worship time like no other I have ever participated in.
Initiated by an Episcopalian Priest in his thirties, held in a Catholic church which seats 800 people, joined by a Priest from a branch of the Orthodox church I had never even heard of before meeting the man (Antiochian), and welcomed in as a Reformer - together we held a Good Friday observance of the Stations of the Cross. A time of hearing from 14 Bible passages recounting Jesus' crucifixion, joining our voices in song, and honoring the One who redeemed us by the cross. It was a simple yet powerful time, punctuated by the 8 different voices showing the powerful underlying unity of the cross throughout all Chritianity.
It was all made possible by relationship. The ministers involved all gather monthly to have lunch. In this simple act of grabbing a sandwich, meeting in a church basement, and getting to know each other - something which might seem like (and sometimes feels like) a waste of time - we were able to make a large and profound statement within our community. And once again my mind returns to discipline.
It is yet another discipline in my life - one that I have done since becoming a pastor - to gather with other pastors when invited. This is the fourth group I have been part of: the first was primarily mainline pastors, the second primarily evangelical independant pastors, and now there are two I make time for. One being younger pastors, many are in newer churches often of a Baptist leaning and the other a gathering of primarily Catholic/Orthodox ministers. Each group has enriched my life, and leads to activities where God's hand is clearly at work. It is not always easy to take the time, but by remaining faithful... you never know.
PS. Jashton was an acolyte, carrying a flame to each Station of the Cross in the sancuary filled with hundreds of people - he did great and now knows what a cassock and a crucifix are.
Initiated by an Episcopalian Priest in his thirties, held in a Catholic church which seats 800 people, joined by a Priest from a branch of the Orthodox church I had never even heard of before meeting the man (Antiochian), and welcomed in as a Reformer - together we held a Good Friday observance of the Stations of the Cross. A time of hearing from 14 Bible passages recounting Jesus' crucifixion, joining our voices in song, and honoring the One who redeemed us by the cross. It was a simple yet powerful time, punctuated by the 8 different voices showing the powerful underlying unity of the cross throughout all Chritianity.
It was all made possible by relationship. The ministers involved all gather monthly to have lunch. In this simple act of grabbing a sandwich, meeting in a church basement, and getting to know each other - something which might seem like (and sometimes feels like) a waste of time - we were able to make a large and profound statement within our community. And once again my mind returns to discipline.
It is yet another discipline in my life - one that I have done since becoming a pastor - to gather with other pastors when invited. This is the fourth group I have been part of: the first was primarily mainline pastors, the second primarily evangelical independant pastors, and now there are two I make time for. One being younger pastors, many are in newer churches often of a Baptist leaning and the other a gathering of primarily Catholic/Orthodox ministers. Each group has enriched my life, and leads to activities where God's hand is clearly at work. It is not always easy to take the time, but by remaining faithful... you never know.
PS. Jashton was an acolyte, carrying a flame to each Station of the Cross in the sancuary filled with hundreds of people - he did great and now knows what a cassock and a crucifix are.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Life is moving by - two days at a time!
It seems that I'm ending this Lenten journey two days at a time. It certainly seemed that I had written an entry yesterday, but unless tonight is actually Wednesday, or yesterday was...it has been two days once again between entries.
But rather than fitting one days worth of activity into two, I think it is much closer to putting four days worth into two - and somehow that collapses all sense of time. After a wonderful worship service tonight I finally made it to my office - only to discover 11 hours late that I had completely bypassed an important event in my day.
And as compressed as life has become this week, everything will not get done. Even with all time task continumes collapsing into a fluid mess - it still won't all fit. And that is okay. So many good things are happening I can't get too bent out of shape by what isn't. The house is becoming a home, Holy Week activities are blessing many, I've had time to connect with each of my boys, many things will be ready before I head out on the missiopn trip, and so much more.
All this to say that my deepest thought I can force through my finger tips is that two days at a time is a fine pace for a special week. Whatever that means....
But rather than fitting one days worth of activity into two, I think it is much closer to putting four days worth into two - and somehow that collapses all sense of time. After a wonderful worship service tonight I finally made it to my office - only to discover 11 hours late that I had completely bypassed an important event in my day.
And as compressed as life has become this week, everything will not get done. Even with all time task continumes collapsing into a fluid mess - it still won't all fit. And that is okay. So many good things are happening I can't get too bent out of shape by what isn't. The house is becoming a home, Holy Week activities are blessing many, I've had time to connect with each of my boys, many things will be ready before I head out on the missiopn trip, and so much more.
All this to say that my deepest thought I can force through my finger tips is that two days at a time is a fine pace for a special week. Whatever that means....
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
What is that Stuff?
"Every part of me is tired." As I take a moment to write a thought or two, that is what my wife shares with me, and I agree. We have now owned our house for one week and 10 hours, and we are tired. It is a good tired, but the push to make life happen sometimes take it out of you. It also forces re-prioritization.
My last entry, which mused on the importance of maintaining disciplines, asked what gets in the way of the disciplines which make us who we want to be. Well, sometimes, the who we want to be does. I want to be a home owner, I want to have a nicely maintained house, I want to get the work done up front so there is less interferance with life. These aspects of who I am, because of my disciplines, cause it to be be just fine to not have my life dictated by them.
But all the same, even though every part of me is tired.
Even though there is more work to do on the house than I can possibly accomplish before my upcoming trip.
Even though my awesome wife continues to unpack around me...I blog...because it helps me become the me I want to be.
Good Night. Tonight we are all in our own new rooms...
My last entry, which mused on the importance of maintaining disciplines, asked what gets in the way of the disciplines which make us who we want to be. Well, sometimes, the who we want to be does. I want to be a home owner, I want to have a nicely maintained house, I want to get the work done up front so there is less interferance with life. These aspects of who I am, because of my disciplines, cause it to be be just fine to not have my life dictated by them.
But all the same, even though every part of me is tired.
Even though there is more work to do on the house than I can possibly accomplish before my upcoming trip.
Even though my awesome wife continues to unpack around me...I blog...because it helps me become the me I want to be.
Good Night. Tonight we are all in our own new rooms...
Saturday, March 31, 2012
bed vs. blog
I worked from 8 am to 11pm yesterday - and I didn't write a blog. As I was getting cleaned up last night I thought I would write a quick something before sleeping. But my laptop and my bed reside in the same room, and once I saw the larger more comforting object, I forgot about the smaller one... My intention has been to write a blog a day for every day of Lent. So from Ash Wednesday (mid-Feb) to April 7 there should be 40 entries. One for everyday except Sundays because Sundays are not technically part of Lent. I'm pretty close, but with my more intense work schedule as we try and get our house ready before I'm unavailable it feels much more like a discipline.
However, isn't that the point of disciplines. They are patterns which help us become who we want to become, but wouldn't end up there naturally. The performer (theater, music, sports) does not become all they can be through natural talent alone. They practice, they study, they push - they are disciplined. In life, it is popular to think that we are our best self - naturally. Could it be that just like a runner will not realize their potential without being pushed by regimented practice and coaching - each of us will not be all that we can without being pushed by defined disciplines and guides? Most everyone figures out how to run on their own, but that alone does not make them a runner. Most all of us figure out how to live this life, but that doesn't make us fully alive and wholistically successful. 
Those disciplines might be making the bed, eating meals with your family, reading the Bible, taking daily walks, worshiping on Sunday, or giving lots of hugs - but without some conscious decisions, we will miss out. The first challenge is to realize we need this. It is the loud message of reality, but there is a erosive counter message of "be happy with who you are." The next challenge is pushing through the times when what we most deeply want, is pushed out by the activities of life. I think there is ground for some flexibility; I'm okay with not blogging yesterday - but if I skipped again today, it is heading toward a pattern. What disciplines (things in my life which I put in there to help be become whom God intends) have been pushed out by the "stuff" of life?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
I like working
The other side of Sabbath is work, and I really like work. I especially like physical labor. Monday I pounded nails at the cabin, and yesterday I tore out carpet, sanded floors, put at 4'x7' hole in a wall (future closet door), etc... and I enjoy it. Overall my body feels better when it is working. I like the hands on nature of this type of work - but I don't do it for a living.
Should I be following my passion for building? Should I be following my call to the pastorate? Do I like building because my livelihood does not depend on it? Questions in my mind, but I'm not going to take the time to write answers now because I need to go build a wall. But while I build I will mull these questions and more. (another reason I like physical labor - I think well while doing it)
Off to get some sore muscles, and a clear mind.
Should I be following my passion for building? Should I be following my call to the pastorate? Do I like building because my livelihood does not depend on it? Questions in my mind, but I'm not going to take the time to write answers now because I need to go build a wall. But while I build I will mull these questions and more. (another reason I like physical labor - I think well while doing it)
Off to get some sore muscles, and a clear mind.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The work has begun
Blog stands for web log.
Log Entry 86 - Yesterday we bought a house. It took what seemed like forever to get from shopping to owning, but now that process is done. The closing was a fun event. The lawyers and closing agent at one end of the table, crunching numbers, sorting papers, muttering under their breath, and the buyers and sellers at the other end, chatting, sharing, and signing papers as they passed in front of us.
I just about got philosophical about how what should be relational can easily become adversarial - but not today, I used the backspace key, and it is gone (but I still figured out how to mention it in a back handed way).
Jashton wanted to see the house in one piece, so we didn't start any work of a destructive nature until he was home from school. Before then we could take inventory, and wander our new house. One benefit of it ending up a relational transaction is that the previous owners left many things of value. They didn't need them for their condo in North Carolina, and they wanted someone who would use them to have them - and we fit the bill. Very nice curtains, rugs, shelves, gardening supplies, and the list could go on. Thank you Mary & Lynn. Oh, did I mention they left everything amazingly clean!
By the end of the day, we knew more of what we are working with, and the carpet was pulled up on the lower level. Lots of work lays ahead - on our new home!
Log Entry 86 - Yesterday we bought a house. It took what seemed like forever to get from shopping to owning, but now that process is done. The closing was a fun event. The lawyers and closing agent at one end of the table, crunching numbers, sorting papers, muttering under their breath, and the buyers and sellers at the other end, chatting, sharing, and signing papers as they passed in front of us.
I just about got philosophical about how what should be relational can easily become adversarial - but not today, I used the backspace key, and it is gone (but I still figured out how to mention it in a back handed way).
Jashton wanted to see the house in one piece, so we didn't start any work of a destructive nature until he was home from school. Before then we could take inventory, and wander our new house. One benefit of it ending up a relational transaction is that the previous owners left many things of value. They didn't need them for their condo in North Carolina, and they wanted someone who would use them to have them - and we fit the bill. Very nice curtains, rugs, shelves, gardening supplies, and the list could go on. Thank you Mary & Lynn. Oh, did I mention they left everything amazingly clean!
By the end of the day, we knew more of what we are working with, and the carpet was pulled up on the lower level. Lots of work lays ahead - on our new home!
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