What do we have, brothers and sisters, that has not been given to us? All is grace. All is given. Who gave me this hand? Who wiggles these fingers? Who created these eyes which I cannot explain or understand? I cannot even make this hair grow. It is all gift. From beginning to end, everything is grace, everything is given.
--Richard Rohr
*****
Dear Friends,
In honor of Thanksgiving, I share this short video (produced by the great folks at "The Work of the People"). It's a humorous parody of a tradition many families observe on Thanksgiving Day that goes something like this: "Let's go around the table and have everyone name something they are thankful for."
For me, this video is a reminder not to slip into superficiality as I consider that for which I am thankful. And, even more, it's a reminder that, ultimately, all my gratitude and thanks ought to find its way to God, the source of all goodness and blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings, Jeremy
23 November 2011
13 October 2011
Meditation: "Staying Connected to the Source"
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. --Psalm 42
The fulness of life is in the hazards of life. --Edith Hamilton
***
Dear Friends,
About six weeks ago I did something foolish. I headed out for a run on a Friday afternoon on a scorching hot day. It was in the upper 80's on this particular Friday. Actually, going for the run wasn't foolish. I don't mind running in hot weather. What was foolish was not thinking about where I would have access to water along the way.
As I headed out, I felt really great and thought I might go farther than the 3 or so miles I intended to run. And so I altered my route accordingly, not taking into account the need for water. But it didn't take long for me to realize that I was going to be thirsty, very thirsty, before I made it home. This is when I began kicking myself for venturing out in the heat so cavalierly and even pushing myself to go farther than prudent given the weather.
As I've thought about this, I recognize that this is how we approach life at times--occasionally with unfortunate results! Sometimes we go rushing into life, full of our plans and ambitions, without remembering that we need to stay close to the source of our life, to that which nourishes and sustains us. We can rush forward so quickly that we aren't always mindful of our limits, of ensuring that our path will pass near to sources of God's life-giving Spirit. To put it differently, sometimes we can get too far out in front of God, and then the thirst hits! It's good to push our limits, to steer away from complacency. (I heard someone say this morning that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth!) We shouldn't fear to venture boldly into our lives. God is with us! But it can also be very wise to pace ourselves and be intentional about connecting with God the source and wellspring of our life.
Interestingly, on this run I passed by the homes of four people from my congregation. As thirsty as I was, did I stop to ask for water? No, I toughed it out and ran all the way home before I had any water to drink. I may have reached my goal that day had I simply asked for help. I'm confident water would have been offered, a symbol for God's nourishment and sustenance as I ran my race.
May you move through your days near to and connected to the source of your life--God. And when you venture forth into something new, may you have the grace to seek God's help--in whatever form it presents itself!
Blessings, Jeremy
The fulness of life is in the hazards of life. --Edith Hamilton
***
Dear Friends,
About six weeks ago I did something foolish. I headed out for a run on a Friday afternoon on a scorching hot day. It was in the upper 80's on this particular Friday. Actually, going for the run wasn't foolish. I don't mind running in hot weather. What was foolish was not thinking about where I would have access to water along the way.
As I headed out, I felt really great and thought I might go farther than the 3 or so miles I intended to run. And so I altered my route accordingly, not taking into account the need for water. But it didn't take long for me to realize that I was going to be thirsty, very thirsty, before I made it home. This is when I began kicking myself for venturing out in the heat so cavalierly and even pushing myself to go farther than prudent given the weather.
As I've thought about this, I recognize that this is how we approach life at times--occasionally with unfortunate results! Sometimes we go rushing into life, full of our plans and ambitions, without remembering that we need to stay close to the source of our life, to that which nourishes and sustains us. We can rush forward so quickly that we aren't always mindful of our limits, of ensuring that our path will pass near to sources of God's life-giving Spirit. To put it differently, sometimes we can get too far out in front of God, and then the thirst hits! It's good to push our limits, to steer away from complacency. (I heard someone say this morning that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth!) We shouldn't fear to venture boldly into our lives. God is with us! But it can also be very wise to pace ourselves and be intentional about connecting with God the source and wellspring of our life.
Interestingly, on this run I passed by the homes of four people from my congregation. As thirsty as I was, did I stop to ask for water? No, I toughed it out and ran all the way home before I had any water to drink. I may have reached my goal that day had I simply asked for help. I'm confident water would have been offered, a symbol for God's nourishment and sustenance as I ran my race.
May you move through your days near to and connected to the source of your life--God. And when you venture forth into something new, may you have the grace to seek God's help--in whatever form it presents itself!
Blessings, Jeremy
01 September 2011
Meditation: "Where It's OK to Not Be OK"
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." --Matthew 11:28
"Religion...has tended to create people who think they have God in their pockets, people with quick, easy, glib answers... If the great mystery is indeed the Great Mystery, it will lead us into paradox, into darkness, into journeys that never cease." --Richard Rohr
"People are people through other people." --Archbishop Desmond Tutu
-----
Dear Friends,
Sometimes I wonder why I have anything to do with the church. I imagine this may be a shocking statement, given my line of work! But I look around me at so many others of my generation who have drifted away from the church, or have never had anything to do with it in the first place, and it makes me wonder: Why am I different? Why am I here, deeply involved in the life of the church?
There are lots of answers to this question, but right down at the bottom of it all I think one reason is this--I experience God in community with other people, especially people who also desire to experience God. And yet, what I desire is a community with a particular character to it, a community:
where people can be real with one another,
where people can authentically be who they are,
where relationships and people are more important than rigid rules or strict doctrine,
where there is mutual care and encouragement,
where God's grace is palpable,
that supports those who are earnestly striving to be faithful to the way of Jesus.
At it's best, the church is all of the above and so much more. And because I have at times experienced this kind of community through the church, and because I feel called to help the church be this kind of community, I am a "churchy" guy.
This YouTube video, produced for Back to Church Sunday, prompted the above reflections and in a very simple, but powerful way, reminds me of some of the reasons why I am involved in the church (some of you may have already seen this on my Facebook wall):
Wherever you are in this world, my hope for you is that you find a community of faithful people who receives you as you are and invites you to join them in a journey of relationship with God.
Blessings on you,
Jeremy
"Religion...has tended to create people who think they have God in their pockets, people with quick, easy, glib answers... If the great mystery is indeed the Great Mystery, it will lead us into paradox, into darkness, into journeys that never cease." --Richard Rohr
"People are people through other people." --Archbishop Desmond Tutu
-----
Dear Friends,
Sometimes I wonder why I have anything to do with the church. I imagine this may be a shocking statement, given my line of work! But I look around me at so many others of my generation who have drifted away from the church, or have never had anything to do with it in the first place, and it makes me wonder: Why am I different? Why am I here, deeply involved in the life of the church?
There are lots of answers to this question, but right down at the bottom of it all I think one reason is this--I experience God in community with other people, especially people who also desire to experience God. And yet, what I desire is a community with a particular character to it, a community:
where people can be real with one another,
where people can authentically be who they are,
where relationships and people are more important than rigid rules or strict doctrine,
where there is mutual care and encouragement,
where God's grace is palpable,
that supports those who are earnestly striving to be faithful to the way of Jesus.
At it's best, the church is all of the above and so much more. And because I have at times experienced this kind of community through the church, and because I feel called to help the church be this kind of community, I am a "churchy" guy.
This YouTube video, produced for Back to Church Sunday, prompted the above reflections and in a very simple, but powerful way, reminds me of some of the reasons why I am involved in the church (some of you may have already seen this on my Facebook wall):
A community of people where it's OK to not be OK, where God's grace
abounds, where forgiveness is experienced, where doubts and questions
are welcome, where people can be who they are (not who the world expects
them to be)--this is what I desire in a church. And, with God's help,
striving to foster this kind of community of faith is a big part of what
being a pastor is all about for me.
Wherever you are in this world, my hope for you is that you find a community of faithful people who receives you as you are and invites you to join them in a journey of relationship with God.
Blessings on you,
Jeremy
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