In Position to See God

   I tried to stay focused on the words as the young people stood in front of everyone to receive their Bibles. It was difficult. I was really proud of them. What a moment for them, to be recognized for being present and for wanting to learn and grow. Those two traits will take them far in life and faith. The words of the Church in that moment were,

Receive the Word of God. Learn its stories and study its words. Its stories belong to us all, and these words speak to us all. They tell us who we are. They tell us that we belong to one another, for we are the people of God.

  

I keep returning to the truth captured here; the Bible contains old stories that we grow up to realize are our stories. We are the lost sheep, the wayward son, the parent who celebrates. We are the sinner who comes back, the disciple who still has doubts.

   Our church is literally changing the lives of children every week. It happens because we rely on the Word of God and it happens because of adults who serve with love and grace. 

   The theologian Karl Barth suggested that reading the Bible is like walking out of a building to see everyone standing in place and gazing up at the sky, only to realize that what they are looking at is blocked from your view by the building. From the expressions on their faces, you know you want to see what they are seeing. So, you move yourself into position to see for yourself. I celebrate every parent who is moving their child into position to see what we see in the Bible; the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the ongoing power of the Spirit.

   Grace and peace, Scott

Be Careful, Trouble Lies Just Outside

   The phone rang and I stepped out of the church office, because I like to walk and talk on the phone. Long before there were devices tallying my steps, I have preferred to walk and talk.
   I was making my first lap around the historic chapel that anchors our campus when my eyes stopped at something out of place: a nail. It was in the middle of the asphalt that wraps around the front of the building, where hundreds of cars pass each week. It struck me that it could have been entirely possible that someone who showed up to attend worship - to sing praise to God, to reorient themselves to the true north that Jesus provides, to listen to the Word of God offered, to connect in fellowship that changes their heart - could have been the very one to have that nail pierce their tire as they pull away. It doesn't seem right that you could spend an hour doing right only to walk outside and suffer wrong.
   In Genesis 4, right after Cain stands before God and doesn't get what he wants, God warms him to be careful, because "sin will be waiting at the door ready to strike." Cain stepped on that nail.
   In Mark 8, right after Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah, his very next step is to rebuke Jesus to act according to Peter's terms and not those of heaven. Peter stepped on that nail.
   Throughout the teachings of Jesus, both the commandments that point to the truest way to the live and the stories that are laced with wisdom, Jesus is also offering words of warning. In Matthew 24, Jesus begins an entire chapter about what is ahead with the words, “Watch out that no one deceives you." He warning them about stepping on that nail.
   It does not seem fair, but it is true; we must be careful. John Wesley's three simple rules begin with "Do No Harm." Surely that includes the harm that is done to ourselves when we don't watch out for the nails that would pierce our bodies and harm our souls. What do they look like to you? Anger, fear, resentment, worry, doubt, greed, lust, contempt? Don't step on that nail.
   Grace and peace, Scott

The Myth of Close and Threatening

   Molly, our 9 year old Maltese ninja-dog, and I were out for a walk the other day. She was curiously sniffing everything we happened upon as we strolled along the sidewalks of Old Perry Road, near our home. I was listening to an audiobook when suddenly the sound of the author speaking into my ears was overcome by another sound, loud and seemingly all around me. I took the earbuds out and realized that it was the Norfolk Southern train, over a half of a mile from where we were walking. It happened later on, as we were headed back toward the house. Both times I was struck by how my ears (and my mind) were not able to determine how close the sound was because of the other sounds and distractions going on around me. It sounded as though the horn of the train was close and all around me.
   Many of you are thinking, "This is exactly why it is not safe to walk, ride, or drive with earbuds in Scott." You are correct. For our part, Molly and I were walking on the sidewalk about very careful when crossing streets.
   The experience of having my brain convince me that an object was much closer than I knew could be true, gave me pause. What other experiences have I had where I was too distracted to be able to appreciate the distance or possible threat posed by something else? As I think about it I realize that it happens all the time. Distracted by the one thing I really want to happen, I lose the ability to appreciate all of the other good things that are happening and in the process miss out on the beauty of nature, of other people, and of God's grace at work. I also realize these same dynamics - distracted by one thing and then overwhelmed by another thing that I incorrectly perceive as close and threatening - have led me to speak poorly of others, to react in anger, to not appreciate someone else's contribution, and to otherwise act like an idiot.
   The truth is, most of the things that we perceive as threatening are not that close and not that much of a threat; our minds and our hearts have been tricked by other distractions. Could it be that the devil does not always have to try hart to tempt us or ensnare us? Could it be that we walk right into bad actions or hasty reactions simply because we are too distracted and not able to appreciate the safe distance something or someone else is from us?
   The Season of Lent calls to remove some of the distractions in order to hear more clearly the call of God. I cannot think of a time in all of Christian history in which the intentional choice to put down distractions is needed more than this age of constant technological connection and the endless stream of noise, news, and nagging distractions. We need the grace offered in the moments we turn off the distractions and tune into the Word of God through prayer, meditation, and reading the Scriptures. I invite you to continue journeying with me toward Easter.
   Grace and peace, Scott