This month, I am linking to another blog by Nada Bolz-Weber.  I love her no nonsense suggestions for things we can all do to make Lent more Holy.  Blessed Lent to all of you!

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2012/02/house-for-all-sinners-and-saints-40-ideas-for-keeping-a-holy-lent/

Look for the Light

These past few days I have been all over the map with my emotions.  I see pictures of sweet little seven-year-olds and I weep and cry and ache for their parents.  I tuck my sweet little seven-year-old in for bed and I weep and ache with gratitude – but also with a sense of guilt as I feel the empty arms of mothers and fathers just a few states away.  That I still get to hold her and feel her breath slow as she settles into dreamland seems unfair. 

I read news stories and get downright angry that these killer’s faces and names become iconic figures to the American people whilst some will-be terrorist fantasizes about his name in lights and his face emblazoned in the minds of millions. 

I feel fearful as I kiss my children goodbye and send them off to school on that big yellow bus.

I feel anxious for teachers all over the country who will be comforting their children and looking over their shoulder in what should be just another day enjoying the freedom to learn.

I feel empty when I think about the fact that thousands of children die in the streets of our cities every year – from hunger, from violence, from abuse, from neglect. And it takes THIS for us to stand at attention.

I feel immobilized as I think about the billion-piece puzzle that needs to be disassembled and put back together with leadership that is calm and steady, confident and faithful – yet also passionate about securing a safe future for our children who will always be our most precious earthly treasure.

-       Some say the problem is gun control

-       Some say the problem is access to mental health care

-       Some say the problem is the isolation that our independent society fosters in people who are already predisposed to reclusiveness

I say “Yes” to all of those. And I say “No” to all of those.  There is no ONE problem.  To try to clear the fog until the picture is clear simply will not happen.  It will never make sense.  There are no easy answers.  There are no overnight solutions.  What this will take is each and every one of us admitting that we are broken – that we need each other – and that we all need God. 

Woah - wait a minute.  Did you say we need GOD?  Don’t talk to me about your GOD.  Where was GOD when those 26 souls perished in a flash of violence?  Where was GOD when those parents couldn’t kiss their babies goodnight? 

It is a legitimate question.  I understand where it comes from.  I would be lying if I told you I had never asked the question myself.  Even Jesus – hanging from the cross – screamed out – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Here is what I know to be true.  God did not protect even His own Son from the violence of this world.  In fact, God intentionally sent Jesus into the darkness so that we would know that even in our darkest hour; especially in our darkest hour – GOD IS WITH US.  God has wept these same tears of agony.  And God weeps with us today.

All over scripture – and especially in the Psalms, people cry out to God with a sense of abandonment.  It is natural to feel God-forsaken in times like these.  The thing is - God did not promise that our lives would be void of pain or that our world would be free from tragedy and violence.  In fact, He says quite the opposite.  In John Chapter 16, Jesus says – “In this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE.  But take heart.  I have overcome the world.”  You see – God’s promise to us is not that things have been made all right already.  If that were the case, we would not have choices in this life.  God’s promise to us is that ONE day, when God’s Kingdom of Love has come on earth as it is in heaven -  the lion will lie down with the lamb…we will all live in love together. 

Jesus came to earth, wrapped in skin, crying human tears – so that we would know that GOD IS WITH US in all things.  And he came to show us that there IS another way to live.  For those who follow Jesus, that WAY is to turn the other cheek; to look at the world through eyes of love; to care for the orphan and the widow; to weep with those who weep; to speak healing words into the pain; to believe that God is LOVE – and anything other than LOVE is simply not of God.

This is what I choose to believe and what I know to be true.  That as those terrified children took their last breath; it was God who was holding them. God did not choose this.  God did not will this.  There is no “heavenly purpose” for this tragedy to have taken place.  God doesn’t need more angels in heaven and those who were killed were not “taken” from us by God.  They were taken by the evil actions of one man who made a choice.  One man who, himself, was in the unfathomable terror of his darkest hour.  God did not take them – but God receives them into the fullness of love and light and peace. Those children know no more pain, no more sorrow, no more suffering.  Only pure and complete love.

I know it is hard to believe right now.  And God knows that too.  But if we turn our backs on God in the midst of tragedy – then we have surrendered to evil.  The one thing that evil desires most is to separate us from God.  Our faith tells us that even in the midst of deep darkness – there is a light.  It might only look like a flicker right now – but the darkness cannot overcome it.

So I encourage each and every one of you to look for the light.  Look for the places where people are helping.  Look for the tender hearts that are weeping out of love and compassion.  Look for the ones who are entering into the pain of the other – offering hugs, meals, prayers, hope. Look for the ones who are bringing light.  And be a light-bringer yourself.  When you are feeling God-forsaken – show someone else the light of Christ through a hug, a listening ear, a warm meal, a place to rest.  That is where love is found.  And that is where God is found.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness HAS NOT, WILL NOT, CANNOT overcome it.  (John 1:5)

I'm NOT going there.

NEWSFLASH:  We are living in a politically charged environment.  As a Pastor, I am often asked where I stand on political issues.  My answer?  I'm NOT going there.  Many of my colleagues in ministry would disagree with this approach.  They would encourage me to stand for SOMETHING. (And most of them would prefer that I stand for what they stand for).  And I would guess that some of my congregation members would like me to stand on one side or the other.  It is said that if you don't stand for SOMETHING, then you don't stand for ANYTHING.

Well - here's the thing - I stand for Jesus.  And I stand with Jesus.  

I know people who would argue this with me as well.  Jesus, they would say, was political.  He entered into the politics of his time and he stirred things up.

This is true.  Still not going there.  It is my job to represent Jesus - not to be Jesus.  He entered into a specific political environment, at a specific time for a specific purpose.  How would he handle THIS political environment?  I don't think any of us want to hear the real answer to that question.  

I'm pretty sure Jesus would do what he normally did when he encountered people.  He would gently point out that there is another way.  It's not your way.  It's not my way.  It's God's Way.

So I stand with Jesus.  I pray for God's will to be done.  I do my best to love all people.  Sometimes that is easier said than done.  But Jesus would have it no other way.  He loved Zaccheus - and he loved the Woman at the Well.  He loved Nicodemus - and he loved the criminal on the cross.  He loves Romney - and He loves Obama.  And for some strange reason that I haven't figured out yet - he loves me.  And He loves YOU.  

Of course, I will vote in this election.  But as I do so, I will keep praying for another way.  God's Way.  

Thy will be done, O God - on earth as it is in heaven.

It's not about you!

As a pastor, there are a number of recurring questions that people ask me.  I'm not going to lay them all out here - I'll save some for other blog posts in case I run out of things to say some day.  (How likely is that?)

If I were to make a list of the top ten questions I get asked - in the top five would have to be this one that seems to be heavy on people's hearts these days:

"If Jesus is the only way to the Father, then what happens to all of those people from other religions?  I just can't believe that God would create all of those people and then tell them He doesn't love them because they don't believe the right way!"

THAT, my friends, is a difficult question to answer - and one I have struggled with over and over throughout my life.  Like all big questions, I believe the answers evolve for each of us in different ways over a lifetime of reflection.  I'm going to weigh in on this question.  Keep in mind, I am a pastor.  It is my job to have a clear and well-thought-out understanding of theology and scripture - but I am by no means a scholar in either area.  Please feel free to challenge my thoughts or weigh in with your own thoughts.  But let's keep it civil.  Some of you will think my theology is too careless, and some will think it is too rigid.  Wherever you come down, please do so with respect and love for one another.  

First, I will say this - I believe that Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and the only way to the Father. (John 14:6)  I also believe that God sent Jesus to us - all wrapped up in the skin of a baby - skin that would one day be broken because of sin - to show us just how wide and long and high and deep God's love is.  (Ephesians 3:18)  AND YET - I, too, have a hard time believing that God - who loves us THAT much could ever abandon us simply because we don't believe the right way.    

So I have been asking that same question for as long as my mind could form questions.  And I watch my daughters struggle with this question as they form deep friendships with people from other faith traditions. 

When I was in seminary, I read a book in a class that talked about this very question.  I don't remember what the book was called - heck, I don't even remember the name of the class.  But I do remember the concept that stuck with me.  It read something like this:  "If we truly believe that Jesus is God, and that God is all-powerful and all-knowing - then wouldn't we believe that this all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving Jesus could work through other faiths?  If we believe that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life and that God created and loves us all - then who are we to put boundaries on the way in which Jesus can penetrate the human heart?"

I let this idea percolate in my brain for several years - could it really be that God is THAT deep, high, wide and long? 

Then  - a couple of years ago, I read the book "The Shack".  As controversial as this book became in some circles, I know many people whose hearts have been opened to Jesus for the first time through its pages.  In the book, the main character is talking to Jesus - and he asks this question - "Are you saying that all paths lead to you?"  And Jesus responds - "No, I'm saying that I will walk down any path to get to YOU."  Do you see the very important distinction here?  It's not about YOU.  It's about GOD.  

I think both of these books were saying the same thing!  One through theology and one through story.  "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU".  It's not about what you believe or how well you can articulate it.  It's not your job to condemn people to hell or to give them a ticket to eternity.  

It is GOD who walks the path to US - just as He walked the road to Calvary and the Cross.  It is GOD who chooses US.  To think that we could CHOOSE the one who created us in the first place puts the emphasis on human action - and that will always be flawed.

This doesn't make me exempt from responsibility.  In fact, it makes me even more responsible.  My job now isn't to tell people how it is.  My job isn't to make eternal assignments or to scare people to heaven.  That would be easy.  In fact, I think that age-old tactic of evangelism is a cop out.  

The way we share Jesus with the world is not by tongue-lashing and hell-threatening.  The way we share Jesus is by people-loving and door-opening;  It's by grace-giving and freedom-sharing.  The way we share Jesus is reflected in how we live the love of God every day in our lives - opening our hearts, pouring out our very lives so that all people will know just how much they are loved by God.

"For God so loved THE WORLD"

Now Go!  Share God's love in radical and life-changing ways.  And don't be surprised if someone asks you where that love comes from.  The answer?  Jesus!

Where is Jesus?

For this month's blog, I am giving the gift of a blog from an author / pastor I have found to be fascinating.  I particularly appreciate the way he articulates our cultural dilemma of people on all sides of all issues 'claiming' Jesus as their own.  You can read his blog here.  Have a blessed end of summer!

Authentic Living

I'm just going to get this out there.  I'm going gray.  It's true.  I'm tired of spending enough money on my HAIR every year that I could easily save for a trip to Hawaii or, more valiantly, put a child in a 3rd world country through college.  I'm tired of having to drag myself back to the hair salon every six weeks because those pesky little white hairs start showing around my scalp making the whole universe feel like it is out of balance.  But mostly - I just can't honestly answer the question my husband has been asking since the day I began this color-processing habit - "Why are you doing this?" - with integrity any more.  My answers, up until this point have sounded something like this:


Because I'm too young to be gray.  Maybe when I'm 50.
Because I've always had dark hair, it's just who I am. 
Because it's fun to take three hours and pamper myself.


Whatever.  


The reality is this:  I wanted to blend in.  To look like everyone else.  Or maybe I thought that by the sheer act of dying my hair I could accomplish the Eva Longoria factor - you know - the long, flowing, shiny brunette hair that turns heads. (ummm....maybe its more than her hair that turns heads?) The hair that everyone wants but no one can have?  The hair that is ON EVERY MAGAZINE AND EVERY HEAD OF EVERY PERSON ON TV OR IN THE MOVIES!!!???  (the only gray-haired cover girls are on AARP.  Nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying...)


So over the past several months, I've been gradually stepping into the world of authentic living.  Many of you have commented - and been very gracious I might add.  Many of you have just glanced at my head briefly when you were talking with me. (insert wink) Some of your kids have said things like - "Did you know you have gray hair?"  Or called me "Gray-haired lady" (you know who you are :-)


But here's the thing.  I FEEL FREE.  I know that sounds super cheesy.  But just this little act of putting myself out there - of showing who I REALLY am, of unveiling a piece of me that few people knew - has felt authentic to me in a way that I can't explain.  I mean, I can't count the number of times I have said to someone who needs encouragement or extra confidence - "God created you perfectly and beautifully".  Or the number of sermons I have preached that have encouraged people to love who God created them to be so they can love others fully and truly.  Or the times I have ranted and raved about 'judgementalism' all the while doing things so that others wouldn't judge me or, worse yet, so I wouldn't judge myself.  


It just feels like a little act of grace.  A little gift to myself that brings me farther along on the journey of actually believing that God created me in God's image.  Not that I've been doing lip-service all of these years.  But let's be honest - we are all on a journey.  


OK - I'm not saying that everyone should do this.  Not advocating that we abandon the hair salons of the world.  Not saying that if you choose to color your hair you are shallow or unfaithful.  This was MY issue of authentic living.  


And I know we all have those issues.  What is yours?  Is there a place in your life where you could let down the veil and reveal to the world who you really are?  Is there something that is keeping you from living an authentic life?  Think about it.  


If we all started taking off the veils that cover up things we don't like about ourselves - what would happen?  Maybe we would all begin to realize that we are in this thing called life together;  that we are all simply and beautifully created to shine God's light in this world - the best we can.    


So - even just for today - lift up the veil!  What's that I see?  Gray hair?  It's BEAUTIFUL!

Be Still

This past Sunday in church, we reflected on Jesus' calming the storm from the Gospel of Matthew.  So many people came up to me after the service who were going through storms in their own lives - storms of sickness, grief, depression - you name it.   
If there were that many people on one Sunday morning at one church in Minnesota who are experiencing storms in life, I can only imagine how many people out there in the blogosphere might take comfort in the same words.  So here are some of my thoughts.  Note that this account of Jesus and the disciples is also recorded in Mark and LUke.


Matthew 8:23-27


Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

When we look at this story - it is sometimes difficult to relate it to our own lives.  Few of us get caught in a boat during a storm these days.  And even if we did, the coast guard would certainly rescue us.  But we DO have storms in our lives.  We DO have times when we are frightened for our lives or our relationships or our very sense of well-being.  And when these storms knock us off our course, where do we turn?  

As I was reflecting on this story last week - three things came to me - and they have made all the difference in my understanding of this text, and of how God works in our lives and in the world.

1)  God did not cause the storm.  

Did you notice that?  The storm just CAME!  God didn't point to the disciples and say - "I'm going to teach them a lesson - they are kind of slow to understand and they don't have enough faith.  So I'll teach them a lesson today."  Lightning did not come out of God's fists - God's breath did not roll like a mighty wind to knock over the disciple's boat.  No - the storm just came.  

Storms happen.  Period.  When storms blow through our lives, the number one question we ask is "Why is God doing this to me?"  First of all, it's not God.  God creates and intends Garden-of-Eden-like perfection.  God does not create or intend cancer or divorce or hunger or war. Those things are not of God.  God knows that we are perfectly capable of creating our own storms without His help.  Bad things don't happen because God is mad or wants to teach us a lesson.  If we have a pulse, we can expect that a storm will occasionally blow through our life.  In fact, Jesus promised that storms will happen!  In John 16:33 Jesus says, "In this world you WILL HAVE TROUBLE.  But do not fear!  I have overcome the world!"

2)  God did not prevent the storm from happening.

Just as God does not CAUSE storms to punish us, God also does not PREVENT the storms in the lives of the good and godly.  Some of the most revered and Godly people in all of history have lived the most difficult and stormy lives.  Think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, or the trials that St. Paul faced in his Missionary journeys.  The life of faith is not a life of cause and effect so much as it is a life of knowing who you belong to and who is with you on the journey.

3)  Jesus CALMED the storm.

The promise that we have in God through Jesus Christ is that no matter how stormy the waters of this life get, Jesus will always be in the boat with us.  He will ride the waves of any storm with us and he will speak his perfect peace into the middle of the rain and wind.  

One commentator writes this:  It doesn’t matter how strong your boat is, or how skilled you are at sailing.  What really matters is who is in the boat with you. 

The one who is in the boat with you is the ONE – Jesus Christ – who on the day you were baptized climbed in your boat and will not leave you in this life or in the next.

Right now, I am sitting at the hospital as 24-year-old Nicole goes into brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.  Nicole taught Sunday School to four-year-olds this year.  Nicole is kind to everyone and lives a good and faithful life.  Two weeks ago she was enjoying life and love.  Today she is facing the biggest challenge imaginable.  The tumor in her brain is not of God.  God made her brain perfect and pure.  She was created to be an artist and a friend, laid back and creative.  She was created to run and play and dance and love.  She was created to shine her light in this world.  God did not cause this to happen to Nicole.  But God is in that operating room with her right now.  God is guiding the hands of the surgeon and protecting Nicole as she rests.  We will pray over and over for God's miracle of healing.  And we will know for certain that whatever the outcome, Jesus is with her.  That's His promise to her.

Whatever storm is blowing through your life right now - know that this promise is also for you.  Jesus is with you through it all.  The rains will come, and the winds will blow - hold fast to Jesus - He is right there next to you - offering peace that passes all understanding. 

"Be Still, then, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46 - 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging. 

Be still, and know that I am God

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us

the God of Jacob is our fortress.