…. and it was scary and exciting. It’s scary because I worry whether people will be interested, or whether I’ve got enough stuff planned for the time, or whether anyone will even show up.

But I figured out that it’s bad scene to try and ask people if they’ll come back. So I didn’t.

And I decided to get one of those Post-It easels this week. It will be helpful to stick the sheets on the wall as we fill them out, so that we can all see just how much we’re extracting from the Scripture reading.

And it shows me that I make so many assumptions. I figure that everyone grew up with all these stories, and that I’m in perpetual catch-up mode. I’d hate to retell something obvious. But maybe I don’t have to worry….

Continue reading →

This is a reworking of my earlier Crossing analysis, done with very helpful feedback from my Pastor….

Continue reading →

Well, it’s certainly been a while since I’ve posted! With everything happening through my discernment process, helping with the downtown Bible study, starting class at Christian Theological Seminary, yadda yadda, some things start to fall by the wayside.

I’ve been connected to the Crossings community for a few years now (time has a habit of moving on). I’ve learned a lot about reading Scripture from them, and their ways of thinking have steadily impacted my own thinking, and understanding of my faith. With this, I’ve wanted to start writing my own Crossings analyses for a long time, but just never got around to it.

And there’s my persistent open question of what this blog is for. Like discernment, there’s wondering what to write about, even as I begin to have assignments and writing that I have to do. So like with everything, perhaps this is a place to begin stretching and exploring through a new exercise. Anyway, here goes, and perhaps this will become a regular faith practice for me.

Continue reading →

We take up our cross when we stop denying the suffering of the world. Jesus wept. Jesus was nailed to a cross and wept and asked God why he was forsaken, and died. When we stop denying the suffering around us, and allow ourselves to feel, we take up our cross.

It’s not what we do, it’s how we feel.

So, my friend Ken has been stewardship chair at his congregation for the past 3 years. What a soldier! We were talking, and I mentioned that we’ve recruited a new chair at Christ Church. He thought that was pretty interesting!

“What did you tell her about it?”

I got thinking about it. To tell you the truth, I don’t remember what all I told her. But I do remember that it kind of fired her up a little bit. Of course, I’m relieved to have a replacement. Leading stewardship is usually like marriage – till death do we part. Councils love you for taking up that cross, and they never want you to leave. Heck, every time I told someone I was thinking of doing something else, they’d say:

“Denied. Not allowed!”

Nice vote of confidence, that! And to tell the truth, if it wasn’t for discernment, I might still be chair.

Because it changed my life.

So for Ken’s sake, I thought I’d bang out some thoughts about it. What would I tell you about the pleasure of stewardship?

Continue reading →

I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.

Refrain:
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.

I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus.

Continue reading →

Theologically, I understand Holy Communion to be one of the two sacraments outlined by Lutheran doctrine. In a sacrament, the means of grace make use of everyday objects in the conveyance of God’s grace. In baptism, water is used in a symbolic washing, as the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the one who is baptized. This evokes John the Baptist washing Jesus with water to absolve him of sin, and God revealing Jesus as Son. In communion, bread is broken, wine is poured, and both are blessed and offered to the assembly. This evokes the last supper, where Jesus blessed bread and wine and commanded that this ritual be done in remembrance of him, with Jesus himself embodying God’s grace.

Continue reading →

I find it difficult to think of a singularly favorite season of the church year. For me, the sequence of seasons and their themes give a sense of time’s movement. Somehow, their changing moods reinforce my sense that my own faith is not static, but continues to grow and to change in unexpected ways. I find myself feeling hopeful in this unfolding of the unknown, excited and curious about what new understandings or emotions will be coming to me. Though, I recognize that this uncertainty can instead be stressful for many people, as well. Because hope seems to be a particularly strong emotion for me, I can say that advent holds special meaning for me.

Continue reading →

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. – Luke 1:34-38

It occured to me this morning that maybe I know a little about how Mary might have felt. Lately I keep thinking God must be crazy. Why am I feeling called? Why me, of all people? The seminary info has started arriving. Campus visits, degree information, all of that stuff. I don’t have any idea of I can even do it. What if I flake out? What if it’s too much?

When we think of Mary’s story, it’s super-romanticized. Mary’s all beautiful, and the angel’s beautiful, and streams of light radiate on Mary’s face, and all that pretty stuff. It’s the kind of scene that you want to frame and hang on the wall. Kind of like the Sallman Jesus, with healthy, conditioned hair and all that.

The angel had to say “do not be afraid.” Mary was signing up for pregnancy as an unwed mother. This had to be hard – seems like nothing good was going to come out of it, but she said yes anyway. So maybe it’s for me like it was for her. Assuming I can manage to arrange seminary part-time, I am afraid of the work. But I can’t deny it – it’s where I have to go. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t. I don’t know if I’ll make it. But, I can’t help but say yes. Stop thinking ahead. Stop worrying about whether I can get a call. Stop worrying about what I’m going to do later. Just say yes now and let it happen according to Your Word, Lord.

I guess I’ll be the servant of the Lord. In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not ever let me be put to shame (Psalm 31, y’all).

This post is a first draft of a sermon that I have the opportunity to preach in an upcoming worship service. I’m currently in the preaching class in the Diakonia program. I’d been thinking over the day’s Gospel reading for some days, and found that I ended up going in a different direction than I’d intended. What I think I’ve been learning so far is to let the living Word speak for itself, and speak through me. Not some kind of stump speech, or sales pitch, if I’m supposed to be a means of grace.

So, I guess, I can’t really have any idea how well I’ve done. Though I pray this amplifies the Gospel for whomever will hear it, and that it serves that purpose on the appointed day.

Continue reading →