I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.
Intercessions for Week of April 15, 2012
Having been lazy on the blogging front, it was hard to find common themes in this week’s readings. But, it’s like anything else. You have to write, and think, and pray, to be able to write, think, and pray. Or something like that. Anyway, I think this week introduces us to a God whose forgiveness just doesn’t make sense. And we couldn’t be any luckier.
Intercessions for Week of March 25, 2012
Posting intercessions that I wrote a few weeks ago. I’ve fallen so far behind in posting. It makes me sad, but lately I just can’t seem to catch up. Hopefully soon. But happily, I’m learning so much in these weeks!
Intercessions for Week of February 26, 2012
Dang! It’s been about forever since I’ve posted. So much is happening with candidacy and serminary application, that I can’t quite find it in me to spare the mental bandwidth to write here.
Come to think of it, I guess I haven’t been serving as assisting minister much in a while, either. But, it leaves space for others to start serving, and that’s important to me. I’m very taken with the thought that we’re all equally means of grace for each other. And I can sure use some grace!
Devotion for Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820, in Florence, Italy, to a rich, upper-class, well-connected British family. She was named after the city of her birth, just as her older sister, Frances Parthenope, was named for the Greek settlement Parthenopolis, now a part of the city of Naples. Her father, William Edward Nightingale, was a noted English Unitarian, born under the surname of Shore. Under the terms of the will of an uncle, he inherited an estate, and assumed the name and arms of Nightingale. And later, he was appointed Sheriff of Hampshire. His wife and Florence’s mother, Frances, was the daughter of an abolitionist, Whig member of Parliament. Florence’s growing up was split between Italy and England.
The Handmaiden of the Lord
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).
V4 – Sermon for the First Sunday of Christmas – January 1, 2012
I hope this is my final draft. Well, I mean, is it ever really final?
V3 – Sermon for the First Sunday of Christmas – January 1, 2012
Behold, the third draft of my sermon. Quite a few changes. My brain is utterly worn out at the moment. All I can say is that I had no idea how hard this would be. To all of you who have been so gracious to give me your responses and suggestions, I can’t thank you enough. I hope this shows you all that you can trust to give me your honest thoughts. I am willing to submit myself for molding and shaping by the word, and by all of you who serve it. It doesn’t not hurt, but this is the path that I’ve been called to, and the challenge that I’m finding myself being pulled toward.
In your responses, I find support and care. I just pray that I’m getting closer to at least a mediocre diagnosis, so that I don’t do a complete disservice to the Gospel. I hope my education will continue, because this really is hard stuff. There’s just no way to grow without your help. I know this lays out my shortcomings, but I hope it helps you to know where to find me and they ways I need to be shown toward.
Oh, one note – I’m just including the scripture reading here in my blog for reference, while reading my sermon.
Intercessions for December 25, 2011 – Christmas Day
Kind of a quick reflection this week, since I’ve been busy working on my upcoming sermon. Hopefully there are some provocative thoughts in here that might give you food for thought this week. Have a blessed Christmas!
V2 – Sermon for the First Sunday of Christmas – January 1, 2012
Here’s draft number two. I did a little rearranging after reading part of The Homiletical Plot by Eugene Lowry. Using the opening story to more clearly illustrate the homiletical bind of the stress of waiting revealing our fears, which indicts our faithfulness. And moving from there into deeper diagnosis, clarified with the Henri Nouwen passage. Or at least, that’s the theory….
gracewerks 