It's a foggy morning.

            I was out walking very early yesterday morning.  The sky was dark.  The streets were quiet. The wind was still.  The air was crisp and clear.  And it was foggy.

            Living in town we don’t see fog very often.  It’s something that affects those living in rural areas more than those living in built-up ones.  Even yesterday, I didn’t really see the fog unless I looked toward a streetlight.  In places where darkness prevailed the fog was there but could not be seen, but when I looked to the light its effects were obvious.

            I think the work of the Holy Spirit must be a lot like that.  The Spirit is always everywhere.  Its presence pervades everything.  There is no way to escape its presence or its effects.  And yet, unless our eyes look toward God’s light, we just don’t see it.

            Some theologians believe that everything good that happens in the world is a work of the Holy Spirit even when the person doing that good deed is not a person of faith.

            On mornings like yesterdays when I am silently and invisibly enveloped in fog I understand what they mean.

Lord God, surround me with your presence and give me the grace to see your light in the world.  Amen.

Signs for the Fair

Recently, the Cottonwood County Fair was held in Windom.  The fairgrounds are not far from where I live and so I have an up close and personal look at all that goes on - not just during the fair but also during all the weeks of preparation that precede it.

Most people don’t notice, in fact I did not notice myself, but there is also a lot of activity around the fairgrounds that are just as important as getting all the buildings ready for the annual event.

All over town, someone was putting up signs.  The signs read: ‘Fairgrounds è’ and ‘ß Parking’.  The signs were not important in themselves, but they pointed the way for all those who are searching; to all those on their way.

In many ways, we have a lot in common with all those signs.  We proclaim the realm of God.  Our signs read ‘New Life in Christ à’ and ‘ß Forgiveness’.  We point the way to eternal life.  We direct people to the One who has redeemed us.  This is not just the work of pastors and evangelists, it is the calling of each of us.

            Just as the fair worker chooses the location and message of each sign, we don’t choose the place or type of work we do.  That choosing is done by the Holy Spirit working in us, through us, with us.

            Can you imagine a sign saying, ‘No not there!’ or ‘I won’t say that!’  Neither can I.  Yet often I try to negotiate with God about time and place – hoping for some more convenient time and place or for a message easier to deliver.

            But the Spirit knows best and in my best moments I let the Spirit have its way.

Lord God, make me a faithful disciple, delivering Your message wherever you want me to be.  Amen.

By the Light of the Moon

The moon was full this morning as I took the dogs out for their morning walk.  Its light was bright enough that it was easy to see as we walked along even though it was well before dawn.  The air was clear and crisp and it was quiet and peaceful - a wonderful way to start the day.  As we walked along I often paused to look up and admire the splendor of the skies.

As I write this, the sun is up.  The busyness of the today has begun and I kinda miss the quiet of the early morning. The moon is still up but its light is not as noticeable and I am now so occupied with the events of the day that I have less time to glance up and enjoy its beauty.

This week I finally took a full day off and went kayaking.  For several hours I was away from the distractions of traffic and phone, Internet and people.  Like dog walking in the darkness and taking time to see the moon, it was easy to set my thoughts on God because I was freed from so much of what so often occupies my attention.

Lord, free me from distractions that take my attention from the splendor of your presence.  Help me live in the light of your loving gaze. Amen.

To-Do Lists

Monday, and my new To-Do list seems longer than ever.  Phone calls to make, people to visit, sermon to prepare, meetings to attend, Bible studies to prepare and give.  And I know that no matter how long or how hard I work, I will never come to the end of that list because there will always be more to do than I can possible fit into the week.

This is why people (even me) need to schedule time for the things that really matter: God, family and self-care.  In the western world, we tend to measure ourselves by how much we ACCOMPLISH rather than how much we ARE as human beings.

Sadly, many wake up to find life has passes them by while they were busy working 24x7.

Scripture tells us that Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

I think I'll rewrite my To-Do list for this week.  Right near the top I'll have: quiet time with God, long walks with the dogs, read a good book (that's just for fun), make funny smiles at children.  Then I'll add back in everything already on the list.

By the end of the week life in Christ will look like a lot more fun and a lot more abundance.

Lord, help me to live fully in your presence instead of working myself to death.  Amen

Sunday Morning

Hurray!  Sunday!  The sermon is done: posted, practised, printed.  I pray that it will speak to the congregation in all the ways it has already spoken to me.

In the busyness of the day, I hope I remember that this is the Lord's day: a day to step back and reflect on the love of God and the joy of God's creation. 

Sometimes there are so many things scheduled (worship, visiting, meetings) that I find I am exhausted rather than refreshed at the end of the day.  And often I am guilty of doing the scheduling that makes it so.

I was out walking the dogs this morning just before 5 am.  As we began the walk the sky was clear and full of stars.  Before we were back at home it was overcast and there were no stars in sight.  The change had been quiet, unnoticed.  Much like how we can find the cares of the world overshadow us and we lose sight of God.

Lord, give me clearer vision to see the stars in your face and enjoy the beauty of your presence. Amen.

Family Values

Today is the day my attention is fully turned to firming up and editing the sermon for tomorrow.  I find my mind filled with times in my own life when I am about to say to the congregation has been applicable to me.  I think most preachers find God speaks to them through the text before they are able to proclaim it to others. 

This week's text is from Genesis - Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers.  It's amazing how poorly we can treat one another - especially those in our own families.  And it is amazing how poorly we can be treated by them.  The ones who should love us the most are the ones who know best how to make us miserable.

Soooo, it's a wonderful thing that God is so much kinder and loving, forgiving and faithful.

Getting to share good news like that reminds me that I have the best job in the world - a calling from the holy One to share the good news of life in Christ.

Lord, make me a faithful proclaimer.  Amen.

Vacation Bible School Is Here

...or so goes a song I remember from my childhood.  Vacation Bible School is here and we 'grown-ups' are busy singing, story-telling, craft-making and game-playing near the lake with many of God's children.  It is both fun and tiring.  It's taking up a lot of my time this week and I wouldn't miss a minute of it!

I have many fond memories of being one of those children and I am still grateful for those many 'grown-ups' who took the time to do this for me and millions of children like me.

It is, after all, through the telling of stories and personal examples that God speaks to us and to our children.

Lord, please let me live a life that shows your glory to the children. Amen.