Preacher Gal

Crumbs from the Table

2011-09-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's happened a lot in the past few months: people coming to the church door, hat in hand, asking for help. Sometimes it's shelter to escape an abusive spouse. Sometimes they need money to have the utilities restored. At other times it's a request for food vouchers for the grocery store or perhaps just a few dollars' worth of gas to get them back on their way.

We help them whenever we can and we try to give at least something to everyone. Sometimes they seem truly grateful while at other times they're upset that there isn't more.

Sadly what they never seem to understand is that what they ask for is the least valuable thing we can offer them.

They come looking for enough to help them scrape through another day when Jesus the Christ wants to shower them with blessings for a lifetime.

They want to fill their stomachs with the bread that will leave them just as hungry tomorrow while they pass by a full plate of the Bread of Life.

They come to scrounge for the crumbs that fall from the Master's table and refuse the invitation to the feast of paradise.

They arrive – and leave – full of misery and hopelessness when the church lives to share the joy and hope of redeeming love.

They cling to filthy rags of independence when God longs to clothe them with robes of righteousness.

Days like today I cry for them and wonder why it is that so many refuse the gracious hospitality of God's love. Then I am reminded that God cries over them daily and always has and I leave them to the One who cares for them more than I ever can.

God of mercy and hope, help me love them the way you do. Help me serve them in your name. Amen.

Walk, Drag or Carry?

2011-09-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, Max, one of my dogs went to the vet to have a growth removed from his foot. He came home the same day and the next day he seemed not to want to walk anywhere - and who could blame him? So I left him at home and walked the other two days without him.

The second day, Max seemed much better. He seemed anxious to go out for his morning walk but before we had gone 100 yds., he sat down and refused to go further.

Obviously, I had a decision to make: 1) I could insist we finish our walk and drag him along hoping he might change his mind or that his foot would stop hurting; 2) I could pick him up and return home with the other two dogs and none of us would get our morning walk; 3) I could pick him up and carry him the half mile or more that our morning walk usually takes us.

I picked him up and we went on our way. Max got his fresh air and a look at the neighborhood sights from a new angle while the other two dogs and I got our usual walk in.

I've read that 'footprints in the sand' thing a number of times and it always seems too 'cutsey' yet there on that morning was an example of just that kind of love.

That morning Max was feeling somewhat better and was trying to make it on his own in spite of his injured foot. He doesn't know how to ask for help but I confess that too often I don't ask for help either. When we're hurt, our first thought (like Max) is to stop in our tracks or go back somewhere safe.

Or perhaps it seems that God is dragging us forward into a world we want no part of - a world that hurts too much - when we'd rather just give up and go back.

Or - we might let God carry us for a while. We'd move forward with a new perspective and a helping hand and God would show us the path.

Maybe I'll reread that 'footsteps in the sand' thing again...

Lord, help me learn to trust you enough to let you carry me when I'm weak. Amen

It's a foggy morning.

2011-08-30T09:11:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-28T05:30:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-05T05:11:00.000-07:00

...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.