Why Wasn't I Myself?

Paraphrasing a rabbi, theologian Miroslav Volf said, "I don't fear that at the end God will ask why I wasn't Moses (great leader) or Thomas Aquinas (towering intellect), but why I wasn't myself."

From nearly the beginning of our lives, we live in a state of constant comparison with those around us. 

She walked so early. 

He didn't talk until late.
She was always short for her age.
He had many developmental delays.
I'll never be as smart as she is.
What did you get on that math quiz?
I wish I was as tall as he is.
I am not as pretty, talented, or gifted as they are.
You're so much better at nearly everything than I am.

Sound familiar?

We all do it.  We compare ourselves with our neighbors, our fellow students, our colleagues, our family members, or what we have come to believe is "normal."

And this sickness invades all of our lives.  None are exempt from its fever and its lingering debilitating side effects.

This is not how it is supposed to be.  

This isn't how we were designed.  

We were made in the image of the Divine One.  The breath, the ruah, of the Creator of all things fills our lungs and feeds our being.  We carry within us the legacy of our first ancestors who the Author of Life called "very good."  This is the gift of God.  There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor or the blessing that courses through our veins.

The challenge is to find a way to drown out the lies that are whispered in our ears telling us that we are not who we were created to be.  When these lies are allowed to take root, we begin to live as if they are the truths that define us.  We must take time to linger in stillness where the voice of God can be heard reminding us that we are indeed "beloved children of God." This is the truth that should shape us.  This is the truth into which we should live.  When we can hear this voice, all other false comparisons fall away, and we can be the person who we were created to be.

You are a child of God.  Nothing can ever take that identity away from you!

Blessings.

Advent - Week 1 - Hope

Throughout the season of Advent there will be one post each week with one of the Advent passages and a short devotional on the text.  It is our hope that Advent would be a season of preparation for the birth of the Messiah.

Week 1 - This week we light the first purple (or the blue) candle in the Advent wreath.
“We light this candle in hope, the bright hope of Jesus, the Christ.”

Questions:
What do you think of when you think of hope?
Who would be an example of hope?
Where do you find hope?
For what do you hope?

Scripture:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
"The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' "

Discussion:
What does this passage have to do with hope?
Jeremiah writes, ”The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
What do you think these words mean?  
Does this relate to hope?  
What do you wish God would do?

Activity:
Sometime this week, write down a list of your hopes for yourself, for your family, for our world.  
Share these with someone else.  
Consider ways that you might work toward these purposes.

Christmas Benevolence:
Click here to find ways to volunteer for this year's Christmas Benevolence.

Sunflowers of Thanksgiving

Today, I had someone put something amazing on my desk.  Beautiful sunflowers arrived to brighten my day. These sunflowers were given by a student who wanted to share something precious with Tyler, Stephanie, and me (the Aspire Youth Ministries staff).

The sunflowers came with this incredible note attached...
"Every year since we were kids my mom gives me and (my brother) sunflowers to give to the person/people we were most thankful to have in our life that year.  So this year I chose you 3. Thank you so much for everything you guys do! You rock! Happy Thanksgiving!"

I am so thankful for and humbled by this young person who took the time to send a ray of sunshine into our lives through wonderful sunflowers.  This small gesture reminds me that in this busy season of thanksgiving it is so easy to forget the small yet vitally important ways in which we can say thank you to the people in our lives for whom we give thanks.

These flowers changed me and challenged me today.  I realize that I do not say "thank you" nearly enough - especially to those with whom I work and live.

I have been changed by these sunflowers.  I am committing myself this day to say a simple "thank you" to the people in my life for whom I am grateful.  There are so many, and I am sure that I will miss some of the most important people.  However, if I begin this discipline today, then perhaps I will continue to practice it every day, and I will not leave anyone out.

Who are the people for whom you and your children are the most thankful?
What are some ways in which you can say thank you to them?
How can you and your family practice the discipline of thankful living together throughout the year?

Let me begin by saying, "Thank you" to you.

If you are reading this blog, you have undoubtedly touched my life in some way this year.  I want to thank you for journeying with me this year.  I am thankful for you and for your faithfulness.

Thank you.
Brian

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV) 

Reclaiming Words - "Faith"

Faith

1   a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

     b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2   a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

     b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust

3   something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

Faith is often challenged. 

Faith is often decried as unnecessary and a hold-over from a bygone era in our post-modern world. 

Those of us who say we are people of faith are often put down, ridiculed, and mocked.

Let's do some unpacking of what faith is not. Maybe the we can begin to reclaim what faith is.

Faith is not blind allegiance.

Faith is not intellectual suicide.

Faith is not a crutch for the weak.

Faith is not a one time thing.

Faith is not an opiate for the masses.

Faith is not the absence of doubt.

Faith is not certainty.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the fact is we all have faith. Every single one of us. And that faith is exercised often throughout the day.

Faith is our first act in the morning as we swing our legs over the side of the bed and stand to greet the day even though we have no idea what the day may hold.

Faith is that which compels us to move forward in the face of the mounting evidence that should lead us to just stop.

Faith is the marriage of belief and trust.

Faith is living life like you mean it.

Faith is often difficult.

Faith is a gift.

Of course, the objects of our faith may be different from one another. But the truth still remains that faith is something that is possessed by all.

Of faith...

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Philip Yancey wrote, "I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse."

C.S. Lewis penned, "Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances."

The author of the letter we call Hebrews composed, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 NRSV)

Faith is beautiful. 

What is faith to you? 

Reclaiming Words - "Worship"

For the next several weeks, we will take a look at some words that seem to have lost a part, if not all, of their meaning in our culture.  We will begin with a quick look at the dictionary definition of the word.  Then we will think through what it might mean to reclaim the word in our lives and as an important part of our journey of faith. We started last week with a look at the word "desire".

This week, let's look at
worship
n.

1. a. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.

    b. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.

2. Ardent devotion; adoration.

v.tr.

1. To honor and love as a deity.

2. To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion.

v.intr.

1. To participate in religious rites of worship.

2. To perform an act of worship.

Worship has been a huge topic of discussion and debate in churches across the country.  It has even sparked books, articles, and conferences centered around the theme of "worship wars."

Much of the debate has centered around the style of music played during worship.  Will the church have an organ, a choir, and "traditional" music or will the church have drums, guitars, and "contemporary" music?  There are people who lobby earnestly on each side of this music style debate - good people of deep and abiding faith.

In spite of the best intentions of those on both sides of the debate and those somewhere in between, we have lost something.  We have lost the heart and the meaning of worship.

Music is indeed an important and integral part of worship.  Music is to be a part of the prayer and praise offered by the congregation or the individual in worship.  However, music is not the entirety of worship nor should it be the focus of worship.  In fact, John Calvin wrote that everything we do should be an act of worship offered to God.  It is not just the songs we sing.  Worship is as much an attitude of the heart, mind, and spirit as it is the actions of the body and mouth.

In the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Church (USA) we have these words, "Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God’s service in the world." (Book of Order, W - 1.1001)

In our long and tiring debate over worship style, we have lost the point that worship has very little to do with us at all.  Worship is about God.  When corporate worship and individual worship is focused on what we get out of it, worship has become nothing more than an empty exercise of ego-centric self improvement.  We might as well be at a Tony Robbins seminar.  Worship is to be about giving "all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God."  When our worship is rightly focused, style becomes much less important.  All of our vain trappings and stylings come off of the center stage when "the faithful offer themselves to God."

Donald McKim writes, "We gather in the covenant community for praise, petition, and thankfulness for who God is and what God has done...We worship as Christians to give our full attention to the God who is our creator, who redeems us in Jesus Christ, and who is present with us by the Holy Spirit...Worship provides the orientation for our Christian lives" (Presbyterian Beliefs, 104).

The end result is that God is glorified and the people of God are transformed, renewed, and equipped for service to the world.  Let us worship God in all we say and do.

Reclaiming Words - "Desire"

For the next several weeks, we will take a look at some words that seem to have lost a part, if not all, of their meaning in our culture.  We will begin with a look at the dictionary definition of the word.  Then we will think through what it might mean to reclaim the word in our lives and as an important part of our journey of faith.

Let us begin with...
desire dəˈzī(ə)r 
n. A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
v. Strongly wish for or want (something).

Desire is not something we talk a lot about in church.  Sometimes it even feels like an inappropriate word to speak or mention in a church setting. It seems as though any time it is spoken, or written about, it has some type of sexual undertone.  Even though desire can be a great way to explain our feelings in this area of our life, desire can and should mean so much more.  The word "desire" (like so many others) has been robbed of its complete meaning and therefore its power.  At its essence "desire" has the capacity to be a marvelous descriptor of the deepest part our life and the passions which drive us most.

Consider the deepest longings of your heart.  Not whether or not you want a roast beef sandwich right now or really wish that you could have the newest and finest luxury automobile.  Go deeper than that.  Think about the things that cause you to get emotional.  Think about the issues, topics, hopes, and dreams that occupy your daydreams.  These are some of your deepest desires.

So, with all of this in mind, what is it that you desire?

Take a moment to reread the definition of the word before you respond.
Grab a pen and paper.
Write down some of the things that come to mind when you think about how you would answer the question.

What is it that you desire?

Are you willing to take the sometimes difficult steps to walk toward that which you desire?
Are you willing to allow God to walk that path with you?

In Psalm 37, the psalmist writes,
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; 
      so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 
4 Take delight in the Lord, 
      and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. 
5Commit your way to the Lord; 
      trust in the Lord, and the Lord will act. 
6 The Lord will make your vindication shine like the light, 
      and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for the Lord; 
      do not fret over those who prosper in their way, 
          over those who carry out evil devices.

The psalmist speaks of a world in which those who do wrong and plot evil seem to prevail.  The psalmist speaks from the anger and anguish of witnessing this as it takes place.  In the midst of this comes the psalmist's message of hope.  "Take delight in the Lord, and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart."

Look around you.
Where is it that God is doing something amazing?
Where are the hungry fed?
Where are the sick being healed?
Where is the prisoner being visited?
Where are the lonely given hope?
Where is the Good News of God's steadfast love being proclaimed?

Things like this are happening all around us.  Join in.  Take delight in these things. God can be found there.  And then "wait patiently for the Lord" for the "Lord will give you the desires of your heart."

Of Clenched Fists and Open Hands

Religion has taken a huge hit in our culture lately.  There is no doubt that some of the criticism that has been levied against organized religions and their institutions is much deserved.  There is more than enough hate, vitriolic speech, and ugly actions all in the name of god to prove the critics right in their assessments.

In spite of all of this "evidence", I feel the need to somehow come to the defense of organized religion and those who belong to these groups.  I am convinced that organized religion is not the enemy, nor are the faithful people who are striving hard to be faithful within the structures organized religion provides them.  Organized religion is not the problem. The problem is not even faith itself even though some modern thinkers, philosophers, and pundits would like us to believe it is true.  No, the problem is and seemingly always has been with certitude - the kind of certitude that builds an impermeable wall around itself.  This is the "I am right and everyone else is wrong" type of conviction.  The enemy is the faith that ends in worship of itself instead of the god to which it claims to point.  The problem rests in the language and behaviors of those who firmly believe they have it all figured out once and for all and aren't afraid to share and show their beliefs to all of those around them with little to no regard for humanity.  This type of certitude runs rampant throughout our culture and world.  It is by no means the monopoly of organized religion.  We find it lurking at political rallies, "news" resources, Internet videos, billboards, bumper stickers, and, yes, pulpits and pews.

What is the remedy?  I wish I had the cure! I wish there was an instant fix!  But there is not.

One thing I know for sure is that any move made will take intentionality and depth of commitment.  Even though I would never claim to have a cure, I do think there are some logical places for us to start.  It may sound like circular reasoning, but the clearest place to start is with faith itself.  By its very nature, faith cannot be held in the clenched fist of certitude.  Holding faith in this way only chokes the life and vitality out of it.  Faith must be held in an open hand if it is to be allowed to flourish.

It is the faith of the clenched fist that is used as a weapon against those who disagree or believe differently.  It is the faith of the clenched fist that must be defended at all costs - even life itself.  The clenched fist is threatened by and threatens anyone or anything perceived to be in its way. The clenched fist cannot shake hands in solidarity or offer a gift of grace.  

It is the faith of the open hand that is offered in love and humility.  It is the faith of the open hand that is free to fly wherever the Spirit might lead.  It is the open hand which has the confidence to welcome.  It is the open hand which greets others in freedom and respect.

Let us not blame our institutions for the problems that we all embody.  If we cannot begin to live our individual lives characterized by the open hand, then how can we expect our institutions to be welcoming of everyone and affirming of humanity?

I commit myself, this day, to begin living my life with an open hand.  Will you pledge to do the same?  Life itself may hang in the balance.

Stress Free

The best things in life are free...
Except when you are talking about stress!


Stress often comes as the free add on to many of the things we do and experience in life. 
And STRESS can be a MONSTER! 

You are more keenly aware of this than anyone else as finals are breathing heavy down your neck.


So, what's a person to do?


It is more than a bit ridiculous to think that someone can live a stress free life. Responsibility brings with it a certain amount of embedded stress. It is part of the deal.  As was said above, it comes free of charge as an added "bonus" to much of what we do and experience in life. 

Because of this, the question shouldn't really be how you can eliminate stress from your life. That is unrealistic. The real question is how can you manage the stress that exists in your life so that it no longer dominates your mind, your body, and your health.


There really is no secret potion or magic arrow for the complete elimination of the STRESS MONSTER because it looks and behaves differently for each of us. Therefore, I won't insult you by providing a list of books to read or exercises to do in order to eradicate stress. What I will provide is a list of questions to consider. As you think about your responses, consider how you might intentionally take action on one or two of them in hopes of managing your stress level as you go into finals (or any other time you feel stressed).


1. What is your favorite genre of music? You know, the songs that immediately take you to that "happy place." Maybe your "guilty pleasure" songs that no one else knows you really like - Spotify can be your friend here.


2. What is your favorite snack? Think back to when you were a kid. What was the snack that made you do your "happy dance"? Go find one!


3. What is the one location, within walking distance, that helps you relax? Take a hike!


4. Whose company do you crave when you are stressed? 

5. What is the fragrance that immediately conjures up fond memories? Take a whiff! 


6. What makes you laugh?


7. Do you have time for a guilt free nap?


Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't share a couple of my favorite passages of Scripture that help keep my sanity in check when I feel the most stressed...


John 14:25-27 
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."


Isaiah 43:1-5 
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you"


Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."


Oh, and don't forget to breathe!  Every breath can be a prayer uttered to the God who promises to never leave us nor forsake us.


During this stressful time may you discover a way to manage the monster.

Lent - Shattering Shame

In the Gospel of John, there is this amazing story about an interaction between Jesus, an unnamed woman, and a group of religious people. Read it a couple of times before moving on...

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.  Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?'   They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.   When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, 'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'   And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.   Jesus straightened up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'  She said, 'No one, sir.'  And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.'" (John 8:3-11)

Shame is what this wonderful unnamed woman carried with her into this encounter. The shame she carried was not simply caused by her behavior. No, that would be too easy. The shame she carried was given to her by the crowd that wanted her dead. They gave her shame. They wanted her not only to feel badly because of what she had done; they wanted her to feel badly because of "who" she was. The religious crowd did not bring this young woman before Jesus for repentance and redemption. The mob brought her there for vengeance and their own self-righteousness. They packed a bag of shame for her and forced her to carry it.

The same thing happens to us. Shame jumps on our backs and makes us feel as though we are unworthy of love and acceptance. Shame whispers in our ear that we are nothing more than a failure and will never "measure up". And we are weighed down because we believe its lie!

Jesus has a different perspective. Jesus takes the opportunity to redeem a life that had been riddled with shame (Jesus has a habit of doing that). Jesus points to the sin of the crowd reminding everyone gathered that there is enough guilt to go around. Guilt, unlike shame, is focused on a behavior, not on issues of identity. Guilt is an acknowledgement that we have made a mistake and drives us to repentance and restoration.

Jesus changes the conversation from centering on shame to focusing on guilt. He says, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."

The condemnation of shame was shattered as the stones that were meant to bring death fell harmlessly to the ground and the feet of those who peddled shame turned to walk away.

"Has no one condemned you?" Jesus asks us as we now stand stripped of the shame that once burdened our shoulders, our lives, our souls.

"No one," we respond.

"Neither do I condemn you."

And with that we are fully restored and reminded that we are indeed worthy of life, of love, and of acceptance.

You are worthy. Be at peace.

For more on this topic, watch this incredible video which is a follow up to the last post on "Lent - A Season of Vulnerability"

Lent - A Season of Vulnerability

The Season of Lent is an uncomfortable season for many of us.

It is a season that is often marked by stillness, listening, honesty, openness, and letting go.
In our noisy world we do not like such words.
In our busy lives we do not like such propositions.
In our culture of pretense we do not like the call on our lives to be genuine and honest with who we are.

Lent is a season of acknowledging our frailty and brokenness. Lent is a season of ultimate vulnerability.

Take the next twenty minutes to watch this video by Dr. Brene Brown. I promise that it will be more than worth it.

Vulnerability is a powerful part of what it means to be human, to be connected to one another.
This Lent, consider what it might mean for you to be more vulnerable.
Consider what Dr. Brown says gets in the way of our ability to connect.
Consider letting go of who you think you should be in favor of who you really are.

Lent is a season of vulnerability.

Lent - The Beginning of a Journey

Today is Ash Wednesday.

This is the day that signifies the beginning of the forty day journey toward the cross for Christians around the globe. This is the day that begins the Season of Lent.

Lent is a journey. It is a journey of repentance. It is a journey of penitence. It is a journey outward. It is a journey inward.

Throughout history, Christians have marked the season of Lent by fasting - abstaining from something in order to help set this season apart from others. The fast has taken on many forms throughout the centuries. In many cultures, including ours, the fast has become the tradition of "giving something up for Lent". This "fast" is often used as a symbol of the penitence and repentance of the season. The fast of the season has been and continues to be a helpful spiritual discipline to countless Christians around the world (If you decide to practice this spiritual discipline during the Season of Lent, please make sure that you use a resource like those listed below to help you do it in the most healthy and helpful manner).

The fast is not the only spiritual exercise that can prove to be meaningful and transformative during this holy season. I would encourage you to investigate adding one of the many other spiritual disciplines to your practice of faith during these forty days of Lent. Perhaps you might "try on" a different discipline each week to see which one or ones prove most formative for you.

- Contemplation

- Worship 

- Prayer

- Meditation

- Hospitality

- Giving

- Simplicity

- Solitude

- Study

There are many resources available to assist you if you decide to add a new spiritual discipline to your practice of faith during your Lenten Journey this year.

Dorothy Bass' On Our Way or Practicing Our Faith;
Craig Dykstra's Growing in the Life of Faith;
Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline;
Marjorie Thompson's Soul Feast.
This online resource may also prove to be helpful - http://www.practicingourfaith.org/

It is my prayer that during this Season of Lent we may each have our eyes, our ears, our hearts, our minds, our mouths, our hands, our feet, and our spirits turned and tuned to the workings of God in the Christ in our lives and world.

I would love to hear what you are discovering along the way. If you feel comfortable posting about your journey, I am sure your words and experiences would be helpful to others.

God's peace.

Transfiguration

This Sunday, February 19, is Transfiguration Sunday on the church calendar. This is the Sunday we focus our study and worship on the transfiguration of Jesus.

The Lectionary text comes from Mark 9:2-9...

"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!' Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead."

According to the World English Dictionary - "transfigure" means to "change appearance of somebody: to transform the appearance of somebody or something, revealing great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence."

God has a habit of transfiguring...

circumstance;

habits;

occurrences;

ideas;

plans;

thoughts;

actions;

lives

At times this transfiguration is obvious and fantastic like the Transfiguration of Christ in the passage above. More often, the transfiguration happens slowly and is difficult to witness while it is taking place. But the transfiguration is happening all the same.

To the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote these words,

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

God has a habit of transfiguring.

You and I are being transfigured more and more into the likeness of the Christ day by day.

Celebrate your transfiguration as God works in and through you revealing great beauty, spirituality, and magnificence.

transfiguration

tragedy to triumph…

anxiety to peace…

trial to joy…

sorrow to serenity…

doubt to assurance…

sin to righteousness…

anger to forgiveness…

blindness to sight…

prejudice to love…

chains to freedom…

death to life…

from one degree of glory

to another

All Saints Day

When Allison was just 5 years-old, she asked me an incredibly poignant question about heaven. 

From the backseat of the car I heard, “Who will I see there?”

All Saints I , Wassily Kandinsky

Without much forethought, I responded with the names of those who have gone before us.  Those who walked this path of faith and who, through both word and deed, left trail markers along the way to point those that follow toward the face of God. 

Then I heard these words tumble out of my mouth, “Then there will be all of these people who you have never met who love you and cannot wait to meet you.” 

She said, “There will?  What will they do?”

“I don’t know.” I said, “But I am sure that they will be excited to see you.”

I am not really sure what happened during the rest of our drive home.  I was distracted by the image of those who have gone before me who I do not know.  Those who love me and cannot wait to meet me.  Those who are cheering for me as I run the race of life.  This image has come back into my mind quite often since that day on the way home from school.  

Synaxis of All Saints

In the western church, November 1 is celebrated as All Saints’ Day.  This is the day the Catholic Church set aside long ago to honor and celebrate the lives of all of the saints, both known and unknown – both known and unknown - who walked the path of faith, and who, through both word and deed, left trail markers along the way to point those that follow toward the face of God.

This weekend the youth from Second Presbyterian Church will be at Camp PYOCA for our fall retreat (please pray for us).  Our theme for the weekend is discipleship.  As a part of the retreat, the students will be encouraged to write down and remember the names of the saints in their lives who planted, watered or helped cultivate their own discipleship. 

Sometime in the next several days, I encourage you to do the same.  Take time to remember the saints both living and dead who planted, watered or helped cultivate discipleship in your life.  Say a prayer of thanksgiving for those who walked this path of faith and who, through both word and deed, left trail markers along the way to point you toward the face of God.  Remember the saints in your own life, both known and unknown.  Celebrate the lives and testimonies of all of the saints who have gone before you.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2