E-Spiritual Coffee Break

July 23, 2009

Admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:55:33 +0000

A group of men were sitting around a fire one night while on a backpacking trek. They were all in recovery from alcoholism. They reflected on what are some of the qualities of a truly spiritually evolving person. Here's some of the list they comprised:

Ability to live comfortably with unresolved situations
Vision to see the long-term consequences of our immediate behavior
Humility to neither maximize our faults nor minimize our virtues
Capacity to love with unconditional positive regard for another
Willingness to first examine our own role when something goes wrong
Understanding that each phase of life demands the shedding of old ways
Openness to the mystery of how acceptance and surrender can be empowering
Awareness that life-long learning is essential for a healthy mind
Recognition that spiritual growth requires the help of others
Discernment to still accept other people even while disapproving of their behavior
Mastery of the spiritual arts of tolerance, forgiveness and selflessness
Contented acceptance of our limits, boundaries, powerlessness and tribulations
Belief that the pursuit of spiritual growth enhances effectiveness in the real world of family, work and pleasure

I think their list is pretty profound! What would you add to it? How are you growing in your spirituality? Summer time is a season of growth in more ways than one.

July 16, 2009

Admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:25:06 +0000

Over the last few weeks at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo, we have begun a lot of discussion about worship: what kind of worship do we provide-formal, traditional or casual, contemporary and the times we offer it. We are a multi-generational congregation with diverse expressions of faith. We live in a world where the style of worship in 1950 is not as appealing as in 2009. And yet, I wonder if style and times are the only thing we need to be reflecting upon.

This week I received an e-mail from The Alban Institute about congregational life. It is an excerpt from the book Pathways to Renewal: Practical Steps for Congregations by Daniel Smith and Mary Sellon. Even though it is about congregational health, I think its ideas are important to consider for our discernment.

The authors say,
"Congregational health is a function of how people in the congregation relate to one another, to God, and to their community... A congregation that is truly being church brings people into a loving, life-giving relationship with God and others that is transformational. This is the nature of the kin-dom of God, where covenant relationships model the best aspects of family. People find hope. They experience belonging; they extend and receive forgiveness. They discover a sense of purpose and direction. They learn to live with appreciation and joy no matter what the circumstances... Practicing loving, life-giving relationships transforms congregation members. Witnessing such benefits draws others who want something similar for themselves and their families..."

The article goes on to talk about how a congregation helps people connect to the community around them. How does our worship as it is or may be help people outside our walls connect with God and others and find some hope and life? Often we think we need gimmicks and programs to attract people. The authors advocate that people need worship that helps them experience God, discover a loving community and connect with the community. The authors say, "Without this sense of mission to keep the congregation focused beyond the doors of the church, the congregation turns inward and loses connection with its community."

How does our worship of God connect us with God, with each other and with those outside our church community? How we answer that question will shape when we have worship and what styles we offer.

July 9, 2009

Admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:42:31 +0000

To End All Wars, is an autobiographical account by Ernest Gordon, a British Army officer captured by the Japanese during World War II. You may remember the old movie, "Bridge over the River Kwai." It's a movie featuring the heroism of captured allied soldiers who were forced into virtual slave labor by the Japanese to build a rail line through the jungles of Burma. Gordon, who later became Dean of the Chapel at Princeton University , was one of the officers in that hellish labor camp. He tells another side of the story, no less heroic, but in a very different way.

Each day Gordon joined a work detail of prisoners in the low-lying swampland. If a prisoner appeared to lag, a Japanese guard would beat him to death or decapitate him. Many more men simply dropped dead from exhaustion, malnutrition, and disease. Ultimately, 80,000 prisoners died.

For most of the war, the prison camp had served as a laboratory of the survival of the fittest, every man for himself. They lived like animals, and for a long time hatred toward their captors was the main motivation to stay alive.
Gordon, like many others, could feel himself gradually wasting away from a combination of beriberi, worms, malaria, dysentery, typhoid, and diphtheria. Paralyzed and unable to eat, he asked to be laid in the Death House. That's where the sick were sent to die by their fellow prisoners amid filth and flies.

But something was astir in the prison camp, something that Gordon called the "miracle on the River Kwai." Amid the brutality and despair, some people began to exhibit another side of the human heart. One event in particular shook the prisoners. A Japanese guard discovered that a shovel was missing. When no one confessed to the theft, he screamed, "All die! All die!" and raised his rifle to fire at the first man in the line. At that instant an enlisted man stepped forward and said, "I did it."

Enraged, the guard lifted his weapon high in the air and brought the rifle butt down on the soldier's skull, killing him. That evening, when tools were inventoried again, the work crew discovered a mistake had been made: No shovel was missing.

One of the prisoners remembered the verse; "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Attitudes in the camp began to shift. With no prompting, prisoners began looking out for each other rather than themselves.

Gordon sensed the change in a very personal way as two fellow Scotsmen, both followers of Jesus Christ, came by each day to the death house and cared for him. They dressed the ulcers on his legs and massaging the atrophied muscles. He gradually put on weight and, to his amazement, regained partial use of his legs. Through these men he was drawn into a community of Christians in the camp. By default, because he had studied some philosophy, he became an unofficial camp chaplain, even though he wasn't yet a believer.

A real Christian community began to form. They called it the "church without walls." It was formed around faith in the goodness and love of God and was expressed in acts of mercy and kindness toward others, even their enemies.

Gordon's book describes a transformation of this group of men within the camp so complete that when liberation finally came, they even treated their sadistic guards with goodness rather than revenge. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)."

July 1, 2009

Admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:39:26 +0000

I heard the following story about speaker, Christian activist (in the best sense of the word), and writer Tony Campolo. He was headed to work along his usual route. It wasn't unusual for him to pass a number of homeless people. Occasionally, people would blurt out the usual requests for money. And generally he ignored them. But one day a particular bag lady, whom he had seen often before in his rush to get from place to place came shuffling by holding a steaming cup of coffee from a local donut shop. Their eyes met. He forced a smile. She stopped and put down her wrinkled coat and bags. "Hey, mister, would you like a sip of my coffee?"

How would you respond? I would have probably walked past, quickly, right? Well, he did or at least started to. Something inside stopped him on that frosty morning. Half a block down Tony turned around. "Hey lady! Yes, yes I would like a taste of your coffee." And she stuck out her dirtied hand to him, and he swallowed..... what had to be the most delicious coffee he had tasted in a long time. "Isn't it good?" she inquired.

"Yea, this IS good. And thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Hey lady.... why did you offer me your coffee?"

"Because it was so good. I thought someone might like to share it with me and enjoy it, too."

That morning, he experienced the fruit of the Spirit called kindness. She shared what little she had with someone whom she simply thought might enjoy the pleasure she was experiencing from her cup of coffee. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32)."

Behind that blank expression of the person at the coffee shop or the same look that has been on your spouse's face for days or the sad affect of a friend who is going through a difficult time, there is a person who could use an expression of kindness, of God's loving kindness.

June 25, 2009

Admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:40:11 +0000

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..." As we grow in faith and Discover the Spirit, we recognize that the character of Jesus Christ is becoming more and more part of our lives. As we open our life to God, then the fruit of the Spirit is produced more and more in our lives. Fruit is not something we make. It is not something we produce. Fruit is the natural result of a growing tree.

Dallas Willard, a writer and profound thinker about spiritual formation said, "It is called "fruit" because, like the fruit of trees or vines, it is an outgrowth of what we have become, not the result of a special effort to bear fruit. And we have become "fruitful" in this way because we have received the presence of Christ's Spirit.."

We become patient as we receive the presence of Christ's Spirit. How do I talk about patience? Corazon Aquino, the Philippine political leader and president (1986-1992) said, "Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather it is a spirit that bears things-with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope."

Patience is like a coin. It has two sides. One side of the coin of patience is passive. Waiting is that passive resignation part. The other side of the coin of patience is active and keeps going, persists, perseveres and does not lose hope. Someone said, "All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope.""Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience."

John Ortberg, Presbyterian pastor and author, asks:
"How do you respond when you don't get your way or you're frustrated? Are you able to wait gracefully? Would people describe you as a "peaceful, patient waiter?" How do you handle it when people aren't moving as quickly as you would like? How are you doing on Patience?"

As Christ takes root in the soil of your soul then patience begins to grow...

June 21, 2009

Admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:31:52 +0000

Each day we gather for worship here at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo, in response to the Good News: "In Christ we are forgiven", we have a time in which we encourage people "to share the peace and love of Jesus Christ with those around you." What am I saying when I ask you to pass the Peace? "Peace" is one of the difficult words. As soon as we hear itwe think we know what it means. Some of you may be thinking about the lake, being in a boat and fishing. Oh what a peaceful thought. For someone else an experience of peace is sitting in the boat on the lake but NOT catching anything. That is relaxing, that is peace! Someone else may be thinking of the time when the kids go off to bed and it becomes quiet in the house. We all have a something that comes immediately to mind. What jumped into your mind when you heard the word "peace?"

Peace is a word that all of us on one level or another strive for. Whether that it is on an international level, a denominational level, a congregational or personal level. Jesus said, "My peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you..." Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in the midst of the Upper Room before he was going to the cross. He knew that the next few hours, several days and maybe even years in the lives of the disciples would not be a time that was stress-free or ones void of conflict. But he knew that they would feel a sense of calm in the midst of the thunderstorm. Peace is not the absence of strife as much as it is the presence of Christ that calms our soul at its core. The apostle Paul wrote, "And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Eugene Petersen in the Message paraphrases that passage this way, "It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

So sit back and take a breath of the Spirit of God, whether you are at work in the middle of a tense project or at the lake drinking deeply of God's gift of nature and let the calming and centering peace of Christ be God's gift to you. And then, go and share the peace with those around you, praying St. Francis' prayer each step of the way:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . .hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . .joy
Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . .as to console
To be understood . . .as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . .that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . .that we are born to eternal life

June 10, 2009

Admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:57:33 +0000

A young couple had just moved to a new city and they wanted to find a new church.

On the first Sunday, the church they visited was beautiful and the congregation large. But the manner of the pastor gave them concern. He was a little too polished and a little too smooth to make them feel they were getting the real thing. The following week, they connected with the minister, a vibrant woman almost glowing with the Spirit, but were mystified as to why her spirit didn't extend to those sitting in the pews. Not daunted by these first two visits, they ventured to a third church where everything was beautiful. The sanctuary, the service, even the congregation seemed exceptionally attractive. Yet absolutely nothing felt right in this church. They learned later that neighbors had dubbed it "Our Lady of the Lexus." They were discouraged. The next Sunday the woman curled up on the couch with Harry Potter.

But then came the Sunday they walked into the small, unimposing sanctuary a few miles from their home. Based on a friend's recommendation, and on the spur of the moment, they had bundled up their newborn son and gone. As they entered the door, their eyes noticed a diverse congregation, their ears heard a spontaneous chorus, and their hearts were moved not only by pre-teens singing in the adult choir but also by the whole body encircling the communion table to break the bread and share the cup. The husband and wife smiled at each other across the car seat where their son lay sleeping, their eyes met in mutual acknowledgment: There is something of God here.

"There is something of God here" speaks to the notion of Christian testimony. Whether it is in words or deeds, whether it is silent or spoken, whether in public or in private, Christians through the centuries have witnessed to their faith in God and in doing so, attempted to be those whose lives speak of God's life. The practice of testimony is as old as our faith, beginning with Mary running from the empty tomb, crying, "I have seen the Lord." The word "testimony" is borrowed from the legal world. It encompasses all those moments when we testify to what we see God doing in our lives and in our world.

How do you in your life and words give testimony to what God is doing?

June 3, 2009

Admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:36:26 +0000

A woman wandered into a Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, sat down and joined in worship which already had begun. Everything went according to the scripted order: hymns, prayers and readings. When the pastor stood up in the pulpit and began to preach, the woman, however, became very animated and vocally expressive. She said out loud, "Yes," when the pastor made a point she liked. A few minutes later and even louder she exclaimed, "Yes that's true. Praise the Lord - Praise God's Holy Name." People around her and even those far away began to shuffle and squirm uneasily. Some people turned around to see who was speaking like that. After another "Amen," an usher discreetly approached her and whispered, "Ma'am, is something wrong?" She replied, "Why no, I've got the Spirit." Without a thought, the usher replied, "Well, you didn't get it here."

A lot of people say they have the Spirit of God in their lives. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 said, "The fruitof the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Our lives are being filled up with God's Spirit as we demonstrate those character qualities. Being a Spirited person does not mean that you have to do anything crazy like speak in tongues or have an ecstatic experience. A spiritual person is one who demonstrates the character of Jesus! Being a Spirit-led person doesn't mean one is real religious, but real and open to God!

May 28, 2009

Admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:01:01 +0000

A small boy was out walking with his grandfather and the wind was blowing quite briskly. The boy asked his grandfather, "What is the wind?" The grandfather remarked, "I can't explain the wind to you, but I can teach you to raise the sails."

This Sunday is Pentecost! On this day, we celebrate the Spirit of God empowering the disciples to live like Christ! Throughout Scripture, the Spirit of Godis imaged as water, wind and fire. The Western Church symbolizes the Spirit witha dove. The Celtic Church says that is tootame and predictable for God'sSpirit, and represents the Holy Spiritas a wild goose driven and led by the stronggusts of wind. I cannot explain the Spirit to you - comprehensively and without question, but I can teach you to raise the sails and harness some of the Spirit.

I think the following says it well:

In the beginning-

before there was anything,

before you and me,

just as the universe began to be created -

there wasa wind, an energy, a Spirit that brooded,

hovering across the face of the empy creation,

and breathed life and form and beauty into existence.

Welcome, Holy Spirit!

The prophets were charged, filled with inspiration and promise.

Ezekiel, filled by the light and the truth of the Spirit, prophesied:

"The Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound:

'May the glory of God be praised in God's dwelling place!"

And on an ordinary day, among ordinary people,

there came a cascade of noice and a flash in the heavens.

In tongues of flame the place was bathed in golds and oranges

exploding like crushed light breaking free from a thousand cancles,

It was Pentecost, and this was the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is at work still today -

tearing down walls, seeking freedom and unity,

empowering the people of God. Empower us, Holy Spirit!

May 22, 2009

Admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:51:22 +0000

This week, Sparky, the budgie (parakeet) that has dirtied our house with his seeds and graced our surroundings with his chirping, chattering, and singing, died at about the age of 8. Our daughter held him and cared for him as he died that afternoon. It was a very sad time. Interspersed with the sadness came moments of joyful remembrance. "Budgie wants, budgie wants" rings in our ears. Sparky's death is painful, yet remembering him heals our hurt.

This weekend, we gather as a country and set aside a day to remember primarily those who have died defending our country. Memorial Day though has become a day to also remember family members who have died. If you are close enough to a cemetery where a parent or grandparent is buried, you may be going to place flowers on the grave.

Remembering is powerful! A rabbi said, "A people that has no memory has a most difficult and uncertain future as well." Throughout Scripture God's people are called to remember:

1. The Ten Commandments call us to, "Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy."

2. The Jewish people heard these words, "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm."

3. Jesus said as He broke the bread and poured the wine of the Lord's Supper, "Do this in remembrance of me."

Remembering is a sacred act of the mind and heart that recalls a past event or person. That act brings the past into the present and imbues is with depth and meaning. Often in the act of remembering the past becomes real in the present.

Remembering is healing and transforming! Remembering the past reorients our lives here and now and on down the road. So, however you spend this weekend - at the lake, with friends or family, I pray that you will do some remembering and that your life be transformed, healed, renewed!