I haven't heard from the Judd's recently - the person who forwards me their letters has been quite busy of late. But I did receive a note from Marta Bennett, a PC(USA) Mission Co-worker who is on the faculty of Nairobi International School of Theology. Here are excerpts from her note from January 10, 2008.
We had a living room full of people at our house watching the [election] returns over the that weekend, including Kikuyu, Luo and Kamba, the tribes of the top three presidential candidates. One of the Kikuyus in our gathering started commenting: "Where are the returns from my area? All around Mount Kenya, nothing is coming! What is happening?"
In the midst of questions about the election tally, the Electoral Commission of Kenya chairman announced that Kikaki had one. Then an hour later, Kibaki was being sworn in at a basically private affair at the State House. We were stunned and dismayed in our living room, Kikuyu, Luo and American alike.
This election - it was such an act of injustice, laced with irregularities and illegalities. We really hoped we would prove that Kenya had taken a major step towards democracy with this election. But instead we have been set back year and fanned the flames of ethnic hatred among neighbors who up till now had lived side by side peacefully.
On Sunday, December 30, I was reading Proverbs 29 before the final results were announced. As alarming questions were starting to surface, the scripture was such a direct word from the Lord:
"By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down... The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern ... If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace."
We are praying, fasting, crying out that somehow God would intervene. Yesterday (Jan. 6) many churches were praying. In the afternoon, many of the pastors and others met at All Saints Cathedral in town. It sounds like it was a remarkable time with representatives of each ethnic group standing and confessing the sins of their particular ethnic group, asking forgiveness and praying for God's intervention, truth, justice and mercy, and embracing with tears the representative of their "opposite" tribal group.
Complete text of Marta Bennett's letter
Marta Bennett's web page
Friday, January 11, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
It's your turn
Anyone who wants to help with the blog, contact Pastor Fritz or Elisabeth. It's easy! It's fun! It gives you a chance to talk about stuff you want to talk about. (Go on, confess: You get tired of Fritz doing all the talking, right?)
Plans & Expectations
The holidays seem like they were months ago, don't they? In reality, New Year's Day was only a week ago.
We come into a new year, a new anything, with plans and expectations--sometimes good, sometimes bad. We'll be more organized this time around. We'll keep that new leaf turned over for good, and maybe turn another one, too. We'll face certain trials and difficulties. Maybe we're filled with fear, whether for ourselves or for loved ones, or both.
I've found that expectations are hardly ever met. I don't need that explanatory speech I've been rehearsing in my head on my way to a meeting, or the leaf doesn't actually stay turned over for more than a week. (My grandmother had a positive spin on this quirk of life. She was a worryer because, she said, nothing she worried about ever happened.)
But I don't advocate worrying (as hard as it is not to do), and I don't put a lot of store in expectations and plans, because they're hardly ever met. I know that no matter what happens to our carefully laid plans, or what happens to us in the absence of plans, God will always be there to see us through. And God is an expert at planning--and changing plans on the fly when we screw things up.
So my plan for this year is to try to live out God's plan.
My expectation is that sometimes I'll succeed, and sometimes I'll screw up.
But I'm not worried, because God's plan can adjust to take me as I am.
We come into a new year, a new anything, with plans and expectations--sometimes good, sometimes bad. We'll be more organized this time around. We'll keep that new leaf turned over for good, and maybe turn another one, too. We'll face certain trials and difficulties. Maybe we're filled with fear, whether for ourselves or for loved ones, or both.
I've found that expectations are hardly ever met. I don't need that explanatory speech I've been rehearsing in my head on my way to a meeting, or the leaf doesn't actually stay turned over for more than a week. (My grandmother had a positive spin on this quirk of life. She was a worryer because, she said, nothing she worried about ever happened.)
But I don't advocate worrying (as hard as it is not to do), and I don't put a lot of store in expectations and plans, because they're hardly ever met. I know that no matter what happens to our carefully laid plans, or what happens to us in the absence of plans, God will always be there to see us through. And God is an expert at planning--and changing plans on the fly when we screw things up.
So my plan for this year is to try to live out God's plan.
My expectation is that sometimes I'll succeed, and sometimes I'll screw up.
But I'm not worried, because God's plan can adjust to take me as I am.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
On the Ground in Kenya
Missionaries LeRoy and Joann Judd work with African Inland Mission in Nairobi, Kenya. LeRoy is a seminary professor and Joann runs programs for children. Below are excerpts from emails they have sent over the last few days chronicling the violence broken out due to the results from the recent election.
12/30/2007 - 11:00 pm
For several days we have been asked to stay mostly at home due to the election results and violence. This morning we did go out to our church and spent much of the service in prayer. .. Much of the city is dark except for the fires (arson) raging in some slums, including Kibera, near our church, where many of our students and friends live. Some have taken refuge in an Assembly of God church. Pray for protection for God's people and for calm to be restored.
One of our friends says his room has been filled several times with tear gas as the police try to control the crowds. All live broadcasting has been suspended. We expect there could be further trouble tomorrow as the candidate who lost is declaring a victory rally.
1/02/2008 - 10:00 am
We have been basically indoors for almost a week now with just brief trips out to a small mall a few blocks away during the lulls in the violence. One of our gate guards got a phone call from his wife who reported that their neighbor's houses had been burned, the two supermarkets and the hardware store, but that their house and the other on the street were still standing.
We never know what a day or night will hold. We are concerned that the quarrel over the election has taken increasingly tribal lines and there is a terrible backlash against Kibaki's (the candidate who "won" the election) people, the Kikuyu.
Last night it occurred to me that this violence is also spiritual warfare. Churches and mosques and Hindu temples are becoming places of refuge, as as the burning of one church with its occupants shows, Satan is at work here. A spirit of evil and violence is controlling people. We need to pray earnestly that our God will restrain and hold back this evil spirit and that His people will be protected.
1/02/2008 - 5:00 pm
Tomorrow is a critical day, because Raila (the candidate who "lost" the election) has called for a mass rally of a million people in Nairobi tomorrow. The government is saying the demonstration is not allowed, but the opposition is planning to go on with it anyway. This sounds ominous to us. As Kenyans hide in their homes and churches, we urge you to stand with them by gathering in groups for prayer.
1/03/2008 - 7:00 pm
Today the opposition party had called for mass action. their party headquarters are within easy walking distance of our apartment and Bishop Tutu was meeting with them. By noon we had reports that marchers were just a few blocks away and we were grateful for all of you standing with us in prayer. They actually passed on our street and came to our gate asking the guard "what kind of people are here?" Our guard is of the right tribe and political party, so they passed by.
Our night guard just arrived and says that last night he had moved his family. That very same night people burned the block of 13 rooms where they had been renting.
We were greatly saddened to watch on TV the burning of one of our sister churches.
Pray that the international community can bring pressure on the president to allow another tally of the votes and bring in mediation to quell the tensions. Thank you for standing with us.
12/30/2007 - 11:00 pm
For several days we have been asked to stay mostly at home due to the election results and violence. This morning we did go out to our church and spent much of the service in prayer. .. Much of the city is dark except for the fires (arson) raging in some slums, including Kibera, near our church, where many of our students and friends live. Some have taken refuge in an Assembly of God church. Pray for protection for God's people and for calm to be restored.
One of our friends says his room has been filled several times with tear gas as the police try to control the crowds. All live broadcasting has been suspended. We expect there could be further trouble tomorrow as the candidate who lost is declaring a victory rally.
1/02/2008 - 10:00 am
We have been basically indoors for almost a week now with just brief trips out to a small mall a few blocks away during the lulls in the violence. One of our gate guards got a phone call from his wife who reported that their neighbor's houses had been burned, the two supermarkets and the hardware store, but that their house and the other on the street were still standing.
We never know what a day or night will hold. We are concerned that the quarrel over the election has taken increasingly tribal lines and there is a terrible backlash against Kibaki's (the candidate who "won" the election) people, the Kikuyu.
Last night it occurred to me that this violence is also spiritual warfare. Churches and mosques and Hindu temples are becoming places of refuge, as as the burning of one church with its occupants shows, Satan is at work here. A spirit of evil and violence is controlling people. We need to pray earnestly that our God will restrain and hold back this evil spirit and that His people will be protected.
1/02/2008 - 5:00 pm
Tomorrow is a critical day, because Raila (the candidate who "lost" the election) has called for a mass rally of a million people in Nairobi tomorrow. The government is saying the demonstration is not allowed, but the opposition is planning to go on with it anyway. This sounds ominous to us. As Kenyans hide in their homes and churches, we urge you to stand with them by gathering in groups for prayer.
1/03/2008 - 7:00 pm
Today the opposition party had called for mass action. their party headquarters are within easy walking distance of our apartment and Bishop Tutu was meeting with them. By noon we had reports that marchers were just a few blocks away and we were grateful for all of you standing with us in prayer. They actually passed on our street and came to our gate asking the guard "what kind of people are here?" Our guard is of the right tribe and political party, so they passed by.
Our night guard just arrived and says that last night he had moved his family. That very same night people burned the block of 13 rooms where they had been renting.
We were greatly saddened to watch on TV the burning of one of our sister churches.
Pray that the international community can bring pressure on the president to allow another tally of the votes and bring in mediation to quell the tensions. Thank you for standing with us.
Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year's Musings
Resolved: To live our lives as part of the Kingdom of God.
Resolved: To welcome others as we have been welcomed by Jesus Christ.
Resolved: To find the place where our passions meet the needs of our community, and use that passion to meet the needs.
Resolved: To explore our spiritual gifts and the best way to use them.
Resolved: To look at our personal and family finances and support mission instead of consumerism.
Resolved: To welcome others as we have been welcomed by Jesus Christ.
Resolved: To find the place where our passions meet the needs of our community, and use that passion to meet the needs.
Resolved: To explore our spiritual gifts and the best way to use them.
Resolved: To look at our personal and family finances and support mission instead of consumerism.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Giving
This year for the first time, Community Presbyterian Church of Malverne adopted three families in need for Christmas. Some went shopping for Christmas presents. Some donated complete Christmas dinners. The deacons provided grocery store gift cards. The best kind of shopping is shopping for those who really need the things we're buying. Who need the joy of a festively wrapped Christmas present and the sustenance of a good meal--both physical and spiritual.
We were also reminded that, there but for the grace of God, go we. One event--the loss of a job, a home foreclosure, a medical emergency--could put us in these same circumstances.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, pray for the three families we adopted as part of our church family. And remember, it can be hard to see those who are struggling, even when they live right next door.
Take a gander at these pictures:
Many thanks to Mary for her hard work connecting with the families for sizes and details and organizing this mountain of presents!!
Pastor Fritz, the Yangs, and the Moons dropped off presents for these kids and their mom.
This family has promised to light their candle during our Christmas Eve service, to pray for us as we are praying for them. Hallams, Engleses, and Beatrix played Santa.
The Birchs and Pages dropped off gifts for the third family. The smiles on everyone's faces tell you how meaningful this project was for everyone--the givers and the receivers.
One of the mothers we delivered to said that she hopes that next year, she'll be the one delivering presents to another family in need. We hope so too!!
This is what Christmas is all about. As Rob said, it's Jesus' birthday, and this is how we give him a birthday present.
We were also reminded that, there but for the grace of God, go we. One event--the loss of a job, a home foreclosure, a medical emergency--could put us in these same circumstances.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, pray for the three families we adopted as part of our church family. And remember, it can be hard to see those who are struggling, even when they live right next door.
Take a gander at these pictures:
Many thanks to Mary for her hard work connecting with the families for sizes and details and organizing this mountain of presents!!
Pastor Fritz, the Yangs, and the Moons dropped off presents for these kids and their mom.
This family has promised to light their candle during our Christmas Eve service, to pray for us as we are praying for them. Hallams, Engleses, and Beatrix played Santa.
The Birchs and Pages dropped off gifts for the third family. The smiles on everyone's faces tell you how meaningful this project was for everyone--the givers and the receivers.
One of the mothers we delivered to said that she hopes that next year, she'll be the one delivering presents to another family in need. We hope so too!!
This is what Christmas is all about. As Rob said, it's Jesus' birthday, and this is how we give him a birthday present.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Caroling
Christmas Caroling is still on! The rain is supposed to stop sometime this afternoon, and lots of people are counting on our cheerful singers to brighten their day.
So, there will be a quick, light supper at 5:00, and carolers will head out around 5:30.
Bundle up and bring your Christmas spirit!
So, there will be a quick, light supper at 5:00, and carolers will head out around 5:30.
Bundle up and bring your Christmas spirit!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tenacity
In her sermon on Sunday, Marilyn Johns called Community Presbyterian Church stubborn. The nerve! The gall! The.... Oh, yeah--she meant it as a good thing, at least in part. We cling to our church, determined to keep it going despite all the societal pressures that seem to be pushing us toward extinction.
She also, though, suggested that some stubbornness is not necessarily something to be proud of: the refusal to look at new ways of doing things, the deliberate blindness to those same societal pressures we're battling and possible new ministries they might require of us.
Being a small church is not a Bad Thing. If we had 300 people in worship every week, do you think we'd still be able to describe CPC as a family? I know that's something that a lot of members really value about our small church. Being a small church is not something to be fixed. It's something to be embraced--and that means recognizing that we have particular gifts (remember those spiritual gifts Pastor Fritz has been talking about?), and we have certain strengths. It's a matter of figuring out what those are and how to use them.
It's time to think about the true purpose of the church. Is it:
She also, though, suggested that some stubbornness is not necessarily something to be proud of: the refusal to look at new ways of doing things, the deliberate blindness to those same societal pressures we're battling and possible new ministries they might require of us.
Being a small church is not a Bad Thing. If we had 300 people in worship every week, do you think we'd still be able to describe CPC as a family? I know that's something that a lot of members really value about our small church. Being a small church is not something to be fixed. It's something to be embraced--and that means recognizing that we have particular gifts (remember those spiritual gifts Pastor Fritz has been talking about?), and we have certain strengths. It's a matter of figuring out what those are and how to use them.
It's time to think about the true purpose of the church. Is it:
- To make money?
- To do God's will?
- To show up the Church of the Intercessor with our Sunday morning attendance?
- To spread the gospel?
- To be a static presence in a changing neighborhood?
- To serve our neighborhood, no matter how it's changing?
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Kingdom of God
One of the many arguments against Jesus being the Messiah is that the prophesies, like the one we read in church yesterday--swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, etc.--all promise that with the Messiah will come the Kingdom of God. Eternal peace and harmony, no hunger, thirst or tears, the rule of God only. Clearly that didn't happen.
Here's what I think: The Kingdom of God must start inside each individual. We must have peace within ourselves and allow God alone to rule over us. Only then can the Kingdom begin to spread. Jesus, as the Messiah, showed and taught us what we need to do to achieve the Kingdom of God. Now it's up to us.
If that lion and lamb are ever going to lie down together, we'd better get to work.
Here's what I think: The Kingdom of God must start inside each individual. We must have peace within ourselves and allow God alone to rule over us. Only then can the Kingdom begin to spread. Jesus, as the Messiah, showed and taught us what we need to do to achieve the Kingdom of God. Now it's up to us.
If that lion and lamb are ever going to lie down together, we'd better get to work.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Lighting of Malverne
Don't forget to come by our table at Lighting of Malverne tonight! We'll be set up right by the ATM entrance at the Bank of America on Nottingham. Cookies, cider, and friendship for all!
Humility
During Pastor's Coffee House this past Sunday, we talked about the passage from Philippians (2:1-11) which we sometimes use as a statement of faith during worship:
Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
But emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
[...]
But we often leave off the beginning of this passage (not being part of the confessional hymn). Verses 3-5 read:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus..."
One of the things we are called to do as Christians is to emulate and imitate Jesus. While we can't exactly give up our (non-existent) equality with God, we can live in humility, as Paul instructs.
How would the world change if all who declared themselves Christians lived this way, looking to the interests of others rather than ourselves?
Leave a comment. Be bold. Be daring. Dream big. But live with humility.
Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
But emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
[...]
But we often leave off the beginning of this passage (not being part of the confessional hymn). Verses 3-5 read:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus..."
One of the things we are called to do as Christians is to emulate and imitate Jesus. While we can't exactly give up our (non-existent) equality with God, we can live in humility, as Paul instructs.
How would the world change if all who declared themselves Christians lived this way, looking to the interests of others rather than ourselves?
Leave a comment. Be bold. Be daring. Dream big. But live with humility.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Advent/Christmas Schedule
Here is the initial schedule for Advent/Christmas. Some things will change, but this is a start.
First week of Advent
Saturday, December 1
5:00 – 9:00 pm Lighting of Malverne table w/ hot cider & cookies
Sunday, December 2 (First Sunday of Advent)
9:45 – 12:00 Worship & church school
6:00 – 8:00 Family Advent kick-off (Dinner, Family Advent activity & evening worship
Friday, December 7
6:30 – 10;00 pm Fellowship Club Christmas Party, Irene Green’s house
Second week of Advent
Sunday, December 9 (2nd Sunday of Advent)
9:45 – 11:00 Worship w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns preaching
Christmas Tree decorating
11:00 – 12:00 Cookie Walk
Pastor’s Coffee House w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns
Church School
12:15 – 1:30 pm Lunch for SS Teachers (and others) w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns
Friday, December 14
6:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas Caroling (Rain date, Dec. 15)
Third Week of Advent
Sunday, December 16 (3rd Sunday of Advent)
9:45 - 11:00 am Worship, Baptism of James O’Brien
11:00 - 12:00 Coffee Hour, Pastor's Coffee House
12:30 - 3:00 Christmas caroling to Mrs. Burns
Saturday, December 22
9:00 - 12:00 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Fourth Week of Advent
Sunday, December 23 (4th Sunday of Advent)
9:45 am Worship, Children's Christmas Pagaent
Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
4:00 pm Family Service w/ Communion
11:00 pm Service of lessons and carols
First week of Advent
Saturday, December 1
5:00 – 9:00 pm Lighting of Malverne table w/ hot cider & cookies
Sunday, December 2 (First Sunday of Advent)
9:45 – 12:00 Worship & church school
6:00 – 8:00 Family Advent kick-off (Dinner, Family Advent activity & evening worship
Friday, December 7
6:30 – 10;00 pm Fellowship Club Christmas Party, Irene Green’s house
Second week of Advent
Sunday, December 9 (2nd Sunday of Advent)
9:45 – 11:00 Worship w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns preaching
Christmas Tree decorating
11:00 – 12:00 Cookie Walk
Pastor’s Coffee House w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns
Church School
12:15 – 1:30 pm Lunch for SS Teachers (and others) w/ Dr. Marilyn Johns
Friday, December 14
6:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas Caroling (Rain date, Dec. 15)
Third Week of Advent
Sunday, December 16 (3rd Sunday of Advent)
9:45 - 11:00 am Worship, Baptism of James O’Brien
11:00 - 12:00 Coffee Hour, Pastor's Coffee House
12:30 - 3:00 Christmas caroling to Mrs. Burns
Saturday, December 22
9:00 - 12:00 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Fourth Week of Advent
Sunday, December 23 (4th Sunday of Advent)
9:45 am Worship, Children's Christmas Pagaent
Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
4:00 pm Family Service w/ Communion
11:00 pm Service of lessons and carols
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Crop Walk 2007
On October 21st members of Community Presbyterian Church joined in the annual South Nassau Crop Walk to help raise money for local, national and international hunger relief through the Long Island Council of Churches and Church World Service. Check out the pictures.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Youth Kayak Trip
The youth group went paddling around Garrets Marsh and the Reynolds Channel on Sunday, having a lot of fun while singing the Jesus Loves Me boat chant and contemplating on how the elements of wind and water shape our faith. Check out the pictures.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Prayer for the big stuff
During Pastor's Coffee House on Sunday we were talking about how it can be sometimes difficult to pray for the intangibles or things that are far away - peace, justice, end to poverty, our national leaders, etc. Because these problems are so entrenched and solutions seem unobtainable, it becomes easy to leave them off of our prayer list. Instead we focus on the little things - a good day at work, personal healing, self improvment, our job, our financial situation, etc. - things that are important but also manageable.
I went to hear Jim Wallis speak tonight at the kick off for a new organiztion called NY Faith & Justice. This group commits itself to "following Christ, uniting the church and ending poverty," goals that are in their very nature prophetic and without faith they are impossible. "Faith is for the big stuff," Rev. Wallis said in his remarks. "Faith the size of a mustard seed (really really small) can move mountains (really, really big)," Jesus said. When government is at an impasse, when everyone is at wit's end, the movement of God thorugh the people of God sets things into balance. The American Revolution was preceeded by a revival. The Civil War was preceeded by a revival. The progressive social reforms of the late 1800's were preceeded by a revival. The civil rights movement was preceeded by a revival. Faith can move mountains. So we're called to pray. And we're called to live out our faith by walking the walk of Jesus.
I went to hear Jim Wallis speak tonight at the kick off for a new organiztion called NY Faith & Justice. This group commits itself to "following Christ, uniting the church and ending poverty," goals that are in their very nature prophetic and without faith they are impossible. "Faith is for the big stuff," Rev. Wallis said in his remarks. "Faith the size of a mustard seed (really really small) can move mountains (really, really big)," Jesus said. When government is at an impasse, when everyone is at wit's end, the movement of God thorugh the people of God sets things into balance. The American Revolution was preceeded by a revival. The Civil War was preceeded by a revival. The progressive social reforms of the late 1800's were preceeded by a revival. The civil rights movement was preceeded by a revival. Faith can move mountains. So we're called to pray. And we're called to live out our faith by walking the walk of Jesus.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday School Kick-off BBQ Kids Art
Take a stroll down the church walkway and check out these drawings by CPC kids!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday School Kick-off BBQ
As several of us remarked on Saturday afternoon, we always have a wide variety of great dishes without planning who will bring what! Everyone contributes his or her best dish just as we share our other talents. Truly a God sighting as well as a great food tasting.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Summer Sermon Quiz
All summer in worship and on this blog we've been talking about various spiritual gifts. Test your retention and Bible knowledge by matching each Bible character with his or her gift. Warning: some characters may have more than one gift. The "correct" answer is the gift we used each character to highlight over the summer.
Characters
Gideon
Jesus
Rahab
Moses
Elijah
Solomon
Woman at the Well
Congregation of the Israelites
King Ahasuerus’ scribes
Jonathan
Gifts
Prophecy
Evangelism
Faith
Tongues
Shepherding
Love
Compassion
Assistance
Wisdom
Giving
Answers
Characters
Gideon
Jesus
Rahab
Moses
Elijah
Solomon
Woman at the Well
Congregation of the Israelites
King Ahasuerus’ scribes
Jonathan
Gifts
Prophecy
Evangelism
Faith
Tongues
Shepherding
Love
Compassion
Assistance
Wisdom
Giving
Answers
Summer Sermon Quiz Answers
Answers: Summer Sermon Quiz
Gideon - Faith; Jesus - Compassion; Rahab - Assistance; Moses - Prophecy; Elijah - Shepherding; Solomon - Wisdom; Woman at the Well - Evangelism; Congregation of the Israelites - Giving; King Ahasuerus’ Scribes - Tongues; Jonathan - Love.
Gideon - Faith; Jesus - Compassion; Rahab - Assistance; Moses - Prophecy; Elijah - Shepherding; Solomon - Wisdom; Woman at the Well - Evangelism; Congregation of the Israelites - Giving; King Ahasuerus’ Scribes - Tongues; Jonathan - Love.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tuesday Thoughts
Pastor Fritz talked about the gift of tongues and speaking in tongues in church this past Sunday. A lot of us in the more, shall we say, staid traditions of Christianity find the modern idea of speaking in tongues a little scary, a little strange, and a little dubious.
But at the same time, maybe we're a little curious, and perhaps even jealous. What would it be like to be so full of the Holy Spirit, to give ourselves over so completely to God's presence?
I remember one Pentecost Sunday at a church in Louisville, when the greeters handed out lengths of red crepe paper streamer to everyone as we all came in that morning. I don't recall if they had a specific purpose, or were just to symbolize the Holy Spirit and to make sure everyone had a bit of red. In any case, I put mine around my neck like a scarf. Have you ever worn crepe paper streamer? It itches! But it occurred to me that maybe being full of the Holy Spirit isn't--and shouldn't be--a particularly comfortable sensation, either. We are so used to being in control of everything about ourselves--how we act, what we say, who we say it to--that allowing God to use us so completely must chafe.
Until we give up our precious control and just go along for the ride.
Maybe you have the gift of speaking in tongues--that is, of reaching out to someone across language and cultural barriers, of interpreting the specialized language of the church for someone who didn't grow up using it, of hearing what's really being said by someone who is angry, hurting, or afraid--and you never knew, until you let God and the Holy Spirit take control.
But at the same time, maybe we're a little curious, and perhaps even jealous. What would it be like to be so full of the Holy Spirit, to give ourselves over so completely to God's presence?
I remember one Pentecost Sunday at a church in Louisville, when the greeters handed out lengths of red crepe paper streamer to everyone as we all came in that morning. I don't recall if they had a specific purpose, or were just to symbolize the Holy Spirit and to make sure everyone had a bit of red. In any case, I put mine around my neck like a scarf. Have you ever worn crepe paper streamer? It itches! But it occurred to me that maybe being full of the Holy Spirit isn't--and shouldn't be--a particularly comfortable sensation, either. We are so used to being in control of everything about ourselves--how we act, what we say, who we say it to--that allowing God to use us so completely must chafe.
Until we give up our precious control and just go along for the ride.
Maybe you have the gift of speaking in tongues--that is, of reaching out to someone across language and cultural barriers, of interpreting the specialized language of the church for someone who didn't grow up using it, of hearing what's really being said by someone who is angry, hurting, or afraid--and you never knew, until you let God and the Holy Spirit take control.
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