“What is This?” podcast (coming soon)

This morning’s Bible reading is from Mark 1:21-28

Unclean Spirit

Jesus cast out an unclean spirit from a man who interrupted him.

The ‘unclean spirit’ places in the Bible make me uncomfortable. In the time of Jesus, folks with brain disorders/mental illnesses were thought to be possessed by unclean spirits. That idea has carried through in religious circles long after medicine has identified brain disorders/mental illness and has found ways, in many instances, to treat it. The “pray away the demon” theology is harmful to folks who suffer from brain disorders/mental illness. I believe that God is capable of healing any illness – and that God has given us the ability to continually find more effective treatments to disease. Merely “praying away the demon” ignores God’s presence in medicine as well as prayer.

I struggle with the “casting our demons” parts of the Bible because I wonder how things would have been different if brain illness was treated as other illnesses. I wonder if Jesus didn’t “get” that brain disorders are something that can be treated – just like other illnesses can be treated.

But then I also wonder. Jesus healed people who couldn’t see and who couldn’t walk and he “woke up” people who had died. He didn’t make a huge deal about it as he did it. There was no parade and no giant sideshow for people to be distracted by. In this case, Jesus cast out an unclean spirit without any fancy rituals – and that when the man was healed the folks “got” that Jesus was something way outside what they’d ever experienced – he was the real thing while others were just pretenders. He cured the man with a brain disorder/mental illness of the affliction that the people would have understood him to have – an unclean spirit. He announced that this man was no longer afflicted and was again restored to the community.

• Jesus’ way is one of restoration – not disdain. Have you ever treated someone with a brain disorder/mental illness, or any disability, as an outcast who just needed to “snap out of it?”
• Jesus’ way of restoration is also one that has everything to do with justice for those who are outcast.

What are you doing individually – How are we involved in community to bring restoration and justice to those who are outcast?

Jesus’ witness – Jesus’ actions – Jesus’ life calls us not to be the place where everyone behaves well and where we learn how to stay out of trouble and live a successful life. What Jesus calls us to think, to do, to be . . . . is a community that reaches out in restoration.

We’ve got financial issues. We’ve got uncertainty issues. We’re struggling with how we’re going to be as a church in the coming months and beyond. We’ve got every reason to decide that it’s time to take a breather. It’s time to regroup and take care of the minimum we need to take care of for awhile.

And taking care of the minimum necessary to get by isn’t what Jesus’ witness – Jesus’ actions – Jesus’ life calls us to.

Restoration. Inclusion. Attention. Action. That is the way Jesus calls us to.

Now is always the time to be a community that lives restoration, inclusion, attention, and action.

How? Start with the invitation. Invite the folks that “aren’t supposed to be included” to come and experience something different from church – acceptance . . . and more than that – inclusion . . . and more than that – being valued . . . and more than that – celebration . . . and more than that – true, unconditional love.

Who are the folks that “aren’t supposed to be included”? Look – it includes everyone. So invite people you see in the grocery stores. Invite the people you cut you off when you’re driving. (No – I don’t know exactly how to do that – but don’t stop me – I’m on a roll!) Invite people you meet in the bars. Invite people who annoy you. Invite your friends. Invite people you meet in the strip clubs. Invite people at the gas station, the post office, at school, wherever.

Invite people who say that they never liked, felt welcome at, or saw any need for this community of faith we call church.

And may all who come here experience something different. Something wonderful. Something challenging. Something life-giving. Something restorative and inclusive. Something that shows people paying attention to one another. Something that calls people to loving, welcoming, and justice-related action.

May all who come here be wonderfully surprised as they experience something marvelous they can’t quite explain – but instead remark with an inspired smile – “What is this?!”

Amen.

“How Wide is Your Welcome?” podcast

Anderson began Break Through, Inc. in 1978. Break Through is a non-profit organization that provides leadership training to churches, community civic groups, schools, universities, businesses, and professional groups. Ben and his wife Dee travel together -  greeting individuals and giving them a hope and encouragement to go beyond expectations despite any disability.  You can find out more about Ben at his website.

“You Get Me” podcast

This morning’s Bible reading is from Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

A Window to the Soul

The psalms are true. They provide a window to the soul.

I don’t mean that everything in the psalms can be read as accurate as it expresses who God is. Instead, I mean that the psalms are true because they communicate the raw emotions of folks and their life experience. They communicate folk’s relationships with God throughout life’s journey.

The psalms also provide a window to the joy, sorrow, celebration, anguish, happiness, sadness, jubilation, and anger that God’s people have experienced. And even more, they offer a glimpse into the songs and prayers that generations, Jesus included, have sung, and prayed.

Praying and singing the psalms connects a person and a community now with a person and a community that came before. Praying and singing through the joy, sorrow, celebration, anguish, happiness, sadness, jubilation, and anger help give individuals and communities a closer bond with others who have come before. They bring us closer to God.

And today I’m preaching about a psalm. A song. A prayer.

Psalm 139 expresses emotions about the wonder of God’s creation and God’s care for each of us. I think it expresses the writer’s emotions about how vast God’s thoughts are – and yet how in the hugeness that is God, there is room for something deeply personal between the psalmist and God. When a person prays or sings this psalm, they can express the same emotions. When a gathered community sings or prays this psalm, they, too, can express the same emotions.

(Psalm 139:14a NRSV)  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Fearfully and wonderfully made

Maybe it would be better put – Awesomely and wonderfully made.

I am awesomely and wonderfully made. We are awesomely and wonderfully made.
Can you imagine if we believed that about everyone? Can you imagine a nation and a world inspired to live as if everyone mattered? Can we dare to dream for the impossible to happen – the end of religious, racial, class, orientation, and gender hatred? Can we dare to really dream God’s dream?

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929– 91 years ago today. It’s been 45 years since he was assassinated.

• I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
• I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
• I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” This is our hope.

God has made each person – precious – awesome – wonderful.

God has made this community of faith – precious – awesome – wonderful

God has made our planet – precious – awesome – wonderful.

What if we believed that — and treated people, animals, all of nature in that way?
What if we believed that – and treated allies and adversaries in that way?

Some say that we are closer now to Dr. King’s dream than we were 45 years ago. Others say that though we’re closer, we’ve taken steps backwards in the last few years. Regardless, Dr. King’s dream inspired great strides and continues to inspire today as we seek to move forward for civil rights. Can you see a parade of people marching, praying, and singing the psalms – being inspired to live lives that celebrate God’s precious, awesome, and wonderful creation? And how about at the front of that parade you see Dr. King – acting as the drum major. In one of his last speeches, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, jr., said this:

“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”  

The witness and inspiration of Dr. King – advocate for justice, peace, and righteousness—did matter. And what we continue to do today matters. Living for justice, peace, righteousness, and love is a way to make our precious, awesome, and wonderful world a better place.

Let’s close by praying the words of today’s psalm together. Pray expecting God to understand your heart. Pray expecting God to understand and love all that you are. May this prayer today be a way to look to God and say, “I’m so glad that you get me.”

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (NRSV) O LORD, you have searched me and known me. {2} You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. {3} You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. {4} Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. {5} You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. {6} Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. {13} For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. {14} I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. {15} My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. {16} Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. {17} How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! {18} I try to count them–they are more than the sand; I come to the end–I am still with you.

“Baptized” podcast

This morning’s Bible reading is from Mark 1:4-11

Locusts and Wild Honey

John the baptizer was an outdoorsy-type. I love the rugged description of him in this week’s reading from Mark 1:4-11. Camel’s hair clothing (it’s all the rage, you know) with a leather belt (not purchased from a designer).

He sounds like the Old Testament prophet he is often compared to, and even identified with, Elijah. In 2 Kings 2:8, Elijah is described like this:  “A hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist.”

It’s possible that John was presenting himself as the new Elijah – the one that was here to begin the restoration of all things. It’s also possible that he lived the rugged life as a curiosity to get more people to come and investigate this strange wilderness man.

He had a diet that sounds Fear Factor-ey. (I’m so glad that TV show is back. You may disagree . . .)

“Who wants to go see the guy that eats locusts and wild honey? This should be fun!”

And while the curious were there to see the side show, they heard a message they couldn’t forget.

Return to God – be baptized – be forgiven.

Without the benefit of any of the temple priests for mediation.

Oh my. Let the trouble begin.

John had another message.

“The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.”

There’s someone else coming? What’s better than a message that invites folks to be forgiven without the benefit of any of the temple priests?

And John said, “I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Huh? Is there a difference? What are you talking about? You’re talking about someone you’re not worthy to even untie the sandals of – but what is this baptized with the Holy Spirit stuff?

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Oh. Yeah. That’s pretty impressive.   

But what’s significant here? The sky opening up? A bird descending and landing on Jesus? The voice from heaven saying to Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

All of those things point to Jesus as being “the one” — the one who will change everything – the one who the outdoorsy-type announced.

The one who would continue what John was doing.

The theme of return to God – be baptized – be forgiven wasn’t something brand new or even revolutionary. God’s people had been messing up and then returning to God forever. But somewhere in the process, the returning to God had become something that only the educated or credentialed were able to facilitate.

And John was offering it to the ones who wanted to see the side-show in the wilderness.
And Jesus then went and started preaching the good news to the poor, the outcast, the neglected, the rejected, and the forgotten.

And a ministry like that is bound to get you into trouble with the ones who act as the gatekeepers to goodness.

Folks – the educated and the credentialed of our day in the church – the ministers – aren’t any better or worse than anyone else. God doesn’t hear our prayers louder. God doesn’t look at us and say, “You’re the only one who can do this.” Or something like that.

Sure — we preach and we teach. We perform weddings, offer communion, and perform baptisms. But it isn’t because we’re the gatekeepers to God. As individuals, all of God’s children can return to God. As communities of faith – all of God’s children can return to God.

I read a quote the other day, attributed to evangelist Craig Laurie. I don’t know Craig or even much about him. I do love this quote, however.

“Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to church. Essentially He said that the church should go to the whole world.”

It isn’t about guilting folks to come to church. It isn’t about being the gatekeepers who, when they feel like it, offer God’s love to people in small doses. It’s not about calling out all the sins of the world. It’s not about deciding whom God loves – except for knowing that that means everyone. Being the church – being a follower of Jesus is about loving God and loving the whole world with the same passion.

That’s what we have to learn from John. That’s what we have to learn from Jesus. That’s the message that is loud and clear today – just as it was on the day Jesus was baptized.

Amen.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. Our blog was viewed about 13,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

“Pigeons” podcast 

This morning’s Bible reading is from Luke 2:22-40

New baby visit etiquette

In case you haven’t had a recent lesson in New baby visit etiquette, (you know — what to say when you see a new baby) here you go!

Say something that sounds an awful lot like,
“What a beautiful baby! You are a special little (boy or girl) and I know that you’re going to bring joy to your parents. Congratulations all of you! What a wonderful little baby.”

It doesn’t have to be exactly that, but it had better be something very nice and very supportive and very positive about the baby.

Nobody is ever to say,
“What a little shriveled runt! You wonder how something so ugly will ever fit in with the rest of us. Can you imagine if everyone looked like that? What a terrible world we’d live in!”

It is, however, perfectly permissible to comment quietly, after seeing the baby – “Well, this baby isn’t as ugly as most babies!” (but it should be said in privacy, away from the parents.)

This etiquette lesson is not at all new. Folks have been making “beautiful baby” comments since before . . . almost anything. Folks have been holding back “ugly baby” comments and doing their best to minimize the use of “It looks like Winston Churchill” type comments for years. I know that sometimes people ignore the lesson, but the life rule still applies. So in this week’s Bible reading from Luke 2:22-40, the reaction of the two people who saw Jesus when his parents brought him to the temple in Jerusalem isn’t all that surprising.

Simeon was just ‘moseying’ around town and he had a Holy Spirit nudge to go to the Temple. Anna hung out in the Temple all the time. Both of them got to see a very young Jesus. And both of them followed the beautiful baby (who was likely a toddler now) rule. Maybe they went a bit overboard.

Simeon: “My God, my God! I can die happy now because I’ve seen this baby! I’ve seen God’s salvation in this one. He’s going to really make a difference in the world. Bless you, Mary and Joseph! Your baby is going to make some very happy — others not so happy. He’s going to cause quite a stir — people’s true nature will come out because of him. He’ll make you very sad, too.”

Well, most of what he said followed the rule. That “he’ll make you sad” part went a bit outside the rules, I think.

Anna: “This is the baby! Everyone, look at this baby! Can’t you see it — he’s the one who is going to change everything — he’s the one we’re all waiting for!”

OK — perhaps that one goes a little far in the “wonderful baby” department. I don’t think Anna or Simeon would flower things up that much for every baby they saw in the temple. They might say some really nice things, but probably not something that ‘praising.’ I don’t think they would add the “He is going to cause quite a stir – make some people happy and others not so happy” “He’ll make you sad” and “He’s the one who is going to change everything” comments to other children, either.

They said the things that make sense to us now because we’ve read the rest of the story. Jesus had a difficult task ahead of him. He would be rejected by many. He would make his parents sad. He would anger the authorities. He would die in disgrace and leave his family without honor. It was a difficult life ahead for Jesus and for those connected to him.

Now, Jesus was too young to have any awareness of what Simeon said, but as he grew, and as ‘God’s favor was upon him,’ he had to understand that things were not going to be very rosy with the things he was going to do. He had to know that as he challenged people to change and as he challenged people to love God and one another above all else that many would react negatively. He had to know that as people identified him as a king that the government officials would get nervous and make his life, and living, for that matter, difficult. He had to know that a difficult task was ahead.

But on this day he was just probably looking at the strange man and strange woman with the big smiles on their faces. He was probably hoping they would give him some kind of treat.

Mary and Joseph were in the temple for a different reason – it wasn’t to get “change the world” comments from Simeon and Anna. It was to present their firstborn male as holy to the Lord. It was to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord — a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

It wasn’t a pair of turtledoves. Mary and Joseph were not wealthy. These two parents, who had a child who was going to change the world, came to the temple to offer the best they could offer – two young pigeons.

The potential to change the world.
A difficult task ahead.
Offering the best.

Folks – let me jump to a conclusion.

We — as Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL –have the potential to change the world. We have a difficult task ahead task ahead for 2012. And we will survive and thrive if we continue to offer the best we have to our mission:

Our love for God will be reflected in our worship, discipleship, and our outreach to all people. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we seek to serve our communities.

Love. Worship. Learn. Reach Out. Serve.

Let’s bring the best we have. We’ll make a difference. Because God is now and will be what the future requires. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to loving, worshipping, learning, reaching out, and serving.

Two young pigeons.

Amen.

“Steadfast Love” podcast

This morning’s Bible reading is from Psalm 98

Let the hills sing

How many times have you seen The Sound of Music? For me, it has been too many to remember. And somehow I don’t remember the entire film clearly. I usually block out the danger and fear in the film in favor of the music. And every time I think of the film I see that sweeping shot of Julie Andrews on the hill (isn’t it the one in every advertisement for the movie?) with the beautiful song ringing, “The hills are alive – with the sound of music”

This week’s Bible reading from Psalm 98 has an undercurrent of danger, fear, and enemies. This time, however, it seems overshadowed by praise to God. It seems overshadowed by celebration. It seems overshadowed by hills that seem to be alive with music.

I so love music. It has the ability to calm, to uplift, to motivate, to jog memory, to inspire, to bring about tears, and to simply bring goodness all around. It brings peace, blessings, and joy.

Today with music and more, we’ve been celebrating great joy. I’d like to share with you a message of Christmas joy from the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Geoffrey Black:

Dear sister and brother travelers and followers of the way;

With you I share the joy of anticipation of even greater joy:

It is the joy that comes in the assurance of God’s love for us and God’s eternal presence with us.   

In the coming days we will celebrate God’s desire and initiative to be present with us in the person of Jesus, the child born to Mary and Joseph.

However we choose to celebrate this season, it will be a blessing, if this is the truth at its core:

God’s love for us is revealed to us in the birth of Jesus.

In him we receive the essence of God’s mercy, forgiveness, justice, and peace.

Because Jesus showed the way, we have the promise of life eternal.

These are gifts, gifts of God. In Christ, we are blessed to receive them.  

Yes, we know that these are also difficult times for people throughout this land and around the world.

So let us be mindful that the God of our blessing also calls us to be servants in the service of humankind.

An even greater joy is the joy that comes as we show compassion and generosity through acts of love and the quest for justice and care for all of God’s children and creation.  

This we do in the name of Jesus, born of Mary and Joseph, who in the fullness of time grew to become our savior and liberator.  

May peace, blessings, and the joy of this sacred season be yours this Christmas and throughout the year to come.

Peace, blessings, and joy. Woven through this Christmas season and this Christmas day. Woven through music.

I know – we don’t always feel like singing.  Too tired . . . too sad . . . too much “busy.”  I had a wonderful vacation in the week leading up to Christmas.  We spent a week visiting my parents in Florida.  Great weather – great activities – great togetherness.
Then we came home to a house that had been robbed.  It wasn’t ransacked and there wasn’t any damage, but we still had many things stolen – some electronics and many Christmas presents. It was like CSI in our living room as the police dusted for fingerprints and checked for clues.  They even took a cast of a footprint outside.
Everything that was stolen is replaceable and the police and our insurance company have been very helpful.  The feeling of being violated is still around – and so is the anger at being robbed.  Not a “peace, blessings, and joy” kind of feeling at our home.

And through all of it I can see that scene at the end of “The Grinch who Stole Christmas” where all the Whos in Whoville come out to sing and celebrate Christmas, even after being robbed.  And the music helps bring calm, peace, and hope.

So may the hills continue to sing. May music be woven through our lives.

Let the music play. Let it calm, uplift, motivate, jog memory, inspire, bring about tears, and simply bring goodness all around. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. God has remembered, and may we all truly know the reality of God’s steadfast love.

Amen.

“Checklist” podcast

“He’s making a list – checking it twice . . . .”

Lots of lists this time of year.

The most common – the Christmas shopping list. If you haven’t finished up with that list by now, there’s precious little time left. Is anyone planning on finishing up some last minute items on their Christmas shopping list after tonight’s service?

For those about to embark on dangerous, stressful, last-minute shopping, we pray to the Lord.

(Give instructions about the “Lord, hear our prayer” response.)

But the Christmas shopping list isn’t the only list out there, right?

Some have the list of presents being given to others – complete with the order the presents should be unwrapped – for the best “Wow” factor. For any who have this list, it is well-thought out and sometimes re-arranged several times to get the order just right. Does anyone have a list like that or something similar?

For those who plan the Christmas morning present order – that it may build to the proper “Wow” factor, we pray to the Lord.

(Lord, hear our prayer.) Compliment the congregation for their response.

Christmas shopping list, gift order list. How about the “Who’s bringing what?” food list for big gatherings? Appetizers, main dish, sides, desserts, beverages . . .  Anyone here a “Who’s bringing what?” list coordinator? Anyone providing everything on the list themselves? Anyone get to “just show up” and benefit from the list in action?

For all those bringing food on the “Who’s bringing what?” list, and all those who benefit, that there may be no necessary trips to the only store open on Christmas, we pray to the Lord.

(Lord, hear our prayer)

There are some other lists – one I can think of that isn’t at all positive. It’s the annual ‘War on Christmas” list. Maybe you’ve heard about it or seen it. This list . . . lists the retail establishments that have dared to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” in their advertising for this time of year. The idea behind the list is to punish those who don’t conform their advertising to the world view of the makers of that list. I tend to look at the list and make every attempt to shop at the places listed on the “naughty list” side. Retailers aren’t theologians. I like to shop where the people are kind, the prices are good, and the quality is excellent. Christianity is about love and kindness towards others – not about boycotting stores that don’t say ‘Merry Christmas’

For the times we replace love and kindness with unnecessary and unproductive battles, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

I wonder what kind of list Mary and Joseph had when they had to journey to the place of Joseph’s ancestry for a census?

Food
Water
Funds
A pack animal? Maybe – maybe not.
Relatives to travel with? Likely
Advance reservations? Probably not
Any place for a baby to be born? “We’ll just wing it.”

Leading up the night Jesus was born, I think the lists were simple. I think that Mary and Joseph showed kindness to their traveling companions and hopefully received kindness from them. And while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

For all those who are without a home and wonder what will come next, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

I watched the Simpsons 2011 Christmas episode, “Holidays of Future Passed” a couple of weeks ago. I think it was a great episode. Without telling too much about it, let me reveal that in it, Maggie Simpson has a baby.

And Abe Simpson has a great line.

“If there’s one day a year to give unwed mothers a break, it’s Christmas.”

I love the line – and the sentiment behind the line. Just show some love.

This Christmas, amid all the lists . . . (and incidentally, you know that whole “naughty or nice” list thing? God doesn’t have a naughty list. God loves everyone – no exceptions.) please don’t forget to give one another a break. Just show some love.

I think that should be the top – maybe only item on this year’s checklist.

That this Christmas – and always – we would give one another a break and just show some love, we pray to the Lord

Lord, hear our prayer.

Amen.

“Joy for All – Good News for Some” podcast

This morning’s Bible reading is from Luke 1:46-55