A Couple Photos from our trip to Spearfish Canyon--Snow in early October-beautiful!!!!

The book of Esther doesn’t contain any religious elements, no mention of God, no prayers, no religious practices specifically listed, but it does tell a powerful message of God and teaches us some great lessons on being God’s chosen people.
This book would make a great soap opera or mini-series. It has all the elements necessary- marriage-divorce, search for love, jealousy, desire for power, murderous plots, defeating the enemy, underdog becomes hero.
This book also is an example of a good story. It has great form-plot, parallels and opposites, humor, strong heroes, a big villain. It uses the literary element of irony-weak becoming powerful, those who believe they are strong becoming weak, those who are disenfranchised becoming stronger, having a place-in some ways it is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ministry. There are literary lessons to be learned, history to be studied and a good story in Esther, but there are also powerful truths in this book that we can talk about and figure out how they can be applied to our lives today.
Probably the best-known verses from Esther are 4:14-Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this. Or 4:16b- If I die, I die. Those last words are Esther’s. What a statement of courage on Esther’s part. But, I think the bigger point is that her courage comes from the fact she realizes she will be acting out of her gifts, out of her calling. God had arranged all elements for Esther to be queen in this time and place, just for this situation. Her courage was in acknowledging and following that call on her life. Call and response is seen throughout the Bible. And daily I think we are called- maybe not in grand ways-like saving our people from death-but God calls us. In Esther, as in other stories and in our lives, there are events and lessons learned that culminate in the ability to make the response. Esther was raised by Mordecai, part of the court. He was able to bring her into the system as such. He had raised her well, taught her. He had seen the gifts she had, even if some of them were superficial, such as outward beauty. They were gifts seen by him and recognized as a gift. That is an important lesson for us-not only that Mordecai was her mentor, her teacher and he knew she was ready, but Mordecai reminded her of her gifts. When we see gifts in someone, when we recognize that someone can make a difference, could possibly be the only one who can affect that change then we need to be ready to tell that person. It is not just a thank you said to that person for something or an offhand statement. It needs to be an honest and clear statement to that person acknowledging an ability and its significance to God’s work in this world.
Another important element here-Esther listened. We don’t always recognize or understand the gifts we have. We often see ourselves as less capable or talented than others see us. We need to listen when another person says, “Jessica, you have such a gift of…..”, “Nicole, your music ministry….” Here comes the big part-----we have to be courageous enough to test that-try out that gift, be ready to use that gift when we are called on to use it.
Because the book of Esther doesn’t mention God by name at all, yet there is definitely a call story in there, I think the message is very clear. Our call can come from people. People who see the gifts, the graces, the abilities, our heart and passion in ways sometimes we can’t. In the story today this same person, Mordecai, sees the situation and asks Esther to act. He reminds her of her call.
Upon hearing our call-whether it is from God or through others, we often have excuses, reasons, not to follow the call. Esther said, “Oh, I can’t-I haven’t been called in to see the king for 30 days.” She had an excuse. I had an excuse before for not going into full-time ministry- I have children, I have a job I need to keep working at, I don’t have money for school-the list was endless. You know it sure can be safer not answering the call. But, serving God is not about being safe. It is about faith and trust.
Serving God is having courage. It is being brave. It means stepping out, moving, doing. When we think of people who have answered God’s call we often think of pastors and missionaries. And we know they often have very interesting stories of being called to serve. But, every one of us is called. Every one of us has a story in us, a story of call and serving.
It’s that time of year for stewardship campaigns, for asking people to plan their giving. How much, how often, to which areas of the church should I give my money? But I also think the stewardship campaign should address our response to call. So many ways to look at it: One, of course is, have we answered our call? Are we using the gifts God has given us? Or have we let opportunities slip by? Did we squander our abilities, our time, our gifts or did we step out, act courageously, bravely and go beyond our own capabilities and step into the zone of faith and trust. Because it is when we have given all we can it is then God can go to work, when we know we were right where God wanted us to be, giving what we were at the time appointed.
Another way to look at it-have we helped grow others? Have we helped others recognize their gifts? We need to be looking at ways in our work life, home life, church life, etc. where we can help others nurture their gifts, grow into their call, provide support and prayer as they questions and answer the call. Mordecai had a very important role in this story. He had raised Esther, had nurtured her, taught her, guided her and knew the gifts she had. He reminded her of her gifts and helped Esther to understand why she needed to act.
God is calling each of us-God has a plan for you, for your gifts. Perhaps you were called for just such a time as this!

Holy in the Ordinary

I was enjoying the snow this morning and wondering if that could be incorporated into my blog today. I was truly enjoying watching the flakes fall slowly to the ground, they weren't being blown around or coming down so fast, just a relaxing snowfall. It was enough to be a nuisance to the custodian who has shovelled (pushed) snow a couple times today, but beautiful in that it makes everything appear brighter, whiter, covered up some of the dirt on the old snow.

I wasn't sure how that would fit into a Lenten entry, but then I returned to the Ann Weems book, Kneeling in Jerusalem, and found the poem, "The Holy in the Ordinary"

Holy is the time and holy is this place,

and there are holy things that must be said.

Let us say to one another what our souls whisper...

O Holy One, cast your tent among us;

come into our ordinary lives and bless the living!

Forty days stretch before us,

forty days of hungering after faithfulness,

forty days of trying to understand the story,

and then, Holy Week...

O God, if every week were holy...

These forty days stretch before us,

and those of us who believe

yearn to feel Your presence,

yearn to be Your people;

and yet, the days fill with ordinary things

with no time left

for seeking the holy.

Spiritual contemplation is all right

for those who have the time,

but most of us have to make a living.

Most of us have to live in the real world

where profanity splashes and blots out

anything holy.

Where, O Holy One, can we find You in this unholy mess?

How, O God, can we find the holy in the ordinary?

I think that is what I am seeking this Lenten season. What can I do within the ordinary that will be holy? Do I need to look at things a bit differently, do I need to execute what I do in a different way, do I need to seek for God in new places-really looking in the everyday activities. Maybe I don't need to be searching for a thing to do or a thing to give up in order to have more time or money or reasons to be seeking God. God is in the unholy mess all around me. God is in the ordinary. The "thing" to give up for Lent is the yearning to feel God's presence and just know that God is in the filled up days of ordinary things. I don't need to be seeking Him out, I don't need to be casting tents so God will come be around. That is what I give up--that searching, that time spent trying to understand, to find, to comprehend. This a time of journey, probably not going anywhere particularly new this time. I have been down the road to the cross many times. But, this time I need to be conversing with my travel companion, sharing the experiences, the questions, the hungering, with God, who is right there. This is not a search and rescue trip. It is a travel experience, a trip with an itinerary already developed by my traveling companion and my trying to create a new trip plan is a waste of time. I need to take the journey and snap the pictures and write in the journal and ask the questions to understand each sight, sound, and stopping place along the way.

Today's snow just was--it wasn't a few flakes, it wasn't a snow shower or have winds with it making a blizzard. It was just snow, slowing falling down and covering the earth. I didn't need to search for reasons why it was there. I didn't need to wonder if there was a storm coming, what was next. I just needed to watch in wonder, see it slowly blanket the old snow and just be there. There wasn't a profound message in the experience. I didn't need to find a metaphor or draw any parallels. I just experienced it and smiled.

Ash Wednesday--

Thanks to an email from Joan Lilja, the NE District Chaplain for clergy and families, I was reminded of the book by Ann Weems, Kneeling in Jerusalem. This is a poem titled, "A Listening"

Going through Lent is a listening.

When we listen to the word,

we hear where we are so

blatantly unliving.

If we listen to the word,

and hallow it into our lives,

we hear how we can so

abundantly live again.

So, today I am listening. I haved asked God for guidance in how to live out life faithfully during this Lenten season. So, I am listening for the word as to how I can live abundantly again--how to experience God in fresh, maybe not new ways. Do I work it out by disciplining myself to write every day? Do I spend time each day knitting prayer shawls and praying into that experience?

I don't know yet where I am headed with the Lenten journey. I think I just need to take the first steps, as I am doing here, and then watch for God's signs along the way. I am open to hearing God's word in my life however it may come to me. I am thinking it may come in the whisper and click of the knitting needles as I create shawls that will wrap people up in warmth and love. I didn't realize how powerful that process was to me as the knitter.

Last night I started my first prayer shawl. I spent time in prayer before beginning and prayed often while knitting. The process of "throwing the yarn" and having to switch from knit to purl makes the process so very intentional. Each stitch is the intentional choice of putting yarn over a needle and moving it from one needle to the other. There is a rhythm to the process, a sound that becomes soothing. The yarn itself takes on new qualities as it becomes woven together. The understanding that this piece of work will be wrapped around someone who needs prayer, who needs to feel prayer, will be in a way like God's arms wrapped around them is quite humbling. The process of knitting makes me a conduit of God's love and mercy and healing for someone. What a gift I have been given to be able to use my eyes, my hands, my heart to create an object that represents not just warmth and comfort, but love, prayers, healing, mercy, and strength.

Shortly people will start showing up to go on the annual ski trip to Giant's Ridge. We are a mcuh smaller group this year, but maybe that is good for me since this is the first year that I have been the coordinator for the event. It keeps my anxiety level lower this way.

The weather looks like it will be very nice with a chance of snow each day, but nothing like a big snowfall or anything. So, it should be good weather for those who ski. I don't ski so I couldn't tell you if temps in the 20's is good or not.

I am looking forward to being indoors, cuddled up in a sleeping bag reading and journaling. I will also be in charge of food and that is a fun task for me. Once I get everyone on their way in the morning-after I get the lift ticket and rental forms all purchased and handed out I will feel much better. I have brought along a few books to read and I have my MP3 player as well. I think I will be most content.

I hope to be able to set up a weekend for next year by the time we leave on Sunday. Not sure how well that will work next year since we are changing our districts around, but it will be worth getting it set up anyway.

Now What?

Main text of sermon from Dec. 30, 2007. Stories used have been left out.

Look at this cute little baby. Isn’t he just darling? I wish you could see the Mary and Joseph that go with this nativity set. They are looking so lovingly at him. In awe of him, you know the drill—admiring the fingers and toes, watching him sleep, amazed at the miracle of a new life. We all do it when we see babies. And we do it with our baby Jesus in the manger, too. We focus on this little guy, this baby. We sing to him, some of us bake a birthday cake for him each year. We anticipate His birth, plan for Him to come into the world each year.
But, the wonderful thing about this Jesus in my nativity set is that he comes out of the manger. He doesn’t stay there. In reality, baby Jesus isn’t this tiny little thing. He is more like the size of this doll. This is a bit harder to hold than that little thing. This doll is cute, too. Dressed so cute, looking all angelic and sweet. No dirty diapers, no urp on the shirt, none of that real stuff here. Don’t we do this to our baby Jesus, too? We don’t always think of the real life stuff that goes with a baby. Hard enough to take him out of the little manger and then to give him a real life size body.
How about going a bit further with this? Today’s scripture takes our cute little baby Jesus whose birth we celebrated earlier this week and does what the addition of any baby to a family does—turns life upside down. Some of you know firsthand what a new baby does to what you thought was your life—lack of sleep, change of focus, change in how long it takes to go somewhere, you can probably think of many other aspects of life that changes. Jesus’ birth changes life drastically for Mary and Joseph.
Today’s scripture isn’t pretty stuff. We hear about murder, fear, exile, upheaval, and relocation. That isn’t cute baby in the manger stuff. . We hear again Rachel’s lament from the Old Testament: Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. That is real, that is scary, hard to think about while we are still basking in the Christmas light glow.
There’s a big focus on Joseph in this text. God counts on Joseph to follow the directions in his dreams. God counts on that love Joseph has for that little baby and knows he will take him out of the manger (not literally as much time has already passed from that night), but will take him out of the manger and let life, as they know it be changed drastically. And they head into exile in Egypt. Then after a time, return but go to a new home again.
And you know what, I know that God wants us to take Jesus out of the manger, too, and let our lives be changed drastically. Yes, the Christmas season is special. I love Advent, that time of waiting, of growing, of realizing once again what gift God is giving us, the new life that God is offering to us once again. But, we are now on the road to Lent and Easter. And we need to take Jesus out of the manger and think about what that means for us. I have a few questions that came to my mind as I thought about this topic. Hopefully others will come to you as well. Let me share these with you.
What does this coming of the messiah mean to us today? If we think of him as Messiah, Savior, then we can face each day knowing God is there. We aren’t alone. What else does it mean for us personally, for the world?
If we acknowledge that the Christ child has been born, what does that mean for us in the days to come? Once we get beyond celebrating Him, we can look to Him for examples of how to live, to love, to share, to give. Jesus’ big lesson to us was to give to the poor, care for those in prisons, and He gave us the Holy Spirit with which we can do way more miraculous things than He ever did.
Are there exile stories we should hear? Are there people, communities, countries that have been sent away from what they knew life to be into a place foreign to them? Jesus was born to show us how to live through exile and beyond. Jesus knew that life-knew what it meant to be forced to leave home and then start over. Do you have life experiences that have shaped you and now could help others? God calls us to use those experiences to bring Christ to the world in ways that go beyond sharing the Good News with just our words.
Are there dreams we should be remembering and following? It is so easy to shut out those dreams or visions, say, “God, you can’t be talking to me.” And then, bury it in the recesses of our minds. God puts dreams in our hearts hoping we will be like Joseph and follow, not knowing what the journey will look like, or what the outcome will be.
Is there a new place we should be going ourselves? Maybe God has a new place for us to go. A return from exile maybe, a new ministry for us to lead, attend, support. Jesus left the manger to be our example-our guide in this journey. We have maps, travel guides, personal navigation systems to take us to this new place. As we ponder this in our hearts, what is this new place where God is calling to go?
With the birth of Jesus comes a reality check, this baby is coming out of the manger and is growing up and changing the world. We then can focus on the Jesus who brings justice, brings hope, and teaches us how to pray and how to act, and how to show grace and love to others. And because He was born, lived, died and rose again we have been given a new life as well. We, too, have been reborn and are being asked to leave the safe place God has kept us in as we have grown and now we need to listen to what God is calling us to next.
Here in Brainerd/Baxter there are new places we could be going—Do we acknowledge there are homeless people within our area? Do we recognize those who are hungry, sick, needing help? No matter what our position is on the education issues we have right now, we know we have many hurting families because of the fallout of the election.
New Pathways, formerly known as Interfaith Hospitality Network, is in its infancy here in Brainerd, serving multiple counties as a family shelter. There are families much like Joseph, Mary and Jesus-families in exile, without a home, without money, without the ability to be in their own home. They are waiting for the chance to go back home and they need our help.
I am sure you can think of many other areas where people are in need of our touch. Take this to a more global level. There are people all over the world waiting for people like us to understand that God is calling us to a new place, to see and hear the dream, to let that baby Jesus grow up and be the Savior of the world. We are going to sing another Christmas hymn in a little bit, Go Tell it on the Mountain. The last line in the third verse says, God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn—Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere. We are to share this story of the baby, that baby that didn’t stay in the manger, to share it everywhere. To give a message of light, of hope, of a future. We know that there are many people who celebrate Christmas, who hear the Christmas story and celebrate the birth of Jesus. But, do they know the rest of the story? We have the responsibility, not just the privilege of bringing that grown-up Jesus to the world. If Jesus stays in that manger, the message is not the same.

This year instead of a Halloween Party we hosted a Pirate Party. The idea for themed youth group nights came from our summer planning team meetings. The youth were very excited about doing a pirate night at some time and we figured this would be a good way to incorporate that idea into our Halloween party night.

Now, you may wonder how pirates, pirate ships, skulls and crossbones could fit with a church youth group night. Well, it was fairly easy actually. Let me share with you the devotion we had for that evening. We always have a time of worship or devotions for our large group nights.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 says, “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.”

Pirates had many dangers and shipwrecks were one of those dangers. A shipwreck meant the loss of their transportation, their means of gaining income, loss of property and life. If they shipwrecked it meant damage to their ship, loss of that ship. Someone may have caused the shipwreck by not following the map or by reading the compass or stars incorrectly.

Paul is writing to Timothy about the possibility of shipwrecks in our faith. He gives us some guidelines to help us keep on the true course and keep our ship secure. We are first told to follow instructions, follow our treasure map, our guide. That is God. We can read the Bible, be in prayer, attend church and Sunday School. Our faith grows when we read and obey God’s word. We have a better chance of staying on course and not shipwrecking when we follow God.

We are told to hold onto faith. We are not to be like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6-8). We have to keep working on growing in faith. The pirates had to keep working on their ship-cleaning the decks, checking their sails, watching for storms. We also need to keep looking to our guide, being in prayer, being attentive to keeping our ship in top form.

A good conscience means to act in the right way, do what we know is right. If the pirates didn’t keep the ship ready or strong it would fail. They had to do what they knew was right for their ship. Not that their behavior was right, we know that. But, we have many ways to work on having a good conscience. And we need to always be working on that in our lives. Learning from our parents and teachers, applying what we learn from our Bible reading and instruction.

We must obey God (follow our map). We need to hold onto faith (follow the compass, don’t be tossed around). We have to listen and follow what is right.
We work hard not to shipwreck. But, sometimes we do. That may happen. But, if we do have a shipwreck we know we can turn to God to once again point us in the right direction and we can get our ship on course once again.