I used to work for a theatre creating the sets for the productions.
Before one of the shows we had to move a piano. If you have ever moved a piano then you know that they are heavy. We were lucky because this piano was on wheels, but of course the piano never wheels exactly straight.
There were three of us and we had to squeeze the piano through a door that didn't leave any wiggle room. One of the movers pushed and I had to make a quick decision. Do I want my finger squished between the door and the piano, or do I move my hand quickly and let the piano smash against the door?
Logic to save my finger was of course the natural reaction. So, I quickly removed my finger from the danger and sure enough the piano hit the door frame.
Then unexpectedly my boss starts yelling at me.
"Why did you move your hand?"
"Because that would have hurt!" I responded.
"Does your hand heal?"
"Yes."
"Does the piano heal?"
"No."
"Then you should have left your finger there because now there is a permanent mark on the piano!"
I actually didn't have much of a response. I was more dumbfounded.
Was he saying that the piano is more important than my finger? That's insulting.
Or did he have a good point - a little pain and a bruise versus a lifetime dent.
I still don't know the right answer but I do know that it is ingrained in us to preserve ourselves. It is our natural reaction. My hand is more important than a piano.
In an extreme example, from the TV show "Seinfeld," George is in a burning building. He yells "fire" as he pushes a young child and an elderly person to the side to save himself.
We all have a little George in us.
In John 10 it says, "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them."
Jesus then says, "I am the good shepherd! And I lay down my life for my sheep."
It doesn't matter how many times in life we run away from God, avoid God, don't believe in God, get mad at God, or praise God. God is always seeking us back into the fold and Christ has already laid down his life to show us the power of God over the grave. God never gives up on us.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Feast Without End
By Sarah Teichmann
The other day I was able to attend a large lunch with a bunch of friends. It felt like too much time had passed since we were able to sit down and really enjoy each other’s company. It was great to sit there and take it all in. This is why I love feasts! Okay, there’s the obvious—the food. Usually when you go over to someone’s house for a meal you know that you will be feasting on some good things, and thank goodness that my friends know how much I love macaroni and cheese. However, there’s more than just good food—a feast worth remembering is a feast surrounded by people important to you.
Think about some of the more memorable feasts that you have attended. Who was there? Were the people surrounding you loved ones that you see every day or that you haven’t seen in a while? What funny things were said? Did you laugh so hard that your face hurt?
So, here’s a fact that you may or may not be aware of about the Bible—Jesus liked to eat (just like the rest of us). He liked to eat and he liked to eat with friends. Can you imagine some of conversations that he had? Boy if I could be a 1st century fly on the wall!
Well, not only did Jesus like to eat, but he also liked to talk about eating. He would refer to heaven as a great banquet or feast. Can you imagine what type of feast that would be like?!
We often talk about a foretaste of the feast to come. In communion we gather together as one body of Christ and we know that through Christ we are surrounded by the great communion of all believers. This includes your family next to you, the person who sits a few pews back, those who cannot be present because of location or time, people from all over the world, loved ones who have passed from this lifetime. In communion we are reconnected—and just think—this is a mere foretaste! It’s like having a small taste of the best cake or pie, the beast steak, or other yummy delectable—you can’t wait to taste and see what good things will come!
Heaven will be this feast of wonderment. Can you imagine?! It would be the best foods and best conversations! It’s a feast without end.
The other day I was able to attend a large lunch with a bunch of friends. It felt like too much time had passed since we were able to sit down and really enjoy each other’s company. It was great to sit there and take it all in. This is why I love feasts! Okay, there’s the obvious—the food. Usually when you go over to someone’s house for a meal you know that you will be feasting on some good things, and thank goodness that my friends know how much I love macaroni and cheese. However, there’s more than just good food—a feast worth remembering is a feast surrounded by people important to you.
Think about some of the more memorable feasts that you have attended. Who was there? Were the people surrounding you loved ones that you see every day or that you haven’t seen in a while? What funny things were said? Did you laugh so hard that your face hurt?
So, here’s a fact that you may or may not be aware of about the Bible—Jesus liked to eat (just like the rest of us). He liked to eat and he liked to eat with friends. Can you imagine some of conversations that he had? Boy if I could be a 1st century fly on the wall!
Well, not only did Jesus like to eat, but he also liked to talk about eating. He would refer to heaven as a great banquet or feast. Can you imagine what type of feast that would be like?!
We often talk about a foretaste of the feast to come. In communion we gather together as one body of Christ and we know that through Christ we are surrounded by the great communion of all believers. This includes your family next to you, the person who sits a few pews back, those who cannot be present because of location or time, people from all over the world, loved ones who have passed from this lifetime. In communion we are reconnected—and just think—this is a mere foretaste! It’s like having a small taste of the best cake or pie, the beast steak, or other yummy delectable—you can’t wait to taste and see what good things will come!
Heaven will be this feast of wonderment. Can you imagine?! It would be the best foods and best conversations! It’s a feast without end.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Easter Sunday Sermon
Christ has risen! He has risen indeed, Alleluia!
Christ has risen! He has risen indeed, Alleluia!
These words that we hear every Easter morning I often wonder if we grasp the power of what we’re saying. I wonder if we realize the impact of Christ rising from the dead, of the empty tomb, and of Mary’s words, “I have seen the Lord”. I wonder if we have become so accustomed to our faith – that these words are obvious – and no longer full of the wonder that was experienced by Mary and the disciples that blessed morning. Do we realize the transforming reality of what this means for us… how it transforms our very essence as children of God?
As most of the locals around here experience we have an influx of visitors during this season in Florida. Our homes often become a “guest house” and we spend more time than normal cleaning linins and visiting the tourist sites.
Last week I had my friend Jodi and her 6 and a half year old son (don’t forget the half) in town visiting during their spring break. One of the days we were touring the area we went down to the everglades. I’ve been on airboat rides in the glades a few times in my life. This airboat ride was a little different than normal.
As we were waiting for the boat ride suddenly Alex became Anakin from Starwars and I became Padme. We were about to get on a pod racer to enter into unknown territory and outrun the enemies (alligators). Alex was armed with his light saber that can win any fight. I asked Anakin if he was going to protect me. He said there was no need because I was armed with a gun. I didn’t even know that Padme carried a gun – but that day as we stepped onto the boat it was a much more exciting world for Alex.
I too can remember being a child and thinking I could be anything. One day I could be Superman flying around to save people. The next moment I could be Herself the Elf with a powerful wand that I could wave around and change the world. Then one day without warning, I woke up to never again to wave that wand around. Someday Alex will wake up never to pull out his light saber again. I don’t remember that day of “enlightenment” but in retrospect it was a very sad day. Something inside of us dies on that day. Whatever that something is it is a thing of dreams, wonder, and imagination. Even at the age of six Alex knows he can’t really pull out a light saber – but that’s not the point. The point is that he thinks with that light saber he can change the world.
There is still a voice deep within ourselves – knocking on the door wanting to be heard. We often hush it with logic and earthly things. Even Mary on that morning when she showed up at the tomb was thinking with logic. Jesus is missing! Where is his body? Someone must have taken him!! Even when Jesus speaks to her she doesn’t recognize who he is – he must be the gardener. Then when Jesus speaks her name there must have been a moment when that voice deep inside of her knocked louder than normal as she cries out “Teacher.” It is then that Mary can speak what must be the craziest words – “I have seen the Lord.”
I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Mary to see the Lord that morning. I wonder if it is at all similar to the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve’s eyes were open and could not comprehend the staggering beauty of God’s new creation; Or when the man born blind felt the scales fall from his eyes and the explosion of color and shapes that bombarded his mind for the first time; or when the leper felt a surge of electricity through his body, as his dead and rotting skin suddenly transformed into the fresh skin of a baby; or when the bitter, hopeless prostitute looked up fully expecting judgment and death – instead heard words of forgiveness, hope, and life.
Christ rising from the dead changes everything. It moves the scary cross we saw placed in front of this empty alter on Friday to a cross now placed by a life-giving baptismal font today. God breaks the rules and overcomes death – God is not a God solely of “right” and “wrong” – a God who teaches right living – faith in Christ is more than life-enhancing – it is life-giving! Jesus’ love doesn’t change us into “nice people” it changes us into children of God.
In effect Jesus says to the world, “You can have your rules. I’ll keep giving my children the dream, wonder, and hope that they can change the world with love.”
Jesus says, “I am ascending to my father and your father, my God and your God.” It is only in Jesus that we can know what it means to live as a child of God.
So, let us proclaim what Mary was able to on that blessed morning with childlike wonder!
Christ has risen – He has risen indeed, Alleluia!
Christ has risen! He has risen indeed, Alleluia!
These words that we hear every Easter morning I often wonder if we grasp the power of what we’re saying. I wonder if we realize the impact of Christ rising from the dead, of the empty tomb, and of Mary’s words, “I have seen the Lord”. I wonder if we have become so accustomed to our faith – that these words are obvious – and no longer full of the wonder that was experienced by Mary and the disciples that blessed morning. Do we realize the transforming reality of what this means for us… how it transforms our very essence as children of God?
As most of the locals around here experience we have an influx of visitors during this season in Florida. Our homes often become a “guest house” and we spend more time than normal cleaning linins and visiting the tourist sites.
Last week I had my friend Jodi and her 6 and a half year old son (don’t forget the half) in town visiting during their spring break. One of the days we were touring the area we went down to the everglades. I’ve been on airboat rides in the glades a few times in my life. This airboat ride was a little different than normal.
As we were waiting for the boat ride suddenly Alex became Anakin from Starwars and I became Padme. We were about to get on a pod racer to enter into unknown territory and outrun the enemies (alligators). Alex was armed with his light saber that can win any fight. I asked Anakin if he was going to protect me. He said there was no need because I was armed with a gun. I didn’t even know that Padme carried a gun – but that day as we stepped onto the boat it was a much more exciting world for Alex.
I too can remember being a child and thinking I could be anything. One day I could be Superman flying around to save people. The next moment I could be Herself the Elf with a powerful wand that I could wave around and change the world. Then one day without warning, I woke up to never again to wave that wand around. Someday Alex will wake up never to pull out his light saber again. I don’t remember that day of “enlightenment” but in retrospect it was a very sad day. Something inside of us dies on that day. Whatever that something is it is a thing of dreams, wonder, and imagination. Even at the age of six Alex knows he can’t really pull out a light saber – but that’s not the point. The point is that he thinks with that light saber he can change the world.
There is still a voice deep within ourselves – knocking on the door wanting to be heard. We often hush it with logic and earthly things. Even Mary on that morning when she showed up at the tomb was thinking with logic. Jesus is missing! Where is his body? Someone must have taken him!! Even when Jesus speaks to her she doesn’t recognize who he is – he must be the gardener. Then when Jesus speaks her name there must have been a moment when that voice deep inside of her knocked louder than normal as she cries out “Teacher.” It is then that Mary can speak what must be the craziest words – “I have seen the Lord.”
I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Mary to see the Lord that morning. I wonder if it is at all similar to the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve’s eyes were open and could not comprehend the staggering beauty of God’s new creation; Or when the man born blind felt the scales fall from his eyes and the explosion of color and shapes that bombarded his mind for the first time; or when the leper felt a surge of electricity through his body, as his dead and rotting skin suddenly transformed into the fresh skin of a baby; or when the bitter, hopeless prostitute looked up fully expecting judgment and death – instead heard words of forgiveness, hope, and life.
Christ rising from the dead changes everything. It moves the scary cross we saw placed in front of this empty alter on Friday to a cross now placed by a life-giving baptismal font today. God breaks the rules and overcomes death – God is not a God solely of “right” and “wrong” – a God who teaches right living – faith in Christ is more than life-enhancing – it is life-giving! Jesus’ love doesn’t change us into “nice people” it changes us into children of God.
In effect Jesus says to the world, “You can have your rules. I’ll keep giving my children the dream, wonder, and hope that they can change the world with love.”
Jesus says, “I am ascending to my father and your father, my God and your God.” It is only in Jesus that we can know what it means to live as a child of God.
So, let us proclaim what Mary was able to on that blessed morning with childlike wonder!
Christ has risen – He has risen indeed, Alleluia!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
May you see the Lord!
On Monday of Holy Week I went canoeing with some friends. We put our boat into the water and paddled into unknown territory. We were away from the sounds of roadways. We got to see otters, snakes, birds, alligators, fish, turtles, flowers, trees, plants, and algae. We came across a variety of scents – some beautiful others not. The path the river followed was not straight and predictable like the roadways we drive on to get from place to place. When a log was in our way we had to figure out how to continue on without turning around or getting drenched.
Occasionally in the midst of the unknown territory we would come to a roadway. When we came to the bridges we would again hear the sounds of cars, people talking, and the smell of tar where there was construction. Yet, as we paddled under the bridges we got to see the pieces of life that we normally miss because we’re driving too fast.
This Holy Week let’s try to slow down and get under the bridge we normally take and open our senses to the holy. On Maundy Thursday, grab your towel, get on your knees, and make clean the things that are dirty in this world. On Good Friday, look high to the cross knowing that death does not have the final say. On Easter morning, wake with a new hope that even when you don’t think that God is there – Christ is right beside you.
May you see the Lord!
Occasionally in the midst of the unknown territory we would come to a roadway. When we came to the bridges we would again hear the sounds of cars, people talking, and the smell of tar where there was construction. Yet, as we paddled under the bridges we got to see the pieces of life that we normally miss because we’re driving too fast.
This Holy Week let’s try to slow down and get under the bridge we normally take and open our senses to the holy. On Maundy Thursday, grab your towel, get on your knees, and make clean the things that are dirty in this world. On Good Friday, look high to the cross knowing that death does not have the final say. On Easter morning, wake with a new hope that even when you don’t think that God is there – Christ is right beside you.
May you see the Lord!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Buddy System
By Sarah Teichmann
There are some quotations and Bible passages that spring into my mind and stay for a while. Does that ever happen to you? Perhaps it is a passage that gives you comfort or has struck your imagination in an interesting way. For me, it’s the Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 passage. Its message lifts up the importance of friendship and relationships. We need each other.
It goes back to the buddy system! Do you remember being a young child and being told to go somewhere with a buddy? The two of you were responsible for each other. You would watch out for your buddy and your buddy would watch out for you, too. I have learned that one never outgrows the need of the buddy system. The truth is that regardless of our age and place in life we need a buddy.
I like to go rock climbing—I mostly have experience in a gym setting with a rock wall stretching vertically forty to fifty feet in the air. Though I am climbing to perilous heights I am kept safe by my climbing buddy. They are on the ground, anchored to the floor, holding a rope that is attached to my climbing harness. Through the arduous climb I know that I am supported by my buddy. I know that if I fall I am not in danger—my buddy will lift me up. One does not pick a climbing buddy arbitrarily. You need someone who will watch your movement and who knows your strengths and weakness. I’ve realized that good climbing buddies have helped me grow and become stronger. Sometimes I will be twenty feet up on the wall and I will feel stuck or too weak to climb any further, but a good climbing buddy will offer encouragement or support. They take part in my celebration when I have conquered a difficult section and they offer advice when I need it.
Our faith life is similar to climbing. Often we are hard at work in our routines, our lives, and our responsibilities. We yearn for relationships that offer support, trust, and love. In faith, we need buddies to support us through prayer, kindness, love and action. We are called by God to support each other so that when one falls the other may lift them up.
Who have you encouraged? Who are your buddies? Have you talked to them lately? Have you prayed for them lately? I encourage you to take some time out and support your buddy in God’s love!
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
There are some quotations and Bible passages that spring into my mind and stay for a while. Does that ever happen to you? Perhaps it is a passage that gives you comfort or has struck your imagination in an interesting way. For me, it’s the Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 passage. Its message lifts up the importance of friendship and relationships. We need each other.
It goes back to the buddy system! Do you remember being a young child and being told to go somewhere with a buddy? The two of you were responsible for each other. You would watch out for your buddy and your buddy would watch out for you, too. I have learned that one never outgrows the need of the buddy system. The truth is that regardless of our age and place in life we need a buddy.
I like to go rock climbing—I mostly have experience in a gym setting with a rock wall stretching vertically forty to fifty feet in the air. Though I am climbing to perilous heights I am kept safe by my climbing buddy. They are on the ground, anchored to the floor, holding a rope that is attached to my climbing harness. Through the arduous climb I know that I am supported by my buddy. I know that if I fall I am not in danger—my buddy will lift me up. One does not pick a climbing buddy arbitrarily. You need someone who will watch your movement and who knows your strengths and weakness. I’ve realized that good climbing buddies have helped me grow and become stronger. Sometimes I will be twenty feet up on the wall and I will feel stuck or too weak to climb any further, but a good climbing buddy will offer encouragement or support. They take part in my celebration when I have conquered a difficult section and they offer advice when I need it.
Our faith life is similar to climbing. Often we are hard at work in our routines, our lives, and our responsibilities. We yearn for relationships that offer support, trust, and love. In faith, we need buddies to support us through prayer, kindness, love and action. We are called by God to support each other so that when one falls the other may lift them up.
Who have you encouraged? Who are your buddies? Have you talked to them lately? Have you prayed for them lately? I encourage you to take some time out and support your buddy in God’s love!
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