Not Normal

Playing in the snow is so much fun! The snow covers the ground with a soft blanket of goodness. It makes for good sledding, skiing and snow angels.

Recently, I went sledding with my aunt and cousin. None of us are under 25 years of age and no kids with us. I joked that the neighbors were looking out their windows thinking we’re crazy. I imagined them laughing at a group of adults sledding down a hill as if we’re kids. It didn’t stop us though we continued to push one another down the hill. We tried sledding in different positions and occasionally took a break to make a snow angel or a few snow balls. My cousin pointed out her favorite thing about snow is that it conforms to your butt when you sit down in a large pile which makes it perfect for resting.

Here we were playing in the snow. It was a joyful scene of adults finding that childlike joy inside. Yet, I had to make a joke about what others were thinking of us. Isn’t that the truth? We are constantly wondering what other people think of us. Are they admiring us because we’re having so much fun? Are we wasting time? Making the right decisions? Dressing right? Standing straight? Walking funny?

What do others think?

What a dangerous thought because it calls us to become normal. It suddenly stops us from being our self and encourages us to be what others think we should be. What others consider normal. Often when we are “not normal” the world takes notice and begins to comment. That is why the question, “What do others think?” is ingrained in us.

So, I argue that we stop trying to be normal Christians. Instead, be abnormal. So that we are different from the standards of this world and people take notice. They notice the abnormal forgiving love. They notice the abnormal joy in death. They notice the abnormal seat we take with the poor.

It is time for us to be abnormal so that we can show the world that God’s Kingdom covers this world with a blanket of goodness!

Need a break? Rest in God

By: Joseph Murdy

When my wife and I traveled to Assisi to visit the Basilica of Saint Francis our tour guide taught us a local song. The words are associated with Saint Francis and his way of life. “If you want to live life free, take your time go slowly, do few things but do them well, little joys are holy.” Sometimes when I get so overwhelmed with the business of life I think of this song and it slows me down.

If you could but a stopwatch to your life, how long would you say you have been going? At a rate of one to ten, how fast would you say you are going? Need a break? A breather? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This morning when I woke up, I was thinking about the song above. Lately I have been going a sonic speed. What do I gain from going so fast every day? What do I accomplish? Do I add any joy to my life if I am always stressed about what needs done and attempting to get it all done in one day? At the end of the day, there is always more to do.

Today as you read this, I want you to take a deep breath, SLOW down, and rest in God. I am not saying that working is bad, but if we find no joy in our daily work then what’s the point. God gave us life to find joy, not to wake up out of obligation for our “to do lists.” Take some deep breaths and think of things which bring you joy. Often when our lives are going at supersonic speed there are things which get left behind. One of them is our spiritual wellbeing. God is always with us, no matter how fast our lives are going. But, wouldn’t it be great if we could slow down, just for a moment, and dwell in the presence of the Holy?

“If you want to live life free, take your time go slowly, do few things but do them well, little joys are holy.” The Peace of God be with you always!

Baptism

By Joseph Murdy
This past Sunday was the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17). We heard the story of how Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus came to John (his cousin) to be baptized. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, and even though Jesus was without sin, he asked John to baptize him in order to fulfill all righteousness. This righteousness which Jesus talks about refers to the prophecy made in Isaiah. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-19).” Jesus’ baptism was not to cleanse him from sin, rather, it was to affirm to John and to the world (i.e. us), “This is my Son, whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

As Christians we follow the instruction of Jesus who tells us “to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” What is Baptism? In baptism we are sprinkled/dunked/splashed with water. The water is a symbol of cleansing. However, we believe that in baptism, we are given to the Kingdom of God. In baptism we become children of God. Martin Luther thought his was so powerful that he once said, “When we wash our face, we should remember our baptism.” Many of us cannot remember our actual baptism (unless it was recorded); instead we remember the meaning of baptism and what it means for our everyday lives.

Baptism washes away our sins and makes us acceptable to God. In baptism we believe that we die with Christ and are born again to his resurrection. Because if we share in his death than we also share in his resurrection. One of my favorite images for baptism is that when God sees us, he sees the face of his Son. In baptism there is reconciliation and forgiveness. The incredible thing about baptism is that this opportunity for reconciliation and forgiveness and the chance to change our lives and renew our relationship with God is not limited to a one time deal at our baptism. Our baptism which makes us children of God, allows us an unlimited supply of God’s grace and forgiveness.

Deep down within each of us, we want to be accepted by God for who we are. Today, splash your face with water, dance in the rain, jump in the pool, and melt snow in your hands because you have been forgiven. You are a child of God, and you are loved. Don’t believe me, just ask Jesus.

Happily Ever After...

Once upon a time…

Any story that starts out with those words is going to be a good one! I mean if it starts with “once upon a time” it is going to end with “happily ever after.” That’s our dream right?!? We want to live happily ever after. We make most of our decisions, both good and bad, based on living happy.

We hear the stories of Cinderella or The Frog Prince and long to be those characters. We want to be the slave girl who turns out to be a princess. We dream of being that slimy frog who turns out to be a prince. We know that we’re made for more. We are hard-wired to live for something more. The truth is the longing in our heart is not a dream it is a reality. We are made for intimacy with the Creator of the Universe! The world tells us to live small, but our hearts long to live big.

The Word made Flesh, Jesus, came to show us that we live big the kingdom of God. The first thing out of Jesus’ mouth when he started his ministry—Matthew, Mark, Luke, check it out—the first thing he says is, “I have come to declare the kingdom of God is at hand” We are slaves to sin and set free to live in the kingdom of God. In Jesus we live happily ever after.

That is Amazing Grace!