Busyness

I was at a celebration this past weekend. We were housed in a multi-million dollar (more than 4 mil) home on Sanibel Island with a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico. Some people have never stepped foot in a home quite this size and beauty. Let’s just say on the top floor alone had five bathrooms. There were only seven of us and between both floors we could all have our own restroom. There was a beautiful spiral staircase and of course a view that is breathtaking (or as I would say breath-giving).

I am sure you’re asking what one does in a multi-million dollar home for the evening. Play sardines of course. If you have never experienced sardines it’s a version of hide-and-go-seek where one player hides – everyone seeks – as you find the hider you hide with them until everyone is hiding together.

When it was time to move onto other games, it was drop a Kleenex from the top of the spiral staircase and see if you can get to the bottom and catch it before it lands on the floor. Next, use the cool doors that have a glaze, turn the music up, and dance oddly or move bodies as such to create cool shadows for the amusement of those on the other side of the door. Each room had its own unique way to become play. It was a group of 30-somethings turned into childlike-imaginative-play.

I have a friend who owns a nerf dartboard that uses it regularly and another who will gladly walk on his hands when asked. There is something in us that when we connect with our childlike-imaginative-play we feel free and a little more whole. The world is easier to deal with and a smile develops easily. Being connected with our Creator can have a similar and even more powerful effect.

When we attend a moving worship service, look at the beautiful creation of God, sit in prayerful meditation, or experience a “God moment” we feel free and a little more whole. The world is easier to deal with and a smile develops easily. It took a multi-million dollar home to remind me to play. Imagine what it takes for us to remember to connect with God.

Just as I don’t naturally say during my day, “Hey can we take a break for a game of Hide-and-go-Seek?” We don’t naturally say during our day, “I’m going to sit under a tree in prayer.” We’re busy. Sadly, busyness is something we make up. I met with a pastor this week who said, “I wish we could get together more often. I guess we’re too busy pretending to be busy.”

God didn’t create me to be busy. He created me to love. So I choose love. You?

Grace

An Anxious Heart

By Jessica Maske

I remember walking into the church two weeks ago with an excited yet anxious heart. Being my first Sunday at Christus Victor my head was racing with all the possibilities and responsibilities that would come with being an intern.

Anxiety seems to be a problem for many in today’s fast paced world and it seems to become all consuming in many cases with the tasks and responsibilities that we find ourselves in. But the thing with anxiety is that it is always pointed to the future and what might happen. We seem to get ourselves worked up about the future and what might occur that we never take the time to stare at what is right in front of our face in the present.

Jesus begins in Matthew 6:25-34 stating “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life.” He goes on to describe how God provides for all that we need just like God provides for the lilies of the field and birds of the air. He ends this section giving such great wisdom and yet stating it so simply, “so do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Jesus is saying something very profound to us here. I had a mentor who explained it to me very well once when I was full of hopelessness about the future. She said, "sometimes we are just called to leave our worry, our anxiety at the foot of the cross and walk away from it. We have to leave our load and give the anxiety over to Jesus and just live for today."

I will admit that this sounds a lot easier than it is. I have struggled with the over-consuming power of anxiety and worry to the point of great despair, but what has always kept me going was the fact that God is present now. God is right there walking along side you and me, ready to bear those thoughts because we can’t do it alone and thanks be to God that we don’t have to!

The Little Things

A man without a home walked through our church doors. We greeted Jim (which is not his real name) and he said, “I am not looking for money or a handout I just need to talk with someone.” I guided Jim into my office and for the next hour listened to a story. His life story was full of hurt and instability. He explained that as someone without a home has to stay on the move. Shelters only welcome you for so many days or weeks then you have to move onto another shelter. He talked about nights in the woods on the ground being covered with red ants and how a shower was a blessing when the circumstances gifted him with facilities.

As we continued to talk he shared that he has many broken relationships because of addiction, and he was proud to share that he is now 2 years sober. Yet, many of the relationships are so broken his apology goes unanswered. He was getting to a point where he wanted to drink again and that is why he walked in the doors of the church. He walked in wanting to continue on the path of sobriety and in the midst of this he wanted to know where God was.

I was blessed to recap his story. Remember when you stole the chicken from the grocery store and the manger said, “We can’t put a man in jail for needing to eat?” Remember when you were in the woods covered with ants and something in your head said go to the Homeless Veterans Home? They greeted you with kindness and you found out that there is actually a pension in your name and they guided you on how to start receiving it. Remember when the bank said you couldn’t open an account to receive the pension payments and suddenly someone stepped in on your behalf and they waived the rule? You didn’t have the $10 to open the account, but there was a grocery store across the street and you were able to pan handle the $10 you needed to open your account. Remember when you walked in the doors of the church instead of picking up another drink?

He responded, “Yes, but why do I have to suffer?”

I responded, “I think Jesus would look at you and me and say to me, ‘Pastor Dana, Jim gets it. He knows why I had to suffer on the cross. Listen to his story.’”

Power of Poems

Connecting with our Creator

I happen to be back from a two week vacation. It was a perfect mix of friends, family, celebrations, transitions, and food. I had days floating on the river laughing with friends. We did not watch the clock. We did not stress about the health of the next meal. Our bath was in the river and most of us did not stare at the screens that usually take up a majority of our day. And instead of the internet entertaining us it was creation.

I was entertained by God’s creation the water, bugs, dirt, wood, fire, fish… I can actually say that I walked on the earth everyday during vacation. In my normal routine I can’t say the same. I usually go from the garage to the car to the parking lot to the church via a sidewalk. Even if I run errands I don’t tend to walk on the actual earth.

I suppose I don’t really have to wonder why I always feel so much better after a vacation with my friends at the dirty outdoor log cabin. There is a quote by John Burroughs that comes to mind, "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more." I have renewed a connection with my Creator. My senses exude with extravagance. Yet, after two weeks I was overjoyed to rinse off in good old city water. And even though I am clean today I look back and say, “I may have been dirty, but I was whole.”

Leaving your garbage at the Cross

By: Joseph Murdy
This past Sunday our scripture reading was from Matthew, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” What a wonderful and liberating opportunity Jesus offers us, to give him all our burdens. Our burdens, sins, and guilt can build up like garbage. Sometimes it can get so overwhelming; we get lost and can’t find our way through the clutter. We hold on to our garbage, and become like “spiritual hoarders of sin and shame.” I sense a new TV series.

There is a story about a pastor who was counseling a couple. For weeks, they came into his office, an office which also had a door leading to the furnace room. For weeks, they pointed fingers; they blamed each other and brought up decade’s worth of accusations. Until one day, the pastor had enough, and had them write all of their complaints on long sheets of paper. After writing and writing he then brought in a trash can. “Now, put your garbage in here,” he said, “I’m going to put it in the furnace room, if you ever want your garbage back again, you know where to find it. But today, youre walking out of here and leaving your garbage behind.”

When Jesus carried his cross to Calvary and took upon himself the sins of the world what he essentially did was take all our garbage with him. Jesus tells us that if we are tired of carrying our heavy burdens, if we are tired of carrying the shame and guilt of always messing up, then he will take it ALL from us. Why carry your sins around with you today. Ask God for forgiveness, and it will be yours. If it helps, write down what’s been weighing on your heart. Write down all of the garbage you have been holding on to and carrying all by yourself. Crinkle it up, and put it where it belongs…in the trash. With God, forgiveness is not only possible…it’s a promise we have every day when we turn to God. If you are tired, turn to Jesus, and find “rest for your souls.”