Don't Worry, We're Having a Hanami Party, Part 3

Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Kings 19:9-13 WPC, June 8, 2008

Prayer: Breath in God’s mercies…Breath out God’s mercies on others (3x)¹

Week three, our final week (not counting church family camp) of examining our often worried filled lives, while contemplating Jesus’ words: Don’t worry, set your heart on God’s kingdom, and all these things will be given you as well.

And finally I get a chance to tell the joke I’d been waiting to tell since we started: What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches? A nervous wreck.

Often our lives are so full of worry because we’ve got so much going on inside our minds and all around us that we begin to sink; we get overwhelmed with all the many things to do, and because we wonder if any of it really matters.

When we look at Jesus’ life we see that he was busy: Mark 1:32-39:

The whole city was gathered around the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons….In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.

His companions hunted for him. And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in synagogues and casting out demons. Jesus was busy…we’re busy..but some of you may have noticed last week that I kind of skipped over a verse that really sticks out about Jesus daily life:
In the morning, before dawn,

he slipped out of bed, went off by himself, and there he prayed.

Which leads us to this morning’s topic: How do we get from our worry filled life to the life of the Spirit? Do we just wait for the Spirit to blow away our worries?

Is there anything we can do, right now that will help us have less worry in our lives? Just what we need, another thing to add to our to do list. If we look at Jesus life, we see that he was always listening for God’s voice; seeking to do the will of the Father. And we read in 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah did not encounter God in the mighty wind or in the earthquake or in the fire, but in the small voice (see 1 Kings 19:9-13). But how do we find space in our lives where it is quiet enough to listen for this small still voice?

Frankly, Our lives are absurd. We’re bombarded by outer noises and distractions: tv. radio, phones, computers. As well as the inner noises: our worries, fears, voices from our past, concerns about the future. Absurd! In the word absurd we find the Latin word surdus, (sordo) which means “deaf.” We’ve become deaf, even if God called to us with a mega phone we’d probably miss it: “What’d you say God? Hang on the phone’s ringing.”
Father Henry Nouwen,² who’s been our guide these past weeks, suggests that we need discipline… [obedience last week, discipline this week—wpc boot camp] …spiritual discipline, so that we can learn to listen to God. God constantly speaks, we rarely hear. When we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives. nother Latin lesson: the word obedient comes from the Latin word audire, which means “listening.” With spiritual discipline we may move slowly from absurdity to obedience, from a life filled with noise to a life with some quiet inner space ready to listen to our God.
Jesus was obedient because he was always listening, always attentive to God’s voice. Jesus was “all ears.” That is true prayer: being all ears for God. Makes me think differently about prayer…instead of me filling empty space with bubbling words, prayer becomes quiet listening, obediently before the presence of God who prays in us.
But, I’ve got a problem, obedience and discipline are hard for me, have been since I was a kid: Always on my progress report in elementary school… you’d see decent grades…you’d see Satisfactory marks in most areas, but when it came to “Follows directions/ Listens well” there was always an N, non-satsifactory!
But if there is something I can do to have less worry in my life…I’ll consider it.
If there is something I can do to grow closer to my God…I want to do it!
Nouwen, proposes two disciplines that may help us to “set our hearts on the kingdom.” Disciplines of prayer. Solitude and Community. Today we’re just going to focus on solitude, and at church-family camp we’ll pick up on the other.
It was pretty cool. At Thursday’s bible study, we were talking about things that we could do that would draw us closer to God, that would help us to become better listeners for God’s voice, and everyone agreed that a time of quiet solitude was the key! Can we live a spiritual life without solitude? Everyone pretty much said it would be really hard. Just as it is pretty hard to practice solitude! But everyone considered it essential in our walk with God. We explored what solitude looks like. A time and place for God alone. Jesus said, “Go to your private room and, when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place.”³
How we spend this time in solitude can be as different for each of us as we are different from each other. It could be the corner of a room in our home—even a large closet—a comfortable chair outside; a quiet walk. Postures will vary: kneeling, sitting, downward dog. You may place objects in this space: a cross, a candle, a plant, flowers, or bible verses. Nouwen says, The simpler we keep it the better; simple posture that is comfortable. An uncluttered place is better; and the more consistent we are the better. A daily practice of ten minutes of solitude is probably better than a whole hour once in a while. But we have to decide how this discipline best fits us, so we can remain faithful.
Easier said than done. Alone, No one to talk with; just there, nothing to do no books to read, no TV to watch, no phone calls to make or receive. This makes me nervous, and in silence an inner chaos opens up. All that noise inside us that we don’t hear because of all the noise going on outside us…comes to the surface. A chaos so disturbing and so confusing that we can hardly wait to get busy again.
This is what happens when I lie down to take a nap. I close my eyes and my mind gets flooded by all the things I should be doing…SO I get up. This inner chaos is what Trasie’s cousin Drew experienced when he came over to our house to spend the night. He was 16 at the time, and while he thought we were pretty cool, he thought it was really weird that we didn’t have a tv. When it came time to go to bed, he and I were sitting in his room talking, and when I started to leave he got really nervous…Um Chester, you think I could watch a movie on the computer or something, I don’t want to be left in here by myself, without out something, with just my thoughts…I get freaked out by my thoughts.

Entering a quiet space with no tv or music doesn’t mean that we shut out all our inner doubts, anxieties, fears, bad memories, unresolved conflicts, angry feelings, and impulsive desires. Wonderful suggestions about how to treat these distractions were given by the Thursday noon bible study group:

Sherl said that she puts distractions on a moving picture screen and eventually they just move along out of her mind.

Joseph said that when he first moves into that quiet place, he envisions a storm that is all the distractions that would fill his mind…and in his mind he calms the storm and the distractions go away. Focusing on breath is something else that was mentioned. Breath in God’s mercies, Breath out God’s mercies on others. Maybe we recite a psalm Christel suggested Psalm 23; we can think of a parable or a favorite bible story; maybe we memorize a saying of Jesus, or a word of Paul, Peter, or Mary, (I couldn’t resist this distraction!)

“One of the early Christian writers describes the first state of solitary prayer as the experience of a man who, after years of living with open doors, suddenly decides to shut them. The visitors who used to come and enter his home start pounding on his doors, wondering why they are not allowed to enter. Only when they realized that they are not welcome do they gradually stop coming. This is the experience of anyone who decides to enter into solitude after a life without much spiritual discipline. At first, the many distractions keep presenting themselves. Later, as they receive less and less attention, they slowly withdraw.”⁴

We just have to stick to it and trust that these inner distractions will go away. All this to help us to focus our attention on God’s presence. At the end of this time of quiet dwelling with God we may, prayer for people who are part of our lives, friends as well as enemies. And why not conclude with the words that Jesus himself taught us: the Our Father?

Easier said than done? Yoga master Rodney Yee, who is on the DVD Trasie and I have says of his yoga exercises: “In the beginning the benefits of these exercises may seem small, but as you continue I believe you will find the rewards are truly great.”⁵ It’s the same way with this discipline. During the first days, weeks, or even months, it may feel like a waste of time. I’ve been attempting to practice solitude for the past several weeks, (trying to practice what I preach). It’s tough.

There are too many reasons not to be alone, so many things to do. But Nouwen assures us that when we stick to our discipline, in the conviction that God is with us even when we do not yet hear, we slowly discover that we do not want to miss our time alone with God. Although we do not experience much satisfaction in our solitude, we realize that a day without solitude is less “spiritual” than a day with it. “And eventually, our hearts become like quiet cells where God can dwell, wherever we go and whatever we do.” We can recognize God even in the midst of a busy and active life. Our hearts become set on God, our distractions and worries are transformed into something new.

Can we handle five or ten minutes a day? Maybe some are ready or already spend an hour a day, an afternoon a week, a day every month, or a week every year. Make it part of your schedule, if anyone tries to schedule something during that time…you can say, “Sorry I’ve got another appointment at that time…and then under your breath…with God.”

Solitude is one discipline Nouwen proposes. ‘Through the discipline of solitude we discover space for God in our innermost being.” I’ve also put in the insert other practices which may help to bring quiet to our lives, and give us rest.

What we’re hoping for in our lives, what we’re trying to accomplish is to allow the presence of God to become real for us in all we do, say, or think. It is then that our hearts become focused on God’s kingdom and our worries slowly are transformed into something new.

I want to conclude by saying that I’m really blown away by this idea of not worrying and setting our hearts on God’s kingdom. I do worry a lot. I worry about my actions. I worry about hurting someone by doing or saying the wrong thing. I worry about what others think of me. I worry about what God may think of me. I have a fear of failure and deep desire to be successful (whatever that means). And at times I become a nervous wreck. But as I have begun these practices and really given thought to this concept of not worrying; of looking at birds and flowers and how God cares for these things. I realize that God cares for me too. And that as I seek to set my heart on God’s kingdom, I discover that the intentions of my heart what really matter. DO I have a pure heart with pure intentions? Is it my intention to hurt someone or offend someone by what I say or do? Am I genuinely trying to seek God’s will in my life and in other’s lives? If so, do I have to fear failure or worry so much about what others may think of me.
So I think that has been the biggest thing I’ve learned during this time….and I think I am worrying less because of it, especially when I see birds in the air, and lilies in the field.
I pray that you too have come away from this time with less worry and more focus on God’s kingdom!
If you’d like, write down a commitment you’d like to make to spending time in solitude. And you can put it in the offering plate, show it to a friend or family member, or take it home with you. But give it a shot if you’re not already doing so..and my god find a dwelling place in your heart.

1 Prayer offered by Rodger Nishioka before classes began at Columbia Theological Seminary.
2 For this three unit series based on Matthew 6:25-34, I have used Henry Nouwen’s book, Making All Things New as a guide.
3 (Matthew 6:6).
4 Nouwen, Making All Things New, p.
5 Rodney Yee, Beginner’s YOGA,” DVD edition by GAIAM.

Don’t Worry, we’re having an Hanami Party! Part 2

Matthew 6:25-34 and Romans 12 (selected verses) and Job 38 (selected verses)

Today we continue our look at this radical concept of Jesus. DON”T WORRY!¹

Don’t worry about food, what you wear…

Try telling that to a two year old. My nephew Henry is entering the terrible two phase according to his grandparents. They went out to eat last night at one of those restaurants that’s in-between fast food and sit down—where you order at the counter and your food comes about 15 to 20 minutes later. Well, the food didn’t come. The food of other people who had come in after the party with nephew Henry had come, but not theirs. As Henry begins to express a little discomfort and dissatisfaction with his predicament: his concerned father goes to try figure out what’s going on. People who came in after nephew Henry and his party have finished their meals and are leaving. Henry is starting to throw things and really pitch a fit, so he has to go outside, too. His father goes to check on the situation again. Finally the food comes as does the manager to apologize and offer a meal on the house. But Henry didn’t care about the free meal, he just wanted food.

Sure would be nice to live a life without worry. But do you ever feel like it just doesn’t seem possible? Other than food and clothes, our busy lives are filled with activity: Work, school, relationships, church, television, hospitals, other people’s demands on our lives.

And even during the down time our lives are filled with worry: Bills, Health, relationships, wars, natural disasters, global warming, politics, things we’ve said, things we’ve done, yesterday’s struggles, tomorrow’s trouble.

Filled lives yet, we so often feel unfulfilled! We get bored even though we’ve got so much going on: Does what we do make a difference? Does anyone even care? This can lead to resentment, and even to depression and loneliness: Does anything really matter?

We know this road and the problems that may come with worry: but we still worry.

We can imagine singing all the time “Don’t worry, be happy,” but is it realistic?

Jesus tells those who would listen: Do not worry, set your heart on God’s Kingdom first, and all these things well be given you as well. How dare he say something like that!? No te preocupes! What does it mean? Does it mean we should cut back on all the events, activities, and people that make up our lives? Is he saying that the things we do that cause us worry are unimportant, a waste of time, even useless? Don’t worry: does this mean we’re supposed to pack up our things and move to a secluded commune in Alaska…it’s cold there.

No te preocupes: Set your heart on God’s kingdom. This is Jesus’ challenge to us today.

Can we experience newness in all the things we’ve got going in our lives? Shift our center of gravity? Shift our focus from the many things to the one necessary thing. It seems like Jesus doesn’t preach a message in which we change our activities, our contacts in our address book, or even a change of pace; but there is a change that he preaches: a change of heart! Set your hearts on God’s kingdom. And with such a change in heart we may be wonderfully surprised, or perhaps surprisingly shocked at how things change, how things become new even if from the outside things look kind of the same; you still get out of bed, eat, go about your daily tasks, interact with people, lay your head down at night and sleep.

Jesus seems to be saying: When we worry, we have our hearts all over the place and in the wrong places. Don’t worry, move your hearts to the center where all other things fall into place. So let’s see if Jesus practiced what he preached. Passage from Mark 1:32-39:

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons…. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. His companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

A day in the life. So was Jesus busy? A filled life? He’s teaching, preaching, healing, exorcising demons, confronting opposition, going from one place to another. He’s like a fanatic, so driven to engage and move and preach the good news of God anywhere and everywhere. But if we look deeper at what motivated him, at where his focus was we see things are different. He did many things but was concerned about one thing: to do the will of God.

In the gospel of Luke his first words were in the Temple: “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?” (Luke 2:49), and his last words before the resurrection were on the cross: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46). Other places in the new testament we read: “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing” (Jn 5:19). Now how was Jesus able to live this way?

What was his motivation when he got up out of bed in the morning? What drove him day in and day out?

From what I can tell, there are two words that answer these questions: obedience and love. Jesus was obedient about do the will of the Father. Obedience can be a troubling word for many of us. Obedience suggests an asymmetrical power dynamic. I’m more powerful than you so you better do what I say. Obedience can imply potential threats of punishment. How many parents have answered protesting children with “you better do what I say or else? “But, Why?” Because I’m your mother, and I said so!” Is it safe to say Jesus’ relationship with the Father was different: his obedience was a total, fearless listening to a loving voice. Threats and secrets and power struggles did not exist. A relationship of mutual sharing; a relationship of radical love.

A love that includes yet transcends all forms of love known to us. The love between the Father and the Son is a love that includes the love of a father and mother, a husband and wife, a sister and brother, a teacher and friend. But it goes beyond the various loving relationships we’ve experienced. It is caring yet demanding. Supportive yet severe. Gentle yet strong. Life giving yet accepts death. This is the love—the Holy Spirit—the love, that eternally embraces and holds together the relationship between Jesus and the Father; it is this communion of love that is the center and source for Jesus’ spiritual life, a life of total focus on God’s love. And from this, Jesus activity in the world comes.

Can we be part of this intimate community? IS this something that we seek for ourselves? I get a little nervous about this kind of relationship. I get nervous about intimacy and sharing…It’s a wonder I’m even married.

But at the same time, I’m drawn to this kind of love. This kind of radical obedience, this focus on the one thing and from this one thing comes all of the other things.

So we have to ask ourselves: Are our lives destined to become like Jesus’ Life? This gets tricky. I mean: sometimes I think about Jesus and the way he lived his life I think, no way. I can’t be like that, it’s just kind of one of those things far out there, eyes on the prize but never getting there. Sometimes I look at the way Jesus lived his life and because I’m such a miserable sinful human being I’ve got him singing a theme song: “You can’t touch this.” Besides, things are different now than they were then, it’s not realistic to be like Jesus right?

Do we feel this way about our relationship with Jesus sometimes? Why? What was Jesus’ life for? He came to live in obedient love and to show anyone and everyone a better way, the way of love; life lived in tune with God’s Spirit. And he invites us to follow, follow him to our true home, where we can be who we really are. Follow me, is what he says, not “you can try to follow, but you probably won’t be able to keep up.”

Everything that belongs to Jesus was given to disciples (Jn15:15). All that Jesus does we can also do (Jn 14:12). In God’s kingdom, NO one is a second class citizens; no one is an illegal immigrant, we are given all rights and privileges. And Jesus wants us to be where he is: He prays in John 17: “Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you… may they be so completely one that the world will realize…that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am…so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.” Jesus became like us so that we might become like him. And this means a radical transformation of everything in our lives because of a total transformation of the focus of our lives.

We are converted, every day, perhaps suddenly or through a gradual transformation. It involves an inner experience of oneness. It is a life in which we are totally transformed by the Spirit of love. Yet, again, it is strangely a life in which everything seems to remain the same.

What twitches at the bottom of the ocean? A nervous wreck. When I was in high school I was a nervous wreck. I was pimple faced, my voice cracked, skinny, scared of girls, unsure of myself. I could pretend that I wasn’t this way and try to act tough, but deep down I was so self-conscious. After graduation, going off to school was a good thing,

I was able to grow-up a bit, but really, it was when I went off to school that I began to experience my relationship with God in new ways. I grew closer to God, and fell more deeply in love with God. And things began to change. I found I didn’t worry so much about the clothes I was wearing or how other’s perceived me. Well, I still worried about what girls thought of me, but even in relationships I began to trust God more. I still did what I was doing before: I studied (kind of), played soccer, hung out, volunteered and worked, but I was focused on something different and everything began to become different. I was reminded of this this weekend by a picture of me and three highschool friends our senior year. One of my friends in the picture and I were hanging out three or four years after graduation and she said to me…Topple, you seem different.

I don’t know what it is but you just seem to have more confidence. She knew me as the nervous worried wreck!

I am no great example but I have experienced this gradual transformation of a worry filled life to a less worry filled life. To live life in the Spirit means that everything is different, but it doesn’t necessarily mean everything that we start doing completely new things. A lot of people think that deepening our relationship with God means that we have to leave our families, our jobs; that we have to give up social or political activities, or abstain from literature and art because we’re too busy praying all the time. Some changes in our lives may in fact grow out of our spiritual life, and for some people radical decisions may be necessary.

But the spiritual life can be lived in as many ways as there are people. “What is new is that we have moved from the many things to the kingdom of God. What’s new is that we are set free from the compulsions of our world and have set our hearts on the only necessary thing. What’s new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known to us.”

When we shift our focus to the center: our conflicts and pains, our tasks and promises, our families and friends, our activities and projects, our hopes and aspirations, no longer appear to us as things we have to do and wear us out, but rather as affirmations and revelations of the new life of the Spirit in us. “All these other things,” which so occupied and preoccupied us, now come as gifts or challenges that strengthen and deepen the new life which we have discovered. We know things don’t get easier or that our pain suffering will end. But our attention is no longer directed to the “more or less.” What matters is to listen… Listen for the Spirit and to go obediently where we are being led, whether to a joyful or a painful place. Poverty, pain, struggle, anguish, agony, and even inner darkness may continue to be part of our experience. They may even be God’s way of purifying us. But life is no longer boring, resentful, depressing, or lonely

because we have come to know that everything that happens is part of our way to God.

But this leaves us with a difficult question: “Is there a way to move from our worry filled life to the life of the Spirit? Must we simply wait passively until the Spirit comes along and blows away our worries? Or are there ways we can prepare ourselves? Is there anything we can do? Well, let’s take a look again at this next week.

In the mean time continue the Hanami Party, and Bird watching hikes as we gain better focus on the one thing, the kingdom of God.

1 I use Henry Nouwen’s Making All Things New as a teacher and an outline for this sermon series on Matthew 6:25-34.

Don’t’ Worry, we’re having an Hanami Party! Part 1

Matthew 6:25-34; Genesis 1 – 2:4 selected verses

Did you catch that? Jesus tells his disciples, do not worry? Let’s see, does any one in this room not worry? Some of you have been Christians for a long time. Did you read this part of the bible? Jesus said do not worry? Well, worry is part of our life right? I mean what’s life without worry? How many of us worry?

What kinds of things do we worry about? We can make a long list of things we’re worried about for-sure! I wonder, what if we took Jesus at his word: can we imagine living a life without worry? No? Maybe worry is so much a part of our lives that living life without it seems impossible, not even something we would want. At the officer retreat, we studied this text, and Harold worried that if he didn’t worry he wouldn’t get anything done. Somehow a life without worries means inactivity, apathy, or even laziness. People who don’t worry, people who sings songs about not worrying…like Bobby McFarland don’t worry, be happy, they make us nervous because it sounds like anarchy or laziness.

Even Jesus? He said “do not worry” six times in this passage! Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Set your hearts on God’s kingdom first…and all these other things will be giving you as well. A life without worries? That’s radical, and as unrealistic; but it sure would be nice.

What would a life free of WORRY look like? I’m so intrigued by this possibility, that I’d like us to spend three weeks talking about it: Why does Jesus say Do not Worry?

What are the damaging effects of worry? That’s the subject of this week. Next week we will explore the alternative Jesus offers, closer relationship with God; a life in which the Spirit of God can make all things new for us. And then the third week we will explore different practices that can help our worries to slowly lose their grip on us…free us for a life in which God can do creative work in our lives. Father Henry Nouwen’s Book, Making All Things New, will be our guide. I pray that we may deepen our spiritual lives in this process may we learn to seek God’s kingdom first.¹

What’s on our hearts and minds? What consumes our thoughts day in and day out? What are we thinking about even now? Do our thoughts wander because we are worried about other things? Two Words to describe our lives: Filled and Unfulfilled. Our lives are Filled! Jam-packed schedules have us running from one place to the next. Things to do, people to meet, projects to finish, letters and emails to write, calls to make, appointments to keep. The worst is that even with all this running around I find that I’m always behind! No matter how much I do there’s something else nagging at me: someone to call back, someone to visit, a project to get done, a meeting to get ready for: incessant emails to respond to.

There’s always something I should have remembered, done, or said. There those people I haven’t visited or talked to.

Why are we so busy? Is it a status symbol? To feel important? A sense of self worth?

Carmen came to stay at our house in Chile as an exchange student and she basically sat in the house all day and did little that we had hoped. I wrestled to value her for something more than what she did, or didn’t do. Can we value someone for something other than the things they do? and how busy they are?

The teenager, or family member hanging out all the time: why don’t they do something with their life?

Even when we have some down time we are preoccupied. Thoughts fill our time and place long before we are even there. The wondering: “what if.” What if I get the sick?” “What if I lose my job? What if my child’s not home on time? What if there is not enough food tomorrow? What if I am robbed? What if a war starts?

What if the world comes to an end? What ifs lead to anxiety and fear….? They make us suspicious, greedy, and nervous. Preoccupied with all these what ifs,

we have no real inner freedom; we’re always preparing for things that might happen; we can’t fully trust the moment.

Stats:

40% of an average person's anxiety is focused on things that will never happen 30% on things about the past that can't be changed 12% on things about criticism by others, mostly untrue 10% on health, which gets worse with stress 8% on real problems that will be faced²

So how are we suppose to live in the present if we’re always living somewhere in the distant past or the unrealized future? What makes it worse is it seems we live in a world of constant emergency: Turn on the TV and you’ll find excited voices talking about gruesome accidents, cruel crimes, and perverted behavior; hour-by-hour, every day. And this harsh news that we hear is always accompanied by an avalanche of advertisements. We’re really missing out if haven’t seen some pointless movie, or bought some gas guzzling car with the right kind of rip off insurance. Woah! Jesus says, do not worry?

Living a life worrying about all things we’re supposed to do, and all the what ifs can have some pretty damaging effects: Grey hairs? Ulcers and heart burn? Heart problems? Stress? rashes? anxiety. Keeps us up at night?

As filled as our daily lives are, it can be easy to find ourselves unfulfilled. We can’t live up to these expectations others put on us. We can’t live up to the expetations we put on ourselves? Will my coworkers appreciate this work that I’d doing? Will my family like this meal I’m cooking? Will my teacher value this work I’m doing? Will I feel like I didn’t totally waste my day today because I only completed half of my to do list.

If we really look at what goes on in our lives, we’re busy about and worried about all these things, but how often do we feel truly satisfied, at peace, or at home? It’s like we’re connected but disconnected. Connected to so much stuff, but disconnected from the moment we’re living in.

The weird thing is that if your experience is anything like mine, I can be engaged in all kinds of things to do, but bored. Busy and bored at the same time!?

Yeah, all this stuff I do, does it make a difference? All this stuff I do, isn’t there something better? We can run from one thing to the next and wonder inside if anything is even happening.

We struggle to keep up with the many things to do, and then wonder what difference it would make if we just stopped and did nothing. People may push us in all kinds of different directions, but does anyone really care?

And this feeling of boredom can lead to resentment. Are we running ourselves ragged for nothing: clearly I’m not in control. Am I being used used, manipulated and exploited? Do people take me seriously? This resentment can lead to downright anger: anger about our situation and anger toward other people;

and it’s really easy for this anger to just settle in our hearts. And we grow cold.

And this can lead to depression. Murky thoughts invade our minds: What good are we? Has my life just been a waste? Time and energy poured into meaningless things and endeavors. Even many people who have been praised for great accomplishments, Sports stars or Movie stars, Corporate CEOs and Politicians, and have often felt unfulfilled. A few weeks ago, we visited the historical museum in Los Alamos. Letters questioning the value of so much time and energy and intelligence after witnessing the purpose that it served.

Now taking a step back: Obviously we are not all worried in an intense way all the time. But can we see how worry fragments our lives. All the things to think about, plan for, all the people to remember, to visit, to talk with, the many worthy causes to support or counter: all of these things pull us apart and make us lose our center. We can be all over the place, but seldom at home. We have an address but we cannot be found there. We are pushed and pulled in so many directions, all of these things demand our attention, that eventually we are led far from home and maybe we even forget our true address, the place where we can find ourselves. This may be the spiritual crisis of our time!

And how does Jesus respond: DO not worry. Do not worry, Do not worry. Do not worry. Jesus says, do not worry. Rather I think it is counsel to live a more fulfilled life! “Do not worry. Consider birds and flowers: Sounds kind of like a hippie things to say. Not practical, might lead to laziness or apathy. Consider your life and consider God. Set your hearts on God’s kingdom, discover your home within yourselves, and all these things will be given you as well. Something sounds right about it.

Well, I mentioned the officers’ retreat in February. This passage from Matthew was one of the ones we studied. As we read the passage, the phrase “look at the birds” really stuck out to me. I really enjoy bird watching, wonder if Jesus would have encouraged membership in the Autubon Society! A few weeks after the retreat I was having one of those mornings. I was in the office, I had a ton of emails to respond to, several messages had been left, I had a long list of things on my to do list, and my shoulders were starting to squish together, as my forehead began to furrow. I was getting worried and stressed.

Overwhelmed I looked out the window, and I saw a bird. And suddenly, the words of Jesus came to me look at the birds Chester, Don’t worry. My shoulders dropped, my forehead smoothed out and a smile came across my face, and I said, Okay God, I have all this stuff to do, but I’m not going to worry. I’m going to trust that you allow me to do what I can do today. and let that be sufficient.

Next week we’ll consider further how Jesus responds to our paralyzing worries as he offers us a new life, a life in which the spirit can make all things new for us.

In the mean time, our task is to leave this place today and do some bird watching.

Or maybe you can find a hamani party going on in town…this is Santa Fe. Hanami Party? Japanese tradition from the 700s.

1 Henry Nouwen, Making All Things New, is divided into three chapters which will delineate the focus of each week’s sermon.

2 http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/w/worry.htm

Our baptism and The Baptism of Jalessa van Doorn

Psalm 29; Ephesians 4; Matthew 28.

Today we celebrate Jaleesa’s birth, Sander and Christel’s adoption of her, and her baptism! This is the first baptism—“the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ,”¹ since I’ve been at this church. And we’re baptizing Jaleesa on the Sunday we observe Christ’s Ascension. Now really, Thursday was Ascension day—the day that we recognize if not celebrate Christ’s ascension into the heavens before the on looking disciples (we all knew that right?). Okay, so while it’s not a big deal for us in the US, Ascension day in Holland (where the van Doorns are from) is a national holiday, actually it’s bigger than Christmas and Easter for them (why?). Everyone—The faithful and not so faithful—gets up early in the morning and hops on bicycles and peddles from church to church for services to commemorate Jesus’ departure

(bike ride for bells May 18). Last year Christel and Sander were “shocked” we didn’t even have services on Ascension day, much less a big bike ride.

Well, how beautiful that on the day of such great significance for our Dutch friends we are fulfilling in part Christ’s command to his disciples just before he ascended: As you go, make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (to love). And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age (Mt. 28:19). by baptizing Jaleesa, aka Baby J on this day, Ascension Sunday!

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. That’s where it all started in the Christian Church and it’s still a common practice today. Today infants may get sprinkled, and adults may get “dunked”. Even with the variations in practices and interpretations of meaning,

it is important that we remember our baptism: Do we remember our baptism? Well, for those of you who—like me—were baptized as babies, that can be a challenge. I actually was baptized twice (not very Presbyterian?), once as an infant and once when I was 24.

Let me tell about my first baptism; December 21, 1975, a week before I would have been six months old. My parents, sisters, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course members of the church were there. My grandmother, mother and her siblings, as well as my two older sisters had been baptized in the same church before me. I was dressed in a christening gown, originally sewn by nuns in New Orleans for my great grandfather’s family.

It had been worn by my great-grandfather, his siblings, and just about every child of each subsequent generation in the family. The minister who baptized me was the Rev. J. Davidson Philips; my father, both grandfathers, and great-grandfather were elders in that church.

My parents, at my baptism, were concerned not only about me being cared for by the whole church, but also that I would not spittle on the minister’s robe. I am sure that it was a special moment for all in attendance, as all baptisms are. But I don’t remember anything about it.

I can only tell you something about it because my parents told me about it, or because I imagined how it was when I see other infants’ baptisms. But I do know it happened, and in a mysterious way it has deep meaning for me.

Can I ask us to share with each other our baptism stories, briefly? Turn to someone nearby if you’d like and tell of your own baptism story if you’ve been baptized, and if you haven’t been baptized or if you don’t remember your baptism, maybe share your thoughts about baptism.

Now that we have our brains working a bit. Let’s do another fun activity: A catechetical exercise—how fun can you! Questions and answers.

What is baptism?²

Baptism is a symbolic act. Symbols have a whole lot of meaning;

So does baptism. Maybe more than we thought. Here are just a few.

Baptism is with water.

Why are we baptized with water?

Christ was baptized with water; in a river called the Jordan.³ What does water do? Water washes, water cleanses, water is refreshing. When we are baptized, we are washed, we are cleaned, and it is refreshing. Water gives life and it is eternal.⁴ Our baptism gives new life and reassurance of eternal life!

Baptism is acceptance.⁵

What do we accept?

When we are baptized we accept that we are not perfect; we realize our sinfulness.⁶ When we are baptized we accept truth in Christ, and our need for him,⁷ his authority on earth and in heaven,⁸ and his right to be Lord of our life.⁹ Acceptance is the willing receipt of a gift.

When we are baptized we willingly receive God’s free gift of grace.

Baptism is sharing. ¹⁰

What do we share?

We can share in something; like sharing in “a celebration; or a pension plan”. When we are baptized we share in Christ’s death and resurrection; we die to our old selves, and are made alive to God.¹¹ We can share something in common with others: When we are baptized, we are share in common new life in Christ with all baptized.¹²

Baptism is announcement.

What are we announcing?

When we are baptized we announce officially and publicly that we are committing our lives to Christ [as Christ is committed to us]. When we announce something we indicate clearly; like “when we wear a button that proclaims your choice for president.”¹³ In baptism, we show clearly to all who will see our choice for leadership, Jesus Christ—Jesus for President.¹⁴

Baptism is beginning.

What are we beginning?

Our baptism mysteriously represents the beginning of our life in Christ.¹⁵ Our lives are transformed. We imitate Christ who began his work for God’s Kingdom with his own baptism.¹⁶

Baptism is celebration.

What are we celebrating?

A celebration is an observance of a day or event with ceremonies, festivities, rejoicing, like a birthday party, like fiestas. Our baptism is a celebration on earth and in heaven.¹⁷ Celebrations are parties to make something widely known. When we are baptized, it is like we are telling the whole world of our allegiance to Christ, and our community is making widely known their acceptance of us.

Baptism is belonging.

What do we belong to?

In baptism, we belong to God—we are called sons and daughters of God.¹⁸ In baptism we belong to one another—we call one another sisters and brothers and together we make up the body of Christ, each with our unique gifts.¹⁹

I could say a lot more.

The important thing for all of us is to remember our baptism. For those who have been baptized as adults, or may one day be baptized as adults—a very biblical practice—Jesus was baptized as an adult—it will be easier for you to remember than for those who were baptized as a baby just like Jaleesa. We practice adult baptism in the Presbyterian church, but the reason it is common in our church to baptize babies is because it is easier to pick babies up and hold them. (tonio). No, because it shows that God loves us and claims us even before we can say anything other than pppphhhhhhbbbbb. God’s grace is in our life before we even know it.

Also, it is a common practice because in a moment we’re all going to make promises to baby J.

We make these promises any time a child is baptized in this church. It is the only sacramental promise that we make in this church. We will promise to help guide, raise, and nurture Jaleesa and every child or adult baptized in the ways of the Church of Jesus Christ. Almost everyone here will raise their hand and say “I do.” Now do we really mean this? Do we know what this means?

Eric Ytuarte’s story.

A friend of mine from seminary told me one time that “85% of PC(USA) high school students stop going to church when they go off to college and less than 15% ever return.”²⁰ He was in business before he went to seminary and said, losing that many in our churches is terrible business. But this rate of young people leaving the church and never coming back has nothing to do with business, it has everything to do with being faithful. We raise our hands and commit to the spiritual development of the child. Do we really care if the children are raised in the faith and find a home in the church after they turn 18?

Our promise is also about stewardship. What do we do with the children God has given us?

Do we take care of one another? Jaleesa at some point will go back to the Netherlands with her parents (not at the end of this year thank goodness). And we will write her and continue to hear about how she is doing, and in a few years be her friend on facebook. But it will be harder to fulfill our promises to her. Fortunately we know her parents will find a good church with people who will help us to fulfill our promises. But Jaleesa helps to remind us of our commitment to one another…to continue to help guide, raise and nuture each other in the faith, with the love of Christ. May we fulfill our promises. May we remember our baptism.

1 BOO, W-2.3001.
2 Context: children’s sermon at WPC (older kids).
3 Mark 1:9-11 and synoptic parallels.
4 Images discussed in class.
5 All definitions, unless otherwise indicated, are found on www.dictionary.com. Direct quotes are in italics.
6 Rom 3:23.
7 Phil. 4:19.
8 Mt. 28:16-20.
9 Phil. 2:9-11.
10 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Peter 1:4.
11 Romans 6:6-11.
12 Romans 5:18; Eph. 4:17-24; 2 Cor 5:17
13 www.dictionary.com
14 Title of a Shane Claiborne book, 2008.
15 This would especially be important for those who have been baptized as invents or when very young.
16 Mark 1:9-11; and synoptic parallels.
17 Luke 15.
18 1 John 2:29-3:1; Gal. 4:7
19 Galatians 3:27-28.
20 Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian Education, Columbia Theological Seminary, from John Richardson article, “College Ministries: I’m a big, fat liar,” Presbyterian Outlook, 1/28/08: http://www.pres-outlook.com/tabid/2119/Article/6773/Default.aspx

John 14:12-17, Can we do great things?

Westminster Presbyterian April 27, 2008 Day of Prayer for Colombia

My friend Kurt Shaw (who married yesterday) has been working with street children in Colombia for years, now. Kurt shares a story of one morning with some kids he’d gotten to know pretty well:

The kids arrived silently that morning; they weren’t singing or laughing like they usually do when they arrive from the refugee shantytown where they lived, just south of Bogotá. Usually they play the radio, or try out a new rap song, or talk about the news of the town: who was pregnant, what soccer team would win this weekend. That day they just sat against the wall, drawing blankets close around them to ward off the chill of the fog. Their friend Moreno had died that week, murdered by the paramilitary death squad that controls their neighborhood.

These kids were not strangers to death. Earlier that same year, the paramilitaries murdered 16 young men overnight, then left their bodies side by side close to the park so that other kids would know not to join any groups the paramilitaries didn’t control. Yet, even in the midst of this violence, this week was the first time that these kids had lost one from their own clique—one of their own. Hundreds of their peers had died over the last year, but Moreno’s death threatened all of them. The children tried to make sense of it: “We’ve talked enough about him,” said one boy. “Talking doesn’t help. Neither does crying. He’s dead,” a girl said quietly. “And they can kill all of us too, and no one will ever do anything” “Why do they kill kids?” my friend asked them. “They say we’re filth.” “Subversives” “Guerrillas.” “Gangsters and thieves.” “Even kids like us, good kids, we get in trouble when we tell the truth, when we say that the paramilitaries are bad, when we say that they’re hypocrites for selling drugs, then killing people for doing drugs,” said Andres, a twelve year old rapper, who’d been living under a death threat because his songs condemned the violence of the death squads.

The conversation began to flow, twenty kids talking about the mafia that controlled their neighborhood, trying to understand why their neighbors sometimes even applauded when the death squads killed innocent kids. “Everyone is scared of us teenagers, but I don’t know why. It’s the adults that kill,” said one girl. Somehow this hurt them even more: not just that their friend had been murdered, but that supposedly respectable adults supported his death. As the kids talked, it became obvious that “teenagers” symbolized random chaotic violence, while the paramilitaries—who call themselves “la limpieza”, or “the cleanliness”–

stood for rational violence, so to speak, violence armed at bring order back to the shantytown. Without the state to guarantee security, people believed that only the paramilitaries stood between them and the chaos of the teenagers. ¹

What’s it like to grow up in a country torn apart by war? What’s it like to grow up in a violent neighborhood? To grow up in extreme poverty—being fed biscuits mixed with mud—as some children are being fed now in Haiti. What is to be our response as followers of Christ? What are we supposed to do?

Well, in John we are told that if we believe in Jesus than we will do the work that he did: Jesus was committed to one thing and one thing alone. He was committed to service of God. And this commitment meant to love with radical love. A love that would exclude no one, but even more than that, a love that would motivate him to serve others, especially those where were the weakest and most marginalized in society. Sacrifice to others that ultimately meant the sacrifice of his own life.

But then Jesus, in mid-sentence changes what he says to his disciples; he says”

If you love me you will do the work that I do, no, in fact you will do even greater work! Say what, Jesus? Greater works than what you did? How is that possible?

Jesus did some pretty awesome stuff like multiplying a few loaves and fish to feed thousands. Have any of you tried this? He did some far out stuff like raising someone from the dead. Who’s done that? Come down and testify. He did some crazy things like turned water into wine: You think anyone tried this last night on prom night?

You, you who believe in me will do even greater works than I have done. Seriously, greater works…how? What is great about the works that I am doing?

What’s great about the work that this group of gathered disciples is doing? So many obstacles get our way of even attempting great works. Our busy schedules and lives. The seduction of comfort; the distraction of materialism. Our fear to engage the world. Besides, why doesn’t God do something. Have any of you seen the comic of these two guys talking. One says to the other, “I’d like to ask God why he allows all this suffering and this pain.” “Well why don’t you ask God that?” “Well, I guess I’m scared to ask God.” “Why? What are you scared of?”

“Well, I guess I’m scared God’ll ask me the same question, back.”

“If you believe in me, you will do even greater works than I do.”

While I was studying in Chile, I became friends with a student from Colombia, Luis. He was studying to be a priest. After months of conversations about everything but Colombia, I finally asked him, “What’s it really like?” He told me that several years ago, his younger brother was traveling with a friend on a bus from their home to a city some distance away. As they approached the city, the bus stopped at a checkpoint. Soldiers came on the bus and told my friend’s brother and his traveling companion to get off. Que bajen! Ahora! Once off the bus some conversation took place, which became heated. The bus pulled away. Days later, the two young men were dead.

As I heard him telling me this, fear and anger went through my mind; How can this happen? Were the young men involved in things they shouldn’t be involved in? How does someone have the authority to stop a bus and kill two passengers?

We can only imagine how difficult this was for my friend, Luis. His reaction: To join the priesthood to escape, to seek asylum? No. He told me that upon finishing his studies and becoming a priest, he planned to return to Colombia, serve the church and seek to bring love, justice, and hope to a place so full of violence and despair.

Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater works than what he did through the gift of the Spirit. They would become his hands and his feet…Christ for the world. The body of Christ. What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ? It’s kind of weird, when I think of all of us comprising the body of Christ, I think of Voltron. Do any of you remember voltron? The giant robot in the 1980s cartoon series Voltron: Defender of the Universe. Voltron was a giant robot but he was made up of smaller individual parts. These smaller components could function independently, and did some pretty impressive things individually, but it was when they came together—united with a common goal that they became the powerful voltron.

Could it be that the spirit unites us to serve this world in powerful ways, that we do actually do more than what Jesus was able to do? It can be easy for me to become overwhelmed by all of the injustices and problems in the world—poverty, climate change, war, hunger, education, homelessness, where does one even begin to share good news? What can I offer? Well, I can offer my life, and be united through The Spirit with believers from every time and place. With Luis, who is now back in Colombia serving God there. With you who live lives of loving service, making a difference in this broken world.

Let’s go back to the street kids in Colombia:

“Okay so here’s the point,” said Jenny, whose father had been murdered a dozen years before for his work as a labor organizer. “WE have to show them that kids aren’t bad, that we help the neighborhood more than we hurt it. Maybe they’ll kill us, but at least people will know that la limpieza is evil; at least no one will think their justified.”

Responding to Jenny’s challenge, each kid vowed to do something for the neighborhood: several decided to dig a trench so that sewage wouldn’t run through the school playground; others offered to give dance classes in the park, so that people would see kids doing productive things; one proposed to put on their play for the community, while another said she could teach sex education to younger girls. The tone of the group had changed. And as the kids left after lunch, one could again hear the strains of a rap and a beat-box as they walked back to the bus stop to go home.²

These kids got it. They had lost one of their own, their friend Moreno and they were empowered—by the Spirit?—to greater works. We, too have lost one of our own. Jesus was murdered by the powers that wanted to silence his message of love and hope for the world. But we are resurrection people. We see the world through Easter eyes that know that death is not the last word.

Is God saying to us here in this place on this day, you will do greater works that these because you are my body; you are my hands and my feet? God is not saying to the poor and suffering to come find the church. God is saying to us, the hands and the feet go to where I’m suffering, go to the poor and to the hungry and thirsty and take me in.³ Go to Colombia to be an Accompanier like Barbara and Erik. Go to the lonely and depressed who live here in these neighborhoods. Go volunteer at Cool Closet just down Agua Fria and work with homeless and troubled teens. Go into our schools and help a kid with homework.

Go to the nursing home, go to the prison. Go to the community Garden to grow food for the food banks. Go and contact policy makers. Go and pray for justice to flow like a mighty stream and rightousness spring forth like might waters. Go and be the body of Christ. May we be a people that embody God’s love in this world that is starved for grace. May mourning and death turn to dancing. May life bend toward justice. In the end love wins because we have done even greater things!⁴

I’m going to ask Gerzain to share a little about what Missio Dei CARE, the committee focused on encouraging us and guiding us to participation to God’s mission in the world.

1 Kurt Shaw, “The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground,” http://www.shinealight.org/spanish/SangreEng.pdf
2 Kurt Shaw, “The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground,” http://www.shinealight.org/spanish/SangreEng.pdf
3 Shane Claiborne at Youth Fusion: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QPANKUHabx4.
4 Shane Claiborne, “Trail of Mourning and Truth” http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRdBdiP6Qoc