October 12, 2009
YOU WERE CALLED TO ONE HOPE
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit; just as you were called to one HOPE when you were called one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:3-6

Yesterday afternoon at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Augusta, Maine The Reverend Ryan Mills and The Reverend Kathleen Brenan became Mr. & Mrs. The service was as much worship as wedding as the congregation gathered to celebrate and praise the God who created and called Kathleen and Ryan to a life together. We are called to live in the present the shared hope of the future.

Through hymns sung, word read and proclaimed and meal shared Ryan and Kathleen's wedding anticipated the marriage feast of the Lamb. It was a holy hope-filled joyful experience.

Of course there were some things we did that may not make it into the final feast. For instance there were quite a few pastors in attendance who later that night set a record for the number of pastors dancing the Macarena at the same time.
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October 13, 2009

I'm sending this from the DFW terminal having just arrived from DC. I was in a Marriot in Boston last night and got up early to use email but the internet was down. Since I had three hours before boarding I thought I had plenty of time to return the car in downtown Boston catch the MBTA to the airport and email this from the terminal. I trusted GPS girl could navigate the tricky Boston streets while I tried to avoid the notorious Boston drivers. I did my part. GPS girl couldn't seem to make up her mind. I would be within a mile of the rental return and suddenly a dead end or a one way street or a building would block my way. So GPS girl would take me 2 miles in the opposite direction and start all over again.

The stress of arriving late to the airport and barely surviving the Boston drivers must have showed because the attendant at check-in looked at me, smiled and seeing my clerical collar said just take a deep breath, Father! Your plane is still in the gate.

I'd like to say that was the end of the adventure but when I got to DC I tried to get this written but ran out of time and almost missed my connection waiting for my pc to power down. I got into my seat when I realized I'd left my cell phone plugged in by the gate. They let me get off and were very nice. Don't worry, Father we'll hold the plane!

Of course it was right where I left it so now a number of deep breaths later I'm writing this from 30,000 feet. The Gospel is like that. It is eternal encouragement and good hope for us when tempted by the empty promises of the world we have lost our way. Take a deep breath your sins are forgiven. It is eternal encouragement and good hope for us when we are overwhelmed and filled with anxiety and fear. Take a deep breath your salvation is assured. It is eternal encouragement and good hope for us when we death threatens and courage falters. Take a deep breath Jesus is holding heaven for you. So I'm taking a deep breath. I'm back in Texas.

October 14, 2009

I am always thankful for our shared ministry but when I spend time away I am even more aware of how blessed I am to have been called to Calvary. Like the apostle Paul speaking to the Thessalonians I find great joy in your generosity, your care and concern for the poor and hungry, your ability to get along even when you disagree, your friendly and warm welcome to those who God leads to visit us and of course your love of gathering together for good food and fellowship.

I have now spent more years here than any other single place in my life and fully intend to continue for many more until God calls me elsewhere or home to glory. While it might be tempting for pastor and parish to slow down or to sit back and enjoy our success I believe God intends to use us in even more significant ways to serve Christ and the community around us. That mission is helped by programs and activities and worship opportunities but it is accomplished through people.

God's mission is accomplished through you and me in our everyday at work or home or school where we share the love of Christ with others so that they might be drawn to love Christ. It is found in a kind word or a warm smile or the offer of prayer. This is the joy of my call the glory and the hope that you the people of God at Calvary have made a difference in the world and will continue until the day of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 42 begins with the psalmist yearning for God, as the deer pants for streams of living water so my soul pants for you. There are times in our life when we experience the absence of God as thirst and our inner life feels like the perpetually grey skies and drizzle we have endured for days. When like the psalmist tears are our food day and night and even if the sun should come out we would still be enveloped in clouds. But despite the lament we are reminded by the question why are you downcast that Hope in God will one day replace regret with rejoicing and self pity with praise.

But how does one endure the panting until the living waters can be found? It is in our shared life when we lead one another to places of refreshment, on Wednesday nights when the sound of conversation and laughter sing the song of fellowship, on Sunday morning when gathered together for the feast of the future we are forgiven, strengthened and encouraged, in serving for we help another we are helped in kind. In all these ways and more downcast souls look heavenward and disturbed minds are quieted as we drink deeply from the stream of living water that is the people of God gathered for fellowship, service and praise.

We sing the words of this psalm at the Sunday night Feast of Christ service. In God alone my soul can find rest and peace, in God my peace and joy. Only in God my soul can find its rest, find its rest and peace. There comes a moment in the singing of the simple melody repeated again and again that the words become truth for my heart and mind and soul. That moment is a gift I treasure because I find it difficult, and perhaps you do as well, to find rest that is soul sustaining. I go to sleep thinking of what I have to accomplish the next day and wake up still reciting the list. Rest is something that has to happen to me by God interrupting my busy mind and to give me the gift of peace and rest. Maybe we could experience that gift more often if we were to schedule moments in our day to be still before God and let our minds grow quiet for a moment.

Brother Roger who founded the Taize community in France where these songs are written once said, The Gospel lets us discover this surprising reality. God creates neither fear nor worry. All God can do is love us. By the presence of the Holy Spirit, God comes to transfigure our hearts. And in a simple prayer, we can sense that we are never alone: the Holy Spirit sustains in us a communion with God, not just for a fleeting moment but right on into the life which never ends. I encourage you to live into these words and take a moment today to give your soul a place to rest.

Statement of Our Faith