Summers, traditionally have been times to vacation. Our family enjoyed wonderful trips across the years. Perhaps our favorite of all was the summer we journeyed to Colorado, Wyoming, Yellowstone and Salt Lake City. Our children were old enough to enjoy the trip and remember most of it. We still laugh with each other over the funny things that happened. Our appreciation for the beauty and wonder of God’s creation that Colorado, Wyoming , Yellowstone National Park offer is etched in our memory. Even the great Salt Lake was an amazing sight to see.
I think about these family journey’s now in a different way. I know, for the most part, those occasions are over. Our children are married now. Their travels follow their interests and they pursue their visions of great vacations. We enjoy the pictures and hearing their travel logs.
At our core, embedded in our DNA, is a travel gene that is as old as Abraham. I think about it every time I read Hebrews 11. Essentially the writer of the Hebrew letter is reminding us of our DNA. He is reminding us that there is only one way to live. That is, by faith. It’s not a question regarding whether or not we will be on the move. The question, for me is, how well will I travel? Will I travel living by faith or will I shrink before the journey and pass up the opportunity?
Personally, I prefer to be on the move, going out into whatever adventure God has placed before me. One never knows, really, what one will encounter. What great gift is to be opened, discovered, and ultimately enjoyed. To shrink back, to avoid the trip, to sit on our blessed assurance is to make a choice for something other than life. The writer of the book of Deuteronomy says, “I have set before you life and death. Choose life."
I am of sufficient age now that I think more about my choices. I especially think about the choices I have made that were poor. The trips I have taken that ended badly. The places I have gone I should not have gone, wish I’d never heard of. The real temptation today is to decide not to travel again because of some of those trips. However, to make that choice is to choose death, not life.
If a person never again straddled a bicycle after having the first spill, think what she would have missed. The wind in her face, the joy of sights never seen, not noticed. To get back up after a bad trip is to walk by faith. To love when love has hurt you is to allow faith to frame your love. To risk when risking means the chance of being wounded is to follow the seed of God's grace planted in you from the moment of your birth.
We're on a journey, you and me. The traveling is what makes the destination worthwhile. Grab you some traveling partners, pack lightly, travel well.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Too Soon Judy Curtis
We were too young to know what Billy Joel meant when he sang that only the good die young.
And though some among of us still think that 50 something isn’t so young anymore, it’s still too soon to say goodbye to one we love. From Horn Lake to Hernando, Oxford to Iuka, Brandon to Gulfport, friends whose lives have been shaped and formed by the ministry of Judy Curtis, know…there was more life and love and laughter in Judy to be shared.
It must have been about 10 days after Judy was diagnosed with cancer that Jim and I decided it’d be a good thing to take our wives to dinner. We’d do that from time to time, not often enough, but Lynn and I invited, Jim accepted. I don’t think he asked Judy what she thought.
It was the McAlilly's turn to drive so we picked them up, and we went, as was often our custom, to High Cotton. We laughed some, though not like we normally would. We could sense that it was hard for Judy and Jim to enter into that space of unknowing.
It was hard.
Still, Judy shared an experience she had had that afternoon, of praying fervently for healing and God giving her an image. It was the image of Lazarus coming forth from the tomb. What we couldn’t grasp I think Judy knew on some deep, intuitive level.
I believe Judy knew that before she could come forth from the tomb, she would have to enter it. Somehow, Judy knew that before she would know Easter she would experience Good Friday.
So God gave her the image of Lazarus, as a guide and comfort. In ways that we cannot comprehend, the mystery of God was revealed to Judy that Sunday afternoon. And now, the grave clothes are being unwrapped and Judy has entered God’s loving embrace.
It’s too soon.
For Jim, and for the Trinity Church family, it’s too soon.
The miracle we longed for we did not receive.
And so Thursday night Judy entered that unhindered, uninterrupted presence of almighty God. She entered that space where there is no more crying, no more sorrow, no more pain. Her soul is free from her body and God has received her.
God has spoken, I believe, those words we all long to hear, “well done, thy good, and faithful servant."
Much too soon.
Thanks be to God for the life and love of Judy Curtis.
And though some among of us still think that 50 something isn’t so young anymore, it’s still too soon to say goodbye to one we love. From Horn Lake to Hernando, Oxford to Iuka, Brandon to Gulfport, friends whose lives have been shaped and formed by the ministry of Judy Curtis, know…there was more life and love and laughter in Judy to be shared.
It must have been about 10 days after Judy was diagnosed with cancer that Jim and I decided it’d be a good thing to take our wives to dinner. We’d do that from time to time, not often enough, but Lynn and I invited, Jim accepted. I don’t think he asked Judy what she thought.
It was the McAlilly's turn to drive so we picked them up, and we went, as was often our custom, to High Cotton. We laughed some, though not like we normally would. We could sense that it was hard for Judy and Jim to enter into that space of unknowing.
It was hard.
Still, Judy shared an experience she had had that afternoon, of praying fervently for healing and God giving her an image. It was the image of Lazarus coming forth from the tomb. What we couldn’t grasp I think Judy knew on some deep, intuitive level.
I believe Judy knew that before she could come forth from the tomb, she would have to enter it. Somehow, Judy knew that before she would know Easter she would experience Good Friday.
So God gave her the image of Lazarus, as a guide and comfort. In ways that we cannot comprehend, the mystery of God was revealed to Judy that Sunday afternoon. And now, the grave clothes are being unwrapped and Judy has entered God’s loving embrace.
It’s too soon.
For Jim, and for the Trinity Church family, it’s too soon.
The miracle we longed for we did not receive.
And so Thursday night Judy entered that unhindered, uninterrupted presence of almighty God. She entered that space where there is no more crying, no more sorrow, no more pain. Her soul is free from her body and God has received her.
God has spoken, I believe, those words we all long to hear, “well done, thy good, and faithful servant."
Much too soon.
Thanks be to God for the life and love of Judy Curtis.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Daring to Dream
It’s been just over four years since we gathered on the grounds of Gulfside Assembly to honor the sacred memories of that hallowed place following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. For decades, Gulfside was the only place African American Methodists could safely gather and enjoy the beauty of the beach and taste the salt of the sea. That day, I heard stories of those who had been called to preach in the old chapel that once stood just south of the entrance to the Gulfside grounds. One pastor told his story, reminding those gathered that one would feel the spirit of God poured out as someone would chant, “somebody’s gonna be called to preach tonight!” Inviting the Holy Spirit to come, always seemed to yield response, we were told. Eddie Brown tells of standing in the surf, fishing as a boy. His eyes dance as he remembers. I’ve heard stories of travelers driving across the south in fear during the forties and fifties relaxing only when their feet touched the sacred soil of Gulfside Assembly.
After Hurricane Katrina, the memories remain but a new dream is being born. There are dreams that are taking shape: a dream of taking that sacred place and developing a myriad of ministries and mission, including place for elders to live out their days. The dream keepers always draw us forward. That, as much as anything, was the gift Martin Luther King, Jr. gave us: a dream of a different future. Gulfside Assembly holds before us both a sacred past and a dream for a brighter future.
It holds for us the promise of
• a place where the lion and the lamb will lie down together.
• a place where elders will dream dreams and young people will have visions.
• a place for healing of hearts and hurts
• a place where young people will once again experience God’s call upon their lives
Dr. Morsi Mansour, who dared to dream about a new future for children in a poverty stricken area of Egypt said, “if you have faith in God, if your spirit is full of faith, then you will find hope everywhere. You will not give up. It will take patience. There will be obstacles. But you will be like the river, going around the rocks.”
“Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28
After Hurricane Katrina, the memories remain but a new dream is being born. There are dreams that are taking shape: a dream of taking that sacred place and developing a myriad of ministries and mission, including place for elders to live out their days. The dream keepers always draw us forward. That, as much as anything, was the gift Martin Luther King, Jr. gave us: a dream of a different future. Gulfside Assembly holds before us both a sacred past and a dream for a brighter future.
It holds for us the promise of
• a place where the lion and the lamb will lie down together.
• a place where elders will dream dreams and young people will have visions.
• a place for healing of hearts and hurts
• a place where young people will once again experience God’s call upon their lives
Dr. Morsi Mansour, who dared to dream about a new future for children in a poverty stricken area of Egypt said, “if you have faith in God, if your spirit is full of faith, then you will find hope everywhere. You will not give up. It will take patience. There will be obstacles. But you will be like the river, going around the rocks.”
“Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Advent Wedding
On the first Sunday in Advent, November 29, gathered in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, Tupelo, Mississippi, were the families and friends of Millie and Chris to share with them the celebration of their marriage. As the congregation began singing the processional hymn, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, it was as if prayers of blessing were being prayed over Millie and Chris. Millie, escorted by her parents and Chris, escorted by his, found their places at the altar, the final refrain echoed through the sanctuary.
As the service proceeded, words of life were exchanged. Big, important words. After the vows were exchanged, the father of the groom prayed this prayer, adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all of life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon Chris and Millie whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Grant them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection, that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Grant that all those who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.
Grant, too, that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and forever. Amen.
Two lives joined in body, mind, and soul. There is deep peace resounding in the spirits of those who witnessed and shared this day.
As the gospel writer in John writes, As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
So be it. Now and forever. Amen.
As the service proceeded, words of life were exchanged. Big, important words. After the vows were exchanged, the father of the groom prayed this prayer, adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all of life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon Chris and Millie whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Grant them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection, that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Grant that all those who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.
Grant, too, that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and forever. Amen.
Two lives joined in body, mind, and soul. There is deep peace resounding in the spirits of those who witnessed and shared this day.
As the gospel writer in John writes, As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
So be it. Now and forever. Amen.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Connection is…
-A group of college students from all over the state of Mississippi at The Journey, a retreat for college age students
-the granddaughter of church members from my first appointment out of seminary
- my nieces, Emily and Kelly who with my daughter, Laura, were able to share the weekend together
-a young woman whose family and ours had shared life in significant ways when I was pastor of St. Matthew’s but whom I had not seen in many years.
-a young woman whose parents were charter members of Getwell Road United Methodist Church and whose wedding I performed
-two young adults from Philadelphia, First whom I had known when I was their pastor.
- A preacher’s son, who with Laura, had grown up knowing each other through Conference Youth events and had served on the staff of SIFAT together for the last two years.
-Adults with whom I had shared ministry during the years in which I was pastor at St. Matthew’s UMC in Madison, MS.
-Bob and Anne McElroy who give of their time and energy twice a year to make sure young adults are having connecting experiences with Christ.
My heart was warmed Sunday afternoon, sitting in a familiar place surrounded by familiar friends, listening to the stories of how God had moved among these students in a mighty way.
Would that the Church pay attention to the places where God is at work and give great blessing.
-the granddaughter of church members from my first appointment out of seminary
- my nieces, Emily and Kelly who with my daughter, Laura, were able to share the weekend together
-a young woman whose family and ours had shared life in significant ways when I was pastor of St. Matthew’s but whom I had not seen in many years.
-a young woman whose parents were charter members of Getwell Road United Methodist Church and whose wedding I performed
-two young adults from Philadelphia, First whom I had known when I was their pastor.
- A preacher’s son, who with Laura, had grown up knowing each other through Conference Youth events and had served on the staff of SIFAT together for the last two years.
-Adults with whom I had shared ministry during the years in which I was pastor at St. Matthew’s UMC in Madison, MS.
-Bob and Anne McElroy who give of their time and energy twice a year to make sure young adults are having connecting experiences with Christ.
My heart was warmed Sunday afternoon, sitting in a familiar place surrounded by familiar friends, listening to the stories of how God had moved among these students in a mighty way.
Would that the Church pay attention to the places where God is at work and give great blessing.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Kingdom Has Come Near
The kingdom of God is like many things, Jesus says: a farmer sowing seed, a man hunting treasure, a woman kneading dough, fishermen casting a net, a man forgiven a debt, a wedding guest who forgot his jacket, virgins waiting for a bridegroom, a landowner being generous.
It’s also like a wedding celebration in rural Alabama, at a place called SIFAT.
Gathered on that cloud covered day were friends and family of Laura Elizabeth McAlilly and Nathan Watson Paulk. Thirty yards away a creek rushed by, swollen from the rain which had fallen during the night. Two guitarists played “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”.
Following the wedding vows, the ministers, a father and a son, led the congregation in The Great Thanksgiving. “The Lord Be with you.” “And also with you,” the congregation spontaneously chanted.
After the words of institution, one of the ministers prayed:
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
By the same Spirit bless Laura and Nate,
that their love for each other
may reflect the love of Christ for us
and grow from strength to strength
as they faithfully serve you in the world.
Defend them from every enemy.
Lead them into all peace.
Let their love for each other
be a seal upon their hearts,
a mantle about their shoulders,
and a crown upon their heads.
Bless them
in their work and in their companionship;
in their sleeping and in their waking;
in their joys and in their sorrows;
in their lives and in their deaths.
Finally, by your grace,
bring them and all of us to that table
where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home.
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father now and forever.
Amen.
As those who were invited to serve the elements came forward, a hush fell over the worshipping congregation. Five persons made their way to the chancel.
From Africa, India, and Thailand, all participating in the ten week Practicum at SIFAT. It was as if the kingdom of heaven had come near, right there on that hillside.
A few Mississippians and a few Alabamians were there.
A bride.
A groom.
Some bread and some wine.
The clouds parted; the sunshine beamed through the trees.
And the kingdom of God had come near.
It’s also like a wedding celebration in rural Alabama, at a place called SIFAT.
Gathered on that cloud covered day were friends and family of Laura Elizabeth McAlilly and Nathan Watson Paulk. Thirty yards away a creek rushed by, swollen from the rain which had fallen during the night. Two guitarists played “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”.
Following the wedding vows, the ministers, a father and a son, led the congregation in The Great Thanksgiving. “The Lord Be with you.” “And also with you,” the congregation spontaneously chanted.
After the words of institution, one of the ministers prayed:
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
By the same Spirit bless Laura and Nate,
that their love for each other
may reflect the love of Christ for us
and grow from strength to strength
as they faithfully serve you in the world.
Defend them from every enemy.
Lead them into all peace.
Let their love for each other
be a seal upon their hearts,
a mantle about their shoulders,
and a crown upon their heads.
Bless them
in their work and in their companionship;
in their sleeping and in their waking;
in their joys and in their sorrows;
in their lives and in their deaths.
Finally, by your grace,
bring them and all of us to that table
where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home.
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father now and forever.
Amen.
As those who were invited to serve the elements came forward, a hush fell over the worshipping congregation. Five persons made their way to the chancel.
From Africa, India, and Thailand, all participating in the ten week Practicum at SIFAT. It was as if the kingdom of heaven had come near, right there on that hillside.
A few Mississippians and a few Alabamians were there.
A bride.
A groom.
Some bread and some wine.
The clouds parted; the sunshine beamed through the trees.
And the kingdom of God had come near.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Words Matter
In just a few days, our family will gather with the Paulk family on a hillside in North Alabama, at a place called SIFAT(Servants in Faith and Technology: www.sifat.org), a camp whose mission and focus is teaching global missions. Our daughter, Laura and her fiancée, Nate, will stand together and exchange those big, important words. Words like for “better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish.” Since 1979, I have been standing, facing others, inviting them into the covenant of Christian marriage.
October 10, I will invite Laura and Nate into a new life together.
To stand before my second born child and invite her and Nate to stake their lives on the covenant of Christian marriage brings a new, significantly deeper meaning to the service of Christian marriage. It’s not that I haven’t given thought to those words before. I have. Every time a young couple comes into my life asking me to be a part of blessing their marriage, I wonder how it will be for them. I am mindful of how little we really know of another person when we exchange those words. I’m mindful of the other four people who will live in that household with a couple, albeit unconscious. Parents, who have shaped, loved, taught and sometimes without intention, even wounded. Every time, I’m mindful of family traditions and that this couple will form their own while negotiating time spent with family. I’m hoping each of them has a heavy dose of forgiveness and a deep understanding of compromise.
Next Saturday, I will ask Nathan Paulk to repeat after me: “I, Nate, take you Laura, to be my wife.” I’ll ask Laura to do likewise, “I, Laura, take you Nate, to be my husband." I keep trying to imagine it; so far, I’ve been unsuccessful without a bit of a lump in my throat. Maybe I’ll keep saying the words this week until the lump disappears.
The Paulk’s and the McAlilly’s. A new family. A new journey. Around us will be gathered the people we love. That love will be made real by big words. And words matter.
October 10, I will invite Laura and Nate into a new life together.
To stand before my second born child and invite her and Nate to stake their lives on the covenant of Christian marriage brings a new, significantly deeper meaning to the service of Christian marriage. It’s not that I haven’t given thought to those words before. I have. Every time a young couple comes into my life asking me to be a part of blessing their marriage, I wonder how it will be for them. I am mindful of how little we really know of another person when we exchange those words. I’m mindful of the other four people who will live in that household with a couple, albeit unconscious. Parents, who have shaped, loved, taught and sometimes without intention, even wounded. Every time, I’m mindful of family traditions and that this couple will form their own while negotiating time spent with family. I’m hoping each of them has a heavy dose of forgiveness and a deep understanding of compromise.
Next Saturday, I will ask Nathan Paulk to repeat after me: “I, Nate, take you Laura, to be my wife.” I’ll ask Laura to do likewise, “I, Laura, take you Nate, to be my husband." I keep trying to imagine it; so far, I’ve been unsuccessful without a bit of a lump in my throat. Maybe I’ll keep saying the words this week until the lump disappears.
The Paulk’s and the McAlilly’s. A new family. A new journey. Around us will be gathered the people we love. That love will be made real by big words. And words matter.
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