A Cup of Cold Water-- sermon from June 28

I haven't been able to post my sermons like I had hoped.  Somehow, I haven't had that leisure time that folks talk about during pandemic time.  Like many of my colleagues, there have been webinars on technology and finances early on.  Then there were meetings and meetings and meetings.... on ZOOM, of course.  Then there have been the constant attempts to stay in touch with people.  Even now, in my Conference, in my denomination, the focus is on re-gathering.  I don't share all this in a complaint format, but rather an explanation that there isn't as much leisure time for some of us during these days.

Having said that, I have still made time for hammock time, for hiking, and recently, for two weeks now, for biking (the self powered kind).  I have needed "be" time in order to continue to lead and serve.  Once can not give what one does not have. 

Here is the sermon from the last Sunday in June.  It is the last Sunday in my first year of my 2nd appointment.  I will share the transcript, the links to the YouTube and the SoundCloud. 

Maybe there is something here for you.

May the adventure continue,

Rev. Deb
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“A Cup of Cold Water” 

Matthew 10:40-42 (CEB)

June 28, 2020 (4^th Sunday after Pentecost/John Wesley’s Birthday)

St. Elmo UMC (FB Live)

Matthew 10:40-42 (CEB)

⁴⁰ “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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Today’s passage is a short one. There are only three verses in it.  We might tell ourselves, therefore, that because of that, there isn’t much to see or learn here. 

Let’s not be deceived by the length of the passage.

Last week I mentioned lectio divina “sacred reading” as a way of allowing the text to read us, rather than us reading the text. 

A shorter passage such as this one is a great passage to practice lectio divina.  An easy way to remember the process of this practice is to remember the 4 R’s:

*Read

*Reflect

*Respond

*Rest or Remain

*Read the passage through slowly to get an idea of what the passage is saying.  Read it again, listening for words or phrases catch your attention? 

*Read it a 3^rd time, pausing on the words or phrases that get your attention.  Think on them and how they apply to you.

*Read the passage again a 4^th time, considering how God has spoken to you through  it and how you will respond to God.

*Rest / Remain in God’s presence.

You have heard today’s passage once already.  Hear it again.

⁴⁰ “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

What words/phrases stand out to you?

Take a moment and type them in, whether you are watching on FB or YouTube.  This is a great interactive moment, where we can share with one another.

As you are typing your words and phrases that stood out to you, another interactive moment will happen after today’s service.  Cath Shaw Truelove is hosting a ZOOM gathering for folks to come together and visit after the service.  Nothing formal.  It’s a way to connect with one another, say hello, wave, share, etc.  Thanks, Cath!

As I read and reflect on today’s passage, here are a few words/phrases that stand out to me:

The word “receive” (or a form thereof) stood out to me…. It is in there 8 times.

In verse 40, it is found 4x as well as 4x in verse 41.  In the NRSV, 6 of those 8 “receive” terms are “welcome”.  Both “receive” and “welcome” convey a sense of hospitality, which is the meaning of the Greek word here, dechomai, ‘to receive in hospitality.’

The word “reward” stands out to me.  It is mentioned 3x in some form. 

The phrase “a cup of cold water” stands out to me.

I hope you took a moment to jot down some things that stood out to you.  And if you haven’t already done so, I hope you’ll take some time at some point to reflect further on why they caught your attention and respond to God in some way.

Before we go any further, what is the context of today’s passage?  Let’s back up and take a look at that.

Today’s passage is found at the end of the section in which Jesus has called and commissioned the disciples to go out and do the kingdom work they are called to do.  He has given them their sending orders, their instructions.  This last little bit here is to let them know that those who receive them are receiving him and thus receiving the one who sent him, God.  Jesus mentions that being received as a prophet or as a righteous person will bring rewards of a prophet or a righteous person to those who receive. 

The last reward that Jesus mentions is not named, but connected with a cup of cold water.  Jesus says, “I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

After Jesus finished telling the disciples about the rewards, he went on to teach and preach in the cities of the disciples (chapter 11)

I want to share a memory with you that ties together today’s key words for me of “receive” and “cup of cold water” and how I experienced a true act of hospitality.

It was 5 years ago on the next to last Sunday in June that we attended a church on one of the few Sundays before I would start preaching as a pastor.  When we got there, we learned that their air conditioning wasn’t working.  They handed out fans and had the doors opened up.  That wasn’t going to deter me from worshipping there.  I had been there before to hear the preaching and singing, and in no way was I going to miss an opportunity.  The people at this church are always hospitable.  As the service got going, sometime in the middle maybe, I noticed that some of the members had gotten up and were making their way through out the congregation, offering cups of cold water to everyone.  That got me.  They were being Jesus in true hospitality.  It was such an act of love, of servanthood.  I took notes on the preaching and singing that day too.  But what stands out to me is the cup of cold water.  Washington Hills UMC has always had my heart, but that day, in that moment, they sealed the connection.  You might wonder how such a little thing as a cup of cold water could mean that much to someone, how it could connect me so deeply with the people in that congregation.

I felt welcomed.  I felt received.  I felt the hospitality of the givers.  Not only did I know and feel it from them, I knew it was an extension from our God, the one created us all.   The act of hospitality connected us as a community of faith, as one, as we are meant to be in the kingdom, as followers of Jesus.

Matthew 18:5 uses the same word for hospitality (dechomai) that is used in today’s passage.  It reminds us: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Jesus says in today’s passage in verse 42: “I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

Giving that cup of cold water to the children of God that day connected the disciples, connected the body.

Will it always be a literal ‘cup of cold water’?  Maybe not.  But it can very well be.

Think for a moment.

What do you need most today? These days?  If someone were to offer you something, what is your spirit craving?  What is the ‘cup of cold water’ that you need to quench your thirst?

Seriously, take a moment and think about it.  Write it down.  If you desire to share it with someone during the service, share it in a message.  Or, plan to join the after service ZOOM with Cath and maybe share there.  The bottom line is, think about sharing it with someone in the near future.  If you’re not sure with whom to share it, then you can always share it with me.

Once you’ve considered what you need, then think about what you can offer others.

What is the cup of cold water that you are called to share with others?

That might change from day to day, but overall, there will be something that comes from your giftedness that you are able to share.  What is your spiritual gift?  Are you an encourager?  A giver?  Is faith your gift? 

Someone might just need to hear your voice, to get a call from you.  Or a card, a text, a message, etc.  Who knows?

Listen to the nudges of the Holy Spirit when a name comes to mind.  You might just have the ‘cup of cold water’ that the person needs.

In our Disciple’s Path class we just finished a book called Stretcher Bearers.  It’s about how friends carried their friend to Jesus and lowered him through a roof so he could be healed.  The cup of cold water they offered their friend that day was a layered one.  They had to go get him.  They carried him through the streets.  They found the house where Jesus was.  They had to get on the roof.  They tore a hole in the roof.  They took off their sashes to tie onto the stretcher to lower him down into the room.  They took risks in order to help someone else.

As you listen to the Holy Spirit speak to you, know that you are likely going to be called out of your comfort zone as you offer hospitality, a cup of cold water to someone.

Don’t let that stop you. 

Embrace the opportunity.  Yes, there is risk involved. 

I guess we ask ourselves the question: ‘is the reward worth the risk?’

For me, the reward of growing in my relationship with the One who created me—YES.  The reward of getting to grow in my love of God and love of others—YES.

For me, it is worth the risk to offer others a cup of cold water.

I don’t know what you need today, but God does.

How may I serve you?  [Offer a cup of cold water.]

Will you pray with me?

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Taking some of the questions from the sermon for reflection:

*What do you need most today? These days?  If someone were to offer you something, what is your spirit craving?  What is the ‘cup of cold water’ that you need to quench your thirst?

*Once you’ve considered what you need, then think about what you can offer others.  What is the cup of cold water that you are called to share with others?

*Is the reward worth the risk?

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LINKS:

YouTube Service:

SOUNDCLOUD AUDIO OF SERMON

Pentecost Sunday 2020-- Same Spirit

I had hoped we would be regathered by Pentecost Sunday.  I like to hand out tiny bubbles in orange, red, yellow, and white on Pentecost Sunday.  Why these colors?  The first three represent the fire of the Holy Spirit and the last one represents the dove of the Holy Spirit.  It's just something fun for the birthday celebration of the church.

However, it was just me by myself in the sanctuary, physically.  Though I wasn't alone. I had my worship technology folks with me via the computer.  Preaching in the empty sanctuary has been so very different.  Going back to March 15th, there was the extreme nervous energy of doing something totally different.  Now, there is more of a routine, yet, there are still differences each week.  I have had to learn, adapt, be flexible, as have many others along this journey. 

I really miss the faces, the energy, the laughter, the tears, the singing, the praying, etc.  I recognize that when we do gather again, things will still be different.  I am okay with that.  I only thought I was "open hands" and "go with the flow" before this pandemic.  I think I am much more so now. 

The message for Pentecost Sunday was "Same Spirit" from 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13.  Below you will find the sermon message in written form, the Soundcloud recording, and the YouTube link to the video of the entire service.  I'll include the "bulletin" or "Order of Worship".  It's a simple guide to go by.  We post the lyrics to the songs in the comments of the Order of Worship for those who want to sing along.

Even though I didn't get to give out the bubbles this year (I guess I could have if I had driven all over Hamilton, Walker, and Catoosa counties), I still wore red for Pentecost.  I wore my new Pentecost flame tie-dye shirt, my flame earrings, and my red sandals (that no one got to see).  My Jesus doll was with me in the service, in his tie-dye, to remind us all of his presence and that he was ready to celebrate the what the church was called to be and do too.  Though he wasn't wearing a flame shirt, he did have a red spot on his.

For Pentecost, I changed my profile picture and found a frame that contains this portion of the prayer we use in the Emmaus community: "Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth."  I find myself saying, "Come, Holy Spirit, come" often these days.

Maybe there is something in the songs, in the Scripture, in the sermon, in the prayer that speaks to you.

We added a prelude back into this week due to an announcement that need to be shown on the slides about an upcoming survey.  Shane McElveen, our music director sings "Draw the Circle Wide".  We have used this song in a service prior.  I find it extremely appropriate for us as an inclusive congregation.  I also find it appropriate in this day and age in which we have the opportunity to draw the circle wide.  You can hear it in the YouTube service.

Thanks for joining me on this adventurous journey,

Rev. Deb

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“Same Spirit” 

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 (CEB)

May 31, 2020 (Pentecost Sunday)

St. Elmo UMC (FB Live)

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 (CEB)

 [N]o one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are different ministries and the same Lord; ⁶ and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. ⁷ A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. ⁸ A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, ⁹ faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, ¹⁰ performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. ¹¹ All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.

¹² Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. ¹³ We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day in which we celebrate the birth of the church and celebrate the many gifts bestowed upon all for the health and growth of the kingdom.

What happened on Pentecost?  The Acts 2:1-21 reading from the lectionary gives an in-depth look at that, so check that out sometime.

Here’s a synopsis from Rueben Job in A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God: “Without Pentecost, the incarnation of God in Christ would just be a story told through the centuries. At Pentecost, that story was internalized and became personal; God in Christ became incarnate in ordinary disciples.  Wind and fire shook, transformed, and filled those very human and ordinary believers with the divine Spirit of God, thus giving birth to the church.” (217)

Did you catch that?  God in Christ became incarnate in ordinary disciples.  Ordinary believers, like you, like me, were filled with the divine Spirit of God.

What a “WOW” moment that must have been. 

Rueben Job continues, “The faithful continue to receive this gift of God-dwelling-within to provide direction, courage, comfort, hope, companionship, and peace.” (217)

The indwelling Spirit of God wasn’t solely for those present then.  It is for us now, today.  We are to use this gift to ‘provide direction, courage, comfort, hope, companionship, and peace.’

Today’s passage goes into detail on what the different gifts of the Spirit are.  Have you thought about your giftedness?

If you are in the class “A Disciples’ Path” or you are on Council, I know you have because we have done spiritual gifts inventory in both those settings.  It is helpful to think about what our giftedness is.  Sometimes we might not see it for ourselves.  We can ask those around us what they see in us as we seek to discern our giftedness.

Once we determine our giftedness, we are to live into it, to use it for the good of the kingdom and the glory of God.  As Rueben Job said, ‘to provide direction, courage, comfort, companionship, and peace.’

What we know is that we are all gifted differently and uniquely, yet it is the same Spirit that gifts us all for the common good.  With those different gifts, we will have different ministries and different activities.  Yet the Spirit, the Lord, and God are the same. 

This is how we accomplish kingdom work, by living into our different gifts.

What are the gifts we find in this passage? 

Verse 8—word of wisdom and word of knowledge

Verse 9—faith and gifts of healing

Verse 10—performance of miracles, prophecy, ability to tell spirits apart, different kinds of tongues, interpretations of tongues

There are other Scripture passages that list other gifts, but the intention today is not an in-depth study.  If you are interested in diving deeper, look up the spiritual gifts passages.  You might also want to do a spiritual gifts inventory to determine what your gifts are.  There is a short inventory on umcdiscipleship.orgà https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory.  I will post it later in online.

A reminder from verse 11: “All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit”.

Verses 12-13—“Christ is just like the human body--a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many.  We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.”

Note:  We are ONE body.  We have many parts, but we are ONE body.  Whatever we do to any of the parts, we are doing to ourselves.  Therefore, might we be more cautious in how we treat the body?  Might we take more time to get to know the other parts of the body and how they function before we treat them poorly or with disdain or with fear?

Have you ever watched a stroke patient or someone with a TBI or even someone recovering from any type of surgery have to deal with body parts that just wouldn’t function like the person wanted to, needed to, desired them to?!?!  I have.  And, I’ve been there personally.  After my hip surgery two years ago, my body wouldn’t respond like I wanted it to for quite a while.  It took quite a bit of time to relearn, to train the muscles, to live into how my body was going to be going forward. 

There was fear of falling, fear of popping out the new joint.  It took effort to get beyond the fear and to literally walk by faith. 

If that is the physical body, what about the spiritual body, the emotional body, our body in Christ?  We have many things that keep us from moving forward still, don’t we?!?!

We have fear and ignorance still today in our society.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of the other.  We allow fear to grow and create chasms between the body. 

We, who are of the same Spirit, must start listening to the One Spirit.  We must take action that brings healing and wholeness to this one body that is made up of many parts.

Mandisa, a contemporary singer, has a song: “Bleed the Same”.

Hear these lyrics:

Woke up today
Another headline
Another innocent life is taken
In the name of hatred
So hard to take (hey!)
And if we think that it's all good
Then we're mistaken
'Cause my heart is breaking (tell it, 'Dis)

Are you left?
Are you right?
Pointing fingers, taking sides
When are we gonna realize?

We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided

Tell me, who are we
To judge someone
By the kind of clothes they're wearing
Or the color of their skin?

Are you black? (black)
Are you white? (white)
Aren't we all the same inside? (the same inside)
Father, open our eyes to see!

We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided

Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for?
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more, said
Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for? yeah
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more!

We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We're more beautiful when we come together (let's stand united!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same(we all bleed the same) (bleed the same)
Let's stand united (let's stand united)
Let's stand united!

So Father God, I pray
That our families will come together right now
And seek Your face
You will forgive our sins
And You will heal our incredible land
In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ
Amen

St. Elmo UMC—we are an inclusive congregation.  We ALL bleed the same. 

How can we apply this passage today as we celebrate the birth of the church on this Pentecost Sunday? 

Here are a few ways…. You might add more.

*We can remember that each part is needed and necessary.

*We can figure out what our part is in the body.

*We can take action to live into it.

*We can work to eradicate fear in our own lives and seek to educate ourselves and others on topics of inclusiveness, love, and working to overcome racism.  Check out our FB page for an upcoming book study.

*We can truly celebrate our giftedness and the giftedness of each other.  We can give thanks to the one Spirit who has gifted each of us.

As we celebrate this day when the Holy Spirit came upon all, may we respond as did those back then, noted by Rueben Job: “Ordinary men and women became full of faith and fearless. Fearful men and women became courageous witnesses to God’s mighty and saving acts.  Weak and timid disciples became strong and powerful witnesses to the Good News of God’s saving acts in the world.”  (217)

May we celebrate Pentecost by living into who and whose we are created to be.  Amen!  (Will you pray with me?)  [SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD]

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LINKS:

Audio for sermon on SoundCloud

Entire service on YouTube

Mandisa's "Bleed the Same"

Draw the Circle Wide-- another version

Speak Your Hope-- sermon from 5-17-20

This past week's sermon came from 1 Peter 3:13-22.  The theme of healing came up again this week because of verse 21.  The word "sozo" got more attention this week than last week because of that.  Healing and hope go hand in hand.  As mentioned in the sermon, I continue to see much healing and hope in people's lives.  That's one of the perks and benefits of walking life with others.  I recognize that one doesn't need to be clergy to walk with another.  We can all do that.  For me, walking with is a part of who I am, prior to me becoming clergy and continuing.

Below you will find the transcript of the sermon, the YouTube link of the entire service, and the Soundcloud audio of the sermon.

Eastertide is almost over.  That's mind boggling.  It's almost time to take down the cross and the white cloth outside.  For Pentecost Sunday, the color will be red.  But, that's still a week off.  Don't rush things, right?!?! Everything is already running together in a blur.

I didn't lose my stuff  (as badly) after recording this past week's sermon (yep, recording) like I did the previous week.  However, I did on Sunday morning as I listened to the final song being sung and played.

I'm still in some sort of Holy Spirit transformation and growth pattern these days.  For the most part, that is a very good thing. I am open to the moving of the Holy Spirit, even though it isn't always comfortable for me.

As I see it, if I am going to speak hope, then I'd better be willing to walk the path that Jesus walked, the path that others walk, the path I need to walk....in order to know the hope, in order to experience the healing, in order to be able to simply "be".

I shared a quote by Carlo Carretto as it related to hope from the "blue" book: A Guide to Prayer For Ministers and Other Servants.  It's not in the transcript, so I will include it at the bottom of the post.

Peace,

Rev. Deb
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“Speak Your Hope” 

1 Peter 3:13-22 (CEB)

May 17, 2020 (6^th Sunday of Easter)

St. Elmo UMC (FB Live)

1 Peter 3:13-22 (CEB)

¹³ Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? ¹⁴ But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. ¹⁵ Instead, regard Christ the Lord as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. ¹⁶ Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience. Act in this way so that those who malign your good lifestyle in Christ may be ashamed when they slander you. ¹⁷ It is better to suffer for doing good (if this could possibly be God’s will) than for doing evil.

¹⁸ Christ himself suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous. He did this in order to bring you into the presence of God. Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit. ¹⁹ And it was by the Spirit that he went to preach to the spirits in prison. ²⁰ In the past, these spirits were disobedient—when God patiently waited during the time of Noah. Noah built an ark in which a few (that is, eight) lives were rescued through water. ²¹ Baptism is like that. It saves you now—not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God. Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who is at God’s right side. Now that he has gone into heaven, he rules over all angels, authorities, and powers.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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Today is the 6^th Sunday of Easter.  Only 1 more week of Easter and then we celebrate the birthday of the church on Pentecost.

Today’s sermon title comes from verse 15: “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.” 

Speak your hope.

Let’s look at what that means.

First of all, there is an assumption that we have a hope to speak of here, isn’t there? 

What IS that hope?

As we look through the rest of the passage, we can find answers, both before and after that verse.   In verse 15 prior to the admonition to speak of your hope, the admonition is to “regard Christ as holy in your hearts”

Christ is holy in our hearts.  That is hope.

Verse 18—Christ was made alive by the Spirit.  That is hope.

Verse 19—Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That is hope.

Speaking of salvation, in last week’s sermon, the word came up in verse 2 (1 Peter 2:2)—“you will grow into salvation”. 

I mentioned that the Greek word for “salvation” is “sozo” and it that it also means “healing”.   Looking at that verse with the word healing—“you will grow into healing”.

Let’s look at the Greek word “sozo” for a moment.  The Strong Concordance reference is G4982 for those who are waiting to hear that information. 

Among the meanings for SOZO: to save, to heal, to restore to health (to be made whole), to preserve from being lost.

Looking at today’s verse 19, “your healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

Putting those two together: ‘Your healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and you will grow into healing.’

Healing.  Let’s talk more about that because healing is a big part of the hope you can speak of with others.

Where do you want/need healing in your life?  Physical?  Emotional?  Spiritual?  What are the wounds in the past that could use some healing?

I realize that this isn’t an easy topic.  Healing doesn’t come without some pain.  However, one of the life lessons I have picked up along the way is that there is such a thing as growing pains.  They exist physically.  As we experience growth as infants and children, there is pain in our bodies.  Most of us don’t realize the pain, yet some people feel the pain.  As infants, we cry out, unable to express the pain. 

Just as we experience physical growth pains, there are spiritual growth pains.  It isn’t comfortable to be faced with ourselves and needed growth.  Yet, if there is going to be pain in our lives, regardless, isn’t it much better to have pain that leads to healing and wholeness rather than to stagnate.

I believe that this time of being set apart is a time for healing.  It has been for me.  I have been able to spend time listening to the Creator, to God, to the Holy Spirit.  I have been able to go back into the past and allow God to bring healing into areas of my life that have been buried deep under the surface for years.  I don’t know the things you deal with, the experiences you’ve had.  I only know my fears, my insecurities, my false self stuff…..

By allowing the Creator, the Artistic Designer, the Master Builder, the One who knows me best to work in me and on me, I have been going through a transformation and healing process.  It’s ongoing.  I recognize that.  As long as I continue to breathe, there is work to be done on me and in me.

And because the Master Builder continues to work on me and in me, I know that there is work being done through me.  All of this is my hope that I can speak of with others. 

I can share my experiences as the opportunities arise.

Because Jesus Christ is alive by the Spirit and because my healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have hope to share with others.

In last week’s sermon, toward the end of the sermon, I said this: “Church, you ARE chosen and valuable living stones.  God is working in and through you and me to build something beautiful.  God is bringing healing into our lives.”

I believe that while we are apart from worshipping together in community, the Master Builder is truly doing a beautiful thing in us individually and collectively.  I believe that there is healing taking place.  I believe this because I’ve seen it and experienced it.  Not just in my own life, but in a few other lives that I’ve been able to observe.  I’ve seen it in Facebook posts—in people’s writings and in art.  I have heard and seen it in Zoom conversations.

I know that healing is crucial to growth.  If we only cover up our wounds, then it is difficult to allow the hope to shine through.  Once we have experienced healing in an area, then the light and love of Christ can shine through the scars of the wounds and we become and Henri Nouwen calls us, “wounded healers”.  We have all been wounded.  The question is whether or not we will be wounded wounders or wounded healers.

Allow the healing.

Share the healing.

Allow the hope.

Share the hope.

In closing, hear these words from Psalm 66, verses 16-20 from the Psalmist David who spoke his hope:

“Come close and listen, all you who honor God; I will tell you what God has done for me: My mouth cried out to him with praise on my tongue.  If I had cherished evil in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.  But God definitely listened.  He heard the sound of my prayer.  Bless God! He didn’t reject my prayer; he didn’t withhold his faithful love from me.”

Will you pray with me? (Spirit of the Living God)

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YouTube Worship Service for May 17:

Soundcloud Audio Version

SOZO Scripture references from Bible Tools

SOZO Scripture references from Robust Designs


Bookmark that I shared during the sermon:

On the front: a stamped Pooh and Piglet walking alongside each other down a path.

On the back: "There is something you must always remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.  But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."

This bookmark was given out to the Tuesday Ladies Bible Study at Burks UMC by Amy Nutt, Pastor and leader on June 2, 2015.

Quote that I shared from Carlo Carretto that spoke hope to me:
From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, page 176

     "God presents himself to us little by little.  The whole story of salvation is the story of the God who comes.
     It is always he who comes, even if he has not yet come in his fullness.  But there is indeed one unique moment in his coming; the others were only preparations and announcement.
     The hour of his coming is the Incarnation.
     The Incarnation brings the world his presence.  It is a presence so complete that it overshadows every presence before it.
     God is made human in Christ.  God makes himself present to us with such a special presence, such an obvious presence, as to overthrow all the complicated calculations made about him in the past.
      "The invisible, intangible God has made himself visible and tangible in Christ."
      If Jesus is truly God, everything is clear; if I cannot believe this, everything darkens again."
--From The God Who Comes

Holy Ground

Last Friday I had the privilege of being on Holy Ground.  When I heard that a friend's cousin was on hospice and not expected to live, I let the person know that pastors are allowed to visit the dying in hospitals.  I didn't know where the cousin was at the time.  I didn't know if I would be invited in at the time.

The invitation came.

I grabbed three essential items: a mask, my pocket edition of the Book of Worship, and some anointing oil (my favorite is the frankincense and myrrh)

The time with the person and the family was precious and holy.

After sharing a prayer from the Book of Worship, I prayed extemporaneously for the person.

There was a sweet, sweet spirit in that place.  I felt like I had experienced God's presence and that we had worshiped together, that we had experienced church, all in a very few moments.

I had acted on a nudge (once again as acting on nudges is mode of operation for me) to reach out to this friend and extend this offer.  I'm glad I did.  I'm grateful that the family invited me in.

I have learned over the years that a part of who I am is walking with people, the dying and their families, through the valley of death.  I have done this for many years, as a lay person and as clergy.

It isn't always easy to put into words, but I have tried at times.  I have written other blog posts on the topic.

It is a holy and sacred privilege to walk someone home.

For this to be part of who I've been created to be is incredibly humbling.

As I reflect, "walking with" is who I am and what I do, regardless of the stage of life or situation in which someone is.

As you reflect, what comes to mind for you for who you are created to be and what you are created to do?  It may be more than one thing.  Take some time to think about it.  If you're not sure, ask someone else what they see and notice in you.  Pay attention to the words others have said in your presence.  Start putting them together and your puzzle will start to make more sense.

"Walking with" plays out in many different ways for me, but I've come to see it as the core of my being.

When I'm walking with, I am on holy ground, regardless of the situation.

Maybe that's another way to ask it.

What is your holy ground?

Peace to you on this adventurous journey,

Rev. Deb