the intersection of life and grace

The power of being present has been on my mind quite a bit lately.

That solitary sentence has existed in isolation in a draft post for months. It’s still true, so I thought it was time to dust it off and hang out with it for a while.

What originally spurred it? I’m no longer certain. So many people live in isolation, even in an age of hyper-connectedness, that it may have been any number of situations. But today it seemed to fit my thinking about the ‘in between’ nature of Holy Saturday, upon which Christians consider the time between Jesus death and resurrection – the time during which he was no longer physically present. It’s a profound point when you believe in an omnipresent God. It can also turn into a theological rollercoaster ride, which isn’t my intent here today.

So much of caring is wrapped up in presence. Is it possible to display love and caring without presence of some sort? I’m not sure it is; I know it wasn’t intended to be. Babies die without touch. Adults go insane in extreme isolation. Communities deteriorate without presence. It’s the power of the humanity of Jesus – God came to be with humanity. It’s the power encapsulated in the proclamation of faith which shouts “be with” – Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Between the “risen” and the “come again” Jesus is not gone. He is in. In his people. In his church, the body of Christ, BUT only as far as we are present for each other, for the isolated, for the young, for the old, for the community.

Last week, in the neighborhood to which I’ve been present in one way or another for 10 years, where my church is situated and the kids I’m called to serve live, there was a sadly ordinary act of street violence. Taken was a 17-year-old, one of the kids I knew as an elementary-aged kid, and a 21-year-old. Senseless death.

Yesterday, in keeping an ancient practice of re-enacting the steps Jesus took from his condemnation to his death, my church walked the streets of the community, passing by the street memorial for these young men. [See a news report of the community walk here.]  It was a poignant reminder of the need for the Church (not just ours, but all of it) to be with it’s community – to be community.  During the Stations, a man named David gave his life to Christ.  Tonight, David will be baptised during one of the most ancient known liturgies celebrated today, The Great Vigil of Easter. It is marked by a transition from darkness into light, from slavery and condemnation to freedom and salvation. It’s an amazing re-telling of the love story God has given in scripture. It tells us of his desire to be with us… about the importance of presence.

I haven’t been a good blogger over the course of the past year or so. I’m not going to apologize, though. The events and circumstances that influenced the infrequency are good ones, and I hope in similar you would also drop a hobby for the stuff of life that matters most. After a while of foregoing blogging, however, it’s become something of a quandry how get started once again. So here I am, making this somewhat personal post, shyly hoping to restart my relationship with this medium. Hello, old friend. Hello, also, to anyone who is still subscribed; I’m not sure why you are, but I hope we can have some conversations around the place again.

It’s Good Friday. It’s silent in my house, for the moment – an ever so rare moment. I’m listening to this lack of familiar sounds, and considering my relationship with Jesus in the every day and the extraordinary. I’m a person who actively seeks to find places where ordinary life and God’s grace intersect. I’ve even named this blog according to that pursuit. However, that doesn’t mean I’m always successful at finding those places. I want to be better at it. It’s easier to find grace in the extraordinary sometimes.

A few things on my personal/vocational radar lately:

• I’m still praying for a way to open for me to go to Haiti, as I wrote in my last post. There are some health considerations for me to be successful at serving in such a tropical place, so I’m praying fervently while looking for the opportunity God has for me, whenever and wherever that might come about. I read this post last night, and dreamt about it. Three dreams about serving mothers and children in Haiti. Way will open.
• I’m loving where God has led me in ministry. Right now I’m serving both directly with students through a small group of older high school and college girls at my church, and as a part of the Schenectady City Life team in Hamilton Hill. In both instances, I feel like I’ve come home. In addition, I’m receiving more speaking requests for camp and conferences, which I always enjoy. I’m especially looking forward to my return engagement at TIMS (Teens in Missionary Service), a Central Pennsylvania work camp/summer camp with a missions emphasis, coming up in July. I’ll be speaking in the evening sessions during the week of July 25-31.
• Alongside the ministry opportunities above, I’m being blessed with growth in my own ministry-related consulting business.  I have gotten to work on some fantastic projects, like Simply Youth Ministry’s LIVE curriculum, as well as on-going content development work with Youth Specialties.com. I’m enjoying coaching a few fantastic youth workers in reaching some personal and professional goals [use the contact form here to inquire], and have recently become part of the Life in Student Ministry Mentorship team. Enjoying every minute of it.

That’s a good start at getting reacquainted here. Ask me questions. Comment some topics you’d like to see me address. Let’s look for grace together.

The Bible reads "HURT" via Adam McLane on flickr

I want to go to Haiti. I believe God wants me, and a whole lot of other people, to go and be his physical presence doing all sorts of tasks.  From the moment I learned of the devastation in Port-au-Prince, I was wrecked.

The people of Haiti lived a largely subsistence-level life before this earthquake took most of their material goods, housing and ability to earn any living. Millions of people were instantly dependent upon the good graces and provision of the rest of the world. As with many previous disasters, like Hurricane Katrina and the Tsumani that hit Sumatra, people poured out emotions, financial assistance, and in many cases, practical help for a long time. I, myself, have participated in a number of relief trips hands-on or as an organizer.

The news coverage of Haiti is mostly ended now. It’s likely we’ll only hear about crimes, corruption, and the occasional update on some milestone of progress. We won’t see the daily ordeal of getting food for a family. We won’t see the danger to vulnerable children and girls that comes from human traffickers. We won’t see the mud and mire that will engulf the nation as the rainy season begins and people continue to live in makeshift ‘shelters’ made of bedsheets, tarps, and debris from fallen buildings.  We definitely won’t see the spiritual revival taking place among Haiti’s people on our evening news.

I have a group of friends who spent a week in Haiti to serve, to raise awareness of the situation on the ground through social media, and to investigate partnerships for serving alongside the local church now and into the future. They went nervous they’d  all want to adopt an orphan, desiring to help however they could, and with sore arms from the copious vaccinations they received in preparation for their short notice adventure.  They served, they observed, and they were wrecked by the experience. Changed forever. I’m so proud of the way they let God use them. I’m so awed at how God used them. I’m wrecked each and every time I read or hear them speak about their experiences.  I’m going to link to some of their blogs, photos, facebook and videos. Go and see.

Adam McLane – photos – blog posts here, here, here, here, here and here

Tim Schmoyer – blog – podcast

Jeremy Zach – blog

Ian Roberson – blog

Lars Rood – blog

Mark Oestreicher – blog

Anne Jackson – blog

Youth Ministry Advance Team: Haiti – facebook

It’s a lot, I know. It’s all worth it. God is calling. I’m wrecked. When? Where? To do? I don’t know yet. But I’m listening. Are you?

No one wants to get old. especially youth workers.  So, earlier this week when my son sent me a link to the infamously annoying to teenagers mosquito tone (a noise in the high-end range that our ears lose after years of  loud music, screaming kids, and chronological advances), youth workers everywhere started posting with glee if they were over 25 and could hear this noise.  It’s a fun site, with a badge you can use to boast of your achievement, or mourn your aural insufficiency.  You can try it here.

Enter Adam, my sarcastic genius of a friend.  I mean that as a compliment, mostly!  Within 24 hours of my passing the link above to him, the Parent Audio Test was online and cracking me up.  Click here, try it, grab the badge, tell your friends, because it is just that funny.  If you don’t think so, – yes, I’m just that mature. 

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen. [Book of Common Prayer, p. 217]

In traditional Christian practice, today begins a season of reflection, fasting, introspection for the purpose of repentance and renewed relationship with Almighty God; through the remission of our sins and the forgiveness available by the Cross we approach more closely each day of our Lenten journey.  In short, a check point, a tune up, a time to set aside some comforts and distractions and listen to what God has done, and wants to do.

Perhaps, in the listening, we’ll find those places where God wants to bring us closer to him; where he wants us to yield to his better way; where he will heal us, teach us, refine us.  If we set aside some comforts and distractions and listen for a short season, only a few weeks purposed to uncluttering as we consider Jesus Christ’s approach to the Cross in humilating horror, the fait d’accompli we fallen made necessary, and of which we fallen only can receive the benefit.  Stunning.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

[Hebrews 12:1-14, ESV]

My friend Cathy is plotting something extraordinary – she’s training to run back-to-back marathons, 52.4 miles, in the space of about a month.  Cathy, like my husband Tom and our friends Stephen and Maggie, is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.  Team in Training runners participate in group training and encourage each other in their running goals, while raising funds and awareness in the search for a cure to this group of cancers.  My mother lost her battle with Hodgkin’s Disease 30 years ago, a battle that she likely would not lose today because of the advances made thanks to research furthered by organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Because I was already aware of Team in Training’s purpose, when Cathy posted on her Facebook page that she was doing this and needed financial support, I clicked through to donate to a cause that is near and dear to my heart.  I made my donation, like always, in memory of my mother.  In her note of thanks, Cathy blew me away by asking if she could write my mother’s name on her arm for her race.

I know she doesn’t expect me to post this.  In fact, she doesn’t know I’m doing it until someone else (or google) tells her.  You can read about her motivations at her Team in Training page by clicking here.  While you’re there, would you consider making a gift to make sure that more advances are made against these cancers?   For my mom, and all who’ve lost, let’s help Cathy help more win.

Thanks.

In honesty, I haven’t been hiding.  I was preparing my self-houshold-work for thryoid surgery.  I am nearly completely recovered – just some more time for the incision to heal and my visit to the surgeon for follow-up on Tuesday is expected to provide the all-clear.

I have many things about which to blog, and that’s one of the habits I want to restore.  Areas will certainly include youth ministry, what I’m up to in ministry, along with a smattering of life, my own hack political analysis, and whatever comes my way.  Just like always.  And, I WILL address the ideas in the skribit box (near-right sidebar), so if you have an idea, pitch it in; if you like an idea, vote it up. Democracy in action.

In the meantime, Gavin posted this quiz, I thought it was fun, so I took it.  You can too, if you like, there’s a link below that will enlighten you as to your aisle at Staples, too.  Mine was eerily correct, btw.

You Are a Coffee Mug

You have loads of energy and stamina. You can zip through the most boring of tasks with complete enthusiasm. You are also great at motivating a group. You are a fearless leader. You are efficient and productive. You don’t put off tasks or procrastinate. You actually enjoy working. You would make a good small business owner or startup employee. If a job requires blood, sweat, and tears – then you have some to give.

Last weekend was the annual Youth For Christ high school student leadership conference, Excel. In keeping with the event’s theme “Compelled by His love” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) my daughter was among those invited to share about something each did in response to Christ’s compelling love. You can hear both of the students who spoke in the Sunday morning general session being interviewed by Excel Conference Director Dave Lenehan in the video below.

The event Cathie spoke of is The Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, and further information can be found at www.silentday.org.

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

One of the beautiful realities of life in the seasons of the church is the opportunity to renew our understanding, our commitment, to the way of Jesus.  During this second week of Advent, I have been reading through the prophets who called God’s people back to him and foretold the coming of Christ.

Of course, the prophets spoke as they were led, not fully knowing how God’s word would be fulfilled; not fully knowing the time or place of that fulfillment; not fully knowing the implications of the words they spoke with boldness, in obedience.  So it is with us as we return to the prophet’s words for assurance that our obedience in speaking God’s Word boldly will lead where God intends, via a route and to a destination which only God can know now.  Yet, we are called to heed the words of the prophets, to set aside our sins and seek a life with our Coming Savior – we are called to return to the Way.

2 minutes that will change your day for the better, even if you’ve seen it already.

This military mom can’t get enough of that sweet little face when she sees her daddy. Use it as a moment to remember all the military families, and other service families of police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, who routinely spend holidays and special days apart.