Nebulas and Creation

(Lagoon Nebula)

My husband Jeff is spending part of his summer working with incoming freshman at Ball State as an academic advisor. In other words, he helps them put together their schedules. This time of year always makes me think back to my college years and the class selection process. Freshman are excited to get started on their majors. Then they are introduced to this little thing called “general education requirements.” Math, English, Personal Finance, and Science. Though a little jarring, these general eds help create well rounded individuals who see the value of understanding different dimensions of the world, regardless of their major. Jeff’s stories of freshman take me back to my freshman year, which included science. I chose astronomy for reasons I can’t remember. I didn’t know as a freshman that this 4 credit science course would shape my view of God in profound ways. Throughout my college years, I kept taking astronomy and other Earth Science courses, enough to acquire a minor. Through these classes I found that by looking through the small lenses of a telescope, I could see God’s work in Genesis 1 in action. Star clusters, billions of lightyears away. The rings of Saturn, galaxies containing mind boggling planets. My freshman mind thought “God made it. And it was good.”

God said “let there be light. And it was so. And God saw it was good. God saw that creation was good. The image behind me on this screen is a picture of the goodness that is creation. The closest we can come to capturing on film God’s call “let there be light.” It is a nebula, the birthplace of galaxies, planets, stars, and future heavenly bodies. Nebulas are unimaginably large collections of gases and particles, millions of light years across. Over the course of billions of years, these gases and particles come together, fuse and create…creation.

Genesis 1 is one of the most familiar passages of scripture. If people know any passage beside the resurrection, it is likely the creation story. We learn it in Sunday School. We create paper cutouts of Adam and Eve. We take a felt sun and place it on a red felt board, above a blue cut out of the earth. We know this story. We see creation alive around us in the animals, plants, sunrise, and sunsets. Creation is good. Few people would argue this. What God has done is good.

Hold your thumb out, and close one eye while looking at your thumb. In the space that covers your thumb, there are hundreds of galaxies. That’s how vast God’s creation is that is described in this one chapter of Genesis. Whenever I have experienced personal questions, fears, or doubts, today’s first reading, paired with the beauty of creation that I have seen through the lens of a telescope have assured me that there is more to this world that what is before our eyes. God’s awesome power to create the heavens and the earth, to create the sun and the moon, to create the oceans, teeming with life, it. Is. good. We are a product of this awesome, often incomprehensible creation, and seeing the big picture, a nebula, God’s voice calling forth “let there be light” can uplift our faith. When we understand the vastness of creation, we know we’re not alone. And we are assured it. is. good.

But, how do we take this story of creation, and our belief that creation is good, and live lives that are sometimes frankly, don’t feel so good? How do we continue to hold onto the faith that what God creates is good, when our lives are in turmoil? When the diagnosis is terrifying. When surgeries don’t work. When a community loses a firefighter, a father of 3, days before Father’s Day. When Father’s Day brings us grief as we mourn the fathers we lost, or remember those who were less than we hoped. How do we continue to profess the faith of Genesis 1, that creation is good, on the days that are not so good? These are real questions that don’t mean you have a lack of faith. They don’t mean you don’t recognize the beauty or power of creation. They mean you are alive, human, and living in a world that is far from perfect.

Friends in faith, I want to remind you that this is Genesis 1. It’s not the end of the story. We soon hear the story of the fall, when sin and brokenness entered the world. We then travel into the New Testament, where creation continues. God made the world and declared it to be good, and after the fall, he gave us Christ, who declared that all will be redeemed and returned to good. I want to you to return with me to our nebula. Nebulas are never complete, and God’s voice in creation isn’t complete. Once a nebula forms to create a new galaxy, it doesn’t become stagnant. The explosions that destroy stars and solar systems are the beginning of new creations in God’s universe. Rest assured, Genesis 1 is not complete. God isn’t done creating the universe, and He certainly isn’t done creating a new thing in you and me.

So on the days that creation is good, but life is not so good, we hold onto our faith in Christ. And we seek out others to hold onto,-to steady us, to provide us when balance when we need someone to hold us. Creation never ends, even when it seems life has come to a halt. We read these familiar words, knowing God continues to breathe life into our dusty bodies, even when we are gasping for air. God uses the broken creation that is already around us to create a new thing, even when we fear we may be barely hanging on to life.

This isn’t to say “life is good” when it’s broken. It’s to profess a faith that God isn’t done restoring this good, broken, creation. I don't believe tragic events like these are "part of God's plan." The forces of evil and the powers of darkness are real and present in our broken creation. But, death and evil do not have the last word. We are an Easter people. There is more to creation than death, and Christ has the final, victorious word. God was there, God is there, and God always be there for all of us, in the ashes of our own lives to breathe new life in what seems like a world filled with death.

Spinning for Communinty

If you interact with me in person, you're probably aware that I've started doing some significant workouts in the past year. I'd never been an athlete, and started exercising for the health benefits. But, what keeps me coming back is the community I've found at the Yorktown YMCA.

At first I tried Zumba, which can be best described as a bunch of 30 something moms trying to dance like 20 something ladies in MTV music videos. I felt awkward and unsure what was coming next. It seemed everyone already knew the moves, and knew each other. No one really talked to me much. While I liked the music, I never felt like I fit in. I began to think Zumba specifically, and maybe even working out in general, was really for "someone else." Not for a "nonathlete" like me.

But then I found a community of welcoming "spinners" (fast paced stationary biking). The first day I came to class, I was a few minutes late and everyone was already spinning away. The instructor, Angie, got off her bike, introduced herself, and took the time to make sure my bike was set up correctly. She told me 8 years ago she was new, and that I shouldn't be intimidated. She shared words of assurance "just keep peddling, even if you can't do everything. The most important thing is you are here. And we're glad you are." At the end of the class she said she was "proud" that I made it through the whole class that I was doing great. No one had EVER told me they were "proud" of my athletic abilities before! She then invited me to come back to class the following Monday.

I kept coming back. When my legs hurt, I stretched before. When I didn't want to go to class, I pushed myself. When I felt to busy, I found the time. In part, this was because the music was great, and I was seeing results. But the reason I continue to make time, stretch, and push myself is that I've found community in Angie's class. She is living out her faith and using her God given gifts to help us be as healthy as we can be. Angie takes time to learn our names, to ask about our families. We, in turn, do the same. We celebrate retirements, new jobs, and new babies. We support one another through all kinds of losses--the death of parents, job losses, and daily stresses. We notice when someone has missed class and members are encouraged to check in with each other. One day in class, as we were working through an especially tough climb, Angie said "come on ladies, you can do this! You're to good an athlete to quit!" For the first time in my life, I felt like an athlete!

In addition to physical health, spinning has helped my spiritual health. As a Pastor I try to consider how to make Church more like this class. A place where those who have never felt like they fit in can find a sense of belonging. A place where people support one another. A place where people are missed when they don't come. A place where people don't want to miss.

The principles that made me feel welcome in Angie's class are fairly simple. Notice the new person. Encourage one another. Take time to hear one another's stories. Invite people to come back. These simple steps have the potential to transform a person's mind, body and spirit. I won't ever be a spin instructor, but I will use my God given gifts to (hopefully) enrich lives as Angie enriched mine.

Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery

Well, if the title of this blogpost doesn't get you wanting to read more, I don't know what will! I understand that most people would prefer reading about a bit "lighter" topic. But, this is the topic for the day, and I have a question for you as well: How should the Church respond to the issue of modern day slavery and human trafficking? This isn't a rhetorical question. I want to hear your answers.

This question stems from a continuing education presentation I attended in Chicago, hosted by the International Organization for Adolescence and led by my friend and colleague, Shelby French (www.iofa.org). The organization focuses on domestic and international slavery, including labor and sex trafficking of adults and minors. Domestically, IOFA is working to bring into focus the problem of modern day slavery through training programs, information on interventions for those who may find people who are being trafficked, and government reforms to stiffen penalties for those who enslave others. Internationally, the organization has begun pilot programs in Cambodia and Ethiopia to assist orphans who are aging out of the system. These young people, who are at high risk for enslavement, will receive job training, life skills, and transitional care.

If you are still reading, I know that, as uncomfortable as this topic is, you know we need to bring voice to the voiceless. Shelby asked me what it was that created a passion in me about slavery. I responded "I believe we are all members of the Body of Christ. That every person is a precious child of God who deserves love, respect and care. We, who are the Body, are to bring a voice to the forgotten, the marginalized, and those who are abused." I also shared that the brokenness of our world is not "God's plan." As people of faith, we are called to live out Christ's message to bring wholeness and restoration to all people.

So, what about the Church? How do we give voice to modern day slavery? I'm trying to begin the conversation by getting the word out that slavery still exists. More people are enslaved today than in any time in human history. I also suggest that we learn more, and know the signs of trafficking, which I learned occurs in cities large and small, among people of every ethnicity. Don't forget the enslaved when planning your adult education sessions, when you're preaching, and when your in conversation with others.

I would like to see training opportunities and partnerships continue to form within the Lutheran Church. A day of training entitled "Pastor as 1st Responder" came to mind where we could bring together those who know about this topic and other issues (such as addictions, abuse, etc) and help Pastors and leaders learn what resources are available in our communities.

On a national level, I challenge the Christian Church, and the Lutheran Church specifically, to consider ways to partner with domestic and international anti-trafficking programs. The ELCA's moto is "God's work, our Hands." Our hands do incredible work with partner churches throughout the world, bring education, health care and other resources to all God's children. I now challenge our hands to work as Christ's hands and voice. Standing outside the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus cried out "unbind him!" and Lazarus came forth. We are now challenged to continue this cry "unbind him" and set the captive free.

Sermon May 21

It's been a while since I posted. Between vacation and church life, I've been moving! I have some ideas flowing that I want to post soon, but for now, here is last Sunday's sermon. Thanks to workingpreacher.org for help with the interpretation of 1 Peter 2.

Signs of spring are all around us at HTLC this week. Attendance certificates are being handed out, Luther Bucks are cashed in and by the looks of things, we could rename this “Silly Band Sunday.” It’s the end of the Sunday School for the year! From ages 3 to 103, Holy Trinity provides educational opportunities to learners. Many of us have been receiving graduation invitations and look forward to seeing learners of all ages in cap and gown, celebrating the commencement of Preschool, High School, College or Grad School. But you never really see Christians in Church doning a cap and gown on the last day of Sunday School. There is no “ending” to our spiritual education, even if we take a break over the summer. We never stop learning about the love of Jesus—at 3, simple songs, like Jesus loves me are like spiritual milk for the soul. Adults can dig into scripture in their small groups or learn how our Christian faith impacts our culture during adult forum conversations. Young in years, or young at heart, we learn, we taste and see that the Lord is good! As we build our relationship with God, we are comforted and challenged. Comforted, knowing we are forgiven children of God, precious in His sight. Challenged, to be living stones that build a spiritual house and spread our Lord’s message beyond these walls.

So, in this season of learning and celebrating the end of learning seasons, our reading from 1 Peter is especially appropriate. This passage tells us, in a nutshell, what Christian community life and learning are all about. Why we affiliate with a particular church, why we become “members” or attend Sunday School, or any other learning activity through Church. We learn and we provide learning opportunities for children, because we want to get to know Christ, our cornerstone on a deeper level. Learning about our God gives us a clear identity. 1 Peter says, “once you were not a people, now you are God’s people.” “Once you had not received mercy, and now you have received mercy.”

1 Peter 2, gives us some insight into what it means to deepen our relationship with God, to be a part of God’s house. From New Testament times, Christian communities have been described as “spiritual homes” and that being part of God’s family is to belong to something greater than ourselves. As we hear scripture read during worship and Sunday School, we learn and are assured that the Spirit of God is working through us collectively, that we are able to spread God’s message together better than we could alone. Being part of God’s house, sharing our collective gifts and learnings, as shown to us in 1 Peter, tells us that we receive spiritual nourishment. We worship together, hearing the Word of God read, sung and prayed. We commune together, so we may be sent out to be a light to this often dark world, teaching others of God’s promise and love. We receive nourishment, so we may nourish each other and nourish ourselves throughout the week by reading scripture, doing God’s work in the world, and forgiving others.

The learning doesn’t stop there. 1 Peter also tells us a cornerstone has been laid through Christ. We learn that to our Lord, we are chosen, precious. Christian community means we have a solid foundation on which to stand. We live in a world that is constantly changing, shifting, we don’t know who to trust, where to stand and what may fall next. Christ gives us the assurance that we have a solid place to stand, that we won’t be alone, that He will not be moved. This is a message that we need to learn and relearn from childhood on. That we have a solid foundation in Christ.

We learn from 1 Peter, and our encounters in Sunday School that the Church is about proclaimation, sharing the Word of God with those beyond our walls. It’s not all about us as individuals. We are to recognize that the message Christ has for us, for the world, is so powerful, so life changing that we must share it with others. There is no doubt that our hurting world needs God’s message of love. We share this message so others may also receive nourishment, grounding and a solid place to stand.

We also learn in Sunday School and through our experiences of worship that we are enough. Everyone can name a subject in school that was a struggle for them. We cringed as we open the report card and peered nervously down until we got to that particular class. But, there is a beauty in Sunday School, and in Christian learning—we never get a grade! No one has to repeat a class in Sunday School or flunks 2^nd grade Bible. Instead, we know that we are enough as we are. That God will continue to be our foundation and cornerstone, working with and through us and providing us with the spiritual milk we need at every moment in our lives.

So, while we close our another year of Sunday School learning and education, know that our Christian education never really takes a break. We are always surrounded by our loving Lord, who is teaching us what we need to know, growing our faith, and sending us out to share His Word.

Was Jesus "Plan B?"

This sermon is from our "Why, Jesus" Lenten sermon series. Members submitted questions, which the Pastors attempt to answer as part of a sermon. Here is my best attempt at the wonderful question "Was Jesus God's 'Plan B'?"

Have you ever had a day where you had to go with “Plan B?” A day that your original, well thought out plans just didn’t quite turn out the way you hoped. You had the best of intentions—Plan A: Monday, you’d start that new diet. But, then someone brought in pizza for lunch. Did I say Monday? I mean Tuesday, of next week. Plan B. You filled out those college applications and found the school of your dreams. Oh, your SAT score needed to be what? And it cost how much a year? Plan B.

Generally, we don’t like “Plan B.” It’s a sign of failure, an admission that our original plans didn’t work. Sometimes “Plan B” works out quite well, but there is often that nagging feeling in the back of your mind that this wasn’t how things were supposed to be. So, I have been intrigued by a question one of you submitted to us for our “Why Jesus” sermon series. “God, if we hadn’t sinned, what was your plan?” Or, as the person asked as they handed me their card “Was Jesus ‘Plan B’?” Was Jesus’ God’s “second choice” for humanity. I waited to consider this question until this week, when we read the story of Lazarus. This account is an incredible foreshadowing of the death and resurrection of Christ that follows not long after these events. But what about Jesus? Jesus was born to die. But, without our sin, we wouldn’t need “saving” so, does that mean we wouldn’t have Jesus? Does this mean Jesus came out of an imperfect.

You, dear member, present a very difficult question. We can’t turn to a particular passage of scripture and read “Jesus, God’s Plan A, or Plan B for the world.” But scripture, including today’s Gospel tells us about God, and through scripture His plans for humanity are revealed to us. In Genesis, God is in complete and full relationship with Adam and Eve. This is how God intended humanity to be. He wanted to be deeply connected to us. We also know that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were present from the beginning of time, so Jesus isn’t something that God “thought up” after sin entered the world.

But, our sin is what separates us from being in full relationship with God. While sin separated Adam and Eve from God after they ate the fruit, God longed to be in relationship with His people. We see this throughout the Old Testament. This longing to be in relationship with us continues right through today’s Gospel reading. Jesus longs to restore humanity. Jesus weeps as He sees the pain of Lazarus’ family, as He personally experiences the pain caused by death and His separation from Lazarus. He has the power to restore what was broken, to obliterate sin and death, and reconnect humanity fully to Him—to God. Through Christ, the fracture that began in the Garden of Eden is restored.

Christ cries “Lazarus, come out!” and says “unbind Him, let him go!” These words are Christ calling Lazarus out of the tomb, out of the grave that separates humanity from God. Christ calls us to be unbound from sin and death, to be restored to God and to one another. Lazarus, though he died, is raised up again, as we all are. Lazarus is reunited with his family, and with his Lord, as we all are. God’s “Plan A” was that we were always in full relationship with Him, that we wouldn’t separate ourselves from Him or from each other. Through Christ, we are united in Him.

But, was JESUS “Plan B”? Would we have not had Him without sin? Friends, it is when we are forgiven, when we are no longer claimed by the power of sin that we finally HAVE Jesus fully! Adam and Eve were fully with our God: Father Son, and Holy Spirit. So, sin is what separated us from this full and beautiful relationship with our Lord. SIN is our “Plan B” not Jesus. Sin is the darkness that keeps us from being in full relationship. Humans, living in our sin, are, like Lazarus, bound and placed in a tomb.

It is Christ, who was always present, is always present, and will always will be present, Christ overcomes all that separates us from Him, even the power of death itself. Jesus is not a consolation prize to a contest we lost, nor secondary spoils in a battle we lost. Rather, Christ is the means by which God returns us to Plan A, humanity living in paradise with Him. It is this power and love that takes us, in our “Plan B” world, and restores us to the fullness and richness of life that was God’s intent from the beginning of time. Know that whatever binds you today, whatever separates you from God, whatever “Plan B” choices you feel you had to make in your lives, YOU are never God’s “Plan B.” You are God’s first, God’s full, and God’s beloved child, whom is united with Him, yesterday, today, and forever.

Blackout

In August 2003, the Great Lakes states and upper east coast experienced the biggest blackout in North America’s history, leaving about 55 million people without power for upwards of 2 ½ days. In addition to being without electricity, communities experienced interruptions with subway transportation, water distribution and telecommunications. Wall Street, The United Nations, and over a dozen airports were shutdown. Over 800 elevators in Manhattan alone were stalled, with countless people stuck inside. So, what do people do when the lights go out and you’re left in darkness? (lightly) During the 2003 blackout, families with young children reported a significant uptick in the number of living room forts built using blankets and furniture. And, area hospitals reported a huge increase in births exactly 9 months after the blackout. But regardless of how you spend your time in the darkness, everyone, from those stuck in subway cars to children making furniture forts all have a common goal—seeking the light. You want the lights back on, you want to exit your unexpected trip to 1880 and return to a life filled with modern conveniences!

During blackouts, everyone is searching for light, but what about other times, when light is available to us, and yet we choose darkness? Or darkness is chosen for us? As we continue with our Lenten Sermon series, “Why, Jesus” one of you asked us this question: “If light is good, why does mankind choose darkness?” Our Gospel reading, the conclusion of John 3, sheds some “light’ on the “darkness” of humanity. It reads, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” Sure, light/power/electricity, keeps transportation systems going. It ensures water, and fuel sources are distributed. But light can be uncomfortable because it exposes the darkness. We find a false sense of security in the dark—we think no one, not our friends, family, coworkers, even God Himself, will see the “real us.” No one will see the parts about ourselves that we don’t want…that we CAN’T have exposed. Sin causes you to start spinning your wheels…you HAVE to keep up this façade.

So, we start stuffing our anger, our addictions, the hurt we do to ourselves and to others, we stuff it deep down, into those dark places that we hope light won’t shine upon it, exposing who we “really are.” But, as the Gospel says, the more evil we do, the more sin that comes into our lives, the more the pain festers inside us, the bigger the dark place gets, consuming our whole being. Soon we can’t keep our secrets in little dark pockets anymore, we find ourselves so enveloped in what we are trying to hide, that the darkness takes over. We commit ourselves to a voluntary personal blackout. Sure, our communication systems with others may fail, our energy supplies may be stagnant, we might get stuck in life’s elevator, but we can’t let light in. So, you ask, why does mankind choose darkness? Because light reveals to us, to God, to the world, the sin, the pain, the hopelessness we’ve been trying to hide

But, our Gospel tells us that “whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” Some quick context on the words “light” and “truth” used in this passage. Our reading, John 3, teaches us a bit about God’s plan for the world through Jesus, The Light of the World. In Greek, the original language of our New Testament, the same word can be used for “light, truth, Word, and, in the biblical context, Jesus.” (It’s “logos” for those interested) So, Christ is Light. Christ is truth, Christ is the living Word of God. When we chose darkness, when we choose to engage in a personal blackout to hide the pain, we are choosing the opposite of Christ. We have sinned and condemned ourselves to darkness by separating ourselves from God’s light, God’s Truth, (pause) from God Himself. That’s what sin is—it’s any way in which we separate ourselves from God, the light. Jesus, the Light of the world, the truth, the Word, comes into the world not to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus, our light and truth, has come to expose the world for what it is, to be a light shining in the darkness. Christ has come to shed light on the darkness of sin, our sin. The Light of the World comes to US, in our dark places when we can’t bear the darkness. He dwells in the darkness with us, yet, immediately brings light to lost souls. This should be reassuring! Light is good! Christ is good! Yet we STILL choose darkness! Because, brothers and sisters in Christ, in light, in truth, that first burst of light following our personal blackouts can be painful. Our pupils, dilated in an attempt to see in the darkness, are at first blinded by the brightness. Our skin, not accustomed to the sun’s rays, burns. Our bodies can become dehydrated by the heat produced from the light. The light exposes what was in the darkness, and those hidden things can hurt us, our family, our friends. Exposure to light brings questions like “What do you mean, you haven’t told me?” “What do you mean you’ve hidden this from me?” The reality of betrayal and the consequences of our sin are exposed by light.

But do not fear, for Christ, our light, our truth, our living Word of God, has not come to condemn the world, but to save it. Even in the most painful of experiences, we have the assurance that light isn’t going to harm us, living in continued darkness will. Eventually, our pupils begin to adjust, our burnt skin heals, our dehydrated bodies are nourished by living waters. And all of this is possible, because Christ our Light, came to us in the midst of our painful darkness, no matter how painful it may first seem, to bring life, truth and forgiveness, to God’s precious children.

Lent Interrupted

I asked for and received permission from baby J*s mother to write about her Baptism.

Yesterday, March 20, 2011, we baptized a baby girl, J*. Traditionalists (a title I have personally never claimed) argue that Lent is no time for a Baptism. It’s a season in which Christians are to walk through the desert, a place with no water and no redemption. Baptism, they argue, is best saved following the journey through the liturgical, parched desert of Lent, and can be best celebrated during an Easter Vigil, the day before Easter Sunday. But what do we do on the days when God interrupts Lent and breaks through with Easter redemption? What about those who, for too long, have been walking through the real, parched landscape of life and can’t wait for the supposed “appropriate liturgical date” to experience the waters of Baptism?

Two years ago, March 20, 2009, baby J*s family was in the unspeakable desert, beyond the reaches of Lent--baby J*s aunt was brutally murdered. The family will always breathe parched desert air, remembering, questioning and mourning the loss of their precious child, sister, mother.

But 8 months ago, a baby was born in the desert. This child was named J*, after the aunt she would never meet. As they breathed the desert air, the Spirit breathed on them, giving them new life and the strength to say NO to evil, and the power of death, and YES to new life in Christ.

On March 20, 2011, in the desert of life, and in the desert of Lent, on the anniversary of that unspeakable event, baby J* was brought forth and immersed in the waters of grace and new life. The breath of life, that continues to be with them in the desert, was poured out in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so baby J* may experience new life in Christ. And, for an eternal moment, Easter interrupts Lent.

Baptism doesn't erase the pain of murder. It doesn't bring back to life a child of God who was stolen from her family. Baptism allows us to hold in tension the joys and sorrows of life. It brings forth new and eternal life for baby J*. It tells the devil to go back to hell. It speaks faith—CHRIST has the last word. CHRIST has power over death. Sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever, baby J* will now go forth living her own, precious, one of a kind life. The Spirit will breathe upon her, as she walks through her own deserts of life, showering her with an oasis of redemption.