"You're a baby!"

The church of which I am now pastor has about 30 members living in a United Methodist retirement community, The Oaks. I had the privilege yesteday of visiting the six who are in the nursing center, introducing myself to five of them for the first time. I enjoy talking with people who are decades older and wiser than I am.

One of the ladies I met yesterday asked me how old I was, after confirming with a disbelieving voice that I am, indeed, the new PASTOR of the church. I told her the truth: I'll turn 34 years old this year.

Her reply: "Well, you're just a baby. A baby."

My response: "Yes, ma'am. I suppose I am."

Her again: "Yep. You're just a baby."

I suppose I may have been offended if I didn't believe that we're all always babies in comparison to our Lord, and that we all need to be reminded of that from time to time. I think we all get into a little trouble when we think we're "all grown up" in the faith and all wise. It's like I Peter 2:2 says:

Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. (TEV).

So thanks, Mrs. T., for the reminder!

Anyone Believe In Reincarnation?

Of course, the belief that our souls return to earth again and again from heaven, to inhabit different bodies at different times, is simply not a part of traditional Christian belief.

But the other day while riding in the car, my 3.5 year-old-son says:

So, mommy, when I rused (used) to be a big man, I drove a big ol' blue dump truck.
And I would hook up a big ol' trailer to my big ol' blue dump truck and I wore red boots when I would climb up into the truck. Yea, red boots.

And I said:
Really. Hmmmm....
That's very interesting, baby.

The Spirit Blows Where It Wills

The other day I was having lunch with a wonderful older couple in my new church. After our bread arrived, I prayed a blessing over our meal. The prayer was nothing special, just a simple sharing of thanksgiving to God for the goodness we enjoy, and a request for blessing, nourishment, and strength for the journey of faith.

Following the prayer, the three of us continued in conversation, enjoying the fellowship and good food. We were practically oblivious to others around us; we were simply concentrating on our own sharing.

And then another approached. She was not someone any of us knew. But she extended her hand and said: "I'm sorry to interrupt you, and I wasn't even going to come over. But then I was just waiting for my check to come, and I felt like I needed to come speak. I just lost my mother two months ago, and I've been having the hardest time. I know that when you were praying, you were just praying for you all, but I just wanted you to know that it felt like you were praying for me, too. As you prayed, I felt the Holy Spirit, and I wanted to thank you. I needed that."

For the longest time, I was a person who felt a little funny about praying openly in restaurants. (Yes, I do realize how strange this sounds coming from a preacher). I'll never feel funny about it again.

Time for Updates

If anyone is still reading this blog, allow me to update you on the last month.




1. We have moved. We received the warmest welcome possible at this beautiful downtown church, full of wonderful people. I felt full--full of joy, full of hope, and full of the Holy Spirit--in our first Sunday worship service last week. We feel privileged to be here, and humbled at the tasks that lie ahead. But I also know that God is at work, and that "all things are possible with Christ." I plan to spend the next six months or so just getting my bearings--listening to people and to the Holy Spirit, getting to know the people of this congregation, and planning for what our years of ministry together will entail.




2. My sister got married! She is ten years younger than I, and it is hard to believe she's an adult. But time does march on, and she is a married woman now. It felt strange to be the Matron of Honor rather than the officiant, I must admit.

But as further proof that "time marches on", my baby boy (age 3.5) was the ring-bearer. More than that, he took this picture! He insists that he wants to be a tow truck driver when he grows up (not just any tow truck, mind you, but the big huge kind that can tow 18-wheelers and such), but I'm seeing the possibility of professional photography as a career! We've told him that he can be "whatever he wants to be and God wants him to be." We'll teach him to evaluate choices further as he grows. For now, we're just trying to get him to use the potty consistently again and to want to do something besides watch Noggin during the day!


3. Our home is not yet set up. I've decided that this project, like many other things in life, is one more reminder that God is never finished with us, just like I'll never be finished getting my house in order. Just one more reminder of sanctification...I've decided so many things are.

So that's where I've been for the last month + a week. I pray that everyone is having a safe and celebratory Independence Day. I've been sick for the last three days, so I'm resting up for my second Sunday.

Thanks for checking in on me. I expect to be more faithful about posting as I move into this new ministry adventure. I'm sure I'll have a lot to write about! So check in again soon...

In the meantime, may God's grace and peace be with you this 4th of July and every day.

John Wesley's Rule

My dear wise John Wesley guru professor from Duke Divinity School (Dr. Richard Heitzenrater) says that there's no proof Methodism's father John Wesley actually ever said this, but it is attributed to him nonetheless, and I really like it:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

Think what the world would be like if we all took this rule to heart...

Transition

Last night, I preached at a Baccalaureate service for one of the communities I currently serve. As I sat on the platform for the service and then stood behind the podium and presumed to preach God's Word to the graduating class at this pivotal time in their lives, I looked out at a sea of faces that included many who have become my family. The graduates included 5 young people who've called me "Pastor Kristen" for the past 4 years. I've watched them grow from "kids" into amazing young adults.

At roughly the same time I was leading worship in the high school, one of the dear souls who is a part of my other commuity passed from this life into the nearer presence of God.

Life is full of transitions. Some are minor; some change everything. Some bring rejoicing, while others bring pain. But as I told the graduates last night, every time God says "go" in some way, God also offers opportunities for growth.

When God told Abram to "get up and go" without even telling him where, God also promised Abram that if he trusted the Lord's leading and promise, he'd be blessed beyond imagining. (Genesis 12:1-4) God pours out blessings on those who trust the Lord, even in the most difficult of transitions, in every command from God to "go" from here to there.

As God says "go" to us in so many ways, my prayer for all of us is that we'll, as the old song says, "trust and obey." Thus may we truly know joy in Jesus, today and every day.

A Long Time Coming

I'm moving.

Come June 23, I will live in a new house in a new city and be the new pastor at an old church.

I'm moving.

I've finally been able to say it publicly, to write it publicly, and to try to wrap my mind around all that that means. I'm United Methodist. I should know what it all means. We move. We itinerate. We never know where we'll be serving and living from year to year. But facing the reality is always challenging. Many non-United Methodists think we really know how to do this moving-thing well. Well, maybe it's because I've only done it one other time, really, and NEVER with my family...but I feel like I really have no clue how to do this.

I keep making lists and trying to pack boxes. I tie up one loose end only to have another end begin to fray. It's emotionally draining, all-consuming, and SCARY! I have mixed feelings or I'm numb. I move constantly or I get stuck. I cry or I laugh.

This is limbo.

But THIS is my comfort:
The same God who has always told those who would listen to "go" and to "do" is with all of us through every transition. And our Shepherd Christ will guide us if we will follow. And the Holy Spirit will fill us with peace and lead us into the amazing Truth God has for us, if we will open ourselves and listen.

Through every change, for all of us who trust in the Lord, one thing remains the same:

But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be buned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, our Saviour...

I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

+ Isaiah 43:1-3a, 18-19