Two weeks ago, I entered a whole new stage of life. Retirement was a choice I made when I saw that other "constants" in my world were shifting. I looked at where I was, and where I thought that path was headed, and decided that it was time to take a fresh look at things. After 41 years as a United Methodist clergyman, it seemed that I needed just to be me for a while.
From the time I made the decision to retire until June 30, my focus was fixed on the process of letting go and getting ready to move on. Some things got shelved for a while as I attended to matters that were, at least on the surface, more pressing. That included this space. Today, I decided I needed to take another look at blogging and see if it fit into the direction I am now going.
For the time being I will try to keep this goiong (or try to revive it). Whether there is anyone who will find it or stumble upon it, I do not know. If there are those who do, I hope my random musings may be of some use to you in your own rambling through life.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
On the Way Again
Last Sunday, our son proposed to his girlfriend, and she accepted. It was a day of joy that was shared with their families and friends who joined them for a celebration party in our church's fellowship hall. They have already set a fall date for their wedding, and we are excited about this opportunity for our family to join together in a day of loving joy.
Also last Sunday, we announced duirng our worship service who will be appointed to serve as the church's pastor following my retirement at the end of June. It had been less than a month since I told the congregation my plans, and I'm not sure I was completely ready for the announcement of a replacement. On the other hand, it is good to be able to assure the church family that they will have good spiritual leadership going forward. Between now and July 1st, we will spend some time giving thanks for the ministry we have shared over the past nine years as well as supporting each other in the transition to the next stage of our journeys in life.
In some ways, every day is a transition from what has been to what now is and a step toward what will be. We are always on the move in life, even when we are unaware that our journey is moving on. I've always been partial to our Methodist notion that we are going on to perfection; because it reminds me that, while I have not yet arrived, I am on the way. I remember Cher accepting the Academy Award for her performance in Moonstruck talking about her mother wanting her to be somebody. She said, "I don't think this means that I am somebody, but I guess I'm on my way."
It helps me to know that I am guided on my way by the gracious Spirit of a patient and merciful God as well as human companions who encourage and challenge me all along that way. The Scriptures tell us that "we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. (I John 3:2, New Revised Standard Version)"
In faith, we can look forward to the place where each transition leads us; because wherever we are, God is our constant companion.
Also last Sunday, we announced duirng our worship service who will be appointed to serve as the church's pastor following my retirement at the end of June. It had been less than a month since I told the congregation my plans, and I'm not sure I was completely ready for the announcement of a replacement. On the other hand, it is good to be able to assure the church family that they will have good spiritual leadership going forward. Between now and July 1st, we will spend some time giving thanks for the ministry we have shared over the past nine years as well as supporting each other in the transition to the next stage of our journeys in life.
In some ways, every day is a transition from what has been to what now is and a step toward what will be. We are always on the move in life, even when we are unaware that our journey is moving on. I've always been partial to our Methodist notion that we are going on to perfection; because it reminds me that, while I have not yet arrived, I am on the way. I remember Cher accepting the Academy Award for her performance in Moonstruck talking about her mother wanting her to be somebody. She said, "I don't think this means that I am somebody, but I guess I'm on my way."
It helps me to know that I am guided on my way by the gracious Spirit of a patient and merciful God as well as human companions who encourage and challenge me all along that way. The Scriptures tell us that "we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. (I John 3:2, New Revised Standard Version)"
In faith, we can look forward to the place where each transition leads us; because wherever we are, God is our constant companion.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Snow Lay on the Ground
According to the Weather Channel, Burlington, Vermont set a record for snowfall this past weekend, measuring 32.9 inches. Outside my house, there's not quite that depth of snow, but there is a lot of the white stuff there. It started snowing New Year's Eve and continued on until last night. In all of my years, I have never seen a significant accumulation of snow from one storm that never had the feel of a blizzard. For the most part, it was a steady, gently falling snow that persisted over a few days, creating a sense of beauty and wonder all around us.
Yesterday morning, at the height of this persistent storm, we held worship at our church. I was in doubt concerning the possibilities of worshipers coming out in the storm. After all, the authorities were still encouraging people to stay off the roads. On the other hand, in my forty-one years of ministry, I have never canceled worship because of a storm. My response to people who ask has always been, "Since I can get to the church, I will be there for anyone who comes; but use your good judgment and don't take unnecessary risks to get here."
By the time we started worship, I was amazed by the number of hardy, intrepid folks who found their way to the sanctuary and gathered at the Lord's table to rejoice and give thanks. That so many of our church family made worship a priority for this stormy day was a true blessing.
On the news later that day, I saw images of many more people who found their way to ski slopes and sledding sites to enjoy the gift of the newly fallen snow. They were smiling and shouting with glee, frolicking in the miracle of nature, rejoicing in the pleasure that a major snowstorm can bring. Yet none could match the depth of joy that I sense in people of faith for whom prayerful, praise-filled worship is a natural response to what God is continually doing in our lives.
Our choir sang "The snow lay on the ground" as a substitute anthem yesterday, because we thought it a good expression of our faith in the face of this most recent storm. Its chorus says, "Venite adoremus dominum, venite adoremus dominum." O come, let us worship our God. Let us worship God indeed.
Yesterday morning, at the height of this persistent storm, we held worship at our church. I was in doubt concerning the possibilities of worshipers coming out in the storm. After all, the authorities were still encouraging people to stay off the roads. On the other hand, in my forty-one years of ministry, I have never canceled worship because of a storm. My response to people who ask has always been, "Since I can get to the church, I will be there for anyone who comes; but use your good judgment and don't take unnecessary risks to get here."
By the time we started worship, I was amazed by the number of hardy, intrepid folks who found their way to the sanctuary and gathered at the Lord's table to rejoice and give thanks. That so many of our church family made worship a priority for this stormy day was a true blessing.
On the news later that day, I saw images of many more people who found their way to ski slopes and sledding sites to enjoy the gift of the newly fallen snow. They were smiling and shouting with glee, frolicking in the miracle of nature, rejoicing in the pleasure that a major snowstorm can bring. Yet none could match the depth of joy that I sense in people of faith for whom prayerful, praise-filled worship is a natural response to what God is continually doing in our lives.
Our choir sang "The snow lay on the ground" as a substitute anthem yesterday, because we thought it a good expression of our faith in the face of this most recent storm. Its chorus says, "Venite adoremus dominum, venite adoremus dominum." O come, let us worship our God. Let us worship God indeed.
Friday, January 1, 2010
A Fresh Start and a Delayed Response
When I started this blog, I had visions of an ongoing conversation that would stimulate the development of faith and a sense of the holy in our lives. As time went on and it became clear that my original hope was probably not going to materialize in the time frame I had in mind, I became discouraged with the process and the original vision. Without intending to do so or even realizing at the time that I was doing so, I let the blog idea lie dormant. Imagine my thoughts when I realized how long it had been since I posted anything to the blog, and even more that no one had contacted me to say "why are you not posting to your blog?"
So on this first day of 2010, which is not the beginning of a new decade (contrary to popular media) but is instead the last year of the first decade of the 21st century* I find myself faced with a couple of choices. Either I end this effort and concede failure; or I decide to continue on and use it to sort out where my own faith journey is taking me. I'm still musing on that one.
This morning I discovered that someone had posted a comment to my last entry, and I had not seen it. My apologies for not responding to what I believe is a very valid question. As a child of God and a human being, I believe I have been given a potential for discernment, that I am called upon to decide what is right and true and to make distinctions between good and appropriate behavior compared to bad and inappropriate (often evil behavior). So I find myself judging others all the time. The scriptures call us to avoid judging others. So I am faced with a conundrum. As a part of my nature, I necessarily make judgments. As a tenet of my faith, I am constrained from judging.
For me, the resolution has to do with the distinction between judgment as discernment and judgment as condemnation. When I decide that another person's actions are wrong, I am judging their behavior. When I judge that person as wrong, I am condemning a child of God, which is not my right. That leaves me, of course, with the awesome responsibility of monitoring my own thoughts, attitudes and actions toward others; and seeking God's forgiveness for those times when I have stepped over that line.
The ultimate truth in this is that we are all responsible to our Creator for the way in which we have honored or dishonored this gift of life with which we have been blessed. I trust that God's grace is stronger than my human frailty and that, if I let the Spirit guide me, I can continue to grow as a child of God in relation to my brothers and sisters.
God bless us all in everything that lies before us in this new year.
*Okay, so I am a purist, but I still believe decades go from 1 to 10. The year 2000 was actually the end of a ten-year span, at least in our human efforts to sort and number time. 2001 began a new decade and a new century.
So on this first day of 2010, which is not the beginning of a new decade (contrary to popular media) but is instead the last year of the first decade of the 21st century* I find myself faced with a couple of choices. Either I end this effort and concede failure; or I decide to continue on and use it to sort out where my own faith journey is taking me. I'm still musing on that one.
This morning I discovered that someone had posted a comment to my last entry, and I had not seen it. My apologies for not responding to what I believe is a very valid question. As a child of God and a human being, I believe I have been given a potential for discernment, that I am called upon to decide what is right and true and to make distinctions between good and appropriate behavior compared to bad and inappropriate (often evil behavior). So I find myself judging others all the time. The scriptures call us to avoid judging others. So I am faced with a conundrum. As a part of my nature, I necessarily make judgments. As a tenet of my faith, I am constrained from judging.
For me, the resolution has to do with the distinction between judgment as discernment and judgment as condemnation. When I decide that another person's actions are wrong, I am judging their behavior. When I judge that person as wrong, I am condemning a child of God, which is not my right. That leaves me, of course, with the awesome responsibility of monitoring my own thoughts, attitudes and actions toward others; and seeking God's forgiveness for those times when I have stepped over that line.
The ultimate truth in this is that we are all responsible to our Creator for the way in which we have honored or dishonored this gift of life with which we have been blessed. I trust that God's grace is stronger than my human frailty and that, if I let the Spirit guide me, I can continue to grow as a child of God in relation to my brothers and sisters.
God bless us all in everything that lies before us in this new year.
*Okay, so I am a purist, but I still believe decades go from 1 to 10. The year 2000 was actually the end of a ten-year span, at least in our human efforts to sort and number time. 2001 began a new decade and a new century.
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