Growing in Mission

We talked at a meeting today about the strengths of Grace Church and the need to apply those strengths in a mission that serves the community.  Healthy churches (big and small) actively find needs in the community and reach out in service.

Jesus is our model for service. Teaching and healing marked his time in Galilee.  In Jerusalem he washed the feet of his disciples as a lesson in humble service.

Our choir has led by example by going on after-practice serenades to the home bound.  Their service has grown out of the strength of their voices and a love of singing.

Early this year we grieved together at the loss of several long time members of our church family.  Out of this apparent weakness grew a grief support group where strength is found in sharing.

We need to constantly seek to match strengths to needs.  Just as with our bodies, exercising our church strengths helps us to grow and be stronger still.

Dancing Lessons

After a long summer's drought, the catalogs are filling my mailbox once again. Browsing through them is fun and then they go into the recycle bin. Once in a while, though, something catches my eye, stops me in my tracks, and makes me think about my approach to life. Here's a quote from one of the latest offerings:

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass....its about learning to dance in the rain."

The Bible is full of dancing lessons and we don't have to dance alone. With God as our partner and help from family and friends, we can dance our way through any storm. We may not be able to control or avoid the storms of life, we may have to slow dance for a while, or even stop to catch our breath. And then God is inviting us to resume dancing, even though it may still be raining.  (photo courtesy of flickr/HDC Photography)

No Thunks Allowed

Today after worship many of us gathered and packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Over the last few years we have packed and sent hundreds and hundreds of gift boxes to children around the world.

We walked past a long set of tables filled with school supplies, toys, candy and hygiene items. Each of us started with an empty shoe box at one end of the tables and had a full box by the end.  Then we would get an empty box and start again.

I am grateful for the people of our church who have filled the supply tables so well that I can adopt a "no thunk rule" of box packing.  By the time I reach the last table, my shoe box is packed so full that even the hardest shake will not yield a single thunk.

Most of us live in  a world where God has followed a "no thunk rule" on our behalf.  We have shelter, clothing and food to spare.  Our homes overflow with possessions and comforts. Operation Christmas Child boxes remind us that there are children in this world who are delighted and grateful to receive even the smallest of gifts.

Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the coming season.  We can look beyond our day to day wants and see with the eyes of simple child.

Something on My Mind

Overheard at church: "There's something on my mind, but I don't know what it is."

We've all felt that way sometimes. In the noise of every day life it is easy to lose track of some critical detail. There is a whole school of time management called Getting Things Done that sets out to solve this problem through a set of carefully organized lists. The act of getting details out on paper helps essential ideas rise to the creative surface.

Our spiritual life is even more prone to dilution by busy-ness. That gentle voice within can tug at our heart and mind for days. If only we could find a way to let go the distractions and finally hear.

We could make a spiritual list, or we could just look to Genesis 2:2. "And on the seventh day He rested". Sundays are a very good day to reduce the mental clutter and let a persistent light shine through. It is hard to imagine a better place to bring a full mind than to Sunday worship. At last we can take a deep breath among friends and make room for small voices.

Please drop in next Sunday and join in the search for what's been on your mind. We'll be there searching as well. (photo courtesy of flickr/dolmansaxlil)

Saints Among Us

Today is All Saints Day, the day we remember the people who have shared life with us and taught by example the real possibility of a Christ-led life. Each of us can, with a little effort, think of a handful of people we have seen as saints.

Vernon was a saint in my life. He was joyful and generous. His heart and hands were always ready to help a neighbor in need. Like all saints among us, Vernon would be puzzled that anyone might consider him saintly in any way. Humility and simplicity are common traits of everyday saints.

Naming the saints in our lives is a powerful way to consider how we can day by day shape our lives to walk in a similar path. Mary and Marvel, Jeff and Jim. These are names that come to my mind. Some are gone. Some are still with us. Today is a day remember, be grateful and follow their examples.