Two of the disciples, James and John, tell Jesus that they want him to do for them whatever they ask.  Seems to me our prayer lives are often exactly that.  It turns out that what they want is to each sit on either side of Jesus in his glory.  Jesus answers with a question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?” (Mark 10:38).  In another conversation, Jesus says it like this…”If anyone would come after me, let them deny themself, take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). I was thinking about these words as I looked at various crosses…

“Take up your cross” might mean that our life could feel like a conglomeration of puzzle pieces.  The journey is a step or leap of faith and not always fully understood.  We may not have a neat, orderly, and clearly mapped picture of what it will all look like.  We surrender control and trust God.

“Take up your cross” might mean some rough roads ahead.  When we follow Jesus, we go where Christ goes and we listen for his voice.  There can be turns in the road and we find ourselves in places we never thought we would go.  The road is one of humility and becoming a servant.  Rather than climbing a ladder of success, it is bending to care for the lost and the lonely.

“Take up your cross” will involve sacrificial love.  It won’t always be what we want.  Jesus says, “Whoever would save their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”  Jesus asks the question of us”Are you able?”

“The Way of the Cross” by Tiepolo, 1749

Pondering…

With which of the crosses do you most identify right now?

How is your cross difficult?

How is the cross joyful for you?

nk

 

In John chapter 8, the Jews are trying to understand who Jesus is.  The scene takes place in the temple where people understood God to be present inside the very holy place, untouchable, the most interior sacred place called the “Holy of Holies”.  Yet, here is God, standing before them, who has come to earth as a man.  They see, but they can’t fully grasp, and they ask, “Who are you?”

(Painting “Christ at Emmaus”by Rembrandt, 1606-1669)

Jesus says ,”I am the light of the world…follow me and you will have the light of LIFE.”  When I saw the Passion Play, I experienced the light of Christ in a beautiful way.  The light was present underneath the robe of  Jesus.  It was quite realistic and appeared to be glowing from within his body.  The play took place out under the night sky, thus making the light from within Jesus even more dramatic.  Jesus was with the disciples for the Last Supper.  When they finished the meal, the disciples all went out into the night.  Jesus stood there at the table for a few minutes, touching the bread as if he were pondering his moments with his friends, pondering what he knew was coming, and his deep desire to have the world know who he is and understand his deep abiding love for us all.  Then, there was a poignant  moment. Jesus walked away to go out into the dark night, and as he left the room, the light that was present within him remained inside the loaf of bread.  So very clearly could we see….”This is my body broken for you…I am the light of the world….you will have the light of life.”

“Who are you?”  is still the question for us.  We are growing in our understanding of God.  God is Mystery and always bigger than what we now understand.  We should always be asking the question, “Who are you?”

YES!, God is bigger than any labels or limits we put on God.  Our journey of Lent is a journey into deeper understanding of Jesus.  In John 8:28, Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he.”  At Jesus’ death on the cross, the centurion and others keeping watch over Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place. Perhaps they had been among the ones who had asked, “Who are you?”.  Now, at this moment, they were filled with awe and said,” Truly this was the Son of God!”

Pondering….

How have you grown recently in understanding who Jesus is?

Where is the light of Christ present in your life right now?

nk

 

The Spirit of the Lord led the prophet Ezekiel out and set him in the middle of a valley full of dry bones.  God asks the question,”Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3) Ezekiel’s answer was “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Art work by Marco Boag, age 11, The Netherlands, found in the book “Ladder of Angels” by Madeleine L’Engle.

God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones saying, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” God says he will make flesh come upon them and will breathe his breath into them.  They will live and will know he is the Lord.  Ezekiel did this and the bones came to life.  All of Israel thought their hope was gone.  They had lost hope for their nation.  How bad does it have to get for us to feel there is no longer hope?  Recently I visited the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. Here is what I saw…

Can these bones live?

The story in chapter 37 of Ezekiel is a picture of resurrection.  Can you hear the rattle of the heap of dry bones as they were brought back together?  After tendons are attached, flesh and skin then cover the bones.  Yet, the moment when they come alive again is when God’s breath enters them.  The Hebrew word here is “ruah”.  It is the same word for wind and Spirit, present in creation and on the day of Pentecost.  Can you just hear the mighty wind that is the breath of God?  WOW!  What a picture of resurrection!

I love Ezekiel’s faith!  When God asks the question,”Can these bones live?”, he could have so easily said, “NO WAY!”  But his answer was, “You know Lord….you know!”  The following poem is entitled “The Journey” by David Whyte…

Pondering…

How have you experienced dry bones?

What words/phrases in the poem speak to you?

nk

 

The Last Supper was Jesus’ way of showing his disciples and all of us what he was doing for us.  He used the common elements of bread and wine to be the symbols of his body and blood.  Then he broke the bread and said, “This is my body broken for you.”  He poured the wine into the cup and said, “This is my blood poured out for you for the forgiveness of  your sins.”  Jesus was laying down his life for us so that we might live.  In John 13:38, Jesus asks “Will you lay down your life for me?”

This painting is “The Last Supper” (ca 160) by Tintoretto.   I love the multitude that is present!  When we experience the Last Supper, we are one with all the saints in Heaven.  This painting certainly expresses that wonderful communion!  It transcends the boundaries of time and place.

We celebrate the Last Supper during Holy Week.  There is a certain Last Supper I will never forget!  It took place at Montgomey UMC, and on that night we reenacted that moment with the disciples in costume.  Those who attended were all seated around tables and the disciples were to serve the holy meal to everyone else.  The communion table was set in the shape of a large cross in the midst of all the other tables.  It’s presence was huge in the room.  It was covered in white cloths.  There was a large basket filled with various breads and 12 chalices of different sizes and colors.

I was dressed in a white robe.  As I led the liturgy for communion, I lifted high the bread and broke it before the people.  I then picked up the clear glass pitcher of wine.  I wanted the people to see the wine.  I lifted it high so they could see and hear the wine being poured out for them.

I began to be aware that due to the various sizes of the chalices, the wine did not hit them all in the same manner.  Underneath them all was a stark white tablecloth and I was trying to be careful not to spill.  Then, all of a sudden, the wine fell into a smaller chalice and splashed out.  In fact, it splattered out all over that white tablecloth!  

There was immediately a silent gasp all over the room.  It seemed that all eternity stood still in that moment.  I looked at the wine splattered all over the white cloth and suddenly it all became real for me.  It was the blood of Christ poured out for me, for all of us.  It was as if Christ was standing across that cross shaped table from me and this was a mirror reflection of him.  I was so filled with joy that I began to enthusiastically pour, and pour, and pour, unreservedly… letting the wine splatter all over the table.  I didn’t want to stop!  I wanted the whole world to see the blood of Christ poured out for them!  None of us will ever forget that moment…EVER!

Pondering…

Is there a Last Supper that stands out in your mind and heart?

How is this meal “Holy” for you?

Can we lay down our life for Christ?

nk

In Psalm 79:5 we find the question “How long O Lord?”.  Who of us has not asked this question?!

My goodness!  Even her arm is long!!  This picture just seems to express what we would be feeling if we were asking God this question!  The art work is by Myriam Triepels, age 11, The Netherlands.  It can be found in “Ladder of Angels” by Madeleine L’Engle.

Perhaps some of the following photos will speak to you in relation to the question…

How long O Lord?

How long O Lord?

How long O Lord?

I love the little girl who is peeking around the corner!  She just seems to be asking “How long O Lord?”  Or….she is expecting him any second!

In my years of ministry, one of the most important things I have learned is that it is all about God’s timing!  God has the bigger picture which we do not have.  Sometimes the circumstances, all the pieces of the puzzle, need to be in place for God’s ultimate will to take place.  It may or may not be what we think we want.   And often it has to do with what God wants to do in and through us.  Perhaps deep down, whether we know it or not,  what we really are seeking and wanting is God.  Here is a writing by a Jesuit priest that causes me to wonder…

Ah, the mystery of God!  I could add a couple more….the Creator and creation,  the Savior and the saved.  In her book “Called to Question” Joan Chittister says, “Life is not about getting God.  Life is about growing in God.”

In Psalm 79, the writer of the Old Testament is waiting for the Savior to come.  When we ask the question,”How long O Lord?”, perhaps at the heart of it, we are wanting to experience an awareness of more of God who is already present in our lives. This is the journey of Lent we are on.

Pondering…

When have you asked, “How long O Lord?”

Which of the photos above do you most relate to?

How does Father Anthony’s writing speak to you?

nk

I love this picture!  It feels like me…the creative, out of the box, free spirit part of me.  Perhaps what I like most is trying to see things from a different perspective, both artistically and intellectually.

In the first chapter of John, we see Jesus calling the disciples to come and follow him.  He called Phillip, who then encouraged Nathanael to come along.  Jesus made an observation about Nathanael, who then responded to Jesus with the question, “How do you know me?”  (verse 48).  It was through KNOWING that Nathanael professed his faith, saying to Jesus, “You are the Son of God!”.  Perhaps it is in being known that we come to know.

A couple of years ago I was in Sedona, Arizona participating in an art retreat.  One of the art experiences was making a life mask.  I was very curious.

We had a choice to do our hand if we did not want to do our face.  I struggled with the choice.  I was thinking that I just wanted to do my hand, but something kept calling me to do my face. We went to the artist’s home which was fascinating.  She took us into a room where life sized sculptures were sitting in a circle.  They were in different positions with various expressions,  but all were worshipful.  I decided then that I wanted to do the mask.

While I laid on the floor on my back, my class partner put the wet plaster strips on my face one by one.  During that experience I saw a light underneath the darkness of the mask and behind my closed eyelids.  I felt God’s presence in that light.  Finally the mask was taken away.

Later we all shared about our experience.  I admitted that I had feared seeing my face like that.  I thought it would be ugly.  But somehow in this crazy, simple mask … unadorned,  bare…I saw something beautiful. It was something God had done.  It was God’s creation.  It was ME in a way I had not seen before.  “How did you know me?”

Oh God, you created me.  You know me better than I know myself.  You made each one of us unique and beautiful.  You redeemed us on the cross.  I am grateful for my life.  You KNOW me, and in such KNOWING there is deep love.  

Pondering…

What do you love about the way God made you?

Who do you feel KNOWS you?

nk

 

Deep in my heart I have always felt a calling to Africa.  When the opportunity arose to go with a team to deliver mosquito nets to help save lives from malaria, I jumped at the chance.

I was apprehensive about many things…the food..Would I get sick?..disease…Would I contract something that would keep me from holding my new granddaughter?… safety?…We had armed guards and check points wherever we went!

I handed out 1,000 nets a day.  It felt like I was giving Holy Communion!  Part of me thought, “Anyone could be doing this.”  The other part of me thought, “This might be the most important thing I ever did!”  Perhaps it had something to do with touching and being willing to be touched.

In Mark, chapter 5, there is a woman who has been ill for a long time and separated from her community out of perceived danger of touching.  She made her way through a crowd to touch Jesus’ garment, believing that touch could heal her.  Jesus feels the power go out of him and asks the question, “Who touched me?” She explains and he says to her, “Your faith has made you well.”

This statue by Willy Wang is located in Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

In my ministry when I have visited persons who are ill, I have always felt it was important to touch in some way as I prayed with them.  I would picture the power of God flowing through me into them.  It had nothing to do with me.  It had everything to do with faith that God is the Great Healer.  I believe God chooses to heal in whatever way God wants – physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.  We just come to touch Him in faith and to be touched by His healing hand.  We do not control it, but God’s grace is always present.

I love this sculpture!  “Compassion’s Touch” by Eugene Kamrath Mygdal is also located in Methodist Hospital, Houston.  Can’t you just feel the compassion and power present in this touch?  Hundreds of people walk by this everyday who need the hope and comfort it brings.

Each Sunday at the close of worship in our church, we all join hands and sing together, “Bless be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love…”  I always feel the power that is present in that touch.  It is beautiful.

Pondering…

When have you experienced the touch of God?

Where might God use you to bring a touch?

nk

In the first chapter of John, we understand that Jesus is the Word of God and was present and participated in the beginning of creation.  God spoke creation into being, ” LET THERE BE LIGHT!”, and there was light.

(Photo taken by my grandson Grant Kellond).

John also tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  This is Jesus, both fully God and fully human.  The Word came to walk with us.

In the fourth chapter of Luke, Jesus heals a man in the synagogue at Capernaum by crying aloud to an unclean spirit, “COME OUT!”. People were amazed at the power and authority of the word and asked the question, “What is this word?”

Another time Jesus is with the disciples in a boat during a storm.  By his spoken word he quiets the waters by crying aloud, “PEACE BE STILL!”

This is a collage I did of my grandson surfing in California.  The waves are certainly tumultuous, but Grant is not bothered by them.  Is it possible that Jesus’ word “PEACE BE STILL!” can happen within us?

So, the question that surfaces in all of us is, “What is this word?”  Jesus tells us in John 16:12-14 that he will send the Holy Spirit who will “take what is mine and declare it to you.”   The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth of the Living Word.  I love peaching the Word of God….

By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Living Word is present here and now.  In the moment of our hearing, the truth is being awakened anew in each one of us.  It is amazing to me that even as I am preaching, I also become the hearer as the Holy Spirit is at work bringing God’s Word.  There is always something new to experience in the hearing of God’s Word.  It is powerful!

Pondering…

Can you imagine hearing God SPEAK creation into being?

You might try reading a story in the New Testament.  Rather than reading to analyze, put yourself into the scene, experience it, and listen for something new.

nk

 

 

 

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep in the 18th chapter of Matthew.  A man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray.  He comments, “Does the man not leave the 99 and go in search of the one that went astray?  What do you think?”

On the one hand, the odds are not in favor of leaving 99, perhaps at great risk, and going to save just one.  Jesus goes on to say that the man rejoices over the one who is lost and found more than the 99 who never went astray.  SO…every single person is important to Jesus.  And Jesus wants every single person in the Kingdom.  Jesus died for every single person.

I was 16.  On the day I got my driver’s license, I could finally drive without a licensed driver in the front seat.  I was so excited!  I was to drive my Aunt and my Mom to the store and of course, they were to ride in the back seat!  I opened the back door behind the driver’s seat for them to get into the car.  They delayed in coming out of the house, so I finally decided to go ahead and back out the car.  I looked over my right shoulder and put the car in reverse.  I was backing out of the garage when I heard a crunch.  I turned around and the back car door had caught on the edge of the garage opening and now was bent all the way around to the front door.  OH NO!  I couldn’t believe what I had done!  I ran into the house and hid in the back of my closet and cried.

My Dad came to find me.  He crawled into the back of the closet, sat down beside me, put his arms around me, and dried my tears.  Here is my sketch of what that looked like and felt like…

Lost and found!  Jesus asks us, “What do you think?”  Maybe it does not always make the most sense.  But, if we are the one who is lost, it is a gift beyond measure!  Jesus is always about the least and the lost.  Jesus is always about coming to find us.  The very name Jesus means Savior.

I am sitting in the back of that closet and I feel so lost and sad and alone.  But someone loves me enough to come and find me, to be with me, to love me unconditionally.  Wow!  What do you think?

Pondering…

Have you ever been lost?

What do you think about the story Jesus tells?

nk

 

We are in Tahoe with friends this week.  As I am writing, here is my view off the back deck…

It couldn’t be a more perfect setting to write about a story found in Luke, chapter 12.  Jesus asks the question of his disciples in verse 26, “Why are you anxious ?  He suggests that they look around them at the beauty of nature.  The birds, flowers, grass of the field do not toil or spin; yet God takes care of them, and they are fed and clothed in beauty.  As I look out at the beauty before me today, I realize this is God’s creation and we are all part of it.  There is a gentle breeze.  I feel embraced by God and set free from worry.  Do not be anxious, Jesus said.  God will take care of you!

My Grandpa was a pastor, and he and my Grandma went through some rough days.  The only money they had for food was what church members might leave in a special box for them each week.  Some weeks there was very little.  One day there was no food.  My Grandma prayed that God would provide food for her to feed her children.  A knock came at the door.  When she opened the door, she saw a church member.  Handing her a sack of potatoes, he said,” These are extras from my garden.  I thought you might like them.”  My Grandma received donated clothes, took them apart and used the fabric to make new clothes for her children.  They lived each day in the faith that God would provide. As a child, my Mother learned this too.

When I was a teenager I had a closet full of clothes.  My sister and I shared a room and it was very nice.  One morning I just could not decide which dress I wanted to wear to school.  I kept trying on different ones, got frustrated, and basically was acting like a brat!  My Mom came in, witnessed my actions, and calmly walked over to my closet.  She picked out one dress, held it up and said, “Since you are having SO much trouble deciding among all these dresses, I will decide for you.  You will wear this dress every day this week.  You will wash it every night and get it ready for the next day.”  I learned something that week about being anxious about what I would wear.  I gained a new perspective.

When my Grandma died, she left this world and entered Heaven singing a hymn.  I think it was her profession of faith, and the words she lived by daily….”God will take care of you!”  I loved how her faith was strong!  I loved her!

Pondering….

What do you get most anxious about?

Is there a way you could choose to live more simply during Lent?

nk