I think that the time of Lent is meant to disturb us a bit, to jar our thinking and imagining beyond what we now know and affirm, into an unknown possibility.  Some small stone, or even an incredibly large boulder, could be moved out of the way.  Then a leap of faith, like a bolt of lightning out of a tomb, might catapult us into a resurrection!

(Collage created by Nancy Kellond, retreat with Christ UMC, Woodlands, Texas)

Increasingly disturbing and unsettling is the polarization everywhere around us.  Richard Rohr, in his meditation entitled “Trinity and the Law of Three”, speaks of a “binary system”, two things, this or that.  It is a linear view of a single plane and perspective.  There are always two sides, along with some wild hope of unity somewhere in between.  He mentions God as known in the Trinity…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.  This is a “ternary system”, composed of three parts.  And when the three parts come together, they form a fourth entity, the Trinity.  He uses the illustration of a braid.  Three strands come together and form a braid, something new.

God, as Trinity, is a relationship.  This community transcends the boundaries of two thoughts or opinions into an unleashed possibility of places to connect in spirit and in truth.  Could this be a resurrection?

My grandchildren have discovered the joy of using their creativity to take trash and form something new.  This photo is an example of the “traps” they made out of stuff in the recycling bin.

Travis’ creation on the left is an “alien trap”. Notice he uses love as the inviting attraction for the foreigner.  Out of Callie’s imagination emerged the “Leprechaun trap” as seen on the right.  A lollipop stairway is the lucky lure into a new home of happy faces.

My heart says this is not about two options for a trap.  This is an illustration of what two young creative minds can come up with beyond the predicted normality of childhood play.  Creativity is a gift from God, the Creator.  Our world, our Universe, is in need of creative thinking, an open mind to a “ternary system”, unbound, and set free to the possibility of a resurrection beyond the truths we hold so tightly clenched in our fists.  God has a way of doing a new thing.  Lent is about getting us dressed, making us ready for an Eastering!

nk

Pondering…

What would it mean for us to think beyond two viewpoints into endless possibility?

How are you nurturing the Creative God in you?

 

 

 

For over 30 years as a pastor I have assumed my role in the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  It has always been a special time for me, a worshipful encounter with the grace of God experienced in humility and solemnity.  Yet, this year it contained something more, something deeper.

The sanctuary was full, the soft glow of candlelight illumined the color purple flowing across an altar and down from the cross hung high above.  It was a new place for me and most of the people I did not know.  I took my position at the side aisle of the darkened room.  The ushers gently motioned a flow of persons in my direction.  They formed a long line of humanity waiting to receive a gift from God. One by one they came and stood before me, their bare faces ready.

(sculptor, Willy Wang, Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas)

Each face, each rubbing of my ash-filled finger across each forehead was a treasured moment for me.  There were an array of faces…old, young, dark, pale, sad, happy, full of expression, blank hollow stares.  Ashes were anticipated gratefully, joyfully, pensively…others somberly, with a stillness like the night, a holy night.  Each one had a story.  I wanted to know, not like a nosy neighbor.  I wanted to know the story of their life…their feelings, their thoughts in that moment of the touch of the cross shaped ashes on their skin.  Each one was given the same touch, the same words, “The cross is a sign of God’s sacrificial love for you.”  Each touch of the cross held the same power of redeeming love and new life.  Still, each person received differently…

– a big strong man, bold faced yet bending to receive in grace

– a scrunched up nose , expecting the possibility of falling ashes scattered

– the child, lifting her bangs high from her forehead, awaiting the special gift with a big smile and a soft giggle

– the dark skinned man of a foreign nationality at home at this moment in this sanctuary

– the woman with wart-like bumps all over her face anticipating the beauty of transforming love.  Her eyes were peacefully closed, her head tilted back, face aglow with the light of Heaven’s touch upon her.

I could have done this all night, giving the touch of the cross through ashes.  Touch can be so powerful, a lasting  impression.  This time, this year became something more for me.  I realized that through the touch, beyond the touch, flowed something deeper than just the imposition of ashes.  I actually felt the love for each person that Jesus must feel.  At the same moment it was happening for them, it was happening inside me!

Here we all are, the community of sinners with black cross smudges on our faces, gathered together in our knowing need of a Savior.  Dust bound.  Proclaimed by ashes. Redeemed by the cross.  It’s a beautiful sight!

nk

Pondering…

Recall a memory of receiving ashes.

Remember a touch of Love.

Yesterday afternoon during my writing class at Rice University our teacher sent us each out of the classroom into the hallways to search the artistic photographs on the walls and find one which spoke to us.  Then, she says, ” Write about whatever comes to your mind.”  I wandered out of the box into the outdoors, to find my own artistic expression apart from the walled-in space. Here is what appeared…

The sculpture which grabs my attention is a blob.  It is located outside which calls me toward it, a sense of freedom, being out in the open air.  The blob makes me curious.  Perhaps it’s not so much what it is, as what it is not.  There is an intriguing design about it, within it, which makes me want to create something.  I want to draw it.  I want to find the designs which are present in the lines of the fabric folded, embracing and encompassing whatever is held within.

Blob drew me closer so I could see, find more.  Each side of  this circular globe reveals a different perspective.  As I adjust the camera’s eye, there are endless  views and viewpoints, round and round.

Peeking within one fold of the fabric, where it is not quite meeting, I detect nothing but dark space inside.  Yet, space is not absence, it is presence…a fullness free of clutter, something unseen that is fully present. I like space.  Actually I love space!  I need space in my life!  It feels freeing, inviting, mysteriously ready to reveal something not yet realized.

I want to see more of the inner darkness.  I can’t crawl in!   “Would you if you could?”  Smiling,  I think so.  It feels playful…like a secret hiding place, a tree house, a nest.  Something the child in me would do.

As I get closer I detect that the fabric is well worn denim.  At the top of Blob can be found the features of a very large denim shirt.  There is a collar, a sleeve, buttons.  It seems someone had wrapped their arms around Blob, around the globe.  Within that wondrous wrapping is a huge heart embracing emptiness, or fullness, or both. Amazing grace!

As I reflect upon this experience, it is now the dawn of yesterday’s tomorrow.  Today is Ash Wednesday.  We begin the journey called Lent.  What is this journey ?  I suppose it can be and will be about anything God chooses to give each one of us along the way to resurrection.  We walk forward with expectation. What is important I think, is our openness to the space God provides in our lives to allow us room to grow.

I want to attempt to be open to space where the fullness of God can find me, reach my emptiness in the absence of clutter.  In some sense, I want my life to be shaped like ole Blob, an artistic creation formed by the poured out denim worn by the man called Jesus, who was a God-send!

nk

Pondering…

How might we find space during this journey?

Ah, there is a beautiful Redbird just outside my window right now!

 

 

Last week-end I led a retreat on the topic “Breath of God”.  Did you know that in both the Old Testament Hebrew and the New Testament Greek languages there is one word in each language for wind, breath, and spirit.  So as we understand those three words to be different, in the entire Bible they are understood to be the same.  This actually makes for a beautiful image in a deeper expression and understanding of God.

The retreat took place beside a lake. It was quite a beautiful sight at early morning to see the breath, wind, spirit of God hovering over the water.

Persons attending the retreat were part of a church where I served as pastor.  Many I had not seen in 18 years.  What a joyful reunion!  One woman knitted a prayer shawl during the retreat and presented this creative gift to me on Sunday morning.  I wore it as a stole for our communion service, and will treasure it always.

One of my high school friends was the featured musician for the retreat.  She composes music and is quite an accomplished pianist.  As we talked about the “Redeeming Breath” of God, she played a powerful rendition of the crucifixion hymn, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”  Our plan was that I would paint while she played.  It felt a bit risky for me as I had not done this before. I became lost in the music and the creative expression.  This is what happened…

 

Monday morning I propped my feet up and enjoyed the birds frolicking out my back window.

Surprise!  A Redbird and a yellow butterfly appeared, both in the same morning!  They each flew in on the breath of God.  As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “The wind (breath, spirit) blows where it wishes, and you hear it’s sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.”  (John 3:8).  I just love being a part of the mystery of God!

nk

One of my goals this year is to seek out and intentionally spend time with persons who are different than me.  Last Sunday the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda came to our church to sing and dance in worship.  I jumped at the opportunity to host two girls from the orphanage and Auntie Ritah who traveled with them.  Saturday evening I anxiously awaited the arrival of Grace, age 12, and Susan, age 9.  I prayed that they would feel peace and love in our home.

I met them at the driveway waving my arms of welcome as their big smiles appeared first.  They leaped out of the car, and wrapping their arms around me they immediately snuggled into me. We each held the hug for what seemed like forever.  I felt my prayer was already being answered.

As they sat at the kitchen counter on bar stools eating ice cream, we all had lots of questions and stories to share.  All the while I felt their big eyes staring at me with wide-eyed wonder. Before bedtime Auntie asked if she could pray.  We all held hands and she prayed the most beautiful prayer of blessing upon us, upon our home, giving God thanks for us along with all the gifts of the day.  After getting them all tucked in for the night, I turned to Bill, “Oh my goodness!  When have we ever had anyone in our home pray for us like that? ”  His quick response was, “Never!”

Grace was tall and the big beautiful smile was naturally constant.  Her stature and movement lived up to her name…she was full of grace.  Susan’s big eyes filled her face.  She was petite and pixie-like.  Her styling hairdo, always with a bow, added a good 4 inches to her height. She seemed a bit more shy until I saw her perform on stage the next morning.  Wow!  She was a powerhouse of lively energy and joyful expression.

Here is the entire Watoto Choir, and Grace and Susan dancing…

And now…Susan singing a solo, “I am a child of God”.  (Please forgive the less than perfect photography.  There were bright spotlights and limited wiggle room for me in the congregation.)   Just listen to this 9 year old sing!

I held my little African friends in my arms for just one evening and morning, a brief moment in their lives.  But I will never forget them.  Did they need my hug as much as I needed theirs?  Perhaps.  They gave and received so readily and abundantly.  I wonder how many hugs they get in the orphanage?  I think of them and wonder about lots of things in their lives.  Yet, this I know….they left an imprint on my heart forever!  This poem entitled “Second Sight” by David Whyte expresses it well…

nk

Have you ever wanted to be a hero?  What does it really mean to be a hero?  Here is the definition found in Wikipedia…

“A hero is a person or main character of a literary work who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through impressive feats of ingenuity, bravery, or strength…”

I suppose I have always enjoyed a bit of adventure in my life.  As a teenager I loved driving the boat across the lake, especially when inclement weather began to arouse the waves, stirring them into white caps.  Even more daring was racing across the wake behind the boat on a slalom ski.

My best bout at heroic swashbuckling came in a fencing class which I took in college for a PE credit.  Now THAT has certainly served me well in my career in the ministry!  But still, sadly, no hero.

Since I do consider myself a creative person, I suppose I have always imagined my opportunity for a heroic deed might appear in “some impressive feat of ingenuity”.  I might be envisioning something which has previously not existed.  I might bring a new perspective, build a better mousetrap!

I was reminiscing yesterday, reading again some notes from persons at a church which I dearly loved.  This note from the Nursery Director seemed to pop out…

Ah, suddenly appearing before my eyes came the revelation…the one time I was a HERO!   Well, at least it took guts!

nk

 

In my last post entitled ” A New Leaf”, I shared with you a list of things Jesus did.  These things are my conscious focus for 2017.  So far, I am doing well with long walks and prayer incorporated into that time of walking, as well as enjoying God’s creation.  I’ve had to bundle up on these cold mornings, but it is both invigorating and a bit of an adventure.  I am loving all of it!

I feel led to ponder more deeply the essence of friendship in the life of Jesus and in my own life.  Jesus was clearly very close to his friends.  As we follow his life in the scriptures, we see that he is always sharing his life with his friends.  In John 15: 12-17 he tells us to love one another as he has loved us.  He calls us friends.  He talks about laying down your life for your friends.  I just feel so embraced right now with the reality that Jesus would want to call us friends!  I have some of the most wonderful friends!  They are and have been such a huge gift to me.  Jesus knew this. Jesus felt this.  Jesus valued this.

I recently discovered the poet David Whyte.  I love his poems.  One of his dear friends is John O’Donohue who is also one of my favorite poets.  David writes this about John…

David also writes this excerpt from “FRIENDSHIP”…

These are beautiful thoughts to ponder.  So very true…to walk with them, believe in them, and accompany them on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”  Thanks God, for friends!

nk

Pondering…

your friends…

the gift of friendship…

Tonight is New Years Eve and tomorrow begins 2017.  Before we step across that threshold it is important, I think, to remember the moments of this past year.  I was awakened at 3:30 this morning experiencing some of those treasured moments.  I like this quote from Dr. Seuss…

Some moments will disappear, but some will remain treasured into 2017 for they have become a part of us.  As I pondered this one morning last week, I was sitting on the back deck of my friend’s home in Roswell, Georgia.

This trip to Atlanta, the barren trees of winter seemed to speak to me.  The absence of leaves brought open space that is not realized in the lush growth of greenness.  The branches intertwining awakened patterns of design and connections.  Beauty broke in!  The sudden light of the cross appearing in the sky brought Presence, Hope, Love, saying “All is well”.  

So, here comes 2017 and “turning over a new leaf”!  What will that look like?  Pondering “resolutions”, new directions, focus, priorities…there are a couple of things that stand out for me.

I want to do more with my creative gifts of art and writing.  Above is a sketch I did .  I like the strength and stability, the soul of the tree.  I love the light that brings energy, dances, and yet is allusive to the mystery of what is still appearing and remains to be fully known.

These thoughts from “Soul Keeping” by John Ortberg speak to me about living in sustaining grace…

I think I will spend some time in 2017 doing what Jesus did.  Happy New Year to each of you!  Thank you for being a part of my writing in 2016.  I treasure this time with you!

nk

Pondering…

Your priorities for 2017…

Love came down at Christmas in the birth of the Christ Child.  We come to kneel at the manger and we see God face to face.

(“The Adoration of the Shepherds” insert, by Christian W.E. Dietrich)

As we come face to face with God, we encounter the fullness of God as “Emmanuel”, God with us.  In that same encounter is our face, the fullness of all God created in us to be and to become.  Here is a Christmas blessing for you from “A Blessing of Angels” by Joyce Rupp…

“May the angel of birthing bless you, calling forth wonder, awe, and gratitude for all that has helped you to become your true self.”

In coming face to face with God at the manger, we experience the LOVE of God, and that LOVE comes to live in us.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God; for God is love”  (I John 4: 7-8).

I love this photograph of Elva Azzara, age 93.  It is from the book, “Wise Women”, photographer Joyce Tenneson.  I want this to be me at 93!

Ah, the gift at the manger!  Love to you my friend….Merry Christmas!

nk

I remember last year on Christmas Eve we were with our grandchildren.  Following the candlelight service at church, we had birthday cake and sang to Baby Jesus. The children then, on their own initiative, decided that they were going to dance and sing for the neighbors.  Their Dad took his iPhone to play the music, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.  They rang door bells as if they were trick or treating, house to house.  Neighbors came to their doors and experienced Callie and Travis singing while Molly, wearing her white ballet costume, twirled, leaped, and pirouetted across the yards.

This just had to be close to an all time favorite Christmas Eve for me.  Joy could not be contained!  Worship took place through dancing.  I am reminded of the song, “Lord of the Dance”, lyrics by Sydney Carter…

” I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.  At Bethlehem I had my birth.  Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.  And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.”

The following painting of the nativity is by DOLAZAK and is in a gallery in Dubrovnik, Croatia.  It seems to express this joyful dancing that bursts forth out of the Light, the Savior, born on Christmas. The poem is from “Laughter, Silence, & Shouting” by Kathy Keay…

Let’s do it!  Let’s you and I find a moment to dance the joy of Christmas Eve.  I’ll be dancing with at least one or all three of my grandchildren and their new puppy!

nk

Pondering…

Don’t ponder it too long….Dance!!