A New Creation

Overheard at the local coffee shop last week:

"You know my history... how can you even ask me to consider trying again". Her friend waited a good few seconds before replying: "Everyone in Christ is a new creation... the past is finished, and gone!"

I sat there, stunned. One doesn't expect to find Christ in the Coffee shop - much less such wonderful theology as this.

This particular passage from Paul's second letter to the Church at Corinth needs to be put to memory. Those times when we cling to our history, including our history of poor choices and failures, it is as if we are saying that God's Grace isn't large enough to move us from where we've been. We make idols of our history and worship them instead of allowing God's love to transform and change us and to create us anew.

Yes, I know that terrible things have occurred in our pasts. Yes, I know that some of those things were beyond our control (and I embrace the idea that if we can truly forgive we might discover real peace, and for many individuals that can only happen with good therapy and time). I also know that some of those things were due to personal choice.... and it may be time to make another choice. The choice to live as new creatures instead of wallowing in what was.

This year our Lenten study at First Presby Roselle is "Behold: There is a New Creation" in conjunction with our being on the "Jeremiah Journey" (a collaborative effort with the Center for Parish Development and the Presbytery of Elizabeth). You're invited to join us at 3 p.m on Sundays as we parse out what God's DREAM might be for us as new creations. Please join us!

Occupying MY seat.

I've been ruminating over the whole "Occupy Wall Street" (and similarly themed movements/occupations throughout the world) over the last few months. When the movement began I was torn between almost fanatical support and discomfort. It wasn't the lack of organization (I understand that to be part of the point) or rallying cry (it's not a protest!) which frustrated me but rather the irony of it all. Here were my fellow Americans who were responding to a very real dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots in this country - folks who have honestly attempted to follow the rules to the American Dream only to find it a mirage - the statistical 99% who in general, broad-sweeping terms STILL live better than the majority of the world.

Don't misunderstand me. These folks are responding to VERY real problems in our society in regards to social inequity - but it is social inequity within a (generally) first-world context. It would seem to me that the problem needs to be addressed on a MUCH more global scale in order for it to have any integrity. Therefore, paradoxically, if something needs to occur globally - it also needs to occur on an almost micro-local level.

Such as my seat. Or yours, while we're at it. ;-)

This is the square-footage that I can control (to some extent), and it begins with self-awareness of what is actually happening with me and with those around me. I need to fully occupy the space that I am in, mindful of how I am spending my time, talent and material resources. I need to be more deliberate in how I spend my time - allowing for sabbath, mind you - but also making space for prayer, relationships and all those things which are sustainable. I need to choose how I use my talents with a bit more deliberation... and finally, I need to work harder at making choices in regards to the material, paying heed to how my wallet intersects with another's life.

I need to stop with the excuses. The past can only be the past when it is treated as such. The future depends on my living fully in the present. Very Zen, no?

So here's my challenge to myself and all within earshot. Occupy YOUR seat. Be mindful. Be fully present. Live sustainably in all areas of life realizing that the world depends upon it.

Practice.... and something about Carnegie Hall.

When I was in Junior High, my parents paid for private flute lessons.  The young woman next door (who was several years older than I) was an accomplished flute player in High School, and my folks felt that giving Lauren the task of teaching me would benefit both of us.  Lauren was an excellent teacher.  She always came to our lessons prepared— which was good.  At least ONE of us was prepared.

I was a terrible student.  I was fortunate in that I could “sight-read” fairly well… and I didn’t seem to have some of the difficulties that other flutists did with embouchure (that thing you do with your mouth!).  Because of this, I rarely practiced.  Lauren, my teacher, chided me… my parents chided me… the Band teacher chided me.  Lauren knew how much I practiced as she was literally the girl next door and she could hear me play (or not!).

One day, inspiration hit.  I opened my book of scales and played them.  Then, I turned on the tape recorder next to me and taped my practicing those scales.  The following day I put the recorder near the window and pressed ‘play’.  As the tape recorder played my ‘practice’, I sat on the bed and read a book.  The following day I did the same.

It worked!  I was applauded for all my practice that week by both my parents and my teacher… but as I stood to play before my teacher I was more nervous than I had ever been.  My performance was ‘okay’ - nothing spectacular.  I knew deep within that I had cheated.  As the days went on I began to realize that the person I had cheated was not my teacher or my folks… but myself.

In the end, I confessed (with a bit more bravado than I should have).  Forgiveness did not come easy—and it took some time before I regained trust.  The lesson learned was not that of scales, but of the importance of integrity.

As years have passed, I’ve seen some of the same behaviors play out in my own life, as well as in those around me.

We can claim that we practice our faith on a daily basis—or even confess that our practice of such is infrequent, but until we have integrity about our faith we only cheat ourselves.  So, this Fall, let us try again.  Let us reach deeper .  Let us truly practice our faith.  - Karen

Of green things and growing things...

Summer is so close, you can feel it under your fingernails in the form of dirt.  The earth seems to be bursting at the seams with life.  The pulse of the planet has quickened, and soon gardens will explode with color and lawns will be dappled with dandelions.

A representative of the United Way visited the church today, and is planning with our Day Care to establish several raised beds on the green sward (that patch of grass between the church driveway, the the manse driveway).  The intent is to teach children where their food comes from... the hope being that our Day Care kids will be able to sample the fruits (and veggies!) of their own labor.

This past Sunday, many adults and children worked at beautifying the front of the church - planting marigolds and impatiens and other flowers.  They raked and tilled and finally planted - and the result is beautiful.  I've even been able to get some work done in the garden, although the front of the Manse still looks like a big weedy mess.

It's summer - or almost summer - and hearts and hands turn towards the growing of things.

Of course, summer is also seen as a time of recreation and relaxation.  Picnics and parks take preference over commitees meetings and choir rehearsals.  Sunday worship attendance will dwindle as people head for the hills (or down the shore) and even though God is remembered, our gathering together becomes a lower priority.  Fall will come soon enough, we believe, with all its schedules and order.

And yet (you knew there had to be a "but"), we sometimes lose the perspective this fertile and warm time can bring to our faith.  This is a growing time... for our souls and hearts as well as the earth.  It's also a time of tearing up weeds, and planting new seed.  A time to grow spiritually, just as our gardens grow in our yards.

If you find you need to be away from worship this summer, consider finding additional time for your own development and personal devotion.  If you travel - seek out the company of other people of the faith, and bring back with you the fresh ideas from that place.  If you simply need time apart, consider that God goes with you... and make space for the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer in your life.  Get dirty.  Dig out the stuff that threatens to choke your life.  Plant seeds of wonder and hope and faith.

Grow.

Seven Sins....

I'm working my way through the Seven Deadly Sins.

(No, not literally.  Although the crepes at the Coffee Beanery are the sort of thing that could easily lead to gluttony.)

Of course, the Seven Deadly Sins are an interesting construct - one which has developed over time to include everything from acedia to vainglory (not quite a to z... but you get the picture).  Various theologians have added and subtracted from the catalog of vices provided by Paul in various letters.  Throughout history the sins have been assigned colors, animal symbols (pig=gluttony) and have even been pictured as women.  (Hmmm... misogyny isn't a sin?).

From time to time there have been "counters" offered - the opposite, if you will.  Or a corrective measure suggested... such as those guilty of Lust will suffer an eternity of an ice bath in Hell.

So much consideration of what sin is, and what it is not... and of course the idea that some sins are deadlier than others (not in the Reformed understanding)... seems to be good fodder for a Lenten series.  Throw in that several of the lectionary readings seem to have a direct connection with the infamous seven, and we have a sermon series.

It all begs the question of personal sin... what do you own as your own issue?  How does it affect your life and relationships?  What have you done to counter it?  What are you being called to do about it?

As for me?

:::looks longingly at the crepe before me:::

I think I know where this Lent will lead *me*.