. . .memories of Christmas in Ecuador . . .

It was Christmas of 19-9-something when the church my family sometimes attended in Ecuador, English Fellowship Church, held its annual Children's Christmas pageant. There is one song that stuck out to me as the children formed a train to place presents under the tree. "It is more blessed to give than receive, Jesus said long ago." (Acts 20:35)

I was 11-years-old and I was baffled by this statement.* Christmas was coming and I was looking forward to recieving presents. I had never once thought about giving something to my parents for Christmas before. I went home and wrapped up things I found around the house for my parents.  Of course, like most parents, they LOVED it. It was the first time I experienced joy through giving.

Fast forward to Ward Parkway Mall when I was 16-years-old. My cousin Sarah and I were out in the holiday frenzy when we walked into something like a Dollar Store. She said her mom had given her money to buy a gift for her sister, my cousin Megan. I was thrilled by this idea because I now had my own money because I had started working at a movie theater. I put together Christmas tote bags full of cheaply-made plastic things to give to my sisters that year. It caused a chemical reaction in me - a need and desire to care and provide for others. It caused me to look at my financial resources differently. 

It's what happens to all of us when we have that realization that all the blessings we receive from God are meant to help establish the realm of heaven on earth. All we have is a blessing from God - and when we make the leap from getters to givers, we turn our thoughts on giving from a mindset of obligation to joy.

I look forward to sharing about Generosity together during our next sermon series, Chemical Reaction.

*this statement is often taken way out of context to get people to give to churches. Please note, God doesn't work on a give and take basis. 

. . . breathe into these dry bones . . .

By now it is not a secret that I love summer. Everything about hot weather motivates me. Over the past few weeks I've been down - I think they call this seasonal affective disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic it is a real thing! I thought it was just made up.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop from Pexels

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.

So you can imagine how reinvigorated I have been this week with the spontaneous last vestiges of summer that have graced us! I have spent time outside and visiting the patios of a few places I enjoy. On Tuesday, my husband and I had a rare night to ourselves and went to Crane Brewing, which is owned by a friend of mine. We sat outside and saw a few cyclists ride by on the almost completed section of the Rock Island Trail. On Wednesday, we had a family date night in the Power & Light District. 

While the weather was beautiful, the imagery from Ezekiel 37 was what came to mind - the valley of the dry bones.

The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!  I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:1-4 (Read the whole passage here, it's very good)

Our entertainment district has closed off the streets and opened up more outdoor seating, but nobody was dining. Doors of former restaurants were permanently closed. It was quiet, and almost eerie. 

The empty street reminded me of that valley. 

I asked the brewery manager how things had been now that they could have patrons and she said people just weren't coming. She said at the beginning of the pandemic, people were supportive and would come in or order beer online. Now they are spinning their wheels trying to figure out what to do. Their distribution is still up, but the vibrant life and community they were building in down town Raytown is at a standstill.  

The lifelessness of the space reminded me of that valley.

As I look out my window at church, watching the leaves fall, I can't help but think of the impending true bareness that the season will bring. 

But here's the good news about seasons - they are part of an ever important life cycle. We are fortunately able to function through these life cycles - offering hope when things seem hopeless. It takes intentionality, but we can do it. We know Jesus is walking with us - breathing life into us.

As in the Valley of the Dry Bones, God will breathe God's spirit once again into us and life will resurrect. Will it look the same? Probably not, and that is okay! Resurrection is all about creating something new. 

This pandemic will come to an end. This spiritual drought we are trudging through will be over. I don't know when, but I have every confidence that God will breathe new life into all of us.

. . . football, chili & Jesus . . .

 What do they all have in common?

This week the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Ravens during Monday Night Football... 

So you might be confused by that first sentence and wonder if you're reading the correct blog. Yes, yes you are! While I'm not about to become a HUGE pro-football fan, I've changed my mind a bit about the whole thing, especially when it comes to the players. 

This Monday I saw so many posts on social media sites about all the soups, chilis, cinnamon rolls, cozying up on the couch, and enjoying family while the boys in red play football. 

What if we treated Sunday mornings like that - or whenever we worship the Lord? I've been to a lot of churches and I've worked in a four so far - and I haven't been to one yet where worship is as exciting as Arrowhead at roughly the same time. 

When did we decide to celebrate the joy of resurrection in fear of Jesus? It's historical for sure, but fear doesn't always mean we cower in God's presence. It doesn't mean living your life by a set of strict and cumbersome rules to the point where you begin to pass judgment on others... Remember, Jesus came to fulfill the law so we can live abundant lives. 

Fear is about standing in awe of the greatness of God. It's coming together like you would on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Chief's play, being joyful for the life given, raising our voices together in thanksgiving to God. It's high-fiving (or air-fiving right now) because you know that we have been secured victory through Jesus. It's coming together with our delicious food and feasting together. 

This weekend in worship - wear your Holy Spirit red and make some noise for Jesus Christ!