"Come and See"

"Christ calls me beyond my boundaries." Spong

In thinking about (instead of writing) tomorrow's sermon I stick on the radical nature of moving beyond our boundaries in today's world. I have so many comforts that make it so easy to stay within my comfortable theology, my comfortable tithing, my comfortable desire to only preach cheap grace.

"Come and See." Maybe this is the new radical statement the church is called to make. I know in my context when this has actually been said to someone they actually tend to show up. AND it happens more effectively when it is said by a congregation member. What is concerning is that because there is so much dogma being proclaimed around the world that is scary, exclusivistic and fundamental we have decided not to join the crowd. Somehow we are going to have to get folks to realize that our message is not similar, and in fact, when this message gets out people might even be drawn to it. That's at least what I think God can do with it--and should we not expect Jesus to show up and change lives? What will it take to make me a better "Andrew"? What will it take in our congregations to do this?

One Answer

I realized one opportunity and answer to my question on Monday. Yesterday, I was working at home while my wife ran some errands. Our son was sleeping. He was supposed to sleep for two hours, but he woke up after 45 minutes. He was really groggy so I sat with him and rocked him for 45 minutes. He dozed in and out of sleep and then stared at me for 15 minutes. Here's the thing. I could have tried to lay him down, but instead I stayed with him and prayed when there was a quiet moment. We could also have tore into the box of toys downstairs, but we took a Sabbath rest and prayed. I don't know what he was thinking, but having him there with me to pray sure helped me focus. Paz. CK

Sabbath

I appreciate the invitations to return.

On Thursday I have the gift of returning to an important place in the world. I am leading a group of congregation members (and a few congregational friends) to San Lucas Toliman Guatemala. This place idealizes Sabbath to me in many ways. The scriptures open up, the Gospel receives feet, the conversations explode, and there is something about the land that is holy. Now, we will see what happens when I feel responsible for the care of 11 others. I will be praying for a light yoke!

I have been thinking about Sabbath lately in another context. Let me define it: There is a sermon I love by Barbara Brown Taylor that she preached at Luther Seminary a while back. It was eloquent, and cracked open my souls desire for time and space. But dang it, she doesn't have children. I would write a book to help us all figure it out, but I am not sure how to do it myself. If there was a resource that was titled, "Sabbath and Your Infant" I would buy it. I suppose I should make sure with Google, but I am sure I would most likely only get Black Sabbath lyrics, which about says it all.

You see, I would like to keep the/A Sabbath. I buy into the reasonable idea that if God rested for a day, I sure shouldn't think I am above doing that.

Paz. CK