Off to Guatemala!

Less than a year ago, I was in Honduras working on the house that you see Melvin working on in the photo above. It was a transformational event for me and it was even called a mission trip. In actuality, I gained so much from this experience...met some of the most phenomenal people that I have ever met...and met God there while I was in El Paraiso.

In two days, a new adventure will begin. With many teens and some awesome adults, we will be off to Guatemala. I am expecting some similarities, lots of differences, and to be transformed as well as watch transformation happen with my travel friends.

I want to hear about what mission trips you have been on! Where have you been? What have you done? How have you been moved or transformed? Where have you met God?

PS. Please pray for us as we travel and work. :)

How Come

People on the street now
Faces long and grim
Souls are feeling heavy
And faith is growing thin
Fears are getting stronger
You can Feel them on the rise
Hopelessness got some by the throat you can see it in their eyes
I said how come
How come
Everybody on a shoestring
Everybody in a hole
Everybody crossing their fingers and toes
Government man spin his politics till he got you pinned
Everybody trying to reach out to each other
But they don't know where to begin
I said how come
I can't tell
the free world
from living hell
I said how come
How come
all I see
is a child of god
in misery

This is just the beginning of a song by one of my favorite artists Ray Lamontagne....please check it out if the beginning moves you.

I was in Portland the other day and saw a line up of people waiting for blankets and food that wrapped around the block. The rain was beating down and it broke my heart. Immediately I thought of part of this song...how come? How come people are reaching for each other and we don't quite connect? How can we connect? Lent is a time for this kind of reflection I think.

Our church is staffing the drop in center March 23-28...you are more than welcome to sign up at the information desk. What else can we be doing?

Just last week I read an article about Junction City UMC and their breakfast on the fourth Saturday of the month. They feel as though this is the time of month when people need it the most...and I got to thinking...there really aren't many places that serve breakfast around here. Thank you JCUMC! What would that look like here?

Just sparking discussion...thoughts?

Does prayer work?

This upcoming Sunday I get to preach about prayer and if it works. Part of my research is to hear what the folks in the pews think and say about prayer. Does it work? What does it mean to "work"? How do you pray?

Some of my initial thoughts...Jesus prayed...to center himself, be real with God, to grasp onto some guidance, tell God how angry or sad or desperate he felt about situations, to channel God's grace and power...

So does prayer work? Does it center our souls to hear God? Does it channel God's energy? Does it invite God into our lives? Does it create miracles? What happens when it feels as though it doesn't work?

Thoughts anyone?

Lent Week 1- Does God Exist?

Lent is upon us!

In worship we are tackling some of life's big questions. Yesterday Jim pondered some thoughts on the question, "Does God Exist?" He made some great points on all sides and I thought some affirming ideas. I love the idea of God moments in our lives. I relish in those moments in my life.

I have continued to ponder what God looks like in my life. Paul Tillich says that God is the ground of our being and our ultimate concern. Anne Lamott says that God is like the track coach who cheers us from the side...always there but seldom noticed. Mother Teresa said that every person was God to her. Joan Chittister says that it is in community that we see God in the other. What does God look like?

For me, God is green and co-creates with us. God is in creation but also in the faces that I see and the conversations that I have. God is in the actions that shout love to others and to our earth. God is energy and presence. God is.

What does God look like for you?

A Sign?

It seems to be the season of looking for signs...for direction, God's words in our ears, for life decisions and reflection.

Where do you see signs? How will you know that something is a sign? Do you believe in signs from God?

Ideas for Lent

I hope that you will join us as we flip and race with Pancakes on Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent begins...to gorge on pancakes before we give things up (or take things on) and reflect/repent.

Then we shall wear the ash on our foreheads to remind us of what is to come. Is anyone doing anything for Lent? Are you giving something up or taking something on? What are your ideas? I will be writing more on the significance on these seasons soon.

Peace!

This I believe

This past Sunday I talked to the kids about "I believe" statements. I read them part of an essay from a seven year old who wrote out 100 of his beliefs and read thirty of them on NPR's This I Believe broadcast. The included many believes. Since then I have taken this essay to a couple of small groups in the church to generate discussion. So I am wondering...what do you believe?

Here are some examples from Tarack McLain...a seven year old with some purpose...

I believe God is in everything.
I believe everyone is weird in their own way.
I believe I should not whine.
I believe in nature.
I believe love is everywhere.

From one of our own kids...

I believe that people should not fight.

Please add to the list....