My Turn

Flying scares me. 

I do frequent the friendly skies, but a favorite hobby it is not.  Because my family lives far away, flying is a necessary part of my life.  So, I've developed little rituals to help ease my nerves.  As I board the aircraft, I touch the outside of the plane and try to meet the pilot's gaze. "Good luck. I support you," I say with my eyes. This randomly brings me some measure of comfort.

I'm not proud of my weird, but there it is.

I'm prone to motion sickness and also A GIANT METAL TUBE WEIGHING THOUSANDS OF TONS SOMEHOW LIFTS INTO THE SKY.  By the grace of God I managed a 'B' in Physics, but for the life of me I cannot understand how air travel works.  Something to do with letters, numbers, and triangles.

On Saturday night I was flying home to Virginia from Kentucky.  The older gentleman seated next to me seemed nervous.  He fumbled around for the seat belt before buckling.  As others popped in earbuds, he listened carefully to safety instructions.  Poor fellow was scared to death.

He seemed to settle a bit, but then we hit some turbulence.  He held on to the tray table like a life preserver.  I looked at him and smiled politely.  He deadpanned "I do not prefer air travel."  He looked away.  I tried to exude calm.

When the turbulence died down we began to chat. I learned this was his first flight.  He had taken the train to see his son, but circumstances necessitated a flight home.  He talked.  I listened.  Later, when his hands began to tremble I tried to reassure and support. 

It was my turn to be strong for someone else.

Being strong for someone else is not easy; especially when we have the same fears or doubts or worries.  Some may wonder if being strong for someone else is inauthentic, but I don't think it is. 

Being strong for someone else doesn't mean lying about fears or doubts or worries: It simply means giving support, strength, and calm as gift to someone else.  It's not always about me.  It's not always about you.

Sometimes it's our turn to be strong for someone else.

Learning From Those With Whom We Disagree

During the month of May Scottsville Baptist is reading and studying Thom Rainer's "I am a Church Member." It was mailed to me by my mom the easter bunny who still sends goodies via US Postal Service every spring.  I might as well say it: I'm pro-Jesus and pro-bunny.  YOU try planning Holy Week services without a Peep or seven.  Let me know how that works.  

Rainer's book has been helpful to our church.  It is easy to understand and asks good questions.  Rainer encourages the church to approach church membership as gift.  He challenges us to embody a sacrificial attitude and not to blame others (whoever the others are).  It's a good book.  

Do I agree with all of it?  No.  In the chapter about praying for church leaders the pronoun 'he' is used exclusively to describe the pastor.  Is 'he' the main point of the book?  No.  Is it distracting?  Yes.  Can I still learn from the book?  Of course.

Here's the thing:  I want to be the kind of person who not only says she has an open mind; I actually want to have one.  I fail at this often, and sometimes I'm not good at listening to folks who don't affirm my call. But I want to be better.  Seriously.  

The polarization within Protestantism is staggering. How can we move forward if we're not willing to engage? We don't have to agree 100% to learn from each other.  The name-calling and unfair comparisons seem out of control.  Are we working toward reconciliation and movement forward for Christ?   

I told Scottsville Baptist folks to put 's' before 'he' and all will be well! The joke landed PTL and we moved on. Baptists can think for themselves after all (paging soul freedom, aisle two).  If an author who leans right or left (however such adjectives are measured!) helps point us to Jesus Christ, let's dig in and learn. (Of course it won't always be this simple, but can we try?)  Harvest the wheat and brush off the chaff. 

You might read the book and think it's not helpful.  That's fine.  I'm only hoping we can approach those with whom we disagree with an open mind and gentle spirit.  It's the only way to move forward.  

This Old House.

I love this old, creaking parsonage.  Every day her bones cry out loudly and without warning. She's settling in for the next hundred I suppose.  I've grown accustomed to her hollers. 

Her floors are hardwood and they were cool before hardwood floors were cool. Sometimes I think about the life they've held: Open houses, Christmas parties, difficult conversations, Sunday School dinners, move-in celebrations, and weddings (over 150!)...if floors could talk!

The tradition of old houses excite me.  It's true:  Some walls could come down. Some repairs are warranted.  Some updating could improve the value. But in the end, old houses are pretty great.  

I like new houses too.  Open concept kitchens, palatial bathrooms, and generous backyards are hard to beat.  It's true: Luxurious amenities aren't needs, but for a family of 6 more than 1 bathroom is...helpful!

In the end, new houses are pretty great too.  New houses account for modern sensibilities and suit the palate of a 2014 homeowner-to-be.   

Both new and old houses have the same basic goal:  Shelter.  Both have their charms.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Might this apply to church?

Like old and new houses, there is more than one way to "do" church.  Both new and old (should!) have the same heartbeat:  Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Yesterday our guest worship leader, Rachel Shultz, told me she is eager to come alongside traditional churches and experience with them newer expressions of worship.  She finds value in both old and new.  I like that.

Traditions shouldn't be cast aside simply because they are old or seemingly outdated.  Boo on those reasons.  At the same time new expressions shouldn't be eschewed simply because "we've never done it that way before."   Boo on those words.  Both new and old expressions of church have their gifts; why not learn from each other?

Both old and new can use renovations from time to time.  Lately I've decided to emphasize 'change' less because I don't think that's what the church needs.  I think what we all need is a holy kind of flexibility.  I think we all need to be malleable to the Holy Spirit.  I hope we are doing that. I hope I am doing that.

This month our theme is "Worship and the Arts" and we're opening ourselves to ways of worship different than our norm.  Thanks Scottsville Baptist for your willingness.  It is a joy to experience God with you in old and new ways.  

A Holy Privilege

As the hospital doors open, I pray God's openness in my spirit.  I pray God grants me His ears to listen.  I pray for God's wisdom. 

Sometimes I know the prognosis of the person I'm visiting.  Other times I don't.  Sometimes it is life threatening.  Other times it is life-giving.  I've held the hand of the elderly and cradled the wide-eyed newborn within the span of a few days. 

Hospital visits are a holy privilege.  Each one.

Sometimes I know the person I'm visiting.  Other times I don't.  Sometimes it is a cousin or brother or niece or friend of a friend.  I don't always know what to expect, but I know The One who goes with me. 

Lately I've visited senior members in the hospital.  It's humbling to help shepherd these saints:  They have the wisdom as vast as the Atlantic, and yet they allow me to minister to them.

Hospital visits are a holy privilege.  Each one. 

And a Little Girl Led Them

When Granny arranges flowers mid-week, her granddaughter likes to pray from the pulpit.  This sweet anecdote made me smile.  I asked if Little Girl would like to pray during the service.

This morning six-year-old Little Girl showed up with a written prayer and song.  I love how seriously she approached worship leadership.  Little Girl sat with me until it was time for the prayer.  She asked God to help sick animals and people with broken bones.  What beautiful particularity.

"…and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Baptized in Water

Today was a celebration at Scottsville Baptist Church as we baptized Jen Gaines, Caleb Bouw, and Ashley Gaines!  You could feel the joy in the sanctuary.

Caleb, Jen, Ashley, and Katie

The call to ministry allows me the amazing privilege to baptize these folks.  What a beautiful, humbling thing.

Before immersing these friends I asked each of them "Who is your Lord and Savior?" Jen, Caleb, and Ashley each replied "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior!"  I love that.  It is testimony.  It is ownership of the decision.  It is proclamation of Jesus Christ.  In a nutshell:  It's the good news.

When I was at the Jordan River last week I bottled up some of the water.  I poured some in the baptistry this morning to mix the waters of Jesus' baptism with the waters of Jen, Caleb, and Ashley's baptism.  I later invited those who wanted to remember their baptisms to come forward to receive the sign of the cross on their hand or forehead with Jordan water.  It was a special time.

You would think the day couldn't get better, but then…cake appeared! Thanks to the families of Jen, Caleb, and Ashley for providing lunch and cake for everyone.

Thanks be to God for a wonderful day.

(At press time UVA is beating Duke:  The wonderful day continues!  Praise be!)

Snapshots of the Old City

Walking the Via Dolorosa

Church of the Holy Sepulchre:  Traditional site of the empty tomb of Jesus.

Entrance to the traditional empty tomb site

The Western or Wailing Wall with prayers stuffed in the cracks.

Near Huldah's Gate on the teaching steps of Jesus.