Saying the J-word

This past week I got the privilege of joining with the Commission on Ministry (the group that interviews and discerns the call of those seeking ordination and then makes recommendations to the bishop) to hear the stories of eight men and women. They shared with us the precious and fragile gift of their understanding of their call to the priesthood.  It was a holy time.


One of the conversations we always have with those seeking holy orders is about their relationship with the Triune God, and most specifically, with God the Son, Jesus the Christ.  I am always struck by how easy, or how challenging it is, for folks to do this--particularly because they have discerned a call to serve in ordained leadership in Christ's very Body, the Church.  How can we preach and proclaim the Gospel if we can't talk about Jesus?

In my preparation for preaching this week, I read a commentary (Feasting on the Word) written on the Sunday Gospel by Lee Barrett.  Lee wrote, "Jesus is the presence of the tranformative power of God."

One way of teasing out who Jesus is for me is to look at my life and see where it has been transformed by the power of God.  This is the place that proclaims who Jesus is to me.  For me.  With me.

Where has Jesus transformed your life?  Who is the Jesus your life proclaims?

Yet another year of grace

 

The knitting of the sixty stars for the Sixty Star Project has gone quicker than the giving of the stars. I have my master list of people who have influenced my life in profound and essential ways, with some empty spaces yet to fill as I continue to ponder and honor those folks who have helped me become me.  The giving of the stars has taken time because I want to give my loved one his or her star at a moment is which we have an opportunity to savor the gift of our relationship.

Most of the stars have been given in person, but the very first star was sent by mail to a person who has certainly had the most impact on my life, my mother.  My mother continues to live on land that has been in our family for over one hundred years.  She and I have not always gotten along as well as we'd wish, so the greatest gift of this time in our lives is how much we truly love being together.  I try (not always successfully) to drive the nearly three hundred miles to visit each month because I know it is precious time together.

Mother is never happier than when she is working in the yard; at Christmas we had green beans and Swiss chard grown from her garden.  She also made my very personal favorite, chocolate pie (so good that it was featured in my daughter's cookbook, The Home Sick Texan Cookbook).  Mother is generous and graciously opens her home and heart to all sorts and conditions of others.  She has taught me much about the wisdom that comes with a life well-lived.  

One of her gifts to me this Christmas was a passage of Scripture.  As I begin another year of blogging, I thought that sharing this verse with you was a way for us to begin another year of grace together.


 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.  2 Corinthians 8. 12

60 Years of Blessings

If truth be told, I am not thrilled about turning 60, even if my daughter Lisa says that 60 is the new 40. Many of my friends are already retired or counting the years, if not the months.

Not me. I plan to work at least another dozen years full time. I'm in great health, and I feel that I have lots left to do. My father worked as a clinical psychologist into his 80's, and my mother, at 85, lives on her own in the country.

If there's one life lesson that God does not let me forget, it's that the best way to get out of the doldrums is to do something nice for someone else. So on my vacation the first week of September, I began the 60 star project.

I'm knitting 60 stars from yarn in my stash. As I knit, I'm pondering the many people who have changed my life, blessed my life, taught me and loved me, mentored me and mirrored Christ for me. As I knit, I'm praying about which 60 people in my life will get stars from me in my 60th year. I'm aware that many of those who have touched my life the most are no longer around. How will I let acknowledge their influence in my life? What if I think of more than 60 people? Well, what a great problem that would be.....I'll simply knit more stars.

My birthday is less than a week away. So while I wait, I'm knitting.

August 20: Engagement of the Church in the Community

So this is the big question. On this final (formal, official) day of prayer.....we come to the so what. So what is God calling us to do in response to this week of prayer? Please listen, and then get a conversation going!

DAY 7 Engagement of the Church in the Community

Did you know that the Faith Community has the potential to transform our community? With more than 4,100 local churches in the Greater Houston Area and more mega- churches than any city in the United States, Houston is uniquely positioned to serve God’s purposes and plans for the children of our city.

Many churches and organizations are already engaged. Can you imagine what might happen if all of the churches across the city got involved in serving the needs of our students, educators and schools? Do we see this as our place of service?

We know God has instructed us to focus on children. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

Let’s Pray

Father, you have called us to be your witnesses in our community and beyond. (Acts 1:8) We understand this includes expressing your heart and care for the children and youth of Greater Houston. Thank you that you have been helping us recognize the needs in our community. Thank you that you have been helping respond as your people - together. (John 17:23)

Our first action has been to seek you in prayer. We recognize that you alone have the capacity to meet the many challenges before our children. We are not relying on our own capacities but upon yours. (Luke 18:27)

Father, we are asking you to come and do more than we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) Give us your heart for the children and youth of this city. Break our hearts with the things that break your heart. Raise up Houston to be a city that is know for whole and healthy children. All of this we ask in your name, the name of Jesus, and for the sake of the children of our city.

AMEN

Can We Be The Answer?

Tracks are forming to connect and network advocates for children in the following areas:

Senior Pastor Track

Children’s Pastor Track

Advocate Organization Track

Prayer Mobilization Track

What else is God asking us to do?

August 19: Prayer for College Readiness

DAY 6 Prayer for College Readiness

Did you know that only 24% of high school graduates (ages 25-29) have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher? We should encourage all students to prepare for college admissions, including taking college entrance examinations, completing college-level coursework, visiting college campuses, and completing college admittance and financial aid applications.

The best way for a child to make their way out of poverty is through quality education. We need to act as a guide and support for the children in our city, so their top priority is to attend college and become educated citizens.

Let’s Pray

Father, many of us have been through this process with our own children. We recognize it is a daunting challenge. We also recognize there is a wealth of experience across our city that has the potential to impact the lives of thousands of other children.

Help us respond to this opportunity to serve the youth of Greater Houston. Show us how to work together, with our many gifts, talents and experiences, so that we can address this need. (1 Cor 12:12) Connect us to those who are already engaged so we can be effective. Where there are few resources, raise up, call out and empower additional leaders for this task. (Matthew 9:37-38)

We know you have plans and purposes for each of our youth, plans that are greater than we can fathom. (Jeremiah 29:11) We also know that you want to use us, your people, to help others see those plans. Help us to steward this opportunity well. All of this we ask in your name, the name of Jesus, and for the sake of the children of our city. AMEN

Can We Be The Answer?

Are there Youth Groups or others that are meeting this need effectively?

Resources

Project GRAD Houston (http://www.projectgradhouston.org)

Ed Pioneers (http://www.community.educationpioneers.org)