Shining Spirit

While waiting between TV football games recently, I looked up to see a commercial for the U.S. Marine Corps. Having served with Marines a couple of times in my Navy career, I paid attention, and this is what I heard: “You don’t join the Marine Corps; you become a Marine. Subtle but significant. It didn’t take long for that idea to move into the realm I know best, the church. Reputable social researchers say that Generation Z people (birth after 1997) continue to lose interest in the traditional church. They use words like “irrelevant” or “uninteresting” or “out of touch.”

So, here is church Number 1: “You know, Gladys, if we could just get some more young people, we might survive as a church. We need new blood. Some of our 37 Committees don’t even have leaders anymore. I don’t understand why people don’t join, put their membership here.”

Church Number 2: “What we need is an aggressive Membership Drive followed by an equally strong Stewardship Campaign. Let’s canvas people at the Mall: “What church do you belong to? Where is your church membership? Come join us; we’re a very nice organization. We’ll give you a set of the Bylaws, a bumper sticker for your car, and a box of offering envelopes. And, in time, if you prove yourself, we’ll vet you for a position of leadership. Did I mention a nametag with your picture on it?”

It could be said of both churches: “We do ministry to support the organization.”

Church Number 3: “Our expectation for you is that you become Christ, not simply a name on the roster. We’re not about an organization that does ministry; we’re about personal transformation into a brand new being. Our goal is not for you to be a certified member; but to become Christ alive in the world.”

Is it all semantics? Is this just playing with words? I don’t think so. A mindset, yes. The church was never meant to be a holding pattern or a hotel. Transformation means a tent and a compass and a large supply of courage. You don’t join the U.S. Marine Corps; you become a Marine. You don’t just join a church; you become Christ alive, the fullness of God in the flesh.

“He came to his own people but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves…” John 1

“How To Be Happy In The New Year” The subtitle was something like: “Advice From The World of Science.”
I don’t need advice from science. I was just trying to find some early morning news and this article pops up. I thought to myself: another one of those “get enough sleep” or “eat a balanced diet” articles. Okay, I know all that. I think I read the same article last year. At my age and stage of life, wouldn’t you think that I might be able to figure out how to be happy without having to consult science? You’re right, I’m getting grumpy. Let me take a deep breath.

I was about to move on in my search for overnight news when my pinkie finger hit the wrong key and the happiness article opened up. You know what the first scientific principle is concerning happiness in the new year? “Value Friendships.” Wait a minute! That’s a scientific observation? Hmm, maybe I’ll read just the first paragraph. And guess what I found. Good stuff! Makes sense. Here’s a quick summary: as you get older, friendships matter more and more. Embrace friendships as treasures. Engage with people; get out of yourself. Volunteer. Now I’m thinking: I’ve got to share this with my friends online. But, I’ll add one element left out of the article, an element that can’t claim a scientific origin. This element originates in the heart, the soul and it applies to all human beings. I’m going to call it “Live The Longing.” Somewhere in each of us is a desire to connect with meaning, purpose, some sense of personal value. This is particularly true for those of us who are in the second half of life. Like it or not, life is a moment of mystery in time. I can fill it with whatever I choose and then one day it’s over. Yes, it’s important to “value friendships” and engage other people. But that’s the first step to “living the longing.” People are more important than places or property or pride of accomplishment. By all means, “value friendships” because those engagements are doorways to a greater awareness of who I am and why I am here. Genuine encounter with life is a way to have a genuine encounter with Life.

One more time: looking for happiness in 2025? Stop thinking of happiness as a giggle or a laugh, an experience of entertainment. Happiness, or joy, if you like, is the outcome of contentment, an awareness of who I am, what I am about, and why I’m here. Find a friend. Be a friend. And somewhere in that process of engaging people, caring about and for people, a light will come on and you will find what you’re looking for. Or, another way of putting it: you will be found by Sacred Contentment, the source of all you seek.

Okay, enough. I’m still looking for the overnight news.

Ready or not, here we go!
Down with the house lights,
on with the show!
Where the little ball lands,
nobody knows.

A New Year's dawn is a fragile thing.
Do I cry or pout or dance or sing?
Be on the lookout for that golden ring.
What will this year unfolding bring?

We have some choices, it seems to me:
be fearful and hide; gang up,
choose a side; let pride be your 
guide; just take it in stride.
And, pray for all leaders in
this New Year, that they may
see the way very clear toward
justice and peace, goodwill for all.
On this last choice, we will rise or fall.

But whatever comes In
this New Year, we cannot 
submit to anger and fear.
Each day will bring its laughter
and tears; each day is a time 
to draw very near the source of
our strength, our hope, our
lives.  We must live each day,
not merely survive.  And life
comes from Him who is by
your side, the One who said:
"I will abide..."

And He does.  And He will.
Still and until.

Footnote:  Make your choices very
carefully.  So much depends on you,
and you, and you...me, too.

The faith of Jesus, and later the church that developed after his death and resurrection, was not all that complicated. Complications and confusion came later. As I reflect on Act 2 and 3, I find a pretty clear outline of the cornerstones of a vibrant, faith-filled church. There seem to be four things that are essential. Okay, I’m glad you asked.

The very first pillar or cornerstone is Teaching. By the way, follow this in Act 2:42ff. Teaching is absolutely essential. It makes sense to know something about the faith to which you have committed your life. Bottom line: every person who subscribes to the leadership of Jesus and makes a church part of that experience, should (must) be a learner. If you call yourself a disciple, you have to be one. The second pillar is Fellowship. Lone Rangers don’t last long in a faith built around tables and self-less concern, unless you choose to become a hermit. Fellowship is intentional interaction with people who hold similar beliefs. You simply can’t do without it.

Then comes Breaking Bread, and this is a clear reference to Eucharist or Holy Communion. But, it is more than that. Breaking bread is that time when you sit with family or friends and gratefully enjoy a common meal or a meaningful conversation. Breaking Bread is the intimacy of common gratitude, a doorway into the mystical. That’s why Jesus, just before his arrest and crucifixion, said “this is my body broken for you,” and “I am the bread of life…” It is very important to break bread with your church community at the altar and equally important to develop a spirit of gratitude every time your break bread at any table.

Finally, the fourth cornerstone or pillar is Prayer. Call it what you want and practice it as you please, but followers of Jesus always develop a way to think beyond themselves and their own circumstances. Find a moment and a method of linking yourself to the mystery of God. That’s called prayer and it is very important.

Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, and Prayer. How are you doing with those four essentials? The house will collapse without strong cornerstones. Grace and peace to you from that Spirit who helps us along the way.

Can you stretch your wings today? Maybe not “can you” but “will you”? Today may be the very best time to try that new thing you’ve been thinking about, to make that phone call, to write that letter. Today may be the very best time to stretch out your wings and fly. We were meant to fly, you know. Well, maybe not in the same way as this lovely water bird, but fly, yes. We are lifted by the holy wind, the sacred breeze, that which we call the Holy Spirit, the Empowering Breath of God. With that Spirit, you and I can rise above life and catch a glimpse of eternity. But, like the great white bird, we have to land. We have to come back to the “real world” of work, relationships and daily living. But here’s the good news: in the presence of that Holy Spirit, in those moments of spiritual refreshment: prayer, meditation, reflection, we are blessed with new insights and given new strength. Spiritual refreshment is found in spreading your wings and waiting for the Holy Breeze of God to lift you into a higher awareness of the Holy One. Your flight might be short or long; doesn’t matter. Is today the day?

You are cleared for take off.

The scene is Pentecost. Tongues of fire dance through the room. Men from Galilee, probably not highly educated, speak in languages they do not understand. They don’t know what they are saying. It’s gibberish to them. Meanwhile, people from foreign countries hear the Galileans in their own native languages, and they understand. How can this happen? they wonder. But there must be a reason for everything, so it is suggested that all the Galileans are drunk. Mystery solved. Since they are drunk they can speak foreign languages. Pass me that bottle.

Just because I do not know how to speak German or French does not mean that the Spirit must remain silent. And just because I do not understand how uneducated men can speak a foreign language, one that I understand, does not mean the Spirit cannot communicate. And, just because I cannot explain a strange, unusual moment or circumstance does not mean that I have to speculate a reasonable answer. Not everything has an answer; not everything is knowable. Some things are beyond my capacity to understand, but that does not deny its relevance or reality.

The Spirit empowers the Word to be spoken and the Word to be heard. Listen to the mountain; it speaks. Listen to the train whistle in the distance; it speaks. All things have the capacity to Spirit-speak, even without our permission. The Spirit blows where it wills, in ways that it wills, and at times that may seem inconvenient. God still speaks. Sometimes truth must be said, even though I may not understand the reasons why. God’s reasons are most often mystery to Galileans like us, but someone else may hear and be transformed. That’s the way it works. That’s the truth.

John the Baptizer and two of his disciples saw Jesus walking by and John said to his followers: There is the Lamb of God. The two disciples walk away from John and into the life of Jesus. Jesus sees them following, turns and asks the first of two very interesting questions: “What are you seeking?” or “What do you want?” He knows they are connected to John, so is he simply curious: Why are you walking behind me? Maybe, but let the question go deeper. Shift from a curiosity question to one of life definition: What do you desire of me? What do you want me to give to you? This is a relationship question. The two men could have been asking for directions to the market, or seeking information about something happening in the city, but they weren’t. Jesus knew who they were from previous encounters with John and his band of followers, and he probably knew, or at least sensed, that their act of walking away from John and into his footsteps was very significant. Perhaps it’s: What do you expect of me? How serious are you? “What do you seek?”

And then comes the second question, this one asked by the two men. “Rabbi, (Teacher) where are you staying?” Is that an answer to the first question? Jesus asks: what do you want, and they reply: where do you live. That’s a weird response until you let it go deeper, until it becomes a “heart” question, not an inquiry about the address of his home. Perhaps their reply means something like this: we just want to be near you. His home is where he abides, and that’s the Greek word used in the text: “abide.” The men are offering their hearts to Jesus: we want to abide in you; where you are, we want to be. Now their response makes sense. In fact, the two questions now fit beautifully together: What can I offer you? And they say: Nothing except your presence. We want to be where you are because being in your presence, abiding in you, will lead us closer to God.

Finally, imagine that you are one of those two men trailing after Jesus and that he turns and poses that life-defining question: what do you seek from me? why are you following me?

Let your heart speak. What is your answer?

Those who walked in darkness have seen a new, bright light.
And those who wandered blindly regained their precious sight.
The lame can walk; the deaf can hear, all because God drew near,
became a human just like me. How can this miracle possibly be?

On those in darkness, a great light has shined,
touching the depths of both heart and mind;
breaking down walls of division and hate,
declaring that no one is ruled by fate,
but guided by justice, mercy and grace:
the Kingdom is found right here in this place.

Darkness has lost its strength and control.
Christ has claimed my heart and my soul,
and I, in turn, will walk His way
until I wake to that beautiful day
and the sounds of angels as they sing:
“the dwelling of God is in everything!”
And I will join them in their songs of praise
through the length and breadth of eternity’s days.

Joy and Peace to all on this remarkable day when Peace became a person, Hope took on humanity, and Love was renamed Light of the World. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King! A very Merry Christmas to all.

I've watched that sun rise day after day,
and I've heard the words that people say;
helpful, holy, thoughtful words
and cruel remarks better not heard.

But the very best sound to fall on my ear
is the sacred silence; nothing to hear,
absolute quiet, no sound at all.
It is here I wait for the Spirit to call.

Then comes the whisper heard by my heart,
and I feel my spirit slowly start
to smile, then laugh with exquisite joy;
I hold in my arms Mary's boy.

This is the One who makes all things new.
From infant to Savior, he lives to renew
the fragments that have broken apart,
to restore the courage gone from my heart.

This infant child will show us the way.
These hands will heal; this voice will say
truth to powers, rulers and kings;
this son of Mary will teach us to sing

songs of hope, forgiveness and joy;
would you like to hold Mary's boy?
Cradle him gently near your heart,
put aside all that would keep you apart.

Make room in your heart for the one born to be
the presence of God in all we see:
all creatures and Kings, the elite and the poor
will one day walk through that open door

and meet him at last, face to face,
the essence of love, the fullness of grace.
And he will reach out and call me near
in order to whisper in my ear:

I know who you are; I remember your face.
You were the one in a far distant place
who held me safe from danger or harm.
You held me in your caring arms.

So, come my brother, sister, my child;
take my hand and let's walk together awhile.
Behind you now is the rancor and strife.
This is the promised fullness of life.

As he spoke those words, I thought of you:
Would you like to hold the baby, too?