WHEN WILL WE START SAYING "YES"?

My brother was welcome when he attended the Metropolitan Community Church, but not so much in other churches...because he was gay. Indeed, the leaders of a small church near me, upon hearing that two gay men would be attending their church on communion Sunday, held a meeting before worship and voted NOT to serve them. Many years ago, a teenage girl visited my own church pastor for support because she was about to give birth to a baby. He had a chance to embrace her in Christ's name, but he drove her away instead. Because she had a need that tested his understanding of Christ's love, he let her slip away, and she has seldom attended church since. Over the years, I've seen many people enter church and sit in the back row by themselves. Often, it seemed as if they were almost hoping that no one would say "hi" to them, but they didn't need to worry... because, generally speaking, no one did, especially if they looked as if they were poor. In the book of James (2:3), we're reminded the poor have always been seen as second-class citizens, but they haven't been alone. Women have been silenced and undervalued since the church's beginning, and as recently as 1976, the church we joined in Omaha did not allow women to hold any leadership role. Prior to the Civil War, all of our churches were segregated and what is more- many of them, in the North and the South, believed that it was God's will because black people didn't have "souls." In ancient times disabled people were thought of as sinners and even in our time, I've known several disabled people who resented the notion that Jesus needs to make them "whole."

There is more order than ardor in our churches- more rules than grace- more reasons to say "no" than "yes," even though we profess that there is no male/female, no black/white, no slave/free, and (I would add) no gay/straight in Christ. Even though most of us would agree that God made each of us in God's image, we violate the image of God in others. Even though we are a forgiven people, it can be difficult for us to be "forgiving" people. As people who want others to see the best in us, we ought to quit judging our neighbors. In short, even though we are invited into God's kingdom by grace, we keep others out based on our own rules and biases. Legalistic rules have always been at odds with grace, which brings us to our passage in the Book of Acts. The early church was a Jewish church. Its members followed Christ and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, but they measured their faithfulness by the way in which they (and others) adhered to orthodox Jewish laws. Faithful Jews and, in the beginning, faithful Jewish Christians, were expected to avoid food that was not kosher and people who were unclean. They were judged by the food they ate and the people with whom they dined, which is one of the arguments that Jesus had with his critics throughout his ministry. Even though Jesus made it clear that sins starts in the heart and not the stomach and even though he dined with sinners, his first followers followed their  ancestral traditions.

It might have stayed that way to this very day, if God hadn't done a "new thing." Peter was a champion of Jewish orthodoxy himself, but one day, God gave Peter a vision in which he was tempted three times to eat his fill of unclean foods. Despite the fact that an angel was involved in the vision, Peter refused to eat what he was offered because he had never done it before. Meanwhile, there was a gentile named Cornelius who also had a vision at about the same time... in which he was told to invite Peter to meet him. Their visions paved the way for a meeting, and when Peter saw that Cornelius and his family were filled with the Holy Spirit, he baptized them, noting that these Gentiles had received the very same Spirit that he and others had received at Pentecost. Peter saw that there were faithful and righteous people among the Gentiles- people who would receive Christ as their Lord and Savior if they were given a chance. He came to the conclusion that it was not fitting for him to reject the very people whom Christ had died to save. Despite their differences, the Gentiles were invited in, and the rest, as they say, is history. Or is it?

How long will we struggle to accept those whom God has made? How long will our own fears and prejudices be the roads that we travel upon? How long will it be before we act as if there really are no human-made boundaries in Christ? When will we feed the poor ourselves and shower the lost with love, even if they don't deserve it? When will people be invited in, simply because they want to meet Jesus, and with no other qualification? When will we ever come to see that, as forgiven sinners, we ought to give other sinners the same opportunity? Peter was right, of course- we cannot call anyone "impure" and "unclean." Amen!

ALCOHOLICS, THEIR CHILDREN... AND CHRIST

I'm over 70 now. pudgy... and my gray hair is thinning. I'm blessed with a wonderful family, including a wife of 52 years, two great daughters, a couple of dynamite granddaughters, two joy-filled little boys, and a great-granddaughter on the way. I'm a proud native of Iowa, which is a lot like heaven to me... but a big part of my heart still clings to Nebraska's "Big Red." I'm a born-again Christian, who found grace, purpose, and freedom in Christ many years ago. I am a retired Presbyterian minister, but I'm having the time of my life as the pastor (part-time) of a wonderful PCUSA church in Knoxville, Illinois! I've been blessed with more than my share of "highs," and I've created any number of "lows." I'm a recovering alcoholic who experienced all the pain and emptiness that I could stand before I was 30. Like any other person my age, I have a lot of stories I could tell, but at this moment, I simply want to highlight to liberating power of God... for alcoholics and their children!

If we're to survive, we need to find a way of way of getting by. If we're to have a healthy sense of self, we need to believe that we are "good enough" and worthy of love- just as we are and just because we are. Life can be difficult. We want to belong and we also want to be authentic. We want to please people... without being dishonest. We want to "let go" and trust, but it's not easy. It's tempting to win approval by pretending to be what we're not and to be manipulating instead of trusting because that makes us much less vulnerable. We all need to find the path that leads us to a place of freedom and acceptance. We all need community and a sense of self, but most of the paths that promise these things are dead-end. They are temporary fixes, or surface-level purchases, that don't give us either real community or a real sense of self. We are driven to find a way of being "somebody" in a world which seems too big... and some people, like me and my parents, choose alcohol! For the "alcoholics" themselves, alcohol seems to serve them well at first. They are more charming when they're drinking, wittier. better looking, and they seem to have more friends. In time, they will be alone, in a crowded room. They won't even be able to function, let alone be charming, and their "friends" will go out of their way to avoid them.

"The man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man." This is the way it goes for the drinkers, but for their families. life becomes an unpredictable nightmare, which is filled with tension, drama, deceit, and abuse. Life, for the alcoholic family, quickly becomes chaotic and empty, and those who are caught up in this life learn to survive in very similar ways. According to Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) studies, children who grow up in alcoholic homes will:

1. judge themselves harshly and never feel "good enough;"
2. be "serious" people who don't have much of a sense of fun or play;
3. feel guilty on the few occasions when they do stand up for themselves;
4. give themselves over to people-pleasing as a way of life;
5. be vigilant, alert, and "on-guard'"
6. have difficulty expressing feelings and trusting other people;
7. be "reactors" rather than "actors" in life;
8. feel alone and isolated, even if they are in a crowd;
9. cling to even destructive relationships, for fear of being abandoned;

These are some of the tell-tale signs of an ACOA. They certainly described me for years, but they lost their power when I accepted Christ in the fall of 1976! There have been some ups and downs since then- temptations have reared their heads and I've taken a wrong turn or two- but Christ has never let me fall. Like everyone else, I've lost important things over time, but I've never doubted that Jesus loves me. Neither have I ever felt that I need to be, or need to pretend to be, something more than I am, to be accepted and loved by my Lord.  I am free now to be my best self.

In Christ, I am good enough! I am good enough, and in Christ, I can be of some good to others too. This freedom makes me a better companion and it makes me far more "real. If you are lost in a maze... in which you can't trust anyone, don't feel that you're "good enough" anyway, and have no idea of how to get out .... let it all go. Stop. Give your burdens and your life to Christ... and you will be free. The exit to the maze is right in front of you!

A FEW OF THE SAINTS I'VE KNOWN

People often ask me about heaven. Will grandpa and grandma be there? How about my poodle, "Itty Bit"? People wonder about heaven. My son died when he was 3, grandpa lived to be 103- will one be forever a toddler and one forever old? Will there be diapers in heaven? Cub fans? I don't know... but I do know that the river of life runs through heaven and I know that heaven will be filled with forgiven sinners- some of whom gave their life for Christ and some of whom cried out, "Remember me." I don't know whose names are written in the Book of Life, but I know that heaven will be filled with people who trusted in Christ through thick and thin. I also know that heaven will be a place without hospitals, prisons, or graveyards. There will be no violence, no scorecards; no Alzheimer's, no cancer, no addiction, not even any knee replacements in heaven.

I don't remember the year, but I do recall our daughter, Kendra, crying about heaven. She was very distraught and she didn't want to go to heaven... because someone had told her that, in heaven, all she would ever do is float around on a cloud. She thought that would be boring and she wanted no part of it. Well, the apostle John didn't see anyone floating on clouds, but through his vision- his Revelation- he did find himself near the very throne of God. (Rev. 7:9-17) He saw a vast multitude of diverse people from every nation. The gathering was not an exclusive affair. It wasn't restricted to white people, to men, or to any particular people because these ways of dividing us don't exist in Christ. The people were united only in their worship and in their belief that salvation belongs to God and to the Lamb. Then, one of the elders asked John if he knew who the people clad in white robes were and where they came from. Well, John must have shrugged his shoulders, because the elder went on to say: "These are they who came out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." These are the martyrs who placed faith above life itself. These are the Christians who stayed the course, even when others discriminated against them, even when they lost their jobs, buried their children, and wondered if the storm clouds would ever pass over them. These are those who clung to the old rugged cross and considered it a pleasure to share Christ with others! They come from here and there and everywhere. Some of them suffered more than others, some of them were pushed to the edge of giving up, some of them were murdered for believing... but they kept on believing, worshiping, serving, and sharing God's grace-filled and empowering love with others!

And because of their steadfast faith and trust in God's salvation- you see them standing here, before the throne and the Lamb, singing their songs of faith and praise! This is heaven- that faithful people of all shapes, tongues, and colors are gathered in love to praise the One who atoned for their sins and rose in victory over death. These people who are singing their songs of praise... will never hunger again. Nor will they thirst. The Lamb will be their Shepherd and God will wipe away everyone of their tears. I don't know much about heaven, but I know enough to want to be there. They say that I may be surprised by some of the people I see there. Perhaps I will, but some of the people I see there will be amazed to see me! Actually I don't care. I just look forward to joining a throng of sinners who kept their faith in Christ, in the best of times and in the worst of times.

I want to encourage you to lift up a "saint" who has touched your life. Most of us have not known martyrs, but we have known people who have kept and shared their faith, no matter what was going on, through life's trials and ordeals. We've known people who walked this earth with a quiet and unshakeable assurance that they were walking with God. Lift them up now as we honor our Mother's and remember those upon whose shoulders we stand. There have been people in our lives who have shown us the way and what it means to be a Christian- Will Miner, Dave Markusse, Dave Nixon, Jeff Arduser....  Whom do you owe? Thank God for them now. Amen.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO FOR CHRIST

      In the 5th chapter of Matthew, Jesus began to teach about God's kingdom. Life is different in the kingdom of God, he said. Values are different and things are measured in different ways. In the kingdom, he said, those who are last actually win and those who turn the other cheek are faithful. In the kingdom of God, he said, those who mourn and seek God will be blessed. He went on to announce other blessings in what is now known as the "beatitudes," but his sermon on the mount went on for three full chapters! There are many ways in which the kingdom of God differs from the broken world we know,,, but based on his Sermon on the Mount and other things he said, it seems that these are some of the things that we are called to do as his community on earth:
1. We are called to walk humbly with God... because people who are "full of themselves" or "drunk on their own wine" will not see the kingdom of God;
2. We are called to see that we are blind... because there are none as blind as those who cannot see that. Without Christ, our vision of who we and our neighbors are... is dim and distorted;
3. We are called to mourn for a broken world. The world is filled with people who are troubled, lost, empty, and oppressed. Everyday, people die in needless ways, and the wounded-ness that comes from all of this sin and death... cries for someone to hear and get involved;
4. We are called to a vocation! God has equipped each one of us with talents and spiritual gifts... and he has given us the opportunity to use them for his kingdom here on earth. It may take courage, patience, and preparation... but God has a unique work for each one of us;
5. We are called to walk by faith! We must take a leap of faith because we cannot reason our way to God. Indeed, faith goes on where reason falters... because the greatest things in life are inexplicable and unmeasurable;
6. We are called to be radically inclusive... because there is no gay or straight, no black or white, no male or female, no able-bodied and disabled... in Christ.
7. We (you and me) are called to be the salt and the light of the world. It is our job to preserve the world... and to flavor it with joy and hope. In Christ, we are the light of the world because there is no other real light!
8. We are called to make forgiving a way of life. As Christians, we are called to forgive again and again... until people make fun of us and we feel a little silly ourselves ... because God's forgiveness knows no bounds;
9. We are called to trust God and live in the moment, letting others carry the burdens of the past and the worries of tomorrow, if they insist. We dance with today because today is all that we ever have;
10 We are called to keep our feet moving- to keep praying, keep inviting, keep serving, and to keep searching for the face of Christ in the least among us.
       We are called to do many other things as well, but let these be your Top 10 list of things to do for Christ. It is my prayer that you will find a way of doing them in your own life!

A MOTHER'S DAY NOTE TO MOM (RIP)

Dear Mother,  

      When we last visited you in Gower, MO., Sherry and I decided to drive by her old apartment building in downtown Des Moines on the way home. So we took the Keosaqua exit and moved toward 7th street... only to encounter a world that I'd never seen before. We found the Commission for the Blind and we were excited because we knew that Sherry's old, rundown apartment was just a block away. But it was gone! It was completely gone, and I realized that there wasn't a soul in town who even knew that it existed! I was a stranger on the streets I thought were meant for me, and it was the last thing I needed in the week you died.
      I loved you dearly, even with the "demons" that led you to believe that love was a zero-sum game, and despite the voices that told you that you would be nothing if you didn't grab center stage. You and I both knew that my home life was not the stuff of fairy tales. We both knew that conflict could break out at any moment, but there were good times too. I remember how often you played games with me and my friends, and how frequently you took us over to your mother's house, which gave me the chance to hangout with my Uncle Bill and my cousins- Del Jr. and "Butchy." Those were great times, but peace was hard to find. Hard for dad to find. Hard for me to find. Hard for you or my brothers to find. I also remember the conversation we had after one of my Mother's Day sermons at Arcadia Avenue Presbyterian Church. I mentioned that a Mother's loves comes as near to God's love as anything else on earth and I wished you a Happy Mother's Day from the pulpit. Afterwards, in a private moment, you told me how much you wished that things would've been better for my brothers and me. I told you that I did too, but that I was absolutely convinced that you did the best you could... and with tears in your eyes, you said, "Considering the circumstances, I suppose you're right."
      O yes, mother, I knew that you wanted to be your best self. You are gone now, and Mother's Day has come again. You and dad are buried in the plot you picked out, within easy walking distance of your own mother's grave. Things have been good for your family since you passed away. Sherry's still holding her cancer at bay, and our girls are doing well. Brooke is about to have a baby, which will make us great-grandparents again. Larry's family is doing well in Texas. Wade and Erica have another son and Jayme got married recently. Sean and Tnette moved to Florida and Amanda is now married. Your brother, Bill, and his family are doing well, and your sister is still getting by. I'm still preaching, writing, and grateful to be in the ministry. Sherry and I plan on being at the Shedenhelm reunion in Belle Plaine this year and I intend to attend the Shedenhelm reunion in Ottumwa as well.
      The river of life keeps flowing... but from time to time, my thoughts go back to a ranch house on Shawnee Place in Des Moines. I can see Larry and Randy in my mind's eye. I can see dad and I can see you. At times, I can almost hear your voices and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for doing the best you could. Your son, Kenn.

"SIMON PETER, ME, AND OTHERS WHO NEED A MULLIGAN"

Peter and several other disciples had decided to go back to the work they knew best: fishing for fish, and they did so through the night. It had been a tough night and come morning, their nets were empty. They were close to shore, when a man shouted out, “Cast your nets on the right side of the boat!” So, they cast their nets on the right side, and caught as many fish as their nets would hold. But just then, John recognized that the man on the shore was Jesus. "It’s the Lord," he cried, and Peter (always prone to action) jumped into the water and made his way to shore. The others brought the boats in. and Jesus invited them to join him for breakfast around a charcoal fire that he had already started.

They shared a meal together. They broke bread with a man whom they loved, but the gathering was not about food or fellowship. When they finished their breakfast, Jesus got to the point of it all. “Simon,” he said, “Do you love me more than these?” He called him Simon again, as he had done in the beginning- before he renamed him Peter "The Rock"- and asked him, "Do you love me more than these"- this food, these friends, your occupation, your family, and life itself? 

Do you love me more than these? This is one of the Bible’s great questions and Peter’s thoughts must have wandered to another charcoal fire, in Caiaphas’ courtyard, when he denied being a follower of Jesus, or even just “knowing” him. In that moment, in that place, Peter was not a rock. He was simply Simon bar Jonah and he didn't want to die. It is as simple as that. He loved living. He loved his family, his work, his friends, and his life. He loved them more than he loved Jesus... so he said, I have nothing to do with this man!

“Simon, do you love me more than these?” “Yes,” he replied, “You know that I love you.” Then feed my lambs, Jesus noted, because caring for the little ones is what people who love me do. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He asked again, and again, Peter replied, “You know that I love you.” Then tend my sheep, Jesus noted, because caring for those who trust in me, is what people who love me do. Finally, Jesus hurt Peter’s feelings by asking Peter if he loved him for a 3^rd time. “Lord,” Peter said, “You know everything. You know that I love you.” 

It wasn't a long conversation. It wasn't abstract, subtle, or academic. It was direct and to the point. It was a prelude to what followed... because after reminding Peter of the cost of discipleship, Jesus said the words that he said in the beginning of their relationship- FOLLOW ME. If you love me more than these, follow me! If you are willing to go wherever I lead you, follow me! Then the big fisherman got to his feet and followed Jesus. It was the last call the Rock would ever need and it’s a passage that says this to me:

1 Failure is only a moment in time and it does not define us. It is a troubling moment along the way, but it is not our destiny. This is good news because we fail over and over again, which brings me to my second thought;

2. We’ve all had moments like Peter had. We’ve all let someone who counted on us, down. We’ve all had moments when we’ve let our "best self" down. We've all had moments when we’ve let our fears and self-interests keep us from doing what we knew to be right. When I was under the supervision of our Presbytery's Committee on Ministry many years ago, the chair of that committee said, "If you become a minister, you will be a good one." I've never forgotten her words and, what is more, I think they're true. I have been a good minister... but I remember several times when, for reasons that were not good enough, I didn’t give enough of myself to someone who needed me as pastor or friend. I let them down. I let my calling down and even the one who called me. I’ve had my share of “Peter moments”…and it brings to tears to my heart when I think that Jesus gave Peter (and me) a “do-over.” This brings me to my final thought:

3. We have a God who never gives up on us. Praise God! We have a Lord who is always inviting us to love him. We have a savior who keeps knocking at the door. It blows my mind when I think of a God who never gives up on me, even when I stumble and flat out, let Him down. Christ never gives up on us, but he never quits calling us either. He’s always calling us to follow him. He’s always calling us to discover the fullness of life in service to him. 

As Frederick Buechner put it, "From fisher of fish to fisher of people to keeper of the keys to shepherd. It was the Rock's final promotion, and from that day forward he never let the head office down again.” No, he didn't, but this is story about God’s grace and steadfast love. It’s a story that's not just for Peter. It’s for you and me and for those who don’t feel good enough to do God's work, or that they’ve let God down, or that they missed their chance. It's also for those who have simply come to believe that they really do love Jesus more than anything else in their world. Amen!