Which kind of cloud do you trust? Based on Hebrews 11 and 12 By Rev. Larry Fry College Avenue UMC August 18, 2013 The clouds in the Kansas sky can be amazing. They can be like giant puffs of cotton, or spread out on the horizon to bring a beautiful sunrise or sunset to take your breath away. I know of a man who has one who computer storage full of nothing but images of clouds. I cannot remember where I read it but one great writer said: “Whenever you see something of great beauty, that is the handwriting of God.” I agree with that. Over the years, one picture of heaven has been a place where people float on white clouds in white robes and playing harps. That image of heaven never did much for me. The world of computers has given us another kind of cloud. I receive computer messages often that want me to try the ICloud. For some time you can buy a computer that stores all of your created data on a “cloud.” I cannot manage the documents on my own computer. Having all of my stuff on that kind of “cloud” scares me. And to add to the confusion, those invitations to try the ICloud on my computer come to Penny S. Fry????? This Bible passage gives us another image is of a cloud of witnesses: that is, a large group of witnesses in heaven and on earth. These faithful Christians include all those who have gone before; it includes us and our children, and generations to come. It includes our youth who gave their powerful witness today. We are part of the cloud that goes all the way through time and history. I am going to trust this cloud for the witness of all gives me inspiration and hope. This is the cloud I trust in. I get asked to witness about what makes this church so vital. I can talk about the activities and programs. I can talk about the Harvester’s Food Distribution we do this Tuesday. But more than anything I like to talk about people, the cloud of witnesses here. Often people hear about our youth and their football parking grants reviewed in their presentation today. I would like us to think of a giant flash mob, or track meet. And we are in the saints relay race. People have been running around and around the track for years receiving the baton and passing it on to others. Those we remember from time to time passed it on to us. It is not end with them. We are participants and we the ones to carry it to the next time. We get the baton and race and we have it. We do our best. And then we get ready to pass the baton on to those who are next. Those who come after us will carry on the race. Our hope is that they too will look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. BEING WATCHED A cloud of witnesses entered the giant new building at the corner of College Ave. and Claflin last night. The addition to the football stadium was unveiled at an open house. A cloud means a giant group, like would fill a stadium. Another term might be a mob of witnesses…a big group. A cloud of people contributed to that new portion of the stadium. Soon we will have parking on church property a cloud of witnesses, headed to watch the football games. Soon the stadium will be filled with people watching football. When the football team takes to the field for the first game and the crowd roars with approval and excitement. Thousands are watching. A witness someone who sees something. Each fan at the stadium will be a witness to what happens. WITNESSES OF THE GAME And once they leave the stadium each fan could be a witness to tell what happened. After that first game, every coffee group, every tailgating party, will tell others what happened. They become witnesses, tellers of the story. The news media will send all over the world statistics and stories about the game. Who were the most valuable players and how many yards did they carry the ball. WITNESSES WATCHING US FROM HEAVEN The book of Hebrews lists a bunch of our heroes of faith celebrating what God did through them. They were not perfect superheroes. But they contributed to the work of God for the kingdom of God. One way to look at this is like we are on the field, and thousands of people, the saints who have gone before, are looking down on us, so to speak, seeing how we do as we carry on in the Christian faith. We are the ones who are to run our race set out before with faith and courage. WITNESSES TELLING THE STORY THROUGH OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS The movie, 42: the Jackie Robinson Story. We loved it! The owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Richey, was the one who changed baseball when he hired Mr. Robinson to play, breaking the color line in professional baseball. The movie is not a baseball movie; it is story about overcoming racism and establishing justice. Jackie had to endure the racism of fans, other players, other coaches, and his own difficult days wanting to give up. We can, if we have faith in Jesus, expect some opposition and bad treatment. The world is threatened by those who do not share its values and the world around will lash out at us. And thank God for the faith helps us persevere when this comes. Jackie Robinson received death threats and a constant barrage of racist slurs. Jackie was able to persevere with courage, faith, and his love of baseball that won over his critics and fans and teammates. To decide who was going to be this first rookie, the owner chose a younger man from the Kansas City Monarchs. He was looking at characteristics that would make him a responsible player. You will be surprised that Branch Richey looked at Robinson’s denomination. (Let’s watch.) On almost every part of this movie the owner is a great witness to his Christian faith. One of the reasons he picked Jackie Robinson using his own words: “He is a Methodist. I am a Methodist. God is a Methodist.” We laughed and laughed. In several major decisions, he did biblical insights, stories, and guiding values that he learned from Jesus. I am not sure he is on safe ground in saying that God is Methodist. God may be, but God is also other denominations and faiths. I am grateful for a movie that shows faith in a very positive light, without being rigid. Another hero: “Buzz” Aldrin was on the moon 44 years ago. Many people do not know that before he left he got permission to take the Lord’s Supper on the moon. He took a small container of wine and bread. Neil Armstrong was the first one on the moon because he did not want to participate. Aldrin, who followed Armstrong out poured the leftover wine on the moon. The first liquid poured on the moon by humans and the first food eaten there were communion elements. His idea was to give people on earth something to think about. But those in charge of the broadcast chose not to air it…just a few moments of silence were aired. The silence was to invite each person listening in, wherever and whomever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours, and to give thanks in his or her own way. He read a bit of John “I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.” The cloud of witnesses has gone far above our earthly clouds. As Christians we look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Our goal in this race is to become like Christ. This is the race set before. I don’t care who comes in first in this race. The important thing is to get on the track, to take the baton, and do our part and pass it on to a new generation. We have a cloud of witnesses watching us and that makes us want to do our best. That cloud includes those who have gone before and now inspire us through our memories of them. There are people who have inspired us and inspire us now. Prayer Lord, help us to get rid of our excess baggage in order to travel light. Thank you for the power which sustains us. Thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Who needs donuts when you have love? Based on Luke 12:13-21

Rosemary Carroll Tuesday morning Bible Study how, as a boy, her son saved his money to buy a stereo system, with a turntable and connected speakers with tweeters and woofers and everything.  After several months of enjoying his new investment which required records to play, needles to replace, and extras….he wondered: “Do I own a stereo, or does my stereo own me?”  Good question for all of us.

We all dream about things, good things, and big things: cars, houses, and vacation homes.   We must admit that in our culture, having stuff is a big thing.  Comedian George Carlin, now deceased, has a whole comedy routine about stuff.  We love stuff he said.  The meaning of life is having stuff.  We search for stuff, we have stuff, and we live in houses that store our stuff.  And when all our stuff will not fit, we rent other storage places.  Then we make arrangements to go visit our other stuff.  

Our garage is full of stuff.  This week in the middle of the night I heard a crash.  I turned on the lights on the outside of the house to scare away anyone outside, then I looked in the garage and did not see anything.  But in the morning when I checked things out, I found that a kayak I had hanging from the ceiling had fallen.  Luckily it missed the cars.  Dan Beach was able to help us get it back up.  Stuff.

DONUTS AND DONUTS

So what in the world does this Bible verse have to do with donuts?  Several weeks ago I told you about a library book that my son and I treasured in the 70’s.  Using a computer I found out that someone had paid $500 for a copy.  Now, it is back in print so I did not pay that much.  It is as much an art book as it is a story so I ordered one. 

Today, I want to go into it with a bit more detail.  A boy named Sam has dreams of lots and lots of donuts.  So one day he decides to go to the big city to seek his dream.  And sure enough he meets Mr. Bikferd who wears a paisley suit and collects donuts, stores them in a warehouse.  He is happy to have a helper.   In the midst of collecting donuts the wagon breaks down and they meet Pretzel Annie.  Mr. Bikferd and decide in an instant to marry and start a pretzel store.  That leaves Sam alone.  He is full of donuts and he doesn’t care anymore.  You would think he would head home but he has to learn one more thing.  A woman is taking an afternoon nap when the coffee factory springs a leak and floods her basement apartment.  She cannot get out and yells for help.  Sam dumps the whole wagon of donuts in and they soak up all the coffee and she is saved.  She offers to give him all of her life savings.  But he decides to head home knowing that: “Who needs donuts when you’ve got love.

The boy in the donut story has a huge warehouse of donuts and it does not mean very much.  He learns that the meaning of life does not reside in having stuff. 

A TEACHING MOMENT

Back to the story about Jesus!  He is interrupted and stopped by a heckler in the crowd.  Everyone once in a while, we see on the news a clip of a speaker being heckled.  Someone yells out.  It makes everyone feel uncomfortable and sometimes security comes to help the heckler out. 

This heckler yells out a complaint about his brother.  In that day, and in our own, inheritance disputes often bring people into the courts.  It was the law then that the younger brother gets 1/3 and the older 2/3.  But instead of ignoring him or rejecting him, Jesus uses this moment to teach a great truth to all who were in the crowd.

SO JESUS TELLS A STORY

So he tells the story of a rich man who has had a great run at farming.  And obviously he takes all the credit.  And all he can think about is himself.  He has all need and more….so he decides bigger storage places instead of a bigger heart.  He could have said, “Why do I need bigger barns.  I will keep the old ones and share my good fortune with others.”

What is wrong with eating, drinking, and being merry?   Jesus himself did that.  Our having communion today is based on the last gathering of the disciples before he gave his life.  Jesus loved to be with people around the table.  Was Jesus accusing him of relaxing now and then and having a good time?  No, Jesus did that, too. 

Jesus uses a story to remind us all that idolatry always begins with “I.” He never mentions anyone else and he certainly never mentions God, or the poor, or even his family.    His whole life is wrapped up in selfishness.  What he leaves behind are monuments to his selfishness when he could be leaving behind a legacy of generosity.  If God is in your life, people are going to notice and those in need will benefit.  And this farmer missed the life-changing joy of helping other people.

One of the great lessons here is that greed…tends to eliminate compassion and our circle of life grows smaller and smaller.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STUFF WE HAVE WHEN WE DIE?

After the farmer is gone from earth, someone else will have his stuff.   And at the end of our lives, others will have our stuff.  You can’t take it with you.  Part of the UM funeral service is about the wisdom…teach us to number our days.  I thought of the TV show called Storage Wars.  Auctioneers sell off belongings of people who have died or have moved and no longer are paying the rent.  A bidding war decides the fate of all this stuff.  It is an amazing part of American life because we have so much stuff.

THE TRUE SECURITY OF LIFE IS IN PEOPLE, NOT STUFF

A movie called Doctor featured William Hurt as a heart surgeon who was great at surgery but not so good at people.  This doctor becomes a cancer patient and learns how vulnerable people feel when they are sick and in the hospital.  One of the best parts of the movie is where a man needs a new heart.  The doctor warns him that he may not get a heart and he needed to get his life in order.  The patient, thinking of his family, said with a smile: ”I have it all in order” and he did.  And, in the process of radiation and surgery, the doctor gets his life in order.  During his difficult journey he makes friends with a woman who teaches him a great deal about letting people in to his life.  At the end of the movie he is given a letter from her written just before she died.  Let’s watch…

We all need a place to call home, friends, family, meaningful activities, and a church family.  Our greatest security is in faith in Jesus Christ.  And our faith should be visible to others in how we live our lives.   St. Jerome in the year 400 CE tells the story of a person who did not want to store all of her money in her purse because it was not spiritually safe.  She stored some of her money in the stomachs of those who were poor and hungry.  That way, it is heavenly safe.  Some of our wealth needs to go for a loving purpose in the kingdom of God.

Someone asked me about our building project.  Aren’t we just building a bigger barn?   No, because the purpose of a church is to make disciples of JC for the transformation of the world.  If that does not happen, then we have missed the point. Yet, the more it happens, the more we discover the healing power of the Church, gathered to honor God with all we are and all we have.  There is a power in this place that gets us right with God and right with ourselves and right with others and right with creation.  What we have here is exactly what the world needs.  It is a project full of loving purpose, in service to God and others.

I just read that Congress is considering giving farmers a tax incentive to give produce to food banks?  That is good…those barns need some help. 

I just found out.  There is a new donut shop opening up in the Blue Hills Shopping Mall.  Taylor Efurd, from our youth group is going to work there.   I can’t wait to try one.   As good as they might be…they will not be as good as what you receive in communion.   Come to this table as we feast on the Spirit of the Risen Christ.  It will taste good and you let the Spirit of the Risen Christ feed you with love.

Remaining a Place of Joy - Colossians 1:1-14

Yesterday, I ran over to a sandwich shop for our takeout lunch.  As soon as I got into the door, a boy named Tyson yelled out…”I loved Vacation Bible School.” 

And in case any of the lunch customers did not hear he yelled it out again.  He was so excited.  It was fun hearing and feeling his joy.  And after we talked a bit I needed to order our lunch so I left the family.  It was a joy for me to be associated with Tyson’s joy.  He wanted me to eat lunch at the same table with his family but I told him that I was headed for home.  I slipped out behind him.  As I left I heard him say to his family, ”This has been a very good day!”  Just remembering VBS made it, for him, a fun day.  For Tyson, church is a place to have great fun and learn some great things. 

I am always saddened when I realize that many people do not agree with Tyson.   I am saddened when I think of how many churches have so little joy.   And, churches have every reason to be joyful.  Many in our land see church as a boring place where devout believers and their church leaders are uptight and grumpy.  They are seen as people who are judgmental and joyless.  And as I talk to people this is ecumenical and even interfaith.   This is a big problem.

I am convinced that at the center of our faith is an awareness of God’s grace that leads to joy.  God is not primarily a joyless judge.  God made us with an enormous capacity for joy.  Not to enjoy that in church is a sin.

One of the characteristics of CAUMC I have never mentioned in a sermon, but I want to do so is our joy as a church.  You can, in almost every church meeting, count on great joy and a lot of laughter and some good-natured teasing.

This past week, Penny and I began our vacation with two joy-filled days helping with our new grandson, Toland.   Hopefully, our care for him meant his parents, Josh and Leena, got some needed rest and time to do a few other things.  Our arrival coincided with Toland’s first full smiles.  And, of course, we took full credit for that.  Just kidding.  But what a joy!  And with our phones we took lots of photos and videos of him making noises and smiling. 

My fondest memories growing up include late nights my parents spent with visiting with friends and family…the many hours they laughed and laughed until late at night into the morning hours.  I knew that the following morning they would be tired but much more full of joy.  And I am so grateful that the church programming in our home church provided enjoyment and joy.  I cherish also the times when our son was small…the joys of laughing together.  I cannot wait to hear my grandson’s laughter. 

HEAVEN

Churches have every reason to be joyful.  One of the most joyful parts of faith is our realization that heaven is for us.  Thinking of heaven and our privilege of our being there someday is a joyful thing.  I expect that seeing God will be the greatest joy of all.  For the Christian joy is happiness in God, in this life and the next.  And joy is not a fleeting feeling that comes and goes; it is part of our connection with God which gives us identity, stability, and hope.   Joy in God is one of the ways we are helped through the hard times. 

JOYS TOGETHER

And who could not enjoy the dance today?  Thank you Kate and Audrey for initiating this for us and for the youth and their willingness to learn and be a part of the joy this morning.

REMEMBERING THE PAST

In addition to our friend Tyson remembering his joy at Vacation Bible School, we have lots of great memories that bring us joy at CAUMC.  I remember the first day, someone came up the ramp when we put improved entrance on the narthex.  I will feel the same kind of joy the day when an elevator will provide an easier way to get up and down in this building.

THE WORLD HAS BEEN FULL OF DIFFICULT EVENTS

The last month has brought to us all a deep sadness: 19 firefighters who lost there lives in AZ, the plane crash in SF, the train accident in Canada where 50 died.  And I have been praying daily for the people of Egypt that they will be guided to a stable government. 

I remember conversations with those who have been on mission trips.  There is a startling realization that occurs at some point in the experience.   Those we go to serve those who have little, yet often they have so much joy.  Here we are Americans blessed more than we know with available food, amazing wealth, clean water, medical achievements, and technology beyond belief.  Even with all of these opportunities, we sometimes have less joy than those who do not have these things.  Paul, if he were here today, would want us to know that technology may multiply the opportunities for happiness, but technology does not necessarily generate joy.  Joy comes from God…a different source.  When my mother calls me after receiving another photo of Toland, I give thanks for the technology…but I give thanks more for the love and joy.  Joy is happiness in God.

I mention these because the world is in need of communities of mutual support which intentionally invite God to work among them.  For each of us has been through hard times and needed the support of a group.  Someone we needed and loved passed away or left.  Or perhaps we had an illness or treatments that were difficult to endure.  Our Christian faith declares that when somewhere, somehow, someone came to fill our emptiness.  I do not believe that comfort just comes only through determination, or busyness, or time expired.  These help, but what heals the human heart and soul is the Holy Spirit, a gift from God.  God grants us relief and the strength to go on.  And then, thank God, moments of genuine joy return.

PROCESS

This gift of grace comes from unexpected places.  One pastor was telling the story of how he was with a family through a difficult funeral and at the family’s request accompanied them back to their home where the church had delivered sandwiches and salads.  When they got to the house they were alarmed to see a plumber’s truck outside.  The people watching the house and preparing the food had called the plumber to deal with a problem.  What was unexpected is that the plumber turned out to be a former student of the one who died.  He expressed his gratitude for this wonderful teacher and his interaction with the grieving family turned out to be a great healing influence for everyone present.  When the world’s problems weigh heavy, there is a Holy Spirit that is stronger than the hurt of the world and greater than our weakness in dealing with that. 

In a world where violence and greed are so rampant, churches need to remember that prayer is a great resource.  Too much of the time, we tend to see prayer as our last resort.  After we have tried everything else, we try prayer.  Actually, Paul says prayer should be first.  God put into us the capacity for prayer and an urge that turns us toward our Creator in the ways of thankfulness and joy.   This week I read about some Tibetian monks who collect water bottles and turn them into prayer wheels.  It is a symbol of how our inclination toward God survives even in the mess we are making of creation. 

I invite you to communion.  It is gift to increase our understanding of the will of God.  Some of you might receive ideas for living life more faithfully.  For some of you it might be a joyful acceptance of the person God made you to be.  For someone else, it is acceptance of something he cannot change.  And I am hoping God will continue the way this church laughs and has great hope for the future.

One of our Sunday School classes is studying the Psalms.  Over and over people are expressing their joy that God saved them from slavery.  In the gospels, Jesus actually uses joy to describe one of the goals of discipleship.  Jesus enjoyed wedding parties, great conversations around the table, visiting new towns, spending time with children, explaining the joys of the kingdom, and healing.   These were all occasions for joy.  Paul urges us in another place to “rejoice always” and he tells us that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. 

Paul spent so much of his energy telling people how much God loved them.  He spent a lot of time being jailed, being roughed up, running from mobs, defending himself before those in the early church who could not give up the law.  The Christians at Colossae supported him, loved him, cared about him, helped him, and followed him.

We want to do church faithfully.  We recommit today to hospitality and fruitfulness.  We want to encourage people and help them find greater faith.  And we want to people to leave our church programs enlivened in what they do. 

Would someone write to us saying they experience new life and encouragement because of College Avenue UMC?  Would someone write to us saying they have heard of our faith?  The answer is yes.   And one of the reasons is our joy. 

We Get to Carry One Another - Galatians 5:1, 13-26

It is Stampede time and country music lovers are in town for a good time.   I was really worried about them during the storm that came through.  We were in the middle of our closing party enjoying ice cream and popcorn.  And people come up to me and show me on their phones and then I got a call of warning.  So I told people about the storm and they disappeared.  Several people told me:  “Boy, you know how to clear a room!”

 I did not have the opportunity to learn to like country music.  But I know important music is for them and for all people everywhere.   I see in the Stampede so many longings for music, meaning, community, and hope for this world.   Part of it is a search for those things.   I know that it is a temptation of the church to sit in judgment on the Stampede.  And yes, some do get carried away doing very dangerous things.  But the other side is important to look at too. 

People are seeking truth and meaning.  I also do not care for a lot of contemporary Christian music because it seems to push a message rather than following truth wherever it leads. 

This week I read a book about U2 by Gregg Garrett.  While not Country music, U2  shows the power of music.  All of us have heard a song that moved us deeply.  Millions of people have been moved by their music.  The band was very involved in a church-related group in Dublin called Shalom, and how they left because of all the unreasonable rules.   It was a classic struggle between law and freedom.   The band has given millions to help others.  The concerts have a quality of people being gathered up in a purpose to connect each person to the rest of the world.  Their songs are about people on a journey, learning how to find meaning together.  Their themes are very much like the themes for VBS this week…being neighbors, good neighbors, giving neighbors, bold neighbors, and forgiving neighbors.   U2 music might not always sound Christian, but what could be more Christ-like than what they do for the poor.   Their songs encourage people to put their faith into action for the sake of the poor.

The young people at the lake, like all of us are asking questions:

            What can we know about God?

            With whom can we share our spiritual journey?

            What will make me a better person?

            How can I help make the world a better place?

When the songs of this band talk about the journey, I am certainly with them. 

            I believe when the kingdom comes

            Then all the colors will bleed into one

            Bleed into one

            But yes I’m still running.

            You broke the bonds.

            You loosened the chains.

            You carried the cross of my shame.

            You know I believed it

            But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

Those are the same as my questions.  From the beginning of the Bible to the end, those are the questions we are to live.  Young people are saying: don’t claim to have all of my answers, before you know me.  Let’s learn together what God is saying in our day.  Almost every day I thank God that we have here in the church younger and older together.  It is happening in churches less and less.  And I am certain it is God at work here and I am so grateful.

I am also sad that many of those persons at the lake do not believe that the very things they are seeking can be found in a church.  They are certain that the church has nothing to offer them in their search.  I am also equally sad that one response the church makes is that we do not want them.  I hear in U2 music a teaching of a message that will make the world a better place. 

When Penny and I were in Ireland, the tour bus drove us by Bono’s house.   Bono is a celebrity redefining what a rock star can be.  He is not known for his trashing of hotel rooms or creating scandals.  His work is more toward motivating us to do something about world hunger or fighting malaria. 

One biblical theme of U2 is that if want to find God, one place to look is the needs of your neighbors.  The love of God for us, our love for God, and love for neighbor connected in a close bond.   Yes, we learn a great deal about God in Bible Study, Sunday School, hymns…but can serious talk about God’s values come from a rock star?  I would say, “Yes!”

One story of VBS was the Good Samaritan.  Jesus told the story to someone on a journey, seeking truth and hoping to score points.  “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus asked him “What is written in the law?” That story is like the joke in which the Gentile complains: “The trouble with you Jews is that you answer my questions with other questions?  Says the Jew: “Why not?”  He answers that the purpose of life is to love God and neighbor as your self….great answer!   And Jesus answers back: “Do that and you will live.”

William Sloane Coffin, Jr. once said that the Priest and the Levite did not stop and help the man injured and robbed because they were in a hurry to attend a meeting on how to increase the safety of travelers on the road.  Love alone is the expression of being free and alive. 

This week the Bible stories taught us showed to define neighbor the way Jesus did.

The person to whom Jesus told the Good Samaritan story was certain that the idea was to love other Jews, not Samaritan.  Jesus made the despised Samaritan the hero.  I feel sorrow every day when racism declares something at the expense of someone else.  Jews and Palestinians are our neighbors.    It is a fact that no one’s heart is as wide as God’s love.

Chad Bunger of our church is alive because of Good Samaritan in the form of fellow runners.  Chad was out running with a group of runners a week ago yesterday.  He was running and all of sudden his heart stopped.  With the help of those who stayed with him and gave him CPR, he is alive.   One of the amazing ironies of his amazing journey is that for 10 years he taught CPR and taught others how to teach CPR.  It is quite possible that someone he directly or indirectly taught saved his life.

The early church had Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.  The Jewish Christians were tempted to return to all of the rules of the law.  Paul reminds them that the law was the tutor or teacher…until the power of goodness of Jesus Christ brought freedom. 

Another image of what Jesus has done for us is one taken from the Peanuts cartoons.  Charlie Brown is all disturbed.  He is grumping…”I can’t do it.  I can’t do it.”  Lucy comes and offers advice.  “What is wrong?”  “What can’t you do?”  CB says, “I want to build things and I need a workbench.  But I cannot build a workbench because I don’t have a workbench to build it on.”  Jesus is that starting point upon which we can rebuild ourselves first and then the world.  Jesus is the liberator that gets us unstuck and keeps us free and responsible. 

I close with an event that happened this week with Christopher Shanklin.  During the children’s moments last week, Brady was whispering to me that his brother was going to the Kansas City Royals game.  And then I got to hear the story of how Christopher got, not one, but two foul balls.  Some people go for years and do not get one.  And what did he do?  He shared it with another kid who did not get one.

There is a U2 Song, One: We’re one but not the same/We get to carry each other.  One life/with each other/Sisters/Brothers/one life/But we’re not the same/we get to carry one another.

I close with the Message by Eugene Peterson.  It is the same text but beautifully written: 

“Christ has set us free to live a free life.  So take you stand!  Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. 

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.  Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.  Rather use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.  For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself.  That’s an act of true freedom.”  

What Story Is Working Through You? Through Us? - 1 Kings 2:1-21a

FAMOUS KANSANS

It is official: the State of Kansas will induct into the Kansas Hall of Fame several famous Kansans.  James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball, the 1970’s rock band Kansas, and the First Colored Infantry Regiment are the 2013 class.  Also inducted will be the Menningers.  The official ceremony will be on June 21 at Washburn University.  The museum containing this information is at the Great Overland Station in North Topeka.

Another is not really from planet earth.  He grew up in the made-up town of Smallville, Kansas and his name is Superman, or Clark Kent.  I am not kidding.  Check it out in the paper.  He is a comic book superhero is said to have arrived from Krypton and live in Kansas, the son of Jonathan and Martha Kent.  His birth parents sent him to this planet because Krypton was going to end, due to mining the core.  According to the Kansas Hall of Fame, the creator of the superhero wanted him to grow up with the values needed to use these superpowers for the good of all.  The creators said that to have such powers and not have super values would be very dangerous.

A new Superman movie is out this weekend is doing well.  I have heard that the new movie is largely a return to old Superman who displays his Kansas values.  I hope to see it sometime soon.

I will have to tell you that I have personal connection with the band, Kansas.  No, I was not a rock star in an earlier life, though I did have Rock Star hair down to my shoulders.  The reason I am connected is that I did a wedding for one of the band members.  And, I did enjoy greatly a class at Menninger’s when it was in Topeka and I performed a wedding here in Manhattan, at which most of the Menninger Family attended.

Superman is part of the golden age of Superheroes.  Spiderman, Avengers, the X-Men are all about 50 years old.  Batman goes back to 1939, Captain America 1941, Wonder Woman 1941, and Superman back to 1938.  The May Issue of the AARP magazine states that they are all now on Social Security…just kidding.

JESUS CAME TO SAVE US

It is a starting time to being thinking about the Old Testament text and another New Testament text for today:

“The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t recognize him, and his own people didn’t welcome him.  But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion but born from God.  The Word became flesh and made his home among us.  We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”   John 1:11-14

SUPERMAN FANTASY COPIES THE JESUS STORY IN SOME RESPECTS

Several times I have thought of the similarities between Jesus and this made up story of Superman.  And to make it all line up there is a new Superman movie out, a PG one called the Man of Steel.  Christopher Reeves will not be in it but a new actor will.  The character, Clark Kent, struggles with the reality of who he is and what he alone can do.   He will have to use his superpowers if the world is to be saved.

Jor-El is Superman’s real father: “You will give the people an ideal to strive towards.  They will race after you; they will stumble and fall.  But in time they will join you in the sun.  In time you will help them accomplish wonders.”

But to do so, he will have to suffer extreme personal sacrifice.  In a way is like the story of Jesus….a son sent from a far away place to.  It is a father’s love and purpose which propel him in his purpose.  Superman gives up all to come and to live with a people needing a new way.   Superman is nurtured by adoptive parents and learns to stand for justice.  So clearly we have some parallels on how a parent’s love can work for good.  The self-giving love of a parent gives children faith, hope, and love.  Yet, Superman is fantasy.  Jesus Christ is the greatest reality of all; Jesus is the one who became our Savior.  The Jesus story is the reality of God in our midst.

Kids have childhood heroes.  I grew up hearing stories about Elijah and David in the Old Testament.  They were really great until Superman came along.  When I put Superman and King David together, Superman is going to win.  But kids love to have dreams of superpowers of their own with which to do great things.  And it is good to want to fight the battle for truth and justice.

Superman was invented with powers: faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.

I have used the Tex Sample story but I want to fit it in again.  He tells a story of a 6-year-old who learns for the first time that Jesus went through a great deal of suffering.  He knew about the cross, but for the first time, he was caught in thought about it.  He was in a Sunday School class and wanted to share an idea with his teacher.  He had just watched an old Roy Rogers movie on television.  When he finally got the teachers attention, he almost shouted: “If Roy Rogers had been there the s.o.b.s couldn’t have done that!”  Roy Rogers was a much better hero than some of the current ones.  Roy is much better because he shoots the gun out of the bad guy’s hands.  Today’s violence means that the hero does terrible things to them.  Today’s heroes shoot the bad guys, and then throw them into machines, and on and on.

WE TAKE GOD’S STORY AND MAKE IT INTO OUR STORY

The boy makes the same mistake we make: we take God’s story and make it the same as our story.  He and we take the story of a nonviolent savior who has at his disposal, according to scriptures, a legion of angels should he summons them, but asks for no such violent rescue.  He faces the torture and death on the cross peaceably.  He does not take up the sword.  Yet, as our stained glass proclaims, Christ gives the victory.  We know the One we follow has won—not with a sword, but with a towel, putting himself at the compassionate service of others, even his enemy the betrayer. 

WE NEED TO TAKE OUR STORY AND MAKE SURE IT FITS GOD’S STORY

Our lives are shaped by stories.  Stories work on us.  They change us.  There are many stories that we live out that we have no choice over.  We have a first language.  I speak American and I did not know how much that affected by life until I lived in France. 

We must get the God story right because it is the most important story.  It is more important than the story of any nation.  It get it wrong when we place God’s story in another story and attempt to make God’s story fit our idol.  Hitler did it…he made it seem that doing away with the Jews was God’s plan all along. 

 

And it very important how we “get” the story and even more careful how we “do” the story.   Children first get the story by watching and imitating parents; what parents do, kids do.  Kids at first have little clue “why” it is important…they just know it is because their parents think it is.  Then, comes the heroes, like David as he took care of Goliath.  The story gets interesting because we want to be like the heroes.  But when I got to Superman, then David did not look as good.  Then we go into a rule of right or wrong period: you have to have the right beliefs.  Here there are ironclad ways and you have to have them right.  The more mature faith is one of guiding values or principles that guide our ways of responsible freedom. 

WHAT STORY IS WORKING THROUGH YOU?

One of the best questions of all time is:  What story is working through you?  There are many times when we need to step back from the stories which shape us and take a good look at them from the God story.  For example, I truly believe that God is at work in other religions of the world.  I believe that God created and is saving the world and God will finally bring it to completion.  Nothing can keep God out of every part of the world; including all kinds of faiths.  For this reason the church needs to listen to the views of others.

“Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful,” Jezebel tells Ahab.  “I will give you the vineyard of Naboth.  Using letters with forged signatures, she commands other leaders to murder Naboth and get the King’s favorite wish.  Jezebel killed people without having to see them killed and Ahab got what he wanted without even knowing about the plot.

This is a story about violence and killing.   In this Bible story it was Jezebel who ordered it but was Ahab who was asked, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”  He profited greatly from the murder.  I read this story and I know that I am part of the whole global struggle…that combines politics and economics. 

We must find a way of changing things without violence.   In today’s world, violence is what fosters revenge and vengeance unfolds and multiplies in the world.  Ahab had powers and he used them for his own benefit.  Ahab leads me to think about the world and how God wants me to get the story right.

Ahab confessed and opened up to a new way of life—to live without illusions, to mourn with victims near and far away, to pray God’s grace to interrupt our cycles of violence and to free us from war.

On November 1, 1991, an alienated Chinese post-graduate student at the University of Iowa shot and killed five University of Iowa people and himself.  At Thanksgiving later that same month, three women widowed by the shooting of their professor-spouses cooked dinner for a crowd of fifty Chinese students.  Think of how easy it would have been for these three women to have taken a racist turn and blame a whole people collectively.  Instead they chose two of our guiding values: hospitality and compassion and they changed one small part of the world. 

To live God’s story we need to faithfully keep up our guiding values.  This is a never- ending battle against human selfishness.  We need to practice them and practice them.   They will help us silence the desire to use our powers for our own benefit.  This is how we find Christ among us, and the Holy Spirit at work.

Being Open to Words of Healing - Luke 7:1-10

YOUTH AS OUR AMBASSADORS

Our youth left early this morning for San Marcos, Texas on their annual summer mission trip.  I told them that they were ambassadors.  They truly are.  They will represent CAUMC, the UMC, Manhattan, and Kansas. And, most importantly they are ambassadors for Christ.

I have been to this UM Community center twice before so I know it is one of the best programs.  It has amazing leaders, great food, and a fine program of house repair.  Youth come all summer and repair 30-40 homes with the constant guidance of carpenters.  One summer a group of youth I was helping repaired stuck windows.  One year we worked on windows in a woman’s house.  She had her windows open for years.   She hesitated to let us in wondering what a bunch of youth might do to her house.  She was probably praying…”Lord, please help them do a good job.” 

At the end of the week the youth won her over both with their ability to talk with her and with the amazing job they did.   And she was thrilled at new friends from United Methodist Church.  People this week will establish relationships with our youth.  We know how amazing our youth are.  Others will know our youth who love God with all their hearts and minds and soul and strength….and they came all the way from Kansas, as ambassadors to show God’s love to persons needing assistance.  I invite you to keep them and their leaders in prayer this week.  Open windows were so good and even better was the spiritual opening of hearts.

The Apostle Paul called himself an ambassador. 

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ.

WORDS ARE IMPORTANT

You can see how important messages and words are in this story to communicate joy an love.  Language is how we communicate, express our needs.  Language is where live.  Jesus’ words are especially important.  I am in total awe of those of you who know more than one language.  And I am in amazement at God’s creation of a brain able to handle more than one language. 

Only two times in the New Testament did Jesus call something “amazing,” one negative and one positive.  The negative one was the lack of faith in his hometown synagogue.  They refused to believe that Jesus, whom they knew as a kid, could have this authority from God.

The other is a very positive way:  the amazing faith of a Roman Centurion.  People around Jesus and around Luke when he wrote this book, would not have thought anyone would affirm a Centurion:

1.      This man represented an oppressive occupying army.

2.      He might have been one of those who has great power and privileges and used them just to benefit himself. 

3.      Roman soldiers would have been very suspicious of Jesus having political ambitions.

4.      The Centurion could command those under them to do anything.  

Yet Jesus says this centurion is a great role model for all people of faith.  He cared deeply about the world around him, even his slave who needed help.  You can feel his heart of compassion.  His extravagant generosity was shone in his building a whole building for his Jewish friends.  His humility is evident as he did not want to bother or overburden Jesus with a personal visit.  You can see that he has faith in Jesus.  He requested help and just knew it would come in some form. 

THEIR AUTHORITY IS SIMILAR BUT IN DIFFERENT AREAS

Jesus has authority from God.  The commander had authority from Rome.  The Centurion could say the word and all his soldiers would do whatever he asked.  Jesus has the same kind of authority, but not over soldiers.  Jesus had the same kind of power to inspire new life and offer healing.  A very different realm responds to Jesus’ authority. 

The commander, he had power the power to destroy and kill.  The centurion sees a different power in Jesus.  Military might cannot heal the sick or raise the dead.  His whole army cannot bring healing to his faithful servant.  Imperial power cannot create love from others….only fear.  He knew that Jesus power was in one sence so much greater than Roman power.  Jesus heals communities and people and brings love.  Love brings people down from their high thrones and lifts up the lowly.   The commander’s power could bring the world down.  Jesus can turn the turn the world upside down or right side up in a spiritual way.  That is the essence of faith.    The centurion could see the possibilities of life through God’s eyes, a world renewed by God’s grace.

Authority ruled in that place and that time!  And yet the Centurion could see another realm where faith, collective faith, could move hearts.   Pope Francis does not care much for all the fancy trappings of the Pope role.  But he has chose to live simply and to be seen as servant of those who are the most vulnerable and least powerful.  Like Jesus his has been criticized for stepping outside the bounds of appropriateness and tradition. 

It is interesting that he asked the Jews to contact Jesus.   It shows that Jesus, a Jew, had great relationships with so many Jewish people.  The Centurion had built a synagogue for the Jews so he asked them to contact Jesus on his behalf.    It was an honor to Jesus to have such important people ask for him and to have them mention the Centurion as someone worthy of Jesus’ favor.

Just when the centurion was ready to receive a home visit from someone who could enhance his prestige and one who had a great reputation for healing---he sent a message for Jesus not to come confessing his unworthiness.  Second, he asked Jesus not come to his house.  Jesus seemed to see the gesture as a confession of faith.

LUKE AND JESUS ARE TEACHING US NOT TO MISS IMPORTANT THINGS

Jesus had the authority and power to heal from a distance.  If the centurion’s word could cause people to do things to do his will, Jesus’ word could restore his slave’s health just with his word alone.  Jesus did not say anything about his worthiness or unworthiness but he did see his faith as greater than any he had seen in Israel.  This would have been shocking for the readers of Lune and for the hearers of Jesus.

This man was a foreigner, outsider, a soldier, not a Jew and he believed in Jesus more than so many others.  He grasped something that even Jesus’ closest disciples had trouble seeing.   Authority is about serving, being last not first, being the servant and not the one served.  Jesus often went to ones with the least honor….the least, the last, and the lost.   And we can see that Jesus helped the ones with the highest of honor.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE WITH JESUS IN PERSON

Just by hearing about Jesus the centurion came to faith.   He had not met him or heard him speak.    How did he know?  Through hearing about Jesus, he came to know more about him than many.  How now can we doubt the power of words? 

None of us have met Jesus face to face or to see him offering healing to people.  But in the Holy Spirit God is present.  That power was very evident in Jesus and it continues now:  mighty in word, response to our true needs, and compassionate to heal in many ways.

Crystal Fore from the District Office sent this to all the churches.

Just wanted to share this little story with you; it was a reminder for me about a lot of things, but particularly about the importance of doing all we can as a church to share the gospel message. About a year ago we upgraded the church's sound system to give us the ability to record the audio portion of our worship services. This allows us to make the recordings available to those not able to attend worship services.

I received an email from a church member whose mother has not been able to attend church for many years. We have been sending a copy of the bulletin and the recording to her for about six or seven months. The mother has suffered with Alzheimer's for about 9 years. The daughter has mentioned several times that her mother enjoys listening to the recordings, even over and over.

This is a copy of the email the daughter sent to me:

I was in my part of the house and heard Mama talking in a loud voice. I went to her doorway but didn't open the door… She was shouting this: "Share yourself! Share your love! Reach out – let the Holy Spirit move and speak and bring together!! Jesus is alive today! " She had recorded these words from your sermon.

The daughter said she was so grateful to receive this message in a way she could understand. Thank you, Pastor!

At times I wonder if my message is going anywhere, and this was a great reminder for me that God works through the Holy Spirit in many wonderful unexpected ways. We may think at times that we are not getting anywhere with a message or with our work in the church, but our trust needs to be in the work of God, not our own.

At Annual conference, being the culminating conference, leaders gave several history videos.  During the one on Mission Outreach, a photo of our church was put on the screen to tell about our starting Ogden Friendship House of Hope.  We can in shared life together show the ways God is working though us.  God is always starting new things!!!  And this Lord’s Supper will give us the strength and healing of God,  in order to transform us and the world around through us.

THANKS BE TO GOD! 

God is More - John 16:12-15

Yesterday, Penny and I got to spend time with our grandson, Toland.  It was so good that his parents, Josh and Leena, invited us back.  I got to spend time with my son, doing things like cleaning gutters and changing light bulbs.  I enjoyed it greatly. Penny did some things to help them inside and watch Toland while Leena got a bit of a nap.  I got to prepare a bottle and feed Toland three ounces and I got three burps.  It was great fun.  When he got hungry, he would go from one fist to the other trying to get them in his mouth.  You had to be really fast to get the bottle in his mouth in the right place at the precise second.  With coaching from my son and Toland letting me know what he liked and did not like, it was a great day. 

The intimacy of the day reminded me of the Trinity.  The relationship between God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and us is meant to be one of closeness, oneness, and love.  The word Trinity is not in the Bible anywhere but it has become one of the major doctrines of the church.

When early church struggled to understand this God in known three different ways, they turned to what they knew best, the idea God had to put us in families.  From the beginning of the Bible people have turned to family images to describe the love of God.

When family is good, each gives honor to the other, goodness and glory goes back and forth.  And teaching.  And most of all love.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY MEANS THAT GOD IS MORE THAN WE THINK

God is that loving parent.  As the book of Genesis begins: God said, let us make humankind in our image.  That was God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit.  There are five references in the New Testament that indicate that Christ was present before creation, and was the Holy Spirit.  Christ is much more than a person who lived for 30 years, two thousand years ago.  He was a prophet and is much more.  Jesus became the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior, because he showed us the heart of God.  He was God made visible, touchable, real.

GOD IS INFINITELY MORE THAN I CAN UNDERSTAND

There are just some things that are beyond words.  How could I describe the experience of being a grandpa?…I cannot put into words.  Jim Koelliker is always ready to show you his photo mug…with photos of his kids and grandkids.  I have one of those mugs and this afternoon I am going to put inside pictures of Toland and his parents.  I even showed my videos on my phone to the people in the bank this week.  When I see people starting to go the other way when I come, then I will know that I need to bring it down a notch.

Isadora Duncan, a Choreographer, once was asked to explain a dance she presented.  She said: If I could say it, I wouldn’t have to dance it.” I feel that way about my grandson.  The Trinity is a doctrine of the church that attempts to explain what God is like and how God acts toward us.  This is a very complicated dance, or doctrine…Father, Son, and Spirit or Creator, Redeemer, and Holy Spirit.  There is no way I can explain it.  A dance would better.  The way I dance I will probably step on your toes and wander off. 

A dance would be hands up for God, hands outstretched for Jesus, and the motioning of the hands to come close for the Holy Spirit.

This is one of the least celebrated special days of the church year, maybe because it is the hardest to understand.  I could never in a sermon explain the Trinity.  There are times when I am not sure I understand it.  But there things that we can know and take a lifetime to savor, and to learn about, and most importantly to live.

TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE

The value of understanding the Trinity is to love and honor and serve all of God.  Theology leads us to adore God.  Before you and I were born God began gathering a people for a divine purpose.   And even before God created any living creatures, before there existed any created thing, God had with the divine being a generous, self-giving, loving relationship.  This God who is love then created the world out of the overflow of generosity. 

GOD IS TOGETHER….GOD IS MORE…GOD IS MUTUAL LOVE

GOD WANTS US TO BE TOGETHER IN LOVE, DOING LOVE

The early church found the Holy Spirit in their lives and it meant Jesus, in a way, was BACK leading to the same life Jesus lived, caring for people.  As they shared life together, they experienced God’s presence in a brand new way.  They became participants of God’s divine life. 

God’s love met them face-to-face in Jesus.  Now the Holy Spirit was bringing God’s love again.   We become like what we worship, their worship of the God who is love became full of love…a fearless love for God and a selfless love of each other.  The Trinity is the name the church gives for the love that lives in God, came to us in Jesus, known through the Holy Spirit.

Lois Johnson send me a video showing people with words describing what they have to face.  On any given Sunday, included there are some of the same things we see on the screen.  If we only knew we might say…we can know and the Holy Spirit will bring healing to us all.  That is what the church is about.

The Holy Spirit grants us peace with God, knowing that God is love.  The HS teaches us that we do not earn our salvation, God grants it.  Therefore our fears and anxiety are less.  Our behavior then is less rigid and restrictive.

For the university it means that while some are trapped in a scientific rationality, others are trapped in a rejection of it and push a faith-based dogma that is not willing to look at scientific knowledge.  Facts are good, statistics are invaluable, science is essential, research is important.  But there are so many spiritual truths that can never be proved.  The rebellion that is so strong by people of faith are just saying…leave room for mystery of God.  The existence and activity of God are breath-taking.

For me there is no split between secular and sacred.  God made heaven and God made earth.  All are parts of the other.  God is just as much present in the classroom or the business office as in church.  They are not separate in any way.  We have set up false barriers. 

I am so grateful for our global community.  The African church for example has much to teach us about life.  They bring a sense of many things that cannot be explained scientifically and they are live meaningful lives and get along just fine.

Thank God we are not in this church so rigid about behavior.  This is a place of grace.  The Holy Spirit is teaching us that love and friends are the essential parts of our life together.  Wild extravagant love is what makes the world go round.   One small Kansas Elementary School responded to the tornado damage and set up a lemonade stand outside the school….$750.

Jesus did not say the one who controls his life but one who loses his or her life receives it back.  I am for discipline, consistent discipline.  But the purpose of discipline is to give someone the stability and moral compass inside so they can have freedom.  Discipline is made for freedom…not the other way around. 

I think the real reason young people are away from the church is that so often the Church does not live the faith, hope, and love that are ours.  It means that suffering is something that does not destroy our praise. 

What we really need?

            Our sovereign God

            Salvation in Jesus Christ

            Help from the Holy Spirit: guidance and truth

            A few faith friends

            Music and Art

            Laughter and Humor

Prayer

Lord, please forgive those moments when we feel prayer is a drudgery or duty.

There are people who feel that prayer is a discipline that is just plain drudgery or duty.   May our prayers become sharing life at the deepest level with people about which we care deeply.   May our prayers expand life and not diminish it.  Give us time with you which increase our faith, hope, and love.  Come Holy Spirit and energize us and then help us to channel it to others.   May our prayers give you an entry point, letting You into the world through us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.