Spirit HELP center

MCCGSL Best Overall Choir in "How Sweet The Sound" (ST LOUIS)

2011-09-29T02:03:00.001-07:00

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis has been invited to join the national HOW SWEET THE SOUND for 3rd year

2011-08-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis has been invited to join the national gospel choir competition for 3rd year in a row! VOTE FOR MCCGSL Church once a day until 8-31---> whats at stake? If selected as the "peoples choice", 5K
We are very close in the votes so enter your email and tell a friend to vote each day! First MCC (First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta)

Verizon Presents How Sweet the Sound: The Search for the Best Church Choir in America www.howsweetthesound.com
Official website for How Sweet the Sound, The Search for the Best Church Choir in America.

ARCHIVED BLOG

2011-05-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

You have reached an Archived blog of MCC of Greater St. Louis
please visit www.MCCGSL.org for the latest updates~

Thanks
SmartChoice Center www.SmartChoiceSTL.com

Daily Lenten Meditation - Saturday March 13th

2010-03-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ronald White

1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.' We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and s/he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing s/he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. NRSV
We who have journeyed through the Catholic, Lutheran, Southern Baptist, Missionary Baptist, A.M.E. or another conserving theological institution on our journey to Metropolitan Community Church will recognize and perhaps even resemble some of these admonitions. "Do not become idolaters!" Do not "indulge in sexual immorality!" Do not "put Christ to the test!" "If you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall!" Else, we may be "struck down in the wilderness" just like some of those Israelites who didn't make it to the Promised Land. Buck up, Christian! After all, "no testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone." Are you feeling a little "less than" you had hoped for when you decided to read your daily meditation for encouragement for your day?
Eeeyow. OK, eeeyow isn't a word; it's an exclamation of dismay that I felt when I read this passage and considered writing about it. If you are anything like me, you have spent one day too many in your lifetime feeling caught up short by what your previous church life and your judgmental Christian associates (note that I carefully did not call them "friends") have taught you about yourself and expected from you. If you don't remember the rhetoric, turn on just about any Christian radio or TV channel and spend a day listening. When I did that years ago, I asked myself "Where's the love?"
If you find yourself feeling a little troubled, perhaps even discouraged by myriad others passages like this one in the Bible, take heart. The problem isn't with you. The first problem is with the language in translation, with those who insist on taking the Bible as the literal word of God even though it has been rewritten first by hand for thousands of years and then with translators who have written and rewritten the Bible into dozens of English versions, each with their own politico-theological "spin." The second problem is the human beings who have over the centuries thrust themselves into church leadership positions, running their religious institutions based upon their own and their followers' strong need for concrete answers to questions which can at best be answered only ambiguously but which they dogmatically insist they have final answers to. If they would only begin with the most fundamental and profound question- who or what is God? - the impossibility of answering that question in any truly satisfying way would become their guidepost for accepting the relative ambiguity of the answers to many other of their profound questions. Instead, they cling to outdated and irrelevant historical thought, putting guilt, shame, and punishment on those who pose the questions and reject their neatly packaged answers. Like I said: the problem isn't you; it's them. Sad but true. But, Christianity is changing, awakening from a centuries long slumber. If you have trouble seeing it, look at our rapid growth at MCC. People like us are overjoyed to find a religious center that doesn't and leaders who don't judge us.
When I read the Bible or study Biblical literature, I cling to the unconditional love of God as Jesus pronounced it and as our pastors teach it: "Love thy neighbor as thyself." It is, Christ said, the highest commandment. My hope is bound up in the final, loving sentence of this passage: "God is faithful, and s/he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing' s/he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

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ily Lenten Meditation Friday March 12,2010

2010-03-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ronald White

1 Corinthians 9:16-27
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. NRSV
If you are reading this meditation, you - like me - are on a spiritual journey. Else, you and I wouldn't have made the choice to invest ourselves in this spiritual exercise. Spiritual journeys are by their very nature intensely private experiences. The spiritual path we follow is uniquely our own: no one else can know our journey and no one else can travel it. Our spiritual journey is all about our interior life; it is a journey to places only we can go. Our external self is a reflection of the spiritual journey we are making. Our external religious practices are carefully crafted from the substance our internal spiritual path.
How, then, are we to understand these words that describe Paul's externalization of his interior spiritual life? Paul calls us to proclaim the gospel with no other reward than the act of proclaiming, no matter the cost. In order to do it effectively, he says that he had to become the servant of everyone he met. Ultimately, he claims, we will win the prize - "eternal life" - if we "run the race" well as he did.
The historical broader church has taught for now twenty centuries that the writer of these verses is Paul. These words reveal much about Paul's spiritual character and the quality of his interior life. He was a totally self-effacing man who denied himself for the service of proclaiming the gospel, the life example and teachings of Jesus Christ. Can we understand a human being who would deny themselves and become, as the writer says elsewhere, "all things to all people?" Can we imitate Paul who so completely emptied himself, including his acceptance of eventual imprisonment and death, that his interior spiritual self can be difficult to comprehend? Paul's example is powerful; but there have been others. We know that Mother Teresa lived her entire life in abject poverty for others who were also poor. So did Mahatma Ghandi. John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X all died for what they believed during the lifetimes of many of us. How are we to respond to the lives of these and others who have gone before us? Were they more perfect than we are? If we don't follow them down their spiritual path, how do we overcome the guilt and shame which we may feel for not living up to their example? We go about our exterior lives, working for a paycheck, investing in a place to live, food and clothing, entertainment, and a car or other transportation. We appear to focus on our own needs first. I know I have said and have heard others express that only if our needs are met can we adequately serve others - our immediate family, our extended family, the lay ministries of the church, or myriad other causes.
The contrast between our interior spiritual journey and the life Paul calls us to is stark. No one else can know how weak or powerful our faith is, how much time and attention we devote to prayer - however we frame that experience - or to study or planning or service to others. No one else can know how much our spiritual life is "all about us" or is largely about "the others." Nor can we know about anyone else's. Our exterior life can give clues but cannot adequately reveal our truest spiritual self so that another person can know it with certainty. As revered as Mother Teresa is, she freely admitted that she suffered internal demons for most of her life.
The spiritual power implicit in the experience of Paul and the others that allowed them to freely give of themselves is something that we can obtain in our lives. We are called to a higher externalization of our private interior spiritual life. How, then, shall we live?

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Daily Lenten Meditation Thursday, March 11th

2010-03-11T14:30:00.001-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White

Mark 6:30-46
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.' But he answered them, 'You give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?' And he said to them, 'How many loaves have you? Go and see.' When they had found out, they said, 'Five, and two fish.' Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. NRSV
The crowd in this story in Mark is so eager to hear Jesus' words that they drop everything and go to a deserted place to greet him when he arrives. Jesus, it seems, was going to the deserted place for a well-deserved rest for his disciples and himself. When he saw the crowd, his initial reaction may have been how you or I might respond - with a big sigh because there would be no rest for him. Immediately, he had compassion on the crowd and began to teach them.
A consistent dual purpose is evident in the ministry of Jesus: both to care for and to preach the gospel to people. Is the Church called to the responsibility of living up to Christ's example by balancing those two tasks? Can the church effectively do social ministry, feeding and caring for those who can't care themselves, and preach the gospel while also providing public worship?
The example of Jesus certainly calls to do both. Christianity cannot exist without proclaiming of the gospel; teaching and learning the Word of God are just as essential to our faith and our life in community as praying and belonging. But, we are also called to have compassion for the suffering of those in our presence, as Jesus demonstrated in this story. Our responsibility is to be the physical body and spiritual presence of God to those in need, meeting their social and material needs, whether or not those who receive our care ever join MCCGSL. Those in need are our brothers and sisters - they are our church - whether or not they understand the spiritual principle.
At MCCGSL, we are blessed to have a wide variety of opportunities to learn and grow in our knowledge of what it means to be in relationship with God and to serve the social justice needs of the community in which we live, the community both within and beyond our church walls. For example, classes are available that help us grow in our spiritual life.
"Creating a Life That Matters" is an eighteen-week long exploration of our relationships with the sacred, ourselves and with our passion. Jackie McNeil, Vicky Stricklin, Bonnie Long, and Michael Desmond co-lead this class. The comments made by people who have taken this class is that it is utterly remarkable in the contribution it can make to one's process of self-discovery.
Reverend Sue offers a class entitled "Recovering from Homophobic Religion" which examines the fundamental misunderstanding of scripture which hundreds of years of church - not Biblical - doctrine has created. She addresses ways of healing the damage done to all of us by this theological malpractice.
Another class, "Living the Questions," led by Reverend Dave, helps us find a comfort zone where we can live with the ambiguity we face while seeking answers which may not be readily available to us. The scholarship in this video-based study is of stellar quality.
Ember Baker offers Prayer 101, a class that explores eclectic approaches to prayer; teaches us how to pray in order to build our relationship with the divine by tuning in to the Holy Spirit's voice in our personal lives; and how to pray through guided meditations. Ember uses music as well as some methods borrowed from non-Christian spiritual traditions, resulting in a creative and prayerful experience.
The Sunday morning study group, "Dream, Think, Be, Do" led by Val Jackson, tackles tough theological issues in a safe and comfortable way. Like all of MCCGSL's classes, this video-based study helps us define and clarify our individual theology, moving from where we have traveled in the past to where we prefer to go.
Another resource is weekly and, during particular seasons, daily meditations written by a team of writers who spend a great deal of time reflecting on a passage of scripture and putting in words that which has been revealed to them in their studies.
Covenant families are small groups that gather once or twice a month in a member's home for Bible Study, fellowship and prayer.
MCCGSL also has teams which you can join in order to live your faith. First is a social justice team, led by Susan Menhard, Steven Pursley, and Jonathan Wyatt, which seeks ways for each of us to become involved in local, national and/or global social justice. A second team is the Community Support Team led by Elaine Lopez and Dusty Geiger which reaches out into our community to feed and care for the those who are in need.
May this Lenten season be a reminder to us to embrace our responsibility as followers of Christ to both learn and serve others. .

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Daily Lenten Meditation- Wed March 10th

2010-03-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White

Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it, he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.'
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. NRSV
In my church of origin, I was not taught to read the Bible historically or literally, but rather to read it metaphorically. One example of why I still ascribe to that way of reading scripture is The New Interpreters Bible's (NIB) explanation that the "historical" account in Mark of King Herod being trapped into beheading John the Baptist because of a drunken oath is different than the "historical" account of the incident written by Josephus, the Jewish historian. Which account is more credible? And, if Mark's account of the drunken king incident is not history, why did the writer include it in Mark?
If Mark's isn't a factual historical account, then what truth or life lesson can be found in the story of a king who goes against what he believes is right because of a drunken oath and because of what his guests might think? The NIB suggests that this depiction of Herod's actions indicates the following life lesson: "Willingness to sacrifice others to maintain honor, prestige and power remains one of the great temptations of persons in positions of authority." With the caveat that this is a temptation for all people, not only those in positions of power and authority, I agree.
Put yourself in Herod's shoes to begin to understand the lesson. If Herod was sincere in his respect for John and his desire to protect him, can you imagine how he felt when he was alone with his feelings about what he had done to John? Think how the guilt, shame, and sadness would have felt powerful, overwhelming, and all consuming. If he had ever acknowledged his feelings or allowed himself to experience them, he might have hung himself from a tree just as Judas did for betraying the Christ.
When we sacrifice what we know is right in order to look good to others by going along with the crowd, the personal cost in self-condemnation is far greater than if we stand against the crowd to do what our conscience clearly tells us we should. The biggest cost to us, however, is what happens when we do not allow ourselves to feel our painful feelings: not looking at ourselves honestly...believing that we are minimizing the pain we will experience by ignoring our feelings...stowing away those painful feelings in a stewing emotional cesspool with all the other negative feelings we've never addressed. Our low self-esteem is lowered to rock bottom by the self-destructive act of denial of what we feel and believe. And, ultimately, perhaps through injury to our physical or mental health, perhaps through their magnified and misdirected expression exploding outward on someone who doesn't deserve it, we toxically experience and express them one way or another.
What can we do to feel better about who we are? When we don't have the courage to do the right thing - or when we need the courage to act correctly - we can remember the teaching of Jesus that God's love for us is unconditional. How can we choose not to follow in Herod's footsteps? We can have the courage to do what is right because we know it is right. Nothing, neither who we are nor what we have done, can separate us from the love of God. Step out of Herod's shoes. Feel God's all-consuming love. Believe God's love. Know that as God's handiwork, as God's very own creation, you are the apple of God's eye. If you start there, it is a short step to making healthy emotional decisions based on a strong self-concept and to knowing the loving forgiveness that awaits us when we fail to. If only King Herod had known the love of God, the story might have had a different ending. But then, another story would have been needed to teach us the moral.

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Daily Lenten Meditation for March 8, 2010

2010-03-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White

Genesis 44:18-34
Then Judah stepped up to Joseph and said, 'O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, "Have you a father or a brother?" And we said to my lord, "We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him." Then you said to your servants, "Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him." We said to my lord, "The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die." Then you said to your servants, "Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more." When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, "Go again, buy us a little food", we said, "We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us." Then your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons; one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my grey hairs in sorrow to Sheol." Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy's life, when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the grey hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, "If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life." Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.' NRSV
On July 16, 1942, the French police rounded up the Jews of Paris, including thousands of children despite the Nazi orders to gather only those aged 16 and older, holding them briefly in Paris before transporting them to Drancy, a French concentration camp. Ultimately, they were transported to Auschwitz and exterminated. From the end of World War II through the decades that followed, French leadership blamed Hitler's Third Reich for their own reprehensible moral choice, thus fracturing their relationship with many members of the family of nations of which they were a part.
As I reread the Genesis pericope about the Sons of Jacob, I was reminded of a striking parallel with this tragic French choice and how its consequences unfolded over time, retold by Tatiana de Rosnayin her story about this profound historical event, Sarah's Key. How do they connect?
Joseph was one of twelve sons of Jacob, a father whose other sons came to believe that he loved Joseph more because Jacob made him a special robe. Can you imagine the hard feelings that their sibling rivalry led to? Add in the rest of the story: Joseph spoke to his brothers the truth which he saw in a dream, a dream that had his brothers bowing down to him. The rest of that story is that his brothers collectively built their hatred and one day when Joseph went out to the field to check on his brothers, they - like the French - made a bad moral decision. They had planned to kill him, but instead let Judah talk them into selling Joseph into slavery.
Fast forward many years to a famine in Israel so severe that Jacob sends his ten oldest sons to buy grain in Egypt. They appear, you'll recall, before the governor responsible for selling grain to all people, a man who overcame his early misfortune and rose to prominence in Egypt as an interpreter of dreams for the Pharaoh. Joseph whom they do not recognize but who recognizes them, tests his brothers by accusing them of being spies and tells them that they must return home bringing back their youngest brother, Benjamin (Jacob's new favorite son), while their brother, Simeon, is held in prison. With their father's agreement, Benjamin makes the second trip with his brothers. They are able to purchase grain, obtain Simeon's release and begin the journey home. But, having hidden a silver cup in Benjamin's bag, Joseph sends his steward to bring Benjamin back as a thief. In a moral reversal, Judah makes his passionate and persuasive offer to substitute himself to atone for Benjamin's alleged crime. In risking his own life on his brother's behalf, Judah redeemed himself. Ultimately, his transformation, demonstrating to his entire family his willingness to sacrifice himself, led to reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. The unwritten first step in his transformation was admitting his personal guilt in the wrong done to Joseph.
For decades, the people of France assessed the blame for Vel' d'Hiv, the name given to the event of Jewish cleansing, to the Germans. Finally, the French acknowledged that the moral atrocity was their responsibility, the result of French hatred and prejudices. Then, as in the Biblical story, healing began, healing not only for surviving Jews but also for the French people who had long borne the weight of the events of 1942.
The lesson for us is profound. When we deny our personal responsibility for the events of our lives, we place an invisible barrier between ourselves and God. But, that isn't the end of the story. God doesn't condemn us for constructing the barrier. God knows that only we can remove the barrier, patiently waiting for us to do so, forgiving us every step of the way.

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Daily Lenten Meditation for March 6th

2010-03-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ron White

1 Corinthians 7:10-24
To the married I give this command-not I but the Lord-that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest I say-I and not the Lord-that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.
However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.
Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. NRSV
Without much question, this is a difficult scripture when we attempt to apply it to our lives today. Literalists have long held passages such as this one over our heads like an ax ready to fall. As we read it, we must keep in mind the ancient cultural context in which it was written and seek a relevant message for us today.
In the time of Paul and for many centuries thereafter, marital relationships were narrowly defined - between one man and one woman. Although that is still the norm, at least in Western culture, the similarities between marriage in Paul's culture and partnering relationships today are, at best, limited. So routine and prominent in the Old Testament, multiple partner marriages - one man with many wives - had ceased to be operative in the culture. Exceptions to the rule occurred in Christendom: look at Henry the Eighth of England, a Christian king with multiple wives. Gay relationships also happened, but were dismissed and condemned because they were not the accepted norm. At least within the narrowly defined Jewish subculture which was a part of the broader Middle Eastern culture, marriage had become monogamous - one man, one woman. I've always wondered how that transformation evolved in Old Testament times. No explanation is given in the Bible; marriage simply morphed without explanation.
In Paul's time, marriages were not the product of friendship, common interests, or love and affection during courtship. Treating children like owned property, parents decided who their child would marry, arranged the celebration, and initiated the consummation of the relationship which was mandated to occur during a week-long feast. The newly wed couple were expected to experience sexuality for the first time and to produce a child, if at all possible.
What are we to do with this passage?
First, read it historically just as it is written. Don't apply the norms and values of Paul's time to your life today. Paul says, "Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches." In your spirit, you know the role to which you have been called, the life God has blessed you with, difficult though it may be at times. Paul calls us in our day, just as he called Christians back in his day, to careful discernment of the way we live according to the Godly values which continue to grow and change us all of our lives. Look to those values - love of neighbor and ourselves, love of God, taking care of one another - to discern how they can best guide your life.
Second, note that Paul lets us off the hook with respect to living according to his cultural context. He repeatedly says that he is not speaking for God. "This is my rule in all the churches." Wisdom is embedded in Paul's admission.

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Daily Lenten Meditation - March 3, 2010

2010-03-02T15:58:00.001-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker

Mark 4 1-20
Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." And he said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that "they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.' "And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." NRSV
Many sermons have been preached, and even songs written based on this text. It presents a spiritual truth only thinly veiled in a description of a very ordinary everyday image of a sower scattering seed. The seed, Jesus explains, represents the word, the truth He offers, and the various types of ground represents people who hear that word. Some can take it in deeply, and some cannot.
For me, this passage begs the question, "How does one become good soil?" How does one prepare one's heart and mind to receive deeply the radical message that Jesus' life and death are offering us? Only ground that has been broken, that has been opened up, can receive the seed deeply and let it take root.
In his book, Everything Belongs, Fr. Richard Rohr explains the meaning of this passage in this way.
Most spiritual work is readying the student. Both soil and soul have to be a bit unsettled and loosened up a bit. As long as we're too comfortable, too opinionated, too sure we have the whole truth, we're just rock and thorns. Anybody throwing us seed is just wasting time. Pg 38.
This unsettling of the soil and the soul is what the season of Lent is all about. It calls us to dig into ourselves a bit and look honestly at how we have been living. We must break through the crust, the façade of our ego self, the image we project of who we think we are, or of who we want others to think we are. It's a time when we hold ourselves responsible and accountable for our own feelings, choices, and actions. It is a time when we embrace our own brokenness as humans in preparation for our descent with Christ into death and resurrection.
The unsettled soul, the broken heart, the opened mind are the good soil that can take in the message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and allow that seed to grow strong and bear lasting fruit. Through self examination, study, and prayer we can become rich soil for God's word. And we can bear nourishing fruit into a hungry world.

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Daily Lenten Meditation - March 2, 2010

2010-03-01T15:44:00.001-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker

Psalm 62
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Yahweh comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. (Selah) For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from God, who alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart before God; God is a refuge for us. (Selah) Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work. NRSV
Many modern Christians may find the Psalms to be disturbingly un-Christian, violent, and raw. The psalmist has no trouble believing that always and everywhere, God is on his side. He doesn't hesitate to be completely honest with God about his own emotions or perceptions. He often asks that God wound or even kill his enemies. The psalms explore all the extremes of the human emotional spectrum from exhalation to doubt, fear, love, hope, and despair.
In Roman Catholic Monasteries around the world, monks and nuns recite or sing the Psalms daily. The Psalms are the core of their daily office, the series of communal prayers they say several times a day. The reason for this is that, as a whole, the Psalms, more than any other single source, express the entirety of the human condition -- the good, the bad, and the ugly as well as everything in between. By praying the psalms daily, they are lifting all of humanity, the entire human condition up before God continuously for blessing, healing and redemption. It is the point at which the lives of monastics, which are largely separate from mainstream culture, intersect and minister to all of humanity through prayer.
Modern Christians, particularly Protestants, tend to ignore the Psalms, except when they are turned into a catchy song. But they are a rich source for spiritual growth and wisdom when we look at them properly, and use them in our prayer lives. They show us, if nothing else, that no matter where we may be at a given moment, or what we may be feeling, we can bring it before God safely. That God can take whatever we can dish out, as it were, and that God wants the reality and the grittiness of relationship with us, not just pious lip-service and devotionals.
There are many ways to pray the Psalms. One can simply recite them with intentionality as the monastics do, using them to lift up the emotions they express, and the realities about the human condition they depict before a loving and forgiving God. We may choose to read them with the four step process known as Lectio Divina which has been taught in numerous classes over the years at MCCGSL. We can use them in a process of self-examination, where we look into our own hearts for where we can relate to or find ourselves resisting what is being said by the psalmist. We then can form a verbal prayer asking for God's guidance, healing, or transformational power to enter into us or the circumstances around us. We can choose a short phrase from the psalm and use it as a mantra in meditation. In this particular Psalm, for example, the phrase "For God alone, my soul waits in silence," Might be shortened to "My soul waits," and used as a mantra. Using a short mantra like this, or even one of the names of God, we can take the emotions and circumstances expressed in a psalm along with our feelings about what it says and any parallels we may see in the world of today, and simply be present to all of it and to God as we repeat silently in our minds, "My soul waits . . . My soul waits . . . My soul waits."

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Daily Lenten Meditation MARCH 1

2010-03-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker

Mark 3:7-19a
Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home. NRSV
In this passage from Mark we see Jesus' ministry as a healer coming into full swing. The crowds following him, looking for healing are so large that He has his Disciples take him out onto the water in a boat so as not to be overwhelmed by the crowd pressing around him. He also chooses 12 apostles to share his ministry and imparts to them the authority to heal and to cast out demons.
In modern times we have largely replaced this healer, Jesus, with a Divine Sacrificial Lamb, image of Jesus. This Savior Jesus, come to reconcile a broken or damaged relationship between God and humanity, is certainly the one we generally focus on during this season of Lent leading to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' Death on the cross. Lent is a season of introspection when we examine our own brokenness and our need for reconciliation with the Divine. In traditional terms, we acknowledge our own sinfulness, our failures and shortcomings and our personal and corporate need for redemption. Even so, we have this passage of Jesus as Healer and Deliverer from Demons squarely placed in the middle of this Lenten season. It reminds us that the real meat of Jesus' ministry was about transforming lives, one at a time, through healing of all sorts. It hints to us that this work of reconciliation between God and humankind and the work of healing broken people are one and the same.
So this season, instead of looking for the areas where we have sinned or fallen short of the target, as the term is used in archery, and turning to Jesus on the cross full of guilt and remorse for our sins, let's take this passage to heart and remember Jesus the Healer. Let us take courage from this passage and look at ourselves, our lives, and our relationships, deeply and honestly for the places where we are still broken, wounded or bound. Let's take a moment today to go to Jesus the healer and allow him, not only to see our wounds, but to touch them with His healing power. Let's come to him as one who can set us free from our personal demons whatever they may be and transform our lives.
And let us remember that we, as apostles of Christ, are called into His work of healing and delivering others into freedom and wholeness. Whether that be through offering kind words, caring for a sick friend, or offering forgiveness to someone who hurt us, let us take on the mind and heart of Christ as we travel with Jesus through these last days before his death.

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Daily Lenten meditation FEB 19th, 2010

2010-02-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

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Daily Lenten Meditation
By Tom Robertsen

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
This should be the easiest meditation to write. In its most simplistic sense, the above passage seems to say, all we have to do is keep smiling, rejoicing, and not worry, and everything will be okay. But life is not like that.

A closer reading of the passage shows us that Paul has something pretty wonderful to say to us. I would suggest that by taking each point as a step-by-step action plan, the end result might become an excellent business model in these times of duress and world disaster. I'm not going to belabor the point - just a couple of clues should be enough. Let's divide it into three sections.
The first section sets the stage for action. Yesterday, we discussed the spiritual framework for tasks. Now if you come to any task with a sense of discouragement or inertia or deficiency, it's going to be a hard go. Instead, why not start with a sense of expectancy and of spiritual vision from real rejoicing in God's nearness -- God being "at hand."
Second section, let's forget the anxiety and approach any task with thankfulness and gratitude that God will support and sustain us no matter what.
Third section, the criteria for any decision - this all-time famous list of bullet points: things which are Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, and so forth. And lastly, we should put it all into action using the example of Paul.
All this is not to give a lesson in business practice, but to emphasize that all of our tasks, large and small, local as well as global, can be divinely planned, carried out and rewarded.
One example: The citizens of Haiti are in desperate straits. Worldwide aid may be slow in arriving. We want it to do the most good immediately. I plan to pray each day that forthcoming relief efforts will be inspired by the grace of decisions which are Right, Pure and Admirable so the God of peace will be present in many lives restored and comforted.

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Weekly Meditation for Januray 24th

2010-01-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Ron White

Isaiah 25:6-10
On this mountain the God of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And God will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; death will be swallowed up forever. Then God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of God's people will be taken away from all the earth, for the Sovereign One has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; the One we have waited for, so that we might be saved. This is the God for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in salvation. For the hand of God will rest on this mountain.
Have you ever asked yourself how humanity became so enamored with delicacies carefully prepared for the palate? How did we humans move from eating to live - like every other creature on earth - to living to eat? We can trace the practice back at least as far as these verses written during Old Testament times when eating carefully prepared foods at a celebratory feast was the main event at an Israelite religious festival. Annual feasts were held on seven separate annual "sabbaths," occasions which the Torah specified as times for observance of the wonderful acts that God performed for the people of Israel. The sabbaths were specifically tied to Biblical events, all of which the worldwide Jewish community still observes, some of which are still observed in the Christian community. For example, Passover is observed in most churches of either faith, though in the Jewish temple, it is observed as a High Holy Day. Pentecost is another feast day that is observed in both religious traditions. In every Biblical celebration, whenever it is held, food is a central focus, in Jewish observance even including an annual observance of the withholding of food, a day of fasting. Each of the seven annual sabbaths foreshadowed for Israel the coming eternal Kingdom which the Torah promised. The ushering in of that spectacular future would begin with the feast which Yahweh-God would prepare for God's people. Can you imagine a more spectacular vision of eternal life than being recreated in a perfect body and eating perfectly prepared delicacies?
Israel lived by the grace of God's natural creation, eating and drinking according to the abundance or scarcity of food and water which the earth provided out of its bountiful resources. Today, we are no less dependent upon the generosity of Yahweh-God for our sustenance. If we strip the soil of the nutrients implanted and sustained in the soil by the cycle of nature, then we have honored neither God's creation nor God's self.
How often do we stop to reflect upon the gifts which the earth gives us every moment we are alive? The sunlight, clean air, the rain, wind to redistribute particles as needed, fresh water renewed in streams every mile they flow, and so very much more - all are gifts we cannot earn and can only be thankful for receiving. How more natural and logical can we be than to show our thankfulness to God, and to do so by celebrating God's generosity to us through a feast composed of the earth's bounty?
Lord God, help us to be mindful of you every moment we breathe and live. Help us to thank you for the "manna" that you provide for us just as you did for Israel when they wandered in the "wilderness" for forty years.

Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 19th by~ Lena Petty

2009-12-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Lena Petty

Zechariah 8:9-17
"God who rules over all also says, 'Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of God who rules over all, so that the temple might be built. Before that time there was no compensation for human or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody - each one - against everyone else. But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,' says God who rules over all, 'for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. And it will come about that just as you (both Judah and Israel) were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong!' "

"For God who rules over all says, 'As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,' says God who rules over all, 'and I was not sorry, so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah - do not fear! These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath - these are all things that I hate,' says God.' " New Revised Standard Version

We have all been apprehensive when entering into a relationship with someone who has a past that is not the most pleasant. Sometimes our prejudgment of someone can hinder us from "hearing" important messages that they may have for us. While we may always remember the past, we can try to not allow fear to determine our future. People can change. Just as God gave the Israelites another chance in today's story, we can give those we care about another chance and have a new attitude not controlled by the past.

My grandmother has a beautiful cherry bedroom that she's had for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I would play with the woodworking on the headboard, acting like I was changing the channel on the television. My grandmother would make me dust it for leaving my fingerprints all over her headboard. Twenty plus years later, my children put garbage pail kids stickers all over the chest of drawers. I was very upset with them for ruining Grandmother's chest of drawers and tried to get them off. I couldn't believe it when Grandmother's response was "Oh leave them on there. That just means they love me. You don't chance ruining the child who has a heart and feelings for a piece of furniture that cannot love you back."

Grandmother knew that she could change her mind and try something different. She knew what really mattered was doing what you know is right, even if it was different than what you had been doing all of your life.

Advent allows those of us who are skeptical about the future, because of the past, to hope. We can face today with anticipation instead of dread, because we know that it doesn't need to be like yesterday. God gives us a fresh start every day to get it right: to speak the truth, to live in peace, to love one another. What's from the heart reaches the heart..

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 18th~ By Kelly Durbin

2009-12-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin

Matthew 25:14-30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" New Revised Standard Version

Today we have yet a third parable about waiting. This story has a different twist to it though. Before the master leaves, he entrusts each of his servants with a portion of his property. To put it simply, he gives them money. No instructions are given in the text, but there is clearly an expectation that the handling or managing of the master's money requires some action on the part of the servants, otherwise the master could "hold" the money for himself. Without any knowledge of when the master would return, each servant set out to manage the money entrusted to him/her. As the story goes, two of the three servants invest the money so well that they double what they were given. The third servant didn't fare so well; fearful of losing what s/he had been given, the servant hides the money with no return on investment. This servant played it safe and missed the call.

When I've heard this story in the past, I've always been taught that it means we are to be good stewards of what we have, that we are to use our resources, talents, skills and abilities wisely and for the glory of God, for if we neglect to use them, they will be taken from us or at the very least be of no use to anyone if left idle. I think this is a reasonable interpretation, but I also believe there is more to the story if we look a little closer. The placement of this parable in the book of Matthew is shortly before Jesus' death, before the time when he would be leaving the disciples. It would seem Jesus was trying to use this story metaphorically to prepare the disciples for his death and departure. He was trying to provide some direction for what they should "do" while they wait for his return, for he would surely return just as the master does in the story.

So what were they to do? At first glance, it would seem they should invest and make money for an earthly kingdom to be established. But again, the money is a metaphor for something far greater...some scholars believe the investment is in people, in the mission of making disciples of all nations. This would make sense as a mere 3 chapters later, Jesus has died, been resurrected and now commissions the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 when he says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of God the Creator, of the Son our Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." New Revised Standard Version

So what is the lesson from this parable? RISK is involved in making disciples. We must do more than accept the gift of love we have received in Christ. We are not to take that precious gift and bury it in the ground! We must take risks as the two servants did to "come out" into the world with the good news of Christ and invest in the lives of others. We are to invest our time, our talents and our abilities in loving people as Christ loved us. But there is indeed RISK. Anytime we put ourselves out there, we take the chance that we may not be received; we may even be ridiculed or persecuted. Sometimes I think we can handle those harsh realities more readily than the fact that we may be "uncomfortable" as we are called to love those who are not like us. Notice the call is to make disciples of ALL nations, not just of those we identify as "our people." RISK, RISK, RISK...While we wait...May we answer the call to go and make disciples of all nations. May we take the risk to love; and lest we forget, we are not alone for Christ is with us always, to the end of the age (even while we wait).

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 17th by Kelly Durbin

2009-12-17T01:41:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin

Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." New Revised Standard Version

Much like yesterday's meditation, we have another story about waiting. Only in this story, no one person is put in charge while the master, or in this case the bridegroom, is away. Each bridesmaid is left to prepare and provide for her own needs while she waits: a look at one's own soul if you will. Now, I've heard many sermons on this parable. Most have been focused on the difference between the 5 wise bridesmaids and the 5 foolish. There is a call, often motivated by fear of being locked out like the foolish, to be like the wise, prepared, ever watchful maids waiting for the bridegroom to return. While I understand how those sermons developed, I'd like to look at this story in another way. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work within each of us, providing new insights and fresh perspectives to face the challenges we have in our lives and in our world today.

What if the oil were really the focus of this story, rather than the bridesmaids themselves? The oil is the fuel after all, the energy that keeps their lamps lit, ready and prepared. We know that the scientific community, in theories of Quantum Physics and the like, describes God as pure energy and it is energy that is needed for fuel. I tend to think of God's energy as love, pure love. What if they had fueled their inner lamps with love? What happens when we share love? We are transformed when we love. And instead of running out, love actually burns brighter and grows. Ask anyone who has loved if this is not indeed the case! Footnotes in the New Interpreter's Study Bible indicate that the "oil represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It cannot be borrowed from others." This explains why when the foolish bridesmaids asked to borrow oil from the wise, the response was a negative one. But perhaps that call to faithful obedience and discipleship was misunderstood? What if the call was actually a call to love? Isn't that what discipleship is, sharing the love of God, the good news of the gospel with others, thereby making disciples through love?

If we stand ready and willing to fuel our lamps with the love of God, a direct product of being in relationship with God, then we can share that love with others and many will be transformed, including ourselves. There will be no fuel shortage, since with love there is always "enough" to go around so no one needs to be "shut out." In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:14, Jesus gives us the church's mission, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."

During this season of advent, may we at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis be reminded, as we wait for the bridegroom. to keep our lamps burning bright with good works of love; may we indeed be radically inclusive to invite all to share our oil and to answer the call to love as God first loved us.

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 16th - by: Kelly Durbin

2009-12-15T15:23:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin

Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whose master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." New Revised Standard Version

A coworker was telling me a story the other day about how her son's school teacher was leaving the classroom at various moments during the day. Whenever this would occur, she would leave a certain student in charge of the classroom. It was her responsibility to make sure that her classmates weren't talking or getting out of hand. She was charged with putting names on the board of anyone who was "misbehaving". Now I'm sure the student that was chosen to be in charge was probably a "good student", one who follows directions, completes her assignments, and helps out in class. The teacher likely used her observations of this student in the classroom to make her choice. As it turns out, however, when the teacher wasn't watching, this little girl didn't behave the same way. She picked on students that she didn't like, putting their names on the board to lose recess first, and those who were her friends could talk without consequence.

Reading today's scripture lesson made me think of that story. Many people go through life operating just as this little girl did. We are faithful servants when others are watching, especially when we think someone in authority or who has power or influence over us is watching, but when the "master" is out, we do what we want. I've experienced this same phenomenon in the work place: that often people work harder, or more quietly, and definitely more diligently when the boss is in vs. when the boss is out. Why is it we sometimes have a tendency not to do the right thing when left on our own? Do we only want to make a good impression on our teacher, the boss or others in a position of power? What about the needs of those left in our care, whether they are coworkers, customers, children or those less fortunate than ourselves who we are given a direct charge by Jesus to serve?

The apostle Paul understood the struggle. In Romans 7:14-25, he talks about knowing what he wanted to do, and yet at times found himself doing the very things he didn't want to do instead. Why? The answer is that we are human and fallible, thus prone to following our own desires and fulfilling our own needs, rather than following the example of Christ. His example was one of to loving (and serving) others as we love (and serve) ourselves. The message is not that we should deny ourselves completely, but that we must go beyond caring for ourselves to use our talents, gifts, skills and abilities in the service and care of others. If we have not taken care of ourselves, if we do not love ourselves, then we will not have the strength or even the understanding of what is needed to care for others. I think what often happens though is we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the other part of the call: to reach out beyond ourselves. What we often don't realize is that something transformative happens when we answer the call completely by loving God, ourselves and others. We suddenly find ourselves whole.

I will tell a little story on my spouse that often brings a smile to my face...there are times when Gina will get frustrated with someone, maybe a clerk at the store, another driver on the road or a coworker who has been rude or inconsiderate. She will often say to me, "Its times like this when I know "it's" working! If it wasn't, I'd be going off on them!" What she is so vehemently declaring is that if it were left up to her, and her human spirit, she would not be kind, understanding or polite to those individuals. But because of the Spirit of God working within her, she is able to regain composure and behave in a more responsible and loving way. The apostle Paul said exactly the same thing in Romans 7:24 when he wrote, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

During this season of advent, we are encouraged to wait with great expectation for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, just as the world waited for his birth. Yet while we wait, we are not to sit idle! We are challenged to continue working while we wait, to take care of our world (the household of God) in much the same way as the master left a wise and faithful servant in charge of the household in our scripture lesson. The question is which servant will we be: wise and faithful or foolish and selfish? Alone and under our own power, I fear we will find ourselves foolish and selfish. But the good news of the gospel is this: while we wait, the Spirit of God is ever present to come to our aid! We can indeed do all things through Christ who gives us strength and is at work within us right here, right now. May we yield to the Spirit today and every day! May it be so!

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 15th - by Val Jackson

2009-12-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson

Matthew 24: 32-44
'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Messiah* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. '

'But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Messiah but only God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day the Messiah is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Humanity is coming at an unexpected hour.' New Revised Standard Version

The Second Coming (A continuation of yesterday's the End is Near)

As we pray about this scripture, let's remember the time in which it was written. During that time, Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were being persecuted. The rapture and second coming may have been a response of, or hope for, the members of that community. In the text, Jesus indicated that his second coming would be within that generation, but there was no rapture and there was no second coming. So how was Jesus mistaken? Was he wrong about a physical second coming, period, or just about the timing? Might there be pieces, missing in the translation, that would tie it all together neatly? We don't know and we may never know.

Hebrew and early Christian writers saw God as the "master planner," so many of their writings are based on the supernatural and divine intervention. Most of us today have not seen divine intervention to the extent of the claims in the Bible. We, today, may or may not be able to believe in a supernatural rapture or heroic return of Christ. What is real to us is that the world could end as abruptly as it does in this scripture through neglect or nuclear war - not necessarily through divine intervention.

The warning to be more urgent and less complacent is, perhaps, more meaningful for us today, than for 1st century Christians. We can't afford to be so caught up in our individual lives that we cannot see where humanity is going as a whole as was the case for people of Noah's time.

Neither can we afford to disenfranchise ourselves from the world (living in, but not of) waiting for the rapture and the fulfillment of this so called prophecy.
If we remain bound by the 1st century worldview and accept this scripture as prophecy - destiny ordained by God - then the end of the world becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, brought on by ill-chosen human action and ill-chosen human inaction.

What we ordain, God ordains.

During this advent season, let us open our hearts anew, not seeking to have Christ return to us, but to have us return to the way of Christ. Give us eyes, hands and the will, Oh Lord, to turn the tide of a world headed for self-destruction. You gave us the way in the first coming. Help us to seek justice for all, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with our whole heart.

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Daily Advent Meditation DEC 14th - By Val Jackson

2009-12-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson

Matthew 24: 15-31
So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!" or "There is Christ!"-do not believe it. For false messiah and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! The Messiah is in the wilderness", do not go out. If they say, "Look! Christ is in the inner rooms", do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

'Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humanity will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. And Christ will send out the angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the Messiah's elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ' New Revised Standard Version

THE END IS NEAR

This passage, along with Revelation and parts of the book of Daniel are commonly assumed to be biblical prophecy about the end of the world. Many of us have heard the "End is Near" sermon preached in one format or another. That message still rings in my ears, and I can hear the preacher as he delivers it from the pulpit with an urgent fervor:

"We know the time is short," He says, "We know it won't be long because we see the signs of the times. No man knows the exact day. No angel in heaven knows the exact hour - Not even Jesus himself. Only God knows the appointed time when Christ shall appear. On that day, the sun will refuse to shine, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky and the Earth will tremble on its axis. It will be a time of great suffering and tribulation, but there will be no place to run and no place to hide. Behold...the heavens will split and all will look to the sky and see him, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, riding on a cloud of glory, wielding the sword of power and justice. And Christ will send forth the angels to sound the final trumpet. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Afterward, those of us in Christ, who remain, who are the living Elect, will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and we will be caught up to meet him in the air. Glory, Hallelujah, brothers and sisters have you been washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you ready for that great 'getting up' morning?"

I can hear the joyful "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" coming from the congregation as the Elect rejoice in that great day of deliverance.

Even today, as I attempt to sort myth from fact, the possible from the impossible and the literal from the metaphorical, my heart feels the power of the message. Yet - my head finds it difficult to digest it. On the surface some scriptures appear to be too far-fetched to be useful, but I don't want to dismiss them immediately. Let's honor this scripture (as it reads or how we've heard it.) Let us invite in the Holy Spirit as we contemplate its significance for us. What is the meaning of the second coming of Christ for us now? Is there a message in this story which is plausible and useful?

Speak to us, I pray. (To be continued in tomorrow's devotional)

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 13th By Val Jackson

2009-12-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson

John 5: 30-47
'I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me. '

'If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that God has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that God has sent me. And the God who sent me has testified on my behalf. You have never heard God's voice or seen God's form, and you do not have God's word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom God has sent. '

'You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in* you. I have come in God's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Parent; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what Moses wrote, how will you believe what I say?' New Revised Standard Version

Can I Get a Witness?

Law enforcement officials often talk about the unreliability of eyewitnesses. It is amazing how a number of people can witness the same event, yet see different things. Actually, what we see is dependent upon what we've seen in the past. What we see is based on what is within us.

Jesus is talking to individuals who are unable to witness God in him. Sometimes we miss God because we are expecting to see God in a certain way, under particular conditions. Sometimes, God isn't quite acting the way we think God should act.

The Christmas story is about God coming to us born of a virgin in a stable. The message is not that God actually came to us from a virgin and was laid in the manger, but that God comes to us in unexpected ways.

Our challenge is to be in full relationship with God so that God fills us and overflows to the world beyond. When this happens, we witness God in ourselves and in others. We see, hear and appreciate God in the smallest ways.

Lord, fill me with your spirit. Let me be a witness of your love.

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Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 12th

2009-12-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White

Revelation 3: 1 - 6

'And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:'

'I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before God and before the angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.' (New Revised Standard Version)

The Advent season is about new beginnings...about one new beginning that completely transforms life. The story of the birth of Christ has given tremendous hope to those who have become intimately familiar with it over the last two millennia. Their hope has transformed the way that much of the world conducts their both daily life and business. A writer once wrote that "Hope is the basic ingredient in motivating ourselves and others."

For some, the story doesn't do what it has done for so many. One thing that two thousand years of elapsed time has produced is a critical rereading of the narrative. Whether for better understanding of the Christian imperative or factual deconstruction of the details of the narrative, critical re-readings and the subsequent commentaries have produced a doubt about the veracity of not only the advent story, but of the details in the entire Bible. As the Jesus Seminar (a group of Biblical scholars who study the historicity of Jesus) has so aptly illustrated, the Bible is only peripherally a historical document and is far more a collection of philosophical truths.

Do you ever wonder what the white robe will look like, the one this passage says you'll be clothed in when you have conquered this world? That isn't at the top of the list for most people who embrace the hope of entering the Kingdom of God. What about the Book of Life with your name written in it? Is it literally written on pages, whether papyrus or paper? Again, that isn't at the top of most folks' concerns. For me, the hope that the advent story gives and how I choose to live my life today are the pursuits in which I immerse myself. Truth for me is all about what I believe God has in store for me today and forevermore, whether I grasp the "factual" details or not. Can you embrace your hope without all the window dressing? As we enter this worshipful season, let the hope of Advent flood your senses and your consciousness. We have a salvation which, one day, can lead all of humanity out of the hopelessness of this world and into the brilliant light of hope which this Advent Season promises.

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Advent Devotion for Dec 11th

2009-12-11T00:21:00.000-08:00

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Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White

Psalm 31: 1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me faithful God. (New Revised Standard Version)

Psalm 31 became a resource for the gospel writers for understanding and relating to the passion and death of Jesus. The underlined verse, traditionally attributed as a direct quotation of Jesus from the cross, is an affirmation of his trust in God that anticipates the resurrection. Even more important, these words are not just an interpretation of how Jesus died but are also part of a critically important interpretation of the gospel writers about how Jesus lived his life. The writers authoritatively assert that Jesus lived his entire life trusting God. Whatever other theological differences the gospels present, on this point they are in unison. The worldly result of that trust is unmistakably obvious.

In our community, some have managed to live relatively secure and peaceful lives, not exposed to the threat and persecution that the Psalmist referred to in his own life. Many others have managed to live with oppression, if not direct threats, for much of their lives, while the remainder may have experienced a degree of threat and persecution akin to that of the Psalmist. In all cases, we have managed to live within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We usually manage our lives fairly well by ourselves. We may even take pride in having done so. But therein lies the problem. We may have read this Psalm a hundred times and missed the message, or perhaps not. Here's the message: this Psalm and Jesus' life teach us the importance of self-surrender to Yahweh. In surrendering, we have hope of finding the "peace that surpasses human understanding" promised by the writer of Phillippians 4 if only we will approach total surrender. Yet, that may also be the most difficult task we will ever approach. But, we don't only have our own will to overcome; perhaps the hidden lesson to learn from Psalm 31 and from the life of Jesus is that persons who trust God unreservedly can expect opposition from those who choose to trust only themselves.

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Weekly Meditation for Nov 22nd

2009-11-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Ron & Christine White

Revelation 1: 4-8
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before God's throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings and queens of the earth. To Christ who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Parent, to God be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! Christ is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see Christ;
even those that pieced Christ;
and on Christ's account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and Omega," says God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

What does it mean to have a God who does not have a noun for a name - a God who isn't a person, place or thing, a God who tells us that God is beyond our comprehension? In many ancient cultures, a name captures the essence of a person or thing. The God of the Hebrews whom we claim today as our God is a God of "being" or "presence." The Old and New Testament writers testify to a God who was personally active in their midst, in Israel and the early Christian community. Today, some of us recognize God's presence, albeit in different ways, some of us more deeply on a personal level, some of us less intimately. Whatever our personal circumstances, most of us understand our God to be the ultimate presence throughout the entire universe. Many of us believe that God is personally present with us. And we believe that our Creator desires to be in a very personal relationship with us just as we do with our Creator.

So how do we recognize God's presence in our lives? Ron would say that God's presence is the consonance (harmony) in the world, while human will is the cause of dissonance (disharmony) in the world. Some consonance/dissonance examples are peace/war, justice/violence, sharing/greed. Perhaps you can imagine how the dissonance in your own life, whether self inflicted or inflicted by others, is at the root of pain in your life and is the cause of feelings of separation from God. Jesus the Christ, whom scriptures tell us is God personified, is presented in the scriptures as the example of how we are to live a life in consonance with God. Interesting to note is that the consonance in Jesus' life lead to his crucifixion. Consonance with God is not something that the powers of this world can easily tolerate.

The Spirit of God that lived within Jesus and enabled him to live a life of consonance, also lives within each of us. This Spirit is described in Isaiah 11:2 as:
"the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."

How will we know when we are living in consonance? To paraphrase Isaiah 11, verses 3 and 4: "We will not judge by what we see with our eyes, or decide by what we hear with our ears; but with righteousness we will justly deal with the needy, and with justice we will give decisions favoring the poor of the earth."

As we enter the Season of Hope, may God bless us in our efforts to bring peace and justice to a world sorely in need. Amen.

Weekly Meditation for Nov 15

2009-11-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Michael Desmond

Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I don't know about you, but for me worrying is not necessarily something that can just be switched off-even if God tells me to do it. The lifelong trials of career, children, marriage, sonship, and friendship take their toll. Over time some level of worry seems to get baked into our chemistry. It becomes a habit of sorts.

One way to break a habit is to work at replacing it with another. Have you tried the practice of thankfulness? Work at being thankful for literally everything (and if you are really searching for what to be thankful for, add opposites). For example: sunshine, rain; fresh clothes, rumpled ones; sight, darkness; people, solitude; laughter, sorrow; community, aloneness-just on and on. It's kind of a searching of everything (events, people, thoughts and mysteries) that happens to try to experience thankfulness at finding God in it.

Maybe you have heard it expressed simply as the "attitude of gratitude". (Maybe this is a practice you also follow.) This practice often clears and revives the mind. Anxiety levels can fall off dramatically. Thoughts and energies focus where they belong, on God. After all, who are we thankful to? An added bonus is recognizing the sometimes subtle experience of receiving God's grace. It is often easier to perceive when we are in a thankful state of mind.

Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness kind of follow along naturally. (Seeking, even if not achieving!)

Thank you God for the opportunity to express this viewpoint. May we find you often today. Amen.

Weekly Meditation for Nov 8th

2009-11-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Christine White

Mark 12:38-45
As he taught, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'

The catchword "widow" links these two pericopes together. In the first story, Jesus condemns the scribes for using their position to be an agent contributing to the poverty of most widows rather than the role that Jesus sees for them as an advocate for widows, defending and seeking justice for them.

In the second story, Jesus starkly contrasts the deficient character of the wealthy who make a show of giving from their abundance with the humble character of the widow who quietly gives all she had. His praise for the widow does not imply that Jesus approves of the social conditions that have created her poverty. Some suggest that not only is Jesus condemning the scribes whose rich taste is linked to "devouring the houses of widows" but also the religious system that taught this woman that God demanded (and in some religions still demands) such a sacrifice from the poor of the world.

This story poses the same challenge to readers today as it did 2000 years ago. Amos, Chapter 5, contains a prophetic condemnation of the rich within the sanctuary of the temple who foster injustice that reduces others in society to poverty:
"I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies
Even though you offer me your burnt
Offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
And the offerings of well-being
Of your fatted animals
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps."

By our deeds, we the people of MetropolitanCommunityChurch are defining ourselves more and more every year as a social justice church. Both the Mark and the Amos stories indicate that this is a mission that God finds worthy. The Amos passage ends with these words:
"But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream."

May God bless us as we provide sanctuary and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves.

Weekly Meditation for November 1

2009-10-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
How Shall We Pray?
By Tom Robertsen

Revelation 21: 1-5

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jeusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and will live with them. They will be people of God, and God will be with them and be their God. Our God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." The One seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

This passage from the last book in the Christian New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing, which is usually a visionary depiction of a sometime future face off between powers of good and evil. The book of Daniel could be another instance of an apocalypse.

We know almost nothing about John the author of Revelation except that he lived on a small and rather barren island off the coast of Greece. The purpose and overall meaning of John's book have been almost anyone's guess for nearly 1900 years. In fact, it wasn't even included in the official collection of biblical writings until sometime in the 4th century.

In spite of that, certain passages -- such as the one above -- speak profoundly to us as followers of the gospel message. These words can quite possibly answer the most basic Christian question: Why do we pray? What does it do for me? or What do I get out of it?

Follow with me if you will in John's footsteps. Silently meditate for a few moments on the infinite love of our God, the inexhaustible care and benevolence provided on our behalf. Shut out from your perception anything to the contrary. Feel yourself to be spiritually centered on this single divine energy source.

I believe that continuing your prayer-meditation in this way you will soon begin to experience a new heaven and earth, a renewal of everything around you. Some of the old stuff in your life can begin to fall away. "No more sea?" That's Bible talk for an end to life's turbulence.

Let's look at what follows: a new Jerusalem or an exalted city of hope; then, God as an indwelling and living presence in our lives; and lastly, a way out from a lot of the bad stuff in our lives.

This happened in the experience I wrote about last month, seeming nearly like an apostolic event. Starting in the very depth of frustration, I saw through prayer how things could change almost immediately to a time of hope and fulfillment!

This Christ consciousness is constantly inviting us in to experience renewal and regeneration in our personal live as well as in our larger church community. Truly God does make all things new.

Weekly Medidation for October 24th ~ Rev. Sue Yarber

2009-10-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Rev Sue Yarber

Jeremiah 31: 7-9

For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Both Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, come calling "Save, O Lord, your people." Jeremiah says it literally, and Bartimaeus does so figuratively. Jeremiah foretells how the Messiah "will gather up the people from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and lame." Bartimaeus is a blind beggar, for to be blind in ancient days meant that one was relegated to a life of poverty, one's only chance for survival was to beg. Blind people could not enter the temple, which was the center of community life, but had to remain outside while others enjoyed each other's company.

Bartimaeus yearned to see again. He understood that sight would restore him to the community. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving they encountered crowds and, yet, over the din of chaos they heard a strong and determined voice calling, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, surely he could tell he was blind, yet he asked what he needed. Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to state his own needs and to participate in his own healing. Receiving Christ's mercy happens when we recognize our own need and humbly confess that need to Christ. I have experienced this spiritual truth in my own life. God will allow me to struggle over and over with something until I am finally done and able to give it up to God's care. When I can identify my own need for healing and sincerely ask God to heal me, then, and only then, can I move forward in my process. God's grace, as demonstrated through Jesus in this story, can only be received through a humble and waiting heart, one that has quieted enough to hear when Jesus speaks. Jesus said, "Go; your faith has made you well." Jesus calls Bartimaeus and us to move beyond the situation for which we have requested healing. We can acknowledge how God has moved in our lives and brought healing to us. We must see ourselves as healed, not perfect, just as ones who have received mercy and grace and are grateful.

Bartimaeus followed Jesus; once healed, he was compelled to be a part of other people's healing experiences. We, too, are able to pass on the unconditional love, the compassionate care and the promise of new life to others. We have all met people who define themselves by their problems or their personal histories. They may focus on what has happened to them, or the ways in which they have been mistreated by others. They have not, yet, approached Jesus requesting healing, they are caught at the point of surveying the damage. Jesus will be there whenever they are ready to move on in the process. We are called to point that way to the foot of the cross where we are receive mercy.

Sight is so much more than vision; Bartimaeus knew that a miracle had happened and that his entire future was transformed in an instant. Help us along the path to Jesus and give us the courage and faith we need to walk as a healed and beloved people.

Weekly Meditation October 18th

2009-10-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Val Jackson

1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

The Trump Card

I've always had difficulty with the concept of unconditional love. It feels unnatural and unrealistic to me. I suspect others feel the same and that is understandable. We live in a competitive world. Value and lovability are linked closely to talents, appearance, possessions, influence, knowledge, and good works.

This biblical passage teaches about the characteristics and importance of unconditional love. Unconditional love is patient, kind, not envious, arrogant or rude. In the hierarchy of desirable traits and practices, unconditional love is above all others. All others are hollow without it and only have true value with it. Unconditional love, not strength, bears all things. Unconditional love, not faith, believes and hopes all things. Unconditional love, not power, endures all things. It is the only thing that will never end. Unconditional love is the trump card in the deck.

As spiritual children, it is difficult to practice unconditional love. We tend to be self-engrossed and shortsighted. We want others to earn our love. Sometimes, we can't love ourselves unless we've "earned it". But we are encouraged to mature from children to spiritual adults. We are encouraged to rise above the temporary and the incomplete and embody a trait which has no shelf life.

God is unconditional love and unconditional love is God. Unconditional love is like a magnet. As human beings we need and are drawn to it. It makes both the giver and the recipient whole and complete. When we practice unconditional love, we practice God.

Lord, help our church body to be the trump card in our community. Let us exemplify what it means to love others without conditions and agendas.

Lord, help me, as an individual, to remember that you have equipped me with your trump card. As I interact with others, let me ask myself, "Is the trump card on the table?"

Weekly Meditation for Oct 11th

2009-10-08T14:29:00.001-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Kelly Durbin

Mark 10: 17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers, and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first"

What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or another way to phrase the question might be how do I enter into relationship with God, or be restored to fellowship with God as I was created to be, both here and now, and forevermore? This is a fundamental question that is at the very heart of the gospel. Depending on our religious background or possibly for some, no religious background at all, we might answer that question in a variety of ways: we must be baptized, we must receive Jesus as our Savior, we must be born again, we must confess Jesus is Lord, we must do penance, we must give generously, we must obey church teachings, we must make peace, we must live a good life, we must love others, we must, we must, we must...when we focus on what WE must do, then we lose sight of God's part and transforming power in the relationship.

Jesus' response to the question is an interesting one. First of all he asked a question before answering in attempt to open the young man's spiritual eyes. "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." Already, we begin to get a glimpse of the message AND the character of the young man Jesus was dealing with. The young man seems to have a belief or basic assumption in operation that he is capable of making judgments about others and then also about himself. A confidence, if you will, that he can discern who is good, and conversely then who is not good. Jesus begins by stating the obvious, that no one is good but God alone. In other words, we cannot be "good" of our own accord or of our own efforts. We ALL are on equal ground, found wanting, found needing. But the young man, as we also often do, misses the point.

So Jesus, loving him, tries again as God so often does with us. Having assured Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him there is "one more thing" he must do. I'm sure the young man was thrilled, excited with anticipation to hear the one last thing he needed to do in order to receive the benefits of the gospel. But all of the wind came pouring out of his sails when he heard the words "go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Why this one thing? What could Jesus possibly be saying? Why this particular instruction? Maybe it's because his possessions kept him in a place of self sufficiency, relying on himself to do whatever he judged as required to inherit eternal life rather than relying on God. Self sufficiency, self interest, and self importance...there seems to be a theme here...

God calls us to "let go" of self (the "whatever is in the way") of entering fully, and authentically into relationship with God. We need to see and experience that God's love is available for us, that we can partake of the fountain, but we have to "get out of the way" first. We can't give ourselves fully and wholly to God, when we are hanging on to things that we believe will provide us with joy and happiness in their own right. Acknowledgment that we can't do it alone seems to be the first step.

May we pray the Psalm from the Old Testament Reading this week in an effort to set self interest aside and to focus on what God can do in and through us this day? Psalm 90: 12-17: So teach us (God) to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? (God) Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us (God) in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. (God) Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, as many years as we have seen trouble. Let your work (God) be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power (God) to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-O prosper (Dearest God) the work of our hands! May it be so.

Weekly Meditation October 4th

2009-10-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Christine White

Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

This episode begins with the disciples attempting to enforce one of the standard social mores of their day. Children should not be allowed to disturb the teacher and his students. The disciples demonstrate that they still don't understand the point of Jesus' ministry, which is inclusion. Including the children also made it possible for the women who had the responsibility for caring for them to hear Jesus' teaching. Jesus is always including the excluded of his society - lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, women and children.

Jesus then goes on to say "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Children were not considered persons in their own right. They had no status or power. Jesus insists that God's rule exists for them.

This episode occurs after the disciples were arguing about which of them is the greatest. Modern ideas about the innocence of children were not held during the first century. Could Jesus be advising the disciples and us that we are all radically dependent upon God's grace just as a child is radically dependent on the parent for status, inheritance and life itself?

The message of radical dependence on grace is very inclusive. It puts us all on equal footing before God. Whatever our education, whatever our economic circumstances, whatever our race, whatever our gender, whatever our sexual orientation, whatever our religious affiliation, whatever our physical abilities or limitations, whatever our personality flaws - we are all radically dependent upon God's grace. We are all included in the circle of God's unconditional love.

This is the good news that we are blessed to receive and share - whatever your whatever, whatever your neighbor's whatever - we are all invited to share in God's kingdom. The challenge for both the disciples and for us is to realize that we are called to identify with the non-persons of our society - the homeless, the gang member, the mentally unstable, the chemically dependent. The list goes on. May God bless us as we struggle to be the body of Christ for each other and for those we would rather ignore.

Weekly Meditation for Sept 27th

2009-09-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
By Ron White

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10
Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done."

Then Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king."

Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?"

Esther said, "A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!" Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.

Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, "Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman's house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!" And the king said, "Hang him on it."
So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king's anger subsided.

What are we to make of this story which the Bible tells? Believe it or not, the Bible has humor in its pages. Esther and her people were about "to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated." In translation from the Hebrew, that sounds like abundant overkill. In Hebrew culture, perhaps this expression meant to humorously exaggerate her circumstances for our reflection? Consider that Esther's petition was answered and her enemy completely removed...not just removed but hung until dead! Is this a parable for both our prayers and the answers that are possible? If you think you and yours are having your lives threatened, you do want your enemies hung by the neck until dead, don't you? Well, don't you?

Have you ever prayed fervently when things were really bad? I have. The Giver of Salvation can actually be upstaged by the sigh of relief we exhale when we see that the stress has been alleviated. The Giver disappears from view as we celebrate the victory. "Phew," we voice. "That was a close one!" Of course, since God is essentially speaking very quietly, almost imperceptibly, we often fail to listen and resume moving at breakneck speed until we run headlong into the next brick wall that appears. At least, I have resembled that description.

By the way, Esther is clear that she would not have bothered the King with a petition for much of anything less than relief from total disaster. When you read those verses, did you believe this parable meant "don't sweat praying over the small stuff?" That is one obvious possible interpretation. Yes, I too pray more fervently for someone who is in terrible circumstances. But, who is to measure the relative importance of prayers? Me? Is it possible that"insignificant" prayers are like snowflakes which land, some on hillsides, forming snowballs which roll downhill, starting avalanches? If mistakes are like that, can't prayers be? All too often when I was a younger man, I passed right over the admonition to "turn it over" and "did it [to] myself." Ah, the messes I made (and still do, though not quite as often)! By the way, I found it harder to forgive myself for my mistakes in judgment when I never should have tried to carry the ball myself!

Is this passage truly informing us that the only prayer we should pray is amidst life-and-death situations? For too long the church taught (and in some cases still teaches) that prostrate on the floor is the only way we belong in front of our King, God. Heaven help us grasp the humor hidden in the exaggeration of both Esther's prayer and the King's answer! I sing praises that God is merciful and forgiving. If life continues...and if we are listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit throughout the seasons of life, the Spirit will affirm in us the wisdom of this week's passage from Psalm 124:

"The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."

May God grant us the wisdom to know that, in this life, we are always in the snare and always need to be praying about everything.Praise God our Creator who gives us endless mercy and the peace that surpasses human understanding when we finally surrender our illusion of control, and finally see that God's sweet Spirit endures throughout our lives. Therein lies the victory that God promises us.

Day 26 - I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD

2009-09-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

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DAY 26 - LESSON 26

I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD

As a child of God, I have all the gifts of life available to me at every moment. The gifts of joy, peace, love, prosperity, abundance, power and choice are mine; they are already in my life. As I acknowledge and recognize these gifts, they manifest more frequently and abundantly. My blessings are infinite, and my life is filled with peace and absolutely effortless prosperity. I am blessed as a child of God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 26
Bless people - either silently or aloud - all day long. Say,
"God bless you" to everyone, and mean it.

Affirmation: I have the peace of God.

Remember to keep your word today

Day 25 - I LET GO AND LET GOD

2009-09-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

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DAY 25 - LESSON 25

I LET GO AND LET GOD

Today I surrender control, and I allow the part of God that is expressing through me to come into my life to guide me. Today I let peace make all of my decisions; I let love tell me where to go, whom to see, and what to say; I let the part of me that is God shine forth, creating joy in my life. Today I have the trust surrender control. I let go and let God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 25
For one day, give full control to God. Do not take back the control.
Surrender to His care and love, all day long. Notice how you feel.

Affirmation: I shine peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Day 24 - GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I

2009-09-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

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DAY 24 - LESSON 24

GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I

I already know that I am an extension of God. His quality and His essence are within me; they are inherent and are my natural state. I am a child of God, and have the potential to be just like Him, God is great, and so am I. Whenever I must bring love into my perception of another person, I close my eyes, remind myself that we are all extensions of God, and repeat the words "God is great, and so are you." God is great, and so am I

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 24
Acknowledge how wonderful you are. Know that you are magnificent and that you are growing toward the light. Know that many people are growing with you.

Affirmation: Peace is great.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

Day 23 - I TRUST GOD

2009-09-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

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DAY 23 - LESSON 23

I TRUST GOD

Today I am aware that I have not been trusting god completely. When I trust God, I do not question any event that happens, for I know that everything that occurs in my life is in my best interest. My power to create miracles for myself begins as I realize that I can make a conscious choice to trust God. Today I trust God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 23
Listen for God within, and embrace the peace that He offers you. Then notice and acknowledge the experience you have in your life because of it. Can you see the good - the silver lining?

Affirmation: I trust peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

DAY 22 - GOD LOVES ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF

2009-09-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

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DAY 22 - LESSON 22

GOD LOVES ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF

Today I know that all of my experiences happen for a reason, and I choose to see each experience as part my function of healing. Because of this, I can give up control and let God lead the way. God knows what is best for me, far better than I do. Today I know that God loves me more than what I love myself.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 22
Listen for God's voice to guide you today. When you are making a decision, the voice will be clearest and strongest. Be still, and simply listen. God's voice always brings peace; Ego's voice only brings turmoil.

Affirmation: God's peace and mine are one.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 21 - GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY

2009-09-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

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DAY 21 - LESSON 21

GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY

Today I feel peaceful. I am so comfortable that I have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I know that god is taking care of me. The power of the universe is with me, and it protects me from all harm; it even protects me from my own dark thoughts. As I allow all grievances, anger, fear, turmoil and other negativity to fall away, my perception is changed and I am open to the unconditional love that is always available to me. I am happy and peaceful knowing that God loves me unconditionally.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 21
Hold someone's hand and, without speaking aloud, let that person know that
you love him or her unconditionally.

Affirmation: I feel God's peace now.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 20 - ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION

2009-09-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

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DAY 20 - LESSON 20

ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION

Today I know that only love exists, and fear is an illusion. Fear is lack of love, just as darkness is a lack of light. To remove the illusion of fear, I simply bring forth love; I then notice that fear has gone and Truth has returned. Only love exists; fear is an illusion.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 20
Tell one person that you love him or her. Be in the present, and have the words come from your heart. Notice the reaction; the person you tell will never forget the moment. Express the love until you connect - until you really feel it. Notice your reaction, as well.

Affirmation: Peace is within me.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 19 - I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE

2009-09-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

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Day 19

I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE

Today I constantly repeat to myself that I am loving and lovable. I feel loving toward all others, and I am worthy of their love, as well. I love myself, I love everyone, and everyone loves me. No matter what Ego tries to tell me, I know that I am worthy of love. Today I know that I am loving and lovable.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 19
Continue to stay in peace. Throughout the day, repeatedly say to yourself, "I am wonderful and kind, and so worthy and deserving of all God's gifts." Say "Thank you, God," "I love God," "God loves me," and "I love me."

Affirmation: God shine peace on me.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 18 - I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE

2009-09-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

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DAY 18 - LESSON 18

I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE

Today I choose peace over everything else; I choose peace all throughout the day. Every decision I make will be based on this. No matter what my options are, today I choose only peace.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 18
Spend the day in silence. Speak only if you must, and only to bring light and peace.

Affirmation: I love my peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Weekly Meditation for Sept 20

2009-09-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
Two Kinds of Wisdom
By Tom Robertsen

James 3: 13,17

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom...The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

If I were to add a more flippant title to this meditation, it would go something like "Leaving It Be." Despite the awkwardness of those words, they express a lot right now. Since last night I have been sitting here in the worst clutter and mental chaos imaginable. Everything which seemed neatly wrapped and under control looks like it has fallen apart or is at least very uncertain. I'm under very short time constraints. I'm nearly out of ideas. The whole thing has spooked me out.

Since I woke up so very early this morning thinking about it, I did what I should have done at the very beginning: I asked our heavenly Parent what I should do, but I didn't get an answer. And so, I asked again -- and again. The response I got was exactly the sub-title above: "Leave It Be!"

Instead of worrying, I've gradually turned away from it all -- not once, but repeatedly -- and tried to rely on some true wisdom from our divine Source. I'm trying to create a life that matters instead of just nodding my head in appreciation to the testimonials of others. The chips are down and it's time to be an authentic Christian.

I've stopped fretting and started focusing on doing things by trusting in "the humility that comes from wisdom". God's wisdom is not in the problem; it comes to us in the solutions which are a part of the divine mercy. I see now that there are people to help: My partner who is at home hundreds of miles away had some sound advice, as always. I realize also that there is ample time to make the course corrections which may be needed.

By turning away from all the confusion and disorder, and truly trusting in divine Love's constant and continuous provision for me I can focus on wisdom's peace, mercy and fruitful harvest. I can champion the real sincerity and unselfishness which come from true wisdom and Christ-like activity.

It is thought by many scholars that the writer of this short passage may have been the actual brother of Jesus. Perhaps, then, these very words were advice which came directly from the Master.

Day 17 - I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE MIRACLES

2009-09-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

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DAY 17 - LESSON 17

I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE MIRACLES

Miracles are a natural part of my life, and my acknowledgement of them makes them real for me. Miracles are the expression of unconditional love. They are always available to me; they are my inheritance from God. Today I am open to receive miracles.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 17
Treat yourself special. Know that who you are inside deserves the best. Feel unconditionally loved. Give yourself anything you desire. Today you are a loving and lovable king or queen.

Affirmation: I see everyone peaceful.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 16 - I PAUSE BEFORE I REACT

2009-09-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

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DAY 16 - LESSON 16

I PAUSE BEFORE I REACT

Because I know that Ego always jumps in first to react to occurrences in my life. I remember to pause and allow Spirit's love to come through me, so I may respond to any situation. When I respond from Spirit, a result is produced that is good for me and for everyone else. I pause, let go of my initial ego-oriented reaction, clear my mind, and ask for guidance. I receive guidance and act upon it. Today I pause before I react.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 16
Beginning with today, start being instead of doing. Expect a miracle - a big miracle!

Affirmation: I love peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 15 - I AM PATIENT

2009-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

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DAY 15 - LESSON 15

I AM PATIENT

Today I am patient with myself and with everyone else, for I know that time exists only to facilitate healing and growing. I know the difference between patience and procrastination, understanding that patience comes from Spirit's love, while procrastination comes from Ego's fear. Today I move through all of my functions and activities effortlessly, with patience and love. Today I am patient.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 15
Thank someone who truly deserves thanking. Come from your heart. How does it feel?

Affirmation: Peace is forever

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

DAY 14 - I REGOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST

2009-09-14T02:04:00.000-07:00

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DAY 14 - LESSON 14

I REGOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST

I am aware that whatever I see is only a small part of the whole picture. Because I cannot see the whole picture, usually what I think is good for me is not, and what I think will hurt me is actually helpful. In opening myself to this knowledge, I finally understand that I can let go of taking a chance at being right or wrong, because my own best interest is what is always being served in my life. Today I give up resistance and recognize my own best interest.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 14
Hug someone you normally would not hug. This is to be a sincere hug, not a quick one. What goes through your mind and how do you feel about yourself as you hug this person?

Affirmation: Peace is all I deserve

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 13 - I OPEN MY MIND TO PEACE

2009-09-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

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Day 13

I OPEN MY MIND TO PEACE

Today I open my mind to the realization that there is always another way to view any experience in life. Whenever an experience does not bring me peace, I look at it from a different perspective. By being aware of the possibility that there I another way of looking at the experience, I create the opportunity for a peaceful resolution. Today I open my mind to peace.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 13
Find a homeless person and give that person some money. When you do,
notice your judgment. That judgment is about you.

Affirmation: I open my life to peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 12 - I RELEASE ALL FEAR

2009-09-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

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DAY 12 - LESSON 12

I RELEASE ALL FEAR

Today I let go of my fear of anything, and I trust God to take the fear away. The way that I let go is simply by knowing that fear does not exist. I truly know that fear is simply Ego's deluded perception that it is possible to experience a lack of love in my life. To release this deluded perception, I must know that I am always filled with, and surrounded by, unconditional love. Whenever I experience fear, I can bring forth this unconditional love, and immediately the fear will disappear. Today I release all fear.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 12
Write five to ten affirmations of joy and prosperity for yourself. Repeat them throughout the day.

Affirmation: I embrace only peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Day 11 - I GIVE AS I RECEIVE

2009-09-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

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DAY 11 - LESSON 11

I GIVE AS I RECEIVE

I know that giving and receiving are the same thing. It is just as joyous to give as it is to receive. It is just as joyous to receive as it is to give. When I give joyously, I am healed by doing my function of making a contribution to another. When I receive joyously, the giver is healed by doing his or her function of making a contribution to me. Today I give as I receive.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 11
See at least one person as a child of God. Show this person unconditional love.
You will feel honored to be in his or her presence.

Affirmation: I wish peace for everyone

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of : http://www.effortlessprosperity.com/

Weekly Meditation for Sept 13th

2009-09-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
by Michael Desmond

James 3:1-12 (New International Version)

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he or she says, that person is perfect, able to keep his or her whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by people, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and God, and with it we curse men and women, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? My brothers and can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Words come from somewhere and not just from our mouths. Dictionaries for sure. Perhaps there are dictionaries of our hearts as well. Billions of individual dictionaries all expressing the persons speaking. So as persons we have the stuff of comfort or ridicule in our hearts. Of gossip or of God. How will we use our dictionaries?

Day 10 I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL OF GOD'S GIFTS

2009-09-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

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DAY 10 - LESSON 10

I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL OF GOD'S GIFTS

Today - all day - I literally walk around with my hands open to receive. I am not surprised when I realize that I am receiving without having to do anything. When someone offers to contribute something to me, I accept graciously. Knowing that each gift is a gift from God, I experience profound thankfulness and gratitude within myself; God hears my thankfulness and gratitude, and responds with more gifts from many sources. Today I remember to keep saying to myself "I am open and receiving all of God's gifts."

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 10
Walk around all day with your hands open to receive. Imagine your
spiritual self walking around with hands open to receive.

Affirmation: I see world peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

Day 9 - I DESERVE PROSPERITY

2009-09-09T01:40:00.000-07:00

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DAY 9 - LESSON 9

I DESERVE PROSPERITY

Today I know that because of who I am - a child of God - I deserve all of God's gifts. They are my inheritance. When I open my mind and heart, I see myself as a very wonderful person who deserves everything that is good. And when I say, "I deserve prosperity," meaning it with my whole heart, I allow prosperity to come forth, to complete and fulfill me. I deserve prosperity.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 9
Be dedicated to laugh. The more you laugh, the more that prosperity comes to you.
Laugh all day long. If people are with you, make them laugh, too.

Affirmation: My planet Earth deserves peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

courtesy of www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 8 - EVERYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO ME

2009-09-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

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DAY 8 - LESSON 8

EVERYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO ME

Today I realize that everyone is making a contribution to my life. Everyone wishes to assist me in creating everything I desire, not because of what I say or do, but because deep inside there is a knowing that I am prosperous, and at an even deeper level, there is a knowing that we are all prosperous. Everyone's joy, happiness and function are to contribute to me; I must only receive and accept this as a natural part of my being. Everyone wishes to contribute to me.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 8
Give up control with one person or one issue for the day. Look at the result and
reaction to it. The result will be what is best for you.

Affirmation: I see peace in everyone's actions.
Remember to keep your word today.

Day 7 - I AM VERY PROSPEROUS

2009-09-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

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DAY 7 - LESSON 7

I AM VERY PROSPEROUS

Today I understand that I am not my ego or the name I was given at birth. In truth, I am who I really am - an extension of god and a very, very prosperous creator.

If Ego appears today and tells me I have too little money in the bank, I owe money to people, or my job does not pay me enough, I simply remember that none of this has anything to do with who I really am.

The moment I believe I am prosperous beyond a shadow of a doubt, everything around me will change to reflect this truth. My abundance is overwhelming and is only waiting to be received by me. I am very prosperous.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 7
When you get up in the morning, see yourself as a ball of light that is very powerful, like the sun. All day, walk around saying "I am the light", and shine upon everyone.

Affirmation: I am so peaceful.
Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 6 - I AM VIGILANT FOR THE LIGHT

2009-09-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

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DAY 6 - LESSON 6

I AM VIGILANT FOR THE LIGHT

Today I am more aware of my thoughts, and I choose thoughts of the light rather than of darkness. Regardless of how attractive the thoughts of darkness may look - or how rewarding Ego says they will be - I know the difference between light and dark thoughts.

Today, I repeat the words "I am vigilant for the light" to myself as many times as possible. I choose light over darkness and love over fear. Today I am vigilant for the light, all day long.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 6
In the morning after reading the lesson, sit quietly and ask yourself whom you resent. The first person who comes to mind is the right person. Make an attempt to contact this person; talk face-to-face, call on the telephone, write, or meditate and clear the resentment.

Affirmation: I am vigilant for peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

DAY 5 - I AM WILLING TO SEE THE LIGHT

2009-09-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

DAY 5 - LESSON 5
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I AM WILLING TO SEE THE LIGHT

Today I am willing to see the light, which is always available to me; I allow it to come in and brighten up my day. I see it even in the darkest situations. By opening my eyes and my mind to the light, I experience joy, love, happiness, prosperity and abundance. I am open for miracles to happen. I am willing to see the light, every hour of this day.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 5
Do something special for someone special - in action, or in a kind word.

Affirmation: I know only peace inside.
Remember to keep your word today.

Weekly Meditation for September 6th

2009-09-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
by Christine White
Mark 7:24-37

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin.

She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.' But she answered him, 'Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.' Then he said to her, 'For saying that, you may go-the demon has left your daughter.' So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.

Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha', that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, 'He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'

The story of Jesus and the Gentile woman whose child needed healing has always filled me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I'm offended by Jesus' initial conduct. He treats the non-Jewish woman with a severity that he has not shown to any of the others who have sought healing. On the other hand, I am filled with pride both for the woman who was able to engage the challenge posed by Jesus' saying and for Jesus who acknowledges the woman's word has overthrown his own word and has the humility to learn from her.

The socioeconomic situation that existed in the world of Jesus was that those who produced the food, Jewish peasant farmers, saw their work consumed by others. This probably caused the resentment on the part of those from Jewish villages producing goods for wealthy cities which we can see in Jesus' original reply. The use of the term "dog" was usually an insult intended to degrade those about whom it was used.

For me, the most amazing part of the story is the woman's ability to respond to Jesus' saying about dogs with a saying of equal power. Her response uses the ambiguity surrounding the term dog (she uses it to refer to a dog who is a pet and companion) to turn the demeaning metaphor to her advantage.

While it would be wrong to feed the dogs food that the children need, everyone knows that the dogs are permitted to eat what the children drop under the table. Jesus who usually overwhelms his opponents by using the ambiguity of their words against them allows a Gentile woman to do the same to him. The real miracle of this story is the overcoming of prejudice and boundaries that separate persons.

The discomfort caused by this story challenges us as a Church to examine how we treat the "other," a person who is different from us, one who comes from outside our social or ethnic group. Do we offer the same welcome to a homeless person that we do to a visiting elder?

Do we treat the poor and undereducated with the same deference that we give our pastors? I saw evidence at the 10:30 service on August 23 that some in our congregation have learned the lesson that this story offers. As she was walking from downtown with her three children trying to find our Church, a mother from the projects called the office.

Danny Gladden answered the phone and learned the family's dire straits and desire to worship with us. He asked Kathy Wallace if she would be willing to go find them and drive them to our building. Kathy did this willingly. When she came back, she asked Vickie Stricklin to help the family get settled.

Vickie served the family something to eat and drink, and then brought the mother into the sanctuary for the service and took the children to Children's Church. Danny, Kathy and Vickie have set the standard for how we are to receive visitors, not by allowing them to eat the crumbs from the ground, but rather by giving them the best of ourselves.

The challenge for you and for me is to live up to the standard set for us by Danny, Kathy and Vickie.

Day 4 - I DO NOT KNOW THE REAL MEANING OF WHAT I SEE

2009-09-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

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DAY 4 - LESSON 4

I DO NOT KNOW THE REAL MEANING OF WHAT I SEE

Everything that I see happening around me has a meaning that I have given to it. When I am willing to let of thinking that I know the real meaning, I notice that it is much different from what I though it was. Today I realize and understand that the meaning I give to anything has nothing to do with its real purpose. I do not know the real meaning of what I see.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 4
Do something nice for yourself today. Examples: get a massage; go out for dinner;
treat yourself to something that brings you joy and peace.

Affirmation: I am surrounded by peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

Day 3 - I am Aware of What I See

2009-09-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

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DAY 3 - LESSON 3

I AM AWARE OF WHAT I SEE

Today I am aware of what I am looking at and what I am watching for. Am I more interested in looking at an accident and someone getting a ticket on the freeway, or do I enjoy seeing the sunlight filter through my window? Do I experience more powerful emotions watching someone fight than I do watching a child sleep? Am I interested in all the shooting and violence on the news, or do I notice people holding hands and expressing joy? When I realize that I have a choice of where and upon what I cast my gaze, I will choose to see only positive things. What I see affects my mind, and it is my mind that creates the world outside of me. Today I am aware of what I see.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 3
Give some money away - not because the recipient deserves it. Bless it. Notice how you feel.

Affirmation: I see peace everywhere.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 2 - I NOTICE WHAT I HEAR

2009-09-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

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DAY 2 - LESSON 2

I NOTICE WHAT I HEAR

Today I am aware of what really attracts me the most. Am I listening for miracles, peace and love, or am I listening for stories, turmoil and fear? At every moment, I can make a choice of listening to Spirit or to Ego. At every moment, I am aware of which one I am listening to, and I refuse to listen to Ego. Today I notice what I hear.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 2
Be aware of what you are listening to; be aware of whether you enjoy listening to Spirit or Ego.

Affirmation: I listen only for peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

DAY 1 " I WATCH WHAT I SAY "

2009-09-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

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DAY 1 - LESSON 1

I WATCH WHAT I SAY

Today I am aware of all the things I say. I look at what I am saying, how much I am talking, and how much of what I am saying is making a difference in my life. Am I speaking for peace, or am I speaking for turmoil? Am I speaking to bring more joy and love, or am I speaking to bring more fear? Throughout this day, I am aware of what I am saying, and I choose to speak only words of joy, peace and love to myself and others. Today I watch what I say.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 1
Be aware of how much you keep your word today.

Affirmation: I speak only for peace
Remember to keep your word today.

courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

DAY 31- Remember to keep your word today.

2009-08-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

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DAY 31 - LESSON 31

Today I realize there was one lesson throughout the month that especially resonated with me. Today I choose to give special attention to that lesson and concentrate on understanding that lesson fully.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy: www.effortlessprosperity.com

DAY 30 ~ I HEAR GOD'S VOICE ALL DAY

2009-08-30T04:08:00.000-07:00

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DAY 30 - LESSON 30

I HEAR GOD'S VOICE ALL DAY

Today I open my mind and heart in such a way that I can hear God speak to me and give me direction. I am open and able to receive His guidance. When He speaks to me, holy ideas come to my mind. God also speaks to me through my brothers and sisters when they are sharing their love with me. I hear God's voice all day.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 30
Thank everyone for his or her inner goodness. Do not thank or agree with Ego; thank the part of everyone that is peaceful. Thank everyone's inner being.

courtesy: http://effortlessprosperity.com/index.cfm?page_id=6
Tommorow, begin anew with day 1

DAY 29 "THANK YOU, GOD "

2009-08-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

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DAY 29 - LESSON 29

THANK YOU, GOD !

Today I thank God for all that I am. Regardless of what my life looks like at this time, I know that every experience is occurring exactly the way it is supposed to, for my highest good. I give thanks for this, and I continue on to each new experience, knowing that each is better than the one before, because I now have a greater understanding of who I really am. God is now in control of my life, and I am very thankful. Today I thank God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 29
Say "Thank You," either silently or aloud, to all of the people you meet. Say it sincerely - from your heart. See all of the people you meet as God, just as you see yourself as God. Understand that you are not thanking their Egos, but you are thanking who they truly are. You are thanking the God within them.

Affirmation: Thank you, peaceful Earth.
Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 28- I SEE ONLY GOD IN ALL OF MY AFFAIRS

2009-08-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

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DAY 28 - LESSON 28

I SEE ONLY GOD IN ALL OF MY AFFAIRS

Today I am completely vigilant for the light in everything I do. I know, at every moment, that everything happens to bring me closer to my goal, which is peace. Every action I take comes from my willingness to do my function of healing. Today I see only God in all of my affairs.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 28
Sit for fifteen minutes in a quiet place - later in the day is preferable. Look at yourself, your growth. Acknowledge how far you have come.

Affirmation: Peace is everywhere.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

Weekly Meditation for August 30, 2009

2009-08-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation for August 30, 2009
by Rev Sue Yarber
John 21:1-4
"After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus."

I have always found it a curious thing that Jesus waited on the beach for them after an unsuccessful night of fishing. I find it even more puzzling that the disciples did not know it was him. How can that be? Are there times in our lives, perhaps times when we have struggled, and Jesus stands on the shore of our troubles, waiting and looking for us?

I can think of many times in my life when Christ was right there but I, being so consumed with my problems, missed his presence. I walked right on by and did not even notice Christ's loving care, always available and open to me. Some of these times, Christ was present through people I did not expect Christ to use to minister to me. Christ can show up wherever and whenever we need him. He can show up in people and in situations we never expected to find him in.

The disciples were fisherman. Their livelihood depended on catching fish. They lived in a community, each one being present to the others, and so they set out together on the Sea of Tiberias. Together they failed to find any fish. Defeated, tired and probably worried about their immediate future, both individually and collectively, they found their way to the shore. There Jesus waited for them.

In these tough economic times, when many households are struggling to make ends meet, let alone manage any unplanned bills, it can feel like we are living through a night like the disciples in this story. We can find comfort that in the end, when it is all said and done, Jesus is there, waiting to provide comfort and care to us. We can only find the heart of Christ in the quiet solitude on the shore, out of the hustle and bustle of the sea. May each of us take time this week to find the unexpected Christ in the midst of our struggles and daily demands.

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Day 27 "Today Belongs to God; It is my Gift to God"

2009-08-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

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DAY 27 - LESSON 27

TODAY BELONGS TO GOD; IT IS MY GIFT TO GOD

Today I give and share all that I am. Knowing this day is already taken care of, I give up control and dedicate everything to God. Today belongs to God; it is my gift to Him.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 27
Do not make any decision, small or large, without first asking God, your guides or your angels. If the question comes from your heart, and you are open to receive guidance, you will hear the answer.

Affirmation: I am one with peace.

Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

Day 26 - I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD

2009-08-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

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DAY 26 - LESSON 26

I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD

As a child of God, I have all the gifts of life available to me at every moment. The gifts of joy, peace, love, prosperity, abundance, power and choice are mine; they are already in my life. As I acknowledge and recognize these gifts, they manifest more frequently and abundantly. My blessings are infinite, and my life is filled with peace and absolutely effortless prosperity. I am blessed as a child of God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 26
Bless people - either silently or aloud - all day long. Say,
"God bless you" to everyone, and mean it.

Affirmation:
I have the peace of God.
Remember to keep your word today

http://effortlessprosperity.com

Creating A Life That Matters - Classes forming NOW

2009-08-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

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Creating a Life that Matters - Enroll in Fall Classes today~

Classes forming now at MCC of Greater St. Louis.

ALL ARE WELCOME to participate in this Seminar, designed for making the most out of life, and relationships. Creating a Life that Matters is an upcoming Educational opportunity for those interested in strategies for a more Spiritually sustaining life and Relations with others.

CLASSES ARE FREE --- just RSVP for FALL Enrollment

To reserve your place in our upcoming classes, email us at info@mccgsl.org

Day 25 - "I Let Go and Let God"

2009-08-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

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DAY 25 - LESSON 25

I LET GO AND LET GOD

Today I surrender control, and I allow the part of God that is expressing through me to come into my life to guide me. Today I let peace make all of my decisions; I let love tell me where to go, whom to see, and what to say; I let the part of me that is God shine forth, creating joy in my life. Today I have the trust surrender control. I let go and let God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 25
For one day, give full control to God. Do not take back the control.
Surrender to His care and love, all day long. Notice how you feel.

Affirmation: I shine peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

DAY 24 "GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I "

2009-08-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

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DAY 24 - LESSON 24

GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I

I already know that I am an extension of God. His quality and His essence are within me; they are inherent and are my natural state. I am a child of God, and have the potential to be just like Him, God is great, and so am I. Whenever I must bring love into my perception of another person, I close my eyes, remind myself that we are all extensions of God, and repeat the words "God is great, and so are you." God is great, and so am I

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 24
Acknowledge how wonderful you are. Know that you are magnificent and that you are growing toward the light. Know that many people are growing with you.

Affirmation: Peace is great.
Remember to keep your word today.

www.effortlessprosperity.com

What is Possible? The Movie

2009-08-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

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From: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

Day 23 - I Trust God

2009-08-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

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DAY 23 - LESSON 23

I TRUST GOD

Today I am aware that I have not been trusting god completely. When I trust God, I do not question any event that happens, for I know that everything that occurs in my life is in my best interest. My power to create miracles for myself begins as I realize that I can make a conscious choice to trust God. Today I trust God.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 23
Listen for God within, and embrace the peace that He offers you. Then notice and acknowledge the experience you have in your life because of it. Can you see the good - the silver lining?

Affirmation: I trust peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

www.EffortlessProsperity.com

DAY 21 - GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY

2009-08-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

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DAY 21 - LESSON 21

GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY

Today I feel peaceful. I am so comfortable that I have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I know that god is taking care of me. The power of the universe is with me, and it protects me from all harm; it even protects me from my own dark thoughts. As I allow all grievances, anger, fear, turmoil and other negativity to fall away, my perception is changed and I am open to the unconditional love that is always available to me. I am happy and peaceful knowing that God loves me unconditionally.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 21

Hold someone's hand and, without speaking aloud, let that person know that
you love him or her unconditionally.

Affirmation: I feel God's peace now.

Remember to keep your word today.

http://effortlessprosperity.com/index.cfm?page_id=6

Weekly Meditation AUGUST 23

2009-08-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation

by Gina McAlexander
John 6:56-69

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living God sent me, and I live because of God, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.' Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, 'This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?' But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, 'Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Humanity ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, 'For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by God." Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, 'Do you also wish to go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.'

I have read over this passage many times and I am still trying to chew on it. What does it mean to "eat my flesh" and "to drink my blood"? I find it very interesting that many of Jesus' own disciples found what He was saying difficult to receive as well. Some of the disciples stopped following him after he said these words. Jesus even asked the twelve, "do you want to leave too"? Peter answered him, and said; "where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to know and believe you are the Holy One of God."

There has to be a deeper meaning here that He was trying to convey to them and to us. But if the Jewish followers of his day couldn't handle the true meaning of His Words, how do we as believers today understand the words and glean the meaning? I believe Jesus was referring to the new covenant he was about to ratify with the sacrifice of Himself and I think he was also referring to what we call today, the Lord's Supper.

Imagine yourself being in the presence of the hottest prophet of the day and you are one of his disciples. You have seen this prophet do some very cool things, all is going well. Then the prophet reveals to you His true identity. I'm the Messiah, the true bread from heaven. Can you hear the screech on the record player! They were not ready for His words and the true meaning. The Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah for thousands of years and to hear His words coming from someone they knew and grew up with was hard for them to accept.

What does eating His flesh and drinking His blood or partaking of body and wine mean to us? First and foremost, God is the one who brought about the new covenant with the sacrifice of God's Son Jesus. We didn't have anything to do with how the covenant was brought about, but we enjoy the benefit of being partakers of the New Covenant. Here is the account from Mark of the account of the Passover meal known as Last Supper of our Lord: "As they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them; and they all drank of it. And he said to them, this is my blood of the New Testament [or, covenant], which is shed for many. Truly, I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until the day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God".

Let us always remember the sacrifice that Jesus provided, not just for us but for all humankind. Amen.

Day 20 - ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION

2009-08-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

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DAY 20 - LESSON 20

ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION

Today I know that only love exists, and fear is an illusion. Fear is lack of love, just as darkness is a lack of light. To remove the illusion of fear, I simply bring forth love; I then notice that fear has gone and Truth has returned. Only love exists; fear is an illusion.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 20
Tell one person that you love him or her. Be in the present, and have the words come from your heart. Notice the reaction; the person you tell will never forget the moment. Express the love until you connect - until you really feel it. Notice your reaction, as well.

Affirmation: Peace is within me.
Remember to keep your word today.

www.effortlessprosperity.com

Day 19 - I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE

2009-08-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE

Today I constantly repeat to myself that I am loving and lovable. I feel loving toward all others, and I am worthy of their love, as well. I love myself, I love everyone, and everyone loves me. No matter what Ego tries to tell me, I know that I am worthy of love. Today I know that I am loving and lovable.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 19

Continue to stay in peace. Throughout the day, repeatedly say to yourself, "I am wonderful and kind, and so worthy and deserving of all God's gifts." Say "Thank you, God," "I love God," "God loves me," and "I love me."

Affirmation: God shine peace on me.
Remember to keep your word today.

http://effortlessprosperity.com/index.cfm?page_id=6

Day 18 "I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE "

2009-08-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com

DAY 18 - LESSON 18

I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE

Today I choose peace over everything else; I choose peace all throughout the day. Every decision I make will be based on this. No matter what my options are, today I choose only peace.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 18
Spend the day in silence. Speak only if you must, and only to bring light and peace.

Affirmation: I love my peace.
Remember to keep your word today.

Weekly Meditation for Aug 16th

2009-08-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Kelly Durbin

Ephesians 5: 15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this week's scripture reading, the Apostle Paul continues to compare and contrast what we are called to be, and not to be; comparing the old life from the new life we now live in Christ. He continues the pattern in this passage, as Rev. Carol talked about on Sunday, of sharing what we are to "take off" in order to make room for what we are to "put on", as in to "put on Christ". Starting out Chapter 5, he says to "be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".

How many times have you seen a little boy walking behind his father with the same movements, the same gait, and the same posture? It can be quite comical, and overwhelmingly sweet to watch. Beloved children want to be like their parents, and if we are to be imitators of God, we have to start by realizing first and foremost that we are loved. Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. I sometimes think this is one of the greatest challenges we face, believing and whole heartedly accepting that we are loved. If we can get over that hurdle, then we've come a long way.

Secondly, in order to be imitators of God, we have to know and understand some things about the nature of God. It's much like that little boy who imitates his Daddy; he starts by watching him. We have to study God, the God we find in the Bible is certainly one place and one way to do that, but we mustn't forget to watch for God to show up in other places too. God lives within you and me, and we have a here and now, in the present and in your face way of getting to know God, by getting to know one another. By the way we can behave at times, as Paul describes in this week's passage: unwisely, foolishly, or drunkenly, it can be a little tough to see God. But when we live in love, going out of our way to care for one another with tenderness and compassion, there is not a more precious representation of God to be found.

If we look closely within the walls of our congregation, we will see acts of love: the sharing of financial resources or donations for those with material needs, hear words of encouragement and support, share laughter to lift someone's spirit, or see someone just being with someone else who is sick or going through a rough time. We might also hear some gossip or see someone get angry. We might experience conflict or feel misunderstood. I think we too often focus on those negative things, which can turn into resentment and bitterness. We are indeed human, after all, and strive for a mark that we sometimes miss. But if we expect to fail and expect to see failure in others, then that is what we will see more often than not. Instead, let's look for the good that is happening, the goodness of God that is all around us and in us.

One of our regular attendees volunteers at a senior center. She told me a story the other day about one of the gentlemen she serves. At his request, she picks him up each week and takes him to the grocery store. Once there, he goes in and picks up an order of meat that they then deliver to a food pantry. He does this each and every week because most people do not donate meat to food pantries and he knows that people need protein to strengthen their bodies and for children to grow. You wouldn't expect someone like him, an aging gentleman that needs help, to have something to give, but he does. When I heard that story, I realized that he is an imitator of God.

I'd like to challenge each of us to make a habit of looking for and studying the "God moments"; to see God's nature of love as it's perfected before our very eyes, and then determine in our own hearts that we too will be imitators of that same God we see in one another. In this week's passage, Paul is encouraging us to be wise and make the most of our opportunities. What opportunities do you have today?

"One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus: Our Creator" Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas

2009-08-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
"One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus: Our Creator" Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas
from MCC Los Angeles

Weekly Meditation for August 9

2009-08-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Val Jackson

Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

If I were to title this passage, I would call it "The Common Thread".

Can you imagine what the Christians were like who received this letter? Like most groups, they were a tapestry of personalities, perspectives, and agendas. Perhaps, at times, their differences made it difficult to get along. The writer does not advise them to become identical, but reminds them to sew a common thread, visible throughout the fabric of the organization. This letter details the personal interactions of churches with "the common thread". That thread sets the tone and is the underlying motivation for the group's activities.

The thread is to live in love - to be imitators of God. The translated word "imitator" doesn't do this concept justice. Imitators pretend to be the real thing and sometimes have self serving agendas.

More accurately, we are to be God to one another and ultimately to the world. In order to be the light of the living God, we must remind ourselves that we are all unique expressions of the same God. This helps us to authentically engage in the well being of each other. If I hurt you, I hurt myself. If I support you, I support myself. We are all members of the same circle.

This is how everyone will recognize that we are disciples of Christ - when they see the love we have for one another (John 13:35).

Today, I ask myself several questions. Am I living in love? Do my thoughts, words, and deeds hurt or bless the circle? How can I be both myself and God within this circle?

Weekly Meditation for August 2nd

2009-07-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.Org
Weekly Meditation
by Ron White

Ephesians 4:1-16

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, wit patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and parent of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says 'When He ascended on high, he led captive a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.' (Now the expression 'He ascended,' what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fulfill all things.) The gifts Christ gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into the One who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

How blessed I am to believe that we can all dwell together in unity as Christ and God mean us to, and to think about what that can mean for our lives. We are to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, following closely in His spiritual footsteps. The Apostle says in this passage that we are to do that until we all attain the unity of the faith, until we attain the stature of the Christ, until we speak the truth in love, humbly, showing patience with each other as we all grow, diligently preserving the bonds of unity which hold us together. How's that for an assignment? When I look around, I see a world being destroyed by its disunity. How, then, do we attain "bonds of unity?" Through some form of mystical Christ-experience? Well, no. Paul tells us that we have to do the work of conforming to God's ways, preserving unity in the bond of peace. We are to take responsibility for unifying all of humanity. We are to supply our gifts, our courage, our strength - all given to us abundantly by God for only that purpose. Paul says that if we won't do that work, if we can't consistently and unconditionally do whatever it takes to love our fellow human beings, we are without excuse. No one pretends that task is always easy. Just ask a soldier who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Unconditionally loving all other human beings certainly requires intention and work. Tessa Greenspan, former owner of Sappington Foods, a highly spiritual woman and a friend, offers this approach for approaching seemingly impossible hard work: use positive afformations, words which literally create our world around us. She teaches what Christ taught, that we are formed and our world, our reality, is formed by our thoughts and words. Tessa writes down in short statements what she wants her world to become, puts the statements in a place where she will consistently interact with them, and repeats them aloud when she first awakens and again whenever she encounters them throughout the day. If you think that sounds a bit optimistic, consider that the relatively new science of quantum physics not only teaches that we create our reality with our thoughts and words, but quite possibly affirms a story we are all familiar with: creation. Oh, by the way, Tessa recently walked on 1700 degree coals and bent rebar steel with a partner, using only her thoughts, while attending a spiritual retreat out West. If you know Tessa, you know she is a very credible woman, highly respected for her involvement in the halls of power in this city...and I'll cheerfully introduce you to her!

We really can all dwell together in unity. It begins with us. We have to believe it. God has given you and me our own unique gifts to do this and an unending supply every day of people to give it to - doing everything from dusting the floors of the sanctuary to making quiet conversation in a coffee shop. That simple truth thrills me. How about you?

Creating a Life that Matters - Fall Classes forming NOW

2009-07-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Classes forming now at MCC of Greater St. Louis.

ALL ARE WELCOME to participate in this Seminar, designed for making the most out of life, and relationships. Creating a Life that Matters is an upcoming Educational opportunity for those interested in strategies for a more Spiritually sustaining life and Relations with others.

CLASSES ARE FREE --- just RSVP for FALL Enrollment

VIEW THE INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE

To reserve your place in our upcoming classes, email us at info@mccgsl.org

Weekly Meditation for July 19th

2009-07-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Michael Desmond

Mark 6:30-34 (New International Version)

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went-into villages, towns or countryside-they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Mark tells us Jesus began teaching the large crowd many things. He doesn't tell us what Jesus taught - exactly. He does, however, relate Jesus' prescription to his busy disciples: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Jesus said this after listening to his apostles report to him all they had done and taught.

We can read this (the apostle's reporting) as a lesson meant for us. We tell ourselves to get busy, build the city of God and be quick about it! Report out and then get back to it. Maybe so. I do think there is another lesson for us in this as well. "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Perhaps this is part of the teaching Mark refers to but doesn't tell us about. Jesus often led by example. He often spent time away, sometimes all night. In that quiet place, he probably rested and prayed. Perhaps his rest was prayer? God spoke to him in the stillness. Jesus listened and learned because it was a quiet place. Then, he went back at it and spoke to the multitudes; fed them and generally shepherded them.

So also Jesus calls us in Psalm 23 to lay down in green pastures; to have a meal with him in front of our enemy (busyness?). Yeah, but who has green pastures let alone time to cook? For answers ask Katie Wotowa where her green pastures are, where the inspiration came for the stained glass she and Kathy Wallace have created for the chapel. (Her basement?) Ask Theresa O'Flynn where the inspiration for her music (or mosaic cross for Good Friday) came from. (Perhaps it happens simply when she closes her eyes and sings prayerfully right in front of hundreds of us?) Are these examples of the quiet places Jesus is telling us to go to? As we rest in those places he will speak to us, shepherd us, feed us. We can then go out and get back to building the city of God, knowing we have just been in prayer with Jesus and have been given the strength and energy and direction we need.

Weekly Meditation for July 12

2009-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
by Tom Robertsen

Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing
[Adventure into Inner Space]
Ephesians 1: 3-14

Praise be to the God and Parent of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing...
In Christ we were chosen before the world was founded,
To be without blemish, full of love, accepted as children through Jesus Christ,
So that the glory of this gift, so graciously bestowed upon us in the Beloved,
Might redound to his praise.
In Christ our release is secured and our sins are forgiven.
There lies the richness of God's free grace lavished upon us,
Giving full wisdom and insight...
And you, also, when you have heard the message of truth,
Have received the seal of the Holy Spirit.

The epistle writer opens his book with a passage of astounding and nearly overwhelming hope and promise to those living in the "household of God", as he calls it further on.

We, too, live in that household, both spiritually in our hearts and physically in our new church home. Rightly so, and certainly we feel blessed at every turn. But the real blessing is not the physical structure at 1919 South Broadway. And so, let's go farther and deeper -- let's take a space journey in through the window of our own soul.

Put aside if you will, everything going on about you -- perhaps close your eyes for these moments of meditation. Now, mentally walk with me to our church's entrance, which is inviting you in.

As you walk inside, feel the love around you, giving you peace and inspiration. Find a seat in the sanctuary, perhaps before the altar. Mentally you can freely reach out to touch that altar if you like.

If we sit and wait patiently and silently, the great heart of Christ can and will speak to us as it did in Ephesians to those early Christians. Bring everything in your being to him.

Are you feeling at fault or unworthy? Listen to hear that we are "chosen in the Lord to be holy, blameless."

Feeling alone? We were adopted and planned for by the Creator in the first light of creation.

Are we feeling short-changed in our life? The Creator's grace is freely given and lavished upon us, with full redemption and forgiveness.

Yes, we can indeed feel all of this, accept this and rely on these assurances.

Feel the presence of the Christ spirit right now, right where you're sitting. Respond to it. Dialogue with it.

If you should see the image of your Lord there, embrace it, speak to it, ask for what you need. Listen to what it may tell you.

Stay here as long as you like on your spiritual journey. Return often to receive more of the heavenly peace. And so, "having believed, you are now marked by the Christ with the emblem of the Holy Spirit," in this household of God! Rejoice.

Weekly Meditation JULY 5th, 2009

2009-07-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/

Weekly Meditation
by Sandra English

"Bread for the Journey"
"If it had not been
for the Lord on my side...
Where would I be?
Where would I be?"
(African American Gospel Song)

Meditation: Psalm 124
If the Lord had not been on our side;
Israel may now say,
If the Lord had not been on our side
when they assailed us,
they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger was roused against us.
The waters would have carried us
away
and the torrent swept over us;
over us would have swept
The seething waters.
Blessed be the Lord, who did not
leave us
to be the prey between their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler's trap'
the trap broke, and so we escaped
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

I believe I've been called to testify!

In 1993 my brother died from AIDS. His death shattered my world. We were only two years apart - I was the oldest.

Through my heavy grieving period and severe depression, I learned some things about my self and our home life. I entered therapy and the depression continued to linger - until my therapist advised me to see a psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist diagnosed me with Bi-Polar - a condition I had denied and run from since I was sixteen.

In therapy I faced the reality that my brother, my older sister and I did not live in the "perfect" 1950's home I had in my mind.

I had disassociated & tucked away the memories of the childhood sexual abuse, my father had perpetuated on us.

I also began to see my mother's alcoholism and my father's alcoholism and drug addiction. And consequently, I came to understand that I had been battered in one relationship after another, and that there had even been a date rape.

It was all too much to handle. In my depression, I resigned my acting job and my M.F.A. program to give myself time to heal. Still I was not so sure I had "food enough for this journey."

My son was living with me and the money I had quickly ran out. I was forced to go on welfare and receive money from my mother.

But the difficulties didn't stop there. I tried to go back to work. I took a job at my church, but was quickly fired. I continued to get into relationships with addicts. During this period of time: I fell 15 feet into a dry canal, injuring my left leg; developed severe allergies; and was hit by a pick-up truck- breaking all of my ribs on the right side.

Broken, battered...I had to return home to St. Louis. There were blessings here I so desperately needed. I had better mental healthcare. My son and I qualified for an apartment of our own, and I was able to get my Social Security Disability.

Life still has its difficulties, but I had more than enough food for the journey. Each way of doubt or despair God met me in prayer, through the Bible, through song, with others who could give a healing word, and a beautiful church home I share with hundreds of travelers.

I've reconciled with my family. My son has survived these difficulties with a tremendous faith in God and a thriving life. I have a partner and our relationship allows us to live comfortably.

"If it had not been for the
Lord on my side...
Where would I be?"

Weekly Meditation - June 28th

2009-06-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Christine White

Mark 4:35 - 41
Jesus Stills a Storm
On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to the disciples, 'Let us go across to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'

This story comes at the end of a long and exhausting day in which Jesus was teaching from the boat. Jesus and the disciples are tired, so they decide to go to the other side of the lake, maybe to get a break from the crowd. As they are crossing, a storm blows in. The fishermen among the disciples understand how dangerous these sudden storms can be. The waves are getting higher, the boat is filling with water, the disciples are terrified. They wake Jesus, who is sleeping in the stern, with the words we often address to God "do you not care"? Jesus calms the storm with the words "Peace! Be still!"

In times of tumult and upset, isn't it our first reaction to feel that God doesn't care? We expect God to notice our condition and to take care of us. Just as Jesus was present in the boat with the disciples, God is present with us and concerned for us even when we don't perceive God's care.

My husband, Michael, died in 1997, the same year my Mom died. I felt abandoned and alone, not knowing who I could turn to if an emergency happened. I have two sisters who I was and am close to, who would do all they could to be there for me. But they had their own families and I couldn't be their top priority like I thought I had been to Michael and mom. I missed the security of having someone who made me feel safe.

I threw myself into Bible studies, the kind with several hours of homework each week, and daily quiet time. Gradually over the course of the next year, I once again began to feel peace and safety. I realized that what I had been missing was the illusion of security, since true security comes from within me as a result of my relationship with God. I heard God's voice whispering to me many times, "Peace. Be still. I am with you." The storms still come, but I know that I am the apple of God's eye and cannot be outside of God's love and concern, even when I may not perceive it. The same is true for you!

www.MCCGSL.org

Weekly Meditation - June 21st

2009-06-18T15:09:00.001-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
by Christine White

Psalm 107: 1-3, 23-32
O give thanks to the Lord, who is good;
whose steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those God redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
they saw the deeds of God,
God's wondrous works in the deep.
Who commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to God in their trouble,
and were brought out from their distress;
God made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and God brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank God for God's steadfast love,
and wonderful works to humankind.
Let them extol God in the congregation of the people,
and give praises in the assembly of the elders.

I was blessed to be raised in a home where I always felt safe. Ron was not. For both of us, it is awesome to find a place where we can feel safe as adults, in all our "weirdness". To us that place is MCCGSL. It is our home. It is our home with or without a building, for it is the people who make it a home. Having said that, I want to add YIPPEE!! We're adding a physical addition to our spiritual home!

Our mission statement is to accept, embody and declare God's love for all. Our physical space is not intended to keep people out or to separate us from the people who need to hear of God's love for them, a love that is offered, not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are. God's love is preached by many churches, but often it is a conditional love rather than the unconditional love that is preached and practiced here.

When I was growing up, my youngest sister Kathy had a friend in the neighborhood (I'll call her Debbie) whose mother had a questionable reputation. Many of the other mothers didn't allow their children to play with Debbie. My parents were different. My Dad signed Debbie up for the softball team that he coached, drove her to every practice and game and treated her just like he did his own daughter. Our family went on a family picnic to a swimming pool every Thursday during the summer and Debbie was often included in this outing.

Many times Debbie led my sister Kathy into making poor choices. Kathy was always held accountable for her actions and told that she should use her influence to help Debbie make better choices. Debbie was also held accountable for her poor choices, but the consequences never took her outside of my parents' unconditional love.

Over the years, we lost touch with Debbie. After my Dad, died we received a letter from Debbie. We all cried as we read how the love that she received from my parents made such a difference in her live. She had made a career out of the military and credited my parents with helping her make a success of her life because they believed in her and let her know it.

There are a lot of Debbies in this world. As we accept, embody and declare God's and our love for them, we can make a difference that will change the world!

Weekly Meditation JUNE 14th

2009-06-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Gina McAlexander

Mark 4:26-34

Jesus also said, 'The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come. The Parable of the Mustard Seed. He also said, 'With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

I have heard many sermons on the mustard seed; some taken from this passage and some from others in the New Testament. If I am honest, I have not always liked those sermons very much. I have felt afterwards that if I couldn't move mountains with my faith, then I didn't quite measure up. I have tried to look at this passage in a different light.

I think it's great that Jesus gives us examples of what the kingdom of God looks like. We have never seen the kingdom or its king for that matter. It is interesting that the person scattering the seeds has no idea how the seeds grow but the earth knows what to do and obviously so does the seed. The next example Jesus gives us in this passage is about a mustard seed; which in His day was probably one of the smallest seeds that the people could imagine. Have you ever looked at a mustard seed? Or perhaps you have seen one of those pendants at a Christian bookstore with a mustard seed in it. It's about 2 millimeters in size. That's pretty small. Again the mustard seed knows what to do once it's planted in the ground and the size of the seed really didn't matter nor control the outcome of the seed.

Ok Jesus, that's a nice story about farming and seeds and kingdoms and such. But what does that have to do with me? I may have a garden and it's a nice illustration and all, but what was Jesus really talking about?

I think what Jesus was trying to tell us is each person already has in them what they are called to be. They may not look like it, act like it or sound like it, but it's in there. Think about this; when you look at a seed of any kind whether apple, orange, peach, tomato etc, those seeds don't look anything like what they will become at maturity, do they? If you go to a seed store and buy seed to plant flowers, each little packet has a picture on the outside of the packet to let you know what you are planting. Why is that? Because the seed never looks like what it has the potential to become; it changes appearance on the outside as it grows and matures.

Can you think of yourself as a seed? Each of us is a child of God seed, with God given talents, gifts and abilities specifically and uniquely programmed into us. We may not look, act, or sound like, but it's all in there! Just like the natural seed we plant in our gardens or flower pots, God has put in us exactly what we are to be. So let's be patient with ourselves and with others, tend the garden of our hearts with spiritual nourishment, and behold the beauty that unfolds. Amen

Remembering Aileen Garms

2009-06-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
The community at MCCGSL wishes to express our prayers for Rev. Bev Stephenson in the loss of her partner of nearly 30 years, as we remember the very special Aileen Garms.

Aileen Garms passed away on May 12, following an extended battle with lung cancer.
She had been a member of MCC of Greater St. Louis since 1981, and also has ties to the MCC congregation in San Antonio, Texas, where she served as a board member for 10 years.

Honorary Donations may be made to the "Building Together" capital fund
http://www.mccgsl.org/

Marjorie Aileen Garms
Date:
January 4th, 1939 - May 12th, 2009
Death Notice:
Garms, Marjorie Aileen, of St. Ann, MO. born Jan. 4, 1939 in Cotulla, TX, passed away Tues., May 12, 2009. Parents: Aldon Garms (deceased) and Margie Garms (nee Oakes). Beloved lifetime partner of Rev. Bev Stephenson. Sisters: Kathleen Hill of Colorado, Betty Fairly of Martindale, TX, and Fran Jackson of Canyon Lake, TX. Survived by other relatives, nieces and nephews. A retired teacher and coach and Coach of the Year from Texas, and member of Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. --------------- Service: Please contact the church office for date and time 314-361-3221. Any gifts/donations are to be made to the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis Building Together Fund. On line guestbook at http://www.hutchensmortuary.com/

Weekly Meditation June 7th

2009-06-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Kelly Durbin

Romans 8:12-17 from the Message Bible:
So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa, or Mama?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who God is, and we know who we are: Parent and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us-an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

I love to read the Message Bible just for fun. It is freeing, poetic and touches my soul on a level that transcends intellect and cuts right to the heart. In this passage, we are eloquently reminded that when we are in Christ, our old "do-it-ourselves" kind of life needs to die. We need to bury self interest, get rid of our agendas, and follow the Spirit of God that is calling us to live a new kind of life, a life of love. Living a life primarily focused on ourselves, doing what "we" want and getting the "things" we want is doing exactly what this passage suggests; it's grave-tending because the things of this physical world are temporary, and as my Granny would say, "won't amount to a hill of beans!"

God did not give us a spirit of fear, indeed! By living a life safely in the arms of a loving Parent, we are free. I love the concept that our new resurrection lives are adventurously expectant, that we are to live asking God, "what's next?" full of wonder and excitement to face whatever life may offer in the moment. For you see, we will not face any challenge that Christ is not there to go through with us. And the very worst of this life cannot take from us the promise of the wonderful inheritance that we will receive as brothers and sisters, joint heirs with Christ.

How do we know what God has in store for us? God is so full of grace to have sent the Spirit to touch our spirits and confirm or "bear witness", to testify who we really are! For many years, I struggled to believe that God really loved me. I was told if I didn't follow certain "rules" I was not a child of God. I had a picture in my head of a judgmental and angry God who stood ever ready to punish when I made a mistake. I knew I would never be "good enough" to be in relationship with God, to be able to stand in God's presence. That was about the only thing that I had right; that I would never be good enough in my own right. It was when I finally understood that God is not surprised by my weakness or my flaws, and that I can turn them over to Christ who God gave as the perfect lamb to carry them, that I could be free -free to live a life, giving love.

It's not always an easy life, because dying to self is never easy. Always loving others as Christ loves us is sometimes not so easy either, especially when others don't act or behave in ways that we find lovable! But the mystery is this: according to I John 4:18-21, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because God first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from God is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. I John 5:3-4 continues: For the love of God is this, that we obey God's commandments. And God's commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. Let me repeat that...For the LOVE of God is this, that we obey God's commandments which are NOT burdensome because love is never burdensome. Accept God's love today and begin your expectant adventure...

Weekly Meditation for June 1st

2009-05-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Valerie Jackson
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of Dry Bones
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. And God led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. So God said to me, 'Mortal, can these bones live?' I answered, 'O Lord God, you know.' Then God said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.'

So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then God said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.' I prophesied as God commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then God said to me, 'Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely." Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.'

At one time, humans believed that God did not speak directly to individuals, but revealed herself (himself) through a prophet, one chosen by God to tell the people what God wanted them to see or understand. Ezekiel was a prophet of God and in this scripture, God gives Ezekiel a vision and asks him to pass it on to the Israelites.

Sometimes we miss the power of a scripture because we get caught up in the unfamiliar language and cultural differences. Let's make this scripture real to us through the guided meditation below. Meditate and pray in this way to help yourself hear God speaking to us as he/she spoke to Ezekiel.

Close your eyes. Quiet your mind. Slowly, breathe in and then slowly, exhale several times. As you breathe, think about yourself as a child of God, your essence. Concentrate on the ways you feel whole, at peace, connected with God. Stay with those thoughts for a moment as you continue to breathe and exhale slowly. Now think about the parts of you that feel distant from God, like your fears, your unwanted thoughts, your mistakes and your unhealthy behaviors. Relax, don't beat yourself up about them, simply be aware of their presence and bring them along. Feel God's spirit moving in the air around you. As you inhale deeply, breathe in the spirit of God. When you exhale say the word "Renew". You need not say it out loud. Let your breath say it. "Renew". Imagine all parts of you (whether you see them as good or bad) rising up and coming together. Feel the spirit of God connecting it all and breathing new life into you. Inhale....Exhale...Renew.

Now move your thoughts from you as an individual to the congregation called Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis. Continue to inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Imagine all of the diverse parts of MCCGSL, all the faces and all the groups. They are like bones lying on the floor before you. Imagine those individual bones rising up and coming together. Initially, they are bones forming a lifeless skeleton. Continue to breathe in the spirit of God from the air around you. Each breath you take breathes more life into that skeletal shell. See muscles and tendons develop on the bones. Feel the spirit of God washing over it, invigorating it. Feel God breathing life into Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. Hear God saying, 'Renew'. Continue to breathe in slowly and let your exhale hold the word 'Renew'. Let it flow out as a quiet prayer.....'Renew'. Yield to 'Renew'.

Weekly Meditation for May 23

2009-05-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Ron White
Psalm 1
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on God's law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

But the wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

The concept which is taught in Psalm 1 is so very simple: "follow the law of the Lord with "delight." Don't follow the law of the Lord and our negative choices will result in misery, bitterness and long term unhappiness. The trouble is, nothing is ever that simple. To forge a positive path through life, we must survive all of the cuts and scrapes...and even deep wounds...administered by the thorns that surround our path. If we don't take the positive path as we travel through life...the longer we walk a crooked path...the deeper the root of bitterness is driven into our character. Knowing where to walk, day by day, moment by moment, can be difficult to discern. But, discern it we must. How do we walk that path with "delight?"

Psalm 1's devastatingly simple answer to knowing how and where to find the positive path is made more complex by a quick glance at the word "law" in Strong's Comprehensive Concordance which reveals that the Hebrew word for law is "Torah," a name given to the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible which contain what is traditionally referred to as the Mosaic law. A quick journey through Leviticus alone reveals that, in addition to the well known if not so well understood Ten Commandments, these books attribute to Moses myriad laws that were written for the culture of that time, practices which have little or no application to the world we live in today. How can we "delight in" that law? How then shall we live? Where is this "right" path that we can seek and delight in? Of course, the answer is neither as cut and dried as we might hope, nor is it simple and painless. Is that good or bad? To borrow a phrase, we shall see...

As my faith and knowledge have grown, I have come to a new understanding of the meaning of both "the law of the Lord" and how to delight in it In dealing with her daughter, Jessi, Christine has always believed in the importance of Jessi learning to make healthy decisions for herself. In the same way that God's people, Israel, were given a set of laws/rules to guide their choices, Jessi received from Christine, her Daddy, and others a set of "rules" which she could use as a guide to learn how to make healthy decisions. The other alternative, of course, has been for her to learn by making mistakes and living with the painful consequences. Christine reports - and I'll give my witness - that Jessica has learned a lot more from experiencing the pain of her mistakes than by following rules. You know the rule: we learn our greatest lessons in pain; the deeper the pain, the greater the lesson.

As she has walked this thorny path, Jessi's learning process has been enhanced by knowing in the deepest parts of her that nothing she has ever done or could ever do would take her outside of her Mom's, or her Dad's while he was still alive, or my love for her. For Jessi to know with complete certainty that she is loved even when she is less than she could be gives her the freedom to forgive herself and to do better next time...to learn God's "rules" for life and how to live joyously - "delightedly" - within them.

In the Torah, God gave Israel an ever expanding set of laws to live by... rules to help them figure out how to make life work. One Christian to another: I don't think God was finished when the last old scroll was written. What God has given us since that time is ongoing and continuous unconditional love so that we can walk life's path, learn the lessons here to be learned, make mistakes, forgive ourselves, pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off (sometimes wiping a little blood off?), and move forward even when we don't live up to what we could be. God gives us relationship...with God and with each other. That is a Torah we can delight in.

Weekly Meditation 5-17-09

2009-05-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
by Christine White
Mark 5:24-34

And a large crowd followed Jesus and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'" He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

In Jesus' day a woman was considered impure during her monthly menstrual
cycle. Not only was she considered impure, but anyone who came into contact
with her ran the risk of "ritual impurity." Ritual impurity, according to
Jewish law, isolated them from social and religious events. This woman had
endured social isolation for 12 years. She had spent all of her money
searching for a cure. But, nothing had helped. She was desperate!

In her book Adventures in Prayer, Catherine Marshall devotes one chapter
to "The Prayer of Helplessness." Offering several examples of people who
prayed out of a deep feeling of helplessness, she suggests why those prayers
may bring results which praying the same words without that same deep
feeling of helplessness may not. Obviously, the deepest experience of
prayer's impact on us is not about the words, but rather about coming to God
with total honesty and recognition of what we cannot do on our own. Jesus
acknowledges that without God, even he could do nothing (John 5:30).

Why is that true? Why do we need to acknowledge our own helplessness for
prayer to bring results in our lives? Does God need for us to do that? Or
does acknowledging our own helplessness fulfill a need deep within us so
that we can "let go" of our trouble and "let God," heal us? I believe that
God wants us to be whole, wants us to be physically and emotionally
healthy. I don't believe God puts obstacles in our path to prevent our
having an honest and fulfilling relationship with God. Rather, I believe
that something within me requires me to acknowledge my insufficiency so that
I can truly and totally allow myself to receive God's blessing.

Even though I don't completely understand why helplessness (or acknowledging
that I am not in control) is necessary, I know that it is. After the death
of my husband, Michael, I was left alone with total responsibility for our
daughter Jessica. I felt helpless and totally insufficient to protect Jessi
in the same way that I believed Michael had protected her. Not long after
his death, she was in a difficult situation with a select volleyball team
where I felt another adult was being emotionally abusive to her. If I
removed Jessi from that situation, it wasn't certain that she would be able
to continue to play select volleyball, something very important to her. In
desperation, I turned to God, praying out of my deep feeling of
helplessness, explaining that I didn't know what to do or where to turn.
Within days, we received a blessing that I can't explain. I can only give
God the credit. A different select volleyball team's coach called me,
inviting Jessi to try out for his team. For the next two years, she played
on a team where she was loved and cared for in ways that mattered far more
than playing volleyball. I touched the robe of Jesus and received far more
blessings than I ever hoped for.

I went to God emotionally naked and was blessed beyond measure. The
companion Psalm for Sunday's gospel expresses it better than I ever could:
"God, you have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O my God, I will give thanks to you forever." Psalm 30:11-12

Weekly Meditation for May 10th

2009-05-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Michael Desmond
John 15:1-8

'I am the true vine, and my Parent is the vine-grower. God removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit God prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Parent is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and becomemy disciples.

"Bear fruit." That is, do works of love. These are the tangible signs of discipleship.

For, almost unbelievably, we have been grafted into the vine of Jesus and become part of a great and everlasting community. Never alone. We are linked in relationship to the abiding and same love that flows between Jesus and God.

Feel it! The true life force.

So then, may we constantly search for ways to love so that we may bear fruit. Confidently we join with unnumbered other branches to continue to work for the glorification of God. Just as Jesus' own works did.

Also, we have been told that what we ask in prayer will be answered. May we always try to be open to and prayerfully conscious of the many ways that love flows into each of us through the one eternal vine of Jesus.

Weekly Meditation May 3rd

2009-04-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Tom Robertsen

Psalm 23: 1-6 [King James Version]

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

God maketh me to lie down in green pastures: God leadeth me beside the still waters.

God restoreth my soul: God leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for God's name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

There is hardly any other biblical psalm which sings to us more sweetly or with more comforting assurance than these brief six verses! In fact, some scholars and critics have considered this to be one of the great masterpieces in literary history.

What can say more to us in any tough circumstance than "I shall not want"? And then the psalm writer portrays in one image after another our heavenly Parent as being the inexhaustible, divine Love, which is forever operative on our behalf -- guarding, cherishing, sustaining and protecting us.

While the psalm seems to find its way into nearly every funeral service, it is really not so much about the after-life as about our now-life. In fact, the early Jewish culture gave very little thought to any immortal life to come.

And so, beyond the beautiful imagery of green pastures and still waters, the writer arrives at the point which touches us all so deeply -

"...Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil..."

Not the valley of death, but the shadow of death -- those dark forebodings and fears which come to stand in our way.

I have seen members of my own family -- my parents -- in their declining years often have to face that shadow of death in debilitating illnesses and despair. Yet, in so many ways they seem to see that table of abundance and grace in the wilderness which God provides right out there in the face of all obstacles or enemies.

Perhaps then our truest lesson is in knowing that we dwell forever in the house -- or consciousness -- of the infinite Love, where we can be at one with our heavenly Parent and where we are constantly and continuously lifted up, regenerated and empowered in the divine, eternal workmanship of God.

Yes, goodness and mercy shall follow me. "I shall not want."

Weekly Meditation April 26, 2009

2009-04-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

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Weekly Meditation
by Sandra English
Luke 24:36-48

As they were talking about all this, there he was, standing among them. Startled and terrified, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said "Why are you so perturbed? Why do questionings arise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet? It is I myself. Touch me and see; no ghost has flesh and bones as you can see that I have. They were still unconvinced, still wondering, for it seemed too good to be true. So he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They offered him piece of fish they had cooked which he took and ate before their eyes.

And he said to them, "This is what I meant by saying, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms was bound to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. "This," he said, "is what is written: that the Messiah is to suffer death and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that in his name repentance bringing the forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations. Begin from Jerusalem; it is you who are the witnesses to it all" (The New English Bible/Oxford Study Edition)

Resurrection - rise again (1) a rising from the dead (2) a coming back into notice...revival...the rising of Jesus from the dead...(Webster's New World Dictionary).

Resurrection - return to life, transformation, rebirth; see renewal. (Webster's New World Thesaurus).

Hallelujah! We are in the Resurrection. This is the time when we, as Christians, recognize the coming back to life of Christ.

It's also Spring where we are surrounded by new life in the greenery of trees and shrubs. We see the many magnificent colors of flowers and the birth of many different animals. Once dormant, Nature reminds us of the tremendous renewal that has taken place from the sorrow of Lent to the joy of the risen Christ.

The Joy of this Resurrection is that God is doing a new work in us. We are coming to a new understanding of our relationship with God perhaps through your reading of the Lenten devotions, or during Lent putting away or stopping something that was hindering you or your relationship with God, or following the church's pilgrimage to the cross by attending church during Lent, observing the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday meditations.

Hopefully, these spiritual exercises have made you more contemplative and brought you closer to God. Perhaps you're just beginning with these meditations. Know that through this process you will come to a new understanding of your relationship with God just as Jesus opened the disciples minds - bringing peace to quell their fears and an edict to bear witness to all that they had seen.

The Psalmist realizes that through his fears God has been and continues to be an active presence in his life as reflected in Nan Merril's version of Psalm 4:

Commune with the Heart of your heart
as you rest,
and be in silence.
Make peace with your fears,
and trust in Love...

In peace will I spend my days and
sleep at night;
For You alone, my Beloved
take away my fears.
(Psalms for Praying:
An Invitation to Wholeness
By Nan C. Merrill)

We have a new understanding: as we nurture our relationship with God and allow God to nurture us, we will grow. Inspite of the struggles, fears, and disappointments of our everyday life we have the presence of God with us. God's presence gives us a new understanding: that in the midst of difficult things, God ever present gives us peace, love, joy, hope, and courage.

Remembering Lisa Wagaman 1943-2009

2009-04-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

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OTHER REFRENCES~ http://stlgayhistory.livejournal.com/29491.html
http://thevitalvoice.com/node/3231
http://spirithelpcenter.blogspot.com/2009/01/lisa-wagman-mccgsl-cornerstones.html
http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/whm0542.htm

Lisa Wagaman, Longtime St. Louis GLBT Community Activist and Pride St. Louis Board Member Dies At 65
By Colin Murphy - Senior Writer - Posted on April 16th, 2009
Blog Category: News
BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER

The Vital VOICE has learned of the death of longtime St. Louis GLBT activist and Pride St. Louis Board Member, Lisa Wagaman. She was 65.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that our dear sister Lisa Wagaman has died of natural causes," announced Danny Gladden, Communications and Volunteer Ministries Director for Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis in an email to the LGBTA ListServe. "Lisa was very active both in our greater community and in the MCC congregation for over 35 years."

According to Gladden, arrangements are pending while the St. Louis Medical Examiner tries to locate next of kin for Wagaman.

"As Lisa's family of choice, we remember the life of a wonderful person who has given so much to the LGBTQA community," Gladden concluded.

In additon to a grateful GLBT community, Wagaman leaves behind her beloved cats who for just recently she was trying to find a new home before moving into senior housing.

Lisa Wagaman was born May 2, 1943 in New Jersey. She grew up in the Garden State, then moved to several large cities including Toledo and Indianapolis before settling in St. Louis in 1972.

Wagaman's activism in the St. Louis GLBT community began in 1974 with her activities in the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. In addition to her work with MCC, she had been a member of Pride St. Louis since it's inception in 1979, serving both as member in good standing and Board Member. She was most recently the Director of Public Safety.

Over the years, Wagaman was associated with an impressive list of organizations including the former Metropolitan Life Service Center, an early GLBT organization which started the Gay and Lesbian Hotiline; as a delagate to the Regional Planning Committee for the 1987 March on Washington; and the St. Louis and Missouri chapters of NOW.

Wagaman, a transwoman, was equally active around transgender issues and organizations over the years.

Known online as MO DYKE, Wagaman also held the distinction of being Missouri's only officially recognized "Dyke" given her uniqe vanity plate which was granted to her after a brief fight with the state.

In 1992, a large collection of Wagaman's papers were donated to the St. Louis GLBT Archives housed at UMSL.

Funeral or memorial arrangements for Wagaman will be reported as they are announced.

In October 2002, in honor of Gay and Lesbian History Month, this reporter profiled Wagaman in the Vital VOICE as part of a story around St. Louis GLBT leaders recalling the early days of activism in the Gateway City. Below is a portion of that story:

GAY HISTORY MONTH

Movers and Shakers Recall St. Louis' GLBT Lore

BY COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER

Not all that long ago, most of Gay history was passed from one person to another orally. We were too afraid to put the proverbial pen to paper and write it down for fear of being found out. In honor of Gay History Month this October, I spoke with three community activists who together have a combined 80-years in the trenches for the advancement and betterment of our community. Individually, and in their own unique way, they tell a tale of where we have been, where we are and most importantly, where we are going.

LISA WAGAMAN

Born and raised in New Jersy, Lisa Wagaman moved to St. Louis as an adult in 1972 when the St. Louis GLBT community as we know it was in its infancy. She had previously lived in several large cities such as Toledo and Indianapolis, but has called the Gateway City home ever since.

Wagaman is a shy, if not reluctant activist and balks when you suggest that she's been "in the trenches." This, dispite having been active in the St. Louis GLBT community since her arrival. Wagaman has been an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCC) since its founding in 1974. She was also involved with the former Metropolitan Life Service Center (MLSC), a GLBT community organization that started the Gay and Lesbian Hotline in the mid 1970s.

Wagaman served on the Hotline for many years, assisted with training of Hotline volunteers , and served on the MLSC Board of Directors. She also spoke to several college classes on behalf of the organization, in addition to being interviewed on TV and radio talk shows on the subject of GLBT rights. (The hotline was later taken over by The Gay Academic Union, a national organization, and most recently by Challange Metro.)

"The MLSC was the first gay and lesbian community center, if you will, and the brainchild of the late Gailen Moone," said Wagaman. "His thoughts were that there were many community members who were gay but extremely closeted [and needed a place to go.] It was set up at the MCC on Watermen, then moved to McPherson and Euclid; then to a house that was burned but remodeled."

Wagaman has seen many changes come to the St. Louis GLBT community since her arrival three years after Stonewall.

"Today it is amazingly different," Wagaman explained. "MCC was the first organization in the state to own property. We had been renting space from a Presbyterian Church on Olive and then moved to the property on Waterman. The community was basically centered around the bars; which to some degree, it still is. But now, we are far more politically engaged."

Wagaman recalls when the St. Louis GLBT community started its polital engagement when Rick Garcia from the Metro East began mobilizing against Anita Bryant speaking in Kansas City as part of her 1977, "Save the Children" anti-gay campaign. She went on to explain that the political engagement grew from there, and when the AIDS crisis hit, it pushed if further.

In 1979 Wagaman became involved with the Magnolia Committee, which helped to plan the first celebration of Gay and Lesbian Pride in St. Louis at the Washington University campus in 1980. This organization later became what is known as Pride St. Louis of which she is a member in good standing and recently was elected Secretery.

Wagaman still remembers that first Pride celebration, which was called "Lesbians, Gays and Friends Walk for Charity" very well. She described a young woman who had dressed like a clown to disguise herself and the Pride Committee passing out masks to the marchers so they could hide their identity from the media.

"It's been an interesting and rewarding experience seeing the changes I've seen over the years," Wagaman stated. "Now people think nothing of marching in Pride. [And that is due to] the basic recognition of gays as something other than an abnormality or a disease."

"I also think a lot of young people are engaged," Wagaman continued. "There are exceptions to the rule; but look at the organizations here in the schools. We couldn't have done that back in the 1970s and 1980s."

Wagaman has served as an area representative to several conferences of the International Association of Lesbian/Gay Pride Coordinatiors and been an active member of the Metro St. Louis Chapter of the National Organization of Women.

Wagaman's "claim to fame" is that she is the only "officially recognized" Dyke in the state of Missouri by virtue of her unique license plates, "DYKE" which were given to her after a brief fight with the state.

Your can email Colin Murphy at colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net

April 19th WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

2009-04-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Weekly Meditation
by Lena Petty
JOHN 20:19-29
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Parent has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.'

When Jesus entered the place where the disciples were (behind locked doors), He greeted them and immediately showed his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced. Was there a need for the wounds to be shown, in order for Jesus to be identified or possibly relieve their fear? In the first part of chapter 20 it talks about Mary going to the tomb and thinking she was talking to the gardener. Was Jesus cloaked, or just in his pre-ascended state, unrecognizable?

This passage is a lesson of continued sacrifice, patience and tolerance. Despite all that Jesus had done in plain view, for some it was not in clear sight but clouded sight. All that the prophets had foretold unfolded right in front of Thomas and the others. There were those who witnessed the same thing and yet saw something different.

Jesus could have rebuked Thomas (and the others) but instead of getting angry at them, Jesus demonstrated Patience and shows his scarred hands and side. When Jesus reached out to soothe and remove all their doubt, Thomas responded accordingly, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus showed them Love inorder to reassure those that doubted, instead of proving a point and being right.

We must be consciously aware that everyone along this journey (though we are journeying together), is not growing, maturing and learning at the same rate. But we are all growing, learning and maturing.

To close: Remember the next time you and someone else are having a conversation or watching something and you notice that the other one did not see or hear what you did, extend Grace to them. Jesus was not concerned with being right more than Jesus was concerned with being true to his ministry and being even in the resurrection as in life "Rabboni" (teacher).

Holy Saturday Devotional - 4-11-09

2009-04-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009
John 19:38-42

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus and he was determined to show his respect and love by honoring the cultural traditions. To care for the body of someone we love, in life and in death, is a very intimate thing. In the ancient world there was no such thing as embalming a body to preserve it after a death occurred. The custom of wrapping a body in linen strips that had been dipped in spices certainly addressed issues of discoloration and odor that would naturally occur.

Joseph took a huge chance of being labeled as a follower of Christ by asking Pilate for the body of his beloved Jesus. Surely he had seen what the Roman authorities had done to him, the humiliation, the taunting, the torture and the horrible asphyxiation as he hung on the cross. Yet his love and commitment to Christ, whom he had followed in secret, brought him not the other disciples, the ones who had openly followed Jesus, to Pilate.

Joseph was a man of courage; daring to proclaim his faith when everything, even his life, was at stake. Fair weather friends are many but those who are willing to take risks for us, these are a precious few. The disciples were happy to travel the countryside with Jesus as he healed and preached from town to town. And yet, Joseph, not present for the exciting and uplifting events shows up to make sure that Jesus is treated respectfully. May we recognize the opportunity to step out in faith, doing the right thing, no matter what the cost. rsy