Come as you are… You are Enough!
July 7, 2013
Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, GA
Proper 9 – Year C RCL
2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:1-16 & Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
When I was young, one of my family’s favorite summer-trips involved the seven of us piling into our wood-paneled station wagon for a two-day drive from Houston to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A few days before the trip, Mom would pull out the vacation trunk and begin layering in a week’s worth of clothes for five kids and two adults – warmer clothes for the cool Colorado evenings, hiking boots, and various other vacation necessities. She was a master-packer, but even so, when it came time to close the trunk, one or more of us kids would usually need to climb on top to get the lid latched.
I couldn’t help but think of this summer packing ritual, as a stark contrast to the travel mentioned in today’s gospel lesson.
We are told that Jesus appointed 70 to go out to other towns in the region – they are headed out on a journey, but this is no vacation. Instead, Jesus tells them plainly, “I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” And if that isn’t daunting enough, they are then told to take nothing with them – no purse, no bag, and no sandals.
A Sacrament of Love
March 28, 2013
Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, GA
Sermon on John 13:1-17, 31b-35, given while serving as Deacon & Seminarian
Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 & John 13:1-17, 31b-35
When I was young, I used to go over to my Grandma Caldwell’s house, my mom’s mom, to spend the night. She and I would spend time together baking cookies or gingerbread. In the morning we’d often listen to Bible-quiz shows on the radio – having grown up Baptist, she knew a lot of the answers. As I got a little older, she’d play Elvis Presley records on the stereo… I think it was his gospel music that hooked her, but I preferred dancing around her small living room singing “Blue Suede Shoes.”
Now, Grandma Caldwell didn’t drive a car, so when we needed to get something for our latest recipe, we’d walk to a nearby store. I don’t think Grandma did a lot of walking, considering she was in her seventies, but the walking she did do, took a toll on her feet. So, it wasn’t uncommon as she was lying down to take a nap (which she invariably needed during my visits), she’d ask me to rub alcohol on her feet, and I was happy to do it.
Digging for Life
March 3, 2013
Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, GA
Sermon on Luke 13:1-9, given while serving as seminarian
Lent 3 – Year C (RCL)
Exodus 3:1-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 & Luke 13:1-9
Some of you may remember the movie Julia. The film is based on a true story that traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman, who is played by Jane Fonda, and her friend Julia, played by Vanessa Redgrave.
Although the film was released in the late 1970’s, I didn’t actually see it until many years later, when I was in my 20’s. What I especially connected with in the movie was the stark contrast between Lillie and Julia. Their personalities and world-perspectives were completely different from each other. Elements of those differences reminded me of the contrast between me and my best friend at the time.
Julia was a visionary and consummate risk-taker. When she reached college-age, she left the U.S., traveling to Vienna to study with the likes of Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein. While there, she was compelled to a live a life that confronted the injustices she saw in the world around her. I remember, that as I watched the movie, Julia’s strength and conviction reminded me of my best friend. Although she didn’t move overseas after college, she left our hometown of Houston, and forged a less conventional path. She was not constrained by what others thought, but instead blazed the trail her heart defined.
Transforming Lent
January 28, 2013
Photo by: Bill Monk
Last Tuesday, Bishop Rob Wright, the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, preached at our Candler worship service. One aspect of his message that caught my attention was that of transformation. He conveyed, and I have personally experienced, the reality that our response to God transforms us. While certainly this message would resonate with many in the congregation who have responded to a vocation of ministry, it is not reserved for these. God’s transforming nature is true for ALL people.
Looking ahead to Lent, the bishop asked if chocolates and sweets prevent us from moving forward in your relationship with God, and if not, he wondered why it is these things that we give up for Lent? We were reminded that Lent is about transformation – finding a new way, turning toward God anew. Read the rest of this entry »
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