My Shabbat Seven, v2010.03.13

These are some of the more peculiar things I've been thankful for in the past 2 weeks...

Magnesium Smoothie Day | Last Thursday was the occasion for what now seems to like an annual good idea. Sometime in the last gloomy days of winter, I make these "magnesium smooties" for the rest of the staff. Magnesium is something our bodies need to deal with stress, and it's also one of the first things our bodies deplete when we're stressed. (Magnesium can be found in bananas, orange juice, raspberries, & yogurt--all suitable for smoothies. Add a some strawberries, some Splenda, and whip cream on top and they're pretty tasty, too.) (Not actual picture.)

Quick trip to Tolono | We went up to Tolono last weekend so I could attend a seminar in Champaign. This also meant we got to spend some time with Mom & Dad at the homestead...or perhaps I should say they got to spend time with JT.

"deeee-LISH-us" | This was JT's newest impressive-word-that-we-didn't-teach-him.

Mess of Me | This is my newest favorite song. And I've realized how much I jive with Switchfoot's thinking. "I wanna spend the rest of my life alive." This song is off of their latest CD, Hello Hurricane. See John 10:10 for my understand of being alive...which I believe is shared with Switchfoot (a la Meant to Live & New Way to Be Human).


Receiving words of thanks | It's just always nice to receive words of affirmation.

Brain surgery | The first reasons for a pastoral visit to the hospital this week was for brain surgery. Just thinking about what we're able to do medically in our time & place--wow! Not that we deserve it any more than the people centuries before us, but "Thanks, God, for letting us live here and now with these incredible possibilities! Help Mike heal & recover."

New baby | The second reason for a hospital visit this week was to celebrate with proud parents of a new baby boy. "Yay, God, for this latest little bundle of miracle!"

Praise God
from whom all blessings flow!

My Shabbat Seven: v2010.02.27

These are a few of the more peculiar things for which I've been grateful this week...

Arizona Carpenter Jeans | So I've conceded that I'm no longer even close to 'hip' in terms of fashion. Old Navy used to be my preferred jeans, but they changed their designs every year. Last year I tried to ride the wave of fashion trends and purchased jeans that sit "just below the waist." I tried and I hate them. The search began for a brand of carpenter (I like the little pocket for my cell phone) jeans that still sit "at the waist". I went to JC Penny and eureka! Arizona Jean Company, thank you for remembering the market share that is the older young adult has-beens of the 00's fashion trends like myself. You have my business (until you stop making carpenter jeans that sit at the waist).
Sunshine | O, how I have missed thee / Sunshine, you and me / We belong together / How I ache for warmer weather

Saving Christmas toys | What began as a normal, ho-hum, chilly, February Friday soon turned into a morning of adventure. JT & I opened 2 of the toys we'd put back after Christmas: memory farm animals and the cash register. Both scored as huge hits.

"Where does God live?" | My 3-1/2-year-old has begun his quest for theological sense. An adorable way of keeping this father/pastor on his toes. The follow-up questions included "Why is he up in the air?" and "Where is his house?"

Monopoly Deal | It's a quick version of the classic board game. A couple evenings every week recently have ended with a double round of this card game between Alison & I.
Spring Training | Though all I get is the spots on the 6 o'clock or 10 o'clock news, the fact that the Cardinals are getting ready to play ball is a welcomed onslaught of hope to my I'm-tired-of-winter-ness.

Baptisms | We celebrated the baptism of a young girl in worship this morning. 'Nuff said. Go God!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

A Word on Fasting - Participation in Suffering

When we fast, we participate in the sufferings of Jesus and others. Fasting is a voluntary sacrifice on our part, but as we fast and pray we also remember how Jesus was the Suffering Servant—sacrificing not just a couple meals but his life. We recall the extent of his physical suffering as well as his mental anguish. Added to our own prayers and sacrifice then, is an aspect of joining Jesus and suffering alongside him.

Psalm 69 was composed by David; however, we can easily imagine Jesus praying some of these same words in the moments between Gethsemane and Golgotha. Read Psalm 69:6-12.

We may not have people making fun of us when we fast. (Few should actually know that we’re fasting anyway.) We may not be wearing sackcloth or hearing insults. Our persecution may be passive. Those whom we know are against our Jesus and our faith may be a long distance away from us. Still, to the extent that we give up something of significance to us and voluntarily “suffer”, we follow Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice. In Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, he instructed them [and us] that “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17, NLT).

As you do your next fasting, let some of your prayer time be contemplative—imagining the suffering Jesus experienced. Take the sympathy that is naturally felt and try to let it become empathy. Pray with Jesus in the garden at Gethsemane. Groan with Jesus on the cross at Golgotha. Cry out prayers of abandonment in your heart. Call on Our God to complete His mission with us. Go a bit beyond remembering Jesus’ suffering—participate in that holy suffering.

REMINDER FOR MY UABC FAMILY:

March 10th is the next Day of Prayer & Fasting.

A Shabbat Seven, v2010.02.24

I've been out of the habit of posting these since sometime in December. So, in trying to get back in the habit...here's some of the things I've been thankful for...

Coaching kids to play basketball | Kindergarten & 1st graders have short attention spans, awkward hand-eye coordination, and lots of energy. We have fun together twice a week.

Olympic curling | What?! I don't understand much of it, but I'm strangely intrigued.

Being introduced to the Science Center | I've wanted to go, just never had yet. So I tagged along with Alison, JT, & 2 Cash kids on the Presidents Day outing.

"The orange scored again!" | As I was cooking supper for the two of us, JT kept me updated on the game. He can't stick with a whole game yet, but for those fleeting moments when we watch the Illini together, it's a wonderful thing.

Music | A couple new CD's. Ripping & organizing playlists. So good for my soul.

Participating in my first ordination council | Last month I got to sit on the other side of the questions for the first time. It was a pleasure and an honor. (Congrats, Rob!)

Playing games with my family | Card games, board games, Wii games--all good. With JT, with Alison, with both--all good.

Praise God from whom
all blessings flow!

More bits & pieces on fasting

Here are some quick points about fasting in a God-honoring, life-giving way:

• When we fast, we humbly give up something. Giving up food (or an alternative if food is not possible for health or other reasons) is a way of humbling ourselves before God.
• Fasting can be a symbolic act of recommitment expressing "I believe & trust you, God."
• Fasting is a way of asking for help when we feel hard-pressed.
• Fasting can be a form of communal preparation.
• Fasting is a means of participating in suffering. "If Christ suffered all that for me, I can suffer in this small way."
  
• Fasting is not a way that we earn God's favor or manipulate His will.
• Fasting does not have to be done "just right." The why's are more important than the how's. Don't be intimidated if you're a fasting rookie.
  
• Fasting is worthless if it doesn't deepen our actions of missions and/or spiritual development.
  
• When we fast, we feast on the Word of God. A portion of the time that would've normally been spent eating, is spent reading & meditating on Scripture. For the UABC Day of Prayer & Fasting tomorrow, Proverbs 29:18 & Joel 2:12-15 are good ones to start with.
• When we fast, we draw near to Our God in prayer. Most of the time that would've normally been spent eating, is spent praying--talking with and listening for God. Below is a prayer prompt based on the common elements of some fasting prayers in the Bible:

PRAISE Most High & Faithful God, you are more powerful than anyone else, you are holy to highest level, and you enjoy being gracious & helpful to any who call on your name. …

CONFESSION We have to admit that we haven’t always been faithful to you. We’ve trusted in our own abilities, we’ve failed to honor you by living rightly, and we’ve often neglected your call to be gracious & helpful to others. …

RECALL ACTS/PROMISES Still, you have a history of delivering your people from distress. You led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. You helped the Jews from exile back home. You sent your Son, Jesus, to deliver all of us from sin into full and eternal life. …

LAMENT/COMPLAINT Surely, you know that things are not all well for us. Some of our misfortunes are our own doing; some are a result of the times in which we live. …

REQUEST/CALL TO ACTION So we’re humbly asking you to reveal yourself and do something powerful with us for the sake of your name. We’re not asking this because we deserve it, but because we’re confident in your grace. We are forever yours. May your favor rest upon us. …

Will post an edited video of the sermon on fasting...if it works out like I think...

UABC 2010, The Year of the Fast

A proclamation by the Pastor of Upper Alton Baptist Church.

As the Shepherd of our church family and with the blessing of the Church Board, I am proclaiming 2010 to be the Year of the Fast in the life of Upper Alton Baptist Church. Similar to proclamations by US Presidents, who set aside special days of remembrance, and similar to biblical leaders proclaiming special days of prayer and fasting—this proclamation is a call to such a unified effort.

As we endeavor to re-envision who we are as the people called Upper Alton Baptist Church and to what Our Lord is calling us to do in our time, it is essential that we are listening for the leadings of the Holy Spirit. It is imperative that we set ourselves apart for this task of listening in both spirit and in practice. Our heritage of faith is rich with men and women who have sought the Lord’s guidance through the discipline of prayer and fasting. It is a fitting time for us to learn from those before us who have drawn closer to Jesus through such disciplines.

All UABCers are invited to join me thoughout 2010 in growing in the discipline of prayer and fasting. There are two explicit goals for this emphasis:
1. First of all, the Year of the Fast is an invitation to the entire church family to support and participate in the work of envisioning, which the Church Board intentionally began in 2009. The work of envisioning is a process of discernment—gradually figuring out together what the Head of our Church wants to do with us down the road. The Church Board will continue to lead us through this phase, but it is not their work alone.
2. Secondly, the Year of the Fast is an opportunity to develop a new spiritual skill. During 2010, we will get acquainted with some guidelines for making sure our fasting efforts are grounded, straightforward, and life-giving. Especially for some who are fasting “rookies”, this will be a chance to experiment with a new a way of getting to know Jesus.

The Year of the Fast will entail a monthly Day of Prayer of Fasting, beginning in February. This day will align with the day of the Church Board meetings, which normally occur on the Wednesday after the first Sunday of the month. Three options are suggested, depending on an individual’s experience with fasting, health, eagerness to help with the work of envisioning, and/or desire to receive a word from Our Lord:
• all-day, alternative fast (going without something besides food)
• one-meal, water-only fast
• all-day, juice-and-water-only fast.

If sometime in the past you’ve written off this ancient practice as too legalistic, too difficult, or just too weird, please reconsider and be willing to learn. When done humbly and appropriately, learning to pray with fasting can be a new way we learn how to listen to God.

Done this seventeenth day of January, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and ten, and of the founding of Upper Alton Baptist Church the one hundred eightieth.

FYI to UABCers: Time to Awaken times 3

TIME TO AWAKEN, ACT 1 | At Christmas I received a prayer book that I’d put on my wish list, Tides and Seasons: Modern prayers in the Celtic tradition (David Adam). One of my first favorites is Awaken me, Lord:

“Awaken me, Lord / To your light, / Open my eyes / To your presence.

Awaken me, Lord / To your love, / Open my heart / To your indwelling.

Awaken me, Lord / To your life, / Open my mind / To your abiding.

Awaken me, Lord / To your purpose, / Open my will / To your guiding.”

TIME TO AWAKEN, ACT 2 | Our Music Director, Steve, and I get together pretty much every week. Occasionally, he brings new song ideas for us to talk about for our contemporary service. This past week was the latest such occasion as he brought a very new song, Awakening (Charlie Hall):

“In our hearts Lord, in this nation, awakening

Holy Spirit, we desire, awakening

Awake my soul and sing

For the world You love, Your will be done

Let Your will be done in me”

(NOTE: We haven’t determined yet if it’ll be a UABC song or not.)

TIME TO AWAKEN, ACT 3 | As I anticipate the next study for our small group, Revelation, I also recall one of the [harsh!] letters to the seven churches in Asia:

“I know your deeds; you have a reputations of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” (Revelation 3:1b-2, NIV)

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And so I pray in the words of the 19^th century hymn, Revive Us Again:

“Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Hallelujah! Amen;

Hallelujah! Thine the glory; Revive us again.”