"Jesus Loves You." Frederick Buechner tells a story in one of his sermons in which he hears this phrase directed at him as he walks through Central Park in New York one Spring day. He says that it catches him by surprise and it takes him a few seconds to realize what just happened, yet as he stops and turns around to find the person, she is long gone mingled in the mass of pedestrians.
I read this sermon about five months ago, and this story confronted me, challenged me, and would not leave me alone. I have re-read it few times. I decided to try an experiment, and it has made a difference in my life. I don't feel nearly as bold as the woman in Central Park to speak these words aloud to those I pass on the street. However, as I walk down the street - or wait in line at the store - or people watch at the bus station, I look at each person and in my head say, "Jesus loves you!" This completely changes the way I see people. I say it in Latvian, and I need to learn the Russian - it helps me "contextualize" the situation. (When we were in Rome I tried to say it in Italian.) It challenges my inclination to judge or take offense or gawk or avert my gaze. It reminds me that God truly loves each and every person - the crippled beggar; the arrogant mafioso; the girl too young to have lost her innocence; "Jesus loves you!" - the important business person; the despondent store clerk; the toddler amazed by falling snow and his mother who needed a few drinks to cope with single-parenthood; "Jesus loves you!" - the bitter man to beat down to be amazed by anything at all; the young couple laughing as they walk arm and arm; the other couple whose yelling leads to blows; "Jesus loves you!"- the men from other countries here on "woman trips"; the young women who go after those men; the driver who cut me off in traffic; "Jesus love you!" - the ...
Sometimes this phrase leads to giving a loaf of bread or placing a coin in a palm or praying for a person throughout the day. Hopefully this can lead to the courage of the Central Park woman, for it is not enough for me to see people as loved by God, because they need to know it, too. (More on this thought in the next blog.)
This experiment has me thinking of another experiment along similar lines to carry out simultaneously - the "I forgive you" experiment...
As you go through the rest of your day today, May you know in a tangible way that God loves you and that God's love is for everyone around you. PEACE
24 March 2009
A Sleepless Night in Riga
Tonight is one of those sleepless nights. You know the ones in which you toss and turn yourself into dreams of strange settings with people you haven't seen in years - if ever at all - only to wake thinking about how to get done all the things you feel you need to do, yet still wondering what brought all the eclectic thoughts together to produce the weird dream sequence... and all of it rambles on and runs together like this sentence.
As I type I can hear Court sleeping peacefully. This is good. She has had a couple of long and intense weeks - good things, yet still a lot considering she is growing a baby. She will probably be awake in about 40 minutes as that is when the baby usually starts the gymnastics for the day.
I didn't want my tossing and turning to disturb her, so I thought I would get up and blog... hence, the next two entries...
As I type I can hear Court sleeping peacefully. This is good. She has had a couple of long and intense weeks - good things, yet still a lot considering she is growing a baby. She will probably be awake in about 40 minutes as that is when the baby usually starts the gymnastics for the day.
I didn't want my tossing and turning to disturb her, so I thought I would get up and blog... hence, the next two entries...
11 March 2009
Peanut Pictures Posted (i.e. The Belly), OR How I Might Get in Big Trouble and Sleep on the Couch Tonight
Well - so many people have asked to see the baby in the belly. Personally, I think Court looks cute with her prego-belly. However, Court has been reluctant to have the photos taken. She acquiesced to photo requests on a few occasions (I told her how much pressure I was under from people to post the belly picts).
So even though I might get in Big Trouble, I wanted to share these picts with you.
So even though I might get in Big Trouble, I wanted to share these picts with you.
02 March 2009
Sometimes, it's the little things that get you
Of all the wonders in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a small, laser-printed sign caught me by surprise.
A week ago today Court and I gazed up at the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and walked around St. Peter's. (The gift of a weekend in Rome came from an anonymous source who wanted us to do something fun before the baby arrives.) Awe, Wonder, Majestic - all these words could describe St. Peter's. Not one part of the interior suffers neglect or lack of adornment. I have heard the critique of "gaudy - over-the-top - a waste of resources." I make no attempt to defend the church, yet the word that kept coming to mind was worship.
Anyway, of all the sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and other things by famous craftspeople, one thing has stuck with me this past week - a small, computer printout (albeit on cream-colored Vatican stationery) in four languages set out by the tomb of St. Peter: "To whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." - John 6:68, St. Peter talking to Jesus.
We hear and read news stories talking about the difficulties in the world. We know people effected by the economic downturn (I'm sure all of us do), and the prayer concern of many (in churches here and elsewhere) is: "What are we going to do now?"
"To whom else can we go? You have the words of eternal life." These words echoed as I looked up at Michelangelo's frescoes of creation and became drawn into the way he captured God's action of separating the moon and sun and bringing forth life.
"To whom else can we go? You have the words of eternal life." These words echoed as I heard the words of Ash Wednesday: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
These words came to mind as I rode the bus the other day. Maybe they can give a glimpse of what I have failed to articulate so far:
Remember, we are dust,
To whom else can we go, you have the words of eternal life,
You are THE word of eternal life,
You have come down among us to give us life,
You are the breath of life,
Without your breath of life we are merely dust,
And even in this life we know that to dust we shall return,
Yet the mystery proclaims that you shall come again
once again enlivening us forever, never to return to dust again. amen.
A week ago today Court and I gazed up at the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and walked around St. Peter's. (The gift of a weekend in Rome came from an anonymous source who wanted us to do something fun before the baby arrives.) Awe, Wonder, Majestic - all these words could describe St. Peter's. Not one part of the interior suffers neglect or lack of adornment. I have heard the critique of "gaudy - over-the-top - a waste of resources." I make no attempt to defend the church, yet the word that kept coming to mind was worship.
Anyway, of all the sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and other things by famous craftspeople, one thing has stuck with me this past week - a small, computer printout (albeit on cream-colored Vatican stationery) in four languages set out by the tomb of St. Peter: "To whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." - John 6:68, St. Peter talking to Jesus.
We hear and read news stories talking about the difficulties in the world. We know people effected by the economic downturn (I'm sure all of us do), and the prayer concern of many (in churches here and elsewhere) is: "What are we going to do now?"
"To whom else can we go? You have the words of eternal life." These words echoed as I looked up at Michelangelo's frescoes of creation and became drawn into the way he captured God's action of separating the moon and sun and bringing forth life.
"To whom else can we go? You have the words of eternal life." These words echoed as I heard the words of Ash Wednesday: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
These words came to mind as I rode the bus the other day. Maybe they can give a glimpse of what I have failed to articulate so far:
Remember, we are dust,
To whom else can we go, you have the words of eternal life,
You are THE word of eternal life,
You have come down among us to give us life,
You are the breath of life,
Without your breath of life we are merely dust,
And even in this life we know that to dust we shall return,
Yet the mystery proclaims that you shall come again
once again enlivening us forever, never to return to dust again. amen.
18 February 2009
Snow falling gently
The weather reporters in Latvia predicted winter to come late this year in February. Well, winter has arrived here in Latvia. When I awoke today I looked out our window to see snow coming down almost horizontally. The snow continued throughout the day and began to stick a little bit to the streets. As I walked home this evening I encountered my favorite type of Latvian snow - the soft powder snow that gently and slowly falls. It is light enough for the street sweepers to brush away using their bundled tree branches. When it falls on your coat and hat it simply sits there not making things heavier or damper but just peaceful. It is a peaceful kind of snow - one that lets you know there is still gentleness in the world. I am not sure I really every paid attention to the type of snow or how incredibly descriptive snow can be. Yet today I marveled at the sight.
Adding to my new understanding of snow also comes an appreciation for a new winter coat. The coat I currently have is getting a little bit too little for my pregnant belly. So Dan and I have been looking for a winter coat which would cover and keep me warm. We found a store last night who is going out of business. Inside two very nice women helped me to find a coat which fit now and would not look too big next winter post pregnancy. We were thankful for their help and assistance. Yet, I am also aware as I left the store with my beautiful and on sale coat that there is another store closing in Latvia. So as the economy continues to struggle and fall here very much like the snow, I say a prayer for the job situation here.
No matter where I went today I had to shake the snow off my hat - what a blessing and a great reminder of God's creation. Even with something so small and abundant like snow there is such an incredible detail to it that it can be described and viewed in so many different ways.
So let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
Adding to my new understanding of snow also comes an appreciation for a new winter coat. The coat I currently have is getting a little bit too little for my pregnant belly. So Dan and I have been looking for a winter coat which would cover and keep me warm. We found a store last night who is going out of business. Inside two very nice women helped me to find a coat which fit now and would not look too big next winter post pregnancy. We were thankful for their help and assistance. Yet, I am also aware as I left the store with my beautiful and on sale coat that there is another store closing in Latvia. So as the economy continues to struggle and fall here very much like the snow, I say a prayer for the job situation here.
No matter where I went today I had to shake the snow off my hat - what a blessing and a great reminder of God's creation. Even with something so small and abundant like snow there is such an incredible detail to it that it can be described and viewed in so many different ways.
So let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
15 February 2009
"Girlfriends" Around the World
Today Courtney preached in translation, and I lead worship in Latvian - well, I tried to that is.
See, I have done it before, and found the congregation patient with me. They are kind of used to my Latvian by now. Granted, services are shorter because I just can't say as much in transition or prayers, yet the 'less is more' theory holds true.
This particular congregation has a candelabra with four candles, and each week they light the candles remembering and praying for other congregations throughout the global body. Today as we were saying prayers, I decided to expand upon the lighting of these 'congregational' candles. I didn't really notice the strange looks - or maybe I subconsciously mistook them as responses to the wax I dripped everywhere.
After the service the wonderful pianist approached me - and then at least three or four more people after her - to help me a bit with my Latvian. I added one syllable too many while speaking, and, apparently, I invited the congregation to pray for "my girlfriends" - rather than "our congregations" - in the UK, Norway, the US, and Denmark. Graciously each said, "Don't worry. While it caught me off-guard at first, I understood what you were trying to say."
Court and I had a good laugh about it, and we hope it might make you smile.
PEACE - dan and court
See, I have done it before, and found the congregation patient with me. They are kind of used to my Latvian by now. Granted, services are shorter because I just can't say as much in transition or prayers, yet the 'less is more' theory holds true.
This particular congregation has a candelabra with four candles, and each week they light the candles remembering and praying for other congregations throughout the global body. Today as we were saying prayers, I decided to expand upon the lighting of these 'congregational' candles. I didn't really notice the strange looks - or maybe I subconsciously mistook them as responses to the wax I dripped everywhere.
After the service the wonderful pianist approached me - and then at least three or four more people after her - to help me a bit with my Latvian. I added one syllable too many while speaking, and, apparently, I invited the congregation to pray for "my girlfriends" - rather than "our congregations" - in the UK, Norway, the US, and Denmark. Graciously each said, "Don't worry. While it caught me off-guard at first, I understood what you were trying to say."
Court and I had a good laugh about it, and we hope it might make you smile.
PEACE - dan and court
06 February 2009
Applause!!
One of the things that still surprises me when I land in Riga is that most of the plane erupts in applause. I had quite a few flights in the U.S. these past two weeks and none of them ended in applause.
As a kid I would cheer at baseball games. In December I applauded at the end of the Nutcracker. Yet sometimes I find crowds applaud because that is the expected or desired response though it may not be a heartfelt response. It had me thinking, "When do we applause and why?" I found I like to applaud in true appreciation, in heartfelt joy, in honor of a job well done, and in praise and thanksgiving to God. While I do not always applaud in these circumstances, maybe I should begin to do - even if people look at me funny. This entry will serve as a cyber-applause for some recent events.
Some recent reasons for applause:
* feeling the baby move in Courtney's belly
* a fantastic two weeks in the U.S. with the brief moments of blessing with friends and family along the way
* a great conference in California with many new ideas and insights into camping ministry
* a chance to preach and re-connect with folks at Center UMC
* a warm apartment
* safe landings of all my flights
* a tangible presence of God's grace and love for me
* the Redwoods!!
* morning coffee
* Courtney
* gracious and patient friends around the world
May you notice and discover reasons to clap your hands today!
As a kid I would cheer at baseball games. In December I applauded at the end of the Nutcracker. Yet sometimes I find crowds applaud because that is the expected or desired response though it may not be a heartfelt response. It had me thinking, "When do we applause and why?" I found I like to applaud in true appreciation, in heartfelt joy, in honor of a job well done, and in praise and thanksgiving to God. While I do not always applaud in these circumstances, maybe I should begin to do - even if people look at me funny. This entry will serve as a cyber-applause for some recent events.
Some recent reasons for applause:
* feeling the baby move in Courtney's belly
* a fantastic two weeks in the U.S. with the brief moments of blessing with friends and family along the way
* a great conference in California with many new ideas and insights into camping ministry
* a chance to preach and re-connect with folks at Center UMC
* a warm apartment
* safe landings of all my flights
* a tangible presence of God's grace and love for me
* the Redwoods!!
* morning coffee
* Courtney
* gracious and patient friends around the world
May you notice and discover reasons to clap your hands today!
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