Beyond Politics . . .

"In the fleeting time that we have here on earth what matters is not wealth or status or power or fame but rather how well we have loved. And what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better."

Politics aside, whether you like him or not, in President Obama's words to the community in Arizona who gathered to mourn the loss of the people killed in such a tragic act of violence he summed up truly who we are called to be . . .

As a people of faith the things that matter are not "things" but the "who" and the "how."

How do we love? How do we show that love? It is in the small things.

I have to "speak" at the clergy meeting tomorrow morning about Williamson's West. I have to share about it . . . not real sure what that means.

Anyway - as I shared in my sermon on Jan. 2, my last encounter with the these clergy was at the District Board of Ordained Ministry and it wasn't what I would call stellar. Debacle would be more like it.

So I'm a bit anxious about what to say . . .

And then I was reminded tonight as I heard the President's words . . . there are only a few things that really, truly matter. Those things are all centered around "love" . . . and how we share Christ's love.

So, tomorrow I'll share how West is a place that shares that love.

I'll share . . .
how people email me asking for prayers for their friends and family.

how this faith community that was barely two months old adopted 60 angels and supplied them with Christmas.

how 25 people came the day after the "big snow of Christmas" to clean up our "stuff" from our Christmas services so the high school could have their basketball tournament and we were finished in less than 45 minutes.

how 29 youth give tirelessly of their time to provide a WIRED ministry for kids grades 1 - 5.

how a group of women asked me to go with them to pray with their neighbor, even though we had never met, because she was waiting on a brain mri to see if her tumors had shrunk.

how amazing volunteers pulled together to create two amazing and moving Christmas services.

how even when "screw ups" happen in worship we find a way, through the power of a spirit much bigger than anything we could create, to experience the presence of a loving, gracious God.

and how even when the pastor (me) was hurling ALL NIGHT LONG in the bathroom on the second Sunday of the new year . . . "worship" of a four month old church happened without MISSING A BEAT because of great VOLUNTEER leaders and a great "preacher's wife" (HA) that pulled together to make things happen.

I am blessed beyond words to be a part of a community that shares love so freely.

Obama also said, "the forces that divide us are not as strong as the ones that unite us."

How true.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Wrong Line of Work!?!?

Sometimes I wonder if I am in the wrong line of work.

I am in Florida in seminary this week. Taking a theology class the first week after Christmas break was not the BEST of my ideas. But it is the class that is "required." It's a freshman level class that I have waited until I am classified as a senior to take. Seems I consistently do things backwards.

As I drove in this morning I was still trying to find a radio station to listen to. I finally found one that had some peppy music to wake me up and then it went into the "morning talk show."

A lady named Suzanne was fielding calls, answering questions. Now these weren't just any questions, these were questions like, "Suzanne, do you see me making a move this year?" or "Suzanne, I am having a difficult time and trying to decide whether or not to leave Florida. Do you see me leaving Florida?"

Each time Suzanne had an answer. After she gave the answer the person on the other end of the phone sounded relieved, would make a general comment of response, thank her, and hang up the phone.

I thought - "Ok, this has got to be a joke. Surely people don’t' think this is real."

But . . . no joke. The station announcer went on a few minutes later to welcome Suzanne and give her "credentials." I then decided some woman was getting paid money to sit and tell people whether or not they were going to move. I could do that! I could listen keenly to what folks said and then make a guess at what I thought they should do. I'd never "know" them so it wouldn't matter if I got it wrong . . .

When I started thinking about whether or not I would "get it wrong" and I was justifying that it really wouldn't matter (I do realize I have already spent a LOT of wasted time pondering this), I concluded that because of the answers Suzanne gave, the people would gauge their lives and decisions by that advice.

She told one woman that she was going to move in five months so she needed to go ahead and get boxes and start throwing things away she didn't want to take with her. From the excitement in the lady's voice I imagine as I sit here in this chair for the next NINE HOURS (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) she will be out procuring boxes and getting ready to move!

I have committed this new year to really engage in personal study and devotion time with God. No more excuses, no "I'll do it later, I need to be devoted to that now. So I'm reading the "One Year Bible - God Sightings" version by Group Publishing. There's a group of folks reading along with me and we will "blog" about it together. It's ironic the first three days of the readings point out how folks from Adam/Eve, people during the time of Noah, and even Jesus were tempted to "achieve" or "receive" more. Jesus is the only one who was not driven by greed and desire.

Keeping that in mind with the fact that some woman is getting paid money to guess people's life decisions it made me think . . . sometimes we want things so badly we will do whatever we have to in order to find the answer or receive the wisdom. Greed doesn't have to be greed of money; it can also be greed of thought or control.

(For more on this read my blog for the one year Bible reading)

I am guilty of greed of "control." I want to know what is going to happen and when. I like being in control of my "days" and my "time" and "situations." BUT . . . I am not called to be in control or worry about tomorrow . . . I am to live in today. Yet not live on my own power . . . I am to live in and for and with the power of God.

John 1 says those who follow Christ are given the right (some translations say "power") of God.

So I don't need a lady on the radio to tell me where I will be in June or what I will be doing. I've got something far greater . . . so I just need to "get over myself" and live. In the HERE and NOW!

So . . . I'll go listen to a professor talk about Plotinus for lots of hours and see what it is God wants me to take away from this.

The Hard Lesson at Christmas for a Pastor

God speaks . . . always . . . we just have to be still to listen!

It’s a hard lesson for a pastor at Christmas.

The past two Saturdays have been doing various mission things . . . one working the Home Tour – the next wrapping angel tree gifts and I would not trade that activity for anything! It is now a Smith Family Tradition. BUT because we weren’t home on Saturday and one of the offspring had activities on Friday night, there is STILL no tree in our home decorated for Christmas.

Someone was commenting to me on Sunday – why weren’t my kids NUTS about not having a tree? They couldn’t believe we didn’t have that tradition of really being psyched about a tree. If it weren't for me - I 'm not sure the Smith's would have one at all!

Now all that happened AFTER what was to be one of our most powerful worship services to date began w/ ZZ Top playing through the sound system and playing “She’s Got Legs!” . . and out I walk . . . THEN it launched into the Spice Girls during the scrolling announcements, the song will remain nameless! ;)

But back to the tradition thing - that has weighed heavy on my mind and heart all week . . . . have I cheated my kids out of traditions because of “work”?

Yesterday was just normal Monday stuff with a few wrenches thrown in . . . . things not working out with some elements of worship, our India partnership not going well and us needing to make a final decision about that, then today I guess all the stress of the past few weeks caught up and I just had a few “moments” of self doubt, maybe even pity, and wondering . . . what else could I do? Maybe I’m doing some things wrong and that’s why this is difficult – I need to figure that out and fix it.

Just when I was ready to wave the white flag and give up on a few things I got an email from a friend. “Have you considered being still and listening to God? I don’t mean to be cliché but just listen and relax.”

I decided, “Ok. I will. No email, no nothing – just being still!”

After about 5 minutes the phone rang. It was Samaritan’s Feet with absolutely the best, most well rounded, educated, passionate conversation about international missions. We talked for 45 minutes regarding our current relationships and then we ended the talk with a new hope in my heart and soul for where God is leading WCUMC, both campuses. Then about 15 minutes later the other Samaritan’s Feet contact called and we talked for 45 minutes as well – truly two conversations that were directed by God! Not only did it solve the current dilemma but it also gave meaning and purpose to our other international mission project – the Deaf Village in Mandeville. Samaritan’s Feet has some other folks looking for that type of connection b/c they wanted to help. We were able to provide our contact information for them to Samaritan’s Feet! These were TRULY God things! Thus the name of the blog, “IT’s those things again!”

I finally had some peace and hope for what could be and what could come! The hole in my heart and weight I had been carried around dissolved and healed with one phone conversation when I finally let it go and gave it to God.

THEN I looked at my paper calendar (b/c I have been doing a bad job putting things on my calendar b/c we’ve been w/o a secretary for a few months) and I noticed I was supposed to be at Davidson UMC for an interview in 45 minutes to continue in the ordination process (probably the most important interview all year) and I had forgotten all about it. In fact, had I not talked to another staff person and they made a comment about the senior pastor being in a meeting all day (he is on the committee) and that jarred my memory! I ran to my paper calendar – saw it on a Tuesday at 3pm so I put makeup on my very weary face and tore off to Davidson!

So it wasn’t shocking today when I got the date mixed up for my DBOM interview!!!! ;) I showed up a week early . . . . . I think I scared the other two women there who are up for commissioning. When I got there and someone else was already there – I knew I had messed up . . . NOTHING would have surprised me today! So I just sat there – I figured if they came out, called her in and that was the last interview of the day then I would come back home, look it up on the form, and go another day. I knew the time of 3pm was right- I just didn’t know what day! They were there w/ notebooks, suits, etc. and here I come in – nothing in my hands and certainly not in a suit.

She asked me, “Are you here for an interview?” and I replied yes and then she went into a long explanation about how she had her paper, she then got it out –looked at it again, etc. I ASSURED HER . . “if anyone messed up today – it is me. Trust me, I’m sure you are right.”

Well it evidentially bothered her that I didn’t leave so she asked me “well, are you just going to sit here and stay?” I replied yes, until they came to get her, that my senior pastor was in the room and I would confirm that I didn’t miss the meeting earlier that day and then leave. She just stared at me – which by now – really. I’m ok w/ about anything . . . . .

So – then the other lady in the interview came out – they knew each other so they chatted, then they both started staring at me again. I just volunteered “I’m here on the wrong day or at the wrong time. I’ll figure it out and I’ll be ok.” They looked at each other . . . I’m sure they thought “she’s a freak!” :)

Then the first lady asked me who my senior pastor was. I told her. Then the other lady said, “You sound familiar. And you look familiar. Williamson’s?” I told her yes, then she called me by name. She told me I did the prayer at the UMW district meeting a year and a half ago and then she said, “Oh, you launched the West Campus, I read it in the conference newsletter . . .” and she started talking about whether or not it was successful, that she thought it was, did I think it was gauged as a success?

I don’t have a “yes” b/c who am I to say that? I replied that we are having fun while we are trying to fulfill the mission of the church and every Sunday is an adventure. (I left out that on Sunday ZZ Top and Spice Girls accidentally played on the iPod during the service – that would have most likely sent them right on over the edge!)

Anyway – they just stared at me some more.

Then – in my bizarreness – I said, “Maybe I’ll hide in here while they call you just to make sure I didn’t miss my interview.” I don’t think they appreciated my idea of hiding . . .

Then – as I finally decided to leave – which they both agreed was a good idea . . . . I said, “Good luck on your commissioning. I am sure you will do well! One thing that was helpful for me was I had a couple of friends in the conference that had already been through the Conference BOM and they read my papers. I would be more than happy to read your papers if you want me to.” They both quickly and assuredly said they felt like they were ok! :) (by the way – I did remark earlier that maybe it was a good thing that my interview was a different day b/c I had not done my paperwork yet b/c I forgot and now I could do it) They probably thought I was going to copy their papers!!!!!!

So . . .. . . I finally left – and I could see the look on Rob’s face as I walked down the hall – he looked a little surprised. (I had contemplated crawling under the window of the door but I figured that truly would send those women into hysterics BUT if it had just been me in that hallway - down I would've gone - on all 4's crawling my way to safety of embarrassment!

My desire to avoid my senior pastor was because last week I had the dates of the staff Christmas party and the church administrative board dinner wrong – I had them both down for last week and they are this week. He told me that at the rate I was going I’d have Christmas Eve services this Friday! And he may be right!!!!!

The funniest thing of the whole thing – I was so perplexed as to why they were staring at me . . . I realized when I got home – I had my jewelry on all backwards. It too was bizarre looking!

In the absolute chaos emotionally and spiritually today I came upon the stark realization that my problem has been I have stopped listening. No devotions lately – no time just to “listen” to God and what he has to say to me. How can I lead if I am not listening? It's time for this old girl to listen. Past time . . . . what have I missed because I have forgotten AGAIN to listen!?!?!?!

That’s one reason we are going to offer a daily reading as a campus beginning January 1. The Bibles will be in the bookstore and the readings will be posted on our webpage.

“The God Sightings Bible” will be the version we use and it is available for $14 in the Plugged In Tent.

I also will be joining a West LifeGroup! I need friends to be in this journey with me, praying for me and me for them, lifting up one another as we go together and grow together in our faith. I hope you will prayerfully consider being a part of this too!

Until Sunday - Merry Peaceful Christmas!

The Boomwhackers are Contagious!

Twenty-four hours later I am still pondering how the biggest joy of the entire 7th and 8th grade middle school concert at Mooresville Middle last night was to watch the special needs students work together with their peers to play their own concert! They were called "The Boomwhackers."
They were amazing . . . as were their peers seated in the audience.

Sometimes in life is it awkward when you are faced with a situation in which folks are different from you and there is an uncertainty in how to act/react.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving we decided we would go to see a movie (along with the rest of Birkdale Village). I didn't realize that all the seats would fill up in the theater so I had my pocketbook sitting in the chair next to me.

A few minutes later two men came up and sat down right beside me. We were of different ethnic backgrounds - which at first wasn't something I noticed, until after they sat down I took my purse and moved it to the floor. He looked at me and said, "I was not going to bother it. You can leave it there. It's ok."

Then I realized he thought I moved it because I suspected he was going to do something to it! He seemed very upset by the fact that I had judged him.

Pretty soon into the previews I noticed he went to sleep. Prior to that I noticed he muttered quite a bit and seemed to have some uncontrollable movements occur periodically. After a few moments of sleep he jerked awake and began muttering again . . . at this point several people turned around and stared at him, some even commenting and sighing loudly.

At this point it became very obvious he had some special needs. His peer with him tried to settle him down and encouraged him to watch the movie that was getting ready to start. He did in fact calm down after a few minutes and things would be fine for awhile and then that whole scene would replay itself again.

The stares and gawks in the few seats around us were uncomfortable at best. After a few minutes I decided that my part in making him uncomfortable needed to be rectified. So I took my pocketbook, gaping open as it was, and put it back in the chair, in fact in the middle of the chair, in between us. He looked at me and simply said, "Thank you."

In the past two weeks I've been in two very different circumstances with people different than me. One in which it was painfully uncomfortable because of society's reaction . . . and the other where there was universal acceptance and love.

Ironic that the situation that bore the most love was the one with the middle school students. When the Boomwhackers were finished playing the students lept to their feet yelling and cheering them on! One young man was so moved by the recognition, support, and cheer that he raised his hands in the "touchdown" pose and kept saying "yes" over and over again!

In the season of Advent I find it interesting to remember that just as the universal symbol of hope and love came to us in the form of a child, perhaps some of the best lessons we have to learn also come from children. Those students at MMS changed the lives of the special needs students and their families by so quickly offering generous love! What would this world be like if we did the same thing?

Let us live this season as if we were living like a child . . let us love unconditionally . . .say things as we see them and don't play games. Let us be loyal and give our love without asking for anything in return.

Let us be, for all people, a conspiracy of goodness and love!