tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51367136618123297472024-03-12T21:28:10.069-05:0049 and holding...Mom of four, pie baker, beloved child of God, pot stirrer. Pastor~Trinity United Methodist Church.Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-76327721604611806562016-04-17T13:40:00.003-05:002016-04-17T13:40:36.915-05:00the 12 disciples...part 2 Goin' Fishing<b>As we move through the Easter Season we are taking a closer look at the disciples of Jesus - their lives, their backstories and how they used the gift of following Jesus to bless the world. Here is the sermon manuscript from week 2; Andrew, James, Nathanael and Philip (the fishing trip.)</b><br />It would be oh so very easy to write off the disciples – after last week’s readings from the Gospel of John. They seemed so afraid – hiding out in a room somewhere – doors locked – sequestered from the world – even though they were witnesses to the greatest miracle ever known. But that is often the case when we don’t have categories to explain the inexplicable, isn’t it? We don’t want to appear overly anxious – or foolish… and so we try to figure it out – sometimes even try to talk ourselves out of what we saw…or what we thought we saw and experienced. <br /><br />It’s the same way with folks like you and me – we may have mountain top experiences – but if we don’t tend to them – and invest in re-sorting our lives – changing things up….well, now I’m getting ahead of myself.<br /><br /><b>John 21:1-14</b><br /><br />Jesus appears again to the disciples<br /><br />Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.”<br /><br />They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus.<br /><br />Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”<br />They answered him, “No.”<br /><br />He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”<br /><br />So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” <br /><br />When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards.<br /><br />When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.<br /><br />For Peter – going fishing was as natural as breathing – same with Andrew, James and John – the sons of Zebedee. Maybe they went fishing because it was something physical, something that they enjoyed and would keep them fit – maybe they went fishing because it was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee – also known as the Sea of Tiberius – where they first encountered Jesus.<br /><br />We don’t know from whom they borrowed the boat – maybe James and John borrowed it from their dad – I would imagine he’d be overjoyed to welcome his sons back to the family business. Peter, formerly a net casting fisherman from the side of the lake – might have been interested in joining in – after three years of traveling together – it made sense to return to what they knew. They had no clear sense of direction – and were open to just about anything.<br /><br />But - it seems their fishing abilities were a bit rusty…they worked all night long and had nothing to show for it. You know that feeling don’t you? When you pour yourself into something and it seems all for naught. <br /><br />As the sun started peaking up over the horizon they were floating back toward shore when a voice called out to them:<br /><br /> “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”<br /><br />They answered him, “No.”<br /><br />6 He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”<br /><br />Say what? the right side of the boat? who casts nets to the right side of the boat??<br /><br />And yet – they did just what the stranger said – and John tells us:<br /><br />there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. <br /><br />Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” <br /><br />And in that moment – everything changed – again…<br /><br />Because we have a God who was willing to enter into our human lives – who lived and breathed and lived and loved and toiled like you and I – Jesus knows – God knows that we are prone to return to the fall back position – to return to our old ways – even after an encounter with the Holy One. Even after we have been given a new vision for how life could be lived – living in and through the power of the Holy Spirit and the giftedness that we have been given. <br /><br />God isn’t asking us to forget how to cast our nets – but to consider that there may be a new way to do what we do – a way that is more free – more authentic – and that leads to a new normal. <br /><br />To live in the new normal we have to be willing to live in the tension of the in between – not quite heaven – but certainly not hell either. Not quite got it all figured out – but not floundering either – not quite there yet – but that’s ok – because I’m making progress…<br /><br />And the progress is marked by abundance – abundant joy – abundant relationships and sometimes – abundant catches of fish!<br /><br />For James and John, Thomas and Nathanael, Peter and the other two disciples along for the fishing expedition – it was a huge catch of fish – so huge that they even took time to count – so that if anyone asked or seemed skeptical they could say with conviction – 153 fish – all keepers too – and the net held – that in and of itself was miraculous!<br /><br />Of course Peter, the impetuous one – was so excited to see if it truly was Jesus that he jumped over board and swam the 100 yards to shore – and when he arrived he found a fire with fish and bread cooking – a breakfast feast. They added some of the fish that they had just caught to the fire and sat down…still trying to figure things out… and Jesus blessed the bread – and broke it – and served it to his disciples… a holy meal – communion by the shore…absolutely lovely, don’t you think? A holy meal – with their friend Jesus.<br /><br />I do find this curious – the end of verse 12…<br /><br />None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. <br /><br />and yet – and yet – they weren’t quite sure…maybe they were embarrassed because they didn’t recognize him when they were out on their boat? – the disciple whom Jesus loved is the one who had called out earlier ‘it’s the Lord’…however they say nothing.<br /><br />What this says to me is that God appears to us in ways that are both ordinary as well as extraordinary – and like the disciples, we have to learn how to recognize God in new ways…something we coined in our Wednesday noon bible study as the ‘new normal’<br /><br />When we become a Christ follower we open ourselves up to living in a new way – a new way that forms and informs every part of our life. This new normal may seem odd at first – but when we lean into it and allow this new way of living to permeate all aspects of our lives we find that this new normal is a way of living that is more affirming, abundant – and joyful than before…<br /><br />Last week we talked about Thomas – let’s spend a moment reflecting on the lives of the others who were casting their nets that morning – and how their experience of Jesus led to their new normal…I will caution that their new normal led to martyrdom – but that’s the way it was in the 1st Century church. Something that we aren’t familiar with today – but we need to remember that sacrifice is part of living as followers of Jesus.<br /><br />Consider James – one of the Sons of Thunder – Zebedee’s son – was the first of the original disciples martyred. He was so passionate about telling the story of Jesus that when Herod decided it was time to stop the Church – James was the first man who had to die. His life was short – but his influence was great – he stood firm in the face of persecution and inspired his brothers to do likewise. <br /><br />Nathanael – also known as Bartholomew, was introduced to Jesus by his friend Philip – the only scripture references we have about him are from the first chapter of John and then here in the 21st chapter… but from the beginning we know that Nathanael was able to make connections between Old Testament promises and Jesus – as the son of God – Jesus himself commended Nathanael on his knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures – he was most likely a steady companion – <br /><br />he was convinced from the beginning that Jesus was the one promised – the Messiah. Tradition and legend credit Nathanael with missionary journeys with Philip. Nathanael was open, honest and filled to the brim with an unspoiled enthusiasm for the Good News of Jesus Christ!<br /><br />We don’t know who the other two disciples were – but I’m going to add Andrew and Philip to the mix, since Andrew was Peter’s brother and Philip and Nathanael were best of friends – it would make sense…<br /><br />Andrew – J. Ellsworth Kalas, in his book the 13 disciples writes about Andrew: Someone has said that Andrew was both the first home missionary and the first foreign missionary – He was a home missionary in the winning of his brother, Simon (also called Peter) and a foreign missionary when he brought the Greeks to Jesus. Andrew is the patron saint of Greece – and of Scotland (as those of you who are golfers might have figured out). It is said that the governor of Patras in Greece hated Andrew because Andrew converted his wife and brother to Christ, so he condemned Andrew to death – according to tradition he was tortured and bound to an X shaped cross – what is still known as St Andrews Cross to this day – and as he died (alas over several days) he preached to all who passed by…his final prayer being “Would, Father, that I had time to teach truth to my murderers….”<br /><br />And then there’s Philip – another early follower of Jesus Philip was known for his more reserved and logical nature. Read stories about Philip in scripture and he will be the one who is more by the numbers (which is probably why all of those fish were counted!). Something we don’t know about Philip is that his name was a Greek name – why his Jewish parents would give him a Greek name is unknown, but this opened doors for him to travel more widely as an evangelist – he became one of the great missionary preachers to Asia – and was martyred at Hierapolis.<br /><br />Next week we will continue the story of the meal by the Sea of Tiberius – with the stories of Peter and John…two of Jesus’ closest friends. <br /><br />As we look closer at the lives of the Apostles – we are reminded these were ordinary folk – just like you and me – they had doubts, they weren’t perfect – but they were faithful in trying to understand their world and how God was calling them to use their gifts to build up the Kingdom of heaven…<br /><br />Not unlike what you and I are doing each and every day of the week. When we sign on to follow Christ – when we proclaim that Jesus is indeed our Lord and Savior – we are signing on to live in a new normal – a new way of being that can make some pretty significant demands upon us –but can also bless us in ways that we hardly imagined!<br /><br />Enjoy the journey my friends – and know that God calls each and every one of us by name….and that we have gifts that are needed to make this world a better place for all people. How we use those gifts is the question…my challenge is to remind us not to waste what God has given us through the power of the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />Amen.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-6563640500137157772016-04-17T13:35:00.004-05:002016-04-17T13:35:45.713-05:00the 12 disciples...part 1 (Doubting Thomas)<b>As we move through the Easter Season we are taking a closer look at the disciples of Jesus - their lives, their backstories and how they used the gift of following Jesus to bless the world. Here is the sermon manuscript from week 1; Thomas, aka Doubting Thomas.</b><br /><br />As an introduction to this morning’s gospel lesson – I’d like to finish the reading from Easter Sunday – as you remember, the women – Mary Magdalene and others, went out to the tomb and found the guards passed out from fright, the stone rolled away and an angel greeting them with the Good News that Jesus was risen! They even met him in the cemetery garden – and Jesus told the women to share with the others that he was risen – and would meet them in Galilee and then he sent them away.<br /><br />Matthew 28:11:15<br /><br />11 Now as the women were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 They met with the elders and decided to give a large sum of money to the soldiers. 13 They told them, “Say that Jesus’ disciples came at night and stole his body while you were sleeping. 14 And if the governor hears about this, we will take care of it with him so you will have nothing to worry about.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. And this report has spread throughout all Judea to this very day.<br /><br />Things did not look good for the followers of Jesus. And so we turn to the Gospel of John for the rest of the story…<br /><br />John 20:19-31<br /><br />It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”<br /><br />24 Thomas, the one called the twin, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”<br /><br />But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”<br /><br />26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”<br /><br />28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”<br /><br />29 Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”<br /><br />30 Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. 31 But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.<br /><br />I don’t know about you, but I believe Thomas, aka Doubting Thomas, gets a bum rap. Over the years Thomas has been lifted up as an example that of course – seeing is believing…but truth be told, given that Thomas wasn’t with the other Christ followers locked away in a room, I might add, frightened out of their wits, Thomas undoubtedly heard the rumors flying around Jerusalem, spread by unholy alliance made between the guards and the religious officials – Jesus’ body was stolen by the remaining followers as a ruse – to make everyone THINK that Jesus was risen. A likely story…<br /><br />‘I want to see it for myself,’ Thomas declared. In the muddled up mess that was the early church, Thomas wanted cold hard facts.<br /><br />Thomas isn’t any different from most of us. We want to know – without a shadow of a doubt – that Jesus IS Risen – because if this is true – then this changes everything. Christ’ resurrection - not resuscitation mind you – but resurrection – is a game changer. How so? Note in verse 19:<br /><br />It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” <br /><br />and again a week later in verse 26<br /><br />26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” <br /><br />A resuscitated Jesus does not walk through closed doors – but a resurrected Jesus does. And acknowledging how mind boggling this all is, Jesus offers the words: “Peace be with you.”<br /><br />Thomas – now confronted with the reality of Jesus resurrection is brought to his knees – and proclaims…”My Lord and My God”<br /><br />It was a game changer for Thomas. Seeing was believing – and because he saw – not only that day, but several more times during Jesus’ 40 days with his disciples before his ascension to heaven – after the day of Pentecost we don’t hear anything more from Thomas in the scriptures.<br /><br />But historical records of other sorts do give us a sketch of what was next for Thomas the twin…<br /><br />According to reliable traditions Thomas preached throughout much of Asia – and especially in the region we call India. In the 1500s when Portugese explorers arrived in India they found a church there that identified itself as the Church of Saint Thomas; and a 6th Century book tells us that a traveler in India found a church in Malabar, as well as a bishop in Galiana, south of Bombay. According to tradition, Thomas died a martyr’s death, on a mountain that now bears his name – Mount Thomas. His death came by the piercing of a lance, and so the symbol for Thomas is the lance, for his martyrdom and a carpenter’s triangle since he was supposed to be a carpenter by trade.<br /><br />Thomas – known for doubting – seems to have traveled the farthest to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world!<br /><br />What about each of us – how has our experience of Jesus infused our lives? How and with whom are we sharing our God moments – or are we waiting to see before we can be all in for God? <br /><br />I think faith contains a lot of both/and moments…Thomas held back – he wasn’t quite sure what to believe – and yet when he was confronted with the risen Lord he went all in…<br /><br />Have you had a God experience that has changed your life? If not, what evidence do you need to be all in for Christ? <br /><br />I asked some of our youth this same question the other night – and one was brave enough to say what many Christians say – my faith is a private, personal thing… Thomas shows us another way – a bold way – a way that may just be more suited to our 21st century ways…<br /><br />First – you must be present to win – Thomas doubted because he missed out on Jesus first visit with the larger group of disciples… I’m sure he was trying to process what all he had seen himself the earlier week – but the others were together – when we are confronted with doubts, fears and loss – being in community with one another makes a difference – you must be present to win.<br /><br />Second – seeing IS believing – when you have a God experience – name it a claim it for what it is – God is present in the ordinary and the extra-ordinary – I firmly believe this is true – but I also know that I am often so busy that I don’t take time to tune in to God. We could all use some remedial work in this area – open our eyes Lord – I want to see Jesus…<br /><br />And Finally – tell someone about it – the Good News is just that – its good – and its news – its meant to be shared…one of the things I appreciate most about Facebook is the opportunity to see pictures posted by people. To post a picture is to say – I saw something in this – and I want to share it with others because I hope that it has meaning for you too…<br /><br />Thomas did just this traveling far and wide in places you wouldn’t expect – to share the Good News that God did indeed send the Messiah – we know him as Jesus – and in and through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension we may know God and be in relationship with God that is life affirming, loving and that compels us to love the world with open arms. To seek peace, justice and extend mercy to others – but especially the least, the lost, the widow and the orphan.<br /><br />As we prepare to be fortified by the sacrament of Holy Communion – let us also laugh at death – with great joy – as we join Thomas and others in proclaiming that Jesus is our Lord and our God! Alleluia – Christ is RISEN!<br /><br />in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /><br /><br />Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-27834859496932132912016-02-18T20:30:00.001-06:002016-02-18T20:30:52.751-06:00Who Is My Neighbor?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I worked 8 night shifts in the Clothing Distribution tent<br />at 'Better Days for Moria' </td></tr>
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Since my return from Greece life has been a bit of a whirlwind...two snow days, a new grandbaby, preaching and funerals and other 'normal' responsibilities...oh, and Lent...yeah...we have started Lent!<br />
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Truth be told I can't leave Lesvos and the plight of the refugees behind, because their story could just as easily be my story, but by the grace of God have I been spared war, drought and homelessness.<br />
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To follow is the article I wrote for our local newspaper upon my return. To see more pictures, visit our mission team Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/538361366338528/" target="_blank">Lesvos UM Mission Team.</a><br />
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Please, keep this situation in your prayers...and I challenge us all to work to restore the humanity of those who are the least and the lost, here at home as well as halfway around the world.<br />
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<span id="goog_286038349"></span><span id="goog_286038350"></span>There’s a story about a man who was beaten and robbed and left for dead along the side of the road. You may have heard about him…but then again, maybe not. He wasn’t famous or anything and people get hurt all the time. Our world is a scary place some times.</div>
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This one guy drove by, saw the fight but he was afraid of the goons who were beating the other guy up. And so he said a prayer for him and kept going. Another car drove by right after the goons left and saw the guy staggering around but he had a strict policy of not picking up hitchhikers, so he said a prayer and since he had places to go and people to see he kept on going. <br />
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But the guy wasn’t ok. Somehow he propped himself up against a tree and faded in and out of consciousness. There was a third car on the road that day. Like the others he had places to go but seeing the guy there on the side of the road he had pity on him. He pulled over and did the best he did to patch him up. He laid him down in the back seat of his car and drove him to the nearest exit, got him a hotel room, some food and paid for his nights lodging. <br />
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He told the hotel owner about the guy he brought in. He assured the hotel owner that he was fed, resting and regaining his strength, and if the guy needed another night of rest to go ahead and let him stay – he’d pay for the room. Before he left he made sure he was well stocked with bandages, food and clean dry clothes. And then he went on his way, it was late and he had miles to go before he could rest for the night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Europe<br />little ones</td></tr>
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Right now our world is experiencing the greatest humanitarian crisis in nearly 100 years with the displacement of millions of people from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other far away places in the Middle East. It’s the perfect storm of drought, war and the affects of terrorism. While the politicians tip toe around the issues (as they have to, don’t get me wrong), people are forced to choose between staying in modern day internment camps or paying smugglers thousands of dollars a piece for space on a tiny dingy and a shot of freedom. No one puts an infant or their beloved spouse in a smugglers boat unless the risk of the sea in less than the harsh realities of living in a slum in Turkey or languishing in a refugee camp.<br />
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The government of Greece, a country with their own economic troubles, was not prepared for the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees, their infrastructure is crumbling and they are overwhelmed by the needs of these people, many of whom are just passing through on their way to Germany or Austria. <br />
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The European Union is having its own trouble trying to find a way to absorb all of these people. There are concerns about their religion, the majority are Muslim and we are scared of those we know little about. The members of the EU are concerned about their numbers; these are big families, so who will pay for their care, housing and food? Will there be work for all of these people? And they are concerned that there will be radicalized terrorists in their midst, ISIS is a scary bunch and we don’t want to invite terror into our living rooms! All of these concerns are understandable and yet we are talking about people – men and women, children of all ages, just like you and me. <br />
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This is the face of the refugee crisis – something very bad is happening to millions of people and as people of faith I believe we have a responsibility to honor their humanity and to speak up about the crisis. I believe we have an opportunity to respond with kindness and compassion and show the world another way. One of these steps is by taking a risk and opening our doors here in America. An open door for 10,000 refugees is nothing compared to the huge numbers of refugees. We are better than this, what if each community pulled together and offered to take in a refugee family? I believe that we have a wonderful opportunity here to learn, to teach our children about other cultures and to enrich our communities with this sort of course of action. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Better Days for Moria' <br />a humanitarian response to the refugee crisis</td></tr>
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While I was in Greece I worked alongside dedicated Europeans, Syrians and Pakistanis as well as other Americans who are volunteering on the frontline of the refugee crisis. We didn’t have time to get to know the names or the stories of the refugees who passed through our camp, but we did have time to offer clean and dry clothes, a warm cup of tea, some food and encouragement for the next stage in the journey. Lesvos, Greece was their entry point into Europe but they still have a long and arduous journey ahead of them.<br />
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The truth is the people I met were like me and you. While we have a bit of a language barrier, we spoke the language of our shared humanity – and in them I saw my own ancestors who were refugees fleeing the religious wars of Europe, seeking a better life for their children and grandchildren. <br />
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How much longer are we going to turn a blind eye to the plight of the refugee? Or closer to home, the plight of the homeless? The Medicaid recipient who has lost her services in the past month? The veteran who is struggling with PTSD? <br />
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Jesus told the story I paraphrased above in response to the question ‘who is my neighbor,’ we call this the story of the good Samaritan because the man who stopped to help wasn’t even from around there – he was a reviled enemy – a Samaritan of all people and yet he exhibited compassion toward the least and the lost. Jesus asked the religious folk to whom he told the story: <br />
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“Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?”</div>
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Then the legal expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.”</div>
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Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3UbnAJA3Qo/VsY7caeTEHI/AAAAAAAAD7U/SQne18baM_0/s1600/img_8104_24128220604_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3UbnAJA3Qo/VsY7caeTEHI/AAAAAAAAD7U/SQne18baM_0/s320/img_8104_24128220604_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These people are waiting for dry clothes at 'Better Days'</td></tr>
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I went to Greece because my heart is breaking for the refugee crisis. I had been following the news, I have been praying for them and I felt compelled to go, to serve as best I could, and to come back and tell others about what I witnessed. <br />
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Yes, we need to pray, we need to become more aware of what is happening in our communities and in our world, we need to act with mercy and we need to speak to those who represent us at the state and federal level and demand justice for those who are forced from their homes due to war and terrorism. <br />
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There are risks associated with every act of compassion, but what this experience continues to teach me is that I have become complacent and risk adverse and this isn’t who I want to be nor is this what I want for my children and grandchildren. <br />
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My challenge for each of us in this season of Lent is to prayerfully consider and discern where your heart is breaking – for where your heart is heavy may be the place that God is calling you to go, serve and come back and tell us about so that together we may become a kinder and more compassionate society.<br />
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Who is our neighbor? My neighborhood has expanded this past month and I give thanks for the support that I have received from back home, and especially the people of Trinity United Methodist Church who gave so much so that I could re-present them on the frontlines of the refugee crisis. <br />
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If you want to learn more send me an email and let’s get together over a cup of tea and talk. <a href="mailto:pastordeborah@trinitywaverly.org">pastordeborah@trinitywaverly.org</a>.<br />
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-47102023073601037602016-01-06T16:21:00.000-06:002016-01-06T16:21:27.825-06:00Leaning boldly into the New Year<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jmbuaqanQA/Vo2SkMqsCBI/AAAAAAAAD44/cUANLBNK31w/s1600/12118833_10208262155255436_7756413378067691278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jmbuaqanQA/Vo2SkMqsCBI/AAAAAAAAD44/cUANLBNK31w/s200/12118833_10208262155255436_7756413378067691278_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Dear friends - near and far away...<br />
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First of all - welcome to a New Year! My only New Year's resolution this year was to live more boldly for the Gospel of Jesus. Who knew I'd have an opportunity to do just that so soon! <br />
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Monday morning a clergy colleague from Texas extended me an invitation to join a mission team to travel to Lesvos, Greece, to aid in refugee relief efforts. I am honored, blessed and humbled by the opportunity to serve and to witness to God's love in action on the front lines of the refugee crisis. The Trinity UMC Church Council gave me their blessing and encouragement to represent our community in these efforts Monday evening and so I began making arrangements to join with the 5 other United Methodists from North Texas to volunteer in Greece for ten days in late January. <br />
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The island of Lesvos is currently the primary landing spot for the majority of refugees fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Iraq via Turkey. There is an ongoing need for volunteers to help with all sorts of practical hands-on responsibilities on the island, including: helping people get out of the boats, distribute aid, clothes and food, unpack boxes of donations and sort goods, drive donated goods to other places on the island, clean up beaches and roads, clean up around the camp and bus areas, pick up refugees who arrive on remote beaches, prepare food for refugees, prepare food for other volunteers, take care of children. There is also a great need for basic pastoral care: listening, comforting, and sitting with distraught people.<br />
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<b>What I need</b>: I have received enough funds to pay for my plane tickets! But I am still in need of funds for ground transportation, two nights of hotels, food and other necessities. In addition our entire team will need to be bathed in prayer for our time of travel, for the work that we will be called to do, for the people we will be in contact with, and for the physical, emotional and spiritual demands that will be placed on us. <br />
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We have learned from a young woman from Texas, who spent 2 weeks in December on Lesvos, that there are some specific material goods that are desperately needed. Here is the <b>wish list</b>, if you are able to donate any of these items I have been assured that nothing will go to waste.<br />
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Lightweight Wheel Chair<br />
2-3 large (really big) suitcases that you don't want back to transport the donated items I am taking from Iowa.<br />
Men's jackets (small and medium sizes)<br />
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Travel size Vaseline<br />
Handwarmers (like Hothands)<br />
Emergency/mylar blankets<br />
New winter (thick/heavy) socks - Dickie's work boot socks are great<br />
Pain and fever relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen <br />
Men's sturdy walking shoes - European sizes 38-43 (Men'sAmerican sizes 6 to 9 1/2)<br />
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<b>Thank you in advance for your prayers and for your generous contributions! </b> I know that together we CAN make a difference. I am humbled to be given the opportunity to make this trip and I plan to bring back with me stories of hope and God's light in the midst of one of the most difficult situations in our world today.<br />
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Whether donated through my GoFundMe campaign (<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/42hhfqsc">https://www.gofundme.com/42hhfqsc</a>) or via mail, all funds and material goods need to be recieved by <b>January 16, 2016</b>. If you would like to receive tax credit for the donation please send a check to:<br />
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<b>Trinity United Methodist Church </b><br />
<b>c/o Pastor Deborah - refugees </b><br />
<b>1400 W Bremer Avenue, </b><br />
<b>Waverly, Iowa, 50677</b><br />
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Any donations received in excess of my personal expenses and filling two-three suitcase of material goods will be donated via Trinity United Methodist Church to the UMCOR refugee efforts. Thank you so very much for your generous support!<br />
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<i> ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’</i><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1U3rVtwA3Bc/Vo2RboDZLAI/AAAAAAAAD4s/gb3RBy6pNtQ/s1600/1931245_10208773354115088_1519772698759335921_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1U3rVtwA3Bc/Vo2RboDZLAI/AAAAAAAAD4s/gb3RBy6pNtQ/s200/1931245_10208773354115088_1519772698759335921_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><br />“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’</i> (Matthew 25:37b-40)<br />
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in Christ, together,<br />
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Pastor Deborah</div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-91887192197359255432015-12-06T18:27:00.001-06:002015-12-06T18:27:27.084-06:00Zecha-who? Singing the songs of Advent, Sunday December 6, 2015<br />To follow is this morning's sermon manuscript - with a big shout out to the folks at Kessler Park UMC in Dallas, Texas who remind us how to pray, respond and prepare to be light to the world...<br /><br />******<br />Our journey through advent has been a journey of songs…we’ve heard the yearning song of Hannah, the last song of King David, the triumphant song of Mary – and today we have the song of Zechariah…<br /><br />Zecha who – you may ask? Well Zechariah was a priest – just like his father was a priest – he and his wife were faithful, they were obedient, they practiced their faith not only in the temple but also at home in the community. They were model citizens who had it all – except one thing – a child. <br /><br />Our friends from UNI are going to set up the rest of the story – with a skit that is quite appropriate – a skit about what happened when Zechariah encountered an angel of all things while he was at work in the temple. <br /><br />Read more about that story <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1%3A5-25&version=CEB" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br />So Zechariah is mute for 10 months – and he and Elizabeth finally have a son – and as they are about to name him – John - Zechariah finds his voice…<br /><br /><i> John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,<br /> “Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.<br /><br />He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house, just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.<br /><br />He has brought salvation from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us. He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and remembered his holy covenant, the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.<br /><br />He has granted that we would be rescued from the power of our enemies so that we could serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes, for as long as we live.<br /><br />You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. You will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.<br /></i><div>
<i>Because of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us, to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of peace.” </i>(Luke 1:67-79)</div>
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Like Mary, David and Hannah - Zechariah’s prayer is full of hope, anticipation and gratitude to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. His faith, their faith, is part and parcel with who they are…it goes deep into the marrow of their bones and it is lived out in what they do – as parents, as leaders, as prophets, as proclaimers of God’s hopes and dreams for the world. <br /><br />Unlike the others, Zechariah takes it a step further – He offers a prophesy – a look forward…in his prophesy he is claiming on behalf of his 8 day old son – the promise and the hope of the people of Israel…the messiah is near – and his son, John, is going to be a part of his rise to power…but not through military might – but through the forgiveness of sins!<br /><br /><i>You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,<br />you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.<br /><br />You will tell his people how to be saved<br />through the forgiveness of their sins. </i>(Luke 1: 76-77)<br /><br />A challenging prophesy – a life to grow in to – like many parents as they look into the eyes of their first born – they project the hopes and dreams of tomorrow on their precious children…<br /><br />I’m guilty of it – and you are too…<br /><br />So what moves John from being Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son to being the forerunner of the messiah?<br /><br />I believe it’s the same thing as what moves us from being people of prayer to people of action.<br /><br />This past week people of prayer have been under fire…and frankly, the headlines make me sad – and concerned. We are, in my opinion, at a tipping point as a country – and as people who claim the name Christian. We are teetering at the brink of being irrelevant if we don’t put our words, our prayers, our faith into action<br /><br />As Wesleyan’s – as United Methodists - we know what it means to hold piety (prayer) and action in tension – or atleast we should…we can talk the talk – but are we able to walk the walk?<br /><br />Each of us, by virtue of our baptism, have been commissioned – ordained even – to <br /><br />renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,<br />reject the evil powers of this world,<br />and repent of your sin….<br /><br />To accept the freedom and power God gives you<br />to resist evil, injustice, and oppression<br />in whatever forms they present themselves….<br /><br />As together we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior,<br />put our whole trust in his grace,<br />and promise to serve him as our Lord,<br />in union with the Church which Christ has opened<br />to people of all ages, nations, and races. </div>
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(United Methodist Book of Worship - Baptism liturgy)</div>
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By the power of the Holy Spirit – poured out on each and every one of us – we have been commissioned to be light bearers – to take God’s love, mercy and grace into dark places…to speak up for the least and the lost…to care for those who are in need…and to extend this to all people of all ages, nations and races.</div>
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How are we doing?<br /><br />I am not here today to tell you want to stand up for – but I am here today to encourage you to take a stand for whatever God has placed on your heart…whether its literacy, homelessness, mental health, the environment, feeding folk, what ever it may be – take a stand friends – do something – let your life sing<br /><br />Because without action – without 30 some years of Zechariah and Elizabeth and extend family leading John toward the prophesy – then Zechariah’s words would have been an empty dream…<br /><br />But instead – through faithful living and teaching and a willing student – John grew strong in his faith – he became bold in his speech – he was ready when the time was right to prepare the way for the Lord…his cousin…his childhood friend, Jesus.<br /><br />What are we doing this season of advent to prepare the way for the return of the King – in the midst of the distractions of this Christmas season?<br /><br />I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to the folks at Kessler Park United Methodist Church. Their church supports refugees in the Dallas Fort Worth area – their pastor, Wes Magruder, received word of a refugee family who was finishing up their immigration vetting process – they had been examined and revi<span style="text-align: center;">ewed by all sorts of agencies – for the past two years...</span>and they were all ready to come to America – then, the bombing in Paris happened and the Texas Governor said – no way – no Syrian refugees – period…not even the ones who had been screened, approved, vetted and who now had their tickets bought and were ready to move to their new home.<br /><br />That didn’t stop the folks at Kessler Park UMC – in anticipation of this family – a mom, dad and their child - they began to get everything ready – they found a one bedroom apartment, held a furniture drive for the family – scrubbed everything from top to bottom and went grocery shopping for them – they responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and they were ready – ready to say yes – even when the rest of the world was afraid… hopefully later this week they should be stepping into the welcoming arms of a community that has been praying and preparing for them.<br /></div>
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Into the darkness of the world, into our hopes and dreams comes Jesus – the light of the world – and the light is more than able to chase away darkness…the gospel of John says it better than I can…<br /><br /><i>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.<br /><br />There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. </i>(John 1:1-8)<br /><br />The true light is in this place…the true light is out in the world – the true light is Jesus Christ who invites us – you and me – ordinary folk from NorthEast Iowa…<br /><br />Be the light<br /><br />Be hope<br /><br />Be the difference<br /><br />Pray<br /><br />Listen for the Holy Spirit<br /><br />Get inspired<br /><br />Do something with this life – this light – that you have been given!<br /><br />In the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit…Amen.</div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-17216112968739834762015-12-04T13:16:00.000-06:002015-12-04T13:18:33.474-06:00Advent reflections from Waverly, Iowa<br />
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To follow is my latest column from our local Waverly newspaper. My one shot to share something this Advent season...enjoy! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of our treasures - <br />rearranged by grandson Z</td></tr>
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Many of us have our Christmas trees up, favorite mementos of Christmas’ past are scattered around our home. We might even have Christmas music and the scent of cookies wafting from the kitchen. <br />
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All of this to build up to the celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth! This is indeed a most wonderful time of the year. But bright lights and yummy cookies can’t mask the realities that some of our neighbors are facing.<br />
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News from Paris, Chicago or right here in Iowa reminds us that life is fragile and difficult for many people. Some of us may have someone special missing from the table this year, while others of us are struggling to figure out how to make ends meet let alone give our loved ones a special Christmas.<br />
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And don’t get me started about the Iowans who are reeling with the decisions they will have to make due to changes in funding for care of their vulnerable family members! So much is yet unknown - I am horrified by the way we are treating the least of these in our state.<br />
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In the midst of it all we are reminded that a baby was born. To a young family far from home, to a young woman named Mary who said yes to God’s call and claim on her life. <br />
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Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible puts it like this:<br />
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<i>The Word became flesh and blood,</i></div>
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<i>and moved into the neighborhood.</i></div>
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<i>We saw the glory with our own eyes,</i></div>
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<i>the one-of-a-kind glory,</i></div>
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<i>like Father, like Son,</i></div>
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<i>Generous inside and out,</i></div>
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<i>true from start to finish.</i></div>
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<i>(John 1:14 The Message)</i></div>
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Into the messiness of Bethlehem and into the messiness of Iowa and into the messiness of our own lives, Jesus comes…flesh and blood he has moved into the neighborhood. Not as a hateful or mean deity, but truly and completely the generous loving one-of-us, one-with-us, Son of God<br />
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Because of this Good News, we can face the unknowns with confidence, knowing that God is one of us, God is among us, God is within us…God is…and we, like Mary, can answer God’s call and claim on our lives to live as people of compassion for the least and the lost, the vulnerable and the struggling.<br />
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It’s not about presents under the tree it truly is about the journey – one day at a time, one conversation at a time with those who live in our neighborhood, who shop at our community groceries and who attend our schools, churches and various community events.<br />
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As we lean toward Christmas, during this season we in the church call Advent, let’s meet one another right where we are and build a new network of friends for this messy and glorious journey called life. While at times risky, I promise that you will be blessed by reaching out to folks in new ways and in new places.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theology Pub - Monday nights @ The Fainting Goat!</td></tr>
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Do go to church this Advent season – hang around for coffee and fellowship afterwards most Christians are good people just trying to figure it out. If that doesn’t work out come join us Monday nights at 6:30 at The Fainting Goat for Theology Pub – a safe place for conversation, community and fellowship.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkj2Q_RhbiU/VmHmSE5GRXI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/CQoRXQEukx4/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkj2Q_RhbiU/VmHmSE5GRXI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/CQoRXQEukx4/s400/IMG_6649.jpg" width="0" /></a>I really hope that you and I will have an opportunity to strike up a conversation some time so that we can start building a bridge of friendship that transcends the material demands of Christmas and begins to build a more compassionate and caring world, the kind of world that grown up Jesus modeled and taught about long ago.<br />
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May you and yours be blessed in this season of Advent – this season of holy waiting and anticipation! <br />
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<i>He rules the world with truth and grace,</i></div>
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<i>And makes the nations prove</i></div>
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<i>The glories of his righteousness,</i></div>
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<i>And wonders of his love,</i></div>
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<i>And wonders of his love,</i></div>
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<i>And wonders, wonders, of his love.</i></div>
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(Joy to the World, Isaac Watts, 1719)</div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-62442901770396492132015-11-13T09:37:00.001-06:002015-11-13T09:37:38.134-06:00Elinor Jo Davis ~ November 10, 2015<span style="font-family: helveticaneue;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I wrote this note to share with my daughter and son in law - Hannah and Nelson Davis, after the birth and loss of their daughter earlier this week. With their permission I share it now, along with my deepest sympathy and prayers for all who have lost children of their own.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helveticaneue; font-size: 12px;">Dear Ellie Jo,</span><br />
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Today was your birthday. This morning your earthly mommy and daddy woke up to hope and dreams for the life they would live with you. They love you so very much. Mommy has been dreaming and planning for you for a very long time. She is such a wonderful woman and I know you would have been loved and nurtured in a happy and loving home. </div>
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But for some reason you made your arrival too soon. And as much as we wanted you to wait till March it just didn't happen. It is a mystery that we struggle to understand. </div>
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Your daddy told me about how perfect you are. How beautiful you are and how brave your mommy is right now. He is trying very hard to be brave too. We are all trying to be brave and hopeful. But we are all sad because we just didn't have enough time to share all of the love we have for you with you. </div>
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Today we weep. And tomorrow too. Some day we will be able to hold your little sister or brother in our arms. And when we do we will be sure to tell them about our sweet Ellie Jo who came too soon and who now is in heaven with your great grandma Ellie (your name sake ) and Alan and Angie and your Great Grandma and Grandpa Wise and all those we love who now rest in peace with our Heavenly Father - who lives with you - in a place where there are no more tears. Where death doesn't have the final word and where one day we will join you.</div>
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I love you Elinor Jo Davis. </div>
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Grammie Deborah </div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-88566903084900702682015-10-05T11:21:00.001-05:002015-10-05T11:21:08.314-05:00For the Beauty of the Earth(It was my turn to write a column for the Waverly Newspaper - so here you are, my latest offering.)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0Y0rAVFgI/VhKjPoQpBEI/AAAAAAAADxc/1n2ziJ-AiJM/s1600/11755635_10207677227792615_4068985275915517730_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0Y0rAVFgI/VhKjPoQpBEI/AAAAAAAADxc/1n2ziJ-AiJM/s320/11755635_10207677227792615_4068985275915517730_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Something happened overnight – as the rains moved through – it’s as if nature flipped a switch and Autumn arrived. The pumpkin EVERYTHING sales have foreshadowed Autumn’s arrival…along with our area farmers who have begun to bring in the harvest. It’s an every day occurrence now to have to slow down for lumbering grain wagons being pulled by a tractor up Bremer Avenue.<br />
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With the arrival of Autumn Friday night football games are even sweeter, and many of us will trek off to an apple orchard to pick up a bushel or a peck of nice crisp apples. (Have I already mentioned pumpkin everything??)<br />
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To me Autumn is a reminder that when God was finished creating the heavens and earth and everything upon it; “<i>God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.</i>” (Genesis 1:31a)<br />
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This morning as I enjoyed the crisp, clean sparkling blue Iowa sky the words of this lovely hymn by Folliot S. Pierpoint came to mind:<br />
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<i style="text-align: center;">For the beauty of the earth, </i><br />
<i>for the glory of the skies, </i><br />
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<i>for the love which from our birth <br />over and around us lies; <br />Lord of all, to thee we raise <span id="goog_1461765947"></span><span id="goog_1461765948"></span><br />this our hymn of grateful praise. </i><br />
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We seem to be pretty good at oohing and aaahhing over the beauty of our Iowa landscape, but we seem to forget that with goodness comes great responsibility. We, as co-inhabitants of this beautiful world, are invited to be caretakers of the world and everything in it: waterways, the quality of the air, access to food and water and shelter for all people are all part and parcel with being caretakers of the God’s good creation.<br />
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I think it is time for the Church to join in the call for the care of creation and I have been so inspired by Pope Francis, who just this summer called all people to “ ‘change direction’ by taking on the beauty and responsibility of the task of ‘caring for our common home’.”<br />
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So what does it mean to think of the earth as our common home? We will each have to wrestle with this one, but I think we could start the conversation by thinking about how we would treat a guest to our homes. Do we offer our guests a place at the table? A glass of cool water to drink? Perhaps a bed to rest on? Should we not do likewise with those who share our Common Home?<br />
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Last week I was a guest at the Catholic Worker House: Nashville Greenlands. During my stay I was welcomed into the simple rhythm of the community. We prepared and shared meals based on the food that was growing in the back yard, we enjoyed the quiet of the night on the front porch, we walked as much as possible, and spent time in conversation with our neighbors. Simple things that many of us would do more of often - if only we had more time in the day. And maybe that’s the point. In the busy-ness of our lives we have forgotten to stop and be present in the beauty of God’s good creation.<br />
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<i>For the beauty of each hour <br />of the day and of the night, <br />hill and vale, and tree and flower, <br />sun and moon, and stars of light; <br />Lord of all, to thee we raise <br />this our hymn of grateful praise. </i><br />
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Each hour and each day we have a choice. Just as many of us chose to step outside the other evening to watch the eclipse, we can (and should) choose to be more mindful of the gentle rhythm of God’s good creation and our common home. I honestly believe that our lives, and the future of our children depend on it. <br />
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<i>On the sixth day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.</i> (Genesis 2:2-3)<br />
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May you and yours be blessed as you enjoy this beautiful Autumn, please don’t forget to pause to take it all in.<br />
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-11760848374399810582015-07-25T18:46:00.000-05:002015-07-25T18:46:10.684-05:00Looking for God in all the right places(To follow is my column for the Waverly, Iowa newspaper. It was published on Thursday, July 23, 2015. I'm sharing it as I continue to process my experience of riding a bus from Livingston, Montana to Salt Lake City to pick up my son's car that had broken down in Utah last month.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Salt Lake City, Utah</b>. I am writing this at 6:00 am Mountain Time, from the lobby of the bus depot. It's not the article I had planned to submit this morning, but it's the one that's on my heart - so please bear with me. </div>
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I've spent the better part of the past 12 hours riding on a Greyhound bus with 10 strangers. While it is doubtful that we will ever meet again, my time spent with them has impacted me in ways that I'm still sorting out. <br /> <br /> More than one is traveling with all of their worldly possessions in backpacks and suitcases. One young man is on his way to Las Vegas, his leg in a cast. He's hoping to get a fresh start but isn't quite sure where he will live once he gets there as the shelter he arranged to stay at won't take folks with injuries 'for liability purposes.' He lamented that they are a Christian place so he doesn't understand why they won't take him. I told him I'd pray for him, so now every time he sees me he asks how I'm doing and calls me sweetheart. I am old enough to be his mother. <br /> <br /> Another young man just gave someone who was asking for help fifty bucks. When I asked him about it he said he had been stranded before and if he has extra he is glad to be able to help. "The guy seemed genuine, you can just tell." <br /> <br /> There's a woman with dreadlocks sleeping across her luggage. She looks exhausted. When we had an hour layover last night she offered me her blanket to stay warm. <br /> <br /> It's strange to feel connected to folks when we don't even know one another's name, but I do feel a connection, not just because we have shared an adventure. It's because I see Christ in their faces, in the ways they treat others. People who might not fit in back home in Waverly made space for me without the formalities of knowing what I do for a living or where I'm from. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<br /> It may seem odd but I feel very safe right now, even though I am way out of my element. I am at peace and that is more than enough. We are living in the moment, waiting expectantly for what's next in our journeys. <br /> <br /> To be honest I am fighting back my mothering instincts. I'd like nothing more than to invite everyone over, cook a big meal and provide a shower and a bed so that they can get a good night’s rest. I wonder if this is what Jesus asked of Mary and Martha - open their home and extend hospitality at a moment’s notice to whomever was traveling with Jesus. <br /> <br /> As I think about that I imagine it had to be exciting for them to be a part of the movement that was changing the hearts and lives of Israel. And so, when Jesus scolded Martha to come and sit down and just be, it seemed so out of place; there was a meal to prepare and beds to be made, and yet Jesus said softly, stop doing Martha, and just be. <br /> <br /> This is what I have been invited to do this night. I can't fix anything. I can't change circumstances. I need to just be. Watch. Trust that God is present and doing the heavy lifting. <br /> <br /> And so I pause and give thanks for God’s mercy and grace. I pray that those who are on this journey find safe places to land and that their lives are a blessing to the world. And I wonder how I (and the community of Waverly, too, for that matter) can be a part of the movement that changes hearts and minds in Jesus' name in new ways.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> </div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-44515559916522970462015-06-22T12:30:00.000-05:002015-06-22T12:35:05.915-05:00Do you not care? A meditation on Mark 4:35-41To follow is the manuscript of my sermon on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Not only was it Father's Day, but it was also the day after our community welcomed 10,000+ guests for the Gentlemen of the Road music festival. But more important, it was the first Sunday following the Charleston massacre at Emmanuel AME church. <br />
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(Please note this is my preaching manuscript, which was written for the ear, so punctuation is not perfect)<br />
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Mark 4:35-41 Jesus stops a storm<br />
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<i>35 Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.</i><br />
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<i><br />37 Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”<br /><br />39 He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. 40 Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”<br /><br />41 Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”</i><br />
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I would love to take a pass this morning – we’ve had a long weekend…we’ve welcomed 10,000 or so guests to our community – we’ve dealt with re-routed traffic – and as a church we offered hospitality to literally hundreds of people over the past 3 days. We have been blessed to be a blessing…we truly live in a wonderful community. We have seen the very best of humanity – and that is something to cherish and celebrate.<br />
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A nice, simple message about Jesus taking care of us no matter what the storms of life may be would make sense – would be lovely – and would fit in well with what many of us have experienced in our lives. We’ve all known days of joy – as well as days of trials and tribulation<br />
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Or I could preach about Father’s Day….maybe I should do that...<br />
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But truth of the matter is that I am sick – and I am tired – and the Holy Spirit will not give me a pass, not this Sunday.<br />
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This Sunday I have to hold the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other – in tension with one another - because when you get right down to it – there is nothing simple about Jesus or his message of radical love, peace and justice. Making nice isn’t going to cut it <br />
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My heart is broken about events in two cities - both very near and dear to me…<br />
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I have never been to Columbine, Sandy Hook or Fort Hood Texas – but Charleston – I worked in North Charleston for a season of my life – I know and love this community… the news of the tragedy there this week…makes me deeply sad.<br />
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In Charleston, South Carolina – a young man was welcomed into a Wednesday evening Bible study at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church – a historic Black church that was forced to split from the Methodist Episcopal Church –because of the racist behavior of our spiritual forefathers and mothers nearly 200 years ago - back in 1816. <br />
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Wednesday evening, after an hour of fellowship and conversation – after an hour of prayer and opening up the scriptures together – this young man – in cold blood – killed:<br />
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Cynthia Hurd, 54, branch manager for the Charleston County Library System<br />
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Susie Jackson, 87, longtime church member<br />
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Ethel Lance, 70, employee of Emanuel AME Church for 30 years<br />
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Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49, admissions counselor of Southern Wesleyan University<br />
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The Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41, state senator, Reverend of Emanuel AME Church<br />
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Tywanza Sanders, 26, earned business administration degree from Allen University<br />
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Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74, retired pastor (died at MUSC)<br />
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Rev. Sharonda Singleton, 45, track coach at Goose Creek High School<br />
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Myra Thompson, 59, church member<br />
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I think its important to hear their names and to grieve their deaths… and I think its important to say – enough is enough – this was plain and simple a hate crime – and we have no place for hate any more<br />
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Enough is enough – we have to say it together, friends – <br />
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Enough is enough – not only are we fellow citizens of a wonderful country – but we are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom of God – a kingdom centered on the goodness of God’s creation – a kingdom that says that we – you and I – are created in the image of God, we are bound together by a sisterhood and brotherhood based not on the color of ones skin, but on the compassion in ones heart – a kingdom that was built on these powerful words from Jesus’ first sermon – reading from the Gospel of Luke chapter 4 – beginning with verse 16:<br />
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Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. 17 The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:<br />
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<i>The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.<br /><br />He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners <br /><br /> and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.<br /><br />He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”</i><br />
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This is the basic message of Jesus’ ministry – <br />
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offer good news to the poor, proclaim release to the prisoners, <br />
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recovery of sight to the blind and liberate the oppressed! <br />
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And it was lived out in his life, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven – and in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – and we – as sisters and brothers in Christ, bound together by virtue of our baptism are called to continue his work – because the Spirit of the Lord IS upon us – and we, you and I as Christ followers, have been anointed to…<br />
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preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners <br />
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and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed!<br />
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We know these things…we really do…and Charleston is so far away, whatever could we have done to stop such senseless violence?<br />
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And yet, my heart is broken – not only by the events in Charleston – but also – because of events closer to home.<br />
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I have heard about the contentious Waverly City Council meeting last Monday night. Words slung like weapons - singling out – these people – or those people – hateful words such as those have no place in our gatherings, let alone in our City Hall. <br />
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As people of faith we have to say enough is enough! <br />
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As people of faith we have Jesus as our guide – all people – are God’s beloved – all people are valuable and have something to contribute – and all people come under the protection and love that we, as United Methodists, call – Prevenient Grace – the love and care of God before we are even aware of God’s love, mercy and grace – offered without cost – freely, freely it is given….<br />
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What are we doing friends? How could we have gone so astray????!!!<br />
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I think a lot of the issues we stem from the same issue the disciples were facing in that boat that night…fear….<br />
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Tired from a full day of traveling around Galilee with Jesus – they set out on a boat to cross the lake – Jesus, fully confident in the skills of the disciples – half of them were fishermen after all – immediately curled up in the back and went to sleep – <br />
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But as storms are wont to do – the winds kicked up – and the waves started breaking over the side of the boat – and the situation got away from them…and they were afraid…not just afraid – they were terrified – surely they were about to die!<br />
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I don’t blame them – we are wired, as mammals – to respond to frightening situations with a fight or flight instinct – <br />
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but as people of faith – we are shown a third way….a way of peace, justice, mercy, compassion, love for one another –available not just for those who look like us, not just for those who talk like us, not just for those who make the same income or have the same vacation itinerary as us…for all God’s children. All means all!<br />
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And the disciples knew this…and yet, they still cried out – <br />
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Jesus, Master – do you not care that we are perishing? We will surely die!<br />
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We could ask the same thing of the churches here in Waverly, across our state – or from sea to shining sea – do we not care that children are dying? Do we not care that we lack adequate mental health care for our citizens? Do we not care that church folk, at prayer, are massacred? Do we not care that hateful words are being spoken in our City Hall? <br />
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God cares – and as people of God, we must care too. <br />
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Reverend Emily Scott, pastor of St Lydia’s church in Brooklyn, writes about this passage from the Gospel of Mark and about how important it is for each of us to stand up and speak out for justice, civil as well as moral justice…she writes…<br />
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<i>In Biblical literature, the sea is where the great chaos monster resides, and going out upon the sea is to be subjected to that fear, that chaos — the closeness of everything we cannot control. <br /><br />For some Black Americans, life is lived out in the midst of that storm. Lived out in the knowledge that your life, the life of a friend, the life of a family member, could be taken in one interaction with a cop gone wrong. <br /><br />And this week, as we have seen, in the refuge of the sanctuary, in the midst of prayer, by a young white man who has made hatred and white supremacy the center of his belief system.<br /><br />People of color live life in the midst of a storm that they cannot simply step away from our out of. As white people, we have the privilege of seeing the storm from the outside, stepping away when we choose.<br /><br />But Jesus is in the midst of the storm. He’s standing next to those who have been weathering it for a long time. And our job, plain and simple, is to follow Jesus.</i><br />
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It’s time, church, that we follow Jesus…<br />
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It would have been a whole lot easier to talk about Father’s Day – or about how Jesus is always with us in the midst of life’s storms…a whole lot easier indeed.<br />
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In the name of God the Father, The Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.<br />
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-29991335004988435202015-05-10T09:55:00.000-05:002015-05-10T09:55:09.484-05:00Mother's Day reflections...the Rest of the StoryThis week's article for the Waverly Newspaper reflects on the <i>Rest of the Story</i> about Mother's day:<div>
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I had almost forgotten that this Sunday is Mother’s Day. Truth be told, it is a bittersweet time for me<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj-EoWDzqwM/VU9wc2K8vOI/AAAAAAAADq0/3amI8u6hGx0/s1600/11202561_10206852148606151_8249253799260495376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj-EoWDzqwM/VU9wc2K8vOI/AAAAAAAADq0/3amI8u6hGx0/s200/11202561_10206852148606151_8249253799260495376_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom, Elinor-Ann, and me</td></tr>
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– my mom died in 1987 and while I have a wonderful stepmother, I still miss my mom. Because we were both so young I never got to ask her about parenting let alone about what it was like when she was expecting her first child. And so I approached my own job as a mother with a great deal of fear and trembling and prayer. <br /><br />Too often we associate Mother’s Day with bouquets of flowers and boxed chocolates, but it can be a really challenging time too. Some women, by circumstance or by choice, never have the opportunity to be a mother, others have had to scrap and fight to provide for their children and others have lost children to illness or accidents. Each life has a story and each story is part of the fabric of our community. <br /><br />Which is why it is interesting to look back in history and explore the origins of Mother’s Day. The first call for a Mother’s Day dates back to 1870 when Julia Ward Howe, author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, wrote a ‘Call to Action for Women from all Nations’ to gather together to advocate for peace. Her Mother’s Day proclamation speaks to the pain and brokenness that she saw in the aftermath of the Civil War:<br /><br /><i>Arise then ... women of this day!<br />Arise, all women who have hearts!<br />Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!<br />Say firmly:"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies, Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,<br />For caresses and applause.<br />Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn<br />All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience…</i><br /><br />It wasn’t until 40 years later that Mother’s Day was recognized as a holiday on a national level, by president Woodrow Wilson, thanks to the work of Anna Jarvis, who also called for women to advocate for peace as World War I raged in Europe.<br /><br />As a daughter, a mother of four, and a citizen of our wonderful country, I too pray for peace. I pray for peace as I watch a city in our own country torn apart by violence, I pray for peace when I read about the struggles of our veterans, men and women who responded to their nations call to serve and protect, I pray for the mothers (and fathers) around the world who teach their sons and daughters about charity, mercy and patience.<br /><br />This Sunday, as we gather in our homes, in our places at play and in our houses of worship to celebrate our Mothers, let us join our hearts and minds and voices together to pray for peace, for justice, for hope for the households of our community. <br /><br />Let us pray for families that work hard to be caring and supportive of one another and let us seek ways to help other families gain strength. <br /><br />Let us pray for families suffering because of abuse, who feel separated from God, who experience constant hardship, or are without homes. <br /><br />Let us also pray for families that are judged wrongly, for those caught in a system of mistrust and greed, and for families for whom the world is a cold and uncaring place. <br /><br />Let us give thanks for families who read the scriptures, pray together, worship in the home and seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. <br /><br />Let us ask God to help us remember that justice was not meant for only a few but was intended for all. Open our eyes for the ways we as a community of faith can be a witness to all in our homes, in our communities, and in our world. (adapted from the Prayer for the Christian Home)<br /><br />This is my Mother’s Day prayer. </div>
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*****</div>
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Today I give thanks for my step-mom, Bonnie and for my children - who teach me each and every day about what it means to be a mom. Bless you all this Mother's Day and every day! May we infuse all that we do with the love that comes from God our mother and father...</div>
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Deborah</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbiBmYouSCM/VU9wc1mEUSI/AAAAAAAADq4/s2ROhs1pCIo/s1600/10410632_10204218542727650_1805617187723829790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbiBmYouSCM/VU9wc1mEUSI/AAAAAAAADq4/s2ROhs1pCIo/s200/10410632_10204218542727650_1805617187723829790_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my step-mom Bonnie and my dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kaD-HFyzPI/VU9wdOnajgI/AAAAAAAADrA/pwYy1dKKiRw/s1600/11150885_10206852142005986_7804149214955124031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kaD-HFyzPI/VU9wdOnajgI/AAAAAAAADrA/pwYy1dKKiRw/s200/11150885_10206852142005986_7804149214955124031_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So blessed to be my children's mom</td></tr>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-71761148452214905952015-03-25T08:58:00.000-05:002015-03-25T08:58:34.856-05:00Crazy little thing called GraceA sermon based on pie AND grace? Why not?! The season of Lent continues with a message that I shared with Trinity United Methodist Church on March 15, 2015. (please forgive the punctuation - I write for the ear)<br />
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Ephesians 2:8-10 <br />
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<i>8 You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. 9 It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. 10 Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives. </i><br />
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Luke 15:1-7 <br />
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<i> All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. 2 The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” <br /><br />3 Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. </i><br />
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It was just about this time of year – 11 years ago – when I was in my first year as a pastor when we had this hair brained idea to take a group of kids from our church on a mission trip. A seminary classmate up in Wisconsin had formed a team to do Hurricane relief work on the outer banks of North Carolina and they had some openings – all we’d have to do is come up with $300 a piece and we’d be able to tag along. <br />
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Before long we had our team…only problem was, I had never been on a mission trip before myself. Sure I had done lots of service projects – but never a full blown get on a bus – traipse across the country with a group of young people and adults mission trip… <br />
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And then, there was the money – the community was rural, agricultural and, quite honestly – folks were barely scraping by. There was no way the families could afford $300 to send their kids on a mission trip! We’d have to get organized and do some fundraising – and quick! <br />
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Our first step was to pray – and then, we took stock of our resources – thankfully we had a secret weapon – Lola…and we had 13 young people eager to work hard. Yards were raked, garages were cleaned out…and then..don’t forget Lola… <br />
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Lola was the most sought after baker in the area – she made pies…pies so good that at the home basketball games, when there would be a cake auction – the first thing to go was Lola’s pie – before ANY of the cakes! <br />
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Lola was a member of Apple River United Methodist Church – and she volunteered to help us make pies to sell – all we had to do was take the orders…so, the tradition of baking pies for fundraisers was born – that first Easter we baked well over 100 pies…at $10 each, with donated ingredients, that’s a great fundraiser! <br />
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Before we knew it we had met our goal and we were on our way to Cedar Island, North Carolina. <br />
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We traveled with a group from two other churches – and while the kids were working in the neighborhood, helping the residents of the fishing village recover for the storm the year before, I was watching and learning from Josh and Stan as they lead the group. <br />
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Each day we’d have a hearty breakfast, pack our lunches, go out in the community and work in groups. We’d have a devotion during lunch break, go back to work and then return to the church in the afternoon for some R&R before supper and worship together. <br />
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Much of how we did mission trips the next three years in Apple River and then two years in Spirit Lake are modeled after what I learned from Josh and Stan. They were both musicians – so we had a band a long – the work was meaningful, the worship was great and I soaked up lots of good ideas – along with an idea of some things to avoid – all in all – it was such a blessing and a launching pad for some terrific experiences for youth as well as adults over the next 6 years. <br />
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I wish I had some pictures, but truth is – these adventures were before Facebook – and digital cameras. <br />
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But let’s go back to pie…yes pie.<br />
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What I didn’t realize is that the greatest gift – the biggest take away wasn’t the work we did on the mission trips….it was the pie – the experience of working together to bake pies, Lola patiently teaching us how to make them – so they would be perfect – and delicious and worthy of being called Lola’s pies… <br />
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the excitement of the pie baking days was great energy for our church – and those who bought them were actually really appreciative – they loved not only the pies – they liked being a part of our fundraiser! By the way, the tradition continues – and this year they made nearly 300 pies the week before Thanksgiving! <br />
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And….i learned HOW to make pies…something I had failed at miserably for my 42 years prior to my appointment to Apple River United Methodist Church. Don’t get me wrong – I love pie… <br />
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But, my mom - well she couldn't make a pie crust that was worth eating. Harsh words, for sure - but true none the less. And MY poor pie baking skills? Well, I based that on a genetic defect, thanks Mom.<br />
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Under Lola’s tutelage, I learned how to make a darn good pie crust. <br />
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And I have shared the recipe with others…the recipe has been emailed, copied, posted on Facebook – and even projected on the screen during worship! <br />
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It’s not a secret – but a gift – to share… <br />
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Sorta like grace. <br />
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Our lesson this morning from Ephesians is all about Grace… <br />
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<i>You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. 9 It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. 10 Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives. </i><br />
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Adam Hamilton in his book, <i>Revival: Living Faith as Wesley Lived it</i>, expands on this with what I believe is the best definition of Grace that I have heard or read…and this is saying something, because I have asked people for years for a definition of grace that speaks to the simplicity and yet the awesome wonder of this word… <br />
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Hamilton writes: <br />
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<i>Grace, as Paul uses it, is an act of kindness, an expression of selfless love that is completely undeserved and is given without any expectation of repayment. <br /><br />We are never more like God than when we are giving selflessly to others. Because God created us to live in this way, we seldom feel more alive and joyful than when we are serving, blessing, and helping someone else. <br /><br />That is grace. </i><br />
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How amazing is Grace! In Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we have been given the greatest gift – Satan does not have the last word – death does not have the last word – sin does not have the last word – they were defeated by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross – and It is a gift of God’s love and forgiveness – poured out lavishly for you – and for me. <br />
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Last week we left Wesley at Aldersgate, where his heart was strangely warmed by the realization that God loved even him. God’s forgiveness was a gift for him too – how he missed it, we will never know – but he finally had the assurance that he needed to be able to live more fully as God’s beloved son. Charles Wesley captured this sense of gratitude in the hymn And Can It Be that I Should Gain – we will sing it as our closing hymn this morning… <br />
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What happened next is faith in action – or grace – grace upon grace even… <br />
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John and his brother Charles were compelled to share their story of how God was working in their lives with everyone they met – their passionate embrace of God’s grace took them out of the comfort of the University – a pretty safe place to be – and out to the world. <br />
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The message they shared is the message that Paul was getting at – First – that grace is a quality of God’s character whereby God loves, blesses, and forgives humanity despite our sin. <br />
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In other words, God loves us and doesn’t give up on us…God’s forgiveness is extended to each and every one of us…thanks be to God! <br />
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And second – Grace is God, actively working by the power of the Holy Spirit, to draw us closer to God and to restore us to what God created us to be. <br />
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You are beloved – you are beautiful – you are precious in God’s sight…we each have unique characteristics – and yet we are bound together by virtue of our baptism into the family of God – a great big beautiful, messy and altogether wonderful family… <br />
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Are you owning the gift? Do you appreciate the radical nature of what God is telling us? <br />
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That’s the difference, I believe, between an Old Testament understanding of God – and a New Testament understanding of God… At just the right moment in history, God came to earth – to set the record straight…God revealed himself through the life of Jesus. <br />
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Jesus in his life here on earth sought out the least and the lost – because they seemed to get it…we would know them as the sinners and tax collectors – and the Pharisees were pretty unhappy with Jesus – they wanted him to conform to their rules and image of what the messiah was supposed to be all about – but Jesus would have none of it… <br />
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The more ‘unsavory folk’ were used to the harsh realities of life – and so Jesus’ stories resonated with them – <br />
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he taught them with stories about lost sheep and the prodigal son and missing coins…to help them see that each person – every one of us- is beloved…unique…and necessary for the health of the whole body! <br />
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With these examples and definitions of Grace in mind, let’s take a few minutes – share with someone nearby and experience you had this past week that was an act of kindness, an expression of selfless love that is completely undeserved and is given without any expectation of repayment. (pause for conversation)<br />
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With these images in mind – can you see how what we need more of is the hope that comes from following Christ – and less on the things of this world? <br />
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One more story – and then a challenge… <br />
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Wesley amp’d it up at his society meetings – he and his friends got busy visiting those in prison and sharing what they had with widows and orphans – but everything changed when his buddy, George Whitefield – sent an invitation for John to join him in Bristol – to preach and teach the workers there… <br />
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At first John refused the invitation – he was an ordained Anglican priest – he didn’t have a pulpit in Bristol…what Whitefield was proposing was preaching out in fields for heavens sake! but when a poster came in the mail – advertising that the Rev. John Wesley would be preaching – well, what else could he do…? <br />
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And the rest, is history <br />
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Wesley shared his story – how he experienced the transformative grace of God. How his heart was 'strangely warmed' and in the midst of this, lives were transformed by his powerful witness.</div>
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We each have a story of God's grace. We each know someone who could perhaps benefit from hearing our stories. How will you share your story this week? Who will you share it with? How will you go about sharing yourself selflessly so as to honor God? <br />
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We can only do so by the power of the Holy Spirit – and so this will be my prayer for each and every one of us… that we tune in to God this week - and seek out ways to share God's love with others in new ways!<br />
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In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. <br />
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-24367671366656020952015-03-25T08:55:00.002-05:002015-03-25T08:55:24.763-05:00a healing place...for ALL God's childrenPosting some of my sermons from this season of life - as we consider God's call and claim on the Church (note big C Church - the church across the connections) to walk alongside others...to be places of healing, hope and reconciliation...(note that I write for the ear, and thus the extra dots and dashes to slow me down...)<br />
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Mark 1:21-39<br />
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<i>Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. The people were amazed by his teaching, </i></div>
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<i>for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. </i></div>
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<i>Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. </i></div>
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<i>You are the holy one from God.”</i></div>
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<i>“Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” </i></div>
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<i>The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out. </i></div>
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<i>Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” </i></div>
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<i>Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.</i></div>
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<i>After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.</i></div>
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<i>That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. The whole town gathered near the door. He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him.</i></div>
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<i>Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. Simon and those with him tracked him down. When they found him, they told him, “Everyone’s looking for you!”</i></div>
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<i>He replied, “Let’s head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That’s why I’ve come.” </i></div>
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<i>He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons.</i></div>
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The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark packs a lot into it! No shepherds, no manger, no angels…instead we have Jesus - the Son of God – baptized, tempted and then beginning his ministry proclaiming with authority – <br />
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<i>“Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! </i></div>
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<i>Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (Mark 1:14-15)</i></div>
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And how does Jesus share this good news? By showing up – showing up where God’s people are gathered - in the synagogue – in their homes – in their villages – and everywhere in between…and while he is there he speaks truth in dark places, he renounces the spiritual forces of wickedness – and proclaims the goodness of his heavenly father.<br />
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In our baptism we are adopted into the family of God – and as we claim the name Christian we are given power to fight against evil and oppression wherever it presents itself. How are we using this gift from God? <br />
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And in our times together – in our worship, our fellowship, our bible study, our prayer time…we experience God through acts of Justice, through experiencing beauty…and by telling our story… we have a foretaste of the kingdom of God.<br />
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But as I shared with the children – people are hurting – even here in our midst, just as in Jesus’ day – there are people right here who are in emotional, spiritual physical pain – and who desperately need the Good News…<br />
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What if church was the place where healing happened? Isn’t this part of our call – as the Body of Christ in the world today? <br />
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We, the mainline church, have a reputation, you know – of being the place where good people gather… where one must put on a façade, a mask, of righteousness… Peter Rollins, a theologian and philosopher from Ireland writes in his book, <i>The Idolatry of God</i>, about the disconnect between our worship places and other places where people gather – how do people hear the truth about God - in word, music and I’d add in action?…Rollins writes…<br />
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<i>My concern is that most of the actually existing church acts as a type of drug den with the leaders being like the nicest, most sincere drug dealers. What we pay for are songs, sermons, and prayers that help us avoid our suffering rather than work through it. <br /><br />In contrast I am arguing for collectives that are more like the professional mourners who cry for us in a way that confronts us with our own suffering, the stand-up comedians who talk about the pain of being human, or the poets singing about life at the local pub. <br /><br />In other words, a church where the liturgical structure does not treat God as a product that would make us whole but as the mystery that enables us to live abundantly in the midst of life’s difficulties. A place where we are invited to confront the reality of our humanity, not so that we will despair, but so that we will be free of the despair that already lurks within us, the despair that enslaves us, the despair that we refuse to acknowledge. </i><br />
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Now I am not presenting an argument for the disbanding of our worshipping community…but what if we were more intentional about offering a place for people who are hurting to gather for healing? What if rather than being uncomfortable with suffering we embraced it – so that suffering isn’t what defined us – but that God’s love and loving community along the way was what defined us? <br />
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What if we owned our junk, our brokenness – rather than let suffering define us, rather than let pain defeat us, what if we were to say that despite our pain – we are confident that God is in the midst of it…<br />
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In this morning’s gospel lesson we see Jesus healing in the sanctuary, in the home and out and about…friends, it may seem like a nice thing that happened a long time ago, but I am here to assure you that healing does happen by the grace of God. But we have forgotten how…or we’re afraid of that kind of power… what if Trinity United Methodist Church were to say – we are ready to be the healing church in Waverly? Not to provide answers, but a safe place to ask hard questions… that, is a bold vision for the Church my friends.<br />
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Given the realities of the world in which we live –how are we as the oldest, most established church in the community, reaching beyond our walls to provide healing to our neighbors…providing safe places for community to gather and walk alongside one another?<br />
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What can we do to extend the love of God to the least and the lost among us…and among those in our town who are at the end of their rope (or very nearly so?)<br />
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What do we who ARE in a good place - have to say to those who are in ‘survival mode’…for trust me, survival mode is not a great place to be… for a season of my life I was living day to day, moment by moment – not quite sure what would happen next as me and my family navigated some huge changes…it was not easy…there is a great deal of shame wrapped up in failure – and a huge amount of energy can be spent walking the tightrope and putting on appearances.<br />
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These are some of the questions that this text invites me to wrestle with today… the Good News is that we are not alone….God is with us – God is with us in our gathering, in our worship, in our homes, and in our villages… and we are not alone. Thanks be to God.</div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-55361920496650511132015-03-18T14:05:00.000-05:002015-03-18T14:05:10.511-05:00Dreaming - as a Lenten discipline <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because I believe that dreaming dreams and taking risks is important to who we are as people of faith I am sharing the following sermon - it was shared with the Trinity United Methodist Congregation on March 8th, 2015. (Since I write for the ear, please excuse the punctuation.)<br /><br />Luke 9:1-6 <i>Jesus called the Twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sicknesses. 2 He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick. 3 He told them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 5 Wherever they don’t welcome you, as you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” 6 They departed and went through the villages proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.</i><br /><br />This afternoon I am heading to Ames – for a Board of Ordained Ministry meeting. Our task for the next three days is to spend time with and interview candidates for ordination. <br /><br />These are folks who have responded to God’s call and claim on their lives, and they trust that God has called them to be pastors in the United Methodist Church. They have been affirmed by their home congregations, they have completed psychiatric assessments and background checks and have been approved by their district committees on ordained ministry, they have pursued and completed their educational requirements, and are prepared to enter into covenant with the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to take their baptism vows one step farther – as ordained clergy.<br /><br />When the Bishop lays his hands upon the head of those being ordained – this is the blessing that is prayed over the person… <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June, 2010 ~ my ordination as Elder in the UMC</td></tr>
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<br />_____, take authority as an elder<br />to preach the Word of God,<br />to administer the Holy Sacraments<br />and to order the life of the Church,<br />in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />My ordination was a holy moment in my life. More than an accomplishment – it was and still is a confirmation of God’s presence and activity in the world. <br /><br />Under the authority of our Bishop, Julian Trimble, and the appointive cabinet I have been appointed to Trinity United Methodist Church to preach the Word of God, to administer the Holy Sacraments, to order, administer and arrange our life together as a church – and to serve in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />It is in many ways this same ordination authority that Jesus sent the 12 out under…to go out into villages large and small – two by two – to preach, teach and heal in God’s name. <br /><br />And it is the same authority that John Wesley received as a young man, where after a short stint as an associate pastor alongside his Father, Wesley was called to serve as a teacher and tutor of young students at Lincoln’s College – part of Oxford.<br /><br />In 1732, the British established their first new colony in 5 decades…the called the colony Georgia and the city of Savannah was founded. John and Charles Wesley, who had already formed a group called the Methodists, a group based on holiness of heart and life – a life formed around prayer, study of scripture, participating in the sacraments AND actively reaching out to the least and the lost of Oxford England, were recruited to take a risk – and volunteer to serve as pastors and evangelists…<br /><br />They boarded a ship headed for Georgia and the city of Savannah. In their minds they imagined a grand adventure – heading across the vast ocean to the new world – and once there they would meet Indians – wild savages – and bringing them to know and love God through the power of the gospel message.<br /><br />Of course, we know not everything always goes as planned…the little ocean voyage – was a mess…<br /><br />And by the time their ship was tossed too an through by the third storm of the season – the mainsail was in tatters, the crew was even afraid for their lives – and John and Charles’ voices joined the others in sobbing for the winds to stop – and begging God to save them from a watery grave.<br /><br />All aboard thought they were doomed, except this group of Moravian settlers – who down in the corner of the hold, sang hymns, recited psalms and gave praise to God for their lives and their salvation.<br /><br />It was humbling to John…here was this exceedingly well educated Oxford professor – and he knew that more than anything he wanted – he NEEDED - what they had…<br /><br />Once on shore Charles became the personal secretary to the governor and John was appointed to the parish of Savannah –where he set about to order their lives together – he met a young woman, Sophie Hopkey – he fell in love - and while she was in love with him – she was even more ready and eager to be married, but John wasn’t quite sure what to do about marriage – he waited too long – and Sophie married another – heartbroken – John did something really wrong - he used his role as a clergy man to attempt to avenge his broken heart – by refusing to serve Sophie and her husband communion… they brought him up on charges – and out of fear of being arrested John slipped away in the dead of night <br /><br />John Wesley returned to England… dusting off the experiences of the new world …but truth be told, he was also heart broken…not only for the loss of Sophey, but because he realized that throughout his life John knew in his head about God – but he still didn’t trust God with his heart…he wasn’t all in…he was afraid. Very afraid.<br /><br />For all the risk taking the John did –he forgot to trust in God…he was still trying to be in control – he struggled to let God be God – he had this crazy idea that HE was in charge…<br /><br />In the midst of his pain, in the midst of his suffering – God was there… just as in the midst of our pain…in the midst of our suffering…God is here…and here..and there…<br /><br />The difference between half way Christians and folks who are all in – is a willingness to let God be God – and to trust that God is with us – even, to the end of the age.<br /><br />I have known my share of suffering – and together, you and I, have walked in and through some tough times. I know that there is nothing I can do to fix things so that you don’t have to suffer – but I do not have to leave anyone alone in their pain, their hurts, their grief. Ahhhh – but to share in one anothers joy. THAT is what it means to be the body of Christ – Christ present in the midst of the ordinary moments of life.<br /><br />Another way to look at it is these four simple phrases…<br /><br /><b>Show up – pay attention – cooperate with God – release the outcome</b><br /><br />By virtue of my ordination, I am here for a finite amount of time. I do my very best to be present – to show up – and to pay attention. Through conversations here in our space and out in the community - at concerts, in the grocery or at Dairy Queen – I am always, always, always on the look out for God. One of my spiritual disciplines is to strive to see the world with God shaped lenses…we have talked about this before. And the cool thing is that this is something each and every one of us can (and should) do!<br /><br />It has led me to connect the dots – and to share with you all from time to time some ideas – some of which fly and some don’t… these ideas aren’t about me – or about my desire to upset the apple cart – they are about bringing people and passions together to the glory of God. <br /><br />For example - by listening to the yearning of your hearts we have a congregational care team that walks alongside members of our faith community with prayer and comfort, we have an after school program that reaches out to the youth of our community, we have Lifetree Café as a safe place for conversations to happen about faith and real life issues. We have a relationship with the schools at times of crisis and we have a voice at the table of the mayor’s food security task force with regards to hunger issues in our community.<br /><br />For the past three years a group of women in our community have been meeting as a support group for one another – I am honored to call them friends and even more inspired by the work that they do advocating for their adult children who have needs that are beyond my capabilities…I can’t fix things for them, but I have learned so much listening to them and praying along with them. <br /><br />A little over a month ago, at Lifetree Café – which is, my friends, one of the coolest things we are doing – I had a discussion with a member of our church about a pocket of folks he knows of who were at one time part of a church, <br /><br />but the church closed – and they are out in the world, without a faith community – he and his wife grieve for them – and for the loss of community they experienced when their former church closed.<br /><br />When I asked him what his dream was he said it was to find a space where they could meet and share life together…and not that there is anything wrong with our building, but friends – some folks are pretty intimidated by big fine building…and I have to respect this – so, how do we live into God’s call and claim on us to reach out and care for folks who think they aren’t good enough for a fine place like this?<br /><br />I also have a dream – placed on my heart by the Holy Spirit - as a result of countless conversations with folks who are in life transitions – I dream of a space where folks can live and be part of a community that is focused on transformation. That sounds vague, but what I have heard and seen is that we need safe places for folks to live, work and get healthy – a healing place.<br /><br />And as these conversations are swirling around – it was brought to our attention that there was an old church building – right across from Kohlman Park –available for sale – at a very reasonable price.<br /><br />A few of us have walked through the building – and friends - dreams are being dreamed – and I don’t know if this is something that ultimately will come to fruition – or if Trinity United Methodist Church will even be a part of it – I do know that the mayor is very interested in how churches could work together on projects that provide safe places for people to know and experience God and community in new ways… <br /><br />And from my point of view - what a thrill it is to see the threads of the dreams of so many different folks coming together in a tapestry of hope…<br /><br />As you pastor, I am called to dream alongside each and every one of the folks in our parish - to affirm and honor your giftedness – to encourage each of you as you prayerfully consider God’s call and claim on your lives…<br /><br />I am privileged to be able to remind you of how your gifts for teaching and caring for one another combines with your desire to be a part of a community that loves God and loves our neighbors…this is who we are – as United Methodists – as citizens of this community…<br /><br />Of course, you may do what you like – this is after all your community – and your church – and I release the outcome…but I will not stop dreaming with you – and I promise to continue to visit and pray and talk together about how God can use us to make our community a better place for all God’s children…because you too have been given authority – by virtue of your baptism – the authority to resist evil and injustice in whatever forms it takes…the power to be agents of peace, hope and love in the world…and for this I give thanks.<br /><br />John Wesley returned home to England – a broken man – and he could have just cashed it all in, returned to Oxford, taught a few classes – and become some obscure, bitter, angry old man. Instead he wrestled with his fears – he confronted his doubts – and he found through prayer, conversations with spiritual friends, and studying the scriptures the one thing – the one thing that he had been missing when he was out on the ocean…<br /><br /><b>Assurance</b><br /><br />Confidence in God’s love for him –even him.<br /><br />This is something that sets us apart from other denominations – it is built into our doctrine – our statements about what we believe – we are saved by grace – by faith in a God whose goodness is irrefutable – we should have no doubt about this gift – because it is God’s to give – and he gives it to us with abundance…<br /><br />As a result of the gift of God’s abundant grace, John Wesley became emboldened – we may joke about it a bit – about John’s conversion experience on May 24, 1738 – when John Wesley wrote in his journal that his heart was <b>strangely warmed</b> by the realization that God loved even him. It’s what we call his Aldersgate experience – but it was just what he needed to be able to dream and risk again…we will talk more about that next week.<br /><br />Grace – its all about grace – and if you remember nothing else from our message today – know that grace is a gift – it is not deserved…Grace is a reflection not of our goodness – but of the generosity of God. Grace is surprising, overwhelming and amazing! For this gift I give thanks.<br /><br />In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /></div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-16815322029147870812014-12-18T07:19:00.000-06:002014-12-18T07:19:01.451-06:00Ab-nor-mal...an advent journey of sorts<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8RVH6km1J1A/VJISq2IsryI/AAAAAAAADeE/fRsY7sVdmsE/s1600/IMG_8104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8RVH6km1J1A/VJISq2IsryI/AAAAAAAADeE/fRsY7sVdmsE/s1600/IMG_8104.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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"Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. ...whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting - that is, of hopefully doing without - will never experience the full blessings of fulfillment." Dietrich Bonhoeffer </div>
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Abnormal...the words hit me like a ton of bricks...how could something that was designed (and used) to provide nurture be abnormal?</div>
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ab·nor·mal</div>
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abˈnôrməl/</div>
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<i>adjective</i></div>
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deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying.</div>
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For a month I tried my best not to worry, between various mammograms, ultra sounds (of course they couldn't do a biopsy the 'normal way'), and finally the big day - the stereotypic imaging truck came to town (you really don't want to know).</div>
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A biopsy is not something to blow off. It is a big deal. A big hairy deal. Especially when your mind has time to think of the 'what ifs.'</div>
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Fortunately, for me, the results were another interesting word: benign. </div>
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be·nign</div>
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<span style="color: black;">bəˈnīn/</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">adjective</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>2</strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; display: inline-block; font-size: xx-small; margin-right: 6px; padding: 4px 6px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="color: black;">MEDICINE</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">(of a disease) not harmful in effect: in particular, (of a tumor) not malignant.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="color: black;">synonyms:</span></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">harmless, nonmalignant, noncan<wbr></wbr>cerous; <div style="display: inline;">
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benignant</div>
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"a benign tumor"</div>
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'What a relief' my son texted when I finally, after a days delay, had the results. 'THANK Heavens' and 'YAY' and 'that is spectacular news' from my other children. </div>
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spec·tac·u·lar</div>
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spekˈtakyələr/</div>
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<i>adjective</i></div>
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<strong>1</strong>. </div>
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beautiful in a dramatic and eye-catching way.</div>
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Not all women are as fortunate. </div>
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And yes, I kept it silent. And I probably could have shared with others...but ABNORMAL sounds so broken and plain messed up.</div>
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After living with the relief of my diagnosis for a week, I realized that my silence continues to add to the stigma of: pastors as 'other' and breast cancer as something we talk about in hushed voices, because you can't really say the word 'breast' out loud in polite company.</div>
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breast</div>
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brest/</div>
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<i>noun</i></div>
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<strong>1</strong>. </div>
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either of the two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman's body that secrete milk after pregnancy.</div>
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My right breast now has a little piece of titanium in it, as a marker for the radiologist. Next fall, when I have my mammogram I will see it on the screen.</div>
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Get your mammograms, gals. Know your family history. And if you get called in for more pictures, don't go on-line and try to look up the what ifs...but DO tell a friend. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is invite others for the journey. I am grateful for my children for being a non-anxious presence during this season.</div>
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It is fitting that this journey happened during Advent, a season of anxious anticipation. I continue to wait with hope.</div>
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peace, love in Christ,</div>
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Deborah</div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-62156116514446954632014-12-06T11:29:00.000-06:002014-12-06T11:29:15.017-06:00An Advent reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2flSjHwvArY/VIM8beHYcrI/AAAAAAAADdY/FmtH03obbdI/s1600/gg62495358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2flSjHwvArY/VIM8beHYcrI/AAAAAAAADdY/FmtH03obbdI/s1600/gg62495358.jpg" /></a>Somewhere between Silent Night and Joy to the World a baby rests and new mother and a father wonder what just happened. As the mother of four children I can relate to the fragile perfection of a new born baby but before you know it they grow up! As sweet as it is, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus can't stay forever paused in the tableau that is reflected in Hallmark cards or the manger scene on our living room table. <br /><br />We may hate to admit it, but truth is Jesus was a normal baby, toddler, child, teenager even - in every way. It would be nice to think that he was perfect, never had a temper tantrum, never climbed a tree too high and of course never refused to eat his broccoli, but that is what makes Jesus so amazing - his humanity is not unlike our own. His experiences are our experiences.<br /><br />The Message Bible sums it up like this:<i> "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." </i> (John 1:14)<br /><br />This is the hope and promise of the Christmas season. What was started in Bethlehem is still going on today as the Word of God, Jesus, the love of God made flesh at Christmas continues to speak to us through word, songs, and our compassion for our neighbors.<br /><br />It’s interesting to think about, but until the present age most of the stories of Jesus had been taught by mothers and grandmothers. In my conversations with young mothers most of them feel unprepared to instruct their children about God. Does our current life style allow moms, and dads for that matter, time to share their faith with their children? Or asked another way: have we embodied the stories of God’s love at Christmas, let alone in our lives, enough so that we are comfortable sharing our faith with our kids? <br /><br />That’s the beauty and importance of being part of a faith community. In a church parents have an <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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opportunity to learn more about God so that they may become light bearers and story tellers for their children, very much like the shepherds who raced to see this marvelous thing that the angels spoke about – a child – the Messiah – born right there in the neighborhood! <br /><br /><i> “As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed."</i> (Luke 2:15-18)<br /><br />May I be so bold as to invite you to consider sharing this Advent and Christmas season with one of your neighborhood churches? You don’t have to dress up to come to church, you can even sit in the back row or in the balcony if you like. When you come to church you’ll find imperfect folks seeking to know more about this God who was willing to become more like you and me. How cool is that!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />It is my prayer that you find joy this Christmas season. That you experience love beyond your wildest dreams, that you are able to tell your children the stories of the first Christmas with wonder and hope – knowing that God is with us now and will always be with us. This is the good news that we so desperately need to hear and share!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King! </i></div>
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<i>Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled" </i></div>
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<i>Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies </i></div>
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<i>With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" </i></div>
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<i>Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"</i></div>
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(Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Charles Wesley)</div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-23832377527194950372014-09-29T19:09:00.000-05:002014-09-29T19:09:49.619-05:00Crazy little thing about reading the Bible...it could be dangerous!Sunday, September 28th, we had the privileged of giving Bibles to our 3rd graders and to our first year confirmands. The lectionary text, Matthew 21:23-32 seemed like a perfect opportunity to share with our children, as well as adults, how to be faithful in both reading and giving authority to Scripture.<br />
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Just as we enjoy giving presents - we need to be aware of how to use them...and I side with Karl Barth, in this day and age we need to read the Bible with a newspaper (or smartphone) in one hand.<br />
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(please forgive dashes and .....'s this is my sermon manuscript for the day)<br />
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I believe that in many ways reading the Bible in the 21st century is harder than it was as little as 100 years ago… there are many reasons – for one, many of Jesus’ stories and parables are agriculturally based – and we are by and large a society far removed from the small family farm.<br />
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We are also privy to more information than ever before. 100, 200, 300 years ago the Bible may have been the only book in the house… when it was dark and cold outside a family would read the bible – in huge chunks – faith, church, scripture reading became part of the fabric of the family and the community…this changed as books became more affordable – and people started actually owning books – think about it - in the 50s and 60s and on through the 80s even what was the essential book that every house hold have? <br />
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World Book encyclopedia – and a Webster’s dictionary. Weekly – probably daily we’d hear three little words from mom – ‘look it up’!<br />
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My set of World Books are in a box in the attic – for some reason I still have them. It is faster – and more expedient to look it up on my phone – or have siri do it… – <br />
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In the 90s people started buying personal computers…and 10 years ago – not only did most homes have computers, kids even had their own email address. And then, Facebook was born – and now we have dozens of ways to connect with one another, to share ideas and to hear the opinions of others on a wide array of topics…<br />
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We have more power in our personal devices than the Apollo rockets! How did they get to the moon and back without one of these?<br />
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Our first computer cost 5000 (they threw in a printer) and we had a whopping 50 megabytes of storage! That’s about enough to store 25 pictures today! <br />
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There’s something else – because of the sharing of information – around the globe – we have access to more data – I fear that my 1972 World book is woefully inadequate compared to a September 28, 2014 Google search on just about anything…I was at lunch with some members of the church and a name came up – we wondered if it was a bible name – and low and behold one of the ladies pulled out her phone and looked it up – and we learned that it was indeed a Bible name! <br />
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Fun fact – according to a Time magazine article written on the eve of World Water Day – the source is the UN…<br />
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Out of the world’s estimated 7 billion people, 6 billion have access to mobile phones. Far fewer — only 4.5 billion people — have access to working toilets. <br />
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We are in a new world – a world that requires us to learn and understand and comprehend in new ways… its not bad – it isn’t a burden, but we can’t expect to continue reading the Bible, or anything else for that matter, with blinders on either…Karl Barth, one of the greatest theologians of recent times wrote that one should start every day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other – <br />
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People want meaning – we want to know why others would choose to believe the way they do…we have reasons we like the Hawkeyes or the Cyclones…and we make room for UNI fans too… we just have to be able to articulate why…<br />
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this is the blessing of reading scripture with resources that we have available – resources that help us to understand better the context of 1st century Israel… <br />
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We have heard it said that the Bible is timeless and has timeless wisdom for us – and I agree that this is true – but we do grave injustice to scripture if we impose our own 21st century understanding and values to a document some 2000 years old written for an audience that was educated in a totally different style of learning from ours.<br />
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I say all of this to wrap our minds around this morning’s reading…<br />
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<b>Matthew 21:23-32 Jesus’ authority questioned</b><br />
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<i>23 When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching. They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”<br /><br />24 Jesus replied, “I have a question for you. If you tell me the answer, I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things. 25 Where did John get his authority to baptize? Did he get it from heaven or from humans?”<br /><br />They argued among themselves, “If we say ‘from heaven,’ he’ll say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But we can’t say ‘from humans’ because we’re afraid of the crowd, since everyone thinks John was a prophet.” 27 Then they replied, “We don’t know.”<br /><br />Jesus also said to them, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things</i>.<br />
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<b>Parable of two sons</b><br />
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<i>28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. Now he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’<br /><br />29 “‘No, I don’t want to,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.<br /><br />30 “The father said the same thing to the other son, who replied, ‘Yes, sir.’ But he didn’t go.<br /><br />31 “Which one of these two did his father’s will?”<br /><br />They said, “The first one.”<br /><br />Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you. 32 For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him.</i><br />
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Reading this passage as is – we would rightly agree that Jesus is once again in a verbal sparring match with the religious authorities of his day…<br />
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But there is a set up – that we will miss if we don’t back up a few verses…<br />
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This is actually the day after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem – a day we call Palm Sunday…we know about Palm Sunday, right? Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem – on a donkey colt – Hosanna! Hosanna! The people cried – as they waved branches and put their cloaks on the road before him – a sign that they were recognizing Jesus as a potential leader – a victor, maybe even, the messiah!<br />
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After he arrived in the city…<br />
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<b>Matthew 21:12-17 (The Message)</b><br />
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<i>12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:</i></div>
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<i>My house was designated a house of prayer;</i></div>
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<i>You have made it a hangout for thieves.</i></div>
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<i>Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.</i></div>
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<i>15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”</i></div>
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<i>Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”</i></div>
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<i>17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.</i></div>
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Then there’s a whole section where Jesus is so frustrated he zaps a poor fig tree – we won’t go there today…<br />
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Now, can you see with this background the implications of today’s reading…by throwing out the money changers Jesus was upsetting the economy of the Temple - and it was a major feast week - folks were coming from all over the known world with their own moneys - and it had to be changed into temple currency so that they could buy their offerings for Passover week. </div>
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No temple money, no sacrifices, no sacrifices and the visitors to the city were disobeying the rules - breaking God's commands as overseen by the religious leaders of the day.</div>
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But when Jesus threw out the money changers he did something else that could be overlooked at first reading..."<i>Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them."</i></div>
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God's economy was being transformed by a new way of looking at the value of things, people, and the institutional systems that were in place. <br />
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NOW we can understand why the religious leaders were questioning Jesus' authority – by what right is this, this Galilean trying to re-write our rules, our laws? By what right is he re-defining our way of life?<br />
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From whom does Jesus get his authority?<br />
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From the Father…of course we know the answer to the question… and because those who were less learned trusted Jesus, responded to John’s baptism by water and the spirit and put their faith in God as taught by Jesus – their path was the one of the son who repented and turned toward the fields.<br />
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So whats our excuse?<br />
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We have all of these resources at our hands…we have, hopefully, a clearer understanding of who Matthew was writing to, and the religious and political events of the day…are we going to do something? Are we going to respond to God’s call and claim on our lives???<br />
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Or are we just going to give lip service to God?<br />
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We can see the unfolding of Jesus’ last days – days where his actions spoke as loud as his words…the implications of clearing the money changers – wasn’t as much a political action as it was to make room for those who were on the fringes – on the edges of society – outcast and prevented access to the Father… just as his verbal sparring with the religious leaders – <br />
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He wasn’t condemning them, but he was prodding them to walk the walk that they were espousing…<br />
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To turn their lives around and repent – to say yes to God and for their yes to mean yes…to enter the vineyard and gather the harvest of all…not just those who looked like them and dressed like them – but expand the net to gather in God’s beloved children – even the tax collector and the prostitute have a place in the Kingdom of God…<br />
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Reading scripture this way is dangerous, boys and girls… you have a choice – as you break in your new Bibles…and for us older folks – as we read our Bibles…<br />
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You may read it as an old book that has some words that help us be nice people…or you can dig in with your eyes wide open – explore the world as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul knew it…a world not too unlike ours, when you get right to the core of it… <br />
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And you can then let God’s word illumine your lives and inspire you to be kind and gentle and passionate about the building up of the Kingdom of God – so that it means something when we pray…thy kingdom come, thy will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.<br />
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In the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit… Amen.</div>
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*****</div>
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Just out of curiosity:</div>
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What is your favorite scripture passage? Why? What is happening in the Story of God before and after the verses you know and love? </div>
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Would love to hear from you!</div>
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Peace,</div>
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Deborah</div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-80565080381881206912014-08-10T11:27:00.001-05:002014-08-10T11:27:20.567-05:00what we can learn from Peter and a fellow by the name of John WesleyTo follow is this morning's sermon - using the lectionary reading from the day with a good dose of John Wesley's early life, I invite us to consider what it means to get out of the boat in our faith journey.<div>
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(please forgive the punctuation and grammatical errors - this is my sermon manuscript)<br /><br /><i><b>Matthew 14:22-33:</b></i><div>
<i><br />22 Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. 23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. 25 Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed.<br /><br />27 Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”<br /><br />28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.”<br /><br />29 And Jesus said, “Come.”<br /><br />Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!”<br /><br />31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind settled down.<br /><br />33 Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”</i><br /><br />******<br /><br />At the age of 32, having completed a couple of years of teaching Greek at Oxford college and knowing that he wasn’t suited for traditional parish ministry like his father, John Wesley volunteered to be a missionary to the colonies. He felt like God had called him to bring the Word of God to the settlers and the savages who lived along the new frontier. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young John Wesley</td></tr>
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<br />Crossing the ocean in 1735, long before satellites, an understanding of the weather and first class cabins, was not an easy voyage…it would take more than 3 months for John and his brother Charles, on the tiny wooden ship to cross to the Province of Georgia, where John was to be a missionary to Savannah and Charles would serve as assistant to James Oglethorpe, who had established the colony of Georgia in 1733. <br /><br />The Wesley brothers had the very best education possible in their day, like their father they were ordained priests in the Anglican Church – they wrote and spoke numerous languages including Greek and Latin, they also took serious holiness of heart and life – that whole living like Jesus lived and taught, they really believed it – this is something that many of the Anglican priests of the day didn’t do. For John and Charles serving God was their life – they studied scripture, they visited those in prison, they cared for the hungry and poor, they went without so that they could give all they had away. <br /><br />And yet, John would admit, that he did this as much out of fear as out of any other emotion – he worked tirelessly to please God….but did he know a loving, merciful compassionate God at the young age of 32… Oh, and one more thing - he was afraid of dying because he really was not sure what would happen when he met Christ face to face…<br /><br />Going to the new world satisfied this longing to do something that mattered, he wanted to be a man of significance, but he wasn’t quite sure what this would look like.<br /><br />On board the ship – Wesley and Charles had a regular schedule…its enough to make your head spin… Wesley wrote in his journal:<br /><br /><i>Tuesday, October 21.—We sailed from Gravesend. When we were past about half the Goodwin Sands, the wind suddenly failed. Had the calm continued till ebb, the ship had probably been lost. But the gale sprang up again in an hour, and carried us into the Downs.<br /><br />We now began to be a little regular. Our common way of living was this: From four in the morning till five each of us used private prayer. From five to seven we read the Bible together, carefully comparing it (that we might not lean to our own understandings) with the writings of the earliest ages. At seven we breakfasted. At eight were the public prayers.<br /><br />From nine to twelve I usually learned German, and Mr. Delamotte, Greek. My brother wrote sermons, and Mr. Ingham instructed the children. At twelve we met to give an account of one another what we had done since our last meeting, and what we designed to do before our next. About one we dined.</i><br /><br />The afternoon and evening continued in this manner. and you wonder why they were called – Methodists?</div>
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<br /> The only thing to change their schedule was when a storm blew up… <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Salmon: Storm at Sea</td></tr>
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<br /><i>Saturday, January 17.—Many people were very impatient at the contrary wind. At seven in the<br />evening they were quieted by a storm. It rose higher and higher till nine. About nine the sea broke over us from stem to stern; burst through the windows of the state cabin, where three or four of us were, and covered us all over, though a bureau sheltered me from the main shock. About eleven I lay down in the great cabin and in a short time fell asleep, though very uncertain whether I should wake alive and much ashamed of my unwillingness to die. Oh, how pure in heart must he be, who would rejoice to appear before God at a moment’s warning! Toward morning, “He rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (quoting from the Gospel of Matthew 8:26)</i><br /><br />You can see how John, this well educated and proper theologian was a mess – not only because he was afraid, but because he understood deep in his heart that he shouldn’t be afraid, and yet, he couldn’t see any other way of being.<br /><br />On Sunday, January 25 John writes:<br /><br /><i>At noon our third storm began. At four it was more violent than before. At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behavior….In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterward, “Were you not afraid?” He answered, “I thank God, no.” I asked, “But were not your women and children afraid?” He replied, mildly, “No; our women and children are not afraid to die”</i><br /><br />How is it that this small group of immigrants who were traveling to the new world to start a new life for their families – were able to calmly singing praise songs and reading scripture? – not just the leaders, every last one of them!<br /><br />I want some of that, Wesley thought to himself… how could they be so calm?<br /><br />When they finally landed in Savannah in February, 1736, John’s quest for ‘some of that’ continued – Wesley’s time in Savannah did not end well, he actually left under the dark of night for refusing to serve communion to an on again off again girl friend and her new husband – poor John.<br /><br />On the way back to England he wrote the following…<br /><br /><i>"I went to America, to convert the Indians; but oh! who shall convert me? who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of mischief? I have a fair summer religion. I can talk well; nay, and believe myself, while no danger is near; but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. Nor can I say, 'To die is gain!'</i><br /><br />John Wesley’s spiritual wrestling would continue for another 6 months or so – until his heart was strangely warmed during a Bible study with some Moravians on Aldersgate Street.<br /><br />It was after this that John was pushed and pulled out of the metaphorical boat – to take up preaching outside of the confines of the ordinary church buildings – an occasion that he called most vile - and yet it was in doing so that he began to have a passion to preach and teach the least and the lost, the poor and the down trodden all over England. His brother Charles returned to England and joined him in this venture – and within 50 years the Methodist movement, <u>a movement based on 6 to12 spiritual friends gathering together for prayer and support of one another</u> - was thriving – all over the British Isles and across the new world as well.<br /><br />6 to 12 spiritual friends – to walk alongside each other, to encourage one another, to hold another accountable in Christian love. To turn to in good times as well as bad, to be willing to open up ones heart to call the other into account….<br /><br />This is in our DNA, friends…as Christ followers and as members of the United Methodist Church. I believe that the United Methodist church as we know it will die, unless we begin to be more intentional about being in relationship and community with one another – forming groups of fellowship, study and accountability – just as Jesus did with his disciples…<br /><br />It was because of his relationship with his brother Charles, George Whitfield, Moravian missionary Peter Bohler and others that John Wesley was able to face his greatest fear – a lonely death and a life with out meaning – and stepped out of the boat. <br /><br />As I think about Jesus – and this morning’s scripture lesson I can’t help but think about the other 11 disciples – we make fun of Peter some times, for being brash, and pushy and yet – here he is willing to step out of the boat… <br /><br />The other 11…not so much…why do you think they were too afraid to get out of the boat…was it fear of seeing Jesus as one who could command the very sea? Walking across the water was an act of power and strength – surely he IS the Son of God they thought when they realized it was Jesus coming their way. Maybe it was the wind or the rain or perhaps their own self-centeredness that made them deaf in the moment, unable to fathom let alone hear God’s call and claim on their lives…they were unwilling to take a risk for the Master’s sake.<br /><br />So what’s the point of these two stories?<br /><br />Well – what about it, church? Are we like Peter – willing to stand up and take a step out in the churning waters, willing to risk failure for our love of God, our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior? or do we prefer to throw a tarp over our heads and wait out the storm?<br /><br />Remember most of the disciples were fisherman – they weren’t afraid of the storm – they were afraid of the miraculous appearance of Jesus! Look again at Matthew 14:<br /><br /><i>24 Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. 25 Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. 27 Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”</i><br /><br />Are we going to live a life of fear, wrapped up in our own individual insecurities or are we going to take a step in faith, and commit to walk with one another as disciples of Jesus?</div>
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<br />Twentieth-century Presbyterian theologian and writer Frederick Buechner writes, </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKXO1g4ObKg/U-edBQ12GKI/AAAAAAAADXs/Ayb9klRzFuI/s1600/Peter_walks_on_water_toward_Jesus_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKXO1g4ObKg/U-edBQ12GKI/AAAAAAAADXs/Ayb9klRzFuI/s1600/Peter_walks_on_water_toward_Jesus_0.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a><i>“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It’s for you I created the universe. I love you. There’s only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.” </i><br /><br />Its here…waiting for you…a meaningful relationship with God through faith in Christ, this is possible by being in unity and community with people who care about you – and will support you as your life blossoms with hope and encouragement, leading to a future with meaning…<br /><br />Are you ready to step out of the boat? If so, let's talk about how you can take next step to be a part of a small group here at Trinity UMC.<br /><br />Remember – Jesus is here saying the same thing to us as that did to his first 12 disciples…<br /><br /><i> “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” </i><br /><br />In the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br /><br /> <br /><div style="text-align: right;">
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-28000788668631909722014-05-31T20:47:00.000-05:002014-05-31T20:47:59.951-05:00whatcha gonna do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceCwizf40VQ/U4qEGvo6nlI/AAAAAAAADRw/yAlnUX1-Auo/s1600/IMG_4016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceCwizf40VQ/U4qEGvo6nlI/AAAAAAAADRw/yAlnUX1-Auo/s1600/IMG_4016.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Since last summer when Ethan participated in <a href="http://www.inmiowa.org/running-from-malaria/" target="_blank">Running from Malaria</a>, my younger son Justin has been brainstorming ideas to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. A few weeks ago when he asked if he could color his hair, I said - only if you're doing it for a good cause. So, we agreed that he could color it blue, for $500 in contributions to Imagine No Malaria.<br />
<br />
'Great idea,' I said. 'But what if folks donate $1000?' 'Well,' he responded, 'I guess I'll have to dye it pink!'<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY6zDhvpnnA/U4qDgtMy_kI/AAAAAAAADRU/ABpcjFbRy4E/s1600/IMG_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY6zDhvpnnA/U4qDgtMy_kI/AAAAAAAADRU/ABpcjFbRy4E/s1600/IMG_4123.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
Well....here you go...$1036 in donations. Wow! Thank you Trinity United Methodist Church!<br />
<br />
And while this may seem silly, consider that because of the generosity of this one community of faith, 100 families half way around the world will receive bed nets...this could save the lives of hundreds of children. Children who die needlessly from an illness that is both preventable and curable, thanks to those who said yes to eradicating Malaria.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVkb1hsbVVA/U4qDc7RbKMI/AAAAAAAADQ4/wp15uh3oKiI/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVkb1hsbVVA/U4qDc7RbKMI/AAAAAAAADQ4/wp15uh3oKiI/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a>So, thank you, everyone for your support of our young people who say YES to Jesus, and yes to making a difference in the world, even if that means that their hair will be blue, or pink or purple for a few months this summer. It's a small price to pay.<br />
<br />
Well done Justin - and friend Connor - who joined him in coloring his hair this evening in celebration of the $1000+ donation! So very proud of you both!<br />
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Be on the look out next week at the Iowa Annual Conference...Justin will be there as a diakonos and he has some more great ideas to help push us over the 2 million dollar mark!<br />
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-5399181558651729312014-05-03T07:44:00.002-05:002014-05-03T07:44:58.633-05:00Pinked!<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I ‘pinked’ a load of laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what I’m talking about…when a random
item of clothing (in this case a red t-shirt) bleeds all over the clothes in
the washer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my haste to clean up the
laundry room I neglected to pull all of the lights from darks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To top it all off the t-shirt had never been
washed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyiqWSP1FZ0/U2TkB71J8nI/AAAAAAAADPE/olDZ7NM0qbY/s1600/IMG_3427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyiqWSP1FZ0/U2TkB71J8nI/AAAAAAAADPE/olDZ7NM0qbY/s1600/IMG_3427.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I pulled out the dark colored clothes and tossed them in the
dryer then I tried to lighten the affects of ‘pinking’ by using a Rit Dye remover and washing everything in hot water. I couldn’t wait for the load to
get finished so I could see how I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I washed the load yet again, this time
with a heavy dose of bleach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guessed
it; everything is still a lovely shade of pink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have wracked my brain trying to figure out a way to reverse
the stain, but at some point I am going to have to make peace with the fact
that I now have one less tablecloth and one of the boys has a ruined dress
shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am angry
with myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But eventually I need to
toss the pink load of wash in the dryer and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also need to find a way to forgive
myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many of us have made mistakes in life that we are still
wearing - like an unnaturally pinked shirt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How many of us keep fighting the same battles, searching for answers in
all the wrong places?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to erase
all signs of our mistakes is human, but it isn’t spiritually healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have all fallen short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have all sinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely
that we will sin again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is part and
parcel with being human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we
have the opportunity, dare I say the responsibility, to learn from our mistakes
so that we don’t repeat them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND we
desperately need to forgive ourselves so that we can move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe the number one spiritual ailment in the 21<sup>st</sup>
Century is the burden the people carry around because they can’t or won’t
accept God’s love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus knew about these sorts of burdens, many are self
imposed because good people think that they have to beat themselves
up to begin to make reparations to God for their sinful ways. I think this may
be why so many people have dropped out of church, because it can all become so
exhausting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God’s grace doesn’t work
this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Good News is that Jesus
offers an alternative vision; a new way of living that speaks to the basic
needs of each and every one of us:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned
out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how
I do it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn the unforced rhythms of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">grace</span>. I won’t lay anything heavy or
ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and
lightly.”</i><i> </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
(The words of Jesus, Matthew
11:27-29 The Message)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The unforced rhythms of grace include prayer, worship,
participating in acts of justice and mercy (service to others) and other spiritual
practices that bring us into an awareness of our loving God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During this Easter season let's celebrate the ways that
Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after that first resurrection
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also invited to celebrate the ways
that God’s love, mercy, grace and forgiveness are extended to us, each and
every day! Even when, especially when, we mess up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace to you and yours,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Deborah<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-31819361796655840242014-04-11T05:50:00.000-05:002014-04-11T05:50:06.479-05:00Bad Friday? Be Encouraged...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqbeKy_69Ao/U0fIpl7w0RI/AAAAAAAACew/ByuMmRmFAd8/s1600/IMG_2938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqbeKy_69Ao/U0fIpl7w0RI/AAAAAAAACew/ByuMmRmFAd8/s1600/IMG_2938.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin - today</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To follow is my latest article for the local, Waverly, newspaper. Special thanks to Justin, my 15 year old, who gave me permission to tell the story of: Bad Friday.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">In our
house, the Friday before Easter isn't called Good Friday – in our house, it’s
Bad Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seven
years ago, I was a seminary student serving Apple River United Methodist Church
near Galena, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our youngest, Justin,
was playing tag in the park when a friend threw a stick at him that tore open
the side of his mouth. I heard his screams and raced to find my 8-year-old
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met on the front steps, and he
was bloodied and tears were streaming down his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove
the 6 miles to Doc Cleary’s office in record time, but he said there wasn't
anything he could do other than numb him up and send us on to a plastic surgeon
30 some miles away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">Justin's
one request was that he be put to sleep while the doctor stitched him up, but
the doctor explained he couldn’t do so in his office. Justin agreed to stay
awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cried silently through the 45
minutes and over 30 stitches it took to put his mouth and cheek back together.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
returned home exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then
that I thought about the community Good Friday service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just spent the day with MY son, MY
precious son as he bled and screamed out in pain. I didn’t think I could keep
it together enough to talk about another mother bearing witness to the brutal
torture and crucifixion of her precious son, Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
congregation was very understanding as I stayed home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day, I struggled to make sense of it
all as I put the finishing touches on my Easter sermon. The words that
had brought joy and hope to me in the past rang hollow. Justin would be
scarred for life because of this, he was unable to eat, his face was swollen
and he still cried out in pain. How is this fair?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">Somehow,
by the grace of God, we made it through the Easter Sunday Service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I
tried to focus on the work that I had ahead of me, I realized that I was in a
deep funk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I emailed my professors to
request an extension on some course work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of my professors, Dr. Les Longden, then taught me an important
lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote back; 'Deb, sometimes
we need to spend more time in the tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that’s ok.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">It would
have been within God's power to resurrect Jesus any time after his death on the
cross. But the time spent in the tomb was not in vain. It was the
Sabbath, the 7th day of creation, the day of rest. Christ's resurrection
on Easter Sunday signified the ushering in of the New Creation. Because
of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we are all new creations!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some of
us are ready to embrace this gift now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of us need some more time in the tomb before we are able to say
with peace, hope, and joy - Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">Until
then, time in the tomb is not wasted time - it is time to work things out by
the grace of God. Regardless of our Bad Fridays (or Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays…) Jesus promises to always, always, always be with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.</span><span style="color: #be1f04; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">As we
approach Holy Week it is my prayer that you are richly blessed by the worship
experiences that are offered in our various faith communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you will lean into the telling of
the story, our Story; that unfolds from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday, Holy Saturday and triumphantly Easter Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">And if
you need some more time in the tomb I pray that you don't try to go it
alone...I pray that you have a brother or sister in Christ to be present with
you to remind you that God is ALWAYS present even on bad Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I’ve
said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you
have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” (The words of
Jesus. John 16:33)</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-58959259752736688072014-03-26T16:58:00.000-05:002014-03-26T16:58:26.330-05:00for real now?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PP08jpoITCU/UzNLumwCtBI/AAAAAAAACaA/Bh8j4X51cao/s1600/40969_1581701026328_8169050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PP08jpoITCU/UzNLumwCtBI/AAAAAAAACaA/Bh8j4X51cao/s1600/40969_1581701026328_8169050_n.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Pixie' Kindergarten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I was a little girl I always had very straight hair, and I always wore it down. I remember once traveling with my family in the station wagon and my mom putting it up in spit curls, literally...but seldom did I do anything fancy. Unlike my daughters, who wore their hair in pony tails much of their teenage years, I went for a more simple wash and go look.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WEIux1z64Y/UzNLuvi2vaI/AAAAAAAACaQ/JQp3zycHyEU/s1600/40969_1581701226333_5345753_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WEIux1z64Y/UzNLuvi2vaI/AAAAAAAACaQ/JQp3zycHyEU/s1600/40969_1581701226333_5345753_n.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1985 perm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For high school graduation I braided my hair in lots of little braids and then let it out for the big event. It was quite poofy! I am so glad that was before Facebook! Once I was in college I went from long to short to long again and then I got it permed! Gotta love the 80's, though I never did the really big hair thing. Through the years I have continued to zig zag with various changes in color, length and style. <br />
<br />
In December I tried a perm again, for the first time in over 20 years - and I love it! I have also grown my hair out and I wear it up in a french twist several days a week. For the first time I am enjoying styling my hair. I must be a slow learner.<br />
<br />
Today this headline made me wonder what is going on in the world?!!???<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji9k6obLBgY/UzNG2cyFyTI/AAAAAAAACZw/Zw90zJ80CMs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-26+at+4.29.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji9k6obLBgY/UzNG2cyFyTI/AAAAAAAACZw/Zw90zJ80CMs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-26+at+4.29.37+PM.png" height="305" width="320" /></a></div>
Say what? I mean really...what college student would really and truly get his hair cut like this guy - except under duress? Sigh...I know this sounds trivial, but I wonder why this world leader would even want to force young men to copy his look? What's interesting is that the North Korean government would care at all about hair styles. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-26747649" target="_blank">The article, from the BBC </a>states; "until now people were reportedly only allowed to choose from 18 styles for women and 10 for men. Earlier, North Korea's state TV launched a campaign against long hair, called "Let us trim our hair in accordance with the Socialist lifestyle"." <br />
<br />
Oh my!<br />
<br />
When we get right down to it what is required of us? Of a people who live together a in society so that it can function well?<br />
<br />
As Christians we are called to follow the words of Jesus: 'Love God, Love one Another.' Another guiding passage for Judeo-Christians is Micah 6:8: 'He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.'<br />
<br />
As Americans, I wonder could such a thing happen to us? I like to think not, we have this whole independent streak in us...but somewhere in between are folks trying to figure out a balance between conformity and individuality and that includes how we present ourselves to others.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bd0yGJJEGB8/UzNMqFPKIYI/AAAAAAAACac/5imL5RFLvNA/s1600/1504101_10202887686017064_399339364_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bd0yGJJEGB8/UzNMqFPKIYI/AAAAAAAACac/5imL5RFLvNA/s1600/1504101_10202887686017064_399339364_n.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perm 2014</td></tr>
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<br />
I guess the best we can hope for is acceptance of who we are, as beloved children of God, and acceptance of others who are likewise created in God's image. Even Kim Jong-un. I just wonder what's going to happen when he changes his mind and decides to go for a new look?<br />
<br />
peace,<br />
Deborah<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-33105099295112936342014-02-21T09:26:00.003-06:002014-02-21T09:26:53.797-06:00In print, for the first timeI am a broadcast media gal...first radio and then television. It's how I made a living from the time I was 17 until 42...(my goodness, that's a long time).<br />
<br />
This week I was asked to provide a column for the Waverly newspaper. Here is the text of my very first article, for those of you who live outside of Bremer County. The editor calls my column "Wise words," oh my!<br />
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<br />
********<br />
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I like fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially enjoy oranges, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but the truth is I don’t eat oranges as often
as I could because, well…this is a bit embarrassing, but eating an orange is
messy. There’s the peeling, juice gets all over the place, and have you ever noticed
how hard it is to eat an orange gracefully? On the other hand, a handful of
pretzels or cheese and crackers is pretty easy. No muss. No fuss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When it comes to nutritional
value there are big differences between fruit and carb-laden snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose I could guilt myself into eating
more fruit, but like many Americans I usually opt for anything that’s fast and
easy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s pretty silly, when you
think about it, worrying about messiness over expediency when my health and
well- being is dependent on a balanced diet of good food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Relationships are sort of like
this too. There are easy ones, with family and close friends - they are
affirming, and seem to go together like cheese and crackers. Then there are
acquaintances, the kinds of relationships that we can take or leave, but still
have a high comfort level. And then there are relationships that take effort –
they <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are like oranges. They can
sometimes be messy but IF we are willing to go all in we are often blessed by
the new discoveries that we make about others as well as ourselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a Christ follower it’s a
whole lot easier to hang out with church people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in reality there are many people in
Waverly who think that church is “messy”. For some reason we church folk
haven’t been as kind or compassionate or accepting as we could have been over
the years and we have, sadly, given our God, and the Church, a bad reputation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now this is reversible - most
difficult situations are, but it takes hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes vulnerability, it takes courage and
it takes those of us who have been comfortable in our churches to take the
first step. Yes, I know we have our beloved Church buildings ready and waiting
for folks to come and taste and see that this whole faith journey is actually a
pretty cool thing. But the truth of the matter is that we are a bit
intimidating. Our music is different, we stand up sometimes and sit down
others. We even have preachers (like yours truly) who invite people to say
Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s up with that?<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so, friends and Christ followers,
we have to step outside of OUR comfort zones and put forward a new face around
Church. When you stop to think about it, this really is the coolest thing about
being a follower of Jesus, that He trusts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>us</u></i>,
fragile and goofy and sometimes messy as we are, to go out into the world and
represent Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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In our places of work, at our
times of play, in our meetings and on our neighborhood playgrounds, people who
aren’t sure about Jesus learn about Him by watching us. What if each of us were
to get out there and take the next step; introduce yourself, start a new
friendship, risk the messiness of meeting someone who stretches us beyond our
comfort zone and see what happens. When we step out in faith, trusting that the
Holy Spirit is alongside us God is glorified and the kingdom of Heaven will
draw nearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s what the faith
journey is all about!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…let your
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your Father who is in heaven.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 5:13-16)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>in Christ, together,</o:p></div>
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<o:p>Deborah </o:p></div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-24080960902685899302014-02-03T20:22:00.004-06:002014-02-03T20:38:49.263-06:00beloved child of God...first and foremostI was reflecting this morning about my faith journey and in particular, my earliest memories of church. I realized that there are many details that I just don't remember, but...there are some wonderful things that did stick and have shaped me into the person I am today. One of the most important lessons is one that I am still leaning in to, that first and foremost I am a beloved child of God...and so are you!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJlCDQpgyYk/UvBDR6GmCZI/AAAAAAAACOc/-SwYdfKqZzw/s1600/hershey_first_umc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJlCDQpgyYk/UvBDR6GmCZI/AAAAAAAACOc/-SwYdfKqZzw/s1600/hershey_first_umc.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hershey United Methodist Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My first memory of church was Hershey Methodist on Cocoa Avenue in Hershey, Pa. I was 2 when we moved to the <br />
family farm, and my mom insisted on going somewhere other than my grandparent's church, in neighboring Elizabethtown.<br />
<br />
When I visited Hershey a few summers ago, I was curious to see the church and since the doors were unlocked I drug my kids inside. I found that I didn't really remember much about the sanctuary, it was smaller and darker than I recalled, but my very first lesson about church and God didn't happen in worship, it happened in the Sunday school class room.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okc6aXD8lE0/UvBDR_FCV7I/AAAAAAAACOg/yCTtbFNjc4M/s1600/Food-That-Is-GMO-Free-in-20143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okc6aXD8lE0/UvBDR_FCV7I/AAAAAAAACOg/yCTtbFNjc4M/s1600/Food-That-Is-GMO-Free-in-20143.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a>I remember sitting around a big round table with other children. We were asked to find a seat and get ready for a treat. Then, the teacher poured a whole box of Cheerios in the middle of the table. <b>The whole box!</b> I also remember we were given little cups of apple juice. To this day I prefer my Cheerios dry, with a cup of cold apple juice on the side.<br />
<br />
God = Abundance! Poured out! Overflowing! Have as much of me as you like, God seemed to be saying to the three year old me.<br />
<br />
I know we attended church most Sundays but the only other thing that I can remember is my mom sitting up front in the station wagon wearing a hat, it was the 60s and early 70s after all. We moved from Pennsylvania to rural Galesburg, Illinois when I was 12.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86kajElZha4/UvBDrOJd3eI/AAAAAAAACOs/zy_amuXGuqU/s1600/2002026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86kajElZha4/UvBDrOJd3eI/AAAAAAAACOs/zy_amuXGuqU/s1600/2002026.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>My most vivid memory of Sunday mornings in Illinois is when we didn't go to church and instead listened to Bill Cosby records. His Noah's Ark story seemed to suffice for a sermon. My only experience of youth group was there in Illinois, I can't even tell you which church we attended but I remember going to a youth weekend retreat and feeling the love of God as palatable and vast as the stars in the sky. (My other memory of church in Illinois is the breaking of my younger brother Mark's collar bone during a boisterous game in the Fellowship Hall. I can neither confirm nor deny if I was the one who fell on him...I think I was pushed.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still have my 1976 BoD!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When we moved to Tennessee in the middle of 10th grade, my parents decided that it was time for me to be confirmed. It was my sister and the preacher and me - and the 1976 Book of Discipline. Then, just like that, I was a member of the church. When the pastor heard I had an interest in radio I became the weekly scripture reader. No youth group, but a wonderful sense of community there in Morris Chapel, Tennessee. Young and old alike would gather for softball games in the summer...we had a great time. I still think multi-generational activities are essential for the health of a church.<br />
<br />
When I went off to college I must admit that I never stepped foot in a Wesley Foundation. For about 10 years I went to church when I went home to visit, but that was about it. During this time my family moved to Iowa where they've remained for over 30 years. <br />
<br />
When I started my own family and found myself the step-mother of a 14 year old boy we were living in the suburbs of Atlanta and I felt ill equipped to parent a teen so I sought out a church, joining a Sunday School class with a group of 'older' adults - folks who were also parenting teens, and this is where I really learned about the Bible and the Church. (For instance - I had no idea that Jesus was God until my mid-20s...I'm sure someone somewhere in our many moves covered this - but what a revelation!)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spLcOwzNjeA/UvBELS612wI/AAAAAAAACO8/ZHPwwMP3JKQ/s1600/Haralson_United_Methodist_Church_019_480.2x380.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spLcOwzNjeA/UvBELS612wI/AAAAAAAACO8/ZHPwwMP3JKQ/s1600/Haralson_United_Methodist_Church_019_480.2x380.2.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haralson UMC, Haralson, GA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later, when we moved to an acreage south of Atlanta I felt drawn back to the country church, and it is there where I learned that the greatest commandment: loving God and ones neighbors can be lived out by being open to everyone's journey, caring for your neighbor, especially those who don't go to church, and trusting in God's provision. The folks at Haralson UMC were missional before missional was cool.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9XtCEq_kNY/UvBEWc4SixI/AAAAAAAACPE/1zBbKjDGLGM/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9XtCEq_kNY/UvBEWc4SixI/AAAAAAAACPE/1zBbKjDGLGM/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="165" width="200" /></a>But I didn't realize how much <b>I</b> was LOVED by God until we moved to Colorado and I attended the Walk to Emmaus (in my parents community in Iowa. How we got to Colorado is a long story, just roll with it). The unconditional love I experienced that weekend was eye opening and revealed a deeper truth, that God's love is not earned - it is a gift, free and boundless, that God is wooing each and every one of us into a deeper relationship with Gods-self and one another and that there is a whole new world available to us - a world steeped in beauty and love and mercy and kindness - if we are open to receiving this as gift - and then, just as important as receiving the gift of love, it is important that we share it with others.<br />
<br />
Three years later my family was living in Iowa and thanks to another Walk to Emmaus weekend, where I was a helper, the wheels were put into motion for me to respond to God's call and claim on my life as a United Methodist pastor.<br />
<br />
My seminary experience at the University of Dubuque allowed me to have a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven. Surprise! it isn't all puffy clouds and golden streets. It was intentional learning and conversations and study groups and messy test days and Koine Greek and struggling with big picture concepts and serving a church and being a mom at the same time. My seminary experience was real, intense, and the best four years of my life.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs9bpLyLW7Y/UvBK8rpnTPI/AAAAAAAACPc/LnNj2B1JTyc/s1600/4974_1177808809275_6295364_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs9bpLyLW7Y/UvBK8rpnTPI/AAAAAAAACPc/LnNj2B1JTyc/s1600/4974_1177808809275_6295364_n.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ordination, June, 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I graduated in 2007 and was ordained a United Methodist pastor in the Iowa Annual Conference in 2009. I have been blessed to serve 3 different congregations over the past 11 years. I am reminded daily of the many blessings that come when one says yes to God. Has it all been rosy? Nope. But it has been and continues to be an amazing ride!<br />
<br />
Not everyone lives in 7 different states in 50some years. Many of my friends and parishioners have lived in the same region of the country their entire lives, and I appreciate the sense of belonging and rootedness that they have as part of a long term member of a community. <br />
<br />
That being said, I have tasted and seen and experienced things in my life that have been wonderful and scary and sometimes even mind boggling. From television marketing and promotions for TV stations to a pulpit in Iowa - who would have imagined? I have borne 4 children and buried a parent and two step-children. I have gone through the pain of divorce and each and every day I continue to seek most earnestly to live into the love of our triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
I have no illusions that I will ever get it all figured out, I do however trust a few truths in the midst of it all:<br />
<ul>
<li>God is a God of Abundance - ready to be relished and enjoyed.</li>
<li>God is present in the midst of transition, in the joys of life as well as in the midst of sorrow and suffering.</li>
<li>We are loved and beloved - unique and gifted individuals...and this means everything.</li>
<li>Authenticity is essential, but in this life there are few with whom we feel safe enough to be truly authentic, and this makes me sad.</li>
<li>Relationships are essential - each of the memorable events in my faith journey were tied to being in relationship with, journeying alongside, others. We can not do faith without community.</li>
<li>We have to take risks some times but we also have to learn to roll with things...and there is tension in this, rather than getting anxious we need to see this as an opportunity.</li>
<li>We can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us...inspire us...equip us along the way. Thank God!</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9SH9Y81Iag/UvBEr2ywvUI/AAAAAAAACPM/oPxRs0l2Cns/s1600/emmaus_road_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9SH9Y81Iag/UvBEr2ywvUI/AAAAAAAACPM/oPxRs0l2Cns/s1600/emmaus_road_1.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a>I trust that God isn't done with me - but I have no idea where I may land next, and I am ok with this too. Along the way I think it's important to reflect on and share one's faith story. <br />
<br />
So, what about you? Perhaps one of these questions will inspire you to write your own story:<br />
<br />
How have you experienced God? <br />
Where have you seen God at work in your life? <br />
How is your love of Christ being shared with others? <br />
When have you had to trust the Holy Spirit in a difficult or challenging time in your life?<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
I look forward to hearing YOUR story! Let's visit some time soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
To God be the glory for the great things He has done, is doing and will do...<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
in Christ, together,</div>
<div>
Deborah<br />
<br /></div>
Deborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136713661812329747.post-5549604900084793282014-01-28T22:56:00.002-06:002014-01-28T22:56:33.394-06:00where has the time gone!????I just realized that I haven't posted anything - since the start of Advent - oh my! We've had all sorts of excitement since then...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V26e-qFo_CE/UuiJzLSQAPI/AAAAAAAACNk/n2Vx7HY0rGs/s1600/IMG_1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V26e-qFo_CE/UuiJzLSQAPI/AAAAAAAACNk/n2Vx7HY0rGs/s1600/IMG_1160.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and now...well, like many of my colleagues I'm already thinking about, fussing, worrying about Lent (and Lent doesn't even begin until March 5th!)<br />
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In between all of the work stuff I have gained a few pounds (too much information?), celebrated my grandson's 2nd birthday and my eldest son has chosen his college for next fall - Go Mustangs! <br />
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The baby of the family, or should I call Justin the youngest, is trying to convince us that he is ready to study abroad for a whole school year, and Hannah and Nelson are hurtling toward their college graduation - May 10th!.<br />
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January may seem like a time for resolutions or nesting, or even hibernating...but January is a time of planning for me. It's like a clean slate...this is when I get to take a long look at my calendar, fill in the wedding dates (6 this year - oh my!), plot and plan a vacation or two, and this year I'm even making plans for my very first renewal leave (yippee!!).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSCV3X-eG9w/UuiIGIbTjuI/AAAAAAAACNI/nAZNdYMOA0I/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSCV3X-eG9w/UuiIGIbTjuI/AAAAAAAACNI/nAZNdYMOA0I/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>What I didn't expect, until Saturday night, is that RAGBRAI would choose Waverly for a stop over town - that makes July a bit more interesting...but its all do-able. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXrW2Y_867Y/UuiHHQO0clI/AAAAAAAACM4/MsiA5Xjvls8/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXrW2Y_867Y/UuiHHQO0clI/AAAAAAAACM4/MsiA5Xjvls8/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Breathe...<br />
Breathe...<br />
Breathe...<br />
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In the midst of all of this craziness it is so important to pause and breathe... If I don't I shall surely become overwhelmed, or more likely I'll just put my head down and plow through it all - but I will undoubtedly miss something. <br />
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A moment, a perfect moment... like a hug from a 15 year old boy who still thinks you're ok. Or the surprising realization that my 2 year old grandson knew how to blow out his candles - a.maze.ing (my brother Jay couldn't do it when he was 4 or 5)...but Z - blew out his candles like a pro - first time and everything!<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAKkGsmeFmQ/UuiHpi6ypBI/AAAAAAAACNA/iU28VEFYvLU/s1600/IMG_1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAKkGsmeFmQ/UuiHpi6ypBI/AAAAAAAACNA/iU28VEFYvLU/s1600/IMG_1875.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
or the beautiful hoar frost we've been having this winter...and the midwestern sunrises and sunsets that take your breath away...or the laughter from the retreat room as the women's group watched the movie <i>Chocolat</i> on Saturday - what a joy to hear and see and experience the light of God's love in the faces of each and every woman there.<br />
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I could go on and on but you get the idea. The question shouldn't be 'where has the time gone?' but 'what am I doing with the time I have?'<br />
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Enjoy the journey, take pictures, hug and laugh and it's ok to cry at the beauty of it all as well.<br />
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In Christ, together<br />
DeborahDeborah Coble http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281284722483380968noreply@blogger.com1