Of Service through Bible Study

A Year of Being Kind blog – Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Of Service through Bible Study

Lots to do today! I had some email correspondence to go through this morning (at home), and then went to church to get ready for the bible study. A member of the board and I were talking, and before I knew it, it was after eleven. After the time bible study was to begin! So—the two of us dashed into the meeting room. I apologized up and down. But it seemed okay. Several people were practicing on special music for Sunday while they were waiting. I’m so glad I didn’t leave people just twiddling their thumbs!

I taught the next installment in the study. Good topic, although I felt the study wasn’t quite like the previous weeks. Somehow, not as insightful. However, I hope and pray that the church members who attended received a blessing from what we read today. I’ve always found it good to open the Bible and study more in depth, even when the questions were not as penetrating and thoughtful.

Contemplating on this makes me wonder: what does God think of us when we study the Bible? (Even when the questions don’t pack much of a punch . . .) I am leading the midweek study group through a series of studies on the titles and names of Jesus, found in the Gospels. Last week’s study was on Servant—we looked at Jesus in the Upper Room, and discussed Him washing His disciples’ feet. Excellent study, and wonderful discussion, too! But—not today. I tried to help the study along, but I wasn’t able to do as much.

I suspect God is pleased whenever believers gather to study the Bible. I know there are many places in the Scriptures where the study of the Word of God is praised and lifted up. I know many devout believers in God search the Scriptures regularly, and write commentaries and bible studies and other biblical and devotional literature. Moreover, they pray and meditate on God’s Word. And, I get to do this, too! I love to lead people in study. I relish teaching others about the Bible, letting them know more about the things I have studied diligently, over many years.

One verse does come to mind, regardless of whether I have an excellent study or not. As Isaiah 55:11 states, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Even so, God’s Word is living and active, not static. Readings from the Bible will always bear fruit. Regardless of whether the study has mediocre to poor questions, or whether the teacher is more or less dynamic. God has promised, and I believe in the truth of God’s promises.

So—I find I have the best team-teacher in the world—God. And, I can truly be of service when I teach about God: service to others, and service to God.

@chaplaineliza

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How to Be Helpful by “Sacred Cow Tipping” (and Other Matters)

A Year of Being Kind blog – Saturday, July 19, 2014

How to Be Helpful by “Sacred Cow Tipping” (and Other Matters)

In case any of my regular readers isn’t aware, I am at a conference: the 2014 National Assembly of the Federation of Christian Ministries. Wonderful presentations! (Really and truly. That isn’t me just saying that to earn brownie points with the association.)

Even though every presentation has been worthwhile, two sessions this afternoon were especially fantastic! Both sessions were infused by the same off-beat, dead-pan sense of humor. Both featured the same presenter: Rabbi Laura Baum (you might know her either from her online congregation, www.ourjewishcommunity.org, or from her Twitter handle, @Rabbi). I’ll talk about the second first. (If you know what I mean.)

Her second presentation was on the use of social media in building community. Since the conference I’m attending features a large group of Christian ministers in many alternative ministries, I suspect the conference organizers wished to give 21^st century communication options and opportunities to the attendees. Rabbi Baum certainly delivered! She gave a genial tour of several types of commonly-used social media, and pointed out handy tips for using this media effectively. Since I am currently working with my church’s office manager to get our church’s Facebook page up and running, this is precisely what I need at this point in time! (Thank you, thank you, Rabbi Laura!) Oh, our Facebook page—in its infancy still—is St. Luke’s Evangelical Covenant Church—in Morton Grove, Illinois, a suburb north and west of Chicago.

Another totally awesome presentation (also featuring Rabbi Laura) was “Sacred Cow Tipping.” As she explained, she had formerly called this type of session “Smashing Idols,” but she found the idea of tipping over ‘sacred cows’ to be more evocative. (And humorous.) This was not your typical large-group session at a conference, where we passively sit and listen. No, each table was asked to interact with each other on a number of questions. Here, the presenter suggested that we in the audience think of something serious—a ‘sacred cow’ each individual might really want to smash—and communicate that to others in the group. This process not only was freeing for me, personally, but I could sense the same freedom and excitement coming from many other attendees in the audience, at tables close to me!

Rabbi Laura spoke at length about the whole concept of destroying a ‘sacred cow.’ Admittedly, a valued-by-many, precious-to-some, tenaciously-held white elephant of an idol. (How about that for a mixed metaphor! Mine, I must admit.) Although, as some gardeners know very well, certain types of bushes and plants need to be drastically pruned and cut back in order for them to remain healthy, and to flower and grow back in a glorious manner. Just so, certain practices or specific institutions in the church need to be prayerfully considered, cut back, or pruned—even cut down to the roots.

I still don’t know quite what I am going to do with this idea of ‘sacred cow tipping.’ But, it resonated deeply within. I’m going to pray about it. Meditate on it. And then, see how God leads! Whatever and wherever it is, it will be exciting! Thanks again, Rabbi Laura.

@chaplaineliza

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Holy Saturday, Batman!

A Year of Being Kind blog – Saturday, April 19, 2014

Daffodils – photo by Kevin Jones, 4/18/14
Chicago Botanic Gardens

Holy Saturday, Batman!

Today is Holy Saturday. Or the Great Sabbath. Or the Saturday of Holy Week. Whatever we call it, today is the day after the commemoration of the death of Jesus on the cross. Traditionally, this is a day when Christians wait outside our Lord’s tomb, in quietness, prayer and fasting. The Church is to meditate on Jesus, His Passion and death, and His descent into Hell. (As is spoken of in the Apostle’s Creed, just to serve as a reminder for those of us with non-liturgical backgrounds.)

Yes, I grew up with a liturgical tradition, but I have never observed a Holy Saturday service, with the altar stripped bare. Or, an Easter Vigil on Saturday night. So, these practices are very interesting to me—and somewhat odd. Different.

How do I see Holy Saturday? I look on today as a waiting-time. Waiting for the celebration of Easter, waiting in the quiet of that garden long ago, waiting beside the tomb—with the stone still standing in place. I do not necessarily think of going into a church for a service on Saturday; but that does not mean I am not thinking of Jesus, His Passion and death, and His presence in that tomb.

My husband, daughter and I took today to go to the Chicago Botanic Garden, to see the lovely growing things. As I reflect on this now, after the fact, going to the Botanic Garden reminds me of the coming of Easter, for the most part. Sure, there are a few blooming spring flowers (You should see the daffodils and crocuses!). For the great part, the garden itself is waiting. The buds and leaves of spring are almost ready to unfurl and push their way out into the sunlight. For example, the vivid, bright green of the weeping willows—about to pop open! But, not yet.

Sure. The Botanic Garden on Holy Saturday is not the first thing that jumped to my mind this morning. However, this choice of ours (in response to my husband) to go up to the Garden and to enjoy the relative warmth of the day? Certainly a welcome opportunity after the long, harsh, cold winter.

My intentional act of service today came later in the afternoon, when I brought over some things to my sister’s house. And I did enjoy myself as I spent some time with my sister, family and friends (Yes, the food was definitely a high point!).

I hope the time of quiet I had this morning helped me to concentrate on the death of Christ. I know this afternoon in the gentle beauty at the Garden caused me to think of the beauty and infinite creativity of God, even while waiting for the resurrection on Easter morning. Lord Jesus, I’m waiting! Waiting for You, the Light and Life of the world.

@chaplaineliza

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Showing Love by Updating the Bathroom

A Year of Being Kind blog – Wednesday, February 19, 2014

bathroom – Roy Lichtenstein, Pop art, 1961

Showing Love by Updating the Bathroom

What would you do if you got a sum of money? What would I do, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you.

First, I’ll give a little background, so you understand just why I asked that question. I received a small inheritance recently. I thought about it, prayed about it, and gave a portion of it away (to my church, and to two missionaries I’ve known for many years). One of the decisions I made was to update and renovate the bathroom in our condominium. Our building is about sixty-five years old, and the bathroom has not been updated in all that time. Everything still original. Everything still works, but things are a bit scruffy around the edges.

The contractor came over today. He and I talked, and I’m several steps closer to making this prudent decision a reality. The contractor blocked out the time in about five weeks, and I’ll start researching exactly what I want to purchase. Not really expensive, but certainly not super cheap. Pretty much middle of the road, except for the plumbing fixtures (which I very much want to be of excellent manufacture and condition). So, Home Depot? Menard’s? Here I come!

As I reflect on our modest condo, I cannot help but be reminded of how much this story relates to me and my physical self. My spiritual self. My emotional self. I’m in decent shape, too, if a bit scruffed up around the edges. Everything in my life and experience works and fits, for sure. But I am not certain whether I want to tell God, “hands off! That’s quite enough.” At least, I don’t think I want to.

Let’s stretch this analogy a bit further. I can think of God as my general contractor. I am the condo (or, small house). Sometimes, I get up the gumption (or, some might think it the foolishness) to have God redo a room or two. More often than not, God takes the initiative to do some remodeling.  I do not always agree, but God is my General Contractor, after all. I may not want the “kitchen” stripped down to the studs, or the “first floor windows” reframed, or the “sewer pipes” rodded out. Gosh, I may have smaller, gentler, kinder contracting jobs in mind, like washing the “outdoor wraparound porch” or changing the” light bulbs” on various appliances.

The verse that I am focusing on in February is 1 John 3:18, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” What could be more loving than making certain that the bathroom in our condo is a warm, welcoming, fully-functioning place? This particular room is a basic need, true! But when it’s done, remodeled and up-to-date, I will feel real satisfaction. I wonder whether God feels the same way about me, when a “remodeling job” is finished in my internal dwelling place, too?

I’ll need to consult some more with my General Contractor. God willing, I’ll do just that, when I pray and meditate tomorrow morning.

@chaplaineliza