Greetings all,

It has been about 3 years since I last posted anything on this blog!! I am trying to figure it out again as if it is the first time!! Below you will find my first message in a series on Addiction. I am using the 12 steps of AA as a guide and using Gerald May's book Addiction and Grace and Richord Rohr's book Breathing Underwater as resources.

12 Steps – Alcoholics Anonymous

1.         We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2.         Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3.         Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4.         Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5.         Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6.         Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7.         Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8.         Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9.         Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10.       Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11.       Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12.       Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Let us Pray:  May the God of Peace make you whole and holy, may you be kept safe in body, mind and heart and thus be ready to receive the invitation of the Holy spirit, to become truly humble in the presence of God. For we are called by God to love one another as ourselves and to love God and all of creation. Hear now these words, crafted from my heart. May they be worthy of your presence in our lives O Lord. Amen. (1 Thessalonians 5)

Addiction – the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.

synonyms:    dependency, dependence, obsession with, infatuation with, passion for, enslavement to

Gerald May, 20^th Cent Christian writer and leader and the author of Addiction and Grace defines addiction as “a state of compulsion, obsession, or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire” (p.14). It is the experience of “always wanting or a perception of needing more of the addictive behavior or object of attachment in order to feel satisfied” (p.26).

Attachments that we hold on to and then in turn begin to control us – may be work, food, anger, alcohol or drugs, but something that our ego desires so we might avoid, not deal with our inner struggles, our restoration to wholeness. “to find a false sense of love”   

          These attachments are like cancers that suck our life’s energy into specific obsessions, compulsions and attachments. (May)

Idolatry – holding up something that comes before God, before family and friends

Step One

1.We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

          I think a key word here is unmanageable, out of control – For AA it is alcohol, for others it may be food, an overabundance of work that takes us away from a balanced life, for others it may be anger – that which hides our inner true goals, our frustrations and perhaps a sense of failure. Either way, addictions distract us from looking inward, from living in Eden, the garden of delight which God intended for us to live in. Addiction enslaves us.         

But, the first step is to admit this!! To acknowledge that we are unable, on our own to step into the light of day.  How do we admit such a great fall?! We cannot heal what we do not first acknowledge.

Another word is powerless. Ever been to the grand canyon or sat at the bottom of a mountain. Look up at the night sky. We are small creatures. During Lent we pay attention to the 14 stations of the cross. Shedding our egos to truly walk with Jesus on the way to the cross.

Living in denial might work for a while. More alcohol, more food, more false happiness, but, if we are honest with ourselves denial betrays our God given life of goodness. In Matthew 7:3-5 Jesus explains this as being able to see the splinter in another ones eye but we miss the log that is in our own eyes.

Romans 7:15 I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. 18 I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it.

Ever feel that way?! I know what is the right thing to do, but I just can not get around to changing my ways. 

We are powerless on our own. But when we allow God’s grace, God’s ever present love for us to become known in our hearts we may be able then to reach out in the darkness and find the company of others who share the darkness, and who admit to the darkness in them. Let God lead you by way of abandoning your pride, immersing yourself before God - through prayer, confession, tears, Holy conversation.

Isaiah 38: 12–14  CEB

My lifetime is plucked up and taken from me like a shepherd’s tent. My life is shriveled like woven cloth; God cuts me off from the loom. 13 I cried out until morning: 14 Like a swallow I chirp; I moan like a dove. Lord, I’m overwhelmed; support me!”

I am fallen. I cry out! I am humbled as never before. I either face continued dying or … Lord, I am overwhelmed; support me! And we reach out then to others experiencing a similar battle and/or to others for help. To look inside myself, to find a center – as Evelyn Underhill writes to find the center where I am anchored in God, in searching for the will of God in my life and in the life of my community.

“Any struggle to reform addictive behavior will surely lead us into a desert” (p. 146). This is because deciding to “quit” destructive behavior involves willingly depriving oneself of that which day-to-day existence has depended. One’s feeling of security and well-being is overturned—leaving the person in deeply unknown and frightening territory. http://www.covenanteyes.com/2011/04/12/addiction-grace-love-and-spirituality-in-the-healing-of-addictions-book-review/

Step Two

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

          A leap of faith. We have come to believe.

These steps are not isolated from each other. We do not do step one and then leave it behind. A friend of mine has been sober for over 40 years. Yet, still feels called to attend AA meetings almost everyday or night. So, it is for us, whatever our addiction we pray each day.

That which separates us from God and God’s intention of goodness for the universe is something that can be healed, cleansed and forgiven by grace. Like a disease that grows inside – a disease this makes it clear that there is the possibility of healing and transformation.

Step two requires surrender. And to surrender we need to open our minds, our opinionated head, our closed down heart and our defenses – the surface things that we think keep us going. You know, be strong, don’t cry, protect yourself from life. We cannot heal, be restored by hiding. There is a power that is greater than ourselves. That power is love, grace and learning to live in community with God at the center.

Family dysfunction and the Bible

Perhaps when we encounter family dysfunction and friction within families in stories from the Bible, the writers did so with a purpose. If there were no conflict among friends and families in these stories, if all of life was lived in perfect harmony in these stories, would we be so enthralled with the Bible? would it mean as much to us? Would the stories call us? What would we learn from it?

The Bible, certainly inspired writings and musings by gifted and learned people, describes life as it was lived for ancient peoples, with the same emotions we have today. Ancient peoples were tempted by power, greed, sexual attractions, confusion. Ancient peoples were often lost as we may be today at times. But the Bible relates to us how, in our immaturity we yearn to know something better. And that better is acknowledging the mystery and greatness of the unknown. The Bible introduces us to God, something wonderful beyond us, untouchable yet almost within reach when we strive our very best. 

Be Courageous and Strong and Be Careful

Sermon Notes – June 30 - Be Courageous and Strong and Careful

Joshua 1:1-9

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For, I will be with you, as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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This Annual Conference of our denomination was the first for Rev Young Jin Cho as our new Bishop. In his address to us Sunday morning he said these words "The Lord is here with us. We are sitting on holy ground. As the presider of this Annual Conference, I feel a sense of awe and I want to do well before the Lord. I want you to have the same sense of the Lord’s presence and seek the will of God in our decision-making." 

I have had the good fortune to have prayed with Rev. Cho alone and in small groups before he became our Bishop. I felt very close to him at that moment and I say to you here and now – that the Lord is here. We are on Holy Ground. As your pastor now for two years I feel a sense of awe and I too want to do well before the Lord. I hope that you have the same sense of the Lord’s presence and seek the will of God in all that we, as a congregation say and do.  That we treat each other with respect. That we acknowledge that we each have our peculiar ways and it is not up to us to judge others. Let he who has no sin cast the first stone against his neighbor.  As God told Joshua – be courageous and be strong. Be confident. We do not need to be certain about all matters, just have the confidence that we are children of God, loved by God and move ahead in our lives. Move ahead across our River Jordan to new opportunities.  

Moses has died. This is a new generation. Things are different now. The mantle of leadership is now in the hands of Joshua. Moses did his part and tried to prepare the next generation for leadership.

God says to Joshua – OK now – listen up. Remember what Moses has taught you. Remember the law that I, your God have given to you. You are to lead this people to new opportunities. Always study the law and practice it whatever you do and wherever you are. I, God will always be with you, I will never leave you. Be strong and courageous. Be very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave to you.

These instructions include the 10 commandments and other laws and commands concerning righteous behavior and thoughts. Do good. Do not harm life. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  And love God. Honor life that is granted to you as a gift.

Be strong and courageous. I came upon this incredibly touching story of courage the other day about a young boy who was willing to give blood to his older sister who was facing death due to a rare and serous disease. ("On Courage" by Dan Millman from Chicken Soup for the Soul, written and compliled by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen) The doctor explained the situation to the parents and of course to the 5 year old who had the right blood to save his sister’s life. The doctor asked the little boy if he understood and was willing to give blood to his sister to save her life. The little boy took a deep breath and said – Yes, I’ll do it if it will save my sister’s life.-  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled. The color began to return to his sister’s cheeks. Then the little boy’s face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, - Will I start to die right away? – the little boy thought that by giving his blood to his sister would end his own life. And yet he had courage and strength and deep love and compassion. Even unto death.   

Most of us, regardless of age may not ever be in similar situation. But, courage and strength ultimately can be found in our faith because in that faith we feel safe. Assured that God loves us. That does not take away fear, or hurt or anger or doubt. We are allowed our times where we feel these emotions and may feel lost, afraid and alone. But, when we stop and breath and then pray – any kind of prayer, even when we might yell at God – when we stop and breath and acknowledge God in our lives we slowly turn and feel the arms of embrace. The embrace may come from a family member, a friend or even a stranger – but God has listened and through our human family God has responded.    

Be courageous and strong and be careful. Careful – to be full of care. Be full of care in your ways. In your thoughts and actions.   We each have our Jordan River crossings. Joshua knew his decisions would impact the lives of others. And we too impact the lives of others as we journey and cross the Jordan River. With God as our guide, expressed through the laws of old and the life of Jesus as our example, may we journey well and be strong and courageous and full of care. Amen.

Sermon notes  May 19  Pentecost  Acts 2:1-21 and John 14: 15-17,25-27

Good morning.  When I was a much younger man I was on a week-long retreat at a center of the Church of the Brethren. After dinner one evening I went out onto a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. It was autumn and the sky was clear and the air was crisp. As I sat and meditated on that day spent in prayer and fellowship I felt a cool breeze come over me. My arms began to tingle with delight and I felt and heard the voice of God. The Holy Spirit, God’s breath had visited me. I had spent much of the day in prayer alone and with others. My heart and being was open to this calling, this gift showered upon me. The presence of God through the Holy Spirit had broken into my life and I was transformed.

In a similar way the disciples and others gathered in a house in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of the Pentecost, they experienced a rush of wind from heaven, sounding like a roaring and mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit. New and strange things happen. Flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  The Holy spirit as promised by Christ described from our reading from John’s gospel was present.   God will send the Advocate, the HS to remind the disciples of everything Jesus had said and done. The HS breaks into their lives and they are never the same. They begin to proclaim the good news in all the languages spoken by Jews who were scattered around the Mediterranean world. They become passionate about their mission, about the risen Christ and what it means to each other and to the world.  From that moment the life of the church, in all its goodness, diversity, differences, and challenges begins to emerge and change the world.   We are the inheritors of this movement. Do we hear and sense the presence of the HS in our lives, here in this place?  Are we called today to proclaim the good news? 

Are we called today to be in this community as leaders of hope and goodwill? If churches do not produce people characterized by communion with God, Christ like character and bear the fruits of the Spirit people have every reason to ask why we stay in business.  

The Holy Spirit appears to each of us in different ways. For some, like the story in Acts the HS comes like a mighty wind, with a roaring vibration and noise inside a house.  For others, like me the HS comes in nature as a gentle breeze on a cool autumn evening .  Our awareness of the HS can happen whenever we open our lives to God and God’s path. The HS brings passion and purpose.

The passion of my faith and mission in life often comes to me when I sing certain hymns and anthems, when I read scripture, as I participate in communion, as I pray alone or with you, or as I participate in a mission project.

The Holy Spirit shakes things up. We are so used to the ways we have done things in the past. The past is familiar and comfortable. Are we blocking our faith’s journey for the today and the days to come? Are we letting the past get in our way of the church’s journey in this community by clinging to the way it has always been done? The HS shakes things up.

Church of 12, fed by the HS now feeds over 800 families a month. A Presbyterian church in Covesville, fed by HS now is home to a day care center that services 30 families in the community.

 When the HS came upon these men and women in that house they did not know what the future held, but they knew their lives had been changed with a purpose. So they slowly, with bumps, valleys, sunshine and all set about to establish a community, a church in which the ways of God are paramount.  Where love and service to the world are instilled in their hearts and actions.

They struggled as we do today to figure out what all this means for their lives. One of the first things they did was elect some to be deacons, to lead the effort to address the needs of the poor, the orphaned and the widows. Those persons who were on the outskirts of society, were hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. Those persons who were vulnerable to whims of the greater exterior world.

As time went on they tried to figure out how to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to whom. Some wanted the movement to remain Jewish while others wanted to open up the movement to non-Jews. This was difficult for it upset their comfort zone. The Holy Spirit will upset our comfort zone. The Holy Spirit breaks into our lives and sets things loose.  

Let us open our hearts and selves to hear the blowing of God’s breath, to feel the fire of the Spirit of God and make us move to enrich our lives and make disciples of Jesus Christ by doing no harm, doing  good and always staying in love with God.

In our story today God breathed life into a community of once timid disciples and gave them fire of heart and mind to begin creating a new world.  Their former lives ended and their new lives began.

Though we may or may not hear or feel the rush of a mighty wind we are gathered here to worship as the worshippers in the story of Acts were gathered, to worship and praise God. 

The HS calls to us today to rekindle our hearts and actions to make disciples, to bring a heaven on earth, God’s Kingdom through acts of goodness and through acts of prayer and devotion. The Holy Spirit dwells in us, when invited by us through prayer, worship, service and other spiritual disciplines.  We are the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. But we can only be this body if we are a Spirit-filled people. This is our new Pentecost.

We have an Administrative Council meeting following this service. Let us bring the HS to our gathering. Let us turn our church and community upside down, light a fire and move.  Amen.