Together We Sing

Close your eyes for a moment and picture yourself standing in a chorus of an endless 144,000 people, a singing a song of faith, singing aloud, if you will, the Gloria. And I ask you to be aware of two things that will be operating as each of us belts out our song, and you must listen to this seriously and carefully to catch its meaning.

The first is no one believes it all. Each of us in the chorus is gifted with only a partial understanding of the mystery of God among us; and so, in our large chorus, one sings with great intensity and assurance, another’s is with little attention and conviction, or perhaps today we’re caught by the words and melody because we happen to be emotionally ion a good place. But, at another time, in another mental or emotional place, we feel doubtful and alienated and we can hardly get the words out of our mouth. That OK. No one believes it all, but together we sing more than we can sing alone. Together we can sing more than we can sing alone.

The second thing that operates in this: if no one believes it all, so also no one believes all the time. Our journey of faith is seldom smooth and uninterrupted. At times it fluctuates between belief and unbelief. The list of names that you emailed contained people who have walked with you on this earth. Perhaps called them home when we were not ready to let them go home to heaven. We might say that we can no longer believe in God, in a God who would let take away our best friend or even a child. How could God do this to us? I like to share this healing thought.

Our response would be best to honor your losses, the loss of your spouse or family member, the loss, or at least, the shock to your faith. The fact of the matter is that tragedy has indeed broken your trust in a loving, compassionate God.

Now consider that your faith community believes for you. The saintly chorus picks up your faltering verses. The collective faith of the saints sustains us through periods of unbelief as we come in contact with saints of yesterday and we begin to see theirs scars and sense their resilience and they help us believe once more, in the face of tragic absurdity, in a new and different way. They help us sing with a different modulation. They sing the louder the phases that we can sing only softly through our tears.

So you see, no one here, you or I believe it all. And no one here believes all the time. No one accepts every verse and no one can sing every note all the time. But the chorus does. The chorus, or the community of saints, sings when you and I are unwilling or unable to do so.

We are a chorus of saints.

That’s what we celebrate on all Saints Day. We support each other and we become more than the sum total of our individual selves as the Communion of saints. You exhibit the gifts I don’t have and I exhibit the gifts you don’t have. You cry the tears I cannot cry and I laugh the laughter you cannot laugh. You believe when I struggle with doubt, I believe when you struggle with doubt. You smile when I am in tragedy; I grieve when you are in joy. Our faith hope and love are incomplete. But this feast of all saints tells us something. This feast gives us support. It reminds us that we belong to a vast community of time and space. It becomes a revelation and comfort. It tells us a mighty truth. Together we sing more than we sing alone.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the lord.” (Chronicles 16: 32-33).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who remember all their loved ones on this Feast of all Saints. May we always remember their goodness to us and sing their praises.

Shirley Goodnest

A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it.

She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, So he probably wouldn't notice her. Her neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Tim as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?”

Timmy nonchalantly replied, Yeah, I know who she is. The little girl said, Well, who is she?

That's just Shirley Goodnest , Timmy replied, and her daughter Marcy. Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?

Well, Timmy explained, every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, Shirley Goodnest (surely goodness ) and Marcy (mercy) shall follow me all the days of my life, so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!

No doubt there are times when you fell trouble is stalking you every step of your way. It is nice to know that God walks before, beside and has our back and will even, if necessary, carry us the rest of the way whenever we feel over our heads.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always

Am I A Witness or Witless for God?

A tip for getting dramatic photos in the wide-open. Live in your viewfinder. Explore the landscape through your viewfinder by keeping the camera at your side, not stashed away in your backpack. If you “live in the viewfinder,” you will see the world through the unique perspective of your lens and it will help you discover compositions, possibilities that you would not have found otherwise with your own eyes.

Another way of gaining a unique perspective on life is to ask a question with a question. It is a teaching style that teachers use with their students to motivate them to think, wonder and grow.

Some religious leaders in Jesus’ day were scheming to trick him into a dangerous mistake, and wondered if it’s “…lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”

Jesus answered their question with a question. He requested a coin, a denarius with Caesar’s image on it. “Whose head is this, and whose title?” You know the drill. You know the Biblical story.

When Jesus seemed threatened, he was adept at turning the tables. Jesus also embraced positive opportunities to reveal God’s ways. Questions were met by questions in the form of parables (What! A Samaritan is my neighbor?) and by gestures of unexpected generosity (What! The last hired worker is given the same pay as those hired first). In other words, Jesus witnessed for God by inspiring others to think, wonder and grow. Instead of providing answers ending an encounter, he posed questions or told stories that caused others to be unsettled about old ways or unfair traditions while sensing a new relationship with neighbors and God.

However, instead of being God’s witness, we frequently are witless.

Too often, we try to impress people with what we know.

Too often, we tell people what they should think before they finish speaking.

Too often, when confused or fearful or angry or spiteful, we don’t seek clarity but raise our voice.

Wit is derived from the Old English witan and the Old High German wizzan. Those two were rooted in ancient Latin and Greek words. But all shared a common meaning: to see or to know. And thus we have witness, witless, witty, dim-witted and more. Someone who sees or knows is a witness. Those who refuse to see or know are witless.

Am I a witness or witless for God?

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” In the encounter with the two-faced Pharisees, Jesus is said to have discerned their malice. I believe he knew they only looked through selfish, self-satisfied eyes, and only schemed to ensnare him. And yet his response, then and in so many other situations, challenged people to “see” beyond the self-destructive, foolish and witless.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “But you, O God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. (Psalm 10:14).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that we see life through the viewfinder of God’s vision. Let our questions about the things that happen to us help us to grow in God’s way of thinking, courage and love.

More Than Expected

Once again, I have been invited to offer the blessing prayer at the local florist workshop. The master floral designers strut their talent by demonstrating stunning displays depicting the holiday season. I begin my prayer with a big thank you to these creative artists who designed miniature gardens at a funeral home for a dear friend. This beautiful soul loved her gardens and the floral pieces that surrounded her ashes complete with gardening gloves and trowel were a stunning reflection of her love for God’s flowers.

Many times the floral designers are called upon to help folks cope with intense feelings of sorrow, or in times of struggle or moments of joy. The work of their hands brings hope and encouragement on a birthday, or wedding, in a hospital or surrendering our loved ones to God. Sometimes the orders and messages people put on their cards get a little mixed up. Like the time a spouse who was surprised by a beautiful bouquet from her husband who was away at a business meeting in Florida when the message read: “With deepest sympathy.” She was not as surprised as the woman whose husband had died and her card read: “It’s a lot hotter down here than I expected. Wish you could join me.”

There was a special moment during the demonstration when several designers were honored for their contribution to the floral industry. The narrator shared that often orders come from customer service for special orders and a designer does not want to be interrupted while they are working. However, one master designer at a local floral shop always seems to find the time to respond to these irksome requests throughout the day. He has spent over 30 years in the floral industry and his work is always beautiful. This is the kind of person you would never hesitate to ask a favor for because he always comes to greet you with a smile and his creative skills goes beyond exceptional, his creative displays are simply stunning.

Does not God come to us this way when we are rattled at times with life’s quirks? We need someone like this designer who makes time for us and stands at our side to be a sign of God’s love and generosity. In the same way, we are invited throughout our busy day to reflect the same patience and enthusiasm to help others in need. This is called exceptional customer service. Customer complaints are a gift where get a chance to shine with patience and humility. Some people we know do it seamlessly and with grace.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” (Proverbs 18:16).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who take the time to go out of their way to help those in trouble. Give us the gift of grace to gladly reach out to all who call upon for help and may we receive the fruits of our good works.

Looking Up

What do you worry about? The usual lists of problems like job, health, and your kids. Then there is this sin. Nothing you want to talk about. Usually hidden in your subconscious. But you worry a lot about it. It is like running the red light. We know it’s against the law, but we’re always in a hurry, but we take the risk and get lucky that we don’t crash into someone. This sin hurts our relationship with God. Not that God will condemn us into oblivion, but that it makes us feel unworthy, when all God wants us to feel is how very special we are to Him. So what can we do with this back hole in our soul, this compulsive habit that prevents us from enjoying the beauty that God sees.

It’s a prescription offered by St. Paul who had his troubles and worries and tells us: "Have no anxiety at all." To some people this might seem like Pollyanna or playing down our sinful nature. But St. Paul is no naive optimist. He had his share of troubles and failings. A partial list includes public whippings, shipwrecks, snakebites, imprisonment, illness and putting Christians to death. Yes, even the worse sin that you can imagine. We might carry that same sin inside when we took the life of the unborn, or slandered a someone, or abused a spouse or child. These sins drive us crazy because in an impulsive moment we no longer reflected the love that God placed inside our hearts.

But stay with me here. Listen to what St. Paul wrote while he was in prison: "Have no anxiety at all." How did St. Paul overcome anxiety? He tells us: "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." His prescription against anxiety. First, pray - put our troubles and our sins in God's hand - make your requests known to him. Doesn't God already know what we need? He does, but He wants us to entrust our lives and our problems to Him. There is a person who has a prayer corner in there home. It has a cross, a candle and small basket. The person writes their concerns on small slips of paper and places them in the basket, handing them over to God. When this sinner practices this prayer, they experience wonderful peace. The first part of overcoming anxiety our sins is prayer, trust in God.

The second part of the prescription is thanksgiving. God does not make mistakes. When a human being is alive, it is because God wants him or her to be alive. We are here because of God's will and, even the bad things, even the sins. God only allows them because of some greater purpose. Perhaps so that we can humbly get down on our kneels and experience this blessed moment of peace. So in every circumstance, we need to give thanks. A grateful heart is a peaceful heart.

The image that I have attached is a moment while walking a trail in the Adirondacks in which a friend told me to look up into the trees. He noticed the beauty of the leaves changing and this stunning shot reflects the beauty that occurs during Autumn.

So I say to you look up to heaven this morning and pray to God and unburden all your worries and sins. Let God come into your soul to refresh your drooping spirit and experience the wonderful bliss that comes when we trust in His words. "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose troubles have made them sick with worry and fear. Our world is full of greed, selfishness, betrayal and violence and we experience many disappointments yet help us to realize that – trust and gratitude is the secret to have no anxiety at all.