Resurrection Life

This post is by Rev. Dr. Liza Klein, San Rafael First UMC:

Christ is Risen! Or, at least in the experience of Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James on that first morning, the tomb is empty, and two men, or angels, are there to tell them Christ is risen. The women return to the 11 apostles and the others in the upper room. But to the apostles, their words, “seemed to them an idle tale.”

If he is the Messiah, why does life seem the same to them? The disciples huddle in fear behind locked doors. Even though Jesus had told them before he died that he would rise on the third day, the shock of Jesus’ crucifixion was too great for the disciples to know anything beyond their fear and confusion. Resurrection is a hard thing to comprehend, though in the Bible we are told that Lazarus had already been brought back from the dead, and the disciples had seen him, so that is not the only issue for them. They must have been confused about the issue of power, for the Messiah in Jewish tradition is one who will come with power to uplift the Jewish people from domination to independence.

If he is risen, why does life seem the same to us? It is usual for us to live out our faith in a place of unknowing. We have not seen Lazarus or Jesus risen. We plod ahead day-by-day, step-by-step, not expecting change, trying to keep our lives together, not expecting anything radically new to happen.

Easter with its enthusiasm and joy is an invitation to a deeper experience of God, to a stronger connection with God, other human beings and all of creation.

You are invited to experiment with resurrection living: Suspend your disbelief. Put aside your practical atheism.

“The Christ [who knocks] at that door has the power to change us on the inside, in the inwardness of our soul. We share who we are with him, and he shares with us who he is. This is the nature of God. His intentions become ours, and we become one with the totality of creation. This is something we could not ourselves achieve. Open the door.” (N. Gordon Cosby, “Believing the Big Story,” in Conspire, March 2013).

Our human response to trouble is often to huddle, to be numbed, to despair. To be resurrected from terrible life experiences, we must find a way to open our minds and our hearts enough to let God in. To be resurrected, we must be willing to let go of the past, knowing that a better past is not possible, and to open to the possibility of new life, of a future with hope, for us. Commitment to a spiritual community and our own spiritual formation is critical to move beyond the cultural norm of personal prowess and achievement and to trust your life to God, and to live your life deeply with others.

This is not an idle tale! Resurrection living means that we live free from fear of death, physical death, or the metaphorical deaths of failure, loss, sickness, and other human struggles. Do not be afraid! Come, live in the light, shine with the joy and the love of the Lord, for He is Risen, and draws near.

From Grief to Life

This post is by Gayle Shearman, Member of Novato UMC & Conference Co-Lay Leader:

Mark 15: 33-47 

This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalms 118:24

These words of scripture from the Psalms were words my mom said to herself every morning as she attempted to live into them each day. She would often say these words as she looked out at the view of Mt Shasta—framed in her dining room window—as she enjoyed her morning cup of tea.

Mom passed away, at the age of 90, early in Lent this year. The blessing for me is that I was asked to come earlier than planned to do her care giving for a few days. I arrived the evening of Shrove Tuesday, and we began Lent, fighting her latest health challenge together. As she became aware she was not going to overcome that challenge and started to pass, I had the privilege to share with her the things that were special to her. I recalled how she had some months earlier made sure I remembered what she would like included in her memorial service. 

Today is Holy Saturday, a day of realization of death and grief for Jesus’s followers. Imagine the family and friends gathered to comfort one another, trying to grab hold of the memories to fill the emptiness that must have consumed them in that time before they would go to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. I’m sure they shared stories of what to that point in time had been an exceptional journey for a savior among all peoples in the lands through which he had traveled.

Holy Saturday is the day in the Christian Year that for us most epitomizes grief – the full day in the three where Jesus was among the dead. It is an especially important day for me this year – as my Lenten journey has been one of death and life, grief and hope. I have not lost sight of the fact that it began, with my mom, on Shrove Tuesday. I have lived each day on my journey through Lent, appreciating the stories of family, friends and faith that shaped my mother’s life. As she joined the company of saints who surround us, I was all the more keenly aware of the Easter which is coming for every one of us.

These last years and this Lenten season have been a journey for me in love and grace, formed and shaped by the holy waters which flow in, and around and through me.

In this Holy Saturday as we live in that space between life and death and life, from Good Friday to Easter, I pray each of you remember the stories of family, friends, faith and a savior that have shaped your life and will continue to nurture you in the days to come.

In Life, In Death, In Life Beyond Death – God is With Us – We Are Not Alone – Thanks be to God.

Reflections on Lent

This post is by Anna Mullins, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

For many years, Lent has been a time for me to pause in this busy world and reflect on my faith journey. I was blessed to be born into a Christian family and my grandparents were among the pillars of a Methodist church in rural Kentucky. As I read the scriptures for Easter Sunday, I was taken back to one of my earliest memories of my faith. I was five years old and sitting on the front porch swing with my grandparents. They were telling Bible stories. I remember asking “what do I have to do to get Jesus to love me?” My grandfather said: “He already loves you and always will. He is a loving God who brought you into this world and has plans for you”. I asked: “how do I know what it is that He wants me to do”? They told me to pray every day, love Him, and be faithful to His Ten Commandments, which they recited to me. He will lead you.

As I reflect on Lent, Christ’s journey and His teachings, I am reminded of that day on the porch swing and the fact that God gave us the gift of free will – the freedom to choose. When I sat in that swing as a young girl, I wondered why God didn’t just make everyone be good. Free will is a hard concept to grasp, but we have to make the decision whether to invite the ultimate guest into our lives. With the hope and promise of Easter, now is the time to invite Him into our hearts and into our lives.

Thoughts on Self Denial

This post is by Rev. Jim Currant, a retired pastor at Novato UMC:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NRSV)

Preachers love to tell stories. Sometimes they are true. A colleague once told me that he had seen a banner outside of a restaurant that read: “LENTEN SPECIAL: All You Can Eat Buffet!” I wonder how many who saw that notice caught the irony. An “All You Can Eat Buffet” is clearly in step with the times. Lent clearly isn’t. Lent is a self-denying season in a self-indulgent world.

If that sounds somewhat medieval to you, you are not alone. United Methodists aren’t really into a “whip and nails” theology. We believe there is a place for self denial, but the aim of this denial is wider than making life leaner. The purpose is to sweep away some of the clutter in our lives to make room for the abundance only Christ can provide.

“What have you given up for Lent?” It’s a good question, but it should be followed up with another: “What have you taken on for Lent?” The words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel read loud and clear: self denial is only the first step on our journey with him. Along the way we are to pour out our lives demonstrating our love for him and our love for the world.

This sobering season is soon coming to its dramatic climax, but there is still time to make good on our promises to God. There is still time to do good for heaven’s sake. There is still time to take on something for Lent!

Psalm 31

This post is two prints done by Ellen Cassell, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

Yoga for Christians

This post is by Melissa Thorne, a member of Novato UMC and a certified yoga instructor:

As we are guided through this Lenten season, we muse over Jesus's last days, visions so vivid the Bible springs to life. But are you finding that between Sundays you become too caught up in life to think about the Lord? Are you finding that Sunday is the only time for a deeper connection? Trying to hold on to that connection throughout the week is the true challenge in our lives as Christians, especially when the frustrations of daily living are so prevalent from day to day. From the daily grind at work, to bills in the mailbox, sick kids, and high gas prices, where does the suffering end?

Well certainly our suffering is no where near what our Lord experienced, but to us it can become overbearing...simply too much to handle. Sunday becomes our reprieve, our time to offer up our praise to God and ask Him to take away all the pain; but what if you could have that chance throughout the week? I'm not just speaking of prayers before bed, although prayer is a powerful tool to utilize to become closer with God. However, everyone needs specific time set aside to connect with their inner being in order to gain a fundamental relationship with self and God.

I would like you to think of your body as your temple which can either be built on sand or bedrock. Of course you want the bedrock so you don't crumble under duress; so nurturing that foundation to keep all of the bricks stacked evenly to prevent them from toppling is the real challenge. Now I'm not talking about weight lifting to get huge bulging muscles to keep your temple strong in order to connect with God on a deeper level. Yet, there is a way through the practice of yoga, to keep your mind and body strong and interconnected as one in order to have a deeper understanding with self and Lord.

I am sure many questions have entered your mind, first of which, twisting into a pretzel is not a necessary requirement! There are many types of yoga offered today, and no it is not a religious cult movement. In fact, most classes offered today are specifically geared toward exercise, not religion. There are some, however, where you will find chanting and singing in Sanskrit to Hindu gods, breathing exercises, and strange poses. If you find your way into one of these classes do not be alarmed, no harm will come to you.

So how does yoga give you a deeper connection to self and God? Well it is a simple formula, strong body + open nurtured mind= deeper relationship with God. Your temple will become strong through your yoga practice, your mind will become open and supple to the ideas and teachings from God, your heart will become softened and filled with love, and your inner light will shine as you come to realize how your relationship with God has blossomed. Yoga can be an excellent avenue to help guide you to a stronger deeper relationship with yourself and God.

So if you are looking for a way to have a deeper connection, to find strength inside and out, to find a little peace in a maddening world, try yoga. It could be your way to find that missing link in life. If you are interested, I offer a gentle yoga class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Novato United Methodist Church from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM and free for all! Everyone is welcome with open hearts and open minds. Namaste'.

Water in the wilderness: Finding ways to find hope, strength or courage in the hard times

This post is by Eli and Amaya, youth members of San Rafael First UMC:

Eli’s Story

I had lots of trouble when I moved from San Rafael to Auburn last year. I argued with my parents a lot and I still wish we hadn’t gone. It was hard to be away from anyone I knew, and far away from so many people. When I first got there I was really upset but I was able to make the best of it. I tried to have fun in whatever we were doing. I got a new perspective on life, and can appreciate it more, I took a step back.

Being away helped me appreciate all that I have here. I’m now grateful for my friends in my neighborhood, my school, and have been able to reach out and make even more new friends.

Amaya’s Story 

Putting up with peer pressure or feeling left out of an act of illegal doings in teen years can be hard. Knowing everyone is out and about being ‘bad’, or as we call it, ‘having unsupervised fun’, and making the decision to sit out and watch from the side lines can be difficult. But being able to have the strength to step back and become aware of consequences that do not apply to me because of my street smarts make me thankful for my ability to make conscious decisions and create water in a place that may have been dry (or not as fun before).

Finding Our Way Home

This post is by Celinda Current, a member of Novato UMC:

Anne Lamott relates the following story in her book, Traveling Mercies.

“She told us this story just the other day: When she was about seven, her best friend got lost one day. The little girl ran up and down the streets of the big town where they lived, but she couldn’t find a single landmark. She was very frightened. Finally a policeman stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, “You could let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from here.”

She then continues-- “And that is why I have stayed so close to mine—because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home.”

We are now traveling through Lent. Lent is a time for searching. Lent is a journey.

“Traveling Mercies”

Love is Supreme

This post is by Ruth Elizabeth, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

Love is supreme. At this time of Lent, let us open the door and welcome God into our lives, feel His love and share it with others.

The Lord has made

 our beautiful world

 and we, His people,

 as well.

 We love Him,

 we praise Him,

 but we don’t always do

 what He’d like us to do.

 His Son

 gave his life for us

and we love

 His sacrifice.

 We need to strive

 to champion love

 to give it freely to

 each other and God.

"Fear Not, for I Have Redeemed You"

This post is by Rick Sapp from San Rafael First UMC:

My wife, Cynthia, feeds the birds. For years, every morning she distributes handfuls of sunflower chips on the concrete patio surrounding the swimming pool. This has resulted in a grateful gathering of birds including Goldfinch, Housefinch, Sparrows, Juncos, Brown Towhee, the occasional Rufous-Sided Towhee, Doves, Titmouse Chickadees and California Quail. In addition, there is a peanut butter feeder for the Downy and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers hanging from a roof beam outside the kitchen window. There are also four hummingbird feeders spread around the yard leading to almost constant territorial spats that can be most amusing to observe. We find the antics of the birds to be very entertaining and they bring us much joy and pleasure that we have come to take for granted.

About two months ago our patio was demolished and the swimming pool’s surface was removed. It left a mess of mud and gravel. Cynthia immediately began to fret about the birds, worrying that they would be so undone by the mess and the lack of a secure place to put out the sunflower seeds that they would stop coming to our backyard. But she was able to find places to put the seeds and the birds quickly accommodated and their numbers never diminished. In fact, they seemed to like and enjoy the scene of destruction. The Sparrows, Towhees and Juncos found more places to scratch and hunt for bugs and seeds. As the ground dried, the quail found new places to dust and before long there were many dusting beds where once there was concrete.

It seems to me that the behavior of the birds is something akin to the message Isaiah is telling the people of Israel. Despite the destruction and mayhem that they have created in their lives and how they have lost their connection to God, that God is still with them and on their side. Is 43: 1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” But they must adapt. Is 43:19 “ Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Lenten Disciplines

This post is by the Rev. Aniko Olah, pastor of Novato UMC:

Dear Lenten Pilgrims,

Greetings to you all in this growing season of Lent.

In one of my former churches I inherited a list of suggested Lenten Disciplines. Although the author of the list is unknown to me, I am very thankful for finding it in the files. We used these suggested Disciplines in the Lenten season at the Novato UMC last year, and we also talked about them in our Ash Wednesday service this year. You might find it helpful to pick one (or even a few) suggestions for the remaining weeks of Lent, so I am gladly sharing them with you (below). I wish you all a blessed Lent and a joyful Easter!

Inward and Personal Disciplines

1: Spend time in solitude each day.
2: Use a devotional reading.
3: Read through the Gospel of Mark and/ or the Gospel of John.
4: Begin (or continue) to keep a journal of prayers, questions, insights.
5: Focus on thanksgiving in prayer rather than asking.
6: Make a list of people with whom you need to be reconciled. Pray for them and let Jesus guide your thinking and feeling about them.
7: Go to all the Holy Week worship services as an act of love and waiting for Jesus.

Outward and Social Disciplines

1: Write a letter of affirmation once a week to a person who touched your life.
2: Give blood and recall the cross.
3: Say "NO" to something that is a waste of time or money.
4: Go through your closets, your home, garage, storage rooms and sort out all the items you don't really need. Give them away to a local organization of you choice.
5: Plan a weekly visit to a shut in neighbor, friend or church member.
6: Donate canned food every week to your local Food Bank.

Lenten Experiences

This post is by Bettye Kray, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

I remember when I was a child my friends and I would talk lots about what we were giving up for Lent. I don’t know how much we fully understood what it represented, but we knew we had to do it.

Most of my friends would give up candies, cookies, chewing gum, sodas, etc. Since I don’t have a sweet tooth, it was difficult for me to decide. My favorite food was butter. How do give up butter? It is in so many things.

As we grew older, I remember my Pastor talking about giving up something that was a favorite of yours. Something that was special to you. Right away I thought of my bicycle. A light went off. I really loved my bike. I would take off riding, falling, riding, falling, riding all over the neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods. This often worried my Parents, particularly my Mother. Problem child that I was I did it anyway. So, here’s this maybe ten, eleven, twelve year old giving up her bicycle for Lent. Most of my family and friends thought this was really strange. My Mother thought I had found Jesus.

Let’s move forward some years. Ok, many years. Ok, many, many years to today. I had open lung surgery on February 1st of this year. I am still in recovery mode, but doing very well. However, I cannot go to church yet. My goal is to be able to go to church on Easter Sunday. Thanks to the glories of technology however, our services have been recorded, and I have been able to watch them at home, whenever I want. 

In one service our Pastor Mark was talking about celebrating Lent as possibly not just giving something up, but doing something special for the season. Interesting thought to me, yeah, I like that. Then, he went on to talk about breaths and breathing. Talk about getting my attention, given my current condition. Pastor Mark gave us the idea of breathing in God’s love, and breathing out God’s praise, for Lent. What a wonderful idea! Now remember, I am dealing with pulmonary experts who are telling me how to breathe properly, that is, smell the roses and blow out the candle.

I am truly enjoying my new breathing exercises, and doing my best to live, “Breathing in God’s love and Breathing out God’s praise”. I don’t know how often we breathe. However, I am thinking this whenever I consciously breath. I feel closer to God with every breath. I will continue long after the Lenten season is over.

Blessings to you all.
-Bettye

Confession

This post is by Christ Klein, a member of San Rafael First UMC:

"....Lent?"
"Mind you," I say, rather sheepishly (metaphor intended), "this is my best one yet."
"How so?"
"My iStaff."
"Your....?" (Wrinkled forehead, one brow down.)

"It reminds me every morning. At eight thirty. 'It is Lent, you dummy, quit stuffing yourself. Reflect. Pray for E and S.' .. I just added the 'dummy,' but you get what I mean."
"And this ... is Lent...?"
"Compared to my normal...I actually am eating ..a bit...less."
"And the ...?" (Slowly.)
"Reflection and prayers? Twitters. Mental. But they happen, and some days more than once. Without my Staff ...helpless." (Shakes head...self-conscious smile. Knows this ain't much.)
"I thought you were supposed to, like, seriously fast, or give up your TV hoops games. Pine for something. Suffer a bit, groan. ... Penance?"

"Compared to the normal me, this is flyin'."
"Whose wings? Yours or the phone's?"
"God's, I hope."
"Maybe ... paragliding?"
"Good image!" (Smiles again, softly.) "Strapped in the sling. Under the wing ... In the shadows."
"Great views! ... Is it ... scary?"
"Sometimes ... yes."

Prayer and Mindfulness

This post is by Judy White, a member of Mt. Tamalpais UMC:

I was driving to work the other morning thinking of Kyle's very good sermon on last week's scripture and trying to change my praying and to be mindful. Suddenly 3 birds in trinity formation flew in front of my windshield. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit", I thought. Then I saw a bird - probably a hawk - soaring almost straight up - the way our spirits soar when God touches our hearts. Last I looked up to my right to switch lanes and glimpsed a cross on the hill. It turned out to be an old telephone pole but looked to me like the cross!

I can see God every day in many things if I am constantly mindful of His Spirit.

Finding God in Nature

This post is by Melissa Thorne, Novato UMC.

One spring morning I awoke to the sun's rays streaking through my blinds, filtering the warm glow over my face and sheets. The warmth so inviting beckoning me to rise, yet sleep still enveloping me, dreams so vivid and clear. Soon a beautiful song, one I had never heard before floated like a cloud in the sky through my window. As the dreams began slipping away I opened my eyes and rose to see which one of God's creatures was singing. Realizing that at this very moment it was as if I were listening for the first time, as if all other sounds in nature had fallen on deaf ears. Sweet sound filling my room like God's angels singing softly in heaven. Slowly I tugged with gentle motion on the string, the blinds folding like an accordion glide up the window toward the heavens. As I peered out the window my gaze was drawn to the live oak over shadowing the backyard: where are you my feathered friend? Thick was the tree with branch and leaf only song could be heard, filtered light flecking onto the soft green grass. Where are you ? I asked once again as if I were expecting an answer from someone who evidently was not there.

What beauty all around! Tulips in rainbow colors, daisies in white with sweet yellow centers, golden poppies and yellow daffodils mixing and mingling around the bird bath. As I became lost in the warmth of the sun and the beauty surrounding me I closed my eyes and listened. Suddenly it dawned on me that I have been not only deaf but blind to the good Lord's creations. All around me was pure love made by God's hands, and until this moment I had not really noticed. Oh sure I had been camping and hiking I always considered myself an outdoors girl, but honestly for whatever reason I never had a connection to God like this before. I knew then that I had been touched by the grace of God.

That very morning whence I awoke God had opened my eyes and ears to the world around me like I had never known. Nature and all things in it are sacred gifts from God that we should all cherish, respect, and love. Mindfulness is kindness.

I never heard that bird song again, nor did I ever see the beauty who sang into my window. God truly works in mysterious ways.