ps from ps If something is impossible, that means it’s pretty darn hard.
Except for God I guess, where all things are possible.
We’re going to launch into a series at St. Paul’s and Church Unleashed that focuses on the Impossible Promises of God. And the first one that comes up is well timed: the Impossible Promise of Generosity.
Spoiler alert: God was, is and will always be generous to us. It’s as simple as that. And because of that Promise of God’s Generosity, we are invited to do the best we can with ours.
Look no further than how the state of our climate is impacting the world around us, especially in the southeast over the past two weeks. Even as I type, Florida is bracing for another enormous blow.
How can we show God’s generosity through our actions in and after these storms?
1. Pray – pray for those who are in the path and for those that will respond to help immediately after. 2. Reach – reach out to those you know who are dealing with the aftermath of these storms. Even when the news cycle moves on, those that were devastated will still be working the problem. 3. Share – generously! Share through financial gifts through an organization you trust. Personally, I give through Lutheran Disaster Response because 100% of my gifts go to the affected area. Or make donation (stuff that is truly asked for and needed, not just stuff you want to get rid of) of supplies through folks that are linked into agencies on the ground and not just people self-deploying and making things more complicated.
The good news is what launches our prayer, reaching and sharing – Jesus was generous for us and gave the impossible promise of redeeming all of us.
May we respond to that Impossible Promise with our own generosity.
Lord, keep them safe. Inspire us to pray, reach and share. Amen
I didn’t mess up that phrase, just morphed it to match the day.
Recently, a family made a decision to use some old stuff for some new people. Some friends that I grew up with unfortunately had both their parents die in the past couple years. They made the decision to donate a ton of furniture and kitchen supplies to St. Paul’s refugee resettlement program and the family that will move into our new house..
Yesterday, a group of people grabbed a U-Haul and moved the belongings “out of the old” house and “into the new” house. These efforts will be part of furnishing an entire home to welcome a family that is resettling into WNY and looking to build a new life here.
“When you welcomed…clothed…fed…visited…those struggling the most, you welcomed me.” – Jesus.
As I experienced their giving this week, it caused me to reflect on my own “stuff” and what Jesus could do with it. How the world and God could use some of it..
As I look out my office window and see the guys working at Wheels for Workers and turning donated bikes into crucial work transportation, I hear Jesus words echo in my head.
As I see the Tiger’s Den Food Pantry volunteers organize donated food, check expiration dates and stock it on the shelves, I realize that the people that show up on Thursdays and Saturdays are the ones that Jesus is speaking of when he says: “Everybody Eats”. (He didn’t say those exact words but he lived them out many times, including for thousands of people with some loaves and fish.)
Out of the old…into the new.
What do we have to offer Jesus today? Jesus, in and through the form of those most in need. Those that need welcome. Those that need food. Those that are imprisoned.
What of our “old,” when shared, could be made “new?”.
Lord, thanks for the resources we have. May we use them for you. Amen
ps from ps (And now back to our Buffalo Bills and Jesus inspired devotions)
“Everybody eats!”
That’s the catch phrase of the current offensive side of the ball for the Bills this season. And it makes them the most Lutheran football team in the NFL!!
After their #1 receiver left last season (don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out), the team brought in a few new receivers but also realized that there wasn’t a clear #1 target anymore because everyone had gifts to bring to the team. And therefore, everybody eats! Meaning, everyone is going to get targets and handoffs to spread the wealth and opportunity. And it seems to be working.
How does this make them the most Lutheran team in the league? I’m glad you asked.
First, Martin Luther wholeheartedly believed in the “ministry of all the baptized.” That means, it you’re a baptized child of God, you have gifts to share in the world. Like talents on the football field, everyone has something to offer in God’s kingdom and it’s important that everyone gets a chance to share those gifts.
Second, Paul talked about those same spiritual gifts throughout 1 Corinthians where he emphasizes that there is no #1 Christian but that everyone of us is a needed “part of the body” and is important (see my sermon titled “Even the sphincter has role!” for details).
And third, as the Lutheran community, we announce before communion each week that Everybody Eats. All are welcome to the table. Everyone on the roster (God’s children) and team (God’s team) are invited to receive God’s grace through bread and wine, not because of what we’ve done but because of who God is.
There it is. Three points. That makes it true! The Bills are the Lutheranest. (Biegnerism). And maybe you are too.
So be part of God’s team today. Use the gifts God’s given you for this team and for this world. And enjoy the feast of God’s grace because Everybody Eats!
Lord, thanks for the gifts. And thanks for the feast. Go team! Amen
ps from pk ——- Hopefully you noticed the slight change in the email from “ps from ps” to “ps from pk”. Kristen Arends has joined the pastoral staff at St. Paul’s and will be sharing some of her own “post scripts” periodically in the weeks to come. I’ve always appreciated your feedback on the emails/thoughts/rants over the 26 years of writing. So, feel free to email Kristen at [email protected] as well.
Blessings, ps——- ps from pk
Music is one of my favorite ways to let the Holy Spirit speak to me. Sometimes through Christian artists but usually not. God’s words can speak out in all sorts of unexpected ways and sometimes music that’s not explicitly faithful can give voice to doubts or fears in a way that a Christian musician may not want to be honest about. Because, honesty is hard, it makes you vulnerable. I referenced the Ben Rector song “Sailboat” during my sermon this week. I invite you to listen to it HERE. Close your eyes. Take a minute (or 4) and see what God has to say to you.
(Kristen anxiously awaits your return after hearing the song)Did you catch this part?“I’m pretty sure I’m heard… at least I know I’m speaking… But I feel like a fool… ‘cause I can’t hear you listening” Sounds a lot like prayer to me. And such an honest response to feeling unsure about God’s response to our prayers. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to have faith and feel comforted if we could hear God listening to us?? It’s hard sometimes, to be hoping and praying and to not be able to tell for sure that God is listening. It definitely can make us feel alone. And that’s when God comes close. That’s when God nudges us and brings other people alongside us to remind us that God is right here with us. So if you’re feeling alone today – raise up your sails and let God fill them and lead you home. -pk
ps from ps: On an important day in our country’s history and as we remember those we lost on the first 9/11, can we follow the footsteps of Jesus and all work a little harder on being less divisive and remind ourselves how lucky we are to live in the US of A?
It will require some basic components of Jesus’ teaching: 1. More acceptance, less judgement. 2. More listening, less speaking. 3. More compromise, less digging in. 4. More grace, less condemnation. 5. More seeing another’s perspective, less narrow viewpoints. 6. More love. And more love.
As our firematic fire responders continue to run into burning buildings and dangerous MVAs scenes, they never ask party affiliation, sexual preference or religious background. They just use their gifts and training and do their work.
23 years after our worst national tragedy, it’s now up to every one of us to use our gifts and training from Jesus (see 1 thru 6 for details) and do our work.
Lord, stand with all who are hurting today. Help us to use our gifts, remember your training and do our work. Amen
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