In the 1994 movie “The Santa Clause” actor Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a top ad executive and divorcee who is used to living his life his way and used to getting what he wants. But in a strange turn of events one Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin (note the initials S.C.) finds a Santa Claus suit, puts it on and begins delivering presents in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. At first he is convinced this is all a dream and only begrudgingly delivers the presents while snarling at the inconveniences and children who should be asleep. But over time he learns that he actually is the new Santa Clause, and his body changes so that he looks the part. What is more, he actually changes in the process. As a result of acting like Santa, he becomes more like Santa—more joyful, giving and kindhearted. He becomes a new man.
Jesus came into this world so that we may go thru the change from old to new. Christ’s birth calls us to be different people—a radical, deep change of our character. This is the work of the Spirit in our lives, and we decide whether or not we will cooperate. And we simply can’t think our way into a new existence. Like Scott Calvin out delivering gifts as if he were Santa on Christmas Eve, we have to get out and practice being like Jesus in order to become more like Jesus. Practice is how we cooperate with Christ.
I kinda felt this happening to me Sunday as we traveled from home to home singing carols. I realized it is one thing to hear the songs on the radio. But it is entirely different (life-changing and life-giving) to get out and sing them myself. We don’t sit idly by and wish for change to occur. We are empowered by the Christ-child within us to act and become something new—all to help us love God and love neighbor. This is my prayer for myself and for each one of you this blessed Christmas season. May we grow in grace as we practice our faith together—these twelve days from Christmas until Epiphany.
Fa la la la la la la la la,
Pastor David
online journal of First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine Iowa
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
"Enjoying" All Saints Day
This past Sunday (Nov 1) was All Saints Day, one of the many days on the church calendar that I deeply enjoy. We joined the entire company of saints, living and dead, in lifting up our praise and thanksgiving to the Risen One. I know that "enjoy" might seem like a strange verb to use when it comes to remembering those who have died in the faith. But it is an enjoyment that is closely linked to inspiration, reverence, respect and awe (less of the "devil-may-care-let's-live-it-up" type of enjoyment. That's not my usual approach to life anyway!).
All Saints is so important to the life of the faithful. It's a Sunday that, if you are crying, most people can figure out why (not that you should be ashamed to cry on any given Sunday). No only do we recognize the great sense of personal grief and pain that is so important in personal lives. At the same time, it is a moment when we grieve together in church, as a church. The collective grief of losing 12 members in the last 12 months needs to be spoken. And somehow when we grieve together, it lessens the burden of the individual. What affects one affects us all. The church is ever-changing, and we are in this together.
All Saints Day is also important because it is a touchstone of inspiration. Many football teams pass by and touch an important symbol as they run out to the game field. Be it a gator, a light switch, an inspirational sign, a statue of a former player or coach. Some ritual to remind the team they are not the first to take the field, and maybe even not the greatest to grace the turf. So it is with All Saints. That ritual, that touchstone, is a recognition that we would not be here without the collective witness of martyrs, prophets, apostles, teachers, poets, artists, musicians, leaders, dishwashers on whose shoulders we stand.
Without acknowledging our pain and loss, All Saints would be empty triumphalism. Without being inspired to persevere and carry on the faith in our own way and own day, All Saints would be insufferably painful. God gives us both. The grace to endure the pain, and the grace to grow in faith. That's why when we sing "For All the Saints" I enjoy All Saints Day. I enjoy singing "Alleluia!," because somehow in God's mysterious and holy way, I again sing with the saints in glory who taught me what that word means, saints like my own mother Delna Ivie and my seminary Old Testament professor Roy Melugin.
Inspired,
Pastor David
All Saints is so important to the life of the faithful. It's a Sunday that, if you are crying, most people can figure out why (not that you should be ashamed to cry on any given Sunday). No only do we recognize the great sense of personal grief and pain that is so important in personal lives. At the same time, it is a moment when we grieve together in church, as a church. The collective grief of losing 12 members in the last 12 months needs to be spoken. And somehow when we grieve together, it lessens the burden of the individual. What affects one affects us all. The church is ever-changing, and we are in this together.
All Saints Day is also important because it is a touchstone of inspiration. Many football teams pass by and touch an important symbol as they run out to the game field. Be it a gator, a light switch, an inspirational sign, a statue of a former player or coach. Some ritual to remind the team they are not the first to take the field, and maybe even not the greatest to grace the turf. So it is with All Saints. That ritual, that touchstone, is a recognition that we would not be here without the collective witness of martyrs, prophets, apostles, teachers, poets, artists, musicians, leaders, dishwashers on whose shoulders we stand.
Without acknowledging our pain and loss, All Saints would be empty triumphalism. Without being inspired to persevere and carry on the faith in our own way and own day, All Saints would be insufferably painful. God gives us both. The grace to endure the pain, and the grace to grow in faith. That's why when we sing "For All the Saints" I enjoy All Saints Day. I enjoy singing "Alleluia!," because somehow in God's mysterious and holy way, I again sing with the saints in glory who taught me what that word means, saints like my own mother Delna Ivie and my seminary Old Testament professor Roy Melugin.
Inspired,
Pastor David
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
It gets hot in Texas. It gets hot in Texas and stays hot. It is so hot there that people write songs about it--smoking hot blues songs that make you sweat even more. Part of the problem is the sun--very bright and penetrating. Forces us to develop habits, especially around cars. If a shade tree is not found (good luck!), you must crack more than one window and place a sun reflector in the dash. When you return to your car, you open the doors to allow the heat to escape before daring to enter. Then you start the car and immediately turn the a/c on, keeping the windows down to continue to let hot air out. Then you drive, the faster the better, so your car will cool off before you get home. And keep the a/c vents blowing directly on your own face and body. Forget the kids.
Old habits die hard. I have found myself many times, during this very mild summer here in Iowa, jumping into the CR-V on a nice 70 degree day and starting the car a/c. Then I look around and realize everyone else has their windows down, enjoying fresh Iowa air, and I smile to see that I am unnecessarily following human tradition.
Sinful? Probably not. But a good example of what Jesus meant when he accused people of following human traditions rather than following the commandments of God (see Mark 7:1-23). We easily get stuck in familiar routines and often don't take the time to ask ourselves important questions like "Where am I?" and "Is what I am doing really necessary?" Jesus invites us to be reflective in our faith so we don't get off base. What way of thinking from yesterday needs to die so that you can be faithful today? What lessons need unlearned? For life-giving faith, this kind of work is good and necessary, if hard. And impossible to do alone. We need each other on our journey of "being reformed by the Word." You count. You help bring others to freedom.
In the cool breeze, Pastor David
Old habits die hard. I have found myself many times, during this very mild summer here in Iowa, jumping into the CR-V on a nice 70 degree day and starting the car a/c. Then I look around and realize everyone else has their windows down, enjoying fresh Iowa air, and I smile to see that I am unnecessarily following human tradition.
Sinful? Probably not. But a good example of what Jesus meant when he accused people of following human traditions rather than following the commandments of God (see Mark 7:1-23). We easily get stuck in familiar routines and often don't take the time to ask ourselves important questions like "Where am I?" and "Is what I am doing really necessary?" Jesus invites us to be reflective in our faith so we don't get off base. What way of thinking from yesterday needs to die so that you can be faithful today? What lessons need unlearned? For life-giving faith, this kind of work is good and necessary, if hard. And impossible to do alone. We need each other on our journey of "being reformed by the Word." You count. You help bring others to freedom.
In the cool breeze, Pastor David
Monday, August 17, 2009
An Expectant Faith
Let me recommend to you the movie The Great Buck Howard, now available on DVD at local video stores. (Rated PG). John Malkovich plays Buck Howard, a "mentalist" whose is known most for appearing 61 times on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Howard is famous mostly in his own mind, and travels relentlessly--happy to perform for smaller and smaller crowds. Buck Howard ends every show with his signature feat: the crowd randomly selects one of the audience who hides money while Howard is back stage with witnesses to prove he is not peeking. Without fail, Howard locates the money, with no known help, trickery, or audio support. How does he do it? How does this man who is arrogant and brash, who can't find his own way down a hallway, pull this off?
One of the most interesting dynamics of the movie is that most people assume that Howard is not for real. Most people who interview him or watch him closely are more concerned about other aspects of his quirky personality or habits. In one telling scene, Howard somehow induces an entire crowd to fall asleep, but the media learns that Jerry Springer has had a accident on the highway, so they rush off prematurely, and the event is lost. People just aren't paying attention. Thought Buck Howard is consistent, the world is too distracted to notice. That, or they just can't handle the mystery of it all.
Though not the best movie you may see all year, it does prompt reflection on our own approach to life and faith. The Bible teaches us that God is active and involved in the world--some times in the plain and obvious, sometimes in the hidden and unknown. It is too easy to remain distracted, not noticing the little miracles all around us. It is too easy to get caught up in asking the wrong questions, demanding answers that either won't help or that can never be answered. In a cynical world, our challenge is to remain in a posture of surprise, awe and fascination. If you find yourself bored, if you find yourself drained, perhaps God is inviting you to start again. Start over with a beginner's mind, waiting, ready to catch God in the act of doing good.
Buying my ticket, Pastor David
One of the most interesting dynamics of the movie is that most people assume that Howard is not for real. Most people who interview him or watch him closely are more concerned about other aspects of his quirky personality or habits. In one telling scene, Howard somehow induces an entire crowd to fall asleep, but the media learns that Jerry Springer has had a accident on the highway, so they rush off prematurely, and the event is lost. People just aren't paying attention. Thought Buck Howard is consistent, the world is too distracted to notice. That, or they just can't handle the mystery of it all.
Though not the best movie you may see all year, it does prompt reflection on our own approach to life and faith. The Bible teaches us that God is active and involved in the world--some times in the plain and obvious, sometimes in the hidden and unknown. It is too easy to remain distracted, not noticing the little miracles all around us. It is too easy to get caught up in asking the wrong questions, demanding answers that either won't help or that can never be answered. In a cynical world, our challenge is to remain in a posture of surprise, awe and fascination. If you find yourself bored, if you find yourself drained, perhaps God is inviting you to start again. Start over with a beginner's mind, waiting, ready to catch God in the act of doing good.
Buying my ticket, Pastor David
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