Journey Home

This is the story of my week (Feb 6-11) (wrote this Sat 2/11)

What is faithful living?
It is living each day with an assurance that God is good no matter what.
That God is providing- no matter what.
God is loving no matter what.
God is present no matter what.
It's knowing and feeling that God's grace is sufficient for all things.
It's trust and abiding
It is seeing joy in all things.
This week I have seen this. - In fact I see this all weeks... but I this week-- I was confronted with God's grace and faithful disciples of God in powerful ways.

As a pastor- I have the honor -- the deep deep powerful privilege to witness this- to experience it and see it every day.

Two of my dear friends have been on a journey that they have described as joyful and filled with God's grace.
One of them is dying.
But we know that this is not the end of the story.

My friend Joe* is dying and his wife Sarah* is a woman filled with the purest love and devotion.
Each day I've sat with them, prayed, hugged, held, read scripture, laughed, told stories.
I prayed, loved and pulled Sarah* into my lap literally as our smiles turn to laughs as we knew and exclaimed this is what God is doing with us! God is pulling us into God's lap! I had asked her what words she felt that day-- they were loved, embraced, sad.

The next day her words were peaceful, comforted.

I sat next to my friend Joe* and wept this week. Wednesday I was able to sit next to him and weep-- just me and weep. I told him stories of some of our times together. I read him scripture--out of his beautifully marked up bible. Scriptures traced with green pen, and highlighted... I read him my favorite Psalm 139 (marked my him as well-- and learned later from Sarah that it was one of his favorites). I read to him from John 14- so he could hear and know Jesus was waiting for him-- Jesus had gone and prepared a room for him. So he could know that Christ has not left the rest of us alone-- We are not orphaned. The Holy Spirit is holding him, and Sarah, and their two sons, and all of us who love, and weep, and will miss him. I read to him Revelation 21 telling us Heaven and this place where there will be no more crying, or tears, or mourning, or pain. A place where all are united in everlasting joy and praise of God.

I talked about joyful times when he wondered into my office and we would sit and talk for hours about life, theology, family, church, politics.... he would often tell me he was worried I was working to much and wanted me to slow down. He cared and wanted to hold me accountable. We challenged each other. We prayed, laughed, and shared joys. He always made me laugh-- he always had a way of disarming everyone around him and helping them to be at ease, authentic. He helped you to laugh at him, yourself, everything-- and to simply be humbled. Everything he did was to lift others and let them be whole as they are. He wanted you to feel like the hymn "Just as I am" that God loved you and he loved you.

Thursday I visited with my daughter Sophia.
Thursday is usually "day off" but I wanted to be there. I have Sophia with me on my day off. We dropped Grace off at preschool, dropped Kevin off at Starbucks for a meeting and got a few treats for us and a latte for me to take to Sarah*. Sophia is 3. We talked about Joe* and Sarah* and why we were going to visit.

I said, "We're going to go see our friend Joe and Sarah at a place called the Hospice.
Sophia said, the hospital? - she knows I go there a lot
It's a lot like that- I say. We are going to go tell them how much we love them and that God loves them. Our friend Joe is sick and he is going to go see Jesus."
That's about all we talked about...

We also sang some songs on our way (She loves to listen to the musical "Into the Woods" - she calls it "the fairy tale CD"). We got there and she got her own name tag- I signed the Clergy check in sheet.

We went in to visit and take Sarah a latte - I figured we drop off the latte, give hugs and prayers and head out. We came into the room and family and friends were gathered around as usual. Sarah had taken a much needed break (she's been living here) to go home and take a shower and change.

Sophia came in and smiled at everyone. She looked so so cute in this pink outfit top, skirt, and tights she picked out. I asked her if she wanted to go say anything to to Mr. Joe. She went up and said, "God loves you Mr. Joe!" and she kissed his hand.

There he was-- covered in his prayer shawl and prayer blanket from church, wearing a cross necklace from friends, and clutching the palm cross I brought him from Jerusalem. She kissed his hand as his hand clung to the cross.

Our wonderful Dir of Congregational Care (Kathy) took Sophia for a walk and I sat and prayed with *Joe.
Then off to find Sophia and figured we would head home. They have a beautiful sun room/sitting room at the Hospice and a giant toy box. Kathy and Sophia were happily playing with toys. She took every stuffed animal out-- we had a parade, and took them to the beach- she has an wonderful imagination. We visited for over an hour with family there as we played with toys.
(Pic of Sophia as we were leaving Hospice)


Friday afternoon I was able to go and I took my 4 year old Grace. I did not have long- Kevin was taking youth to Laser Tag and I had to get back by 5pm.

Grace is usually the first to hug anyone- she's been on many visits with me. She knows Mr. Joe. As we checked in and got her name tag other visitors came behind us and greeted Gracie which made her excited. When we came in - there were many people who love Joe who were there.

A couple with two small children ( a baby and preschooler) and Grace was excited to meet them. I asked her if she wanted to say anything to Ms. Sarah and and she said, "God loves you." I pulled the curtain back to reveal Joe- and Gracie responded by stepping back. She was scared and didn't want to go close. It was apparent that she knew him and he didn't seem as vibrant as what she knew. I said that it was okay. I gave him and hug and kiss and shared a prayer.

Gracie was more precocious than usual it seemed.
She asked Ms. Sarah- "Why are you here?
I said- she's here for the same reason we are- she loves Mr. Joe.
G- Do you live here?"
We all chuckled a bit. I said- she kind of does this week.
Then Gracie said, "This is like a really nice place..... But... is there a bathroom here?
Because I have to use the potty!"
(Awesome four year old conversation)

I then took her to the potty and then we wondered into the sun room area-- and she saw the toys. We had about 10 minutes and she played with the toys with Mr. Joe's father (a true pied piper loved by children just like Joe). I visited a bit more and then we headed home.

We had a very good conversation on the way there about how we were going to visit our friends Joe and Sarah. We love them and God loves them. Joe is going to go see Jesus soon and be in heaven. We talk a lot about my sister Sally (who passed away in 2000) and how she is in heaven.
I said- your Aunt Sally will greet Mr. Joe when he comes home to heaven.
Gracie talked about our dog Lady that died. "Is there a dog heaven Mommy?"
I'd like to think so, I said. God made everything. God loves dogs. But I don't really know. Maybe you should keep asking Jesus when you pray, I said.
But Mommy- Jesus doesn't talk back to me.
You know what Gracie? Sometimes he does-- but its not the same as when we talk. Sometimes when it is really quiet, we can hear God whisper to us. He speaks to our heart. Sometimes we feel what he wants us to understand through the Holy Spirit.
Grace- That's cool Mommy. Could Jesus help me walk on clouds?
I'm not sure, but if you became an astronaut... you could walk in space-- that's very much the same, and Jesus is always with you- so he is helping you do everything you do.
Mommy, I want to go to space- right now!
So as we turned the ramp onto Glebe Rd we had a countdown and blast off and our car became a space ship. We were in space.... we saw stars and planets and landed on the moon. Gracie saw every character from Star Wars.

But even with our conversation-- seeing Mr. Joe... even though we knew he would soon be in heaven, it was hard. It is hard for me. It hard for Sarah. Its hard for all of us.
It is hard but it is also amazing and wonderful and powerful and profound and embraced in joy.

Even Jesus wept as he stood outside the tomb of his dear friend Lazerus. He knew that death was not the end. In fact he raised him from the dead.
But first he wept. He mourned. He felt. He experienced this pain.
And he felt the joy of his friend walking towards him again.

Driving home Gracie and I had deep conversation about life, death, and heaven on the way home. I asked her how she felt when she saw Mr. Joe.
Gracie: I was sad and scared. I thought he was dead.
Me: He was sleeping really soundly. I know he looked really still. He held his cross in his hand. He is very peaceful.
Gracie: I liked the little boy and baby there! Ms. Sarah is sweet and pretty.
Me: He was a sweet boy.
Gracie: I had fun playing with the toys with Mr. Joe's Daddy. He was fun! ..... Mr. Joe is going to see Jesus soon?
Me: Yes.
Gracie: What is it like there?
Me: The bible tells us heaven is a wonderful place filled with joy and singing praises.
You know how you fall down sometimes and hurt yourself?
G: Yes
Me: Well- there is no more pain. No more crying or tears in heaven.
G: It is a wonderful place..... Mommy, When will you go to heaven?
Me: When I am an old, old, old, old, very old woman.
G: When I go to heaven I will be an old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, very, very, very, very, very, old woman.
Me: Yes and we all be together in heaven.
G: Yep!
....
G- Mommy- can I watch a show tonight?
Me-- We'll probably read books tonight....
etc. etc. etc.

I wrote this 11 days ago.

My friend *Joe went home to be with to the Lord on Valentine's Day.

Tonight is Ash Wednesday - tonight we said, "From dust you came, and to dust you will return."

Tonight we sang "What Wondrous Love is This" and as the last verse:

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And through eternity, I'll sing on.

Tears fell down my cheeks as we sang-- I was so sad, and so in awe, and so joyful-- all at the same time tonight. I confronted my sin and mortality- I confronted that my friend has returned to dust-- but in so - has returned to God. I contemplated the ways I am to return to Christ in this journey of Lent.

My friend has journeyed home.
No more pain.

Today we begin a journey with Christ to the cross.

The cross is a place of pain, and of redemption.
The cross is a place of death, and of new birth.

The cross is our home-- for it is where our dust is redeemed and transformed into new life.
The cross is our home-- for it is the place of victory over death.

We begin the journey to the cross today.

Somehow- this year, it is filled even more powerfully.
I am dust- and to dust I will return.

Praise be to God who created me from dust.
Who breathed life into me.
Praise be to Christ Jesus who washes me clean.
Praise be to God who has brought *Joe home.
Praise be to God who takes our ashes and makes all things new.

(*The names of my friends have been changed).

Look Who's Talking

Scriptures that Keep Us Awake at Night

“Look Who’s Talking”

Rev. Beth Anderson

Messiah UMC

January 29, 2012

1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14: 34

One day after worship here at Messiah, a man who was a somewhat regular visitor stopped me while shaking my hand and said, “Pastor Beth- How do we know the bible is the Word of God?”

We stepped aside and I said, “Mike, This is an awesome question. I believe we look at our faith like a table with four legs—and one of those legs carries the most weight… the strongest leg of the table is scripture, but the other legs also help our faith to stand strong- those other legs are tradition, experience, and reason. The living core of our faith is ‘revealed in scripture, illuminated by our tradition, it is vivified in our personal experience- and it is confirmed by reason.”[1]

For some- the answer is clear- they say—read the bible. There. You’ll find your answer.

Sounds simple? But I don’t think it is. If you really read the bible- you’re going to get more questions…

Scripture will convict you and challenge you—Scripture may just even keep you awake at night.

This week we’re addressing one of the scriptures that you all sent in:

One of you shared that this scripture is one you’ve struggled with-

She said: This is a great idea for a sermon series. Here are my troublesome passages:

1 Timothy 2:12 - I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

She said, “You could also use this:

1 Corinthians 14:34

women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.

So now- Let’s hear a fuller context of these scriptures:

First: 1 Timothy—you’ll find it in your pew bible on page_1086. This occurs within a section of scripture where Paul is giving instructions concerning prayer—starting at verse 8 he says:

1 Timothy 2:8-15

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Now this has a lot in this- and we’re not going to unpack everything here.

I can guarantee - Not all of your questions will be answered today.

(And thank God for that! Because God keeps growing us and giving us new questions!)

Now Let’s hear the fuller text of 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40 it’s in your pew bible on page_1050

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Good Order in Worship

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church; let them speak to themselves and to God.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

37 If any think they are prophets or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

38 Those who ignore this will themselves be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Both of these texts refer to specific instructions to these communities of faith concerning how they should pray and how they should order their worship.

The Epistles are letters from Paul to the early and growing church.

They teach us how the church addresses its own growing edges—how the church is figuring out how to be church.

We’ve been church for over 2000 years and in many ways we keep learning how we are to be church.

What do we do with scriptures like this - these scriptures that keep us awake at night?

How do we read the bible? Isn’t this the Word of God?

Is it as simple as- the bible says it- that’s it?

One the most important things when reading scripture is to ask ourselves some questions:

What kind of scripture am I reading? Is this a psalm- is it poetic? Is it liturgy for worship? Is it historical? A parable? A prophecy? A letter?

Are we reading the scripture within the proper historical and cultural context?

In 1 Timothy, Paul writes a letter to Timothy regarding his ministry in Ephesus and instructs him on the forms of worship, organization of the church, and various responsibilities of the community of faith.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to the church at Corinth. Paul’s first visit had lasted nearly two years and his converts were mainly Greeks. Sometime before 2nd Corinthians was written he paid them another visit[2] to check some rising disorder[3]. They had also been visited by Apollos[4], perhaps by Peter[5], and by some Jewish Christians who brought with them letters of commendation from Jerusalem[6]. Corinth was the meeting point of many nationalities because the main current of the trade between Asia and western Europe passed through its harbors. It was a place full of activity, rapid growth, and change. Within all this diversity there were also competing false gods and cults distorting and luring people from the truth of the faith. Women associated in the cult of Dionysus wore particular clothing and hairdos and often appeared to go mad or show up in church services. [7] Paul’s instructions come to the church of Corinth in the midst of this diverse context.

While we’re reading Paul’s instructions to these communities- we should make sure that we understand these instructions in accordance with all Paul’s other instructions.

Who was Paul’s intended audience?

What was going on in their context?

Was Paul addressing a specific conflict to a particular group of people or was he giving instructions for all people throughout all time?

Culturally women were second class citizens and did not have the same rights as men. And yet, they had a prominent role with Jesus and in the early church. Christ treated women differently than the culture and set a new standard for how they should be treated.

His letters provide clues that women engaged in various activities to build up the church.

How does Paul feel about women in the church?

St. Paul Welcomes Bishop Praxedis from the Church of St. Praxedis in Rome

In his letter to the Romans, Paul commends women including Phoebe[8], a servant of the church at Cenchreae (SEN-kree-uh), Paul says, “welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.” Paul greets Priscilla, Junia, Julia, and Nereus’ (NEE-ruhs )sister.[9] He praises Junia as “prominent among the apostles” and she has also been imprisoned with him.[10] Paul praises Mary and Persis for their hard work.[11] In his letter to the Philippians, Paul calls Euodia and Syntyche (Sin-'tee-ke) fellow workers in the gospel. [12]

Within 1 Corinthians Paul has spoken about women in chapter 11 and focused on men and women and how they should pray. Paul gives instructions for women to cover their hair when they pray and prophesy. It is clear that women are praying and indeed prophesying. “Nevertheless, how can a woman pray or prophesy in church when veiled if she is to remain silent in the church?”[13]

In the case of 1 Timothy, scholars such as Gordon Fee have interpreted the Greek and found that “in this context [it appears] that the instruction is against her being ‘up front,’ talking foolishness, or being a ‘busybody’.”[14]

Teaching was where much of the problem in the church of Ephesus occurred.

Paul wants Timothy to help straying elders.

Here, Paul is prohibiting women to teach in what are most likely house churches, but in other churches, they prophesy[15] and likely give teaching from time to time.[16]

Today, we seek to understand what kind of teaching this text is referring to; have some women been taught by false teachers, by cults and are perpetuating errors?

Paul directs that women are not to teach men, which continues the cultural placement of women as “being submissive in every way.”[17]

And we remember this is the same Paul who announced “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”[18]

We also need to take in to account the fullness we know of God when we read scripture.

Does this mesh with everything else in God’s word?

Does this fall in harmony with the person and the life of Jesus Christ?

When we begin at the creation story we remember that God made male and female in God’s own image and they were placed to work together in harmonious partnership. [19]

The Hebrew scriptures are filled with the prophets who call us to justice and to speak out against inequalities- especially we see equality in Joel who says that “all your sons and daughters shall prophesy.”

Women are prominent throughout the Old Testament -women who held power in the faith Sarah, Rachel, Leah, Jochebed (JOK-uh-bed), the daughters of Zelophehad (zuh-LOH-fuh-had), Deborah, Ruth, Abigail, The Shun-a-mite woman, Esther, and many more.

These women were courageous, spoke up, and are vital to the story of our faith.

Powerful, called women are seen in New Testament as we see Mary answer a call that God has placed in her life to have the Word incarnate come to birth through her, Elizabeth, Martha and Mary and many others who are named and unnamed.

Jesus speaks to women, he reached out to them, he eats with them, trusts them, he teaches and disciples them.

The very first person to spread the good news that Jesus had risen was a woman!

Jesus could have chosen to appear to any number of people upon the resurrection, and yet he chose a woman!

He chose Mary Magdalene –to be the first evangelist who preached this good news of salvation!

Hmm…Maybe reading scripture is a little more complicated than- “the bible says it, I believe it..”

I realized I was a United Methodist—in a sense- because of this…

The bible offers us some wonderful inspiring texts, but also some incredibly challenging ones.

Some of the conclusions I heard growing up didn’t seem right given my own reasoning and experience. For a long time, I thought I was alone in this.

Then I wondered into the chapel at Birmingham Southern College and began reading the hymnal, reading John Wesley sermons, and I realized- here was a place where you didn’t check your own mind at the door, where your own story of who God had formed you and was forming you to be-was actually valid and not discounted!

I wasn’t alone- there were others! In fact 2000 years of Christian tradition and 300 years of Methodism--people learning and growing and discerning scripture! It’s a Christian tradition filled with women deaconesses, elders, deacons, missionaries, district superintendents, and bishops… and more on the way!

When I heard God calling me into ministry- I said- there is no way- God is calling me!

Does God know me—and all the baggage I bring?

Yes- God does—for God formed my inmost being and calls me wonderfully and fearfully made and knits me together![20]

Once I accepted that, I discerned that it must be God that God was calling me to be a chaplain in a hospital- to counsel others as I did at the local women’s shelter.

But one day, a year later, as I prepared to speak at a church in the suburbs of Detroit about the bag lunch program I ran—I called to confirm I was their mission speaker, the secretary informed me, “Why yes- we have you! You’re preaching and leading the service that Sunday!” What! Oh – no there has been a mistake- I’m the speaker—not the preacher…. “Oh no,” she said, “the pastor is taking this Sunday off and you are the preacher and worship leader.”

So I prayed and I prayed, and I prepared, and I preached and a powerful thing happened.

I felt the power of the Holy Spirit come over me and I felt God say, “Yes and I am calling you to this too!” The people of the congregation said to me afterwards--- you’d be a good chaplain, but we also see that God has indeed called you to preach.

We read the bible, we research it, we do solid and thorough work, we comb through the tradition and learn, and our own experience and mind work to understand what has God said—what does our faith say- and what is God calling?

I believe God has offered salvation to all, baptism for all, discipleship for all, therefore ministry and the call to preach God’s Word is NOT limited!”

Thanks be to God! Amen!

If you'd like to listen to this sermon you can find it at Messiah UMC's website

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[1] BOD

[2] 2 Cor. 12: 14; 2 Cor. 13: 1

[3] 2 Cor. 2: 1; 2 Cor. 13: 2

[4] Acts 18: 27

[5] 1 Cor. 1: 12

[6] 1 Cor. 1: 12; 2 Cor. 3: 1; 2 Cor. 5: 16; 2 Cor. 11: 23

[7] Kroeger, Catherine “The Apostle Paul and the Greco-Romans Cults of Women”

[8] Romans 16: 1-2

[9] Romans 16: 3,7,15

[10] Rom 16:7][11][12]

[11] Rom. 16:6,12]

[12] Phil. 4:2-3]

[13] New International Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 302

[14] New International Bible Commentary, 1 Timothy, 72

[15] 1 Cor 11:15

[16] 1 Cor 14:26

[17] 1 Timothy 2:11

[18] Galatians 3:28

[19] Genesis 1:26-31

[20] Psalm 139