Saturday, May 30, 2009
Samuel Medical Update
Ok, here is the latest...and I'm glad to say it's GOOD NEWS!!!!The short, nonmedical version:1) Good appointment. Samuel is able to eat quicker, and we're moving fwd with getting him to eat more via mouth. Possibly off the tube feedings by Aug, may remove tube this fall/winter.We are just so happy. Last November seems like it was years ago. Before this started, we couldn't imagine going through all this, and we couldn't imagine what it would be like for Samuel either. The drs. had told us this would only be 6-8 weeks, though my heart never really thought that was true. Lots of ups and downs along the way, but it seems like we might see the end of this someday soonish!!!! As we arrived at the hospital today, I saw the art and wall hangings that have become to familiar. I've even started to notice how often they change their marketing banners. It was strange, the first time I saw these halls, I was just starting my residency and was very impressed by the state of the art care and the art work on the walls. I was proud that I'd be walking those halls every day. The first time I saw the halls at night, however, my feelings shifted. The water falls, biblical art and pictures of the famed daughters of charity had an eerie feel (honestly, the pictures of the famed nuns were eerie in the daylight too!). The halls were quiet, lonely and gave me time to become humble and fearful. It was still a fine facility, but I had a new appreciation for the families I had cared for. How they could get lost in the system, feel alone, wonder how long they would be there, wonder if anyone really understood how awful to was to need these halls. I walked the halls after learning Samuel would need surg. We watched the decorations change from Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to Christmas. I saw Obama elected president in this place. We had a thankgiving meal donated by a family I assume spent many holidays in the hospital. Today, I'm still thankful for these halls and the care they provide are so close to home. But, as we left today, I thought, "if I never see the inside of St. V's children's hospital again, i'll be thrilled." This day may come sooner than I first thought.The longer medical version:Samuel has been cleared to go to bolice feedings three times a day. What this means: We've been using a machine to feed Samuel through the tube. The fastest the machine could run was 400 ml an hour (or, 7 oz per half hour). Samuel is now ready to try to eat 7 oz in 15 minutes (via tube). This is good news because he is able to safey take in more food at a faster rate.Samuel is able to eat a total of 200 ml of honey thick liquid via mouth. This includes formula, oatmeal, rice cereal, baby food etc. This means that his weight gain continues to be strong and his swallowing strong enough to take in more food via mouth. The goal is to get him eating all his food via mouth...so we're 1/4 of the way there (600 ml via tube and 200 ml via mouth).We can continue to work with 1st Steps (our speech path and PT person) to get him used to using him mouth to eat. Odd as it sounds, this is a skill that takes a lot of practice. Because he hasn't eaten via mouth much, he has to learn this skill again. The Speech path. will work with him to get nectar thick foods down safe, then we'll move to thickened milk (maybe after our June dr. apt). We will also add a nutrition specialist to our 1st Steps team to make sure he is getting a balanced diet that meets his indiv. needs.Samuel has also been able to stop using his breathing treatments. We were using Pulmacourt 2 X daily at .05 each dose. We've weaned him down and now we're all clear. We'll have to watch and make sure he'll be ok when the weather turns cold again. When does the tube come out? We have an apt in June and another apt in August. The goal would be to get Samuel on nectar thick food 100% by August. If we can do this, and it seems like he is not having problems, we could *maybe* schedule a surg to get his tube removed in the fall or winter. The dr. won't remove the tube until Samuel has been eating via mouth 100% for 2 months without problems. They think this *maybe* possible by fall/winter. We've also been given the ok to reduce one of his meds, posib. remove the 1 med in the next month (regalin, which helps with getting food through his system)We are so very excited.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Death of Ethiopian Legend
Some of you may have read Mellissa Fay Greene's book "There is no Me without You." The book is about a woman named Haregewoin Teferra, who, with no outside help, took in and cared for hundreds of Ethiopian orphans. Haregewoin died of a sudden illness last week. Prayers for the 59 children, who were in her care and are still living at her care center. Their future is uncertain, and may are HIV positive. Below is a post from Mellissa Fay Greene's blog:(Reprinted from Melissa Fay Greene's Blog) By now you may have learned the shocking news that Mrs. Haregewoin Teferra has died suddenly after a short illness. We don't know what caused her death; she felt sick for a couple of days, went to the doctor, came home without a diagnosis, felt sick again, laid down, and that was the end.We are grieving, yet we have no time to spare: 59 children survive her, many of them toddlers and babies, the majority HIV-positive. Worldwide Orphans--the New York-based organization that has provided pediatric care to Haregewoin's children for many years--has stepped into the breach. They have assumed full custody of the 42 HIV-positive kids and are prepared to take responsibility for the 17 HIV-negative children, as needed, most of them babies and toddlers. Those small children are still at Haregewoin's foster home; their caregivers have stayed on; and the Atetegeb board has taken charge of their well-being for the present. These heroic measures come at high cost: it is estimated to require about $4,600 per child to cover food, healthcare and medicine, education, clothing, and caregivers. Once the children's basic needs are secure, their paperwork will be sorted out: some may be eligible for adoption, others may have extended families in a position to take them in; others may find new placements. No one knows, at this moment, whether Haregewoin had made financial plans for the children in the event of her death. All that can be sorted out in the future. The crisis is NOW: keeping the children fed and clothed, paying the salaries of loving caregivers to act as stand-ins for their late parents and long-devoted foster mother, and making sure there is no lag-time in their life-saving medical treatment.
Haregewoin lived with these children seven days a week, 24 hours a day, for ten years. She is irreplaceable. The youngest children, of course, have no idea what has just happened.
Haregewoin lived with these children seven days a week, 24 hours a day, for ten years. She is irreplaceable. The youngest children, of course, have no idea what has just happened.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Manna For Mission (Sermon March 15)
Well, brothers and sisters, we are on to a new covenant again this week in our ongoing Lenten series “Is the Story Still for Us.” For those of you who were here 2 weeks ago, I shared that in our Lenten season, we will be introduced to 5 covenants that God created with His people. Just to review, a covenant is a solemn, unbreakable bond made between God and God’s people. Each covenant builds upon itself, the previous promise is kept, and a new, more earth shattering promise emerges. This is a signal, that God is in relationship with us, that He has made a promise with us, that God’s relationship with humanity has changed.
We’ve heard of God’s covenant with Noah—water was changed, and is no longer used to separate God from His people. Water (through Bapt.) unites God and His people. We’ve learned of God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah, to create a great nation, a community from what was barren. Today, our covenant focus is the 10 commandments. So, God promises to: 1) unite his people, not separate them with water 2) God promises to create community and family through Abraham and Sarah 3) God promises to lead and guide us with the help of commandments.
Rules. Is this story still for us? This covenant may make us a bit more sheepish. Anyone out there begin to read the 10 commandments and find themselves sinking lower in their seat, feeling like they’re about to hear how we aren’t following the rules? I know when I’ve read the commandments in the past, I’m taken back to my 3rd grade classroom with Mrs. Schmidt. As 3rd graders, there were new expectations, we weren’t the “little kids” anymore and we had to follow a new set of rules. One of those rules centered around talking, or talking out of turn…if you talked out of turn, Mrs. Schmidt would place your name on the board. Each time after this, you received a check after your name. 5 check marks meant you lost 5 minutes of recess time. Guess which Vicar in this room had trouble following this rule? No surprise to many, I did indeed spend some time in the classroom during recess. Some of us may read the 10 commandments and imagine God sitting up at a giant chalkboard writing huge, red check marks after our name….let’s see “thou shall not murder” ok, I’m good for that one, but “thou shall not covet they neighbor’s property…” under this system, I may not be going out for recess for a few decades!
But, this covenant was created isn’t about God and his giant chalkboard in the sky. It is a gift to the Jews and to us, rather than a punishment. The commandments were given to Moses at the beginning of 40 years of wilderness wanderings. The Jews were slaves in Egypt and their daily mission was decided for them. Their mission was to serve Pharaoh who told them when to work, how to work and what would happen if they didn’t work. Every earthly action was controlled. Suddenly, they are free and need guidance to meet their daily needs and discover their mission. God was there. He provides them with food—manna from heaven. But, friends, God does more than provide the descendants of Abraham with manna, nourishment for their bellies. God provides them with Sustenance--He gives them manna for mission. Nourishment for their souls through the 10 commandments. The goal of the commandments, the new covenant, isn’t an arbitrary set of rules, some “dos and don’ts” it is an act of love. God gave guidelines to wandering, beloved people so they could create a trusting and loving community and fulfill God’s mission. Manna for mission. Food for the journey. With the commandments, God is saying “I love you, trust me I know that there are things that can hurt you. I want to be with you fully, I want the community to be with each other fully. Don’t hurt yourselves. These things I warn you about (coveting, stealing, cheating, hurting) create jealousy, broken relationships, just don’t do this to yourself. I love you too much to see you hurting.” That’s what the commandments are…it’s an act of love from God to His people. It’s manna for mission.
So, where does this leave us? “Is the story still for us?” Is it? Is this covenant still our mission sustaining manna? What is HTLC’s mission? Well, our mission statement is to “gather God’s people @ God’s alter, grow as God’s people in God’s spirit, and GO as God’s hands, and heart and voice.” Our first taste of manna for mission is “to gather God’s people @ God’s alter.” This isn’t just the job of the ministers. It’s OUR mission, and each of us have a stake. Our mission is grounded in the commandments “remember the Sabbath, keep it holy.” Do we feel “we owe God 1 morning a week? That going to church makes God happy?” Is that what this command and our mission are saying? Do it to make God happy? NO, dear friends. Through this commandment, God says “I love you. You need community, you need to rest, to refuel. Lay your worries, and joys at the foot of my cross. Gather at my alter. Support one another as you carry out your mission TOGETHER.” THAT is covenant, and mission. For those of you who joined us on Wednesday (and will join us this coming Wed. @ Grace as I preach) we came together and placed letters at the foot of the cross. We gathered our tears, prayers and joys @ God’s alter, TOGETHER. Letters saying “dear God, thank you for the flowers, for my family.” “dear God, please heal my child.” The commandment for Sabbath creates mission and community for our hurting and healing world.
The second taste of manna for our mission: “Grow as God’s people in God’s spirit.” Growing as community in God’s spirit commands us to “honor thy mother and father, do not murder, or steal.” It says more than “kids, listen to your parents, don’t kill someone or rob a bank.” God says, “I love you. You need community. You need to be treated and treat others with respect. Celebrate and share the gifts of each other. Learn from one another and grow in mission. Our adult forum during Lent is taught by YOU. YOU share how to live well through all stages of life. YOU teach us how to prepare for the end of our earthly lives through hospice and advanced directives. YOU are teaching us the importance of relaxation and renewal as we plan Trek West/North 2010. YOU are growing this community and handing out manna for our world.
The final taste of manna for our mission: be “God’s hands, heart and voice.” “Be an active disciple in the world. Do not covet they neighbor’s goods” It’s not limited to “do good and don’t stare longingly at your neighbor’s Cadillac Escalade or Toyota Pruis.” God says, “I love you, you need community. Don’t long for what you don’t have, instead, give what you do have. Don’t long for another person’s relationship, branch out and make relationships with others. Be my hands.” Last Saturday, members gathered at our 3 Project Stepping Stone homes to clean the houses our congregation makes available to families in need. DO YOU KNOW what a gift this is? How this ministry speaks VOLUMES to the community about our commitment to being God’s hands, heart and voice? OUR MISSION IS GROUNDED in the commandments given to wandering former slaves over 5,000 years ago. THIS COVENANT TRANSFORMS YOU as YOU become MANNA for MISSION.
Is the story for us? Is God’s promise to Noah that water is transformed, God’s covenant to create community through Abraham and Sarah, God’s loving guidance handed to Moses still alive today? By the grace of God, through our grounding in the commandments, WE ARE MANNA. By the way, all the examples of our church and mission…they all come from HTLC’s activities in the past week. Our mission statement, grounded in the covenant of Moses isn’t an obscure, long term goal, it is how we are being God’s hands, heart, and voice, TODAY, RIGHT NOW. It’s not a set of rules that God marks off with a giant red pen. It’s you and I, together, in covenant with God, gathering @ God’s altar, growing, and acting in God’s world, yesterday, today, and tomorrow as living manna. AMEN.
.
We’ve heard of God’s covenant with Noah—water was changed, and is no longer used to separate God from His people. Water (through Bapt.) unites God and His people. We’ve learned of God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah, to create a great nation, a community from what was barren. Today, our covenant focus is the 10 commandments. So, God promises to: 1) unite his people, not separate them with water 2) God promises to create community and family through Abraham and Sarah 3) God promises to lead and guide us with the help of commandments.
Rules. Is this story still for us? This covenant may make us a bit more sheepish. Anyone out there begin to read the 10 commandments and find themselves sinking lower in their seat, feeling like they’re about to hear how we aren’t following the rules? I know when I’ve read the commandments in the past, I’m taken back to my 3rd grade classroom with Mrs. Schmidt. As 3rd graders, there were new expectations, we weren’t the “little kids” anymore and we had to follow a new set of rules. One of those rules centered around talking, or talking out of turn…if you talked out of turn, Mrs. Schmidt would place your name on the board. Each time after this, you received a check after your name. 5 check marks meant you lost 5 minutes of recess time. Guess which Vicar in this room had trouble following this rule? No surprise to many, I did indeed spend some time in the classroom during recess. Some of us may read the 10 commandments and imagine God sitting up at a giant chalkboard writing huge, red check marks after our name….let’s see “thou shall not murder” ok, I’m good for that one, but “thou shall not covet they neighbor’s property…” under this system, I may not be going out for recess for a few decades!
But, this covenant was created isn’t about God and his giant chalkboard in the sky. It is a gift to the Jews and to us, rather than a punishment. The commandments were given to Moses at the beginning of 40 years of wilderness wanderings. The Jews were slaves in Egypt and their daily mission was decided for them. Their mission was to serve Pharaoh who told them when to work, how to work and what would happen if they didn’t work. Every earthly action was controlled. Suddenly, they are free and need guidance to meet their daily needs and discover their mission. God was there. He provides them with food—manna from heaven. But, friends, God does more than provide the descendants of Abraham with manna, nourishment for their bellies. God provides them with Sustenance--He gives them manna for mission. Nourishment for their souls through the 10 commandments. The goal of the commandments, the new covenant, isn’t an arbitrary set of rules, some “dos and don’ts” it is an act of love. God gave guidelines to wandering, beloved people so they could create a trusting and loving community and fulfill God’s mission. Manna for mission. Food for the journey. With the commandments, God is saying “I love you, trust me I know that there are things that can hurt you. I want to be with you fully, I want the community to be with each other fully. Don’t hurt yourselves. These things I warn you about (coveting, stealing, cheating, hurting) create jealousy, broken relationships, just don’t do this to yourself. I love you too much to see you hurting.” That’s what the commandments are…it’s an act of love from God to His people. It’s manna for mission.
So, where does this leave us? “Is the story still for us?” Is it? Is this covenant still our mission sustaining manna? What is HTLC’s mission? Well, our mission statement is to “gather God’s people @ God’s alter, grow as God’s people in God’s spirit, and GO as God’s hands, and heart and voice.” Our first taste of manna for mission is “to gather God’s people @ God’s alter.” This isn’t just the job of the ministers. It’s OUR mission, and each of us have a stake. Our mission is grounded in the commandments “remember the Sabbath, keep it holy.” Do we feel “we owe God 1 morning a week? That going to church makes God happy?” Is that what this command and our mission are saying? Do it to make God happy? NO, dear friends. Through this commandment, God says “I love you. You need community, you need to rest, to refuel. Lay your worries, and joys at the foot of my cross. Gather at my alter. Support one another as you carry out your mission TOGETHER.” THAT is covenant, and mission. For those of you who joined us on Wednesday (and will join us this coming Wed. @ Grace as I preach) we came together and placed letters at the foot of the cross. We gathered our tears, prayers and joys @ God’s alter, TOGETHER. Letters saying “dear God, thank you for the flowers, for my family.” “dear God, please heal my child.” The commandment for Sabbath creates mission and community for our hurting and healing world.
The second taste of manna for our mission: “Grow as God’s people in God’s spirit.” Growing as community in God’s spirit commands us to “honor thy mother and father, do not murder, or steal.” It says more than “kids, listen to your parents, don’t kill someone or rob a bank.” God says, “I love you. You need community. You need to be treated and treat others with respect. Celebrate and share the gifts of each other. Learn from one another and grow in mission. Our adult forum during Lent is taught by YOU. YOU share how to live well through all stages of life. YOU teach us how to prepare for the end of our earthly lives through hospice and advanced directives. YOU are teaching us the importance of relaxation and renewal as we plan Trek West/North 2010. YOU are growing this community and handing out manna for our world.
The final taste of manna for our mission: be “God’s hands, heart and voice.” “Be an active disciple in the world. Do not covet they neighbor’s goods” It’s not limited to “do good and don’t stare longingly at your neighbor’s Cadillac Escalade or Toyota Pruis.” God says, “I love you, you need community. Don’t long for what you don’t have, instead, give what you do have. Don’t long for another person’s relationship, branch out and make relationships with others. Be my hands.” Last Saturday, members gathered at our 3 Project Stepping Stone homes to clean the houses our congregation makes available to families in need. DO YOU KNOW what a gift this is? How this ministry speaks VOLUMES to the community about our commitment to being God’s hands, heart and voice? OUR MISSION IS GROUNDED in the commandments given to wandering former slaves over 5,000 years ago. THIS COVENANT TRANSFORMS YOU as YOU become MANNA for MISSION.
Is the story for us? Is God’s promise to Noah that water is transformed, God’s covenant to create community through Abraham and Sarah, God’s loving guidance handed to Moses still alive today? By the grace of God, through our grounding in the commandments, WE ARE MANNA. By the way, all the examples of our church and mission…they all come from HTLC’s activities in the past week. Our mission statement, grounded in the covenant of Moses isn’t an obscure, long term goal, it is how we are being God’s hands, heart, and voice, TODAY, RIGHT NOW. It’s not a set of rules that God marks off with a giant red pen. It’s you and I, together, in covenant with God, gathering @ God’s altar, growing, and acting in God’s world, yesterday, today, and tomorrow as living manna. AMEN.
.
Friday, March 13, 2009
A couple blogs & websites I've been following
(Kid pics just below this post)
Just wanted to share a couple links with you all. These are a couple blogs I enjoy
http://www.somethingwithin.com/ Written by Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, a wonderful scholar and theologian. Very practical cultural ideas.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/ Obama's blog...I just think it's cool that the Prez has a blog
http://www.workingpreacher.org/ A good preaching website, gives you commentaries to consider as you write your sermons. Lots of Luther Sem. input.
http://www.christianpiatt.com/ I went to a conference and heard Christian Piatt present. Ideas on bringing young people into the church and using tech in church settings.
http://www.sundaysaver.com/ I'm old :) This is a site that gives you all the Sunday grocery ads online so you can plan your shopping ahead of time.
http://www.couponmom.com/ Again, I'm old :) Online printable coupons & $ saving site. I saw it on Oprah
Just wanted to share a couple links with you all. These are a couple blogs I enjoy
http://www.somethingwithin.com/ Written by Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, a wonderful scholar and theologian. Very practical cultural ideas.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/ Obama's blog...I just think it's cool that the Prez has a blog
http://www.workingpreacher.org/ A good preaching website, gives you commentaries to consider as you write your sermons. Lots of Luther Sem. input.
http://www.christianpiatt.com/ I went to a conference and heard Christian Piatt present. Ideas on bringing young people into the church and using tech in church settings.
http://www.sundaysaver.com/ I'm old :) This is a site that gives you all the Sunday grocery ads online so you can plan your shopping ahead of time.
http://www.couponmom.com/ Again, I'm old :) Online printable coupons & $ saving site. I saw it on Oprah
It's been way to long!
Hello faithful blog followers! It has been WAY to long since I updated our blog. We've been busy doing the things that families do...going to and from work and daycare, playing, etc etc. We are getting into one of the busy times of the church year with Easter coming up, so I've been a bit more busy than normal. However, Lent has been amazing at the church this year. We've had wonderful attendance and our series centers around "Letters to Jesus" Congregants are invited to write personal letters to Jesus and place them at the foot of the cross every wednesday during services. Very powerful.
I posted a couple of my sermons as well for your enjoyment/reflection.
I posted a couple of my sermons as well for your enjoyment/reflection.
Samuel: We had a swallow study for Samuel earlier this week (there is an update buried a couple pages back that gives details...click the button at the bottom of this page and keep going back until you find "Samuel swallow study" The long and short of it is: Samuel is getting better, slowly. He can now take about 1/2 an oz of food by mouth but it doesn't look like we'll be off this blasted tube any time soon...MAYBE the fall???? Frustrating, but at least he is making progress.
Shahra: Shahra is becoming more like a preschool girl every day, she says some of the most witty things and makes many keen observations. She loves church (thank goodness) and has taken to pretending to give us communion at home.
Well, most of you sign on for kid pics, so here is the l
atest PJ pic parade!!!
atest PJ pic parade!!!
(yep, I haven't posted in a while) These pics are from the great IN blizzard of 2009. We got something like 13 inches of snow. Ball State and IU canceled (IU for the first time since 1977). We were outside for a good 15 min before Shahra got cold. (Note the adorable matching scarves the kids are wearing :)
Covenant #1 (Lent) Rainbow
**If it's ok to say, I really LOVE this sermon :)
Gen 9:11 God said, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
New Orleans LA, September 2005, Anderson Cooper: I mean, that`s how bad it is, Nancy. We have seen bubbles coming out of homes, and that is gas leaks that is making the water froth up. You can smell the gas when you`re driving around in your boat. So I mean, there`s no telling what`s in this water. It is -- it`s everything you can possibly imagine in one just dirty soup. There is still 50 percent of the city underwater. Parts you simply just can't get to.
No more floods, huh? Gen 9, the flood story is probably pretty familiar to most. You may even hear it and begin to tune out a bit…Noah, a flood, beautiful, clean and orderly animals marching off a large wooden boat with a 7 year old’s depiction of a rainbow in the background. Then, you really start to tune out. The promise that God would never again flood the world sounds like it may have been broken…not just in New Orleans, but in countless cities and countless hearts that are flooded with pain. One may think, “yes, the whole world may not be flooded, but my world is under water. I’m gasping for air in my lungs and everything around me has been destroyed. Anyone ever felt this way? It makes us wonder if these Biblical promises are more than just words on a page. If the story is still for us. Does the story of an old man surrounded by docile animals matter in a world where people are still cleaning up from Katrina? Does the story of a God who promises never again to destroy the earth hit home to this community, as we watch factory after factory closed and wonder if you need to move heaven and earth to prevent your own destruction? That’s why we’re here…that’s why we’re doing this thing called “Lent” why we’re meeting together, on Sundays and Wednesdays with the hope that Easter will come (this Wed at Grace with Pastor John preaching, check bulletin for details). That’s the challenge, no, that’s the invitation to bring these ancient stories, of broken people, living in sin filled broken times to life for us. To discover how these words come alive and create an unstoppable phenomena in the world. Are you up for the challenge?
Genesis 9: “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
CNN February 2006, New Orleans: Funding and volunteers are still needed 6 months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Even now, 6 months later, thousands of residents remain displaced and in need of housing, food and clean water.
Thousands of years ago, God said to Noah “I will establish a covenant with you…” A covenant is a solemn, unbreakable bond made between God and God’s people. An unbreakable promise, signified by a rainbow. A signal, that God is in relationship with us, that He has made a promise with us. This doesn’t mean God takes away all forms of destruction, we still have floods, water still destroys, but a covenant signals to us God’s relationship with humanity has changed. (by the way, you’ll hear of a new covenant every week during Lent in the Old Testament reading, so be on the lookout for them). Each covenant builds upon itself, the previous promise is kept, and a new, more earth shattering promise emerges. This first covenant is a pretty big promise, because Noah, and all the people who follow after him know that anything water touches is changed. The waters of the flood touched the earth, they destroyed every living creature, they cut off every living creature from God…water did this. And God promise, makes a covenant that water will no longer cut off and separate His people from Him. God is changed, humanity is changed…WATER is changed by this covenant. Water will no longer be used to separate God from God’s people. Remember how I said covenants build upon each other? Let’s take a look at the gospel reading…Jesus’ baptism. “just as he was coming out of the water the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” Anything water touches is changed and the waters of Baptism change all those who are touched. See, it began with God and Noah…water was changed! God declared that water was no longer something that cut people off from Him, instead, the waters of baptism join people together and send them out into the world! The waters of baptism changed the baptized, they spring forth people of God to flood the earth, to touch it, to transform it. Water transforms. Noah was touched by water and sent out adrift in a wild sea for 40 days before God reaches out to him and makes a covenant with him. Jesus is touched by water and is set adrift in the wild desert for 40 days (NO ACCIDENT THERE!!!) before reaching out and making a covenant with us. You are touched by water, baptized and sent out adrift in this wild world before the Holy Spirit reaches out and leads you to share the everlasting covenant of Christ with others. Water transforms.
The waters of baptism touch us, flood our hearts with the living, breathing, spirit of God, and we in turn flood the world. The flood waters of Noah destroyed all that God made, cut it off the world from God. The flood waters of baptism, restore all that God has made. These waters flood our broken planet, our broken lives, with grace hope and justice. But how is this story still for us, as we live in a still imperfect, often painful and separated world? Where is their evidence that the waters of baptism are transforming everything they touch?
Jesus, Justice & Jazz ELCA 2009 national youth gathering homepage: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. Working with local congregations and organizations, young people will be immersed in volunteer service as they participate in recovery efforts resulting from the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our youth, a total of 15 people from this congregation (including myself), touched by the waters of baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit, are traveling to New Orleans in July. We will be challenged, to take what was muddied and help to make it clean. We will join 36,000 young people and together, we will flood New Orleans with the waters of the Holy Spirit, taking what appeared to be hopeless and fill it with new life. Not only will 36,000 baptized Lutherans give to the city, we will be met by the Holy Spirit in this place, and the spirit will flood us, and transform us. We will be given a gift by this city and it’s people—God’s covenant will come alive. The story of Noah won’t be simple words on a page, it will live and breathe on Burdon street, and in the Lower 9th Ward. A rainbow will no longer be a symbol, but the hope, the reassurance to us all that God transformed water, and He is transforming US. These 36,000 people will then be driven out by the Spirit to proclaim this hope to the world.
But, that’s just one story, one example. Is the story still for us? This question is the challenge set before each of us this Lenten season. How will YOU answer? AMEN
Gen 9:11 God said, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
New Orleans LA, September 2005, Anderson Cooper: I mean, that`s how bad it is, Nancy. We have seen bubbles coming out of homes, and that is gas leaks that is making the water froth up. You can smell the gas when you`re driving around in your boat. So I mean, there`s no telling what`s in this water. It is -- it`s everything you can possibly imagine in one just dirty soup. There is still 50 percent of the city underwater. Parts you simply just can't get to.
No more floods, huh? Gen 9, the flood story is probably pretty familiar to most. You may even hear it and begin to tune out a bit…Noah, a flood, beautiful, clean and orderly animals marching off a large wooden boat with a 7 year old’s depiction of a rainbow in the background. Then, you really start to tune out. The promise that God would never again flood the world sounds like it may have been broken…not just in New Orleans, but in countless cities and countless hearts that are flooded with pain. One may think, “yes, the whole world may not be flooded, but my world is under water. I’m gasping for air in my lungs and everything around me has been destroyed. Anyone ever felt this way? It makes us wonder if these Biblical promises are more than just words on a page. If the story is still for us. Does the story of an old man surrounded by docile animals matter in a world where people are still cleaning up from Katrina? Does the story of a God who promises never again to destroy the earth hit home to this community, as we watch factory after factory closed and wonder if you need to move heaven and earth to prevent your own destruction? That’s why we’re here…that’s why we’re doing this thing called “Lent” why we’re meeting together, on Sundays and Wednesdays with the hope that Easter will come (this Wed at Grace with Pastor John preaching, check bulletin for details). That’s the challenge, no, that’s the invitation to bring these ancient stories, of broken people, living in sin filled broken times to life for us. To discover how these words come alive and create an unstoppable phenomena in the world. Are you up for the challenge?
Genesis 9: “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
CNN February 2006, New Orleans: Funding and volunteers are still needed 6 months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Even now, 6 months later, thousands of residents remain displaced and in need of housing, food and clean water.
Thousands of years ago, God said to Noah “I will establish a covenant with you…” A covenant is a solemn, unbreakable bond made between God and God’s people. An unbreakable promise, signified by a rainbow. A signal, that God is in relationship with us, that He has made a promise with us. This doesn’t mean God takes away all forms of destruction, we still have floods, water still destroys, but a covenant signals to us God’s relationship with humanity has changed. (by the way, you’ll hear of a new covenant every week during Lent in the Old Testament reading, so be on the lookout for them). Each covenant builds upon itself, the previous promise is kept, and a new, more earth shattering promise emerges. This first covenant is a pretty big promise, because Noah, and all the people who follow after him know that anything water touches is changed. The waters of the flood touched the earth, they destroyed every living creature, they cut off every living creature from God…water did this. And God promise, makes a covenant that water will no longer cut off and separate His people from Him. God is changed, humanity is changed…WATER is changed by this covenant. Water will no longer be used to separate God from God’s people. Remember how I said covenants build upon each other? Let’s take a look at the gospel reading…Jesus’ baptism. “just as he was coming out of the water the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” Anything water touches is changed and the waters of Baptism change all those who are touched. See, it began with God and Noah…water was changed! God declared that water was no longer something that cut people off from Him, instead, the waters of baptism join people together and send them out into the world! The waters of baptism changed the baptized, they spring forth people of God to flood the earth, to touch it, to transform it. Water transforms. Noah was touched by water and sent out adrift in a wild sea for 40 days before God reaches out to him and makes a covenant with him. Jesus is touched by water and is set adrift in the wild desert for 40 days (NO ACCIDENT THERE!!!) before reaching out and making a covenant with us. You are touched by water, baptized and sent out adrift in this wild world before the Holy Spirit reaches out and leads you to share the everlasting covenant of Christ with others. Water transforms.
The waters of baptism touch us, flood our hearts with the living, breathing, spirit of God, and we in turn flood the world. The flood waters of Noah destroyed all that God made, cut it off the world from God. The flood waters of baptism, restore all that God has made. These waters flood our broken planet, our broken lives, with grace hope and justice. But how is this story still for us, as we live in a still imperfect, often painful and separated world? Where is their evidence that the waters of baptism are transforming everything they touch?
Jesus, Justice & Jazz ELCA 2009 national youth gathering homepage: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. Working with local congregations and organizations, young people will be immersed in volunteer service as they participate in recovery efforts resulting from the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our youth, a total of 15 people from this congregation (including myself), touched by the waters of baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit, are traveling to New Orleans in July. We will be challenged, to take what was muddied and help to make it clean. We will join 36,000 young people and together, we will flood New Orleans with the waters of the Holy Spirit, taking what appeared to be hopeless and fill it with new life. Not only will 36,000 baptized Lutherans give to the city, we will be met by the Holy Spirit in this place, and the spirit will flood us, and transform us. We will be given a gift by this city and it’s people—God’s covenant will come alive. The story of Noah won’t be simple words on a page, it will live and breathe on Burdon street, and in the Lower 9th Ward. A rainbow will no longer be a symbol, but the hope, the reassurance to us all that God transformed water, and He is transforming US. These 36,000 people will then be driven out by the Spirit to proclaim this hope to the world.
But, that’s just one story, one example. Is the story still for us? This question is the challenge set before each of us this Lenten season. How will YOU answer? AMEN
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