Silly Shahra!!!

Our sweet little girl has been keeping us busy this summer. Thus far, we have worked on using the potty and moving into a "big girl bed." It is an ELMO bed, which excites her to no end (in fact, I believe ELMO would be her first 'graven image' :) We also got back from a recent trip to Cancun, where we spent 5 days on the beach, playing in the water and enjoying some much needed time off. Jeffwill be writing about this trip very soon and there will be pictures.

Today, I wanted to include a couple of "Shahra mischief" pictures for you to enjoy. About a week ago, (after shahra moved to her big girl bed) I went to check on her. It was about 10:45. i opened the door and noticed the light was on. Sweet little Shahra had found a tube of balmex (diaper cream) and put it all over herself and her dolls. I tried to be upset, but it was too funny! Here are the pics!

Sermon June 8

How many of you remember Ed McMahan and Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes? Every January, families across the US would wait with anticipation for a large manila package to come in the mail, with the words “You may have already won a million dollars.” To find out if you already won, all you had to do was fill out an entry form that was about 15 pages long and send it back…waiting with anticipation to find out if Ed McMahan would show up on your door step with a bouquet of balloons and a huge check…no literally a HUGE, 4 foot long check with your name on it. We saw on TV as average Americans opened the door, screamed and accepted their prize. They would say things like “it’s a miracle!” The theme song even ended the commercial “miracles can happen, they can happen to you…Publisher’s Clearing House, the house where dreams come true.” A miracle in the form of a big check. And who can blame them? I think many of us are “looking for a miracle.” And if that miracle came in the form of Ed and a million dollars, we wouldn’t balk, would we?
Unfortunately, these worldly miracles don’t always turn out well. Financial analyst Robert Thompson, who works with instant millionaires says, "The rule of thumb we use is sudden wealth will ruin people in three to five years. At the end of five years, the money's going to be gone or the human being is going to be gone. They either lose their money or themselves or both." But what if we were lookin’ for another kind of miracle? Not the kind that comes in the form of Ed or a giant check. Instead, what if Jesus provided us with a personal miracle, the kind we read about in the Bible. That would be worth waiting for, wouldn’t it?
In our Gospel today, we hear that Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader as well as a poor woman, who was afflicted for 12 years with a bleeding disease. These are the kind of miracles we’re lookin’ for aren’t they? The kind that heal our bodies and spirits, with just a prayer…. More than one of us is asking “why can’t we be healed like the child, or the woman?” We do live in the age of miracles, an age when doctors can perform surgery to heal a broken body. That’s a miracle. An age when antibiotics can heal diseases that only 75 years ago would have killed. That’s a miracle. An age …where our savior heals rich and poor, saint and sinner, young and old alike. That’s a miracle. An age when Christ has risen…In fact, I think, instead of “lookin’ for a miracle” we are “living IN a miracle.” Amen? We’re “living IN a miracle.”
Because Jesus’ miracle of healing a bleeding woman and a broken child extend well beyond the two main players in our Gospel. By healing a young girl, Jesus showed that culture and our culture that even the youngest, even the weakest members would be made whole through Him. Children were not seen as worthy of a rabbi’s time in Jesus’ culture. It was radical that he would take time to go to a child, and provide a healing touch. The miracle wasn’t just for the girl and her family, the miracle was for all in the community, we are ALL invited to live IN a miracle.
Let’s look at the healing of the woman as well. In biblical times, people were very clear about keeping “clean” and “unclean” separate. The synagogue was clean…nothing unclean could be near it or a part of it. Blood was considered very unclean, and a woman who was bleeding would have been seen as unclean, and all who touched her would be unclean. Because of her illness, she would not have been able to worship with the community. She was an outcast. But, Jesus, a rabbi, one who was holy, not only touched the unclean, his touch HEALED the unclean, making her whole. This was a sign to all that Jesus could make anything and anyone in the community clean, and restored. We’re no longer lookin’ for a miracle, we’re living IN a miracle.
Jesus tore down the barriers of “clean and unclean” for each of us too. Through His death, and His blood, He washed the world clean, wiping away all barriers of clean and unclean, saint and sinner. Ironic isn’t it? It was through HIS BLOOD, and HIS DEATH, two of the most “unclean” things on earth that Jesus was able to cleanse everyone of us. Certainly, this is what we find when we’re lookin’ for a miracle.
But what about us, here and now, today in Muncie IN? Maybe you don’t feel like you’re living IN a miracle. Maybe you’re thinking “We may have some miracles, but Jesus isn’t here to touch, and to make us, whole, is He? And all these miracles, penicillin won’t cure inoperable cancer, one touch won’t heal a broken relationship, and faith alone won’t rebuild a storm damaged home. You’re right. I can’t promise you the individual miracle you’re praying for, and I can’t say Jesus will restore all you have hoped for in one day.
But, I can promise you this. This community of believers, and believers all around the world DO have the power to heal and to transform. The Holy Spirit is in each and every one of us, and with one touch, one gesture, we too can break down “clean” and “unclean.” We can perform a miracle through our actions as we, like Jesus, care for the weakest, the sickest, the most outcast in our society. Through Christ, we can show the love to the hurting--and that has the power to heal, doesn’t it? God has given you the power to heal, to show the world the miracle of love. You may not be able to physically heal a fellow brother or sister, but your touch can allow emotional and spiritual healing to flow in powerful ways. Our community, and our church ARE a living, breathing miracle. People of differing backgrounds, gifts, and talents coming together to worship a God we have never seen, living in the hope that our wrongs will be righted through the death of a 1st century Jew? Members of HTLC, coming together, to worship, to seek forgiveness, to go into the world and heal?
And even though we will still continue to look FOR a miracle, even through we’ll doubt and try to do things “our way” we have hope, and can take comfort knowing that Christ’s saving blood will keep washing us clean, bringing us into community with other believers and reminding us daily of the miracle of salvation given to each of us. I can’t think of a more profound example of living IN a miracle than that.

Sermon May 25

Ok, so this is a bit late, but we've been pretty busy around here! Enjoy!

I have to be honest with you all. It feels hypocritical for me to preach today’s Gospel. How am I to stand before you and tell you all “Let today’s troubles be sufficient for today?” I have ALWAYS struggled with this in my own life. I worry, all the time. As a kid, I worried that I would miss the bus. In middle school I worried that my clothes weren’t cute enough or that I would say the wrong thing. In college, I worried about finding the right job that made enough money, being lonely, and if I had a high enough GPA. Today’s worries have never been sufficient for today. This is my demon…it can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety… am I alone in this? Does anyone else cling to worry? At times, I have been completely bound by worry, chained up by its power, unable to break myself free.
As I read this week’s Gospel, I feel like I have had this conversation with God on many occasions…probably daily, as God asks me “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” We know that the answer is “no” don’t we? But, somehow, it’s impossible to let them go. Perhaps we feel a sense of power holding on, thinking “I’m in control.” I don’t believe our Gospel was written to trivialize our problems. Our concerns are very real, and they matter. They matter to us, they matter to God, and they have the power to radically change our lives. Is the job secure? Is the diagnosis bad? Is my family going to be here for me? We aren’t told to flippantly move forward, forgetting every trouble and care. Instead, these verses are to be freeing for us. It’s as if God has the key to release us, but we can’t let Him. These worries and fears about the world can enslave us; act as a chain around our legs, causing us to become unable to move forward. It’s self imposed slavery to the bondage of the world.
When we hold onto these worries and fears, we may think that we have power or control over them. Sometimes, it’s even an adrenaline rush…I’ve found myself worrying about something, thinking about it, then “poof”! I find an answer…or so I think. My solution may satisfy me for a while, it may “fix” this problem, but it doesn’t get to the root of the issue.
I want to keep the control for myself, and the thought of turning my problem over to God, or trusting that He’ll be with me in this trial terrifies me. Anyone else ever been there? I ask myself, “what if” What if this problem is too big for God? What if I fail? What if….I were to stop, read these verses of love given to me by God, and trust that He loves me, will be with me, and will never leave me? It’s scary, because it feels as if I’m losing control. And I am. But, let me ask you this, what if we trusted, and listened to the voice of God? What if we were still? Maybe, just maybe, that chain around our leg could be cut away, and we could be freed from the self imposed bondage of this earth. Our Gospel tells us, no one can serve two masters. God is inviting us to be free. We could be free to serve one master, rather than struggling to serve two masters—our personal god, which will never fulfill us, and our communal, saving GOD who redeems us. Free to feel peace in our hearts, to know that all we need, God’s hand WILL provide.
I want to be clear—I’m not suggesting our problems will just disappear when we trust in God. The job may not be secure, the diagnosis may be bad, and we may feel abandoned by those around us. But, as we invite God to release us from the bondage of worry, we can be reassured that God’s hand is with us, guiding us, holding us up when we feel broken down.
Even with this knowledge, I will continue to struggle and worry. I’ll try to find my own way, to look to the earthly answers, answers that always fail me. But, God has given me a gift, and has given you a gift. The gift of community, the Holy Spirit, living, breathing, and acting in each of us. Supporting one another, in our worries and fears. We can all take comfort in knowing that a community of believers are with us, praying for us, living life with us. Yes, the fears don’t vanish. But, we don’t have to fear that we’re doing this alone. Christ will be with each of us. The shackles of sin have been removed from our legs through His death and resurrection. And He’ll continue to remove the shackles, every day, even as we put them back on our legs, over and over again. For His power, the power of forgiveness is one thing greater than any worry, any sorrow, or any power we have in the world.

So much to post...(political by Tracy)

Wow. What a week. We had a wonderful vacation with family, we're on the verge of a referral for a baby boy (this month, maybe this week). I'll post more on the above very soon, with pictures.

Tonight, I've watched history made as Obama gets the Democratic nomination. I'm so hopeful for our future and so proud that I can tell my kids about this day. To see both Obama and Clinton get people involved in politics for the first time. This is one of the most exciting times in our country's history.

I'm under no illusion that this day fixes all our problems, breaks away racism or completely fulfills Dr. King's Dream. But it sure brings us closer to that dream. I used to go to the polls with my dad when he voted. He let me go into the booth, and watch him vote. He talked about politics, history and why it was important to vote. I couldn't wait to turn 18 and have this privilege. I believe voting is the great equalizer in our country...it's the biggest way one can have their voice heard. I saw the movie "Iron Clad Angels" which depicted the Women's suffrage fight in the 1910s. The main character was handing out pamphlets attempting to get factory workers to come to a rally. One worker said "I can't miss work, I'd lose my job." The main character talked about the Triangle factory fire, which killed over 100 workers in NYC. She said "that fire killed workers because there were no fire escapes. Do you want a fire escape?" The worker nodded. "Well, a VOTE is a fire escape." And that's what it's all about. A vote is a fire escape, a vote is a voice, a vote is a change. Yes we can.

What was most amazing about this race is that everyone had a voice, and over 35 million people voted in the primary. In some states, more people voted in this primary than did in 2004. Yes, I'm excited that Obama won, but I'm more excited that more young people and previously uninterested people became involved in the process. It's historic, not only for Obama's nod, but historic to see people interested, and while still not completely united, involved.

What a night, what a time to be alive and watch history over the past months. Maybe we'll see some positive change.

Summer with Shahra and Dad

I (Jeff) have had some time off this month, having finished Spring teaching and coursework and not yet having started the advising I'll do this summer. So Shahra and I have spent some quality time together.

While home from daycare, Shahra has been able to catch up on her daytime "soaps." In the morning, she is sure to watch Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street. For those who don't know, Dora the Explorer is a cartoon for young children that stars a little bilingual Latino girl and her monkey Boots who go on small adventures to help their friends. Every episode, she references her map to figure out there they are going and looks in her backpack for things that will help them on their adventure. The show is interactive, calling on children to participate. If you're at our house, you might see Shahra reaching or jumping into the air or hear her yelling "MAP, MAP!!!" (to help Dora bring out the map) or "PACKPACK, PACKPACK!!!" (to help Dora open her backpack) at ever louder decibels. The show also has a sneaky fox named Swiper who tries to steal things from Dora and Boots. The response kids must call out is "Swiper, no swiping!!" Shahra says this, "Fwiper, no Fwiping," a phrase she'd repeat randomly throughout the day and which confused Tracy and I for months, until I actually sat down to watch the show with her.

The show's not just fun and games, though. Dora manages to teach some basic Spanish words as she helps out friends of hers that speak only Spanish. Shahra has learned about words like "abuela" (Grandma), "circulo" (circle), and "triangulo" (triangle). She's also learned to count to five in Spanish, sort of.... "Uno, Dos, Tres, Cinco, Eleven."

At least once a week, when the sun shines bright (it has rained rather incessantly in Indiana this month), Shahra and I have had "picnics at play park." "Play Park" is one of the locations to which Dora often adventures, so likewise, Shahra and I make a little adventure out of our trip to the playground. We pack sandwiches, veggies, fruit, and lemonade. We talk about the landmarks we have to pass to get to "play park": the post office, the Pizza King, the bridge over the river, the downtown. When we get there, we sit at a picnic table and I cajole Shahra to eat her food as she eyes a particular red swing she loves to ride. We spend a good two hours at the park on these days, playing chase and seesaw until Shahra's pace slows down and she seems confused as to what she wants to do next, wandering and wandering without climbing or sliding. At this point, I can tell she's ready for a nap, so I scoop her up, carry her to the car, and listen to her whine in my ear, "I want playground," even as she buries her head into my shoulder and compliantly hops into her carseat. By the time we get home, she's asleep, and I carry her gingerly to her bed.

Shahra has also developed a giggle-laden joy of watching videos of panda bears on YouTube. She enjoys it so much that she likes to playact with Tracy what the pandas are doing, then giggling profusely. To see her favorite panda video, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk.

Facebook in Real Life

This is a video that makes fun of Facebook called, "Facebook in Real Life." It'll only make sense if you are on Facebook yourself. It also has naughty language, so it isn't for the aurally senstive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs&eurl=http://nicaswell.edublogs.org/2008/05/03/facebook-in-real-life/

Sermon May 4

OK, so this one feels really rough. I'm hoping that I will be inspired and spirit filled when I give it. I had a total block, but this is what I came up with. I felt a bit better when Pastor John said "oh, yeah, that's a hard text. I think I would have gone with the first lesson myself instead of the gospel." Well, here it is...the Gospel of John, chapter 17.

Each week, we as a congregation pray the prayers of the people, or maybe better said, the prayers for the people. We pray for the church, the world and all people according to their needs. We believe that prayer makes a difference, don’t we? We believe that prayer is communication and communion with our God, sharing our deepest, most personal thoughts with our Lord. This act isn’t one sided, as we can also hear the voice of God come to us as we pray—for some this is an actual voice, for others they receive a feeling or answer to prayer. Prayer is an act that connects the earthly and the heavenly.
That’s why John 17 is such a powerful text. Jesus spends John 13-17 saying goodbye to his disciples, He knows that he will soon be arrested and killed. Then, Jesus prays in the garden, and we have the chance to read this prayer. We already know that Jesus is God. Now, we know that God is praying for Himself. God is praying for US, praying to be in relationship, longing to be with us. What a truly loving, human act. Jesus knows that His work on earth is about to be completed, his purpose fulfilled. As Jesus prays, and takes time before His death, He knows that we are on the verge of the most earth shattering and radical event in human history. God and humanity are about to be joined together forever, in heaven and on earth with the mission to spread the Gospel to all people.
With Jesus on the verge of death, knowing that the world is about to change and purpose fulfilled, Jesus asks that He may bring glory to God, that others will know God through Him. (invite to look at v 1-5) That people may have eternal life. And, He defines eternal life “to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom God sent.” All of Jesus’ sermons, miracles and actions in the world have been for this moment, and to fulfill this promise, Jesus has to suffer, to die so that all people may know God. It all seems too big to comprehend, doesn’t it? At least it does for me. I can’t begin to wrap my mind around Christ praying, let alone praying for me. But, hearing that Christ has to pray for Himself shows me the human side of God. I begin to think, why would GOD have to pray? Then, I’m reminded that God is HUMAN, like me, and, like me, needs the guidance and support of God the Father on a daily basis. Maybe all that Christ was about to experience was overwhelming to Him too. He had the weight of the world on His shoulders, and everything was about to change.
As Jesus continues to pray, He begins to pray for His disciples. Knowing He is about to die, He takes time to pray for his closest friends, who will continue the mission in our world, long after He is gone. This shows the deep human love He has for us, that in the midst of this earth shattering time, he takes time to remember his dearest friends. The disciples are more than companions along the journey of Jesus’ life, they are gifts from God to help in along the way. Jesus says “you gave them to me” They will continue the mission in the world forever “they knew with certainty that I came from you.”
Christ doesn’t stop with His disciples, He continues by praying for all believers and shows His love for all peoples. “I pray that they are brought in complete unity.” Jesus knows that this unity will not be easy or absolute. There is never a time in Christian history where people are not being divided in the name of Jesus. But still, Jesus prays for unity, that, one day, we may be fully joined with God in heaven. That the separation between the earthly and the heavenly will disappear.
Perhaps the separation between heaven and earth will always feel present in our lives. We may feel that the “way things are” and the “way things ought to be” are miles apart. But I believe the separation will lessen if we follow Jesus’ model—prayer for self, prayer for community of disciples, prayer for all believers. We remember that we have been given gifts, and individual missions on earth. Just as Jesus prayed for His individual mission, we can open ourselves to God in prayer, considering how each of us can glorify God through our gifts. What are your gifts? How have you used the Word of God in your life to spread God’s message of salvation?
We can pray for our immediate community of believers, that we will experience the unity Christ prayed for among his disciples. That we are protected, and our collective gifts can share God’s message with all those in the world. We can pray for all believers around the world—that in the midst of persecution, in the midst of our differences, we can begin to live out the radical promise Jesus gave to us on the cross.
Jesus ends his prayer by saying “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” On the verge of death, Jesus demonstrated his deep love for the world. May we, who are living a redeemed life as a result of Christ’s death be able to grow in relationship with our Lord through prayer for ourselves, our community, and the world of believers.