"I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does; so in appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something truly sacred."
-- Fred Rodgers
Commencement Address at Middlebury College May, 2001

This week's sermon message is from Matthew; YOU are the salt of the earth, YOU are the light of the world. I believe that in more ways than anybody reading this blog could ever imagine. I believe that God is light and we, each of us being a part of (or child of) God contains that God light within us. The Fred Rogers quote above spoke to me in a way that may be quite different than he intended it to be received at that commencement address - when we look for the best in the person we happen to be with at the moment we are looking at that God light within.

It's tough to do at times, I admit that. At times it's ridiculously difficult to see the light of God within someone who is hateful, who is bitter and angry, someone who carries resentment and revenge. What is even more difficult though, at least it is for me, is to look at myself (which I never do - I never look in the mirror!) and to see the God light within myself. You see, more than anybody else in this whole entire world, I know the real me and I know that darkness within and that bitter person underneath, the angry and vengeful self that lurks under the surface; I know the hurting child that is mistrustful of everything and everyone and carries so much resentment in her heart that she seems to be only in deep shadow. Where are the rainbows and butterflies? Where is the light? Where is the light of God within me? If it's there at all it's hidden very deeply under a bushel.

There are many people in this world like me ... many people in Hampton, in our own little community, in our neighborhood; maybe even in our own families. There are some people at St. Mark's and at True North who carry these same feelings about themselves, think the same thoughts, worry the same worries ... I have lost the light of God.

I fully believe that True North is a beacon of light, THE light, of God - of God and God's love and grace. If you are like me, shadowed by the darkness and seeking the light, then come join me on Sunday evening. Bring another darkened heart with you and let us each find the God light within.  Let us each "look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment."

Namatse,
memonica

Link: http://www.stephenministries.org/stephenministry/default.cfm/1489

I was sitting here, at my couch, thinking about the message that John offered this evening, about serving the least and the lost and the forgotten when my e-mail box chimed in "four new messages" (yes, she speaks to me!). Well, pulled from my deep thoughts I went to my mailbox to see what was there. One of the messages was the "Care-mail" that I receive as a Stephen Leader. A devotional message from Stephen Ministry. This is what I received in my mailbox:

In reading the devotional book Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I came across this thought, based on Matthew 10:42.

"He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honourable name has ministered to Christ himself, and Jesus Christ will be his reward."

There was a link to read more of the devotion, which I of course clicked on.

To the Least
Psalm 41:1 (you'll have to look that one up yourself)

"He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honourable name has ministered to Christ himself, and Jesus Christ will be his reward."
-- The Cost of Discipleship

Those who minister to others in the name of Christ will be blessed. But that blessing does not necessarily mean anything other than a fuller possession of the life of Christ. We seldom get back in kind, but that should never be a problem for us. It only becomes a problem if we have not given only for the sake of Christ. In ministering to the poor and needy we will be blessed, for they are able to give "riches" unknown to those who have everything.

Meditation

Giving for the sake of Christ means that we expect nothing from those to whom we give, but everything from Him whose grace and blessing we seek.

Charles Ringma, Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Colorado Springs: Piñon Press, 2000), June 24.

Wow!

By now I hope that all of you know that I do NOT believe in consequences.

Any ways, I was having a difficult time this afternoon and in part with this scripture passage. If you have read two blog posts ago, then you know that I believe myself to be a goat; John and I discussed this with Jack this afternoon - my "goatiness" I mean. Imagine the impact of receiving this e-mail message at this time from Stephen Ministry.

While I don't believe that I ever minister "in the name of Christ", I do believe that I do what I can for whom I can when I can because I think it is pleasing to God for me to do so. I think that, in receiving this e-mail on this day, God is taking his hammer and beating me over the head! Again. What do you think?

So, I offer to you this devotional thought; please take this meditation and dwell upon it and what it may be speaking to your heart.

Blessings,

memonica

A big congratulations to our worship team leader, Brian, and his wife Megan on the birth of their first child. Welcome little Wyatt Blair Fatkin weighing in at 7 lbs 13 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

As a kid I never really knew the Bible; oh I knew the words of God but not as read from the Bible ... needless to say, things became a bit mixed up and befuddled in my mind when it came to scripture. Basically, everything I "knew" about the "gospel" came from either Jesus Christ Superstar or Godspell (dating myself, I know).

Now Jesus Christ Superstar was the darker of the two and had way more singing, far less speaking so I "learned" more from Godspell. I especially loved watching the live performances by Las Cruces High School (mostly because Jesus was played by T. J. who was the most adorable boy I'd seen and I, admittedly, had a huge "crush" on him ... I was in high school after all!). So, why the walk down memory lane to the way back? Well, this weeks sermon message is from Matthew 25: 31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Immediately I was transported back to the movie Godspell.

Jesus, played by Victor Garber, separates his gaggle of companions into two groups - the sheep on the right and the goats on the left.
I love the costumes and since I'm a bells and whistles kind of gal I love the bright colors and silly voicings used throughout the movie. With the sheep on the right and the goats on the left, Jesus recites the parable, sending each sheep happily up the steps for all of their good deeds. While the poor goats on the right are left wondering when they failed to feed, clothe, or visit Jesus.
As much as I hate to admit it, from the first viewing of Godspell I have always believed myself to be a goat ... left kneeling on the bench asking of God "but when did I NOT do for you God?"

"I give my spare change to the homeless on the street corners whenever I have loose bills in my purse."
"I have driven Miss Virginia all over the city on many an errand; I have even visited her in the nursing home when she wasn't at her best and didn't remember who I was."
"I've gone to a juvenile detention center to do crafts with the girls there, once." "I've put coats in the buckets at the credit union in the winter for needy kids."
"I've feed you, visited you, clothed you!"

But, I tell myself over and over again that isn't good enough - I am nothing more than a goat. Would Jesus think that? I don't know, honestly. I do so little so much of the time ... I feel inadequate and useless, rarely Christian much less Christ-like. I am a goat!

Then I stumbled upon this video:

John will be attending a training session at The Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula (9912 Hosier Street Newport News) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. If any True North or St. Mark's regulars would like to attend with John you are more than welcome to. The training is expected to last about an hour. Thank you.