President's Day; when most of us think of this holiday, we immediately think of George Washington, the Father of our Country, or maybe "Honest" Abe Lincoln, both of whom have birthdays in the month of February, and are probably the reason why many federal employees and a few teachers are able to take a breather today. Clearly these were not the only Chief Executive Officers of our nation. One of my favorite presidents was John F. Kennedy. Although I was not alive during the Kennedy years, our country was in a very volatile state. However as a child of the 70s and 80s, I did grow to respect President Reagan.
Today, I would encourage you to think about our current President, Barack H. Obama. Being the president is not easy. It's hard trying to please everyone. Obama inheirited an administration full of problems from wars, environmental issues, health care reform and not to mention the economy. Every day he sits in and out of chambers where cosmic and multil million dollar decisions are being made that will impact each of us personally on some level. Take a few minutes to lift our President in prayer. He needs it more than you know. If you're stuck on a prayer, just read this one from the Book of Common Prayer.
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, the Governor of this state (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Peace,
Karsten
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Love is...
¡Feliz Día de San Valentín! – Happy Valentine’s Day! For many, Valentine’s Day is the quintessential time to express love on so many levels, whether its agape (godly love that we receive from Him), phileo (brotherly love that we express towards each other) – hence we have: Philadelphia “The City of Brotherly Love,” or eros, (the special love that is meant to be shared with our partners and spouses).
For us, as we journey through life, it can be lonely at times. Know that you are loved! You were fashioned in the image of God. God is love, and love is all around us and ever present – even in this upside down world, the island home in which we live. Love covers a multitude of injustices and iniquities. Love saved you and preserved you for such a time as this. In as much as you have received love, I charge you to share and spread this ever precious gift.
In the Gospel of St. Matthew 22:37, Jesus quotes the Mosaic Law from Deuteronomy with this verse “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” If I were to put a spin on this, I would say that in addition to loving God and our neighbors whole heartedly, that we should look within and love ourselves.
As I close, I leave with you the Apostle Paul’s explanation of what love is to the church at Corinth, which can be found in I Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Remember that if God is love, then love NEVER fails. There is no failure in God. May the peace and love of God encompass you and over flow into the lives of those to whom you are connected.
Peace,
Karsten
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Red Sunday 2011
In many churches across the country, you may have noticed that many women and men were wearing red today. This movement is not in honor of St. Valentine's Day, which happens to be tomorrow. But several faith communities observed "Go Red Sunday" today and other Sundays throughout the month. Not only is February Black History Month, it is also American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, every year heart disease claims the lives of 460,000 women in our country, making it the number one killer of American women. This means that someone's mother, sister, aunt, daughter, grandmother or niece could fall victim at any given moment.
I share this with you not to alarm you, but rather to inform you. Go Red Sunday is a movement in which women and men alike are encouraged to look at their lifestyles and see where they fall. Look at your family medical history, you may not want to, but it will clear many questions that you and your primary care physician may have. It was beautiful to see the red neckties, dresses and sweaters in church today. But wearing red on any given Sunday in February does not alleviate the problem. It does raise awareness.
Last week, I was in a conversation with one of the school nurses at my job and I told her that I could relate to the woman with the issue of blood from the Bible. Granted her issue of blood and mine are completely different. Her story is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In all three of the gospels, upon receiving her healing, Jesus told her "your faith has made you whole." However in the Mark and Luke's account, Jesus also tells her "Go in peace." As a Type 2 diabetic, I have an issue of blood that is now under control (thank God). I know that I am and have been made whole, and I certainly don't allow my faith in God to preclude me from exercising, eating healthy and taking my meds as I should. On this Go Red Sunday, I challenge you to talk about your health with your family members and most importantly, go to the doctor. Remember that Jesus is still the master phyisician, and he's still in the healing business.
Peace,
Karsten
I share this with you not to alarm you, but rather to inform you. Go Red Sunday is a movement in which women and men alike are encouraged to look at their lifestyles and see where they fall. Look at your family medical history, you may not want to, but it will clear many questions that you and your primary care physician may have. It was beautiful to see the red neckties, dresses and sweaters in church today. But wearing red on any given Sunday in February does not alleviate the problem. It does raise awareness.
Last week, I was in a conversation with one of the school nurses at my job and I told her that I could relate to the woman with the issue of blood from the Bible. Granted her issue of blood and mine are completely different. Her story is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In all three of the gospels, upon receiving her healing, Jesus told her "your faith has made you whole." However in the Mark and Luke's account, Jesus also tells her "Go in peace." As a Type 2 diabetic, I have an issue of blood that is now under control (thank God). I know that I am and have been made whole, and I certainly don't allow my faith in God to preclude me from exercising, eating healthy and taking my meds as I should. On this Go Red Sunday, I challenge you to talk about your health with your family members and most importantly, go to the doctor. Remember that Jesus is still the master phyisician, and he's still in the healing business.
Peace,
Karsten
Friday, February 11, 2011
Valentine's Validation
TGIF! Friday could not get here soon enough for me. Here we are, the most romantic weekend of the year. Romantic weekend getaways have been planned. Restaurants are running lovers specials and reservations from today through Monday. The local florists are working over time, especially in the area of delivery. Let's not forget that Whitman's, Godiva and Hallmark have all cashed in on this holiday. On December 26, I found it hard to believe that when I went to Harris-Teeter, for some vittles for a post-Christmas snow storm, the greeting card aisle was plastered with hearts and various shades of red, pink, lavender and white. I was like, seriously -- Are you serious? It's still Christmas!!
I will blog about Valentine's Day on Monday. However I just wanted to remind you -- regardless of your Valentine status, if you have one, several or none at all. Don't let your Valentine validate your love and self worth. Let me say it like this. Don't let the fact that you may not have a Valentine validate your love and self worth. Pastor Jamal Bryant of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, posted that in his Twitter newsfeed. I thought about that in detail. If the message of Valentine's Day is centered around love, then please do not limit telling the special people in your lives that you love them only on February 14. Most of us don't do this, but you'd be surprised.
Love is one of those things that we get often undeserving. Love also has reciprocal tendancies. Think about it. If you're not a loving person, chances are people are not going to be very loving toward you. It is great knowing that you are loved. I think that it's an even greater thing when we share our love with others. If I had to give you a mandate of love, it would be; Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself and allow others to love you. Don't let your Valentine validate you!
Peace,
Karsten
I will blog about Valentine's Day on Monday. However I just wanted to remind you -- regardless of your Valentine status, if you have one, several or none at all. Don't let your Valentine validate your love and self worth. Let me say it like this. Don't let the fact that you may not have a Valentine validate your love and self worth. Pastor Jamal Bryant of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, posted that in his Twitter newsfeed. I thought about that in detail. If the message of Valentine's Day is centered around love, then please do not limit telling the special people in your lives that you love them only on February 14. Most of us don't do this, but you'd be surprised.
Love is one of those things that we get often undeserving. Love also has reciprocal tendancies. Think about it. If you're not a loving person, chances are people are not going to be very loving toward you. It is great knowing that you are loved. I think that it's an even greater thing when we share our love with others. If I had to give you a mandate of love, it would be; Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself and allow others to love you. Don't let your Valentine validate you!
Peace,
Karsten
Thursday, February 10, 2011
It's me!!!
How many of you guys remember this song?
It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
Truth be told we are all in the need of prayer. Whether it's stress and meeting demands of work, the significant or maybe insignificant other in our lives, the crazy children, whom we love dearly, but rather they would either grow up or go away, only to return when fully independent. Brothers and sisters we are in a praying time. But how balanced is your prayer life? Sometimes I literally discover that I have forgotten to pray for myself. Sometimes outside of our loved ones and friends, we have to cry out with a loud voice. It's me oh Lord! -- Standing in the need of prayer.
The challenge for today is to take 2 minutes and pray for yourself. God knows what your needs are before you even ask. Okay, so you may not be a prayer warrior, consider praying the Lord's Prayer or possibly writing a list of things that you know that it would take a mighty move of God to accomplish. If you're Episcopalian, go grab a Book of Common Prayer and look at the prayers that are near the back. Remember that seven days without prayer makes one weak. Don't leave yourself open for enemy attack. Not only does prayer change things, it also changes us.
Peace,
Karsten
It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
Truth be told we are all in the need of prayer. Whether it's stress and meeting demands of work, the significant or maybe insignificant other in our lives, the crazy children, whom we love dearly, but rather they would either grow up or go away, only to return when fully independent. Brothers and sisters we are in a praying time. But how balanced is your prayer life? Sometimes I literally discover that I have forgotten to pray for myself. Sometimes outside of our loved ones and friends, we have to cry out with a loud voice. It's me oh Lord! -- Standing in the need of prayer.
The challenge for today is to take 2 minutes and pray for yourself. God knows what your needs are before you even ask. Okay, so you may not be a prayer warrior, consider praying the Lord's Prayer or possibly writing a list of things that you know that it would take a mighty move of God to accomplish. If you're Episcopalian, go grab a Book of Common Prayer and look at the prayers that are near the back. Remember that seven days without prayer makes one weak. Don't leave yourself open for enemy attack. Not only does prayer change things, it also changes us.
Peace,
Karsten
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Soon ah will be done!
You may not think so, but there are times when I have blogger's block. No inspiration to be found from the lextionary, Bible, Book of Common Prayer, or personal experience. Today just happens to be one of those days. Often times when I find myself in this slump, I normally think about the course of the day and what has happened or possibly not happened.
While thumbing and skimming through student papers in desperate need of my attention, I began to hum "Soon Ah will be done." This is a beautiful spiritual which was arranged by William L.. Dawson. Many people probably remember the scence of "Imitation of Life" when Mahalia Jackson is singing this song at Annie's funeral. This song has some sentiments of death and earthly departure. However this song is one of many of the plantation songs which our ancestors sang to get them through the trials that they were going through. In reality it summarizes the ultimate hope of every believer. In everything that you go through, remember that you are a transitory being and just a pilgrim passing through, and soon you will be done. In all things, remember that only what you do for Christ will last.
Soon I will be done, with the troubles of the world,
The troubles of the world.
I'm going home to live with God.
I want to meet my mother, I'm going home to live with God.
No more weeping and wailing, I'm going home to live with God.
I want to meet my Jesus, I'm going home to live with God.
Soon I will be done with the troubles of the world.
Peace,
Karsten
While thumbing and skimming through student papers in desperate need of my attention, I began to hum "Soon Ah will be done." This is a beautiful spiritual which was arranged by William L.. Dawson. Many people probably remember the scence of "Imitation of Life" when Mahalia Jackson is singing this song at Annie's funeral. This song has some sentiments of death and earthly departure. However this song is one of many of the plantation songs which our ancestors sang to get them through the trials that they were going through. In reality it summarizes the ultimate hope of every believer. In everything that you go through, remember that you are a transitory being and just a pilgrim passing through, and soon you will be done. In all things, remember that only what you do for Christ will last.
Soon I will be done, with the troubles of the world,
The troubles of the world.
I'm going home to live with God.
I want to meet my mother, I'm going home to live with God.
No more weeping and wailing, I'm going home to live with God.
I want to meet my Jesus, I'm going home to live with God.
Soon I will be done with the troubles of the world.
Peace,
Karsten
Monday, February 7, 2011
In the midst of your mess, God produces his best!
Today's blog is the continuation from a blog entry last week, in which we are encouraged to turn our mess into a message. We are all a HOT MESS! I get it, but now we need to turn our mess into a message. Part of that process is realizing that in the midst of your mess, God produces his best! If you're like me, you don't like to be messy for extended periods of time. You don't like to be in messy situations and you certainly don't like dealing with messy people. The key thing to remember is that regardless of our strugs and the messes we find ourselves in; in those moments, God is producing his best in and through you.
Let's look at two examples from the Old Testament. First let's look at Joseph. Joseph's story can be found in Genesis 37-50. Long story short, Joseph was the beloved son of his father and hated by his brothers, so much that they sold him into slavery. Joseph ended up in Egypt, where he was sent to prison for making a pass at Potiphar's wife; when in actuality she made the pass at him and he rejected her. While Joseph was in prison, he would interpret dreams and one day Pharaoh had a dream that only Joseph could interpret. This dream prepared Egypt for a devastating famine to come. To express his appreciation to Joseph, Pharaoh made him second in command in the land. Eventually Joseph's brothers had to come back to the very one that they sold into slavery so many years prior.
If that's not enough for you, look at Job. Job's story is an interesting one. Job lived in the land of Ur and was very wealthy and prosperous. He had a wife and lots of sons and daughters. One day, Job lost EVERYTHING, the children, property and on top of that he was plagued with an illness. His doom and gloom friends came over and offered no consolation. His wife told him to curse God and die. However, Job did something that still blows my mind. He said "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." Job prayed for his friends and everything was restored unto him double. For your trouble, you shall have double!! Yes, he even had more children. His latter end was far greater than his former end. Look at GOD!!
In the Episcopal and Roman Catholic Church, yesterday's gospel reading came from St. Matthew chapter 5. During chapel on Friday, my Chaplain reminded us of this scripture. It was again reemphasized yesterday as I sat in mass. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." In the midst of our messy situations, we often lose sight of the fact that we are salt, zest and zeal of the earth. We've got the flavor that it takes to change the hearts of men and serve in love and charity, while simultaneously shining our light into the dark places of hurting people, and a broken and unjust society. Go get your salt box and your lamp stand. In the midst of your mess, God produces his BEST!
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
Karsten
Let's look at two examples from the Old Testament. First let's look at Joseph. Joseph's story can be found in Genesis 37-50. Long story short, Joseph was the beloved son of his father and hated by his brothers, so much that they sold him into slavery. Joseph ended up in Egypt, where he was sent to prison for making a pass at Potiphar's wife; when in actuality she made the pass at him and he rejected her. While Joseph was in prison, he would interpret dreams and one day Pharaoh had a dream that only Joseph could interpret. This dream prepared Egypt for a devastating famine to come. To express his appreciation to Joseph, Pharaoh made him second in command in the land. Eventually Joseph's brothers had to come back to the very one that they sold into slavery so many years prior.
If that's not enough for you, look at Job. Job's story is an interesting one. Job lived in the land of Ur and was very wealthy and prosperous. He had a wife and lots of sons and daughters. One day, Job lost EVERYTHING, the children, property and on top of that he was plagued with an illness. His doom and gloom friends came over and offered no consolation. His wife told him to curse God and die. However, Job did something that still blows my mind. He said "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." Job prayed for his friends and everything was restored unto him double. For your trouble, you shall have double!! Yes, he even had more children. His latter end was far greater than his former end. Look at GOD!!
In the Episcopal and Roman Catholic Church, yesterday's gospel reading came from St. Matthew chapter 5. During chapel on Friday, my Chaplain reminded us of this scripture. It was again reemphasized yesterday as I sat in mass. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." In the midst of our messy situations, we often lose sight of the fact that we are salt, zest and zeal of the earth. We've got the flavor that it takes to change the hearts of men and serve in love and charity, while simultaneously shining our light into the dark places of hurting people, and a broken and unjust society. Go get your salt box and your lamp stand. In the midst of your mess, God produces his BEST!
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
Karsten
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Turning your mess into a message
I love talking to my friends, especially friends that go to different churches or even those that follow different faiths. I was recently in a conversation with a friend and he told me that he had gone to church that day and how much the service blessed him. I asked him what the sermon was about. He told me that the title was "Turning your mess into a message!" Without hearing any type of scriptural reference, my spirit just leaped within and the title of this sermon blessed me, and I thought that I would share some thoughts and reflections with you, my blogosphere buddies.
If we think about it, we are all a HOT MESS! Yeah, we cover it up well. We perfume the stench of our lives away. And Lord, come Sunday morning and time to go to work, we certainly can dress it up well. I am preaching to myself as well. Some of us are so bad, that our issues have issues and our drama is plagued with drama. Regardless of your mess -- The failed marriage, poor financial decisions, low self esteem, job layoff, not finishing that which you've started, the broken relationships with friends and family, your inner struggles to find peace and ridding yourself of resentment. Need I continue? We all have mess in our lives. Brothers and sisters, it is high time that we take our mess and turn it into a message.
Take this moment to boldly declare that you will not let your past and current situations define who you are and your potential as a child of God. It may not seem like it, but the messes that we're in now will prove to be the best testimonies of how we got over. I've said this before; you cannot have a TESTimony, without a test. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony. In fact you're such a hot mess, when you get delivered from it, people will look at how you've come through the fire not even singed and in your right mind. At that moment, they will know that it was God working in and through you. Remember that your latter end will be greater than your former end. Take charge now and turn your mess into a message!
Peace,
Karsten
If we think about it, we are all a HOT MESS! Yeah, we cover it up well. We perfume the stench of our lives away. And Lord, come Sunday morning and time to go to work, we certainly can dress it up well. I am preaching to myself as well. Some of us are so bad, that our issues have issues and our drama is plagued with drama. Regardless of your mess -- The failed marriage, poor financial decisions, low self esteem, job layoff, not finishing that which you've started, the broken relationships with friends and family, your inner struggles to find peace and ridding yourself of resentment. Need I continue? We all have mess in our lives. Brothers and sisters, it is high time that we take our mess and turn it into a message.
Take this moment to boldly declare that you will not let your past and current situations define who you are and your potential as a child of God. It may not seem like it, but the messes that we're in now will prove to be the best testimonies of how we got over. I've said this before; you cannot have a TESTimony, without a test. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony. In fact you're such a hot mess, when you get delivered from it, people will look at how you've come through the fire not even singed and in your right mind. At that moment, they will know that it was God working in and through you. Remember that your latter end will be greater than your former end. Take charge now and turn your mess into a message!
Peace,
Karsten
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