Friday, December 28, 2012

When you think, you thank!



Most of my baptist and pentecostal friends can finish this sentence.  "When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that he's done for me..."  The end of this sentence is "my soul cries out HALLELLUJAH!  Thank God for saving me.  I know that we have passed Thanksgiving, but just yesterday and today, I was reminded that every day is a day of thanksgiving.  "When you think, you thank."  That is one of the many sermons preached by the Right Reverend Vashti Murphy MacKenzie of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Undoubtedly, she is one of my sheroes in the gospel.  As 2012 rests on its final hinges, when you think of the goodness of God and how he's carried you through moments this year, this month or this week alone, instictively, you ought to thank him.

Last night I had dinner with a very good friend of mine.  At the end of dinner he said "My, how times have changed."  He reminded me of when I was a young teacher and we would just sit and talk in the basement studio apartment that I rented at that time.  We laughed and chuckled at ourselves in those moments of our lives.  Just today, while running errands on that side of town, I had a flashback and a stroll through memory lane, of myself at that point.  It took everything in me to blink back the wells of water forming in my eyes that were on the cusp of falling.  In that moment, I realized that God has been GOOD to me.  As I was in the grocery strore, in my old neighborhood which I often frequented, I was reminded that although there were happy moments at that point in my life, I was also in a deep depression and in a very dark place.  I had my series of Job moments when I thought that everything had been taken away from me, I grappled and wrestled with my faith and even questioned God, Why me?

During this time, God used my mother to minister to me in a powerful way in which she had not done for me as an adult.  Even though I walked that lonesome path clouded by fear, that valley eclipsed by death and fueled by the desire to give up on God and myself, God made a way.  I am thankful for those dark moments, because they have formed me into who I am at present.  Life is tough.  None of us were born with a guarantee that it would always be rosy, or fair.  It is in those moments, when we wrestle with God, we recognize that he is with us.   Like the old folks say, "My soul looks back and wonder how I got over!"  As we await the pending fiscal cliff, take time to go back to that place in your life where you really had to rely on God.  If you have to go to an old neighborhood, go.  When we return to that place where God met us at our need, we will gladly thank him.  When you think, you thank. 

Peace,
Karsten

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

You can't be what you can't see...




As part of my journey into ordination, I had to interview with the Bishop of North Carolina, The Right Reverend Michael Curry.  Although his church title “The Right Rev” may sound daunting, Bishop Curry is a really cool guy.  I remember the day well, a crisp, sunny Eastern North Carolina October morning, with the promise of a glorious afternoon with temperatures in the mid-sixties.  I was not nervous to meet with Bishop Curry at all, perhaps because I had seen him out and about in the diocese several times doing what he does best preaching, teaching and walking in the gospel of Christ both in season and out of season.

During my interview, Bishop Curry and I talked about many things, from iPads, using Facebook and Twitter to evangelize and spread the gospel, my secular profession, oh let’s not forget church and Jesus.  Bishop Curry and I laughed and had a really good conversation.  The thing that I left with after my interview was something that he said to me as it related to my work and vocation.  “You can’t be what you can’t see.”  Over the last year, those seven simple words have been in the forefront of my mind and intentions.

Isaiah 9:2 reads “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death.”  Isaiah 60:2 takes it a step further and mentions the fact that “…gross darkens covers the peoples of the earth.”  Beloveds, we do live in a dark and at times scary world as continuous events unfold around us that are contrary to Christ’s message of hope, peace and love.  But there’s a simple song that almost everyone knows, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”  This song, in a simplistic and childlike way reminds us that in our everyday living in this dark world, that if we let the true light of Christ shine in and through us, that Christ’s gospel of peace and love will not only be seen, but lived and ultimately preached.   The people in this world cannot be the love of Christ, if they don’t see it in us.  Let your light shine, you may just evangelize to someone unknowingly.  “You can’t be what you can’t see.”  Thank you for that timely reminder, Bishop Curry. 

Keep the faith,
Karsten

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Art Auction


Here's the disclaimer.  The following blog is a re-post from an entry two years ago.  Not that I'm creatively stifled in any way, but this message resonates so true during this season.

A couple weeks ago, I received an invitation to an art auction here in Raleigh, in which the funds go to arts in education programs.  I've gone to the annual event two years now.  Upon reading the invitation, I was reminded of this story.

There was a man who lived in France.  This man was a curator of fine art.  It is said that he had quite a collection of valuable and priceless art pieces and artifacts.  This man was very wealthy, but yet very humble.  This man was a widower, whose wife had died while giving birth to his only son.  For that reason, the son was very precious and beloved of his father.  As time passed the widower acquired more artwork and artifacts, while at the same time, taught his son the craft of his profession.

The son went to the best schools and worked side by side with his father.  There was a war in one of the bordering countries, and the son entered the military draft.  With a hesitant blessing from his aging father, the son went off to fight in this war.  The son wrote to his father as often as he had opportunity.  One day, about nine months after the son left for the war, a French military official paid the elderly widower a visit.  The official was polite and the elderly widower invited him in.  He was invited to sit down, and then delivered the most painful news to the old man.  He informed him that his only son, had been killed in the war.  Upon hearing this news the elderly widower wept bitterly for his son.  The official told him that he had something for him and went to get it.  Upon returning in the house, the official presented the elderly widower of a portrait of his son that was painted by one of his son's colleagues in the military, and told the man that his son wanted him to have it.  The elderly widower gracefully accepted this immortalized version of his son and began to prepare for his son's burial.

Over the next week, the funeral arrangements were  made and the son was given a dignified military burial in the catholic rite.  The portrait of the elderly widower's son hung in the living room of his home.  Ten years later, the elderly widower died peacefully in his sleep.  The art world was rocked and stunned by the death of this curator of art.  Soon after the elderly widower was buried, all of his art work and artifacts would be auctioned off.  Such an event drew the who's who of the art world from every corner of the globe.  On the day of the auction, people gathered dressed in their finery, with such anticipation, eagerness, auction paddles and wine.  The excitement of the event was magical.  The auctioneer began the bidding.  However, he began the bidding with the portrait of the elderly widower's son.  Much to the dismay of the crowd, people began to gripe and complain.  Why start the auction with this old portrait?  Let's bid on the more valuable objects; jeered someone from the crowd.

The auctioneer then stated that upon the request of the deceased widower, the portrait of the son would be sold first.  This still did not appease the crowd.  Then, a man in his early thirties began to bid on the portrait.  There were no opposing bids and the man bought the portrait of the son for 300 francs.  This same man was the artist who painted the portrait, and felt a sense of obligation and respect to both the son and the deceased widower.  After the purchase was closed, the auctioneer announced that's it.  The auction is over.

The crowd was stunned beyond belief, saying this is ridiculous, there's only been one piece sold.  This is maddening!  This is preposterous! The auctioneer then said that upon request of the deceased widower, whoever bought the portrait of his only son as the first item for bid would receive the entire collection.  Shocked and astonished, the patrons and guests left.  The moral of the story is simply this, "he or she who has the son, has everything."  The son represents our savior, Jesus and the elderly widower represents God.  He wants us to have everything.  Think about the one who became poor that we might be rich, not materially, but spiritually.  Got Jesus?

Peace,
Karsten

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Why?

       



In 2012 alone, we’ve mourned with the family of Trayvon Martin, the victims of the Colorado mass shooting this summer, and just last week there was a shooting in an Oregon mall.  Here we go again.  Unless you live under a rock, by now you’ve heard about the tragic mass shooting Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, in which over two dozen people fell prey at the hands of a maniacal lunatic.  

I’m sure that yesterday started out as a normal TGIF, but later turned into a horrific day that many will never forget.  As a teacher, there are a myriad of feelings shooting through me, ranging from denial, anger, and disdain, to name a few.  My heart goes out the families, who in the wake of Christmas must make preparations to bury their children, as well as the members of the Sandy Hook School who have to try to function normalcy as their school leader and other members of their staff were brutally and pointlessly murdered.  Yesterday, I found great comfort in the hymn “There’s a wideness in God’s Mercy.” 

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in his blood.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt up in heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of the mind;
and the heart of Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord.

Beloved let us be ever mindful that as things in life go up in smoke, and they will from time to time, that from the smoke and the ash of broken hearts and shattered dreams; rejoicing, love and hope will arise, and just as the incarnate Christ dwelled among us, so to shall these three.  May the eternal Prince of Peace restore peace and order to the people of Connecticut, our nation and the world.

Peace,
Karsten

Monday, December 10, 2012

21st Century John the Baptist



If I were about to open a sermon in a Pentecostal gathering, I would simply say.  “I’m not here to give you something to shout and dance about, but rather to think about.”  Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that as a child of God, especially one that names the name of Christ as Savior and Lord that it is our duty to tell others not only about how he’s saved us (Episcopalians prefer the term redeemed), but that in fact, he is coming again.  We do this corporately during the Memorial Acclamation before communion.  “We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.”

Both the births of John the Baptist and his, carpenter turned self-proclaimed rabbi cousin are miraculous events that run parallel with the other.  John the Baptist, whose name means gracious gift of Jehovah was born to elderly parents who were beyond child bearing years.  In fact Zechariah, John’s father was struck dumb by the angel Gabriel because of his unbelief in the promise of God.  Then Jesus’ story, considered unbelievable and a farce to some and centerpiece of faith and religion to others challenges our every notion of why a supreme deity would undergo human incarnation, come and dwell among the meek and lowly and be the ultimate scapegoat of salvation for humanity.  I know it’s crazy, but I’m crazy enough to believe and share that story of my faith.

John the Baptist was a few months older than Jesus.  Nothing much is made known to us about the relationship that they had as cousins.  We do know that as adults they knew each other, after all John baptized Jesus in the Jordan.  We can tell that by his conversation with his cousin in the waters of the Jordan, that John knew Jesus, more deeply and prolifically beyond the familial bond of second or third cousins.  He knew that Jesus was the God that he had preached about.  He knew that it was in the name of Jesus that he baptized many into repentance.  

Have you thought about the fact that you are a 21st Century John the Baptist?  Just as John the Baptist preached and made believers of Jesus before his earthly ministry began, we too have been charged by Jesus with the great commission to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”  Now we don’t have to walk around the Judean countryside, hide out in the wilderness and eat locusts and honey as John did.  However, it is incumbent upon us to share the focal points of John’s message with society prepare yourselves, clean your hearts and receive the salvation of the Lord.  

As a 21st Century John the Baptist, we don’t have to worry about being beheaded for speaking out against the injustices of society.  Sometimes talking about and sharing our faith is not easy, but Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites make it much more convenient for us to do it with a larger audience and an even great impact than John the Baptist may have had.  Make sure that in this holy season of Advent, that you share the testimony of Jesus in your life be it in word or deed.  You are now the embodiment of the voice that cries out in the wilderness and chaos of your life. “Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!”  You are the agent of God that will remind his people that as Father Bill Bennett reminded the parishioners of Good Shepherd Raleigh “We are loved by that which is above and beyond us.”

Peace,
Karsten

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Proud Mary?




I must admit that every time I hear the name Mary, I automatically think about Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes and their energetic version of “Proud Mary.”  Which, during its peak on the charts, was the equivalence of the Beyonce “Crazy in Love” tour.  I must admit that there are several Marys (Mariahs, Marías, Miriams) and other forms in my life, from my late grandmother, the Chair on the Commission on Ministry for the Diaconate in my diocese, and the registrar at my school.  Let’s not forget that here in the South, double names are a must, so I have had my fair share of encounters with Mary (so-and-so).  

But as I sat in chapel on Friday, the Chaplain retold the story of when the angel Gabriel came to visit the Virgin Mary.  Mary’s world was turned upside down in a matter of minutes, beginning with Gabriel’s “Fear not” greeting.  Mary discovered that she would be the bearer of salvation for all humanity.  Gabriel told Mary a series of things.  You are highly favored, you will have son, you will name him Jesus, he will be great and called the Son of the Most High.  I’m sure at this point that Mary was just a confused and bewildered bundle of nerves.  As is the case in both the modern and ancient worlds, virgins don’t have babies!  Gabriel told her that the power of the Most High will overshadow her in order that this should occur.  Gabriel also tells Mary of her cousin/aunt Elizabeth, the one said to be barren who conceived in her old age.  Gabriel’s parting words to Mary were “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Mary immediately went to Judea to find her cousin Elizabeth.  This was a very joyful reunion, in which Mary told Elizabeth the things that were to come to pass in her life.  

Proud Mary Keep on rolling?  I don’t think so.  Mary was a young, unmarried, teenager.  There was nothing prideful about this news that Mary just received.  In her time, Joseph, her fiancé would have been well within his right and Hebrew law to have her executed.  But in her most holy faith, she told the angel Gabriel “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Advent is a time of expectancy.  At this time you are the bearer of something in your womb that God has promised you.  It may not be fame or riches, it could simply be temperance and a meek spirit, a little more faith for the journey.  Chaplain Bonner-Stewart reminded us on Friday that every Mary needs an Elizabeth, and every Harry Potter needs a Dumbledore, to walk with us on the journey, to encourage us when we’re vulnerable and strengthen us when we’re weak.

Beloved, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Let us boldly profess with the Virgin Mary and all the company of heaven “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Then go find your Elizabeth or Dumbledore, whether they be local, or a day’s journey away and share with them the goodness of Jesus and all that he’s doing in,through and with you.  Saying yes to God is not easy, but his grace is sufficient.  “Proud Mary, Keep on Rolling!”

Peace,
Karsten