What is HE doing through you?

Sorry I've been out ot the BLOGosphere for a while.  You know how it goes.  I've been overly consumed by the cares of life, work, home, family, friends, my issues and the list goes on.  One may conjecture that busyness is both a blessing and a curse.  But beloved, that does not mean that you have not been in my thoughts and prayers. 

Over the course of the last week or so, I've really been ministered to on the subject of "light".  When I had a crash and burn moment at work, one of my colleagues reminded me to let my light shine.  How appropriate, after all this is the season of epiphany.  Even during advent I blogged about letting your light shine.  I just love how God will send someone to you to preach the same word to you that you've poured into someone else, in order to build you up. 

Many of us are going through faith trying seasons, but as I was reminded this past Sunday while streaming live into worship at Greater Allen Cathedral, that Isaiah reminds us to rise and shine because our light has come.  Even now more than ever, I encourage you to let your light shine in calamity and chaos.  But Sunday as I was sitting in church, my priest posed a simple question that just blessed me.  What is "HE" doing through you?  The he is Jesus, our saviour.  I really thought about that.  It is my hope that he is teaching Spanish through me, spreading love, joy, peace and laughter through me.  I left church wanting Jesus to do even more things through me, so that people won't see Karsten, but the Spirit of God.  I heard a minister once say, "Hide me behind the cross of calvary, and from thee I will not stray."  I am still thinking on what Jesus is doing and possibly could be doing in and through me.  So today, I ask you the same question.  What is "HE" doing through you?

Peace,
Karsten

Fingerprints

Today's BLOG entry comes from a set of borrowed words from a book I'm reading, "Don't sweat the small stuff," by Richard Carlson.  Enjoy!

#48 Remember that Everything has God's Fingerprints on it

Rabbi Harold Kushner reminds us that everything that God has created is potentially holy.  Our task as humans is to find that holiness in what appears to be unholy situations.  He suggests that when we can learn to do this, we will have learned to nurture our souls.  It's easy to see God's beauty in a beautiful sunset, a snow-capped mountain, the smile of a healthy child, or in ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach.  But can we can learn to find the holiness in seemingly  ugly circumstances -- difficult life lessons, a family tragedy, or a struggle for life?

When our life is filled with the desire to see holiness in everyday things, something magical begins to happen.  A feeling of peace emerges.  We begin to see nurturing aspects of daily living that were previously hidden to us.  When we remember that everything has God's fingerprints on it, that alone makes it special.  If we remember this spiritual fact while we are dealing with a difficult person or struggling to pay our bills, it broadens our perspective.  It helps us to remember that God also created the person you are dealing with or that, despite your struggle to pay your bills, you are truly blessed to have all that you do.

Somewhere, in the back of your mind, try to remember that everything has God's fingerprints on it.  The fact that we can't see the beauty in something doesn't suggest that it's not there.  Rather, it suggests that we are not looking carefully enough or with a broad enough perspective to see it. (Carlson 121-122)

Peace,
Karsten

Peace at the 8-5

For those of us who are fortunate enough to be gainfully employed in times like these, we truly have a lot to be thankful for.  I have friends who have been unemployed for 18 months or more, but are still perservering in their quest to find employment.  However, sometimes at work, our thankfulness may become jaded with underappretiation, increased work, office drama and politics and relationships with our colleagues, managers and other constituents that are related to our work.

Whether you have an 8-5, 7-3 or an 11-7; In the midst of the adversity that you face at work, remember that you have been called there to work for such a time as this.  God will give you the grace to perform your job dutifully and diligently to his glory and honor.  Remember, no one else can do your job like you.  Sure, there are people who are certainly better or worse than you are at your profession.  But you are the chosen vessel to carry out the work for this season.  Above all else, think about the people at your job that you minister to, be it through a smile, a kind word or an exhortation.  That alone should change how we approach our job.

Jobs can be heavy testing grounds of our patience, joy and faith.  In the words of Tony Danza from the 80's sitcom "Who's the Boss?,"  in a conversation with his daughter Samantha, "Before you take a test take a deep breath count to ten, and jump in. " One of my favorite scriptures from the New Testament is John 14.  Jesus begins speaking by saying "Let not your hearts be troubled."    Later on in that same chapter, Jesus issues his bequest of peace to us.  In verse 27 he says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  At the conclusion of the chapter Jesus simply says, "Arise, let us go hence."  Simply put, Get up -- Go to work with the peace of God in your hearts, knowing that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

Arise, let us go hence.
Karsten

365 Day Dream

As you probably imagined, today's BLOG entry is dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Twenty-five years ago, Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January) became a federal holiday.  I am a believer in Dr. King's dream for a better America in which one is not judged by the color of their skin, but rather the content of their character.  I feel that MLK Day is the only time that people collectively sit still and reflect on the dream.  Many people have done some type of community service project today, and that is a good thing.

But what happens on the Tuesday and subsequent days after MLK Day?  Recently, I've discovered yet another layer of my ministerial calling, social justice.  Dr. King dreamed of an America in which everyone regardless of color, religion, gender, creed or sexual orientation would possess the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as promised to us in the Declaration of Independence.  In the words of Dr. King, "It is obvious that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.  Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds."  I know that in 2011, when jobs are scarce, money is funny and a gallon of gas is over the $3 benchmark in most states, some of us may feel as if our basic rights have been encroached upon. 

If we earnestly examine the essence of Dr. King's dream and question the marches, protests, sit-ins, his stance on war and even his non-violent demonstrations, we can trace it to one word; LOVE.  The love of people (both the lovable and unlovable) was the catalyst that propelled the civil rights movement.  Love is the reason that we are all here at this moment and this very time.  If you want to keep social justice alive and vibrant, spread a little love.  Maya Angelou periodically quotes her mother by saying "When you get something, give.  When you learn something, teach."  I wish you and yours well on what's left of this King holiday, but what will we do to carry out the dream for the remaining 364 days and beyond?

Peace,
Karsten

Having you there

Yesterday's BLOG was a tribute to friendship.  Have you ever thought about the people in your life and how their presence has made the difference.  Think about some of the good and proud moments that you have had, and the people that were there to help you celebrate.  Now think about some of your low and failing moments, which you would rather forget.  Who was there with you to help you gain peace from broken pieces?  It's possible that in both scenarios the same people were there.  In both good times and bad times, it is important to know that you have people in your corner.

I am reminded of the song, "Having you there made the difference."  This is one of my favorite gospel songs.  I actually had the opportunity to sing this song with a choir during my undergraduate years.  The Mississippi Mass Choir originally recorded the song.  Go to youtube and check it out.  It will bless you!

It's message is simple.  Having you there made the difference.  The world is hurting.  At this moment, someone is grieving, sick, has lost a job, a home or maybe even their faith and hope in God.  You can make the difference in their lives by simply being there.  You may not have eloquent words or solutions to offer, but your presence can make all the difference.  Have you been there for someone lately?

Let the lyrics minister to you.

We have come to praise and magnify the Lord,
For all that he has done, and for the victory we have won.
In the good times and in the bad times,
In the happy times and in the sad times,
Having you there; made the difference.
Just having you there.

Having you there made the difference.
When the storms of life are raging 
and the billows are tossing high,
you gave me strength and courage,
because you were standing by.

I thank you for your mercy.
I thank you for grace.
For there is no other one, 
who could ever take your place
When my friends walked out, 
you stepped right on in.
Said you'll always be with me,
through the thick and the thin.

Just having you in my life, made the difference!

Peace,
Karsten

Friends, How many of us have them?

If you were a teenager of the 90s, you remember this question posed in the hit song "Friends" by the rap group Whodini.  This song just asks; Do you have friends?  Proverbs 18:24 reminds us of this "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:  and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."  If you have true friends in your life, you are indeed blessed, and are more than likely a blessing to them.

My closest friends are lumped into the same category as my family.  Oftentimes I find myself speaking to them more frequently than I do with my family.  That is not to say that they have replaced the love that I have and cherish for my family in any way.  Simply put, that's just the way that it is.  In the Episcopal and Roman Catholic Church, January 12 is the Feast Day (day of celebration/observance) for Aelred of Rievaulx.  I know, you're like who the heck is that?  Don't you mean Alfred?  No, there's no typo; Aelred.

Aelred was a 12th century monk, who was in his time the guru of friendship.  Aelred was an expert on friendship and has even written on it at length.  Aelred's writings explored the foundation, joys qualities and criteria for discernment of friendship.  The following is one of Aelred's statements on friendship. "Authentic Christian friendship must begin in Christ, continue in Christ and be perfected in Christ.  Friendship is also everlasting, an image of God's eternal love."  You should google Aelred in your spare time.  He has some very interesting views on friendship which are still applicable in the 21st century.  Got a friend?  Be a friend!

Read and meditate on this prayer for the Feast of Saint Aelread of Rievaulx.

Pour into our hearts, O God, the Holy Spirit's gift of love, That we, clasping each other's hand, may share the joy of friendship, human and divine, and with your servant Aelred draw many to your community of love; through Jesus Christ the Righteous, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

Peace,
Karsten

Weeping Wanda

Remember the character Weeping Wanda from Good Times?  Wanda was played by Helen Martin who would later play Pearl Shay in 227, along side Marla Gibbs, Jackée Harry and Regina King.  In Good Times, Weeping Wanda was the professional funeral goer of the Southside Chicago Ghetto.  I've been feeling a lot like Weeping Wanda recently.  December was definately a month to remember.  I lost so many people during December to death, high school classmates, colleagues, family friends, childhood mentors and the list goes on and on. I was at a funeral yesterday and was reminded to "Hold to God's unchanging hand." 

The eulogist told us that the deceased person preached their eulogy through the way that they lived, and the only thing that he had to do as a pastor at that moment, was to comfort the family.  In a weird way, I often wonder what will be said about me when I make my eternal exodus.  The words to the song "Only what you do for Christ will last" quickly come to mind.  Preach your eulogy through living your life, just as my dear friend David did.  I have learned that death is as much a part of life as birth is.  Remember to "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand."  It's preaching time!

Time is filled with swift transition,
naught of earth unmoved can stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand.

When your journey is completed,
if to God you have been true,
fair and bright the home to glory,
your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to his hand, God's unchanging hand.
Hold to his hand, God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand.

Peace,
Karsten