God Who Prepares

Christ of the Cross of St. John
Salvador Dahli, 1951
John 14:1-14





This fine print was the most recent installment of my long-tended sermon series, MasterPeace, using fine art of exquisite artists, covering about 1000 years of art linked with the tapestry of redemption found within the Old and New Testament. Some sermons (about 9) have been aligned with paintings, like this one; others have been paired with musical works (about 6), like Beethoven's Symphony #7, movement 2. Sometimes its sculpture or photography (about 5); but God's Word in the Scripture always speaks poignantly to me, especially when I can have a visual or audio focus to it. I know I am not alone in this, which is why I continue to add more pieces.

It is thrilling and moving to me to see the play of shadow and light, to follow a light source, examine the symbolism of the artist, determine the perspective and study the detail of precision. I enjoy the expressive arts, which engage and embrace you, which tenderly, but unmistakeably draw you deeper into thought and inspiration, bringing contemplation and illumination. And having that inspiration, thought, illumination and contemplation centered on God. An artist does not need to have "labeled" themselves as Christian for me to appreciate what they created. I am moved and inspired by creation, and what artists produce frequently resound deeply with me.

Salvador Dali has an exceptional perspective which I appreciate, but mind you, my home is not a gallery dedicated to the lifetime of his works...some of his stuff is, well, not my cup of tea. There I said it...yet of this MasterPeace sermon series, I use 3 of his paintings. He was very spiritual, very Jesus-centered in his spiritual depictions, and what his own words say about this creation here preaches volumes.

The detail in this painting may be too small for you to see, but within this depiction, it has profound doctrine displayed. The perspective shown is as from above, as the artist describes, as if God the Father was looking to the world through the sacrificial death of Jesus. The light is warm and comes from above, as if the hope and direction are coming from God. There is an extended triangle displayed, through the outstretched arms of Christ and His bowed head, symbolizing the impact and presence of the Trinity. The cross is dark, and extends to earth, which is shown as a desert with mountains and a lake with a boat and fishermen. The perspective from above connects those dwelling on earth with God through the impact of the Christ of the cross. There are no nails holding Christ to the cross, not in His arms, hands or feet yet He remains suspended.

Christ was held on the cross not by spikes and spears - no, He was kept there by the sin of the world. Our indescribable gift from God, that while we were still sinners, yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 8:3-4; Romans 5:8) Our indescribable gift from God, He prepared an eternal home for us because of Jesus (John 14)

And though resonating with the study of John 14 and Romans 5 and 8, though having prepared this sermon through inspiration, prayer and study, my favorite part of worship this morning was nothing that I did at all. A week ago I gave my daughter a song to please sing as a solo, when she was ready, and she was ready sooner than I expected so Dave added her to the morning bulletin. I was totally floored as my baby girl was singing,

Jesus, I heard You had a big house where I could have a room of my own.

Jesus I heard you had a big yard, big enough to let a kid roam.

I heard you had clothes in Your closet, just the right size that I wear.

Jesus I heard if I give You my heart then You'll let me go there.



Jesus I heard about mealtime when all the children come to eat.

I heard you had a great big table where every kid could have his own seat.

Jesus they said there would be plenty of good things to share.

And Jesus, I'd just like to tell you I sure would love to go there.



Jesus, I heard in your big house there's plenty of love to go around

I heard there's always singing and laughter to fill the place with happy sounds.

And I've been thinking that a friend who would give me all that He's got

Before I even have met Him, well, He sure must love me alot.

Jesus, I'd just like to tell you I sure do love you alot!

Amber Thompson



With not a dry eye in the house, now I need to stand in the pulpit and speak, as my prayer is, "Lord, please I need some composure, I can't cry my whole way through this sermon." Dave said after, "It was a fine sermon, hon, but Abby got me and had me for 20 minutes!" Too true. It was a perfect pairing, and when delivered again, her song will be after the sermon. The terms of eternal life, provided by Jesus Himself in His own words (John 14) and hearing those promises paraphrased through the depth of simplicity in a child's voice - can there be a deeper message?

God has prepared for us, there are no circumstances or pains or joys that are beyond His touch or His reach. He cares about you, He calls you to faith, He sure does love you alot.

Paean to the Endangered Art of Spelling

Eyes Before Ease by Larry Beason
I put this book on hold at the library three weeks ago, and it is steadily moving up the list, I'll have it by next week, so Librarian Sue assures me. One of many on my "Hold list" but the one I am most anticipating.

Spelling truly is more than simply the correct arrangement of consonants and vowels on a list for a test given every Thursday afternoon. Correct spelling divulges the human experience itself. Where our language has been, through which wars and settlements has it endured and been affected by - it all shows in the spelling of certain words.

"To err is human" is wisely recorded for all to read; to err is human, but to spell correctly is better. So much of our technical age has us utilizing automated spelling devises (where would we be without SpellCheck?), encountering abbreviated spelling techniques, (BTW-LOL. ITNF, my POS S TTYL). You've been encumbered by them, I know you have. Entire conversations are communicated without breaking open a noun, verb, adjective, or utilizing capitalization or punctuation. Forget about the overuse of the comma (the prime error in my 9th grade English and Grammar class) - "lets just throw every usage of punctuation out the window and simply stop a thought when we are done thinking, whether it is finished or not." Let me tell you, nothing and I mean nothing gets my goat like finding a typo on one of my own documents, a typographical error that I have mistakenly typed, overlooked, avoided or skimmed past. I hate to spell things wrong - I hate it! It applies to Lotus Notes, bulletins, school papers - the whole lot. No one wants to be a member of the Untied Methodist Church, but its happens everyday of the week simply by the cursory care so many give to spelling. And how many officers are connected with The Salavation Army? It happens so easily! I feel like somewhere deep down in the lurking scheme of my DNA God emplanted a typo-finder...they jump off the page at me. It is an unfortunante curse to ALWAYS be the bearer of tedious wrongness to unsuspecting souls.

People who spell better succeed at higher rates in every single profession. Spelling lets us communicate with others and it indicates our intelligence (high or low) before we even put on a power suit, enter an interview, meet a client for a project campaign. Before someone has the opportunity to assess our verbal capabilities, the written page carries an equivalent of what we consider important. My uniform may fit me impeccably, I may be able to quote the entire Psalter in Latin but if I cannot spell united worship, my reputation is spoiled.

The endangered art of spelling is not without it champions - winner of the 78th National Scribbs Spelling Bee 2006 was Anurag Kashyap spelling appoggiatura - an embellishing note in musical manuscript, usually one step above or below the note it precedes, and indicated by a half-sized note. (I was so excited - I knew how to spell that word and ran and showed Abby in her piano book where one was in the piece she is preparing for her lesson tomorrow. So did several in the audience...a collective, celebration gasp we all inhaled as he signified by the giant smile on his face, "Oh, do I know how to spell this...")

May 31 is the live broadcast of the 2007 National Spelling Bee, and I'm getting my notebook ready with a sharpened pencil and I may need to tape it or watch it after it's live broadcast, but I do want to see its action-packed competition.

Yeah, don't laugh at me. I know I was watching last year's competition, there are hours of it available on tv or the internet. I know the NBA is in the throes of its tournament playoff time with teams facing elimination...and the Cavs are hanging in strong. I know that the NHL Stanley Cup tournament playoff time still has the Red Wings competing strong, hitting hard and scoring fast. I'm aware that my Machine pitch baseball team tonight won their game 13-1 and my Little League game needed to be called on the verge of high-wind thunderstorm in the 4th inning. I know that in MLB, the Cleveland Indians are beating the Minnesota Twins, in NASCAR there are record-breaking penalties being doled out - there is a ton of Sports News right now. But I am glued to the screen of ESPN2 as these 11 year old and 13 year old spellers simply shine for the world to see.

They are exquisite and phenomenal - and my heart is racing at their added shows of excellence and temerity.

peccavi cantist onomasiologic ceraunograph eminentissimo

onychophagy (the compulsive biting of fingernails) epideitic - rhetoric

exsiccosis - dehydration sobornost - spiritual harmony hodiernal - present day

and the eliminators of two spellers in round 19

trouvaille - a lucky find

roscian - the skill of acting

As I sit with my notebook, I am spelling with them, trying my knowledge and laughing with them as the giant S for the background SCRIBBS falls off the wall. I sigh with relief when I find a word I know, or can recognize the foundational spelling from the definition or the language of origin.

Whew...$22,000.00 cash prize and scholarship money for college tuition to a college of their choice - an exceptional grand prize!

It was the first time in 45 years that more than two contestants advanced to the championship rounds, there being three for three rounds. There were actually only 9 words left, and if they all would have continued spelling correctly, they would have all been the Spelling Champions.

Thrilling beyond belief for me, and my young ones as they retreat to bed are faking their newest awareness of phobias. They are doing their best imitations of clinophobia (the fear of going to bed) or hypnophobia (fear of sleep). Neither are working, so I must scoot them up there.

Enjoy your evening and always know, there is a world of telling in your realm of spelling!

Dandelions, wildflowers and Slurpies

As always seems to happen to our lives in Salvation Army ministry, early April adds a new gear to the schedule, ready to kick all speeds into hyperdrive. More to be accomplished, many programs coming to a focus and climax before the summer break. Network opportunities adding their final meetings and awards before summer claims. Graduations, weddings, birthdays add more pastel icings and flowers, dresses and balloons, hugs and kisses, joy mixed with pride, inspiration and tears. My birthday and our wedding anniversary have frequently been shared with a Civic Dinner or an Annual Dinner or a ballroom event of some sort. Dave just keeps reminding me with tenderness that he arranged it all for me, that I looking great in a uniform and he looks dashing and promises to save the best dance on my card. Several concerts, and musicals and plays and other stage-based creations - so many performances to be prepared for, to participate in and then to check off the list with a sigh of relief and accomplishment.

And then there is baseball season.

The lists were received in hand today and already God has answered many prayers about potential time conflicts, garnered family phone numbers to help filling the holes of when Dave or I couldn't be available and limited the misses to nearly none. Intentional ministry happens when baseball dirt has been mixed in with our vans and clothes and service. In a way that is predictable, baseball season, whether we are coaching or not, has reached our hearts and the hearts of other parents deeply in a way that cannot be ignored. I keep a Bible (Kate calls it my baseball Bible, the nearly indestructible bound - certainly not leather) in the middle of our driver and passenger seat and it comes out with the chairs, sunscreen, picnic dinner, blanket and sunglasses. Everytime. It is beat up, stained and slightly warped from a mad gotta-get-out-of-the-instant-thunder/lightning storm dash which still found us soaked to the bone.

It is tearstained and dogeared, with bookmarkers that are dried dandelions and pressed wildflowers. Mostly it is connections with moms, but dads as well, and the conversation always includes spiritual questions, heart talks, needed discipline, encouragement that they are doing the right thing, lonely nights when a husband is three weeks on the other coast with his job, an aggressive court date over child-support, loss of a job, family celebrations/funerals - the works. And favorite verses are easily found because they have been turned to so frequently, as easy as finding the Psalms - right there it is.

John 14 is one of them, and I look at it tonight and recognize the stain that covers it is a little bit of flower pollen, a little bit of Slurpie. Looking through the colors I hear Jesus talking with me, "Don't let your heart be troubled..."

Actually going to these practices and games can be slightly demanding, requiring me to be "prayed up" and willing to be open and listen. Listening to a person, really hearing what is said (and just as importantly, what is NOT said) requires a compassionate and deep store of stamina.

"Don't let your heart be troubled..."

Stamina has not been my strong suit these past few weeks.

It was not until I was perched at the edge of the hospital examination table this afternoon did I acknowledge why my patience was unbelievably short, my memory scattered, my concentration distracted, my heart pulled in so many directions.

I've been worried over something that is very wrong, and each doctor's visit is leading to another one, a more specific one, a more thorough one. Specific to not send warnings of alarm, each new face has helped express rationale reasons and potential explanations, "these tests are to eliminate the unknown so we can focus on the known".

So there, with lowered lights and technical machines, I began answering the most natural of questions and responding with the same to help occupy the time of this 30 minute test. My nurse replied to my questions and it was obvious, both of us had hearts that were full; the conversation was natural and unhindered. When your heart is full there is not need for small talk, diminutive answers about your favorite sports teams or the weather you expect for your next garden party. Life issues were on the surface here.

Her daughter...graduation...communication...."where did the time go"...divorce...uncertainty of life.

Her tears and my tears.

"Don't let your heart be troubled..."
She knew I didn't just come in off the street looking for a place to rest my aching feet and pass the time playing Euchre. She knew my reasons, and followed the breadcrumbs of information, connecting the dots with dates and events and details. Apologizing slightly, she knew my heart was just as concerned. Her reassurance and comfort were tangible, encouraging and tenderly applied.

These spiritual conversation opportunities weave in and out of my day, and since I spend my days tracing God's activity, they are natural and expected. The verse I shared with her was for me just as soundly, John 14:1, the words of Jesus to his disciples, the words from my flower-pollen, Slurpie stained Bible - "Don't let your heart be troubled, trust in God trust also in Me."

And I let her know that my heart prayer every hour has developed into, "Precious Lord, please hold my heart" because it quakes with concern and worry, is easily angered and over-occupied with future details which have yet to be seen or determined.

She grasped my hand and said, "That will be mine too. Jesus needs to hold my heart."

Don't let your heart be troubled...Jesus promises that whatever meets us in the future has already been prepared for us by the loving and caring, merciful Heavenly Father. Nothing is faced alone. Nothing is a surprise to God. No detail is off His radar or beyond His awareness. No circumstance is unanticipated by our Father God; He has prepared...He has prepared.

Pioneer

Pioneer Women by Joanna Stratton, wow, has this book been compelling reading. I can't help but to place myself in the shoes of the characters of the past...would I have had the courage, the strength, the tenacity to leave behind everything I knew as home to strive for a dream? Could I keep my children alive, my husband alive, perform all those surgeries, save all those souls?

There are no Conestoga wagons leaving the Mississippi River to venture into the untamed west - the physical frontier does not exist anymore. But there are still frontier pioneers, on spiritual journeys, encountering the unknown, the unclear, the dangerous, the undefined. Some dear friends I know who are encountering a personal frontier right now. A new diagnoses. A new widowhood. A new grief to not be able to use that long expected baby's blanket. A new job. A marriage. A divorce. A planned surgery or an unplanned surgery. A ministry. A broken friendship.

Are you one, a pioneer, balancing upon the edge of a knife into the unknown? God our holy Father has gone on before you, and promises to be with you every step of the way. Hold onto Him with all you've got.

Pioneer
Hold on with all the strength you have, press on through your fear;

You walk into this unknown - You are a pioneer!

Loving Jehovah has walked before you, taken extra care, He is so near,

He has gone ahead, cleared the way - you are His pioneer.



See His hand there, hold it plain - the path you walk seems so unclear;

But our loving Lord knows every step. He is with you, tired pioneer.

You travel light, so little you bring into this new unbroken frontier,

Press on with courage, every step in your voyage, trembling pioneer.



The journey is long, steep, rocky, cold and though your heart is sincere

The darkness can feel oppressive, strong and gentle pioneer.

Our Guiding, Holy, Loving Father anticipates each single fear

Your steps feel lonely, but you are not alone in your voyage, pioneer.



Every heart break, each loneliness, uncertain steps severe

Have been prepared by God for you, faithful pioneer.

Other roads you pass...they are smooth and safe and clear.

You may be tempted to abandon this one, discouraged pioneer.



But your Holy Father has gone on before you and left His signposts - persevere!

Your journey is not easy, but it's yours, no one else's- have courage hopeful pioneer.

Hold on with all the strength you have. Press on, through all your fear,

You have obeyed the call of God, He is with you, weary pioneer.



Your steps feel uncertain,the path seems to disappear

Yet the Holy Father is there with you. You are His, faithful pioneer.



jsi

God Almighty, tender in love says, "I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home from your journey. I know what I AM doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you and not abandon you, plans to give you a future to hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I will listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you are never disappointed. Jeremiah 29:10b-14a The Message