Waking Up!

Sunday morning I woke up to a light dusting of snow.  The Sandia mountains were beautiful, with what looked like a sprinkling of sugar  atop the mountains.  And now we have reached the 70's!  Warm sunshine and signs of spring are here!

Lent is one of those times of which I have found memories.  Even when I was much younger - a child - I can remember how I looked forward to Lent.  It was always a thrill to "give up" something for Lent, like chocolate or soda pop!  When Easter Day finally came I would return to that which I gave up.

I am much older now and view things differently.  If I give up something for Lent is more around giving up something that gets in the way with me living the life God has blessed me with.  In the past years some of the "things"  I have given up include worrying too much, fretting over things I can't change, and the need to try and be perfect.

I focus more of my energy during Lent in "taking something on" such as extra prayer time, more times of silence or giving myself the gift of a retreat.  I can't help but wonder if God prefers we take on something that will strengthen our faith journey than our sacrifice of giving up chocolate or those wonder Dr. Pepper Soda's I enjoy.

Lent calls each of us to "do something" that will assist us in our faith journey.  There is no right or wrong way to embrace Lent.  We can choose to sacrifice, take on something, or do nothing special, the invitation to new life is open to all.   A new life which frees us from the fear, worry and stress that are so prevalent in our culture.

It will soon be time to put on our Easter clothes, claiming the power of that first Easter morning which is still in our world today.  It is a power that enables each one of us to overcome the obstacles and struggles we all face.   Lent prepares us to make that journey to the empty tomb and discover instead new life.

Come, let us go together and experience all the possibilities around us!

Divine Encounters

It was Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  On Monday's I seldom go into the church office to work, but on this day I had a few appointments with families who were off in honor of MLK.  I had finished my appointments and was just tending to a few things when the doorbell rings.  I go to answer and a young woman carrying an empty bucket reaches out, shakes my hand and greets me.

I racked my brain trying to remember her, but indeed she was a stranger. She asked if I could help her.  She was working at the new Turkish Community Center and their water pipe had broke.  A group of women were at the Center trying to clean and could she get a bucket of water? 

Immediately I responded YES and showed her to our kitchen.  Meanwhile I started looking for an extra bucket or two that she could take back filled with water.  I told her that I am usually not here on Monday and she shared with me she had been driving around looking for a place that was open.  I said it must have been a "divine appointment" and she immediately said there are no coincidences - that "Allah is good."  I nodded in agreement and said how God is so good.

She said she was of the Islamic faith and I told her that I believed in a God of many names with different paths to that God.  I also shared with her that their Community Center has a friend here at the church I pastor.  She said they have an "interfaith group" that is reaching out to build bridges between the different faiths.

Currently there is a lot of mistrust of people who profess to be of the Islamic faith.  Post 9/11 people are afraid of what they do not know or understand.  We tend to lump people into groups so if a few from one group do something harmful then everyone in that group is out to harm others.

Divine encounters happen daily.  Too often we are so busy we don't take time when we have an encounter with a stranger to see how God just might be moving to widen our circle.  On Martin Luther King, Jr Day we remember the life and legacy of this great prophet of God.  A man who believed in love and justice and was willing to take a stand. 

I extended the hand of friendship to a woman from Turkey, of the Islamic faith.  I told her they had a friend and ally at our church and if they ever needed anything to please let me know.  I welcomed her to the neighborhood and as she pulled off I asked God to bless her and her community.

So, my friend, how about your divine encounters?  When does God show up to renew your spirit through an encounter with a stranger?   This week open your heart and prepare for those moments when God breaks into our daily routine and reminds us of the web of life which connects us all together. 

The Mystery

We each search for meaning and to find our purpose in life.  We ask that burning, sometimes haunting question Why?   Psychologists say there is a part of our brain that seeks a Divine Being and since the beginning of time humanity has created a being which is in control.

For me God is the Mystery - the One in which I live and move and have my being.  The mystery that God came to us through Jesus is as real to me as my need for air and water.  I make my way to the manger, lighting candles, listening to those Carols that remind us of shepherds, angels, and the desire of humanity for peace and love. 

I sit in the quiet and experience the Mystery as the days grow shorter and colder.  My spirit is warmed and I know I am loved. 

God bless.

Rejoice!

Today is the third Sunday of Advent - a Sunday in which we are encouraged to rejoice always!  Our Advent door is open and we are given the invitation to make the journey to Christmas Day.  I sometimes feel as if I am walking on holy ground and like Moses, I too want to take my shoes off as I focus on what these days mean for me and the gift I find in Jesus.

While the challenges of this season surround us, we are reminded that God acted in the past, acts today, and will act in the future.  We may be waiting for medical tests results, watching a loved one prepare to die, or struggling with finances - there are a multitide of challenges we all face.  Our loving God will give us the strength and grace to move through them as a natural part of this life. 

I continue my own journey to Bethlehem, guided by the love of God and my desire to serve God more each day.  I learn to shed my own burdens and trust in God's faithfulness as I minister to others and give God thanks for each and every person that is placed in my path.

Rejoice always!  And again I say rejoice!  Take time this week to reflect on your own joys in this season of Advent. 

God bless.

Advent Adventures

Advent is here - a time I cherish.  I have just returned from a trip back east to Roanoke, Virginia to the first church I pastored.  It brought back many memories.  How naive I was when I first began pastoring - so full of hope. 

In the midst of Advent I hold on to the hope that Christmas brings.  The wonder and beauty of this season fills me with peace and I know that miracles still happen.  That "peace on earth" is possible, those who are outcasts will be welcomed, and "joy to the world" will be experienced by everyone!

I know that this can be a challenging time for many people.  Even now a friend of mine has a sister who is dying.  I spoke with another person who is struggling with poor health and will not live much longer.  Someone else is dealing with depression and struggles to go through each day.   I listen to each person and offer them my words of hope in this season we call Advent. 

Advent is an invitation for us all to open our hearts and lives up to the wonder and mystery of Christmas.  Like Mary and Joseph we too can go on a journey that will lead us to a place in which we can experience the love of God.  We can kneel at the manger and know what it feels like to open ourselves up to being vulnerable.  We can stop looking for something that is not there and give thanks for what and WHO  we do  have in our lives, the people, the friends, the lover, the partner, the family.

Our Advent Adventure can bring us to the realization that the greatest gift of all is the gift of God's love and that we are created to share our love with each other.  It is the legacy we will leave behind.

My prayer is that you will experience the love of God in such a profound way that you are filled with all the hope and joy that Christmas offers to us. 

I will write again before Christmas!

A Season of Gratitude

The calendar has changed to November and here in Albuquerque the weather has turned cold.  At this time of the year my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and all the joy this day brings.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, maybe because it was my mother's favorite holiday or maybe because it brings family and friends together.  I enjoy the planning of the big day, what to cook, who will come to "break bread" at the table, and the connection it will create among a group of people.

When my mother was living I usually went to her house where we all gathered.  We had a tradition of using a new tablecloth each year and each person would sign their name and leave a message.  At the time it seemed kind of silly, but looking back on it I treasure the memory. 

Now I live far away from my family.  My mother is gone for many years now, and I have tried to create a family tradition with my daughter and grandchildren.  Time moves on, things change, traditions change, and I have learned to treasure what moments of connection I do have with loved ones.

This is a season of gratitude for the many ways in which God moves in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.  I give thanks for what I do have and appreciate the people that I have come to know and love. 

Though I may not always remember to tell the people in my life how important they are to me, I hope that my actions demonstrate my love and gratitude. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  I hope in some way you are blessed.

Pastor Judy

Love in the Park

Today I did a beautiful wedding ceremony in a park in downtown Albuquerque for two women in our community.  It was simple yet one of the most moving ceremonies I have officiated. 

The wind was blowing the leaves in the trees, sun shining, the young couple full of hope and promise with their love. 

Love is the greatest gift of all.  To love a partner, friend, faith community, stranger, God, and yes even our so called enemy is what we have been created for.  Why is it so easy for folks to say "they love you" yet actions speak otherwise.  Why is it so hard for us to abandon ourselves into our lovers arms with all the love, trust and passion that is in our soul?   And when we do give ourselves to another how often is that love dismissed?

How easy it is to throw away friends, lovers, and family members who hurt and disappoint us.  We live in a disposable society so it must be easy just to toss out our loved one when they disappoint us, hurt us, or have a flaw or two. 

Here is a story - a true one at that. 

The man and woman grew up in the mid west - simple farmers who toiled their land, raised their children and loved one another through the good and not so good.  When they were in  their eighties the woman got sick and died. 

The children and grandchildren returned to the simple farm for the funeral and burial, all which took place on the sacred land that the man and woman had toiled and lived on.  After the burial they went back to the farmhouse for a meal. 

Later that night the oldest daughter went to check on the father.  He was not in the bed.  She searched the house.  No where to be found.  She happened to look out the kitchen window and there she saw in the distance her father holding a lantern by his wife's grave.

The daughter runs to the dad, certain he has lost his mind with overwhelming grief.  He stands there at the grave, tears running down his face, onto his shirt.  He  looks at his daughter with love in his eyes and says:

"I am so thankful that your mother did not have to know this deep pain of loss."

And that my friends, is true love.  May we all have it, if not today, in the future. 

Blessings and love to all of you who take time to read this blog.

Pastor Judy