How Deep Do You Want to Go?

This is a sermon for Jubilee's "Vision Sunday" which will introduce our OASIS theme. Thank you, J. Lee Grady, for the idea for this sermon.

From Ezekiel 47:1-10, 12

In my vision... I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance...I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across.

The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist.

5 Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.

He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?”

Then he led me back along the riverbank... I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said...“This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. 9 There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores... the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun...

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

I make no claims to being an expert in prophetic interpretation, but I believe that sometimes prophecy has a literal meaning, sometimes a symbolic one, sometimes both, and sometimes more than one fulfillment at different times in history. Prophetic messages come in a variety of ways, but the book of Ezekiel contains many striking visual messages--what we call visions: a valley of dry bones coming to life and a giant set of wheels, for example.

In this fascinating and detailed passage there are likely several meanings that we may not grasp. At least one thing, however, is clear. This is a picture of LIFE--abundant life that originates from the temple--a symbol of the presence of God. As the stream of life flows in the desert, life flourishes along the banks.

The writer first wades ankle deep, then to his knees, then to his waist, and then he’s in deep water. "Are you paying attention?" his guide asks, significantly.

The question seems to be, “How deep do you want to go?” I believe God will take us deeper and deeper. Largely, where we stop is up to us.

Lets’ picture the ankle deep water as like a wading pool. What are the characteristics of a spiritual “kiddy pool?”

I have a cute video of Trinity as she explores the pool with her mommy. She is having a wonderful time with this totally new experience. It makes me smile to watch. The water is shallow. It is safe, especially because a parent is near, supporting, encouraging, smiling. How like our early spiritual life! God's presence may have seemed so real to you, this new life so exciting, so comforting, so full of discovery!

Babies and young children belong in the shallow pool. No offense whatever is intended when I say that there is a time and place for the wading pool. But how sad if that was all we ever experienced! The same is true of our spiritual experience. How odd it would seem if we never ventured any further but simply stayed in the wading pool with infants long past the time we should have departed.

Let’s picture the knee deep water like a jacuzzi. What are the characteristics of a spiritual jacuzzi? Ah, there is a place for the hot tub! It is a place of comfort, of rejuvenation, of rest, of "pampering." It is a place, really, of self-gratification. Sometimes even if we spend time in the deep water, we need a trip to the jacuzzi. It is lovely, especially after stressful times, to relax and soak in security and warmth. The jacuzzi does not involve work or struggle or progress.

It has a purpose, but it was never intended as a place to stay long-term. Sadly, it seems that so many American Christians never get past the spiritual hot tub. We sit and soak in Bible studies, and in music, and we listen to our favorite preachers on the radio or the TV. We buy "inspirational" books. The fellowship is quite nice, sometimes, in the hot tub. It's a place to hang out but not to explore or be challenged or take risks.

If the water gets less than ideal, we find another place that "meets our needs" better, and thus we have an illusion of movement when really it is still all about us.

Gasp! Now waist deep! What happens in waist-level water? It is a bit more challenging, isn't it? Not as warm and cozy. Less secure, less safe less indulgent, less relaxing. The waist deep water is often, spiritually speaking, where a crisis occurs.

I think of myself and Ken when we are at the ocean. I always think that this time will be the time I go out beyond the breakers, where Ken tells me it is lovely to swim. I wade in. I proceed. Then I get to waist deep--I'm still having a great time. But I have a decision to make. Will I follow Ken on beyond to where my feet no longer touch bottom?

Inevitably, I "chicken out." I am afraid, frankly, though I don't like to be. I always decide at that point that I will stay where I am for a while and then I will head back to shallower water, or even to the beach while I wait for Ken to come back.

But, spiritually speaking, the prophet, and we, people of God, are called to deeper water. To the place where our feet don't touch the bottom. What is it like to go to spiritually deep water as the Lord guides us?

So much could be said, but here are a few thoughts:

It is a place of unashamed worship, a place where you stay by the grace and mercy of God, and you know it, and you are grateful and thankful. It is not quite safe, so you keep your eyes on Jesus. It's not all about you any more. The focus has shifted. Worship is not an empty exercise. It is real, no matter what tradition or form it takes.

It is a place of bold proclamation. I did not say loud, or dogmatic or annoying proclamation. I sad bold. A Christ-follower in deep water is not concerned all that much about the opinion of those around him or her. There is more at stake. In the deep water, we are "not ashamed of the Gospel, knowing it is the power of God to salvation"

It is a place of joy. Am I saying that a spiritually mature man or woman who is determined to go deeper will never be sad? Never depressed? Never ill? Never questioning or wondering where the Holy Spirit is? Not at all! Sometimes those who walk by faith in deep water have outwardly difficult lives. But there is a sense, thorough it all, that there is no going back. The decision is made, and with that may come difficulty, but also a sense of freedom, of exhilaration, and an abiding sense of joy.

It is a place of love. It is not the self-gratifying experience of the jacuzzi. Those swimming in the deep water of God's presence begin to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love their neighbors as much as they love themselves. Squabbles sometimes happen in the wading pool, or even the jacuzzi, but not usually in waist deep and certainly not in deep water. Focusing on non-essentials is a thing of the past. Those longing for God's presence begin to see what is of lasting value.

The deep end of the water is a place of radical sacrifice. If we begin to love God and others we will be ready and willing to give of our finances, of our time, our talents and abilities, our prayer, and on it goes. We know we are not the center any longer. We realize that we never were. Eternity is in view! The cost has been counted long ago. No matter what it costs to go deeper, the shore is not the place to be.

Have you ever been deep sea diving, or even snorkeling? What fabulous wonders lie below the surface! Those who have conquered their fear to follow their divine guide on are going "from glory to glory" and they find the richest of God's treasures. Meanwhile the water of God's presnece brings life and healing and renewed hope along the shore.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to move off the beach and into the water? Are you ready to get out of the wading poor or the jacuzzi? Will you keep going--even to where your feet do not touch bottom? It can be a little frightening and even dangerous. It is not safe, but it is good. There you find the richest treasurers of spiritual life with God.

Will you go where you must live by faith?

An Old Versus Modern (Postmodern?) Friday Five

It's my turn to host the Rev Gals Friday Five.

Yesterday I had two separate conversations in which people were musing about how much change is occurring. The WW II generation, of which my mom is a part, went from horse and buggy to automobiles, saw the lessening, or even the end of many diseases, went from widespread use of kerosene lamps and outhouses (in the country, and most folks were rural)) to a totally electrified and plumbed society. The fastest means of communication was a telegraph. The second conversation--gulp--was about MY generation and how much change occurred in the last half of the 20th century. The person said his 13 year old had not seen a vinyl record album until a few days before, couldn't remember a time without cell phones, and on and on.As for the questions!

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?

Plumbing...and I'm not thinking of the toilet. I'm thinking of the shower. Some of you know that Ken and I like to play "make believe" and join with others in portraying the fur trade era (pre 1840). It's fun, to a point. Then I've had enough. What do I want most? A HOT SHOWER! There is nothing like several days without one to make you thank God you can have one when you get home. And other people too. Ahem.

2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day?Why?

Cell phones. I hate them, and I resisted having one till fairly recently. Yes, I know it is nice to have. But do you realize how much that innocent-looking little cell phone has changed interaction? Annoyed us? Caused accidents? Shut us off, even more, from one another? And don't get me started on the constant text messaging of the "young folks." They seem to be increasingly unaware of how to interact appropriately and kindly and happily FACE TO FACE...oh I sound like an old fogey. I know I do. Don't care. Send the cell phone back to the depths from which it emerged!

3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? Ifso, do you use it (them)?

My CD player has a turntable up top, and a cassette player in the middle, and the CD player is on the bottom. Of course, I use the CD player most. But I still have a sizable stash of cassettes, and I still have quite a few LPs. I don't play them often, but once in a while I do. I do not, however, have an eight-track player. I'm not THAT much of an old fogey!

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something else?

It is wonderful. We can have friends, and I do, who live across the world and have never met, but through cyber-space they truly can become dear to us. I would once have thought this impossible. I know better now. One friend sent my chocolates when I was studying for a difficult exam. Another sent Trinity a quilt when she was born. I've met some, and I wish I could meet more. Of course, our medical advances are miraculous. And our communications (except the cell phone...lol) and on and on. I also find it terrifying. I could write an essay, which is a bit much for a Friday Five.

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.

I think there are many answers to this question. The first thing that came to mind, however, was family. My mother's family all were born in the same town. They all went to high school, found jobs, married, had children, lived life together, and the majority died in that same town. That doesn't mean that some of them did not travel, or have some wonderful experiences or live elsewhere for a time. Like my mother. She left her Texas small town for Los Angeles so my dad could go to work at Lockheed Aircraft during the war. But later in life, she returned to her roots in Texas soil, and many of the family were there to welcome her home. Those who moved away still kept in touch. Family ties were very strong. No one had a hospital stay without someone there to make sure nurses and doctors paid attention, or the patient had a foot rub, or reading from the Bible, and so on. I know, not all family had such love and connection, but overall our automobiles and our technology have divided us and sent us far away. My own kids, adults now, have cousins they have never once met. To me that is more than sad.

Something my sisters planned, and sadly we only did one time, was to get together once a year at one of our homes. We lived far apart and rarely met in person. I'm sorry we didn't stick with the plan, and now we can't. I think we must be specific, and focused about how we stay in touch. My kids, and now my grandchild, live just far enough away that if we don't' plan things on purpose we will find that months have passed and we haven't seen one another. Make a plan, as my sisters did, and then (unlike us) stick to it. Life is short.

Gee, I sound gloomy. I need coffee!

A Little Bit of Spring

Earlier it was raining and I heard a clap of thunder. Now the sun is out and it is almost 70. However, I am expecting an ice storm any time now. That is because this morning I started my winter clothes annual migragion from my closet to the basement.

It was a brash move, but life is not worth living without some risk in it, don't you agree?

Here are a few indications that spring has indeed sprung at last here in Wisconsin.



My Christmas cactus (which actually bloomed at Thanksgiving, as usual) got confused. I guess it was so joyful at the sun coming through its window that it managed to push out one flower in celebration of spring's return.



I picked the pussy willow branches to add to a spring boquet on the altar table.



Here is a close up.

And outside my office window the daffodills and the tulips are FINALLY about to pop!

Our New Banner

This is what's happening at our place. Sunday is "Vision Sunday" and we will (among other things) unveil our new banner, which is about 4' x 5'. Then for the following five Sunday we will explore the themes you see on the banner with a mix of music, messages, little gifts, and more.

O is for "Offer Hope"

A is for "Advance God's Kingdom"

S is for "Share God's Love"

I is for "Invest in People"

S is for "Seek God's Purpose"

So if you are in the neighborhood, drop in for breakfast Sunday at 9:15. 1706 Plymouth St. New Holstein. We are serving camel's hump sausage, ostrich eggs, dates, flat bread and Turkish coffee with yak butter. Okay, just kidding. But we are going to have fun!

Banging Away at Nothing

I had a disconcerting thought this morning. My husband came in the bedroom and said, "You have got to come outside and see this."

An across-the-street neighbor has an older car that is decorated with a wide chrome strip that extends the length of both front and rear doors. A robin stood next to the car, very still, eyeing the chrome, and then us as we watched from a distance. Then he went back to gazing at his image in the chrome.

"Clink!" Up he hopped, wings flapping, to give the intruder a hard peck on the noggin. He fell back to the ground. More eyeing..."Clink!" Back to the ground.

Mr. Robin must have been a little confused, because (after a head shake) he stoodl very still and quiet for about a minute.

Flap flap flap! "Clink!"

We grinned at the foolish and feisty Mr. Robin, and then grinned at each other as we exchanged a few comments about the nature of animals (and people) who are "twitterpated" in the spring.

Later the thought came to me that perhaps I sometimes look like that to God. Does God watch me as I foolishly waste time and anger and defensiveness and energy on some false image of what is real? Do I hop and look important and peck -- only to get a dizzy head?

All too often, I am afraid this is so.

God must wonder at me sometimes, seeing how I don't notice that what I'm fighting is just a shadow of the real enemy.

Friday Five: Just 24 Hours

RevHRod asks, "... but it made me think about what I might like to do if I knew it would only last for 24 hours. There are no reality boundaries to these imaginings. So here are the five things for you to consider...

I could get really heavy and serious about this one. But I will do the 24 hours lite version.

1. If you could dramatically change your physical appearance for 24 hours, what would you do?

Well, that one is easy. I'd be taller, slimmer, and wrinkle free. Definitely slim and graceful!

2. If you could live in another place for 24 hours where would you go?

I would spend it in the mountains among the great sequious of California. There is no place I love better, and no place where I feel better, and no place that makes me feel more full of hope. I don't know why, but mountains do that to me.

3. You get to do somebody else's job for a day...

Hmmm....interesting one and hard to choose. Okay, I will be a college professor whose teaching has a profound and life-changing effect on the younger generation.

4. Spend the day with another person from anywhere in time and space...

Wow...so many choices. I simply connot pick just one. Of course, Jesus, who else....but the Old Testament judge, Deborah, or the prophet Hulda, Priscilla (wife of Acquilla, not ex wife of Elvis), Queen Elizabeth, Abraham Lincoln, Einstein, Smith Wigglesworth, Maria Woodworth-Etter....okay...I will stop. I really don't know how I'd pick.

5. A magical power is yours. Which one would you pick?

I can go anywhere at a snap of the fingers. Maybe I'd be invisible at the same time. When I get a little tired of sitting among the tall trees in the mountains I'll visit England, or Ireland, or Greece, or Italy, or....oh, never mind. I am not good, as you see, at make one choice.

Spring Wind

It is still chilly in the north and our trees are still bare. But out back the pussy willow bush is budding, and the grass is turning green. The last few days have been warmer, but very windy. The forecast is telling us to hope for seventy degrees today! Woo Hoo!

Yesterday Trinity had her well-baby check up. Mommy tells me the doc says she is "off the chart" at thirty three inches in length. She is going to be tall like her Grandpa's family, it seems.

She loves being outside, which is just now a possibility. Here she is, out in her still-bare backyard, exulting about the rocks in her hands and the wind in her hair.

Her shirt asks, "Is it me or does this diaper make my butt look big?"

Why Did You Make Me Black?

My prison-chaplain husband found a poem on his desk the other day. It was unsigned, and we presume it was written by an inmate. Inmate poetry is plentiful, as you might imagine. He brought it home for me to read, thinking it exceptional and knowing I love poetry. I, too, found the poem's imagery remarkable and beautiful. I decided to share it. If I ever learn who the poet is, I will give credit where it is due.

I ASKED

Lord, Lord,

Why did you make me Black?

Why make someone,

The world wants to hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes,

The color of grimy hands and feet,

Black is the color of darkness,

The color of tire-beaten streets.

Why did you give me thick lips?

A broad nose and kinky hair?

Why did you make me someone,
Who receives the hated stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye,

When someone you love gets hurt.

Black is the color of darkness,

Black is the color of dirt.

How come my bones are think,

And my hips and cheeks are high?

How come my eyes are brown.

Not the color of the daylight sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?

How come I feel so used?

Why do some who see my skin,

Think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand,

What is it about my skin?

Why do some folks want to hate me,

And not know the person within?

Black is what people are "listed,"

When other want to keep them away,

Black is the color of shadows cast,

Black is the end of the day.

Lord, you know my own mistreat me,

And I know this isn't right.

They don't like my hair or the way I look,

They say I'm too dark or too light.

Lord, don't you think it's time,

For you to make a change?

Why not redo creation,

And make us all the same?

GOD ANSWERED

Why did I make you Black?

Why did I make you Black?

Get off your knees and look around,

Tell Me, what do you see?

You aren't made in the image of darkness,

I made you in the likeness of me!

I made you the color of coal,

From which the diamond is formed,

I mad you the color of oil,

The black gold that keeps people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth,

That can grow the food you need,

Your color's the same as the Panther's,

Known for her beauty and speed.

Your color is like the Black Stallion,

A majestic animal, he,

You aren't made in the image of darkness,

I made you in likeness of me!

All the colors of a heavenly rainbow,

Can be found in every nation,

And when all of these colors were blended well,

You became my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,

Such a humble creature is he,

I am the Shepherd who watches them,
I'm the One who will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight sky,

I put the star's gleam in your eyes,

A smile hides behind your pain,

That's why your cheeks are high.

You are the color of dark clouds formed,

When I send my strongest weather,

Your lips are full so when you kiss,

The one that you love will remember.

Your stature is strong, your bones are thick,

To withstand the burden of time,

The reflection you see in the mirror?

The image looking back is Mine.

Inspired by Genesis 1:26 and 27

"And God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness...So God created man in

His own image...male and female created he them.

A Moving Friday Five

Mother Laura from Rev Gals shares the Friday Five this week. She says, "We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving."

I'm typing in the lobby of a motel, so this will be short.

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?

17., if I counted correctly Two were before I married. The other 15 were after. The USMC and the ministry will do that to you. I HATE HATE HATE moving. I should be really good at it by now, but I am not. The last time was five years ago when we moved ourselves and my mom into our present home. It was our first home where the kids had not lived, and now mom is in the nursing home. Strange feeling to be just the two of us in our little house, sometimes. Not bad, just sometimes strange and a bit sad.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?

I hate almost everrything about it except for two things. Fresh paint, usually, and the chance to downsize at least somewhat.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?

Hire movers? Is that possible? I must find out about this phenomenon.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?

I have never thrived through a move so I cannot tell you. Survival was a bit easier if I made sure to have a box with bed linens for each bed, and a few essentials for the kitchen. Those get unpacked first. That way, you can at least sleep when you finish hauling furniture and boxes.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?

Yes. It is difficult to describe. I am feeling change every day. Some is good. Some is not. I'm waiting to see what comes of all this.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.

Everything in my life makes me think of a song. I usually start singing "On the Road Again."

Happy Friday, all!

Celtic Woman

Last night a friend and I went to see Celtic Woman (I always thought it was women, but it's woman.)

It was beautiful. Beautiful lighting, costumes, voices, dancing, instruments, arrangements, settings. Any word I use to describe the show will sound campy and cliche, but I will just say it was wonderful, earthy, ethereal, transporting, graceful, uplifting, moving, stirring....oh, I'll stop. If you love or even vaguely like Celtic music, or you like amazing vocals, lighting, drumming....well, if this show comes to your area, you do not want to miss it.

They were great. Go see them.

I Scored as Owl

Of course I did...LOL!

Your Score: OWL

You scored 19 Ego, 13 Anxiety, and 13 Agency!

"Correct me if I am wrong," he said, "but am I right in supposing that it is a very Blusterous day outside?"

"Very," said Piglet, who was quietly thawing his ears, and wishing that he was safely back in his own house.

"I thought so," said Owl. "It was on just such a blusterous day as this that my Uncle Robert, a portrait of whom you see upon the wall on your right, Piglet, while returning in the late forenoon from a-- What's that?"

ABOUT OWL: Owl is considered highly educated because he can spell his own name (WOL) and he can even spell Tuesday... although he doesn't always get it right. Owl is a good sort, really, although he can be a bit of a stuffed shirt, and he tends to overlook the smaller details in life - like the fact that his bellpull is actually someone's tail.

WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: You are confident and you feel capable of dealing with whatever life throws at you. You know that you can handle just about everything... mostly because you know how to delegate the job of actually handling things to the people around you. You aren't one of those Bisy Backsons, who rush around trying to do everything at once. You prefer to stay at home and reflect on life, rather than go out and live it.

Sometimes, you know, you need to stop waiting for things to come to you and go out and get them. You need to go enjoy the weather, smell the fresh air, and pay attention to the little people in your life. They may not be as great as you... but maybe they could use your help.

Link: The Deep and Meaningful Winnie-The-Pooh Character Test

Hey, I don't think I am greater than other people!

A Revealing Friday Five

Sally from Rev Gal Blog Pals offers this Friday Five:

With this Sunday's gospel reading in mind, that wonderful revelation of Christ to the companions on the Emmaus road. I wonder where you might have been surprised by God's revelation recently.So with no further waffle I offer you this weeks Friday 5:

How has God revealed him/herself to you in a:

1. Book

I was reading "Farmer Boy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder to my mother in the nursing home. It is the story of Laura Ingall's future husband, Almanzo. Reading about the the activities of the family as they ploughed and planted in the spring, I ended up being able to reminisce just a tiny bit with my mother about her early farm years and what it was like at spring cotton planting time. Conversations are few and far between these days. It was a little gift from God.

2. Film

The most recent film I saw was Horton Hears a Who. While I can't exactly I was surprised by God's revelation, I can say that there are some pretty noticeable spiritual themes in this children's movie. The obvious one is that people are worthy of respect and honor. There are others, but you'll have to go see the movie for yourself.

3. Song

This one.



4. Another person

Last night at our church's Thursday prayer time, I was aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit as we prayed together and I listened to the words of my fellow believers. It is becoming a highlight of the week.

5. Creation

It is still mostly brown here, and there are still patches of snow, and the trees are bare. However, tulips shoots are up, and irises are as well, and as spring s-l-o-w-l-y shows up I always think of my soul's renewal as well. Something happens to my physical body, my emotions, and my spirit.

Bonus answer: your choice- share something encouraging/ amazing/ humbling that has happened to you recently!

This is an encouraging something. In the last two months I have been told be several people that I should be doing more writing. It happened again, several times, while I was at District Council. Then on the way home I was speaking to my husband about a local reporter who has become friendly with me, and has also become quite positive in his articles and impressions of our church. We hopped out of our van at a restaurant not far from home, and as I went into the door I ran into (literally) this same reporter! Before I could stop myself, I said, "I'm going to be calling you in a day or so about writing a column. " (I am??) "Okay" he said, smiling.

Well...okay then.

District Council Report

It was an interesting council. I've written before about City on a Hill (COTH). The director, Diane de la Santos, is pictured above with one of the men who has been blessed by this inner-city ministry center. He is the step dad to the little boy pictured, Trevon. They lost all they had in a house fire, except for his Royal Ranger uniform (which he is wearing) and his Bible. This young boy sang beautifully for us, and we all stood to our feet in a standing ovation. It was an amazing and moving moment.



Even more amazing was what happened next. Some readers of this blog might think, based on previous posts (here and here), that I believe there is no place anymore for a "sinner's prayer." Such is not the case. Sometimes it is just what is needed.

My husband, Ken, heard the dad (whose name I'm sorry to say I forgot) say quietly to Diane at the end of speaking to us, "I think I'm ready for Jesus now." I didn't hear him, but as they exited the stage Ken headed out without a word. I didn't know why till he returned, wiping his eyes. "I just had the privilege of praying with them" he said, adding, "I asked if I had heard him correctly, and did he say he was ready now for Jesus--and he said I had heard right. And so I led him in a prayer and--I watched a visible change come over him, and his son too."

A few moments later we watched as many pastors and others came to the microphones to pledge to COTH, who has been financially struggling. A projected shortfall of almost $150,000 was erased, or will be, in minutes.

God was in the room.

At the closing session, our outgoing superintendent, Arden Adamson, asked Larry Liebe, the superintendent-elect, to come try out "the chairman's seat." He then challenged all of us to put "character first." Symbolically he turned the leadership of our district over to Larry by handing him a relay race baton. Then Larry, who has been the director of our Youth and Christian Education department for a long time, shared his thoughts with us.

These two men could not have more different personalities, in my opinion. I love both of them.
I'll miss "Brother Adamson" and I'll watch with interest, and prayers, to see what changes come.

Heading for District Council

Tomorrow Ken and I head to a not-too-distant location for the 75th annual council of the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan District of the Assemblies of God (a mouthful, isn't it?) . It's two and a half days of business, speakers, an ordination service, a banquet or two, worship times, and connecting with old classmates and friends.

Every year it seems that it is raining, snowing, blowing or sleeting at district council. Or all of those at once. We all want to shed our sweaters and don our spring duds. Well, at least this year we are staying in the same hotel as the council, so we won't be running around outside and dodging splashes of muddy ice water.

Among other business, we will be selecting a new district superintendant. Lots of change is ahead, I think. I pray it is good and healthy change. We shall see.

Gotta go pack. Back in a few days.

Robin Blue Breast

This morning was cold, grey and windy. I refused to put on a coat. I did have on a sweater but I just couldn't bring myself to struggle into a coat, much less gloves. So I was cold. And not happy about it. I am tired of being cold.

I arrived at church early to do some setting up.

As I pulled in the parking lot I spied, perched on a snow bank by the back door, a ROBIN! He was shivering in the cold, his beak was chattering, and he had a distinct blue tinge, but he was hopping across the steps.

Maybe spring will come, after all?

A Million Dollar Friday Five

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

I Am Ginger? Hmmm

You Are Ginger

Like ginger, you are a total shape shifter. You can be sweet, spicy, mellow, or overpowering. You are both soothing and unique. You are popular... yet you are often overlooked.

What Spice Are You?

Happy Easter

Our sanctuary, just before people started gathering.

I love it when the purple-draped cross with the crown of thorns

becomes the white-draped cross with a royal crown!

My favorite flowers--daffodills--and Easter lilies!

HAPPY EASTER!

Christ is Risen!

Artwork: Easter Morning

by He Qi

At last light came with cold grey dawn;
The women, broken and forlorn,
Departed the city before it was day,
Who would roll the stone away?
But the grave was empty! Their Lord was gone.
An angel was guarding the tomb that morn.

The sun burst forth in warmth and glory
Across the earth it told the story.

Death could not hold our Lord for long,

"The tomb is empty! His body is gone!
So sing, all people, let your voices ring,
Sing all people, "Christ is King!"

It is Finished!

And now for a complete change of pace, here is a Petra classic from the Greg X. Volz days! Any Petra fans still around? I remember the first time I heard them, but that is another story.

IT IS FINISHED!

Resurrection Cookies

I thought people knew about these, or I would have explained further. I won't wait till after Easter, because if you want to use it this year you still can do so. Saturday is the day to make 'em. I used it for children's church several years ago. We happened to have something going on for the kids on the Saturday before Easter, so it worked out beautifully to make them that day, seal the church ovens, and then open them during Easter church. I am happy to provide a link to the recipe, and to the directions of how to use scripture reading to tell the story as you make the cookies. I never made them with my own children, because by the time I saw the recipe my kids were grownups. I'd love to hear if some of you use this with children and how it turned out. Maybe someday I'll make them with Trinity--pasturized eggs, huh? :-)

A Good Friday Five

RevHRod from RevGals offers this Friday Five:
As a child the designation "good" for today confused me. How could we call such a somber day, good? Holy, yes. Blessed, yes. But, good? As an adult I understand the meaning of good for this day. It is a solemn day of remembrance but it is also a time for us to stop and recall the great gift of love that we received this day. And that is most certainly good. Our worship today will differ from place to place. Some services will focus on the great litany of prayers. Others will use the seven last words of Jesus. Some of us will walk the stations of the cross. Others will participate in a Tennebrae service of shadows and light. I hope that this Friday Five will be a meaningful part of your Good Friday. God's blessings to you on your journey.

1. Our prayer concerns are as varied as we are this day. For whom would you like us to pray?

My mother, 91, in the nursing home with dementia, lonely and confused.
My husband, several health issues.
My church, renewed hope, energy, finances, people
Uh, how many am I allowed? :-)

2. Are there things you have done or will do today to help the young ones understand this important day in our lives?

Not today, but in the past have made those little resurrection cookies out of egg whites that I now know we shouldn't make due to health concerns...but it sure was a good illustration. Easter Sunday--empty!

3. Music plays an important part in sharing the story of this day. Is there a hymn or piece of music that you have found particularly meaningful to your celebrations of Good Friday?

There are so many hymns I love....we don't do many of them at my church. Last night we sang "At the Cross" - I always get a bit weepy at this time, so the verse, "But drops of grief can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe. Here, Lord, I give myselt away, 'Tis all that I can do..." We also sang the chorus "Allelujah" with just guitar, my favortie way.

4. As you hear the passion narrative, is there a character that you particularly resonate with?

Peter. That is because he'd die with the Lord if need be. He had a good heart, a big mouth, good intentions but most of all he was afraid and his fear led him to a failure. That has happened to me more times than I like to remember. Thank God for grace. I also understand the resentment of those who were disappointed and thinking, "Hey, where is God? THIS isn't how it is supposed to be!"

5. Where have you seen the gracious God of love at work lately?

At church I'm watching people begin to connect in good ways. It's God. No other explanation!

And now I have to go prepare for my part in the Tennabrae service. We considered canceling because of snow, but I think we are proceeding, unlike the poor folks south of us who may get up to 15 inches! Blessings to all on this day.

The Darkness

In glory, emptied and releasing,

My throne, my place, my power,

As angels, wondering, watched me go...

Darkness pondered.

In Bethlehem when angels sang,
And Mother rocked, and
Shepherds knelt...

Darkness watched.

That day long past in temple courts,
Conversing with the elders,
I did not dream--of this...!

Darkness saw.

The “Lord’s Anointed!” Could it be?
Such thoughts my heart awoke,
As realization grew, each day...

Darkness shivered.

With John in Jordan’s water,
Even as you spoke my name,
And Spirit came to me with love...

Darkness cursed.

I taught and prayed and healed,
And Peter, John, and others,
Rejoiced to see Your power shown...

Darkness hovered.

There was bread for multitudes to eat,
And wine for wedding feasting,
Women, children, beggars blessed...

Darkness scowled.

Hosannas rang and branches waved,
The people hailed me King!
Yet still they did not understand...

Darkness crouched.

We broke the bread and drank the cup,
We sang a song together,
They could not pray, but took their rest...

Darkness gathered.

Oh, Abba, Father, might it be,
I am a fool -- mistaken?
Can not there be some other way...?

Darkness approaches.

Oh, must I drink this bitter cup?
Must I, alone, be taken?
At sadness, doubt, betrayal, shame...

Darkness laughs!

The cross—Oh God--what cruel pain,
My enemies await me,
I wonder, Father, where are You...?

Darkness sings.

Why did I fail to gather them?
Am I alone? Have I lost all?
Will they remember? Will I live...?

Darkness is here.

Dorcas George

Artwork: Praying in the Garden by He Qi

Suggestions for Complimentarians

It has no direct connection to Holy Week, but I'd like to recommend an article by Cheryl over at the Women in Ministry blog. It's called Godly Complimentarians and "Elvis Has Left the Building."

It was a thought provoking list for me, and I hope it will be for others.

I just wish we could stop calling non-egalitarians "complimentarians." I believe, as does every egalitarian I know, that women and men were designed by God to compliment one another, to complete the creation, to fully express the image of God.

Could we please call them something else? Patriarchialsts lite or patriarchalists heavy, or traditional genderist, or....something?

God So Loved the World

I just thought this was so lovely that I would share it with you.

Whatever Became of the Celebration? A Meditation for the Beginning of Holy Week

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 (See post below for these verses.)

This day is called Palm Sunday, and most Christians celebrate what is called the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus into the City of Jerusalem. All four Gospel accounts tell the story. The imagery is joyful—palm branches waving, people shouting praises and acknowledging Jesus as Christ (the Messiah), and King.

This dramatic demonstration marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ ministry. The joy ends all too soon. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Jesus stopped at the top of the hill overlooking the city and began to sob as he grieved for Jerusalem. This is only the first of several dramatic events. There are disagreements about the exact chronology of the last week of Jesus’ life, but here is a summary of some of the events of the week:

Palm Sunday: Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt (Matthew 21:1-11). He is accompanied by crowds of people who create a path for him with their cloaks and branches cut from trees.

Monday: Jesus “makes a scene” when he drives the money changers from the temple. Later he spends the night in Bethany (Matthew 21:12-17). While in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, Mary anoints him for his burial by pouring spikenard over his head. It is a lavish (and for some, disturbing) display of love and devotion.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Jesus continues to teach in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:18-26:16). The chief priests and Jewish religious elders form a plot “to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him” (26:1-5). Judas agrees to be a conspirator and to hand Jesus over to them (26:14-16).

Thursday: Jesus has his last meal during his earthly ministry with the disciples. He washes the disciples’ feet and institutes the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

After teaching and encouraging them, he goes to Gethsemane, where he prays in anguish. He is arrested by the Jewish temple police and is taken to the Sanhedrin, where he is condemned (Matthew 26:17-75).

Good Friday: Jesus is shuttled between Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas. Pilate finally orders Jesus to be beaten and then crucified. Jesus dies in the late afternoon on Friday. Around sunset, Jesus is buried in the tomb (Matthew 27:1-61).

Saturday: Jesus’ body rests in the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).

Easter Sunday: Jesus is resurrected (Matthew 28:1-15).

So many events in one short week! What happened to the celebration? How did the shouts of praise so soon turn to cries of “Crucify him?”

What happened to Judas? The disciples were with Jesus during his entry into Jerusalem. Judas was probably caught up in excitement along with the others. Yet two days later he made a deal to betray Jesus. What happened in the meantime? Judas was possibly from a family who resisted Rome and plotted overthrow. Judas had been getting disillusioned. A weeping Messiah was not what he expected to see on the road into Jerusalem! At Bethany Jesus rebuked him in front of everyone, and again spoke of his own death. This was not was Judas signed on for.

What happened to Judas? Resentment.

What about Peter? After al, Peter was in the Lord’s “inner circle” and loved him deeply. Peter was in the crowd too. I can picture him shouting louder than anyone else did as he enjoyed the impromptu parade of adoration. In addition, during this week he even specifically told Jesus he would never leave him, never betray him, in fact he would even die with him if need be. A short time later, he cursed and swore and said he did not even know Jesus. He did this not just once but three times! Things looked different as he realized that Jesus was being mocked in a “trial” and that he really was about to suffer and die. He could have been indicted along with him!

What happened to Peter? Fear.

The crowd along the road on Palm Sunday seemed to realize that Jesus was fulfilling an ancient prophecy. He was declaring himself Messiah. The hosannas and cries of him being King were really an appeal for Jesus to help them, to deliver them from their hated oppressors, the Romans. Later, after Jesus was arrested, the religious rulers stirred up the crowds and enflamed them into crying angrily “Crucify him!” This pitiful man couldn't overthrow anyone! This was no conqueror. They had been fooled!

What happened to the people? Disillusionment.

And speaking of the religious rulers, the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, most of them probably knew that Jesus was a good man. He was, after all, a miracle worker. Perhaps some knew, or at least suspected that he was the promised one. Why didn’t they help him? Why didn’t they rejoice? Because they had become, more than anything, a political party. They were interested in their own power and prestige. This Jesus would have upset the situation and destroyed the delicate balance with Rome. He had to go.

What happened to the religious leaders? Selfishness, jealousy, and pride.

From our vantage point, it is all too easy to look at the characters in the Passion drama and wonder what was wrong with them, and marvel at why the could not seem to see the truth.

The truth is, we are like them. The truth is we all struggle with the same things—with resentment, fear, disillusionment, jealousy, and pride. To look at the crowd on the road is to look into our own hearts.

For many of us, this week began with praises. We sang joyful songs and we remembered how Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph with shouts, acclamation, and branches waving.

Bue we cannot forget that Jesus spoke repeatedly of his death. His last supper was an occasion of love and grace as he told his followers of a new covenant. Yet it also became a night of deception, agony, weakness and injustice. The tortures of Friday were unimaginable, brutal, and despicable. His death was shocking. How soon the shouts of "Hosanna!" had given way to demands to "Crucify him!”

Perhaps you might like to join me in reading the passages above over these next few days. Try imagining yourself in the scenes of Holy Week. Spend some time in stillness, reflection, and prayer. Realize anew that the love of God extends to you. Recall the words of the beautiful Christmas song we sang a short few months ago “What Child is This.” It reminds us, “The cross he bore for me, for you.”

Oh the passion, oh the wonder, oh the fiery love of Christ! He chose the difficult path, a way of loss and pain, but a path which ultimately led, and still will lead, to joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Hosanna!

Matthew 21:7-11

They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Hark! how the children,

Shrill and high,

Hosanna cry!

Their joys provoke the distant sky,

Where thrones and seraphims reply,

And their own angels shine and sing

In a bright ring!

Such young, sweet mirth

Makes heaven and earth

Join in a joyful symphony!

Henry Vaughan 1622-1695

It's an Almost Palm Sunday (Yikes!) Friday Five

Mother Laura from Rev. Gals is struggling a bit with adjusting to Daylight Savings Time. She's astounded (aren't we all!) that Palm Sunday is arriving in two days. And she's also been thinking about the Gregorian Calendar. So she offers us these questions about time and transitions,to help us "adjust and enjoy the process." Hmmm...think it'll work? I have my doubts, but on with the questions..

1. If you could travel to any historical time period, which would it be, and why?

Oh, that is a tough one, because I find many periods of history fascinating. I would not like returning to a time when women were disregarded, at best, but other than that I think I'd like to visit Colonial America. Or, of course, I'd like to travel back to Jesus' time so I could see the human, son-of-Mary version. Or then again I could just go back a short time to 1967 and meet Ken all over again.

2. What futuristic/science fiction development would you most like to see?

You know the thingy that Dr. McCoy used in Star Trek? That little clicking box that both diagnosed and healed in a matter of moments? That would be fabulous. Then again, the transporter would be really cool too.

3. Which do you enjoy more: remembering the past, or dreaming for the future?

I'm sentimental, and I get nostalgic, I must confess. However, I got positively gloomy tonight watching PBS' broadcast of Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival in '63, '64 and '65. It was fun for a bit seeing the Dylan of the photo, the skinny boy from Minnesota, and watching his evolution from newly-discovered Woodie Guthrie wanna-be to songwriter to folk rocker...and the historic transition from acoustic to electric...and so on. I enjoyed it for a bit, and then the announcer said, "This is wonderful footage, and just think, it happened almost 50 years ago yet we can watch it today...yada yada yada... Yikes! That did it. I am OLD! Gotta dream for the FUTURE! Otherwise you become a fossil!

4. What do you find most memorable about this year's Lent?

It seems to have happened too fast. It feels like we went from Christmas straight to Lent, and I felt disoriented. This has been the longest winter I recall since leaving North Dakota after graduation from Trinity, and that was years ago. I just want the dark to be gone, and the victory and the new life to come. Physically, emotionally and spiritually. I'm not there yet, but hoping.

5. How will you spend your time during this upcoming Holy Week? What part do you look forward to most?

I have planned some different kinds of things at church this year. In the early part of the week, just for myself, I want to read a chronological account of the time from Palm Sunday till Easter. I'm looking for my "Harmony of the Gospels" and can't find it. Anyway, Thursday we will have a candlelight communion and consecration service which I am hoping will be significant in helping us move on together as a church. Friday I'll take part in an ecumenical Good Friday service, as I do each year. This one will be a Tennabrae. And then--Resurrection Sunday and joyful music and a church full of the sight and aroma of flowers. It will brighten all of our spirits, even if there is snow on the ground outside the windows!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

It didn't start off to be a happy day. I did not sleep well and I awoke feeling depressed and troubled about a conversation from yesterday. It was gray out (as usual)."Oh drat!" I muttered as I grumpily realized that Ken is out of town--AGAIN--so I needed to get the trash out to the curb.

I stepped carefully because there are at least two inches of ice below the driveway. No amount of ice chipping, salt, sand or grumbling has been able to clear it out. The snow banks by the drive are still over three feet tall, and the tops are a dirty black. Sigh.

I returned to the house, made coffee, showered and dressed. Beginning to wake up, I climbed into our increasingly creaky minivan. Uh oh! It did not want to start, but after some threats of heading to the junk yard it decided better about it and cranked to life.

I headed out of town for a clergy meeting at Little UCC in the Country. I'd never been to the church before. I got lost (as usual.

Arriving late, which made me even grumpier, I hopped out of the van and headed towards what I hoped was the proper door to enter. Why in the world can't people put signs up when there is more than one door, anyhow?

Then it happened--the thing which turned my day around, made me smile, renewed hope in my spirit, and helped me start to make a badly-needed attitude adjustment.

Cheeeer Cheeeer! In the bare branches of a nearby tree perched a Cardinal. He called his unmistakable warning, to me I guess, since I saw no other signs of life around.

One lone cardinal trilling his territorial mating song in a bare, grey landscape! Life got instantly better.

And a few minutes ago I passed the bank with the big time and temp sign. It's forty degrees!

Ah, spring will come!

The Gospel of Matthew on Video

"The Visual Bible" put out a four-volume video series several years ago of the Gospel of Matthew. My mother purchased it. I had watched bits and pieces, and I once used a portion of the Sermon on the Mount for a Bible study class. Yesterday I pulled it out looking for something for Palm Sunday. (It is available on DVD now--sure wish I had that instead.) I I found myself captivated by something in Bruce Marchiano's portrayal of Jesus. I did a little research and found this statement:

"He researched the character of Jesus and discovered a very human personality trait: joy. Instead of depicting Jesus as pious and aloof, Bruce based his portrayal on the cornerstone of joy."

That was it! How often we have seen Jesus portrayed as "aloof"-- a trait that does not draw crowds, children, or hurting people. Marchiano portrays Jesus with a broad range of emotions, and Jesus smiles a great deal, laughs aloud at a blind man's healing, and tells parables with humor.

Yesterday I watched the scene of the Last Supper. As Jesus says to Judas, "You are the man" his eyes fill with tears, and he hugs Judas and weeps silently as he caresses his face. Judas has travelled as one of Jesus' close friends, and now he is going to betray him. Would Jesus have sat stoically and intone, "You are the man" with an emotionless face? Probably not.

Anyway, I am highly recommending the series. The script is the NIV version of Matthew, verse by verse. Bruce Marchiano hopes to produce a Gospel of John if the money can be raised. I hope it happens.

I'm posting a promotional clip below. It's an advertisement, and it is a bit exaggerated and pompous, but it will give you a taste of what I'm talking about. If you would like to see the triumphal entry section, we'll be watching it as part of our worship service. :-)

Getting My Head on Straight and Pondering the Future

I spent several months coming to terms with resigning. And now that I have "un-resigned" I am feeling a bit disoriented. This weekend we had planned (I thought I'd be unemployed) a short trip to Minnesota, and we decided not to change the plans. On Saturday I'll be going with Kris and Daryl to Seed of Abraham, a messianic congregation, and later babysitting Trinity while her mommy and daddy take some time to themselves. If it works out, I'd like to connect with cyber buddies Ruth and Nightmnare. I hope this will all help me readjust a bit.

Welcome to Jubilee! Spring will come again!

Yesterday was a great day in that process. I drove through the countryside (and SUNSHINE--yee haw!) to a town near Stevens Point for a meeting. Yeah, I know. But this was a good meeting.

Our speaker, Mark Batterson, was one of the authors on the (now defunct) "Future AG" blog you might have seen in my links a while back. Future AG was designed as a place in the blogosphere for us to discuss our direction as we headed into our 2007 General Council.

Mark is one of the newer breed in the Assemblies of God. He's an author, energetic, articulate, intelligent, creative, and young. Listening to him makes me wish even more than ever that I had my 57-year-old wisdom (?) and experience but was in my 30s again! Man! How'd I get old so fast? I admit, I never thought I'd see the day when a guest speaker at an AG meeting dressed in faded blue jeans. We used to be pretty stuffy. That's changing, and that's a good thing.

It is exciting watching the new ways church is being done. Check out National Community Church where Mark is lead pastor. It's one church in several locations, and as I listened to Mark yesterday and then surfed around the church's website today--all I can say is, "I WANNA GO THERE!" We lived in Washington DC for several years when Ken was still in the USMC. I loved it-- and I hated it--but I'm so excited about the idea of church at Union Station! Their church is mosty 20-30 year olds. Think they will let me in if I visit? ;-)

What does this have to do with me? Well, as I focus, once again, on the future of my own congregation, I have to ask, "Can a church of under 100 in cow country really be relevant? Can we be creative? Can an AG church with a difficult history and that is over 30 years old find a new niche, and can a late middle aged woman pastor possibly reach out to a new generation? Won't our Catholic and Lutheran neighbors just be even more concerned about what is happening in that little church on the corner? Why am I still here?"

Of course, to ask myself those questions I have to stop whining, "How did I, a city girl, manage to turn into a small-town pastor? I'm too old, to tired, too ________. Why can't I be ministering to a diverse population? Wah, wah, wah..."

Yesterday got the creative part of my brain lighting up again. I'm feeling energized and enthusiastic. Hopeful. Kind of joyful.

Thanks, Mark! And thanks, God!

Just be sure to make a little room at the table for the 50-somethings (or more) among us who have young hearts and ideas. I'm so glad you like our new leader, George Wood, as much as I do. And I'm so excited about the AG's future if guys like you are at the center of the action.

As for me, I'm off to unpack my packed books and set up my office again.

Saying the "Sinner's Prayer"

Is a sinner's prayer a good thing or a bad thing? I've pondered this for some time now, and wrote about it a while back. (I think it is both.) My earlier thoughts are here.

I'd like to recommend an article by Dr. Larry Moyers, offered on the Internet by Sermon Central.com It is interesting and thought provoking, as are the comments that follow.

Here is Dr. Moyers article.

Appeals to make a decision to become a Christian believer are part and parcel of the spiritual tradition and practice of many of us who find ourselves (more or less) in the "evangelical" branch of Christianity. Sometimes these appeals are called an "invitation" and sometimes an "altar call" but every evangelical knows what is meant by a sinner's prayer. That is a prayer for forgivness of sin and asking Jesus to come into your life as Savior.

In my denomination some of us were even taught that we should never have a service that did not conclude with an "altar call."

There is much to think about in Dr. Moyers short article, but I'm specifically thinking about baptism. As one of the commenters noted, have we replaced the symbolism of baptism and "new life" with the sinner's prayer?

I've long been bothered by the fact that so many of "my people" wait so long to be baptized. Whatever your views regarding infant versus believer's baptism, I think we can all agree that baptism was never intended to be some sort of "add on" that occurred months or years after belief in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Remembering Larry Norman

If you note such things, you have already heard that Larry Norman, the so called "Father of Christian Rock Music," passed away a few days ago. He was sixty. Sixty? How strange.

My maiden name was Norman. Partly for that reason I once found myself sitting on the floor in a California church basement with a bunch of other kids, listening in mild amazement to the hippie-type guitar player. He talked and joked in a soft voice and he sang about wishing we'd all been ready, and about walking backwards down the stairs, and being a servant, and (my favorite) the sweet, sweet song of salvation. I think it was 1968.

I had no idea that I, for good or ill, was watching the first part of a revolution in the Christian music world. But I remember saying to those with me, "I have NEVER heard anything like this."
In my world there was a widening variety of popular music. We had crooners like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra and Doris Day. We all knew about Elvis, even though he was beginning to be a bit of a joke. Everyone liked the smooth vocalizations of Nat King Cole, and the color line was eroding, as far as music was concerned. The Beatles had changed our ideas of chord progressions and the Beach Boys had brought surfer music, and psychedelic music was growing in popularity. And of course there was classical and "easy listening" (boring elevator) music.

However, "Christian" or "religious" music was still narrowly defined. We had books containing hymns and gospel songs. Mostly "white" churches had pianos and/or organs and sang anthems. Mostly "black" churches sang "gospel" and the music had more of a beat. Still, they had pianos and organs, albeit the organs were played quite differently. I had never heard of a worship team or a praise band. I had never seen a guitar played in church, nor drums. For a change we might listen to a "southern gospel" quartet such as The Blackwood Brothers or The Statesmen.

Larry Norman was fascinating. Partly that was so because I just knew he was some sort of distant cousin. He looked very much like my Norman relations. I bought the record album with the blue cover that you will see below. It was clear in the picture on the album that he had the same "Norman family nose" (slight crease) that my dad and my sister and I had. Cool! Even more interesting and astonishing was his music. The music was unlike anything I'd ever heard. Oh, I had heard guitars and folksy stuff, and rock too. But NEVER with lyrics about God or Jesus or salvation or eternity. That was radical indeed. Not far into the future we had the Second Chapter of Acts, Randy Stonehill, Love Song and Petra. But on that summer night in California listening to Larry, we had no idea of what was coming .

Larry's voice could be sweet and light, as when he sang "I am Your Servant" or low and rough-edged. He was quite versatile. I tried to find a clip of "Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation" or one of his more hard-edged music stylings, but this will have to do. Rest in peace, brother Larry. And thank you for broadening our understanding