So Great, So Personal

There are many worship places that have deep meaning for me.   One of those places is Duke University Chapel in Durham.   The meaning of that place for me has nothing to do with the athletic teams of the University or the fact that I am a Duke graduate.  Duke University Chapel is a special place for me because it has been a part of some important parts of my journey of life.    Through the years, I have been there for special events like Christmas Eve worship and worship on the eve of my graduation from Duke Divinity School.   I also recall being there for times of trouble such as when I walked its long center aisle while my Mom had surgery at nearby Duke University Medical Center years ago. 

I walked that long center aisle at Duke University Chapel in November  when I was at Duke for a continuing education event.   As an organist played softly, I slowly strolled in the chapel and meditated on the beautiful stained-glass windows who were radiant with color on that sunny afternoon.     A visit to Duke University Chapel always refreshes my soul, and the same can be was true  on  that day. 

 As I left that special place that day, it occurred to me that sometimes my experience of God is like my experience of Duke University Chapel.  Sometimes, my experience of God is that He is great and beautiful just like Duke University Chapel so often is to me.     Other times, my experience with God is more up close and personal.   Exodus 33:11 tells that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.   Sometimes, my experience with God is like a one on one conversation over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.    During this time of year,  I ponder anew a great, glorious God that came close in the person of the holy child of Mary; yet, his birth was announced by angels in the highest heavens.     I give thanks to a God who is imminent and close by, but who also is transcendent and so great.  Have a joy-filled week. -     Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, you are great and glorious, and you are near and so personal.    Thank you for creating us and this world, and thank you for being as close as our next breath; through Christ our Lord.   Amen.  

He Became One of Us

Last month, I spent several days on the campus of Duke University on study leave.   One evening, my wife Ann and I made a visit to the Nasher Museum, the art museum on the Duke campus.    Among the exhibitions that the Nasher was offering was on the art of Carlo Dolci, an Italian painter.  Though I certainly would not consider myself one who is well versed in the field of art, I appreciate that field of expression.    One of my former Divinity School professors, Bishop Will Willimon, was there that evening speaking about the work of Dolci through the eyes of faith.    Dolci was not only an accomplished artist, but he was also a devout Christian.  Almost all the art of Dolci that was on exhibit was religious art because that was central not only to Dolci’s art subjects, but it also was the center of Dolci’s life.  

As is often the case, Bishop Willimon offered some insightful comments on the art of Dolci.   As we gazed at a painting of the Christ child and his mother, Mary, he reminded us of how novel if not downright scandalous it was when the Christian faith claimed that God became a human being.    While it is certainly not uncommon for humans to want to play God or to be God, what a peculiar notion in the history of civilization to suggest that a mighty, omnipotent God would become a human being.   Truly, our faith is an incarnational faith.

Amid all that these Advent and December days hold for you, I invite you to contemplate the holy mystery that in the life of Jesus Christ God became one of us.  John 1 declares “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us full of grace and truth.”    Because God became a human, he is able not only to redeem us but also to understand what it is to live in these flesh and bones.  Thanks be to God.      Have a joy-filled week. -     Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, I celebrate the wonder and mystery in these days that the Word was made flesh in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly human.  Thank you for the gift of Christ to this world and the gift of Christ for our sins on the cross; through Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

Gifts to the Person Who Has Everything

Somewhere during this season of Advent, you will encounter the story of the wise men visiting the Christ child.  There are some things we assume in that story such as there were three wise men though the Scripture does not tell us that fact.   Though every Christmas pageant has the wise men coming quickly to see the Christ child,  Biblical scholars tell us that it probably took some time to reach the Christ child.  

While we know not how many wise men there were or how long their journey took to worship the Christ child, we do know the gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.    I have been thinking about those gifts recently and wonder what Mary and Joseph thought of those gifts.  I wonder if the gold the wise men gave made them able to afford to take the trip to Egypt?    I wonder what Mary and Joseph did with the frankincense and myrrh?  Did they complain about the gifts of the wise men like we complain about the Christmas gifts we receive sometimes?

What do you give people when you do not know what to give?   What do you give people who seem to have everything?   If those are questions you are struggling with in these days, here are a few ideas:

Why don’t you give the person who has everything a gift in their honor to your favorite charity or their favorite charity?

Why not consider giving to the person who has everything a trip to a favorite event or a picture of you and them?

I know not why the wise men gave the gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Perhaps they thought they were fitting gifts for  a new King.   Perhaps the most fitting gift you can give a person when you don’t know what to give is the gift of yourself and your time.      Have a joy-filled week.—Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, I thank you for the gift of yourself in Christmas in Christ Jesus.  No matter my means, help me remember that the gift of self is the best gift;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Cyber Shopping

Cyber shopping is becoming a common way that people shop.   While I am not an expert on the subject, I read that brick and mortar stores continue to struggle to compete in the marketplace.  Just a few days ago, Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend) took place and reports were that online shopping set a record.    I understand why online shopping is so appealing.   It is certainly convenient to shop at any time in the comfort of your own home without having to dress up or search for a parking space.   I am afraid, however, that there is something that is lost when we shop solely on our computer and through our smart phone.  What we lose is the connection with people.   When we simply shop through the convenience of the internet, we lose the communal shopping experience. 

My family will certainly verify that I am not particularly fond of shopping.  While I might not like to shop, I certainly enjoy being around people.  I recall going from town to town, store to store shopping with my oldest daughter as she looked for the perfect prom dress… and going with my wife Ann to look at wedding rings in area jewelry stores.   I remember as a boy that Mildred was always helpful to my Mom as she shopped for school clothes at J.C. Penney for my brother and myself.   While it is so much easier to shop at home on the internet, what I miss when I do is connecting with people.    

As one can shop on the internet, persons today can also get a dose of religion and faith anytime and anyplace thanks to the world wide web and the internet.   The internet is full of blogs by pastors like myself, worship services, Bible studies, and sermons of many differing faiths and viewpoints.    You are certainly experiencing the same by reading this blog.   However, I still believe that cyber religion and faith cannot take the place of the religious activity that takes place when you sit in a church pew or face to face in a small group and encounter God through the people in front of us and around us.    As God comes among us in the flesh in the babe of Bethlehem, Christ Jesus, so the best way I encounter God sometimes is through a fellow human being.   Have a joy filled week. -  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, I thank you for all the ways at our disposal today to connect with you.  I also thank you for people that are your instruments.  As you reveal yourself through others, help me to do the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.