Is It Important that Abraham was “Real” – or That He Is “in Us?”

January 2011

Recently I felt a wave of guilt sweep over me, as I read a “reminder” from the church office that my monthly blog was not only due, it was past due. Remberences of my tarnished youth swept over me: late homework, incomplete essays, and book reports that were best accomplished through the help of a once-popular comic book, Classics Illustrated (pity those of you who are too young to be unaware of this superior, pre-Cliff Notes means of gaining quick knowledge).

I was given email and phone forgiveness by Mary Knurek and Pastor Nathan, and encouraged to submit something as soon as possible. Note: the primary reason for my negligence was due to the fact that I’ve entered into the realm of those ancient ones we used to see on Sundays – the ones with all manner of health issues and even walking devices. In my own case, much of 2010 was spent in one form of surgical procedure or related healing cycle. By the time January 2011 rolled around, I had shelved “blogging” somewhere between “I’ll get to it” and “Maybe they’ll forget about it.”

Now that the cat is out of the bag, I hope that you’ll work with me as I attempt to share my thoughts on a subject that is near and very dear to my heart: Biblical metaphor.

During the healing process for arthroscopic knee surgery (which failed) and total left knee replacement (which I’m told is progressing satisfactorily) – an orthopedic passage which began in March 2010 and is still a work in process as 2011 begins, I came across a new book (more addictive than hard drugs to a publisher who can’t get enough). Written by a former Southern Baptist, tweaked by Roman Catholicism, and Episcopalian educated, John R. Coats’, Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis, offered me validation that I was far from alone in how I view (and have viewed since my years as a teen in a German Reformed congregation in suburban Philadelphia, PA) the Bible.

As I explored the pages of this fascinating work, Coates reinforced my feelings that the metaphors, found within the stories of the first book of the Bible, apply to all of us – the religious, less-religious and nonreligious alike. The lives portrayed in Genesis (love, loyalty, betrayal, stupidity, brilliance, greed, as well as madness) wonderfully illustrate how we (all of us) have inherited the moral and ethical DNA deeply embedded in this ancient text.

If, like me, you were raised in a family with strong-willed -- what I call “old school religion” grandparents, you might relate to how Bible characters (not to forget God) were portrayed. My grandfather drew the line in the sand, when it came to “knowing” these people: they were real, they lived, and they were far from “stories” used to illustrate a point. My grandmother once slapped me for telling her, after I fell and hit my head, remarking that it “hurt like the Devil.” She made it clear that one never “evokes” his name, because it makes him “live.” And…one never challenged the reality of these characters or asked for proof of their existence. “Historical characters” weren’t as important as “faith characters.”

Over the years, probably beginning when I was around twelve, the metaphor concept began to rattle around in my head. And by the time I was in my late teens and, definitely as a young married in my mid-twenties, the fear (“tyranny” is Coats’ word) within the Bible was lost to me. Today, in my own grandfather stage of life, the metaphors of the entire Bible (not just those illustrated in Genesis) bring a new appreciation for the “unhidden humanness” (Coats’ words) in all the people portrayed on those pages – including Jesus. It is through metaphor that I can read the Bible, comfortably participate in Bible study classes (such as the last one taught by Pastor Nathan, or the new one coming up this Spring), when listening to sermons, or discussion in one of the adult St. Stephen Sunday School classes.

Reading the Bible and reflecting on the vast array of metaphors found in every nook and cranny, has given me an entirely fresh approach to understanding. Rather than spending time, as my grandparents had on the “admonishments” found throughout the Bible – the rights, the wrongs, the good, the bad, metaphoric reading allows for reflection on our own lives (both individually and collectively). Those Bible characters that I grew up with (before I could read or write on my own) were no longer “people of story.” They were “me.” They lived out their lives in ways little different than my own. Their woes were mine. Their acts of bravery were mine – as well as those of stupidity. I agree with Coats, when he suggests that reflective use of scripture in teaching is a model that makes sense. It makes the Bible accessible to everyone – even those with no religious point of view.

While my point of view may not be for everyone, I appreciate you giving some consideration to it. And, if you agree or not, you might find Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis by John R. Coats a worthy read. Composed by:Dennis McClellan

Love and Guidance

We had the pleasure, this week, of having our granddaughter – age 3 – visiting us. Lily is the only grandchild, so you can just imagine how she is loved and doted upon. She lives in the north, so our in-person visits with her are widely spaced, and we use Skype to assist us in a “personal” communication as we watch her grow and develop, Because we’re not used to having a small child in our midst, we hang on her every word and gesture, we gasp if she stumbles, we hurt if she cries - in short, we’re in love with this precious child.

Even as we love Lily, we’re also mindful that she has free will and that her explorations will take her in directions that we know could be harmful; therefore we set limits on her such as a fence around the pool, belting into a car seat, not reaching to the stovetop. You see, out of love, we limit her access to danger and provide a supportive environment for her to explore and learn. She is dependent on her parents and other adults for her worldly needs just as we’re dependent on God for grace.

I’ve been reading, in Acts, how the early Christian church was provided leadership by God through the Holy Spirit, how the apostles were empowered to teach and heal, and how the Gentiles received the gifts of grace and faith. In much the same way that Lily is unaware of how her parents love and guide her daily, and attend to even the needs of which she is unaware, we can be sure that what we need for eternal life was provided by our God through the risen Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, Lily and other children are not the only ones unable to care for themselves. We heard about the children (and adults) of Haiti, still living in need. We heard Pastor Nathan exhort us to not only see the needs of others, but to find a way to act to help. Look around and find someone to love by providing for their needs. Remember that Jesus told us that what we do to the least, we have done to Him.

Author: Diane Bechtold

The Long View

Forward
January 2011

A National Public Radio segment this morning (December 20, 2010) said that Miriam Webster’s word for 2010 was austerity! It is one thing to hear this…but I know that many of us lived it. I have a privileged seat in our proverbial house. I see the lost jobs, hear about the struggling marriages, counsel the despairing, and my staff and I have fielded many calls from people in need. But I also see things turning. Many who have lost jobs have found jobs, homes that were overshadowed by foreclosure are safe again, and there is a smattering of hope in our world. There still remain trials and stress, but my prayer as we exit 2010 is that we might move from a hunkered down austerity and discover a new word for the year 2011.

If I might be so bold, I have an idea. I am casting my vote early for the word forward. I know. It is a simple word and pretty uncomplicated. I remember a conversation with my maternal uncle, David, a California almond grower, almost a decade ago. When he was approaching the 20-year mark in that particular vocation he was getting a bit restless. Through some soul searching he decided to remain in farming…a profession that even in the downturns has been good to him. But what sticks out so prominently in my mind is what got him through those hard patches of boredom and uncertainty. “Nathan,” he would say, “You’ve got to have things to look forward to!” In his life that would be trip a to their favorite vacation spot at Pismo Beach a couple times a year, the next Michael W. Smith concert, or managing the downs at the local Friday night high school varsity football games. He looked forward to things within his work as well (harvest time for all its hard work is actually revitalizing and fun…and reminds you why you do what you do), but having a diversity of things on the horizon gave him the motivation and energy to persist through difficult times.

At St. Stephen, I find myself looking forward to many new things that will be happening amongst us. Some of it is going to make our worship better, some of these new things are going to prepare us for the building of our new Community Life Center in the near future, and some of these things are simply going to widen our scope of impact on the world as God’s people.

So here’s my list of things I’m looking forward to at St. Stephen:

A family at SSLC has given a new digital camera for use in worship. Ever had a hard time seeing what’s going on during the sermon or children’s sermon? That’s about to change! Be patient with us as we learn how to use the new technology!
A new member is a local radio personality and has approached me about taking the audio from my sermons and turning them into a professionally produced Podcast. He’s created a demo, and it’s incredible. So starting in January…
In February we will begin a fund drive both in the congregation and community to raise $12,500.00 to make 50,000 meals for the people of Haiti. Yes…you read that right: 50,000 meals. Folks, we are going to have a HUGE impact!
When we begin construction on our new Community Life Center, we will lose the ability to use the Learning Center, Nursery, and Choir Room for more than nine months. To accommodate our needs for nursery space, Christian educational spaces for Sunday School, Solid Rock Youth activities, and choir rehearsals, things on our campus are going to get a bit tight. One of the ways we are going to get around that is by creating two Sunday School hours in the Fall of 2011…preparing ourselves for a year of transition. In addition, we will be moving the 9am worship service to 9:30am (we’ll do this in June 2011), and offering those two Sunday School hours concurrent with our worship services – one at 9:30am and the other at 11am. Because they are relatively close together and because we have a congregational ethic of worshipping with our kids, we are hoping that families will still choose to do worship at one hour and Sunday School at the other. Folks, I’m excited about this. It’s going to make our transition into new space easier, and it’s also going to create more space for kids, both now and the future. Oh…and we’ll all get an extra half hour of sleep on Sunday mornings!
I have been approached by leadership in the Synod to have St. Stephen be an Internship site for a student preparing to be a pastor. If all goes well, it looks as if there will be a grant that will pay for about half the cost of an Intern. This intern pastor would join us for a period of 12 months starting in late August. This is NOT hard and fast yet…but I’m excited. St. Stephen is exactly the sort of congregation that should be training the next generation of pastors!
This keeps on being put off…primarily because I have not needed another thing on my plate while finishing up my doctorate. But that should be done in the Spring, and in the Fall I will be planning a trip back to Haiti. Want to come along?

These are just some of the things that have me fired up for 2011 and moving forward in my heart and head. What are you looking forward to?

From my Longwood lanai…forward with all of you in mission and ministry for the sake of God’s kingdom! It is 2011! Let’s make this year great!

Pastor Nathan

Advent Devotion - December 25th

Christmas Day
Written by: Diane Bechtold

Reading: Luke 2:1-14

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:9-11

How often we’ve read and heard about the trials of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census. The streets and inns were crowded with people whose only purpose was to fulfill their civic duty. Surely, this new baby was an unexpected entry of God the Son to humankind. Angels praised God as they announced the Christ’s arrival to shepherds. What a night of awe and mystery.
This was God’s quiet entry into the midst of our life on earth. He came to us as an innocent baby, of lowly birth. Those looking for the Messiah often missed this gift because they were looking for earthly power and might. They looked for a king in royal robes who would be served by armies that would free them from Roman oppression; instead, they received innocence and the directive to love God and one’s neighbor.

Prayer: God Almighty, we pray to recognize You when we are expecting someone else. Teach us to look for what You have for our lives rather than for what we want for them. Help us to watch and listen as you speak to our hearts. Amen

Advent Devotion - December 24th

27th Day of Advent
Written by: Nicole Eastwood

Reading: Psalm 46:7-11

“Be still , and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

The name “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” Jesus is God come to earth – never to be separated from His people. This is made perfectly clear when the curtain in the temple (once used to separate worshippers from God) was torn in two from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus’ redeeming death (Mark 15:38).

Since God is with us always, how do we respond? Do we talk with God all the time? Do we start to forget God’s presence until we need something? In this busy Advent season, do we rush with our to-do lists, making time for God only on Christmas Eve or Sunday? I’ve often wrestled with Psalm 46:10’s call to “Be still and know I am God.” I don’t like to do anything slowly. Never mind-stop and be still!

Ever present God: This season I pray that I will choose to be present with you in spite of my hurriedness and busyness. Grant me the patience to slow down and spend time with you. Thank you for being with me always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 23rd

26th Day of Advent
Written by: Julie Parker

Reading: Luke 12:35-38

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.”
Luke 12:35-36

During Advent Christians all over the world once again, joyously anticipate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us think about this scripture where Luke tells of Jesus message to always be ready to serve God, as we never know when he will come again; we should remain steadfast in our faith, honoring him with our service. If we keep God foremost in our hearts, speaking with him often in thought and prayer, and walk each day with Jesus at our side, we will be blessed.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ and the love for me you show each day. During this season of Advent help me to remember I am your servant, ready to do as you ask. Help me learn to turn my burdens to you, so that I may be free to follow you with an open heart. Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 22nd

25th Day of Advent
Written by: Rob Coble

Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Mary will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
And they shall name him Emmanuel”
Matthew 1: 21-23

The incarnation of our lord was a gift from God. A divine gift in the form of flesh and blood. Jesus would walk amongst us as man in order to experience what it is to be human.
The miracle birth of our Lord is celebrated today by many as a reason for personal gain and less for seeing the examples God has provided for us to experience through the life of Jesus Christ.
God sends his son to the world to experience human nature. It would have been easy to create and maintain a world of perfection but God also gave man the gift of choice. What choices do we make on any given day? Do we follow the examples set forth by Christ the man or use our own will to make choices centered on self.
Emmanuel means “God with us”. God is with us always. It is when we forget this that we start to feel the stress and chaos that the busy time of year can bring. When we forget God is with us we take needless control over all our situations and feelings and forget that God is the one who leads the way. When I step back and let God take charge, I find that my life is filled with serenity and the crowds, traffic and fast pace of the season doesn’t seem so bad after all. Have you seen the bumper stickers that say “God is my Co-pilot”? I prefer it the other way around. With God as my Pilot I am happy to take second chair.

Dear Lord,
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, help me to remember the examples set down by Jesus, the man and gain a true understanding and appreciation for the magnificent gift you have given us in the form of your son on earth. Amen.