In Matthew 13.31-32, Jesus uses an illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."
This past week my family hosted some friends for dinner who will be relocating soon to North Carolina. As we laughed and talked I thought about the journey of our friendship. We met soon after my family moved to Springfield. My girls were very young and interested in ballet. Miss Cathryn was their first teacher in Springfield. Soon after meeting her, she married Mr. Andy, and we were at the wedding. Along the way, Anna and I took a trip out of state, and this young couple came to stay with our four kids. When we returned, Mr. Andy asked if our kids could be in one of the shows he was directing through Springfield Little Theatre. (That one show has turned into more than we can count.)
Along the way Mr. Andy and Miss Cathryn gave life to three boys. Those boys are young adventurous souls, and when we are together, much revelry ensues. In their presence, there is joy. In their presence, they also give me a gift, of imagining a next chapter of my life, what being a grandfather might be like. From one small act. . .of taking ballet classes unrolled a good kind of life we had no clue awaited us. There is a panoply of joys - especially on that night when I took the boys for tractor rides. (See pic)
Reflecting on this relationship, I was drawn into Jesus parable of the mustard seed and how it reveals God’s kingdom. Starting out small, and then growing into a profound blessing to countless birds and beloved creatures of God.I’ve been reminded of stories many of you have shared with me about small steps of faith and how God has taken you on an incredible journey. I think about the events and ministries taking place around the Schweitzer campus; of people loving and being loved by Jesus in small ways, and then the incredible fruit of the Spirit that emerges in their lives. The Kingdom of God, of joy and peace, of restfulness in Christ, of sacrificial compassion, and investing in community; most often starts with something small and non-descript.
The kingdom lies ready, like a seed awaiting soil and rain, and when we take up and read the Bible in a regular routine, or we begin to pray, or we start having Christian conversations, or we sing along with the songs of worship, or we take pictures at church, or become a reading buddy, or make an offering to God . . . God’s good and beautiful Kingdom begins to take root in our hearts, and before long, the small seed is a tree. I encourage you to notice and name the gifts of the Kingdom God has planted and grown along your way. In doing so, we give a witness to God’s faithfulness and goodness, to others and ourselves, for those moments when life is hard and overwhelming.
May you rejoice in the countless trees that surround you. I also encourage you to take what may look like a small step of faith today - you never know where Christ may be leading you, or the treasures of the kingdom that will unfold. This I know is true, with small seeds of faith, the Lord creates incredible joy.
I hope you are looking forward to Sunday, when we gather in worship. Something special awaits us!
Pastor Jason
Showing posts with label Transition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transition. Show all posts
17 June 2022
Like a Mustard Seed . . .
PASTOR'S NOTE
originally published by Schweitzer Church
16 June 2022
12 March 2012
Preparing for a journey
This Wednesday, Anna and I will join with other Beeson scholars and spouses for an immersion trip to Asia. We are looking forward to the conversations and the cultural experience. I am excited that Anna is able to join us on this journey. She has been our lead learner in our home preparing for the trip. She has immersed herself in knowing about what we should expect with regard to infrastructure, deli's, markets and the like.
While we are away our kids will remain in Wilmore. A good friend from Michigan is coming to being the week and then our mothers will come in to cover the remainder of the time. We are thankful and blessed for their contribution to this journey. We return March 26th.
The trip is marked by a tinge of sadness. One of the families in our cohort has a set of parents in Korea. They are taking their kids to visit their Korean grandparents for three months. Aravis and Kyrie have said a tearful goodbye to a very good friend. It is a reminder that our program is nearing the end.
With the end fast approaching there are three concerns we talk about each day: 1) where we're going to live next, 2) how is the dissertation going, and 3) what are the last class assignments. The conversations come in that order of priority. We are thankful for the prayers of our friends who lift us up to "the kind Father." In this liminal moment we are waiting with expectation for the call to "follow me" in a particular place. We identify with ancients who could be at rest and at the same time, be restless in the care of the "kind Father."
These are days when we are preparing for many journeys, all converging at the same time. Kind Father, be our guide.
While we are away our kids will remain in Wilmore. A good friend from Michigan is coming to being the week and then our mothers will come in to cover the remainder of the time. We are thankful and blessed for their contribution to this journey. We return March 26th.
The trip is marked by a tinge of sadness. One of the families in our cohort has a set of parents in Korea. They are taking their kids to visit their Korean grandparents for three months. Aravis and Kyrie have said a tearful goodbye to a very good friend. It is a reminder that our program is nearing the end.
With the end fast approaching there are three concerns we talk about each day: 1) where we're going to live next, 2) how is the dissertation going, and 3) what are the last class assignments. The conversations come in that order of priority. We are thankful for the prayers of our friends who lift us up to "the kind Father." In this liminal moment we are waiting with expectation for the call to "follow me" in a particular place. We identify with ancients who could be at rest and at the same time, be restless in the care of the "kind Father."
These are days when we are preparing for many journeys, all converging at the same time. Kind Father, be our guide.
14 August 2011
News of the week - August 14, 2011
This past week has been filled with observation and learning.
Last weekend the Beeson Pastors and families went to Cincinnati, Ohio to worship at two different churches and visit the Newport Aquarium. We worshiped at Crossroads Church and the Cincinnati Vineyard. Crossroads was a unique experience. Their lobby or gathering spot looks to be the largest open space in their entire building. The children's area is big with classrooms and walkways large enough to handle lots of kids. The sanctuary is an amazing feat in engineering. They are able to seat about 3500 people in a very small space - they have a second and third floor balcony. The feel of worship at Crossroads for me, was like going to a movie or a theater show. We sat in the dark and watched what happened up front. Their guest speaker in introducing himself said he liked a lot of things, among his list was red wine. Interesting. He also referenced Walter Brugemann in his sermon.
At Vineyard we heard a similar kind of music. Their building is configured differently and it feels less obvious as to where you ought to go. Both churches had warm and welcoming guest services people who directed us to where we might want to go. After worship and lunch at their cafe, the executive Pastor at the Vineyard talked with us about their story, especially the story of transition from their founding pastor to their new pastor. After this interchange he took us over to the most interesting place on their campus, their student ministry and healing arts building. They had some flashy stuff on the student side. Their healing art ministry is incredible; hosting a clothing and food distribution ministry, hosting english and spanish as second language courses, hosting over 40 different kinds of ministry to the body, soul and mind, and on Sunday, hosting a Hispanic service. I am amazed at the intentionality and passion behind their service to the those in need, to the looked over in their community.
At the Newport Aquarium, the great joy was in watching the kids delight in the manifold glory of God through the wonder of creation. They were impressed. Aravis and Kyrie loved the jellyfish. Moses and Asa loved the shark tank.
This weekend the Beeson Pastors have traveled to South Bend and then Chicago. In South Bend we visited with the Executive Pastor of Granger Community Church and then participated in the simulcast Willow Creek Conference at that site. Granger is a large United Methodist Church although you might have a hard time finding that out because it is nowhere to be found on the campus. A year ago they hosted a conference entitled "The And Conference." One of our BP's attended their conference and suggested to us that their desire is to be an attractional church and also missional. The Executive Pastor shared with us about some current building plans and what they have been a part of in India and what they hope to do in their home town. In India over the past 10 years they have helped plant over 1000 churches. In their own backyard they are making plans to launch 30 missional communities in the next year. A missional community as they talk of it is could be best described as a cell church/home church/small church from 10 to 50 people, who may or may never visit Granger.
Willow Creek's Leadership Summit was another gem. They had a great faculty. Erwin McManus did some great theological work. A dear woman from Egypt inspired us by speaking of her lessons learned in a hard calling in life. Patrick Lencioni and Steven Furtick were funny and biblical.
Yesterday we drove from South Bend to Chicago. Several of our BP's had never been to Chicago. We parked under Millennium park, took in the great city scape around us, walked to Geno's East for pizza, ate the pizza among pigeons in a park, went to Willow and capped the night off with a Thai restaurant. Bill Hybles didn't speak, but he was there and he led the congregation in a time of prayer. Something very different between this experience and the two previous was the intentionality, intensity and focus of prayer. Hybles led us to pray for people who we know and love who haven't yet opened their lives to Jesus.
Another endeavor that I've been working on this week is a class assignment called a spiritual autobiography. That has been a difficult and joyous project as I write about my life and where God has met me, challenged me, and been at work shaping me.
For several weeks Anna and I have been running. On this trip I went with another BP, Ken Nash. Ken is training for a 1/2 marathon in Lousiville at the end of October. He's trying to convince me to run the race also. I'm thinking about it. I went running with him two mornings and one morning ran more distance at one time than at any point in my life, over 6 miles. It felt great. If we can keep up the training through some other travel experiences maybe I'll join Ken in Louisville at the end of October.
While it's been fun, insightful and inspiring, I'm ready to get home. See you tonight Wilmore.
Last weekend the Beeson Pastors and families went to Cincinnati, Ohio to worship at two different churches and visit the Newport Aquarium. We worshiped at Crossroads Church and the Cincinnati Vineyard. Crossroads was a unique experience. Their lobby or gathering spot looks to be the largest open space in their entire building. The children's area is big with classrooms and walkways large enough to handle lots of kids. The sanctuary is an amazing feat in engineering. They are able to seat about 3500 people in a very small space - they have a second and third floor balcony. The feel of worship at Crossroads for me, was like going to a movie or a theater show. We sat in the dark and watched what happened up front. Their guest speaker in introducing himself said he liked a lot of things, among his list was red wine. Interesting. He also referenced Walter Brugemann in his sermon.
At Vineyard we heard a similar kind of music. Their building is configured differently and it feels less obvious as to where you ought to go. Both churches had warm and welcoming guest services people who directed us to where we might want to go. After worship and lunch at their cafe, the executive Pastor at the Vineyard talked with us about their story, especially the story of transition from their founding pastor to their new pastor. After this interchange he took us over to the most interesting place on their campus, their student ministry and healing arts building. They had some flashy stuff on the student side. Their healing art ministry is incredible; hosting a clothing and food distribution ministry, hosting english and spanish as second language courses, hosting over 40 different kinds of ministry to the body, soul and mind, and on Sunday, hosting a Hispanic service. I am amazed at the intentionality and passion behind their service to the those in need, to the looked over in their community.
At the Newport Aquarium, the great joy was in watching the kids delight in the manifold glory of God through the wonder of creation. They were impressed. Aravis and Kyrie loved the jellyfish. Moses and Asa loved the shark tank.
This weekend the Beeson Pastors have traveled to South Bend and then Chicago. In South Bend we visited with the Executive Pastor of Granger Community Church and then participated in the simulcast Willow Creek Conference at that site. Granger is a large United Methodist Church although you might have a hard time finding that out because it is nowhere to be found on the campus. A year ago they hosted a conference entitled "The And Conference." One of our BP's attended their conference and suggested to us that their desire is to be an attractional church and also missional. The Executive Pastor shared with us about some current building plans and what they have been a part of in India and what they hope to do in their home town. In India over the past 10 years they have helped plant over 1000 churches. In their own backyard they are making plans to launch 30 missional communities in the next year. A missional community as they talk of it is could be best described as a cell church/home church/small church from 10 to 50 people, who may or may never visit Granger.
Willow Creek's Leadership Summit was another gem. They had a great faculty. Erwin McManus did some great theological work. A dear woman from Egypt inspired us by speaking of her lessons learned in a hard calling in life. Patrick Lencioni and Steven Furtick were funny and biblical.
Yesterday we drove from South Bend to Chicago. Several of our BP's had never been to Chicago. We parked under Millennium park, took in the great city scape around us, walked to Geno's East for pizza, ate the pizza among pigeons in a park, went to Willow and capped the night off with a Thai restaurant. Bill Hybles didn't speak, but he was there and he led the congregation in a time of prayer. Something very different between this experience and the two previous was the intentionality, intensity and focus of prayer. Hybles led us to pray for people who we know and love who haven't yet opened their lives to Jesus.
Another endeavor that I've been working on this week is a class assignment called a spiritual autobiography. That has been a difficult and joyous project as I write about my life and where God has met me, challenged me, and been at work shaping me.
For several weeks Anna and I have been running. On this trip I went with another BP, Ken Nash. Ken is training for a 1/2 marathon in Lousiville at the end of October. He's trying to convince me to run the race also. I'm thinking about it. I went running with him two mornings and one morning ran more distance at one time than at any point in my life, over 6 miles. It felt great. If we can keep up the training through some other travel experiences maybe I'll join Ken in Louisville at the end of October.
While it's been fun, insightful and inspiring, I'm ready to get home. See you tonight Wilmore.
10 July 2011
The Move Completed
Our temporary move to Kentucky is completed.
We arrived about 10 days ago. We unpacked, put things in order and on Friday, we began our orientation to the Beeson program at Asbury.
We've been able to meet and fellowship with my classmates for the coming year, they are super people, who have already provided a number of laughs along the way.
In preparing to move Anna and I had many discussions about how much stuff we could bring. The townhouses where we stay are furnished with furniture, we had to bring clothing, bedding, dishes, toys for the kids, but not much else. One of my classmates husbands, posted on a facebook page that in packing we ought to pack lite, for the simple life. I related this post to Anna and we had great discussions if this was possible; what was the full meaning of packing lite.
To make the move we rented a 6' X 12' trailer from U-haul and pulled it with our pick-up truck. We were surprised at the end of our packing day in Michigan to realize we had more room available in the trailer than we anticipated. Anna had done a great job of packing lite.
When my classmate arrived with her husband from Texas, they had a moving truck from a rental company; a 16 footer, and the truck was mostly full. I told my classmates husband that his admonition had been greatly considered in our house and he was going to get me a in a lot of trouble. He pointed to a car that they had towed with them, and explained that much of what they had brought; things like a welder, car ramps, etc, was to work on a very unique car. Their Hyundai car has been converted to electric, and like many conversion projects, there remains work to be done.
Storing worldly goods had been a question many of us have faced in our move to Wilmore. A couple of my classmates were able to rent their homes out and leave a significant amount of stuff in their own homes. We were in a parsonage in Mt. Pleasant and needed to move our things. We began looking for storage units at the first of June, noting that there are several in the Mt. Pleasant area. We found that they were all occupied. One night we were sharing our discovery with some people in the church in conversation and someone asked, "have you thought about a buying a semi-trailer?"
No. The thought was completely foreign, out of left field, but completely reasonable once we began to ponder it. We could load it once, park it just about anywhere, and when we move again in 11 months, hook onto it and take it to the new place.Plus, it has re-sale value.
So buy a semi-trailer is what we did. It's 48 foot long, and as my mother-in-law said, it's long enough to put 4 or 5 tractors in when we're done moving:-) Anna loved that remark! (My tongue is firmly in my cheek.)
Thanks to the great folks at Central Michigan Free Methodist Church, our load up time was minimal and things are well cared for.
The day of our move held a long farewell. Sergej Visnakov, who had lived with us for almost a year was set to return to Germany. His flight left Lansing in the evening. With the trailer's loaded and ready to roll, we bid Mt. Pleasant a farewell and headed south. Aravis rode with me in our pick-up and everyone else rode with Anna. Sergej was blessed to have some high school friends meet him at the airport to bid him off. There were long hugs and a few tears as we said good bye. Thanks to Skype, we've been able to talk with him and his parents in Germany.
We spent the night with my parents and then completed our journey. Shelly Miller and Karen Brookens blessed us with travel goodies. Their abundant blessing of treats has kept our sweet tooth's satisfied for the past 10 days.
As we arrived in Wilmore we were met by familiar faces and dear friends who helped us in our unloading endeavor. It wasn't long before we were enjoying a fresh Ale-8-one.
This last Friday the seven Beeson Pastors began orientation. The seven of us hail from Korea, Japan, and North America. We are 3 women and 4 men. We are diverse in age and experience. We are all unpacked and ready for the adventure that is awaiting us this year.
We arrived about 10 days ago. We unpacked, put things in order and on Friday, we began our orientation to the Beeson program at Asbury.
We've been able to meet and fellowship with my classmates for the coming year, they are super people, who have already provided a number of laughs along the way.
In preparing to move Anna and I had many discussions about how much stuff we could bring. The townhouses where we stay are furnished with furniture, we had to bring clothing, bedding, dishes, toys for the kids, but not much else. One of my classmates husbands, posted on a facebook page that in packing we ought to pack lite, for the simple life. I related this post to Anna and we had great discussions if this was possible; what was the full meaning of packing lite.
To make the move we rented a 6' X 12' trailer from U-haul and pulled it with our pick-up truck. We were surprised at the end of our packing day in Michigan to realize we had more room available in the trailer than we anticipated. Anna had done a great job of packing lite.
When my classmate arrived with her husband from Texas, they had a moving truck from a rental company; a 16 footer, and the truck was mostly full. I told my classmates husband that his admonition had been greatly considered in our house and he was going to get me a in a lot of trouble. He pointed to a car that they had towed with them, and explained that much of what they had brought; things like a welder, car ramps, etc, was to work on a very unique car. Their Hyundai car has been converted to electric, and like many conversion projects, there remains work to be done.
Storing worldly goods had been a question many of us have faced in our move to Wilmore. A couple of my classmates were able to rent their homes out and leave a significant amount of stuff in their own homes. We were in a parsonage in Mt. Pleasant and needed to move our things. We began looking for storage units at the first of June, noting that there are several in the Mt. Pleasant area. We found that they were all occupied. One night we were sharing our discovery with some people in the church in conversation and someone asked, "have you thought about a buying a semi-trailer?"
No. The thought was completely foreign, out of left field, but completely reasonable once we began to ponder it. We could load it once, park it just about anywhere, and when we move again in 11 months, hook onto it and take it to the new place.Plus, it has re-sale value.
So buy a semi-trailer is what we did. It's 48 foot long, and as my mother-in-law said, it's long enough to put 4 or 5 tractors in when we're done moving:-) Anna loved that remark! (My tongue is firmly in my cheek.)
Thanks to the great folks at Central Michigan Free Methodist Church, our load up time was minimal and things are well cared for.
The day of our move held a long farewell. Sergej Visnakov, who had lived with us for almost a year was set to return to Germany. His flight left Lansing in the evening. With the trailer's loaded and ready to roll, we bid Mt. Pleasant a farewell and headed south. Aravis rode with me in our pick-up and everyone else rode with Anna. Sergej was blessed to have some high school friends meet him at the airport to bid him off. There were long hugs and a few tears as we said good bye. Thanks to Skype, we've been able to talk with him and his parents in Germany.
We spent the night with my parents and then completed our journey. Shelly Miller and Karen Brookens blessed us with travel goodies. Their abundant blessing of treats has kept our sweet tooth's satisfied for the past 10 days.
As we arrived in Wilmore we were met by familiar faces and dear friends who helped us in our unloading endeavor. It wasn't long before we were enjoying a fresh Ale-8-one.
This last Friday the seven Beeson Pastors began orientation. The seven of us hail from Korea, Japan, and North America. We are 3 women and 4 men. We are diverse in age and experience. We are all unpacked and ready for the adventure that is awaiting us this year.
21 June 2011
Preparing to Move
In 8 days we will depart Mt. Pleasant and head to the very familiar town of Wilmore, KY.
Packing up and departing is proving to hold it's challenges.
While some of life has been difficult here, the joys and victories have far out paced the challenges.
Along the way in the packing journey (I have to admit that Anna has done 98% of it, and I've been taking care of ancillary things), I asked Anna which was easier, having a baby or packing to move. Her reply, "having a baby."
Tonight as we were in a discussion about what we can take to Kentucky and what we'll need to store in our newly acquired 48' long semi-trailer, I screamed out, "let's have a baby."
That's an impossibility now, so I guess we'll work out the space and pack.
There have been several questions about contracts and things that have come along in the journey. At times I've felt like we were in a ball of chaos. But this ball of chaos has mostly been constructed out of the choices we make. I've begun saying that sometimes our world is filled with the chaos brought on by outside sources, but most of the time the chaos of our lives is a direct result of choices we've made. Instead of being the captain of our souls, we're the captives. And yet, chaos is needed at some level. The ground of our souls needs a good plowing, a good work up, so that the fruit of the Spirit might arise and feed the hungry.
So we plow ahead, disturbing the dirt, making our walk a little more difficult, opening our heart to the Spirit of Jesus.
Packing up and departing is proving to hold it's challenges.
While some of life has been difficult here, the joys and victories have far out paced the challenges.
Along the way in the packing journey (I have to admit that Anna has done 98% of it, and I've been taking care of ancillary things), I asked Anna which was easier, having a baby or packing to move. Her reply, "having a baby."
Tonight as we were in a discussion about what we can take to Kentucky and what we'll need to store in our newly acquired 48' long semi-trailer, I screamed out, "let's have a baby."
That's an impossibility now, so I guess we'll work out the space and pack.
There have been several questions about contracts and things that have come along in the journey. At times I've felt like we were in a ball of chaos. But this ball of chaos has mostly been constructed out of the choices we make. I've begun saying that sometimes our world is filled with the chaos brought on by outside sources, but most of the time the chaos of our lives is a direct result of choices we've made. Instead of being the captain of our souls, we're the captives. And yet, chaos is needed at some level. The ground of our souls needs a good plowing, a good work up, so that the fruit of the Spirit might arise and feed the hungry.
So we plow ahead, disturbing the dirt, making our walk a little more difficult, opening our heart to the Spirit of Jesus.
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