Worship in the Works - April 2008

It’s amazing how the time goes by. I’ve now been here over a year, and what a year it’s been – for me, for us as a parish staff, and as a parish community. This month, I’d just like to share some of the reflections I’ve gleaned from working here at Good Shepherd. Many of these are from personal experience, while others are from those I’ve seen around me.

1. When you’re used to doing something with a friend, child, parent or family, it takes a lot of courage and faith to do it alone.


2. It’s very important to feel like you belong to something or someone.


3. Change is difficult. Unwanted and/or necessary change is almost too much to bear.


4. When you’re faced with a choice between “what’s always been done” and “the best thing to do,” you both win and lose either way.


5. Sometimes people step out of their comfort zone on their own. Sometimes, they need an invitation, or a nudge, or a kick in the rear.


6. It’s easier to do something on your own, but it’s so much more rich and fulfilling to work with other people.


7. When you feel like you’re at a very low point, the most amazing and unexpected things can happen to lift you out of the muck.


8. Christ invites us to have the faith of a child, but what about their imagination, courage, spirit and compassion as well?


9. When someone makes a choice for you, you have three choices: a) run away, b) get angry at the person who did this to you and live with frustration and resentment, or c) change what you can, accept what you can’t, talk it out with friends, and find comfort in the fact that everything will be alright.


10. There is nothing better than a good meal, a good book, good conversation, a good song, good friends and family, and knowing there is a loving and faithful God always by your side.

May the Lord be with us as we continue to strive toward wholeness and holiness in the future. I’m thankful for my experiences, opportunities and friendships I’ve been blessed with this year, and look forward to many more to come.

Worship in the Works - March 2008

Here's the latest newsletter article... enjoy.





Do you ever feel like there is something missing in your life? Like your life is unfulfilled? Empty? Directionless? Meaningless? Maybe you feel like there is something else you could have done if only you had the means or opportunities. Do you feel a burning desire inside you that you just can’t ignore? Has it been there for a long time? Do you ever feel like you aren’t helping others to be the best they can be? Are you using your talents the way God intended?
I can honestly say that I answered yes to a couple of these questions. If you answered yes to any of them, I’m sorry to say I don’t have the answers, but, maybe the stories of Jesus during this time of Lent do. If Jesus were asked these questions, I would guess that he would say a resounding “no” to them all. How do I know this? The famous last words of Christ include the following: “It is finished.” Some translations of the bible use “It is accomplished.” To me, these words come from a man who has seen his fair share of pain and sorrow, but also a man who really made something of himself. How could he have looked back over his life and said, “If only I had…” to anything? From the beginning of his ministry, he made all the choices of his heart. If we are to follow Jesus with our whole lives, then shouldn’t we also try to see our lives as a real accomplishment and success?
“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” “Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?” “Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?” I doubt any of us can say yes to any of these questions, but if we can see that we have made the most out of our lives and really invested our talents, then we can have no cause to “tremble” before the awesome power of God. It’s hard to see beyond our “comfort zones” and really be there in the suffering of others, much less Jesus who lived over 2000 years ago. If Jesus was able to go through all the torment and agony and still come out feeling successful, then I have no room to complain. My gift to Christ, who died for my salvation, is to die to myself and give to those he died for. This continues the cycle of love Jesus began when he forgave even those who put him on that very cross.

Worhip in the Works - February 2008

Sorry about the lateness in this post. March will be here soon... lol



Worship in the Works - February Edition



How do we talk to people of other faiths about our practice of Lent? Why is it that we give things up during Lent, or do special things? Why do we put ashes on our heads at Ash Wednesday? Lent is rarely one of our favorite times of the year. Images about sacrifice and dying to ourselves come up in readings and songs throughout the season. I would like to offer another way to approach this season. The following are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Elder Joseph, a shaker from Maine, wrote this “dance” song in 1848 as an expression of the shaker way of life, simple and joyful. Even though we have opportunities to simplify our lives, if left to our own devices, we probably wouldn’t. Lent is a reminder to us that God should be the first priority in our lives.


St. Francis of Assisi said, “First you Lord, then I.” Saints in all ages were known for placing their lives in the hands of Our Lord, simply. When I say simply, I don’t mean without regard for ourselves or our families, but with a single-hearted generosity and fervor that is characteristic of the people of God.


Lent is an opportunity to experience “metanoia” or holy conversion – turning as the song suggests. Even the words that accompany the application of ashes are “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” One way to interpret this is “I am a worm.” Another is that I am a person on a twisting road, and the utmost important thing is I am constantly seeking to make myself and my life holy. God takes great delight in our efforts, though we aren’t always successful.


I am going to join all in this season as simplifying their hearts, in seeing all our experiences as touched by the Divine. Everything from going to mass on Sundays or weekdays, talking with family and friends, having dinner, going to the mall shopping, or even watching TV or movies. Then maybe I wont be asham’d to bow and bend when life’s surprises are blown my way, because I know, like the palm tree, I am again going to stand straight.