Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Journey Continues: Success or Failure by Heidi Jakoby
Jesus is heading to Jerusalem and is finishing his mission. Where are you on your mission? Where are you on your journey? (Luke 13:31-35) Yesterday the Canadian Joannie Rochette competed in the Women’s figure Skating Olympic competition just two days after her mother unexpectedly passed away. What an unbelievable performance she had. She skated well and with great emotion. At the end of her short program I could feel her grief and the grief of her father, all the way into my living room. She has been on this journey to the Olympics for a long time and she did not expect to be competing without her mother watching. How do you cope when your journey takes a turn you do not expect?
Goals, missions, expectations, plans what are yours? What are the ones you hold for others? How do you know what direction to go in? In some ways Jesus was lucky. He clearly knew what he needed to do and how he needed to spend the next three days. It seems like Jesus did not have any regrets. How do you determine what you are supposed to do next? As I have listened to many of the athletes competing in the Olympics I have heard stories of their passion and singular focus to be the best in their sport. I cannot image having such a clear and singular goal. Throughout life I have had short term goals, of graduating High School, graduating college, getting married etc. Looking back these goals seemed easy to achieve. More recently, it has been difficult for me to identify how I am “supposed” to spend my time. How do you discern how to spend your time?
So many of the medals have come down to fractions of a second, have you noticed how humble many athletes have been, even when they have not won. I noticed that many of those who felt they did their best were o.k. with whatever the outcome was. How does it make you feel to do your best and still fail? Have you ever had a time in your life when you knew you were doing what you were suppose to do and it did not work out how you expected? What was that situation? Did you learn anything from that journey? Take a few moments to read this description of Joannie Rochette and her family's story.
What do you think of Joannie’s story?
During this 40 day journey of Lent, one of the biggest questions I ask myself is what do I believe? Check out Fantasia’s song “I Believe” what is it saying to you? What does this have to do with your journey? (lyrics, video)
I can see it in the stars across the sky/Dreamt a hundred thousand dreams before now I finally realize/You see I’ve waited all my life for this moment to arrive/ And finally I believe
When you look out in the distance /you see it never was that far, oh no/ Heaven knows your existence/ And wants you to be everything you are
These are the two versus that really speak to me. We all have many dreams how do we know which to pursue? Is it enough to believe that dreams can happen? How do you live your daily life in order to be faithful to your journey and to your dreams?
As always I have more questions than answers. Jesus was journeying closer to Jerusalem and closer to facing Herod. He knew Herod was not the true King so he did not fear him but Jesus knew there was a number of things he had to get done and he continued to do what he had to do each day, despite what anyone else was trying to do to him, in order to fulfill his mission.
Feel free to comment and if you can join us on Skype Thursday at 7PM “bythewaycommunity” is our contact name.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Getting a new life: Is there an app for that?
It was a year ago this month that Apple came out with its “there’s an app for that” iPhone commercial , showing the world the variety of needs that could be met once you own your new smart phone. Since then the ad has been imitated and parodied into the ground, and some have considered it a hobby to collect examples of the many life situations for which there is the perfect app.
For example, there’s an app for people who are looking for the cleanest and closest bathroom, called, “SitOrSquat”. There’s a Stress Free app which can connect you to the stress-reducing exercises of mind-body healing guru Deepak Chopra. There are apps which help you to report potholes in your city directly to people who can do something about it.
Apps at their best help smart phone owners to make the right connections so they can get to where they want/need to go. Perhaps at their worst, they lull us into the illusion that there is a quick and easy answer to soothe our every ache. Now I don’t even have app capability, since my phone is of the not-quite-so-smart variety. But I still see the phenomenon as a powerful one to get us thinking about how we get what we need.
Come with me back in time long before apps… to a first century arid wasteland, where people don’t go unless they want to be alone and they’re really good at surviving outland adventures. This is where Jesus went right after he was baptized and a bunch of people could have sworn they heard God’s voice blaring out that he was God’s own Beloved Child.
Take a look at this story, imagining what it would be like to be hearing God’s affirming Voice one moment and the voice of temptation-personified the next moment… and for the next 40 days after that (Luke 4:1-13).
Whether you think of this devil character as an actual personality or just the killer tempting voice that all people live with, it doesn’t make much difference. Jesus got away to get some perspective on the choices he had to make. Was he going to go for the easy answers that the Tempter suggested? Or was he going to use God’s apps instead?
As we wander through our lives, we’ve got tough choices, too. Every once in a while we need to step back and get some perspective. You can step off of center stage and climb up to the balcony for a change: look at who you are and why you do what you do. It can be refreshing to do that. And if you’re really honest with yourself, it can be painful, too. That’s why it’s good to go on such a journey with someone else you trust, or maybe just a bunch of people who agree to reflect together.
For about 16 centuries or so, people of faith have been annually taking on a journey they’ve called Lent, which happens during the 40 days before Easter. Many have found Lent to be a deeply spiritual time of discovery and renewal. Sometimes so-called authorities have told people they have to do certain things in Lent, and the whole thing gets messed up. Lent is not about what you should do and be. It’s what you get to do and be.
I can’t make you any easy promises, but I’m willing to bet that your Easter Day will be a whole lot more meaningful if you take some time to ponder what kind of new life needs to happen inside and around you. What might happen if you take 40 or so days to make room for God to do some spring-cleaning? Time in prayer each day, reading a book of the Bible a bit at a time, journaling, giving something up that you’re practically addicted to, volunteering at a soup kitchen or shelter… these are examples of ways people change their patterns to go on a Lenten journey.
Perhaps Lent can be for you a kind of “app” which is not handed to you on a silver platter but one that you strive to make happen. We can do this together, praying for one another, giving each other insights, walking with Jesus together along sometimes-difficult roads, knowing we are held dear as God’s Beloved as we go.
Please click on “Post a comment” below if you’re willing to share your thoughts on what Lent might be for you or anything else that comes to mind.
If you’re in the Nashua area, stop by the Crowne Plaza near exit 8 on 101A, Thursday 7pm. We’ll be digging into these themes and experiencing God’s grace together. If you’re not near Nashua but have your own discussion/prayer group you’re meeting with, please let us know here on the blog what you’re up to!
We’ll continue this journey and see together what God can do!
Peace,
Kari
(For more on Lent's possibilities, see Settling for Less by Barbara Brown Taylor. And for some cool words on the practice of "giving something up", check out this brief piece from the sarcastic lutheran )
For example, there’s an app for people who are looking for the cleanest and closest bathroom, called, “SitOrSquat”. There’s a Stress Free app which can connect you to the stress-reducing exercises of mind-body healing guru Deepak Chopra. There are apps which help you to report potholes in your city directly to people who can do something about it.
Apps at their best help smart phone owners to make the right connections so they can get to where they want/need to go. Perhaps at their worst, they lull us into the illusion that there is a quick and easy answer to soothe our every ache. Now I don’t even have app capability, since my phone is of the not-quite-so-smart variety. But I still see the phenomenon as a powerful one to get us thinking about how we get what we need.
Come with me back in time long before apps… to a first century arid wasteland, where people don’t go unless they want to be alone and they’re really good at surviving outland adventures. This is where Jesus went right after he was baptized and a bunch of people could have sworn they heard God’s voice blaring out that he was God’s own Beloved Child.
Take a look at this story, imagining what it would be like to be hearing God’s affirming Voice one moment and the voice of temptation-personified the next moment… and for the next 40 days after that (Luke 4:1-13).
Whether you think of this devil character as an actual personality or just the killer tempting voice that all people live with, it doesn’t make much difference. Jesus got away to get some perspective on the choices he had to make. Was he going to go for the easy answers that the Tempter suggested? Or was he going to use God’s apps instead?
As we wander through our lives, we’ve got tough choices, too. Every once in a while we need to step back and get some perspective. You can step off of center stage and climb up to the balcony for a change: look at who you are and why you do what you do. It can be refreshing to do that. And if you’re really honest with yourself, it can be painful, too. That’s why it’s good to go on such a journey with someone else you trust, or maybe just a bunch of people who agree to reflect together.
For about 16 centuries or so, people of faith have been annually taking on a journey they’ve called Lent, which happens during the 40 days before Easter. Many have found Lent to be a deeply spiritual time of discovery and renewal. Sometimes so-called authorities have told people they have to do certain things in Lent, and the whole thing gets messed up. Lent is not about what you should do and be. It’s what you get to do and be.
I can’t make you any easy promises, but I’m willing to bet that your Easter Day will be a whole lot more meaningful if you take some time to ponder what kind of new life needs to happen inside and around you. What might happen if you take 40 or so days to make room for God to do some spring-cleaning? Time in prayer each day, reading a book of the Bible a bit at a time, journaling, giving something up that you’re practically addicted to, volunteering at a soup kitchen or shelter… these are examples of ways people change their patterns to go on a Lenten journey.
Perhaps Lent can be for you a kind of “app” which is not handed to you on a silver platter but one that you strive to make happen. We can do this together, praying for one another, giving each other insights, walking with Jesus together along sometimes-difficult roads, knowing we are held dear as God’s Beloved as we go.
Please click on “Post a comment” below if you’re willing to share your thoughts on what Lent might be for you or anything else that comes to mind.
If you’re in the Nashua area, stop by the Crowne Plaza near exit 8 on 101A, Thursday 7pm. We’ll be digging into these themes and experiencing God’s grace together. If you’re not near Nashua but have your own discussion/prayer group you’re meeting with, please let us know here on the blog what you’re up to!
We’ll continue this journey and see together what God can do!
Peace,
Kari
(For more on Lent's possibilities, see Settling for Less by Barbara Brown Taylor. And for some cool words on the practice of "giving something up", check out this brief piece from the sarcastic lutheran )
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
High on Glory / Googling God by Kari Henkelmann Keyl
Glory… some hunger for it and some shy away from it. Some look for it in others and in the world around them. Some point to the sky when they’ve done something note-worthy, giving any glory that may come their way to a higher power. From Super Bowl splash to Olympic beginnings, this just might be a week to ponder glory.
This week is a glory-filled one for those New Orleans folks who love their Saints. I can't help but smile when I think of this struggling, once-glorious city, feeling a surge of self-confidence again because of their Super Bowl win. I for one sincerely hope they get an economic surge as well; it’s been a long post-Katrina haul, and they could use a break.
I’ve also enjoyed perusing through the Super Bowl commercials, which has become a sport of its own these past few years. A few companies are having their glory-moments because their commercials hit the mark perfectly. Plenty others leave us marveling at what they were trying to say and who exactly those companies think we are!
Perhaps the most acclaimed commercial was Google’s Love Story Ad, which took viewers on a seeker's journey and ended with the simple words, “Search on.” With much lower production costs than most, this emotion-stirring ad (created by Eric Schmidt) is truly a winner. The message is that Google can be a guide through life, helping people to bridge the knowledge gaps (as well as the cultural gaps) and find the sweet life they’re hoping for. You don’t need a Super Bowl ring to be glowing with glory. You can find it in the everyday moments of your Search.
Jump with me into a glorious moment in the lives of Peter, James, and John in Luke 9:28-36. These three guys have seen some wild things while hanging with this Jesus, but this is one unforgettable mountain-top trip. (I mean, we knew he had some God-power, but we didn’t expect to see him radiating light and channeling our two greatest heroes!)
Peter, of course, would like the glorious moment to last forever, not knowing that there’s a much more profound glory still to come. The light gets swallowed up in fog. They hear a voice, and there’s no doubt that it’s God speaking, telling them to keep listening. Stay tuned, guys, ‘cause this glory-story has only just begun.
And what’s that “exodus” that Jesus was chatting with Moses and Elijah about? That’s where we fit into the glory. Jesus was not about to stay in that moment of God’s glorious affirmation, as if that's all life is about. He walked forward to continue his Search to bring everyone into God’s Love Story. As we, too, join that Search for what is real and true, we can welcome Jesus’ light and power into our lives, seeing glory in the everyday, every time we bridge the gaps between God and God’s people.
I’ll end with some words of poetry to ponder:
Signs and wonders lead the dancing from the heart God frees from fear:
wings of angels greet the maiden, and God finds a dwelling here;
boldly may we lift our hands, bow the head, and voice Amen;
thus does glory shine at midnight: open hearts invite the starlight…
Cast aside all fear and hiding; hand in hand we dance the round.
God is with us, Christ, abiding, and the Spirit’s gifts abound.
Called by God to holiness, let us boldly serve and bless;
and to hearts that sigh and hunger
may our lives dance signs and wonders.
from Signs and Wonders by Susan Palo Cherwien,
Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 672
Please join in the conversation by commenting below, offering your glory-stories or any other thoughts you might have. You can also join in by the way's audio Skype conversation, Thursday, 7pm, Feb. 11. Look for the contact name: bytheway community.
May glories abound,
Kari
This week is a glory-filled one for those New Orleans folks who love their Saints. I can't help but smile when I think of this struggling, once-glorious city, feeling a surge of self-confidence again because of their Super Bowl win. I for one sincerely hope they get an economic surge as well; it’s been a long post-Katrina haul, and they could use a break.
I’ve also enjoyed perusing through the Super Bowl commercials, which has become a sport of its own these past few years. A few companies are having their glory-moments because their commercials hit the mark perfectly. Plenty others leave us marveling at what they were trying to say and who exactly those companies think we are!
Perhaps the most acclaimed commercial was Google’s Love Story Ad, which took viewers on a seeker's journey and ended with the simple words, “Search on.” With much lower production costs than most, this emotion-stirring ad (created by Eric Schmidt) is truly a winner. The message is that Google can be a guide through life, helping people to bridge the knowledge gaps (as well as the cultural gaps) and find the sweet life they’re hoping for. You don’t need a Super Bowl ring to be glowing with glory. You can find it in the everyday moments of your Search.
Jump with me into a glorious moment in the lives of Peter, James, and John in Luke 9:28-36. These three guys have seen some wild things while hanging with this Jesus, but this is one unforgettable mountain-top trip. (I mean, we knew he had some God-power, but we didn’t expect to see him radiating light and channeling our two greatest heroes!)
Peter, of course, would like the glorious moment to last forever, not knowing that there’s a much more profound glory still to come. The light gets swallowed up in fog. They hear a voice, and there’s no doubt that it’s God speaking, telling them to keep listening. Stay tuned, guys, ‘cause this glory-story has only just begun.
And what’s that “exodus” that Jesus was chatting with Moses and Elijah about? That’s where we fit into the glory. Jesus was not about to stay in that moment of God’s glorious affirmation, as if that's all life is about. He walked forward to continue his Search to bring everyone into God’s Love Story. As we, too, join that Search for what is real and true, we can welcome Jesus’ light and power into our lives, seeing glory in the everyday, every time we bridge the gaps between God and God’s people.
I’ll end with some words of poetry to ponder:
Signs and wonders lead the dancing from the heart God frees from fear:
wings of angels greet the maiden, and God finds a dwelling here;
boldly may we lift our hands, bow the head, and voice Amen;
thus does glory shine at midnight: open hearts invite the starlight…
Cast aside all fear and hiding; hand in hand we dance the round.
God is with us, Christ, abiding, and the Spirit’s gifts abound.
Called by God to holiness, let us boldly serve and bless;
and to hearts that sigh and hunger
may our lives dance signs and wonders.
from Signs and Wonders by Susan Palo Cherwien,
Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 672
Please join in the conversation by commenting below, offering your glory-stories or any other thoughts you might have. You can also join in by the way's audio Skype conversation, Thursday, 7pm, Feb. 11. Look for the contact name: bytheway community.
May glories abound,
Kari
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
When do I follow? When do I lead? Do I just walk beside? By Heidi Jakoby
What do the Grammy’s, the continued Haiti relief efforts, many new commercials, all have in common? They are all focusing on being in relationship. Face to face friendships, fellowships, and communities, helping one another to achieve success, to help those in need and to sell products. Is the next big trend to connect with others in person???? What a radical idea.
As I listen to my friends and read face book and twitter updates are we all talking more about our in person contacts? About wanting to get together in person? I wonder how Skype has increase the face to face contact in our world. I know I see more of my brother now with skype even though we live over an hour apart. Is this the new face to face contact?
In this story from Luke 5: 1-11 (NIV) Simon said he was not worthy to follow Jesus, but Jesus does not listen and the men follow Jesus. This story begins with a crowd wanting to learn from Jesus and then a few took on the challenge of following Jesus and learning from him. What were their qualifications? What were their skills? What was their training? They did not know at the time but their time with Jesus would be short and then they would need to lead. Why did they follow?
When is it time to follow and when is it time to lead? Many leadership resources talk about the importance of creating relationships and knowing when to lead and when to follow. As the former Director of Leadership Development at Rivier College one of the things I tried to instill in all students was in order to succeed you need other people. People who can help you achieve your goals and people whose goals you can help them achieve.
As I think about Jesus leadership style I believe he focused on getting to know people, knowing his audience and then responding to their needs and at times accompanying them on their journey. This brings me to my wedding invitation and one of my favorite quotes:
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.-- Albert Camus
What does this mean for you? For me it means all relationships are a give and take. Each person is given an opportunity to lead and to follow. A lot has been written about being a good leader but what makes a good follower? What makes a good partner? Is it trust, faith, compliance, conflict avoidance? What do you think?
I know for me to follow I need to trust the person I am following, I need to know that they respect me and that they want to hear my honest opinion. Most importantly for me I need to know they sincerely care about me and my life, my success. This week President Obama was in Nashua, NH having a town meeting. The town meeting format seems to be a new trend in politics. Why is the town meeting format so popular? I think it is because there is in person contact with the people. This is one way for political leaders to come face to face with the voters and allow the voters to ask questions. This is a different level of relationship and a different way of leading.
This Sunday after the Super Bowl a new show is premiering called Undercover Boss: “Each week a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their company. While working alongside their employees, they will see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organization and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their company run.” (for more information) .
Why would an Executive want to do this? As a leader it is important to know what the people who are following you are experiencing. Would you do this if you were an executive?
Finally I invite you to listen to a song by the Grammy award nominated group Leeland, the song is called Follow You enjoy and let me know what you think. (lyrics, listen)
Please share your thoughts and comments.
If you are in the Nashua, NH area Thursday Feb 4th join us at Panera Bread on Amherst Street at 7 for some relationship building and conversation.
As I listen to my friends and read face book and twitter updates are we all talking more about our in person contacts? About wanting to get together in person? I wonder how Skype has increase the face to face contact in our world. I know I see more of my brother now with skype even though we live over an hour apart. Is this the new face to face contact?
In this story from Luke 5: 1-11 (NIV) Simon said he was not worthy to follow Jesus, but Jesus does not listen and the men follow Jesus. This story begins with a crowd wanting to learn from Jesus and then a few took on the challenge of following Jesus and learning from him. What were their qualifications? What were their skills? What was their training? They did not know at the time but their time with Jesus would be short and then they would need to lead. Why did they follow?
When is it time to follow and when is it time to lead? Many leadership resources talk about the importance of creating relationships and knowing when to lead and when to follow. As the former Director of Leadership Development at Rivier College one of the things I tried to instill in all students was in order to succeed you need other people. People who can help you achieve your goals and people whose goals you can help them achieve.
As I think about Jesus leadership style I believe he focused on getting to know people, knowing his audience and then responding to their needs and at times accompanying them on their journey. This brings me to my wedding invitation and one of my favorite quotes:
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.-- Albert Camus
What does this mean for you? For me it means all relationships are a give and take. Each person is given an opportunity to lead and to follow. A lot has been written about being a good leader but what makes a good follower? What makes a good partner? Is it trust, faith, compliance, conflict avoidance? What do you think?
I know for me to follow I need to trust the person I am following, I need to know that they respect me and that they want to hear my honest opinion. Most importantly for me I need to know they sincerely care about me and my life, my success. This week President Obama was in Nashua, NH having a town meeting. The town meeting format seems to be a new trend in politics. Why is the town meeting format so popular? I think it is because there is in person contact with the people. This is one way for political leaders to come face to face with the voters and allow the voters to ask questions. This is a different level of relationship and a different way of leading.
This Sunday after the Super Bowl a new show is premiering called Undercover Boss: “Each week a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their company. While working alongside their employees, they will see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organization and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their company run.” (for more information) .
Why would an Executive want to do this? As a leader it is important to know what the people who are following you are experiencing. Would you do this if you were an executive?
Finally I invite you to listen to a song by the Grammy award nominated group Leeland, the song is called Follow You enjoy and let me know what you think. (lyrics, listen)
Please share your thoughts and comments.
If you are in the Nashua, NH area Thursday Feb 4th join us at Panera Bread on Amherst Street at 7 for some relationship building and conversation.
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