The Time of my Life

Thank you to all the youth who participated in the worship service this past Sunday. What a true testimony to others about the way you LIVE YOUR FAITH OUT LOUD!

My friend Debs shared a song "The Time of my Life" by former American Idol contestant, David Cook, that picks up on the theme LOL.

The words are: I'll taste every moment, and live it out loud, I know this is the time to be more than a name or a face in the crowd. This is the time, This is the time of my life.

As a new class of confirmands is blessed this Sunday, I hope you will remember your baptism and confirmation. Indeed, as we say "yes" to God and our faith, we are accepting the responsibility to be more than a name or face in the crowd. It has to mean something and cause us to act differently, make better choices, be more accepting. It is not easy when we care what others think, when we struggle financially or emotionally, when things don't go our way or someone wrongs us. But God didn't ask us to LOL when it was easy. He modeled practicing your faith regardless of the circumstances.

As the song implies "choose to love rather than be bitter ". Quit "holding on to things/images that vanish into air". And always, always keep your feet on solid ground and face the Son. And then you can face everyday with arms wide open to Live Out Loud!

Finding Sabbath in a whirlwind

Well it finally happened, my two worlds collided! The Sabbath world I have been trying so hard to perfect intersected with my "to do" list in the real world.

On Friday, Charlie and I loaded up Ma maw B and headed to Chapel Hill for the weekend to celebrate Catherine's graduate degree in Sports Administration. For those of you not familiar with my reality, my 88 year old dementia challenged mother lives, moves and has her being with us. During the 150 miles trip, she must have exclaimed half of those miles 'well I see why Catherine doesn't come home much.'

Friday afternoon was a day of running around Chapel Hill to accomplish Catherine's "to do" list. The only crisis we encountered was Catherine realizing her Master's hood for Sports and Exercise Science was sage green and Carolina blue, apparently not in her color pallet! We had a nice meal at Nantucket courtesy of Catherine's supervisor.

Only at evening's end did I finally take a deep breath and remember there was an evening and there was morning, the seventh day. I gave thanks for mother being able to come, regardless of her mental condition. When mother handed Catherine the bouquet of fresh flowers from the Farmer's Market, Ma maw's eyes sparkled and "hi there girl" was just as clear as the day Catherine Rebecca Greene was born! In our hotel room Catherine literally went to sleep as soon as she sat down in a straight back chair and I said "well done ,good and faithful servant". Finally I gave thanks for Charlie and his patience and understanding with three women!

Saturday was more of the same. Searching for Sabbath time, I found it by the pool with family, friends and sunshine. As a peaceful breeze ruffled the air, I was reminded that "surely the Lord is in this place."

Sunday was a day of celebration. Once again I struggled between checking out of the hotel, putting on my make up and my mother's (not on the same face, thank you), finding a parking place and pushing the wheelchair versus recognizing the Sabbath in the day. I was challenged to find reverence in the chaos.

Closing my eyes and taking slow, deep breaths, God came to me

in the beauty of nature

in the tears as graduates' names were announced

in multi races, cultures and religions represented

in traditional music and new pieces

in commencement messages

in a grandmother and daughter

walking barefoot through the lush lawns

in my cell phone and sidekick email left in the car

in plentiful hugs, smiles and flowers

for mothers and graduates

Thank you Catherine and the Class of 2010 for helping me practice sabbath. "Sabbath is the great equalizer, reminding us we do not live on this earth but in it" (Barbara Brown Taylor).

In the eyes of the world, there is no reward for reflection. In the eyes of God, reflection is required not occassionally but on a regular basis. You have to wonder what makes people so resistant to it, because I came back from Chapel Hill refreshed spiritually and more committed to Sabbath.

Right Now

This week during our revival services, Judge Jesse Caldwell preached on the familiar passage in John 11. It is the story of Lazarus, who was ill. I have often thought of this story about Mary and Martha’s brother, as a family love story. I have also looked at it in light of Jesus’ friendship with Lazarus because, “Jesus wept.” It is most commonly taught as a miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
But Jesse brought to light a “backside.” Perhaps it is a story of Christian “impatience.” Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come to Bethany immediately. Instead, He waited four days. Isn’t that just like us to expect Jesus to come when and where we want? Why is it so difficult for us to believe? Jesus was there for Mary and Martha. He did not desert them or turn a deaf ear. Quite the contrary, however, Jesus did make them wait.
Is there something in your life waiting to happen? Maybe it is a career decision, a broken relationship to mend, an upcoming graduation, a baby being adopted? Have you tried pleading with Jesus like Mary and Martha did? They wanted their brother healed sooner, but it took four days. When they had lost all hope, Jesus showed up. And He was right on time for what he had planned.
We are impatient too. We want to be healed and fixed, RIGHT NOW. But it may be four days from now, or four weeks, four years or longer. But Jesus has heard you and he is faithful to respond. Will you be faithful to believe?
Isaiah 40:31 says “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”

It's the Little Things that Get Me!

Easter Sunday Afternoon, Catherine and I were sitting outside in the sun and were surprised by the over-abundant camellia bush at the side of the house. I must admit I have a "black thumb" so anything alive and blooming on my property is the result of someone else's hard work and TLC. However, I love fresh flowers, something I grew accustomed to from my mother's flower beds. Even after I moved to Gastonia, she continued to cut fresh flowers and arrange beautiful bouquets throughout my house. I continued this tradition for Catherine as she was growing up. She grew accustomed to having fresh flowers on her dresser. Catherine commented that MaMaw B. would really love those flowers and that she would light up if she saw them. Maybe that is the memory which made me get up from my comfy chair, go inside to get snips and cut some of the pretty camellia blooms. I brought them inside and found a small vase for the bright fuchsia blooms. I placed the vase on Mother's dresser and returned to my afternoon in the sun. Later in the evening, Mother came to my bedroom door and said "Bec, thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful." Wow! I almost lost it. My 88 year old mother stiffened by arthritis and debilitated by dementia was mobile and crystal clear with her expression of thought. I don't understand dementia. It has robbed my mother of so much quality of life, but for that glimpse of "my mother", I will be eternally grateful. And during the difficult days, I will recall her deep, abiding faith. I will also go back to the creaking door and Mother's deep voice saying, "Bec, thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful!" It's the little things that getme when I least expect it.

I didn't know there were that many different ways to pray!

Sitting on top of Crowder's Mountain, making a crown of thorn's bracelet, lighting a candle, walking a labyrinth, standing on Holy ground, writing a card to my brother, these are all ways to experience prayer and sabbath time in our busy lives. Yet, walking is one of the most easily available spiritual practices.

Imagine if Jesus traveled by car to do His ministry. How might that have looked? Think of all the distractions we have when we are driving? What opportunities do we miss? As Jesus walked He could pay attention. He could touch people physically and spiritually. I believe Jesus means for us to get out of the car and to walk at a pace where we can see, hear and feel His presence. When someone asks us where we want to be in our lives, the last thing that occurs to us is to look down at our feet and say, "right here."

My challenge to you this Holy Week is to start "right here", look down at your feet, take a deep breath and walk out your faith.

Open Your Eyes

On a recent flight to Seattle, WA, I had "plenty" of time to watch the movie, "The Blindside."  It was my second time seeing this story.  Near the end of the movie, Leigh Ann asks Michael, "how did you live through the distractions of Hurt Village (housing project in Memphis, TN)?"  He replied, "easy."  His mama would tell him to close his eyes when stuff was happening, and then she would count to three.  He continues, "then she would tell me that when you open your eyes the past is gone and the world is a good place, and it's all going to be OK."  

Perhaps I didn't completely miss this part the first time around, but I surely heard it differently this time.  Maybe it is because my Women's Sabbath group has been trying since mid-January to find rest and renewal in our busy lives.  Everyday we challenge ourselves to practice Sabbath.

Sabbath can be sitting alone in a patch of grass, a walk on the beach, preparing a family meal (OK, that's a stretch for me), or lighting a candle.  But when we can't do these things, maybe it is as simple as Michael's mama said..."Closing your eyes, and then opening them to realize the world IS a good place!"  Often times we tend to focus on all of the distractions and things going wrong in our lives.  That's easy to do.  However, when we take time to stop, look, and listen to the world around us, we realize we are constantly blessed by the steadfast love of God.

Imagine that quiet place and listen to the still, small voice saying, "Be still and know that I am God."  Everything is going to be alright.  

March Madness

The liturgical calendar of Lent always coincides with the NCAA College Basketball's March Madness. Recently, my 88 year old mother and I were watching a game and she commented on the size of the crowd. "Wouldn't a preacher love to have that many in church on Sunday?" Despite the havoc dementia has wreaked on her mind, she was spot on with that observation. Similarly, years ago, my father(now deceased) became agitated with members of his congregation who complained when the church service "ran long." He was old in years, but wise in counsel when he said, "at a ballgame we cheer for it to go into overtime! While at church, we become irritated with OT. "

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy basketball, March Madness, college crowds
and overtime, but like my parents I wish the church was the recipient of this same passion and desire that drives the NCAA Tournament.



Good luck to the Lady Jaguars in your quest for a 3A NC State Title!