LAKE JUNALUSKA

Most people can't even pronounce Jun-a-lus-ka, let alone tell you where it is located. However, for United Methodist it represents 'heaven on earth' near Waynesville, NC, a part of the Great Smokey Mountains.



Each summer Annual Conference is held for members of Western NC. While business sessions can sometimes be tedious this year's debate about relocating to Greensboro brought about lively debate. In the end the delegates voted 2-1 to remain at Lake J. I am glad they voted in favor of staying at Lake Junaluska.



While housing, parking, and meals can be problematic, the spiritual dimension is immeasurable. For minister's children it is one of the constants in their lives. For life-long Methodists it is foundational. For visitors it is a welcoming respite.



The highlight of the weekend for me was Angie Hollar's ordination service. As Angie's friend and mentor, I can not think of a single person who embodies the spirit of Christ and possesses the gifts for ministry more so than Angie. As I bid farewell to the Lake on Sunday, I came back renewed and confident in my own call to ministry. Junaluska is good like that! It is a place that can offer you peace and perspective in a often too busy world.



The Lightshine choir of FUMC will be attending Music Week at Lake Junaluska , June 20-25. Have fun y'all! The Terrace will never be the same! But do me a favor, while you are there, hike to the cross, sit and look out over the Lake, and spend some time in personal reflection and prayer. Toss out those things in your life that are keeping you from walking close to Christ and breathe deep the spirit of God in your heart.

GRADUATION

"Well it's that time of year when the band plays familiar strains of Pomp and Circumstance, Chorus members sing the alma mater, color cladded students process in step, speakers make their way to the podium, diplomas are awarded and tassels turn.

It has happened for decades and yet each year when I prepare for our Senior Sunday,it is emotional and a time to reminisce. I usually tell the seniors that most of Graduation
is a blur! I mean I can't tell you who gave the Commencement address at Pfeiffer University. And the only reason I recall my high school speaker is because it was ME!

I graduated in 1976 which was the bi-centennial year so everything we received that year had an American flag on it! And the senior class decided it would be a great year to break
tradition, never my favorite thing to do. So instead of distinguished Shelby High School graduates in black robes w/ gold stoles, the females wore bright 'Yeller' rain slickers, technically our robes. I think that is the very moment I decided I did not like other people deciding what I
would wear.

So back to that speech I gave... it was on Faith. Faith in God,Faith in country and faith in my fellow man. Ironic, don't you think? Or maybe it was just the beginning of many 'aha moments!'

Congratulations Class of 2010, I look forward to hearing your personal reflections on Graduation. If you wait 34 years to write about it (like I did), you will need to send it to me in Large Print!

SENIOR DINNER ADDRESS

What kind of world do you want? Think anything, let's start at the start - history starts now!

The song, World by Five For Fighting, says 'be careful what you wish for . . .'

Back in August you were wishing your Senior year would hurry up and start.

In October we were wishing Hannah would HURRY and get to the church so we could depart for Valle Crucis.

And parents let's be honest, there have been times that you too have been wishing for this moment.

Well be careful what you wish for.

Because it looks a little different today, doesn't it? There are mixed feelings about this moment and that's exactly how it is suppose to be.

On our fall retreat we watched a video entitled "God's Chisel." Among other things, it reminded us that each of us is God's masterpiece. Fast forward to Youth Sunday and William and Jay reminded us again how SPECIAL we are.

But the song we used in the video goes a step further and suggests it is our responsibility to build a masterpiece fashioned by Gods' example. Will we be able to call our creation good and Holy? Will we be able to take what we do each day and make sure it contributes to our Master's design?

When you came in tonight, I hope you noticed the pool which looks similar to a swim meet. There is a Start and Finish line. However, could you tell which was which? I used this image because it is so tempting to look at graduation as crossing the Finish line. After all that is what we do, isn't it?

Swim a lap, get out of the pool, get a ribbon.

Even our church life is marked by many "finishes." Like Annabelle today, we are baptized at an early age, go through conformation, and then we join the church like last weeks Confirmands did.

In our school life it is much the same. Finish high school, cross the stage, get a diploma.

But sometimes it's easy to become so goal oriented and so focused on our dreams that we overlook the simple things that we should be enjoying in everyday life.

The next two weeks are going to be FAST AND FURIOUS. Do not fail to thank your parents. Give thanks to a God who loves you in spite of those things that need chiseling. Look around at the people, your friends and give thanks for them.

In this life, there is no such thing as a finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will toss you another. When you face an obstacle there will be another challenge. The currents of history only move in one direction and that is forward.

You have lived through tough economic times , natural disasters, war... we have gone through it before and we will get through it again.

HISTORY STARTS NOW!

It is not realistic to only live in the high moments, most of life is routine. So the question is, What kind of world do you want today? And each day after that you ask the question again.

Just like a swim meet, get out of the water, get back in and start at the start.

What steeple will you choose? What place will your faith hold now? Here I'm not just talking to the Seniors. Historically parents wander too at some point. So you have refocus, find a reason and get back in the water.

As Christians God challenges us to taste every moment and to Live it Out Loud. This is the time to be more than a name or face in the crowd - don't just blend in. History starts now for you too.

Each of us have different talents, different dreams and different destinations. Yet we all have the power to build a masterpiece. Let's start now to LIVE OUT LOUD!

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.