Wednesday 22 July 2015

It's not what you say...

But the way that you say it!

These past three weeks in the States has been encouraging and inspiring. Never before has my accent caused such joy or confusion, nor have I been responsible for corrupting or improving the language of another. The use of "wee" for little has increased, sweets instead of candy, or saying "I fancy doing that/having that" now bounce about in First Presbyterian Church Morganton. We are picking up some of the drawl and the occasional y'all! I have been told that I could recite nursery rhymes instead of preach and get away with it.

Sunday 19th we had Christmas in July and we thought about how God through Jesus made himself accessible. Jesus the Word became flesh - God was now to be found in a language we could all understand - humanity. And not the regal, unattainable, posh language but the common language understood by shepherds and angels, by wise men and teenagers Mary and Joseph, and still feared by Kings.

I am sure there is some being lost in translation here. We nod along and hope we catch the jist of it. And for some it is like that with God. Somewhere along the line God's language of love and presence gets lost in translation. We think we have the jist of it but what we really hear is the judgement or condemnation. And nobody wants that.  Jesus is God incarnate - God with us, one of us.  And Jesus speaks our language - whether it be Scottish or American or something right different!

If you think you might be losing something in translation, perhaps now would be a good time to take a breath, find a version of the Bible that is accessible to you (there are loads out there) and read through a Gospel. Mark is good for those who like to dive right in there, Matthew and Luke for the details and historical aspects, and John for the deep thinkers, philosophical types. The styles are different but Christ is the same.

Just take a wee bit time and make sure y'all listen good. Jesus speaks your language loud and clear!
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John1:1

Bless y'all big yuns and weans!
Love Pastor Sarah (which when my kids say it sounds like Pasta Sarah)

Tuesday 7 July 2015

There is a time for everything...

And everything in its time.

I love the passage from Ecclesiastes about there being a time for all things, though I wince at the thought of a time to hate. I guess, however, there are injustices that we should hate enough to be motivated to make a difference about.
I suspect if I was allowed I would add a few lines...
There is a time to run and a time not to run.
There is a time to diet and a time to eat cake.
There is a time to go the gym and a time to go to the pub.
There is a time for coffee alone and a time for coffee with friends.
And there isn't a time when God isn't there...

Last night I was woken from sleep around 1am, my nerves jangling and wondering where the alarm was.  It sounded like a beeping alarm clock, followed by creaky floor boards and the rocker in Jess' room.  Eventually I persuaded myself to do a circuit of the house (minus Fitbit!) and of course both children were out for the count and all was well, and I don't know where the alarm came from. Suspect it was a phone telling us it was out of charge (why always at night?)  I went back to bed and prayed for a blessing upon the house and her inhabitants and went back to sleep with God on my mind and heart, convinced of his presence.

The middle of the night is a spooky time sometimes (and I'm not talking ghosts). But the darkness, strange environment, noisy insects and over active imagination can stimulate negative responses. Taking time to pray can help to lift the darkness, and the light of God to shine. And I know it works in the daytime as well - as I pray for his wisdom, courage, peace and guidance.
There is always a time to pray even when we don't know the words...

Can I encourage you to pray in the wee small hours as well as in the bright light of day?

For some the Church is living in the dark, spooky hours of the night, but I know God is still with her. And I pray for a blessing upon her, and all who call upon the name of the Lord.  I believe that the Lord is still present but we need help with our negative responses. Perhaps we need to rest and let God be God, and awake refreshed and hope-full.  What are your prayers for God's church? (And by Church I mean the people not the buildings, and to a certain extent the institution).

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Eph 6:18
In my prayers.



Thursday 2 July 2015

Flatpack Christians

It has been quite an exciting few days - crossing the ocean to the other side, thankfully with family in tow! And apparently we brought the cooler weather with us. Starting to wonder if I have a rain cloud attached!

We are living in a beautiful house full of character, and each house has its own character and design. I am sure there are housing estates where everyone lives in matching homes but I love the variety here. The floorboards creak, the furniture is beautifully worn - as in not flat packed - and there are trees out the back to rival ours back home. If I could design my own home this would certainly be a model for it.

The trip to America is an opportunity to learn, to explore, to see that the world is bigger than my wee world (though Jess (6) keeps asking if we can go for a walk to explore America.) It is also an opportunity to find out more about my God because I am well and truly relying on him. And he is reminding me that we don't need to be flat packed Christians, built up and flimsy. Just look at the disciples - full of character and personality, even quite temperamental. I keep apologising for my children for they are full of character and personality and Scottish "tell it like it is!" And yet I think perhaps they are more Christlike because even Jesus "told it like it was".

What did the psalmist say "I am wonderfully and fearfully made!" Let's embrace our variety and see what happens....


I am heading off to learn what Being Presbyterian means! ;)

Will post some photos soon.  We are all well and coping well with the tiredness.