Teaching us to pray...and to bargain with God?

July 24, 2019

There's an expression, "You can't bargain with God."

Biblically speaking: baloney.

In Sunday's Gospel passage, Jesus' disciples ask him to teach them to pray, and Jesus gives them what's now known as "The Lord's Prayer."

The very next thing he does, he tells them a couple stories.

The first story is about the value of persistence in prayer (using an example of someone going to their friend, not getting what they want initially, but persevering in asking until the friend yields).

We can bargain with God.

I'm not questioning God's sovereignty (a theological term for God's independence, or self-rule). But here's the thing: the very fact that God is sovereign means God can do whatever God wants! And apparently part of what God wants is to listen to, and respond to, human beings who earnestly and repeatedly keep sharing, with God, their deepest desires.

Just read this remarkable story we'll be hearing Sunday from the Old Testament, where Abraham bargains with God.

What's mind-boggling is that those stories aren't even outliers. Read the story of the persistent widow. Read about Nineveh, Jonah chapter 3, where God changes his mind. (God is God, after all...why wouldn't God have this ability?)

So what does this have to do with perseverance in prayer?

What's the point in persevering (in prayer, or in anything) if there's no hope of change?

Don't take my word for it: listen to Jesus, the Living Son of the Living God: 

"For everyone who asks receives,  and everyone who searches finds,  and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." As I hope to explore more in my sermon Sunday, our reluctance to believe this is rooted in our reluctance to trust God -- really trust God...that God is for us and not against us. That's part of the reason Jesus tells the second story after teaching the Lord's prayer. That story is about God's goodness. About how God wants, really wants, like a good parent, to give good things to us. The point in both stories is that it is appropriate that we human beings engage God... ...there is a give and take with God... ...there is conversation with God...and conversation is by definition two ways. Jesus teaching us to pray. And prayer is engaging -- really engaging -- God in a give and take, in two-way conversation. We're not praying to a brick wall. We're praying to God who is alive...and dynamic...and listening...and caring, and constantlycreating and re-creating. See you Sunday, 

John

The Unstoppable Invitation

July 19, 2019

As part of her regular communication with families, Lauren Breeden, our Director of Childrens' and Family Ministries, wrote a wonderful reflection on a lesson she learned from the Harry Potter books. Because I thought it was so good -- and relevant to all ages -- I thought I'd share her reflection as this week's e-news message. 

"Harry picked it up and stared at it, his heart twanging like a giant elastic band. No one, ever, in his whole life, had written to him. Who would? He had no friends, no other relatives - he didn't belong to the library, so he'd never even got rude notes asking for books back. Yet here it was, a letter, addressed so plainly there could be no mistake:

Mr. H. Potter

The Cupboard under the Stairs

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

SURRY"

                                             (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Harry Potter's invitation to Hogwarts was both unexpected and unrelenting. It was a profound moment in the series, the instant his life would change. It was also the beginning of Harry's redefinition. No longer an orphan, he had been claimed, and reminded that he was desperately wanted, and loved. Nothing, and I mean nothing would be the same, not even who he was at his very core.

Uncle Vernon knew the significance of the letter. Beyond the fact that it meant Harry would know the truth about Harry's past, and Harry's powers, it also meant Harry would have worth outside of what Vernon gave Harry. Therefore, the Dursleys knew the letter had to be hidden or destroyed. But, an invitation from Hogwarts was unstoppable. Nothing and no one could keep it from Harry. Eventually, it was even hand delivered by a trusted Hogwarts Staff member, and Harry was officially found.

Harry's invitation to Hogwarts was also a profound moment for me when I was reading the book for the very first time. (I will admit that was this year.) I burst into tears when I read the above quote. Why, you ask, was it so impactful to me? Well it was because it reminded me of God's love for us. 1 John 3:1-3 says:

"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will have not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

Just like Harry's letter, God addresses us each by name, meets us exactly where we are and invites to be in a relationship with God. It is a love that promises redefinition, and intrinsically reminds us that we were created to be beloved children of God.

However, our own Uncle Vernon figures often step in, and try to stop us from opening our invitation to a loving relationship with God. Sin wants to define us as orphaned, unlovable, and unworthy of being known by God. Thankfully, Hogwarts's letters don't back down and God's love won't either. God's love is unstoppable, unrelenting, unconditional, and wild. It searches for us, and even was/is willing to come to us in human form, willing to sacrifice all that is necessary to demonstrate the power of God' s love for us.

That is why I broke down: because I could imagine God's love flooding into my house, breaking down any barricade in its way, pushing aside all those who were keeping it from me, and even walking up to me, with arms out, inviting me to fall into the arms of God. I was reminded that I was known, loved and most importantly a beloved child of God.

Being defined by God's love changes everything. It reminds me to quiet the noise of the world's standards, pressures, and even desires for my life. It cast out sin's lies over who I am, and the value of my worth. It sets a higher standard for the way I am willing to be loved. Finally, being defined by God's loves challenges me to redefine my characterizations of others, and the way I see the world. I get to glimpse through the eyes of a savior who loves all the children of God.

Now my challenge to you is: Who is defining you? Have you allowed God's invitation to come in? And if not, can you imagine the type of love that would burst through doors for you? I wonder what would change if you believed that you were beloved?

(Lauren Breeden)

Thanks, Lauren, for that reflection!

See you Sunday,

John

Help, Thanks, Wow

July 13, 2019

Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers is a delightful little book by the inimitable Anne Lamott. 

And "Help, Thanks, and Wow" is on my mind today as I think about all that's going on at The Falls Church Episcopal. 

Let's start with "wow." 

Last Sunday, we had a fantastic turnout for the 250th Anniversary-themed lecture by Dr. Bob Pritchard on the challenges The Falls Church and other Episcopalian-nee-Church of England folks faced in the pre-Revolutionary, Revolutionary, and post-Revolutionary War years, an event followed by the "open house" of our new history and archives room (come check it out!)And let's move to "thanks" --  Yesterday morning, we wrapped up our week-long Harry Potter-themed Vacation Bible School, and here's what one parent had to say about it:  Dear Lauren, John, and Kelly, I just wanted to say VBS this year was INCREDIBLE. The kids had a blast, were engaged and happy, and came home every day spilling over with excitement to share the details of their day. I have never seen Cece excited for camp like this, and Chris and I loved hearing the kids animatedly discuss how much fun they had every night at dinner. I was blown away by everything from the theme, to the complete transformation of the church into Hogwarts, the lessons and activities, the staff (prefects, teachers, etc.), the organization, and the thoughtful execution of every last detail (and there were so many)! This was also Charlie's first camp ever, and you somehow even managed to make my separation-anxiety-afflicted 4-year-old feel comfortable and happy).  I don't know how many others will take the time to write, but I spoke with MANY parents, all of whom were completely amazed and grateful for what Lauren and her team were able to pull off. I even talked to parents of reluctant readers who said the magic of Harry Potter VBS sparked their kids to start reading Harry Potter at home and together as a family!  I honestly can't say enough good things about our VBS experience this week so will leave it at THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Lauren for a job incredibly well done. KUDOS!!!!!!! A very grateful parent and parishioner, Carla

And let's wrap up with "help." 

In this week's e-news, as in most week's e-new's, are various opportunities for you to help. 

You're invited to help make a positive difference in our culture, society, and wider world by simply offering your time, passion, and energy to a ministry of The Falls Church Episcopal. 

Just scroll through the rest of this e-news and consider the invitations, from

joining voices this Sunday in liturgy and music* to connecting-with-other parishioner invitations such as this Sunday's Midsummer Festival or the all-parish Tailgate or adult gathering at the Allvin home, or serving others through our school supply drive or our#250Minutes Of Service challenge. ...and those are just a few of the special, summer-time opportunities we have!  Help, Thanks, and Wow, you! -- you, one part of the Body of Christ called The Falls Church Episcopal.  See you Sunday,  John