Alleluia!

“Belonging….One With Our God!”
Psalm 23, Acts 9: 36-23, John 10: 22-30
April 25, 2010

I am always careful not to be too critical of the Jewish leaders in the gospel stories.  Think of the cost to them in changing their assumptions about God, the Messiah, the sacrificial system, and their place in the whole religious structure of their time.  Think of the cost to them.....to you if you changed your assumptions.  The cost of freedom is sometimes pretty high!
          The implications of Jesus' claims were enormous!  It's as though practically everything that was understood about God was wrong.  Actually, things haven't changed all that much. Many of us today have assumptions about God that are "wrong,” by that I mean not life-giving and empowering, don’t align with the simplest glory of our natural world......I think “wrongly” assume God as stern judge rather than strong and gracious lover...so, we've been a lot wrong about God, too!  And what kinds of proof do you need to come to a new understanding?  What proof do you need that God is not interested in punishing you, but loving new life in you?  
        It's Easter and we search for the light of faith to shine understanding upon us.....to be able to see that part of ourselves and our assumptions that are laughable, notice that which we’ve taken too seriously, discover the path of love, a new way of the heart....courage.  Breathe, laugh, live, believe, belong!

Figuring out Easter….the belief and miracles of an Easter life.....it's a lot like which came first, the chicken or the egg?  In today's lessons, is it because some believe that they then can respond, or is it because they respond that they are able to believe?  I think it's both!  God doesn't care how we come, just that we come….to faith, to life.  We are invited into the fold any way we can get there!  
        Now what is especially interesting to me about belief/proof/miracles in the New Testament is that often whether a miracle happens or not, usually depends not only on the character or faith of the recipient but also on that of the people around them.  The paraplegic was healed because his friends were persistent and got him down through the roof.  Peter came to Dorcas because her friends sent for him.  There are many other examples.

 This fact implies something a bit uncomfortable about the key role we play in the lives of others....our willingness to get directly involved in their lives and its impact.  We are that powerful!  Darn!  I sorta' like feeling powerless because then I have a great excuse to do nothing but complain and whine and turn away.
         But the stories tell us we are powerful.  We are to be involved in the lives of those around us.  Praying is one thing (it changes everything…..sets up an energy change reaction)....but how many of us actually bring people to Jesus....or Jesus into the lives of others?  Boy, did you ever think you’d hear that phrase come out of my mouth!! I can't even begin to imagine what healing, what new life might result if we saw ourselves as the widows around Dorcas saw themselves....powerful, able, and involved!  I can't imagine what miracles might happen in our midst if we really stood by each other in faith when things get tough in each other's lives.  Literally, stood by each other.  Of course, you’d have to tell us first for us to show up!
        Caring enough to give the very best....yourself!  There is a resurrection power in the ministry of caring.  I doubt if Peter thought, "Oh, she's dead.  Too late.”  I suspect he responded to a call to come, as any one of us within the priesthood of believers can come….and care and be present.  And something miraculous happens during that time of care...something that couldn't happen all on its own.    
        You see, people don't care what you know until they know that you care.

And what is caring?  It is simply a ministry of presence....being there!  When you care, you show up! Showing up is sometimes all the miracle someone else needs!  Presence...this is God's promise to us....and this is what we are to offer others....it is everything and it is enough....a miracle….especially in today’s world.  Sometimes our faith is the only faith that someone has in a time of crisis!  Our presence matters in the lives of those we know. This is the miracle the risen Jesus lives and invites us to live!
      When we respond deeply to one another.....well, you can feel it....that feeling of being One with the Holy....with our Father, Abba, poppa….divine life, light, breath.  You can feel it.
           Jesus wasn't the only one who was one with his God.  You are.  I am.  We are.  Will you let yourself feel it?  Will you believe in its power?  Will you use it?  Be bold remembering nothing can snatch you out of Jesus' hand.  You are holy breath. 

Just sweet spiritual talk?   

Research shows that prayer actually physically benefits those who are ill.  Babies who are held in the earliest days and weeks of life thrive.  A simple act of kindness to a stranger can change that someone's life.  And most people who affiliate with a church get started because a friend or neighbor brought or invited them.  And most people who invite others to church aren't doing it so their church will grow, but because they have discovered something in their lives that is powerful and helpful and has changed them....brought them new life where they once felt dead!  Mostly, I think churched people begin to feel that they are not alone in a world of loneliness....there is a oneness!
        Yet I wonder....how many here feel alone at times....even right now.  I wonder what might change for the person sitting next to you if you butted into their lives with your presence...just to be there, to listen without offering any advice, to honor their situation.....You know, Jesus butted in all over the place!

*Do you care enough about others to share your spiritually?  Your faith? 
*Do you care enough to witness how your life has been changed by a faith community? 
*Do you care enough to give up some of your T.V. time or sleeping time or running around time to be with someone? 
*Would you go out of here with a copy of your favorite prompting and tell someone how   it touches you and why you want them to know? 
*Would you invite someone to come to the Annual Picnic or outside worship or Family Night or Mardi Gras.....invite them because you have something here so special in your       life you want to share it? 
*Do you realize that the Luhm's, Sheryl and Patti, Tom, Diane, MaryBeth, Carla are a part of our community today because they were invited to come because this place       mattered to someone already here? 
*How did you find your way here?  Someone else...or as Janie once said.....providence! 

 Jesus wasn't shy.....we are to be bold...it's part of how miracles happen!
                ...In caring about others we become ONE with God and with each other....the holiest number!  You are powerful.  You are the miracle.  You have a role to play not only in your own healings and miracles, but in the healing miracle for God's people.  You are a part of Jesus' fold. 

 One With Our God…our true self…the balanced self…with assurance….  
assertive not aggressive, sensitive but courageous, determined but not obnoxious,
aware of self without being self-centered, free without being irrelevant,
energized without being obsessed.

 Now that’s protection!  Now that’s shepherding!  That’s belonging!

 Now that’s lying down, being restored, table, overflowing, love and happiness pursuing!
      Not at death…but in life…in order to live. Hear this as an individual.  Hear this as God’s community.
      You lack nothing.  You fear no thing.…not chairlifts or bathrooms….not being asked to do much…not success or failure…not being yourself!

Listen to this….Abba and you are one.  Emma and you are one.
You are whole. You belong.  Breathe. Laugh. Live. Believe. Belong.