Today, as I prepare for the funeral of a dear congregation member tomorrow, I cannot get the song Blessed Assurance out of my head...but I don't really want to either. Blessed assurance - a gift of God's unfailing grace. Funerals have become for me a sacred time of sharing with the family in their time of crossroads - crossroads that are permeated by God's presence, God's tangible presence.
God's tangible presence in preparing for a funeral (1 Peter 1), in preparing a sermon (Revelation 19), in harvest...
- the harvest referred to in a UM graveside prayer adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-9 saying, "As the harvest of your faith you reap the salvation of your souls."
- the harvest referred to in Revelation 19 as "the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings..."
Blessed assurance - there is much I do not know, but I do know that God will provide, has provided, is providing...God is good ... all the time, all the time ... God is good.
Just ask Miss Virginia, I will when I see her.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Passion and purpose in a new DMin...
The new Global Missional Leadership Doctor of Ministry program: http://bit.ly/VngV9 - launches Jan 2010...one word - Wow!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Meaningful Moments from Syria
There have been some internet availability issues recently, so with my wife's help, I am trying a new strategy. Hopefully, you will enjoy just a few memories from some of us. Please check back for your loved one...
Meaningful Moments from Syria:
Cayce -
In Maaloula, Syria, we had the opportunity to go a Geek Orthodox Church and visit the shrine to St. Thecla. To get there, we had to walk through a crevice through a "mountain pass" that lead to a beautiful church and shrine tucked away in the hillside. It was unbelieveable! When we arrived, I became so enamored with the chapel that I spent too much time there to adequately visit the shrine, but Jillian said, you have to see the shrine and the nun making bracelets in the shrine. So, I ran up there think it would be a "drive-by" moment, rushed and quick. Fortunately for me, God had other plans. I ran up the stairs, took off my shoes and darted in the shrine only to be stopped in my tracks. It was such a sacred space - worshipful and holy. I immediately knew that prayer was integral to this place, and that I wanted (or maybe needed) to participate and engage in that tradition of prayer. The nun spoke no English and I only know a couple words of Arabic, but I KNEW that I needed to ask the nun to pray with me, so I simpy kneeled down in front of her with my headed bowed and waited. THen the beauty of God's presence intervened. God's presence was so clearly there. Without any words, the nun took a piece of cotton with some fragrant oil and annointed my forehead and cheeks witht the sign of the cross. SHe then took my hand and placed her hand on my head and began to pray for me in a foreign tongue. Although I have no idea what she said, I know she was praying for ma and with me as I prayed for her - her people, her monastery, her land. SHe repeated the prayer a few times, and then she handed me a bracelet she had made which I will wear in honor of her, our God, and our prayers. May you pray with me and her for the remainder of this journey.
All my love to Amy, Amma Kate, Cullom, and Izzy...Peace to you all!
Shalom out,
Cayce
Meaningful Moments from Syria:
Cayce -
In Maaloula, Syria, we had the opportunity to go a Geek Orthodox Church and visit the shrine to St. Thecla. To get there, we had to walk through a crevice through a "mountain pass" that lead to a beautiful church and shrine tucked away in the hillside. It was unbelieveable! When we arrived, I became so enamored with the chapel that I spent too much time there to adequately visit the shrine, but Jillian said, you have to see the shrine and the nun making bracelets in the shrine. So, I ran up there think it would be a "drive-by" moment, rushed and quick. Fortunately for me, God had other plans. I ran up the stairs, took off my shoes and darted in the shrine only to be stopped in my tracks. It was such a sacred space - worshipful and holy. I immediately knew that prayer was integral to this place, and that I wanted (or maybe needed) to participate and engage in that tradition of prayer. The nun spoke no English and I only know a couple words of Arabic, but I KNEW that I needed to ask the nun to pray with me, so I simpy kneeled down in front of her with my headed bowed and waited. THen the beauty of God's presence intervened. God's presence was so clearly there. Without any words, the nun took a piece of cotton with some fragrant oil and annointed my forehead and cheeks witht the sign of the cross. SHe then took my hand and placed her hand on my head and began to pray for me in a foreign tongue. Although I have no idea what she said, I know she was praying for ma and with me as I prayed for her - her people, her monastery, her land. SHe repeated the prayer a few times, and then she handed me a bracelet she had made which I will wear in honor of her, our God, and our prayers. May you pray with me and her for the remainder of this journey.
All my love to Amy, Amma Kate, Cullom, and Izzy...Peace to you all!
Shalom out,
Cayce
Friday, May 23, 2008
Happy Birthday, Cullom! (Meeting the People of Hama, Syria)
Today was my son Cullom's birthday, and so I was missing him pretty bad. So I decided to try and meet a few people in order to honor Cullom in that way. It was beautiful. There was a lovely familiy by the waterwheel that spoke almost no English, but I eventually understood a few things, like, "I am so happy now to meet you," said in a way that was so genuine that it literally warmed my heart. What a beautiful moment that transcended the language barrier.
Later, we decided to take to take some sunset photos from an amazing park above the city, and we were able to see for miles and also to take in a church and a mosque in te same view - a great reminder that we are all human, all God's children.
love to all....shalom out,
Cayce
Later, we decided to take to take some sunset photos from an amazing park above the city, and we were able to see for miles and also to take in a church and a mosque in te same view - a great reminder that we are all human, all God's children.
love to all....shalom out,
Cayce
Three Pictures on the way
.jpg)
.jpg)
Picture
1 - Holding on by our fingertips at Crak de Chevalier
1 - Holding on by our fingertips at Crak de ChevalierPicture 2 - Ruins at Apemea
Picture 3: Waterwheel in Hama, Syria at night
We have had some internet difficulties in the past 36 hours, but all is well...We have visited the most amazing Crusader Castle and thoroughly enjoyed Syria. It truly is an amazing and wonderful place where today means this decade, and recent means this century, and ALL history is relevant. We went to Maalola where they still speak Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) and we heard the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic. We also went to a Monastery and the shrine of St. Thecla where went through a mountian path that led to a beautiful Church.
Shalom out,
Cayce
Shalom out,
Cayce
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Pictures of Damascus
Picture 3 - Ananias' house - now a church, read ths Biblical story of Saul
Picture 2 - National Museum - truly amazzing, first alphabet, 3000 BC artifacts
Picture 1 - Public Toilet (aka Squattie Pottie) at the National Museum (yes, those are my feet for perspective and a hose to the right to rinse off the floor...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)