The Boston marathon terror act is far too fresh in my mind.   It is devastating, death-giving and just plain depressing.  Depression is something all of us have shared at one time or another.  Depression may be situational or other, but it honestly asks and demands to be taken care of no matter how debilitating it is to us personally, our family and those around us.

 Depression is nothing new to scripture, yet you might think it never occurs according to some preachers.  And if it does happen, it is because you aren’t “right with the Lord.”  Job suffered the fools in first three friends, then a fourth, who all knew the cause of his depression, or so they thought.  They took what I call “the surface thinking” way out.  They just told Job he was wicked, a liar and not worthy of God’s care.   It gets so bad that Job’s wife yells out, “Curse God and die.”  WhatSt. Augustinetook as a further condemnation of all women (I have NO defense of him) was actually a cry of anguish and pity.  She couldn’t stand to watch Job suffer.

 An occasional bad day is one thing, but as Linus Mundy writes, “When we’re down and out, our fellow human beings are there to help us, more than we ever know.  Beyond that, our faith tells us squarely that we can ask for-and expect- divine help too.”

I have a great deal of admiration for those who know when to seek physical and soul help.   As I told the children in a sermon on April 14th, the three best words you may ever speak are, “Please help me.”  (See Psalm 30)  I long for the day when we can discuss our deeper hurts openly without fear of someone retaliating later on when we are most vulnerable.

 Here are some thoughts from “Elf-Help for Overcoming Depression.” 

1.  Feeling down is a natural reaction to life’s hurts, stresses, changes and disappointments.  The road to taking action and feeling well again begins with self-awareness: understanding depression and realizing just where you are.

2.  Information is your best weapon against depression.  Learn all you can about its causes, types and treatment.

 3.  We come to know ourselves well only after we’ve brushed up against a lot of adversity.  Rather than being threatened by depression, see it as a springboard to personal growth and self-understanding.

4.  Depression is an illness of the body, mind and spirit.  To treat it, you must pay attention to all of you.  Where are you hurting?  Ask yourself how you can bring healing to that part of your life.

5.  Because depression frequently has physical causes and effects, to really “cheer up” or “snap out of it” often requires medical assistance.  Turn to the experts who can help you treat it and defeat it.

I so greatly admire people who have learned to ask for what I call “inner help.”  Sometimes I think our society has come a long way from 1972 when Thomas Eagleton had to step down from the McGovern presidential ticket since he had received mental health therapy.  Other times I still see the shame some have, and the shame that is laid on those who are courageous enough to seek help. 

I see therapy as being part of God’s indelible light.  The beginning of the gospel of John says that the light came into the world and darkness could not put it out.  Not our darkness, or the shadows others cast on us.  ”This little light of mine” still shines, no matter how dim, and through help can once again glow and warm others.

Peace and hope,

 Pastor Dennis

Boarding the Wrong Bus or Plane

 Years ago Harry Emerson Fosdick, pastor of RiversideChurch in NYC spoke a sermon about a man who boarded a bus with the full intention of going to Detroit. Once he arrived and inquired about a certain street, he was told that there was no such street in Kansas City.  He had neglected to carefully look at his boarding pass, nor did he seem aware of the countryside leading south.

 That reminds me a bit of the second “Home Alone” movie where Kevin  gets separated from his family while running to a late boarding at O’Hare airport.  Kevin mistakenly follows a man with the same overcoat as his father is wearing.  He ends up in New York City instead of Orlando,Florida.

 As Fosdick says, the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) “did not start out for a swine pasture.  His desire was centered on happiness, freedom, independence-good goals, but the means he chose landed him somewhere else altogether.”

 I think that’s a pretty good metaphor for choices in life that turn out to be mistakes.  We all get on the wrong bus or plane at times.  What is important is to admit you’re on the wrong journey, even if you think it is self embarrassing.   I’ve found out that when I’ve made a mistake the person most embarrassed is me, since I think I should have known better.  

 There are a lot of buses running out there.  We have choices in our life, but we don’t have to travel self-defeating journeys.  All the major faiths I know of ask us to walk a healthy path, mostly towards light, which means self-awareness and maturity.  Whether it is the Eight Fold Path of Buddhism, or Christ talking about walking the “narrow path,” we are encourage to use our journeys, our wrong turns as building blocks.  

 Part of being on a bus or plane is recognizing that you aren’t the only one there.   As we are journeying into the season of Lent it’s a good thing to look around, be aware of where you, your family, and our Federated family are traveling.  The destinations are all interconnected in ways no GPS can describe.

 Throughout my years as pastor I’ve both made mistakes and journeyed with some success.   The same is true of church life.   I’ve found some people who just can’t forgive the past, nor move past it with a new boarding pass, a new destination.   I’m aware that I don’t have the past history, the journeys that many of you have taken together.   But I have a pragmatic awareness that we’ve chosen to journey together in the adventure of our personal and communal life.   

 I’ve been in churches where people who are on boards or committees say they can’t get along with some person or they just don’t plain like the other person.  That may be so, but once you take a position in a church you are pledging to work for the common good, to move beyond personality, and do more listening and learning than talking.  Yes, this applies to preachers, too.   When Christ said that he came that we might have life, and abundant life, I think he got the depth and challenge of human community.  

 Our life together is precious.  It is set aside, or as is more commonly called, holy.   Paul says that “we have this treasure in earthen jars.”   In other words, somewhere in our journey, we’ll break, we are finite people.  But we can use our travel time together to build a good and inviting journey that will attract others.

 I’ve also been with people whom you just can’t please.  Jesus spoke about this in Luke when He said some people you just can’t please, no matter what you do.(7:31-35)  I believe that each of us has the best and worst in them.  Part of who we are is our human development and history.  But part of it, and perhaps the most pressing, is the conscious decision we make on how to treat others.   Do we learn to grow in grace, or stay stagnant and insistent on one route, whether it leads to the right city or not?

 I’ll take the boarding pass for grace, although sometimes it’s not a direct flight.  I still have to switch planes to a healthier destination.

 Please come out and be part of our journey.  I give you a personal invitation, an unlimited boarding pass, to come and make our time together better and more effective.

 In Hope,
Pastor Dennis

We just started the Lord’s Prayer class on November 13.  The very first word we explored was “hallowed.”  Hallowed in Hebrew has a sense of being holy and also being separate.  So when we pray the Lord’s prayer (which never mentions the Lord or Jesus)  and say “Hallowed be thy name,” exactly what does that mean?

 Are we “making holy” God’s name?  Or are we requesting that God make God’s name holy, since the rest of the prayer is directed to God.  If we look at the idea of being “hallowed” meaning separate, does it mean that we are to cloister ourselves away from other members of society, or those who don’t believe like we do?  Many Christian churches operate on that later principle, that their style of belief is the triumphalistic or best one.  How can you both play “one-upmanship” and be a servant church?  It doesn’t seem possible.

 I think when we pray “hallowed be thy name,” we are saying that there is a spatial distance between God and us.  Prayer is about lessening that distance, but never entirely dissolving it.  There will always be a final unanswered mystery about God, an ineffable presence.  Scripture basically says in many instances that God is near as your breath, that the effective rule/kingdom of God is all around us.  Yet St. Paul also speaks of the mystery of life, its full purpose and meaning when he says “for now we see in a mirror dimly,” or darkly as the King James translates it. (1 Corinthians 13.12)  The alternate and just as viable translation is also this, “for now we look into a mirror and see many unanswered riddles of our life.”

 During Advent and Christmas we celebrate both the answered and unanswered in the birth of Jesus Christ.  The answered is that the Messiah has come, and come in the mystery and vulnerability of a little baby – the essence of God demonstrated in the weakest of all human beings.  This is the very beginning of what Jesus speaks and lives throughout the gospels.  What looks weak is actually strong in the Reign/Kingdom of God.   Just like Pharoah in Exodus who couldn’t even stop Hebrew kids from being born, so Herod cannot stop the coming life of Christ through the fearful actions he undertakes after the birth in Matthew chapter two.

 Come celebrate the mystery, the beauty, the wisdom, the singing, the sanctuary all decked out this Advent and Christmas season.  It officially begins December 2 during worship with a “hanging of the greens service” included during worship.  The four Sundays of Advent will find some of our families (remember, a family is one or more) lighting our candles.  December 16 brings the Kids Club pageant, “The Polar Express.”  The Bell Choir so beautifully led by Marilyn Montzka will perform that Sunday.

 Our Christmas Cantata will be presented during worship on December 23.  It honors the traditional candlelight service performed for many years by our choir and former choir director, Walter Hauswald.  Then come and share the unveiling of, as Paul puts it, “the mystery of the ages” on Christmas Eve either at 5 PM Family Service or 11 PM Candlelight Service.  Or come for both. 

 I wish you and your families the most blessed of all seasons, as we celebrate the presence of the one who is expected, who has come, and returns to our life to encourage and give us heart.

 Merry Christmas,
Pastor Dennis

She came quietly into the District Attorney’s office.  She approached the front desk where I was filling in for a clerk who was on break.  Looking at her anyone could see she had been beaten up.  Two black eyes, right arm in a cast and a sling, and she walked with a limp.  She was all of 38 years old.  And she looked a lot older. 

She came in to try to get the District Attorney of Stanislaus County to obtain ‘victim of crime’ benefits from our office.  I found a female co-worker and we interviewed her in an open room.  I was the only male in the office trained to take domestic violence claims, and it was a two-edged sword.  The last thing many victims want to see when they are seeking assistance is a male to take their report.  So I always made sure I sat a good two chair lengths away as I listened to their story and their medical and schooling needs.

Sheila’s husband had simple rules for her everyday life.  When she went to work she was given her car key and driver’s license.  She was allowed two dollars for any incidentals.  She knew that she had to promptly return home after work, within 45 minutes, or there would be hell to pay, in the form of “what have you been doing and with whom?” as well as a possible beating, sometimes with the butt of her husband’s M-16.

She went to her pastor who was a conservative Christian.  He reminded her that according to Ephesians 5:22,23 the husband was the head of the house, and she needed to remain faithful to his words.  He kept suggesting that Sheila needed to change her behavior to better respect the husband’s God given authority.

My soul ran cold when I heard stories like this.  I was restricted from telling her that I was a clergy person since that wasn’t my position at the District Attorney’s office.  The misuse of scripture and thus human life that occurs in the name of being a “godly woman” occurs far too often in some forms of Christianity. 

First of all, the scripture in Ephesians actually constitutes chapter 5, verses 21 through 33.  Any time a document is translated from it’s original language it is difficult to catch and explain the nuances of the original thought.  In Ephesians the apostle is speaking to a mutuality of affection of each spouse for one another.  Verse 21 begins with “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Verse 23 does speak of the husband as the head of the wife.  In the first century all families were also considered businesses. That’s not so different from many businesses and farms in our country.  But being “the head of the wife/household” in Christianity confers no right to abuse. 

The apostle goes on to say, in verse 24, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.”  Verse 28 continues with “He who loves his wife loves himself.”  The apostle goes on to state that each spouse has an obligation through Christ to respect one another.  Never is dominance mentioned.  In another letter, Colossians, the apostle Paul literally verbally blasts husbands for berating and abusing their children.

Christianity was seen as a faith that respected the personhood of each individual.  A lot of that got lost throughout the centuries, and there are still some churches who speak of the man as the head of the house in a dominance role when it is supposed to be a servant role.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  It was first observed in 1981 and has grown in openly remembering those victims of domestic violence which are mainly women and children.  There is a Domestic Violence Vigil  on Monday, October 1, 5:30 PM at the DeKalb Women’s Center located  at 1021 State St. in DeKalb.  Members of Federated Church  will be present. 

Then on October 21 we will have moments of prayer in worship for those who are victims of domestic violence.  You will again be invited to come forward and light a votive candle for those who are victims of DV.  No names or explanation required.  Last year was the first year we observed it and we had over 40 candles lit.

So I invite you to participate.  You are always welcome here.  I am claiming three words for our church this year:  Remember, Restore, Renew.

In hope,
Pastor Dennis Johnson

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” 
     Matthew 11:28

 This probably seems the wrong time of year to offer thoughts on slowing down in our life.  With school starting, some jobs kicking into high gear as fall approaches, you might just brush off these thoughts.  My wish for you is, that in the midst of serious schedules and harried hurrying, you find a restful spot, both within yourself and physically in your home.

 These are some thoughts from “Slow Down Therapy” by Linus Mundy.

 1.  Slow down; God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all-yourself-right now.
2.  Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past.  Rest there.  Each moment has a richness that takes a lifetime to savor.
3.  Set your own pace.  When someone is pushing you, it’s OK to tell them they’re pushing.
4.  Take nothing for granted: watch water flow, the corn grow (despite our drought), the leaves blow, your neighbor mow.
5.  Take time to actually taste your food.  God gives it to delight as well as nourish (even from fast food places)
6.  Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set.  They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.
7.  Quit planning how you’re going to use what you know, learn or possess.  God’s gifts just are; be grateful and their purpose will be clear.
8.  When you talk with someone, don’t think about what you’ll say next.  Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.
9.  Create a place in your home…at your work…in your heart…where you can go for quiet and recollection.  You deserve it.
10.  Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive.  Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

 I think it is Nat King Cole’s song that talks about the “lazy, hazy days of summer.”  Allow some of those days to drift over to the fall.  It will be God’s holy wind pushing them.

 Go well,
 Pastor Dennis Johnson

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing…”
          1 Thessalonians 5:17, NRSV

Anger by itself is a tricky set of emotions.  We have different and diverse ways of dealing with it or not dealing with it. Sometimes we’re like a nuclear reactor if someone’s words have seemingly “pushed us over our limit.”  And we let loose a verbal volcanic eruption of the hottest lava of words to emotionally burn others, some times to a crisp.  Our faith hasn’t always known how to handle anger, many times misusing the apostle’s words in Ephesians 4.26 (Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil)

 So I’ve assembled some Anger Therapy thoughts from “Elf Help,” written by Lisa Engelhardt and Karen Katafiasz.  Here are some of their thoughts:

1. Anger is God’s gift, part of the essence of your humanity, a response you need to survive and thrive physically and emotionally.  Use your anger to protect and preserve your true self.

2.  Anger is a signal – that your rights have been violated, your needs aren’t being met, you’re compromising yourself in some way, an injustice has been done.  Let anger be a catalyst to learn more about yourself and create change for the better.

3.  You can turn the pain of anger into energy for change with five steps:  Acknowledge your anger, identify its cause, determine what you can do, express your feelings judiciously, and if necessary, take action.

4.  You may have learned to avoid, deny, or repress your anger because disturbing emotions can accompany it:  You feel “bad,” childish, insecure, powerless; you believe you’ll be disliked and rejected; you fear being out of control.   Accept your anger as an emotional face—and a tool you can use for personal transformation.

5.  Anger can come in different disguises or be an unseen facet of other emotions, like depression, grief, irritability, anxiety, hatred, guilt, shame, withdrawal or resentment.  And sometimes those emotions can show up as anger.  Take time to sift through your moods and feelings to discover any hidden anger.

6.  In the process of identifying what’s causing your anger, you determine what is and is not acceptable to you.  This is vital self-knowledge.  Use it to guide your choices and shape your life.

7.  Focus on what you can do that will decrease your anger.  It may seem as if others are the problem:  if only they would change….  But you can’t change others.  People are not responsible for your anger, only for their actions.  No one else can “make” you angry, and no one else can take your anger away.

I wish each and every one of you a safe, restful summer.  I know that may not be possible for you all of the time, but I do hope that you have times of “R&R,” rest and recreation for your soul.  And while you are traveling, scoop up a small vial/bottle of water for “water communion” on September 9.  We will combine the water from the various places you’ve visited.

May you live the warmth and cool breezes of the Spirit this summer!

Blessings,
Pastor Dennis Johnson