Dawn and Daybreak

There's nothing quite like the dawn.

It's that time of day when things start to get illuminated. It's not yet daybreak, the sun has not fully risen. But there's a growing light that lets us all know of the impending sunrise.

It's this time of day, between the dawn and the sunrise, that you and I live in right now.

Our baptism marked our dawn. We know that the light is here. Christ is here. Sure, things are dim, the light is not as bright as it will be one day. But we know we are being held by a power that is bigger than us. We are being cared for and provided for by a God who is very present.

And before we know it, the sunrise will greet us. Light in all its glory. We know brighter things are ahead. Reunions await. Shalom beckons. One day, the light in all its fullness will illuminate everything. This is where our future lies, fully enfolded in God.

This Sunday begins the holy season of Advent. While we often think its purpose is to prepare us for Christmas, even more so it's to remind us of another world that is not fully present, but awaits us, when Jesus will return and holy peace will reign.

So Advent is a time for us to embrace the dawn. We must remind ourselves that the light is here, we need not worry, we need not fret, we need to be encouraged and faithful in all our endeavors, fearless in the face of darkness and confident that the light will carry us.

About what do we need to stop worrying?

Of what do we need to let go?
If we’re really living in the dawn, how can we lighten up?

Thank God for Kidney Stones

My friend Terry had some excruciating pain in his abdomen.

He visited the doctor and went through a series of extensive x-rays. The doctor discovered kidney stones. When I visited, Terry cursed those kidney stones, they were so painful and debilitating.

The next day the doctor visited Terry, looking very serious. Apparently the x-rays had revealed something else, something unrelated but very serious: Terry had a cancerous, malignant, tumor that would need immediate extraction.

Within hours, the doctors cut Terry open and successfully removed all the cancer.

Now Terry tells me how much he appreciated his kidney stones.

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. It's when we celebrate these kind of absurd dichotomies. The crucified peasant criminal hanging on the cross, is really the victorious King, the savior of the world.

And it reminds us of the mysterious power that's at work in many of the challenges you and I are facing.

What we curse and fear may actually be what we desperately crave and need.

What we are painfully enduring is actually strengthening us.

When we live through what broke us, we discover that it's made us more whole.

Our pain may be our salvation.

So let us not be short-sighted and conclude that God or life is neglecting, torturing, or abandoning us, but let us be strong and faithful knowing that through the good and the bad God is working in us that which is most needful for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

When America Falls

Since the beginning of the Trump presidency you may have noticed an increase in the number of articles and books exploring the topic of 'the decline of America.'

Several authors have connected various dots to predict the erosion of this wonderful experiment in democracy we call America. They point to the increased influence of money and big corporations on our politics, the widening polarization of political parties, and the growing hopelessness many people in the hollowed out middle class feel as their dreams of prosperity become more and more unrealistic. They see hope slipping away.

And the fear of our demise is having no small affect on our citizenry. We feel jittery, stressed, and downright scared.

And while confusing and tumultuous times may be new to us - they are not to Jesus.

In this Sunday’s Gospel we will hear Jesus talk about the bewildering and unpredictable times of his era. He will describe an approaching epoch that is as distressing, difficult, and absolutely unavoidable.

And his advice to his disciples is also advice for us. Jesus says is to take courage, have faith, and endure. Jesus asks us not to look at the threatening circumstances but the faithful provision he will bring about.

Jesus tells his disciples he is well aware of the matters at hand and he assures them that it's all part of the plan.

This means the job of the disciple is to keep on keeping on. It's to embrace the difficulties we face with faith and courage, believing that God is very present with us through every challenge and will bring about a resolution.

Friends, let these uncertain times form in us unwavering faith. This temporary craziness does not take away from God’s ultimate promise of peace and purpose. So let us not be weary in doing what is right.

Jesus and Cash Register Buttons

Most coffee shops goof up my order.

In my mind, it's not a difficult order. It's only three, readily available ingredients. And when I order, I give explicit directions.

The problem is, coffee shops aren't used to making it. There's no button on the cash register for it. And the baristas fumble around and ask for help before assuring me that what I've asked for will be what I get. Most of the time it isn't.

When you and I wake up in the morning, 95% of the time we just hit yesterday's reset button. We are creatures of habit. We avoid change. We like things in neat, familiar boxes. It's about control, which probably has something to do with fear, which rules so much of our lives.

The opposite road of fear is the road of love. Love does not express itself in fear, but love expresses itself in faith.

When Jesus confronts some religious authorities in Sunday's gospel he runs up against this - and his timeless message is for you and me to be open to a more expansive life than what we're living.

So we ask:

How do are we limiting ourselves?

How are we settling for less?

How are we setting easy goals instead of challenging ones?

How is God working to give us a bigger vision, one that does not have a button on our registers, but asks us to think, act, and risk?

When Jesus promises us an abundant life it's probably something new and different, so let’s not simply position ourselves for the ordinary and mundane.

Chris Yaw

Hi, I am

Chris Yaw

ABOUT ME

Chris Yaw

Contact Details

How Can I Help?

St. David's

St. David's Gun Disposal

ChurchNext

Oakland Housing

Hyacinth Fellowship

Yaw Wedding

Blog