Reflections on “The Journey Begins” February 26, 2012; Mark 9: 2-9 2 Kings 2: 1-12

I was very dissatisfied with the sermon in the chapel service, so I adjusted it on the fly for the sanctuary service.  The original Move 1 shifted to become part of Move 4.  I also added in the new Move 1 the bit about what it would be like if Peter, James and John were telling their faith story.  both changes made it a better sermon, but I probably needed more time to tinker some more.

It was a short sermon due to having a baptism, and I never found a good rhythm for the sermon.  The Conroy quote spoke in a powerful way to me, but I think it was kind of long for a preached sermon (it probably works better in the written form).  It made me wonder about how to effectively use selections from books.  If I have to assume that many of the people gathering for worship are unfamiliar with the Biblical story, I might also assume that there is not a lot of reading going on, which means the quoting from books may be less effective than other ways of communicating.  On the other hand, I had a couple of people really enjoy the reference to The Great Santini [As an aside, I do not know how to footnote the reference.  I read the book on my Kindle, which seems to have location numbers, rather than page numbers.  If you are looking up the reference, it is in the last chapter].

After the bit about the disciples telling about their faith journey, I am wondering if that would be a good toll to sue during the Lenten series.  Maybe Abraham and Sarah could share some thoughts from their faith journey.  not sure how to do that, but it might be interesting.

“The Journey Begins” February 26, 2012; Mark 9: 2-9 2 Kings 2: 1-12

During Lent this year, we are going to be reflecting on our faith journeys.

The daily devotional guide everyone should be getting this week in the mail will have stories people connected with this church will share from their faith journeys.

In worship, I we will be exploring Abraham and Sarah's story as we reflect on what we encounter as we live out our faith journeys.

This morning, as we look toward Lent on the transfiguration Sunday, I invite you to consider some different things to notice as you begin thinking about your faith journey.

Move 1: look for holy moments.

a. Imagine if Peter or James or John were telling their faith story.

1. Remember that day Jesus took up up on the mountaintop?
2. Oh, yeah, I knew something big was going to happen. Every time someone goes up on a mountain its big.
3. And it was big that day. Jesus dazzling white; and then Moses and Elijah right there with him. Wow. That was an incredible day when I knew God was with us.

b. They knew they were in the midst of the holy that day.

1. peter wants to stay in the moment.
2. He suggests they build booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
3. You know, keep the holy thing going for awhile.

b. Look for those holy moments.

1. those times when you can on exclaim “wow.”
2. When the world seems to stop at the intersection of Holy road and you life.

Move 2: But, do not get so focused on finding the holy moments that you miss the holy one in your midst in everyday life.

a. the disciples had to come back down off the mountaintop

1. They was work to be done.
2. People to see.
3. Places to go.

b. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, God is at work in the everyday routines of our lives.Move 3. Sharing the journey

a. Invitation to reflect on your own faith journey.

1. Pat Conroy, the great Santini. Ben Meecham describes trying to pray to God despite the hatred he has for his father after his father's death. He decides that he has to re-imagine the God. “And what would this God be like, this God of Ben Meecham,...and in his mind Ben began to assemble the God he would speak to about his father...Ben would give him the sweetness of Lillian [his mother], the dark, honest eyes of Arrabelle (Negro house cleaner], the soft virility of Mr. Dacus [principal], the birthmark of Pinkie [friend] on his throat, and Ogden Loring's upcountry drawl. Ben would give him the shoulders of Virgil Hedgepath [his father's best friend], the innocence of Karen [younger sister], the spoon and tears of Mary Ann [sensitive sister], the high-pitched laugh of Sammy [his best friend], Matt's [his younger brother] intensity, and the loyalty of Gray [Toomer's dog]. And Ben would put this God on a street like River Street and he would have this God lift his voice in the holy song of Toomer. The hands of God would be bright with flowers that would never die and this God would sing and stutter and limp along an alleyway and pass judgment in the land beside the river...”
2. Ben rehearses his life and discovers God in the people and events of his life.

b. Share with others.

1. Baptism.
2. Who will point out the holy moments to Georgie [the baby being baptized]?
3. Who will tell her about Jesus' claim on her?
4. We need people to help us recognize how God is at work in our lives.
5. We need to be people who help others as we share our stories.

Move 4: Remember, it is God's journey

Is the story in 2 Kings the a story about the ending of Elijah's journey as he gets swept up in a whirlwind? Or is it a story about the beginning of Elisha's faith journey as he accepts the mantle of prophetic leadership.

Or is it God's story, and Elijah and Elisha play a part in it?