Good afternoon, Loved Ones,

A little earlier this week than last, but still unable to say "Good morning!" This afternoon I look out my window and see our apple tree that is most prolific. Of the four apple trees and two pear trees in our yard there is one that produces far more fruit than all the others combined. This year looks to be a very fruitful year. That particular tree is full of green golf ball sized apples and is already beginning to sag under the load. What an amazing thing! I can already taste the apple crisp, pies, applesauce and the simple, juicy goodness of the apples. One of the evening Psalms for the day speak of faithful people as trees. This and other passages remind us that we are to be "fruity" -- producing good fruit in our lives of faith.

Psalm 1 (The Message)
How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

Thank God for a real winter and a real spring. For slow-soaking snows all winter long and abundant spring rains nourishing winter wheat, apples and everything in between.

Thank God for the warmth of summer finally arrived. For a little sweat, the sounds of birds, crickets, toads and motorcycles.

Thank God for God's tree named Kent Parrett who is singlehandedly renovating the basement of the church into a place of welcome for our summer program kids and staff as well as the hundreds of YouthWorks kids and adults who will be sojourning with us throughout the summer.

Thank God for the steadfast hope of youth like those in the Kansas/Missouri DREAM Alliance who are working and risking their own welfare to make life better for millions of children and young people. Thank God that Yahaira is out of detention. But keep her in your prayers because she now faces deportation.

Thank God for the synergy of Creation, Redemption and Sustenance. May we all find ourselves swept up in, enmeshed with, enfleshed into the essence of the Three-In-One who Lives, Moves and Breathes in our world and in our lives.

Thank God for all of you trees out there of every type, bearing fruit in season and out, always in blossom.

Gimme cinco or seis or ocho or diez!

Look for your bag of apples in September!

Pastor Rick

Good night, Loved Ones,

It's still Wednesday . . . barely. It has been a long day with much to do. Perhaps you've been giving thanks through it all. Perhaps you've just made it through. Whatever the case, take a moment and breathe. Consider the day . . . all you were given and all you gave . . . what you remembered and what you forgot . . . things you accomplished and things that will have to wait. Know that in all things God is working. Consider these words . . .

Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Tonight I thank God for Mike Spears . . . for his humility, his patience, his faith . . . for the doctors and nurses who are caring for him . . . for Rhonda and her loyal commitments to faith, family and friends.

Tonight I give thanks for Yahaira Carrillo, a young, undocumented college student who through the strength of her convictions went to Arizona to protest the new law and promote the DREAM Act. While protesting at Sen. McCain's office she was arrested, is now detained and may face deportation. For such courage and commitment I give thanks and I pray for her release.

Tonight I am thankful for a weekly prayer group of thankful, hospitable and hopeful people.

Tonight, Lord, thanks for the "basic holiness that permeates" all that surrounds me. I pray that I would be more aware.

Lord, thank you that I am tired and have experienced blessings this day.

Peace this night.

Pastor Rick

You Are the Equipment

Good morning, Loved Ones,

Lately I've been reading a book by Lesslie Newbigin called The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. I've been captured by his discussion of both election and the nearness of the Kingdom of God. In short, he explains God's election or choosing of us not as an opportunity to lounge and revel in God's favor, but intead as an election or choosing to responsibility. The responsibility is to share the Message. We are elected primarily for the purpose of sharing. About the nearness of the Kingdom of God, Newbigin emphasizes the nearness as spatial. God's Kingdom is spatially close. There is a thin veil that seperates us from the Kingdom. God's Spirit breaks through the veil to us to reveal that hidden Kingdom to us. Perhaps you have had one of those moments this week -- a moment when the Kingdom was within reach.

Here is your passage for the week.

Matthew 10 (The Message)

^5-8Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.

^9-10"Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light."

I give thanks for . . .

. . . my mother and the many mothers who were honored in church Sunday. A loving parent can be our first revelation of the love of God.
. . . the fathers and children who kicked open the veil to the Kingdom by cooking and serving a delicious meal to the mothers on Sunday.
. . . the KU architecture students who have built a state-of-the-art, energy efficient home next to the church. Open house on Saturday 10-3.
. . . the communtities of Conception, Conception Junction and Clyde who are embarking on a journey of hope with Public Square Communities. In our meeting with them on Monday night there were moments when the Kingdom was very near.
. . . my sons, Sam and Lucas. Sam has returned from his border studies program full of his usual energy and with a greater sense of the need for action to correct the injustices he saw. Lucas is energetically tackling the challenges of being an full IB student. His courage in taking on this demanding course is inspiring.

The Kingdom is near. You have been chosen to share. Give thanks, live generously and gimme cinco!

Pastor Rick
http://gimmecinco.blogspot.com/

No Matter What

Good morning, Loved Ones,

There is much to be stressed, concerned and worried about these days; an environmental disaster of unprecedented proportions, a law enacted that targets our brothers and sisters who are economic refugees - a law 10 other states are seeking to replicate, continuing economic crises around the world. In the midst of such ominous news those of us who have been elected to see the world through eyes of faith must maintain the strength of relationships and trust in God and each other. The purpose of our election as faithful people is to be those who share a different vision of the world and share that vision with the world. The power of our witness depends not only on our relationship with God but also with our brothers and sisters.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-18 (The Message)

^13-15Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

^16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Today I give thanks for . . .

. . . brothers and sisters who warn me to get off my duff when work needs to be done.
. . . sisters and brothers who gently encourage me when I am straggling and exhausted.
. . . brothers and sisters who are patient and try to understand me.
. . . sisters and brothers who are careful with their words even when I am not.
. . . brothers and sisters who over the years have looked for the best in me and others and have sacrificed their own time and energy to bring it to the surface.

It takes faith to see beyond the crises. It takes a faith community to move beyond the crises. When you share your gratitude it builds up that community. Gimme cinco!

In the words of Pastor Alfonso we are not "juntos en crisis." (together in crisis) We are "juntos en Cristo." (together in Christ)

Pastor Rick
http://gimmecinco.blogspot.com/