Nothing to Hide

A friend recommended a book with an interesting title, Standing Naked Before God: The Art of Public Confession. The title alone can bring a check in one’s spirit. To stand before God with no covering, no excuses, no churchy words…

A small child may read the title, giggle, and not give it another thought. One might think it is because of the word, “Naked.” But he has no need to fear baring his soul to God. She knows God loves her just the way she is and she doesn’t need to hide anything.

When did the rest of us forget that? When did we decide that God demands our Sunday best? Our emotions must be neatly pressed, thoughts crystal clear, and hearts as white as grandpa’s new handkerchief. Our prayers must have plenty of Thee's and Thou's, and always say, “Thank you” before you say, “please.”

For me, standing naked before God means that there is trust that God knows us and loves us anyway. God sees our impurities, our wounds, and the “sewage in our hearts” and says, “I can help you with that.”

I hear it as an invitation similar to the one Moses experienced at the burning bush, “Take off your shoes. You’re on holy ground.”

Go ahead, sink your toes into holiness, let the breath of God refresh your spirit, and free you to make a difference in the world.

Having nothing to hide doesn’t mean we’re perfect. It means we are loved.

Pastor Jo

April 27, 2022

We Are Easter People!

Holy Week is one of the most powerful weeks in the life of the church. When we jump from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday we miss out on so much! This Thursday at 6 pm we will remember the Lord’s Last Supper, share the bread and cup, and journey through the last few hours of Jesus’ life. This is a powerful reminder of God’s passion for each of us. We give thanks that the crucifixion is not the end of the story!

We must also remember that Easter is so much more than one day a year. In the liturgical calendar it is a season. As Christians, it is what defines us. We are Easter People! Join us this Sunday as we celebrate!

Our Easter Season sermon series is RECONNECTING, as we REpent, REmain, REstore, REthink, REveal, and RElease. Invite someone to join you at church!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jo

The Weight of Worry

For me, Bobby McFerrin will forever be linked to the song, “Don’t Worry; Be Happy”--

“Here’s a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy

Don't worry, be happy…”

And then comes my favorite part!

(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh)

be happy!

Honestly, I can get so caught up singing in my best Jamaican accent and belting out the Ooh, ooh, ooh oohs that I neglect to truly listen to the invitation McFerrin is offering.

In the midst of rent needing to be paid and other troubles that come our way we hear, “Here, I give you my phone number, when you worry, call me…” Ironically, he doesn’t promise to buy us furniture, pay our rent, fix our problems, or take away our worries, but we are reminded that we are not alone.

Of course, those are only lyrics to a catchy tune and I doubt McFerrin is giving his number out for when we’re worried. So, I guess it’s up to us to support one another, encourage one another, be there for one another.

So why aren’t we?

Are we worried someone might take advantage of us? Are we worried we might have to give up an hour or two of Netflix?

Are we worried no one will not be there for us in our time of need?

Maybe it’s time to listen once again…

Click Me

"The weight of worry drags us down,

but a good word lightens our day."

--Proverbs 12:25

Pastor Jo

February 8, 2020