Hopes and Prayers at a Baptism

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, December 10, 2016

Hopes and Prayers at a Baptism

Tomorrow, my church is hosting a baptism. It is always so wonderful to celebrate a baptism! Seeing the new life, the hopeful, eager attitude of the family, the godparents, the others who have joined to celebrate with the family. An exciting time, to be sure. It is a time of expectation and hope, too.

Since I am a pastor at a Congregational church, I do have several personal, theological views on baptism. I am glad my viewpoints rub along well with the baptismal views of the official group with whom we are recognized.

Pastor Gordon is bringing this couple and their child to St. Luke’s Church to be baptized, and I am so pleased to be able to host the family of the child, as well.

I wonder—how often should I encourage others to celebrate the sacraments? As often as I get the opportunity, that’s what I think. Such a chance to welcome these new people, these new members in God’s forever family.

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of baptism. Thank You for the mark we impress upon the forehead of those who are baptized in love and obedience to You. We pray that this family will raise their child in the knowledge and understanding of You, Your will and Your ways. We ask Your blessing to rest on not only this child and the family, but also on all those who will celebrate with Pastor Gordon and me, tomorrow. Dear God, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

 

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Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Embracing Difference—Not Judging!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, May 25, 2016

PEACE: Embracing Difference—Not Judging!

Today, I continue a series of posts from Gemini Jr. High School in Niles. (Again, a big thank you to Mr. Rich Groeling, Gemini’s principal!) This was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the young people. I encouraged them to make a sign with their personal definition of PEACE. This was a chance to get their viewpoints on PEACE.

First, George’s definition: “Peace is not simply living in amity, but recognizing that others are different and embracing it.”

Next, Ashutosh’s definition: “Peace is everyone being free, fair, justified, and not judged for their actions.”

Yes, these are two parallel definitions. Except—both overlap in one particular aspect.

Yes, we are to recognize others have differences. We are encouraged to celebrate those differences, and embrace them. (Thanks for the excellent insight, George!) What is more, we need to quash that idea of judging one another. (Yes, Ashutosh.) Sometimes, certain people can judge harshly. No!

That is what I want to promote a week from today at the Morton Grove Community Peace Vigil: hope and harmony in the midst of diversity. I am one of the organizers of the Peace Vigil (7:15 to 8:15 pm in Morton Grove, 6140 Dempster). We live in such a diverse community in the Chicago suburbs. Why not celebrate it? Lift it up!

I go back several months to the time when I just started asking people for their personal definitions of peace. I wanted to continue the conversation. Continue to encourage people to think about peace, and pursue peace. Just like our two young people today, in their definitions!  God willing, we all can continue the conversation for peace.

#PursuePEACE

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE? Contentment and Kindness.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 20, 2016

PEACE? Contentment and Kindness.

As I reflect upon my discussions with the young people at St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights, I am grateful I had the opportunity to engage with anyone who came up to the table I had set up on one side of the large lunchroom.

I’ll be featuring two personal definitions of PEACE today; a great chance to talk with young people and get their viewpoints on PEACE.

First, a personal definition from Maya: “PEACE is being content in your mind and soul.”

I asked her to explain further. She said, “Peace is not only being content, but your mind is calm. It’s also your soul. Content with WHO you are!” She was quite definite about being content in having an awareness of herself. (I suspect she had an awareness of her Self, too, although I did not have a chance to ask her further questions.)

Second, Grace’s personal definition: “PEACE is unification with kindness.”

Intrigued, I asked her for more. She told me, “Peace is being together without violence. People can have nicer forms of approach.”

Grace, I suspect if more people are kinder to each other, there will automatically be a reduction in violence. I’m not absolutely certain, but I suspect so.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to talk with both of these young people. Such innovative thinking. Wonderful opportunity to find out what they have on their minds. May God’s blessings rest on both of these young people.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Positive Views of PEACE

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, April 3, 2016

Positive Views of PEACE

Again, I am featuring students at St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights. I visited the school some days ago, in the lunch room. Anyone was free to come up to the table I had set up on one side of the large room to make a sign with their definition of PEACE.

This was a wonderful chance to talk with young people and get their viewpoints on PEACE.

Kevin’s personal definition: “Peace is living in the moment without worrying about past or future.”

Such an insight! I asked Kevin for more information. He responded, “There are so many things in life. It is so easy to get caught up in the past or in the future, what you’ve done, or what you maybe might do in the future. You just have got to enjoy yourself in the NOW.”

Kevin, that is so right. Getting caught up in the past is not beneficial. The past is the past, and there is very little anyone can do about it except change one’s behavior in the present, the NOW. Similarly, it’s not a positive thing to always focus on the future. If we do that, the possibility is that one can be paralyzed and end up doing nothing today. NOW.

Gina’s personal definition: “PEACE is getting along and being happy with others.”

I asked her to explain. She said, “Peace is getting along, which is no fighting! We need to work together for a good cause. That way we all can improve the world and live happily.”

Such a positive definition. No fighting. That can work either on an individual or a group level. Working together helps so many people. Harmony and togetherness break down barriers.

Dear God, such wonderful ideas. Please help us to continue talking about PEACE, to continue working together and focusing on the positive things in life. Thank You, God.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er