Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, John and invited them to follow him. The scriptures said that they dropped their nets and followed him.

What does "follow me" mean?

On the surface, it appears that these early disciples left their jobs, vocations and started this nomadic, itinerant ministry. Sort of like joining a monastery. It is what you do and who you are. And yet there are some verses that do imply the continuance of their former life. A visit to the home of Peter's mother in law. Sounds like there was a marriage and a home. Reference to fishing.

Lent isn't about me.

Today is the first day of Lent. The first of 40 days (excluding Sundays) that leads us to Good Friday and Easter.  In the first Christian century, Lent was only two days. By the third century it became two weeks, and then to 40 days in the fourth century. Forty days suggested by Jesus time in the wilderness before starting his ministry.  Like Jesus' wilderness time, it is time to review our lives, identify that for which we need forgiveness, examine our value system, and seek to grow in the way of love.

The popular notion about Lent is to give up something...alcohol, a candy bar, desert. This can miss the deeper meaning and lead to a sense of self righteous. I have done a terrific job and now I can eat ice cream again. Lent is not about me. Lent challenges us to make a deeper commitment to the way of love. To the life giving love that Christ brings to each of us.  Lent is cross bearing. Again, we have a popular notion that when something goes wrong in our lives, it is "our cross to bear."

Often we feel there is not much we can do. After all I am only one person with very limited resouces and options. And yet it only takes one person to turn a life around.

I recently heard someone share how his life was heading for trouble and then he met someone. A man who liked him, listened to him, and believed in him. I had a similar experience. When I was a young boy on the farm, the family focus was running the farm. There was no time or energy for a young boy. In fact starting at age 6, I was expected to drive the tractor and help with the milking. That is just the way it was and our family was no different from others.

Emotionally I was alone and lost. But Bob Hudspith liked me. He talked to me, listened to me, and believed in me. When I was about 10 or 11, he gave me the job of Sunday School Secretary. I gathered the money, added it up (sometimes two or three times getting a different answer each time, and Bob didn't care if the answer was right or not), and put the attendance figure on the chart in the front of the church. I was somebody... because Bob Hudspith believed in me.

This past Sunday I met with 5 of the 6 fun filled, delightful 7th and 8th grade girls who make up the Confirmation Class (one girl was ill). We did an overview of the Bible. Did you know for example that the Bible is a library not a book. It contains 66 different books by at least that many authors.

The Old Testament (1500BC-400BC) was written in Hebrew with no vowels and no spacing between words. The New Testament (AD 50-125) was written in Greek. There were no chapter and verse divisions until hundreds of years later. The Bible is great testimony of how people experienced God over a great span of time, different cultures, different languages, different traditions, different folk ways. And yet at the core is the same human dynamic of seeking God in life and trying to live the love God reveals to us.

There is a phenomenon with young children, "if they can't see it, it doesn't exist." This can create a sense of panic when a parent goes into another room. It is as if she is gone...does not exist. Frequently this is something to keep in mind particularly at bedtime. They need to be able to see you while they are falling asleep.

I was thinking of this coming into New York on the train yesterday. It was very foggy/rainy/snowy. I could not see New York. It was as if it did not exist. I knew better and when we came out of the tunnel, there it was.

This past Sunday, Dr. Ed Mulder talked about "encouragement" in his sermon. He referred to Barnabas (Acts 4:36) who was one of the early leaders of the church. The term Barnabas means "son of encouragement." I sort of picture him as the helping hand that picks you up, or the person who listens with caring ears, or helps you find a different or better way, or offers that much needed compliment.

Then I thought about myself, "Am I a Barnabas?" In reality, I don't think I do so well. I can quickly tell you what you did wrong, how you fouled the ball, and what should have happened. But no one needs that kind of downer. Psychologically we know that everyone needs 4 hugs and 6 compliments a day... minimum daily requirement. Do I hear myself saying, "That's great." "You did a terrific job." "Wow!"

We had a great discussion on "The Power of Enthusiasm" at the Men's Brunch last Sunday. Drawing on the writings of Dr. Peale, it is clear that enthusiasm is one of the most powerful dynamics in life.

Dr. Peale said, "I rate enthusiasm above professional skill." Charles Schwab said "a man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm." Emerson said, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Jesus said, "I came that they might have life and have it abundantly."  I think this means to be fully alive, to be enthusiastic.

Enthusiasm does not mean being a bubbly cheer leader. Literally the word mean "en"... in,  "thusiasm".... theos, or God within. It is to know the empowering presence of God.

In our discussion we noted four things:

We find the story of Jesus baptism in the the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. It is a beautiful story where we meet John the Baptist, who affirms who Jesus is. He then baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan. According to Mark, at the baptism the heavens opened and the affirmation "Thou art my beloved son with thee I am well pleased," is affirmed. It is a powerful phrase. It is God's blessing.

I like that phrase and often us it at baptisms.  There is a sense that this new baby, this new life is a gift from God or is a son or daughter of God.  There truly is a sense of the divine breathed into the soul of every baby. So every birth or every baptism is truly "my beloved son or daughter."

The Apostle Paul tell us: "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the price of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13-14.

This is a very powerful little verse, often used in New Year's sermons. I would like to briefly point to two thoughts in this verse.

"Forgetting what lies behind." This is not humanly possible. We all memories and histories. In fact much of the meaning we feel today is because of the backdrop of history that we carry inside. It gives us depth, understanding, and patience. In many ways our history makes us the person we are. So what did Paul mean?

He is telling us to not "live" in the past. Some of us live in old memories and are not present to life. Some of us carry regrets and guilt and are not present to life. The past is a guiding post, not a hitching post. As we move into 2009, do what you have to do to deal with the past, detach from it, and move forward.

The angel said, "Be not afraid, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people."

I just returned to my office. It was about a 45 minute subway ride with all of the traditional comings and goings at every stop. Some were older and tired. Some needing to be helped. Some high school kids making lots of noise. Some younger children a bit afraid in the subway holding a parent's hand. Two babies crying when they heard the noise of the approaching train. I had just come from the hospital. She was a hit and run victim with severe head trauma. Her husband had been doing 24 hour vigils and was tired.

"I bring you good news of a great joy... to ALL people. It is God's Will that His life giving presence touch EACH ONE OF US regardless of our age, appearance, or behavior. God loves you, even those times when you are hard to love.

This Christmas, it is my prayer that you know that "Christ is born" birth of love in your heart.