Pastor Gen - Thoughts from a Sabbatical #11

Picture of me taken by one of the instructors toward the end of our program.

Dear Veradale Friends,

I had so many ideas of what I was going to complete this week, most are still waiting as life brought other needs that had to be addressed - yard work, bills, groceries, runs to the dump, and housework.

Reflections and thoughts:

I received the above photo as well as several other images of the people in our photography group from one of our instructors this week. This picture was taken at a cold, stormy sunset with angry clouds and strong winds. It was a tame sunset compared to some of the risky places we had driven and hiked during our time together.

Trying something risky is absolutely better to do with a group and even better with some guides who know the way. However, even guides can be surprised. Several of the roads we traveled were down to one lane because of the exceptional spring rain that had literally washed the road away (a part of the climate change they are experiencing). There were mudslides over roads and I am certain if I was on my own, I would not have even tried to find my way through. One road was so blocked that we had to turn around and take another road that our guides knew would get us to the same place. It would just take longer. We did get through and visited little towns where the communities relied on those disappearing roads to connect with the wider world.

Another experience of risk was one of the sunset hikes we took. It included walking through four pastures and a small forest in order to come out onto sand dunes in a raging, windy rain storm. Being with the group and the instructor/guide’s commitment that this was a New Zealand sight to be seen, we all kept going. Well, it was a sight. What it became was a story about how we got through and that maybe we needed to question the forecast.

Returning to life at home, thoughts concerning the lessons learned about taking risks come to mind. In our faith life we take risks to live out the way of Jesus. We have each other to encourage us in this practice. Jesus knowingly took a great risk so that all generations might know that God shows no partiality — everyone, all life, all creation is loved by God — no exceptions. Following this way of Jesus, there may be times when it seems like our road is blocked or the storms of life are too much. Because we choose to journey together, we can risk it. We can find our way through and later laugh as we tell the stories. We are not alone. We lean on the Spirit and learn from one another as we live this way of Jesus in what seems like a risky world. Then again, God so loved the world and still does!

With blessings,

Pastor Gen

Pastor Gen - Thoughts from a Sabbatical #10

Waxing (getting bigger) moon from the Southern Hemisphere.

Waxing (getting bigger) moon from the Northern Hemisphere

Dear Veradale Friends,

Thursday night I arrived home! Now, I need to start working on another article for The Fig Tree, as well as organizing the photos to use in worship, putting together a presentation, recording expenses, reflecting on the learnings, continuing to live in awe of the amazing experiences, going through mail, reading three books, and catching up on yard work. Phew!

Reflections and thoughts about the Moon as seen from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres:

On the first night in New Zealand, the moon was just a tiny sliver of light. Great, I thought, because in our hemisphere what I saw would have meant it was a waning moon, where the moon gets smaller each night — that is what a photographer wants in order to take images of stars. Well, when the weather cleared enough to get stars the moon was much larger and from the wrong side and upside down! I think Becky may have told me about this when she and David came home from New Zealand a few years ago. It’s the same moon, with all the same features but it is upside down and backwards. People in the Southern Hemisphere say they see the moon as it really is and people in the Northern Hemisphere say they see the moon as it really is. Since the moon circles the equator, it might be said that those on the equator actually see the moon as it really is. The waxing moon — getting bigger and brighter and the waning moon, getting smaller and dimmer both have the same U shape at the equator - or smile shape. Sometimes when seeing something from the center, all a person can do is smile.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. She comes at noon, likely to be there alone. One day, she is surprised to find that she is not alone. There is a Jewish man who talks to her and asks her for the kindness of a drink of water. She responds with questions - a Jewish man would usually shun a Samaritan and a man would avoid conversation with a solitary woman. Jesus simple seems to smile and meet her with a full knowing of who she is and what she has been through.

Remember, the scripture tells us that after talking with Jesus, this woman tells the towns people about meeting him. These people listen to her, so, she must have their respect. Did she want to be alone because she is a many times grieving widow now living with a man who is not her husband because woman must live under the roof of some man — like maybe her brother. Whatever her reasons for being alone at the well, it isn't out of fear of the community shaming her — they listen to her.

The society today often see this woman another way — a promiscuous woman who can’t hold a marriage. That, however, doesn’t really fit with the respect the town has for her. The past and the present societies have ways of looking at that same woman and seeing something totally upside-down from the other. On the other hand, Jesus — well -- he just smiles. He loves her enough to ask for help from her and offer her living water (another clue that she might be a widow. Imagine what that would sound like to a widow!). It is that smile of Jesus, that like the Moon at the equator, knows the truth and shines a knowing light during the dark nights of our souls.

Reflecting on this experience of the Moon the Southern Hemisphere, a warm feeling comes when thinking about the smile at the equator. May that smile warm all our hearts and help us see each other and ourselves with a light of truth and love.

With blessings,

Pastor Gen

Pastor Gen - Thoughts from a Sabbatical #9

Dear Veradale Friends,

Just a quick note this week. At this moment, three members of our group have tested positive for Covid. After a lot of work by our guides, we who are negative, will continue on and test every day. I know that I tested negative on September 19, 28, and today, Oct 1. I plan to keep wearing a mask and staying healthy!

Reflections:

Most of you who have a mobile phone also use it as a camera. The lens on that phone is called a wide angle lens as it can get wider views. The other thing this wide angle lens does is give a greater sense of depth. The picture above is taken with the widest setting on my lens. The waves come up, pull back, the land is seen holding firm and the sea goes back until it is met by the stormy sky.

Consider Jesus’ teaching: "Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself and love your enemy.” These are wide angle commandments and are rooted in the practice of our faith. This way of living helps us see a big picture which moves us deeply — going all the way to the sky.

With blessings,

Pastor Gen