Tag: Jesus at the Well

SkinnyDipping or When Clothes give Animosity

I was never popular in school–pretty, skinny and smart my clumsiness and social awkwardness made me too nerdy for friends during junior high and most of high school…I say this because my status was not defined by my looks but instead despite of them….I never shopped at A & F (or the Gap for that matter). For the full incendiary article click here (full disclosure I did not read this word for word, my husband read it to me out loud so I wouldn’t get too mad)

There is this great passage in the Bible that talks about clothing yourself with Christ–It stands in opposition to the wishes of the flesh (Romans 13:14).

Recently I went on an EMI (Early Ministry Institute) non-retreat where an amazing Commissioned Lay Pastor Katrina Hebb, discussed skinny dipping. Taking off all of the things that divide you from Christ, all of the burdens and things that divide you from God, gone. Letting the water of life wash over your body. Embracing and embodying Christ in our imperfect, scarred and silly bodies. Overcoming our fears, and becoming fully ourselves in Christ…

This weeks lectionary is Rev. 22 “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.”

Waters of Life, Washing Clean, Clothing of Christ….I feel like this stands as a more fulfilling response to all those who thirst for life, hope and fulfillment.

It certainly does a hell of a lot better than Abercrombie and Fitch!

Psstt….Meet me at the well…..

Once when I was working as a Children’s Coordinator the pastor told me that I really needed to try to look bored more often….

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This was a great point in fact, because I love to be busy (I guess I’m in a good profession for that).

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The Pastor then told me the story of Jesus at the well. He told me to think about not only Jesus’ ministry of presence but also his ministry of waiting. There he was, waiting at the well, for someone who needed water to come….and thus a friendship was born.

Image4Now he had to go through Samaria.So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the townto buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”–John 4:

Hearing from the moderator today, he noted that he is making a point to be present (either himself or the vice moderator) at the committee meetings…a strong choice for presence, and one that echoed the hard questions given to him on the floor.

It took four votes to elect our moderator (the youth/seminary advisory board loved him). There seemed to be some dispute because he is abiding by the letter of the law regarding gay marriage, meanwhile his running mate signed a marriage license in her state during their campaign.His response to this was that he wasn’t going to put aside 10 years of friendship over a difference of opinion. i.e. part of being friends means being present for one another–choosing to be present even when our choices differ.

During the Hymn Sing at GA we sang “Go to the World” the final verse is

“Go into the world! Go as the ones I send, for I am with you ’til the age shall end, When all the hosts of glory cry Amen!”

What a friend we have in Jesus, who promises to be present no matter what we do.

So here I am, present at GA. On the one hand I’m not “Doing” much, I have little to no agenda about the meetings, and have not been commissioned, chosen or asked to do anything.

On the other hand, I am here, I am present. I am witnessing the work we are doing, praying for all of us who are doing it, and keeping my eyes and ears open for the Holy Spirit. I have waited, hoped, and possibly even made some new friends

Guess I made it to the well Pastor Kevin! (at least for GA)Image