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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Reflecting The Presence Of God"
June 24, 2009
For the third time in a week I have been asked to give a prayer at a public
event. I never say no if my schedule allows it. This week I prayed at the
opening of the Traveling Viet Nam Wall exhibit in Norwich, at the Native
Son/Daughter Banquet at the Holiday Inn and at the Miss Connecticut Gala
at the Aqua Turf Restaurant in Southington.
One of my colleagues joked that I was becoming known as the designated
pray-er in the area. That's alright with me. It fits with my understanding of
ministry. My calling is to help people see God in their every day lives.
Most people get the fact that God shows up in His temple for worship
services. God is in the liturgy and the ritual, the sacraments and the Word.
We see God in the fellowship of the people and the concern of the spiritual
leader. Sunday, or Saturday for some, is God's day.
Yet, we are quick to turn the page on Monday. We step right back into the
real world again. We can't wait to put God in a box and set Him on the shelf
while we go about our business. We make plans. We engage in activities.
We rush from one thing to another. So when I am asked to pray at a public
event I see it as an opportunity to remind people that God is in the house.
He's taking the walk down the red carpet and celebrating that event with
us. I'm putting the spotlight on God as he rejoices over 2009 Norwich
Native Son Alexander Kreiglowa's lifetime of generosity. I get to point out
that God is present and standing beside us as we honor the memory of our
fallen veterans. Each time I invoke God's presence, it comes as a reminder
that He is with us every day.
I love doing this but I've got a secret for you. Each of us is called to put
the spotlight on God. As people of faith, we each do it in our own way. You
might do it with an act of kindness. Another does it by reaching out with a
warm embrace. A third does it by sitting with a friend in sorrow. When we
reach out in compassion, God's presence is revealed.
The simple truth is that God becomes visible in our daily living. When we
share His love and His grace, He shows up. So don't stop what you are
doing. You and I have a special role to play. We are the ones called to say to
the world, in true Ed McMahon fashion, "Heeeeerrree's God!"
God Bless. See you in church. Cal.
June 24, 2009
For the third time in a week I have been asked to give a prayer at a public
event. I never say no if my schedule allows it. This week I prayed at the
opening of the Traveling Viet Nam Wall exhibit in Norwich, at the Native
Son/Daughter Banquet at the Holiday Inn and at the Miss Connecticut Gala
at the Aqua Turf Restaurant in Southington.
One of my colleagues joked that I was becoming known as the designated
pray-er in the area. That's alright with me. It fits with my understanding of
ministry. My calling is to help people see God in their every day lives.
Most people get the fact that God shows up in His temple for worship
services. God is in the liturgy and the ritual, the sacraments and the Word.
We see God in the fellowship of the people and the concern of the spiritual
leader. Sunday, or Saturday for some, is God's day.
Yet, we are quick to turn the page on Monday. We step right back into the
real world again. We can't wait to put God in a box and set Him on the shelf
while we go about our business. We make plans. We engage in activities.
We rush from one thing to another. So when I am asked to pray at a public
event I see it as an opportunity to remind people that God is in the house.
He's taking the walk down the red carpet and celebrating that event with
us. I'm putting the spotlight on God as he rejoices over 2009 Norwich
Native Son Alexander Kreiglowa's lifetime of generosity. I get to point out
that God is present and standing beside us as we honor the memory of our
fallen veterans. Each time I invoke God's presence, it comes as a reminder
that He is with us every day.
I love doing this but I've got a secret for you. Each of us is called to put
the spotlight on God. As people of faith, we each do it in our own way. You
might do it with an act of kindness. Another does it by reaching out with a
warm embrace. A third does it by sitting with a friend in sorrow. When we
reach out in compassion, God's presence is revealed.
The simple truth is that God becomes visible in our daily living. When we
share His love and His grace, He shows up. So don't stop what you are
doing. You and I have a special role to play. We are the ones called to say to
the world, in true Ed McMahon fashion, "Heeeeerrree's God!"
God Bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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