Olympic Hero

 Dear Friends

The Olympics are not immune to controversy, scandal, politics, and even terror. But every other summer or winter, they provide a happy and healthy break from the rest of the news. And they remind us of the very different and amazing things the human body can do. Some of the inspiring back stories on the athletes are also amazing.

Those of us who love track are aware that this year is the 100^th anniversary of Eric Liddell’s gold and bronze medals in the 400 and 200 meters in the 1924 Paris Olympics. His refusal to run on the Sabbath kept him from competing in the 100 meters, the event he was focused on, documented in Chariots of Fire which won four academy awards in 1981 for best picture, musical score, costume design and screenplay.

Eric Liddell was added to our Episcopal calendar not just for his medals or witness in keeping the Sabbath, but for his post-Olympic life as a missionary in China. His Feast date is February 22^nd.

Two of his quotes are worth sharing:

Upon his return from Paris in 1924 he said, 

“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race that I have run in Paris; and this race ends when God gives out the medals”

In the movie, you may recall him speaking these words: 

“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure”.

How about changing his quote to be for all of us: 

“God made me good. And when I live with His goodness, I feel His pleasure.”

Like God declaring all that he made in the Genesis creation story as good, God made us good; and when we live with His goodness, we feel his pleasure and can bring pleasure to others.

Now, back to my countdown to 2028, when Squash will make its Olympic debut. Can't wait! All efforts to have it in the Olympics before have been, well, you know!😂

John

  

Got Milk?

Dear Friends

Since it has been a slow few weeks of news, I want to share with you some exciting BREAKING NEWS. It happened at 8:17 am this morning when a PERSONAL BEST and WORLD RECORD was set, just four days before the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Paris.

You may always remember where you were when you heard this news. You were holding your phone in your hand. You were scrolling. This news may well define your life before and after July 22, 2024. *

Are you ready?

Breaking my previous record of 15 days, I bought milk this morning that had these timeless words: “Best By 08 Aug. 2024” That’s 18 days from now!!! I was so excited I almost skipped right out the front door without paying for the one item I came to get.

 

 

What else can I say but Holy Cow!!!

Thank you Stater Brothers!!!

John

*Historians, however, are already saying that yesterday’s great and exciting news about President Biden stepping aside and endorsing Kamala Harris, may go down in history as being even more important.  

 

4th of July

 

Dear Friends

We all know about the Bill of Rights, the original 10 amendments to the Constitution. On this national holiday, I want to share the Bill of Obligations, a book published last year outlining the Ten Habits of Good Citizens. It was written by former diplomat Richard Haass, who served in the George Bush administration as a special envoy to Northern Ireland. (He became an Independent in January of 2020. Hmmm..... I wonder what happened that month that caused his change of heart!)

The Ten Habits are:

Be Informed

Get Involved

Stay Open to Compromise

Remain Civil

Reject Violence

Value Norms

Promote the Common Good

Respect Government Service

Support the Teaching of Civics

Put Country First

I will be sharing this list in my sermon on Sunday, with the reminder that we have someone above country we put first. But as we love this country for so many reasons, we must be thankful not just for our rights, but also be mindful of our obligations to help heal its current divisions. (See picture above of flag being sewn back together on the cover of the book).

As I am writing this, I am listening to the congregation singing “America the Beautiful” at the annual National Cathedral 4^th of July concert. It includes that phrase, “God mend thine every flaw.”

May God help us be menders, not dividers, as some of our leaders are prone to be.  

Happy 4th of July.

John

P.S. Had to include these three cartoons from yesterday, today and tomorrow!

 

 

Memorial Day Music

Dear Friends

Yesterday morning, I was moved by hearing a beautiful anthem sung at All Saints' Riverside, called “Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones”:

Blades of grass and pure white stones

Shelter those who’ve come and gone

Just below the emerald sod

Are those who’ve reached the arms of God

 

Buried here with dignity

Endless rows for all to see

Freedom seeds in sorrow sown

‘Neath blades of grass and pure white stones

 

Blades of grass and pure white stones

Cover those who’ve left their home

To rest in fields here side by side

Lest we forget their sacrifice

 

Yesterday afternoon, I had the joy of attending at Trinity Redlands, (with mixed emotions) the final Redlands Community Chorus concert directed by its founder, Jeff Rickard. Along with other former members, I joined the choir for the finale, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. They ran out of music when I got to the front, so I had to peer over the shoulder of an alto to follow my part. I still knew it fairly well, but the words and notes were a little smaller than I remember and it didn’t help that a few tears were in the way! The joy continued afterwards while seeing so many fellow choristers I have known for many years. And then we were so happy to see some dear friends from St. John’s Corona who were attending, and enjoyed going out to dinner with them.

Today, Memorial Day, always makes me think of some words from “America the Beautiful” (which I wish was our National Anthem, not only because it is easier to sing but because of the words). The words which I think are especially appropriate today are these from the second verse:

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

I googled the author, Katherine Lee Bates, (see picture above) and was moved by a short video which is a preview of a forthcoming documentary. It is described as “the remarkable life of the poet, novelist, scholar, speaker, teacher, advocate for social reform, and the author of “America the Beautiful.”  

 Remembering those for whom this day is dedicated, we thankfully hung our flag this morning, as we do on Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day.

John

P.S. Thank you Jeff, for so many years of filling my heart with joy while singing under your direction! You introduced me to so much wonderful music---not just the notes, but the words. I am so glad I was accepted and chose to go to the University of Redlands, was called to be curate at Trinity for three years, and continued to sing with you as a member of the community chorus for many more years. 

 

 

72nd Birthday Blog

 Dear Friends

As I get older (the bottom picture is not a self-portrait!) I am just as thankful for my baptism day, December 7^th, (and all that it means to be baptized) as I am for my birthday today, May 25^th.

But for my birthday this year, I simply want to quote three of my friends….Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was born on May 25^th in 1803, Amy Klobuchar, who was born on May 25^th in 1960, and St. Bede the Venerable, who died on May 25th in 735.

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment.

For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.

Write it on you heart that every day is the best day of the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one who owns the day allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

It is not the length of life but the depth.

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.

Amy Klobuchar: (I hope she invites me to her birthday party at the White House, when she is elected president someday---a smart, kind, full of energy 64 year old moderate, with a great sense of humor.)

Courage means standing next to someone you don’t always agree with for the betterment of the country. I have tried to treat people on the other side civilly and look for common ground.

St. Bede the Venerable:

I was no longer the centre (center) of my life, and therefore I could see God in everything.

He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.

I implore you, good Jesus, that as in your mercy you have given me to drink in with delight the words of your knowledge, so of your loving kindness, you will also grant me one day to come to you, the fountain of all wisdom and to stand for ever before your face.

I am so thankful for 72 years! Every day forward (after my free “Value Slam” at Denny’s this morning) is just frosting on the bundtcake of an already blessed life, made richer by all of you, my family and friends.

John

 

 

 

 

 

Rosella's Baptism Blog

 Dear Friends

There have been and will be in the future, special pictures with my granddaughter. But the ones from Rosella’s baptism last Sunday, will always be near the top. I’m still smiling.

We are so thankful for the church families which nurtured Christopher, helped him along on his lifelong journey to “grow into the full stature of Christ”---Trinity, Redlands, where he was baptized, and where he “sang” in the choir every Sunday (he was in the snuggly Kathleen wore every Sunday as she really was a member of the choir)  and of course St. John’s, Corona which included everything from church school, vacation bible school, youth group, acolyte and for many years, playing the piano and keyboard for our services which led to being the accompanist for the Circle City Chorale.

Needless to say, we were so glad Christopher and Raizah chose an Episcopal church to have their daughter baptized (All Saint’s, Riverside, where he was confirmed during a deanery service many years ago). While we wished all our beloved Trinity and St. John’s church friends could have been there, we are thankful for the 21^st century technology that lets us share special events. (You can watch the April 21^st 10 am service on the All Saint’s Riverside facebook page and I have also attached my sermon below).

We hope for and look forward to many other special events in Rosella’s life, as all grandparents do. But this one will be hard to beat. A special bonus was having Christopher and my sister Susan each offer piano offerings and Emily taking pictures from the balcony. And all this taking place on my sister Mary Bek’s birthday. Just five days shy of her stroke one year ago, she continues to be an inspiration to us all.

John

 Easter 4 B                   All Saint’s, Riverside                  April 21, 2024

In the name of our risen Christ and Good Shepherd.  Amen.

       Today is the 4^th Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the collect and gospel appointed for this day.  And today, according the the Gospel according to Google, April 21^st is National Chocolate-covered Cashews Day, National Yellow Bat Day, and National Kindergarten Day, among others.  April 21^st is also, among others, the birthday of Charlotte Bronte, Tony Romo, Patti Lupone, Charles Grodin, Queen Elizabeth and Mary Irvin Baker. Only my sister Mary could make it today. Happy Birthday and here’s your birthday gift; a bag of chocolate covered cashews!

       But there is one more person who was born today. And some words spoken by this person will lead us to what we are celebrating on this Good Shepherd Sunday. This person said, “Heaven knows, that John the Baptist was not more eager to get all his fellow sinners into the Jordan, than I to baptize all of mine in the beauty of God’s mountains.” 

       Happy Birthday, John Muir, on this Earth Day Eve, from this congregation that cares about creation care! 

     Muir makes one more reference to the sacrament we are going to administer to Rosella Elicia Kanita Saville in a few moments: “This sudden plush into wilderness---baptism in nature’s warm heart---how utterly happy it made us!  (Speaking for all of Rosella’s family who I want to welcome this morning, how happy this day is making us). Muir continues: “Nature streaming into us, wooingly teaching, preaching, her glorious living lessons…Here, without knowing we were in school, every lesson a love lesson…”

      Baptism in nature’s warm heart. Those words greeted me on a signpost as I started one of the most physically and mentally challenging backpacking trips of my life. The hike felt like a baptism by immersion into one of the most beautiful parts of Yosemite National Park. Today we are baptizing Rosella into the warm heart of the Good Shepherd, by pouring water and marking with oil and lighting a candle. Like we welcome all of God’s children of any age into the Body of Christ, we pray that she may be immersed in a life full of God’s love and joy, grace and peace.

      Martin Luther said “when you wash your face, remember your baptism”. I like to simply say, “Rembember you are baptized”. So while much of the rest of this sermon is directed to Rosella, I encourage you to eavesdrop. Remembering you are baptized, each day you wake up, can make all the difference for that day, for every day, for whatever any day may bring.

     Rosella. I know your parents will help you learn your ABC’s. At your dad’s baptism 39 years ago, I preached about the three B’s of baptism: Belonging, Bearing Fruit and being Born Again. Since then, over the years, I have developed an outline for baptism instruction which I’d like to introduce to you today, and we’ll go over it as you grow up. Maybe over ice cream after we play all the miniature golf courses at Castle Park!

      The title of the study guide is “Baptism: It’s a matter of death and life.” Verses from Paul’s letters to the Romans and Galatians which inspired that title are “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized in Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death?”  “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”  I’ll share more later, but that’s really good news.

     Now, here are seven things happening today and in time, I’ll go over each one with you and the bible verses which support them:

Today, Rosella, you are being adopted into God’s family.

Today, you are being grafted into the vine.

Today, you are being admitted into the hospital for sinners.

Today, you are being drafted into God’s army.

Today, you are being ordained for ministry.

Today, you are being elected to the communion of saints.

Today you are being placed under the loving care of the Good Shepherd.  

       And you thought, you were just being baptized!           

      On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let me share a bit more about being assigned to the Good Shepherd. I am reminded of the parable of the lost sheep and the good news that no matter what, however lost we may become, our Good Shepherd will always seek and find us, and bring us home. Today’s gospel reminds us of the intimate relationship we have with Jesus: “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” And from the 1940 hymnal, there is this hymn I grew up singing which begins:

“Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me,

Bless thy little lamb tonight;

Through the darkness, be thou near me,

Keep me safe till morning light.”

    We’ll learn that hymn plus one inspired by the parable of the lost sheep called, “Once a sheep was in a pasture”, set to a tune you’ll love by a guy named Beethoven named, “Ode to Joy”.

     Rosella, the water I pour on you represents God’s washing, and cleansing and drowning, so you might be raised to a new life, every day of your life. The oil used to make a cross on your forehead represents God’s Spirit, sealing and marking you as Christ’s beloved child forever. The candle you receive represents the light of Christ that will lead and guide you through all the changes and chances and challenges of this life, and bring you through them and home, safe and sound.

      Speaking of candles, I’m guessing there may be one this coming September 29^th when you turn one. April 21^st will be another day to celebrate each year, the day you were welcomed into the Body of Christ by the saints of All Saints Riverside, where we help each other to keep growing into the full stature of Christ-----which will only take a lifetime.

     Oh the places you’ll go, Rosella. Baptized into nature’s warm heart, you will see animals and birds, (lots of birds), flowers and trees, mountains and rivers. Oh the places you’ll go, Rosella. Baptized into the Good Shepherd’s warm heart, you will hear stories and meet saints; you will hear music and sing songs; you will feel Jesus’ love and forgiveness; you will taste and see that God is good and always close by, as close as your breath, as close as your heartbeat.  

      In the meantime, here is a prayer for everyone; for all who have been or will be baptized, at whatever age, and wherever they find themselves on this journey we all share, together.

     Loving Father, it is a precious thing to see a life begin. I celebrate Rosella’s beginning this morning. And, I celebrate that you have sought out and will continue to seek me out with your love. I knew a man who was 76 years old, and he said he was just starting out with you, just beginning to live. I want that, Lord. I want that freshness, that sense of beginning with you. Thanks for unlimited chances to begin again. Amen.

 

 

 

       

 

Welcome Spring!

 

Dear Friends

Step aside, St. Joseph. I know it’s your feast day. But it is also the first day of Spring, a feast day for our senses, leading to a whole season to taste and see and hear and smell and feel the new life emerging.

We don’t have to wait for “42 days to bloom” as the seed package says or need to know “When should I start planting?” as the guide on the back of the package asks. We can plant seeds every day. We can find blooms every day.

To mark this day, I want to share what thirteen famous and not so famous people have said, one for each week of spring:

“Along the river, over the hills, in the ground, in the sky, spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm, new life, new beauty, unfolding, unrolling in glorious exuberant extravagance---new birds in their nests, new winged creatures in the air, and new leaves, new flowers, spreading, shining, rejoicing, everywhere.”  

John Muir

“The ring I hear today is not the alarm clock, not the phone, not the doorbell. The ring I hear is the arrival of spring and my heart sings with joy and hope as I anticipate God’s new surprises!”

John Saville

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” 

Audrey Hepburn

 

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s Party!”

Robin Williams

 

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”

Leo Tolstoy

 

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.”

Jim Carry

 

“The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”

Harriet Ann Jacobs

 

“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.”

S. Brown

 

“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will bet warmer.”

Anita Krizzan

 

“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring”.

Lilly Pulitzer

 

“My favorite weather is bird chirping weather.”

Terri Guillemets

 

“The earth laughs in flowers.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Spring forward (day by day) indeed!

John