It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because the latter may be an impulse of a moment of heat, whereas the former is a cold and deliberate choice of the heart.
~ George MacDonald

This Sunday we will begin our three week series on forgiveness. During this time we will be asking several questions including; What is forgiveness? Could God forgive me? Do I always have to forgive? We will also explore Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and reflect on times when we have given and received forgiveness.

Forgiveness can be deeply personal. It is also something that we all have experienced. We have all been hurt. We have all hurt someone else. In what is known as The Lord's Prayer Jesus instructs us to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." If we take these words seriously we will understand forgiveness as a two-way street.

So what do you think of the above quote? Is it shocking to think of the sin of non-forgiveness as being on par or worse than murder? It is to me. Even so, for me, MacDonald's words are truth. Like you (I'm sure) I've had my struggles with forgiveness. Through those struggles I've learned that when I hold on to a hurt and refuse to forgive I hurt not only the person who wronged me, but myself and my relationship with others and with God. What do you think? Have you struggled with forgiveness? How have you experienced forgiveness ~ as a giver or as a receiver?

This weekend I am traveling to Maine for my father's memorial service. It is hard to believe it has been six months since he died. The gathering this weekend is planned as a celebration. It will be an opportunity to remember and give thanks for the blessings he shared with us during his life.

I anticipate that this weekend will be both a gift and a challenge. It will be the first time I've returned to the Campground (where my Dad lived and where I grew up) since the funeral in December. It will be difficult to drive down the dirt road knowing that Dad won't be there to greet me. I will miss seeing him step out of his garage when hearing my car coming down the road.

But it will also be a good opportunity to intentionally remember. Too often we are encouraged to forget, to move on, to get over it. If our grief lasts too long or appears to be too strong, we are accused of dwelling on it. We are told that the best thing for us is to get on with our life. While healthy progress is important, I think remembering is important as well.

So this weekend I will remember. And, for those memories, I will give thanks. There will probably be some tears, but I'm sure there will be laughter as well. And, as I remember, I encourage you to remember too. Have you experienced losses that seem to painful to recall? Are there loved ones whose lives you would honor by remembering and giving thanks?

I recently started reading the popular book, "The Shack." I admit to being a little late in getting to it. Most people I know read it for the first time a couple years ago. I never got around to it when it first came out, but decided to pick it up now in preparation for our summer Adult Study which will be led by Sonja Hinsdale.

In addition to focusing on "The Shack" for our summer study, I will be preaching a sermon on "The Shack" and other popular Christian-based books. This topic was chosen by Sonja, who 'won' the Silent Auction sermon topic I put up for bid!

I am about half way through the book and have found it very enjoyable. I like the way the author challenges popular 'stereotypes' about God. I appreciate the struggle that is portrayed in the main character and find it to be believable. I haven't found anything particularly offensive about the book ~ yet.

I admit that, apart from Dan Brown's books and the occasional 'Mitford Series', I don't read much Christian fiction. I would love to hear your experience with Christian fiction. Is there a particular book or author you like? Do you find that Christian fiction strengthens your faith? Challenges it? Would you recommend Christian fiction to your non-Christian friends? Do you think Christian fiction is a good way to introduce someone to faith?

Last week was a week of fulfilled expectations! What a wonderful thing! The New England Annual Conference gathering (attended by Liz, Tricia, Julie and me) was filled with inspiring worship, fellowship between new friends and old, and important business. The Spirit was evident among the 1000 - 1500 United Methodists that gathered at Gordon College.

When we arrived home, neither were we disappointed on Sunday morning! Sunday was Pentecost and Children's Sunday and the Spirit arrived just as promised. We even acknowledged the Spirit's presence as we celebrated the gifts of the Spirit and raised them up on kites that we made together. It was a day filled with wonderful blessings!

For the next few months we will continue in the Season of Pentecost. During this time I hope we will continue to look for the Spirit's presence among us. Sometimes the Spirit comes to fulfill our expectations. Sometimes the Spirit comes to challenge our expectations. Sometimes the Spirit comes to present us with a whole new set of expectations. No matter, as long as we keep a look out for the Spirit and follow the Spirit's leading, we might be surprised, but I doubt we will be disappointed!

Blessings during this Pentecost Journey!

On Wednesday United Methodist Clergy and Laity from around New England will make the journey to Wenham, MA for our Annual Conference Gathering. Four of us from Faith UMC will be attending. Liz and I will be there as laity and clergy delegates. Tricia and Julie will be going as Equalization Members.

This year the theme for Annual Conference is "Living Side By Side: The Broken and The Whole." The four days of Annual Conference will be filled with worship, business meetings, reports from various Conference committees and speakers from missions and ministries around the nation and the world. There will also be a fair amount of food and fellowship! Other highlights of this year's Annual Conference will include the election of delegates to General Conference, a 5k run / walk to raise money to fight malaria, and several interesting Learning Centers.

This will be the second year that Vermont has been a part of the New England Annual Conference gathering. Please pray for those attending Annual Conference, including Bishop Peter Weaver who has the very important (and exhausting) ministry of presiding at all of our Conferencing Sessions. Pray for safe travel and that all delegates will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as important decisions are made.

Tricia, Liz, Julie and I will share the highlights of Annual Conference with you when we get back!

This Sunday the Liturgical season of Easter concludes with Christ's Ascension. It is time for the resurrected Christ to join his Father in Heaven. By this time the disciples were experts on saying good-bye. They had said good-bye to their friend and teacher when he was crucified on the cross. This time, though, they are not saying good-bye in the midst of death but in the midst of life. Christ ascends into heaven as the resurrected Son and will be alive forevermore.

My favorite line for the ascension accounts comes for the Acts of the Apostles. After Jesus shares his parting words we are told that he was lifted up on a cloud. At this time two men in white robes (angels?) join the disciples and ask, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?"

It seems perfectly reasonable to me that the disciples would be staring into heaven, jaws dropped. They had just witnessed something never before seen! Yet the angels try to call their attention back down to earth. The angels tell them not to look up, but to look around. I can imagine the angels saying, "Christ lives! (AMEN!) And because Christ lives there is plenty still to do right down here on earth! So get to work guys"

Jesus left the disciples (and us) with a mission. In the words of Matthew 28, this mission is to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you."

The disciples did turn their gaze back toward earth and soon got to work (with the help of the Holy Spirit) on Christ's mission for them. They preached and baptized and witnessed to their faith. They fed the hungry and healed the sick and visited those in prison. And they did all of this in the name of the Living Christ! And so do we!