December 7, 2014

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
Mark 1:6, NRSV

Strange sartorial choices. Decidedly odd diet. A voice “crying out in the wilderness.”

Though Jesus’ cousin John was clearly someone at the margins of society, apparently his message was compelling enough in that day to gather throngs to the river for baptism.

I imagine that today he would be viewed with suspicion, skepticism and quite possibly malice. If I encountered a smelly, unshaven, raggedy street prophet, I would no doubt cross the street for my own comfort.

Those who don’t look, sound or behave as I do are suspicious. I have an inbred mistrust of The Other. It could be a person on the margins—unwashed, unkempt, unshaven. Or someone of another culture in strange dress. Or possibly someone behaving, worshipping or eating in a manner foreign to me.

I’m not alone in this squinty-eyed view of the world. Read the headlines, listen to broadcasts: Gaza. Ferguson. Syria. Our daily news is testimony to our shameful human behavior.

God is not threatened by differences. It’s we who are.

Prayer:
Lover of all, open our hearts to those whose appearance, behavior or life circumstances differ from our own. Amen

Question:
Can I see beyond differences?

Written by Robin Kline

The Bridge is a collaborative ministry by four Downtown Des Moines churches. The Bridge Meditations are part of the ministry of The Bridge which is working to enrich the lives of those working, living and visiting downtown Des Moines. Programs developed by The Bridge offer spiritual formation and development, professional counseling, holistic health and family support. The Connection Cafe is a Bridge ministry which provides a free mid-day meal five days per week. The Connection Cafe is located next to the YWCA on Grand Avenue and is supported by many churches and civic organizations in its ministry. For more information, or to volunteer to help with The Bridge, The Connection Cafe or other Downtown Des Moines ministries contact Rob Hoover at 515-771-1481 or by email at theconnectioncafe@hotmail.com

November 16, 2014

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; the one who had received the five talents went off at once and made five more talents; but the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money;
As for this worthless servant, throw him into the outer darkness…”
Matthew 25: 14-30 (NRSV)

This startling parable about the master who leaves his slaves with “talents,” a form of currency, expecting them to multiply the riches while he is gone, is both a warning and a lesson.

The warning: Leaving your talents untouched, unplanted, unshared is unacceptable.

The lesson: Investing your gifts will result in abundant riches.

In this autumn season, I think about those who have harvested the fruit of their talents: Norman Borlaug planted the seeds of the Green Revolution, leading to crops resistant to drought, disease and other devastation. Julia Child inspired generations of us to get into the kitchen with gusto. Alice Waters nourished a movement of farmer’s markets and enthusiasm for local food.

Closer to home, in our community, I see: Carmen, igniting a passion for poetry among children from low-income homes; Kevin, coaching young, hopeful entrepreneurs in business savvy; Bruce, encouraging high school students towards creative solutions to community challenges.

All of these individuals, whether luminaries or local worker bees, have invested their talents to the betterment of their communities and world.

Prayer:
Inspired Teacher, encourage us to invest our gifts. Amen

Question:
What talents can I sow today?

Written by Robin Kline

The Bridge is a collaborative ministry by four Downtown Des Moines churches. The Bridge Meditations are part of the ministry of The Bridge which is working to enrich the lives of those working, living and visiting downtown Des Moines. Programs developed by The Bridge offer spiritual formation and development, professional counseling, holistic health and family support. The Connection Cafe is a Bridge ministry which provides a free mid-day meal five days per week. The Connection Cafe is located next to the YWCA on Grand Avenue and is supported by many churches and civic organizations in its ministry. For more information, or to volunteer to help with The Bridge, The Connection Cafe or other Downtown Des Moines ministries contact Rob Hoover at 515-771-1481 or by email at theconnectioncafe@hotmail.com

October 5, 2014

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work.”
Exodus 20: 8- 9 (NRSV)

How quaint. This directive from God, among what we call the Ten Commandments, is implausible in our 2014 world.

Growing up with Blue Laws in suburban Chicago in the 1950s, I didn’t question this law of living. There was no commerce on Sundays; all retail stores were closed. We enjoyed Sunday dinner and a lazy afternoon.

Today that sounds like a story on The Twilight Zone—a program that my family, along with millions of others, watched every week from 1959 until 1964.

Keeping one whole day “holy”—being aware of God’s presence and reflecting on the goodness of the Divine—appears undoable. Enter The Sabbath Manifesto, an initiative created to slow down our lives. It suggests: 1. Avoid technology. 2. Connect with loved ones. 3. Nurture your health. 4. Get outside. 5. Avoid commerce. 6. Light candles. 7. Drink wine. 8. Eat bread. 9. Find silence. 10. Give back.

Sounds lovely, all of it. However, through a variety of mindfulness and contemplative practices, I’ve grown to appreciate the Sabbath in every day. Rather than devote one day to “no work,” I try to be more aware throughout every day of the miraculous nature of my life and the world around me. Call it hitting the “pause” button. Whether it’s taking time for a 20-minute centering prayer (Christian meditation) sit, stopping briefly to admire the night sky, or being aware of my breath as I wash the dishes, pausing in gratitude and wonder is my prayer.

Whether devoting a whole day to rest, or recognizing moments in every day as holy, I say Amen!

Prayer:
Provider of all, including our next breath, help us to be aware and in awe of your presence often, not just on Sunday. Amen

Question:
How can I “keep Sabbath” every day?

Written by Robin Kline

The Bridge is a collaborative ministry by four Downtown Des Moines churches. The Bridge Meditations are part of the ministry of The Bridge which is working to enrich the lives of those working, living and visiting downtown Des Moines. Programs developed by The Bridge offer spiritual formation and development, professional counseling, holistic health and family support. The Connection Cafe is a Bridge ministry which provides a free mid-day meal five days per week. The Connection Cafe is located next to the YWCA on Grand Avenue and is supported by many churches and civic organizations in its ministry. For more information, or to volunteer to help with The Bridge, The Connection Cafe or other Downtown Des Moines ministries contact Rob Hoover at 515-771-1481 or by email at theconnectioncafe@hotmail.com