Singing about peace...

I have been teaching music to the three kindergarten classes at Berkeley Art Magnet School in Berkeley for the past few months. The teachers and principle say they really value what I am doing with the kids. This is great. I love being able to serve the children of our neighborhood. I thought you might like to see my latest posting on my "Little Bird Music for Kids" blog. I am amazed at all countries represented by people accessing my kid music blog.

Reporting from my small place on the corner of Virgina and Milvia in Berkeley.

I have been playing this old negro spiritual for as long as I have been playing music with kids. It is an upbeat song with lots of great hand motions. I like the positive affirmation that we get to sing of having "peace like a river", "joy like a fountain", "and love like an ocean... in my heart".

I have changed the words from soul to heart when I sing this song with school kids. When using hand motions it makes more sense to say heart and touch your heart with both hands than to try and explain what a soul is to kids (like I know).

You can listen to me and my 7 year old granddaughter singing the song on this player. (My granddaughter has been singing "backup" in a kids country band which might account for the "twang" that she insist on adding to all my songs.)

Peace River.mp3



I've Got Peace Like A River
I just play a simple G C D progression

Verse 1:
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my heart
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my heart

Verse 2:
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my heart (x2)

Verse 3:
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my heart (x2)

After singing each verse we combined all the verses (peace like a river, joy like a fountain, love like an ocean in my heart). This requires the kids to follow directions and listen more closely. Often we end the song like this... I've got peace, joy, love, like a river, fountain, ocean... starting very slowly and finishing singing very fast. Makes for some grand silliness.

Here are the hand motions...
peace = make the 2 finger peace sign
river = dance fingers along in from of you like running river water
joy = use fingers to make a smile on your face
fountain = smash hands together and lift to the sky like splashing water
love = hug yourself
ocean = churn hands make a breaking wave motion
heart = bring both hands to your heart

A note about authorship.
Most everyone list this song as traditional negro spiritual but I have found a couple of references to the song being written by Mosie Lister. If Mr. Lister did write the song here is the copy write information.

©1970 Mosie Lister Songs (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
CCLI song #3247635

sunday reflections: a widow, seven dead husbands, angels, the bush story and my friend beva

I DID IT!!!
I guess I should not get so excited about being able to record my sermon on Sunday, but I am. After all those years of sermon tapes (I just tossed out a few hundred old tapes) I am now putting digitally recorded sermons on my blog. This means... first that I will never have to throw out a sermon tape again =] and that anyone, anytime, anywhere (they have an Internet connection) can listen to what I am saying to my people on Sunday mornings. I think that is very cool...

This week I shared my thoughts (and findings) about the story of some Sadducees (high minded, well healed Jewish leaders) who are trying to sidetrack Jesus from a very successful entrance into Jerusalem earlier in the week (Luke 20:27-38). Most of the sermon reflects on why I think Jesus shakes his head at the question from the sadducees thinking what "sad-duc-ees" they are. I also shared a story about my wonderful friend who is teaching me about what Jesus means when he says; "in God, they are all alive!"

Enjoy!


To download the message just click on this LINK . It is in "MP3" format.

sunday reflections: thoughts about sycamore wood pews

I ended my thoughts to the congregation on Sunday with a proposal.

What if we replace our pews with sycamore trees? You know, the trees made famous in the story of Jesus and the vertically challenged Zacchaeus. (I even shared my "wishful thinking" that possibly our pews were made of the wood of this holy, unpredictable, in cahoots with Jesus, tree.)

I know this seem like a radical idea but think about it...

a sycamore orchard in our church would have many advantages.

It certainly would give our church some attention. It is one thing to tell people we are a multicultural church. When I share with folks about our church they find it interesting but their interest seldom gets them to church for a visit. Telling them we have planted a sycamore orchard in our sanctuary - now that would be an irresistible "come and see." I guess usher duties would include tree trimming and some cultivation training.

Another plus - I understand that the sycamore tree that Zuccheaus climbed produced a fig like fruit. This could be a great fund raiser for the youth. They could set up a stand at the farmers market selling "sanctified sycamore figs." It might also encourage a switch from grape to fig juice. Fresh fig juice must be good for you. One of the drawbacks is the fact that only this one kind of little wasp can fertilize the fruit of the tree but I can see another youth fund raiser coming on... insect repellent?

I could see there would be more advantages. With all that extra oxygen trees produce it would be much easier for people to say awake during sermons and we would not have to drive anywhere to have a church picnic.

Now, understanding how the church works, there will have to be committees formed to deal with new issues posed by our unique sanctuary furnishings. There would mostly likely be a "tree cushion fund" committee formed and of course a liturgical decoration committee that will have to figure out how to decorate our trees for the Advent season (ornaments? lights? fake snow?). We will also have to figure out ways to receive the offering with folks sitting in trees (long handles attached to the collection plates? a sophisticated pulley system? paper airplanes?)

Now this is all very interesting to me but let me get back to why I made my proposal.

It seemed to me that the reason Jesus called out to Zacchaeus was because he was so ready for Him. Here's Zacchaeus, robe pulled up to his knees, dropping all pretensions, up in the trees with the children of the village, hanging over the road, waiting for Jesus.

I don't think he had any idea where this would lead but it he was ready. When Jesus does call to him he about falls out of the tree and after breaking bread with Jesus in his home he enters a new place in his life.

That day Zacchaeus was welcomed at the table of the family of God (a child of Abraham) and he moved from the Kingdom of Disproportion (Walter Brueggermann's description of our unjust, commercial driven, anxiety filled world) to the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ. He transfers his dependence on the power of money for the loving embrace of God's grace.

That salvation came to Zacchaeus' house that day was not only good news for his family but good news for the whole village. What with 1/2 of the richest man in town's money being fed into the social welfare system all those poor kids would now have proper health care. That would be good news in any land.

I have an active imagination. Before I made my proposal of an orchard in the sanctuary I could already see my people perched on their sycamore branches, waiting for Jesus' call, anticipating where God would lead them next. It made my words more important. You are careful of what you say when you think people are listening.

It seems to me that this is the way we should be coming to church. The church pews should be a dangerous place where we have put ourselves within ear shot, within sight, of Jesus' words that shake the world and shake our lives. We should be sitting on the edge of our pews, like sycamore branches we have climbed, teetering on every word Jesus says, and we should be ready to climb down from the pew when called that we might enter into the good work God is doing in the world.

reporting from my small sycamore branch in the world

32nd Annual Lessons and Carols at SFTS

Myrna and I have attended Lessons and Carols at SFTS many times. It is a wonderful way to start our reflections during Advent. We are planning on going on Sunday, December 2. If others would like to join us we might be able to go up early getting to see the campus and have dinner together. Let me know if you are interested.

32nd Annual Lessons and Carols at SFTS: "San Francisco Theological Seminary will once again host its Advent/Christmas service Dec. 1-2 at 7 pm. The theme for this year's candlelight service is 'Illumination' taken from Isaiah 60:19. Will feature readings from scripture and special music, with each 'lesson' concluding with congregational singing of carols. Reception outside on the Geneval Terrace will follow. Free. Arrive early for good seating."

sunday reflections: "out of memory"

darn modern technology. I have been trying to record my sermons lately for a number of reasons.

One, I am taking a Dr. of Ministry Class in January and I have to present a couple of recent sermons for class examination - Ugh :( have not done that in awhile.

Two, It is good for me to listen to past sermons. I am not saying it is always fun but it is good to hear what comes out of my mouth after all that planning and work. I have a tendency to throw in more than I sometimes intended in my notes. Recording sermons (and knowing I will have to listen to them later) has had a positive effect on the quality of the sermons (in my partner's estimation as well as my own).

Three, I hope these recorded sermons are helpful for those who miss a Sunday or want to "review" and see if I really said what they thought I said.

Anyway... with all good intentions I was not able to record the sermon this past Sunday. When I went to push the record button on my little digital recorder I got the message "out of memory." This was not good news for a pastor just standing up to preach his "without notes" sermon. It was such a relief when I realize that the memory issue was the recorder's and not mime that not being able to record the sermon seemed a very small problem.

Anyway... I have taken care of the memory problem and have great hopes of recording next week's sermon.

not recording from my small place in the world

sunday reflections: good guys, bad guys, a royal flush and ¡No más!

He moves closer to the gilded card table. God does not look up, he is busy with all the Godly things that keeps God so busy. He steps closer and ask God if they can play a hand of poker. God says there is no need, "just head on over to the banquet feast, we have been waiting for you." He moves in closer and with a whisper, "God, you will not believe the cards I'm holding. Can't we play just one hand?" God makes a sweeping jester towards the banquet, "no need, just join the party. It's all prepared for you." The pharisee presses his case, "But I have a hand even you won't believe. Look, the ace of spades - perfect attendance and the king of spades - fasting you know." God places his hand on the hand of the Pharisee, "Your cards are no good here. The house always wins. You know that. Don't play me..." With one last rejected plea the Pharisee turns from the gilded table intent on playing his hand.
_________________
This past Sunday I shared my reflections on the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the temple praying. It is one of the stories that the teacher Jesus shares with the folks who have been following him on his way to Jerusalem. This particular story is addressed to,"those who can be a bit self righteous at times and find some joy in pointing out a scoundrel with they see one." Speaks to me...

You can find this teaching of Jesus in Luke 18:9-14. There is a link to the text here.

If you want to listen to the message just press the play arrow below. Just before I started the sermon a couple of kids came running though the Sanctuary obviously playing hid and seek. After asking them to leave it dawned on me that they are not the only ones playing hid and seek in church today. Aren't we all playing a bit of a hid and seek with God? It's a favorite game of us humans.



To download the message just click on this LINK . It is in "MP3" format.

Please, please let me know of any problems you have listening to the message. This is an experiment and I would like to work out the bugs.

Reporting on the text from my(our) small place in the world

Singing and Dancing for Peace!

Events are always better when shared with those you love!

Today I had the pleasure of marching for peace with my wife, youngest son and his girl friend.

The pleasure was being able to not only join with what is estimated to be 30,000 people committed to peace but also to spend time with three of the most incredible people I know.

I am so thankful for all the work the organizers did to pull this event off. They were able to get all those independent minded peace groups together for a common cause. For a day 30,000 people marched in unity for 2 miles through the streets of San Francisco in a peaceful demonstration of defiance.

Because we were with two young people of color we were asked to join the front of the march. This was great because this was where the action was. For the entire two hours of the march we sang, chanted, protested with a "die-in" in respect for those who have died, and we danced (you can get a feel for the dance in the video of my son and a strolling troubadour).



I would love to tell you more about my son and his girl friend but this is my blog and not their's. It is enough to say that I feel very good about putting the future of our world in the hands of young people like them. They are smart, passionate and committed to causes of justice for those who are being left behind and besides, they make everything we do more fun. (again, check out the video)

I guess the very best best part of the day though was getting to spend time with my wife doing something we both feel so strongly about. I don't know how I got so lucky to find a partner who shares my values and my heart.

I am glad I made that promise to my grandkids this summer to speak out against the insanity of these past 5 years of war. I hope they will be inspired by what we have done to join with us when it is their time to stand up and try to make a difference for good.

Reporting, with tired feet, from my small place in the world.

marching for peace!

Now is the time to set your alarm for the march!
A time to stand up for Peace.

Meet at the North Berkeley Bart at 9:30am.

Put on your best walking shoes for a 1.8 mile march
from the SF Civic Center to Dolores Park.

Join with 1os of 1000s of others all over the country
calling on our leaders to find a new way to Peace!

reporting for peace from my small place in the world

join us on the march this saturday - October 27

This coming Saturday I will be joining with some of my family as we marching with 1000s of people from the San Francisco Civic Center to Dolores Park. You can get more information about this national event here.

I know this will not stop the war in Iraq but I do feel our leaders need to know that many American's want them to find a new way to bring about peace in our world. As a Christian I believe I need to stand up for what I believe. I what our leaders to know that I will vote for them if they take the risk of standing up for peace.

I also know I will not agree with everything that is being said by people who speak out at the march but I do join them in seeking a new way of peace.

If you would like to join us in the march give me a call. We will be meeting at the North Berkeley BART at 9:30am on Saturday. 510-435-4264

preparing to march in my small little place in the world

The Great "Multicultural" Jesus Feast!

If you want to get a feel for what life is going to be like in God's Kingdom you'd best find a good feast. I give that advice after reading and studying the bible for many years. You can't miss it. A feast is Jesus' favorite way of inviting us to celebrate good news. From long days on the mount to the return of wayward sons the feast is Jesus' preferred metaphor to help us understands God's generous blessing.

I am guessing that humans have understood the importance of the feast, as the required element of moments of celebration, from the time we figured out how to prepare a menu. The difference from Jesus' feast and the human feast is who we find around the table.

Most if not all our feast have a carefully planned invitation list that includes family and friends with a few neighbors scattered about. Jesus seems to have an open invitation policy for all the banquet feast that he presides over with the notable presence of strangers and outcast, sojourners, widows and folks that never ever got invited to a feast before.

So let me tell you about the unusual "Jesus Feast" we are hosting at Calvary this week.

The food will be provided by all the invited guess with a great deal of help by some professional chefs. At this first banquet cooking class we will be specializing in foods from China.

The guest list will include a diverse group from Calvary as well as strangers (soon to be friends) we met at the Spice of Life Festival. Wouldn't you love to join our feast? It's an open invitation, Jesus style.

I think Jesus will be pleased at what we have learned about putting on a Jesus Feast.

If you want to be part of this banquet feast, or future feast, let me know. 510-435-4264

Reporting from my small (but tasty) place in the world.