The Rev. Thomas Nibbe
Sunday, June 13, 2021 @ 11:00 a.m.
THE SCRIPTURES
“…I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish…”(Ezekiel 17:24)
“…how great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts…”(Psalm 92:5)
“…so we make it our goal to please Him…”(2 Corinthians 5:6-17)
“…from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view…”(2 Corinthians 5:16a)
“…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…”(2 Corinthians 5:17a)
“…He didn’t say anything to them without using a parable…”(Mark 4:34a)
Would you pray with me this morning…
Gracious God, We sometimes get so caught up in the give-and-take of everyday life that we simply forget something important…that is to say, we forget that you are in charge and that all things do work for ourgood when we, simply again, surrender and keep our focus uponyou. We want to praise you on this sacred day and commend ourhearts into your tender care. Forgive us all of our sins, our failingsand our shortcomings. We are grateful that your Son, Jesus, becamesin for us, and sanctified us through His sacrifice…one time for all time.Guide us through this day and allow us to be of service to others.In Jesus’ name.Amen
We’ve been having a wonderful time together with our super
intelligent young people on the grounds of our needy churchproperty this weekend. Sunday morning will be the start of theirthird day in Pacifica. They have done a great job of improving the general appearance of outside and inside. Thanks, gals and guys.
the message
Recently, prior to all the graduation ceremonies in the Bay Area, I was handed a letter by a long-time friend, and as well, mom of ayoung lady, Karen, attending the University of California, Berkeley. I asked permission from mom to share it with you this morning…
Here it goes:
Dear Mom,
Thank you very much for asking about my well-being and health.Thank God I’m not as heavy as I was when you saw me last. Istarted to lose a lot of weight after a strange eruption of the skinon my chest and abdominal areas. The doctor at the “free clinic”says it might be herpes, but I’ll remain hopeful that it isn’t that.
Anyway, on the other hand, my depression has taken a turn forthe better after a new friend named Max, from Chicago, movedin with me in my one-bedroom apartment. It seemed kind of bigto me anyway before. He’s a real great guy and he promised hewill help me out with the rent when he gets back on his feet again.He’s cleaned up a lot since we met. He helps me out a lot.
(second page)
He even used to attend church a lot before he got hooked onheroine about eight years ago, but he promises he’ll quit. “Honest!”,he says. I even loaded him some of the money you sent to helphim pay for treatment to get off the stuff. He says he’s “out patient”.Sometimes he says funny things to me, but most of the time he’sreally cool…way beyond me most of the time…
Max has introduced me to a new religion. My feelings of guilt and
shame have really decreased dramatically, because with our newfound religion, we don’t have to be hypocrites. It’s much more consistent with our views as regards drugs, sex, and work.
(third page)
The other night we were taking a walk in the Castro district when thepolice arrested us thinking we were some other people. It was reallya new kind of experience spending my first night in jail—in SF. I metsome really different kind of people who made me realize we’d betterbe more careful next time.
Meanwhile, as a result, I haven’t been going out as much as before.My schedule is kind of loaded. I’ve decided to quit school and get ajob to pay off some bills.
On my last visit to the doctor, he told me I may be able to earn enough
money before the delivery to partially offset the cost of having my firstbaby. I hope my skin problem doesn’t complicate things for me. Atleast, in the hospital, I won’t have to put up with the cockroaches andthe stench of my apartment.
(last page)
Now, Mom, I know that all these experiences seem pretty far out,pretty bad, but I’m going to ask that you do something for me…I’m going to ask that you forget every single word I just wrote you…because not a word of it is true…
The actual reason I’m writing to you today is to let you know thatI failed Organic Chemistry this past term. It’s really tough at Berkeley.I also want to let you know that some things aren’t really as bad asthey seem to be. Please forgive me for leading you on, Mom. I know you’ll understand and that I’ll improve as I get used to this place.
Love always,Karen
Poor Mom. All in all, after the initial shock, she took it well,and chuckled later as she handed the letter over to me.
I thought it would be worthwhile to share the contents of theletter and to ask a worthwhile question…
What strategies have we developed within the context of ourfaith to share our failures and shortcomings with those whom we live with and those whom we love?
Dr. Fritz Perls used to say, “…when we hide our shortcomings
and conceal them within ourselves it has the tendency withintime to fester and cause us to withdraw from life…” It causedDr. Perls to state his famous line, “We are our secrets”.
When we hold negative things about ourselves inside and keep them there without sharing them it causes us to withdraw from living in the present. It is, in effect, extremely unhealthy.
Thus, the Apostle writes in James 5:16, “Therefore confess yoursins to each other and pray for each other so that you may behealed…the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
None of us are perfect. We all fall short. (definition: to sin is “to fall short” [archery term: ancient]) We are for a lifetime — hopeless sinners in the hands of a generous, loving God. Thank God that no perfect people are going to heaven, because…
“there ain’t no perfect people”
What an insight!
We are able to go to our loving, understanding pastor. We are able to share our deepest feelings with trusted friendswithin the context of our church fellowship (and yet we do itwith a heart and a mind discerning friends worthy of our trust).
We are so blessed to be able to confess our sins each and every Sunday morning. It is a blessing. Through that portion of the liturgy (service format) we are healed, according to the Bible.For many years I didn’t know that and I didn’t feel that, but I donow. I thank God for that…and I thank God for the wisdom of Dr. Perls to affirm the biblical teaching in our present age.
Imagine the great number of people in our area and our worldwho think they don’t need the church and the fellowship of thechurch. When we look at the format of our Sunday morningworship and discern the wisdom of the components of the order,we discover, not only the sacred nature therein, but also themeans for each of us to heal and be drawn into a life of wholeness and profound intimate fellowship.
And, dear friends, thank God for folks with a sense of humor when all is said and done…folks like Karen and her Mom…
Have a great day! Blessings to you and yours,
Cordially,Tom
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