J.O.Y.

Pop quiz: what does the above acronym stand for? Jump Or Yell? Just Out Yesterday? Jerry Owns Yaks? As a teenager, I was taught this acronym meant: Jesus Others You. J.O.Y. was presented to me as a tool for living a joyful life. You simply had to put Jesus first, others second, and you third. Rather than helping me find joy, this tool led me to sharply scrutinize my every action, giving birth to self-criticism. Did this particular decision put Jesus first? Was my specific choice putting others before me? After struggling to find joy with J.O.Y., I left it behind, not giving it another thought.

For some reason, J.O.Y. floated to the surface of my consciousness as I started to reflect on what brings me joy as a pastor. Moments and experiences in ministry that bring me joy are rooted in Jesus, others, and me. I discovered J.O.Y. isn’t a tool to establish a hierarchy of priorities for joyful living. For me, it points to the key elements that mark true joy in my life and ministry.

As I think about what brings me joy in ministry, I celebrate J.O.Y. in the following: Continue Reading…

They flood the shelves of your local supermarket this time of year in all their fluorescent, sugary glory. You can throw them in the microwave and impress kids with your party tricks. But what do Peeps marshmallow chicks (and bunnies) have to do with Holy Week? The truth—absolutely nothing.

Every time I see Peeps I’m reminded of one of my dear friends from seminary. I picture the two of us posing for a photograph, bright blue Peeps in our mouths. She’s excited to eat hers momentarily; I’m ready to spit mine out ASAP. And as I think about my friend, I think about our small group. Every week we would gather, to pray, to laugh, to cry, to encounter scripture through meditation rather than exegesis, and to reflect on the work of God in our lives. Much has happened to each one of us since our days as seminarians—cross-country moves, new relationships, family struggles. But wherever and however God leads us, I know these women are my people. At the risk of being cheesy, I guess you could say they are my “peeps”.

Today is Maundy Thursday. This day of Holy Week on which we remember Jesus’ celebration of the Passover with his disciples finds me thinking about those in my life who have been my “dear companions” (John 13:1 The Message). Truthfully, I’ve often glossed over Maundy Thursday, relegating it to the second runner up position in terms of “important” days in Holy Week. I’ve missed out on something significant. Jesus spends some of his last time on earth with his dear companions, those he calls friends (John 15:15). Before he faces trial and crucifixion, Jesus sits at the table with his people. Community is part of the narrative that leads to the cross and the resurrection. And the community we read about on Maundy Thursday isn’t shiny and perfect. This group sitting around the table with Jesus is full of people who make mistakes, argue, say the wrong thing, and get confused (over and over). Jesus doesn’t avoid this broken community. He washes their feet and breaks bread with them. Continue Reading…