God Power... and Kenosis

God has given us the power to change our ways.

God has given us the power to change our ways.

Feed the hungry, lose the bound.

Walk humbly with our God.

Mechtild of Magdeburg

Kenosis - the emptying of self-is at the heart of Jesus' incarnation and God's call to us as to feed the hungry, lose the bound, and walk humbly. It is the source of all true power. The wilderness is ultimately a place of emptying not for the sake of personal salvation, but that we might embrace holiness for the sake of the world.

Only transformed disciples can bear transformation. Most of us shy away from the practice of kenosis (of being emptied); intuitively we know the cost. But, it is the only way. As we come to learn, God's power is not like human power. John the Baptist is clear; we must decrease that Christ might increase within us. In the words of Paul, "our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: who, being by very nature God, did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled (he emptied himself) and became obedient unto death-even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).

While a part of the wilderness journey is predicated upon the need to change born of our sin and brokenness; that is only part of the journey. We must also be emptied even of "the good" that holds us apart from God. Kenosis becomes the means by which Christ-like character is forged in and through humility. This part of the journey involves surrendering control and leaves us forever changed.

The surrendered life is about God power. We can use power to afflict or set free: the choice remains ours. Much of how we use power depends upon how well we have journeyed through the wilderness. In Jesus, God models a power that is both self-giving and self-limiting.  Kenosis leads us beyond a focus on personal survival to an emptying that becomes the means by which the kingdom of God enters this world... without regard to cost to self. Our integrity as disciples will be measured by the degree to which we too bear the kingdom into the lives of others. As the apostle Paul reminds us: "The reign of God is not just words, it is power" (I Corinthians 4:20).

Of what is God calling you to empty yourself of that you might seek and bear the kingdom of God into the world?   Take some time this next week to ponder this question-with God and with trusted friends. Dare to surrender yourself to God in prayer that God might use you. Never forget that emptying is prelude to filling!

Food for the Journey

Journey Questions

1. Of what do you need to empty yourself in order to live a fully surrendered life?
2. Is it renunciation of your own agenda? Detachment from a certain way of being? Letting go of expectations of a particular outcome? Take some time to ponder your attachments. Ask yourself, in what way is God calling you to be emptied that you might follow in the way of Jesus?

Journey Practice: Emptied!

If Jesus is our model for our life's journey, then we need to take seriously his response both to the brokenness of others on the riverbank and his wilderness experience. Take some time this week to reread the gospel accounts of his baptism and testing in the wilderness. Note the images that come to you. Select one that is particularly striking for you and meditate on that image, letting it become concrete. As you do this, ponder the questions below:

• What does this image of Jesus say to you about power?
• What does this image say to you about self-awareness and self-management?
• What does this image say about God's call?

Prayer for the Journey

Gracious and Holy One, Creator of all things and of emptiness, I come to you full of much that clutters and distracts, stifles and burdens me, and makes me a burden to others.

Empty me now of gnawing dissatisfactions, of anxious imaginings, of fretful preoccupations, of nagging prejudices, of old scores to settle, and of the arrogance of being right

Empty me of the ways I unthinkingly think of myself as powerless, as a victim, determined by sex, age, race, as being less than I am, of as other than yours.

Empty me of the disguises and lies in which I hide myself from other people and from my responsibility for my neighbors and for the world.

Hollow out in me a space, in which I will find myself, find peace and a whole heart, a forgiving spirit and holiness, the springs of laughter, and the will to reach boldly for abundant life for myself and the whole human family.

PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM 2013 

• Preliminary Triennium Information for MVP Youth Leaders and Volunteers

• 2013 Youth Triennium Information

• PYT Participant Information Form - please print and return completed form to Presbytery office

• Participant Medical and Event Release Form - please print and return completed form to Presbytery office

• PYT Participant Packing List

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Small Employer Healthcare Tax Credit   

Employing organizations can use IRS Form 8941** and the Tax Credit Worksheet,** available from the Board, to assist with determining if they qualify for the tax credit and, if so, the maximum amount of that credit. Eligible employers should claim the credit on Form 990-T.

A more in-depth explanation can be found on this page of pensions.org 

http://www.pensions.org/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=84204&mode=2 

Reference Materials:

• Tax Credit Information & Resources page **(the Board of Pensions)

• Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions (IRS)

Help with Hurricane Sandy Recovery

First Presbyterian Church in Wooster Ohio is sending a group to New York City to help with Hurricane Sandy recovery.  We will leave on April 28th and return on May 4th.  Individuals are responsible for their own travel.  The cost is $40 per person per night.  Please contact Bruce Ballantine by email (bballantine@fpc-wooster.org) or phone (330-264-9420) for more information or to join the group.  You must be over 18 years old to join us on this trip.   

Dear Debbie and friends at Muskingum Valley Presbytery,  

I enjoy getting the updates on what's happening in MVP. Often wish I could be there to join in a workshop or two. May God continue to bless you as you seek to be faithful disciples. I'm hoping to be in Ohio for a couple months (March and April), and perhaps I'll be able to visit some churches in the presbytery.

I'm writing to say thank you for the support that you have given toward my work at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I'm grateful for the gifts of all who have supported me in prayer and with finances over the past thirty plus years. 

I'm also writing to share a challenge: I first came to Thailand as a volunteer 33 years ago.  Christ Church in Canton made a commitment to help find a volunteer to teach English in a school connected with the partner church of the PC(USA) here in Thailand. I'm hoping that some of the churches and people who support me will strengthen our connection by making a commitment to help us find young volunteers to serve at Payap University (13 month commitment to live in a dorm and teach English) or in the Christian Volunteers in Thailand program that started last year (2 year commitments to serve in one of the Church of Christ in Thailand schools that are all over the country). The volunteers would not necessarily come from the church, but the church would help us recruit good folks. Let me know if you would consider making a commitment to this way of connecting, and I can send more information. Or let me know of any leads on volunteers for the coming year (term starts in August--applications being received now).

Some people appreciate clear information about financial support needs, so I'll include the following financial information. The average cost to send and support a mission co-worker is $83,000 per year. My goal is to find supporters who will contribute at least 85% of that amount or $70,550. So far this year the total support I have received is $25,820 or about 31% of the total and almost 37% of my goal. I often receive year-end gifts in December, and I hope that will be the case this year, too. I appreciate every gift, and share this with you in case it is helpful. You can donate on-line at the following site: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/give/E200327/

Thanks again for all your love and care.

Esther

--
Rev. Esther Wakeman, Ph.D.
Assistant to the President, Spiritual & Community Life
Director, Mae Khao Dormitories
Payap University
Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
office 665-385-1475
home 665-324-3645
cell 6689-835-0786