I don't know if you have heard Christmas at the Airport by Nick Lowe (or seen the video yet)… I heard it the first time at the beginning of December on Prairie Home Companion. When I first heard it, I thought it was a parody, but after realizing it wasn't, I thought to myself this has to be the world's worst Christmas song!
I kept hearing it again and again, however, as people who pick Great Christmas songs were putting it on their list for this year. Each time I listened my heart was softened. As I kept hearing it over and over again, I began to pick up a bit of the nuance of this song. I found myself beginning to like it and actually singing along.
You see, as much as we want Christmas to be the magic wand that makes the whole world better, unfortunately, people do get stuck at the airport at Christmas. Children will go to bed dreaming of food on the table because there has been none the previous day. Wars will continue to rage, and peace will seem as illusive as always.
Christmas isn't magic, but it is a promise. A promise that we are not forgotten. A promise that we are not alone. A promise that God is willing to work for us, even when we prove to be our own worst enemy. Christmas is a promise that good, while it may be tarnished and hidden, is still at work in the world. Christmas is God's way of saying to you and to me and to the world as a whole that we are not in control of our destiny, because God has a better dream for our future.
May this be a Christmas where we begin to imagine and live God's future for us all.
Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.
Pal
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
My dog was stolen!
This past weekend I attended a Christmas party hosted by folks from our congregation. As part of the celebration there was the traditional 'White Elephant Gift Exchange.' You know, this is where people wrap up stuff they no longer want and pawn it off upon others wrapped in beautiful packaging. Yet every once in awhile there is a true treasure; which once it is acquired, it's possession is constantly under threat by the infamous 'steal.' It becomes a bit of a contest or at least a test to try to end up with something better than you brought to the party.
The gift exchange began rather benignly with people docilely choosing wrapped items from under the tree. There were a few good natured exchanges, and then it was my turn. The person before me had unwrapped an electronic dog that rolls around on the ground and laughs hysterically. That individual seemed unimpressed with this gift. Being the type of person I am, however, I fell in love instantly with the little guy and I STOLE him for myself!
Now several others had the opportunity to pick after me and this cute little bundle of joy was still clutched in my arms laughing his head off. I thought I was safe! Then one of the last people to have an opportunity STOLE MY DOG!!! It was like my heart was pierced. (Which of course brought laughter from all around the room!) Later I learned that the new owner of MY DOG decided to name it PAL! Oh, the irony of it all!
Since that day, I have told the story over and over again, causing others to laugh at my feigned pain. Of course, as I later reflected, there is a certain integrity to what occurred at that party and what we in the church celebrate at Christmas. In the midst of the joyous and heartfelt feelings of the season, and as we celebrate new life remembering the gift God gave that first Christmas; we cannot help but sense the irony of it all. Love pierced God's heart. Love led Christ to the cross. Love was the reason Jesus allowed the authorities to steal his life. Yes, love gives us life, but there is always a cost we cannot deny.
Let us not forget in the midst of our holy hilarity that Christmas is the gift God has given us at great cost to himself. We come away from this celebration with something more than what we bring, but it is only because God loves us too much to let us walk away empty handed.
Merry Christmas,
Pal
The gift exchange began rather benignly with people docilely choosing wrapped items from under the tree. There were a few good natured exchanges, and then it was my turn. The person before me had unwrapped an electronic dog that rolls around on the ground and laughs hysterically. That individual seemed unimpressed with this gift. Being the type of person I am, however, I fell in love instantly with the little guy and I STOLE him for myself!
Now several others had the opportunity to pick after me and this cute little bundle of joy was still clutched in my arms laughing his head off. I thought I was safe! Then one of the last people to have an opportunity STOLE MY DOG!!! It was like my heart was pierced. (Which of course brought laughter from all around the room!) Later I learned that the new owner of MY DOG decided to name it PAL! Oh, the irony of it all!
Since that day, I have told the story over and over again, causing others to laugh at my feigned pain. Of course, as I later reflected, there is a certain integrity to what occurred at that party and what we in the church celebrate at Christmas. In the midst of the joyous and heartfelt feelings of the season, and as we celebrate new life remembering the gift God gave that first Christmas; we cannot help but sense the irony of it all. Love pierced God's heart. Love led Christ to the cross. Love was the reason Jesus allowed the authorities to steal his life. Yes, love gives us life, but there is always a cost we cannot deny.
Let us not forget in the midst of our holy hilarity that Christmas is the gift God has given us at great cost to himself. We come away from this celebration with something more than what we bring, but it is only because God loves us too much to let us walk away empty handed.
Merry Christmas,
Pal
Monday, December 9, 2013
John and Jesus...
Do you think John understood Jesus' mission? John, who likely was an Essenes, was ready for Jesus to usher in an age where all would adopt the regimen of their community near Qumran. These folks took seriously their duties as heralds of the messianic age. They practices a higher form of righteousness that was shockingly missing amongst the religious leaders in Jerusalem. If you did not meet the standard, you were sent packing; the winnowing fork was at hand, which meant you were kicked out into the desert where you may or may not survive.
John, later in Jesus' ministry, suffering in prison, sends his disciples to famously ask of Jesus, Are you the one, or should we wait for another? It seems Jesus has not met John's expectations and doubt has arisen.
Jesus responds by saying The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. (Luke 7.22,23)
As we anticipate the celebration of Christmas, the birth of a Savior, perhaps it is a good thing to reflect upon what he is saving us from. Is he saving us from unholy living? Is it Jesus' mission to make us more religious than were the Pharisees? Is following Jesus, a call to a righteousness akin to that of the Essenes?
Or is Jesus saving us from a life that is too small? A life that begins with me and only sees the neighbor as the instrument through which I save myself. I believe Jesus' response to John was a reminder that the messianic age is not to be a reward for the righteous, but a call to those who follow to show compassion and mercy to those who are not whole or holy. The messianic age is truly that Peaceable Kingdom where those who would normally find themselves at odds with one another, discover we have more in common than we ever imagined, and that we need each other more than we ever thought.
May we this Advent Season, find a way to live out the messianic ministry of Jesus by reaching out to those who are unwanted and uncared for, knowing that in them and through them we begin to experience the fullness of God, and may we know that only by embracing the one who is not like me am I made complete.
Peace,
Pal
John, later in Jesus' ministry, suffering in prison, sends his disciples to famously ask of Jesus, Are you the one, or should we wait for another? It seems Jesus has not met John's expectations and doubt has arisen.
Jesus responds by saying The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. (Luke 7.22,23)
As we anticipate the celebration of Christmas, the birth of a Savior, perhaps it is a good thing to reflect upon what he is saving us from. Is he saving us from unholy living? Is it Jesus' mission to make us more religious than were the Pharisees? Is following Jesus, a call to a righteousness akin to that of the Essenes?
Or is Jesus saving us from a life that is too small? A life that begins with me and only sees the neighbor as the instrument through which I save myself. I believe Jesus' response to John was a reminder that the messianic age is not to be a reward for the righteous, but a call to those who follow to show compassion and mercy to those who are not whole or holy. The messianic age is truly that Peaceable Kingdom where those who would normally find themselves at odds with one another, discover we have more in common than we ever imagined, and that we need each other more than we ever thought.
May we this Advent Season, find a way to live out the messianic ministry of Jesus by reaching out to those who are unwanted and uncared for, knowing that in them and through them we begin to experience the fullness of God, and may we know that only by embracing the one who is not like me am I made complete.
Peace,
Pal
Friday, December 6, 2013
Nelson Mandela and Santa Claus
Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday. Far too many people, far more eloquent than I have already eulogized his passing, so I will not try to prove myself to be a greater wordsmith than others.
Perhaps, however, I can put in a good word for the DREAMERS. Far too often we accept the world as it is, questioning whether we can truly change. Now I understand the stain of sin, and I have no illusions as to our ability to perfect our hearts. Yet, it would seem that even in the church, even at this time of the year, we settle when we know we can do better.
Do we not dream that the immense power that is available to us would be used to share gifts of hope for those who are hopeless, and justice for those who are downtrodden? Do we not dream of a more perfect union, where a person is not judge based upon color of skin or ethnic origin, or even religious belief, but by the character of our soul? Do we not dream that all God's children would have an opportunity to put their unique gifts to work for the betterment of humanity and stewardship of the earth? And if these are our dreams, why do we give up on them so easily?
Today is St Nicholas Day in the church calendar. St Nicholas shared his wealth to win release for the captive and offer security the impoverished. St Nicholas not only preached good news but was an instrument by which good news was received by those who did not feel as if they were deserving. How can we embody the spirit of St Nicholas this Holy Season as we distribute gifts of good news? How can we, like Nelson Mandela, put aside our own aspirations and commit ourselves to the cause of those who have lost hope? How can we follow in the footsteps of the Christ who stoops to wash the feet of the ones who will betray and desert him?
I hope we can still dream of this new world Jesus began, and I hope we will find ways to share that promise with those who no longer dream.
Peace,
Pal
Perhaps, however, I can put in a good word for the DREAMERS. Far too often we accept the world as it is, questioning whether we can truly change. Now I understand the stain of sin, and I have no illusions as to our ability to perfect our hearts. Yet, it would seem that even in the church, even at this time of the year, we settle when we know we can do better.
Do we not dream that the immense power that is available to us would be used to share gifts of hope for those who are hopeless, and justice for those who are downtrodden? Do we not dream of a more perfect union, where a person is not judge based upon color of skin or ethnic origin, or even religious belief, but by the character of our soul? Do we not dream that all God's children would have an opportunity to put their unique gifts to work for the betterment of humanity and stewardship of the earth? And if these are our dreams, why do we give up on them so easily?
Today is St Nicholas Day in the church calendar. St Nicholas shared his wealth to win release for the captive and offer security the impoverished. St Nicholas not only preached good news but was an instrument by which good news was received by those who did not feel as if they were deserving. How can we embody the spirit of St Nicholas this Holy Season as we distribute gifts of good news? How can we, like Nelson Mandela, put aside our own aspirations and commit ourselves to the cause of those who have lost hope? How can we follow in the footsteps of the Christ who stoops to wash the feet of the ones who will betray and desert him?
I hope we can still dream of this new world Jesus began, and I hope we will find ways to share that promise with those who no longer dream.
Peace,
Pal
Monday, December 2, 2013
God is With Us!
Immanuel… God is with us!
This is at the heart of our preparations for Christmas; the promise that God is with us. This is the promise God makes throughout all of Scripture. Whether it be the Abraham and Sarah (God is with us!) or Moses (God is with us!), or the wandering Israelites (God is with us!), or even the captives in Babylon (God is with us!), God's promise is, 'I will be your God and you will be my people.'
There are some, with good reason, who lament the excessive commercialization of this season. There are some who are critical of those who have forgotten the reason for the season. I understand the desire to stand for one's convictions. I understand the frustration that is felt when we are so focused upon our wants and desires being fulfilled that we ultimately miss the blessing of the gift of Christmas.
Yet, Christmas is about acceptance if nothing else. God doesn't wait until we prove ourselves worthy to enter into our reality. God doesn't wait until we have proven our theological credentials to choose us as his own. The old hymn got this one right, 'Just as I am without one plea…'
If we are worried that people are more focused upon the mas, or more, of the season and less on the Christ of this holiday, lets not get into a tug of war over semantics. Let's choose instead to be a reflection of Christ's light. Let it be our mission to worry less about whether others got it right, and focus more upon trying to be compassionate and forgiving toward others, just as Christ did with his disciples and his detractors. Let it be our goal to spend less time correcting others for their political correctness, and instead of being theologically astute, might we choose to put ourselves in their shoes and show others the same kindness God has shown us.
Tolerance and acceptance are not bad words even as we experience these Christmas cultural clashes. As followers of Jesus, let us mimic his action by being the one who is accepting of those most in need and walking alongside those most broken.
Welcome to Advent.
Peace,
Pal
This is at the heart of our preparations for Christmas; the promise that God is with us. This is the promise God makes throughout all of Scripture. Whether it be the Abraham and Sarah (God is with us!) or Moses (God is with us!), or the wandering Israelites (God is with us!), or even the captives in Babylon (God is with us!), God's promise is, 'I will be your God and you will be my people.'
There are some, with good reason, who lament the excessive commercialization of this season. There are some who are critical of those who have forgotten the reason for the season. I understand the desire to stand for one's convictions. I understand the frustration that is felt when we are so focused upon our wants and desires being fulfilled that we ultimately miss the blessing of the gift of Christmas.
Yet, Christmas is about acceptance if nothing else. God doesn't wait until we prove ourselves worthy to enter into our reality. God doesn't wait until we have proven our theological credentials to choose us as his own. The old hymn got this one right, 'Just as I am without one plea…'
If we are worried that people are more focused upon the mas, or more, of the season and less on the Christ of this holiday, lets not get into a tug of war over semantics. Let's choose instead to be a reflection of Christ's light. Let it be our mission to worry less about whether others got it right, and focus more upon trying to be compassionate and forgiving toward others, just as Christ did with his disciples and his detractors. Let it be our goal to spend less time correcting others for their political correctness, and instead of being theologically astute, might we choose to put ourselves in their shoes and show others the same kindness God has shown us.
Tolerance and acceptance are not bad words even as we experience these Christmas cultural clashes. As followers of Jesus, let us mimic his action by being the one who is accepting of those most in need and walking alongside those most broken.
Welcome to Advent.
Peace,
Pal
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thanksgiving Turkey...
Thanksgiving. We immediately imagine pilgrims and natives gathered for a harvest festival following a difficult first year (1621) at Plymouth Colony. Is there more to the story?
Thanksgiving became a traditional celebration in the Massachusetts Bay Colony shortly after 1630. As other colonies were formed, they too would often share in a celebration as the harvest was brought to storeroom.
As the colonies engaged in a war of independence, it was the Continental Congress in 1777 that urged the various governors of these United States to set aside a Day of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 28th respecting the divine mercy God has shown to the people of this nation. Then in 1789 as the House of Representatives passed the First Amendment to the Constitution, they urged President Washington to proclaim a Day of Thanksgiving for 'the many signal favors of Almighty God.' Washington did issue such a proclamation setting aside Thursday, November 26th as such a day of giving thanks.
Most of us, however, are likely most familiar with the Proclamation of Thanksgiving signed by our 16th President in the midst of the American Civil War. The last Thursday of November 1863 was designated as a Day of Thanksgiving. His Secretary of State, William Seward, drafted the document that closed with the following sentiment:
I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.
Maybe this is a side of Thanksgiving we need to remember. While giving thanks for the blessings that are ours, may it be a reminder as well that gratitude is intended to lead to generosity. May this indeed be a season where we are generous with our assistance to those who are in need knowing that none of us is deserving but all are blessed. May this be a time when we might be generous in the gift of forgiveness, healing the wounds that divide us and reconciling with others knowing that all will benefit from this choice. May this be a time when we are generous with our hearts as we minister to those who are suffering, knowing that one day it will be our hope someone will do the same for us.
As we see throughout the history of this land; these holidays are intended to be a gateway into a deeper understanding of who we are and what we are called to be. May we be a people who do more than celebrate Thanksgiving, but may we be a people who are engaged in Thanks-Living.
Peace,
Pal
Thanksgiving became a traditional celebration in the Massachusetts Bay Colony shortly after 1630. As other colonies were formed, they too would often share in a celebration as the harvest was brought to storeroom.
As the colonies engaged in a war of independence, it was the Continental Congress in 1777 that urged the various governors of these United States to set aside a Day of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 28th respecting the divine mercy God has shown to the people of this nation. Then in 1789 as the House of Representatives passed the First Amendment to the Constitution, they urged President Washington to proclaim a Day of Thanksgiving for 'the many signal favors of Almighty God.' Washington did issue such a proclamation setting aside Thursday, November 26th as such a day of giving thanks.
Most of us, however, are likely most familiar with the Proclamation of Thanksgiving signed by our 16th President in the midst of the American Civil War. The last Thursday of November 1863 was designated as a Day of Thanksgiving. His Secretary of State, William Seward, drafted the document that closed with the following sentiment:
I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.
Maybe this is a side of Thanksgiving we need to remember. While giving thanks for the blessings that are ours, may it be a reminder as well that gratitude is intended to lead to generosity. May this indeed be a season where we are generous with our assistance to those who are in need knowing that none of us is deserving but all are blessed. May this be a time when we might be generous in the gift of forgiveness, healing the wounds that divide us and reconciling with others knowing that all will benefit from this choice. May this be a time when we are generous with our hearts as we minister to those who are suffering, knowing that one day it will be our hope someone will do the same for us.
As we see throughout the history of this land; these holidays are intended to be a gateway into a deeper understanding of who we are and what we are called to be. May we be a people who do more than celebrate Thanksgiving, but may we be a people who are engaged in Thanks-Living.
Peace,
Pal
Monday, November 18, 2013
Treasure Hunt
Stewardship is not much in vogue today. Rarely does the concept creep into people's consciousness. In the church, the mere mention of the word can cause a roll of the eyes and the blockage of one's ears.
The word, however, has a rich and meaningful pedigree. Stewards begin by recognizing we are not the ones in charge. We are responsible as caretakers of another's capital. It is not ours to do as we like, because we are simply managing a resource for the sake of those who are following in our footsteps.
Stewardship in the church has certainly changed over the years. In the 'good old days' as harvest time approached the church would remind the people of the need to give from our abundance to support those who were in need. The church would then distribute the funds through a network of agencies who had a track record of serving the community in need. It was an effective as well as an efficient way to spread the wealth as far as it would go.
Today, every week new nonprofits are formed and they are all engaged in mass mailing campaigns. They tell heart-wrenching stories and through direct mail and phone solicitation they meet their goals. The church, no longer serves as the middle man making sure that those who receive the funds are held accountable. As the campaigns become more sophisticated (and more is spent to convince the individual to give), the church receives less and less in support of its work both locally and globally.
Over the past 50 years the church which had been an effective manager of the gifts has slowly been starved by the expensive ad campaigns of well-funded nonprofits. As a result, individuals who give continue to receive more and more solicitations by phone and mail (something we all complain about), while the church limps along struggling to convince people that it is justifiable to give on a regular basis so as to pass on this legacy to the next generation.
As for myself, I am convinced that there is a value to being a steward of this treasure that resides in clay pots. Yes, the horrors of the church are well chronicled, but let's not forget all that has been accomplished through these communities of faith. From the hospital to hospice, from the shelter to the soup kitchen, from education to emancipation, the church has been at the center of all this and more. Yes, the church is filled with hypocrites because like the rest of society we struggle trying to live up to our ideal, but the church is also comprised of the saints who sacrificially give of themselves for the sake of those who can never repay them.
So I do not apologize when the church makes known its need for support. We are stewards of a legacy that goes back in time and ultimately points to our future hope. The church may not be as sophisticated in its attempt to gain the support of our people, but that may simply be because the church is far more busy engaged in mission and ministry than trying to constantly raise money for this ministry.
I'm glad to be a steward of this treasure, and I hope you are too.
Peace,
Pal
The word, however, has a rich and meaningful pedigree. Stewards begin by recognizing we are not the ones in charge. We are responsible as caretakers of another's capital. It is not ours to do as we like, because we are simply managing a resource for the sake of those who are following in our footsteps.
Stewardship in the church has certainly changed over the years. In the 'good old days' as harvest time approached the church would remind the people of the need to give from our abundance to support those who were in need. The church would then distribute the funds through a network of agencies who had a track record of serving the community in need. It was an effective as well as an efficient way to spread the wealth as far as it would go.
Today, every week new nonprofits are formed and they are all engaged in mass mailing campaigns. They tell heart-wrenching stories and through direct mail and phone solicitation they meet their goals. The church, no longer serves as the middle man making sure that those who receive the funds are held accountable. As the campaigns become more sophisticated (and more is spent to convince the individual to give), the church receives less and less in support of its work both locally and globally.
Over the past 50 years the church which had been an effective manager of the gifts has slowly been starved by the expensive ad campaigns of well-funded nonprofits. As a result, individuals who give continue to receive more and more solicitations by phone and mail (something we all complain about), while the church limps along struggling to convince people that it is justifiable to give on a regular basis so as to pass on this legacy to the next generation.
As for myself, I am convinced that there is a value to being a steward of this treasure that resides in clay pots. Yes, the horrors of the church are well chronicled, but let's not forget all that has been accomplished through these communities of faith. From the hospital to hospice, from the shelter to the soup kitchen, from education to emancipation, the church has been at the center of all this and more. Yes, the church is filled with hypocrites because like the rest of society we struggle trying to live up to our ideal, but the church is also comprised of the saints who sacrificially give of themselves for the sake of those who can never repay them.
So I do not apologize when the church makes known its need for support. We are stewards of a legacy that goes back in time and ultimately points to our future hope. The church may not be as sophisticated in its attempt to gain the support of our people, but that may simply be because the church is far more busy engaged in mission and ministry than trying to constantly raise money for this ministry.
I'm glad to be a steward of this treasure, and I hope you are too.
Peace,
Pal
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Falling Into God
A couple of weekends ago I hit the deck. I was riding my bike, must have hit some road shrapnel, and I went down hard. I was knocked out for a few moments, and have no memory of events for nearly 15 minutes. Even after my memory started to reboot, it took me quite awhile to start thinking clearly. Only later was I able to acknowledge that I was in a state of shock. Fortunately for me, I had a helmet on and friends around or otherwise I'd likely still be in a hospital today.
Each of us has times in our lives where we get knocked down, hard! Maybe its the loss of a job, or the end of a marriage. Perhaps we just came back from the Oncologist with a diagnosis of cancer. We never know when these moments will arise and our vertical clearance will be lessened, but we can prepare for the inevitable eventuality.
Friends have been suggesting to me that I take up a less dangerous hobby. I understand the desire to make things 'safe,' but life is not safe. Preparedness for difficult times, does not mean that we live in fear of every possible danger. If I was to give up riding, perhaps I could avoid such a danger, but I'd lose out on the opportunity to 'fly on two wheels.' That is an exchange I'm unwilling to broker.
May I suggest that we cannot avoid all dangers, nor can we protect ourselves from all eventualities. What we can do, however, is exercise our intelligence to minimize the harm if not the risks. Wearing a helmet is one way to protect a cyclist from the most dangerous threat while not impeding the joy of riding.
I believe the same can be said about our experience of the Christian faith. While some would prefer to practice a faith of do and don't as a means by which to avoid dangerous risks, I myself would rather enter into the adventure of unchartered territories armed with the tools that will minimize the harm if 'all hell breaks loose.' That is why I choose to be a part of a faith community. They are there to assist when trouble strikes. They are there to offer a listening ear when my doubts nag at me. They are the ones who are there as the surrogate wombs of faith when my faith seems lacking and nearly hollow.
I understand the people who say they don't need a church. I get it when they say they'd prefer to worship God in some grassy field or mountaintop. I, however, have never seen a tree nor rock embrace another when up a tree or under a rock. The Body of Christ, on the other hand, despite it's failings, is able to do this time and time again with grace and generosity. The church is where I hear the sweet refrain of 'Amazing Grace.' The church, while not always true to this motif, nonetheless, it is the one who picks me up when I am down… when I have gone down hard!
While gravity has this nagging way of making itself known to all of us, I pray that you too have a community that will enter into the risk of a real relationship with one another as with God.
Peace,
Pal
Each of us has times in our lives where we get knocked down, hard! Maybe its the loss of a job, or the end of a marriage. Perhaps we just came back from the Oncologist with a diagnosis of cancer. We never know when these moments will arise and our vertical clearance will be lessened, but we can prepare for the inevitable eventuality.
Friends have been suggesting to me that I take up a less dangerous hobby. I understand the desire to make things 'safe,' but life is not safe. Preparedness for difficult times, does not mean that we live in fear of every possible danger. If I was to give up riding, perhaps I could avoid such a danger, but I'd lose out on the opportunity to 'fly on two wheels.' That is an exchange I'm unwilling to broker.
May I suggest that we cannot avoid all dangers, nor can we protect ourselves from all eventualities. What we can do, however, is exercise our intelligence to minimize the harm if not the risks. Wearing a helmet is one way to protect a cyclist from the most dangerous threat while not impeding the joy of riding.
I believe the same can be said about our experience of the Christian faith. While some would prefer to practice a faith of do and don't as a means by which to avoid dangerous risks, I myself would rather enter into the adventure of unchartered territories armed with the tools that will minimize the harm if 'all hell breaks loose.' That is why I choose to be a part of a faith community. They are there to assist when trouble strikes. They are there to offer a listening ear when my doubts nag at me. They are the ones who are there as the surrogate wombs of faith when my faith seems lacking and nearly hollow.
I understand the people who say they don't need a church. I get it when they say they'd prefer to worship God in some grassy field or mountaintop. I, however, have never seen a tree nor rock embrace another when up a tree or under a rock. The Body of Christ, on the other hand, despite it's failings, is able to do this time and time again with grace and generosity. The church is where I hear the sweet refrain of 'Amazing Grace.' The church, while not always true to this motif, nonetheless, it is the one who picks me up when I am down… when I have gone down hard!
While gravity has this nagging way of making itself known to all of us, I pray that you too have a community that will enter into the risk of a real relationship with one another as with God.
Peace,
Pal
Monday, November 4, 2013
Saint Charles
November begins for me with the remembrance of All Saints Day. This year my father would have turned 100 on November 15th. My dad never thought of himself as a saint, but I would beg to differ.
Now my dad was a good German, which meant that he was quick to express his anger but slow to show affection. It was, not only his pedigree, but his generation. He grew up during hard times. Life was not easy for him. Men of his generation were taught not to reveal weakness and the expression of affection was a signal of a serious character flaw.
As a small child, my dad was this huge man who lived a Big life. I loved to hear his stories of the day when he had the world by the tail. He was a champion golfer (a compatriot of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead), an avid outdoorsmen (hunting and fishing), and a hard working paperhanger. As a teen, my father didn't seem so worldly nor so interesting. He wasn't up on the latest fad, and his memory of past events was not in accord with what I was learning in school. I went through that typical teenage rebellion, thinking I knew more than my old man.
Despite my father's training and temperament, somehow he put up with this snot-nosed kid who never openly defied him (knowing the consequence of such a stupid act), but whose rebellion smoldered within. Somehow my father never stopped loving me the best way he knew how. Amazingly, my father was even able to learn some new behaviors (you can teach an old dog new tricks!), and during my college years my eyes were opened to the compassion and kindness that was always lying underneath the surface of this man's gruff exterior.
The older I get, the more appreciation I have for that stubborn old German (perhaps because I can be one too!). The older I get the more I see how God worked through him (although this was never his vocabulary) to raise a son who came to trust in a heavenly Father because he could trust his earthly father even when the two of us disagreed. I came to appreciate the gift I was given, rather than lament the fact that my father wasn't everything I hoped him to be.
As a father myself, I'm hopeful that I can apply the same lessons with my son (and daughter). I hope my son might know that even when we disagree (openly or not) that he is still loved. I hope my son will know that even when I am not as affectionate as he might hope, that my heart bleeds for him. And I hope that even when I cannot articulate it well, he will know that he is not alone in this universe, for there is a God who cares, even when it seems he doesn't.
My dad never believed he was good enough to be loved by God. On that point I disagreed mightily with the man; and I did not hesitate to say again and again, that our heavenly Father doesn't wait for us to prove ourselves worthy of being loved, he just loves us! I hope that my son will know that his dad doesn't' wait for him to prove himself but just loves him, because that is something I learned from Saint Charlie who would have been 100 in 10 days.
Peace,
Pal
Now my dad was a good German, which meant that he was quick to express his anger but slow to show affection. It was, not only his pedigree, but his generation. He grew up during hard times. Life was not easy for him. Men of his generation were taught not to reveal weakness and the expression of affection was a signal of a serious character flaw.
As a small child, my dad was this huge man who lived a Big life. I loved to hear his stories of the day when he had the world by the tail. He was a champion golfer (a compatriot of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead), an avid outdoorsmen (hunting and fishing), and a hard working paperhanger. As a teen, my father didn't seem so worldly nor so interesting. He wasn't up on the latest fad, and his memory of past events was not in accord with what I was learning in school. I went through that typical teenage rebellion, thinking I knew more than my old man.
Despite my father's training and temperament, somehow he put up with this snot-nosed kid who never openly defied him (knowing the consequence of such a stupid act), but whose rebellion smoldered within. Somehow my father never stopped loving me the best way he knew how. Amazingly, my father was even able to learn some new behaviors (you can teach an old dog new tricks!), and during my college years my eyes were opened to the compassion and kindness that was always lying underneath the surface of this man's gruff exterior.
The older I get, the more appreciation I have for that stubborn old German (perhaps because I can be one too!). The older I get the more I see how God worked through him (although this was never his vocabulary) to raise a son who came to trust in a heavenly Father because he could trust his earthly father even when the two of us disagreed. I came to appreciate the gift I was given, rather than lament the fact that my father wasn't everything I hoped him to be.
As a father myself, I'm hopeful that I can apply the same lessons with my son (and daughter). I hope my son might know that even when we disagree (openly or not) that he is still loved. I hope my son will know that even when I am not as affectionate as he might hope, that my heart bleeds for him. And I hope that even when I cannot articulate it well, he will know that he is not alone in this universe, for there is a God who cares, even when it seems he doesn't.
My dad never believed he was good enough to be loved by God. On that point I disagreed mightily with the man; and I did not hesitate to say again and again, that our heavenly Father doesn't wait for us to prove ourselves worthy of being loved, he just loves us! I hope that my son will know that his dad doesn't' wait for him to prove himself but just loves him, because that is something I learned from Saint Charlie who would have been 100 in 10 days.
Peace,
Pal
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! I realize there are some within the Body of Christ that believe followers of Jesus should have nothing to do with this holiday, but I for one disagree.
Like other church holidays (yes!), All Hallows Eve was adapted from pagan rituals that preceded it. It was originally a time when the pagans would mark the harvest at end of life that coincided with the harvest at the end of the growing season. They would light bonfires in celebration of the gods of light who brought this harvest to fruition and they would treat one another with the good things of the earth as they prepared for the long harsh winter season.
It was the 8th century when the Christians began to adapt this holiday into a time to remember the souls and saints. All Hallows Eve was a time to remember the dead or keep the vigil prior to the feast day (All Saints) which was to follow. The custom of going door to door began in Britain as folks would offer prayers on behalf of the deceased in exchange for cakes or donuts (an eternal circle). Sometimes those who came to the door were asked to share a short 'morality play' on the virtues of following Christ in order to receive their gift of goodies.
Today, most in our culture have no sense of the connection between All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day. Nonetheless, Halloween can still be a wonderful reminder of the gift of God's grace.
We are promised in baptism that we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. On Halloween, our children become princesses and superheroes; or in other words they take on a new identity that reminds them of their identity in Christ. We are promised throughout Scriptures that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things! In the Scriptures we are called the sons and daughters of the most high God. This is a chance to affirm our calling as followers of Jesus.
In addition, as our children go door to door, they are gifted. They receive pure grace! They don't have to do anything (some teenagers don't even bother to wear a costume!) and yet they receive something sweet and good. They aren't even required to say 'thank you' to be blessed in such a way.
So, I would argue that we who follow Jesus might do better to follow the path of our ancestors and once again provide a different narrative to All Hallows Eve, rather than just complain or attempt to ignore. This is a wonderful opportunity to be out in our neighborhoods, forming community, and sharing as instruments of God's grace in a world that is often haunted by the darkness around us.
Have a safe and happy All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day!
Peace,
Pal
Like other church holidays (yes!), All Hallows Eve was adapted from pagan rituals that preceded it. It was originally a time when the pagans would mark the harvest at end of life that coincided with the harvest at the end of the growing season. They would light bonfires in celebration of the gods of light who brought this harvest to fruition and they would treat one another with the good things of the earth as they prepared for the long harsh winter season.
It was the 8th century when the Christians began to adapt this holiday into a time to remember the souls and saints. All Hallows Eve was a time to remember the dead or keep the vigil prior to the feast day (All Saints) which was to follow. The custom of going door to door began in Britain as folks would offer prayers on behalf of the deceased in exchange for cakes or donuts (an eternal circle). Sometimes those who came to the door were asked to share a short 'morality play' on the virtues of following Christ in order to receive their gift of goodies.
Today, most in our culture have no sense of the connection between All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day. Nonetheless, Halloween can still be a wonderful reminder of the gift of God's grace.
We are promised in baptism that we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. On Halloween, our children become princesses and superheroes; or in other words they take on a new identity that reminds them of their identity in Christ. We are promised throughout Scriptures that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things! In the Scriptures we are called the sons and daughters of the most high God. This is a chance to affirm our calling as followers of Jesus.
In addition, as our children go door to door, they are gifted. They receive pure grace! They don't have to do anything (some teenagers don't even bother to wear a costume!) and yet they receive something sweet and good. They aren't even required to say 'thank you' to be blessed in such a way.
So, I would argue that we who follow Jesus might do better to follow the path of our ancestors and once again provide a different narrative to All Hallows Eve, rather than just complain or attempt to ignore. This is a wonderful opportunity to be out in our neighborhoods, forming community, and sharing as instruments of God's grace in a world that is often haunted by the darkness around us.
Have a safe and happy All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day!
Peace,
Pal
Monday, October 28, 2013
Falling Down
I was fifteen miles into a fifty mile ride with my buddies. We were making a left turn off of Camelback, and the next thing I remember is a friend applying first aid alongside the road.
My friends tell me my tire went flat (immediately) and I went down fast hitting my head on the curb of the center median. My helmet is a goner, but the CT scan shows my brain is still operating at full capacity.
Thank God for helmets! They cost more than we want to spend and can be a bit uncomfortable. Most of the time they are just window decoration because we don't need them. But when you go down like I did, well...
Thank God for my buddies! Riding a bike is easily a solitary event and even when riding in a group much of the time is riding one behind the other with little conversation taking place. Who knows what might have happened with me lying in the middle of the road, but I am glad my buddies were there to escort me to safety.
Of course the analogy is a simple one... thank God for the church. I have a friend that says churches are for weak people. He may be right, but we never know when the air is going to go out and we've had a smack down with reality. It's good to have taken the time to make sure its the right fit before that moment strikes.
Thank God for the church. I can have a spirituality that works for me and God, but who knows when I need to take advantage of the 'buddy system.' Making this ride together is not only of value due to the fellowship we share. There is that wonderful passage in Scripture that says, 'Bear one another burdens.' I am pleased by how the church will rally to the support of people who have given up on the church or its theology.
So, I'm alive and well today (although a bit sore in the head, and plenty of road rash), and I give thanks to God for providing me what I needed to survive the unexpected. How about you? Are you prepared to face the unexpected? If not, know that God through the church is (even if it isn't all that attractive)!
Peace,
Pal
My friends tell me my tire went flat (immediately) and I went down fast hitting my head on the curb of the center median. My helmet is a goner, but the CT scan shows my brain is still operating at full capacity.
Thank God for helmets! They cost more than we want to spend and can be a bit uncomfortable. Most of the time they are just window decoration because we don't need them. But when you go down like I did, well...
Thank God for my buddies! Riding a bike is easily a solitary event and even when riding in a group much of the time is riding one behind the other with little conversation taking place. Who knows what might have happened with me lying in the middle of the road, but I am glad my buddies were there to escort me to safety.
Of course the analogy is a simple one... thank God for the church. I have a friend that says churches are for weak people. He may be right, but we never know when the air is going to go out and we've had a smack down with reality. It's good to have taken the time to make sure its the right fit before that moment strikes.
Thank God for the church. I can have a spirituality that works for me and God, but who knows when I need to take advantage of the 'buddy system.' Making this ride together is not only of value due to the fellowship we share. There is that wonderful passage in Scripture that says, 'Bear one another burdens.' I am pleased by how the church will rally to the support of people who have given up on the church or its theology.
So, I'm alive and well today (although a bit sore in the head, and plenty of road rash), and I give thanks to God for providing me what I needed to survive the unexpected. How about you? Are you prepared to face the unexpected? If not, know that God through the church is (even if it isn't all that attractive)!
Peace,
Pal
Thursday, October 24, 2013
ALL IN
We have a dog at home. He is a cute dog. He is a faithful dog. He is a loving and loved pet. He is a Cocker Spaniel... he is just about as dumb as a brick.
Champ suffers from many different phobias. I find the most interesting is his fear of floor tile. He can walk on certain tiles in the kitchen but not others. They are what we call the 'scary' tiles because they are too far away from the safety of the carpet. This dog has created an imaginary line that he cannot cross no matter what good gifts have fallen on the floor beyond that line.
Now I said Champ is not the smartest beast to walk the face of the earth, and I would like to think that I am further along the evolutionary chain; but I am well aware there are 'scary' tile in my life as well. I do believe I limit God's possibilities for my life simply because of my unwillingness to take a risk.
For instance, I was watching last week's release of the Felix Baumgartner's leap from 127,000 feet up. Watching this event one year later, I realized that the only way down was for him was to jump! There was no other option once he committed to going. Once he climbed into that capsule he was ALL IN!
When I think of the things I value in life, am I truly ALL IN? Or do I simply go through the motions because I'm frightened by the 'scary' tile?
When it comes to matters of faith, I'm reminded of a quote offered as a way of understanding we Americans (don't know where I heard it):
We worship our work;
We work at our play;
And we play at our worship.
Now I don't want to turn worship into some form of work, proving myself righteous, and I certainly don't desire worship to be the object of my worship; but I would hope my experience of God's grace in my life would cause me to go beyond the scary tile (walking on water perhaps) and venture into uncharted waters. I would hope that this relationship was be more definitive of who I am and where I am going. I would hope that because of what God has already shown of himself in the past and my present, that looking to the future I could say, 'I'm ALL IN!'
What would you dream of doing for the purposes of the Reign of God if you knew you could not fail? What would it be like to take failure off the board?
Are you in?
Peace,
Pal
Champ suffers from many different phobias. I find the most interesting is his fear of floor tile. He can walk on certain tiles in the kitchen but not others. They are what we call the 'scary' tiles because they are too far away from the safety of the carpet. This dog has created an imaginary line that he cannot cross no matter what good gifts have fallen on the floor beyond that line.
Now I said Champ is not the smartest beast to walk the face of the earth, and I would like to think that I am further along the evolutionary chain; but I am well aware there are 'scary' tile in my life as well. I do believe I limit God's possibilities for my life simply because of my unwillingness to take a risk.
For instance, I was watching last week's release of the Felix Baumgartner's leap from 127,000 feet up. Watching this event one year later, I realized that the only way down was for him was to jump! There was no other option once he committed to going. Once he climbed into that capsule he was ALL IN!
When I think of the things I value in life, am I truly ALL IN? Or do I simply go through the motions because I'm frightened by the 'scary' tile?
When it comes to matters of faith, I'm reminded of a quote offered as a way of understanding we Americans (don't know where I heard it):
We worship our work;
We work at our play;
And we play at our worship.
Now I don't want to turn worship into some form of work, proving myself righteous, and I certainly don't desire worship to be the object of my worship; but I would hope my experience of God's grace in my life would cause me to go beyond the scary tile (walking on water perhaps) and venture into uncharted waters. I would hope that this relationship was be more definitive of who I am and where I am going. I would hope that because of what God has already shown of himself in the past and my present, that looking to the future I could say, 'I'm ALL IN!'
What would you dream of doing for the purposes of the Reign of God if you knew you could not fail? What would it be like to take failure off the board?
Are you in?
Peace,
Pal
Monday, October 21, 2013
Football Faithful
Okay... I admit it, I'm a Denver Bronco fan.
My Sundays, however, are not spent in front of a TV or at a bar watching Peyton Manning slice and dice his way down the field. For the most part I gave up watching football. It takes too much time, no one else in my family watches, and there is always the possibility of ending up on the wrong side of the score when the clock strikes zero.
But I'm still a fan. I watch the highlights streamed on my computer later that night. I revel in the loss of the teams I despise. I'm like many Americans, addicted to the game.
So, last night some friends from church invited me to watch the game against Indianapolis on their big screen TV and I said 'yes.' Of course, the Broncos did not play up to their potential or even their normal level of skill. Of course, the Broncos kept giving me hope they would pull it out in the end. Of course, the Broncos lost. It wasn't much fun.
Yet Americans of every socio-economic class, every ethnic origin, and from every region of the country stop, drop, and drool when the games roll up on the schedule. The NFL commands such loyalty and devotion that I believe it goes beyond religion... it is like god.
As a pastor for 25 years, I've learned that the church gets hammered on the field of play every Sunday morning by the NFL. The bookies in Vegas would have to give us 26 points and I still doubt that we could cover the spread. The good news for us in Arizona is that the Cardinal football franchisee is woefully inept, and yet come Monday morning there is far more buzz about what happen at the Cardinal Cathedral than in any church in town.
Is this sour grapes? Am I still working through my disappointment that my particular denomination of the NFL religion did not deliver the goods on Sunday? Perhaps.
On the other hand, Luther defined a false god as something that cannot deliver what it promises. Does the NFL really make our lives better? I joke that on any given Sunday we will be rooting for a team that fails us, and ultimately every team will fail us (save one) by the time of the Super Bowl (and who remembers who won the Super Bowl 3 years ago?).
When I think about the time and energy, the money, the heartache, I've invested in the NFL and what it has given me and the world in general in return... I truly wonder if I have made a poor investment. I realize that there is the forming of communities around teams, there are rituals and traditions as we get ready for the event, and that most teams cause us to pray and seek the intervention of a higher power sometime during the course of a game.
Yet, I wonder if the NFL is seen as superior to all other events in our life, simply because it gives us a simple story line where we can root for good (our team) against evil (the other team), and by the end of the game we will have been able to release our own demons so as to do battle the next day?
As a pastor I wish people would be as passionate about our brand of belief as folks are faithful to their particular brand of the NFL. Yet, I'm not so sure life can be broken down so easily between good and bad, right and wrong. I'm reminded that we are both sinners and saints (not the New Orleans kind) at the same time.
So... I am sure I will continue to get smacked around by the NFL on Sunday mornings. I'm sure that the NFL will continue to capture the loyalty of folks I would hope would be as equally if not more passionate about the cause of the carpenter from Nazareth (just up the road from where the Eagles play). I'm sure that the narrative told by the NFL will continue to ring deep within the hearts of its fans. But we are told that on any given Sunday...
Yes, Sunday is a day when we will hear again of the power of that first Easter resurrection. May the whisper of such Good News give us a peace that the NFL can only pretend to do. (Oh, by the way, Go Broncos... all the way to the Super Bowl!)
Peace,
Pal
My Sundays, however, are not spent in front of a TV or at a bar watching Peyton Manning slice and dice his way down the field. For the most part I gave up watching football. It takes too much time, no one else in my family watches, and there is always the possibility of ending up on the wrong side of the score when the clock strikes zero.
But I'm still a fan. I watch the highlights streamed on my computer later that night. I revel in the loss of the teams I despise. I'm like many Americans, addicted to the game.
So, last night some friends from church invited me to watch the game against Indianapolis on their big screen TV and I said 'yes.' Of course, the Broncos did not play up to their potential or even their normal level of skill. Of course, the Broncos kept giving me hope they would pull it out in the end. Of course, the Broncos lost. It wasn't much fun.
Yet Americans of every socio-economic class, every ethnic origin, and from every region of the country stop, drop, and drool when the games roll up on the schedule. The NFL commands such loyalty and devotion that I believe it goes beyond religion... it is like god.
As a pastor for 25 years, I've learned that the church gets hammered on the field of play every Sunday morning by the NFL. The bookies in Vegas would have to give us 26 points and I still doubt that we could cover the spread. The good news for us in Arizona is that the Cardinal football franchisee is woefully inept, and yet come Monday morning there is far more buzz about what happen at the Cardinal Cathedral than in any church in town.
Is this sour grapes? Am I still working through my disappointment that my particular denomination of the NFL religion did not deliver the goods on Sunday? Perhaps.
On the other hand, Luther defined a false god as something that cannot deliver what it promises. Does the NFL really make our lives better? I joke that on any given Sunday we will be rooting for a team that fails us, and ultimately every team will fail us (save one) by the time of the Super Bowl (and who remembers who won the Super Bowl 3 years ago?).
When I think about the time and energy, the money, the heartache, I've invested in the NFL and what it has given me and the world in general in return... I truly wonder if I have made a poor investment. I realize that there is the forming of communities around teams, there are rituals and traditions as we get ready for the event, and that most teams cause us to pray and seek the intervention of a higher power sometime during the course of a game.
Yet, I wonder if the NFL is seen as superior to all other events in our life, simply because it gives us a simple story line where we can root for good (our team) against evil (the other team), and by the end of the game we will have been able to release our own demons so as to do battle the next day?
As a pastor I wish people would be as passionate about our brand of belief as folks are faithful to their particular brand of the NFL. Yet, I'm not so sure life can be broken down so easily between good and bad, right and wrong. I'm reminded that we are both sinners and saints (not the New Orleans kind) at the same time.
So... I am sure I will continue to get smacked around by the NFL on Sunday mornings. I'm sure that the NFL will continue to capture the loyalty of folks I would hope would be as equally if not more passionate about the cause of the carpenter from Nazareth (just up the road from where the Eagles play). I'm sure that the narrative told by the NFL will continue to ring deep within the hearts of its fans. But we are told that on any given Sunday...
Yes, Sunday is a day when we will hear again of the power of that first Easter resurrection. May the whisper of such Good News give us a peace that the NFL can only pretend to do. (Oh, by the way, Go Broncos... all the way to the Super Bowl!)
Peace,
Pal
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Walking in their Mocsassins
Well, it is D-Day! The Debt limit showdown has reached the final hours. When my kids were young and would attempt to throw a temper tantrum, we would do our best to ignore it so we would not reinforce their anti-social behavior. As this 'drama' has drugged on, I sometimes wonder what would happen if we would just stop reporting about what is happening in DC? Would they stop acting like little children?
I understand that we as a nation have real issues to address. At the heart of these issues is the question Cain brought before God, Am I my brother's keeper? In one way or another this question continues to haunt the entire biblical narrative, as it haunts my life, my world today.
Early on, God instructed the people of Israel to provide for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in their midst because they were once strangers in Egypt. The prophets come along and warned those in power that their hunger and thirst for the privileged life was destroying the nation as well as insulting God. Jesus confronted his Jewish listeners with stories of God's grace blessing those who were not among the chosen people. Peter discovers that there is nothing unclean, and Paul pushes the church to accept Gentiles into their midst with no strings attached.
The story goes on as we hear how the early saints shared in common and showed mercy to those who were in need. Hospitals and hospices were started by the followers of Jesus. Again and again, it would seem that God's word written and proclaimed would without hesitation say YES, we are our brother's keeper. The bible seems pretty consistent, following Jesus is not a solitary journey of personal piety.
I believe we all recognize we need some help along the way. I'm who I am because of my parents and my local school district's commitment to quality education. I am fortunate to have been born into a nation that provides basic civil rights, so I do not need to fear imprisonment for posting something on the internet. I appreciate that there is an FDA that regulates drugs so that I know that my prescription is not tainted by harmful elements.
Still the question continues, how best do we show concern for our brother or sister? Maybe, the answer is to be found in the story of God.
We are told that God became one with us. In other words, God didn't pretend to be one of us, but actually became one with us. While I cannot believe that God did not know the nature of humanity before the incarnation, there is no doubt that in Jesus we see a God who is 'one with us.' This is a God who sees our humanity through human eyes.
As we debate how best to respond to the needs of a brother or sister, before we decide, perhaps we need to do the best we can to see their life through their eyes. Perhaps we need to, in the words of the old native proverb, 'Walk a mile in their moccasins.' Might this change how we perceive our brother?
I wonder if those in DC did the same if the debate might be changed?
Peace,
Pal
I understand that we as a nation have real issues to address. At the heart of these issues is the question Cain brought before God, Am I my brother's keeper? In one way or another this question continues to haunt the entire biblical narrative, as it haunts my life, my world today.
Early on, God instructed the people of Israel to provide for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in their midst because they were once strangers in Egypt. The prophets come along and warned those in power that their hunger and thirst for the privileged life was destroying the nation as well as insulting God. Jesus confronted his Jewish listeners with stories of God's grace blessing those who were not among the chosen people. Peter discovers that there is nothing unclean, and Paul pushes the church to accept Gentiles into their midst with no strings attached.
The story goes on as we hear how the early saints shared in common and showed mercy to those who were in need. Hospitals and hospices were started by the followers of Jesus. Again and again, it would seem that God's word written and proclaimed would without hesitation say YES, we are our brother's keeper. The bible seems pretty consistent, following Jesus is not a solitary journey of personal piety.
I believe we all recognize we need some help along the way. I'm who I am because of my parents and my local school district's commitment to quality education. I am fortunate to have been born into a nation that provides basic civil rights, so I do not need to fear imprisonment for posting something on the internet. I appreciate that there is an FDA that regulates drugs so that I know that my prescription is not tainted by harmful elements.
Still the question continues, how best do we show concern for our brother or sister? Maybe, the answer is to be found in the story of God.
We are told that God became one with us. In other words, God didn't pretend to be one of us, but actually became one with us. While I cannot believe that God did not know the nature of humanity before the incarnation, there is no doubt that in Jesus we see a God who is 'one with us.' This is a God who sees our humanity through human eyes.
As we debate how best to respond to the needs of a brother or sister, before we decide, perhaps we need to do the best we can to see their life through their eyes. Perhaps we need to, in the words of the old native proverb, 'Walk a mile in their moccasins.' Might this change how we perceive our brother?
I wonder if those in DC did the same if the debate might be changed?
Peace,
Pal
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Contact... between science and faith
This past week I had an interesting conversation with a friend regarding the role of faith and science. I believe that each supports the other. For instance to move from the dense matter that was the universe prior to the Big-Bang to the ever expanding movement of time and space that exists in post Big-Bang 'world' works equally for the cosmologist and the theologian. Or when we look at sub atomic particles that can randomly appear in different places as if they are moving in and out of our dimensional understanding of space and time sounds a lot like the way people of faith speak of the interaction of spirit and material reality.
As a result of our conversation, dealing with the possibility of life existing outside our solar system (something that I can only affirm based upon the creativity of God describe in scripture), I recommended to my friend the movie Contact starring Jodie Foster. It is based upon Carl Sagan's novel of the same name; and for a self-described atheist, does a nice job of connecting the dots between science, humanity, and faith. I especially appreciate the testimony of Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), an avowed nonbeliever, before the Congressional Investigative Committee provided in the following transcript:
As a result of our conversation, dealing with the possibility of life existing outside our solar system (something that I can only affirm based upon the creativity of God describe in scripture), I recommended to my friend the movie Contact starring Jodie Foster. It is based upon Carl Sagan's novel of the same name; and for a self-described atheist, does a nice job of connecting the dots between science, humanity, and faith. I especially appreciate the testimony of Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), an avowed nonbeliever, before the Congressional Investigative Committee provided in the following transcript:
Panel member: Doctor Arroway, you come to us with no evidence, no record, no artifacts. Only a story that to put it mildly strains credibility. Over half a trillion dollars was spent, dozens of lives were lost. Are you really going to sit there and tell us we should just take this all... on faith?
[pause, Ellie looks at Palmer]
Michael Kitz: Please answer the question, doctor.
Ellie Arroway: Is it possible that it didn't happen? Yes. As a scientist, I must concede that, I must volunteer that.
Michael Kitz: Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You admit that you have absolutely no physical evidence to back up your story.
Ellie Arroway: Yes.
Michael Kitz: You admit that you very well may have hallucinated this whole thing.
Ellie Arroway: Yes.
Michael Kitz: You admit that if you were in our position, you would respond with exactly the same degree of incredulity and skepticism!
Ellie Arroway: Yes!
Michael Kitz: [standing, angrily] Then why don't you simply withdraw your testimony, and concede that this "journey to the center of the galaxy," in fact, never took place!
Ellie Arroway: Because I can't. I... had an experience... I can't prove it, I can't even explain it, but everything that I know as a human being, everything that I am tells me that it was real! I was given something wonderful, something that changed me forever... A vision... of the universe, that tells us, undeniably, how tiny, and insignificant and how... rare, and precious we all are! A vision that tells us that we belong to something that is greater then ourselves, that we are *not*, that none of us are alone! I wish... I... could share that... I wish, that everyone, if only for one... moment, could feel... that awe, and humility, and hope. But... That continues to be my wish.
I love it... I have been given a vision that regardless of how tiny we are, nonetheless how precious we are as well. Knowing that we are not alone (a God who walks with us!?) gives us hope. Sure sounds a lot like science and faith coming to a singular understanding.
Pal
Monday, October 7, 2013
Party On!
The Kingdom of God is a Party!
I was newly ordained as a pastor and was attending a small conference for Sunday School teachers in the Bay Area. It was my introduction to Tony Campolo who had been brought in from Philly to speak. To state the obvious, Tony is one of those speakers that is not easily forgotten.
Tony is an Italian on steroids! His arms were flailing, his feet were prancing, and his mouth was moving a mile a minute. After spending 45 minutes reminding us that we weren't just teaching lessons to disinterested kids, but we were introducing them to the Kingdom of God; he concluded by telling us about a sleepless night in Honolulu were he threw a birthday party for a prostitute.
Now he did not do this as a means of organized evangelistic outreach with the intent of getting all those women and their pimps into a church to save their souls. His sole purpose was to spread the joy, to do something outrageous because that is the nature of this God we worship. It was only when the guest of honor asked to take the cake to show her mom and there was a lull in the party that Tony took off the mask and cape and revealed himself as a follower of Jesus. In that moment of awkwardness waiting for the birthday hooker to return, Tony said, 'Let's pray.' It was a simple prayer asking God to shower his love upon everyone in that room and to keep them safe.
After the prayer, the cook confronted Tony, 'I didn't know you was a preacher. What kind of church do you lead?'
Tony responded by saying, 'One that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 2 am in the morning.'
The cook responded back by saying, 'No way! If there was a church like that I'd be there!'
You see, I had a similar conversation with my son just recently. Not quite exactly, but with much the same sentiment he expressed that short order cook's words. Like many of his generation, he longs for a church that truly cares about those who are hurting. Like many of his generation, he is put off by a church of rules and regulations, favored and unfavored. Like many he has little room for God if God is anything like what he all too frequently sees and hears from the church.
So, what shall we be? Shall we be the church of Jesus? Shall we be the church that throws parties for prostitutes? Or will we be the church that continues to exclude more and more people because they don't fit into our expectation of what a Christian should be?
I was newly ordained as a pastor and was attending a small conference for Sunday School teachers in the Bay Area. It was my introduction to Tony Campolo who had been brought in from Philly to speak. To state the obvious, Tony is one of those speakers that is not easily forgotten.
Tony is an Italian on steroids! His arms were flailing, his feet were prancing, and his mouth was moving a mile a minute. After spending 45 minutes reminding us that we weren't just teaching lessons to disinterested kids, but we were introducing them to the Kingdom of God; he concluded by telling us about a sleepless night in Honolulu were he threw a birthday party for a prostitute.
Now he did not do this as a means of organized evangelistic outreach with the intent of getting all those women and their pimps into a church to save their souls. His sole purpose was to spread the joy, to do something outrageous because that is the nature of this God we worship. It was only when the guest of honor asked to take the cake to show her mom and there was a lull in the party that Tony took off the mask and cape and revealed himself as a follower of Jesus. In that moment of awkwardness waiting for the birthday hooker to return, Tony said, 'Let's pray.' It was a simple prayer asking God to shower his love upon everyone in that room and to keep them safe.
After the prayer, the cook confronted Tony, 'I didn't know you was a preacher. What kind of church do you lead?'
Tony responded by saying, 'One that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 2 am in the morning.'
The cook responded back by saying, 'No way! If there was a church like that I'd be there!'
You see, I had a similar conversation with my son just recently. Not quite exactly, but with much the same sentiment he expressed that short order cook's words. Like many of his generation, he longs for a church that truly cares about those who are hurting. Like many of his generation, he is put off by a church of rules and regulations, favored and unfavored. Like many he has little room for God if God is anything like what he all too frequently sees and hears from the church.
So, what shall we be? Shall we be the church of Jesus? Shall we be the church that throws parties for prostitutes? Or will we be the church that continues to exclude more and more people because they don't fit into our expectation of what a Christian should be?
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Manna and Quail
The question was, 'when has God sent you quail and manna?'
Certainly there are times when we are aware of undeserved grace. There are times when we recognize the unmerited kindness of a stranger. There are times when all our financial acumen has failed us and yet we survived. There are times when our foolishness did not end in disaster, but 'by the grace of God' we awoke to the promise of a new day and a new opportunity.
Yet, if we dig down just a bit further, isn't the message, that all of life is a gift? Isn't the message that each and every day is measured by grace? Did I really 'earn my keep today?' As scripture repeats over and over again, 'where were we when God laid the foundations of the earth?' All of us stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, and they stand firmly upon the Terra Firma that God created.
As our federal government is locked-down in a death spiral arguing over who gets the bigger piece of the pie, we are reminded today that God is the one who baked it. Everything is God's and out of this generosity he shares it's blessings with you and me. Rather than being concerned as to whether I get my fair share (of the government's largess?) should we not be more concerned about sharing what has already been given us? Does not the accumulation of 'stuff' get in the way of being a neighbor? If you read the story (Exodus 16) we learn that when we try to hoard and keep the excess to ourselves it just goes to rot and leaves a big stink.
Yes there are people out there who tell us we should be afraid and that we best be making sure we have all we need to survive the next disaster. I don't disagree with making rational plans for the future, but Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest is not a part of my plan. As Luther was quoted as saying, 'I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
Every day God provides whether I am aware or not, and every day I am given an opportunity to share the gift with others. That sounds to me like a future worth living.
Certainly there are times when we are aware of undeserved grace. There are times when we recognize the unmerited kindness of a stranger. There are times when all our financial acumen has failed us and yet we survived. There are times when our foolishness did not end in disaster, but 'by the grace of God' we awoke to the promise of a new day and a new opportunity.
Yet, if we dig down just a bit further, isn't the message, that all of life is a gift? Isn't the message that each and every day is measured by grace? Did I really 'earn my keep today?' As scripture repeats over and over again, 'where were we when God laid the foundations of the earth?' All of us stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, and they stand firmly upon the Terra Firma that God created.
As our federal government is locked-down in a death spiral arguing over who gets the bigger piece of the pie, we are reminded today that God is the one who baked it. Everything is God's and out of this generosity he shares it's blessings with you and me. Rather than being concerned as to whether I get my fair share (of the government's largess?) should we not be more concerned about sharing what has already been given us? Does not the accumulation of 'stuff' get in the way of being a neighbor? If you read the story (Exodus 16) we learn that when we try to hoard and keep the excess to ourselves it just goes to rot and leaves a big stink.
Yes there are people out there who tell us we should be afraid and that we best be making sure we have all we need to survive the next disaster. I don't disagree with making rational plans for the future, but Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest is not a part of my plan. As Luther was quoted as saying, 'I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
Every day God provides whether I am aware or not, and every day I am given an opportunity to share the gift with others. That sounds to me like a future worth living.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Church & State
Okay...trying to follow through...
So tonight the government shuts down. Each of us, will want to blame one party or another for their stupidity and all of us would agree that Washington seems to no longer be able to do its job. This, unfortunately, will most likely result in doubling down on our particular political 'belief' and the division will only widen with the next election cycle.
If, however, we step back and look at this from a broader perspective, I believe we see two dominant archetypal 'myths' of the American experiment coming into conflict. Let me explain.
On one hand, there is the myth of the 'rugged individual.' America is the land where individualism has been celebrated in ways unlike anywhere else in the world. The leaving behind of the old world and the family ties as we struck out to 'make it on our own.' The image of the cowboy on his horse conquering the west and 'pulling himself up by his own bootstraps.' This is the land of the entrepreneur like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates who through their genius were able to change how the world thinks. Yes, there is this myth or value of individualism alive and well here in America.
This runs contrary to another archetypal myth born out of our Judea-Christian roots. This is what brought the Puritans to America to form a more perfect society. This is the more perfect union declared in the United States Constitution. This is the wagon train circling up and providing a patch of safety in the midst of a wilderness trek of thousands of miles. Yes, there is this sense that no matter what one's 'class' we stand together, we take care of one another, for we are the people of the United States.
Throughout our history this two 'myths' have rubbed against each other, and sometimes we bend one way and at other times we bend another way. There has, it seems, always been an uneasy dialog between these two world views. Interestingly, at this point in our history, we have chosen to end the dialog. We have the rugged individuals in one corner, and the compassionate community in the other. No longer are we willing to get close enough to be rubbed the wrong way.
What does this mean for us today? The church, in my opinion, has a responsibility to help repair the bridge. One of the hallmarks of the Reformation (Luther himself) was the rise of individual accountability. Yet, nonetheless, the reformers always recognized that we have a responsibility to care for our brother and sister in need. Can the church broker a dialog, encouraging both sides to see the wisdom of what the other has to offer? Might we pray that we might....
So tonight the government shuts down. Each of us, will want to blame one party or another for their stupidity and all of us would agree that Washington seems to no longer be able to do its job. This, unfortunately, will most likely result in doubling down on our particular political 'belief' and the division will only widen with the next election cycle.
If, however, we step back and look at this from a broader perspective, I believe we see two dominant archetypal 'myths' of the American experiment coming into conflict. Let me explain.
On one hand, there is the myth of the 'rugged individual.' America is the land where individualism has been celebrated in ways unlike anywhere else in the world. The leaving behind of the old world and the family ties as we struck out to 'make it on our own.' The image of the cowboy on his horse conquering the west and 'pulling himself up by his own bootstraps.' This is the land of the entrepreneur like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates who through their genius were able to change how the world thinks. Yes, there is this myth or value of individualism alive and well here in America.
This runs contrary to another archetypal myth born out of our Judea-Christian roots. This is what brought the Puritans to America to form a more perfect society. This is the more perfect union declared in the United States Constitution. This is the wagon train circling up and providing a patch of safety in the midst of a wilderness trek of thousands of miles. Yes, there is this sense that no matter what one's 'class' we stand together, we take care of one another, for we are the people of the United States.
Throughout our history this two 'myths' have rubbed against each other, and sometimes we bend one way and at other times we bend another way. There has, it seems, always been an uneasy dialog between these two world views. Interestingly, at this point in our history, we have chosen to end the dialog. We have the rugged individuals in one corner, and the compassionate community in the other. No longer are we willing to get close enough to be rubbed the wrong way.
What does this mean for us today? The church, in my opinion, has a responsibility to help repair the bridge. One of the hallmarks of the Reformation (Luther himself) was the rise of individual accountability. Yet, nonetheless, the reformers always recognized that we have a responsibility to care for our brother and sister in need. Can the church broker a dialog, encouraging both sides to see the wisdom of what the other has to offer? Might we pray that we might....
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Hope in What?
Okay... it takes time to form a habit, and unfortunately I was imagining I could make this happen by shear force of will. So, we start again!
Isn't that, however, the nature of the spiritual life? We think we can make ourselves better by adopting certain disciplines only to find ourselves coming up short once again. People no longer want to make New Year's Resolutions because they don't stick again. Heart attack victims are told to change their lifestyle to save their life and yet 90% are back to their old patterns of life within one year again. People begin a diet only to find themselves weighing even more six months later again.
Our attempts to save ourselves, while valiant, often fail again. Soon we develop an attitude of despair and a feeling of hopelessness prevails again. We do our thing without much hope that things will change or get better again. From one perspective, that seems to be the spiritual malaise that exists in the mist around the edges of our nation today.
Didn't President Obama stir us with his campaign of 2008 inviting us to hope again? Isn't the failure to meet our hopes part of our frustration with Washington? Of course it is easy to point to the problem, but to paraphrase Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher), we have this sickness unto death, and it is only when we acknowledge our illness are we able to work toward the cure. Knowing that we (you and me) cannot fulfill our hopes, live up to our hopes, manufacture our hopes, or realize our hopes is the first step toward addressing what's missing in our lives.
Unfortunately, the Christian community hasn't been of much help as we tackle our dashed hopes. There is one wing of the movement that simply wants us to settle for a Jesus who will, upon the expiration of this life, whisk us into heaven. There is another sector of the church that believes through politics we can create heaven on earth. (Of course there are differing opinions as to what that would look like!) Then there are those who would suggest that simply by ordering our life around certain beliefs and actions that we can create a small microcosm of hope for ourselves regardless of what is happening in the world.
So where do I fall? Good question! I don't really see myself in any of those camps. Luther had a very strong awareness of duality of life. We live in the Kingdom of God already revealed but not yet real. We experience the tension of the incarnate but transcendent God. We are both sinners and saints simultaneously without the awareness of where one ends and the other begins. We desire to legislate God's design, but desire the freedom to act for or against that dream. It goes on and on....
Luther would have us begin with the realization that we cannot save ourselves or our world. This is ultimately God's work. Yet as the ELCA's motto would say, God's Work, Our Hands. Luther would have us see that God has called us into partnership with him, co-creators you might say. Luther was quoted as saying, 'Work as if it all depends upon you, and pray as if it all depends upon God.'
So I find my hope in knowing that God has not given up on this world. I find my hope in trusting that I cannot fully understand this God. Yet I find my hope in knowing that this God continues to forgive me and this world for our rebellion agains him. I find my hope is knowing that God keeps giving me another chance to start fresh. So I will add my hands to what God is doing knowing that like Moses I may only get a glimpse of that hope. Hebrews 11.1 reminds us that the life of faith is indeed the action of faith, trusting in a God who has the whole world in his hands.
Peace,
Pal
Isn't that, however, the nature of the spiritual life? We think we can make ourselves better by adopting certain disciplines only to find ourselves coming up short once again. People no longer want to make New Year's Resolutions because they don't stick again. Heart attack victims are told to change their lifestyle to save their life and yet 90% are back to their old patterns of life within one year again. People begin a diet only to find themselves weighing even more six months later again.
Our attempts to save ourselves, while valiant, often fail again. Soon we develop an attitude of despair and a feeling of hopelessness prevails again. We do our thing without much hope that things will change or get better again. From one perspective, that seems to be the spiritual malaise that exists in the mist around the edges of our nation today.
Didn't President Obama stir us with his campaign of 2008 inviting us to hope again? Isn't the failure to meet our hopes part of our frustration with Washington? Of course it is easy to point to the problem, but to paraphrase Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher), we have this sickness unto death, and it is only when we acknowledge our illness are we able to work toward the cure. Knowing that we (you and me) cannot fulfill our hopes, live up to our hopes, manufacture our hopes, or realize our hopes is the first step toward addressing what's missing in our lives.
Unfortunately, the Christian community hasn't been of much help as we tackle our dashed hopes. There is one wing of the movement that simply wants us to settle for a Jesus who will, upon the expiration of this life, whisk us into heaven. There is another sector of the church that believes through politics we can create heaven on earth. (Of course there are differing opinions as to what that would look like!) Then there are those who would suggest that simply by ordering our life around certain beliefs and actions that we can create a small microcosm of hope for ourselves regardless of what is happening in the world.
So where do I fall? Good question! I don't really see myself in any of those camps. Luther had a very strong awareness of duality of life. We live in the Kingdom of God already revealed but not yet real. We experience the tension of the incarnate but transcendent God. We are both sinners and saints simultaneously without the awareness of where one ends and the other begins. We desire to legislate God's design, but desire the freedom to act for or against that dream. It goes on and on....
Luther would have us begin with the realization that we cannot save ourselves or our world. This is ultimately God's work. Yet as the ELCA's motto would say, God's Work, Our Hands. Luther would have us see that God has called us into partnership with him, co-creators you might say. Luther was quoted as saying, 'Work as if it all depends upon you, and pray as if it all depends upon God.'
So I find my hope in knowing that God has not given up on this world. I find my hope in trusting that I cannot fully understand this God. Yet I find my hope in knowing that this God continues to forgive me and this world for our rebellion agains him. I find my hope is knowing that God keeps giving me another chance to start fresh. So I will add my hands to what God is doing knowing that like Moses I may only get a glimpse of that hope. Hebrews 11.1 reminds us that the life of faith is indeed the action of faith, trusting in a God who has the whole world in his hands.
Peace,
Pal
Thursday, July 11, 2013
A Journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step...
Today I make a commitment to blogging. It feels like I'm just throwing 'my stuff' out there to the wind without any control over what will happen with it. In church on Sunday there are people who have made a commitment to 'show up.' There is this implied contract; so long as I do not talk too long they will listen. This blog, however, is simply me in my office typing random thoughts with the frail hope that perhaps someone out there will give me a few seconds of their time. How does a busy person justify engaging in this crazy hopeless endeavor?
A favorite text of mine is from Scripture... Hebrews 11.1: 'Faith is the confidence of things hoped for and the assurance of what is not seen.'
Call it foolishness but I have chosen to let my hoped for future and not my past experience guide my life. I have stubbornly held to the conviction that we are more than what appears on the surface, and that the past does not need to control our destiny. Some may call it pie-in-the sky, but I believe that the world would be a far better place if we lived our lives guided by our hopes rather than allow our perception of the past to limit us.
So, it is my hope that a few words from a person like me, might just be the lever that moves a life toward the possibilities that are ours through the grace of God. It is my foolishness to believe that one person can make a world of difference. It is my belief that the Word of God is alive, and this is crazy; but that sometimes that Word can speak to our hearts through silly things like blogs.
Here I am, a blogger now. I am committed to blogging Monday and Thursday every week regardless of whether you read this or not. I hope you will pass me onto friends and foes alike, but whether you do or not, as old Martin Luther said so long ago, 'Here I Stand, I can do no other.'
The journey begins....
Peace,
Pal
Today I make a commitment to blogging. It feels like I'm just throwing 'my stuff' out there to the wind without any control over what will happen with it. In church on Sunday there are people who have made a commitment to 'show up.' There is this implied contract; so long as I do not talk too long they will listen. This blog, however, is simply me in my office typing random thoughts with the frail hope that perhaps someone out there will give me a few seconds of their time. How does a busy person justify engaging in this crazy hopeless endeavor?
A favorite text of mine is from Scripture... Hebrews 11.1: 'Faith is the confidence of things hoped for and the assurance of what is not seen.'
Call it foolishness but I have chosen to let my hoped for future and not my past experience guide my life. I have stubbornly held to the conviction that we are more than what appears on the surface, and that the past does not need to control our destiny. Some may call it pie-in-the sky, but I believe that the world would be a far better place if we lived our lives guided by our hopes rather than allow our perception of the past to limit us.
So, it is my hope that a few words from a person like me, might just be the lever that moves a life toward the possibilities that are ours through the grace of God. It is my foolishness to believe that one person can make a world of difference. It is my belief that the Word of God is alive, and this is crazy; but that sometimes that Word can speak to our hearts through silly things like blogs.
Here I am, a blogger now. I am committed to blogging Monday and Thursday every week regardless of whether you read this or not. I hope you will pass me onto friends and foes alike, but whether you do or not, as old Martin Luther said so long ago, 'Here I Stand, I can do no other.'
The journey begins....
Peace,
Pal
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