My grandmother (my father's mother) died Friday night. I must have known it was going to happen, because as I was driving back from Colorado, I sensed that she would die. I began to think about what I might say about her if I were leading her funeral.
I didn't lead her funeral. I led my great aunt's funeral a few years ago (Grandma's sister), and I felt it would be to hard to participate as funerals got moved closer in the family circle. I remember singing and crying through the benediction at my grandfather's funeral (my father's dad) several years ago.
But, if I had gotten up to speak, here's what I would have said:
If I could describe my grandma in one word, it would be "simple." Yes, Grandma was simple. She had a simple, classic beauty - well, really, she was quite a looker (so was Grandpa when he was young, so it was no wonder they fell in love!). I have the privilege of having some of Grandma's diaries, which I received when we were moving her into the assisted living/nursing facility. Her writing tells of a simpler time, when people went to visit and spend days and evenings together. She cared about things like the weather.
Grandma was good at the things she did, like cooking and sewing - but those things were always simple. I remember countless times that we would make blueberry muffins (from a mix), tuna salad, or brownies when I was there to visit. We ate simple meals. For entertainment, we did crossword puzzles, word searches, or played Chutes and Ladders. (Incidentally, my kids use the same game all these years later.)
Grandma was simple in many other ways: her clothing was simple and comfortable, but elegant. Her jewelry was always simple, as was her makeup. She didn't need the latest and greatest furniture or electronics - she and grandpa had nice things, but they didn't need a lot. They drove Ford cars for as long as I can remember (and Escort and two Tauruses, for sure).
We would take walks or go to the school to watch a softball game for fun. She and grandpa would take Sunday drives and somehow show up at our house, sometimes with her sister and brother-in-law.
And all of that reminds me of a simpler time and place, when family was important, and the things of this world were not. Grandma understood that as a part of her faith. Her faith was also simple, and well lived-out.
And yesterday, I stood by her casket, and saw her body simply lying there, in simple but beautiful clothing; with simple makeup and jewelry, in a simple and yet elegant casket...and I was amazed (and yet, not amazed at all), because she was simply Grandma.
One other thought that occurred to me yesterday: my Grandma always had an inner peace about her. She was always calm and cool, and such a joy to be around. I saw that on her face yesterday; that same inner peace that I always saw in her. I will take that inner peace with me, and continue to search for it in my own life. I love you and miss you, Grandma, but I am grateful for all you taught and showed me - and it gives me great comfort and joy to know where you are now.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Disease of Mission
I'm on a mission trip this week. My church has several youth and adults serving in Washington DC. We've done work with the homeless, people trying to kick addictions, and with victims of domestic violence. We've worked with numerous faith-based and not-for-profit agencies. We've been sent out to do mission work on behalf of our congregation...and it's diseased.
We've visited with pastors and ministry leaders. They've talked about how big the plight of addiction, homelessness, and poverty is, and how it's systemic and a cycle. We may very well think that our labor is in vain; and to some extent, it is. We're not dealing with the system to end this. We may serve a meal, clean a chapel, hand out toiletries, glean fresh vegetables, or more - but those things are Band-Aids on a much larger problem. Our actions reduce poverty, or homelessness (temporarily), but they don't eliminate it.
I've been thinking a lot about the disease of mission this week in terms of our understanding of mission. A church sends out a team to do mission work. The team goes, does the work, and comes back home - and very little changes. Let me offer some examples of what I mean.
1) We helped prepare and serve a meal for about 20 people earlier this week. They were waiting outside the building (and so were we). We went in and did our work, but also spent time talking with the people. We heard lots of stories about their lives. I'm certain for many, that might have been their only meal of the day. People are walking around hungry - two meals, one meal, or none at all. And, shortly after we finished serving breakfast and were in the middle of our work at the next place, people in our group were already complaining of hunger. Seeing and hearing the plight of hunger does not make us change our eating habits.
2) We helped with a shower ministry at our home church this morning (and will do so again later in the week). People came into the church with varieties of things - garbage bags to small suitcases, to purses, to the clothes they wore. We handed out toiletries for them to shower, and for those that needed it, a new pair of underwear or socks. Some walked away with two pairs of socks - the ones they wore into the church, and the new pair they wore out of the church. Yet, people were shopping in souvenir stores the past couple of days, wanting to buy another t-shirt or sweatshirt for an already overabundant collection of clothing. I looked at the new pair of shorts I bought to bring on the trip, and felt ashamed that I had so much, and gave so little.
The disease of mission is that we think it's a one-time thing. We go out and we do it, and then we're done with mission until the next time we are scheduled to feed people at the local mission, or the next opportunity to travel for mission comes up. We say that mission and our interactions with people changes lives, but it doesn't produce lasting change. It doesn't change the system of our hearts. It simply allows us to think we've been following Wesley's General Rules - to do no harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God. But, if we truly follow Wesley's rules, we can't just do mission work once a month or a week out of the year. Wesley's rules are intended to change the systemic cycle of our spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational lives. And so, mission cannot be a destination or a date, but it must become part of the fabric of our lifestyle. We must, in the words of Mahatma Ghandi, "be the change you want to see."
We've visited with pastors and ministry leaders. They've talked about how big the plight of addiction, homelessness, and poverty is, and how it's systemic and a cycle. We may very well think that our labor is in vain; and to some extent, it is. We're not dealing with the system to end this. We may serve a meal, clean a chapel, hand out toiletries, glean fresh vegetables, or more - but those things are Band-Aids on a much larger problem. Our actions reduce poverty, or homelessness (temporarily), but they don't eliminate it.
I've been thinking a lot about the disease of mission this week in terms of our understanding of mission. A church sends out a team to do mission work. The team goes, does the work, and comes back home - and very little changes. Let me offer some examples of what I mean.
1) We helped prepare and serve a meal for about 20 people earlier this week. They were waiting outside the building (and so were we). We went in and did our work, but also spent time talking with the people. We heard lots of stories about their lives. I'm certain for many, that might have been their only meal of the day. People are walking around hungry - two meals, one meal, or none at all. And, shortly after we finished serving breakfast and were in the middle of our work at the next place, people in our group were already complaining of hunger. Seeing and hearing the plight of hunger does not make us change our eating habits.
2) We helped with a shower ministry at our home church this morning (and will do so again later in the week). People came into the church with varieties of things - garbage bags to small suitcases, to purses, to the clothes they wore. We handed out toiletries for them to shower, and for those that needed it, a new pair of underwear or socks. Some walked away with two pairs of socks - the ones they wore into the church, and the new pair they wore out of the church. Yet, people were shopping in souvenir stores the past couple of days, wanting to buy another t-shirt or sweatshirt for an already overabundant collection of clothing. I looked at the new pair of shorts I bought to bring on the trip, and felt ashamed that I had so much, and gave so little.
The disease of mission is that we think it's a one-time thing. We go out and we do it, and then we're done with mission until the next time we are scheduled to feed people at the local mission, or the next opportunity to travel for mission comes up. We say that mission and our interactions with people changes lives, but it doesn't produce lasting change. It doesn't change the system of our hearts. It simply allows us to think we've been following Wesley's General Rules - to do no harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God. But, if we truly follow Wesley's rules, we can't just do mission work once a month or a week out of the year. Wesley's rules are intended to change the systemic cycle of our spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational lives. And so, mission cannot be a destination or a date, but it must become part of the fabric of our lifestyle. We must, in the words of Mahatma Ghandi, "be the change you want to see."
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Spiritual Discipline
This week, I've been taking the opportunity to go through some stacks. I almost always have a stack of papers on my desk, and sometimes more than one, depending upon the number of projects on which I am currently working.
Things have been piling up at home. For several months, I've been behind on entering receipts and bills into the computer for taxes. We've been dealing with tax paperwork, adoption paperwork (again for taxes), school papers for kids, magazines, Internet articles, recipes, magazines, scholarly journals, bills, unwanted mail, magazines, report cards, books, magazines....did I mention magazines? We have every good intention of filing our receipts, paying our bills, reading and filing away or recycling magazines, shelving our books and our scholarly journals, putting away music when we're finished with it...and more. All good intentions, but before we know it, life has gotten the best of us, and the two or three things that should be filed and put away have quickly become a pile. And I've been through a lot of piles this week.
My wife may not like it so much when she returns home. Her bills are stacked on the counter, along with mail that has accumulated while she's been gone - but instead of three piles, there is now only one. The piles of magazines on the side tables and on our nightstands have been sorted - some recycled, some filed, and some prepared to go to our offices. The children's schoolwork has been reviewed, nonessential papers and projects sorted, and most of it put away. There is still more to be filed, receipts to be recorded, and more - but I can see the wood top to our desk. It's taken a lot of work, and a lot of drive and steadfastness to accomplish what has been done so far...and I am hoping I have enough of that ambition left to finish this weekend.
We do that a lot with our spiritual lives too, don't we? We have every intention of having focused prayer at a certain time of day. We want to read our Bible, and have devotions, a time of worship, or some other act of praise. We want to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort those who mourn. But, even if our intentions are good, we quickly begin to pile up our hopes for spiritual disciplines, and things get out of hand. We no longer do much of anything - or anything at all.
I recall that, as I prepared to go to seminary, I thought it would be a good spiritual discipline to read through the entire Bible (imagine that, a soon-to-be seminarian who wanted to have read the Bible). Knowing that I would be moving in early August to arrive in time for ordination, I set an ambitious reading schedule of five chapters per day. Well, that was fine when I was reading about Noah and Joseph and Moses....but then I got into the laws of Leviticus and the history of Israel in 1st and 2nd Samuel, and I was finding it more difficult to read five chapters a day. Things would come up, excuses would form, and before you know it, 45 chapters would be waiting to be read. I couldn't get to them; I didn't really want to read them. But I would force myself to sit (for hours sometimes) and catch up, because I felt the discipline was important.
Spiritual disciplines shouldn't be piled up, but they are. You can't make excuses for them; you can't ignore the fact that they're there; you also can't sweep them up into a box when company comes, and forget that they've made their way to the basement. (Interesting that that's how some of the piles ended up in our bedroom - company came!) Thank goodness that praying can't overwhelm us. We don't have to catch up on it, or reading Scripture, or serving those in need. We can pick up at any time...and although Christians are striving to practice their faith constantly...God desires a relationship with us, more than having the i's dotted and the t's crossed in our spiritual discipline. God desires genuine relationship, and sometimes that's messy and sporadic and piled up.
When all is said and done, the piles will go away...and they will eventually return. At the end of the day, I hope that I've invested more time in my relationship with God, as well as with my wife and children, than in having my life be pile-free and perfect by human standards. God will honor my messiness, and call it good.
Things have been piling up at home. For several months, I've been behind on entering receipts and bills into the computer for taxes. We've been dealing with tax paperwork, adoption paperwork (again for taxes), school papers for kids, magazines, Internet articles, recipes, magazines, scholarly journals, bills, unwanted mail, magazines, report cards, books, magazines....did I mention magazines? We have every good intention of filing our receipts, paying our bills, reading and filing away or recycling magazines, shelving our books and our scholarly journals, putting away music when we're finished with it...and more. All good intentions, but before we know it, life has gotten the best of us, and the two or three things that should be filed and put away have quickly become a pile. And I've been through a lot of piles this week.
My wife may not like it so much when she returns home. Her bills are stacked on the counter, along with mail that has accumulated while she's been gone - but instead of three piles, there is now only one. The piles of magazines on the side tables and on our nightstands have been sorted - some recycled, some filed, and some prepared to go to our offices. The children's schoolwork has been reviewed, nonessential papers and projects sorted, and most of it put away. There is still more to be filed, receipts to be recorded, and more - but I can see the wood top to our desk. It's taken a lot of work, and a lot of drive and steadfastness to accomplish what has been done so far...and I am hoping I have enough of that ambition left to finish this weekend.
We do that a lot with our spiritual lives too, don't we? We have every intention of having focused prayer at a certain time of day. We want to read our Bible, and have devotions, a time of worship, or some other act of praise. We want to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort those who mourn. But, even if our intentions are good, we quickly begin to pile up our hopes for spiritual disciplines, and things get out of hand. We no longer do much of anything - or anything at all.
I recall that, as I prepared to go to seminary, I thought it would be a good spiritual discipline to read through the entire Bible (imagine that, a soon-to-be seminarian who wanted to have read the Bible). Knowing that I would be moving in early August to arrive in time for ordination, I set an ambitious reading schedule of five chapters per day. Well, that was fine when I was reading about Noah and Joseph and Moses....but then I got into the laws of Leviticus and the history of Israel in 1st and 2nd Samuel, and I was finding it more difficult to read five chapters a day. Things would come up, excuses would form, and before you know it, 45 chapters would be waiting to be read. I couldn't get to them; I didn't really want to read them. But I would force myself to sit (for hours sometimes) and catch up, because I felt the discipline was important.
Spiritual disciplines shouldn't be piled up, but they are. You can't make excuses for them; you can't ignore the fact that they're there; you also can't sweep them up into a box when company comes, and forget that they've made their way to the basement. (Interesting that that's how some of the piles ended up in our bedroom - company came!) Thank goodness that praying can't overwhelm us. We don't have to catch up on it, or reading Scripture, or serving those in need. We can pick up at any time...and although Christians are striving to practice their faith constantly...God desires a relationship with us, more than having the i's dotted and the t's crossed in our spiritual discipline. God desires genuine relationship, and sometimes that's messy and sporadic and piled up.
When all is said and done, the piles will go away...and they will eventually return. At the end of the day, I hope that I've invested more time in my relationship with God, as well as with my wife and children, than in having my life be pile-free and perfect by human standards. God will honor my messiness, and call it good.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Reflections on Annual Conference
Today was the fourth and final day of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2011 Session. It was my first time of commuting to Annual Conference because I wanted to be able to be home with my family. I came home more weary than in previous years, and I'm sure the commuting had something to do with it.
I also think I'm tired for a myriad of other reasons. In no particular order, they are:
1) I enjoy seeing colleagues with whom I've had close friendships, or do now. I also enjoy visiting with former laypersons. Catching up and hanging out takes time and intentionality.
2) I spent a lot of time complaining about things this year, mostly having to do with flow issues and dealing with unimportant matters.
3) Voting for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates is tedious.
4) We can't see the forest because of the trees, debating wording and amending resolutions that deal less with people and more with political correctness or bricks and mortar.
I'm sure there are other reasons as well, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.
I just took my leave of a Facebook conversation bemoaning the fact that IGRC clergy only elected elders to General and Jurisdictional Conference, but elected no deacons. There was some (what I felt was) respectful disagreement about the issue in the conversation - but as I sit here reflecting on the Annual Conference session and this minutes-ago conversation, I am reminded that the church is full of sinners, and is therefore imperfect. I cannot expect perfection. I can't expect everything to be smooth and flow easily. I can't expect people to stay on task and on target. I can't get upset when people complain or nit-pick about the little things. I can't get upset over wording, or who got elected (either persons, or Orders, or ethnicities, or special needs, or gender, etc.), or did not get elected. I can't get upset when people think more about buildings than they do about mission. I can't get upset - because the church is imperfect. It's a human construct filled with sinners. It can't be perfect; but by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, it muddles through towards perfection.
And so I'm grateful that I'm a part of this ragamuffin group of folks (laity, clergy (local pastors, elders, deacons, associate members), who want to love Jesus and serve him. Thank God there are many ways to do that!
I also think I'm tired for a myriad of other reasons. In no particular order, they are:
1) I enjoy seeing colleagues with whom I've had close friendships, or do now. I also enjoy visiting with former laypersons. Catching up and hanging out takes time and intentionality.
2) I spent a lot of time complaining about things this year, mostly having to do with flow issues and dealing with unimportant matters.
3) Voting for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates is tedious.
4) We can't see the forest because of the trees, debating wording and amending resolutions that deal less with people and more with political correctness or bricks and mortar.
I'm sure there are other reasons as well, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.
I just took my leave of a Facebook conversation bemoaning the fact that IGRC clergy only elected elders to General and Jurisdictional Conference, but elected no deacons. There was some (what I felt was) respectful disagreement about the issue in the conversation - but as I sit here reflecting on the Annual Conference session and this minutes-ago conversation, I am reminded that the church is full of sinners, and is therefore imperfect. I cannot expect perfection. I can't expect everything to be smooth and flow easily. I can't expect people to stay on task and on target. I can't get upset when people complain or nit-pick about the little things. I can't get upset over wording, or who got elected (either persons, or Orders, or ethnicities, or special needs, or gender, etc.), or did not get elected. I can't get upset when people think more about buildings than they do about mission. I can't get upset - because the church is imperfect. It's a human construct filled with sinners. It can't be perfect; but by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, it muddles through towards perfection.
And so I'm grateful that I'm a part of this ragamuffin group of folks (laity, clergy (local pastors, elders, deacons, associate members), who want to love Jesus and serve him. Thank God there are many ways to do that!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
It's Memorial Day - a day set aside for us to honor our deceased and current veterans. When I was growing up, it meant marching in the annual parade and grilling out. Those are the things I remember about Memorial Day.
I think it's bigger than that, though. Yesterday, we rededicated a memorial prayer garden at church. It had originally been built in memory of a charter member of the church who died. When the parsonage was moved onto church property, the garden was removed, with intentions for it to be relocated. I didn't know most of the story about it; when I came, I just knew there was a pile of wooden pieces and bricks by pine trees. Eventually, the story unfolded, and our trustees were able to recreate the prayer garden.
It's now a place for people to sit in nature, to reflect, pray, and meditate. It exists because there was a woman who had always been a part of the congregation who gave tirelessly of herself and resources. The same giving of self is what the military does; there are countless others who gave selflessly. And so, to me, we memorialize all who have given selflessly for others. That's what Memorial Day is about to me, and what I'm thinking about today.
I think it's bigger than that, though. Yesterday, we rededicated a memorial prayer garden at church. It had originally been built in memory of a charter member of the church who died. When the parsonage was moved onto church property, the garden was removed, with intentions for it to be relocated. I didn't know most of the story about it; when I came, I just knew there was a pile of wooden pieces and bricks by pine trees. Eventually, the story unfolded, and our trustees were able to recreate the prayer garden.
It's now a place for people to sit in nature, to reflect, pray, and meditate. It exists because there was a woman who had always been a part of the congregation who gave tirelessly of herself and resources. The same giving of self is what the military does; there are countless others who gave selflessly. And so, to me, we memorialize all who have given selflessly for others. That's what Memorial Day is about to me, and what I'm thinking about today.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
REM
REM has been running through my mind the last couple of days...."It's the end of the world as we know it....and I feel fine!" I LOVED that song when it came out...and once it's in my head, it takes a while before I can move on to something else. But I've been thinking about it especially as we near this anniversary of Noah's ark. Here we are, thousands of years later, and it's predicted that the world will end today. It's 9:55 pm CST, and I'm still here. I'm thinking I'm going to make it through the last two hours and five minutes.
The Mayan calendar runs out in 2012. The world was supposed to end with Y2K. And yet, we're still here. The rapture was supposed to have occurred 11 years ago...and many times prior to that. Did God just miss me....and other Christians....or other believers in God?
Before I get too upset with God, though, I remember the words of Jesus - that no one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return. Why are we trying to guess. Why put in all this research, only to in fact discover that what Jesus says is true? We can't know the day or the hour - but we should live as though the end is near all the time.
So REM is right. If we live as though today were the end of the world, how would we feel? Would we have been Jesus' hands and feet? Would we have served joyfully? Would we have told others about the amazing love God has for us? If today were the end of the world as I know it, would I feel fine? I sure hope so, since I can't predict the day or the hour; I need to always be ready. And, if I am, then I'll feel fine!
The Mayan calendar runs out in 2012. The world was supposed to end with Y2K. And yet, we're still here. The rapture was supposed to have occurred 11 years ago...and many times prior to that. Did God just miss me....and other Christians....or other believers in God?
Before I get too upset with God, though, I remember the words of Jesus - that no one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return. Why are we trying to guess. Why put in all this research, only to in fact discover that what Jesus says is true? We can't know the day or the hour - but we should live as though the end is near all the time.
So REM is right. If we live as though today were the end of the world, how would we feel? Would we have been Jesus' hands and feet? Would we have served joyfully? Would we have told others about the amazing love God has for us? If today were the end of the world as I know it, would I feel fine? I sure hope so, since I can't predict the day or the hour; I need to always be ready. And, if I am, then I'll feel fine!
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Who Knew?
My beautiful daughter turned four this past week. She entered this world on May 4, 2007. My beautiful wife and I celebrate our anniversary on May 20. We were, in fact, married on May 20, 2007. My wife and I did not get married two weeks after she gave birth. We did not conceive a child out of wedlock.
Yet, sixteen days before I married my wife, my daughter was born. Who knew it would work out this way? No one could have told me that I would have two sons and a daughter, all born before I got married. It's not the way I would have imagined my life...but God did.
Of course, whenever I try to understand my life, and try to understand God, I'm rarely successful. I don't always understand God's plan for my life. I don't always get God's plan for ministry - but I sit and I wait and I pray and I listen. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of God's words, "For I know the plans I have for you...." (Jeremiah 29:11). Are my plans the same as God's? If they're not, how can I align or abandon my plans to fall into God's will for my life?
I wouldn't have known four years ago what I know now. I wouldn't have the experiences I have now. God always has something greater in store for us than we could ever ask or imagine. My life is crazy and stressful and wonderful and exhilarating, and it's all because God has a plan for me. Who would have known it would be like this? I didn't, but because God is good, and I'm seeking to follow God's will, I trust that God's plan will become real, and all I experience (even the impossible out-of-order dates) will be what God wants for me.
Who knew? I didn't - but God did!
Yet, sixteen days before I married my wife, my daughter was born. Who knew it would work out this way? No one could have told me that I would have two sons and a daughter, all born before I got married. It's not the way I would have imagined my life...but God did.
Of course, whenever I try to understand my life, and try to understand God, I'm rarely successful. I don't always understand God's plan for my life. I don't always get God's plan for ministry - but I sit and I wait and I pray and I listen. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of God's words, "For I know the plans I have for you...." (Jeremiah 29:11). Are my plans the same as God's? If they're not, how can I align or abandon my plans to fall into God's will for my life?
I wouldn't have known four years ago what I know now. I wouldn't have the experiences I have now. God always has something greater in store for us than we could ever ask or imagine. My life is crazy and stressful and wonderful and exhilarating, and it's all because God has a plan for me. Who would have known it would be like this? I didn't, but because God is good, and I'm seeking to follow God's will, I trust that God's plan will become real, and all I experience (even the impossible out-of-order dates) will be what God wants for me.
Who knew? I didn't - but God did!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
What a Week...
I logged in and discovered I hadn't blogged in almost a month - so much for blogging at least once a week this year! Oh well, it's been a hectic month, and a hectic week. My church journeyed with Jesus into Jerusalem, sought to live with the mind of Christ in midweek worship, at with Jesus at the table, prayed at the foot of the cross, and celebrated His glorious resurrection today.
Our lives often look like Holy Week. We have highs of joyful moments, when the world seems right, and when we feel great about ourselves. We have struggle with doing what is just and right, all the while needing to remain within the conventions of social norms. We do things to harm other people (intentionally or unintentionally), but don't know how to ask for forgiveness. We resort to violence of all kinds, rather than making peace. We work with people that cause us to remain silent, even though we have done nothing wrong. We feel afflicted, beaten down, and dragging through life. Our hearts and souls are pierced and spilled out for the world to see.
Yet, no matter what our life is like, or how we find ourselves identifying with Jesus, we simply cannot put ourselves in his place. "What would Jesus do?" has less of a place than we'd like, because what we experience in life is nothing like Jesus experienced. We may feel people hate us, deal us an unfair hand, or wonder why the world is cruel - but we have not experienced such things in any way like Jesus did. We may feel tired and weary, with the weight of the world on our shoulders - but "our cross to bear" weighs nothing in comparison to Jesus. I cannot imagine living a life where my closest friends were two-faced; where people mocked, scorned, and beat me; where people plotted against me for my life; where people forced me to carry the weapon that would kill me; where my hands and feet would be bloody and full of holes; and come out of it all alive. Nothing I experience could be so horrific. Nothing I encounter could be so painful.
I'm grateful for the life God has given me. Despite its pitfalls, moments of anguish, and times that I feel angry, hurt, or afflicted, it's nothing. If I'm going to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, I should count all things for joy, because the battle is already won. Christ has defeated death, and has risen victoriously. As Paul says to the church at Corinth, "Where, O death, is thy victory? Where, O death, is thy sting? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" And so I'm blessed, because I followed in the footsteps of Jesus for a week - and in the midst of preparing multiple sermons, crazy family schedules, weather, teaching, writing music, and more - God through Jesus Christ has won this life for me.
Our lives often look like Holy Week. We have highs of joyful moments, when the world seems right, and when we feel great about ourselves. We have struggle with doing what is just and right, all the while needing to remain within the conventions of social norms. We do things to harm other people (intentionally or unintentionally), but don't know how to ask for forgiveness. We resort to violence of all kinds, rather than making peace. We work with people that cause us to remain silent, even though we have done nothing wrong. We feel afflicted, beaten down, and dragging through life. Our hearts and souls are pierced and spilled out for the world to see.
Yet, no matter what our life is like, or how we find ourselves identifying with Jesus, we simply cannot put ourselves in his place. "What would Jesus do?" has less of a place than we'd like, because what we experience in life is nothing like Jesus experienced. We may feel people hate us, deal us an unfair hand, or wonder why the world is cruel - but we have not experienced such things in any way like Jesus did. We may feel tired and weary, with the weight of the world on our shoulders - but "our cross to bear" weighs nothing in comparison to Jesus. I cannot imagine living a life where my closest friends were two-faced; where people mocked, scorned, and beat me; where people plotted against me for my life; where people forced me to carry the weapon that would kill me; where my hands and feet would be bloody and full of holes; and come out of it all alive. Nothing I experience could be so horrific. Nothing I encounter could be so painful.
I'm grateful for the life God has given me. Despite its pitfalls, moments of anguish, and times that I feel angry, hurt, or afflicted, it's nothing. If I'm going to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, I should count all things for joy, because the battle is already won. Christ has defeated death, and has risen victoriously. As Paul says to the church at Corinth, "Where, O death, is thy victory? Where, O death, is thy sting? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" And so I'm blessed, because I followed in the footsteps of Jesus for a week - and in the midst of preparing multiple sermons, crazy family schedules, weather, teaching, writing music, and more - God through Jesus Christ has won this life for me.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Grace Upon Grace
I know that I'm a Wesleyan through and through. I don't think I ever doubted it, but watching someone come to faith in Jesus over the past few weeks has reminded me of how Wesleyan I am. The only words I could use to describe what I saw happening were Wesley's.
Each time I would write a response to a question, have a conversation, or see a reaction, I would say "God's working on [person]." Prevenient grace - God at work before we're even aware of the presence of God in our lives. I knew it was at work. I'd felt it in my own life, many years before. I'd seen it at work in the lives of others, but saw it in very real and tangible ways in this person's life.
Recently, I saw grace on the move in this person's life. Tears were streaming, hands shaking, questions forming, to say, "I know God loves me!" Justifying grace, as Wesley said, was the moment that you became convinced of your sin and your need for God.
Does that mean the questions stop? No! By no means! None of it stops at all....but we continue to grow in grace, to grow in faith, as we grow closer to God in Jesus Christ. Wesley called this type of grace sanctifying grace. It's a lifelong process. We ought not get too discouraged, because God continues to heap upon us grace upon grace, so that we can grow in our love of God and of our neighbors. I look forward to seeing what is in store for my new relative in Christ!
Each time I would write a response to a question, have a conversation, or see a reaction, I would say "God's working on [person]." Prevenient grace - God at work before we're even aware of the presence of God in our lives. I knew it was at work. I'd felt it in my own life, many years before. I'd seen it at work in the lives of others, but saw it in very real and tangible ways in this person's life.
Recently, I saw grace on the move in this person's life. Tears were streaming, hands shaking, questions forming, to say, "I know God loves me!" Justifying grace, as Wesley said, was the moment that you became convinced of your sin and your need for God.
Does that mean the questions stop? No! By no means! None of it stops at all....but we continue to grow in grace, to grow in faith, as we grow closer to God in Jesus Christ. Wesley called this type of grace sanctifying grace. It's a lifelong process. We ought not get too discouraged, because God continues to heap upon us grace upon grace, so that we can grow in our love of God and of our neighbors. I look forward to seeing what is in store for my new relative in Christ!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Nobody Sins Anymore...
...well, at least no one talks about it - and that's a problem! Lately, it seems as though churches are willing to sell out to pop culture, or self-help, or prosperity. The likes of prominent faces on bestseller lists should tell us that is indeed the case.
No one sins anymore...especially not televangelists who encourage people to find their best life, or to pray for God to bless them...while wearing clothing and perfect hair and makeup that could easily send thousands of children to school in Africa. No, those things aren't sins - as long as we live a good, moral life, and try to be a good person, that's really all that matters, right?
Except that such a stance isn't Biblical. From the beginning, the Bible reminds us of our sinful nature. We were created to be in relationship with God, but we keep falling short; we miss the mark; we cannot bridge the gap that exists between us and God.
Pop culture, self-help, prosperity, the highest-paying job, the best clothes, and even serving regularly at the homeless shelter cannot and will not bridge the gap. Paul reminds the church at Rome that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Our works, our possessions, our vanity, all of our attempts at getting right with God are in vain.
Jesus makes it right. Jesus bridges the gap. In Jesus, we find forgiveness of our sins, and one who died on our behalf. Jesus allows us to be united with God. To say that nobody sins anymore simply isn't true. Our sin took God's Son to the cross. Everyone sins - so let's talk about it, release it, and allow Jesus to work in our lives, so that we can be united with God in love.
No one sins anymore...especially not televangelists who encourage people to find their best life, or to pray for God to bless them...while wearing clothing and perfect hair and makeup that could easily send thousands of children to school in Africa. No, those things aren't sins - as long as we live a good, moral life, and try to be a good person, that's really all that matters, right?
Except that such a stance isn't Biblical. From the beginning, the Bible reminds us of our sinful nature. We were created to be in relationship with God, but we keep falling short; we miss the mark; we cannot bridge the gap that exists between us and God.
Pop culture, self-help, prosperity, the highest-paying job, the best clothes, and even serving regularly at the homeless shelter cannot and will not bridge the gap. Paul reminds the church at Rome that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Our works, our possessions, our vanity, all of our attempts at getting right with God are in vain.
Jesus makes it right. Jesus bridges the gap. In Jesus, we find forgiveness of our sins, and one who died on our behalf. Jesus allows us to be united with God. To say that nobody sins anymore simply isn't true. Our sin took God's Son to the cross. Everyone sins - so let's talk about it, release it, and allow Jesus to work in our lives, so that we can be united with God in love.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Power of Words - Part II
Last night, we were sitting at the dining room table, eating dinner. Our middle child turned to me and said, "Daddy, is it "life's buttocks is green?" I replied, "WHAT????". He repeated himself, and I said, "I don't know what you're talking about!" Neither did anyone else sitting at the table. He said, "You know, "Row, row, row your boat gentee down duh stream; merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life's buttocks is green." At this point, everyone burst out laughing.
In my last post, I wrote in generalities about the power of words - but my son reminded me that what we say (or think we say) is not necessarily what the listener hears. Each week, as people leave the church building following worship, I hear about one sermon nugget from one person, a different nugget from another couple, and something that I think has nothing to do with my sermon from yet another person.
Words are transmitted by the giver and receiver in many different ways, depending upon several variables. Individual variables are too many to name, but I would like to highlight a couple. First, not everyone gains the same thing from tone and inflection. This concept is particularly the case for listeners who do not know the speaker or the speaker's style of communication. Second, external variables affect both the speaker and listener; illness, stress, family issues, school, work, or lack of sleep can be distracting and not allow us to use our best communication skills.
At times, we can simply laugh away the mis-communication (sometimes in gut-wrenching ways) when "life's buttocks is green." However, as often as we can laugh it off, misunderstandings can lead to broken relationships, hurt feelings, and divisions. As I've said previously, words have the power to heal (in this case, through laughter), but words also have the power to inflict pain. No matter the words we choose, keep the listener in mind. Do your best to know their life situations - their stresses, joys, and concerns, because you can tailor your words to work within the parameters so that they can hear what you've said; and, even when they cannot, you stand a better chance of rolling on the floor, laughing your heads off!
In my last post, I wrote in generalities about the power of words - but my son reminded me that what we say (or think we say) is not necessarily what the listener hears. Each week, as people leave the church building following worship, I hear about one sermon nugget from one person, a different nugget from another couple, and something that I think has nothing to do with my sermon from yet another person.
Words are transmitted by the giver and receiver in many different ways, depending upon several variables. Individual variables are too many to name, but I would like to highlight a couple. First, not everyone gains the same thing from tone and inflection. This concept is particularly the case for listeners who do not know the speaker or the speaker's style of communication. Second, external variables affect both the speaker and listener; illness, stress, family issues, school, work, or lack of sleep can be distracting and not allow us to use our best communication skills.
At times, we can simply laugh away the mis-communication (sometimes in gut-wrenching ways) when "life's buttocks is green." However, as often as we can laugh it off, misunderstandings can lead to broken relationships, hurt feelings, and divisions. As I've said previously, words have the power to heal (in this case, through laughter), but words also have the power to inflict pain. No matter the words we choose, keep the listener in mind. Do your best to know their life situations - their stresses, joys, and concerns, because you can tailor your words to work within the parameters so that they can hear what you've said; and, even when they cannot, you stand a better chance of rolling on the floor, laughing your heads off!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Power of Words
This week, I've been reminded constantly about the power of words. As a pastor and preacher, I deal with unleashing the word almost every day. I notice the power of words to bring healing and hope. I witness the power of words to tear down and destroy.
I've had the opportunity this week to be challenged by the words that have left my mouth. In two instances, both on the same day, I was highly aware of my words and how they shaped the people around me. The first instance was at the school where I volunteer teach a couple of hours three times a week. A student, who does not follow directions and is often inappropriate, decided to talk back to me. In a torrent of words (not yelling, but being very clear and direct), I expressed my disappointment and reiterated my expectations related to classroom behavior.
Later that same day, I had a conversation with two young persons related to their behavior in the church. I will admit that their behavior was distracting to myself and to others, and really did not allow people to focus their attention on God. I spoke calmly to them, but I also laid out my expectations and reasons for being disappointed in their behavior.
The reactions to my use and choice of words were polar opposites. One youth was on the verge of tears; another seemed indifferent; the child in the classroom was almost defiant. Our words have the power to bring out the worst or the best in someone. Proverbs 18:21 says that "the tongue has the power of life and death...", so we ought not take the power of words lightly. They can build up or destroy our spirits. Words can wound or heal; regardless, we must remember that our words have power. We must choose and use them wisely.
I've had the opportunity this week to be challenged by the words that have left my mouth. In two instances, both on the same day, I was highly aware of my words and how they shaped the people around me. The first instance was at the school where I volunteer teach a couple of hours three times a week. A student, who does not follow directions and is often inappropriate, decided to talk back to me. In a torrent of words (not yelling, but being very clear and direct), I expressed my disappointment and reiterated my expectations related to classroom behavior.
Later that same day, I had a conversation with two young persons related to their behavior in the church. I will admit that their behavior was distracting to myself and to others, and really did not allow people to focus their attention on God. I spoke calmly to them, but I also laid out my expectations and reasons for being disappointed in their behavior.
The reactions to my use and choice of words were polar opposites. One youth was on the verge of tears; another seemed indifferent; the child in the classroom was almost defiant. Our words have the power to bring out the worst or the best in someone. Proverbs 18:21 says that "the tongue has the power of life and death...", so we ought not take the power of words lightly. They can build up or destroy our spirits. Words can wound or heal; regardless, we must remember that our words have power. We must choose and use them wisely.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Au Natural
Next week is the anniversary of the day we met our children. Around this time we were feverishly packing, trying to figure out what we would need for a trip intended to be 3 1/2 weeks long, but turned into more than 5. I remember the day we went to meet and pick up our kids. We left our hotel (the first of three) later than we intended, and once we arrived, had kids in our arms.
In the ensuing days, I noticed their fascination with electronics - our computers, cameras, the television and DVD player, turning on the lights, and watching me use the water treatment system to purify drinking water. They've been fascinated with electronics ever since - watching television and movies, remote-controlled cars, Wii, and their personal computers and Leap Frog readers. However, I have also noticed that once they use these items for a period of time, they put them away; they are satisfied. They have had their curiosity curbed until the next time.
In contrast, I think about many of their other firsts: seeing giraffes at the zoo, growing a garden, experiencing the first snowfall, hiking Mount Rainier, and seeing their breath as we changed terminals in New York City. Each one of these firsts, and many more, were so exciting for the kids. The looks on their faces were unmatched by any other experience as they saw their breath (because they'd never experienced cold); the joy the boys felt as they touched snow on the mountain for the first time told a greater story than any toy they had received. They still have so much excitement when they see their breath, or play in the water.
The things of the world are just that: things. Things don't offer us eternal happiness. Things don't really show us who God is and what God can do. Having the biggest and the best doesn't fulfill us. I am pleased and humbled that my children already know this lesson. They have experienced the things of this world, and although they enjoy them, at the end of the day, my kids can set them aside. The things of God, of nature, of beauty, of simplicity - these are the things that bring them unspeakable joy.
Perhaps we need a return to nature; to realize again that what God created, God called good, and made for our enjoyment. What God creates is so much bigger, better, more awesome and awe-inspiring than what we can create for ourselves. The more we appreciate what God creates and offers to us, the more closely we will follow God. A year into parenthood, I thank God for children who remind me of that lesson each and every day.
In the ensuing days, I noticed their fascination with electronics - our computers, cameras, the television and DVD player, turning on the lights, and watching me use the water treatment system to purify drinking water. They've been fascinated with electronics ever since - watching television and movies, remote-controlled cars, Wii, and their personal computers and Leap Frog readers. However, I have also noticed that once they use these items for a period of time, they put them away; they are satisfied. They have had their curiosity curbed until the next time.
In contrast, I think about many of their other firsts: seeing giraffes at the zoo, growing a garden, experiencing the first snowfall, hiking Mount Rainier, and seeing their breath as we changed terminals in New York City. Each one of these firsts, and many more, were so exciting for the kids. The looks on their faces were unmatched by any other experience as they saw their breath (because they'd never experienced cold); the joy the boys felt as they touched snow on the mountain for the first time told a greater story than any toy they had received. They still have so much excitement when they see their breath, or play in the water.
The things of the world are just that: things. Things don't offer us eternal happiness. Things don't really show us who God is and what God can do. Having the biggest and the best doesn't fulfill us. I am pleased and humbled that my children already know this lesson. They have experienced the things of this world, and although they enjoy them, at the end of the day, my kids can set them aside. The things of God, of nature, of beauty, of simplicity - these are the things that bring them unspeakable joy.
Perhaps we need a return to nature; to realize again that what God created, God called good, and made for our enjoyment. What God creates is so much bigger, better, more awesome and awe-inspiring than what we can create for ourselves. The more we appreciate what God creates and offers to us, the more closely we will follow God. A year into parenthood, I thank God for children who remind me of that lesson each and every day.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Good Stewardship
When you think of the word stewardship, what comes to mind? Using money wisely? That annual letter you get from the church asking for money, a pledge, or a commitment? Recycling? What is stewardship?
If you're looking at stewardship from a holistic approach, it has to do with a lot more than money. Yes, money does have something to do with it, but it's not all that stewardship means. Stewardship is about taking care of what God gives us. We need to be good stewards of the money we make. John Wesley encouraged people to give all they could, save all they could, and spend all they could.
We need to be good stewards of more than money, though. We need to be good stewards of the food we purchase, and eat it before it spoils. We need to be good stewards of the environment, purchasing biodegradable goods, using fuel-efficient cars, screwing in energy-efficient light bulbs, and so on. I can remember one gentleman who was in a former church who would go through the church each week and turn off lights in rooms after the rooms were finished being used, then remind us that we needed to purchase more efficient light bulbs.
I think the list of what we need to be good stewards of could go on forever, but let me mention a couple that I believe honor God and our commitment to the church. One element of stewardship, for Christians, is tithing (or moving toward a tithe) by giving 10% of your income to God. I won't get into specifics about whether it should be from your gross or net income (before or after taxes), or whether it should be to the church or to other charitable organizations, but I think Christians should tithe or take steps to move toward a tithe.
Christians also need to be good stewards of time. If you can't give to serve God financially, you can give of your time. I see this time and time again in the church I serve. This week, I've witnessed people giving their time to install updates to our church facilities; tweak the sound system so that all can hear; and give time to raise money for youth ministry and camp scholarships.
Christians also need to be good stewards of what God gives them; in other words, use the spiritual gifts God gives you. Each Christian is uniquely equipped to serve God. No one has the exact same gifting for ministry as you do. So, if you have a gift (and everyone does), use it!
Christians also need to keep in mind the other stewarding issues (recycling, environment, reducing debt, supporting local businesses, etc.), but the three I mentioned - tithing, time, and talents, are those that we should be developing. As we do, we develop good stewardship. I am thankful that I serve a congregation that is generous in its stewardship, and I'm grateful that they are teaching me how to generous as well.
If you're looking at stewardship from a holistic approach, it has to do with a lot more than money. Yes, money does have something to do with it, but it's not all that stewardship means. Stewardship is about taking care of what God gives us. We need to be good stewards of the money we make. John Wesley encouraged people to give all they could, save all they could, and spend all they could.
We need to be good stewards of more than money, though. We need to be good stewards of the food we purchase, and eat it before it spoils. We need to be good stewards of the environment, purchasing biodegradable goods, using fuel-efficient cars, screwing in energy-efficient light bulbs, and so on. I can remember one gentleman who was in a former church who would go through the church each week and turn off lights in rooms after the rooms were finished being used, then remind us that we needed to purchase more efficient light bulbs.
I think the list of what we need to be good stewards of could go on forever, but let me mention a couple that I believe honor God and our commitment to the church. One element of stewardship, for Christians, is tithing (or moving toward a tithe) by giving 10% of your income to God. I won't get into specifics about whether it should be from your gross or net income (before or after taxes), or whether it should be to the church or to other charitable organizations, but I think Christians should tithe or take steps to move toward a tithe.
Christians also need to be good stewards of time. If you can't give to serve God financially, you can give of your time. I see this time and time again in the church I serve. This week, I've witnessed people giving their time to install updates to our church facilities; tweak the sound system so that all can hear; and give time to raise money for youth ministry and camp scholarships.
Christians also need to be good stewards of what God gives them; in other words, use the spiritual gifts God gives you. Each Christian is uniquely equipped to serve God. No one has the exact same gifting for ministry as you do. So, if you have a gift (and everyone does), use it!
Christians also need to keep in mind the other stewarding issues (recycling, environment, reducing debt, supporting local businesses, etc.), but the three I mentioned - tithing, time, and talents, are those that we should be developing. As we do, we develop good stewardship. I am thankful that I serve a congregation that is generous in its stewardship, and I'm grateful that they are teaching me how to generous as well.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Where's God When I'm Sccccaaared???
Tonight was momentous for our family. We have been home from Ghana for more than ten months. On rare occasions, my daughter has petted one of our two dogs. For someone who is less than 1/3 the weight of our dogs, it's understandable to be scared. I think I would be, too! Several times, if we had our daughter in a papasan chair, she would let the dogs come into the room to watch a movie or television with us - but she rarely touched our older dog, and wouldn't go near the younger one.
Tonight, we decided to take another step. Our daughter would sit on the couch with a pillow on her lap, and our oldest dog would come in and sit on the couch next to her. We prepped our daughter for what might happen (sniffing, etc.). The dog came in, ate some cookies to distract her, and then promptly sat down and chewed on a bone. She went to see each person in the family, except our daughter, and then went back to the bone. At one point, I got down on the floor next to the dog and started petting her. Our daughter had had enough of her fear; she threw off her blanket and the pillow, and said she was going to pet the dog. And that was the end of her fear. For the rest of the night, she petted, followed around, and annoyed the dog...and now, the dog is sleeping in bed with her upstairs.
We're all afraid of something. Recently, I've been having Facebook and face-to-face conversations with someone who wants to have God in her life, but doesn't know how to ask. She's scared that she'll do it wrong; pray the wrong way; etc. There's no right way to do it. Just like working with our daughter to be with the dogs, you can accomplish the same goal in many different ways. It doesn't matter how you pray; it matters that you pray. It doesn't matter how you ask Jesus into you heart; it matters that you do.
There's great joy in my heart for those who allow fear to escape them, and allow God to dwell in them. In these past few weeks, it's for a young woman who has found God in Jesus Christ. And tonight, it's for my daughter, who knows that with God, anything is possible!
Tonight, we decided to take another step. Our daughter would sit on the couch with a pillow on her lap, and our oldest dog would come in and sit on the couch next to her. We prepped our daughter for what might happen (sniffing, etc.). The dog came in, ate some cookies to distract her, and then promptly sat down and chewed on a bone. She went to see each person in the family, except our daughter, and then went back to the bone. At one point, I got down on the floor next to the dog and started petting her. Our daughter had had enough of her fear; she threw off her blanket and the pillow, and said she was going to pet the dog. And that was the end of her fear. For the rest of the night, she petted, followed around, and annoyed the dog...and now, the dog is sleeping in bed with her upstairs.
We're all afraid of something. Recently, I've been having Facebook and face-to-face conversations with someone who wants to have God in her life, but doesn't know how to ask. She's scared that she'll do it wrong; pray the wrong way; etc. There's no right way to do it. Just like working with our daughter to be with the dogs, you can accomplish the same goal in many different ways. It doesn't matter how you pray; it matters that you pray. It doesn't matter how you ask Jesus into you heart; it matters that you do.
There's great joy in my heart for those who allow fear to escape them, and allow God to dwell in them. In these past few weeks, it's for a young woman who has found God in Jesus Christ. And tonight, it's for my daughter, who knows that with God, anything is possible!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Blast from the Past
I took the kids roller skating for the first time today. Today is the 10-month anniversary of our arrival in the United States, and we are still experiencing many firsts. One of my oldest son's friends had a birthday party at the skating rink, so I loaded all of the kids up in the car, and off we went.
I haven't set foot in a skating rink for at least 15 years, but when I walked in, not much had changed. Everyone skated the same direction, under the same flashing lights, with bathrooms that had not been updated in a number of years, and the same snack line. I took pictures with my cell phone of the kids skating - I use that term loosely, because all three of them were falling all over the place - and was sending them to my wife. In my haste to send one, I accidentally sent a photo to another friend, who asked me if they were playing Bon Jovi or Michael Jackson over the speaker system. Thus began a conversation that took us back to youth and childhood.
Roller skating is a blast from the past. It's part of who I am, but it's just a part. It doesn't define who I am. It helped, in some small way, make me who I am today, but it doesn't control who I am today.
The church, as well as the people in it, would be wise to learn this concept. Our past informs our future, but it does not define it. Who we have been is not who we are now, nor does it determine who God wants us to be. Too often, we live in the glory days of what once was, and forget that we do not live in that time or place. Natalie Sleeth says it well in Hymn of Promise: "From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery..." She does not say that our past is our future; but because the future is unfolding, we can learn from our past to shape our future.
If this concept wasn't true, we would still experience slavery and inequality between men and women. To a degree, this still happens, but thanks to the people who learned from their past and forged a new future, we no longer experience either issue to the extent of the generations before us. We honor the past and we learn from it, and then we continue forward into God's preferred future for us.
I used to love to roller skate. I was pretty good at it. I could skate forwards and backwards, had some good footwork, could win the limbo or "shoot the duck." Today, as I watched people play limbo and "Four Corners," I was grateful that I learned from my past, but it doesn't define me. I'm not the same person I was 15 years ago. I will not be the same person 15 years from now - because God is at work, making all things new. Thanks be to God for the experience of the past, the joy of the present, and the promise of the future!
I haven't set foot in a skating rink for at least 15 years, but when I walked in, not much had changed. Everyone skated the same direction, under the same flashing lights, with bathrooms that had not been updated in a number of years, and the same snack line. I took pictures with my cell phone of the kids skating - I use that term loosely, because all three of them were falling all over the place - and was sending them to my wife. In my haste to send one, I accidentally sent a photo to another friend, who asked me if they were playing Bon Jovi or Michael Jackson over the speaker system. Thus began a conversation that took us back to youth and childhood.
Roller skating is a blast from the past. It's part of who I am, but it's just a part. It doesn't define who I am. It helped, in some small way, make me who I am today, but it doesn't control who I am today.
The church, as well as the people in it, would be wise to learn this concept. Our past informs our future, but it does not define it. Who we have been is not who we are now, nor does it determine who God wants us to be. Too often, we live in the glory days of what once was, and forget that we do not live in that time or place. Natalie Sleeth says it well in Hymn of Promise: "From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery..." She does not say that our past is our future; but because the future is unfolding, we can learn from our past to shape our future.
If this concept wasn't true, we would still experience slavery and inequality between men and women. To a degree, this still happens, but thanks to the people who learned from their past and forged a new future, we no longer experience either issue to the extent of the generations before us. We honor the past and we learn from it, and then we continue forward into God's preferred future for us.
I used to love to roller skate. I was pretty good at it. I could skate forwards and backwards, had some good footwork, could win the limbo or "shoot the duck." Today, as I watched people play limbo and "Four Corners," I was grateful that I learned from my past, but it doesn't define me. I'm not the same person I was 15 years ago. I will not be the same person 15 years from now - because God is at work, making all things new. Thanks be to God for the experience of the past, the joy of the present, and the promise of the future!
Monday, January 17, 2011
MLK
It's the end of a long day, but one that I particularly enjoy each year. I look forward to the documentaries and the celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. This year, it was even more of a special event, because it was the catalyst for talking about race relations in America with our children. The history of race relations in America only has an effect on them now - they are Ghanian, not African American. However, because it does affect them now, we have had the opportunity to discuss things like the Civil War, slavery, segregation, civil rights, the KKK, and the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
I had the privilege of taking a semester-long class on Martin Luther King, Jr. during my last year of seminary. We chronicled the events of his life, and looked specifically at his speeches and sermons. We listened to audio tapes and interviews, and met with people who were instrumental in the civil rights movement. I recall that I was really appreciative of the form of his sermons, and analyzed a number of them to discover his set pieces (particular stories or passages he would return to from time to time).
I came out of that class with a number of books containing his writings, sermons, and speeches. Since that class, I have made it a point to read at least some of those writings on his birthday. Today was no exception, and as I began to read A Knock at Midnight, I was reminded of how clear of an orator he was. As I read his opening paragraphs, I also was reminded that we have come a long way from the time of that address. The strides we have made toward racial equality in America are immense. Still, I couldn't help but think, as I read his opening lines, that much of what he addresses still needs to be carried out further - economic injustice, social and moral decline, among others. The words spoken for a time fifty years ago are still relevant to the time today. I guess that's what happens when a prophet speaks - it's timeless. Like Joel, Isaiah, and Jesus, King's prophetic words stand the test of time. They are as important now as they were 50 years ago, and will continue to speak to people for generations to come. Today, I give thanks to God for prophetic witness, and pray that I can be so bold in proclaiming our current reality and hope for the future.
I had the privilege of taking a semester-long class on Martin Luther King, Jr. during my last year of seminary. We chronicled the events of his life, and looked specifically at his speeches and sermons. We listened to audio tapes and interviews, and met with people who were instrumental in the civil rights movement. I recall that I was really appreciative of the form of his sermons, and analyzed a number of them to discover his set pieces (particular stories or passages he would return to from time to time).
I came out of that class with a number of books containing his writings, sermons, and speeches. Since that class, I have made it a point to read at least some of those writings on his birthday. Today was no exception, and as I began to read A Knock at Midnight, I was reminded of how clear of an orator he was. As I read his opening paragraphs, I also was reminded that we have come a long way from the time of that address. The strides we have made toward racial equality in America are immense. Still, I couldn't help but think, as I read his opening lines, that much of what he addresses still needs to be carried out further - economic injustice, social and moral decline, among others. The words spoken for a time fifty years ago are still relevant to the time today. I guess that's what happens when a prophet speaks - it's timeless. Like Joel, Isaiah, and Jesus, King's prophetic words stand the test of time. They are as important now as they were 50 years ago, and will continue to speak to people for generations to come. Today, I give thanks to God for prophetic witness, and pray that I can be so bold in proclaiming our current reality and hope for the future.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Who Am I?
Today was a late start day for the boys' school district, so we let them sleep in, and I got our daughter up and ready for school. It's amazing how quickly she can get ready and eat in the morning without any other siblings - she was dressed, had eaten, and was in the bathroom in 35 minutes (it usually takes over an hour!). As we sat at the table eating our breakfast, I looked out the dining room window. The snow was stunning, shimmering on the ground and on the peaks of the homes across the road as the sun rose. I looked and thought to myself that, as impressive as the homes across the road are, they are nothing compared to the beauty and impressiveness of a newly fallen snow.
Just yesterday, one of my colleagues and I were conversing about God's omnipotence and divine plan. He asked me if humanity was really necessary for God's ultimate plan to come to fruition. Does God need us in order for the plan to become reality, or does God simply want us? We talked about several different angles of Scripture. At the end of the conversation, we hadn't resolved anything, but had really grown in our faith. As I looked across the snow-covered lawn this morning, it occurred to me that I can create some amazing things; I can do fantastic ministry; but anything I can do pales in comparison to what God can do. No plans I put into motion have the lasting impact that God's do. I must depend on God in order to do what I do; God doesn't depend on me to do anything, but I do believe that God wants me to participate in moving the plan forward.
More recent Christian musicians have raised questions in lyrics regarding this issue. Casting Crowns, in their hit Who Am I?, shares the amazement that the Lord of all the earth would care to know our names. Addison Road's What Do I Know of Holy raises a similar question: "What do I know of you who spoke me into motion?" God is bigger than I am, and so, whether I sing about it, or look out the window as the sun shines on snow, I know who I am. I am God's child, and the redemption of the world doesn't depend on me; but, God will still use me.
Just yesterday, one of my colleagues and I were conversing about God's omnipotence and divine plan. He asked me if humanity was really necessary for God's ultimate plan to come to fruition. Does God need us in order for the plan to become reality, or does God simply want us? We talked about several different angles of Scripture. At the end of the conversation, we hadn't resolved anything, but had really grown in our faith. As I looked across the snow-covered lawn this morning, it occurred to me that I can create some amazing things; I can do fantastic ministry; but anything I can do pales in comparison to what God can do. No plans I put into motion have the lasting impact that God's do. I must depend on God in order to do what I do; God doesn't depend on me to do anything, but I do believe that God wants me to participate in moving the plan forward.
More recent Christian musicians have raised questions in lyrics regarding this issue. Casting Crowns, in their hit Who Am I?, shares the amazement that the Lord of all the earth would care to know our names. Addison Road's What Do I Know of Holy raises a similar question: "What do I know of you who spoke me into motion?" God is bigger than I am, and so, whether I sing about it, or look out the window as the sun shines on snow, I know who I am. I am God's child, and the redemption of the world doesn't depend on me; but, God will still use me.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
New Year...New Resolution?
Last year, I set my New Year's resolution to write on this blog every week. I didn't horribly fail at meeting my resolution. I wrote over 35 different posts, which is pretty good, considering that I did live in Ghana for five weeks, and I had this major life adjustment of bringing three children home.
Why do people make resolutions? I resolved to write this blog; we resolve to lose weight; we resolve to exercise more; to work less and play more; to pay off debt. Our list of resolutions can be long and tiresome, and unattainable. To me, the word resolve seems very formal and legal. In fact, "resolutions" proposed at annual conference sessions contain the phrase "therefore, be it resolved that..." Resolutions are legislation; and maybe that's where the rub is.
Resolutions expect perfection; they set us up to fail. Resolving to lose weight may well result in an additional 10 pounds and a bigger waist size. Resolving to write a blog weekly may result in resentment - blogging because one has to, not because someone wants to (that was not the case for me, most of the time). The pressure to keep the resolution drives us. "I must keep the resolution," and suddenly, keeping the resolution becomes a means to an end. There's no room for God's grace.
This year, I will not resolve to lose weight, get in shape, or blog each week. Instead, I'll ask God what God desires for my life; for my family's life. Then, I'll try to follow what God says. The path will be full of twists and turns, and sometimes, take me to places I don't want to go. However, God's grace will be sufficient for the journey, offering me forgiveness, sustenance, and strength.
Why do people make resolutions? I resolved to write this blog; we resolve to lose weight; we resolve to exercise more; to work less and play more; to pay off debt. Our list of resolutions can be long and tiresome, and unattainable. To me, the word resolve seems very formal and legal. In fact, "resolutions" proposed at annual conference sessions contain the phrase "therefore, be it resolved that..." Resolutions are legislation; and maybe that's where the rub is.
Resolutions expect perfection; they set us up to fail. Resolving to lose weight may well result in an additional 10 pounds and a bigger waist size. Resolving to write a blog weekly may result in resentment - blogging because one has to, not because someone wants to (that was not the case for me, most of the time). The pressure to keep the resolution drives us. "I must keep the resolution," and suddenly, keeping the resolution becomes a means to an end. There's no room for God's grace.
This year, I will not resolve to lose weight, get in shape, or blog each week. Instead, I'll ask God what God desires for my life; for my family's life. Then, I'll try to follow what God says. The path will be full of twists and turns, and sometimes, take me to places I don't want to go. However, God's grace will be sufficient for the journey, offering me forgiveness, sustenance, and strength.
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