I've discovered a new method of repriming the pump, filling the tank, releasing the tensions - my grandson! Put that little guy in my arms asleep and it is amazing how much you can feel the tensions relaxing, how much his smile will brighten the vision of the future, how much his cooing and giggles will cheer you!
Now I do have other stress relievers - like a coffee trip with my son! Or listening to an audio book with my beloved wife! Or gaming with my daughter! Or participating in wider church activities because of the interchange of ideas with people just as concerned with finding new ways to make the unchanging grace of God fresh for the people of this time and place.
But without doubt, that little vulnerable bundle of clearly shared emotions is about the best rejuvenator I can think of! His trusting gaze reminds me that I have been given a responsibility to provide care where and when I can - that the greatest need is to be loving even when he might challenge my understanding of what is best for him. And I need to offer that same love to all my family and those I'm called to serve.
His little smile, or that surprised look when he burps, remind me that part of my responsibility is also to help train him to understand that need for love, for personal responsibility and for giving to others as God gives to us.
I'm glad I got to see, hold, and enjoy him. But even more, I'm looking forward the next time!!
Peace!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Unchanging Ever-changing God
I needed time to come to the realization, and had to have help from an unlikely source to finally understand that God's unchanging character is rooted in ever-changing to be fresh to each new situation in the same loving yet demanding manner. While working for the Internal Revenue Service, I was told the only thing constant about the IRS was change. As I ponder this, it struck me that God is the same always because God is always fresh and new, present at Creation, but just as present today. Brooding over the chaos from which our sphere of existence is said to have come from, and brooding over the chaos I make of my own life. Loving all the things created and pronouncing them good, then returning after the resurrection of Jesus to tell Peter, "Don't you call anything I've made unclean!" And now loving all around me except the ways we all willfully fly in the face of God's grace and love.
The earth is composed of the same materials it has been since coming into being, yet is is most decidely different today than from the 1930s, from the Middle Ages, from the time of the Patriarchs, from the time of dinosaurs and before. We can accept that, at least most of us can, but we cannot bring ourselves to understand that God also changes to be fresh for us and for our children.
Many traditions hold strongly to Paul's statement we are to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling - even telling the pastor that this is OUR faith - but we are not in the least tentative about telling someone else - young or old - how THEY should believe. God doesn't do that, Jesus didn't do that, so where do we get an understanding that allows us to do so? Perhaps from the desire to make sure our particular corner of the world always stays comfortable, non-threatening, safe and secure forever. Only it doesn't, does it? It changes on us from one minute to the next!!
I hope sharing some of the struggle I went through on this issue will help others also consider that the unchanging God is yet ever-fresh and new! Perhaps that will help us to start being more tolerant of others who are different than we are, more accepting of God's brilliant array of life and thought, and thus more blessed as we live our own path to God's new realm.
May it be so! Peace!
The earth is composed of the same materials it has been since coming into being, yet is is most decidely different today than from the 1930s, from the Middle Ages, from the time of the Patriarchs, from the time of dinosaurs and before. We can accept that, at least most of us can, but we cannot bring ourselves to understand that God also changes to be fresh for us and for our children.
Many traditions hold strongly to Paul's statement we are to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling - even telling the pastor that this is OUR faith - but we are not in the least tentative about telling someone else - young or old - how THEY should believe. God doesn't do that, Jesus didn't do that, so where do we get an understanding that allows us to do so? Perhaps from the desire to make sure our particular corner of the world always stays comfortable, non-threatening, safe and secure forever. Only it doesn't, does it? It changes on us from one minute to the next!!
I hope sharing some of the struggle I went through on this issue will help others also consider that the unchanging God is yet ever-fresh and new! Perhaps that will help us to start being more tolerant of others who are different than we are, more accepting of God's brilliant array of life and thought, and thus more blessed as we live our own path to God's new realm.
May it be so! Peace!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter?
Once again, I find that with this holy day behind me, I'm worn out, drained, and looking forward to some time off. I pondered this today, and I think that for my wife and me this is an emotionally draining season because of experiences we have had and because we are emotive people who deal well with meditation and visualization. For us, it is easy to slip into the emotional roller coaster of the followers of the Way as they followed their Master and Teacher on what they understood to be the last trip into Jerusalem. In a way, trying to help the church see the need for change, for another step in the ages old process of trying to remain fresh for our own day, is like that last trip of Jesus.
Why? Well, he went knowing the dangers of standing in opposition to the settled leadership. Those of us challenging the church to see that twentieth century church isn't addressing twenty-first century people in an engaging manner, also face the opposition of those who cling to what I heard in Seminary - the 7 last words of the church - "We never did it that way before!" I still recall the father of a high school friend who told me, upon seeing Good News for Modern Man, that if the King James was good enough for Peter and Paul it was, by God, good enough for us! His emotion was clear, his resolve even went to suggesting that our church should buy as many copies and possible and burn them - because they said Mary was pregnant, not that she was with child - which means she was pregnant!
Then again, consider that Jesus relied on God's powerful presence and grace to accept the one who learned, worked and lived in the inner circle - but planned to show his enemies where he would be when no crowds were around. If the leaders of the church trying to make it relevant into this new century do not rely on that same presence and grace, it is so very easy to slip into bitterness and disillusionment. Better still to understand that if you don't feel called, don't enter this business! Trust God, focus on those who do appreciate your ministry, but don't avoid those who irritate you.
Another reason is that beyond all the stuff we put up with, there is the promise that God is the one who will give us our final grade! It is God who calls us, God who gives the gifts and talents we use, and God who sent Jesus to set the example and teach the right way to live. Now all we need to do is to truly understand that we ARE to FOLLOW Jesus on that radically new life that welcomes ALL who come seeking God, we ARE to focus on the new understandings that come to us, because we are constantly learning new things that help us understand life better.
Finally, Jesus went into that last week without giving the disciples black and white answers. We live in grey areas. As easy as black and white, right and wrong thinking is, it simply doesn't match the manner of Jesus teaching or ministry. He refused to play the games of the settled leadership, turning their crazy traditions back into their laps each time they tried to catch him. He saw welcoming all who came as the manner of ministering that God called him - and us - to do! So we need to learn that God's world is based on God's unchanging love, Jesus unlimited grace, and the recognition that we are all God's children - to push someone away for human reasons is to push the Master away in one of what he called the least of these my brothers and sisters.
So Easter is draining! But it is exhilarating as well, because of the promise, and because I so enjoy the looks of wonder on children's faces as we share the stories, and sometimes actually admit to them we don't have answers to all their questions. I invite you to join the roller-coaster, and find the excitement of this spirit-driven lifestyle!
Peace!
Why? Well, he went knowing the dangers of standing in opposition to the settled leadership. Those of us challenging the church to see that twentieth century church isn't addressing twenty-first century people in an engaging manner, also face the opposition of those who cling to what I heard in Seminary - the 7 last words of the church - "We never did it that way before!" I still recall the father of a high school friend who told me, upon seeing Good News for Modern Man, that if the King James was good enough for Peter and Paul it was, by God, good enough for us! His emotion was clear, his resolve even went to suggesting that our church should buy as many copies and possible and burn them - because they said Mary was pregnant, not that she was with child - which means she was pregnant!
Then again, consider that Jesus relied on God's powerful presence and grace to accept the one who learned, worked and lived in the inner circle - but planned to show his enemies where he would be when no crowds were around. If the leaders of the church trying to make it relevant into this new century do not rely on that same presence and grace, it is so very easy to slip into bitterness and disillusionment. Better still to understand that if you don't feel called, don't enter this business! Trust God, focus on those who do appreciate your ministry, but don't avoid those who irritate you.
Another reason is that beyond all the stuff we put up with, there is the promise that God is the one who will give us our final grade! It is God who calls us, God who gives the gifts and talents we use, and God who sent Jesus to set the example and teach the right way to live. Now all we need to do is to truly understand that we ARE to FOLLOW Jesus on that radically new life that welcomes ALL who come seeking God, we ARE to focus on the new understandings that come to us, because we are constantly learning new things that help us understand life better.
Finally, Jesus went into that last week without giving the disciples black and white answers. We live in grey areas. As easy as black and white, right and wrong thinking is, it simply doesn't match the manner of Jesus teaching or ministry. He refused to play the games of the settled leadership, turning their crazy traditions back into their laps each time they tried to catch him. He saw welcoming all who came as the manner of ministering that God called him - and us - to do! So we need to learn that God's world is based on God's unchanging love, Jesus unlimited grace, and the recognition that we are all God's children - to push someone away for human reasons is to push the Master away in one of what he called the least of these my brothers and sisters.
So Easter is draining! But it is exhilarating as well, because of the promise, and because I so enjoy the looks of wonder on children's faces as we share the stories, and sometimes actually admit to them we don't have answers to all their questions. I invite you to join the roller-coaster, and find the excitement of this spirit-driven lifestyle!
Peace!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Holy Week Thoughts
As Holy Week draws to a close, it is time to reflect on what this week means for us in the 21st Century, at least for me.
One of the things we have to be aware of and consider our own reactions about is the fuss that has come up in the media about the words of prophetic UCC pastor Jeremiah Wright. Jeremiah has spoken words that shock and cause affront - but they are words we as a society desperately need to hear! We need to confront our willingness to look away from our contributions to problems and tragedies - and societally we are patently more willing to ignore our own contributions than we are to consider that systemic change just might stop some of those problems and tragedies!
When I was in High School in the late 196os, a teacher who was a missionary's son, told us of the Ugly American image, and spoke passionately of the basis for the image - we expect everyone to kowtow to us because we are American. Yet they understand the need to tolerate differences, to tried to honor their hosts and to practice a hospitality closer to the biblical model more carefully than do we. When Americans travel, we expect to be able to speak our form of English around the world. When the world travels here, they expect to come with an interpreter or to be able to speak English. Much of the world is at least bilingual, and some parts of the world have people speaking four or five languages fluently. What are we missing in our education by allowing, indeed insisting, we do everything in ONE language, almost as though we think this is the divine language or something.
Another tragedy is that so much of what Jesus tried to bring about, to call his followers to continue working toward is no closer to reality today than when he faced the wrath of the establish religious community of his day. We are more comfortable accepting social custom than following our savior! We are more willing to by a comedian's rendition of the Golden Rule than to practice Jesus' standard - Do unto to others and cut out as fast as you can, rather than do to others what you want them to do to you.
Perhaps this year we can finally hear the true passion and full scope of Jesus' cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" A cry not only, we are told, addressing the feeling of being abandoned by God in the moment of taking the world's sin on his own shoulders, but, I think, expression his sense of abandonment by those who called him Master, Savior, Christ, friend! How many of our friends have left us in a time of need, or been abandoned by us when they most needed us - not to mention families that have forgotten what family really means!
Perhaps this year we will indeed experience what Jesus did for the disciples - Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" Perhaps this year it will happen! We will be filled with a hope and a willingness to take courageous steps to make the world so much better because that is what Jesus died to bring about - along with making us children of God! Perhaps -
Maybe this year we can drop stereotypes of characters in this story, really hear it all and come to clearer understandings of the real importance of the events we commemorate during this season of the year.
May it be so, Holy One! May it be so!
Peace!
One of the things we have to be aware of and consider our own reactions about is the fuss that has come up in the media about the words of prophetic UCC pastor Jeremiah Wright. Jeremiah has spoken words that shock and cause affront - but they are words we as a society desperately need to hear! We need to confront our willingness to look away from our contributions to problems and tragedies - and societally we are patently more willing to ignore our own contributions than we are to consider that systemic change just might stop some of those problems and tragedies!
When I was in High School in the late 196os, a teacher who was a missionary's son, told us of the Ugly American image, and spoke passionately of the basis for the image - we expect everyone to kowtow to us because we are American. Yet they understand the need to tolerate differences, to tried to honor their hosts and to practice a hospitality closer to the biblical model more carefully than do we. When Americans travel, we expect to be able to speak our form of English around the world. When the world travels here, they expect to come with an interpreter or to be able to speak English. Much of the world is at least bilingual, and some parts of the world have people speaking four or five languages fluently. What are we missing in our education by allowing, indeed insisting, we do everything in ONE language, almost as though we think this is the divine language or something.
Another tragedy is that so much of what Jesus tried to bring about, to call his followers to continue working toward is no closer to reality today than when he faced the wrath of the establish religious community of his day. We are more comfortable accepting social custom than following our savior! We are more willing to by a comedian's rendition of the Golden Rule than to practice Jesus' standard - Do unto to others and cut out as fast as you can, rather than do to others what you want them to do to you.
Perhaps this year we can finally hear the true passion and full scope of Jesus' cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" A cry not only, we are told, addressing the feeling of being abandoned by God in the moment of taking the world's sin on his own shoulders, but, I think, expression his sense of abandonment by those who called him Master, Savior, Christ, friend! How many of our friends have left us in a time of need, or been abandoned by us when they most needed us - not to mention families that have forgotten what family really means!
Perhaps this year we will indeed experience what Jesus did for the disciples - Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" Perhaps this year it will happen! We will be filled with a hope and a willingness to take courageous steps to make the world so much better because that is what Jesus died to bring about - along with making us children of God! Perhaps -
Maybe this year we can drop stereotypes of characters in this story, really hear it all and come to clearer understandings of the real importance of the events we commemorate during this season of the year.
May it be so, Holy One! May it be so!
Peace!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Lessons in politics
Yesterday was quite the learning experience in how the political process often does and how it should work! My wife and I were both delegates to the county convention. It was a little confusing that the meeting opens, but can't get down to the real heart of the meeting for an hour - to make sure people are all there (who are coming).
Then there was the lesson that it helps to have a leader with a clear understanding of what and how to present. Ours was lost several times and had to be challenged on some misinformation based on the January caucuses.
Then, watching delegates wrangle, it became apparent not a few could have used lessons in listening to explanations - even elected officials! What should probably been an hour and a half meeting became three hours, and people were really starting to get testy and tired by the time it was adjourned.
One fellow observed that watching the county convention made it clear why the government has such a difficult time making decisions!
The walk home in the cool late winter air was nice afterward - my wife had to leave early to grab a bite to eat and get to her knitting group.
So from that I have a whole new perspective, going into Holy Week, on the political intrigue that contributed to the events commemorated the end of the week. The decision to seek the death of the troublesome Jesus was nothing arrived at over mere minutes, it took a lot of wrangling before enough votes were garnered - probably not a few followed back-room meetings with perhaps of little grease of coinage to help things along.
Yet through it all, Jesus maintains a focus on his understanding of God's call on his life, and on his trust that God would work all things out as they should. Difficult as that is, it is also the call placed on our own lives! May we find the faith and trust to walk it!!
Peace!
Then there was the lesson that it helps to have a leader with a clear understanding of what and how to present. Ours was lost several times and had to be challenged on some misinformation based on the January caucuses.
Then, watching delegates wrangle, it became apparent not a few could have used lessons in listening to explanations - even elected officials! What should probably been an hour and a half meeting became three hours, and people were really starting to get testy and tired by the time it was adjourned.
One fellow observed that watching the county convention made it clear why the government has such a difficult time making decisions!
The walk home in the cool late winter air was nice afterward - my wife had to leave early to grab a bite to eat and get to her knitting group.
So from that I have a whole new perspective, going into Holy Week, on the political intrigue that contributed to the events commemorated the end of the week. The decision to seek the death of the troublesome Jesus was nothing arrived at over mere minutes, it took a lot of wrangling before enough votes were garnered - probably not a few followed back-room meetings with perhaps of little grease of coinage to help things along.
Yet through it all, Jesus maintains a focus on his understanding of God's call on his life, and on his trust that God would work all things out as they should. Difficult as that is, it is also the call placed on our own lives! May we find the faith and trust to walk it!!
Peace!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Startling News
I have followed the work of the Southern Poverty Law Center for years, and get mailings as well as emails from them. Today there was a daunting bit of news - in the last 7 years the number of hate groups operating within the United States of America has nearly doubled!! A 48% increase during a time when there is so much hate and violence abroad! Well, like events of the past decade have taught us, we are now officially part and parcel to the world scene!
Welcome to the new age! Unless, of course, you would rather your children and grandchildren didn't grow to know that type of world! In which case, it is time to start working as the Southern Poverty Law Center does - for tolerance and the recognition that we will not survive unless we conquer hate!
I am reminded that Jesus was willing to come and experience the results of hate, but refused to live out hate. Even when he was executed as a ciminal, he asked forgiveness for those who did it. Even when others slammed him for his outreach to those in need, he quietly went about doing more good. Even when his trusted companions and disciples abandoned him, denied him, he took special pains to bring them back into relationship. Even when those same friends simply couldn't fathom what he taught, what he wanted, what he said would happen, he worked to prepare them and kept them close so they could learn a better way to live.
Today we face off against each other with a rancor that is awful and terrifying - conservative against liberal, worker against management, debtors agaisnt creditors, Republicans against Democrats, you name it and you can find an "enemy" to hate, to villify, to attack and destroy. But is that the kind of world we truly want to live in?
Wouldn't a world of peace, tolerance and mutual benefit be better? Wouldn't it be nice that when someone needed help, we offered without having to be forced into it? Wouldn't it be better to live in a world where integrity wasn't simply a personal trait, but also common to government and corporate life as well? Wouldn't love be better than hate, living in harmony better than constantly looking over our collective shoulder for the next enemy seeking to do us in?
Think about it! What can we each personally do to dismantle hate groups, to build a more positive world for our descendants? Let's go, folks! It's time to take back our proud history of being a country big enough for all who would seek the bounty of this gracious land. If we do, we might find other countries following suit. If we honor our Islamic, Jewish, Hindi, Buddhist, Aboriginal, and other neighbors, we might find a better understand of our role as stewards of this earth and life.
Peace!
Welcome to the new age! Unless, of course, you would rather your children and grandchildren didn't grow to know that type of world! In which case, it is time to start working as the Southern Poverty Law Center does - for tolerance and the recognition that we will not survive unless we conquer hate!
I am reminded that Jesus was willing to come and experience the results of hate, but refused to live out hate. Even when he was executed as a ciminal, he asked forgiveness for those who did it. Even when others slammed him for his outreach to those in need, he quietly went about doing more good. Even when his trusted companions and disciples abandoned him, denied him, he took special pains to bring them back into relationship. Even when those same friends simply couldn't fathom what he taught, what he wanted, what he said would happen, he worked to prepare them and kept them close so they could learn a better way to live.
Today we face off against each other with a rancor that is awful and terrifying - conservative against liberal, worker against management, debtors agaisnt creditors, Republicans against Democrats, you name it and you can find an "enemy" to hate, to villify, to attack and destroy. But is that the kind of world we truly want to live in?
Wouldn't a world of peace, tolerance and mutual benefit be better? Wouldn't it be nice that when someone needed help, we offered without having to be forced into it? Wouldn't it be better to live in a world where integrity wasn't simply a personal trait, but also common to government and corporate life as well? Wouldn't love be better than hate, living in harmony better than constantly looking over our collective shoulder for the next enemy seeking to do us in?
Think about it! What can we each personally do to dismantle hate groups, to build a more positive world for our descendants? Let's go, folks! It's time to take back our proud history of being a country big enough for all who would seek the bounty of this gracious land. If we do, we might find other countries following suit. If we honor our Islamic, Jewish, Hindi, Buddhist, Aboriginal, and other neighbors, we might find a better understand of our role as stewards of this earth and life.
Peace!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Winter Musings 2
So this winter has seen up and down temperatures, snow and ice, snow and ice, rain, snow and ice. The flu has hit epidemic proportions across that nation, and the CDC missed on their vaccine recipe. Feeling good about it? You should, because all of this affords an opportunity to show your care for others! You can shovel walks for an elderly or differently-abled neighbor. You can offer to shop for someone who shouldn't be out and about. You can feed the birds and squirrels - they will show you their appreciation by devouring mounds of food! You can get down to some serious reconnecting with the family at home. Winter used to be a time when many things slowed down and we spent more time inside with family and friends. It was recognized for what it is - God's statement that we need to rest like the fields do, to recharge and heal up from the rigors of planting, harvesting and all the work around the farm!
You say you've never been on a farm and think that excuses you? Not so, for even in the city, with all the stuff that races along at break-neck speed, YOU need down time. Studies have told us for a long time that we have become a people who don't know the meaning of slow down and take care of yourself! As a pastor, I've had to work with men, especially but not exclusively, who pushed and pushed and pushed - until they found themselves hospitalized or institutionalized and dibilatated because they wouldn't allow themselves to rest and recover. We've all watched athletes whose careers were ended because they wouldn't allow themselves to heal from injuries that shouldn't have been serious.
And we all know "bosses" who think we ought to drive ourselves into the ground to make the company, and them, look good and prosper - while they are out wining and dining for the good of the company. Well, they need a different kind of rest, and it's called get out on the floor or into the streets and actually work like you demand your underlings work -- then give them and yourselves the time needed to rest and rejuvenate, so the company really will prosper - and you might even find you have skills and gifts that will benefit others.
Winter is down time, and I think we need to recapture that idea. Churches need to promote things that will get people relaxing, rejuvenating, resting. Teachers need to find ways to teach students that winter is time for the slow down activities and fun that come along for children - remember sledding and having snow-ball fights? Bosses need to start going out on a limb for workers and giving them time to enjoy the wonderful fun this season can offer, or to simply spend some quality - QUALITY - time with their families. We all need to rest and recover.
So, take a few minutes today, and think about your memories of the sled trip down the side of that little creek-bed that ended against the hidden log and your yards long slide down the hill on your face, or the snowperson you built on the front lawn in the central valley of California, or sledding down the monuments in the cemetery, or ice fishing for the first time with friends wetting 6 lines in a hole 10" across chopped in top layer of ice with a hatchet --
Enjoy, folks, because soon enough spring will be here with all the hurried, harried activity of springtime's burgeoning new life!
Peace!
You say you've never been on a farm and think that excuses you? Not so, for even in the city, with all the stuff that races along at break-neck speed, YOU need down time. Studies have told us for a long time that we have become a people who don't know the meaning of slow down and take care of yourself! As a pastor, I've had to work with men, especially but not exclusively, who pushed and pushed and pushed - until they found themselves hospitalized or institutionalized and dibilatated because they wouldn't allow themselves to rest and recover. We've all watched athletes whose careers were ended because they wouldn't allow themselves to heal from injuries that shouldn't have been serious.
And we all know "bosses" who think we ought to drive ourselves into the ground to make the company, and them, look good and prosper - while they are out wining and dining for the good of the company. Well, they need a different kind of rest, and it's called get out on the floor or into the streets and actually work like you demand your underlings work -- then give them and yourselves the time needed to rest and rejuvenate, so the company really will prosper - and you might even find you have skills and gifts that will benefit others.
Winter is down time, and I think we need to recapture that idea. Churches need to promote things that will get people relaxing, rejuvenating, resting. Teachers need to find ways to teach students that winter is time for the slow down activities and fun that come along for children - remember sledding and having snow-ball fights? Bosses need to start going out on a limb for workers and giving them time to enjoy the wonderful fun this season can offer, or to simply spend some quality - QUALITY - time with their families. We all need to rest and recover.
So, take a few minutes today, and think about your memories of the sled trip down the side of that little creek-bed that ended against the hidden log and your yards long slide down the hill on your face, or the snowperson you built on the front lawn in the central valley of California, or sledding down the monuments in the cemetery, or ice fishing for the first time with friends wetting 6 lines in a hole 10" across chopped in top layer of ice with a hatchet --
Enjoy, folks, because soon enough spring will be here with all the hurried, harried activity of springtime's burgeoning new life!
Peace!
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