The Weather and Ethnicity-free Christmas

It is hard to believe we are debating the ethnicity of Santa Claus, a fictional character. That is like debating if Snoopy is really a beagle? It is a mute point. Saint Nicolas was a real person, born Greek, in what is modern day Turkey. He is revered in Turkey but that does not make him Turkish or a turkey. Ethnicity can not be attached to the symbolism of good will and charity.

Moving on to the weather. As I have been listening to Christmas songs all month I have noticed they all mention snow even in the traditional carols. In the "First Noel" it refers to the cold that was so deep"... and so in time we have been conditioned that Christmas is not Christmas without cold and snow. After all Santa comes in a sleigh and there is no use of having a sleigh if you do not have snow. It is really unfortunate for all the children born in countries and regions without snow. But I am not into predestination in any setting so I am not buying a predestined white Santa Claus that only comes in the cold and snow. I am an equal opportunity good tidings and good will sort of person.

The angels announced to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, "Peace and good will to all men". It was good news that transcended ethnicity, time, and location. In our conditioning to what makes a perfect Christmas we have to have snow, cold, Santa on a sleigh, the right gift, the perfect food, and a normal family. Well, all I can say is 'good luck with that'. You are destined for some disappointing Christmases.

Christmas is not any of the above it is this simple prayer:

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

God with us, with or without snow. God with us in the cold and in the warmth, God with us red, yellow, black or white. The perfect Christmas because we did not plan it, imagine it, or bring it about. Christmas and good will come to all people of all time who simply know that God is with us.

Enjoy Christmas with your family even if they are crazy as loons just remember you are part of them. Enjoy Christmas in the snow or in the dessert. Enjoy Santa Claus and Christmas songs and whatever are your holiday traditions but Christmas  is only Christmas if God is with us.

A Baby in a Blanket

 "This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:12 The Message

Every one wants to know what to look for at Christmas. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that was in October. It is hard to believe there is so much controversy over Christmas, even saying; "Merry Christmas". Retailers have no problem 'selling Christmas' just don't mention it is a religious holiday. This is not a defense of Christmas or the right to say, "Merry Christmas". But from a blanket and a baby we have come a long way.

We now have men in boxer shorts playing Jingle Bells and we are told in another advertisement not to miss the Holiday event of the year "Victoria's Secrets Fashion Show". Listen, Victoria no longer has any secrets.

I am not an old fuddy duddy but, seriously? I can hear John Lennon asking; "So this is Christmas..." 

The shepherds had it easy, no list, no advertisements, they simply were not looking for anything. The first Christmas came upon them unexpectedly. They did not have to spend months planning or thinking about what to do about their crazy Aunt and Uncle at the dinner party. They received the first Christmas party invitation and they were not to bring a thing. They were simply to look for a baby in a blanket. Would a baby be in anything else in their day and time but a blanket?  Too easy but it gets better. They are to find a baby in a blanket in a manger. They are shepherds and are more than familiar with stables and mangers - feeding troughs for live stock. This was not going to be a formal Christmas party, no dressing up, no gifts, just come as you are and expect the unexpected. Men in boxer shorts and Victoria Secrets fashion shows should be the unexpected but given our current climate of amusement it is quite to be expected. 

In the first Christmas God hid himself in a baby in a manger. It could not have been more simple nor more humbling. In our current take on Christmas nothing is hidden, the flesh is exposed and humanity is left naked and empty.

What are you looking for? If you really want to celebrate Christmas, you are looking for a baby in a blanket.

Forward

My morning consisted of a contemplation of Psalm 42, a long drive, and plenty of down time at my job to contemplate its application to my life. David describes his intense thirst for God at the same time revealing his soul is down in the dumps. David feels drawn to God and abandoned by God all at the same time. What is this mysterious faith where we experience the presence and absence of God, often simultaneously?

I think this plays out quite often in each of our lives. It certainly is an experience that I am very familiar with and one I am thankful David owned in his own life. In difficult times, is our first response to seek deliverance? That is often my first "go to" prayer. I believe in deliverance - just not deliverance ministries. Most modern day takes on deliverance offer a rescue plan where no one suffers and that pain is not an option. It truncates the gospel and makes light of the entirety of God's plan of redemption.

On this day I would come to a new place in my understanding of deliverance. In my contemplation I played over this passage of scripture and tried it out on different scenarios of my past two years, seeking to find how God's word could transform my thought process. And as often happens, the Spirit spoke the word "forward" into my spirit as a substitute for deliverance. I began to contemplate the implications of that in the Psalm and other scriptures and I found my mind and soul encouraged. David was not simply asking for deliverance, he had an intense desire to move closer to God. David was asking in the presence of the sin of humanity how do I move forward in the daily presence of God? David acknowledged that the sin present in himself and others can cause the soul to be downcast but there must be a way forward into the presence and peace of God. David recorded in Psalm 23 that the way forward is through the valley of shadow and death. Deliverance? Yes, but David realized there were times his soul needed to be restored, his spirit quieted, and the strength of God to hold him in dark hours.

I began to pray "forward" over my current situation and applied that to my past. God has been delivering me or more exactly moving me forward into his peace all my life. The things I often wanted deliverance from were simply opportunities to move forward in a greater peace and strength than if I had not passed that way. When the disciples entered the boat to cross the sea of Galilee they found themselves in the midst of a storm. They didn't need deliverance they needed a way forward through the storm. Jesus was the way in and through the storm. The disciples needed to experience the storm, the chaos the sea represented, and they needed a Genesis experience where the Spirit hovered over the waters. I need to be, and we all need to be in the chaos of humanity, and at times feel desperate and even desperate for God and find Jesus is the way forward.

I think of Mary and Martha and how desperately they wanted deliverance and healing for Lazarus. They were not looking for a way forward in this sickness, they wanted deliverance. Jesus' plan was to simply delay because he had something greater in mind for Lazarus - resurrection. We want our pain instantly resolved and Jesus is wanting to lead us forward into something much greater.

All through the gospels Jesus does not avoid the Cross, it was God's plan to move all of creation forward into his divine grace and bring ultimate deliverance. I think Jesus' prayer in the garden echos Psalm 42. Jesus was desperate for the presence and fellowship of the Father and yet his soul was deeply troubled. Jesus was not simply asking for deliverance but the way forward. The way forward was death and resurrection.

The way forward may appear to be death or harm or injury but Jesus is our way and with him there is life and resurrection. He has been abandoned once and for all at the cross so that we will never have to be abandoned. What ever we are going through there is a way forward. Our pain and sense of being downcast cannot be because God has forgotten us nor that he does not love us. The Cross is the way forward for us all and it forever is the testimony of God's love for us. If I am downcast then I need to find the way forward in his truth, in his way and in his life.

Thoughts - Random and Sacred

If you have not already had the chance to watch Ylvis "What Does the Fox Say?" take some time and watch the original video and just laugh. I think these guys are on to something. There is so much madness in the world we need to take a breather and answer pressing questions such as, "What does the fox say?'

The other evening we went out for a drive with our grandson. He is just learning words. When we went outside Sam whispered, "It's dark". The moon was bright and it was dark. Sam does not care much to put words together, he just likes trying out new words to see how they sound. He often does not repeat it because he shows confidence that he has it down and might as well move on to another word. I like having the word of the day on my tablet. You always learn a new word and it comes in handy when doing crossword puzzles.

My daughter bought some hand cream at the store. She thought it was cream containing Vitamin E and indeed it did but it was a rejuvenating lotion. It came in a two pack so I acquired one and that is good.  It is guaranteed to make you look younger with daily use. I have two things to say, about our obsession with looking younger; no, make that three - Kenny Rogers, Bruce Jenner, and Joan Rivers. Thanks, but no thanks. I will take aging any day. When I die, I hope my face more resembles a Venetian blind. I want people to know I lived, laughed, and cried. Who wants to live and gain wisdom, and then erase that, to look young again, and unaware how ridiculous you look? All the attention to the face and what others see and yet what about the rest of your body? If you are over fifty take a look at yourself after a shower, your face should be the least of your worries. I think we should both act and look our age and enjoy all of life as a gift from God.

I end these random thoughts with a favorite prayer we share in our Benedictine readings. It is simple and profound: "May the noise and turmoil of our world rise to you, Lord God, to be taken up into your silence, and may your peace come down upon us, Jesus, the Christ, our Lord."

Ordinary Saints

 Our congregation is doing a focus called "Ordinary Saints". I like that because only ordinary saints can help us, inspire us, and come to our aid. Saints are only ordinary in the sense that they can be found any where among us and often in the least expected places. The first Sunday's focus on ordinary saints covered all who serve in the profession of teachers. A teacher shared a brief presentation and said, "Every child is only one caring adult away from a success story." That touched me in a place that carries painful memories from my childhood. But it also brought me great joy as I immediately thought of that one caring adult that made the difference in my life. Her name was Mrs. Lucas, my college English professor. I will make the story short - I was nearly a high school drop out and no candidate for college. Miraculously, I ended up enrolled in college and amazingly, in one that valued writing and required a senior seminar paper (thesis) for graduation.  The freshman class was simple - write twelve short stories; five to seven pages on given themes. They were graded pass/fail and you had to pass seven to move on to the finals. The final consisted of all the freshmen English classes reading one book (To Kill a Mockingbird) and then answering one essay question of your choice. The final essay exam had to be at least ten pages and it was graded pass/fail by all the English department. To pass meant you moved on and were done with English. My first four short stories did not pass and were not even close to passing.  Fortunately, I had been assigned a class with an ordinary saint. Mrs. Lucas gave me a note and asked me to call and schedule an appointment with her. I had no previous encounters such as this so there was no sense of fear or dread. I truly had no idea what to expect. I made an appointment and went to her office. It was very typical of a professors office - full of books, papers every where, plants, dust and a small table with a Mr. Coffee pot to make hot water for tea. We sat down for a conversation and to my amazement she ask me to tell her my story. I was very limiting in the information I offered because I was not sure where this was leading or what it had to do with my class or assignments. But she was unrelenting in her range of questions and in the end my journey through the educational system was out in the open. To my amazement again, Mrs. Lucas was not concerned about what was now my obvious lack of basic English or for that matter, any subject. She was already ahead of the game and sensed that I needed to share my educational experience as a process of moving forward. Mrs. Lucas asked me to go to the book store and buy a two volume set of basic English grammar. Time was of the essence and we would need to cover about four weeks of material each week. Mrs. Lucas made herself available for two hours a week to work me through the material. She asked me not to submit any other stories until we were finished. She encouraged me and said something that has remained with me, "You have a very creative mind and you are going to pass this class."

After we finished the material, my next seven short stories passed. Not only that, but I passed the essay portion of the class and I moved on from freshman English to graduate from college and two graduate programs. I can contribute much of that to one ordinary saint named Mrs. Lucas. She was my one caring adult that moved me forward.

In week two of our focus on ordinary saints, we were ask to write down one or two people who you considered to be saints. It was easy, I wrote down James and Celia Biggs, my in-laws. They were really ordinary saints who simply practiced faith and lived life. They had room in their hearts to love all four of their own children and more than enough to include me, the first son-in-law. They welcomed me, encouraged me, and became the other caring adults that lead to a success story. They did this all in a very unassuming manner. It simply flowed out of who they were; very grateful people. I do not have time to blog all their story but they were quite remarkable in all the ways the world finds quite unremarkable; and that is what made them ordinary saints.

In week three we honored veterans and all who serve in the military. This is always a tricky field to navigate for me, leaning decidedly to a pacifist way of life and never finding much comfort in the illusive arguments of "Just War." We were asked to write down an ordinary saint that had served our country. Once again this was easy - James Biggs, my father-in-law. He served over forty years in government service. He was one of those that Tom Brokaw called "The Greatest Generation."  He loved everything about his service and his country. Again, there is not enough blog space to describe his kindness and character that made him, to me and so many others, an ordinary saint.

This focus on ordinary saints has encouraged me greatly. I challenge you to think of ordinary saints who have brought you joy. I may lack much of what the world esteems of value, and you may too, but God has dropped valued treasures in my life all along the journey that have enriched me in immeasurable ways. Truly, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father.

The kingdom of God

In the book of Revelation, John has this magnificent vision of heaven open before him. What John saw fails human words. People have fought and disagreed over the interpretation of the book of Revelation. One thing that is clear, John saw thousands upon thousands of people from every tribe and language and nation, all declaring the majesty of God. It is a very specific description that requires a visual picture of the people, their identifiable ethnicity, nation, and language. It is my favorite picture of the now and the coming kingdom of God.

I have the privilege to see that grand vision at my work place. In our table group the other day we had Ethiopians, Salvadorians, Hispanics, Burmese, Rwandans, and African Americans. We shared stories of our past and journeys to Austin.  It is the vision of John, people of every tribe, language, and nation all finding themselves on this journey of life connected by the infinite love of God. John's vision of the kingdom is not limited and it is a vision that retains the uniqueness and worth of every individual.

As I look around at lunch I hear people conversing in every language and see food that I have never seen, the sound of the voices all very different blend together in a delicate hum that is pleasing and enchanting. The smell of the different foods blended together leaves one imagining their taste. It is a sensory experience where all share a common destiny and yet remain distinct in the way God made them. It is a very similar vision John had when he looked into heaven. I am thankful such a far reaching vision was not lost to the written Word and was preserved for all time. This is the vision of the kingdom I hold forth and will not let any narrow interpretations whittle down such a magnificent vision to something less glorifying that ignores the complexity of every tribe, language and nation together in their distinction  and dignity all sharing life together - forever.

One language, one tribe, one nation, one denomination, or any other limiting view of the kingdom of heaven leaves us empty. It simply falls short of the glory of God. The whole earth is full of God's glory and John saw that glory in every tribe, language and nation. I am thankful for that vision and that I get a glimpse of that in the here and now kingdom of heaven.

Saints

In his holy flirtation with the world, God occasionally drops a handkerchief. These handkerchiefs are called saints.

—Frederick Buechner

This quote is from a book called, "Love Feast". Buechner adequately describes how ordinary saints create a love feast for others in words and simple acts of kindness. There are not random acts of kindness but intentional acts of kindness that flow out of a heart of love. Intentional acts of love flow out of God's affectionate love towards us. Truly it is such a delight that the Scripture declares, "God sings his love over us." Buechner calls this God's holy flirtation with the world. The great prophetic insight Buechner shares is not that God delights in us but that he drops us into the middle of this courtship as his handkerchief. 

I still remember the hype and the commotion when the movie "Love Story" hit the theaters.  It was a reminder that with the Vietnam War abroad, and the war on racism at home, people needed love stories. More than ever people wanted someone to begin to try to tell the story of a love that was older than the sea. About the same time Sir Paul McCarthy intoned, "You would  think that people would have had enough of silly love songs. But I look around me and I see it isn't so. Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs. And what's wrong with that? I'd like to know, cause here I go again. I love you, I love you..." No, the movie "Love Story" and the song "Silly Love Songs" reminded us that we all still need love stories. God's love story is an eternal holy flirtation with the world and his promise is that he will continue to drop handkerchiefs (saints) to convey that love until the end of time. In an unlikely love story called "Moulan Rouge" we see the broken and the outcast in an extraordinary light and we see the desire for deep and satisfying love - love of the heart. In that movie we hear these words: "Never knew I could feel like this, like I've never seen the sky before...Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing?  Telling me to give you everything; seasons may change, winter to spring but I love you until the end of time. Come what may, Come what may, I will love you until my dying day. Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place; suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace; suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste. It all revolves around you and there's no mountain too high, no river too wide, sing out this song and I'll be there by your side. Storm clouds may gather, and stars may collide but I love you until the end of time."

This song is filled with the gospel, filled with God's flirtation with the world, and filled with enough love to last us until the end of time. In this epic love story God drops handkerchiefs and involves us in this endless love. We get to be loved and part of the love story - that really is not silly at all. I think I can hear God saying, "Hear I go again..."!

Peaches

Peaches! There it is plain and simple. It has theological implications and can help bring clarity to life. Every so often I like to come up with a word for the month. Any word will work but it is best if it really makes no sense in and of itself. Once a word is established it can be left in lunch boxes, on a night stand, under a pillow or any where you leave loved ones and friends notes. A simple word can relieve stress, convey love, and bring a smile. Peaches! It's a good word. But you can choose your own. In my realm I have moved on to "gobble, gobble" a new favorite at work. It is very stress relieving after a crises at work and brings a smile as I leave the house in the morning. We simply need something to calm us down through the day and remind us not to take life too seriously nor to be too uptight.

We share in a daily reading and devotion with Assumption Abbey. One reoccurring prayer we share is: "Jesus our Savior, you accepted the Cross for the salvation of the world. Let our sins not weary you, but forgive us always, and lead us along the path to your Kingdom, that path which you have opened for us; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever." I appreciate the expression "let our sins not weary you." It seems like that is possible but then we are reminded that Jesus has opened up the way to the Father. Our sins do not weary him.

We need to relax, trust God's grace, and enjoy the journey. Peaches! Gobble, gobble! Or whatever word you choose. Life is too short to remain uptight. The way is open before us and our sins will not weary Jesus.

Snap shots

On my way to work each morning I come to a four-way intersection near my home. Nothing unusual, just a very busy four way intersection in a large city. But on this intersection the birds gather each morning. Not on all the corners just the northwest corner for reasons that escape human understanding. It is the birds coffee shop where they gather to begin a new day. They are full of chatter and song so much so it can be heard over the noise of the traffic. Each evening when I return home they are gathered at the same corner to recap the day in chatter and song. What is a day in a bird's life? Who knows, but one thing is certain - in the morning and the evening they gather to share community and song. The silent voice of God speaks to me in this ritual.

On the highway I pass a sign with a cow on it saying; "When tha sun comz up, think chikin". It makes me laugh every time. In the sheer violence of life, it is grace and a gift of God to laugh.

A few weeks back we had the joy of having both our daughters, son-in-laws and grandson at our dinner table. I sat at the table and looked at each one of them with utter joy. In that moment I could not have been any happier or more at peace. Jobs, money, titles or anything else cannot supersede the joy of loved ones sharing life together. Complete joy in the company of others.

I am now mostly working six days a week. This past week was very long and Friday proved to be difficult for both my wife and I. Saturday came and it was back to work and we both would have to sort out the struggles of the previous day. One thing would change the day's perspective; our grandson would be spending the afternoon with us. He is the most engaging little boy and he brings us delight every time we are with him. In his innocence he has no idea what a long week is or what makes for a difficult day. He just loves being with us, playing trains, watching videos, and sharing snacks and meals. Our grandson is very dedicated to everyone siting down at meals and enjoying the dinning experience. He likes community.

All of the snap shots of life as I experience it, reflect on the biblical truth of  "God redeeming the time." The scriptures do not imply more time but that God will simply redeem the time. By God's grace we get glimpses of redeemed time every day if we are looking, watching and are cultivating the discipline of listening.  Jesus reminded the disciples; "Look at the birds they neither toil nor worry and God provides for them. How much more worth are you than the birds?" The birds gather at the intersection near me to reflect God's truth and glory. They demonstrate utter trust in whatever the day will bring and for the birds, the morning is a good time for some company and song.

After a long week at work, just a few hours with our grandson and all the toil and angst of the week is redeemed. God doesn't simply redeem the time at the end of our lives, God is active redeeming the time daily, breaking into our finite space filling it with infinite joy. All the traffic and chaos is still there; all the noise and distraction of the world is still there; but it is drowned out by the song of the birds and company of loved ones and ever so quietly God redeems the time right in front of our very eyes.

"Time Share Jesus"

Have you ever received a letter announcing the good news that you have won a free weekend at a resort - all expenses paid? It sounds like good news doesn't it?  But we all know it comes with conditions. You have to visit the resort and hear their sales pitch and then if  you opt in you have to abide by the home owners association or community covenant. It is a time share after all and you can enjoy the luxury if you follow the rules.

I wonder if many feel the same way about church? It sounds like good news but in order to share in the good news there are a few house keeping matters. Is it baptism and then catechism or baptism and then confirmation? Or is it baptism and then discipleship? When should you be baptized and exactly how much water will it take? Should we sprinkle, pour or dunk? The question becomes: "How do I get in the door and partake of the free and freeing Jesus the gospels proclaim? Jesus has become the ultimate time-share marketed by the church. Jesus is the franchise of the church but to get the 'happy-meal' there are a few rules. What commandments should we keep? Are ten commandments really enough? When should we attend church and how often? Many of these issues overshadow the good news of Jesus.

I see a very different story in the scriptures. A story that is simply good news with no strings attached. A story, that if it wasn't true would be too hard to believe. I fast forward through the gospels straight to the cross and there Jesus hangs with two criminals. One of the criminals simply asks that Jesus remember him. Jesus astonishingly replies, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." No time share, no rules, just paradise for a simple request that Jesus remember him. That is good news.

I know what you are thinking - that is great for the one criminal but what about the other dying next to Jesus. For whatever reason, he looked over at Jesus and thought, "If that man is the gate to paradise I might as well go it alone."  There is no risk to simply ask Jesus to remember you.

Adelle

This blog will be simple and straight forward. I post this without fear of people thinking I am overly sentimental or getting in touch with my inner feelings.  Having three women in our household, I have been a regular user of Bath and Body Works products since they opened. Whatever the seasonal lotion and shampoo fragrance, it has been good enough for me. It will be a short leap for me to share an Adele song. People connect with her raw emotion and her ability to tell a story. In the traditional sense, with no theological baggage, she is a modern day gospel story teller. I hear the poignancy of the gospel every time I hear this song.

"Make You Feel My Love"

When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet,
But I would never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we met,
No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,
I'd go crawling down the avenue.
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret.
The winds of change are blowing wild and free,
You ain't seen nothing like me yet.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love

Hear the gospel story in every verse, relive the raging seas with the disciples, know their regret and sorrow, feel Jesus' own hunger and the vivid truth of him crawling (dragging the cross) down the avenue to make you feel God's love. God has gone to the ends of the earth to make us feel his love. 

"JHN 3:16"

"JHN 3:16" was scrawled in pen in the grout between the tiles in the men's restroom. What struck me most was the intentional omission of the letter 'O'. Is the name John so recognizable that the 'O' is simply not necessary? Or did the fellow bathroom preacher not have that much time? But he did have time to carefully write the remainder of his message.

I once knew another 'Jon' who did not have an 'H' in his name. I asked him about the omission in his name and his reply was that when he was little his mom beat the 'H' out of him.

That is quite another story so we return to this bathroom preacher who wanted all to know that God has so loved the world. Is there any place we are more reminded of our humanness than a public bathroom? The very thing we long for, privacy in our own homes, we have to share publicly with others and it seems very degrading. Many simply curdle at the thought of public bathroom facilities. Every bathroom has the same signs, "Please notify the management if the bathroom is not clean." Is that helpful? Have you seen the things people do in a bathroom? Cleaning is not going to do the job. Notification will not help. We leave and have that unclean sensation for several minutes. It goes beyond unsanitary conditions. We have come face to face with how human we are and it shocks our pretense of civility.

In the very center of this unsuspecting place the reminder that God loves the world comes screaming off the wall. Here? Me? In this vile place? Can God meet us in a public restroom? God meet humanity for the first time in a stable. The equivalent of an animal public facility. The utter insensibility of such a beginning that God would utter his love from such a vile and baseless location. And I find once again God repeating the message in basically the same location nearly 2,000 years latter. I think the writer was not a preacher but a prophet in carefully omitting the "O". It was a reminder that God is "Omnipresent' at all times and even shows up where we, humanly speaking, are at our worst and still declares his love for us. No "O" is necessary. God can speak for himself.

"Is Christianity too Narrow?" Part II

For those following along with this blog, let me simply state that I am blogging as a fellow seeker. I am not looking for all the answers just some space to raise pertinent questions. In the gospels Jesus asked questions in response to the questions posed to him. The problem: those asking Jesus questions were not seeking dialogue, they had the answers, they simply needed Jesus to agree. I find that is still true on many levels today. Since the formal establishment of the church and "proper" classical biblical training which includes systematic theology, we have seemingly been given all the answers. From Augustine and other Patristic fathers we have a wealth of doctrinal material. In the 8th century John of Damascus produced a treatise of established Eastern Orthodox faith. Thomas Aquinas later would add his thoughts in Summa Theological. The study of Theology includes Paterology - concerning God the Father; Christology - concerning God the Son; Pneumatolgy - concerning God the Holy Spirit. That list does not cover all the "ologies" but that is enough on that subject. My point is in what ever expression of Christian faith you adhere to, if you go to an authorized seminary or attend one of their franchise outlets you will be taught "correct" theology.

Nothing has changed from Jesus' day. Mind you there is nothing wrong with sound theology - now if more folks can get in on the dialogue it might be easier to determine a broader understanding of soundness. What I see Jesus doing in the gospels is involving a variety of different people to the dialogue of faith in God. That truly disturbed the "theologians" of the day. A conversation on faith and following God is more lively when you have former prostitutes, tax collectors, cursing fishermen, and recently resurrected folks at the dinner table than with a bunch of folks over for dinner who have "systematically" solved the issue of God and sound faith. The former dinner guest list is much more messy but very colorful. The later dinner guest list will answer your questions but leave you mostly clueless in how to follow faith in an often savage world lacking fairness and justice.

Psalm 15* raises the question; "Yahweh, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get in on your guest list?" The answer is simple and straightforward; "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth." Much theological mussing has been given to define walking straight, acting right, and telling the truth. Yet the Psalmist finds it relatively easy, "Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe." This is plain and simple: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The Psalmist makes life with God livable and practical. It calls us to make an honest living, engage in life, live faith and give grace.

*The Message Version

Life in the Ordinary

After a long term of employment in what most would be considered a "professional career" I now find myself in what most would consider "non-professional." In the realm of the church this would be defined as the secular and holy. But in the economy of God is anything not divine? It is interesting that trained clergy are considered professionals. Is any one on earth a "professional" at dealing with sin, evil, and injustice? I think we are all merely practitioners trying in every way we can to lay hold of grace. As my daughters would say, "Any who", let's move on with the story.

I now work in an assembly plant with a diverse mass of humanity. The pay is not great and the work is long, such is the world that the "average person" understands. The "average person" is not average by any means in intellect or the gift their life represents. They are "average" only by the standards assigned to them, often by an unjust world that demands goods and wants those goods as inexpensive as possible. Few rage against the corruption of corporations as long as their needs are met. I am not minimizing the efforts of "occupy Wall Street" every wave of change has to begin somewhere.

The plant I work in will produce highly sophisticated equipment that would be out of reach pricewise for all those assembling the product. The irony is that the company engineers and executives do not try to mask their feelings towards the workers. They display attitudes of superiority at every level. Few of them will know the names of those working for them nor the wealth of the story of their lives. The greater irony is that many buying the products would not associate with those who made their product. Inferior on one level; but sufficient enough to get them the product they need.

This repeats itself in a consumer economy at every turn. When we go to the grocery store we all want the same thing - cheap groceries. We shop indiscriminately never giving a thought at who toiled most likely in obscurity to provide us food. But the very hands that planted and picked our produce are a beautiful tapestry of humanity that all want what we want - life!

My current fellow workers are a work of art. There are hundreds of different shapes, colors, and languages; each beautiful in its on way. I relish observing the different hair styles and colors. Our lunch breaks are a sensory experience in the variety of foods and smells, all exotic in their own right. When I think of heaven I imagine it much more like the plant I work in than in the church I attend. There are no "professionals" or "average" persons in the lunch room. All of us are the same - hungry and tired. We all come with what we have and even in the meagerness everyone is willing to share. I see beautiful people all around me everyday that reminds me that God does love all the world. My work place helps define my prayer, "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." Heaven on earth supersedes human categories of professional/laborer and secular/profane. Heaven on earth is: everyone gets to the table and everyone gets to eat. No life is insignificant and every life is a beautiful story. If heaven was about human achievement or meeting standards economically that define a very small minority of global humanity, would that not make heaven not only limited but really very boring? Is heaven not heaven simply because we awake to find ourselves unexpectedly loved simply for who we are not what we have or have accomplished? Is not heaven for those who in their most basic being simply desire to love God whether they can put words or expression to it?

Is Christianity too Narrow?

The question posed to us in worship this past Sunday was: "Is Christianity too narrow?" The answer for me is simply, "yes". Because the question is flawed in its inception for it assumes all  agree that faith in Christ can be defined by the inclusive term 'Christianity.' If you are in a Christian expression that defines Christianity  as adhering exclusively to a certain version of Scriptures then Christianity is too narrow. If you are in an expression of Christianity that does not allow music in worship or does allow music but it must be organ and piano music only, then Christianity is too narrow. If you are in an expression of Christianity that subjugates women then Christianity is too narrow. This list could go on adinfinitum because of the thousands of denominations all putting their spin on Christianity. All such human efforts leave us with a very narrow definition of Christianity that falls short of Jesus' words; "Let all who are weary and burdened come unto me."

In fact, Jesus  not only invited all to come unto him, from the least to the greatest, he made a practice of bridging the gap by touching the lepers, the sick and the unclean. Jesus made a practice of being found among what others considered the common and ordinary. Only those who declared themselves 'righteous' found fault with his practice of righteousness calling him a drunkard and glutton. The Pharisee's view of faith was too narrow. Jesus redefined righteousness as not being separated from those considered 'unclean' but of actually touching them in grace and kindness demonstrating right living. Jesus demonstrated righteousness by loving others. Again, "Is Christianity too narrow?" Yes, if by righteousness they mean a certain moral code that all must adhere to in order to gain access and grace. This regulates Christianity to two camps - the 'ins' and the 'outs'. That is too narrow and does not cause justice to flow down like a mighty stream of water.

Our country is polarized into opposing camps politically, regionally, and even by class. A place of  healing should be found within the "sanctuary" of the church. The church for many has not been a sanctuary - a place of healing and restoration. A narrow version of Christianity excludes many from the One who is the way, truth and the life. The Scripture declares that God is close to the brokenhearted. I believe there are many who are heavily burdened and brokenhearted in this present generation.  Christianity could have a broad appeal if we would simply follow, "For God so loved the world." That is narrow in no sense and that is not only inclusive of all people but of the world itself as expressed in creation. For God so loved the world is an expression of redemption  personally, corporately, economically, and environmentally. Let's restart the conversation by asking, "Is the way of Jesus too narrow?" With a fresh approach there is hope for all including those already within the confines of the church.

Living in the Present

Today's blog will contain mostly quotes from Wendell Berry and Pope Francis, both of whom I consider prophetic voices for this generation. Both Berry and Francis are concerned about the rapid growth of consumerism and the loss of community. Pope Francis had this to say on Easter Sunday; "Our world is still divided by greed looking for easy gain...wounded by selfishness which threatens human life and family. There is excessive exploitation of natural resources and we must become responsible guardians of creation."

We misinterpret our quest for freedom and the cost is an unjust life that fails to be a good neighbor.. It is a fatal error that harms both ourselves and our neighbors. Berry says, "Our present idea of freedom is only the freedom to do as we please; to sell ourselves for a high salary, a home in the suburbs, and idle weekends. But that is a freedom dependent upon affluence, which is in turn dependent upon the rapid consumption of exhaustible supplies. The other kind of freedom is the freedom to take care of ourselves and each other. The freedom of affluence opposes and contradicts the freedom of community life."

There is great freedom in living in the present moment cogent of both our needs and our neighbors. Berry shares concerning the future if there is one at all, the future will be dependent on the good things of the present. "We do not need to plan or devise a 'world of the future'; if we take care of the world of the present, the future will have received full justice from us. A good future is implicit in the soils, forests, grasslands, marshes, deserts, mountains, rivers, lakes, and oceans that we have now, and in the good things of human culture that we have now; the only valid 'futurology' available to us is to take care of those things. We have no need to contrive and dabble at 'the future of the human race'; we have the same pressing need that we have always had - to love, care for and teach our children."

I think that was the message of the 60's "teach your children well" and what the world needs now "is love sweet love." I recognize the 60's and it's folk prophets were not perfect any more than Wendell Berry or Pope Francis but in all of our imperfections there is a song of freedom that sings in every generation. It is a song of hope, a song of peace, a song of community.

Fear and Prayer

Fear is an odd companion on our journey of life. We each have our own unique set of fears. They are often odd only to others and all too real to ourselves. I do not fear heights, jumping off things or danger in general but fear other things (life in general) that others would not even stop to consider. Others may dismiss our fears but our fears are our own and they are very real. Our fears can be good or bad. Fear can cripple us and drive us further into ourselves causing a general distrust of others and life in general. Fear can be good because it reminds us that we are alive and we need help. I recently read a book that summed up the only prayers we need are "help, thanks and wow". And that could not be more true - the daily prayer "help" is very useful. I find that repeated in the Psalms over and over. I turn daily in my fears and pray: "Abba, Father, I am your's, make haste to help me, come to my assistance that I might praise you."

Others

It is a big world but we are growing closer in proximity to one another simply because there are more of us. But being closer to one another does not emply 'closeness'. We often live as if 'others' do not exist. We could look at all the national strife - left/right/democrat/republican/independent/rich/poor/racial issues and we could examine all the international crises including terrorism and genocide and scream we lack a sense of 'others'. We share this planet and for some reason we think it is inherently all ours.

 For me it begins micro and then becomes exaggerated on a macro scale. Let me share two occurrences recently that I observed. On my way to a local coffee shop and truck pulled over in front of me just before a traffic light (that could be the occurrence in and of it self - "others' seems to be lost on the highway). At the light the passenger rolled down the window and tossed out the candy wrapper that they had just finished eating. It would have taken less effort to just toss it on the floorboard of the truck. This was much more deliberate - for this person the outside was their unlimited trash bin with disregard to all others who share the same space. We move on to the coffee shop (warning: this is much more unseemly) and I have to visit the 'little boys room' and we know public facilities can present many affronts to all sensibility. Another person was present two dividers down and upon completion of his duties he simply leaves the restroom without a thought of washing his hands. Could he really believe that no one else exists in the world or that no one else frequents the coffee shop? Again, how hard is is to wash your hands? For me it is just one more deliberate act of defiling and denouncing 'others'. When this happens with regularity on a micro level then we should not be shocked when it escalates on a macro level manifesting itself in war, terrorism, or genocide.

It would be less convicting if I did not exhibit a disregard for others at various times. It is very easy to become so self focused that the vision of others becomes degraded. The solution that I fall back on is to acknowledge the Creator. There is no time in a short blog to delve into that - intelligent design/creation verses evolution/or a myriad of other arguments for and against religion or a belief system. For the sake of time - I believe someone or something precedes us all. I also believe that we were uniquely designed for one another. That makes our sin against one another both on a micro and macro scale even more heinous. To begin each day with an overwhelming sense of "Otherness" beyond myself, that precedes myself helps me focus more intently upon living spatially with grace and kindness. Whether you believe we came from dust or primordial soup both signify humble beginnings and we did not will ourselves to be here. Both require a healthy sense of "Otherness" that helps us see 'others' as our fellow companions in the journey of life that has preceded us and will go on beyond us therefore in the present it seems things would go a little smoother if we shared our daily space with humbleness and treat others with the dignity they deserve. After all is that not what all of long for?

I have not been able to post but I have been blogging in my mind daily. In recent months I have had opportunity to worship in a vast array of places. I have been in an outdoor setting in Hawaii, inner city churches both of main line and conservative evangelical persuasions, I have been in make shift buildings and in school gymnasiums. All had aspects I liked and there were many parts that were neither right or wrong but I left wondering: Why? I have no answers just more questions. In two thousand years since Jesus claimed, "He that has seen me has seen the Father", we are still trying to make sense of that. But in all of our liturgy, pageantry, praising, choirs and bands they pale before the beauty of the sunrise that preceded them and the sun set that will follow. All of our "playing tea with our children" if you will, takes back seat to the "earth is filled with God's glory."

 Muddled - to be in a state of bewilderment, confusion or disorder. To 'muddle' also means to mix or jumble as is the case in making mixed drinks. It is considered that the word "muddle" is from Dutch origin meaning "to make muddy." And as it is with many of us we often "muddle" through periods of our lives. I think most of "muddling" when I consider the Cross.  That is my frame of reference when talking about spiritual matters. There is much 'muddling' at the Cross. There was bewilderment and confusion on the part of all close to Jesus. There was disorder to the utter magnitude in that God was on the cross, on trial, and on display simply for the love of mankind. We can even say that Jesus was 'muddled' on our behalf. He was crushed - God mixed with human flesh that we who are very finite might grasp in the smallest way the infinite. The thought of the Cross leaves me muddled often and overwhelmed. The Cross is a tidal wave of love that washes over the high sea wall of my doubts and overwhelms me.

Saints

There is the word of the day Sunday in the greeting – Saints!  Saints  - as we are  declared by the Scriptures is not by our keeping of rules and regulations. Just ordinary folks associated with an extraordinary Savior who transforms our lives. Saints – no longer for Catholics only.  Catholics have saints to cover every imaginable area of life. If you struggle with frenzy there is St. Dennis; If you have passion to help the poor you look to St. Regina; If your heart is set against racism then you have help in St. Katherine; If you have persistent arm pain then you have a comfort in St. Amelia; For you bachelors, you can find solace with St. Casmir; For dysfunctional families (are you telling me there are functional families?)  look to St. Eugene; and last but not least if you suffer with stomach ailments then look to St. Timothy. This list is quite incomplete but tells an important story, saints are more saintly when they are useful. Our lives touch others, we are in life together. For me to be a saint is to realize that every day is replete with problems and needs and before we touch another person we allow Jesus to touch our lives. Saints are ordinary folks who are in touch with Christ and are prepared by the incomparable riches of Christ to touch others with meaning and purpose. (Ephesians 1)

Barry White can help us here (he should be a saint) when he sings prophetically, “You’re my first, my last, my everything.” That is a great expression of our commitment to Christ.  What makes us a saint is the commitment to remain in Him – He is the first (alpha) and the last (omega), He is our all in all. He is our hope of glory. In 1963 a young man, P. F. Sloan, only nineteen years of age wrote the song “The Eve of Destruction”. Who knew it would become the number one song in the country. Barry McGuire lent his voice to this doomsday song and everyone commiserated in the misery of the day. The rest of the story is that Barry McGuire found life in Christ. The song drove him to seek an answer and he found that answer – Christ alone. McGuire refused to sing his number one hit after that – he was no longer on the eve of destruction. He became a saint – his life gave hope to others. He became a voice of hope not despair. Be in prayer, practice resurrection, and give/get your saint on.