Dear Family,
One of my biggest joys, growing up, was putting on a new pair of wrestling shoes. Something amazingly fresh about lacing them up and tightening them, for the first time of the season, that gave me hope that this year could be better than last year. I felt deep excitement and anxiety as i tied the laces together, bringing the two sides of my shoes together, in perfect harmony. It was as if i could feel the past year, even if it was a good one, dissipate into the abyss of some other memory. As i doubled knotted my shoes, i knew nothing in the past could affect my future. I had a clean slate, and these shoes reminded me of the power of a new beginning.
And it is this way every year, on December 31st, as the clock inches towards midnight, we begin to feel the anticipation of a new year, proming a new beginning, a new hope, a new chance at life, health, and love. As the ball drops on 2011 inviting 2012 to burst into our lives, it is like those new wrestling shoes on my feet, giving me a new chance to write a different story, maybe one with a much better ending than the previous year had been. We stand on the cusp of letting 2011 go the way of parachute pants, and i, for one, thank God 2011 is coming to an end.
I cant get away from 2011 fast enough.
And faith is like this too. According to our Scripture focus, faith is like a new beginning, one full of hope and promise, as the believer looks to a day when Jesus will restore all that is broken. Peter continues to encourage the reader, who in his day probably faced serious persecution, that to hold onto Jesus, even in the face of painful adversity, brings a deep hope, a deep sense of joy, and a deep sense of newness.
In other words. When we accept the challenge to believe in Jesus, and we embrace the cross of following Jesus, the old has fallen away, a new dawn has come, and our lives have something that they might have been missing all along: a new pair of wrestling shoes? No. New eyes to see our lives, no matter how difficult they might be, through the lens of Jesus. And Jesus always brings joy to those who see Him.
I do not want to overlook the painful aspects of life, even for Christians, but i do want to highlight a powerful reality: faith in Jesus promises peace and joy in the midst of the craziest storms. But we have to trust in Jesus, not in ourselves.
But new wrestling shoes are hard to manage on the mat. They are rigid, and i had to break them in by wearing them, over and over and over again. In order for the shoes to be fully effective, i had to use them, fully. So it is with faith. Faith might be good to save us from our darkness, but it has little power if we put it on once, ensuring salvation, and then put our faith on a mantel, like a trophy or consolation prize. Instead, like my wrestling shoes, faith is at its best when it is used, overworked, exhausted, and spent, then faith feels natural, works well, and serves its purpose.
So put on the shoes of a new year and embrace the clean slate God has given us that is 2012, and in the words of some wise sage from KLove, say "peace out to 2011." But do not let that clean slate remain clean; if we come to 2012 in faith, lets fill this slate with as much faith-filled ministries as possible, and if we do, 2012 will invite us to eat the delicious fruits of our faith at the great table of Love. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Odd Way to Save the World Matthew 1
Dear Family,
I am going to keep this short and sweet, i know, i know, that seems impossible for someone like me who never seems to shut up. But i am going to keep this short and sweet. There are gifts to be. Cookies to bake. Trees to gather around. And an important birthday party to plan. When there is so much to do, reading a blog from a hot airbag falls down the list of important things to do.
Anyway. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my journey, so far, with my church family at the West Milton Church of the Brethren. Eight plus years of mountaintops and valleys, good times and bad, laughter and tears, makes for a wonderfully entertaining narrative, if anyone wants to hear about it. However, as i reflect, which is a godly thing to do at the end of every calendar year, i realize that i still have no idea how to pastor a church.
I have read as many texts as i can find on how to be a better pastor, more effective leader, more godly teacher, and vision/mission focused shepherd, but it seems little fruit comes to bear. I have studied different worship styles, trying to discern how to create a worship that brings the people in by the waves, so that our empty pews would have warm seats in them. But any look at the attendance board tells the painful story. And i have asked, ad nauseum, different pastors their secrets to success, and i have done my best to implement these ideas at West Milton, but i still feel like i have failed.
And that, i think ,wont change until the tide turns on our church community, and we begin tasting the delicious fruit of our labor.
But i have to wonder if i am missing the point, at least a little bit. God used the son of a poor carpenter, from Nazareth, to heal and save the world. Jesus didn't have a great education. He wasn't published in First Century Palestinian Theology. And He wasn't even a powerful figure head in His community, ensuring that Jesus would always know success. Instead He was the son of a poor carpenter from the part of Palestine many Jews overlooked. This is how God saves the world?
Where are the vision statements? Where are the consultants assisting God in forming a healthier mission and vision for God's Kingdom? Where are the great authors paving the way for Jesus to now how better to minister? And where are the great success stories, something akin to the great Mega Church models of today, which enabled Jesus to go into the world preaching the Gospel? They weren't there.
Sure Jesus had his Jewish tradition/narrative to fall back on, but at the core of His ministry wasn't a Saddleback or Willow Creek or even a Ginghamsburg model. Nope. Jesus' model was simpler than that. He chose love. And he let that love take Him to the margins where so many exist and are overlooked. It took the son of a poor carpenter to realize that the most effective ministry doesn't occur in the temple, but in the bars. The most powerful ministry doesn't happen during Sunday morning worship, but it heals under the cover of darkness, on the streets of desire, and in the alleys of ill repute. And the most successful means of ushering in the Kingdom of God doesn't come through 'models' but through authentic love and empathy for so many the world has forgotten.
It seems a strange way to save the world: the son of a carpenter who spends a good deal of His time ministering to people who will get Him nowhere good. (Few would argue the Cross being a wonderful place to end His ministry, even if Jesus knew it was inevitable and necessary). And yet, regardless of the 'benefits' of ministering to the poor, the sick, the forgotten, the pagan, the drunk, or tax collector, (there were no real benefits only social ostracism), Jesus, and by proxy God, chose this unorthodox method to heal the world.
It must have worked, because all other church models become obsolete, eventually, but loving people, well that is eternal. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
I am going to keep this short and sweet, i know, i know, that seems impossible for someone like me who never seems to shut up. But i am going to keep this short and sweet. There are gifts to be. Cookies to bake. Trees to gather around. And an important birthday party to plan. When there is so much to do, reading a blog from a hot airbag falls down the list of important things to do.
Anyway. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my journey, so far, with my church family at the West Milton Church of the Brethren. Eight plus years of mountaintops and valleys, good times and bad, laughter and tears, makes for a wonderfully entertaining narrative, if anyone wants to hear about it. However, as i reflect, which is a godly thing to do at the end of every calendar year, i realize that i still have no idea how to pastor a church.
I have read as many texts as i can find on how to be a better pastor, more effective leader, more godly teacher, and vision/mission focused shepherd, but it seems little fruit comes to bear. I have studied different worship styles, trying to discern how to create a worship that brings the people in by the waves, so that our empty pews would have warm seats in them. But any look at the attendance board tells the painful story. And i have asked, ad nauseum, different pastors their secrets to success, and i have done my best to implement these ideas at West Milton, but i still feel like i have failed.
And that, i think ,wont change until the tide turns on our church community, and we begin tasting the delicious fruit of our labor.
But i have to wonder if i am missing the point, at least a little bit. God used the son of a poor carpenter, from Nazareth, to heal and save the world. Jesus didn't have a great education. He wasn't published in First Century Palestinian Theology. And He wasn't even a powerful figure head in His community, ensuring that Jesus would always know success. Instead He was the son of a poor carpenter from the part of Palestine many Jews overlooked. This is how God saves the world?
Where are the vision statements? Where are the consultants assisting God in forming a healthier mission and vision for God's Kingdom? Where are the great authors paving the way for Jesus to now how better to minister? And where are the great success stories, something akin to the great Mega Church models of today, which enabled Jesus to go into the world preaching the Gospel? They weren't there.
Sure Jesus had his Jewish tradition/narrative to fall back on, but at the core of His ministry wasn't a Saddleback or Willow Creek or even a Ginghamsburg model. Nope. Jesus' model was simpler than that. He chose love. And he let that love take Him to the margins where so many exist and are overlooked. It took the son of a poor carpenter to realize that the most effective ministry doesn't occur in the temple, but in the bars. The most powerful ministry doesn't happen during Sunday morning worship, but it heals under the cover of darkness, on the streets of desire, and in the alleys of ill repute. And the most successful means of ushering in the Kingdom of God doesn't come through 'models' but through authentic love and empathy for so many the world has forgotten.
It seems a strange way to save the world: the son of a carpenter who spends a good deal of His time ministering to people who will get Him nowhere good. (Few would argue the Cross being a wonderful place to end His ministry, even if Jesus knew it was inevitable and necessary). And yet, regardless of the 'benefits' of ministering to the poor, the sick, the forgotten, the pagan, the drunk, or tax collector, (there were no real benefits only social ostracism), Jesus, and by proxy God, chose this unorthodox method to heal the world.
It must have worked, because all other church models become obsolete, eventually, but loving people, well that is eternal. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Born Again? John 3: 1-21
Dear Family,
I am supposed to post this by Friday, and normally i do, but this week has been an exception to the rule. If you need to know why, i invite you to call me, email me, or even better have coffee with me, and i will explain the beauty that has been my week. Needless to say, at times like this, even the blog, which i enjoy so much, gets put back on the to do when i have time list. Now is the time.
If you read the Johannine text, you would glean that Jesus is trying to help Nicodemus understand the need for one to be born again, and we would come to the conclusion that the message and the blog would and should be about salvation. But not this time.
But what does it mean to be a born again Christian?
This phrase, "I am a born again Christian" has tremendous popularity, and it should. It is, afterall, biblical. But what it means and the weight it carries perhaps doesn't always translate as well. Many times, and i add my name to this list, born again Christians feel like the judgement line for all those who fail to 'meet' our 'standards.' And i wonder if being critical judges honors Jesus?
IF we claim to be born again, do we live like it? Or do we live like some other theology?
Last night Kendra and i saw the movie "New Years Eve," and i highly recommend it. We laughed. We teared up. And yes, i even wept a little bit. Why? Because at the end of the movie, the plot, the thesis, the purpose of the movie is revealed: to teach the audience the power of love. Love has the power to forgive and heal. Love has the power to restore and reunite. And love has the power to hope in the midst of deep sadness and despair. As i experienced this truth, through the movie, it struck me that the church, which should be the greatest example of love, hope, joy, and peace, often feels contrarian to this message.
And i had to weep that Hollywood gets it, and the Church of Jesus Christ seems to miss it.
So how can we be born again, if our message, our lives, and our language fail to honor the author of unlimited love? Perhaps it is time for the church to reclaim its mission to be the great ambassador of love, of hope, of joy, and of peace, because it seems the world wants all of these things, and the church has had them now for two thousand years.
Its time to let them go and let them guide our way, then we can claim to be born again. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
I am supposed to post this by Friday, and normally i do, but this week has been an exception to the rule. If you need to know why, i invite you to call me, email me, or even better have coffee with me, and i will explain the beauty that has been my week. Needless to say, at times like this, even the blog, which i enjoy so much, gets put back on the to do when i have time list. Now is the time.
If you read the Johannine text, you would glean that Jesus is trying to help Nicodemus understand the need for one to be born again, and we would come to the conclusion that the message and the blog would and should be about salvation. But not this time.
But what does it mean to be a born again Christian?
This phrase, "I am a born again Christian" has tremendous popularity, and it should. It is, afterall, biblical. But what it means and the weight it carries perhaps doesn't always translate as well. Many times, and i add my name to this list, born again Christians feel like the judgement line for all those who fail to 'meet' our 'standards.' And i wonder if being critical judges honors Jesus?
IF we claim to be born again, do we live like it? Or do we live like some other theology?
Last night Kendra and i saw the movie "New Years Eve," and i highly recommend it. We laughed. We teared up. And yes, i even wept a little bit. Why? Because at the end of the movie, the plot, the thesis, the purpose of the movie is revealed: to teach the audience the power of love. Love has the power to forgive and heal. Love has the power to restore and reunite. And love has the power to hope in the midst of deep sadness and despair. As i experienced this truth, through the movie, it struck me that the church, which should be the greatest example of love, hope, joy, and peace, often feels contrarian to this message.
And i had to weep that Hollywood gets it, and the Church of Jesus Christ seems to miss it.
So how can we be born again, if our message, our lives, and our language fail to honor the author of unlimited love? Perhaps it is time for the church to reclaim its mission to be the great ambassador of love, of hope, of joy, and of peace, because it seems the world wants all of these things, and the church has had them now for two thousand years.
Its time to let them go and let them guide our way, then we can claim to be born again. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Table is Set: Mark 2: 13-17
Fellow Journey Folk...
Have any of you ever someone say, "I would never be seen with him/her?" The statement reveals the speakers perception of the less than ideal person that they would never be seen with, right? Or maybe its not so obvious how one feels about the company around us, maybe its a deeper feeling of unrest that makes us hope and wish that no one sees us with so and so, from the other side of the tracks. Heaven forbid that person not only be from the other side of the tracks, but they are also a 'sinner.'
I am not talking about the hidden sins that you and i cover up and throw into our closet with the other skeletons which never see the light of day. I am talking about the overt sins: going to bars, dancing at the clubs, wearing clothes that snug the body, or maybe they even drive a foreign car, like a Jetta. These are the sins that everyone knows about and makes us wince at the thought of being seen with them, at least in public.
Or maybe we have that friend, i am pretty sure we all have one, that is really loud and obnoxious and cant help but draw attention to herself or himself. How many of us know of a friend like that? If you dont have that friend, you might do what i just did, look at the mirror and wonder if you are that friend. But anyway.
Social perception of who is and who is not acceptable can affect our level of comfort. How many of us would feel right at home walking with a known prostitute or drug dealer? How many of us would not bat an eye at shopping with the town drunk or tax collection agent? I am not talking about the agent that is doing her job; i am talking about the agent that goes above and beyond his call to duty and shuts down the ma and pa store everyone loves, because mom and dad cant pay their taxes. Do you dare walk out in public with that person?
How many of us would worship with the man on trial for killing his wife? Or how many of us would share a pew with the teacher who molested a student? Or, speaking for myself, how many of us would share our worship space with the person we detest the most, for me it is someone who spews hatred and racist remarks along with homophobic words. I would have a hard time worshipping our God with someone i deemed out of line.
But if God is God, Jesus is truth, and the Spirit is real, these are the people we must be seen with. No more than that, we must be intimate with. For so long the table was the best symbol of intimacy and walls coming down. When settling a financial deal, for work, we come to the bargaining table. When nations need to broker a peace deal, they come to the table and work out a peace agreement. We break bread around the family table. The table has always been a sign of deep intimacy and trust, so when Jesus eats with sinners and tax-collectors, he does more than be seen with them.
He sees them.
He sees them not as the sinner and tax collectors that society labels them. He sees them as children of a Loving Father/Nurturing Mother, and Jesus can't wait to be intimate with them. Jesus comes to their table or invites them to His, so that His amazing grace, love, and healing can do something truly miraculous: heal the sinner.
Not just heal the sinner in a way that encourages the person to leave their life of sin. But heal them in a way that society and time has all too often ignored. Jesus gives them something they have never known before: an identity as someone of value. He sees them as a treasure. Someone worthy enough to break bread with around His table of love, compassion, and grace. If the table remains a symbol of intimacy and trust; Jesus' invitation to the sinners to come to the table remains the greatest illustration of ministry.
So who are we inviting to our tables? And how many invitations are we accepting? Because the table is more than a tool for bargaining and peace building; it is the means to build a new heaven and a new earth in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Shalom
Salam
Peace
jerry
Have any of you ever someone say, "I would never be seen with him/her?" The statement reveals the speakers perception of the less than ideal person that they would never be seen with, right? Or maybe its not so obvious how one feels about the company around us, maybe its a deeper feeling of unrest that makes us hope and wish that no one sees us with so and so, from the other side of the tracks. Heaven forbid that person not only be from the other side of the tracks, but they are also a 'sinner.'
I am not talking about the hidden sins that you and i cover up and throw into our closet with the other skeletons which never see the light of day. I am talking about the overt sins: going to bars, dancing at the clubs, wearing clothes that snug the body, or maybe they even drive a foreign car, like a Jetta. These are the sins that everyone knows about and makes us wince at the thought of being seen with them, at least in public.
Or maybe we have that friend, i am pretty sure we all have one, that is really loud and obnoxious and cant help but draw attention to herself or himself. How many of us know of a friend like that? If you dont have that friend, you might do what i just did, look at the mirror and wonder if you are that friend. But anyway.
Social perception of who is and who is not acceptable can affect our level of comfort. How many of us would feel right at home walking with a known prostitute or drug dealer? How many of us would not bat an eye at shopping with the town drunk or tax collection agent? I am not talking about the agent that is doing her job; i am talking about the agent that goes above and beyond his call to duty and shuts down the ma and pa store everyone loves, because mom and dad cant pay their taxes. Do you dare walk out in public with that person?
How many of us would worship with the man on trial for killing his wife? Or how many of us would share a pew with the teacher who molested a student? Or, speaking for myself, how many of us would share our worship space with the person we detest the most, for me it is someone who spews hatred and racist remarks along with homophobic words. I would have a hard time worshipping our God with someone i deemed out of line.
But if God is God, Jesus is truth, and the Spirit is real, these are the people we must be seen with. No more than that, we must be intimate with. For so long the table was the best symbol of intimacy and walls coming down. When settling a financial deal, for work, we come to the bargaining table. When nations need to broker a peace deal, they come to the table and work out a peace agreement. We break bread around the family table. The table has always been a sign of deep intimacy and trust, so when Jesus eats with sinners and tax-collectors, he does more than be seen with them.
He sees them.
He sees them not as the sinner and tax collectors that society labels them. He sees them as children of a Loving Father/Nurturing Mother, and Jesus can't wait to be intimate with them. Jesus comes to their table or invites them to His, so that His amazing grace, love, and healing can do something truly miraculous: heal the sinner.
Not just heal the sinner in a way that encourages the person to leave their life of sin. But heal them in a way that society and time has all too often ignored. Jesus gives them something they have never known before: an identity as someone of value. He sees them as a treasure. Someone worthy enough to break bread with around His table of love, compassion, and grace. If the table remains a symbol of intimacy and trust; Jesus' invitation to the sinners to come to the table remains the greatest illustration of ministry.
So who are we inviting to our tables? And how many invitations are we accepting? Because the table is more than a tool for bargaining and peace building; it is the means to build a new heaven and a new earth in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Shalom
Salam
Peace
jerry
Friday, December 2, 2011
We Can Go Home Again: Luke 15: 11-32
Dear Family,
There was this man who was trying to clean up his act, so he went to church hoping to find support for his new life and new journey. He had a checkered past. He had been in and out of jail. He lost every job he had held because of the addiction robbing him of life. But then a friend invited him to church, and so our broken soul started going. At first it seemed like a new home. Everyone appeared to be accepting, warm, and loving. He found something he thought he never could, especially at a church, a new home.
But our pasts always catch up to us.
Eventually someone recognized this new face and approached him. The long standing member of the church knew this man from their days working together, and the long time follower of Jesus went up to the new attender and said, "I know who you are, and i know about your past..." Then the member walked away. The message was clear: i know who you are, so you had better watch your step.
The broken soul never returned to that church again. I dont know if he goes anywhere or what happened to him. For all i know he is still lost, hoping someone, somewhere sees beyond his past and helps the wounded soul see his value as a child of God. I can only pray that this broken brother finds someone in the world, someone who represents the teachings of Jesus, truly. What would might have happened if the long standing member of the church said to the lost soul, "I love you and am so thankful you are here, if you need anything, let me know...?" Might we have another angel singing praise to our God?
Thats what the parable of the Prodigal is all about: redemption. It is not about earning one's spot in God's good graces. It is about accepting the free, amazing, redeeming gift of God's love, God's acceptance, and God's salvation. All we have to do, like the younger son, is turn around and let the loving embrace of God surround and heal us.
But we want to be fair. We need fairness. We demand fairness. Afterall we never did anything wrong, so why should the sinners of the world receive such a great welcome home party, when we labor all our lives, and all we get is a nice parting gift. Right? God doesn't care about OUR understanding and perceptions of what is fair. God has His own standards for what is fair, and i for one am thankful God doesn't measure what is fair according to my failures or limited understanding of what is fair. God's measuring stick is perfect.
That is why the younger son, full of sin, darkness, and failure can return to his father and not have to beg for forgiveness. No. All the son has to do is return to his father. His dad, like our Father in Heaven, can't wait to immerse his son in his love. And folks, that is all God wants to do for us: Immerse us in His Love if and when we return home.
So we can go home again, because the Lord of this house is LORD of all, and He can't wait to put his robe on us and throw us a great welcome home party. We can go home afterall, in fact God is waiting for us to do so. Let's go home and lets find our true selves. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
There was this man who was trying to clean up his act, so he went to church hoping to find support for his new life and new journey. He had a checkered past. He had been in and out of jail. He lost every job he had held because of the addiction robbing him of life. But then a friend invited him to church, and so our broken soul started going. At first it seemed like a new home. Everyone appeared to be accepting, warm, and loving. He found something he thought he never could, especially at a church, a new home.
But our pasts always catch up to us.
Eventually someone recognized this new face and approached him. The long standing member of the church knew this man from their days working together, and the long time follower of Jesus went up to the new attender and said, "I know who you are, and i know about your past..." Then the member walked away. The message was clear: i know who you are, so you had better watch your step.
The broken soul never returned to that church again. I dont know if he goes anywhere or what happened to him. For all i know he is still lost, hoping someone, somewhere sees beyond his past and helps the wounded soul see his value as a child of God. I can only pray that this broken brother finds someone in the world, someone who represents the teachings of Jesus, truly. What would might have happened if the long standing member of the church said to the lost soul, "I love you and am so thankful you are here, if you need anything, let me know...?" Might we have another angel singing praise to our God?
Thats what the parable of the Prodigal is all about: redemption. It is not about earning one's spot in God's good graces. It is about accepting the free, amazing, redeeming gift of God's love, God's acceptance, and God's salvation. All we have to do, like the younger son, is turn around and let the loving embrace of God surround and heal us.
But we want to be fair. We need fairness. We demand fairness. Afterall we never did anything wrong, so why should the sinners of the world receive such a great welcome home party, when we labor all our lives, and all we get is a nice parting gift. Right? God doesn't care about OUR understanding and perceptions of what is fair. God has His own standards for what is fair, and i for one am thankful God doesn't measure what is fair according to my failures or limited understanding of what is fair. God's measuring stick is perfect.
That is why the younger son, full of sin, darkness, and failure can return to his father and not have to beg for forgiveness. No. All the son has to do is return to his father. His dad, like our Father in Heaven, can't wait to immerse his son in his love. And folks, that is all God wants to do for us: Immerse us in His Love if and when we return home.
So we can go home again, because the Lord of this house is LORD of all, and He can't wait to put his robe on us and throw us a great welcome home party. We can go home afterall, in fact God is waiting for us to do so. Let's go home and lets find our true selves. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, November 18, 2011
Are We Alive? Matthew 22:23-40
Dear Family,
In "Dead Poet's Society," the teacher, played by Robin Williams, helps his students, who are doing what they can to make a future for themselves, understand that there is more to life than the future. In truth the future is something they can't control or anticipate, so they should change their focus. They should reorient their ships and their lives in a way that embraces the day, the now, the immediate. he teaches them the mantra: "Carpe Diem..." Seize the day! And from that point on, they are unleashed to embrace the beauty, the mystery, the pain, and the craziness that is life, abundant life.
There may be bumps in the journey, as the movie illustrates, but only embracing the day and making the most of this, the only day we are promised, can we be free to enjoy the promise of abundant life. That's what Robin William's character wants his students to grasp, only a life that engages the here and now is true life, any thing other is simply a shell of what life has to offer. And William's character is not alone in teaching people to live in the here and now.
Jesus taught this too.
In yet another conversation with the religious folks, Jesus answers a question about life in heaven, post resurrection. The Sadducees, the ones who interpret the Law and make legal decisions for the community, cornered Jesus and asked him about the Mosaic Law of levirate marriage. Levirate marriage is the practice, as ordained by the Torah, of brothers marrying their older brother's widow, with the intent of furthering the older brother's inheritance and lineage. The Sadducees think they have Jesus backed into a theological/legal corner, when Jesus spins it back on them.
Jesus makes it clear that at the Resurrection no one will be married, because we will be like the angels. He has answered their question, right?
But he doesn't stop there. He adds, and i am paraphrasing here, who cares about what happens then, God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but also the God of Kay, Michael, Kendra, and Joshua. Jesus makes it clear, like William's character from "Dead Poet's Society," God is a God of the living, of the here and now. Why look to the future, when today is pleading with us to make the most of it?
Jesus wants them to know that to experience God in all God's glory, one must make the most of this life, of this day, of this time. Then we will know what it means when Jesus says, "God is the God of the living." God requires us to quit looking to the skies and begin looking at the highways and biways of this world, making each day count.
But count for what? You see, sisters and brothers, that is the other part of Jesus' statement. If we are only looking towards heaven, worrying about our 'salvation,' then we are free to ignore the sufferings of our neighbors. Put another way, if i only care about if i get to heaven, through some systematic process or faith statement, then why should i worry about the plight of those struggling to get by? Once i have my keys to the gates of heaven, nothing else matters, right?
Wrong.
To be like Jesus, to be followers of Jesus, and to be disciples of Jesus requires two things: (well actually requires a litany of things, but i need to keep this short...)
Anyway.
To be like Jesus demands two things: make today count by loving God and make today count by loving our neighbors. What does it mean to love God and love our neighbors? I don't have a clear answer, but i know how we can find out. We have to get together and do the hard work of discerning God's will, but we also must think of the other before we think about ourselves. And the only way we can think of someone else, especially before considering our own wants and needs, we have to take our eyes off the sky and the by and by, and refocus our attention on the world around us.
When we do, we understand what it means to 'Carpe Diem,' and we also come to fully understand what abundant life is. Amen.
Shalom/salam/peace,
jerry
In "Dead Poet's Society," the teacher, played by Robin Williams, helps his students, who are doing what they can to make a future for themselves, understand that there is more to life than the future. In truth the future is something they can't control or anticipate, so they should change their focus. They should reorient their ships and their lives in a way that embraces the day, the now, the immediate. he teaches them the mantra: "Carpe Diem..." Seize the day! And from that point on, they are unleashed to embrace the beauty, the mystery, the pain, and the craziness that is life, abundant life.
There may be bumps in the journey, as the movie illustrates, but only embracing the day and making the most of this, the only day we are promised, can we be free to enjoy the promise of abundant life. That's what Robin William's character wants his students to grasp, only a life that engages the here and now is true life, any thing other is simply a shell of what life has to offer. And William's character is not alone in teaching people to live in the here and now.
Jesus taught this too.
In yet another conversation with the religious folks, Jesus answers a question about life in heaven, post resurrection. The Sadducees, the ones who interpret the Law and make legal decisions for the community, cornered Jesus and asked him about the Mosaic Law of levirate marriage. Levirate marriage is the practice, as ordained by the Torah, of brothers marrying their older brother's widow, with the intent of furthering the older brother's inheritance and lineage. The Sadducees think they have Jesus backed into a theological/legal corner, when Jesus spins it back on them.
Jesus makes it clear that at the Resurrection no one will be married, because we will be like the angels. He has answered their question, right?
But he doesn't stop there. He adds, and i am paraphrasing here, who cares about what happens then, God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but also the God of Kay, Michael, Kendra, and Joshua. Jesus makes it clear, like William's character from "Dead Poet's Society," God is a God of the living, of the here and now. Why look to the future, when today is pleading with us to make the most of it?
Jesus wants them to know that to experience God in all God's glory, one must make the most of this life, of this day, of this time. Then we will know what it means when Jesus says, "God is the God of the living." God requires us to quit looking to the skies and begin looking at the highways and biways of this world, making each day count.
But count for what? You see, sisters and brothers, that is the other part of Jesus' statement. If we are only looking towards heaven, worrying about our 'salvation,' then we are free to ignore the sufferings of our neighbors. Put another way, if i only care about if i get to heaven, through some systematic process or faith statement, then why should i worry about the plight of those struggling to get by? Once i have my keys to the gates of heaven, nothing else matters, right?
Wrong.
To be like Jesus, to be followers of Jesus, and to be disciples of Jesus requires two things: (well actually requires a litany of things, but i need to keep this short...)
Anyway.
To be like Jesus demands two things: make today count by loving God and make today count by loving our neighbors. What does it mean to love God and love our neighbors? I don't have a clear answer, but i know how we can find out. We have to get together and do the hard work of discerning God's will, but we also must think of the other before we think about ourselves. And the only way we can think of someone else, especially before considering our own wants and needs, we have to take our eyes off the sky and the by and by, and refocus our attention on the world around us.
When we do, we understand what it means to 'Carpe Diem,' and we also come to fully understand what abundant life is. Amen.
Shalom/salam/peace,
jerry
Friday, November 11, 2011
God or Caesar? Matthew 22: 15-22
Dear Folks,
Life can be polarizing. Often times in our journey, we are faced with making difficult decisions. Will we vote for candidate A or candidate B? Will we cheer for Bengals or the Browns? Which ice cream do we get with our wonderful pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving Dinner, vanilla or chocolate? And perhaps the most challenging dilemma we often face, in trying to find direction in our narratives, do we Apples or PCs? Whether we are just beginning our exciting adventures, or we are on the final chapters of a beautiful expedition, life is full of choices.
Many times the choices are much more difficult than flavor of ice cream or computers.
Friends and foe alike can complicate our path, can't they? Friend might ask us to choose between time studying for that final exam over going skiing in the Rockies, proclaiming that one can study on the road, but the snow covered peaks will not always be so inviting. Skiing, obviously, won out.
But our 'foes' can invite many hurdles to our life journeys, ones that aren't so easily overlooked or laughed off. Life and death? Do we report the abuse of a young boy, in a shower? Or do we remain silent? Is reporting to our superior enough? Should we go to the police? These are questions that make life more than challenging; they make life nearly impossible. Because to choose one often means that other areas of our lives will be adveresly impacted, we might even lose our jobs, our lives, our reputations. When we face these trying questions, rarely is the answer quick to come or so easily made.
This is the nature of life in general, right? We, at times in our story, will face two forks in a road, and we will have to choose the one that appears less damaging. Or we will tell ourselves that we are choosing the path that seems 'better' as a whole. But this lesser of two evil theology leaves a gaping question in my being. What if it is not about what is the lesser of two evils? But the question is truly about right and just versus what is easy and safe?
Jesus faced this dilemma.
When the leaders wanted to corner and question and catch Jesus in a quandary, they finally figured they had a question Jesus couldn't 'ignore.' They asked him about the Roman Imperial Tax, and whether it was right or not to give to the Roman Empire. Jesus asked them to pull out a coin, and he asked them whose inscription was on the coin. They did so and said, "Caesar." Jesus looked at them, and in a statement about as clear as mud, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar, and give to God what is God."
Without any explanation of what Jesus meant, the others were simply amazed.
So what did Jesus mean? This is the thousand dollar question, and it is one that i put to you. What does this statement say to you?
I will only add these caveats: It was against Jewish Law to carry/hold false idols, so to have a coin with the image of Caesar on it, an image that suggest that Caesar was God/Savior/Messiah, it would put the Jewish leaders in a precarious situation. They were carrying a false god. They were violating the Torah. Jesus' question makes them face their breaking of God's law. So knowing this, what does Jesus' words say to you now?
----Or. With the understanding of Caesar being 'savior' of the world and 'son of God,' Jesus seems to put the two kingdom at odds with each other, doesn't he? Which kingdom will the people choose? God's? Caesar's? What are your thoughts?
-----And finally the Roman Empire was, in many cases, taxing the people to death, and Jesus wanted to end this injustice. They pulled out the coin, and Jesus makes a point to ask them, will they continue to follow an empire that punishes, crushes, and murders their own people, or will they stand with the Divine who comes to liberate? Jesus came proclaiming the year of Jubilee, (go to your Old Testaments to understand what that means), so Caesar's image stands in the way of freedom from bondage.
Knowing some of the complications involved in Jesus' statement, what does this say to you? What is your most gut reaction to Jesus having the leaders hold the coin saying, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar and give to God what is God's?"
Then the question needs to have relevance today, so what does this mean for us today? Which 'false god' are we following, pledging allegiance to? And where is God in our lives?
Be ready for a great conversation on Sunday, and may the FACE OF THE ONE TRUE GOD, shine upon you all... Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS: there is another question that can be asked, who decides what the "ONE TRUE GOD" is?
Life can be polarizing. Often times in our journey, we are faced with making difficult decisions. Will we vote for candidate A or candidate B? Will we cheer for Bengals or the Browns? Which ice cream do we get with our wonderful pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving Dinner, vanilla or chocolate? And perhaps the most challenging dilemma we often face, in trying to find direction in our narratives, do we Apples or PCs? Whether we are just beginning our exciting adventures, or we are on the final chapters of a beautiful expedition, life is full of choices.
Many times the choices are much more difficult than flavor of ice cream or computers.
Friends and foe alike can complicate our path, can't they? Friend might ask us to choose between time studying for that final exam over going skiing in the Rockies, proclaiming that one can study on the road, but the snow covered peaks will not always be so inviting. Skiing, obviously, won out.
But our 'foes' can invite many hurdles to our life journeys, ones that aren't so easily overlooked or laughed off. Life and death? Do we report the abuse of a young boy, in a shower? Or do we remain silent? Is reporting to our superior enough? Should we go to the police? These are questions that make life more than challenging; they make life nearly impossible. Because to choose one often means that other areas of our lives will be adveresly impacted, we might even lose our jobs, our lives, our reputations. When we face these trying questions, rarely is the answer quick to come or so easily made.
This is the nature of life in general, right? We, at times in our story, will face two forks in a road, and we will have to choose the one that appears less damaging. Or we will tell ourselves that we are choosing the path that seems 'better' as a whole. But this lesser of two evil theology leaves a gaping question in my being. What if it is not about what is the lesser of two evils? But the question is truly about right and just versus what is easy and safe?
Jesus faced this dilemma.
When the leaders wanted to corner and question and catch Jesus in a quandary, they finally figured they had a question Jesus couldn't 'ignore.' They asked him about the Roman Imperial Tax, and whether it was right or not to give to the Roman Empire. Jesus asked them to pull out a coin, and he asked them whose inscription was on the coin. They did so and said, "Caesar." Jesus looked at them, and in a statement about as clear as mud, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar, and give to God what is God."
Without any explanation of what Jesus meant, the others were simply amazed.
So what did Jesus mean? This is the thousand dollar question, and it is one that i put to you. What does this statement say to you?
I will only add these caveats: It was against Jewish Law to carry/hold false idols, so to have a coin with the image of Caesar on it, an image that suggest that Caesar was God/Savior/Messiah, it would put the Jewish leaders in a precarious situation. They were carrying a false god. They were violating the Torah. Jesus' question makes them face their breaking of God's law. So knowing this, what does Jesus' words say to you now?
----Or. With the understanding of Caesar being 'savior' of the world and 'son of God,' Jesus seems to put the two kingdom at odds with each other, doesn't he? Which kingdom will the people choose? God's? Caesar's? What are your thoughts?
-----And finally the Roman Empire was, in many cases, taxing the people to death, and Jesus wanted to end this injustice. They pulled out the coin, and Jesus makes a point to ask them, will they continue to follow an empire that punishes, crushes, and murders their own people, or will they stand with the Divine who comes to liberate? Jesus came proclaiming the year of Jubilee, (go to your Old Testaments to understand what that means), so Caesar's image stands in the way of freedom from bondage.
Knowing some of the complications involved in Jesus' statement, what does this say to you? What is your most gut reaction to Jesus having the leaders hold the coin saying, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar and give to God what is God's?"
Then the question needs to have relevance today, so what does this mean for us today? Which 'false god' are we following, pledging allegiance to? And where is God in our lives?
Be ready for a great conversation on Sunday, and may the FACE OF THE ONE TRUE GOD, shine upon you all... Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS: there is another question that can be asked, who decides what the "ONE TRUE GOD" is?
Friday, November 4, 2011
All This Food (Matthew 22: 1-14)
Fellow Followers of Jesus:
The last birthday party i remember, as a kid, came in the sixth grade. Grade school, first through fifth, brought many great birthday parties, and i often had many friends attend. Little did i know what would happen when we all got to the sixth grade. I had a skate party, and i did that because i figured, why not? I had had a huge fifth grade birthday party, invited all my friends, and most of them came.
But in sixth grade, very few came. Some were busy. Others had family gatherings. And as painful as it is to admit, in the sixth grade friendship disappear. We rented the skate rink. We ordered all the food. We had a huge birthday cake. But we were missing attendees. Sure there were some, but we were left with more food than we knew waht to do with. The feelings of rejection were rather signficant.
I should have been thankful for the people that came, but when we go to a lot of trouble to open our doors, expecting huge numbers, and only a few enter, well its natural for us to be disappointed, when we should be thanking those who did come. And it is not only birthday parties where this happens, is it?
Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, and it would have been a festive event too. Why? Because the king was throwing it, and he would have wanted to host all the important people, catering to them, celebrating with them. This was a chance for the king to spoil people and garner their support and love from then on. The king wanted to show his thanks, but he also wanted to build stronger ties to his 'colleagues.'
But the important people were too busy to come. Everything was ready. The best cow roasting on the stick. The best wine pouring from the vats. And the best music flowing from the banquet halls. This was the party to end all parties. The chosen ones were too busy. Too focused on their own lives to be bothered going out of their way to celebrate with the king. And too selfish to come, and in fact when the king sent out reminders; the chosen people, probably not wanting to deal with their own guilt, acted on in violent ways against the messengers.
So the king kicked them out of his kingdom. The chosen would have to face life/eternity in another realm. The party, though, was still ready to go. What should the king do with all that party stuff?
Throw a party.
And he did. But he invited people that would appreciate the party. He opened the doors to people who were hungry, homeless, forgotten, and never invited to any kind of Hollywood red carpet affair. With his new group of invitees, something amazing happens: they show up. They show up with such a fervor that the king must have been humbled by their appreciation to the invitation. Funny thing about taking God/Jesus/the Church for granted, God will find someone who appreciates Him.
The church, as the king's party, was never meant to be a place for the elite only. Jesus built the church as a place for those who need Him to show their appreciation at His invitation to life, freedom, and healing. However for some reason, all too often, those who are used to being there mirror more of the first group in Jesus' parable. We appreciate the invite, but we are too busy to really come. We find other things to do. We prefer our own cliques and entertainment. Or we simply don't like whats being offered. I dont know. But invitation after invitation to come to the throne of God goes out, and time and time again, Jesus followers say, "We cannot come."
So God will, eventually, open the doors to others. And then where will we be?
Many of us have felt the sting of throwing a party for others only to have a small few show up, so why don't we come running to God's invitation? God's still throwing a party, He just needs people to show up and enjoy. Will we come running? Or will we make excuses? The party happens with or without us, why not accept the invite and go drink His wine? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
The last birthday party i remember, as a kid, came in the sixth grade. Grade school, first through fifth, brought many great birthday parties, and i often had many friends attend. Little did i know what would happen when we all got to the sixth grade. I had a skate party, and i did that because i figured, why not? I had had a huge fifth grade birthday party, invited all my friends, and most of them came.
But in sixth grade, very few came. Some were busy. Others had family gatherings. And as painful as it is to admit, in the sixth grade friendship disappear. We rented the skate rink. We ordered all the food. We had a huge birthday cake. But we were missing attendees. Sure there were some, but we were left with more food than we knew waht to do with. The feelings of rejection were rather signficant.
I should have been thankful for the people that came, but when we go to a lot of trouble to open our doors, expecting huge numbers, and only a few enter, well its natural for us to be disappointed, when we should be thanking those who did come. And it is not only birthday parties where this happens, is it?
Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, and it would have been a festive event too. Why? Because the king was throwing it, and he would have wanted to host all the important people, catering to them, celebrating with them. This was a chance for the king to spoil people and garner their support and love from then on. The king wanted to show his thanks, but he also wanted to build stronger ties to his 'colleagues.'
But the important people were too busy to come. Everything was ready. The best cow roasting on the stick. The best wine pouring from the vats. And the best music flowing from the banquet halls. This was the party to end all parties. The chosen ones were too busy. Too focused on their own lives to be bothered going out of their way to celebrate with the king. And too selfish to come, and in fact when the king sent out reminders; the chosen people, probably not wanting to deal with their own guilt, acted on in violent ways against the messengers.
So the king kicked them out of his kingdom. The chosen would have to face life/eternity in another realm. The party, though, was still ready to go. What should the king do with all that party stuff?
Throw a party.
And he did. But he invited people that would appreciate the party. He opened the doors to people who were hungry, homeless, forgotten, and never invited to any kind of Hollywood red carpet affair. With his new group of invitees, something amazing happens: they show up. They show up with such a fervor that the king must have been humbled by their appreciation to the invitation. Funny thing about taking God/Jesus/the Church for granted, God will find someone who appreciates Him.
The church, as the king's party, was never meant to be a place for the elite only. Jesus built the church as a place for those who need Him to show their appreciation at His invitation to life, freedom, and healing. However for some reason, all too often, those who are used to being there mirror more of the first group in Jesus' parable. We appreciate the invite, but we are too busy to really come. We find other things to do. We prefer our own cliques and entertainment. Or we simply don't like whats being offered. I dont know. But invitation after invitation to come to the throne of God goes out, and time and time again, Jesus followers say, "We cannot come."
So God will, eventually, open the doors to others. And then where will we be?
Many of us have felt the sting of throwing a party for others only to have a small few show up, so why don't we come running to God's invitation? God's still throwing a party, He just needs people to show up and enjoy. Will we come running? Or will we make excuses? The party happens with or without us, why not accept the invite and go drink His wine? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, October 28, 2011
Occupy the Vineyard? Matthew 21: 33-46
Dear Family,
We can tell that we are entering another season of holidays, can't we? Go to the store and see Christmas trees adjacent to Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving Day settings. Google something and witness your screen light up with themes pointing to the next great celebration. And even our televisions are victims to the onslaught that is seasonal programming. The other day i was watching my favorite sitcoms, which point to Halloween and the 'trick or treat' theme, and i was enjoying the laughter emerging from my soul, when i decided to check the movie channels. What did i find?
Movie after movie celebrating horror, violence, death, and disturbance. We can click off one channel, turn to one of our regulars, and eventually they, too, will show a horror flick. Our prophets, at least on the television set, may not be godly, but they are noteworthy: Jason, Freddy, the Thing, 'legion of deathly angels,' masked killers with witty retorts, and even ghosts and ghouls on Scooby Doo. The inner sanctum of our homes, which is truly our personal vineyard, is invaded, nightly, by these unwanted characters trying get us to keep our lights on, listen to eery creeks, and stay away from dark basements; it is safe to say that these 'workers' of horror haunt and annoy us, nightly.
But isnt that what anyone does who challenges our stautus quo? Dont they, by virtue of making us feel uncomfortable, annoy us to no end? Some of them are relentless in their drive to 'change' us, and we just want to be free of them. What do we do? We do what any good, godly civilization does: we kill them or we ask them to move to Kansas, which is, in and of itself, a banishment worthy of death.
Seriously though. Any voice that makes us face our fruitless existence becomes that pesty fly that wont go away until we swat it. It has always been that way, and my sense is that it will always be that way. They killed the prophets of ole, and Jesus' parable of the vineyard elucidates this truth. We killed the prophets, in one way or another, of today, and Martin Luther King Jr proves this. But why?
I dont know, unless we are so insecure with the 'truth' these godly people bring that we would rather strike them and silence them than listen to them. It is easier to silence the voice of change than it is to fall in line and produce the fruit they speak about. Maybe it will always be this way, even for those of us 'saved' by Jesus.
However, the parable speaks about religious folks who think they are 'in' when in reality they are, by the fruitlessness of their faith, on the outs. God loves them enough to send, like the Halloween themed shows on our TVs, teachers, prophets, and a Messiah, to help the religious see, but the religious refuse to see or hear or change. So, according to the parable, God is giving the vineyard to fruitful followers. (Those who were often left out of the religious circles).
What will be our destiny? How will we know which path we are on? What is Godly fruit?
According to our reading, within the Brethren context, the fruit of the vineyard God seeks are: mercy and justice. Are we merciful? Are we just? Do we seek justice? Struggle for it? Live for it? I would add these fruits to that as well: love, peace, forgiveness, acceptance, holiness. Are these our fruits? If these are descriptors of what we produce, how much longer will God keep our vineyard open? And if we don't produce these fruits, what's holding us back?
Maybe we fear a loss of life, but i contend life is only truly life when we enter the vineyard and becomes vessels of love, mercy, forgiveness, peace, and holiness. It is only life, true life, abundant life, when these fruits flow from our being. We should no longer worry about the sacrifices we have to make or the lives we will lose to follow Jesus, because what awaits us is something greater and more holistic than we could ever dream. We have yet to experience the fullness of life, but when we bear the fruits of Jesus, we experience the fullness of life, and that makes it all worthwhile.
Whether we like it or not, we will be inundated with images and themes of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas until 2012 comes into being, and these false prophets will annoy us, for sure. But through it all, outside the comfort of our homes, is a vineyard where the only TRUE prophet lives, and when we quit muting Him, we will find the freedom, the joy, the peace, and the life we have been seeking all along. Amen.
Shalom
Salaam
Peace
Jerry
We can tell that we are entering another season of holidays, can't we? Go to the store and see Christmas trees adjacent to Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving Day settings. Google something and witness your screen light up with themes pointing to the next great celebration. And even our televisions are victims to the onslaught that is seasonal programming. The other day i was watching my favorite sitcoms, which point to Halloween and the 'trick or treat' theme, and i was enjoying the laughter emerging from my soul, when i decided to check the movie channels. What did i find?
Movie after movie celebrating horror, violence, death, and disturbance. We can click off one channel, turn to one of our regulars, and eventually they, too, will show a horror flick. Our prophets, at least on the television set, may not be godly, but they are noteworthy: Jason, Freddy, the Thing, 'legion of deathly angels,' masked killers with witty retorts, and even ghosts and ghouls on Scooby Doo. The inner sanctum of our homes, which is truly our personal vineyard, is invaded, nightly, by these unwanted characters trying get us to keep our lights on, listen to eery creeks, and stay away from dark basements; it is safe to say that these 'workers' of horror haunt and annoy us, nightly.
But isnt that what anyone does who challenges our stautus quo? Dont they, by virtue of making us feel uncomfortable, annoy us to no end? Some of them are relentless in their drive to 'change' us, and we just want to be free of them. What do we do? We do what any good, godly civilization does: we kill them or we ask them to move to Kansas, which is, in and of itself, a banishment worthy of death.
Seriously though. Any voice that makes us face our fruitless existence becomes that pesty fly that wont go away until we swat it. It has always been that way, and my sense is that it will always be that way. They killed the prophets of ole, and Jesus' parable of the vineyard elucidates this truth. We killed the prophets, in one way or another, of today, and Martin Luther King Jr proves this. But why?
I dont know, unless we are so insecure with the 'truth' these godly people bring that we would rather strike them and silence them than listen to them. It is easier to silence the voice of change than it is to fall in line and produce the fruit they speak about. Maybe it will always be this way, even for those of us 'saved' by Jesus.
However, the parable speaks about religious folks who think they are 'in' when in reality they are, by the fruitlessness of their faith, on the outs. God loves them enough to send, like the Halloween themed shows on our TVs, teachers, prophets, and a Messiah, to help the religious see, but the religious refuse to see or hear or change. So, according to the parable, God is giving the vineyard to fruitful followers. (Those who were often left out of the religious circles).
What will be our destiny? How will we know which path we are on? What is Godly fruit?
According to our reading, within the Brethren context, the fruit of the vineyard God seeks are: mercy and justice. Are we merciful? Are we just? Do we seek justice? Struggle for it? Live for it? I would add these fruits to that as well: love, peace, forgiveness, acceptance, holiness. Are these our fruits? If these are descriptors of what we produce, how much longer will God keep our vineyard open? And if we don't produce these fruits, what's holding us back?
Maybe we fear a loss of life, but i contend life is only truly life when we enter the vineyard and becomes vessels of love, mercy, forgiveness, peace, and holiness. It is only life, true life, abundant life, when these fruits flow from our being. We should no longer worry about the sacrifices we have to make or the lives we will lose to follow Jesus, because what awaits us is something greater and more holistic than we could ever dream. We have yet to experience the fullness of life, but when we bear the fruits of Jesus, we experience the fullness of life, and that makes it all worthwhile.
Whether we like it or not, we will be inundated with images and themes of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas until 2012 comes into being, and these false prophets will annoy us, for sure. But through it all, outside the comfort of our homes, is a vineyard where the only TRUE prophet lives, and when we quit muting Him, we will find the freedom, the joy, the peace, and the life we have been seeking all along. Amen.
Shalom
Salaam
Peace
Jerry
Friday, October 21, 2011
What's Holding us Back?
Dear Family,
Respect your elders. Respect those in authority. Respect your elected officials. Respect your parents. Respect your pastor?.?. I remember being taught that all of the above, well the one exception is the pastor, but the other positions, my parents taught me to respect those persons, because they had authority, they earned the authority, and i had none, zero, zilch. Now it does call into question what happens when someone of authority abuses that authority, like when a politician declares war without really much support? Or when a parent abuses and misuses a child? Or when an elder, though demands respect, refuses to do what is necessary to earn it, like be a conduit of wisdom and great listening, because i have finally learned that great wisdom begins with listening, true listening. So what do we do when we are called to respect all of these 'titles' and yet, when we are honest with ourselves, those persons do little to warrant our respect or admiration?
What do we do then? Is the charge to respect elders, parents, authorities, or pastors go without a checks and balance? And in the case of the pastor, how do we determine if he/she speaks with godly authority, because if one is to lead a community of spiritual pilgrims, i would hope she/he realizes that they represent more than a tradition; they represent the Divine. How do we check if they speak with God's authority?
And we must hold those in position accountable. If they insist on leading us down a path that is truly not of God, we must say NO! If they try to persuade us to follow them into a journey of darkness; we must say NO! And if they make choices that violate our sense of what it means to follow Jesus; we must say NO! How do we gauge what is of God and what is not? Scripture. The Community. Our own spiritual journey. These are but a few of the suggestions that those who follow Christ must use to discern if their leaders are of God or of the world.
But then the other question also holds.
If we cannot find any ungodliness, from Scripture, community, etc, in our leaders words and guidance, we must follow them. Period. But my sense is this second element of the equation of being a community of God is much more challenging to follow. In our "I have a voice, and i will be heard" culture, submitting oneself to a greater purpose, even the community of God, often times is more difficult than people want to admit.
And Jesus faced it too.
So what did Jesus do? He asked a question about John the Baptist's intention. Were they of God? Or were they human oriented? The people refused to answer. Why? Because to admit that John was from God, well that meant that the religious people were guilty of ignoring God's call, and no person, proclaiming a faith in God, wants to admit that he/she has fallen short of what God truly demands. On the other hand, though, they didn't want to suggest that John acted on his own accord. Why? Because so many held that John came from God, and to deny John's authority and godly call, well that is blasphemy. And the people would have rioted.
So the leaders took the cowardly way out. They said, "I dont know."
And Jesus, knowing their hearts, said, "I wont tell you about my calling either."
We do not get to choose who God sends to lead us, and if we are to be a people of God, we dont even get to choose where they might lead us. We, as a people who cling to the life and teachings of Jesus, who mourn, weep, and embrace the death of Jesus, and who praise, celebrate, and worship the resurrected Jesus must respond to Jesus like this: John's teaching, as we read the text, comes from you, o Lord.
We have to acknowledge godly leadership, even if it means we have to give up everything to follow, because God already proves true when He gave it all, so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Respect your elders. Respect those in authority. Respect your elected officials. Respect your parents. Respect your pastor?.?. I remember being taught that all of the above, well the one exception is the pastor, but the other positions, my parents taught me to respect those persons, because they had authority, they earned the authority, and i had none, zero, zilch. Now it does call into question what happens when someone of authority abuses that authority, like when a politician declares war without really much support? Or when a parent abuses and misuses a child? Or when an elder, though demands respect, refuses to do what is necessary to earn it, like be a conduit of wisdom and great listening, because i have finally learned that great wisdom begins with listening, true listening. So what do we do when we are called to respect all of these 'titles' and yet, when we are honest with ourselves, those persons do little to warrant our respect or admiration?
What do we do then? Is the charge to respect elders, parents, authorities, or pastors go without a checks and balance? And in the case of the pastor, how do we determine if he/she speaks with godly authority, because if one is to lead a community of spiritual pilgrims, i would hope she/he realizes that they represent more than a tradition; they represent the Divine. How do we check if they speak with God's authority?
And we must hold those in position accountable. If they insist on leading us down a path that is truly not of God, we must say NO! If they try to persuade us to follow them into a journey of darkness; we must say NO! And if they make choices that violate our sense of what it means to follow Jesus; we must say NO! How do we gauge what is of God and what is not? Scripture. The Community. Our own spiritual journey. These are but a few of the suggestions that those who follow Christ must use to discern if their leaders are of God or of the world.
But then the other question also holds.
If we cannot find any ungodliness, from Scripture, community, etc, in our leaders words and guidance, we must follow them. Period. But my sense is this second element of the equation of being a community of God is much more challenging to follow. In our "I have a voice, and i will be heard" culture, submitting oneself to a greater purpose, even the community of God, often times is more difficult than people want to admit.
And Jesus faced it too.
So what did Jesus do? He asked a question about John the Baptist's intention. Were they of God? Or were they human oriented? The people refused to answer. Why? Because to admit that John was from God, well that meant that the religious people were guilty of ignoring God's call, and no person, proclaiming a faith in God, wants to admit that he/she has fallen short of what God truly demands. On the other hand, though, they didn't want to suggest that John acted on his own accord. Why? Because so many held that John came from God, and to deny John's authority and godly call, well that is blasphemy. And the people would have rioted.
So the leaders took the cowardly way out. They said, "I dont know."
And Jesus, knowing their hearts, said, "I wont tell you about my calling either."
We do not get to choose who God sends to lead us, and if we are to be a people of God, we dont even get to choose where they might lead us. We, as a people who cling to the life and teachings of Jesus, who mourn, weep, and embrace the death of Jesus, and who praise, celebrate, and worship the resurrected Jesus must respond to Jesus like this: John's teaching, as we read the text, comes from you, o Lord.
We have to acknowledge godly leadership, even if it means we have to give up everything to follow, because God already proves true when He gave it all, so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Worship IHOP Style... Matthew 21: 1-17
Folks,
It was inevitable. It was. There was simply nothing we could do to avoid; it was going to happen, eventually. No matter how hard we might have tried to deny, delay, or deter it; it was going to happen, and we were helpless to stop it, change it, or even slow it down. What was 'it?' "The Simpson's" might have to go the way of the Dodo. It was inevitable, but the longest running sitcom in television history might just be staring at the finish line of its long, amazing run.
How will life go on without that quirky family blessing our evening routines? Will life still have meaning? Will we ever fall in love with another sitcom again? First the demise of the daily soaps and now this, what's next? "Survivor?" One can only hope.
Obviously i don't really care what happens to "The Simpsons," daily soaps, or even "Two and a Half Men," but i illuminate the end for these shows because too many times we value what is not important, while ignoring what truly matters.
But what does truly matter?
This seems to be the age old question. What does truly matter? Or perhaps we could put it another way, why go to church? Why worship? Why gather as followers of Jesus? Why do anything that highlights our faith? Why not sit at home watching the National Football League or skipping rocks at the lake? Or why not sleep in and let the day pass away as we catch up on sleep?
We have so many options that distract us from worshipping together on Sunday; it does raise a valid question, why go to church at all? Why take the time to get up, get dressed, maybe drink some coffee, and then drive to worship when there are so many other things that seem to be more important or in the least, when we are honest, more enjoyable? Why worship?
Have i gotten your attention? Are you shaking your heads wondering if i have finally lost my mind? Then good, but no i haven't lost my mind. I am just asking the question that so many ask, whether they want to admit it or not. But most depressing is that we actually have to wrestle with the choice.
Sure we might go to church because we feel obligated to do so, or we think we might get to see so and so there, or we might want to focus on how much money has come into the offering, or we might want to hear what blasphemy the pastor might try to feed us. But doesn't this make worship shallow? Meaningless? Empty? Depressing? And shouldn't this raise a question for all of us, what is the purpose of worship? What is worship's function in our spiritual lives?
As i sat with these questions, this revelation came to me: The purpose of worship is to love God. Period. We worship because we love God.
Why then, i wonder, does worship become about music styles? And anyone who has heard or had conversations in the parking lots after worship know that there are dissenting voices about the music. If worship is about loving God, and we complain about the music, then one of two things must be happening. One--the music must be blasphemous, meaning it does not show or illustrate or empower us to lift our voices to God in love. How do we know? What does the lyrics invite us to sing? Do the words enable us to love God?
If they do then if we are complaining about songs in the parking lot, after worship, then the roots of the false worship must be us. If worship is about loving God, and the songs we sing, whether we like them or not, invite us to show our love of God, and we still complain, then arent we what's stopping the worship from being holistic? True? Powerful? How can we proclaim a love for God if we let a song or two deter us from showing God, showering God with that love? Would a song stop us from loving our spouse, our children, our parents? Then why do we allow it to stop us from loving God?
It seems we have made music an idol in worship, and like Jesus turning over the tables, its time for us to get our worship right. Worship is about loving God and loving neighbor. It is NOT about gossiping about the choices people make, the music styles, or Scripture focuses. When we complain about things as arbitrary and yet holy as elements of worship, we are really saying i am too good to offer my love for God in all circumstances, and when that happens we inch closer to becoming the money changers who abused the poor, the lame, and the Gentiles who could never make into the temple, but these ostracized persons had to stay in the outer courts to worship. The money changers, though they were selling elements necessary for worship, did not do it for love of God but for personal gain.
And Jesus tossed their tables and whooped them out of the temple area. When we make worship about what we want, about what we like, or about making our own personal statements, we are the money changers, and we need Jesus to come into our temple and toss some tables. Let's hope and pray He leaves the whip at home.
When we love someone, nothing stops us from showering them with our love, nothing. We do not make excuses. We do not find other things to do. And we do not allow others to interfere with our desires to demonstrate our love. We do all these things for spouses, parents, children, friends, and family, right? So why can't we approach our love of God the same way? What would worship be like if God's children, all of us, simply came to love on God? Would we sing as loud as possible? Would we need to sleep in? Would we complain about this or that? Or would we simply come, offer our voices, our gifts, and our time, doing all we can, all that we have in us to do, to shower God with love?
Jesus said, "It is written that my house should be called a house of prayer for all nations..." Meaning, to come to worship is about honoring God, not hearing ourselves. So lets try loving God holistically, what do we have to lose? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
It was inevitable. It was. There was simply nothing we could do to avoid; it was going to happen, eventually. No matter how hard we might have tried to deny, delay, or deter it; it was going to happen, and we were helpless to stop it, change it, or even slow it down. What was 'it?' "The Simpson's" might have to go the way of the Dodo. It was inevitable, but the longest running sitcom in television history might just be staring at the finish line of its long, amazing run.
How will life go on without that quirky family blessing our evening routines? Will life still have meaning? Will we ever fall in love with another sitcom again? First the demise of the daily soaps and now this, what's next? "Survivor?" One can only hope.
Obviously i don't really care what happens to "The Simpsons," daily soaps, or even "Two and a Half Men," but i illuminate the end for these shows because too many times we value what is not important, while ignoring what truly matters.
But what does truly matter?
This seems to be the age old question. What does truly matter? Or perhaps we could put it another way, why go to church? Why worship? Why gather as followers of Jesus? Why do anything that highlights our faith? Why not sit at home watching the National Football League or skipping rocks at the lake? Or why not sleep in and let the day pass away as we catch up on sleep?
We have so many options that distract us from worshipping together on Sunday; it does raise a valid question, why go to church at all? Why take the time to get up, get dressed, maybe drink some coffee, and then drive to worship when there are so many other things that seem to be more important or in the least, when we are honest, more enjoyable? Why worship?
Have i gotten your attention? Are you shaking your heads wondering if i have finally lost my mind? Then good, but no i haven't lost my mind. I am just asking the question that so many ask, whether they want to admit it or not. But most depressing is that we actually have to wrestle with the choice.
Sure we might go to church because we feel obligated to do so, or we think we might get to see so and so there, or we might want to focus on how much money has come into the offering, or we might want to hear what blasphemy the pastor might try to feed us. But doesn't this make worship shallow? Meaningless? Empty? Depressing? And shouldn't this raise a question for all of us, what is the purpose of worship? What is worship's function in our spiritual lives?
As i sat with these questions, this revelation came to me: The purpose of worship is to love God. Period. We worship because we love God.
Why then, i wonder, does worship become about music styles? And anyone who has heard or had conversations in the parking lots after worship know that there are dissenting voices about the music. If worship is about loving God, and we complain about the music, then one of two things must be happening. One--the music must be blasphemous, meaning it does not show or illustrate or empower us to lift our voices to God in love. How do we know? What does the lyrics invite us to sing? Do the words enable us to love God?
If they do then if we are complaining about songs in the parking lot, after worship, then the roots of the false worship must be us. If worship is about loving God, and the songs we sing, whether we like them or not, invite us to show our love of God, and we still complain, then arent we what's stopping the worship from being holistic? True? Powerful? How can we proclaim a love for God if we let a song or two deter us from showing God, showering God with that love? Would a song stop us from loving our spouse, our children, our parents? Then why do we allow it to stop us from loving God?
It seems we have made music an idol in worship, and like Jesus turning over the tables, its time for us to get our worship right. Worship is about loving God and loving neighbor. It is NOT about gossiping about the choices people make, the music styles, or Scripture focuses. When we complain about things as arbitrary and yet holy as elements of worship, we are really saying i am too good to offer my love for God in all circumstances, and when that happens we inch closer to becoming the money changers who abused the poor, the lame, and the Gentiles who could never make into the temple, but these ostracized persons had to stay in the outer courts to worship. The money changers, though they were selling elements necessary for worship, did not do it for love of God but for personal gain.
And Jesus tossed their tables and whooped them out of the temple area. When we make worship about what we want, about what we like, or about making our own personal statements, we are the money changers, and we need Jesus to come into our temple and toss some tables. Let's hope and pray He leaves the whip at home.
When we love someone, nothing stops us from showering them with our love, nothing. We do not make excuses. We do not find other things to do. And we do not allow others to interfere with our desires to demonstrate our love. We do all these things for spouses, parents, children, friends, and family, right? So why can't we approach our love of God the same way? What would worship be like if God's children, all of us, simply came to love on God? Would we sing as loud as possible? Would we need to sleep in? Would we complain about this or that? Or would we simply come, offer our voices, our gifts, and our time, doing all we can, all that we have in us to do, to shower God with love?
Jesus said, "It is written that my house should be called a house of prayer for all nations..." Meaning, to come to worship is about honoring God, not hearing ourselves. So lets try loving God holistically, what do we have to lose? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Compassion Buckeye Style (Matthew 20: 29-34)
Dear Family,
I question much about my life and where i end up after my journey on earth is done. I cannot, with one hundred percent certainty, claim that i know i am going to heaven. I am not God. I don't know if there will be a final exam where all the good i did not do is measured against what little good i do, or where the sins of my life are measured to the acts of grace, truth, and obedience. Will i pass that test? I just dont know. I can't say.
I realize that there are many who suggest and implore church folks to 'be saved' as if one bold, and in the way of Jesus is always bold, faith statement answers all questions and exams for eternity. I just dont know. And in the same way when i intentionally argue with Kendra or some other member of the Kingdom, or i dont pay enough attention to my children or wife or any other sister or brother in the Church does that add marks, like in grade school, to a name chalked up illustrating how far i can fall? If there are enough marks do i lose? Fail? Face a dark, twisted eternal fate, like watching "High School Musical" for the whole of my existence?
I just dont know. When my faith fails to be what it is supposed to be: patient, kind, endearing, loving, understanding, accepting, obedient, disciplined, etc, how can i know if i am still in the salvation club? Is there any way, shape, or form for any of us to judge whether we are still following the difficult and trying way of Jesus? Is there some gauge that we can look at and find the answers to our perplexing reality?
In a word--YES!
How can we know? What do we feel when we see injustice winning and justice being denied to a people? Do we hurt? Do we feel this deep ache in our being that says, that just aint right? If we do, that's Jesus. (A caveat--in order for us to claim it truly is Jesus, we need to understand what mattered most to Jesus, and i am not going to give that answer here... read the Gospels and discover who Jesus loved more than any other...)
How can we know? Do we cry, sometimes bawl, when we see something beautiful, like unconditional love, like the grace the Amish lived after the horrific shooting a few years ago? That crying, wailing, that beautiful weep, which seems to be unstoppable, yeah its Jesus.
I could go on and on. When someone hurts, truly hurts, do we feel a deep sense of sorrow for them? Jesus. Do we feel joy when someone seems so happy, so full of life, we just want to dance with them? Jesus. And when someone gets the bad news of cancer or some other debilitating disease, do we go to their side and just sit, quietly, not saying a word? Yep, that too is Jesus.
What do all of these acts, whether joy or sorrow, laughter or tears, anger or elation, have in common? Compassion. We feel for others. We share in their good times, and we lament with them during their seasons of doubt, desert, and pain. Compassion, i feel, is THE ultimate marker of someone who follows Jesus. Do we have compassion for people, even the most vile human being? Do we regret their death? Do we wish them well? Do we hope that they find meaning and truth and freedom from what causes them to be so ugly? That deep desire, which goes beyond demanding they pay for their sins, is Jesus flowing from our inner being, illuminating something so deep, so amazing, and so real that the world just can not understand how we can be so other worldly. Compassion, in the way of Jesus, stretches us to love and pray for friend, family, and foe.
No more than that, Christ like compassion forces us to focus our prayers, our love, and our concerns more on foe than family or friend. That is the way of compassion. That is the way of salvation. And that, brothers and sisters, is the way of Jesus. No other way counts. No other way works. And no other ways brings abundant life.
I question much about my journey, but when the tears of compassion swell up, seemingly beyond understanding, it is Jesus affirming, to me, that all is well. For that, i am grateful. Amen.
Shalom
Salam
Peace.... Until the Prince of Peace shows us what being Peacemakers truly means...
Jerry
I question much about my life and where i end up after my journey on earth is done. I cannot, with one hundred percent certainty, claim that i know i am going to heaven. I am not God. I don't know if there will be a final exam where all the good i did not do is measured against what little good i do, or where the sins of my life are measured to the acts of grace, truth, and obedience. Will i pass that test? I just dont know. I can't say.
I realize that there are many who suggest and implore church folks to 'be saved' as if one bold, and in the way of Jesus is always bold, faith statement answers all questions and exams for eternity. I just dont know. And in the same way when i intentionally argue with Kendra or some other member of the Kingdom, or i dont pay enough attention to my children or wife or any other sister or brother in the Church does that add marks, like in grade school, to a name chalked up illustrating how far i can fall? If there are enough marks do i lose? Fail? Face a dark, twisted eternal fate, like watching "High School Musical" for the whole of my existence?
I just dont know. When my faith fails to be what it is supposed to be: patient, kind, endearing, loving, understanding, accepting, obedient, disciplined, etc, how can i know if i am still in the salvation club? Is there any way, shape, or form for any of us to judge whether we are still following the difficult and trying way of Jesus? Is there some gauge that we can look at and find the answers to our perplexing reality?
In a word--YES!
How can we know? What do we feel when we see injustice winning and justice being denied to a people? Do we hurt? Do we feel this deep ache in our being that says, that just aint right? If we do, that's Jesus. (A caveat--in order for us to claim it truly is Jesus, we need to understand what mattered most to Jesus, and i am not going to give that answer here... read the Gospels and discover who Jesus loved more than any other...)
How can we know? Do we cry, sometimes bawl, when we see something beautiful, like unconditional love, like the grace the Amish lived after the horrific shooting a few years ago? That crying, wailing, that beautiful weep, which seems to be unstoppable, yeah its Jesus.
I could go on and on. When someone hurts, truly hurts, do we feel a deep sense of sorrow for them? Jesus. Do we feel joy when someone seems so happy, so full of life, we just want to dance with them? Jesus. And when someone gets the bad news of cancer or some other debilitating disease, do we go to their side and just sit, quietly, not saying a word? Yep, that too is Jesus.
What do all of these acts, whether joy or sorrow, laughter or tears, anger or elation, have in common? Compassion. We feel for others. We share in their good times, and we lament with them during their seasons of doubt, desert, and pain. Compassion, i feel, is THE ultimate marker of someone who follows Jesus. Do we have compassion for people, even the most vile human being? Do we regret their death? Do we wish them well? Do we hope that they find meaning and truth and freedom from what causes them to be so ugly? That deep desire, which goes beyond demanding they pay for their sins, is Jesus flowing from our inner being, illuminating something so deep, so amazing, and so real that the world just can not understand how we can be so other worldly. Compassion, in the way of Jesus, stretches us to love and pray for friend, family, and foe.
No more than that, Christ like compassion forces us to focus our prayers, our love, and our concerns more on foe than family or friend. That is the way of compassion. That is the way of salvation. And that, brothers and sisters, is the way of Jesus. No other way counts. No other way works. And no other ways brings abundant life.
I question much about my journey, but when the tears of compassion swell up, seemingly beyond understanding, it is Jesus affirming, to me, that all is well. For that, i am grateful. Amen.
Shalom
Salam
Peace.... Until the Prince of Peace shows us what being Peacemakers truly means...
Jerry
Friday, September 23, 2011
Are we Servants? (Matthew 20: 17-28)
Fellow Pilgrims,
Moms demand respect, don't they? In the animal world, the mother moose is one of the most protective and deadly mothers in nature. Mess with her little ones, and she will make sure it is the last thing you or i would do. But mothers also have a way of making sure that not only are their kids safe, but that the world respects and honors her children, right? In the movie the "Goonies," the mother was the leader of the gang of robbers, and she was the most protective. She did all she could to ensure her kids, even though they were convicts, made a way in the world.
Moms demand respect.
So it shouldn't surprise anyone that Zebedee's sons find themselves standing before Jesus answering questions about whether they can or cannot face a life of pain, challenge, and persecution. In fact Jesus asks them, "Can you drink of the cup that i must drink of?" They answer with the affirmation they could. But how did they get there? Their mother, like any other good mother, goes to Jesus and asks Him to let her boys sit beside Him for eternity. Their mom has the audacity to implore Jesus for special treatment for her kids. Jesus doesn't rebuke her, because He knows the power of a mother's love, but He does ask the boys if they could face death.
They could, so they said. But Jesus isn't finished teaching.
A mother wants whats best for her children, and she asks Jesus what is natural. "Can you give my sons preferential treatment?" Jesus points to what is true about the world. The world wants the limelight. The world wants the best seats in the church. The world wants recognition for doing works. The world wants red carpet introduction. The world wants the right and left of Jesus in eternity.
But no so for Jesus and all who follow Him. For Jesus and all of Jesus' followers, throughout the history of humanity, we are to seek no limelight, great seats in the house, or even rewards for our good deeds. Instead we are supposed to lift up the less than, be servant of all, take a back seat to others, simply make strangers more important than ourselves.
Is this fair? Is this possible? Or yet another question comes to mind, why does it matter if we get the limelight? Attention? Rewards?
Because in the world it is all too easy and natural to make the work about us and focus on getting to the top, but in the process forget about the people God/Jesus seem to love most--the least of these. It is hard to work, care, minister, or love the least of these when we spend all of our time looking out for number one, staring at the mirror like Stuart Smalley, obsessing on how we can move ahead. When we are blinded to the plight of the other, we are guilty of a horrific sin: negligence. Negligence brings the wrath of Jesus. Ministry and acceptance and recognition of the other brings the applause and support and love of Jesus.
Which do we want? The world waits for our response.
Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Moms demand respect, don't they? In the animal world, the mother moose is one of the most protective and deadly mothers in nature. Mess with her little ones, and she will make sure it is the last thing you or i would do. But mothers also have a way of making sure that not only are their kids safe, but that the world respects and honors her children, right? In the movie the "Goonies," the mother was the leader of the gang of robbers, and she was the most protective. She did all she could to ensure her kids, even though they were convicts, made a way in the world.
Moms demand respect.
So it shouldn't surprise anyone that Zebedee's sons find themselves standing before Jesus answering questions about whether they can or cannot face a life of pain, challenge, and persecution. In fact Jesus asks them, "Can you drink of the cup that i must drink of?" They answer with the affirmation they could. But how did they get there? Their mother, like any other good mother, goes to Jesus and asks Him to let her boys sit beside Him for eternity. Their mom has the audacity to implore Jesus for special treatment for her kids. Jesus doesn't rebuke her, because He knows the power of a mother's love, but He does ask the boys if they could face death.
They could, so they said. But Jesus isn't finished teaching.
A mother wants whats best for her children, and she asks Jesus what is natural. "Can you give my sons preferential treatment?" Jesus points to what is true about the world. The world wants the limelight. The world wants the best seats in the church. The world wants recognition for doing works. The world wants red carpet introduction. The world wants the right and left of Jesus in eternity.
But no so for Jesus and all who follow Him. For Jesus and all of Jesus' followers, throughout the history of humanity, we are to seek no limelight, great seats in the house, or even rewards for our good deeds. Instead we are supposed to lift up the less than, be servant of all, take a back seat to others, simply make strangers more important than ourselves.
Is this fair? Is this possible? Or yet another question comes to mind, why does it matter if we get the limelight? Attention? Rewards?
Because in the world it is all too easy and natural to make the work about us and focus on getting to the top, but in the process forget about the people God/Jesus seem to love most--the least of these. It is hard to work, care, minister, or love the least of these when we spend all of our time looking out for number one, staring at the mirror like Stuart Smalley, obsessing on how we can move ahead. When we are blinded to the plight of the other, we are guilty of a horrific sin: negligence. Negligence brings the wrath of Jesus. Ministry and acceptance and recognition of the other brings the applause and support and love of Jesus.
Which do we want? The world waits for our response.
Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, September 16, 2011
That's Not Fair! (Matthew 20: 1-16)
Dear Family,
We want life to be fair, don't we? If we work hard, we expect to payment commensurate to our labor, right? I mean we have unions to protect the wage and work environment for the laborers. We have federal guidelines that demand, at the most base level, that people earn 'minimum wage.' We go to school, earn degrees, and we, even pastors, have a 'scale' that we seek when we find our place of refuge/employment. We, in the words of Rob from "Jerry McGuire," want people to 'show me the money..."
And if life seems, at least at work, to not be fair, well we protest. Strike. Quit. Or any other numerous choices we make to ensure our voices of disgust are heard. I wonder though, what would we do if, like the owner of the field did in Jesus' parable, we got paid the same as someone who just came off the bus and barely got his/her hands dirty, while we had worked ourselves to the bone, all day, in the hot sun? What would our response be when the supervisor paid all of us the same, regardless of how long we worked or how hard we worked?
Would we protest? Never work for that boss again? Maybe join a union and declare a serious injustice and have the owner brought up on labor violations? Why would we do this? Because i sense, just like the whiners in the parable, that we have an inflated sense of self. We demand certain 'rights' regardless whether we actually deserve them or not. If we feel someone or something has injured or impeded those rights, we will shout from the mountaintops how unfair it must be.
But then we come to the second half of the parable: the owner asking, (in a paraphrase) why are yall complaining and whining? Didn't i pay you what we had agreed would be your day's wage? So whats with this complaining? And we would, with our chests puffed out, declare a serious injustice--we worked hard all day, these guys, the ones you just hired who havent even gotten their hands dirty, yeah they got paid the same as we did. Either pay us more or pay them less. We are better than they!
The owner just pays the days wage and shakes his/her head.
As i reflect on this parable, i can't help but wonder if we wont all have a huge eye opener when we meet Jesus at the gates. One of the biggest maturation elements of my faith is that i have come to realize that God is God, and i am not God. So if God, like the owner of the field, proves to be incredibly generous, gracious, merciful, accepting, why should i complain?
But what are the implications/repercussions of a God who is so merciful? Accepting? Gracious? Like the workers of the field, a parable about the Kingdom of God, what might we experience at the gates? If we get there and standing next to us is the skater punk who can't pull up his shorts and he always appeared out of it, maybe even on drugs, will we protest about the unfairness of his earning a pass into heaven? He wasted his life, we might say, why should he get in with us?
Or maybe the prostitute? Murderer? Child molester? Dr. Evil from "Austin Powers?" Or maybe more challenging, might we stand side by side Muslims, Buddhists, Pagans, athiests, because at the last hour, in some Godly miracle, they came to understand and accept the great mystery of salvation that we follow? Will we protest? Will we stomp our feet like a three year old not getting to watch tv? Will we build a union of self pitying Christians, call ourselves the URC: (Union of the Righteous Christians)?
What is it it us if Jesus/God/Holy Spirit are generous? Arent we still getting what we believed to be getting--entrance into the gates of Heaven? So what does it matter if other less desirables are there too? Doesn't that just show us how good God truly is and how amazing and awe inspiring the love of Jesus is?
What if we knew this was the way things would work out, would we ever proclaim a faith in Jesus? Promise to follow Him? Surrender to His will? Or would we, like wild frat boys, want to remain irresponsible and empty, knowing that it didn't matter anyway, because God is so merciful?
As for me, i hope i would choose to follow Jesus. Not because of a fear of damnation or punishment or some horribly painful existence, but because of the benefits of following Jesus now. I experience an abundant life: Now. I know love: Now. I know peace: Now. Sure heaven is real and good, but heaven, until i am standing at the gates, remains a mystery. My life, my existence, my journey, in the flesh, is real and demands a real presence of Jesus. So i would, i hope, still choose Jesus. Not to be saved for the next world but to be saved in this one.
What about you all? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
We want life to be fair, don't we? If we work hard, we expect to payment commensurate to our labor, right? I mean we have unions to protect the wage and work environment for the laborers. We have federal guidelines that demand, at the most base level, that people earn 'minimum wage.' We go to school, earn degrees, and we, even pastors, have a 'scale' that we seek when we find our place of refuge/employment. We, in the words of Rob from "Jerry McGuire," want people to 'show me the money..."
And if life seems, at least at work, to not be fair, well we protest. Strike. Quit. Or any other numerous choices we make to ensure our voices of disgust are heard. I wonder though, what would we do if, like the owner of the field did in Jesus' parable, we got paid the same as someone who just came off the bus and barely got his/her hands dirty, while we had worked ourselves to the bone, all day, in the hot sun? What would our response be when the supervisor paid all of us the same, regardless of how long we worked or how hard we worked?
Would we protest? Never work for that boss again? Maybe join a union and declare a serious injustice and have the owner brought up on labor violations? Why would we do this? Because i sense, just like the whiners in the parable, that we have an inflated sense of self. We demand certain 'rights' regardless whether we actually deserve them or not. If we feel someone or something has injured or impeded those rights, we will shout from the mountaintops how unfair it must be.
But then we come to the second half of the parable: the owner asking, (in a paraphrase) why are yall complaining and whining? Didn't i pay you what we had agreed would be your day's wage? So whats with this complaining? And we would, with our chests puffed out, declare a serious injustice--we worked hard all day, these guys, the ones you just hired who havent even gotten their hands dirty, yeah they got paid the same as we did. Either pay us more or pay them less. We are better than they!
The owner just pays the days wage and shakes his/her head.
As i reflect on this parable, i can't help but wonder if we wont all have a huge eye opener when we meet Jesus at the gates. One of the biggest maturation elements of my faith is that i have come to realize that God is God, and i am not God. So if God, like the owner of the field, proves to be incredibly generous, gracious, merciful, accepting, why should i complain?
But what are the implications/repercussions of a God who is so merciful? Accepting? Gracious? Like the workers of the field, a parable about the Kingdom of God, what might we experience at the gates? If we get there and standing next to us is the skater punk who can't pull up his shorts and he always appeared out of it, maybe even on drugs, will we protest about the unfairness of his earning a pass into heaven? He wasted his life, we might say, why should he get in with us?
Or maybe the prostitute? Murderer? Child molester? Dr. Evil from "Austin Powers?" Or maybe more challenging, might we stand side by side Muslims, Buddhists, Pagans, athiests, because at the last hour, in some Godly miracle, they came to understand and accept the great mystery of salvation that we follow? Will we protest? Will we stomp our feet like a three year old not getting to watch tv? Will we build a union of self pitying Christians, call ourselves the URC: (Union of the Righteous Christians)?
What is it it us if Jesus/God/Holy Spirit are generous? Arent we still getting what we believed to be getting--entrance into the gates of Heaven? So what does it matter if other less desirables are there too? Doesn't that just show us how good God truly is and how amazing and awe inspiring the love of Jesus is?
What if we knew this was the way things would work out, would we ever proclaim a faith in Jesus? Promise to follow Him? Surrender to His will? Or would we, like wild frat boys, want to remain irresponsible and empty, knowing that it didn't matter anyway, because God is so merciful?
As for me, i hope i would choose to follow Jesus. Not because of a fear of damnation or punishment or some horribly painful existence, but because of the benefits of following Jesus now. I experience an abundant life: Now. I know love: Now. I know peace: Now. Sure heaven is real and good, but heaven, until i am standing at the gates, remains a mystery. My life, my existence, my journey, in the flesh, is real and demands a real presence of Jesus. So i would, i hope, still choose Jesus. Not to be saved for the next world but to be saved in this one.
What about you all? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, September 9, 2011
Ten Years Later... Matthew 5: 43-48
Dear Peacemakers...
I was coming back from class, peeked into the lounge in my dorm, when i saw a crowd of Fannyites staring at the news report of a bombing in Oklahoma City, and it was even more shocking to learn that the fertilizer McVeigh used came from McPherson. We were on the map. National news. And i was just waking up, in Richmond, IN, planning a day with Kendra, when we heard, on the radio, of the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Funny, i can almost rehearse the smells, the tastes, the shock of all those memories. They are as fresh today as they were so many years ago, even now, as we reflect on the last ten years, i can pull the memory and relive it all over again.
The power of our memory, especially in regard to tragedy, is amazing. I know people who can tell you where they were when JFK was shot and killed. Tragedy, in all its forms, seers its place, forever, into the annals of our minds, always there, always ready to be pulled up, always a reminder of the pain caused by those horrific events. Our stories, our lives will always hinge, in one way or another, around those tragic events. Won't they?
For example: there are stricter regulations to the amount of fertilizer one can buy at one time, why? Because the government doesnt need another lunatic making a weapon of mass destruction from what farmers use daily. We have tighter security around our president when he, and i hope someday soon, or she is out. Why? Because the government doesn't need another embarrasing moment of the leader of our country getting shot from a random place in a book depository. And we all know that flying has become more challenging, because we don't want to have another wake up call of planes being used as death machines.
But with all the changes and government restrictions, i have to wonder many things. A. Are we any safer? Is the world safer? B. Can we stop terrorist attacks in any form? C. Will the inane wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, both ripples from 9/11, ever find a conclusion and usher our sons and daughters home? These are worldly questions/responses to the evils that have happened, but i still struggle with, "What is the Christian response?"
Jesus called us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, are we doing that when we endorse further military action in Afghanistan? Is this the way of peace? Are we honoring Jesus by bombing, killing, and destroying lives? I realize that i am opening a can of worms by asking this question, but ten years later, it seems, we have learned nothing. We are no closer to bringing our troops home, Al Quaeda is still powerful, Iraq remains unstable, and violence remains a blind response. The thousands of lives lost stand as a testimony to our inability to be creative in the process of pursuing justice for those who lost their lives on 9/11.
What would have happened if we, like the Christian nation we claim to be, chosed the way of Jesus? What would have happened if we had sought diplomacy? International cooperation? Peace? Why is our answer, so quickly, revenge, when as Gandhi illuminated only leaves both parties blind? And why in so many churches across this great land of ours will the message of peace be ignored, when it is peacemaking that Jesus called us to do? If we are a Christian nation, why are we not being labeled a peaceful nation?
We will honor our memories and stories this Sunday, and i hope all of you will share your narratives, but if we remain where we are, doing only what we have been doing, how can things change? Perhaps it is time to give Jesus a chance. Diplomacy a chance. Maybe even peace a chance. What do we have to lose? Ten years of wars have caused us to lose so much already. Too many mothers and fathers, like our neighbors, have had to get a call or a visit from the military informing them that their son or daughter has been killed. And that doesn't account for the thousands of innocent victims in Iraq and Afghanistan who have been killed. I am not talking about the warring terrorists, i am talking about the sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers who, just like you and i, are trying to earn a life for themselves. They are the ones caught in the middle of an ongoing, neverending cycle of violence and death.
We have lost enough already. Why not try the path of peace? It might just work. Amen.
Shalom
Peace
Salaam Meliekum...
I was coming back from class, peeked into the lounge in my dorm, when i saw a crowd of Fannyites staring at the news report of a bombing in Oklahoma City, and it was even more shocking to learn that the fertilizer McVeigh used came from McPherson. We were on the map. National news. And i was just waking up, in Richmond, IN, planning a day with Kendra, when we heard, on the radio, of the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Funny, i can almost rehearse the smells, the tastes, the shock of all those memories. They are as fresh today as they were so many years ago, even now, as we reflect on the last ten years, i can pull the memory and relive it all over again.
The power of our memory, especially in regard to tragedy, is amazing. I know people who can tell you where they were when JFK was shot and killed. Tragedy, in all its forms, seers its place, forever, into the annals of our minds, always there, always ready to be pulled up, always a reminder of the pain caused by those horrific events. Our stories, our lives will always hinge, in one way or another, around those tragic events. Won't they?
For example: there are stricter regulations to the amount of fertilizer one can buy at one time, why? Because the government doesnt need another lunatic making a weapon of mass destruction from what farmers use daily. We have tighter security around our president when he, and i hope someday soon, or she is out. Why? Because the government doesn't need another embarrasing moment of the leader of our country getting shot from a random place in a book depository. And we all know that flying has become more challenging, because we don't want to have another wake up call of planes being used as death machines.
But with all the changes and government restrictions, i have to wonder many things. A. Are we any safer? Is the world safer? B. Can we stop terrorist attacks in any form? C. Will the inane wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, both ripples from 9/11, ever find a conclusion and usher our sons and daughters home? These are worldly questions/responses to the evils that have happened, but i still struggle with, "What is the Christian response?"
Jesus called us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, are we doing that when we endorse further military action in Afghanistan? Is this the way of peace? Are we honoring Jesus by bombing, killing, and destroying lives? I realize that i am opening a can of worms by asking this question, but ten years later, it seems, we have learned nothing. We are no closer to bringing our troops home, Al Quaeda is still powerful, Iraq remains unstable, and violence remains a blind response. The thousands of lives lost stand as a testimony to our inability to be creative in the process of pursuing justice for those who lost their lives on 9/11.
What would have happened if we, like the Christian nation we claim to be, chosed the way of Jesus? What would have happened if we had sought diplomacy? International cooperation? Peace? Why is our answer, so quickly, revenge, when as Gandhi illuminated only leaves both parties blind? And why in so many churches across this great land of ours will the message of peace be ignored, when it is peacemaking that Jesus called us to do? If we are a Christian nation, why are we not being labeled a peaceful nation?
We will honor our memories and stories this Sunday, and i hope all of you will share your narratives, but if we remain where we are, doing only what we have been doing, how can things change? Perhaps it is time to give Jesus a chance. Diplomacy a chance. Maybe even peace a chance. What do we have to lose? Ten years of wars have caused us to lose so much already. Too many mothers and fathers, like our neighbors, have had to get a call or a visit from the military informing them that their son or daughter has been killed. And that doesn't account for the thousands of innocent victims in Iraq and Afghanistan who have been killed. I am not talking about the warring terrorists, i am talking about the sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers who, just like you and i, are trying to earn a life for themselves. They are the ones caught in the middle of an ongoing, neverending cycle of violence and death.
We have lost enough already. Why not try the path of peace? It might just work. Amen.
Shalom
Peace
Salaam Meliekum...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Are we Neighborly? (Luke 10: 25-37)
Fellow Pilgrims...
Growing up we lived next door to a widow. Her husband had been gone for awhile, and she lived all alone. But for some reason she really enjoyed spending time with my sister and me, and my parents would often encourage us to go to her house, just to sit with her. Though she could be a bit testy, as a whole, my sense is that she was a lonely woman who loved having someone to talk to, spend time with, or just listen as she told incredible stories. So we did. And i wonder, reflecting back on my experiences with her...
Were we good neighbors?
I like to think we were, but who knows? Would we have bandaged her wounds if she had fallen and seriously hurt herself? Would we have paid for a doctor to come and care for her; if she needed the medical assistance? Would we have run over there and protected her from harm? We visited when it was easy, what if she needed more? Would we have been as diligent and as faithful? I dont know. I just dont know.
And yet if i take Jesus' teaching in Luke 10: 25-37, i have to believe that to follow Jesus, to walk in the light of Christ, and to embody an ethic of godly living, i must be a good neighbor, to any and all who are suffering. Perhaps more than that, i have to be a good neighbor to the "other." We all know who the other is, right? That person we don't like. They don't look like us. They don't listen to our brand of music. Maybe they even cheer for the rival of our favorite sports team. Either way, we know who that person is, and if Jesus' teaching is true, these are the people we must go out of our way to minister to.
But why?
Why can't we resemble the religious leader who walked on other side of the road when he saw the suffering man lying there, in a pool of blood? The religious leader was following the rules. He couldn't be near anything that might defile him. Maybe the leader/priest was on his way to the temple for offerings/sacrifices to the LORD, and to defile himself with this man's blood, would be akin to removing God's blessings, at least as far as the priest understood it. Why can't we be like him? Or maybe the question is, are we already like the priest?
Do we worry so much about getting dirty, tainting our purity, ruining our set in stone dogmatics? Are we so sure of our theologies and faith and understanding of truth, God, Jesus, etc that we know God/Jesus/Spirit would want us to stay away from our neighbors? And why stay away from them?
Maybe they are so different, so full of questionable stories that we worry they could dirty us if we get near them, so we ignore them, walk on the other side of the road, leaving them in their own filth and broken narratives. But if Jesus says we are to be neighbors to these people, no matter how different they are, what does that mean? What does that look like?
Does it mean our tables will be open to "those" persons. You know the ones. The people the community talks about, gossips about, points fingers at? Are our tables to be open to them?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
What about the person who comes from a different race or religion?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
What about the gay, lesbian, transgendered, or bisexual person?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
If we are Republicans, we must invite Democrats. If we are farmers, make room for the city folks. If we are liberals make room for the conservatives. And so on.
God's table, which should be our practice and table as well, should, no must be open to all, no matter where their stories come from and no matter what they might be into. Invite them. Feed them. Love them. And in so doing we will do more than discover the beauty of Jesus in a very real, authentic, and transformative way. We will do something that we haven't done in a very long time: We will find ourselves, finally. Amen.
Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
jerry
PS this is late because the powercord to my laptop died, and i didnt have access to a computer until today...
Growing up we lived next door to a widow. Her husband had been gone for awhile, and she lived all alone. But for some reason she really enjoyed spending time with my sister and me, and my parents would often encourage us to go to her house, just to sit with her. Though she could be a bit testy, as a whole, my sense is that she was a lonely woman who loved having someone to talk to, spend time with, or just listen as she told incredible stories. So we did. And i wonder, reflecting back on my experiences with her...
Were we good neighbors?
I like to think we were, but who knows? Would we have bandaged her wounds if she had fallen and seriously hurt herself? Would we have paid for a doctor to come and care for her; if she needed the medical assistance? Would we have run over there and protected her from harm? We visited when it was easy, what if she needed more? Would we have been as diligent and as faithful? I dont know. I just dont know.
And yet if i take Jesus' teaching in Luke 10: 25-37, i have to believe that to follow Jesus, to walk in the light of Christ, and to embody an ethic of godly living, i must be a good neighbor, to any and all who are suffering. Perhaps more than that, i have to be a good neighbor to the "other." We all know who the other is, right? That person we don't like. They don't look like us. They don't listen to our brand of music. Maybe they even cheer for the rival of our favorite sports team. Either way, we know who that person is, and if Jesus' teaching is true, these are the people we must go out of our way to minister to.
But why?
Why can't we resemble the religious leader who walked on other side of the road when he saw the suffering man lying there, in a pool of blood? The religious leader was following the rules. He couldn't be near anything that might defile him. Maybe the leader/priest was on his way to the temple for offerings/sacrifices to the LORD, and to defile himself with this man's blood, would be akin to removing God's blessings, at least as far as the priest understood it. Why can't we be like him? Or maybe the question is, are we already like the priest?
Do we worry so much about getting dirty, tainting our purity, ruining our set in stone dogmatics? Are we so sure of our theologies and faith and understanding of truth, God, Jesus, etc that we know God/Jesus/Spirit would want us to stay away from our neighbors? And why stay away from them?
Maybe they are so different, so full of questionable stories that we worry they could dirty us if we get near them, so we ignore them, walk on the other side of the road, leaving them in their own filth and broken narratives. But if Jesus says we are to be neighbors to these people, no matter how different they are, what does that mean? What does that look like?
Does it mean our tables will be open to "those" persons. You know the ones. The people the community talks about, gossips about, points fingers at? Are our tables to be open to them?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
What about the person who comes from a different race or religion?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
What about the gay, lesbian, transgendered, or bisexual person?
If we want to honor Jesus: YES!
If we are Republicans, we must invite Democrats. If we are farmers, make room for the city folks. If we are liberals make room for the conservatives. And so on.
God's table, which should be our practice and table as well, should, no must be open to all, no matter where their stories come from and no matter what they might be into. Invite them. Feed them. Love them. And in so doing we will do more than discover the beauty of Jesus in a very real, authentic, and transformative way. We will do something that we haven't done in a very long time: We will find ourselves, finally. Amen.
Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
jerry
PS this is late because the powercord to my laptop died, and i didnt have access to a computer until today...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Its Good to be a Kid: Matthew 19: 13-15
Dear Family,
The other night, after doing our prayers, and i finished giving Daniel his blessing, he asked the one question i have been expecting but also dreading that i wouldn't have an adequate answer to. You see, brothers and sisters, whether its true or not, i feel, when Daniel asks me a question, it is necessary i give him an answer, even if the answer is simply, "you know what, son, i just dont know."
Anyway. After his blessing, Daniel looked at me and asked, "Daddy, where is God?" I took a deep breath and replied, "God is everywhere. God is in you. God is in me." Daniel thought about that for a second and then answered, "But i can't see Him." I was done. I had nothing to respond to that. Then, i think he sensed my cluelessness, Daniel looked at me again and said, "I love God!" My heart melted. Daniel didn't have to see God, and yet, without even questioning God's presence or existence, Daniel says, "I love God." Oh to have that faith, that trust, that love. Oh to be a child again.
But how many times have we been told that children should be seen and not heard? How often do we silence our children, because they make a loud noise or appear to be annoying the sensitivities of someone next to us? And though we claim to love our children, unconditionally, why does it feel like they still classify as second class, at best, citizens in most situations? Sure we abhor abuse. We hold a strong disdain for those persons who hurt children, but do we really consider them equal? Do we seek their wisdom when struggling with questions of finances, family, or faith? No. Well not often anyway. We simply put up with them and if they interrupt our 'adult conversation,' we tell them, "Not now Daniel, we are having an adult conversation." As if they have nothing to add to our discussion.
If that is how we treat or view our children, why does Jesus tell the disciples that unless they live in such a manor that their lives and their faith mirrors that of a child, God wants nothing to do with them? If children are second class, at best, why does Jesus insist that we must demonstrate a faith that is childlike?
Could it be that like Daniel who doesn't need to see God to love God, a childlike faith is simple, beautiful, authentic. Daniel's faith is not predicated on what God can do for Daniel. It simply is. Daniel believes because as a child; he doesn't know any different. For Daniel life is immersed in God; it is we adults who ruin it. Our doubts and our fears take priority over a faith that trusts in the God of Creation to care for us, just as He cares for the sparrows or grass of the fields. But we can't do that. We can't.
We have bills to pay. Schedules to keep. Jobs to go to. All of these take priority over a faith that calls us to rest in the arms of our Creator. That call, to sit and spend time with God, is above and beyond what is sane. A child would never relegate God to the margins, but we adults cant wait to put God there. Perhaps a childlike faith returns the balance to creation that God intended all along? So why not invite God to move from the margins of our lives to the center of our being, once again? What do we have to lose? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
The other night, after doing our prayers, and i finished giving Daniel his blessing, he asked the one question i have been expecting but also dreading that i wouldn't have an adequate answer to. You see, brothers and sisters, whether its true or not, i feel, when Daniel asks me a question, it is necessary i give him an answer, even if the answer is simply, "you know what, son, i just dont know."
Anyway. After his blessing, Daniel looked at me and asked, "Daddy, where is God?" I took a deep breath and replied, "God is everywhere. God is in you. God is in me." Daniel thought about that for a second and then answered, "But i can't see Him." I was done. I had nothing to respond to that. Then, i think he sensed my cluelessness, Daniel looked at me again and said, "I love God!" My heart melted. Daniel didn't have to see God, and yet, without even questioning God's presence or existence, Daniel says, "I love God." Oh to have that faith, that trust, that love. Oh to be a child again.
But how many times have we been told that children should be seen and not heard? How often do we silence our children, because they make a loud noise or appear to be annoying the sensitivities of someone next to us? And though we claim to love our children, unconditionally, why does it feel like they still classify as second class, at best, citizens in most situations? Sure we abhor abuse. We hold a strong disdain for those persons who hurt children, but do we really consider them equal? Do we seek their wisdom when struggling with questions of finances, family, or faith? No. Well not often anyway. We simply put up with them and if they interrupt our 'adult conversation,' we tell them, "Not now Daniel, we are having an adult conversation." As if they have nothing to add to our discussion.
If that is how we treat or view our children, why does Jesus tell the disciples that unless they live in such a manor that their lives and their faith mirrors that of a child, God wants nothing to do with them? If children are second class, at best, why does Jesus insist that we must demonstrate a faith that is childlike?
Could it be that like Daniel who doesn't need to see God to love God, a childlike faith is simple, beautiful, authentic. Daniel's faith is not predicated on what God can do for Daniel. It simply is. Daniel believes because as a child; he doesn't know any different. For Daniel life is immersed in God; it is we adults who ruin it. Our doubts and our fears take priority over a faith that trusts in the God of Creation to care for us, just as He cares for the sparrows or grass of the fields. But we can't do that. We can't.
We have bills to pay. Schedules to keep. Jobs to go to. All of these take priority over a faith that calls us to rest in the arms of our Creator. That call, to sit and spend time with God, is above and beyond what is sane. A child would never relegate God to the margins, but we adults cant wait to put God there. Perhaps a childlike faith returns the balance to creation that God intended all along? So why not invite God to move from the margins of our lives to the center of our being, once again? What do we have to lose? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Thursday, August 11, 2011
I do? Mathew 19: 1-12
Dear Family,
I remember when my parents split and eventually divorced. I was three, and the next few years were turbulent at best. Going back and forth between mom and dad, until mom moved, permanently, to McPherson. Then my sister and i moved in with her, full time, and the times i got to see my dad grew further and further, until my 'biological' dad seemed to have just gotten a new life.
Sure i had a good life in McPherson. My mom remarried. My new dad adopted my sister and me. Things were good. But there is always a missing piece in a child's life when what we think should be 'normal' isn't. When so many of our friends don't understand divorce or why i have two dads or why i rarely got to see my 'biological' dad; it can and did make me insecure, wishing i could just be "normal." Whatever that is.
Today it is not as rare to find divorced families, in fact some argue one in two marriages end in divorce. Some have lamented that this trend illustrates how the United States has lost its core, Christian traditional family values. I still wonder what 'traditional' family values are? But i digress.
Anyway. It seems that divorces happen daily and more often than we want to admit. Sure it might seem that it is almost expected and accepted that couples go their separate ways, but what really happens when a wife and husband find themselves wondering what to do? What feelings are they having? What guilt do they carry? Do they feel shamed, especially if they go to church? Does the church family add guilt/shame? Many questions, and i imagine, just as i did as a child of divorce, there are many more that seemingly cant be named.
So what should the church community do about divorce? Well we can take Jesus literal, which i sense is a dangerous thing, and assume that God hates divorce and anyone who divorces steps further into an abyss of darkness. Many church leaders, even some within the Church of the Brethren, hold this ideology. We could lean this way. But what good would it do?
What happens if we don't look at Matthew 19: 1-12 literally, but more of a contextual teaching opportunity? What happens if it seems Jesus is trying recreate a narrative where women are not property, which they were viewed as in first century Palestine, but women are equal, deserve recognition of their person, and should be treated as equal? What happens when we take Jesus' teaching and try to frame his words in the model of making sure that all people, regardless of gender, are seen as equal in the eyes of God. No one, according to this view, can be thrown aside, away, or divorced, on a whim.
Seeing each persons value does change the meaning, a little at least. I do believe that God never wants a marriage to end in divorce. It is not God's will that this happen. But all of the people i have talked to, who are going through divorce, who have been through divorce, or are children of divorce, they say the same things. They didn't say their vows thinking they would fail. They meant their words. They meant to see it through. They believed they would be together until, "death do us part." But circumstances change. People change. Lives change.
So what does it mean? Well it means that God still, like any loving parent, wants His children to seek Him and be made whole. Divorce creates victims on so many levels, and God, i feel, views this as a chance for His children to jump into the muck and help walk with those persons struggling through divorce, so that all the victims can experience healing, discover wholeness, and realize that no matter what has happened love, God's love, the church's love, will always reign.
That being stated, we want to invite all persons struggling through the pain of divorce or separation to join us in worship this Sunday. We will begin the process of healing, letting God invade our space and touch our woundedness and restore our beings, so that the chains that hold us down will be cast aside, and we, once again, might feel the joy of life, love, and hope. The journey is long. It can and will be painful, even as healing breaks into the pain. But if we walk this path together, we can and will be stronger because of it. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS THE HEALING HAS BEGUN!
I remember when my parents split and eventually divorced. I was three, and the next few years were turbulent at best. Going back and forth between mom and dad, until mom moved, permanently, to McPherson. Then my sister and i moved in with her, full time, and the times i got to see my dad grew further and further, until my 'biological' dad seemed to have just gotten a new life.
Sure i had a good life in McPherson. My mom remarried. My new dad adopted my sister and me. Things were good. But there is always a missing piece in a child's life when what we think should be 'normal' isn't. When so many of our friends don't understand divorce or why i have two dads or why i rarely got to see my 'biological' dad; it can and did make me insecure, wishing i could just be "normal." Whatever that is.
Today it is not as rare to find divorced families, in fact some argue one in two marriages end in divorce. Some have lamented that this trend illustrates how the United States has lost its core, Christian traditional family values. I still wonder what 'traditional' family values are? But i digress.
Anyway. It seems that divorces happen daily and more often than we want to admit. Sure it might seem that it is almost expected and accepted that couples go their separate ways, but what really happens when a wife and husband find themselves wondering what to do? What feelings are they having? What guilt do they carry? Do they feel shamed, especially if they go to church? Does the church family add guilt/shame? Many questions, and i imagine, just as i did as a child of divorce, there are many more that seemingly cant be named.
So what should the church community do about divorce? Well we can take Jesus literal, which i sense is a dangerous thing, and assume that God hates divorce and anyone who divorces steps further into an abyss of darkness. Many church leaders, even some within the Church of the Brethren, hold this ideology. We could lean this way. But what good would it do?
What happens if we don't look at Matthew 19: 1-12 literally, but more of a contextual teaching opportunity? What happens if it seems Jesus is trying recreate a narrative where women are not property, which they were viewed as in first century Palestine, but women are equal, deserve recognition of their person, and should be treated as equal? What happens when we take Jesus' teaching and try to frame his words in the model of making sure that all people, regardless of gender, are seen as equal in the eyes of God. No one, according to this view, can be thrown aside, away, or divorced, on a whim.
Seeing each persons value does change the meaning, a little at least. I do believe that God never wants a marriage to end in divorce. It is not God's will that this happen. But all of the people i have talked to, who are going through divorce, who have been through divorce, or are children of divorce, they say the same things. They didn't say their vows thinking they would fail. They meant their words. They meant to see it through. They believed they would be together until, "death do us part." But circumstances change. People change. Lives change.
So what does it mean? Well it means that God still, like any loving parent, wants His children to seek Him and be made whole. Divorce creates victims on so many levels, and God, i feel, views this as a chance for His children to jump into the muck and help walk with those persons struggling through divorce, so that all the victims can experience healing, discover wholeness, and realize that no matter what has happened love, God's love, the church's love, will always reign.
That being stated, we want to invite all persons struggling through the pain of divorce or separation to join us in worship this Sunday. We will begin the process of healing, letting God invade our space and touch our woundedness and restore our beings, so that the chains that hold us down will be cast aside, and we, once again, might feel the joy of life, love, and hope. The journey is long. It can and will be painful, even as healing breaks into the pain. But if we walk this path together, we can and will be stronger because of it. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
PS THE HEALING HAS BEGUN!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Matthew 18: 21-35 Seventy Seven Time?
Dear Family,
Im not proud of what i am about to share, but my sense is that it fits with what Jesus is teaching those who would actually listen. In college, and in reality even now, i was and am terrible with money. I can't balance my checkbook. I am impulsive. Money burns a hole in my pocket, and it has caused a lot of problems in my life. But in college i hit a wall and almost paid a hefty price.
I hit rock bottom during my senior year, and it led downward, quickly, after that. I got my first checkbook, without knowing what it meant to balance it. I quickly began writing checks, thinking i had the money in the account, only to get a few letters telling me i was overdrawn, and the checks bounced. Worse part about the whole thing is that it spirals, quickly, into a dark place. One check bounced, and then i had to pay a bunch of fees, and the total bill, of what had been only a fifty dollar check, turned out to be about 200 dollars.
But i didnt pay it.
I tried to ignore it, because i didnt have that much extra cash sitting around. The letters began to show up warning me about impending litigation. I ignored them. I just threw them away. Then i got a notice about a certified letter, and i had to go to the post office to sign. I still ignored it. Then the summons came to my job, and right in front of the entire workplace, i got served by a sheriff. I was humiliated.
The debt had grown from 50 to 200 to about 450, and i had no money.
And no matter how much i hoped and wished the debt would just be cancelled; it wasn't. I would have to face the seriousness of my choices and the consequences. I did. It took another year, plus, to get out from under the shadow of my choices and irresponsibility, but i did.
As i read the text, i wonder if it is even possible to truly forgive such a huge debt?
We, all too often, resemble the unmerciful servant. We hold grudges against people who have done, truly, very little to us. Sure their wrong feels mountainous, unforgivable, disasterous. But in truth it is more like the dollar wage debt the servant had for the unmerciful servant. Easy to forgive. A mole hill of debt. Paling in comparison to the mountain of debt that he owed the King. We, like the unmerciful servant, have been forgiven eggregious debts/sins by God, and yet we hesitate to offer, show, live in grace.
We would rather hold grudges. Demand repayment or justice. The thought of cancelling any debt, no matter how miniscule, seems unjust and unfair. But that is just what we are called to do. Not just once. Not twice. Not even three times. But seventy seven times, and in other texts, seventy times seven. Thats a lot of minor debts to forgive, but if we dont, well it seems we have a future of darkness waiting for us.
Besides when we cancel the debt of someone, it really frees us both. We no longer have to worry about the debt, and they are free to write a new narrative. What could be more Godly?
Amen..
Shalom,
jerry
Im not proud of what i am about to share, but my sense is that it fits with what Jesus is teaching those who would actually listen. In college, and in reality even now, i was and am terrible with money. I can't balance my checkbook. I am impulsive. Money burns a hole in my pocket, and it has caused a lot of problems in my life. But in college i hit a wall and almost paid a hefty price.
I hit rock bottom during my senior year, and it led downward, quickly, after that. I got my first checkbook, without knowing what it meant to balance it. I quickly began writing checks, thinking i had the money in the account, only to get a few letters telling me i was overdrawn, and the checks bounced. Worse part about the whole thing is that it spirals, quickly, into a dark place. One check bounced, and then i had to pay a bunch of fees, and the total bill, of what had been only a fifty dollar check, turned out to be about 200 dollars.
But i didnt pay it.
I tried to ignore it, because i didnt have that much extra cash sitting around. The letters began to show up warning me about impending litigation. I ignored them. I just threw them away. Then i got a notice about a certified letter, and i had to go to the post office to sign. I still ignored it. Then the summons came to my job, and right in front of the entire workplace, i got served by a sheriff. I was humiliated.
The debt had grown from 50 to 200 to about 450, and i had no money.
And no matter how much i hoped and wished the debt would just be cancelled; it wasn't. I would have to face the seriousness of my choices and the consequences. I did. It took another year, plus, to get out from under the shadow of my choices and irresponsibility, but i did.
As i read the text, i wonder if it is even possible to truly forgive such a huge debt?
We, all too often, resemble the unmerciful servant. We hold grudges against people who have done, truly, very little to us. Sure their wrong feels mountainous, unforgivable, disasterous. But in truth it is more like the dollar wage debt the servant had for the unmerciful servant. Easy to forgive. A mole hill of debt. Paling in comparison to the mountain of debt that he owed the King. We, like the unmerciful servant, have been forgiven eggregious debts/sins by God, and yet we hesitate to offer, show, live in grace.
We would rather hold grudges. Demand repayment or justice. The thought of cancelling any debt, no matter how miniscule, seems unjust and unfair. But that is just what we are called to do. Not just once. Not twice. Not even three times. But seventy seven times, and in other texts, seventy times seven. Thats a lot of minor debts to forgive, but if we dont, well it seems we have a future of darkness waiting for us.
Besides when we cancel the debt of someone, it really frees us both. We no longer have to worry about the debt, and they are free to write a new narrative. What could be more Godly?
Amen..
Shalom,
jerry
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Conflict Happens... Matthew 18: 15-20
Sisters and Brothers...
Our world seems to be in chaos right now. Young people enjoying camp, in Norway, face the real threat of serious violence when an armed man, intent on killing as many people as he can, opens fire on their camp, for an hour and half. Daily, it seems, we read or hear about some suicidal zealot, who attaches a bomb to his or her back and walks into a public area, killing as many people as they can and killing themselves. Its not just overseas either. Labor battles in the NFL have led both parties to take verbal jabs at the other, even though there would come a time when they would all have to work together again. But perhaps the greatest illustration of how our times are just out of sync come through the ongoing budget battles in Washington D.C. The problem with the neverending sour notes that flow from the ongoing fight is that it, often times, pits citizen against citizen as well. Our world, our society, our country is at odds. If we aren't fighting, something feels wrong, doesn't it?
The reality is, as Jesus and any historian knows, that conflict between people, parties, countries, and couples happens. When we are dealing with human emotions and human limitations, conflicts are inevitable. It is not that conflict in and of itself is bad; it isn't. But as Matthew 18 teaches, and as our tradition illuminates, how we handle conflict makes the difference. Will we, like the punks in Washington, continue to fight, fight, fight, creating more victims of the common folk? Will we surrender our knowledge of right and wrong to the desire for revenge, violence, and hatred like the religious zealots all over the world? Will we succomb to the allure and seduction of wealth and status, like the NFL, leaving nothing but questions and pain? Or will we choose another way?
Jesus tells us how to deal with personal conflict in Matthew 18: 15-20, and this has long been the resource and model for how the Brethren have handled conflict/sin within the church. (I think the church's obsession with sin led into dark, questionable areas of judgment and damnation, and i dont believe Jesus was talking about sin). Anyway. Jesus tells us that if someone takes issue with you, go to them, talk it out, work it out, and make it known that something is wrong. Dont be passive-aggressive and use the press or Rush Limbaugh to further your agenda. Talk to the person.
If that doesn't work, and sometimes conflict is so difficult and deep, take a friend, a community member, so that they can facilitate and oversee the process. If, even with an objective set of eyes, no resolution occurs, then take the matter before the whole body, and if that doesn't bring resolution, then a spiritual "separation" is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of the whole. But the church must always leave the door open for reconciliation and restoration, no matter how severe and deep the conflict goes.
The goal is a holistic community full of brothers and sisters who will walk together through the fires of hell, and they will stand beside and with each other in: one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
But in our me first culture any concern that doesn't put my needs, my wants, or my desires first often leads to me walking out, leaving, letting my absence be the voice. That, folks, is not acceptable. Not Christian. And not loving. What does honor Jesus? Sitting down and working through the muck and mire of being a community. Sitting down and hashing out what elephants exist in our body. And honestly and lovingly deal with whatever cancers arise or exist, so that we, as a whole, can be healthy, holistic, and more Christlike.
This Sunday we have that chance. But it takes an honest effort, from us, to be vulnerable and honest and loving as we let our grievances out so that we can the healing power of Jesus in. If we do not enter into the process of reconciliation with a deep desire for a healthier body, we might never know the beauty, power, and joy of BEING the CHURCH! So join us in naming the elephants, throwing the elephants away, and stepping into a new day, a new creation, a new being as the West Milton Church of the Brethren. God is there waiting, we just need to show up.
Amen....
Shalom,
jerry
Our world seems to be in chaos right now. Young people enjoying camp, in Norway, face the real threat of serious violence when an armed man, intent on killing as many people as he can, opens fire on their camp, for an hour and half. Daily, it seems, we read or hear about some suicidal zealot, who attaches a bomb to his or her back and walks into a public area, killing as many people as they can and killing themselves. Its not just overseas either. Labor battles in the NFL have led both parties to take verbal jabs at the other, even though there would come a time when they would all have to work together again. But perhaps the greatest illustration of how our times are just out of sync come through the ongoing budget battles in Washington D.C. The problem with the neverending sour notes that flow from the ongoing fight is that it, often times, pits citizen against citizen as well. Our world, our society, our country is at odds. If we aren't fighting, something feels wrong, doesn't it?
The reality is, as Jesus and any historian knows, that conflict between people, parties, countries, and couples happens. When we are dealing with human emotions and human limitations, conflicts are inevitable. It is not that conflict in and of itself is bad; it isn't. But as Matthew 18 teaches, and as our tradition illuminates, how we handle conflict makes the difference. Will we, like the punks in Washington, continue to fight, fight, fight, creating more victims of the common folk? Will we surrender our knowledge of right and wrong to the desire for revenge, violence, and hatred like the religious zealots all over the world? Will we succomb to the allure and seduction of wealth and status, like the NFL, leaving nothing but questions and pain? Or will we choose another way?
Jesus tells us how to deal with personal conflict in Matthew 18: 15-20, and this has long been the resource and model for how the Brethren have handled conflict/sin within the church. (I think the church's obsession with sin led into dark, questionable areas of judgment and damnation, and i dont believe Jesus was talking about sin). Anyway. Jesus tells us that if someone takes issue with you, go to them, talk it out, work it out, and make it known that something is wrong. Dont be passive-aggressive and use the press or Rush Limbaugh to further your agenda. Talk to the person.
If that doesn't work, and sometimes conflict is so difficult and deep, take a friend, a community member, so that they can facilitate and oversee the process. If, even with an objective set of eyes, no resolution occurs, then take the matter before the whole body, and if that doesn't bring resolution, then a spiritual "separation" is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of the whole. But the church must always leave the door open for reconciliation and restoration, no matter how severe and deep the conflict goes.
The goal is a holistic community full of brothers and sisters who will walk together through the fires of hell, and they will stand beside and with each other in: one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
But in our me first culture any concern that doesn't put my needs, my wants, or my desires first often leads to me walking out, leaving, letting my absence be the voice. That, folks, is not acceptable. Not Christian. And not loving. What does honor Jesus? Sitting down and working through the muck and mire of being a community. Sitting down and hashing out what elephants exist in our body. And honestly and lovingly deal with whatever cancers arise or exist, so that we, as a whole, can be healthy, holistic, and more Christlike.
This Sunday we have that chance. But it takes an honest effort, from us, to be vulnerable and honest and loving as we let our grievances out so that we can the healing power of Jesus in. If we do not enter into the process of reconciliation with a deep desire for a healthier body, we might never know the beauty, power, and joy of BEING the CHURCH! So join us in naming the elephants, throwing the elephants away, and stepping into a new day, a new creation, a new being as the West Milton Church of the Brethren. God is there waiting, we just need to show up.
Amen....
Shalom,
jerry
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Why is it? Matthew 17: 24-27
Dear Family...
Have you ever noticed that parents rarely see the thorn, twig, or log in the eyes of their own children? Sure they can, as i know personally, point to the faults of other children, quickly and loudly as i am prone to do, but when it comes to their own little progeny; it seems their own sons and daughters fell from the tree of perfection. The kids are the best behaved, most intelligent, could win any beauty contest, and can run faster than Usain Bolt. We, at least as i have experienced, think our children are perfect. Oh, how love is blind...
And it just isn't our children that we favor, is it? We point out how badly the Michigan Wolverines have violated NCAA rules, or in my case the Missouri Tigers, but when KU or the Ohio State face sanctions, we argue well why are they picking on our school? Everyone does it. Our politcal candidate can get away with eggregious acts, but his/her opponent, from the other party, no way. Love is not the only thing that opens the door to blind eyes; allegiances, cliques, or sports teams have a way of making us see roses, while the rest of the world sees the thorns.
But it has always been this way. Perhaps the greastest example of how allegiances, or perhaps national identity, can blind us to truth comes to issues involving our own country. We can justify certains acts, even if the UN and other international courts question our motives, we, as the people, stand behind the government's actions. Why? Because we are America, and we know what is best for the whole, right? Or put another way. Its ok if we torture "terrorists" because we are protecting America, but if the Viet Cong or the Taliban or any other group were to torture American Soldiers, we would cry injustice and demand severe punishment for the parties at fault. We do it; we justify it. Others do the same thing, and we see it as a deep violation of humanity.
This is nothing new. In the Greco-Roman world, if you or I were born as a Roman Citizen, we could and would get away with certain things that the other occupied people, could not get away with. We wouldn't be taxed as hard. We had rights. We couldnt be thrown into prison without a fair trial, or at least offering our arguments for innocence. Being Roman, in the Roman Empire, had a lot of perks, similiar to being a naturalized citizen of the United States now.
This is what Jesus is dealing with. He didn't want to pay taxes to an unjust empire, one that was forcing him to pay into the treasury that armed the soldiers who would kill and oppress and violate Jesus' Jewish brothers and sisters. And Jesus, with a full awareness of how the taxation worked, names it when he suggests that the empire will only tax its citizens a fair amount, but for the occupied people, for those people seen as less than, well they can and will be taxed as hard as the Romans could get away with, without causing a coup.
We love to protect our own, even at the cost of others. But Jesus makes it clear that even in the face of what is clear injustice, the people of God are to do all they can to create a culture of peace. When asked if he was going to pay the taxes, Jesus tells Peter, go fishing. Get the drachma coin. And pay Caesar. Why? Because to not do so would have brought a severe retribution and punishment, and it would have gotten many killed. Jesus chose, even knowing it was unfair, the path of the greater peace.
And it cost him. More than two drachma coins, choosing the path of peace cost Jesus his life, as it will cost any and all who choose to be makers of peace. To create a world of peace requires that we give up more than two drachma, we have to give up our entire being so that peace can and will emerge from the cold, hard, oppressive hand of the world, a world which loves violence, war, and oppression.
We must do it in a way that doesn't do violence against the oppressor, which is the hardest act of peacemaking. We have to see the violator as our sister or brother and name and identify their value and worth as human beings, only then are we true peacemakers. To do violence against those who do violence against us, or in the biblical language that so many people rush to quote: An eye for an eye, well in the words of Gandhi, "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."
Arent we blind enough? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Have you ever noticed that parents rarely see the thorn, twig, or log in the eyes of their own children? Sure they can, as i know personally, point to the faults of other children, quickly and loudly as i am prone to do, but when it comes to their own little progeny; it seems their own sons and daughters fell from the tree of perfection. The kids are the best behaved, most intelligent, could win any beauty contest, and can run faster than Usain Bolt. We, at least as i have experienced, think our children are perfect. Oh, how love is blind...
And it just isn't our children that we favor, is it? We point out how badly the Michigan Wolverines have violated NCAA rules, or in my case the Missouri Tigers, but when KU or the Ohio State face sanctions, we argue well why are they picking on our school? Everyone does it. Our politcal candidate can get away with eggregious acts, but his/her opponent, from the other party, no way. Love is not the only thing that opens the door to blind eyes; allegiances, cliques, or sports teams have a way of making us see roses, while the rest of the world sees the thorns.
But it has always been this way. Perhaps the greastest example of how allegiances, or perhaps national identity, can blind us to truth comes to issues involving our own country. We can justify certains acts, even if the UN and other international courts question our motives, we, as the people, stand behind the government's actions. Why? Because we are America, and we know what is best for the whole, right? Or put another way. Its ok if we torture "terrorists" because we are protecting America, but if the Viet Cong or the Taliban or any other group were to torture American Soldiers, we would cry injustice and demand severe punishment for the parties at fault. We do it; we justify it. Others do the same thing, and we see it as a deep violation of humanity.
This is nothing new. In the Greco-Roman world, if you or I were born as a Roman Citizen, we could and would get away with certain things that the other occupied people, could not get away with. We wouldn't be taxed as hard. We had rights. We couldnt be thrown into prison without a fair trial, or at least offering our arguments for innocence. Being Roman, in the Roman Empire, had a lot of perks, similiar to being a naturalized citizen of the United States now.
This is what Jesus is dealing with. He didn't want to pay taxes to an unjust empire, one that was forcing him to pay into the treasury that armed the soldiers who would kill and oppress and violate Jesus' Jewish brothers and sisters. And Jesus, with a full awareness of how the taxation worked, names it when he suggests that the empire will only tax its citizens a fair amount, but for the occupied people, for those people seen as less than, well they can and will be taxed as hard as the Romans could get away with, without causing a coup.
We love to protect our own, even at the cost of others. But Jesus makes it clear that even in the face of what is clear injustice, the people of God are to do all they can to create a culture of peace. When asked if he was going to pay the taxes, Jesus tells Peter, go fishing. Get the drachma coin. And pay Caesar. Why? Because to not do so would have brought a severe retribution and punishment, and it would have gotten many killed. Jesus chose, even knowing it was unfair, the path of the greater peace.
And it cost him. More than two drachma coins, choosing the path of peace cost Jesus his life, as it will cost any and all who choose to be makers of peace. To create a world of peace requires that we give up more than two drachma, we have to give up our entire being so that peace can and will emerge from the cold, hard, oppressive hand of the world, a world which loves violence, war, and oppression.
We must do it in a way that doesn't do violence against the oppressor, which is the hardest act of peacemaking. We have to see the violator as our sister or brother and name and identify their value and worth as human beings, only then are we true peacemakers. To do violence against those who do violence against us, or in the biblical language that so many people rush to quote: An eye for an eye, well in the words of Gandhi, "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."
Arent we blind enough? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, July 8, 2011
Mountain Moving? Matthew 17: 14-23
Sisters and brothers,
My hometown has kicked out quite a few success stories. Besides the Refinery Basketball team, which McPherson is historically famous for, some other famous McPhersonites, at least in local lore include the original accountant for Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut began in Wichita, and the founding owners hired a little unknown, cheap, accountant from McPherson to watch their finances. That, i think is safe to say, was a good risk investment by Mr. Schroeder. We have had NBA players, plenty of Division I athletes, a published poet, numerous pastors, several doctors, too many teachers to count, and people who have chosen to be successful at home, and all of these stories, except for the Refinery Basketball Team, emerge from the time i was in high school until now.
And yet there is one story that, at least for me, trumps them all. My junior year, in high school, i took my year book, as all good students do, to get friends to sign it. I handed my yearbook to my good friend, at the time, who played basketball, worked with me at Kentucky Fried Chicken, and we had spent many hours just chatting. He signed it. I got it back and looked at his signature. The signing, loosely, goes you might want to keep this as an early autograph for when i end up on ESPN. Jonathon Coachman.
Yes that Jonathon Coachman. The one who was on W.W.E. and is currently a sportscenter broadcaster. We all scoffed at his arrogance so many years ago, but Jonathon believed, no he knew, that ESPN was his destination. And because he believed in himself so much, even when others doubted or outrighted mocked him, Jonathon reached his dream, and he remains the last one laughing, as we are all admiring his determination and drive from a distance.
I rehearse his story, and he is a McPherson College graduate as well, not because i am name dropping, though i am proud of him and honored to call him a fellow Mac Alum, but because his narrative proves the power of faith. If we believe, even with the faith of a mustard seed, that something miraculous, something mysterious, something beyond logic can happen, if we believe it; it will happen. We all share and know stories of individual persons doing great things, because they believed they could. The professional athlete who was too small, too slow became the all time rush leader: Emmitt Smith. The high school freshman who was cut from his freshman basketball team became the greatest basketball player, so far, to have ever played the game: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. And that kid who seems to struggle with basic subjects in school, you know the one who teachers are marking for failure because he is too slow, yeah well he is going to grow up and discovery a theory of relativity and stand as one of the greatest physicists: Albert Einstein.
People often doubt the crazy ideas and faith of those who dream dreams, but without the dreamers who believe so strongly, the world would cease to exist. So i ask you, sisters and brothers, are we dreaming dreams? Are we living in a mountain moving faith? Do others look at us and scoff at our idealism and immature beliefs that we can do amazing things in Christ? Are we being judged as unrealistic, out of touch with reality? If we arent hearing barbs against our idealism and radical faith, are we honoring the faith Jesus spoke of? If, on the other hand, people commend us for being rational, realistic, careful, are we dishonoring the faith of Jesus?
The answer lies in the Gospel of Matthew, somewhere, so read up and be ready to answer these questions on Sunday or any day when it is asked of you: how does faith in Jesus affect your life...Amen...
Shalom,
jerry
My hometown has kicked out quite a few success stories. Besides the Refinery Basketball team, which McPherson is historically famous for, some other famous McPhersonites, at least in local lore include the original accountant for Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut began in Wichita, and the founding owners hired a little unknown, cheap, accountant from McPherson to watch their finances. That, i think is safe to say, was a good risk investment by Mr. Schroeder. We have had NBA players, plenty of Division I athletes, a published poet, numerous pastors, several doctors, too many teachers to count, and people who have chosen to be successful at home, and all of these stories, except for the Refinery Basketball Team, emerge from the time i was in high school until now.
And yet there is one story that, at least for me, trumps them all. My junior year, in high school, i took my year book, as all good students do, to get friends to sign it. I handed my yearbook to my good friend, at the time, who played basketball, worked with me at Kentucky Fried Chicken, and we had spent many hours just chatting. He signed it. I got it back and looked at his signature. The signing, loosely, goes you might want to keep this as an early autograph for when i end up on ESPN. Jonathon Coachman.
Yes that Jonathon Coachman. The one who was on W.W.E. and is currently a sportscenter broadcaster. We all scoffed at his arrogance so many years ago, but Jonathon believed, no he knew, that ESPN was his destination. And because he believed in himself so much, even when others doubted or outrighted mocked him, Jonathon reached his dream, and he remains the last one laughing, as we are all admiring his determination and drive from a distance.
I rehearse his story, and he is a McPherson College graduate as well, not because i am name dropping, though i am proud of him and honored to call him a fellow Mac Alum, but because his narrative proves the power of faith. If we believe, even with the faith of a mustard seed, that something miraculous, something mysterious, something beyond logic can happen, if we believe it; it will happen. We all share and know stories of individual persons doing great things, because they believed they could. The professional athlete who was too small, too slow became the all time rush leader: Emmitt Smith. The high school freshman who was cut from his freshman basketball team became the greatest basketball player, so far, to have ever played the game: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. And that kid who seems to struggle with basic subjects in school, you know the one who teachers are marking for failure because he is too slow, yeah well he is going to grow up and discovery a theory of relativity and stand as one of the greatest physicists: Albert Einstein.
People often doubt the crazy ideas and faith of those who dream dreams, but without the dreamers who believe so strongly, the world would cease to exist. So i ask you, sisters and brothers, are we dreaming dreams? Are we living in a mountain moving faith? Do others look at us and scoff at our idealism and immature beliefs that we can do amazing things in Christ? Are we being judged as unrealistic, out of touch with reality? If we arent hearing barbs against our idealism and radical faith, are we honoring the faith Jesus spoke of? If, on the other hand, people commend us for being rational, realistic, careful, are we dishonoring the faith of Jesus?
The answer lies in the Gospel of Matthew, somewhere, so read up and be ready to answer these questions on Sunday or any day when it is asked of you: how does faith in Jesus affect your life...Amen...
Shalom,
jerry
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Part of Something Bigger...
Dear Sisters and brothers...
Go anywhere in the world, as evidenced by the commercial, and you can probably find someone who would respond to the following: O H. And their innate response? I O. All over this world of ours, this beautiful and yet seemingly growing smaller world of ours, reminds us that no matter where we go, who we see, what we do, we carry the mantle of being from the Buckeye State, and with that mantel, we carry the torch of pride for all Buckeyes, right?
Before you all exhale in shock that i have accepted and embraced, though i will not cheer for the OSU athletic teams, i do embrace my place in the story of Ohio. I am, at least by my time here, a Buckeye by trade, and i find it refreshing that i can go anywhere and i will find other Buckeyes who can respond to my call. It ties me to a greater family, and that always makes me feel loved and connected, but it also gives me a sense of worth, an identity.
What does being a Buckeye have to do with theology? Church? Jesus? Well though i am sure that most Buckeyes would anchor their narrative well within the Christian tradition, it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Jesus. But as for theology and church? Well rehearsing the example of O H I O offers more insight into what it means to be the church and follow a God who calls us all sons and daughters. You see, family, we may be a small church, in a small rural area, but we are also part and parcel of a larger denomination. One that extends beyond the borders of Ohio, Kansas, Virginia, or Pennsylvania.
We, as members in the Church of the Brethren, have sisters and brothers in Nigeria, India, Sudan, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. We are part of a global network of Church of the Brethren folks which stretches beyond our limited existence into the shrinking world that is ours. IF we find people who know and rehearse the O H I O cheer, think about the power of finding sisters and brothers, worldwide, who share our love for peace, service, simplicity, discipleship, and community. Our ecclesial family tree reaches deep into the narrative of other cultures, and yet, through the cultural differences that are many, the core values of who we are, like those who shout O H I O, tie us together, forever.
And that is a Godly thing.
This Sunday we have a chance to, through the wonderful gift of technology, to join our voices, our prayers, and yes our presence with thousands of other Church of the Brethren folk when we worship, through the webcast of Annual Conference, with those sisters and brothers who have gathered in Grand Rapids to lead the denomination into a new story. And though we will see the thousands at Conference, it is the masses who gather, like us, via webcast, which prove the power of our voice, our community, and our faith. So come worship not just with the powerful core who meet in West Milton, but come worship with those from all over this beautiful land and in so doing, we invite the God of miracles to once again reign down upon us, all. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Go anywhere in the world, as evidenced by the commercial, and you can probably find someone who would respond to the following: O H. And their innate response? I O. All over this world of ours, this beautiful and yet seemingly growing smaller world of ours, reminds us that no matter where we go, who we see, what we do, we carry the mantle of being from the Buckeye State, and with that mantel, we carry the torch of pride for all Buckeyes, right?
Before you all exhale in shock that i have accepted and embraced, though i will not cheer for the OSU athletic teams, i do embrace my place in the story of Ohio. I am, at least by my time here, a Buckeye by trade, and i find it refreshing that i can go anywhere and i will find other Buckeyes who can respond to my call. It ties me to a greater family, and that always makes me feel loved and connected, but it also gives me a sense of worth, an identity.
What does being a Buckeye have to do with theology? Church? Jesus? Well though i am sure that most Buckeyes would anchor their narrative well within the Christian tradition, it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Jesus. But as for theology and church? Well rehearsing the example of O H I O offers more insight into what it means to be the church and follow a God who calls us all sons and daughters. You see, family, we may be a small church, in a small rural area, but we are also part and parcel of a larger denomination. One that extends beyond the borders of Ohio, Kansas, Virginia, or Pennsylvania.
We, as members in the Church of the Brethren, have sisters and brothers in Nigeria, India, Sudan, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. We are part of a global network of Church of the Brethren folks which stretches beyond our limited existence into the shrinking world that is ours. IF we find people who know and rehearse the O H I O cheer, think about the power of finding sisters and brothers, worldwide, who share our love for peace, service, simplicity, discipleship, and community. Our ecclesial family tree reaches deep into the narrative of other cultures, and yet, through the cultural differences that are many, the core values of who we are, like those who shout O H I O, tie us together, forever.
And that is a Godly thing.
This Sunday we have a chance to, through the wonderful gift of technology, to join our voices, our prayers, and yes our presence with thousands of other Church of the Brethren folk when we worship, through the webcast of Annual Conference, with those sisters and brothers who have gathered in Grand Rapids to lead the denomination into a new story. And though we will see the thousands at Conference, it is the masses who gather, like us, via webcast, which prove the power of our voice, our community, and our faith. So come worship not just with the powerful core who meet in West Milton, but come worship with those from all over this beautiful land and in so doing, we invite the God of miracles to once again reign down upon us, all. Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Just Not Fair (Matthew 17: 1-13)
Dear Family,
Has anyone ever told you an incredible secret? I am not talking about a confession of dark, painful acts, but a secret that you just cant help but want to share because it is so amazing? How many of you have experienced this? Maybe a friend got that job they coveted, but they couldn't tell anyone, not yet, but they had to tell you, their best friend. Yes you were sad to see them leave, but you were sooo very happy for them, and they said, "Don't tell anyone until i have made it known, please." Or the couple that just found out they were pregnant? Or the company you work for just got that awesome contract that is going to ensure everyone keeps their jobs? These experiences pave the way for people smiling, laughing, and even crying tears for joy, and each time we are told, don't tell anyone until...
It's just not fair sometimes, especially when the people who ask us forget to let us know its ok to tell people, and we sit there, waiting to share, but honoring the trust of our friend. When the censure is off, and we can share, we can't wait to call and tell everyone, right?
As fast as bad news can spread, good news, great news, miraculous news spreads like wildfires, because we all want to celebrate and laugh and jump up and down with the person who is getting the good news. I think, at the core of our being, each of us want others to be happy, and when they get that news that makes them incredibly happy, we can't help but want to share that with any and all. Which makes the silencing even harder to embrace.
But what happens if what we have been given access to is of the Divine, what then? Or, as in the case of our text for today, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit has revealed to us part of a greater, more amazing plan, and we witness something beyond our ability to explain, and Jesus/God/Holy Spirit, after we have been made speechless, says to us, "Don't tell anyone, until the right time..."
We might take a step back and just stand there, with shoulders shrugged, mouths wide open, thinking, "Are you serious? We cant tell anyone about this? Not yet?" We celebrate the Transfiguration every year, on a special Sunday, and we honor this amazing event, but do we really take a step back and think about what Jesus was asking of Peter, James, and John?
Perhaps if i put it this way, because i promise you the others, as we are all prone to do, are going to ask what happened, right? When they join the others, the rest of the 12 are going to pull the three aside and say, with silent curiosity, "So what happened up there? What did the teacher say? Did he reveal anything about the plan? Do we know whats happening next? Come on Peter, you always tell us, what happened?"
Peter, James, and John, i envision, just look at each other and probably, maybe even in unison, just say, "Nuttin..."
Nothing? Really? They spent an evening, a full night, with Jesus, and we are to accept that "Nothing" happened? The three would just say, well you know, he talked about loving people, feeding people, justice, peace.. the usual Jesus stuff, you know, nothing new." And their eyes dart back and forth hoping that the others do not push for more revelation, but Scripture doesn't tell us what happened after, all we know is that they had to keep it quiet.
But why? What good could that serve?
I have wrestled with that question for a long time, and i think, i think, i might have a small glimmer of why, just a small explanation. When Kendra and I got pregnant with Daniel, something so small in the cosmos of the creation, but huge for us, we wanted to make sure all things would be ok before telling anyone, even our parents. We wanted to pass certain dates, before sharing, because we feared the 'what ifs..' And that's just our little cosmos, what if the 'what ifs' involve the very plan of God? Might it be necessary to keep it quiet until things were already in place?
What if Peter comes down and tells Judas, the Zealot, what they had seen? Might Judas, who betrayed Jesus because Jesus was not radically violent enough, might Judas have raised an army, battled the Romans, and got a lot of people killed, squelching the plan of God, if that were possible? What if James comes down and tells the Romans and the Religious leaders that they had witnessed something akin to Moses on Mt. Sinai, might the religious leaders had killed them all before the evangelistic work of Peter, James, and John ever got started? And what if John, the beloved and youngest of the followers, had come down and told his parents what had happened, might they force him to return? What ifs do a lot of damage in the hands of good intentioned people.
Perhaps waiting until it is time, truly illustrates two things: Gods timing is perfect and the faith and love of the three to wait for Jesus to give them the thumbs up. And for all we know they did it, right? They waited. They kept their mouths shut. And the movement exploded after Jesus rose from the grave.
It seems Jesus knows just what is necessary for any given situation, which gives me peace. Because as much as i want to get ahead of God, it does no good. It only leads to frustration and unfruitful work. I want to see results now, NOW! But all that does is squelch any inklings of faith that existed. So what i need is a Peter like faith and trust, right? What about you all?
I need the faith to witness something so beautiful and remain silent about it until i have been given the thumbs up. I need the faith that trusts Jesus' promise to walk with me, even to the end of the days, as long as i am faithful to His commandments to love, even as He first loved me. And i need a faith that doesnt shrink in the face of a minor adversity, like a budget shortfall or lower attendance, because these are simply trials that i/we must walk through in order to see the shower of blessings that come through a desert season. Yeah, thats the faith i need. Anyone else need that faith too?
Besides if a schmuck like Peter can keep his big trap shut, why can't i wait on Jesus too? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Has anyone ever told you an incredible secret? I am not talking about a confession of dark, painful acts, but a secret that you just cant help but want to share because it is so amazing? How many of you have experienced this? Maybe a friend got that job they coveted, but they couldn't tell anyone, not yet, but they had to tell you, their best friend. Yes you were sad to see them leave, but you were sooo very happy for them, and they said, "Don't tell anyone until i have made it known, please." Or the couple that just found out they were pregnant? Or the company you work for just got that awesome contract that is going to ensure everyone keeps their jobs? These experiences pave the way for people smiling, laughing, and even crying tears for joy, and each time we are told, don't tell anyone until...
It's just not fair sometimes, especially when the people who ask us forget to let us know its ok to tell people, and we sit there, waiting to share, but honoring the trust of our friend. When the censure is off, and we can share, we can't wait to call and tell everyone, right?
As fast as bad news can spread, good news, great news, miraculous news spreads like wildfires, because we all want to celebrate and laugh and jump up and down with the person who is getting the good news. I think, at the core of our being, each of us want others to be happy, and when they get that news that makes them incredibly happy, we can't help but want to share that with any and all. Which makes the silencing even harder to embrace.
But what happens if what we have been given access to is of the Divine, what then? Or, as in the case of our text for today, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit has revealed to us part of a greater, more amazing plan, and we witness something beyond our ability to explain, and Jesus/God/Holy Spirit, after we have been made speechless, says to us, "Don't tell anyone, until the right time..."
We might take a step back and just stand there, with shoulders shrugged, mouths wide open, thinking, "Are you serious? We cant tell anyone about this? Not yet?" We celebrate the Transfiguration every year, on a special Sunday, and we honor this amazing event, but do we really take a step back and think about what Jesus was asking of Peter, James, and John?
Perhaps if i put it this way, because i promise you the others, as we are all prone to do, are going to ask what happened, right? When they join the others, the rest of the 12 are going to pull the three aside and say, with silent curiosity, "So what happened up there? What did the teacher say? Did he reveal anything about the plan? Do we know whats happening next? Come on Peter, you always tell us, what happened?"
Peter, James, and John, i envision, just look at each other and probably, maybe even in unison, just say, "Nuttin..."
Nothing? Really? They spent an evening, a full night, with Jesus, and we are to accept that "Nothing" happened? The three would just say, well you know, he talked about loving people, feeding people, justice, peace.. the usual Jesus stuff, you know, nothing new." And their eyes dart back and forth hoping that the others do not push for more revelation, but Scripture doesn't tell us what happened after, all we know is that they had to keep it quiet.
But why? What good could that serve?
I have wrestled with that question for a long time, and i think, i think, i might have a small glimmer of why, just a small explanation. When Kendra and I got pregnant with Daniel, something so small in the cosmos of the creation, but huge for us, we wanted to make sure all things would be ok before telling anyone, even our parents. We wanted to pass certain dates, before sharing, because we feared the 'what ifs..' And that's just our little cosmos, what if the 'what ifs' involve the very plan of God? Might it be necessary to keep it quiet until things were already in place?
What if Peter comes down and tells Judas, the Zealot, what they had seen? Might Judas, who betrayed Jesus because Jesus was not radically violent enough, might Judas have raised an army, battled the Romans, and got a lot of people killed, squelching the plan of God, if that were possible? What if James comes down and tells the Romans and the Religious leaders that they had witnessed something akin to Moses on Mt. Sinai, might the religious leaders had killed them all before the evangelistic work of Peter, James, and John ever got started? And what if John, the beloved and youngest of the followers, had come down and told his parents what had happened, might they force him to return? What ifs do a lot of damage in the hands of good intentioned people.
Perhaps waiting until it is time, truly illustrates two things: Gods timing is perfect and the faith and love of the three to wait for Jesus to give them the thumbs up. And for all we know they did it, right? They waited. They kept their mouths shut. And the movement exploded after Jesus rose from the grave.
It seems Jesus knows just what is necessary for any given situation, which gives me peace. Because as much as i want to get ahead of God, it does no good. It only leads to frustration and unfruitful work. I want to see results now, NOW! But all that does is squelch any inklings of faith that existed. So what i need is a Peter like faith and trust, right? What about you all?
I need the faith to witness something so beautiful and remain silent about it until i have been given the thumbs up. I need the faith that trusts Jesus' promise to walk with me, even to the end of the days, as long as i am faithful to His commandments to love, even as He first loved me. And i need a faith that doesnt shrink in the face of a minor adversity, like a budget shortfall or lower attendance, because these are simply trials that i/we must walk through in order to see the shower of blessings that come through a desert season. Yeah, thats the faith i need. Anyone else need that faith too?
Besides if a schmuck like Peter can keep his big trap shut, why can't i wait on Jesus too? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
Friday, June 17, 2011
Really? (Matthew 16: 24-28)
Dear Family,
It is believed that a good percentage of people never move more than 50 miles away from their hometowns. I dont have the exact numbers, but it is a significant amount. It raises a question for me, why do we stay close to home? Why do we hesitate to stray from home?
I realize the irony of asking this question since Kendra and I are nearly ten to twelve hours from our home towns, but the reality is that we, most of us, do not want to leave the nest. In order to begin unpacking this dilemma, i had to ask myself what makes me miss Kansas? What makes Kendra miss Kansas? Why do we follow certain routines, almost to a T? Why do i listen to music from the 1980's, still? But perhaps the greatest illustration of how my life is not that different from my upbringing: is that i have found a deep desire to garden. Where did that desire come from?
I grew up with a grandma and mother who loved to garden, and it trickled down to me.
We truly are creatures of habit, even if we are not fully aware of it. But why? Because habit equals comfort, safe, normal, and we know what to expect. When we return to the same vacation spot, time and time again, its because we know about the locals, the weather, the best diner, and the best place to catch the most fish. We shop at our "favorite" stores. And its because we know what to expect, and that always makes us feel safe.
Being safe, being 'normal,' knowing our surroundings and environment is a good thing, right? It could even be said to be a Godly thing. So if that is true, why does Jesus demand that we drop everything that makes us safe, makes us comfortable, makes us feel 'at home' so we can face adversity, oppression, ridicule, violence, and injustice? Not only does Jesus command us to 'take up our cross and follow him,' which leads to his death, inevitably, but more troubling, he demands that we love those who hurt us, we pray for those who persecute us, and that instead of returning violence with violence, Jesus orders us to take up our crosses of forgiveness, mercy, and love.
That is so not comforting.
So why? Perhaps because it is only faith when we leave the world behind, step out into the troubling world that is our world, and love with the power to move mountains. Forgive with the power to heal broken relationships. And be makers of peace with the power to, in the words of a wise sage, "Give peace a chance."
Its not comforting, no not at all. But as i have found out, when i leave my comfort zones and step into a world of unknowns, i find something i never knew existed: abundant living. Perhaps Jesus isn't so much trying to invite a world of suffering as much as he is inviting us to embrace the life that is truly life, and it is only the life that Jesus knows about, gives, and offers. Living in the mystery invites us to find out who we really are. Comfort zones are nice, safe, comfortable, but true life begins when we take the chance to live outside the box. Why dont we all embrace the life that is truly life? Who knows what we might find, experience, and witness? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
It is believed that a good percentage of people never move more than 50 miles away from their hometowns. I dont have the exact numbers, but it is a significant amount. It raises a question for me, why do we stay close to home? Why do we hesitate to stray from home?
I realize the irony of asking this question since Kendra and I are nearly ten to twelve hours from our home towns, but the reality is that we, most of us, do not want to leave the nest. In order to begin unpacking this dilemma, i had to ask myself what makes me miss Kansas? What makes Kendra miss Kansas? Why do we follow certain routines, almost to a T? Why do i listen to music from the 1980's, still? But perhaps the greatest illustration of how my life is not that different from my upbringing: is that i have found a deep desire to garden. Where did that desire come from?
I grew up with a grandma and mother who loved to garden, and it trickled down to me.
We truly are creatures of habit, even if we are not fully aware of it. But why? Because habit equals comfort, safe, normal, and we know what to expect. When we return to the same vacation spot, time and time again, its because we know about the locals, the weather, the best diner, and the best place to catch the most fish. We shop at our "favorite" stores. And its because we know what to expect, and that always makes us feel safe.
Being safe, being 'normal,' knowing our surroundings and environment is a good thing, right? It could even be said to be a Godly thing. So if that is true, why does Jesus demand that we drop everything that makes us safe, makes us comfortable, makes us feel 'at home' so we can face adversity, oppression, ridicule, violence, and injustice? Not only does Jesus command us to 'take up our cross and follow him,' which leads to his death, inevitably, but more troubling, he demands that we love those who hurt us, we pray for those who persecute us, and that instead of returning violence with violence, Jesus orders us to take up our crosses of forgiveness, mercy, and love.
That is so not comforting.
So why? Perhaps because it is only faith when we leave the world behind, step out into the troubling world that is our world, and love with the power to move mountains. Forgive with the power to heal broken relationships. And be makers of peace with the power to, in the words of a wise sage, "Give peace a chance."
Its not comforting, no not at all. But as i have found out, when i leave my comfort zones and step into a world of unknowns, i find something i never knew existed: abundant living. Perhaps Jesus isn't so much trying to invite a world of suffering as much as he is inviting us to embrace the life that is truly life, and it is only the life that Jesus knows about, gives, and offers. Living in the mystery invites us to find out who we really are. Comfort zones are nice, safe, comfortable, but true life begins when we take the chance to live outside the box. Why dont we all embrace the life that is truly life? Who knows what we might find, experience, and witness? Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
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