Relational Theology

A few years ago I aspired to read 100 books in a year. I fell just short of the mark and if I remember correctly I read 92 books. This year I want to do more writing, but at the same time I want to be widely read. Therefore, I’m setting as my goal to read 50 books this year. To assist in both my writing and reading I’ve decided to dedicate my Monday blogs to reviews of a recently read books.

Last week I dug into Relational Theology: A Contemporary Introduction. I was already somewhat familiar with relational theology and wondered if this introductory book on the topic would simply be a refresher. It didn’t take me long to realize that although introductory in nature this book was a fresh mine of golden nuggets.

It is made up of 32 short (2-4 pages) essays by a variety of authors. I stormed through the book in a week, in retrospect that was way too fast. I have determined that the best way to read this book is to treat it as a devotional and read one chapter a day and then contemplate on what was read. I intend to reread it as such.

The greatest achievement of this book is the wide lens through which this topic is looked at. The authors range from members of the Church of the Nazarene to those with Catholic roots and Quaker backgrounds. The book has both men and women authors. Relational Theology is written by seminary deans, professors and pastors. This book is for everyone—the layman to the doctoral student—everyone will get something out of it.

I highly recommend it if you have the slightest interest in the way that God and humans are intricately involved in a relationship.

For further reading about this book from one of the editors follow this link Relational Theology

Voice of the Other

This blog post was born after reading Joe Skillen's blog (Joe is one of the smartest people I know) this morning. This is not a rebuttal to his blog, but a reminder that we need to consider the voice of the other. To get what I mean you might want to read his blog first. Here is the link: Skilly's Scribbles  

I saw a new Planet Fitness commercial the other day, this one contained a female bodybuilder. They portrayed her as ignorant and extremely masculine. I have really grown to hate the way Planet Fitness makes fun of bodybuilders. What makes it more frustrating is that Planet Fitness claims to be non-judgmental. After reading Joe's blog I thought about the connection between Planet Fitness' claims to be non-judgmental and the church's claims to be non-judgmental.

Both really try to accommodate the masses. However, in accommodating the masses and attempting to be non-judgmental to them they alienate the fringes of society. And, sadly, both have poked fun at the fringes in their attempt to show that they are not judgmental to those who look and act like the majority. Where does this leave those on the edges--how does it make them feel?

I would never step foot in a Planet Fitness, sadly this makes me understand why so many make the same claim about the church :-(

Miracle???

I am really skeptical and I hate that I am. When I hear about an amazing miracle I tilt my head and wonder whose leg is getting pulled. Don't get me wrong I totally believe in miracles, but sometimes I think we call a foothill a mountain just to strengthen our testimony. I say this as I contemplate what happened to me in the wee hours of Sunday morning...

I woke up at 2 am to the sound of Milo whining outside my door. He was either cold and wanted to cuddle or scared because the dishwasher had turned on. Either way I got up to let him in and as I made my way to the bedroom door I became aware of a pain in my right lower back. I let Milo in and went to the restroom where I experienced a burning sensation. The pain in my lower back was getting worse so I grabbed a handful of aspirin and swallowed them. I returned to the bedroom, pushed Milo over and crawled under the covers. I laid there for about 5 minutes wondering what this pain could be and why was it getting progressively worse. For the next 2 hours I repeatedly got up, laid down, got up, tried to use the restroom, walked around, cursed the pain and tried to lay down again. I pulled out my iPad and searched WebMD for possible reasons and solutions for the pain: muscle strain, urinary infection, kidney stone, gonorrhea, etc... It felt like the kidney stone I had a year ago so I self diagnosed it as such. The internet offered no quick fix or solution other than waiting for it to pass (this too shall pass). 

At 4 am I frantically searched the house for a better pain killer, but none was to be found. I wondered if the oxycodone dealer on the corner would still be working (I don't know if there is really a dealer, but I did wonder if I could find one). I grabbed a bottle of ibuprofen and downed a handful of them (I'm bigger then most people so the normal dosages don't apply). For the next hour I debated, usually in a hunched over position, if I should go to the emergency room. I worried if I didn't make it back in time who would teach my Sunday school class and who would preach the morning message. Finally the pain was more than I was willing to handle and I grabbed my car keys (Catherine volunteered to drive me, but I waved her away--after all my dad drove himself to the hospital after his first heart attack).

I got into my Focus and thought this is stupid, I should let Catherine drive me, but pulled out anyway. It was then that I realized I had spent the whole week preparing for a sermon on Hope in Jesus that I was going to preach that morning and I had not practiced it. I sought hope in a pill bottle, self-help, the internet, but had not even given it serious prayer. So I started praying for relief.

I got about a mile away when the pain started going away. Two miles away I turned around and came home because the pain was nearly gone.
Did all the pain meds finally kick in?
Did the stone stop moving?
Did the awkward position of sitting in the car help?
Was it the miracle of prayers answered? 

I don't know...all I know is before I prayed I was pretty sure I was dying and after I prayed I went home and all was better.   

PDD

I am suffering from post-dissertation depression. I have not wanted to read or write since finishing the dissertation. I've tried everything and I truly thank you if you offered a suggestion. However, the good news, evident by this blog post, is that I believe I am emerging from this funk. I even took my Kindle to lunch with me today. It is important that I read and write. 

My calling as a pastor mandates that I read and read widely. A pastor that doesn't read doesn't...well I will let you be judgmental and finish that sentence :-) It is important that a pastor stays current on theological issues, social issues, entertainment issues, etc... and the best way to do that is to read. 

Who God has created me to be mandates that I write. Being in the image of God who created me, I have a desire to create. My outlet for creating is writing. I need to write to feel like Terry. My second favorite fictional character once said "If I don't have a good shower, I am not myself. I feel weak and ineffectual. I'm not Kramer." I'm not Terry if I'm not writing. I have had a novel brewing inside me for a number of years. I'm about ready to pop the cork and start writing it. I envision it having a similar impact as The Shack (I'm anticipating a let down). 

Anyway if you've been concerned about me don't fret I think I have turned the corner. 

Leg Day

Today was leg day in the gym, otherwise known as time spent in the squat rack. However, over the last week my left knee has given out on several occasions--no pain, no warning--my leg simply buckles. To say I thought about that this morning as I stepped in the squat rack would be an understatement. I looked at the bar, loaded with 10 45# plates (495# altogether) and sighed. My gym doesn't have a monolift so I have to lift up the bar and take a few steps backwards to clear the supports. That meant for a brief second my left leg would be supporting my 240 pounds plus the 495 pounds on my back all by itself while I stepped back with my right foot. I took a deep breath and then a leap of faith as I stepped back. My knee held!

Jesus requires us to take a step of faith--and often. Those who don't remain stagnated in their spirituality. Those who do take that step of faith, often out of their comfort zones, find that awesome things happen, not only in their lives, but in the lives of others. Is Jesus worth leaving your comfort zone and taking a step of faith for?   

Politics

I watched a train wreck materialize on Facebook yesterday. It started with one friend posting something negative about a candidate he disagreed with. . . it ended with two friends shredding their own dignity by stooping to juvenile vitriol. Maybe they made up through private messages or a phone call, but based on the angry tone of their back and forth posts, I doubt if that happened.

Why do we let politics ruin friendships? Why do we get so angry when someone disagrees with us? How can we be so arrogant to think that we are absolutely right and those that disagree with us are either misinformed or downright ignorant? When I was a mailman I hated the political season because of all the extra mass-mailings. Now that I'm a pastor I hate the political season because of all the times in the year it is the season where I believe we act the least Christ-like. Dare I say we even try to manipulate Christ to fit him into our own political shoe box so that we can claim exclusivity to divine love.

SMH 

Oran

I'm reading The Plague by Albert Camus. The story takes place in the listless town of Oran that the author describes as "ugly." Camus paints this picture: "a town without pigeons, without any trees or gardens, where you never hear the beat of wings or the rustle of leaves . . ." The people don't "eschew such simpler pleasures as love-making, sea bathing, going to the pictures". . . they seemingly only care about making money. In Oran there is suddenly tons of dead rats on the street. The people are burdened with the fact that there are dead rats on the street rather than why there are dead rats.

I wonder if we all live in Oran. Are we burdened with the fact there are homeless people in our town rather than why there are homeless people? Are we burdened with destructive youths running our streets rather than why there are destructive youths? Are we burdened with sexual images everywhere we look rather than why these images exist? Are we burdened with a new abortion clinic in town rather than why there is a need for such a place? And so it goes . . .

In my fellowship class (you might know it as Sunday school class) we discussed the areas of moral decline that really gets under our skin. After a good rant that took up the whole time; we challenged one another to think of a solution (or at least the birth of a solution) to the areas we ranted about. I'll be interested to hear what we come up with. After all anyone can complain--the hard work is being a difference maker. 

The Gospels

Last night during our Bible study I told a funny story about our work and witness trip to the Kansas City Rescue Mission that we took about 4 years ago. As I told the story, several people who were involved in the story interrupted me to tell me I left out an important detail. The details they mentioned weren't important to me or to the story, I thought. After the third participant added to my story it made me think of the Gospels and the differences between them (especially between the Synoptics and John).

What was important to the author of Matthew may not have been important to the author of John, Mark or Luke (or any combination you want to put together). We tell narratives based on what we believe is important to the story. We are all editors in some way or other. This makes the Gospels come to life for me! How exciting is it that we are treated to a four-lens view of the life of Jesus (sure, maybe Matthew and Luke borrowed from Mark, perhaps those three borrowed from Q--but they're still different enough to give us a unique perspective)?

I love reading straight through one of the Gospels, searching for a theme or perspective that is unique to that Gospel and then trying to figure out why it is unique--what was that author trying to say differently? Studying the Gospels is like panning for gold! 

The wall

Lately I have not felt like doing any reading--heck, I haven't even felt like doing any writing. Perhaps I am suffering from post-education blues. I'll look at my Kindle or a book I know I want to read and I just shake my head like a toddler being force-fed spinach. I'll open up Word and stare at the blank screen while my thoughts drift from the Tigers to the Lions to any number of situations that are like a thorn in my flesh. Even my workouts have been somewhat lacking.

Part of me wants to kick myself in the seat and say "giddy-up...lower the shoulder and drive on...when the going gets tough the tough get going...pull yourself up by the boot-straps, and so it goes". And that would be normal for me. However, as I have gotten older I have become more contemplative. Instead of running through the wall I have started to give thought to why the wall is there. What can I learn from the wall and what is God teaching me about myself with such a wall. I have to resist the urge (the temptation) to just smash the wall and be done with it--after all that would be much easier. It would be easier still to ignore it and walk around it. But no, I have to, I need to do the hard work of soul searching contemplation.

Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich write that the wall represents our will meeting God's will face to face (The Critical Journey). They add: "We sit in awe of the process of surrendering and going through the wall [eventually]. But, as we emerge, we are able to move along on our journeys with much less clarity about the direction and much more assurance of not having to be in charge of our lives. We are being transformed, turned inside out."

Giving up power, giving up being in charge is difficult--even when we turn over control to God. The popular bumper sticker reads "God is my co-pilot". God needs to be more than the co-pilot, he needs to be the pilot while we tend to others on the trip.  

The Parable of the 3 Dogs

A master had three dogs that he liked to walk. The first dog was faithful and would never leave his side. The second dog liked to run, but wouldn't get too far away unless it saw something to chase. The third dog just ran away haphazardly with no particular destination in mind. On several occasions the master had to run after the third dog. The master loved all three dogs.

Black and White (yellow)

I've spent the morning painting the teen room. The teen's came up with the color combination to symbolize good and evil, light and darkness, and right and wrong (in no way shape or form am I a Pittsburgh Steelers fan!). As I was painting I had things taped off and I envisioned these nice tight lines between the black and yellow. However, as I proceeded I was reminded that life isn't about black and white--religion isn't about black and white--it's messy--sometimes the lines are blurred. What appears bad isn't always bad and what seems good isn't always for the best. So I decided to forgo my nice tight, even lines and if there is some blurring of the lines I think that represents life. I wish it was as easy--cut and dry--as black and white, but life and theology is not.

Free Will

Is there a phrase or sound that has the same affect on you like nails scrapping across the chalk board (some of my younger readers may not be familiar with the incredibly annoying sound). For me it is when someone says "everything happens for a reason" or "it was meant to happen." I just cringe when I hear or read those words. Ironically, sometimes it is true. Yes, your life is a mess for a reason--because of poor decisions! Yes, you lost your job for a reason--because you were late everyday! Yes, you got lung cancer for a reason--because you smoke two packs a day! And so it goes...

I get annoyed when we blame God (karma or some other mysterious force) for our poor decisions (or the poor decisions of others). I do not believe God is behind all the terrible things that happen, but I do believe God is working in the midst of the terrible things to bring out the best of possible outcomes. I admit, sometimes I am at a loss for why something happened, but rarely (never) do I shrug my shoulders and say "it must have been God's will" and walk away. 

Throw Down at McDs

I walked into McDonald's this morning after dropping Richard off at school. The line was about three deep--not too bad by any means. However, a few people came in after me so they opened another register. One of the people at the end of the line walked right by us towards the newly opened register. I said: "Excuse me, but you're just going to walk in front of all of us who have been waiting." He stopped, looked at me and replied, "Don't get all big and bad." I looked him over and I know I was judgmental, but all I could think of was this guy is a lifetime bully, I bet his name is Moe. I replied, "I'm not getting big and bad, but we have been waiting." He muttered a few words under his breath and for a moment I was pretty sure he was going to punch me right there in McDonald's. Thankfully he just scowled and and shuffled back in line behind me. He continued to glare at me as I ordered my food and carried it to my seat. I almost expected him to be waiting for me in the parking lot!

What causes someone to be so angry? Was he late for work? Was he suffering through a bad relationship? What? Then the Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that I act the same way at times. Oh, maybe not in McDonald's, but I've gotten angry in their ridiculous drive through lanes. I've also said some unkind things under my breath (ok, out loud) as I waited to turn left into Madison Schools to drop Richard off in the morning. Someone has probably said of me, "What is that guy's problem, why does he look so angry?"

Lord, help me to be loving in all situations. 

Diamonds in the rough

Perhaps before last night you had heard of Kevin Ogletree. I'm a football fan and a fantasy football fan so each year I read a lot of blogs, websites and magazines trying to decide who to draft for my fantasy football team. I never once considered Ogletree. In fact, according to a post I read this morning, Ogletree was not drafted in 97% of fantasy football leagues. However, last night he was a beast: 8 catches, 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. Those are outstanding numbers! If you were one of the three percent that actually drafted him and you played him (just because he was drafted doesn't mean he was started) I applaud you. Every year it seems someone comes out of nowhere to put up huge numbers. Last year it was Saint's TE Graham. Two years ago it was Peyton Hillis. The key to fantasy football is finding these hidden gems. If you just look at the established players you'll be ok, you may even make the playoffs. But if you want to be a fantasy football champion you have to find the diamonds in the rough.

Studying the Gospels is similar. I've been doing a sermon series on the Lord's Prayer and week after week I've unearthed something that I had previously over-looked. I never realized how much meaning there is in that simple model of prayer. When we study the Gospels if we just read through the words we will be ok. But if we want to get to the heart of what Jesus has for us, we have to dig deep and get a little dirty. Question everything--dig for answers! 

Get out of jail free

I was reading Psalm 146 this morning and a verse jumped out at me--146:7 reads: 
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, 

I guess what grabbed hold of me is what it doesn't say. This is what many of us expect this verse to say:

He upholds the cause of those who are being oppressed for their righteousness

And gives food to those who can't work and purchase their own

The Lord sets free those who are unjustly held captive

Hmmm...this is my paraphrase

He upholds the cause of the oppressed whether I agree with why they are being oppressed or not!

And gives food to everyone who is hungry, whether or not I think they are just being lazy or irresponsible!

The Lord sets prisoners, even those being imprisoned for good reason, free!  

This is some tough stuff to chew on. And I suppose some of my friends will point to verse 9 where it reads "he frustrates the wicked" as they thump their chest and gesture skyward. But it does say God will frustrate the wicked--not us. We have one job and that job is to love. To love the oppressed, to love the hungry, to love the prisoner, to love the childless, to love the widow, to love the alien (even if they are in this country illegally), and to love ___________ (fill in the blank with whoever you are finding difficult to love this morning).

Are You Ready For Some Football!

It's my favorite season--football season. I love watching my kid's team play, I love watching the majestic winged helmeted warriors play, and I love watching the gridiron gladiators who don the honolulu blue and silver. I also love playing Madden or NCAA on the PS3 as well as agonizing over my fantasy football team. I even love getting outside and playing backyard football!

Sadly, football sometimes interferes with my devotional life. It is great to have passions, but those passions should not interfere with our relationship with God and others. This year I want to be extra careful that it doesn't happen. I don't want a Trojans, Wolverines, or Lions loss to affect my mood in a way that affects how I treat others. I don't want all the time spent watching and playing football to get in the way of my devotional time. My relationship with God (which directly correlates with my relationship with others) must come first.

With that said Go Madison Trojans, Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions! 

I can justify it!

There has been a groundhog (hedgehog...not sure of the difference) in the neighborhood that has been digging holes, destroying gardens, and even attacking my neighbor's cat. My neighbor came over and asked if I could help get rid of it by letting out my dogs if I saw it. She said the other neighbor has promised to shoot it if he saw it and between the two of us we could probably get rid of the vermin.

Last evening I saw it about 50 yards out in the yard. Now Zeus isn't fast; he is big and strong, but no way he could get to it. Milo is faster, but he slows considerably after about 20 yards. However, I am sure Omega is an American Staffordshire mixed with a Jack Russell so this job was perfect for him. I took him out, pointed him in the proper direction and yelled "squirrel". I'm not sure the groundhog ever knew what hit it.

I was discussing this with some friends and one sweet soul, Kim, was appalled. She is a lover of all things created. However, she did admit to her seeming hypocrisy because she allows her cats to hunt mice. Her sensitivity and self examination warmed my heart. How often do we point the finger at others without first examining ourselves. And when we do examine ourselves we figure out how to justify what we're doing (or not doing). Kim could have easily said "well mice are disease carrying rodents and need to be destroyed", but she didn't. She recognized her hypocrisy. 

I wish more people would take the time to evaluate themselves before pointing fingers at others. I wish more people would stop justifying what they're doing (or not doing). We all have areas that we're not proud of, we all have areas where God can improve on. 

As Elvis famously crooned:

Back porch preacher preaching at me
Acting like he wrote the golden rules
Shaking his fist and speeching at me
Shouting from his soap box like a fool
Come sunday morning he's lying in bed
With his eye all red, with the wine in his head
Wishing he was dead when he oughta be
Heading for sunday school

Clean up your own backyard
Oh don't you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine

Drugstore cowboy criticizing
Acting like he's better than you and me
Standing on the sidewalk supervising
Telling everybody how they ought to be
Come closing time most every night
He locks up tight and out go the lights
And he ducks out of sight and he cheats on his wife
With his employee

Clean up your own backyard
Oh don't you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine

Armchair quarterbacks always moanin
Second guessing people all day long
Pushing, fooling and hanging on in
Always messing where they don't belong
When you get right down to the nitty-gritty
Isnt it a pity that in this big city
Not a one alittle bitty manll admit
He could have been a little bit wrong

Clean up your own backyard
Oh don't you hand me, don't you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine

Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine

Oversaved

The video is ten times better than this blog, so if you haven't watched it do so...don't worry it is safe for work.

When I became a pastor I was worried people wouldn't want to talk to me. Why? I had an uncle that was a preacher and people avoided him like the plague. He was a good man, but when he walked up people scattered. Why? If you watched the video he was what you might call "over-saved". I never wanted to be that way. Now some people probably think I am "under-saved". I actually had a person in a class for my Master's of Divinity try to get me saved (true story!). I'm sure some of my peers and colleagues question my salvation or at least my calling. Is it any wonder that Billy Sunday was one of my favorite preachers!

People may question what I talk about or some of the language I use or some of the places I hang out, but I hope they never question my love for God and my love for people. I struggle loving people at times, hell, truth be told I struggle loving God at times. But I'm always going to make the best effort I can. I realize love takes work and love is an action and love is a decision. Jesus loved everyone his culture told him he didn't have to love--I want to be like that.

Test Everything

I was up at 4 am this morning watching a show on the lost years of Jesus on the Science channel (I know about TiVo, I didn't get up to watch it, it just happened to be on and I happened to be awake). It was cool because they actually had legitimate scholars that I have heard of like Marcus Borg. Anyway what struck me wasn't the program, but the mantra of the Science channel--"Test Everything". I love it! We should test everything, especially our theology.


The scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. A theological theory should be similar. My favorite filter to run theology through is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral that includes: reason, experience, tradition and scripture. 


Science and theology should go hand in hand and not be bitter enemies. I once heard theology is God revealed in Scripture and science is God revealed in nature (I like it!). It seems to me if your theology is at odds with your science one of the two is screwed up. So keep testing, keep asking the tough questions and never stop considering that you may not be right!

Don't Give Up!

I've always wanted to be a writer. My elementary education records that my mother stashed away are full of awards for creative writing. However, in 1981 as I filled out my electives for my 8th grade year of junior high school, my writing career took a lethal blow. I was elated to see a journalism class, but to take that class you needed an endorsement by your 7th grade English teacher. I approached Mr. Alkema and  and asked if he would sign off on it. He looked at me in disgust and although I don't remember his exact words it was something along the lines of "no way in hell". It was at that moment that I developed a hatred for the academic subject of "English"and came to the conclusion that being a professional writer was simply a fantasy, like being a pro baseball player.

I often wonder why Mr. Alkema wasn't more encouraging. I wonder why he didn't take me under his wing and offer to help me master the English language so he could proudly recommend me for journalism. Did he realize he was squashing my dreams...was he just having a bad day that day?

When I felt the desire/call/passion to pastoral ministries (and writing sermons) there were some who looked at me, looked at my past and said in so many words "no way in hell". Thankfully, I had learned my lesson about listening to naysayers and listened to all those who spoke with encouragement instead.

King David was a man after God's own heart, but he also had naysayers. He was voted least likely to be chosen by God by his own father. Nabal mocked David ruthlessly and refused him help. God, however was there for David--even when King David made huge mistakes God was still there to lift him up.    

Maybe you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up on your dreams. Maybe, your friends and family have told you "no way in hell". Listen to God, listen for that still small voice. Listen to those that encourage. Above all, don't give up on your dreams.

Transformed

My vacation is winding down and I've begun to reflect back on it. One thing that stands out for me is just how much I enjoy being on my motorcycle. The wind in my face, the roar and vibration of the Milwaukee made power plant, the ability to see everything around me unhindered, and the freedom makes me want to raise my fist and shout with joy. The only thing keeping me from riding around with a huge smile is that I don't want my grill to turn into a bug catcher. If you saw me on my bike you would notice that there is a joy in my eyes...a transformation from my normal every day walking around attitude. A metamorphous takes place when I am riding.

To compare what happens to me when I am on my HOG to the "Transfiguration" would be heretical at best in some people's eyes. But......Jesus became transfigured at rest. When I am on my bike, even when riding the Dragon's Tail, I am at rest and I am transformed. It isn't lost on me that the author of Mark says Jesus was transfigured after six days (does that scream Sabbath rest to anyone else?). Jesus revealed his glory on the mountain...is it possible that I'm revealing my glory, even God's glory while I'm riding?

I guess the point of this blog post and my reflection is that we need times of rest. And in those times of rest we need to do things that bring us joy. Frank Green introduced me to the word faceting, which is the process of cutting a gem to bring out its glory. We need that thing in our life, that faceting, which brings us joy.    

Dragon's Tail

Last week I rode the Dragon's Tail on my 2009 Softail Custom Harley Davidson. It is a road through the Smokey Mountains that has 318 curves in an 11 mile stretch. And these are not long winding turns, but short, tight, and sometimes banked turns. This road is designed for the sport bike and sports car, not necessarily for a big ole' HOG and two riders. However I plunged into it, with Catherine on the back, excited to test my abilities. I have to admit there were several times when my heart skipped a beat, several times when my foot peg scrapped the ground and many times when I felt Catherine tense up behind me--but we made it! And I was glad Catherine was on the back. She has become an accomplished passenger. She leaned into some of the turns with me which helped me make the corner instead of ending up a statistic. She knew when to pinch me or yell at me for going too fast which reminded me to stay humble instead of ending up a statistic. She was also there at the end to rejoice with me over such an exciting ride! Its great having a partner.

God knows this. The story of Adam and Eve is the story of partnership. Saul needed Samuel. David needed Nathan. Peter needed Jesus. Paul needed Barnabas. And so it goes...(I love Kurt Vonnegut). We need a partner in life to help us lean into the curves life throws at us. We need a partner in life to help remind us when we are being tempted to do something foolish. We need a partner in life to rejoice with. A partner doesn't have to be a spouse. It can be a friend. It can be a relative. It can be a parent or a child. But we can't do this thing called life alone...we're just not designed for it.  

Olympic Weightlifting

I was watching an Olympic weightlifter from Iran the other day attempt a qualifying lift. He had three coaches. One coach was giving him verbal advice. One coach was massaging his shoulders. The third coach was praying for him and kept praying for him throughout the entire lift. Wow! I think we can learn something from this.

Christians say prayer is filled with power; they also claim preaching has the ability to be transformational. Therefore, why don't preachers have someone praying for them while they are preaching? I know many churches pray for their pastor before the service, but I've only heard of a few that have someone actively praying for their pastor while he or she is in the act of preaching. If we really believe prayer is powerful and not just lip service why don't we pray more? If an Olympic weightlifter needs prayer while trying to lift a heavy weight, how much more does a pastor need prayer while speaking for God?

A fork in the road

Yogi Berra is credited with saying "when you come to a fork in the road, take it." We experience a lot of "forks in the road" in our lives. I have friends who I think, when I'm weak and judgmental, always choose the difficult path. I face palm and silently cry out "really!" I saw a Facebook picture the other day that said something along the lines of: When you suggest that I always take the difficult path you assume that I see a choice.

This really made me think! I mean, really, how many of us go out of the way to make our lives more difficult? If we thought there was a better way wouldn't we, by all laws of nature, choose it. Instead of pointing fingers, gossiping, face palming, and calling people names shouldn't we reach out with love and help them realize that there are other paths?

Is there someone in your life who you think is making poor choices? What are you doing to help them see that there is a choice and not just a straight, uphill path?

American Christianity X

I watched "American History X" last night. Yes, it is an old movie, and yes, I've seen it before (and yes, it is filled with swearing and violence). About 2/3rds of the way through I got a sick feeling in my gut (no, it wasn't during the shower rape scene). I got the feeling that sometimes and in some places  Christianity in America (that is all I can speak for) isn't much different than white supremacy groups in America. Both groups take injured or impressionable people and teach them to hate. Both groups are your friend as long as you think and act like them. Both groups ostracize you when you start asking questions and maybe even dare to change your thinking. Maybe it is a stretch or leap that I'm making, but I couldn't help seeing the parallels.

How have we taken love, manna, and mercy for all and turned it on its head so that we have a war over who has the rightful claim to what belongs to all??? My thought for this week is that I would try and win friends rather than trying to win arguments.

Retreat

As a pastor, if I could make those in my congregation do one thing, it wouldn't be read the Bible. It wouldn't be attend Sunday school. It wouldn't be give more money or time. If I could make them do one thing it would be to take a guided retreat. A guided retreat brings the individual into the divine presence in a extraordinary way--it forces a person to acknowledge God in their life and reflect upon it. Sadly, most pastors don't even go on directed retreats. They may claim to, but what they call a retreat more closely resembles a business meeting or a "Christian" vacation. Many will claim to be too busy for such an event--I claim hogwash! We're not too busy, we just choose not to make it a priority. Perhaps we may even be frightened by what may come to the surface during such a time. Perhaps we just don't know how to go about it. And for that reason I've provided 2 links to my favorite retreat centers to help us discover what I believe is the most transformational thing we can do.

sustainable faith

weber retreat center

LGBTQ

Yesterday I realized the word "LOVE" has been on one side of our church sign that sits out by the side of the road for over a month. I like to change the sign at least once a month with either a word or brief phrase that says something about our community of faith. I thought about putting

LQBTQ

You Are Welcome

You are Loved

on the sign. As soon as the thought crossed my mind I began to wonder what others would think. My biggest concern is that people would think I was trying to make some type of political statement. That is not the case, what I want to make is a love statement. I genuinely want everyone to feel welcomed and loved in our community of faith. I want everyone to know that there is a safe place for them to go when the boogeymen of life is after them. I want everyone to experience the same peace that often embraces me. But what about the bigots? What about the misogynist? What about people who only like people who are like them? Do they all get their names on the sign for a month? Perhaps putting the words on the sign isn't the way to go, after all I don't remember Jesus having a sign ministry. No, Jesus lived it. And I suspect as a community of faith, if we want to bring shalom to a hurting world, then we must live it as well.

I like Jesus but I hate Christians

Catherine, Richard and I went out for a nice dinner; it was too hot to cook. At the table next to us was a young couple enjoying a nice, romantic dinner together. About half way through their meal a young woman showed up and sat with them. She was a friend of the female's and made it clear she wasn't eating or drinking, just hanging out. Over the next 15 minutes she made an abundant of things clear to everyone in the dinning room--even Catherine said she was really loud! One of the things she made clear was that she liked Jesus, but hated Christians.

I have an oxymoron alarm and it went off at full blast! Now I get the whole follower of Jesus (read: dissociate with the term "Christian") movement, hell, I even subscribe to it! But how can you say you like Jesus, but hate other people who say they like him? What do you like about him? Do you like that he hated, oops, I mean showed compassion and love to the dregs of his society? Do you like that he hated the, er, I mean showed patience to those who weren't getting his message of love? Do you like that he hated the Ph...wait, I mean that he took time out of his busy schedule to show kindness and consideration to the Pharisees? For the love of God, maybe you just liked his long hair and beard.

What came dangerously close to happening was me "liking" Jesus and hating people who claimed to like Jesus and hate Christians. I was on the precipice of committing the same offense as her! I can't say I really showed her love, but in my heart I wondered who or what had wounded her so much to cause her to make such a statement. What person claimed to follow Jesus and "judged" her right into hating Christians? Whoever it was, I have to remember, I am also called to love.

Loving everyone with a reckless abandon is hard, tough work! Yes, it is work! But that is what Jesus calls us to do, to love even those who hate us without even knowing us.

Get your pass stamped!

I listened to a sermon this past week and the preacher literally said "it doesn't matter how bad your life is now, heaven awaits you!"

Maybe I'm a jerk, but this rubbed me the wrong way. I cannot recall Jesus saying: "your life stinks, but your saved now so just wait it out." Jesus never said, "it sucks to be blind (lame, crippled, demon possessed, etc...) but don't worry because you'll be in heaven for all eternity and this time of suckatude is like a grain of sand on the beach of eternity."

Jesus healed and called for a better life now! "Go and sin no more", not so you'll get to heaven, but so your life will stop sucking. Sin causes strife. Sin causes drama. Sin not only hurts us, but others around us. That is no way to live.

When we focus on simply getting our ticket stamped "heaven" we miss out on the abundant life that God wants for us right here and right now. We miss out on some awesome relationships because we have tunnel vision. We miss out on the glory all around us. We miss out...

Power of Love

The great theologian Huey Lewis once said: 
"You don't need money, don't take fame 
Don't need no credit card to ride this train It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes But it might just save your life That's the power of love"


I've been thinking about love, well really I've been thinking about theology which has led me to think about love. I saw this Peanuts cartoon about a week ago

and it really made me think.


I was reading Facebook posts this morning and I realized I have friends all across the Christian spectrum; from hard core right-wing fundamentalists to left wing Christian universalists. I also have friends who are Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even self proclaimed atheist. I don't think I have one single friend who agrees with me 100% on theology, maybe some are close, but we all have our differences. However, I think all of us can agree that despite our different opinions the world would be a much better place if we concentrated on love. I know I probably sound like some hippie from the 70s, but really love is all we need. If we truly loved one another, which fits into the parameters of all the religions and beliefs I mentioned, then we would see a radically different world. We would see a world transformed. We would see an end to world strife. But before the world can be transformed the individuals must be transformed. It starts with us. It starts with you and I. Will you love today with a reckless abandon that might have a transforming affect on the world?