I've begun to discover for myself someone who has been around much longer than me. No, not Jesus, although that applies. I'm talking about Wendell Berry, author from Kentucky. He's one of those people I'd heard quoted at various times over the years and so I recently decided to read a collection of his essays in a book called "The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry."
Berry is a man of faith who understands that the salvation God has brought the world in Jesus Christ is far more than the promise of a trip to heaven when we die. This kind of "soul disconnected from a body promise of eternal bliss" is pretty much the kind of salvation that I grew up expecting out of my faith in Jesus. That, plus doing good the best you can in this life because God loves you, is what I'd say being a Christian is all about.
Berry is one of those people whose writing is re-framing the way I understand God's saving work in Jesus Christ. His work is helping me to see how God's salvation involves reconnecting people to one another and the creation God made good. He sheds new light on Paul's declaration in 2Corinthians 5:17 "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"
In his essay, "The Unsettling of America" Berry writes about the difference between "exploitation and nurture." Reading about those two things makes me imagine the "old" which is passing away and the "new" which Christ has and continues to bring about. I think this goes way beyond "Life might suck now but it will all be well after we die and escape this God-forsaken earth." It is a hope that makes my heart beat faster. In many ways, it is why I continue to be a follower of Jesus and have reason to say everyday ought to be "Earth Day."
Here is an excerpt from that essay by Wendell Berry:
"Let me outline as briefly as i can what seem to me the characteristics of these opposite kinds of mind [exploitation and nurture]. I conceive a strip miner to be a model exploiter, and as a model nurturer I take the old-fashioned idea or ideal of a farmer. The exploiter is a specialist, an expert; the nurturer is not. The standard of the exploiter is efficiency; the standard of the nurturer is care. The exploiter's goal is money, profit; the nurturer's goal is health - his land's health, his own, his family's, his community's, his country's. Whereas the exploiter asks of a piece of land only how much and how quickly it can be made to produce, the nurturer asks a question that is much more complex and difficult: What is its carrying capacity? (That is: How much can be taken from it without diminishing it? What can it produce dependably for an indefinate time?) the exploiter wishes to earn as much as possible by as little work as possible; the nurturer expects, certainly, to have a decent living wage from his work, but his characteristic wish is to work as well as possible. The competence of the exploiter is in organization; that of the nurturer is in order - a human order, that is, that accommodates itself both to other order and to mystery. The exploiter typically serves an institution or organization; the nurturer serves land, household, community, place. The exploiter thinks in terms of numbers, quantities, 'hard facts'; the nurturer in terms of character, condition, quality, kind."
I recognize the exploiter in the mirror and ask God to save me from this old self.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
On January 19 we are invited to remember and celebrate the life and witness of a brother in Christ - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was and is an easily quotable man. As I was looking for a particular quote from him today I ran across many others that inspired me or made me think more deeply. I share them here with you in remembrance and celebration.
Great Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Great Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
God's Future in the Present
I preached a series of sermons at my church during Advent 2008 entitled "God's Future in the Present." The focus of the series was on the church's mission to embody God's future reign made visible in Christ right here and now. My friend and college, Rev. Steve Price, wrote an inspired poem that he shared with his church, Harvest United Methodist Church, on Sunday December 21. I thought this poem captured the heart of what I was trying to say during those 4 weeks of sermons. He gave me permission to share it here.
“Springing Up”
by Steven M. PriceAdvent 2008
Beneath life’s crushing load, he sits
by the side of the road.
No one notices
but let me tell you who this is.
Man broken, to whom words are rarely spoken.
Had the house, the car, the kids, the wife.
All the pieces of what they call
the good life, but then. . .downsized.
No longer in the game.
Credit sinking in his name.
He couldn’t stand the shame.
Couldn’t stand. . .could not stand.
So he drank himself into this state.
No friends, no family left to participate
in his life, his story.
Does anyone care about his fate?
She had no chance.
Some are quick to criticize.
Say that she should realize
she can’t afford to feed those three.
But they don’t know. Can’t see
the way she had to go.
Daddy’s a dealer, dead when she was two.
Momma sold herself just to make it through.
Uneducated, she longs to be liberated,
but how? Up at daybreak, her heart aches
as she walks out the door, knowing
for an hour more her babies will be alone.
School bus comes long after she’s gone
to work--seven to three, then five to eleven,
just to be able to put food on the table
and pay the rent on a place
where nights are dangerously spent.
Some days she wonders if they’d be better
off with someone else. But memory runs deep.
And this one promise she WILL keep.
She will not abandon, will not let them go.
So they will know. . .so they will know
what she never knew. They are loved.
Images flood the screen.
Pictures we’ve all seen.
Children starving, mosquitoes swarming,
bellies distended. . .some are offended
that we have to look at this in the middle of our tv bliss.
But. . .there is no ER where they live,
and they have no Law and Order in their land.
And no one, it seems, will come to give
them an Extreme Home Makeover.
Quick. Change the channel. Find another show.
‘Cause I don’t want to know, don’t want to see
how much they hurt, ‘cause if it touches me. . .
I’d have to change.
People oppressed, lives distressed.
They struggle, they grope—they see no hope.
O dark night, where is the LIGHT
that will come. Come for them. Come for us.
Yahweh cries out, “ENOUGH!”
I am coming. I am coming. I am coming.
I. . .see your shame.
I. . .feel your hurt.
I. . .touch your sadness.
I. . .know your pain.
And I WILL heal. WILL feed. WILL free. WILL clothe.
WILL comfort. WILL serve. WILL save. WILL love.
You.
And Jesus comes. Emmanuel.
God with us. God with skin.
How can this be? He is our kin.
Joy of heaven come down to earth,
clothed in flesh he validates our worth.
Your worth. My worth. Their worth.
He rescues them. He restores them.
He raises them. He renews them.
And they know. They are loved.
Before he goes he turns to us and says, “Don’t forget. . .”
He knows that we are weak and yet
he says, “You.”
Open up your ears and listen.
May it be on earth as it is in heaven.
As it is. Not maybe. Not will be. Not could be.
Not someday. Not possibly. Not later. Not tomorrow.
Now. Now is the time to end the sorrow.
So you. Yes, you.
Now you must care. Now you must go.
You must show the love they need to know.
Bind up the broken hearted, he says. Continue the work I started.
This is the greatest story—your life revealing God’s glory.
No more wandering. No more waiting.
No time for pondering. No hesitating.
NOW.
This is the day. Mercy pouring.
This is the day. Justice soaring.
This is the day. Righteousness springing.
This is the day. Angels singing.
Because You. I. We.
Have seen. Have heard. Have known. Have learned.
And we will follow.
Come. Let us walk in life.
“Springing Up”
by Steven M. PriceAdvent 2008
Beneath life’s crushing load, he sits
by the side of the road.
No one notices
but let me tell you who this is.
Man broken, to whom words are rarely spoken.
Had the house, the car, the kids, the wife.
All the pieces of what they call
the good life, but then. . .downsized.
No longer in the game.
Credit sinking in his name.
He couldn’t stand the shame.
Couldn’t stand. . .could not stand.
So he drank himself into this state.
No friends, no family left to participate
in his life, his story.
Does anyone care about his fate?
She had no chance.
Some are quick to criticize.
Say that she should realize
she can’t afford to feed those three.
But they don’t know. Can’t see
the way she had to go.
Daddy’s a dealer, dead when she was two.
Momma sold herself just to make it through.
Uneducated, she longs to be liberated,
but how? Up at daybreak, her heart aches
as she walks out the door, knowing
for an hour more her babies will be alone.
School bus comes long after she’s gone
to work--seven to three, then five to eleven,
just to be able to put food on the table
and pay the rent on a place
where nights are dangerously spent.
Some days she wonders if they’d be better
off with someone else. But memory runs deep.
And this one promise she WILL keep.
She will not abandon, will not let them go.
So they will know. . .so they will know
what she never knew. They are loved.
Images flood the screen.
Pictures we’ve all seen.
Children starving, mosquitoes swarming,
bellies distended. . .some are offended
that we have to look at this in the middle of our tv bliss.
But. . .there is no ER where they live,
and they have no Law and Order in their land.
And no one, it seems, will come to give
them an Extreme Home Makeover.
Quick. Change the channel. Find another show.
‘Cause I don’t want to know, don’t want to see
how much they hurt, ‘cause if it touches me. . .
I’d have to change.
People oppressed, lives distressed.
They struggle, they grope—they see no hope.
O dark night, where is the LIGHT
that will come. Come for them. Come for us.
Yahweh cries out, “ENOUGH!”
I am coming. I am coming. I am coming.
I. . .see your shame.
I. . .feel your hurt.
I. . .touch your sadness.
I. . .know your pain.
And I WILL heal. WILL feed. WILL free. WILL clothe.
WILL comfort. WILL serve. WILL save. WILL love.
You.
And Jesus comes. Emmanuel.
God with us. God with skin.
How can this be? He is our kin.
Joy of heaven come down to earth,
clothed in flesh he validates our worth.
Your worth. My worth. Their worth.
He rescues them. He restores them.
He raises them. He renews them.
And they know. They are loved.
Before he goes he turns to us and says, “Don’t forget. . .”
He knows that we are weak and yet
he says, “You.”
Open up your ears and listen.
May it be on earth as it is in heaven.
As it is. Not maybe. Not will be. Not could be.
Not someday. Not possibly. Not later. Not tomorrow.
Now. Now is the time to end the sorrow.
So you. Yes, you.
Now you must care. Now you must go.
You must show the love they need to know.
Bind up the broken hearted, he says. Continue the work I started.
This is the greatest story—your life revealing God’s glory.
No more wandering. No more waiting.
No time for pondering. No hesitating.
NOW.
This is the day. Mercy pouring.
This is the day. Justice soaring.
This is the day. Righteousness springing.
This is the day. Angels singing.
Because You. I. We.
Have seen. Have heard. Have known. Have learned.
And we will follow.
Come. Let us walk in life.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Good News or Bad News?
"Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation." Luke 2:28-30
"When King Herod heard this [about Jesus' birth], he was frightened, and all Jersualem with him." Matthew 2:3
Have you ever noticed that “good news” is relative? Birth announcements are like that. It was such good news when my sister and her husband announced to us that they were expecting a baby boy who was born on December 1. But there was mixed emotion when my friend in high school announced that she was pregnant. She and her boyfriend had gone too far.
The "good news" of Jesus' birth was relative too.
For Simeon, the news of Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of a lifetime of longing. The news of Jesus’ birth was so good for Simeon that he basically says, “Now I can die a happy man!” The one thing he had been waiting for most in life had occurred in the birth of Jesus.
On the other hand we have King Herod, perhaps one of those that Simeon had in mind when he said, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.” Matthew says that when Herod heard that the “king of the Jews” had been born “he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.”
What makes the “good news” of Jesus so joyful for some and so terrifying for others?
One reason is power.
Those with power, who like the world the way it is, can find Jesus threatening. Those with no power, whose lives are marked by a longing for justice, often find Jesus the source of all they hope for.
In spite of the way preachers today sometimes spin Jesus, he did not come to earth in order to help make people’s lives better. Sure, many lives have been made whole by Jesus. What I mean is that Jesus did not come to earth in order to help people achieve their personal dreams. Jesus isn't our personal genie. Jesus did not come to earth in order to help people realize their best life now. Jesus came in order to bring God’s Kingdom and set the world in alignment with the rule of God in the world. Jesus work might better be described as rescuing people from the destruction which comes as we persue our own dreams rather than God's dreams.
As a result, those who enjoy life pretty well right now because of their place of power or privilege might struggle to understand Jesus as “good news.” Herod is a case in point, but so am I and a lot of my friends who have grown up in a place of privilege and power.
I am aware of the fact that I live a life where I have often had the privilege and power to call the shots. People pay attention to me. People listen to me. People will often assume I’m in charge instead of others. I have never wondered where my next meal would come from. As a kid I never wondered IF I could be employed when I grew up. It was only a matter of whatever I made my mind up to do. I never wondered IF I could go to college or graduate school or even be the president of the United States.
What is disturbing to me is that people like me in the Bible are the ones who are more threatened by Jesus than joyful [see Herod, the Pharisees and the Rich Young Ruler]. It is strange but true. By virtue of my place in life it is more difficult for me to pay attention to Jesus; listen to Jesus; trust that Jesus is in charge; depend on Jesus for bread; look to Jesus for employment; and seek Jesus’ direction about education and vocation. I just have so many other attractive options than Jesus.
What we find in Simeon is an invitation to remember where true power and privilege lay. Power lies in a manger. Power is revealed in all it's glory on a cross. And the power to transform people like me and Herod is found ultimately in the resurrection of Jesus.
That is not just good news for Simeon. That's good news for everybody.
"When King Herod heard this [about Jesus' birth], he was frightened, and all Jersualem with him." Matthew 2:3
Have you ever noticed that “good news” is relative? Birth announcements are like that. It was such good news when my sister and her husband announced to us that they were expecting a baby boy who was born on December 1. But there was mixed emotion when my friend in high school announced that she was pregnant. She and her boyfriend had gone too far.
The "good news" of Jesus' birth was relative too.
For Simeon, the news of Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of a lifetime of longing. The news of Jesus’ birth was so good for Simeon that he basically says, “Now I can die a happy man!” The one thing he had been waiting for most in life had occurred in the birth of Jesus.
On the other hand we have King Herod, perhaps one of those that Simeon had in mind when he said, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.” Matthew says that when Herod heard that the “king of the Jews” had been born “he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.”
What makes the “good news” of Jesus so joyful for some and so terrifying for others?
One reason is power.
Those with power, who like the world the way it is, can find Jesus threatening. Those with no power, whose lives are marked by a longing for justice, often find Jesus the source of all they hope for.
In spite of the way preachers today sometimes spin Jesus, he did not come to earth in order to help make people’s lives better. Sure, many lives have been made whole by Jesus. What I mean is that Jesus did not come to earth in order to help people achieve their personal dreams. Jesus isn't our personal genie. Jesus did not come to earth in order to help people realize their best life now. Jesus came in order to bring God’s Kingdom and set the world in alignment with the rule of God in the world. Jesus work might better be described as rescuing people from the destruction which comes as we persue our own dreams rather than God's dreams.
As a result, those who enjoy life pretty well right now because of their place of power or privilege might struggle to understand Jesus as “good news.” Herod is a case in point, but so am I and a lot of my friends who have grown up in a place of privilege and power.
I am aware of the fact that I live a life where I have often had the privilege and power to call the shots. People pay attention to me. People listen to me. People will often assume I’m in charge instead of others. I have never wondered where my next meal would come from. As a kid I never wondered IF I could be employed when I grew up. It was only a matter of whatever I made my mind up to do. I never wondered IF I could go to college or graduate school or even be the president of the United States.
What is disturbing to me is that people like me in the Bible are the ones who are more threatened by Jesus than joyful [see Herod, the Pharisees and the Rich Young Ruler]. It is strange but true. By virtue of my place in life it is more difficult for me to pay attention to Jesus; listen to Jesus; trust that Jesus is in charge; depend on Jesus for bread; look to Jesus for employment; and seek Jesus’ direction about education and vocation. I just have so many other attractive options than Jesus.
What we find in Simeon is an invitation to remember where true power and privilege lay. Power lies in a manger. Power is revealed in all it's glory on a cross. And the power to transform people like me and Herod is found ultimately in the resurrection of Jesus.
That is not just good news for Simeon. That's good news for everybody.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Gift of God's Presence in an Irish Pub
I attended a conference on preaching recently. The conference was full of listening and learning about preaching that connects with people in our community. We were given a lot to think about and do. And at the end of a long day we had a free evening to do whatever we wanted. I wanted to catch up with Roy, a good friend at the conference who I only get to see about three times a year. We looked for a nearby restaurant to go hang out and get a bite to eat. The only place we found was a nearby Irish Pub.
Of the two of us, Roy looks much more like a regular at pubs. He is the most tattooed United Methodist pastor that I know and sports long hair with a goatee . In spite of being at the preaching conference I wasn’t interested in “connecting with my community” or being a “detective for divinity” in the pub that night. I just wanted to relax and enjoy some time catching up with my friend. I guess I can blame this on my tattooed, long-haired, goateed, Duke University-Tshirt-wearing friend, but somehow we attracted the attention of three lawyers at the pub. It was then that God surprised us with a gift.
The conversation started out innocently enough. One lawyer asked, “What year did you graduate from Duke? Do you remember when Duke played Carolina in basketball that year?” And then another asked, “What did you study?” We said, “We went to the Divinity School. We’re United Methodist Pastors.” I thought that would be the end of our conversation, but it only seemed to intrigue them more.
The edited version of their next question was, “Why in the world do you do what you do?” The question was genuine, and before I knew it Roy and I were sitting in an Irish Pub sharing with three lawyers about how God had moved us to order our lives around Jesus Christ and his will.
One of the guys, Bob, seemed particularly intrigued with our stories and reflected on his own life saying, “Faith is not a part of my life at all right now. I’d like it to be, but I’m not even sure how to do that or even what that would mean.” Among other things Bob shared about how he had lost faith in the church with all its rules and hypocrisy, but still had a longing to live in a way that made this world a better place.
As our conversation continued I kept thinking, “Wow! I didn’t see this coming.” God was present in that Irish pub – a holy moment in such an unsuspecting place. Feels like the first Christmas!
There were no Christmas songs playing. Some guy was strumming a guitar over in the corner. There were no angel choirs, shepherds, or animals, and I'm not sure there was a wise man in the place. But it felt like Christmas because the gift of God was present. God was present in our openness with one another, the soul stirring questions that were asked and the vulnerability with which each one shared about his experience of pain and hope.
The Bible tells us that at the first Christmas God made himself vulnerable and became present among us in a child named Jesus. None of the religious people of the day had seen this coming. But there was God right there in the animal feeding trough outside Bethlehem – a holy moment in such an unsuspecting place. It was Christmas.
It is the surprising gift of God in Jesus that we remember at Christmas. The Advent theme at my church this year is “God’s Future in the Present.” That reminds us that God’s future is present now through the gift of Jesus. We don’t need to wait until we die to experience God’s presence. Apparently God is interested in meeting people in odd places like Irish Pubs, smelly stables and wherever you happen to be right now.
Jesus is a gift we are invited to receive right now. As we receive the gift of Christ we begin to participate in God’s future right now – the restoration of all creation. Indeed, this world can be a better place and God’s purpose in Christ is to make it so. Through the gift of Christ we can imagine and live into God’s promised future of love, joy and peace.
My prayer for you this Advent and Christmas is that you receive this gift.
Of the two of us, Roy looks much more like a regular at pubs. He is the most tattooed United Methodist pastor that I know and sports long hair with a goatee . In spite of being at the preaching conference I wasn’t interested in “connecting with my community” or being a “detective for divinity” in the pub that night. I just wanted to relax and enjoy some time catching up with my friend. I guess I can blame this on my tattooed, long-haired, goateed, Duke University-Tshirt-wearing friend, but somehow we attracted the attention of three lawyers at the pub. It was then that God surprised us with a gift.
The conversation started out innocently enough. One lawyer asked, “What year did you graduate from Duke? Do you remember when Duke played Carolina in basketball that year?” And then another asked, “What did you study?” We said, “We went to the Divinity School. We’re United Methodist Pastors.” I thought that would be the end of our conversation, but it only seemed to intrigue them more.
The edited version of their next question was, “Why in the world do you do what you do?” The question was genuine, and before I knew it Roy and I were sitting in an Irish Pub sharing with three lawyers about how God had moved us to order our lives around Jesus Christ and his will.
One of the guys, Bob, seemed particularly intrigued with our stories and reflected on his own life saying, “Faith is not a part of my life at all right now. I’d like it to be, but I’m not even sure how to do that or even what that would mean.” Among other things Bob shared about how he had lost faith in the church with all its rules and hypocrisy, but still had a longing to live in a way that made this world a better place.
As our conversation continued I kept thinking, “Wow! I didn’t see this coming.” God was present in that Irish pub – a holy moment in such an unsuspecting place. Feels like the first Christmas!
There were no Christmas songs playing. Some guy was strumming a guitar over in the corner. There were no angel choirs, shepherds, or animals, and I'm not sure there was a wise man in the place. But it felt like Christmas because the gift of God was present. God was present in our openness with one another, the soul stirring questions that were asked and the vulnerability with which each one shared about his experience of pain and hope.
The Bible tells us that at the first Christmas God made himself vulnerable and became present among us in a child named Jesus. None of the religious people of the day had seen this coming. But there was God right there in the animal feeding trough outside Bethlehem – a holy moment in such an unsuspecting place. It was Christmas.
It is the surprising gift of God in Jesus that we remember at Christmas. The Advent theme at my church this year is “God’s Future in the Present.” That reminds us that God’s future is present now through the gift of Jesus. We don’t need to wait until we die to experience God’s presence. Apparently God is interested in meeting people in odd places like Irish Pubs, smelly stables and wherever you happen to be right now.
Jesus is a gift we are invited to receive right now. As we receive the gift of Christ we begin to participate in God’s future right now – the restoration of all creation. Indeed, this world can be a better place and God’s purpose in Christ is to make it so. Through the gift of Christ we can imagine and live into God’s promised future of love, joy and peace.
My prayer for you this Advent and Christmas is that you receive this gift.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Advent 2008
Presents are nearly synonymous with Christmas in our culture. It’s embarrassing to admit that last Christmas we had a total of three present exchanges in our family. On Christmas day we gathered with my mother and father in law to exchange presents. The next day we loaded up the car and drove to my parent’s house where my older sister joined us for exchange number two. Then two days after that, my younger sister and her husband joined us and we had exchange number three.
Sometimes I wonder if in the midst of so many presents, we miss the true present of Christmas.
After we returned home from my parent’s house following the New Year we put all our stuff away, plopped down on the couch and breathed a sigh. It was then that Carolyn noticed the small bag tucked behind one of the chairs in our living room. It must have gotten pushed back there by all the other presents and we missed it in our rush to leave for my parent’s house.
She pulled it out and said, “Oh! Look we missed a Christmas present!”
The holiday season isn’t exactly a good time to suggest people stop, slow down and spend a little more time on self-reflection. Perhaps this year’s economic slow-down will help create that space. In any event, if we don’t attempt to push back on the rush of this season we are likely to miss the most important present of all – God’s presence among us in Jesus Christ.
Over the next four weeks of Advent I’ll be sharing some thoughts to help us stop, put aside our lists, take a breath and pay attention to the gift of Jesus – the greatest present. I’ll be writing around the theme: “God’s Future in the Present.” I like the play on words in this theme. It is through Jesus (the greatest present) that we get a glimpse of God’s future right now (in the present). Think about that for a moment!
Jesus is God’s answer for a world that is broken, fearful, at war, in economic crisis, and desperately lonely. God has a vision for how to rescue this world from this brokenness. That vision is God’s future and God’s future is wrapped up in Jesus. As you pause to receive this greatest present, you will begin to glimpse God’s future in the present.
Among all the other gifts you receive this Christmas, don’t miss this one.
Sometimes I wonder if in the midst of so many presents, we miss the true present of Christmas.
After we returned home from my parent’s house following the New Year we put all our stuff away, plopped down on the couch and breathed a sigh. It was then that Carolyn noticed the small bag tucked behind one of the chairs in our living room. It must have gotten pushed back there by all the other presents and we missed it in our rush to leave for my parent’s house.
She pulled it out and said, “Oh! Look we missed a Christmas present!”
The holiday season isn’t exactly a good time to suggest people stop, slow down and spend a little more time on self-reflection. Perhaps this year’s economic slow-down will help create that space. In any event, if we don’t attempt to push back on the rush of this season we are likely to miss the most important present of all – God’s presence among us in Jesus Christ.
Over the next four weeks of Advent I’ll be sharing some thoughts to help us stop, put aside our lists, take a breath and pay attention to the gift of Jesus – the greatest present. I’ll be writing around the theme: “God’s Future in the Present.” I like the play on words in this theme. It is through Jesus (the greatest present) that we get a glimpse of God’s future right now (in the present). Think about that for a moment!
Jesus is God’s answer for a world that is broken, fearful, at war, in economic crisis, and desperately lonely. God has a vision for how to rescue this world from this brokenness. That vision is God’s future and God’s future is wrapped up in Jesus. As you pause to receive this greatest present, you will begin to glimpse God’s future in the present.
Among all the other gifts you receive this Christmas, don’t miss this one.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Practicing Faith and Civic Duty
“While our allegiance to God takes precedence over our allegiance to any state, we acknowledge the vital function of government as a principal vehicle for the ordering of society . . . . The strength of a political system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens.” (paragraph 164 The United Methodist Discipline).
I want to encourage you to participate and vote in the upcoming election. It is a way that we live out our faith, not just our civic duty.
At the church where my wife and I serve as co-pastors, I know that there are deeply committed Christians who will vote for the Republican, Democrat and Independent candidates. I realize it is important for us as pastors not to “tell people how or who to vote for.” Even as I review the scriptures and the narrative of God’s salvation history that Christians have surrendered their lives to, my opinion is that no candidate could fully share that narrative. (Nor would I expect them to given the assumptions that one has to make in order to be the president of the United States.)
Therefore, I find it impossible to say, “This is the Christian way to vote.”
However, I encourage people to participate in the election process by listening to debates, reading candidates’ websites and the plethora of news sources that report what the candidates are saying, rather than basing one’s vote entirely upon simplified “voter guides” produced for Christians. Those may be helpful in some sense, but they never give a very complete picture.
As you participate in this way, you may find it helpful to know what the United Methodist Church has said about various social issues that affect our world today. These stances are not considered church law, nor are they written to tell people how to vote. It is a statement that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church has produced as a prayerful and thoughtful effort to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. I think they are worthy of our reflection as we practice our faith and civic duty.
Here is an overview of the six sections of the "Social Principles" of the United Methodist Church. You can see the complete version of the Social Principles by following this link. http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1686
The natural world
We affirm that we're responsible for the way we use the Lord's creation. We support social policies that promote the wise use of water, air, soil, minerals, and plants. We support the conservation of energy and oppose energy-using technologies that threaten human health. We're concerned for the humane treatment of animals and the respectful use of space.
The nurturing community
We affirm the family and work to strengthen its relationships. We affirm the sanctity of marriage and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We recognize divorce as regrettable and intend to minister to the members of divorced families. We affirm the integrity of single persons. We recognize that sexuality is a good gift of God and that sex between a man and woman is only to be clearly affirmed in the marriage bond. We recognize the tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion and urge prayerful consideration by all parties involved. We assert the right of every person to die with dignity.
The social community
We affirm all persons as equally valuable in God's sight. We reject racism and assert the rights of racial minorities to equal opportunities in employment, education, voting, housing, and leadership. We urge social practices that will uphold the rights of religious minorities, of children, youth, young adults, and the aging, of women, and of disabled persons. We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol and illegal drugs, and we support the rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons.
The economic community
All economic systems are under the judgment of God. We believe the private ownership of property is a trusteeship under God and must be responsibly managed. We support the right of employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining. We affirm the right of safe and meaningful work and creative leisure. We support efforts to ensure truth in pricing, packaging, lending, and advertising; and we urge people to evaluate their consumption of goods in the light of the quality of life. We call on Christians to abstain from gambling and to be in ministry with persons who are the victims of this societal menace.
The political community
We hold governments responsible for the protection of people's basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor state should attempt to dominate the other. We call for freedom of information and quality education. We defend the right of individuals to practice conscientious, non-violent civil disobedience. We support government measures to reduce crimes consistent with the basic freedoms of persons; and we urge the creation of new systems of rehabilitation.
The world community
God's world is one world. We hold nations accountable for unjust treatment of their citizens. We affirm the right of people in developing nations to shape their own destiny; and we applaud efforts to establish a more just international economic order. We believe war is incompatible with the teachings of Christ, and we claim that it is the primary moral duty of every nation to resolve disputes peacefully. We endorse the United Nations and commend all who pursue world peace through law.
I want to encourage you to participate and vote in the upcoming election. It is a way that we live out our faith, not just our civic duty.
At the church where my wife and I serve as co-pastors, I know that there are deeply committed Christians who will vote for the Republican, Democrat and Independent candidates. I realize it is important for us as pastors not to “tell people how or who to vote for.” Even as I review the scriptures and the narrative of God’s salvation history that Christians have surrendered their lives to, my opinion is that no candidate could fully share that narrative. (Nor would I expect them to given the assumptions that one has to make in order to be the president of the United States.)
Therefore, I find it impossible to say, “This is the Christian way to vote.”
However, I encourage people to participate in the election process by listening to debates, reading candidates’ websites and the plethora of news sources that report what the candidates are saying, rather than basing one’s vote entirely upon simplified “voter guides” produced for Christians. Those may be helpful in some sense, but they never give a very complete picture.
As you participate in this way, you may find it helpful to know what the United Methodist Church has said about various social issues that affect our world today. These stances are not considered church law, nor are they written to tell people how to vote. It is a statement that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church has produced as a prayerful and thoughtful effort to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. I think they are worthy of our reflection as we practice our faith and civic duty.
Here is an overview of the six sections of the "Social Principles" of the United Methodist Church. You can see the complete version of the Social Principles by following this link. http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1686
The natural world
We affirm that we're responsible for the way we use the Lord's creation. We support social policies that promote the wise use of water, air, soil, minerals, and plants. We support the conservation of energy and oppose energy-using technologies that threaten human health. We're concerned for the humane treatment of animals and the respectful use of space.
The nurturing community
We affirm the family and work to strengthen its relationships. We affirm the sanctity of marriage and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We recognize divorce as regrettable and intend to minister to the members of divorced families. We affirm the integrity of single persons. We recognize that sexuality is a good gift of God and that sex between a man and woman is only to be clearly affirmed in the marriage bond. We recognize the tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion and urge prayerful consideration by all parties involved. We assert the right of every person to die with dignity.
The social community
We affirm all persons as equally valuable in God's sight. We reject racism and assert the rights of racial minorities to equal opportunities in employment, education, voting, housing, and leadership. We urge social practices that will uphold the rights of religious minorities, of children, youth, young adults, and the aging, of women, and of disabled persons. We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol and illegal drugs, and we support the rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons.
The economic community
All economic systems are under the judgment of God. We believe the private ownership of property is a trusteeship under God and must be responsibly managed. We support the right of employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining. We affirm the right of safe and meaningful work and creative leisure. We support efforts to ensure truth in pricing, packaging, lending, and advertising; and we urge people to evaluate their consumption of goods in the light of the quality of life. We call on Christians to abstain from gambling and to be in ministry with persons who are the victims of this societal menace.
The political community
We hold governments responsible for the protection of people's basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor state should attempt to dominate the other. We call for freedom of information and quality education. We defend the right of individuals to practice conscientious, non-violent civil disobedience. We support government measures to reduce crimes consistent with the basic freedoms of persons; and we urge the creation of new systems of rehabilitation.
The world community
God's world is one world. We hold nations accountable for unjust treatment of their citizens. We affirm the right of people in developing nations to shape their own destiny; and we applaud efforts to establish a more just international economic order. We believe war is incompatible with the teachings of Christ, and we claim that it is the primary moral duty of every nation to resolve disputes peacefully. We endorse the United Nations and commend all who pursue world peace through law.
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