eBlog

1/1/11

2011-01-01T09:47:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, probably because like most folks I don't seem to be able to stick to them very well. But with the unique designation 1/1/11, this New Year's Day makes me think along those lines. The concept of a resolution has to do, I think, with self-assessment and motivation. We can usually pinpoint some significant needs for improvement in ourselves. Weight loss, quality time with family, debt reduction -- these are among the more typical resolutions.

But what about this? The disciple of Jesus knows, as did the Psalmist, that God's love comes to us "new every morning." Not just the first day of a new year, but every morning! Those mornings when we don't feel good as well as those when we feel great. Those mornings when we are sad at the loss of a loved one as well as the routine days of work and relaxation. Those mornings where we seem too busy even to snatch a few moments of quiet time to pray as well as those days that seem unendingly boring. New every morning is God's love for us. Maybe one New Year's resolution might be to see if I can renew my love for God every morning!

Maybe you'd consider that, too.

Christmas Blessings!

2010-12-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wondered what the dress rehearsal was like for the multitude of the heavenly hosts on that first Christmas eve? The archangel Michael was probably up on the reviewing stand when the angels took their places. Gabriel, horn in hand, was reminding everybody that this was, after all, Good News, and they should smile and look like it! Amid the flutter of angelic wings and the tuning of harps, there was the sound of a great bass/soprano/alto/tenor voice warming up for the Big Announcement. Everyone was excited. They’d been waiting eons for this.

Down below, there was business as usual. Merchants bought and sold. Children played. Soldiers marched, couples married, meals were prepared and cleaned up after, politicians argued, criminals lurked. And in a tiny out-of-the-way place, a young expectant mother was relieved to hear her beloved say, “We’re almost there. Bethlehem’s just over the next rise.”

But in heaven, it was anything but business as usual. Because the Day of days was at hand, a Day established before the foundation of the world in the glorious heart of the Almighty, a Day when the King of kings, the Prince of peace, the Son of God, would come to earth. And the multitude of the heavenly hosts would sing as they had never sung before. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth… peace

Thanksgiving witness

2010-11-25T08:35:00.002-06:00

It's Thanksgiving Day, and in my neighborhood it's appropriately damp and cool. Relatives are coming over for dinner later. Yes, I know that Thanksgiving has been stylized, romanticized, even mythologized -- like other holidays. Still, for me it's a wonderful occasion, a reminder of what's most importI know ant in life, and the call to remember the Giver of all good things. I'm watching the Today Show broadcasting from Afghanistan, interviews with service personnel connected by video with loved ones back home. Heart-warming and humbling.

All the while, merchants are frantically anticipating the "busiest shopping day" tomorrow. At least so far this day does not go by the moniker Black Friday Eve! And it will be a day of football and feasting in many American homes. Friends and relatives will "gather together to ask the Lord's blessing." Or will they?

Many families will not think to do that. But we who follow Christ have the opportunity to give witness to those of our loved ones who do not know him. Not in any over-bearing way, of course. But by inviting all to give thanks to God, and in that expression of thanks, to remember the Gift of all gifts, Jesus Christ. It's a Thanksgiving witness.

Prayer for the persecuted

2010-11-19T03:26:00.002-06:00

Recently I was in a house church worship service during which Pastor Jean Hess drew attention to the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. She also showed video clips of testimonies from individuals in several countries who spoke about their experience of official and unofficial hardship for their faith. This is not an issue for those of us who live in a society that guarantees religious freedom and seems to espouse religious tolerance most of the time. Yet there are many Christians today whose life of discipleship is far more costly than mine. When churches are bombed, Christian believers are denied the right to assemble for worship, employment opportunities are restricted, death threats and prison loom, following Jesus truly is the way of the Cross.

The Christian movement has experienced persecution from the outset. Christ himself predicted it. And when disciples are faithful to Christ in the face of persecution, frequently the church grows. Incredible! For example, Christianity in communist China grew exponentially during a time of severe anti-religious sentiment in that nation.

When the capacity to evangelize is seriously inhibited by law or societal pressure, it is the faithful living of disciples that makes the witness. The willingness to be guided by the Word of God, to pray in the name of Jesus, to serve him through acts of kindness and compassion, to exhibit courage and joy in the face of oppression, these practices and attitudes are living lessons in genuine evangelism.

The reality that countless unnamed disciples still face persecution for their Christian faith begs the question of how I might react to a similar circumstance. I pray that I might be found faithful to the gospel in such a situation, that I might be granted a level of courage and faithful endurance that has not been tapped in my experience. Yet I am deeply humbled by the witness of others who are even now following the Lord, no matter the cost.

Keeping up

2010-11-17T08:48:00.002-06:00

It's not easy to keep up with all our responsibilities these days. Work, family, citizenship, community, church -- these all are deserving of our best. I have friends who have just returned from mission trips to Haiti and Colombia, others who are currently engaged in a mission trip in southeast Asia, others who have been working on home re-building for flood victims in West Tennessee, and still others who have helped repair the roof of a church in a very poor area of Birmingham. I think to myself: how do these friends -- who are every bit as busy as I am -- find time to do these things? The answer, clearly, is that they prioritize their time and personal finances for mission work of this kind.

Listening to their stories, I get the strong impression that these involvements really help give meaning to all the other activities of their lives. This kind of ministry keeps everything else in perspective. For them, it's not so much a matter of keeping up, as keeping in! Keeping in the unfolding purpose of God. Keeping in the mission and will of God. Through the sights, the smiles, the touches, the pain, the hope they encounter along these arduous journies, my friends are stepping in the footprints of Jesus. Talk about keeping up!

Different "spokes"

2010-11-05T09:09:00.002-05:00

Back in the day we used to say, "Different strokes for different folks." It was a way of acknowledging that people are unique, and they have their own likes and dislikes, their own way of communicating and of receiving input. That's true, too, when it comes to our desire to share the gospel in a meaningful way with others. We have to speak the language that will best communicate.

The apostle Paul knew that. In the city of Athens, for instance, he interacted with at least three different "audiences": the congregants of the local synagogue, the merchants and customers in the marketplace, and the teachers and legislators of the areopagus. He was speaking the gospel of Christ in each case, but doing so in a way that was designed for the particular audience. In a grammatically poor way, we could describe that as "different spokes for different folks."

How we communicate with teens and young adults about Christ is likely to be different from sharing the same message with the seniors among us. For the former the medium might be the internet or music; for the latter it could be in the context of a fall foliage tour. The message of Christ doesn't change. But our way of sharing it needs to be appropriate for the folks we're trying to communicate with.

The real Halloween

2010-10-27T08:13:00.003-05:00

As youngsters (and, strangely, many adults) prepare to don weird costumes and troll their communities this week-end for "trick or treat," it occurred to me that there is another Halloween going on, but it's not limited to one day of the year. It's the horror of world poverty. For instance, one-sixth of the world's human beings live on less than $1 a day. Fifty-percent of all people live on less than $2/day. That's 3 billion people, with a B. According to UNICEF, 25,0000-30,000 children die each day due to poverty-related illnesses and malnutrition. Almost one-half of all children in the world live in poverty.

One rule of thumb for defining what it means to be poor is to belong to a household with income less than 1/2 the national average for that particular country. By that measure, 60% of all the households in the world are poor.

Poverty in the USA is rising, too. In 2006 the poverty rate in the US was 12.6%, 36.5 million people. In 2009 the rate was 14.3%, 43.9 million residents of the US.

Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to declare the Kingdom of God. What does this mean for our missional thinking today?

Birthday cerebration

2010-10-17T10:40:00.003-05:00

As a youngster I always looked forward to my birthday. Birthdays signified that I was growing up. And even as an adult I've enjoyed birthdays, though I'm not convinced I've ever "grown up", in some ways. Each birthday has been like a milemarker on the journey of life. Today is my 65th birthday, and that's a milestone, for sure! In recent generations this was often the date of official retirement. Not so much these days, and not for me, not yet. Instead, I'm taking on some new responsibilities and anticipating continuing service in the ministry of our Missions Ministry Team, as the Lord provides health and strength.

But unless I plan on reaching an age of Old Testament proportions, I suppose it's no longer accurate to think of myself as being "middle aged." Okay, maybe I'm middled aged with advanced standing! Be that as it may, the questions inevitably arise: Have I accomplished at least something of what I have believed God calling me to do? and, How will I continue to try to live out God's call in this next stage of life?

God has a purpose for all of us. Yet to get in touch with that divine purpose requires faith in God, expressed in following Jesus Christ. Without that faith and faithfulness, our priorities and sense of purpose -- no matter how worthwhile -- will fall short of God's intent for us.

Missional mentors

2010-10-11T09:07:00.002-05:00

Our typical image of retirees may not include leadership of mission trips. But I have many friends who, as Third Agers, are making a difference for those less fortunate. One group is in South America as I write this, another is preparing to leave for Haiti to build houses in another week, still others will be in Dyersburg and Nashville, TN, for disaster flood relief. A couple I've known for years, both retired from public school teaching, sold their home, bought an RV, and spend much of their time traveling -- volunteering on one mission trip after another.

There's a growing number of folks aged 65 and over. Currently over 12% of the US population is in this category, and the percentage is rising. By mid-century, it's estimated that there will be more people over 65 than under 14 in this country! People are not only living longer, but they also are staying active longer, remaining healthy longer. And they have some decisions to make. Some will continue working in their chosen careers. Others will find new or part-time vocations. Some will go back to school. And some will express their commitment to God and neighbor through volunteerism of various kinds. All of these pursuits offer promise of making genuine contributions to society through the latter years of life.

The other day, though, I was reminded of an even more personal opportunity. A young twenty-something fellow told me of a recent conversation he had with his 86-year-old grandfather. For some time, the man had expressed feelings of being used up, no longer worthwhile, "ready to go." My young friend began to make it a point to call his grandfather every week and ask him for advice and counsel. After only a few of these conversations, the older man felt re-charged and is getting even more engaged in the community again. The older ones among us have a wealth of wisdom and insight. But the younger folks need to be open to that information and understanding.

Missional mentors are those disciples who have committed to finishing strong in the Christian life, giving themselves in service to God and neighbor. In particular, they are devoted to sharing with rising generations the difference Christ has made in their lives.

In-vision

2010-10-05T07:58:00.002-05:00

I've worn eye glasses most of my life, though in recent years they've been limited to reading glasses following cataract surgery. I find it virtually impossible to read the newspaper or a book without those corrective lenses. I depend on them for up-close work of all kinds. I'm grateful for them, and for the kinds of surgery now available to people to assist with their sight. Our son-in-law is having laser surgery today for glaucoma, and of course we are praying that this will be effective for him.

This reminds me, too, that seeing the world around us isn't automatic. Sadly, many people cannot see at all, many others have difficulty with their sight. From a spiritual perspective, Jesus urged his disciples to "lift up your eyes and see that the harvest is ripe." It is important for us to envision the mission that God calls us to, to see the world (though in a very limited way) with the eyes of Christ. I call this in-vision, because it is only through the indwelling of the Spirit that this is available to us. This level of vision is not restricted by our physical capabilities to see. It is a matter of our openness to God's leading in "seeing" the opportunities for serving him.

Whirled peas

2010-10-04T07:44:00.003-05:00

Those of us who struggle with vertigo from time to time know what it feels like to see the world spinning around, though we're trying to be still. When I saw a car bumper sticker that read, "Whirled peas," -- a play on "world peace," of course -- I thought of that image of standing still while everything else seems to be moving in circles. That could be a metaphor for life in these times, I suppose. The bustle of daily activities, the rapid changes in communication technology, the avalanche of news events, all combine to make us feel as if we're standing still while the world is spinning around us.

From a Christian faith perspective, though, there's a sense in which the world sort of remains the same, while we undergo some changes. The experience of discipleship involves transformation. As Christ said to Nicodemus, 'You must be born anew.' A spiritual rebirth gives us new life in Christ. This spiritual rejuvenation continues throughout our lives, as divine grace molds us into the person God calls us to be.

There is, however, an abiding awareness of peace and serenity in the midst of this life-transforming grace. The world continues to spin around us, and often things seem out of (our) control. Yet as Christ lives in us, we experience a peace which is not like the peace the world offers. It is the assurance of being reconciled to God, and increasingly reconciled to one another, increasingly an instrument of reconciliation in the world.

Evangelism is a process

2010-09-29T10:04:00.002-05:00

Because of our inclination to think of evangelism as presenting the gospel in such a way that a person has the opportunity to make a decision for Christ, we may not recognize always that it is really a process. It's usually not a one-shot deal. For instance, there may be many other Christian influences in a person's life before we ever get involved. The circumstances in one's life may contribute to an openness or receptivity to the gospel, too. Beyond that, the Holy Spirit precedes anything we do as a witness.

When a person does come to a personal relationship with Christ, that is by no means the end of the process. It is the beginning of a life-long discipleship that is to broaden and deepen -- a growing in grace. The experience of becoming a new person in Christ, the new birth, typically has its beginning, defining moment. But from there, we find ourselves turning again and again to God in Christ, being continually challenged and empowered to lay aside the weight of sin and to live more abundantly the person God calls us to be. We may have many "conversions" in that sense. We recognize, often, that God is still working with us. For example, in the areas of racial justice, interpersonal respect, integrity and honesty, dealing with feelings of anger, revenge, jealousy, greed, lust and much more! We sense that God is calling us to be a champion for the "least of these," to be aware of the inequities in society, to get our priorities aligned with God's will.

Evangelism, then, isn't just for the unbelieving person, but is for all of us. We daily meet and respond to the One who calls us to follow him.

An external focus

2010-09-28T08:07:00.002-05:00

Many congregations are facing difficult challenges today -- rising costs, dwindling participation, aging leadership, burdensome repairs on facilities, and more. The natural tendency is for churches to zero in on maintaining the present program, do what has to be done to keep the doors open. While it is necessary to be faithful in taking care of the current needs and responsibilities of the church, it's possible to become so concerned with the internal life of the congregation that we neglect the call to reach out to the community with the love of God. Our maintenance needs should not displace our mission. It's a both-and situation. We're called to provide the highest possible quality of spiritual care for the congregation, and at the same time to 'lift our eyes to see that the harvest is ripe' beyond our walls. Congregational revitalization involves a re-commitment to mission. We have to continually cultivate an external focus for the church.

Here's a thought from Methodist leader James E. Cushman that's worth considering:

'Normally, revitalization and evangelism go hand in hand. Revitalization occurs when a congregation turns outward in its ministry, and that is exactly what is needed to enable true evangelism to take place. The gospel can only be extended when the vision of the people of the church turns outward to the community.'

Sharing what we don't have

2010-09-27T06:57:00.002-05:00

Doing research for her book Unbinding the Gospel, Martha Grace Reese repeatedly heard leaders of effective congregations say something like, "You can't share what you don't have." The issue under consideration was evangelism, faith-sharing. Those who want to improve in the area of evangelism and outreach have to start at the beginning, namely, their own relationship with God through Christ.

Seems obvious enough, but the reality is that frequently we in the churches don't take our own spiritual temperature as regularly as we should. We can get so preoccupied with church activities (on top of the many other responsibilities we have in life) that we tend to take our own spiritual life for granted. Our personal relationship with Christ is the source of the witness we give. If we are negligent in personal prayer, listening to Scripture, offering heart-based worship, then we soon realize we don't have much to share with others. But when our daily experience of discipleship is a powerful inspiration to us, making a difference in our lives as we realize over and over the grace of God, then our faith-sharing is really just the overflow of being filled with the presence of the Lord.

Helpful forgetfulness

2010-09-20T08:24:00.002-05:00

Almost everyone knows what it's like to become a little forgetful as we go along in life. One reason for this is that we typically have a lot going on, many plates spinning, and it's not easy to keep up with everything. The anniversary date may slip up on us, or we may be unable to recall the name of that acquaintance we know so well, or we can't think of the route we've used many times to get to a restaurant. Sometimes, too, a spouse will mention something that she/he has already told us a few days earlier, but it will come across as brand new information! We've just forgotten it!

Most of the time there's no harm done. But sometimes we do forget something very important, and we end up scheduling two or more events for the same time, or we miss a critical meeting. Then, too, there is the kind of loss of memory that is more serious, representing a clinical problem. This may be the result of a brain injury or illness.

But there's also a kind of forgetfulness that is good for us. This morning in my devotions I expressed this prayer: "Lord, help me to remember today what I should remember, and forget what I need to forget." What might we need to forget? Possibly we need to forget that grudge we're carrying around, that slight we perceive from someone else, that unhealthy habit, or those worries that beset us to the point of feeling stuck. The apostle Paul noted this: "One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus..."

Evangelism is about remembering what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. And it's about helping us forget some things we need to lay aside.

September 10

2010-09-10T09:46:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow the nation will commemorate the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and in the skies above Pennsylvania. I have been to the site in Manhattan only once since the terrible event, but in a sense most of us are never far from Ground Zero. The horror and heartbreak of that dark day remain.

But today I am thinking about September 10, 2001. It was a typical Monday, a workday that saw millions of commuters clog the streets and highways of the nation. For me it was a day of office responsibilities, interacting with family and friends, paying the bills. I'm sure I never pondered the possibility that the world as we knew it was about to change.

September 10 serves as a reminder to me of the precious gift that life really is. When I take for granted such things as office responsibilities, interaction with family and friends, even paying the bills, I'm suffering a personal deficit. And, unwittingly, I'm giving in to a form of spiritual indifference which fails to give thanks to God for the gift of life, with all its wonder and routine, its joys and its sorrows.

I believe the "better angels of our spirit" call us to embrace hope, love, joy and peace, even in the shadows of 9/11. But this is possible to us only if we know the One who alone gives the precious gift of life.

Inarticulate prayer

2010-09-08T08:42:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to know what we should pray for. Even when we pray for the desperately ill person to get well, we may at the same time be praying that her or his suffering may soon end and new life with God begin. Faced with difficult decisions, our prayer may ultimately be, "Your will be done, Lord." The Bible notes, too, that there are prayers that are really too deep for words. They are more like sighs -- sighs of relief or sorrow or hope or desperation. The apostle Paul affirms that even when the follower of Christ can't find words to express prayer concerns and needs, the Holy Spirit does the praying for us!

Research suggests that many people pray in some fashion. But the assurance of the Spirit's praying in our behalf is available only to those who have acccepted the love and grace of God in Christ. Our God hears the inarticulate prayer of disciples, but I'm convinced God hears it better the closer we are to Jesus.

Bible and newspaper

2010-09-07T13:39:00.002-05:00

The great Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, is credited with saying that Christian theology is done with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Had he been writing today, he might have changed that expression to the Bible in one hand and the iPod in the other! But be that as it may, he was making the point that, for the person of faith, the events of contemporary life which find their way into the media spotlight are to be viewed through the lens of biblical truth. The intersection of God's timeless Word with today's news stimulates questions and affirmations about God and our life.

For instance, in the news this week is the story of a pastor in Florida who is urging the burning of the Koran as an appropriate September 11 commemoration. It may be (giving the benefit of the doubt) that this man offers an allusion to biblical material, perhaps having to do with examples of Old Testament figures taking on the false religions of the day. Yet this level of hatred and disrespect finds no warrant in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Clearly, it is possible to use or abuse some of the biblical material to support or justify attitudes and actions that bear no resemblance to the way of Christ. Jesus himself noted this concern in his Sermon on the Mount: 'You have heard that it was said, [ie, in the Scriptures] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.' The Christian holds the Bible in one hand, but it is the Spirit of Christ who provides guidance for the interpretation of Scripture. It is the living Word of God -- not the letter of the law -- that offers life-transforming grace at the intersection with daily life.

Sojourner on earth

2010-09-03T08:03:00.002-05:00

The Bible -- specifically a verse in Psalm 119 -- offers the perspective that persons of faith are 'sojourners on earth.' That is, we aren't fully at home in this world. An old gospel song puts it this way: "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." A difficulty with this view is that, as has often been observed, we can be so heavenly minded that we do no earthly good.

The disciple of Jesus has dual citizenship, in a manner of speaking. Obviously we are born and live in the only world we know, and thus we are citizens of the world. When we experience the grace of God in Christ and become his followers, we become citizens of the Kingdom of God as well. Citizenship in the Kingdom of God requires full commitment to the life of service, pursuit of justice, the cause of peace as citizens of this world. It is in this world that we have the opportunity and obligation to live out the lifestyle of the Kingdom of God.

Today, perhaps, our challenge is not that of those who adopt a totally "heavenly minded" approach. But rather, as disciples we may tend to be too much at home, and not enough a sojourner here. So we give in to many of the same attitudes and values that dominate in society - materialism, self-centeredness, avoidance of responsibility, indifference to the concerns of others, prejudice and fear, or whatever. When that happens, our witness to the Kingdom of God is dimmed, and our citizenship in this world is a life less abundant than it was intended to be.

Mosque mess

2010-09-01T09:05:00.002-05:00

The effort to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero in Manhattan has generated controversy not only in that area, but there are ripples around the country. For instance, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this week there are reports of escalating tensions over the construction of an Islamic mosque. Death threats have been made. A suspicious fire was started at the construction site. There is anger and confusion in many communities, and the term islamophobia has been coined.

In contrast, there was a story in the Memphis "Commercial Appeal" newspaper the other day about a different kind of response. In an east-side suburb, plans are under way for a erecting an extensive Islamic Center on property adjacent to that of HeartSong Church, which has United Methodist connections. The congregation's founding pastor, Steve Stone, admitted that he and the church had many of the same concerns and emotions that others around the country are feeling when these plans were announced. But then, asking themselves what Jesus would do, they decided to offer their facilities for Muslim prayer services while the new Islamic Center is being built. This has resulted in developing relationships between the two groups that otherwise may never have happened.

As Christians we are responsible for giving witness to our faith among those from other religious backgrounds. We do not do this in arrogance, but in concern for others, and in the desire for mutual respect. World history is splattered with the blood of people on both sides of this religious and cultural divide. Yet we know that is not the way of Christ. Under the conviction that Christ is "the way, the truth and the life," we live out our discipleship from the stance of love and service. When we are tempted to respond in fear, anger and violence, we have departed from the very path we claim to walk upon.

At the same time, the fact of multiple religious perspectives in society -- and none at all -- reinforces to my mind the need for Christians to be far more intentional in their own spiritual life and witness. We do not have the luxury of living as if everyone believes as we do. Rather we have the responsibility to share with our children, youth and adult friends by word and example what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and to invite those who do not have a relationship with Christ to become his follower with us.

Highway

2010-08-31T07:49:00.002-05:00

Americans spend a lot of time on highways: interstates, freeways, tollways, state routes. As I was driving a busy interstate the other day I was reminded again of just how mobile we are as a society. Vehicles in their respective lanes share a relatively thin strip of real estate from the points at which they enter the interstate to the places where they exit. Often we've had the experience of traveling many miles with the same cars in view. We don't know those people, they don't know us. But we're on the same road, heading in the same direction, maybe even going to the same city.

It's prosaic to speak of the Christian life as a journey. From the time of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, the experience of following Christ has been regarded as a journey. People come into this journey from different places in their lives. Some have a dramatic, life-changing conversion experience akin to that recorded by the Apostle Paul -- his Damascus Road turn-around. Others come to Christ from the depths of despair, like the wayward Mary Magdalene. Still others begin the Christian journey like the youthful Timothy, Paul's protege, who grew up in a home in which his mother and grandmother were role model Christians.

There are many "entrance ramps" to the Christian life. Yet once we're on the road, we share a common space, spiritually speaking, and we are moving in the same direction. Along the way we find meaningful relationships with fellow travelers -- no longer strangers! And, yes, there are multiple exit ramps and detours. But usually there's a way back to the Lord's highway. For the most important relationship we have along the way is with the One who leads, saying, "Follow me."

The People's Princess

2010-08-30T11:05:00.003-05:00

My wife and I spent a few days in the Ozark Mountains last week. We especially enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas and Tablerock Lake near Branson, Missouri. While in the Branson area, we stopped in at an exhibit devoted to the memory of Princess Diana. There were videos and photos of the fairy-tale-like wedding to Prince Charles, displays of the dazzling gowns she wore for state occasions, exhibits of her jewelry, candid photos of her with her beloved boys William and Harry, and so on. It is a museum of pathos, a story of privilege and glamor, but also a story of heartache, disappointment and tragedy. Lady Di was a fashion plate, darling of the press, admired not only in Great Britain but around the world. At the same time, she was plagued by the very notoriety that put her on the world stage, unable to conform to expectations from the royals, dislocated and confused in her personal life.

She is remembered as well for her humanitarian concern. She championed the cause of children in war-torn nations, especially where there remain dangerous minefields. She seemed to relish opportunities to hold and hug children suffering from leprosy or otherwise disfigured. It was this capacity to identify with the poor and dispossessed that brought her into a friendship with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Two different worlds, and yet, a certain kinship.

Seeing only her public personna, we cannot know all that motivated Diana to reach out to the poorest of the poor. But the fact is that there are so many of the rich and famous who make no such efforts, yet that aspect of her personality remains a part of her legacy. It is evident that she was not the kind of saint that Mother Teresa was. But from her position of international prestige, wealth beyond the imagination of most of us, she expressed compassion for those many have forgotten. To me, that was a witness.

Stop, look and, uh, listen

2010-08-20T07:36:00.002-05:00

As a school kid I was repeatedly warned to "stop, look and listen" when approaching a railroad crossing or street intersection. They probably still teach that in school -- I hope! There are lots of precautions of that kind that we learn as youngsters: wash your hands, cover your mouth to cough, don't go with strangers, don't play with matches, and the like. They're all intended to make us aware of the potential dangers of our environment and to keep us safe.

Stop, look and listen can also be helpful counsel for the spiritual life. The Bible advises us to 'Be still and know that God is really God.' There's a stillness that has more to do with our internal life than our outward activity. That's what I think of as "Stop." It's an inner calm -- even in the midst of external busy-ness -- that comes from knowing God.

The "Look" suggests taking it all in: the wonder of the natural world that God has made, the amazing expanse of human enterprise and expertise, the good, the bad, the ugly. Some of what we see evokes feelings of praise for God. Some of what we see makes us sad or angry. Some things stimulate a compassion that requires action. Jesus once told his followers, 'Lift up your eyes and see, there's a spiritual harvest out there!'

And the "Listen" part, of course, has to do with our capacity to really be present with those we love, those with whom we work, those we interact with from day to day, even the casual visit. From a faith-sharing standpoint, it's the listening that makes our witness relevant to someone else. And at another level, we listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit, particularly in our relating to someone who does not yet know God. Speaking not so much literally as spiritually, Christ said, 'If you have ears, hear what the Spirit is saying.'

Seeking security

2010-08-19T07:58:00.002-05:00

Security. It's something most people long for and often don't have. Job security is illusive today. Security in the famly situation can be iffy. Airports and other travel venues remind us of concerns for national security. Retirees (and those approaching retirement) worry about the viability of Social Security. Churches, too, struggle with the effects of a difficult economy, loss of participation, so that even in the realm of spiritual nurture and support, folks experience insecurity.

In our society, the tendency is to look for security in what we can earn or possess: house, car, income, furnishings and so on. But despite our consumerist drive, it becomes evident that there is little that can provide lasting security. Houses have lost a chunk of their value in the last couple of years. Cars are greatly de-valued when we drive them off the lot. Retirement funds relying on the stock market were slammed in the downturn, or in some cases stolen by companies. Real income has dwindled for most folks, job benefits have been curtailed. Higher education, once the ticket to the good life, now is so costly that many college grads labor under the weight of student loans and often find themselves working in fields for which their education did not prepare them -- that's if they can find a job at all! Though everyone would like to be financially independent, the truth is, there is no real security in material things. Yes, life can be easier for those who have much, but it can be very complicated and disappointing for those folks, too. How often we hear of the celebrity or the heir or the lotto winner who just can't take it any more.

The follower of Jesus learns from him that genuine security is not to be found in material possessions, even though they are necessary for our life. We must have food, shelter, clothing, of course. And our lives are made more enjoyable as the "standard of living" is raised. Yet lasting security -- security that carries us beyond this life -- is to be found in trusting God, in experiencing the assurance of our acceptance through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When there is no other security, we still may know the security of salvation in Christ. It is the great paradox of discipleship that, as Jesus said, when we lose our life in him, we truly find it.

Mission statement

2010-08-18T08:03:00.002-05:00

Mission statements abound in the business world and church life today. Some almost take on a life of their own, like Nike's swoosh which no longer needs the slogan, "Just do it." Others languish in obscurity -- even in their own domain. I often encounter congregational mission statements. Most are lofty, well-intentioned -- and ignored. The other day, though, I was in a meeting at a church of another denomination where it was clear the mission or purpose statement was a vital part of the life of the congregation.

Destiny Center in Rio Rancho, NM, is a contemporary, youth-oriented ministry with all the techno-baubles (including computer kiosks for registering child care). But as one enters the main auditorium, the hallway of the entrance is adorned with graphic depictions of what, clearly, is the church's mission statement. Five panels depicted one part of the statement. In another place I found the mission statement graphically portrayed with an inner circle (titled "Love God"), and a surrounding circle with sections devoted to Reach, Belong, Serve, Grow. In a display area I noticed a sharp brochure with an expansion of these themes. For instance, under Reach there were two bulleted sections named "My Story" and "My Friends." Under Belong, the bullet listings were "My Church," "My Home." Serve featured, "My Gifts, My Lifestyle." Grow had "My growth," "My Responsibility." And under Love God were "My Faith, My passion." These themes were illustrated in a variety of ways throughout the church facility. Little chance that they would be forgotten or ignored. One had the impression that these topics come up again and again in sermons, teaching, new member classes, outreach activities and the like. I could quibble a bit about the "me-ness" of it all, but there's no question that the emphasis is on a personal experience of faith.

Too often congregations simply go through the motions of being church without re-experiencing a sense of call to God's mission. Through an intentional study of the Word of God in prayer and discernment, a church may come to a fresh awareness of its real focus and purpose. When it does, it can tell that story in ways that can't be ignored. When we know what we are about for God, others may be interested!

One right answer?

2010-08-17T08:22:00.002-05:00

Renowned National Geographic photographer and keynote speaker DeWitt Jones has an excellent video on his website dealing with the matter of creativity (http://www.dewittjones.com). Using a variety of beautiful images, he notes that in his work as a photojournalist it's important to realize that there are multiple "right answers" to obtain the perfect shot. Perspective, focus, lighting, photo components all can combine in myriad ways to produce wonderful images. The temptation is to settle for the first "right answer," not realizing that the best may be yet to come. This is an extremely important insight for leadership, of course.

From a Christian viewpoint, there may indeed be multiple "right answers" in terms of doctrine -- just note the large number of Christian denominations as evidence of that. Each has its own unique approach and emphasis in ministry. Yet the essence of the Christian faith -- that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior -- is the single "right answer" to the question of human redemption. There are no multiple right answers when it comes to eternal salvation. Only One. Christ himself said: 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.'

This exclusivity causes many outside Christian faith to regard us as intolerant, egotistical, even foolish. And indeed there are some within the Christian movement who struggle with the exclusive claim that Christ is the only way and truth that leads to salvation and eternal life with the Heavenly Father. But either Jesus Christ is who the Bible declares him to be, the One that two thousand years of faithful followers have believed him to be, or he is not. This is the line in the sand in terms of faith. For me, and for others who trust in Christ, Jesus is the one right answer for our relationship with God.

Xchristian

2010-08-16T08:28:00.002-05:00

According to recent research from the Barna Group, about 12% of American adults have moved from the traditional Christianity of their upbringing to atheism, agnosticism or another religion altogether. Those converting to Christianity, having been raised in settings of non-belief or another religion, represented 3% of the adult population. Among the reasons cited for this depature from Christianity were changing life experiences, disillusionment with the Christian Church on matters of social significance such as homosexuality, abortion, birth control, and the sense that the Church was too authoritarian.

David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group and director of this research project, observed that it's not easy for Christian leaders to relate to the factors that contribute to the departure of "ex-Christians." For one thing, many of us are older than those who typically engage in such faith decisions. Most do so as teens or young adults. Further, it is often the case that religious leaders themselves did not go through such spiritual turmoil, having always been in the Church. Or if they made a major religious shift, it was toward -- not away from -- Christian faith. So it is critical for clergy and other spiritual leaders to remain in touch with the doubts and questions that people have, if they are to assist those who are leaning away from Christian faith.

Kinnaman also pointed out, though, that the great majority of folks do sustain their early life religious commitments. "Nearly three out of four adults said they are the same religious faith today as they were during their childhood." This, to me, emphasizes the absolute necessity of providing Christian nurture for children and youth. If youngsters don't have the benefit of spiritual formation in Christian faith, the likelihood of their coming to faith later in life is greatly reduced.

Disconnect

2010-08-11T08:23:00.003-05:00

Despite our technological connectedness -- iPhones, netbooks and whatnot -- there's still evidence of a pretty noticeable disconnect in Christian circles these days. For one thing, the American society today tends to be polarized over political, ethical and economic issues, and that spills over into the churches. The once-innocuous adult Sunday school class discussion can feel like an emotional minefield when certain "hot" topics are mentioned. Too often there's a disconnect between the pulpit and the pew, between pastor and people. The chasm between congregation and seminary has been wide for a long time.

Perhaps it's inevitable that such disconnects exist among disciples, given the great diversity and pluralism in modern society and the variety of experiences and value systems that are present in the typical congregation. Yet there is no doubt that this sense of cross-purposes affects our evangelistic endeavors. Maybe it is not necessary to speak with one voice, as representatives of the church. But isn't it essential to speak with one heart?

The multilayered disconnect that Christians may feel, however, is much greater for the secular person. The person who does not consider him/herself religious has precious few resources to call on for making important life decisions. There's the legal system, of course, plus generally accepted moral standards that roughly coincide with the laws. But increasingly it is clear that people do "what is right in their own eyes," as a phrase from Scripture puts it. This lack of spiritual and moral mooring does not auger well. Jesus' followers need to put their own sense of disconnect in perspective and renew a commitment to helping others come to a life-shaping, life-saving, life-abounding, life-unending faith in Christ.

Staying connected

2010-08-10T08:07:00.002-05:00

We stay connected these days: cell phones, smartphones, laptops, you name it. I'm writing these comments from an airport terminal, accessing free wifi which allows me to stay connected to my office, home and friends. This unprecedented capability for communication should makes it easier to keep in touch. Some folks have no memory of a time without this instant access. But despite these conveniences, we still often find that communication is challenging. Getting on the same page is not quite the same thing as staying connected. Emails are notorious for being misunderstood. Cell phone calls drop without warning. Communication, despite the amazing technology, is still pretty difficult. It still requires paying attention, being sensitive to the concerns of others, thinking before reacting, and so on.

Another thing: Placing so much emphasis on staying connected with friends, family members, business associates is great. But what about staying connected with God? I'm wondering if it's not possible for us to get so tangled up in the "web" that we forget that form of communication which needs no satellite! Talking and listening to the Source of all life, all goodness, justice and mercy -- now that's worth staying connecting to!

The cost of discipleship

2010-08-09T07:53:00.002-05:00

Word came last week that a medical aid team had been murdered in the Puran Valley of Afghanistan after two weeks of a medical mission in that remote and impoverished area. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the "executions," citing their belief that the aid workers were attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. International Assistance Mission, the agency sponsoring the mission, rejected that accusation, declaring that the mission was humanitarian and that it does not proseletyze. One of the victims was an American optometrist who had served in Afghanistan for thirty years. Another was a dentist from Denver who had given uip his private practice to serve the poor in Afghanistan. Another was a male nurse, graduate of Johns Hopkins. Another was the daughter of a pastor in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to Americans, the team also included two Afghans, a German and a Brit.

That no attempt to convert Muslims was associated with this mission did not matter at all to the Taliban. It was enough that some on the team were Christians, and they were therefore presumed guilty of evangelizing. They were serving the children of Afghanistan, some of whom had never seen a toothbrush or had an eye exam. But they were killed for being Christians.

In the Greek New Testament, the word for "witness" is martyria, from which the English word martyr is derived. It is not a coincidence.

Those of us who speak (rather glibly, I'm afraid) about witnessing in the comparatively safe environment of the US might give thought to the cost of discipleship in some places. I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of these aid workers. I know, though, that God has used them to serve "the least of these" and that their contribution to goodwill and peace lives on.

Story-telling

2010-08-06T07:47:00.002-05:00

Evangelism is a story-telling task, notes author Andrew Kirk. [What Is Mission?, Fortress Press, 2000] It's the story of Jesus Christ -- his life, his ministry, his victory over sin and death. It's the story of God's amazing grace, made known supremely in Jesus, for those who trust in him. And it's the story of the intersection of our own life experience, and the experiences of others, with the grace of God in Christ.

The Nobel prize winning writer and holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once remarked that God made humans because he loves stories! Certainly the Bible is chock full of stories. If you love stories, the Bible is for you. Jesus Christ was a master story-teller, as the parables reveal. Where else in literature are there such succinct and powerful sideglances of the human situation?

Our Christian witness has elements of story-telling to it. The circumstances of our lives that have brought us to a deeper awareness of God's love shape the stories we can tell. As with any good story, there's conflict in our witness-story as well as resolution. Our struggle with faith in the midst of difficulty, our sense of lostness at times when we've seemed distant from God, our frustration that things did not turn out as we had hoped and prayed -- all this, too, is part of our story with God. And it may be that someone else is feeling a similar thing. When we speak about it, and how God is helping us through it, that may be the very story someone needs to hear.

Entrepreneurial DNA

2010-08-05T08:18:00.003-05:00

In his book Instinct - Tapping into your entrepreneurial DNA Tom Harrison notes personality traits and character factors of those who are effective in business start-ups or management. With a background in molecular biology, and transitioning into pharmaceutical PR, Harrison is CEO of a large company. He notes that the effective entrepreneur is typically extroverted with a genuine concern for others. Manifesting integrity with clients, co-workers and competitors, many successful business owners have what Harrison calls the Nice Guy trait (referring to both genders). People like to be around them, are attracted to them, have confidence in them -- even in a dog-eat-dog economy -- because they are honest and optimistic, caring and sincere. Like others writing in the leadership field, Harrison observes a "servant" quality in the best entrepreneurs.

Integrity. Honesty. Caring. Servanthood. Hmmm. Maybe he's onto something. It's a leadership style that's been around for about 2,000 years! The first and best example of that kind of leadership was detected in one named Jesus Christ.

Unforced errors

2010-08-04T08:20:00.003-05:00

When you watch a pro tennis match on TV, sometimes you'll hear the commentators refer to the players' "unforced errors." That refers to those times when greatly skilled players mess up on relatively easy shots. The ball goes into the net when the player was simply trying to get it back in play. Or there's a missed overhead that should have been a put-away. Or the ball sails long or wide, when the whole court was open. Tennis players get upset about a lot of things: double faults, bad line calls, broken strings. But nothing bugs them as much as "missing the easy ones."

In his book The Unforced Error: Why Some Managers Get Promoted While Others Get Eliminated, Jeffrey A. Krames uses this tennis analogy to address career and business issues. We might also think about this in terms of our Christian witness. Sometimes we can make the stupidest mistakes! Like when we're driving the car with kids in the back seat, and we fly off the handle at another driver. Or when, at the office, we are more concerned about "getting ahead" than in making the right moral choice. Or when we forget to take the time to give thanks to God and reflect again on the life-inspiring Word. Or when we sense a crisis in a friend's life and we don't offer spiritual support.

The "unforced error" can be very costly in tennis. Likewise, in our Christian faith-sharing.

Lifetime achievement award

2010-08-03T09:17:00.002-05:00

The movie and music industries are good at throwing galas to hand out awards to their own. The coveted Oscar, Tony or Grammy is far more than a mere shelf decoration. It's an acknowledgment of excellence from one's own peers! Baseball, too, has its Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and the other pro sports follow suit in their own way. The other day I heard an ad for the appearance of long-time folk singer and social activist Joan Baez doing a concert at a local theater. The announcer observed that Ms. Baez was the recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2007. In this she joined the company of such performers as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Marion Anderson, Patsy Cline and a host of others.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is different from other Oscars or Grammys or Tonys. It represents the Academy's conviction that the nominee has made a life-long contribution to the world of cinema or music. Many trends and fads push along the public caravan, but there are some individuals whose talent and dedication stands out from all the others.

Is there a Lifetime Achievement Award for a Christian? Well, not in the sense of the accolades of the public, not in the sense of fame and fortune. Yet there is something wonderful in an exemplary, lifelong commitment to Christ. St. Paul approached the end of his own life, declaring that he had 'finished his course, fought the good fight, kept the faith.' The Lifetime Achievement Award for the faithful disciple comes not with glamor and glitz, but with a soft welcome: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your Lord!'

Finding gaps

2010-08-02T08:16:00.002-05:00

Recently I was visiting with a church group about their outreach ministries, and they observed that their rural county had many churches, and that the area was largely "churched," with most people being members of congregations. Yet as we visited further, it seemed increasingly clear that despite a large number of established churches in the area, and the perception that most shared similar Christian values, there was strong evidence that there were many folks who had no ongoing, meaningful relationship with any church. Perhaps most were nominal Christians, folks who would consider themselves believers. But the fact that none of the existing churches was "bursting at the seams" on a given Sunday suggested that many felt little need to be involved in church.

The conversation also revealed that the county was struggling with a high rate of unemployment. A local treatment center provides opportunities for people to turn their lives around from drug and alcohol dependency, but upon completion of the therapy there are few jobs available. That lack of employment opportunity also means that when young people go off to the university, they usually don't come back. Someone else noted that, as in many other rural areas, there's a problem with meth labs. Just in a few minutes, we began to recognize that even in that somewhat "churched" community, there is a significant mission for any church! We admitted that we had just barely scratched the surface of the kinds of needs in the community that Christians need to be addressing. Mission, often, is about finding the gaps. Where are needs not being met, where are folks falling through the cracks, where are our assumptions about the spiritual vitality of our community getting in the way of sharing our faith in tangible ways?

Inviting

2010-07-29T09:24:00.002-05:00

Without being able to articulate it, probably, many people knew that Jesus of Nazareth was completely unique, as we know from the four Gospels in the New Testament. The disciples understood it best. To them he became known as the Son of the living God. Reflecting on this after his death and resurrection, the apostles recognized that he was completely human, yet fully divine -- an indescribable mystery! When he walked the paths of Palestine, though, one couldn’t tell that for sure. Yet there was a magnetism about him that attracted the "least of these" as well as the elite of the society, the downtrodden and the high-born. One reason people of such diverse lifestyles and backgrounds were attracted to Jesus was because he invited them to be part of his life.

To the disciples of John the Baptist he said, ‘Come and see.’ To others he said, probably in an invitational style, ‘Follow me.’ To the multitudes he said, ‘Come unto me all you who labor and are overburdened and I will give you rest.’ By his own testimony, our Savior came into the world ‘to seek and to save the lost.’ He came looking for people with spiritual needs, and he invited them into his life. He went where the lost people were. He found them.

Now to me this is a model for our approach to evangelism. As Christ invited people to share his abundant, redemptive, grace-filled eternal life, so we, his followers, are to do the same. As he came seeking the lost to save them, so we are sent forth in his name to share (in word and action) his good news with a suffering world. As Jesus Christ invited those disciples to ‘come and see,’ so it should be part of our church’s DNA to invite friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances to participate with us in the life-shaping, life-transforming experience of being Christ’s disciples in and through the church.

We follow an inviting Savior. So we should be inviting disciples, an inviting church!

Preaching to the choir

2010-07-28T08:12:00.003-05:00

I was in a meeting the other day when, in the course of a fairly difficult discussion, one member of the group observed to another, "You're preaching to the choir!" In this way, she was saying that the folks around the table were of the same mind, committed to the same goals, but because of the sensitive nature of the conversaiton, it seemed as if folks were in disagreement. The other side of the coin, though, is that sometimes (despite our shared commitments and goals), we all need a reminder of what is most basic and most true. In church circles we find ourselves often "preaching to the choir."

In his book The Continuing Conversion of the Church, Darrell L. Guder notes that churches of the Reformed tradition (such as mine) emphasize that "the church once reformed is always in the process of being reformed according to the Word of God." But he suggests something more is needed. "It might well be, however, that reforming is not enough... It might be evidence of greater spiritual honesty if we were to describe ourselves as churches continually needing conversion." Those of us in "the choir," those of us who are committed members of the Body of Christ, disciples of Jesus, still need to be constantly called to follow the One who leads us in mission, service, obedience and abundant life. Unless we are submitted to the continual conversion offered us in the Spirit -- the process we often think of as growth in grace -- our witness to others will be water-thin.

Wish you were here

2010-07-27T09:09:00.002-05:00

Postcards from the family vacation sometimes come back (to those who didn't get to go), with the phrase, "Wish you were here." In our area of the country, there have been many TV ads from the Gulf coast region encouraging tourism despite the oil spill, and one ad from the State of Mississippi uses a song, "Wish you were here." When people are enjoying a good time, they do sometimes wish that other loved ones could be with them for the experience. And those left behind can't help wishing they could have gone!

From a spiritual standpoint, disciples of Jesus sometimes wish non-believing acquaintances, friends and family members were able to know the assurance, peace and joy of a saving relationship with Christ. The apostle Paul even expressed such a view once, when things looked very dark for him. He had been in prison for over two years because of his Christian beliefs and testimony, and now he stood before the Roman Governor Festus and the Jewish King Agrippa. Given the opportunity to make his "defense," Paul recounted his experience of conversion and shared the gospel of the Risen Christ. In derision, Festus accused him of being crazy. Agrippa then said, "Paul, in a short time you think you could make me a Christian?" To this Paul responded, "I would to God that not only you but all who hear me this day might become as I am -- except for these chains!" In terms of the relationship Paul had with the Lord, he wished everyone present were there.

Do we truly have such a desire for those we meet?

Makeover - church edition

2010-07-26T08:42:00.004-05:00

The popular TV series "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" focuses on assisting a deserving family in the remodeling or renovation of their home by a team of professionals and celebrities. For example, an episode I saw recently featured a family in which a young daughter (a twin) was suffering severe respiratory problems because of contamination in the construction of their mobile home. In the series, the family is often given a free week's vacation to Disneyworld or somewhere, and upon their return, their home is completely 'made over.' Invariably it's a heart-warming story, and there are some practical tips for home repair and improvement as well.

In their book Simple Church, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger suggest that many Christian congregations could benefit from 'extreme makeover - church edition.' They note that frequently congregations can get bogged down in so many varied activities that they can lose sight of their true purpose -- enabling people to connect with the grace of God. Of course a vacation to Disneyworld isn't part of the mix for a congregation seeking to re-think and re-construct its life of mission and service! Congregational renewal is a lot like remodeling your home while living in it, according to Alban Institute consultants Dan Smith and Mary Sellon. It's messy! It takes longer than you think it will. And often it costs at least twice as much as you planned! And we aren't just talking dollars.

Church make-over is hard work. But to re-focus on what God is calling the church to be and do, and to bring all activities and ministries in line with that calling, results in a "church home" that is a place of genuine spiritual nurture, loving service and empowered witness.

Storage

2010-07-23T08:12:00.002-05:00

Time was, storage meant putting boxes and old furniture and non-seasonal clothes in a back closet, the attic or more recently a "self-storage" bay. That was then. Now, storage has to do with the capacity of computers and servers to maintain/keep straight the seemingly limitless flow of information/data/photos/music/videos via the internet. No longer can we rely only on the desktop PC's own memory. Now we're encouraged to subscribe to a web storage service, supposedly guaranteeing the security and permanence of our essential apps and files. I was at a friend's house last night, and he was demonstrating the interconnectedness of the five or so computers in his home, along with the staggering storage capacity of his own external hard drives. And knowing him, and as smart as he is, he probably needs it all!

My own storage needs are a bit more modest. But it's amazing how much stuff one accumulates. I have as much baggage as the next person, physically and emotionally, when you come right down to it. The capacity of the human brain to store and call up an incredible range of information continues to inspire awe, even in the age of computers. But no one pretends today to have access to all the information s/he needs in the mind alone. The Renaissance person of the 18th century would fare well in the 21st, I believe, but most of us these days have our own small corner of experience and expertise. We're specialists, for all practical purposes. We have to rely on the expert advice of others when the issue is outside our realm of daily endeavor, such as financial planning, or business initiatives, or relational issues, or career changes.

Where do we go for deeper understanding on spiritual matters? There are so many "experts" out there, whether on the internet or in our own neighborhood, that it's tough to know what to trust. For me, the most trustworthy approach for dealing with spiritual questions and longing is to develop a relationship with a local community of faith, a church, where people are all engaged in a similar journey with Christ, and where the Scriptures and heartfelt prayer provide guidance, and where the "experts" are just folks.

Adams' testimony

2010-07-22T08:15:00.002-05:00

This summer I've read the fascinating biography of John Adams for which author David McCulloch was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. It is a story of inspiration and great pathos, an American story of patriotism, commitment and honor. John Adams, Massachusetts lawyer and farmer, Harvard graduate, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Vice-President to George Washington, second President of the United States, author of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, American emissary to France, The Netherlands, Great Britain, father of John Quincy Adams (sixth President) was a man of devout faith.

After his retirement from public life, he and his beloved wife Abigail were known to attend "meeting" (church services) twice each Sunday. Upon her death, Adams received a letter of condolence from another former President, Thomas Jefferson, himself gravely ill. Adams wrote back, affirming his faith in God and a life beyond this, knowing that Jefferson was not religious.

"I believe in God and in his wisdom and benevolence, and I cannot conceive that such a Being could make such a species as the human merely to live and die on this earth. If I did not believe in a future state, I should believe in no God. This universe... would appear with all its swelling pomp, a boyish firework."

Adams was constantly amazed by the immensity and mystery of creation, and hence of the Creator. He wrote once: "I find my imagination...roaming in the Milky Way, among the nebulae, those mighty orbs, and stupendous orbits of suns, planets, satellites, and comets, which compose the incomprehensible universe; and if I do not sink into nothing in my own estimation, I feel an irresistible impulse to fall on my knees, in adoration of the power that moves, the wisdom that directs, and the benevolence that sanctifies this wonderful whole."

Having risen to the heights in his own land, met with kings and princes of others, John Adams humbly bowed before the God who is Lord of all.

Divine and dusty

2010-07-21T07:50:00.002-05:00

The late South African theologian David Bosch once wrote: 'We now recognize that the church is an inseparable union of the divine and dusty.' What a challenging thought! It reminds me of the phrase from the apostle Paul, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels.' People who criticize the church because of its hypocrisy, its failure to live up to its own standards of faithfulness, ethics and morality, its inappropriate tendency to side with the "powers that be" rather than the "least of these," -- well, such criticisms are often on target. But they are simply an acknowledgement of the fact that the community of faith is composed of human beings. The church is always going to be "dusty" in that sense. People who "church hop" looking for the perfect congregation are also doomed to disappointment. Some groups may be more to their liking than others, but none will meet their idealized vision of what a church "ought" to be. No matter how grand or simple, nor matter how large or small, the church is dusty.

But that's only part of the story. The church is also divine, in the sense that it is of divine origin, and in the sense that mysteriously it is the Body of Christ in the world. God calls the church into existence, pronounces Christ the Head of the church, empowers the church's witness by the Holy Spirit. God's mission directs the church. There is no other enterprise, organization, nation or group so called, empowered and dedicated. The church is a glimpse of the Reign of God -- but its a dusty glimpse, a glimpse through a dusty glass (again to reference St. Paul).

When you think about it, the Incarnation itself is both divine and dusty. Jesus Christ, God's Son, was -- when he walked the paths of Palestine -- fully human and fully divine. His divinity was clothed in humanity; his humanity was a vessel for his divinity. Some people, then and now, had trouble with Christ's divinity. Some people, then and now, are troubled my his humanity. But because he was human, he knows are circumstances -- as the Psalmist puts it, God knows that we are dust. And because of his divinity, he offers us grace as our Redeemer and Lord.

Good fences

2010-07-20T07:46:00.003-05:00

Robert Frost's poem, "The Mending Wall," has afforded untold hours of reflection by scholars and school kids and the rest of us. He begins with the observation, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall." It's springtime, and time for the annual repair of the stone wall between his own property and that of a neighbor. Over the months, stones have fallen away from the wall, the work of hunters, or perhaps "elves." His neighbor offers the opinion, evidently passed from his father, that "good fences make good neighbors." But the poet questions this. "Before I built I wall," he thinks, "I'd ask to know what I was walling in or out, and to whom I was like to give offense."

My wife and I happened to be traveling in Germany when the Berlin wall began to come down -- more than twenty years ago, now. People in the streets were talking about it, but it took us a while to realize what they were saying. It seemed so improbable, so unlikely, so impossible. The Cold War, symbolized by the wall, had been part of the fabric of life for me since early childhood. But something there is that did not love that wall.

The wooden privacy fence between my neighbor's house and mine was battered by wind and storm this year, and it's looking much the worse for wear. So it will have to be repaired, not so much because good fences make good neighbors, but because good neighbors care for their shared space. In fact, that's a way the walls between us come down, isn't it?

Hoping for the best

2010-07-16T09:32:00.002-05:00

With the BP oil cap apparently stopping the leak from the Horizon well pipe, we are all hoping for the best. After 85 days of unimaginable ecological catastrophe, we are holding our collective breath. BP representatives and governmental spokespeople are guarded in their comments. Eleven workers lost their lives in the initial disaster. For their families, and for untold numbers of families along the Gulf coast who depend on the sea for their livelihood, this has been an irrecoverable loss. For the wildlife and the elements likewise.

We not only hope for the best, but as people of faith, we pray that the efforts to stem the flow of oil, and the clean-up endeavor that is required, will result in a level of restoration to the region that at this point would be nothing short of miraculous. May it be so.

Personal, not private

2010-07-15T08:09:00.004-05:00

Today the general mentality in society is that faith issues are private matters. That's one reason folks are hesitant about sharing their faith with others. We have bought into the prevalent attitude that it's no one else's business what someone believes. It's true that our perspectives on religious faith are personal, but for the Christian, they aren't private. We certainly respect the views of those who differ from us, and we have no interest at all in imposing our faith on anyone. Yet we have the responsibility to express our Christian faith in witness to others in as winsome and caring fashion as possible. The fact that our faith is personal is indeed one of the most important facets of that witness. It allows us to speak and act from experience. We are representing what has been most meaningful to us, what has made a lasting difference in our lives.

At the same time, we accord anyone the right and privilege to disagree with us, or to decline to consider the gospel for themselves. That we are convinced of the truth of the message of Christ does not mean we are condescending or coercive or combative with those who disagree. Sometimes Christians feel affronted when their personal witness is rebuffed or ridiculed. The natural tendency, then, is to lash out, to "fight back." But of course that response undermines the very witness we strive to embody. So rather, we cultivate the capacity to be faithful in sharing our personal relationship with Christ, while remaining open to dialog, discussion and even disagreement with others. We trust, ultimately, in the work of the Holy Spirit to use our testimony for the divine purpose.

Web 2.0

2010-07-14T09:01:00.002-05:00

Lynette Hawkins explained the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 for some of us yesterday in a seminar. Web 1.0 is the one-way communication on the internet represented typically by websites and informational pages. It's not particularly interactive. But Web 2.0 allows for two-way communication and is the stuff of social media networking via the internet: facebook, myspace, twitter and so on. Here there's the opportunity to enter into a real-time conversation with others on your computer or hand-held device. This is obvious to most who may read this, of course, but I bring it up because it reminds me of what Christian evangelism is about.

It's a conversation, a dialog, not a monolog. It's at least two-way communication. Actually, it's communication at many levels: verbal, non-verbal, emotional, spiritual. But it's give and take, reflection and response. It's a relationship. Evangelism is not hit-and-run communication, like a highway billboard ro bumper sticker It is the experience of sharing life, indeed, sharing the life-giving Spirit of Christ.

Change is good

2010-07-13T07:55:00.002-05:00

A few years ago I saw a guy with a T-Shirt that read, "Change is good." As he walked past, I noticed the back of the shirt said, "You first." I guess that's the way most of us feel about change. It sounds good on paper, but actually experiencing it is another matter. And yet, change is about as predictable a reality as anything in life. Change is constant -- sometimes miniscule, as in the case of molecular biology, sometimes massive, as when an earthquake hits or a volcano erupts or an oil rig sinks. Anyone who has attended a class reunion or visited a hometown after an extended absence has noticed changes. Change is inevitable.

In the world of cell phones and automobiles and medical technology, change is essential in order to outdistance the competition, or apply new science to medical problems. In sports, teams try to change a losing season by adding new players or trying new plays.

Not all change is good, though. And it's probably the worry about unwanted change that makes us resistant to change itself. Yet some of the major changes experienced in our culture over recent generations have been long overdue: civil rights, gender equality, in particular. These were (are) difficult changes, and there has been significant resistance to them. But thoughtful people recognize the advances for civilization that have resulted from them. Other societal changes have not been so good. A relaxation of moral standards is evident, which leaves society struggling to find a sense of right and wrong. Poverty in the inner city, loss of the family farm in rural communities, insecurity in employment are among the changes that no one feels good about. Changes in education, family structures, entertainment, and religious life have produced a mosaic of "values" in which it's no longer easy to find common ground.

So when the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented as offering life-transforming change, it's little wonder that folks may be reluctant. Yes, this change is good. In fact, it is life-saving. But how can we best demonstrate that insight with people who have become increasingly skeptical of change? Ideas, suggestions?

Prayer sandals

2010-07-12T08:01:00.003-05:00

You've heard of prayer shawls and prayer beads. What about prayer sandals? I've noticed that recent surveys of religious life in America indicate that a great majority of folks do pray on a fairly regular basis, even those who are not particularly involved in attending church services. With this in mind, the concept of "prayer sandals" may be just the thing to motivate otherwise non-churchgoing folks to a heightened sense of a divine purpose for their lives.

When we pray, asking God for assistance, mercy, healing and so on, we Jesus- followers are at the same time committing ourselves to serving God through serving others. Our prayers actually commit our own hands, hearts and feet to the divine will. When we pray for the well-being of a loved one, for instance, we are at the same time devoting ourselves to that person. In praying for a sick friend, we are not able to effect physical healing, but we can be a source of emotional strength and encouragement. And when we pray for those who are less fortunate, we can decide to get involved with activities and programs that make a difference. That's wearing our prayer sandals.

I am convinced that many people for whom church life is irrelevant or a turn-off will relate to the notion of putting their prayers to work. Are there prayer sandals we need to put on today? Are there ways we can invite others do to the same?

LeBron who?

2010-07-09T07:56:00.003-05:00

The sports pages have been ablaze this week with speculation about NBA megastar LeBron James' decision to stay or leave Cleveland. Last night on ESPN he removed all doubt, declaring his intention to go to the Miami Heat to play with superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh (himself only committed this week). So the three of them have thrown down the gauntlet for the rest of the league, evidently.

Cleveland, we might well imagine, is in mourning. Not only was LeBron a homegrown boy, the darling of the region, he was the face of the Cavalier franchise. The city of Cleveland, long the brunt of jokes, now recedes again into the shadows of NBA-dom. LeBron had been the difference-maker, elevating a hapless NBA franchise to play-off status over his eight years with the team. Now, he's gone.

As a sports fan, I'm increasingly wearied by the idol worship, pedestal-izing, and obscene contracts awarded these sports figures. It's little wonder that many of them come to think of themselves as above the law, to regard fans and franchise owners alike as subject to their beck and call. Our society has created a specialized caste of professional athletes. Kids (and parents) from ghetto and suburb will do almost anything to break into the club. Make no mistake. This isn't about sports. It's huge business. And the official commerce of ticket sales, arena vending, TV contracts and so on represents only the tip of the iceberg. Odds makers make a pretty good living at this, too.

At a time when so many are struggling financially, and when there's an environmental disaster along our shoreline, and our cities continue to deteriorate, and there are seemingly insurmountable obstacles to matters relating to healthcare (to mention just a few concerns), what does it mean that so much of our attention and spending is focused on professional sports? It's a diversion, surely, and that's fine with me. I enjoy sports. But aren't we a little crazy on this these days? And when I say "we," I guess I'm thinking specifically of those of us who claim to have a somewhat countercultural value system, ie, the gospel.

Cart rage

2010-07-08T08:01:00.002-05:00

The Dagwood comic strip in my morning paper today was amusing. He was in the grocery store pushing a cart when another shopper bumped into him. She immediately upbraided him for not watching where he was going. Though he tried to apologize, she was incensed. Then the PA system announced that folks should avoid that aisle due to a case of cart rage!

That scene's really not so far-fetched today. It's apparent to me that people tend to become much angrier much quicker over much less. To be candid, I myself have much less patience than I remember having in the past. Maybe that's a function of growing a bit older, but I'm not so sure. I believe many of us are living under a great deal of tension day by day, and it boils over unexpectedly at the slightest things. Road rage claimed the life of a man in a parking lot near my office last year. The fellow parked next to him felt he had swung in too close. They argued. The "offended party" reached into his car, pulled out a revolver, and shot the "offender" dead. Sadly, this kind of thing is happening all around the country -- whether it's road rage or domestic violence or workplace/school/shopping mall shootings. Lots of people are operating on a very short fuse. And the means to act out vengeful fantasies are readily accessible. Watching the nightly news in my city makes me wonder if we haven't stepped back in time to the days of the Wild West.

Clearly, there are plenty of good reasons why people are upset. The economy is brutal. Folks are upside down on their most significant possessions. Commute-time is fierce. The Gulf oil spill is devastating. The federal government seems at a partisan impasse on many things, and when it does act, people don't like the result. Societal mores have changed dramatically, generations in the same family seem to be talking different languages. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq plod on. And these are just some of the big things. It's the little things, the day to day things, that really get to us. That's where patience wears too thin. Suddenly, without warning, we erupt at a loved one, a co-worker, a neighbor. Then, when the dust finally settles, we can't help wondering who this person is in our own skin.

Okay, so maybe you can't relate to that. But if you can, you might be wondering how a professed Christian can have such an emotional meltdown. The reason, as I see it, is that despite our commitment to Christ, sin/sinfulness is never far below the surface. There are times when anger is appropriate, of course. When there is injustice to another, for instance. But more often our anger arises from something else, a sense of our own personal injury or perceived slight.

The Bible acknowledges anger, but the apostle Paul counsels that even in our anger, we should not sin. That is, we should not allow our anger to take over and cause us to lose our grip on being a child of God. Admittedly, that's easier said than done. We typically don't act very rationally when we've crossed that invisible line between irritation and rage.

But by the grace of God, we don't have to live on that other side of the line. We can ask divine forgiveness and seek God's help in coming to terms with our emotions, including unbridled anger. For the welfare of society, for the peace of our homes, and for our own sense of well-being, we need to do that. Oops! I may have just made you mad!

Free parking

2010-07-07T07:48:00.004-05:00

FREE PARKING! So read the sign in the yard of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bartlett, Tennesee. The attraction was the Bartlett community's annual fireworks display in celebration of the Fourth of July. Hundreds of folks took advantage of the spacious parking area and church property, as church members worked the traffic and parked cars. There was also the aroma of outdoor cooking as people got out of their cars. And another big sign: FREE FISH HERE! Not only could community guests park on the church grounds for free and take in the great fireworks show from the nearby Community Center, but they were also hosted for a free meal! Great catfish, hotdogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings. At no cost. If that were not enough, before the fireworks started the church also provided a hilarious skit and talent show inside, where it was cool!

Was this easy for the church? No way! It's a congregation of less than 200. They'd provided fireworks parking (for their members only) for several years. But last year they made a decision to do things differently. They wanted to serve their community. The reception last year prompted a renewed dedication to the effort this year. Yes, it took planning, almost total mobilization of the membership, and financial donations. Was it worth it?

Well, if you mean did they have a huge number of first-time visitors on Sunday morning after that Saturday evening effort, the answer is no. But in terms of establishing rapport with their own community, becoming far better known in the area than ever before, and being regarded as a friend to many, yes, it was a whopping success! And who knows? Someday one of those community residents may be looking for a church home, and when that happens, it won't be that hard to find Faith.

Dream the demographics

2010-07-06T07:46:00.002-05:00

Economic forecastsers carefully watch the demographic trends of society, aided by such tools as the US Census, business and commerce projections, and a variety of Internet websites. Anticipating new "growth points," Wal-Mart, Lowe's and McDonalds crop up, along with many other retailers and service providers. Those responsible for developing new churches, too, try to recognize where communities are developing rapidly in the effort to meet spiritual needs of new residents. Based on an analysis of the projected populations for these newly emerging communities, congregations seek to design ministries and programs that will make a positive difference in people's lives. Where a sizeable number of younger families is expected, for instance, a church may consider such weekday programs as day care, pre-school, Parents Day Out, after-school tutoring and so on. On the other end of the spectrum, if the church is addressing the spiritual needs of a growing retiree community, an entirely different approach will be called for. Organized hands-on volunteerism, weekday discipleship studies, mentoring programs utilizing the expertise and experience of those who have been in the business world for a lifetime might be some ways to serve retirees (and help them serve in meaningful ways).

We are all at least somewhat sensitive to demographic issues. In order to be more effective as faith-sharing disciples, we should strive to know as much as we can about the communities where we live and the people who are our neighbors. Churches can access demographic information pretty economically. Percept Group, Inc, for instance, specializes in providing demographic information for churches. A serious sutdy of our community allows us, then, to discern the particuilar kinds of ministries God is calling us to engage in to share the Good News of Christ where we are.

Blessed is the nation

2010-07-04T05:30:00.002-05:00

No one can review the last four hundred years of world history without acknowledging that of all the nations of the earth, the United States has been among the most blessed. Even with our many trials, hardships, setbacks, wars, depressions and failures, we are a nation incomparably blessed, truly the envy of the world.

The Bible says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." [Psalm 33:12] For the formative years of our national history, and really until the last few years, our country has been at least nominally dedicated to the God of Holy Scripture. Our currency declares "In God We Trust." Even the atheists among us gladly carry money around! Our pledge of allegiance to the flag includes the phrase "one nation under God." Unfortunately, public school children can no longer be required to salute their flag in this fashion, since the name of God is mentioned. Our congress continues to begin its daily work with prayer to the Almighty, and various government officials often close their public remarks by saying "God bless you, and God bless America." But that there is a powerful movement against our identification as a Godly or a Christian nation cannot be doubted. When the day comes that we no longer acknowledge the God of heaven, what will happen to our blessings, I wonder?

Our nation was not conceived to be a theocracy in the sense that Israel was in Bible times, a nation ruled exclusively by divine command. But it was certainly originally planned to be a nation of law which had its basis in the law and righteousness of the biblical teachings. To fail to teach and understand the biblical mandates of righteousness is to remove the foundation from much of our own legal and governmental system. It invites lawlessness, immorality, and anarchy.

As we commemorate the beginnings of our nation this week-end, let's remind ourselves once more of our spiritual roots, our need to affirm that we are indeed a nation under God, a nation reverencing the commands of God, a nation -- even in our diversity -- responding to the upward call of God.

Mission team

2010-07-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

My friends Lynn and Nona Thomas (former missionaries in Colombia) are leading a youth mission team to Guatemala for a couple of weeks. The group will be working out of a church medical clinic we sponsor. They will provide supplies for an associated orphanage, teach English as a Second Language, conduct Bible studies and Vacation Bible School type activities, meet with local leaders, and get in a bit of sight-seeing. The purpose of the trip is to share the gospel of Christ in tangible ways and to facilitate a life-transforming experience for these American young people as they live and serve in another culture.

People today want to make a difference, and that's especially true of younger generations in the US and around the world. For them, Christianity isn't so much about sitting in church and learning stuff as it is about getting into the world, into the communities, and showing God's love in practical ways. This is a short-term opportunity to make a difference. Youth and adults on these mission efforts return with an invigorated faith and a renewed commitment to lifestyle evangelism. In a very short time they are immersed deeply into the lives of people who, they find out, aren't so different after all. The people on this Guatemala mission trip are already highly committed believers. But this experience will widen their horizons and open up possibilities for living out their faith that were unknown or unclear before. Their orientation from here on will be as world Christians, citizens of the Kingdom of God while being citizens of the USA.

A swath of commonality

2010-07-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

When you look at the church landscape in the US and around the world, it's a mosaic of multiple languages, cultures, ethnicities, lirtugical leanings, architectural styles, and ministry emphases. There are denominations, associations, independent churches. Some have a local congregational government, others are ruled by bishops, others are regulated by representative judicatories. There are churches spaced all along the political and ideological spectrum. A tremendous array of distinctiveness is presented to the person desiring to "choose a church." In North America, for instance, you can share in the small and intimate fellowship of a house church, or participate with throngs of others in a megachurch, or find a place in a church somewhere in between. And it isn't too much to say that each and every one of these Christian congregations has its own unique personality, its own approach to ministry, its own niche in the Body of Christ.

Yet with all this particularity there is also an amazing commonality. The Bible puts it this way: there are many parts, but one body. And all the parts are essential, none is of greater or lesser significance. For while churches are different, we affirm the scriptural perspective that there is 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.' The huge swath of commonality that binds us all together is our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and our commitment to the gospel of Christ.

So hooray for difference and distinctiveness and particularity! Far from the weakness some perceive this be, I see it as evidence of divine creativity and the limitless opportunities to respond to God's call. But we rejoice even more in the unity that Christ alone brings!

There are those who see the variety of church expressions and doctrinal diversity as hindrances to evangelism. Maybe, to some degree. But I personally believe, in this postmodern era, that unique responses to the grace of God are the clearest testimony that Christian faith fits no cookie-cutter mold and is based, ultimately, on the personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Dealing with bad news

2010-06-30T07:43:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's news that the stock market dipped below 10,000, combined with the anticipation of hurricane Alex along the Texas the Gulf coast, plus the continuing inability to curb the BP oil gusher, together with the deadly frustration in Afghanistan at the highest levels, and -- well, you get the picture. There's a lot of news, and a lot of it isn't good. In most cases, the average individual is powerless to make a difference in any of these matters. But we're swept along in the ebb and flow of events that affect us deeply. How is the person of Christian faith to deal with all this?

In the Bible, God is revealed as being active in human history. At times God intervenes directly to rescue. The experience of the exodus is an example, as the Lord liberated the people of Israel from bondage. At other times God uses current affairs to call people to repentance from sin and toward a re-alignment with God's purpose. The Babylonian exile is an example of this, as the Lord stripped the people of the religious moorings they had substituted for genuine faithfulness to God's will. God extends the invitation for people to find their ultimate meaning and wholeness through a genuine relationship with God, an invitation which took on flesh in Jesus Christ.

The grace and salvation that Christ brings is good news. It addresses the worry, insecurity, and sense of hopelessness that we may experience listening to the daily news broadcast or reading the paper or website. It is this relationship with Christ which frees us to trust in God's providential care, love, mercy and purpose, even when the news isn't good. In this assurance we are equipped to deal creatively, effectively and faithfully with the myriad problems that we face day by day. We may not operate on a global scale, but living faithfully as individual disciples does have a positive impact on the wider world. That, too, is evident again and again in the Biblical message.

Quiet time

2010-06-29T08:10:00.002-05:00

Many people find strength from the daily meditative pause -- a quiet time on the back porch with a cup of coffee, an early morning walk, an evening exercise regimen. Often Christians reflect on words of scripture and offer prayers to God in regular quiet time. Evidently, though, the benefits of a quiet time are recognized not only by people of faith, but also by the secular businessperson, scientist, teacher. They, too, see value in the capacity to sort through daily responsibilities, to gather oneself in terms of establishing priorities, to formulate plans in the relative serenity of quiet time.

There's another kind of quiet time that can be powerful, too. It's when, in the course of an important conversation with someone, we allow the silence to fill in the gaps. There's a tendency to be rather frenetic in conversations these days. We are a little conditioned by the twitter phenomenon to keep it short and to the point. That certainly has its place. But there are times when deeper communication is needed between persons. And quiet time helps in such situations. There is usually a spiritual dimension to such serious talk. In my experience, sometimes people hear the leading of God's Spirit in the quiet moments of a conversation. Rather than rushing on to think about what we're going to say next, maybe we would do well to listen for what God may be saying in the quiet times of the visit.

A road less traveled

2010-06-28T08:02:00.003-05:00

In his famous poem, Robert Frost concluded:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

That phrase came to mind as I thought about a text from Luke’s Gospel: chapter 9 verse 51. It was a decisive moment in the life of Jesus Christ, indeed a decisive moment in the history of humankind. The Bible tells us simply that he “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” This, Bible scholars suggest, is a semitic colloquialism which means that Jesus was resolute, that his mind was steadfastly made up, that he would not be dissuaded from his purpose. He had embarked on a particular path that would lead him inexorably to Jerusalem, Gethsemane and Calvary. Of all the roads open to him, that certainly was one few would have chosen. But the fact that Jesus turned purposefully down that road has made all the difference!

2010-06-25T07:56:00.001-05:00

Missional Transformation

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Tennis anyone?

2010-06-24T07:49:00.003-05:00

As a tennis enthusiast -- recreational player and fan -- I'm blown away by the herculean effort unfolding on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon in a single match this week. It's now heading into the third day. The competitors, John Isner (USA) and Nicholas Mahut (France), are locked in a history-making match, literally going where no tennis players have gone before. When darkness forced calling the match yesterday for the second day in a row, they had been out it for a total of 10 hours. The fifth set was tied at 59 games apiece! Astonishing. The physical endurance of these two athletes is mind-boggling, really.

On paper, it ought not to be close. Mahut is ranked almost 150 in the world, and Isner, standing 6' 10" and possessing one of the game's most devastating serves, is ranked 28. Forget that. These guys are in it for the long haul, to say the least. I have not been able to see much of the match, just the last few games late yesterday. But if what I saw is typical of the entire match, the level of effort, determination and power shot-making has been outstanding.

Okay, so what does this have to do with a blog about Christian faith? Well, it just reminds me of the way the apostle Paul spoke about his own life of discipleship, how it was a physical challenge as well as a spiritual one. He talked about training like a professional boxer or running a race like a marathoner. He talked about "pummeling" his body, that is, pushing himself beyond normal limits, to pursue the work he had to do. Professional athletes do that, but they aren't the only ones. Business people often put in long hours of intense labor; sales representatives go all-out day and night to find and serve clients; political officials can forget the 9-5 typical workday; homemakers work well beyond the accepted 40-hour week. I suppose it's a matter of what we are committed to, what motivates us. I can't help wondering what difference it might make if the millions of people who confess Christian faith were as intent on living out their witness as Isner and Mahut are in playing tennis.

Keeping it real

2010-06-23T07:35:00.002-05:00

When Oprah Winfrey announced that she would discontinue her daytime TV program at the end of this year, millions of her fans were shocked and disappointed. They have looked forward to her programs because they usually addressed down-to-earth matters of interest and concern. Ideologically, Oprah may or may not be on the same page as all her viewers, but that seems to matter less than the fact that she has the gift of scratching where people itch. She seems to know what's going on with them. Whether you're talking about fashion, relationships, financial worries, food, entertainment, current events, parenting, Oprah will manage to touch all those bases and more within a two-week time frame. I have only rarely had the opportunity to watch one of her shows, but I do see her ubiquitous commercials advertizing the coming attraction for the day. At least from the perspective of her fans, Oprah keeps it real. Her success as an entertainer (and opinion-influencer) is undeniable.

The gospel may seem irrelevant to many folks in society today because we (as witnesses) are irrelevant. Too often we aren't dealing with daily concerns in the same straightforward way that Oprah does. It's difficult for us to put into words how the gospel of Christ intersects with the frustration, aspiration, and perspiration of daily life. It's difficult. But we have to do it. Why else would anyone care what we have to say?

The wrapper counts

2010-06-22T08:08:00.002-05:00

A few months ago I was in a seminar where author and church leader Earl Creps observed that "the wrapper the message comes in counts." Certainly those who market products know that! Whether you're selling perfume or dishwashing liquid or automobiles, packaging counts. And when the issue is sharing the gospel of Christ with the world, the wrapper the message comes in counts.

When Christians talk about the incarnation, they are referring to the fact that Jesus Christ, God's Son, was born, lived, died and was raised again in this everyday world. He was God Incarnate, God-in-the-flesh. It's a mystery of profound proportions. But it's also a mystery to reflect on the fact that the church, as Christ's Body in the world today, still is to "incarnate" the gospel. It's like the story of the little girl who thought about Jesus as God "with skin on." The community of faith is in the world to represent Christ, to be his ambassadors. So the wrapper the message is in counts. If we aren't demonstrating Christ's way of love, reconciliation, self-giving, then the wrapper is undermining the message. Or, if we're substituting glitz for spiritual formation, if it's all about appearances, then it won't take folks long to figure out that no matter how seemingly attractive the wrapper, it doesn't match the message.

Change of address

2010-06-21T09:05:00.002-05:00

'The world has moved, but it didn't leave a change of address. We in the church keep sending messages to the same old address and it's not surprising they don't get through.' This thought from Carol Childress is especially pertinent to those of us concerned with sharing our faith with the secular community. Identifying where people "are at" is a big part of the challenge in faith-sharing.

Too often, I think, we're answering questions nobody is asking, addressing issues only a select few have compelling interest in. We assume, for instance, that everyone outside church life experiences some sort of spiritual void, a clamoring for a spiritual identity. I'm not convinced that's true. Many unchurched folk seem to be getting along rather nicely without the congregational support we consider essential. As we think about evangelism in our particular time/space slot, we need to pay closer attention to what really motivates the folks around us. Their values and aspirations may or may not reflect our own. To assume we're all on the same page is to keep sending our message to the wrong address.

It's also more challenging to figure out how the gospel of Christ intersects the interests, concerns, lifestyles, dreams of those who are not bought-into what they regard as "organized religion." The other thing to think about is what we, as ambassadors of Christ, are calling folks to. In what sense is it the case that the gospel really does offer the secular person an abundant life today? Yes, for us there is purpose, meaning, a relationship with Christ that transcends the materialistic inclinations of our age. But how can we communicate that as "good news" to folks whose focus is altogether different?

Availability

2010-06-18T07:41:00.002-05:00

One of the characteristics of a faithful witness for Christ is that he or she is available. That availability, first, has to do with being open to the leading of God's Spirit. We intentionally put ourselves at God's disposal, purposefully offering ourselves as an instrument of God's grace, hope and peace in our daily experiences. Those who are familiar with the story of Philip in the New Testament Book of Acts will recall that he was available to the Spirit's call to enter into conversation with the Ethiopian court officer who was reading Scripture along the road. The man did not have a full understanding of the text, and Philip was able to help him see what it meant, which led to his believing in Christ. It may be that Philip had other things to do, but because he was intentionally available to God's Spirit, someone experienced God's grace.

The disciple's availability, too, involves being open to, genuinely present to the people who may approach us with concerns and questions. These are not necessarily expressed in spiritual terms, but they most often have a spiritual dimension, when we are alert to that. Listening carefully to what is said, and to what is not said, is part of this availability. Noticing the expressions and body language of the person with whom we are visiting is another level of this listening. We're paying attention to someone else, putting our own agenda on the backburner for the moment. In that availability there is the possibility of developing a friendship that can lead to constructive change and spiritual renewal. This level of availability is seen most clearly in the accounts of Christ's interaction with people he met day by day. His model of being truly present with folks inspires and informs our own availability.

It isn't easy to remain realizingly available to be used by God, and it isn't always convenient to be available to others. But are we willing to give it another try?

Blast from the past

2010-06-17T07:50:00.004-05:00

Sometimes the past reaches out and grabs you. That's what happened when I shared in a meeting of our Church's annual General Assembly which this year commemorated 200 years since its founding. For one day we met at the site of the first meeting place of the Church on the grounds of Montgomery Bell State Park near Dickson, Tennessee. The log home belonging to Rev. Samuel McAdow was the place where the Cumberland Presbytery convened, February 4, 1810. Many of us dressed in period costume and were inspired as we wandered the area where now there stands a lovely chapel, a replica of the log house, and a monument. Gathered in that verdant valley, we worshiped in the 95 degree heat, learned about crafts and tools from the period, listened to the beautiful music of choirs, and met old friends and new. We were transported to another time when the country was brand new, and indeed the western frontier was at the doorstep.

The founders of our Church were ministers of principle, prayer and purpose. They were under obligation to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a rapidly developing new land. They were not dissuaded by the elements, impassable roads, rivers and streams difficult to ford, hostile area residents (some of whom were two-legged), nor by the criticisms of those who regarded their doctrine and methods as venturing too far from tradition. They were part of the Second Great Awakening, sometimes known as the Great Revival of 1800. From their humble beginnings, God was glorified.

Today our circumstances are different. But we do share some things in common with those original leaders. We are still on a mission field today, and we still are under obligation to share the good news of Jesus Christ on our frontier. We are to be people of principle, prayer and purpose.

I'm not sure we have lived up to the heritage that is ours in these latter years. Yet the Church founders would probably not be concerned about that, if they were able to speak to us, but rather would ask: What are you doing to share the good news and be a blessing to the people of your frontier?

The New Busy

2010-06-11T06:18:00.001-05:00

I received an email from a friend which had an automated note/advertisement at the bottom of the page from the email provider. It referred to "The New Busy," suggesting that this company could ease the user's capacity to deal with email, social networking, chats, etc. It got me thinking about the way most of us are tied to computers and cell phones. The "new busy" seems to mean that we are never out of contact for long, that "office hours" are in effect a thing of the past, that socializing and business-related communications frequently overlap.

It makes me wonder, though, if our busy-ness is that much more productive than we were before these communication tools were prevalent. With the world at our fingertips, literally, the ability to share information, opinions, artistic creations is practically unlimited. Yet the "new busy" may just be a ramped-up version of the old busy. Are we being more creative, more aware, more sensitive? Or are we just bouncing from one email/text/call/conference to another like the proverbial pinball? Are we finding ourselves more closely knit in community, or has our definition of community expanded so greatly as to be unrecognizable? These are practical questions for employers/employees/entrepreneurs/educators, but they are also questions for those seeking to live out the Christian mandates to love God and neighbor. How does the "new busy" effect our witness for Christ?

Cherry-picking

2010-06-10T05:00:00.003-05:00

In the parking lot of a neighboring business there's a machine often referred to as a "cherry-picker" with a worker in it high above the asphalt. It's a hydraulic boom lift operated from a truck stablized on the ground. The man's repairing the light stanchions. Even from this distance I can see that the wind and mechanical jumps and starts cause the bucket to sway a little. I was in a smaller version of one of these once, at that was enough for me. I'm sure these technicians become accustomed to working in the lift, but my hat's off to them.

There's a sense in which those of us who are heavily invested in the spiritual journey are a little like the guy in the cherry picker. The winds of societal change continue to knock us around. Matters we once took for granted in church life can be assumed no longer. Certainly the spiritual landscape in the US itself has changed dramatically in my own lifetime.

But like the worker in the lift, we have a goal, a responsibility -- to represent as faithfully as possible the life-transforming experience of faith in Christ. Fortunately, our conviction is that the controls are in the capable hands of Another.

Millenials

2010-06-09T11:47:00.002-05:00

Demographers refer to folks born between 1980 and 1991 as Millenials. New research recently released by LifeWay reveals some of the attitudes of American Millenials regarding spiritual matters. The study shows that a majority of these young adults consider themselves to be Christians (65%), but that many less than that number often pray, read the Bible or attend worship services. In their survey of 1,200 people in that age cohort, researchers Thom and Jess Rainer (father and son) found that 14% of them report being atheist or agnostic, another 14% had no religious preference, and 8% claimed adherence to religions other than Christianity. Responding to a question about whether they ever read sacred writings such as the Bible, the Koran or the Torah, 67% in this age range said they never do. However, 31%said they pray each day, while 20% said they never pray. Twenty percent of these folks attend religious services at least weekly (including church, synagogue, temple and mosque). "The research shows us that religion and its practices are decreasing and becoming increasingly privatized among the Millennial generation," said Rainer, President of LifeWay Christian Resources. The spiritual landscape in the nation, he went on to observe, is changing.

Congregations have often struggled with attracting and incorporating young adults into the full experience of church life. The diversity of spirituality in our society may be a contributing factor. This research also shows that congregations may not have done the best job of helping young adults see the relevance of Christian faith for today's living.

Fifty days

2010-06-08T08:20:00.002-05:00

It's been fifty days since the tragic loss of life and the sinking of the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico which has resulted in the release of millions of gallons of crude oil into the ocean, spreading along the coastline from Louisiana to Florida. News video from the region depicts struggling fowl and fish, slimy wetlands, tar-caked beaches. The economic impact on the fishing industry, tourism, government and every other enterprise is impossible to guage. Containment efforts have been largely ineffective so far, clean-up a massive and unprecedented challenge.

Naturally, people are eager to know who is ultimately responsible for this debacle. There's plenty of blame to go around. But yesterday I heard a comment from pop singer Jimmy Buffet that I thought worth pondering. He noted that because of our oil-dependent lifestyle, we all have a share of the responsibility. Hard to hear, but it has the ring of truth to me.

Stewardship of life, of natural resources, of gifts and talents and possessions is an essential part of being a Christian disciple. Yet for many of us, the use of natural resources, such as oil, scarcely registers except in our dismay at the pump prices. As disgusted as I am with the oil spill, am I willing to consider a simplified lifestyle that (taken collectively) could reduce the risks to society and the world at large?

Summertime

2010-06-07T08:12:00.002-05:00

Officially it's still spring, I realize, but with temps ranging in the mid-90s and humidity not far behind, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer in our area. Some places in the southwest have already approached the century mark. Generally I like summer, and I enjoy the outdoor activities that go with it. The other day, too, a friend shared with me a new arrangement of the song "Summertime" for guitar. I'm not much of a guitarist, but I've enjoyed trying to learn this classic from the musical "Porgy and Bess."

Summertime, though, is no longer a time when the living is easy for many people. Though school is out, work goes on for most, and the pace doesn't let up much. It's true there are vacations and week-end adventures and ballgames and cookouts. Church calendars are crowded with Vacation Bible Schools, summer and day camps, mission trips and so on. But with the onset of summer comes the dreaded "summer slump" in churches. Worship and church school attendance and financial support often slip in the summer months, as folks take advantage of opportunities to get away.

At the same time, in many communities there are new arrivals in the summer months, people making job changes between school years. Congregations may be so preoccupied with their own schedules or the short-handedness reflected in the summer slippage that they miss the opportunity to welcome newcomers. Some families relocating in your community may actually be interested in a new church, or at least open to the possibility of becoming acquainted with new friends. So the summer months are not the time for the congregation's outreach ministry to take time off.

Miss Maggie

2010-06-04T11:34:00.002-05:00

A friend recently told me of a lady who, during the years of the Great Depression, personally saw to it that her church would not pass from existence, despite the fact that the town itself was decimated as people moved away in search of jobs. She kept lines of communication open with the parent denomination, sent personal funds to support causes, saw after the upkeep of the modest building even when there was no pastor, and practically no congregation. She firmly believed that one day her church would be a vital witness again in that community. Miss Maggie's dedication and determination bore fruit. There was indeed a resurgence in the community in years that followed, and the church became again a beacon of spiritual light.

Sometimes we wonder if what we do as individuals makes much difference. The church that exists today because of Miss Maggie's faithfulness seventy years ago is a testimony to the difference one person can make.

The back door

2010-06-03T08:37:00.002-05:00

Pastors and other church leaders will know what I mean when I refer to the "back door." That's the way some folks slip out of regular church participation. It doesn't matter how conscientiously we strive to invite new friends through the "front door," unless we do a good job of watching the back door, the congregation will not have the benefit of the gifts and suggestions and dedication of those who leave.

One key factor in keeping the back door closed is to be sure to involve newer participants in a small group or service ministry they enjoy. Unless new members quickly make several good friends and find a meaningful expression of their faith and relationship to the church, they will tend to move toward the back door. Long term members, also, can ease their way out, almost sliding off the congregational radar screen. If suddenly they are absent from worship or other church activities for a couple of weeks, and no one has noticed sufficiently to check in with them, chances are they have one foot out the door, at least. Experts say that a month or so of this unnoticed absenteeism spells the virtual end of a person's relationship with that church.

Burn-out is another pretty wide back door for those who have been heavily invested in the church's program and ministries. As family and job responsibilities change, the time needed for church activities may seem an imposition, and they begin to re-assess its importance to them. So it's essential to provide hard-working volunteers an opportunity to step back from time to time, or else the back door may be too inviting.

Folks participate in church life on the basis of their sense of spiritual fulfillment and dedication. Congregational leaders who take for granted the participation of folks do so at their own risk. Instead, it's critical to to be as sensitive as possible to the individual spiritual needs of members, along with caring for the collective needs of the church.

Who knew?

2010-06-02T08:42:00.002-05:00

In the movie "Extraordinary Measures," based on the true story of John Crowley's battle to find a treatment for his children's Pompe disease, there's a scene in which the research scientist (played by Harrison Ford) and Crowley (Brendan Fraser) are seated at a local tavern. Dr. Stonehill, the eccentric scientist, is rambling on about the scientific obstacles he's facing in the research for a special enzyme that, he theorizes, might be effective against the disease. A young waitress is standing at their table, clearly impatient with the doctor's seemingly non-sensical comments. Finally in exasperration she asks if they need anything else, and Fraser's character takes her to task. 'This guy's a genius, the top in his field!' She looks surprised, shrugs and says, 'Who knew?'

We have the feeling that Dr. Stonehill frequented that establishment, and that previously there had been absolutely nothing about him that was remarkable. He was just a guy who stopped by on his way home from work, like many others. Unnoticeable.

I'm wondering if that's the way many of us are as Christian disciples. Maybe we're a bit incognito in our daily routine. If it somehow came to light that we are Christians, could the response be, 'Who knew?'

Missional church

2010-06-01T08:05:00.002-05:00

The phrase "missional church" has had some currency in recent years, and I like it because it is a reminder that the purpose of the church is to be an instrument of God's redemptive mission in the world. Congregations can get so focused on their internal activities that they may neglect the calling to represent the gospel in word and deed in the wider community. The routine of church life -- worship, Bible studies, pastoral care, fellowship actitivies -- is essential to the community of faith and its deepening spiritual development. At the same time, the Great Commission urges us to go and make disciples among all peoples. The missional church sees itself as being sent into the world as ambassador for Christ. It recognizes that the gathered community in times of worship and other activities prepare the disciples for their lives of witness and service in the world.

Often in churches we are concerned with the numbers of folks who attend services and ministry activities. This is important, without doubt, and we do strive to increase that participation through inviting others and by constantly seeking to improve the quality of the ministries we offer. Yet it is just as important to remember that church "happens" when the people return to their community responsibilities as missionaries for Christ.

Spring sniffles

2010-05-28T08:46:00.002-05:00

I've been battling a spring cold or allergies or sinus problems or something -- I can never be sure which it is. It started with a scratchy throat, progressed to the runny nose stage and the achy discomfort, and now seems to be leveling off at that wiped-out feeling. This time of year there are lots of folks who "feel my pain," I'm sure. There are many stories of physical healing in the Gospels -- Jesus anointing the eyes of the blind man with mud, healing a woman who reached out to touch the hem of his garment, restoring a withered hand, relieving the pain of lepers. But I don't recall an instance in which a person with a cold was cured!

There are no recorded cases of physical illness among the first disciples that I am aware of. Christ did heal Peter's mother-in-law, and he did relieve the mental illness of Mary Magdalene (referred to as being demon-possessed). But the record is silent about any healing of infirmities within the original twelve disciples. It's true that the apostle Paul was cured of the blindness he experienced when he encountered the Risen Lord on the Damascus Road. Paul, like Peter and the other apostles, also was given the capacity to heal others through the Name of Christ. But later in his ministry, when it came to his own "thorn in the flesh," his repeated prayers for healing were not answered. Or rather, they were answered in an unexpected way. The Lord answered his prayer by saying, "My grace is sufficient for you."

There are illnesses from which people cannot recover, apart from a miraculous intervention. For the person of faith, even when faced with such an illness, it is enough to know that God's grace is sufficient.

The last full measure

2010-05-27T08:06:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I stopped by the Gettysburg National Cemetery. It was our first time to be there, and of course we did not allow enough time to really take advantage of the informational tours and displays that were available. But still, driving through the quaint, history-stamped town, and making our way to the battlefield park took us back to a very different time. On a November day in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln participated in the dedication of the Civil War cemetery, delivering the powerful speech that would henceforth be known as The Gettysburg Address. In it he credited the soldiers who "gave the last full measure of devotion" in service to the cause of liberty and the preservation of the Union.

This week-end's Memorial Day celebration had its beginnings in Civil War memorials. I understand the observance dates at least back to May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Since then the tradition has been carried forward as a means to honor veterans of every national conflict, even to the present day as we pay tribute to the fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq. Indeed, the concept of memorial has been woven into our national consciousness with solemn and majestic monuments. The Viet Nam Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the memorial at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the 9/11 Memorial are among the more recent special observances of tragedy and heroism. Memorials are observed also in the community of Columbine High School near Denver, and in other communities shaken by similar horror in north Arkansas, in Mississippi and Kentucky.

Sadly, it seems we have become a society that must rely on the concept of memorial to help make sense of the often senseless heartbreak of terrorism, war and crime. Generations to come may wonder if we were better at erecting memorials than we were at forging a society in which there would be less need for them! Still there is a sacred responsibility to honor those who have gone before. And in that spirit, our Memorial Day observance also includes blessed memory of departed loved ones of our families, church and community. In some places this coming Sunday is still known as Decoration Day, a time when the local cemetery is refreshed with spring floral arrangements.

Thinking about the heroism of those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, or who dedicated their lives to the service of others, it might be worth asking: "What am I ultimately devoted to? For what would I be willing to give the last full measure of devotion?" In the annals of Christian history, many have given their lives for the cause of Christ. In the words of the Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament, "they desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one."

Korean witness

2010-05-26T09:19:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday I attended a Korean Church in the Atlanta area that was dedicating its new facility. It was a wonderful service, rich in music, dynamic in proclamation, inclusive of generations and genders in leadership. Over the years I have known many deeply devoted Christians of Korean heritage in the US. The situation in their homeland, however, is heart-wrenching. Because of the division of North and South Korea, loved ones are forcibly separated for years, perhaps a lifetime. Tensions have mounted between the two in recent months due to North Korea's sinking of a South Korean vessel. This on top of the aggressive attitudes from the North about nuclear weaponry, and a massive military that thrives despite the destititution of the populace.

South Korea, in distinction also from the north, has many Christian people. Some of the world's largest Christian congregations are in Seoul and the surrounding territory. Presbyterian denominations have proliferated, along with others. But North Korea is different. It is a totalitarian state, a communist regime which does not countenance religious conviction. So politically, economically, spiritually and geographically, the Korean people are divided. Further, the entire region has been embroiled in many bitter conflicts, including of course the Second World War and the Korean War, so that there is mutual distrust between Asian neighbors.

The Christian movement is growing in many parts of Asia, due in no small part to the sacrificial missionary efforts of Korean Christians along with others. The prayers of Korean Christians for their region of the world are unceasing. Their efforts to share and demonstrate the gospel are tireless. It is a gospel of peace and reconciliation in an atmosphere of ideological polarization. The rest of us in the Christian community have the opportunity and obligation to join our Korean disciples in earnest prayer for God's peace, which surpasses all human endeavors and undertstandings.

Techno-touch

2010-05-25T08:15:00.002-05:00

The communications technology taken for granted today was unimaginable for most of us twenty years ago. I remember vividly my first cell phone -- a huge handset that looked like something from SWAT team gear. Now, of course, there are tiny phones,iPhones, flip phones, smartphones, videophones, etc. I regularly participate in staff meetings with colleagues from many places via videoconference at my desk. Last night I was in a conference call with 25 people, some from the UK, Australia, and such scattered States as Alaska, Colorado, California, New York, Texas and Tennessee. It's not unusual to go to a website and download a podcast or video presentation, so that the "expert" is at our beck and call.

Numbers of churches use texting, email, phone messaging to keep in touch with congregation members, sharing information, joys and prayer concerns. Some folks are finding that their internet social networks like Facebook and Twitter provide opportunities for low-key but thought-provoking faith discussions. Our concept of "relationship" is changing in light of the new technological realities. People today literally can have a worldwide reach. There are significant implications for our faith-sharing for this techno-touch age. Those Christians who explore these new media are finding fresh meaning in the gospel mandate to go into all the world and make disciples.

Fallen officers

2010-05-21T09:37:00.002-05:00

Yesterday our local news carried the tragic story of the fatal shooting of two West Memphis law enforcement officers during a "routine" traffic stop on I-40, followed by the serious wounding of two others as they were in pursuit of the perpetrators. The two shooters were themselves killed in the subsequent gun battle. One of them, it turned out, was 16 years old. And yes, apparently assault weapons were used in the attack, and it now emerges that the out-of-state tagged van belonged to some Aryan-White Supremacist "church" in Ohio.

The community of West Memphis is in mourning today for this tragic loss -- a story sadly repeated in one form or another on a day-by-day basis around this country. Police, state troopers, fire and emergency responders are in constant danger, not to mention the public, due to the rabid fantaticism of some, the drug trafficking of others, the sociopathology of still more.

The gospel of Christ is non-violent. It is a way of life that seeks peace and reconciliation. It is sometimes even ridiculed for its non-retaliation perspective: turn the other cheek. The realities of contemporary life force the awareness that the world is a dangerous place. Personal security, though often taken for granted, is sketchy at best. One can understand the rush of many to purchase firearms as a means of self-protection. Yet the proliferation of every conceivable form of weapon is far out of bounds, since not only law-abiding citizens but all others have access to them. So I can't help wondering which is more ridiculous: a doctrine of peace and non-violence, or a doctrine that puts assault weapons in the hands of teenagers?

The edge of effectiveness

2010-05-20T14:54:00.002-05:00

Today I was in a meeting in which some clips from an old M.A.S.H. episode were used as discussion starters. In this episode, chaplain Father Mulcahey is wondering if he is making any significant contribution to the life and death struggles of the hospital camp in the war zone. His internal questioning compares his daily activities of prayer, worship services, and gofer tasks in the OR to the obviously essential work of the surgeons and nurses. He regards himself as "hanging around the edges of effectiveness."

Most of us in the group could relate to his feelings. Often the official representatives of Christianity seem to be on the periphery of today's task-oriented culture. Society seems to question the relevance of our message and ministry, and at times we ourselves succumb to the kind of self-doubt that plagued the chaplain of the M.A.S.H. unit. But in that episode of the show, Hawkeye points out that the good Father makes a contribution simply by being there, by representing the ideas and values that lift the human spirit, by being an encourager and spiritual/ethical compass.

The most straightforward definition of a witness is one who was there, one who saw the event, one who could report the facts. By being there, and being there with his spiritual eyes open, even from the fringe of effectiveness, Mulcahey was a witness. What about us?

Wallaces

2010-05-19T08:56:00.002-05:00

There are many people in my life who have been an inspiration to me through their faith, courage, wisdom and determination. Among them are Boyce and Beth Wallace, Christian missionaries who have served in Colombia, S.A., for more than forty years. They are presently visiting in the States, sharing their quiet confidence in God and exhibiting their down-to-earth concern for people. To visit with them is to enter into a glowing space of hope, compassion and Christian accountability. They are purposeful, insightful, grateful.

What is a Christian witness, really, but one who is willing to live what he or she believes? It is this integrity that shines through the lives of these two disciples. They have been honored by their Church, graciously acknowledged for their servant leadership by the people with whom they have worked for a lifetime. But there is no greater tribute than the clear impression of Christ in their daily life. They walk with him. He walks with them.

Reenactment

2010-05-18T08:11:00.002-05:00

This past weekend as my wife and I drove south on Interstate 81 through the Shenandoah region of Virginia, we suddenly stepped back in time as we passed the New Market Civil War Battlefield where a reenactment was taking place. We could see the tents and activities of soldiers in camp, the placements of some of the artillery. We had not planned to stop that morning, but it was tempting to do so. I haven't seen a live reenactment before, and it would have been really interesting, no doubt. I believe the New Market event is the oldest such reenactment in the US.

It got me thinking about the importance of reenactments in society today. In addition to battlefield activities like this, there are Medieval societies, and probably others which strive to keep the past alive. Folks involved in these endeavors go all out to achieve as much authenticity as possible.

I participated in something of a reenactment a number of years ago, commemorating the Second Great Awakening - The Great Revival of 1800. People gathered at an old log church building where the first revival services were held, wore period costume, enjoyed learning about the crafts of frontier life, and shared in worship services in the style of the pioneer revivalists.

We do these kinds of things as a means of honoring the ideals and sacrifices in our heritage, and to try to get a feel for what life was like for our forbears in difficult circumstances.

There is a reenactment component to Christian worship, too. For example, when Christians participate in the Lord's Supper - Holy Communion, it is regarded as an act of sacred remembrance. In fact, the Greek word behind our English word "eucharist" has to do with a dynamic form of remembering. It actually foresaged contemporary instant re-play. The eucharist is a form of reenactment of Christ's command to his disciples to "do this in remembrance," to take bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood, experiencing anew the Presence of the living Lord. We re-live the realities of Christ's life, ministry, death and resurrection in this simple act of Communion. In this we find spiritual nourishment far beyond the morsel of bread and the taste of wine.

Leaders learn

2010-05-17T05:00:00.001-05:00

In a podcast interview, author Jeff Sheler used an interesting phrase, which he attributed to megachurch pastor Rick Warren: "Leaders learn." Sheler has written a book devoted to Warren's life and ministry entitled Prophet of Purpose, a reference to Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" series. He went on to explain that part of the secret to Warren's success is the desire to learn, to do research, to plan and make adjustments to those plans. Leaders learn.

We often think of the crucial role of leadership in society -- politicians, business moguls, innovative entertainers, military leaders and so on. Usually they are in the role of teachers, shapers of the cultural landscape. But that's not the whole story. They are typically learners, too. Quick studies at that. Genuine leadership gleans important information from an array of sources, then focuses that information on the concerns at hand.

That's one reason I like the term "disciple" for a Christian. A disciple is a learner. Yes, the disciple may also be one who shares information and insight. But first she/he is a learner. As the New Testament personality Mary of Bethany did, the disciple 'sits at Jesus' feet.' Further, disciples are open to the inspiration of God's Spirit in the activities and encounters of life. In these ways, disciples learn.

Road trip

2010-05-14T05:30:00.001-05:00

Don't ask why we didn't choose to fly from Memphis, TN, to Allentown, PA. There were several reasons -- most of which I can't remember now! At any rate, we're driving, and that means about 17 hours of quality time behind the windshield each way. Actually, I enjoy road trips, especially this time of year. And we're going through some of the most scenic areas of the country on this one. So, presuming the weather cooperates most of the way, it's fun.

I can't help thinking that a couple hundred years ago, the path we're following was still wilderness in large part. My own ancestors came in the late 1700s from the Carolinas into eastern Tennessee, and from there they migrated further west to Missouri and Texas. It's amazing, when you think about it. Without automobiles, or trains, or any other modern conveyance or convenience, the early settlers braved the elements and carved out a life on the frontier. For us, a tough road trip lasts a day or two. That was barely a good start for them.

A number of years ago I met a woman who told me she had lived on the same farm all her life, had been born in the house her father was born in, had never been outside her rural county. It's hard to conceive of that kind of life today. but I'm sure there are still those who stay home always. The great majority of folks in our society, though, are on the go. It's fascinating to me to reflect on the fact that many of the biblical figures were also people on the move. Abraham and Sarah, Moses, the people of the Exodus and the Exile, even Jesus and the disciples. We sometimes think of the life of faith as a spiritual journey, and with good reason. For those who seek to follow Christ, it is a journey with purpose, so that the daily experience of faith has meaning in itself. And it is a journey with a destination, and that gives the road trip an eternal significance.

The big three

2010-05-13T14:05:00.001-05:00

What are folks looking for in a church today? Really. Are they looking for great music, praise bands on fire? Are they looking for quality programs for the kids, for senior ministries? Are they looking for challenging and relevant preaching? Well, probably all of the above -- if they are looking at all!

But what if they aren't looking? Or at least don't think of themselves as being interested in church. Is there something folks are looking for, though they may not even realize it on a conscious level? Michael Johnson of Breakthroughchurch thinks so. Whether unchurched folks know it or not, he believes, they're looking for what he calls the big three: Honor, Community, Affirmation.

By honor he conveys the idea of personal respect. People want to be accorded respect. His concept of Community suggests friendship, relationship, meaningful, purposeful and on-going engagement with others. Affirmation acknowledges the worth and genuine identity of the person. These relational keys should be second nature to Christian congregations. But are they? How readily to we offer respect to the stranger? What's the level of investment it requires to include outsiders in "our" community? Can we affirm those whose values and lifestyle may be different from our own?

Maybe it's time for a big three check-up.

Graduation!

2010-05-12T07:50:00.002-05:00

Each spring about this time my wife and I, like most folks, receive several graduation invitations. They come from relatives or friends, celebrating high school diplomas and college degrees. This year, though, is different for us. Because this year it's our daughter who will graduate from Penn State University on Saturday! At age 35. Married. An army veteran. I say, "Well done, Keryl!!" She is the first of our four children to get her degree, though others have some college work. Clearly, we couldn't be more proud.

It makes me think of other graduations -- my own, other loved ones, friends. There are few celebrations that mean so much to a young person. Oh, I know some choose not to attend their own graduation, refusing to admit how important it is to them. That's okay. But I think they're missing something.

On another level, I once was asked by an adult Sunday school class participant -- tongue in cheek -- if one ever graduates from Sunday school! I replied, 'No, I guess not, but I've known some drop-outs.' Truth is, we don't really graduate from spiritual learning in this life, do we? Hopefully we gain insight, wisdom, faith as we go along. But graduation awaits on the Other Side.

Unseen barriers

2010-05-11T07:55:00.004-05:00

My office has a plate glass window extending from floor to ceiling. It faces north, and directly across is a section of undeveloped land, a wooded area that gives one the impression of being in the country, when in fact we are situated in a busy suburban community just a short distance from Interstate 40. The window has been treated to reduce glare, but it is still quite clear. This morning I was interrupted at my desk by a loud bumping against the glass. A large black bird -- a crow or raven I think -- crashed into the window again and again, flapping its wings, and finally pecking hard on it to gain to try gain entrance. Evidently it did not see the glass barrier.

It's not the first time this has happened, but each time it gets my attention! I hope the bird didn't hurt itself, but it can't feel good to hit the glass with such force.

It makes me think of the times in my own life when I've hit unexpected barriers. Just flying along, minding my own business, then -- boom! Out of the blue comes an expense, an accident, a heartache. Today the bird at my window was furious at the glass, pecking at it with a vengeance. I couldn't blame it. I've felt that way a few times myself. Again this spring we have seen many families dislodged because of flooding and tornadoes, and it's always impressive and humbling to me to hear interviews of the victims who are simply grateful to be alive, grateful for the help of neighbors, despite the circumstances of loss. Frequently the people express thanks to God. To me this is a powerful witness of hope, courage and faith.

Greek to me

2010-05-10T11:22:00.003-05:00

The script on the man's golf shirt read, "It's Greek to me!" He was one of the vendors at the annual Greek Festival hosted by a historic Greek Orthodox Church in Memphis this past weekend. It was a beautiful Saturday for the event, and my wife and I enjoyed watching the youngsters demonstrate traditional Greek dances and listening to the fine musicians. Every year the event draws thousands from the community to sample the Greek cuisine -- especially the pastries! -- and enjoy the shows. Maybe it's a fundraiser -- probably is -- but it feels more like a gift.

Churches like this one contribute to the cultural mosaic that is a city. And folks from every ethnicity enjoy the taste of something different once in a while. Sometimes it is not recognized just how important churches are to the "personality" of a community. But in Memphis, where there appear to be about as high a ratio of churches to population as anywhere, it's hard to overestimate their impact. Predominantly African American congregations large and small, churches with antecedents in the Middle East, Latin America, Scandinavia and the British Isles, churches showing a variety of Asian cultures, churches with roots deep in the American pioneer experience, Catholic, Protestant and Non-Denominational churches: all declaring their faith in many liturgies, languages and leanings. There are some major doctrinal distinctions in these groups, even some ancient bad feelings among them. Yet what they say in unison is, Jesus Christ is Lord!

Mother's Day

2010-05-07T09:35:00.004-05:00

It is noted by those who track such things that the Mother's Day weekend traditionally attracts the third highest number of Christian worship attenders for the year, trailing only Christmas and Easter. Part of the reason for this is that adult children (and their families) return from distant places to visit Mom, and they frequently attend church services with her. Other worship guests show up as extended family members of the honorees. I have known of some congregations which have their highest worship attendance of the year on Mother's Day, actually surpassing the other two holidays.

A number of church guests this weekend will be nominal Christians, that is, folks who claim many of the common beliefs of Christianity but who do not see a need to live out those beliefs in their day-to-day decision-making and lifestyle. Others will be folks who have been actively engaged in church life at some point in the past, but currently are not involved much, if at all. Still others are agnostic, or indifferent toward faith matters, simply attending the services as a family obligation.

What is the typical church-goer's attitude about these guests? No doubt many are delighted to welcome these newcomers, hoping they will find meaning in the experience of their church's worship and wish to return at some point. Some, though, may harbor other feelings, internally criticizing folks for not attending with greater regularity. The disciple of Jesus who is interested in sharing faith with others will notice the opportunity to begin to develop relationships with new friends, believing that in the context of friendship over time, it will be possible to show what Christian faith means to them.

Day of Prayer

2010-05-06T15:23:00.002-05:00

Amid clouds of uncertainty fostered by the ruling of a Federal judge in Wisconsin last month, the National Day of Prayer is proclaimed on this first Thursday of May by President Obama again this year, as it has been since 1988. Actually, President Harry S. Truman first designated such a Day in 1952. Regardless of how political leaders, jurists and media pundits sharpen their barbs on this matter, Christian congregations rely completely on prayer. Our witness and evangelism in society, our humanitarian service, our worship and educational ministries are all founded on diligent and faithful prayer to a loving and mighty God. An esteemed Methodist preacher of a previous generation, E.M. Bounds, is credited with observing: “Prayer is not preparation for the battle. Prayer is the battle!” In our churches, no doubt every day is a day of prayer. But perhaps we need special days of prayer just the same.

And it occurs to me that God is not just listening to those who regularly dial the heavenly number. There are plenty of "pray-ers" who aren't church-goers in any formal sense. During Christ's ministry, there were folks who appealed to him for help who were not part of the ordinary religious circles. And he not only listened to their concerns, he responded to them. Notably, one of the men who died with him cried out to him. Jesus replied, in a voice that surely must have been barely audible, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Political views on the matter of official public prayer aside, there are times when we all -- or at least virtually all -- call out to God. Surely it is one of the most amazing things about God that God hears it all.

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T08:03:00.003-05:00

Mexican restaurants and bars will be alive with celebrations of "Cinco de Mayo" throughout the US today. Officially it's a commemoration of the victory of the Mexican militia over the professional French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. (It's not the Mexican Independence Day, as some believe.) Unofficially, it's party time, and Gringos have as big a stake in that as anyone! I guess I'm an official party-pooper at heart, but I'm hoping and praying that folks drowning in margaritas and Coronas stay off the roadways this evening. Yeah, right.

I do love the Mexican culture, and Hispanic cultures in general. The Spanish language is beautiful, the people are typically warm, demonstrative, generous and family-oriented. Many of the places I've seen in Mexico are picturesque, though for vast multitudes the living conditions are Third World. I'm dismayed, like everyone else, about the drug wars going on in Mexico now, particularly along the US border. I lived in El Paso during the 1980s, and I had many occasions to visit Ciudad Juarez just across the Rio Grande. So it is horrible to see the murders and gunfights on the streets of that city and others. The drug traffic, of course, requires a market.

Here I go being judgmental again. The US is a huge drug market. Colombian drug lords have known that for a long time. The Mexican cartels do too. so when we get self-righteous about demanding that neighbor countries stop the drug traffic, it's time to look in the mirror.

Folks in the US are into partying, which is why Cinco de Mayo, St Patrick's Day, the Big Game, and virtually any other time becomes a good excuse for excessive drinking, etc. Alcoholism and drug addiction are no laughing matter. The cost to our society, to individuals, to families, is astronomical and growing exponentially. I have wondered what it is about modern life that lends itself so much to the need for mind-numbing substances. I also have wondered how best to counteract that tendency with hope.

Yogi Berra School of Observation

2010-05-04T13:24:00.003-05:00

Yogi Berra, the great Yankees baseball catcher of a previous generation, is famous for some insightful quotes. He's credited, for instance, with saying "It ain't over till it's over." Another of his comments that I like is, "You can see a lot by just looking!" I call this the Yoggi Berra School of Observation. There are times when we miss what's right in front of our eyes. That happens to me pretty often.

I think I must have some sort of learning disability when it comes to observation. I went to the hardware store the other day to buy some grass seed that was on sale. I found my way to the Lawn and Garden Center, where common sense would say I might find such an article. After searching each aisle, I finally gave up and located a clerk to tell me where I could find the grass seed. She patiently explained that it was on a big display right at the front of the store where you couldn't possibly miss it! Well, I missed it.

At the hotel's complimentary breakfast bar the other day I couldn't find the pitcher of milk for my cereal. Nor were there any of those little single-serving cartons. Again, a helpful lady pointed out that the milk was available from a dispenser clearly marked MILK. Hmm. Okay....

Well, I take some encouragement from the fact that the first followers of Jesus weren't all that observant, either. He told them to "lift up their eyes and see" that the spiritual harvest is ripe. It's amazing what we can see by just looking!

Missional

2010-04-30T10:22:00.003-05:00

Some Christian congregations engage in missions programs, while others regard themselves as missional. What's the difference? The former think of their missions/service/outreach activities as being programmatic, specific programs planned and implemented by staff/volunteers of the church to accomplish particular objectives. The latter consider the entire life of the congregation to be centered on and motivated by a sense of God's mission. The various ministries and activities of the congregation relate directly to God's redemptive purpose made known in the ministry and work of Jesus Christ. The church exists not for itself, but for the mission to which God has called -- and sent -- it. In fact, to be missional means to be sent, sent into the world as Christ's emissary, Christ's ambassador.

The 21st century presents Christian churches with the renewed awareness that we perform our ministries in a mission field. That's true whether our church is located in the USA or the Far East or Central America. Those of us in the US have been accustomed to thinking of ourselves as being part of a Christian nation. But the fact is that we are a mission field, indeed one of the largest such fields in the world, considering the numbers of citizens who are not involved in Christian faith and practice.

To be missional simply means to focus our congregational ministry and attention on the mission God revealed in sending Christ into the world. It is a redemptive, forgiving, life-giving mission. The church that is missional spends its energies sharing that Good News through a vast array of venues and activities -- all of which arise from a sense of what God is calling it to do.

Terminal

2010-04-29T15:55:00.003-05:00

Words have multiple meanings, varied impact depending on those meanings. We once spoke of working at a computer terminal, and we sometimes refer to the airport as a terminal. The word has some sinister connotations, of course, as when the test report comes back and the doctor says, "Terminal."

I've just read a booklet written by a chaplain colleague, Rev. Jerry Scott, which shares some of his insights from a quarter of a century of interacting with the terminally ill. The main idea he conveys is that even though the person may be very weak, he or she is "not dead yet." It's important for loved ones and caregivers to remember that. The ill person needs to be included in conversation, not "talked about." The person may have unfinished business to resolve, or may wish to impart wisdom from the perspective of dying, or may simply need to be let go in a loving manner. Sometimes the terminally ill person, when able, wants to do things that have been put off for too long. He or she may recognize that they've been preoccupied with making a living rather than really living.

The Jesus follower -- whether we are the one ill or the one caring for the ill -- can be a witness for peace, wholeness and fulfillment in these circumstances. Life can be seen as not only worthwhile, but a sacred gift to be cherished, a gift that can abide in the Presence of our loving Lord forever. Family members and friends need this unassuming but courageous witness, when the diagnosis is terminal.

Who do you believe?

2010-04-28T08:04:00.002-05:00

I've been selected for jury duty a couple of times, and on the panel for potential selection a couple times more. The trials haven't been headline-grabbers. Just "ordinary" molestation, robbery, assault, that sort of thing. Even though the crimes under scrutiny were disgusting, I was fascinated by the proceedings of the court, and especially the work of the lawyers as they solicited information from witnesses.

As a juror, it came down to who you believe. Did the State present sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the defendant? Did the witnesses tell the truth?

I've also been called as a witness in court. I've been asked to testify. Sometimes the events under consideration took place quite a while before, and it wasn't all that easy to piece my memory back together in the kind of detail the lawyers were looking for. I told the truth, of course, to the best of my ability. It's unlikely that my testimony made much difference one way or another, but I couldn't help placing myself in the position of the jurors as they listened to my answers. They had to be wondering if they could trust I said.

A trustworthy witness is someone who tells the truth, hopefully with little or no exaggeration or slight. Just the unvarnished truth. That's not as easy to do as it may seem.

The Christian disciples are 'witnesses.' We live/tell the truth of the experience of God in Christ. But if our living doesn't somehow jibe with our telling, the witness doesn't ring true. Are we believable?

Not guilty!

2010-04-27T08:07:00.003-05:00

"Not guilty!" Those words are music to a defendant's ears. And they are the theme of a number of songs by famous artists, including one by George Harrison. My wife Janie told me that in the worship service she attended last Sunday morning, she heard a different song by that title. The lyrics and melody moved her. Rhonda, the pastor's wife, sang the solo, which I later learned was written and recorded by the American Idol personality Mandisa. The main idea of the song is that though we have "sins a mile long," Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to hear the verdict, "not guilty!" That is divine grace, undeserved, and available only through the redemptive self-offering of Jesus for our sakes.

People don't like to think of themselves as sinful, or as being subject to divine judgment. But even if you don't credit the biblical analysis of the human condition, common sense will tell you that folks do things that are wrong, just plain wrong. Yes, they also do good things, and people can be kind-hearted as well as cold-hearted, open-handed as well as closed-fisted, and so on. The other thing that we know for sure is that people often do carry around a whole bag of guilt, some of warranted, some of it foisted off on them by sketchy upbringing, some of it self-imposed. And this guilt gets in the way of a fulfilling life. It undermines one's self-concept. It breeds suspicion, jealousy, envy, which in turn produce more guilt.

The atonement Christ made on the Cross deals directly with our guilt. In Christ, we find forgiveness, which is then the pathway to new and more abundant living. Here is the refrain from Mandisa's song, as she has heard the voice of Christ speaking to her.

"I know you, I love you
I gave My life to save you
Love paid the price for mercy
My verdict not guilty."

Creatures of habit

2010-04-26T09:39:00.002-05:00

Sometimes we think of ourselves as creatures of habit. I'm the worst. For instance, I like Mexican food, but invariably I order just about the same thing no matter which restaurant I go to. And I travel the same basic routes in the community to go places, rarely venturing off what, to me, are the beaten paths. I work best with a schedule, tend to go with the "tried and true" in decision-making, and so on.

There are bad habits and good habits, of course. I have my share of both. But there are some habits that are especially destructive for people, and yet they can't overcome them on their own. Addictions range from cocaine and heroine to tobacco, to over-eating, to sex, to over-work, and many more. Twelve step programs designed to help people with addictions regard it as essential for the person to recognize his/her powerlessness to deal with the problem from their own resources. They need both divine help and professional help. Millions of people are struggling with debilitating addictions, and the cost to themselves, their families, employers and communities is inestimable. The prevalence of alcohol/drug related traffic accidents, of burglaries/robberies/assaults associated with the need for money to service addictions, the blight of organized crime associated with addictions, the weight of this burden on the courts, the penal system and healthcare -- all this underscores the incredible price society is paying.

Sadly, people of faith are not exempt from hurtful addictions, and Christians as well as others have sometimes lost these desperate battles. But they do have a spiritual resource available to them that others do not have. On their own, they cannot kick whatever the habit may be. But in their relationship with Christ, they may be able to find a life-sustaining power that otherwise would not be there.

Thunder in Oklahoma

2010-04-23T15:15:00.002-05:00

I'm traveling in Oklahoma this week, and last night was pretty exciting in Oklahoma City as the local NBA franchise [The OKC Thunder] hosted its first ever NBA play-off game, facing the storied LA Lakers. The city is excited, enjoyinig the national attention of TV -- though going up against the prime-time NFL Draft. And to make it sweeter, Kevin Durant (now known as KJ, a sure sign of stardom in the NBA) and The Thunder pulled off a win against the Lakers. They are to play again Saturday night, and could even the series.

I'm not here to attend the games. Instead, I'm involved in church meetings. It's neat, though, to see how the OKC community has responded to the team that first came to the City as a refugee from the Katrina-swamped New Orleans. The crowd in Ford Arena last night was electric, and the players responded.

Oklahoma City has been racked by a number of devastating events in recent history, most notably the bombing of the Federal Building metnioned on this page a few days ago, and also the mega-destruction from tornados in mid-decade. So though I don't live here, I am proud of the accomplishments of their young NBA team. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they surprised everyone and took the series!

I've railed against the whacked out priorities we have with regard to sports -- college and professional. But in this case, it's clear to me that this basketball franchise has meant much more than just a winning season.

Earth Day

2010-04-22T05:26:00.001-05:00

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day observance led by US Senator Gaylord Nelson. After some twenty years as a predominantly American emphasis, Earth Day went international in 1990. Now more than 170 countries participate in activities highlighting the environment, care for the natural resources, and concerns about climate change.

For the Christian disciple, the environment is a stewardship issue. In the earliest chapters of the Bible, human beings are charged with caring for the "garden" they live in. That's what stewardship really is, managing the gifts God has given -- including the natural world and its resources. Clearly, we (including Christians) haven't always done a good job of this. Sometimes we have been unaware of the consequences of our decisions in the name of progress, and in other cases we have disregarded the known or potential impact on the environment of our actions.

Earth is not our ashtray, contrary to the careless flip of a cigarette out the car window. Earth is not our trash bin, despite the blight of ravines filled with cast-off refrigerators, junk cars and the like. The sky is not our exhaust vent, no matter what the plumes of industrial smoke represent.

Governments, industries, communities and private individuals have roles to plan in the stewardship of soil, water, air. The first role, in my view, is to care.

Garfield hits home

2010-04-21T09:40:00.002-05:00

This morning's comic strip Garfield struck home with me. Cartoonist Jim Davis portrayed Jon, the cat's owner (yeah, right!), complaining that he gets no hits on his blog. 'You'd think someone out there would be interested!' he moans. Garfield puts him down in his typical sarcastic way. Well, I know how Jon feels, because I don't get a lot of response on this blog, either! Oh, well. I still think it's important for me to share my thoughts on faith matters and to invite the comments of others.

Maybe my approach isn't controversial enough, or sensational enough, or (uh-oh) insightful enough. I think there are lots of folks who don't yet have their spiritual moorings, who aren't really sure what they believe, who can't quite figure out their relationship with God. These are the folks I'd like to exchange ideas with. I have a lot to learn from them, and maybe I could share something of my own experience, too.

I'd also like to share with folks who are already committed Christians in thinking about how we can relate more effectively with those who consider themselves not to be.

So what about it? Anybody out there?