Last weekend I participated in a surprise birthday roast for a pastor friend in Omaha. We had a great time. It was the culmination of a stressful week. They had officiated at a funeral for a teacher. Apparently the Phelps crowd from Westboro Baptist in Topeka announced they planned to picket the funeral. I guess there are not enough soldier funerals so they are focusing on teachers as lackeys of government propaganda or something.
There were only 4 picketers but there were many counter-protesters. My friend says the goal is to provoke reactions that could lead to litigation. It is a business strategy.
I find myself turning to Galatians 6: Don't be misled. No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants,he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others -- ignoring God! -- harvests a crop of weeds. But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Thrill is Gone
Thanks to the gracious generosity of folks from my former congregation, Christ UMC, Peggy and I went to Minneapolis last Friday for a BB King concert. He introduced his great-grandchildren to the audience who seemed to have gathered to celebrate his aura as much as listen to his music.
The blues are merciful to both instrumentalists and vocalists. The old guys in the band were having a good time and making fine music. BB talked more than he sang but when he cut loose with Lucille the power of the songs and singer emerged.
He spoke or sang several times about dying. The atmosphere was tinged with a bit of sadness. Near the end when he sang "The Thrill is Gone" I was tempted to extend the metaphor but I remembered years ago buying a vinyl album that included three cuts that I used to illustrate a Sunday message.
I used the Thrill is Gone to talk about the human condition; I'm a Born-Again Human to talk about the transformative power of love; and There Must Be a Better World Somewhere to lift up the promise of the Gospel. Still some of my better work and his.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
The blues are merciful to both instrumentalists and vocalists. The old guys in the band were having a good time and making fine music. BB talked more than he sang but when he cut loose with Lucille the power of the songs and singer emerged.
He spoke or sang several times about dying. The atmosphere was tinged with a bit of sadness. Near the end when he sang "The Thrill is Gone" I was tempted to extend the metaphor but I remembered years ago buying a vinyl album that included three cuts that I used to illustrate a Sunday message.
I used the Thrill is Gone to talk about the human condition; I'm a Born-Again Human to talk about the transformative power of love; and There Must Be a Better World Somewhere to lift up the promise of the Gospel. Still some of my better work and his.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Al Mohler is Mistaken
My last posting mentioned the teaching of my tai chi instructor to "lean into the pain". I'm fairly sure that he is not Christian (probably informed by some "eastern" philosphy or religious practice). Remembering his gentle teaching got me thinking about recent media attention of a blog by R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and intellectual leader within evangelical groups and a proponent of five point Calvinism (TULIP doctrine). I keep reading about Mohler ( a big article in Christianity Today) and a piece in Christian Century, Oct. 19, 2010, which quotes his Sept. 20 blog: yoga begins and ends with an understanding of the body that is, to say the very least, at odds with the Christian understanding. ... Believers are called to meditate upon the Word of God. ... not to meditate by means of incomprehensible syllables."
Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10. But the Lord is in his holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before him! Hab. 2:20 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. Ps. 23: 2,3a Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. John 15: 4
Jesus and the scriptures teach spiritual discplines and practices of keeping watch and waiting; being ready and prepared; listening and staying open to the way and will of the Lord. The classic way of praying with scripture (lectio divina/divine reading) leads one from the head to the heart and soul into a time of abiding with God. Surely Dr. Mohler is not denying the long centuries of contemplative prayer practices of the church.
Not to mention that Christians have long borrowed and adapted symbols, concepts and practices from other cultures and made them Christian. In my limited practice of tai chi I found myself praying. I found myself wanting to develop a form of body prayer that would be rooted in the Word and become a healthy expression of adoration. Catholics use prayer beads. The entire Centering Prayer movement is not an attempt to follow eastern practices but to reclaim ancient Christian traditions.
It is my understanding that the Hebrew word for the name of the Lord (YHWH) is so sacred as to not be pronounced. I would encourage Al Mohler to devote his advent prayer time to the story of Zechariah in Luke 1. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78, 79
Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10. But the Lord is in his holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before him! Hab. 2:20 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. Ps. 23: 2,3a Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. John 15: 4
Jesus and the scriptures teach spiritual discplines and practices of keeping watch and waiting; being ready and prepared; listening and staying open to the way and will of the Lord. The classic way of praying with scripture (lectio divina/divine reading) leads one from the head to the heart and soul into a time of abiding with God. Surely Dr. Mohler is not denying the long centuries of contemplative prayer practices of the church.
Not to mention that Christians have long borrowed and adapted symbols, concepts and practices from other cultures and made them Christian. In my limited practice of tai chi I found myself praying. I found myself wanting to develop a form of body prayer that would be rooted in the Word and become a healthy expression of adoration. Catholics use prayer beads. The entire Centering Prayer movement is not an attempt to follow eastern practices but to reclaim ancient Christian traditions.
It is my understanding that the Hebrew word for the name of the Lord (YHWH) is so sacred as to not be pronounced. I would encourage Al Mohler to devote his advent prayer time to the story of Zechariah in Luke 1. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78, 79
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Leaning Into the Pain
My second therapy session began with confession: I have been working 15 hour days and have not been diligent with my exercises. Physical therapists are acutely aware of the human condition. They understand that few of us are willing to hurt ourselves on purpose. Yet the cliche is rooted in truthful reality: pain with a purpose.
She began with a deep massage of my wrist and arm to address swelling and to make it easier for ligaments or tendons (what's the difference?) to slide through tissues (some with scarring). She was careful but gently persistent in showing me how to stretch and move into the pain. To regain flexibility it will have to hurt.
I remember a lesson from my tai chi instructor. He would require us to stand in a position where the muscles would begin to burn. The body's natural response was to pull away from the pain but the instructor said: Lean more deeply into the pain and then relax.
We need a companion to guide and help us find our way toward shalom. A therapist who understands that for my wrist to turn more fully it may be necessary to address some issues in my elbow. An instructor who undersatnds the counter-intuitive/paradoxical way of body, mind, heart, soul and life.
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Matt. 10:39
She began with a deep massage of my wrist and arm to address swelling and to make it easier for ligaments or tendons (what's the difference?) to slide through tissues (some with scarring). She was careful but gently persistent in showing me how to stretch and move into the pain. To regain flexibility it will have to hurt.
I remember a lesson from my tai chi instructor. He would require us to stand in a position where the muscles would begin to burn. The body's natural response was to pull away from the pain but the instructor said: Lean more deeply into the pain and then relax.
We need a companion to guide and help us find our way toward shalom. A therapist who understands that for my wrist to turn more fully it may be necessary to address some issues in my elbow. An instructor who undersatnds the counter-intuitive/paradoxical way of body, mind, heart, soul and life.
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Matt. 10:39
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Cast is Off
A week ago the doctor declared my broken wrist bone to be healed. The cast was removed revealing an arm that is smaller, weaker and much less flexible. The doctor recommended a month or so of hand therapy.
The cast was essential to stabilize my wrist and allow healing to occur. But one kind of healing created a different set of challenges. Scar tissue, constricted ligaments and tendons, and muscles debilitated from lack of use need to be massaged, stretched and strengthened or I will not regain normal use of my wrist.
Reflecting on my cast led to thoughts about other kinds of defense mechanisms that we use (consciously or not) in response to wounds or breaks in our life. We create walls or boundaries of denial; withdrawal; anger; depression; aggression that protect us in some ways and weaken us in others. Our retreat from confrontation or introspection may be needed for a season but creates challenges to full healing and a return to normal health and well-being.
The massaging, stretching and strengthening needed to regain health and vitality (body, mind, heart, soul and relationships) is difficult and crucial. Therefore, we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5
The cast was essential to stabilize my wrist and allow healing to occur. But one kind of healing created a different set of challenges. Scar tissue, constricted ligaments and tendons, and muscles debilitated from lack of use need to be massaged, stretched and strengthened or I will not regain normal use of my wrist.
Reflecting on my cast led to thoughts about other kinds of defense mechanisms that we use (consciously or not) in response to wounds or breaks in our life. We create walls or boundaries of denial; withdrawal; anger; depression; aggression that protect us in some ways and weaken us in others. Our retreat from confrontation or introspection may be needed for a season but creates challenges to full healing and a return to normal health and well-being.
The massaging, stretching and strengthening needed to regain health and vitality (body, mind, heart, soul and relationships) is difficult and crucial. Therefore, we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Voices
Recently I sat in a dental waiting room while my spouse had oral surgery. I picked up Sports Illustrated and began reading an article by Joe Posnanski who used to write regularly for the KC Star. His words are so carefully chosen. The sentences are well-crafted. I realized how much I missed his voice in my life along with his colleague, Jason Whitlock, whose style was so entertaining, direct, and occasionally courageous. I gave thanks for the way they enriched my life with their thoughts and words. I began to reflect with gratitude upon other voices who have brought light, encouragement and joy to my path.
My reflections of loss led to an awareness of a concurrent sense of yearning and anticipation of new voices emerging. Sam Mellinson's writing keeps my interest as he writes about area sports. Although she has been writing for years I have come to need Mary Oliver's poems as soon as possible. Staying open to new friends or fresh visions helps keep me alive.
The Word is alive and manifest in so many voices! Thanks be to God!
My reflections of loss led to an awareness of a concurrent sense of yearning and anticipation of new voices emerging. Sam Mellinson's writing keeps my interest as he writes about area sports. Although she has been writing for years I have come to need Mary Oliver's poems as soon as possible. Staying open to new friends or fresh visions helps keep me alive.
The Word is alive and manifest in so many voices! Thanks be to God!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Discretion
The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans: You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called frredom that destroy freedom. Romans 6: 16 MSG
Burning a Quran is a constitutional right but such choices have preditable consequences. Less severe or radical but just as predictable is the building of a (constitutionally legitimate) mosque near ground zero.
Discretion might be a mask for cowardice but more often is a recognition that our role and decisions serve God's greater values and aims.
I remember a fellow who attended the church I was serving. He seemed to be quite knowledgable about scripture. I heard he had started a Bible study. He came to me (supposedly to acknowledge my ecclesial authority) and discussed his study. I told him that although the people he was attracting were not confident in their knowledge of scripture, I trusted their hearts and the Spirit to lead their discernment. One by one they came to me with concerns. I helped them reach good decisions for their families. After a few months this fellow had moved on. ... Six months later he was back. He needed a place where his family was accepted. I told him that they were welcome but I expected real respect and deference to the beliefs of our church. He seemed relieved. It felt like grace.
Burning a Quran is a constitutional right but such choices have preditable consequences. Less severe or radical but just as predictable is the building of a (constitutionally legitimate) mosque near ground zero.
Discretion might be a mask for cowardice but more often is a recognition that our role and decisions serve God's greater values and aims.
I remember a fellow who attended the church I was serving. He seemed to be quite knowledgable about scripture. I heard he had started a Bible study. He came to me (supposedly to acknowledge my ecclesial authority) and discussed his study. I told him that although the people he was attracting were not confident in their knowledge of scripture, I trusted their hearts and the Spirit to lead their discernment. One by one they came to me with concerns. I helped them reach good decisions for their families. After a few months this fellow had moved on. ... Six months later he was back. He needed a place where his family was accepted. I told him that they were welcome but I expected real respect and deference to the beliefs of our church. He seemed relieved. It felt like grace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
