Random Thoughts

I saw a commercial last night for a new show on Fox called (I think) The Finder.  It's about a guy who notices the connections between things, allowing him to find things that are lost and/or solve mysteries.  It's an interesting premise and one that illustrates an important truth.

I think that many folks today believe that much of what happens in the world is random.  In fact several years back we were encouraged to practice random acts of kindness.  The emphasis on randomness grows out of a world view that asserts that the universe happened by chance and everything since the beginning has just sort of happened- randomly or by chance.  We won't go into all of that right now, but suffice it to say that I find that very hard to believe.  As one of my Philosophy professors said (and he may have been quoting someone - I don't know): you could set a chimpanzee in front of a typewriter, and it would never type out Hamlet- or anything remotely resembling brilliance....

It's tempting to believe something to be random when we do not apprehend the cause.  If we could see the connections between events, we would better understand why certain things happen when and how they do.  Even a person who thinks he is practicing a random act of kindness likely chooses the recipient of his largess for reasons that are determined by events or individuals from his past.

On his new album Counting Stars, Andrew Peterson has a song entitled "Many Roads".  It's the perfect song to begin a concert with, assuring his listeners that many small decisions may have led them together so that they might hear a certain song or story.

One thing is clear: Christians understand that behind it all is the hand of a loving God who guides history and the lives of individuals toward a glorious end.  Even the events that appear to be random are full of meaning if we can but apprehend.  Perhaps in the new year, like The Finder, we'll become more adept at noticing connections.

I Will Feed Them With Justice

2011 has been a year of unrest.  People are not happy, and mainly it appears, that the unhappiness concerns the way things are being run.  For the last several weeks in the United States there have been "occupy" protests from Wall Street to university campuses and towns.  Around the world it's more obvious than ever that the guys in charge can't be trusted to rule wisely or justly.

It's nothing new that those in power want to hold onto power - and of course, wealth.  The 'system' is designed to keep the poor in poverty and the weak without power.  Justice is the exception rather than the rule. 

Although this is true, there is (I think) an innate sense in most people - even those who live in parts of the world where the rule of law is not practiced - that wrongs should be righted.  While many accept injustice as normative, there is a longing in human hearts for justice and righteousness.

Today is Christ the King Sunday, and the end of the liturgical year.  Christians end each year with a reminder that Christ is King because we live in a world filled with many things that are wrong and cry out for remedy.  Christians remind themselves today of two things:

1.  One day, Christ will return to set things aright.  Today's Old Testament Lectionary reading is from Ezekiel 34.  In that passage, the Lord says that he will feed people in good pastures, that He will seek out the lost and strayed, that He'll bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak.  He also promises to judge the "fat" sheep who took for themselves, leaving the weaker ones to only get weaker.

2.  The Gospel passage for today is from Matthew 25 and is the parable of the sheep and the goats.  Knowing that God will judge injustice, Christians should be engaged in working (like God) to feed the hungry, tend to the lonely and ill, clothe the naked, etc.  I'm not talking about the simple redistribution of wealth (a concept doomed to failure).  Instead Christians are called to give at every level - money, time, love, concern - to be fully invested as humans in the well-being of other humans.

As Thanksgivng approaches, we have much to be thankful for.  Chief among them is that fact that Christ is King.  He will one day return and "feed them with justice" (Ez 34:16).

On Being Human

I'm writing a paper on King David right now. It focuses on his humility. This summer I was reading a book entitled Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God's Guidance and Grace. At the same time the Lectionary, which I read devotionally was moving through 1 and 2 Samuel. It was (I suppose) natural that I would be reading about David's life with the rubric of humility superimposed...

I preached at a church a couple of weeks ago, and afterward one of the elders asked me who my favorite Bible character is. I promptly replied David (though my 'favorites' are subject to change). He was surprised. "David was a scoundrel. A womanizer." "Yes," I responded, "but he was humble." And that's the truth. David was always ready to submit to God's will and ways, even - or maybe especially after he'd sinned.

David did some very human things. He wasn't idealized in the biblical narrative. It's actually normal for the foibles of the biblical characters to be highlighted, since the Story is really about God... But when you think of kingship in the Old Testament only David is upheld as a successful example of "king." He's an integral part of the history of salvation.

David's humanity shouldn't make us uncomfortable. I don't know about you, but I fall into the 'human' category myself. My leadership at home, church, and work is effective, but flawed by my own sin and brokenness. Check out this quote from Eugene Peterson's commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel:

"...notice the way the story keeps us immersed in and attentive to hour human condition. For it is not easy to attend to ourselves; it is more attractive to try to rise above our human condition; it is easier to sink below our human condition and live like animals. But 'human' is unique, and we require a long growing up to realize who we are and the way we are before God. (p. 137)"

It's okay to be human. Don't worry if in the story of your life your 'starring' role is marred by lots of imperfections. You don't really have the starring role - not even in the story of your own life. "For we possess this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor.

The Power of Gratitude

Lately I've encountered several people who have been very focused on what's wrong. What's wrong in their lives. What's wrong with other people in their lives. What's wrong in their town, the USA, and the world. Lots and lots of talk about what's wrong.

I was playing tennis a couple of weeks ago at one of our city parks and mentioned that I would be playing the following day (Sunday) after church. A guy there said, "Oh, you need to go and atone for your sins, huh?" I responded, "No, I'm going in gratitude for all that God has blessed me with." He told me that God had done nothing for him.

Christians focus a lot on gratitude. Gratitude is meant to be the motivation for much of what we do. As grateful recipients of love, grace, forgiveness, and God's generosity, we should be generous givers of the same. The concept of tithing is rooted in gratitude. Does God need our money? Not, really. Does God need us to say, "Thank you?" No.

We're the ones who need to experience and express gratitude. Gratitude focuses us on the positive. If you want to be happy, it's critical that you have an attitude of gratitude. Why? I think because we get what we're looking for. If you feel that everything is wrong in your life, and you spend time thinking about all that is lacking, you'll be miserable. Things will go from bad to worse as you spiral down that rabbit hole.

It's amazing, however, how focusing on all that is right and good seems to increase your awareness of all that is right and good. Even when there is something wrong that can't be ignored, it's better to begin your prayers about it with a thankful heart - one that acknowledges anything good in the situation or person you're praying about or for.

Spend some time thanking God for the good stuff. There's lots of it there if you'll look.

"Yes" and "No"

Tomorrow I take my daughter to college. It's late, I know. She will attend a college on the quarter system, and classes do not begin until September 12. All during her senior year, I could see signs that it was time for her to transition to a new stage where she lives as a young adult on her own. She desires independence, and she's earned it.

Olivia is a responsible, intelligent, and independent young lady. She's worked since she was fourteen, played music in a variety of settings (including the very demanding marching band), all the while maintaining excellent grades. She's a great kid -- I mean young woman. Our relationship has been markedly similar to Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's. Very close and full of enjoyment.

Many times over the last several months I've used the pregnancy analogy when people asked me if I was ready to let her go. When a woman is first pregnant she suffers from fatigue and morning sickness. I can remember that stage very well. I didn't feel the greatest, but I couldn't imagine the trauma of actual labor and delivery. It scared me to death. Toward the middle of the pregnancy,you begin to feel good. Energy is back, and the baby is moving around which is pretty neat. I remember feeling that I was already getting to know my children during this stage. But then the third trimester comes... Back to tired -- and uncomfortable. By the due date (if not before) you just want the baby out! It doesn't matter how much it hurts or how scary it is. I remember people telling me to not be in a hurry for the baby to come. "Rest!", they said. "You'll need it later."

Once kids are born, the same cycle starts again, only this time taking years rather than months. In the first year or two, although you're not feeling sick, you are more tired than you ever imagined possible. Time passes slowly, and you think that this baby thing will go on forever. Now folks say, "They'll be grown before you know it." During the middle years, the Halcyon days, you get to feeling comfortable again. Your kids become more interesting and they want to do lots of fun stuff! Time begins to speed up just as you want it to slow down... Before you know it, the teen years arrive. You're back in what feels like the third trimester of pregnancy. Finally you reach the point where (even with a great kid) you saying to yourself, "It's time this kid was out!"

Well it's the night before I drive Olivia six hours away to school... Now out of one side of my mouth I'm saying, "It's time," while the other side is saying, "Wait! I'm not ready!" Of course, she's going. It is time. We both stand on the threshold of a new era, and whether we think we're ready or not, we will transition into a new way of living and relating to one another.

Big changes are often like this. We sense the time is right for something, but letting go of what we know and embracing the unknown is frightening. Without a doubt, however, it's better do move into the future. If my daughter stayed home and we tried to maintain the status quo, our relationship would move from happy and normal to pathologically unhealthy.

So, instead we'll choose to take a minute to mourn the passing of one stage and then run joyfully toward the future, trusting that the God who in His goodness put us together in the first place, has wonderful plans for the future. I hope if you're in transition, that you'll choose to look toward the fantastic things coming while being grateful for the good things that are passing away. It is the only way to live fully and freely.

Accepting Responsibility

I watched with interest as Anthony Weiner accepted responsibility for his inappropriate use of social media (Facebook and Twitter). Over a period of three years he had on line relationships of a sexual nature with six women.

Although it's unfortunate that Weiner decided to engage in these inappropriate relationships, he serves as a model of how to accept responsibility for his actions. He made it clear in his news conference that his actions were wrong and that he and he alone was responsible. He did not attempt to deflect blame onto the women or any one else who might serve to distract attention from his bad behavior. He made no excuses.

All of us are guilty of mistakes, poor judgement, etc. Christians call it sin. Weiner did not use that word for his actions. Some may criticize that, but I think he was right to say that he had made mistakes, used poor judgement, and done some deeply regrettable things. The word "sin" is laden with connotations that make some people immediately close their minds to whatever is said next (perhaps Jimmy Swaggart's teary confession coming to mind).

Weiner's demeanor was one of contrite seriousness. He understands that he let people down: his wife, friends, and constituents, and is not looking for sympathy. Perhaps that's why I find my heart going out to him. He was humble, accountable, and has had a change of mind about behaviors that he originally did not believe to be as hurtful as they really are (the Greek word for repentance is "metanoia"- a change of mind.

Hopefully you don't have something like this to own up to. But if you do, Weiner offers a great example of how to respond. Own up to what you've done. Blame no one else. Be honest. It may be tempting to deflect attention off of yourself, but in the end no one is fooled. Accountability and honesty is the road back to health and trust.

A Slippery Slope

I was reading the news this morning when I saw the headline "Global War on Drugs Has Failed." The Global Commission on Drug Policy states that the war on drugs has not and cannot be won. It recommends that governments should end the criminalization of drug use and experiment with legal models that would undermine organized crime syndicates. Drug users, after all only harm themselves, right?

This sort of reasoning is an alarming slippery slope. We also have not (and probably will not) win the war on human trafficking or pornography. Should we also give up on those battles and attempt to "regulate" how people are sold or exploited? People are still killing each other too. Should murder be legalized? How about robbery? One may argue the above points by saying, "Well, these are not victimless crimes. Drug use is...."

So, drug users only harm themselves? I'm wondering what percentage of crimes are committed under the influence of drugs. I don't know the answer, but everyone has heard of crime (often violent) committed by someone who was high. Drug use takes a toll on families (just as alcohol abuse does). The drug user harms himself, his family, and sometimes others. There is no such thing as a victimless crime.

The commission states that governments have spent too much time and money hunting down criminals and incarcerating them. Drug addicts are a financial drain on governments regardless. Treatment facilities cost money too. Not to mention that most drug addicts are not productive members of society.

How about the organized crime angle? If drugs are legalized, won't that hurt organized crime? Last time I checked, garbage collection is perfectly legal, but that hasn't stopped organized crime from being involved...

I usually try to stay away from anything remotely political, but when I read a news story like this it's hard not to comment. Hopefully we'll decide to hold the line against illegal drugs, human trafficking, pornography (which no matter how you feel about your right to view it, often involves the exploitation of someone), and everything else that harms people. Just because we haven't won - and perhaps will not win, doesn't mean that we shouldn't keep fighting.

Vengeance Is Mine

Perhaps enough time has passed since Osama Bin Laden's death to make some comments. A couple of weeks ago I was having dinner with some friends and made the comment that although I think that the US needed to stop Bin Laden (and the only way to stop him was to kill him), I did not think that it was right that there was so much celebration. My observation was not well received at the table. I believe that many think that it's right and patriotic to rejoice and celebrate over the death of one who wounded many families as well as the pride of the USA.


This week I read a short article about an Iranian woman to whom the courts granted the right to throw acid in the face of the man who threw acid in hers when she refused to marry him. She may exact retribution on her attacker. While it was an unthinkable evil for this man to attack her so viciously, I wonder if mutilating him as he mutilated her will bring her any sort of inner healing and peace. Without a doubt the man should be punished - and punished severely. Should it be in like kind, and delivered by her hand? Could it be that exacting revenge will diminish her humanity as well as his?

It's natural to want to get even with one who has wronged us. I'm the oldest of five kids. In a family our size there were regular fights. I can't tell you how many times I've heard my mother say, "Two wrongs don't make a right." That lesson sunk in. I don't think that individuals are very good at figuring out how to make situations "even steven".

In various places throughout the Bible God says, "Vengeance is mine." Why do you think He wants to reserve vengeance for Himself? Is God rubbing His hands together in anticipation and glee over the fate that awaits the "bad guy"? I think not. Instead, the Bible portrays God as One waiting to show mercy and give grace. We like to think of Him this way when we're the ones in need of it (and all of us play the bad guy at some time and on some level). But imagining our enemies as the objects of God's grace, mercy, and love is more that we want to contemplate. God does, after all love everyone - even terrorists and the guy who throws acid in the face of the lover who has scorned him.

Hopefully you'll never have to forgive someone who has murdered or mutilated someone you love. There is no question, however, that you will be wronged in a significant way at some time in your life. The betrayal of a friend or spouse, the theft of property or your good name are grievous wrongs, and not terribly uncommon. If you're facing any of those things today, remember that two wrongs don't make a right. Let God deal with the one who has wronged you. He knows how to make things right and you can trust Him to do it.

River Monster Ruminations

My new favorite show is River Monsters. I'm surprised by my attraction to this show- fascinated, and not entirely sure why. I don't fish, but I DO love adventure. Maybe that's the answer...

The host, Jeremy Wade, travels the world fishing for strange and/or dangerous fish. All of the shows I've watched (I only became aware of it this season) have sensational titles like "Flesh Ripper." The story unfolds a bit like a mystery: does a certain fish really do whatever people claim it does, etc. At its heart, however, is a man with a great deal of curiosity about and respect for fish. I think that's perhaps another reason I like it so much.

Although there are exciting scenes in every show where the fish is finally landed, it's clear that Jeremy Wade spends plenty of time with his line in the water beforehand. In one episode he fishes for eleven days straight ( day and night) before he manages to hook the fish he's looking for.

I've spent some time thinking about the truths that River Monsters reminds me of...

- For every moment of triumph, there are many many disappointments and much waiting. If fishing can teach this life lesson effectively, I'd say that it should be mandatory training for all of us. We often expect immediate results and chafe under the discipline of waiting.

- Related to that is the development of a skill until it reaches the level of art. Becoming adept takes time and commitment. Practice makes better (if not perfect) and one who has practiced a lot makes what he is doing look easy and natural.

- Life is better when you approach others with respect and wonder. On River Monsters Wade encounters peoples and cultures very different from his own. He's smart enough to make friends and learn whatever the indigenous people have to teach him. His success is in part due to his emotional intelligence. He also respects the fish he catches, examining them with gentleness and releasing them back into the water (I know for certain that I could not watch the show if he was fishing for trophies). This world is full of interesting people and creatures. When we take the time to notice, our lives are enriched.

- People who follow their passion live interesting lives. I don't think this requires any elaboration...

Perhaps more on this later, but for now I'm content to chew this cud.

Holiness

"The striking visual features of heaven are its symmetry, its light, and its fertility. It is perfectly proportioned, it is light-filled, and it is life-producing. The symmetry is a realization of entire holiness. We are being fashioned into holiness: holiness is perfectly proportioned wholeness" (Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John & The Praying Imagination, p. 177).

"Be holy, for I am holy." Not so much a call to good behavior as it is a call to total transformation. It is an invitation to participate - to reflect - the beauty of God: His symmetry, His light, and his life-giving presence.

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, it's not something that is easy and it's not quick. In fact it takes a lifetime of work. The wonderful thing is, however, that although we do have to exert effort, the ultimate work is God's. It is God Himself that directs and plans everything in the believer's life to work together to achieve His vision of loveliness and wholeness.

Over the last seven or eight weeks one of my bathrooms has been in the process of remodel. I had the room gutted, and changed almost everything in the room. At some time in the past my home was a duplex. The bathroom upstairs during the duplex days served as a kitchen and a bathroom. There was a kitchen sink up there as well as a bathroom vanity. There were also kitchen cabinets - hung so high that I could only reach the bottom shelf.

When the renovation began I was very excited. I figured I'd be inconvenienced for a couple of weeks and then I'd have a beautifully transformed bathroom. Four weeks or so in I began to lose my enthusiasm. Stuff was sitting everywhere (although I could only reach the bottom shelf of those cabinets, I'd still filled them up) and we were constantly tripping over each other as we tried to find a good mirror to put our make-up on in front of or dry our hair.

Although it's still not 100% completed, we're almost there. My enthusiasm is back. The space is beautiful and I'm excited as I contemplate its use. I'm glad I decided to live through the inconvenience.

I live in an old house (built in 1912). Most of the house has been remodeled since I've been here, though there is still plenty to do. With every project I'm moving closer to what I consider a thing of beauty.

I think as our inner "houses" are remodeled we go through much the same process. We may begin with some excitement and a vision of what a "remodeled" future looks like. We'll enjoy the space and enjoy inviting others into it so that they can share the beauty. When we're in the midst of change, however, we begin to wonder if it's worth it. The old comfort may not have been terrific, but now we're in a mess and it doesn't look good yet. But if we hang in there, we complete the project and have a space that we're happy to live in - and to share with others.

While there will always be some other project to do, every bit of effort we expend or inconvenience we endure moves us closer to holiness and beauty. Wherever you are today, I hope you'll stay committed to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Reading the Gospel

One of my Facebook friends posted a comment a couple of weeks ago about the Gospel. He basically said that one should not pick and choose what one believes about the Gospel because then the story becomes more about you than about God. One of his friends responded that he hasn't anything to do with the Gospel because he's lied to himself much less frequently than the Gospel has lied to him. I went back to the thread a few days later to check further comments. The same man said that he gave up on the Gospel when he was eight years old.

It's clear that someone who gave up on the Gospel at the age of eight has never really read the Gospel -- at least not the one written in the Bible. I've been thinking of this string of Facebook comments ever since.

Anyone who's been a Christian for very long has probably heard something along the lines of, "You may be the only Gospel someone ever reads." Well... here's the proof. The man's bitterness about the Gospel has nothing to do with Jesus and everything to do with his followers (and don't worry... I know that if I point my finger outward, that there are three pointing back at me).

God says in the Bible, "Be holy, for I am holy." One thing is for certain: God wants us to adopt His character - His holiness. Just to be clear, I don't mean He intends that we be holier than thou or judgmental. Instead, we're to look like Jesus.

Now if you have read the Gospels you know that Jesus made friends with all kinds of people. His life was characterized by love, forgiveness, grace, healing. He knew how to meet people of all walks of life right where they were and love them just as they were. In fact, the only ones who seemed to have a problem with Jesus were religious types (of the holier than thou variety).

"Be holy for I am holy." Become like Jesus. That's the mission of each Christian. It's what spiritual formation is all about. Being made over is hard and messy. It's not for sissies, and perhaps that's why so few have a real appetite for it. It's easy to judge others - to be holier than thou. It's simple to confess to some beliefs and follow a few rules that allow you to pass a "Christian" litmus test. It is something altogether different to have Christ formed in your personality. That requires a total overhaul. It's painful.

But it is critical that transformation happens. The stakes are high. It's not simply for our benefit, but for the benefit of those who truly won't read the Gospel except in the lives of Christians.

What You See is What You Get

I was listening to music in the car the other day when the Sara Groves song "What I Thought I Wanted" came on. I'd already been pondering the way folks react to what happens to them, and this song thrust me deeper into my musing on the subject.

I was visiting Savannah, GA with my daughter. It was the SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Accepted Students weekend. We were treated to events that were planned with excellence and (of course) an artistic flair. We were both impressed and filled with visions of what her four years at this wonderful school - in a beautiful city - would be like. I found myself hoping that it would all work out and that she would be launched into adulthood living her dreams.

I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that in the midst of all of our excitement I didn't also have a twinge of anxiety. What if the finances don't work out? What if she makes a bad choice that changes the trajectory of her life? What if , what if, what if?

These thoughts do not rise simply out of my imagination. They come, rather from my own experience. Most of us can think of things that we thought we wanted, and in the end, got something else entirely (Sara Groves says, "What I thought I wanted and what I got instead).

There are different ways to handle it when we get something different than what we want. We probably all know people who are filled with bitterness because something(s) didn't work out as expected. Rather than enjoy the present, these folks dwell on why they cannot be happy. For them, life is absurd and meaningless. But there is another way... Others are open to whatever it was that they got instead... That openness allows them to see God's hand at work. This doesn't mean that they're making the best of a bad situation. It means that they are able to see how what they got instead was the best. The unexpected, un-looked for, and even unwanted outcomes lead to a place filled with the blessings and presence of God.

Sometimes our plans, hopes, dreams, and fervent prayers do not turn out the way we want. What comes next depends on how we respond. When we have eyes to see the hand of God working His wise and loving plans in and through our circumstances, abundant life is what we get.

Understood In Context

There is very little that can be understood outside of the context in which it is said or done. One may be able to hear and fully understand a short, pithy statement because its meaning is fully contained within it. However, most of what we hear, see, and even who we are can only be understood within a much larger context.

All of us are shaped by a large body of experience and cooked in a stew that consists of our families, friends, church, etc. This was brought home to me during the past week when we said goodbye to my Uncle Ted ("One of the Good Guys"). Ted's life was lived within the context of family and church primarily, but also in relation to Kiwanis, Master Gardeners, his former life in the Social Security Administration, and much more.

As our family and friends came together last week, I was struck by how profoundly I am attached to these folks - not simply that we've shared experiences, but that my true identity can only be understood and fully known within the context of my relation to them. I am fortunate. Those connections have been loving and affirming. There are themes of love and grace, fun and adventure that run through my life's story. They are all related to other people. Some are family, some friends, and many through the church - my other family. Even the dark threads of sorrow, pain, and brokenness - when woven together with the rest appear to be part of a good story - not a sad one.

What's your context? What are the themes running through your story? I hope you're not tempted to think that you have no control over what happens in the story. You can choose to associate with those more likely to provide a positive context. I once heard someone say that you're the average of your five closest friends...

One thing is for sure: if Jesus is you closest friend, your context (if you follow him) will be one that builds a glorious identity - a great story. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and he loves a good story.

A Society of Haters?

I was reading the news on line this morning and noticed that the 13 year old girl (Rebbecca Black) who has a YouTube song about the weekend will soon surpass Justin Bieber's song "Baby" as the most hated. I have not seen Justin Bieber's video and have not heard the song all the way through (my niece and nephews can occasionally be heard singing, "baby, baby, baby"). I have seen a part of Black's video. __________________ My daughter called me into the study a week or so ago to watch something she said was "appalling". I watched a clip of what my daughter had obviously watched in its entirety several times... I feel certain that she is one of the many who have "hated" this video. It's interesting, however mediocre the song, that anyone would be interested in "hating" the efforts of a thirteen year old girl. When I said as much to my daughter she replied that if the girl didn't want to be hated that she shouldn't have put herself out there. Hmmm... When my own daughter "put herself out there" it was in the context of performances at church (flute) which, in the early days, were well... mediocre. She wasn't "hated", however, she was loved and encouraged. ________________________ I notice that a lot of hating that happens on the web. I get my news from the Internet and at the bottom of most articles is a space for commenting. There are typically hundreds of comments, most of them full of sarcasm and hate. Maybe it's just the really angry people who feel moved to comment... It's bad enough that we feel we have to compound the bad news we hear in the news with our own tirades full of hate, but I think we cross a line when we think we have to let a 13 year old girl know that we don't like her video. I'm betting that most folk's efforts at 13 were mediocre at best (I know mine were). ________________________ There are many indications that our society is in bad shape. I think this propensity to be haters is one of the more troubling. I don't know about you, but I do not want to be defined by what I'm against or what I hate. Instead, I want people to know what I'm for - what I love.

One of the Good Guys

Have you noticed that there really aren't that many good guys? I mean bonafide, genuine good guys. The real thing. We live in an age marked by selfishness and narcissism. Good guys today are rare.

It's not glamorous or sexy being good. In fact, to be really good, one would have to be deliberately low key. Good guys - real ones - don't draw attention to themselves. I know a few of these individuals. My Uncle Ted is one of them.

Uncle Ted is a guy who shows up when he's needed. He's dependable. He offers his strength rather than his opinions. He is a man who loves his family. He's provided a stable, normal, nuclear family for his children and grand children. It's not surprising that his three kids are still married. They've had a great example to follow.

Uncle Ted is good with his hands. He offers to fix things that are broken. He grows a garden and shares the vegetables. His home is a place where people like to gather, partly because my Aunt is such a fantastic cook, and partly because he's created such a beautiful space in the country.

You won't read about Uncle Ted's antics in the paper. He won't show up in the news. He hasn't had 15 minutes of fame. But he's left his mark on everyone who knows him. His son is very much like his dad and so is his grandson. He's invested his life in others who will also be (already are) good guys. I don't think the importance of this can be overstated.

Uncle Ted is in the last days of his life. Cancer will claim him very soon. But without any sort of notoriety, Uncle Ted is leaving the world a better place than he found it. He leaves behind two good guys to step into his shoes. He leaves his mark on the hearts of too many people to count, through his quiet life and his good deeds. When those who knew Ted stand over his casket, they will tell stories of his goodness. They will say what a fine and loving man he was - that he was one of the good guys.

I know that I want to be one of the good girls. I want to leave a legacy of goodness and good deeds behind me when I go - to have raised a good girl and a good guy myself... To leave two in my place to step up into this hurting and lonely world and leave it better than they found it.

When people stand over your casket, what do you want them to say about you?

What Do You Want Me to Do For You?

A couple of weeks ago I was leading a Bible study for the Saturday Lunch Ministry at my church. The group is studying Matthew and they'd made it to chapter 20. The next day the same passage was a part of the Sunday School lesson. Hmmm... I don't know about you, but whenever I "coincidentally" encounter the same biblical passage in a short amount of time, I pay attention.

Matthew 20 consists of a parable and two others "scenes" from the life of Jesus. The parable is about the workers hired at different points during the day to work in a vineyard. Jesus stuns his hearers by having the estate manager pay those who'd only worked one hour the same as those who had worked twelve hours. This is a story that doesn't offend in the theoretical, but if you were one of the workers, you'd probably feel outrage at the unfairness.

The next scene in the chapter involves James and John's mother asking Jesus to see to it that her sons sit - one on his right and the other on his left - in the Kingdom. Jesus uses the request to reorient the disciples on what leadership in the Kingdom of God looks like - servanthood.

Finally, the chapter closes with Jesus' encounter with two blind men. When they hear that Jesus is passing by they begin to shout out to him. Jesus asks the men what they want him to do for them. They wanted to see. Jesus has compassion on them, heals them, and they followed him.

The parable about the workers in the vineyard and the vignette where James and John's mother are seeking honor and power for her sons set up opportunities for Jesus to explain what Eugene Peterson likes to call "The Great Reversal". In the healing story, the blind men have their sight restored and follow Jesus. Could these physically blind men serve as a foil for the spiritual blindness that was depicted in the previous scenes in Matthew?

As the Lenten season begins it's good to ponder the ways that we may experience blindness. The Kingdom of God operates very differently from the kingdom of the world, where we often feel very much at home. Lent is a time to shed our false beliefs about what is fair, what we deserve, and what we should have and learn to follow the Savior, who is bound for the cross.

Doing Difficult Things

A few weeks ago I wrote about Smokey, a cat that I rescued (for my niece) at an animal shelter. I had to take Smokey to the vet right away because he had a respiratory infection. After much poking, prodding, and discomfort (what I felt sure Smokey thought was the WORST day of his life) he got to go home. Smokey's doing great. He looks sleek and healthy, and my niece showers him with love every day.

Lately I've been in a season where I seem to have to do many difficult things. These days do not appear to be the best in my life. Chief among these difficult things was choosing after many tears and much prayer to send my son to military school. You may be thinking, "Pish posh! Military school? What's the big deal?" And maybe you're right. Someday I hope to look back on this and say the same thing. However, sending my son away to school meant delivering him to what I knew would be many difficult and lonely days. Maybe I've watched too many Disney movies, but it's been hard for me.

I became resolved to send my son away to school right before Christmas. We visited the school. I liked it, but he hated it. I consulted with family, friends, and my pastor. It became clear to me that it would be best for him. I knew it in the marrow of my bones. Actually sending him, however, required resolution and grit because I knew that it would be difficult for him. I believe that his time at Chamberlain-Hunt will be formative. That he'll grow as a person and as a man. I also believe that I am growing as a result of this resolve to do what's best for him despite the temporary pain.

It's the beginning days of a new year. There are lots of folks (if TV commercials are any indication) that make resolutions that may be hard to keep: diet, exercise, smoking cessation, etc. There are other worthy things to pursue. It's a great idea to resolve to be more mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Whatever aspect of your life you're resolved to improve, you can be certain that effort and (perhaps) a bit of pain await you. Maybe your muscles will be sore. Perhaps your heart will ache with the effort. However, in the end, you'll come out into a wider, healthier place. A place of greater freedom. May God bless you in all of your worthy resolutions.