My daughter recently obtained her learners permit and is learning to drive. At the DMV, both of us were very nervous - my daughter was worried about failing, and I was worried about her passing...
Yesterday I traded my Windstar and bought her a Kia Rio. One of my sisters complimented me on my generosity, but the truth is that I didn't want her driving my Ford Edge. My daughter felt that she'd do better in something smaller, and I have to say that I agree.
Children open our eyes to lots of things that we take for granted. When you have a baby or toddler, you tend to see things anew through their eyes. It's a time to regain a sense of wonder at this amazing world we live it. Babies and toddlers have a lot more to teach too. They are very willing to try, and try again, and then again and again - however long it takes to learn a new skill. Young children are great practicers.
Practice is what my daughter needs. Driving practice. The first time I took her out, it wouldn't have surprised me to come home, look in the mirror, and discover that every hair on my head was grey. But it's getting better for both of us. My daughter is getting better, and I'm trying to relax.
Today I let her drive to church and then out to lunch. I was reminded of how many complex actions go into driving from one place to another. Simply merging from an entrance ramp onto the road requires some pretty fancy moves and a keen awareness of what's around you and at what rate of speed others are driving at.
I'm basically an easy going person, not aggressive at all. Not until I get behind the wheel of a car, that is. I like to drive a little on the fast side, and can be a bit impatient with those on the road who prefer to move slower. Here's the thing. I want my daughter to move at the speed limit or slower. When I'm in the car with her, the drivers on the road who are like me (a little aggressive) make me really nervous. I'm thinking, "This is a new driver here! Slow down! What if you cause her to wreck?!"
This part of the learning to drive experience has been a great reminder to me. Rather than feeling impatience, maybe I need to be more aware of others - maybe they're learning to drive. Maybe they're old and having difficulties. Maybe they're simply having a bad day. The last thing they need is some aggressive driver breathing down their backs.
It's not just when I'm behind the wheel that I need to be aware of others. There are other kinds of wrecks we can have as we navigate the roads of life. Whatever the situation, I don't want to be responsible for someone having a wreck of any kind. How about you?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
True That!
The trouble with America isn't that the poetry of life has turned to prose, but that it has turned to advertising copy.
-Louis Kronenberger
-Louis Kronenberger
Saturday, August 16, 2008
On Secret Identities
I have a secret identity. I guess if I'm putting it here in black and white it's not so secret.... My nieces and nephews know me as the Queen of Fun. If there's fun or adventure to be had, I'll likely find it and if possible, make it accessible to them. As secret identities go, I think being the Queen of Fun is a pretty good one.
A secret identity is a pretty common device in certain kinds of stories. Peter Parker seems like a nice guy - maybe a little wimpy - but in reality he's Spider Man. Clark Kent is the geeky newspaper guy who (it appears) wouldn't hurt a fly, but when there's a crisis, he's Super Man. But there are other's with secret identities too. Sinister ones. The Joker, for instance. Surely he doesn't walk around all the time in his clown make-up. It seems like he'd be easy to catch if that was the case.
George McDonald wrote a wonderful book called The Princess and Curdie where Curdie (the protagonist) is given a special ability: he's able to discern the secret identity of those he meets by shaking their hands. Curdie puts his hands into some flaming rose petals and his hands are made very sensitive. This is how he knows the good guys from the bad guys. If he shakes a hand and feels the talon of a bird of prey, for example, he knows not to trust that person.
It seems like that could be a handy thing - to know who you're dealing with, whether friend or foe.
I think we all have a secret identity. We can go off on our own and choose one. When we do, it's going to be something like what Curdie encountered. Even if we start off with good intentions, we'll end up as one of the bad guys. Or.. we could accept the one designed for us from the foundations of the world. The one known only to God. If we choose that way, we may not be aware of what our secret identity is until the end of the story, but when it's revealed we'll be glad we did. My God given secret identity is probably not "Queen of Fun", although I think it would be pretty darn cool if it was...
A secret identity is a pretty common device in certain kinds of stories. Peter Parker seems like a nice guy - maybe a little wimpy - but in reality he's Spider Man. Clark Kent is the geeky newspaper guy who (it appears) wouldn't hurt a fly, but when there's a crisis, he's Super Man. But there are other's with secret identities too. Sinister ones. The Joker, for instance. Surely he doesn't walk around all the time in his clown make-up. It seems like he'd be easy to catch if that was the case.
George McDonald wrote a wonderful book called The Princess and Curdie where Curdie (the protagonist) is given a special ability: he's able to discern the secret identity of those he meets by shaking their hands. Curdie puts his hands into some flaming rose petals and his hands are made very sensitive. This is how he knows the good guys from the bad guys. If he shakes a hand and feels the talon of a bird of prey, for example, he knows not to trust that person.
It seems like that could be a handy thing - to know who you're dealing with, whether friend or foe.
I think we all have a secret identity. We can go off on our own and choose one. When we do, it's going to be something like what Curdie encountered. Even if we start off with good intentions, we'll end up as one of the bad guys. Or.. we could accept the one designed for us from the foundations of the world. The one known only to God. If we choose that way, we may not be aware of what our secret identity is until the end of the story, but when it's revealed we'll be glad we did. My God given secret identity is probably not "Queen of Fun", although I think it would be pretty darn cool if it was...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
It Depends On How You Define It
Sermon for July 27
Lectionary Readings:
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128:1-6
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Do any of you remember that series from the 1980s called The A Team? It was about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who work as soldiers of fortune while being on the run from the military for a "crime they didn't commit". Remember, they’d put together elaborate plans to help the good guys… George Peppard who played the older leader of the group would rub his hands together and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Remember that?
Jacob was a guy who liked a good plan. He was one of those guys who instinctively knew how to spot opportunities and arrange circumstances to be most advantageous to himself. He managed to trade a bowl of soup for a birthright. He tricked his father into bestowing the better blessing on him than on his older brother. And in his relationship with his uncle Laban, managed to breed goats in a way that enriched himself beyond his uncle’s plans or desires. By the way, do you remember what Jacob was doing living with his Uncle Laban? He was on the run from his brother Esau whom he tricked out of birthright and blessing.
In our Lectionary reading from the Old Testament this morning we find Jacob rubbing his hands together and saying to himself, “I love it when a plan comes together.” He’d made a deal with his uncle Laban to work for seven years in exchange for his cousin Rachel’s hand in marriage. Genesis tells us that Jacob loved Rachel so much that those seven years seemed to him to be just a few days. He was motivated! He had a plan.
And yet…. the joke’s on Jacob. Jacob wakes up the morning after his wedding and finds Leah next to him. What?! For God was rubbing His hands together too. And when God has a plan – watch out! Things may not work out as you expect. I think it’s tempting to look at this story and say to yourself, “Boy, that Laban was as tricky as Jacob. He sure got the best of him.” But be careful that you don’t miss God’s hand in the story.
Remember, Jacob wanted to be The Guy. The Guy that carried the promise. If not, why would he bother stealing Esau’s birthright or blessing. And when you’re The Guy, you have to expect that your life takes on a significance beyond the ordinary. A Kingdom significance. Now the Patriarchs weren’t thinking about the Kingdom of God. But Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were aware that God had promised something special to their family. God was going to make from them a great nation – and had plans to bless the whole earth through them.
Now we know that Abraham had one child with Sarah. And Isaac had two children with Rebecca. Well it appears that with Jacob, God decides to get the reproduction party started. Let’s take a minute to look at how things played out for Jacob. We know that Jacob preferred Rachel. Well, Rachel was not exactly fertile Myrtle. In the end, Leah bears 6 sons for Jacob, Rachel 2, and their maidservants 4.
OK, so Leah was more prolific and the goal was to create a great nation. But there’s more… One of Leah’s sons was named Judah. And guess who’s genealogy he’s a part of? That’s right – fast forward a couple thousand years and Jesus is born! Jacob’s understanding was limited. His vision was narrow. Jacob focused simply on marrying the girl of his dreams, but God was doing the work of the Kingdom in his life.
Jesus spoke often about this Kingdom. In the Gospel reading this morning he tells us that the Kingdom of God is mysterious – it grows in unexpected ways, it spreads like yeast through dough, and above all, it is a treasure beyond value. In fact, it’s so valuable, that it’s worth selling all you have to possess. Our smaller stories are not worth considering when seen in light of the Kingdom.
Paul understood the wisdom of the Kingdom. Paul was a guy who’d had his plans changed. In fact, the trajectory of his life was dramatically altered. He went from the persecutor to the persecuted. Everywhere Paul went trouble seemed to find him. But listen again to his words in Romans:
"28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
If you look at Paul, you see a man who’s sold all that he has for the pearl of great price – and he knows the good of it. Here’s a man living the abundant life, the Kingdom life. Here’s a guy who’d been rubbing his hands together as he planned his persecution of the young church. But again… God had other plans. They were life changing, Kingdom shaping plans.
Are you a person who loves it when a plan comes together? It’s natural to hope for our plans to come to fruition with no surprises. Usually that’s the way it happens. But sometimes, God has surprises for us. Sometimes He’s smiling as we anticipate a particular outcome because He knows the joke’s on us. The trajectory of our life will change. Indeed, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.”
The threads of our lives are intertwined with one another here in this place, throughout the world, and across time to form a tapestry – breathtaking in its beauty. Though right now, we only see the back side of that tapestry – which can appear as a jumbled mess, we have the witness of Scripture to assure us God is creating a thing of beauty.
Most of us would agree that the prosperity Gospel is a false Gospel. But maybe that depends on how you define it. If you define prosperity as everything going your way without a hitch – as blue skies and placid seas, then no, the Gospel won’t promise you that. But if you define prosperity as the privilege of taking part in God’s plans for His Kingdom, then, yes! No matter how young or old you are – no matter your stage in life – God has plans for you. Sometimes they include surprises. May our Gracious God grant us eyes to see His Kingdom, ears to hear His voice, and hearts to embrace His plans – even when they include surprises. Amen
Lectionary Readings:
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128:1-6
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Do any of you remember that series from the 1980s called The A Team? It was about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who work as soldiers of fortune while being on the run from the military for a "crime they didn't commit". Remember, they’d put together elaborate plans to help the good guys… George Peppard who played the older leader of the group would rub his hands together and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Remember that?
Jacob was a guy who liked a good plan. He was one of those guys who instinctively knew how to spot opportunities and arrange circumstances to be most advantageous to himself. He managed to trade a bowl of soup for a birthright. He tricked his father into bestowing the better blessing on him than on his older brother. And in his relationship with his uncle Laban, managed to breed goats in a way that enriched himself beyond his uncle’s plans or desires. By the way, do you remember what Jacob was doing living with his Uncle Laban? He was on the run from his brother Esau whom he tricked out of birthright and blessing.
In our Lectionary reading from the Old Testament this morning we find Jacob rubbing his hands together and saying to himself, “I love it when a plan comes together.” He’d made a deal with his uncle Laban to work for seven years in exchange for his cousin Rachel’s hand in marriage. Genesis tells us that Jacob loved Rachel so much that those seven years seemed to him to be just a few days. He was motivated! He had a plan.
And yet…. the joke’s on Jacob. Jacob wakes up the morning after his wedding and finds Leah next to him. What?! For God was rubbing His hands together too. And when God has a plan – watch out! Things may not work out as you expect. I think it’s tempting to look at this story and say to yourself, “Boy, that Laban was as tricky as Jacob. He sure got the best of him.” But be careful that you don’t miss God’s hand in the story.
Remember, Jacob wanted to be The Guy. The Guy that carried the promise. If not, why would he bother stealing Esau’s birthright or blessing. And when you’re The Guy, you have to expect that your life takes on a significance beyond the ordinary. A Kingdom significance. Now the Patriarchs weren’t thinking about the Kingdom of God. But Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were aware that God had promised something special to their family. God was going to make from them a great nation – and had plans to bless the whole earth through them.
Now we know that Abraham had one child with Sarah. And Isaac had two children with Rebecca. Well it appears that with Jacob, God decides to get the reproduction party started. Let’s take a minute to look at how things played out for Jacob. We know that Jacob preferred Rachel. Well, Rachel was not exactly fertile Myrtle. In the end, Leah bears 6 sons for Jacob, Rachel 2, and their maidservants 4.
OK, so Leah was more prolific and the goal was to create a great nation. But there’s more… One of Leah’s sons was named Judah. And guess who’s genealogy he’s a part of? That’s right – fast forward a couple thousand years and Jesus is born! Jacob’s understanding was limited. His vision was narrow. Jacob focused simply on marrying the girl of his dreams, but God was doing the work of the Kingdom in his life.
Jesus spoke often about this Kingdom. In the Gospel reading this morning he tells us that the Kingdom of God is mysterious – it grows in unexpected ways, it spreads like yeast through dough, and above all, it is a treasure beyond value. In fact, it’s so valuable, that it’s worth selling all you have to possess. Our smaller stories are not worth considering when seen in light of the Kingdom.
Paul understood the wisdom of the Kingdom. Paul was a guy who’d had his plans changed. In fact, the trajectory of his life was dramatically altered. He went from the persecutor to the persecuted. Everywhere Paul went trouble seemed to find him. But listen again to his words in Romans:
"28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
If you look at Paul, you see a man who’s sold all that he has for the pearl of great price – and he knows the good of it. Here’s a man living the abundant life, the Kingdom life. Here’s a guy who’d been rubbing his hands together as he planned his persecution of the young church. But again… God had other plans. They were life changing, Kingdom shaping plans.
Are you a person who loves it when a plan comes together? It’s natural to hope for our plans to come to fruition with no surprises. Usually that’s the way it happens. But sometimes, God has surprises for us. Sometimes He’s smiling as we anticipate a particular outcome because He knows the joke’s on us. The trajectory of our life will change. Indeed, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.”
The threads of our lives are intertwined with one another here in this place, throughout the world, and across time to form a tapestry – breathtaking in its beauty. Though right now, we only see the back side of that tapestry – which can appear as a jumbled mess, we have the witness of Scripture to assure us God is creating a thing of beauty.
Most of us would agree that the prosperity Gospel is a false Gospel. But maybe that depends on how you define it. If you define prosperity as everything going your way without a hitch – as blue skies and placid seas, then no, the Gospel won’t promise you that. But if you define prosperity as the privilege of taking part in God’s plans for His Kingdom, then, yes! No matter how young or old you are – no matter your stage in life – God has plans for you. Sometimes they include surprises. May our Gracious God grant us eyes to see His Kingdom, ears to hear His voice, and hearts to embrace His plans – even when they include surprises. Amen
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Shack - Part 2
Psalm 147: 10-11
"His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love."
One of the things that God says numerous times in The Shack is, "I am especially fond of ________." God is especially fond of Mack the protagonist. But also especially fond of many others mentioned in the novel.
Most of us can imagine certain humans that we believe God might be especially fond of. If you're like me they would be people like Mother Teresa or Billy Graham or others who seem to have something extraordinary to offer Him. The striking thing in The Shack is that God is fond of those who have nothing especially to offer. Mack's a nice guy, but certainly not extraordinary from a human perspective. In fact, he's a mess.
The Lectionary has focused on the final 5 Psalms for the last couple of months. Every morning one of them is the morning Psalm. The PCUSA web site (apparently receiving some complaints about it) has even offered an alternative morning Psalm reading for those who are sick of reading these same 5 Psalms over and over. I figure that maybe God has something to say to me in those 5 Psalms that I need to hear over and over to get... Psalm 147 has become one of my favorite recently. I have indeed read it lots and lots lately. The first half of it was in today's Lectionary and the last half will be in tomorrows. I have some favorite verses in both halves. I especially like the verses that began this post.
I like to say that I know that God loves us unconditionally. Though I give an intellectual assent to it, however, I usually feel I still should have something to offer to God. That maybe I could please Him more by my good behavior or nice thoughts, or by some personal excellence or whatever. But the truth is that God is especially fond of me. Regardless of my strength or speed or anything else that I foolishly believe I have to offer... He's especially fond of you too.
Another of the wonderful things about The Shack is that it makes clear that what God desires is intimate fellowship with you and me. Not because we have anything that God needs, but because he is especially fond of us.
Romans 11:33-36 "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?'
'Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. "
"His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love."
One of the things that God says numerous times in The Shack is, "I am especially fond of ________." God is especially fond of Mack the protagonist. But also especially fond of many others mentioned in the novel.
Most of us can imagine certain humans that we believe God might be especially fond of. If you're like me they would be people like Mother Teresa or Billy Graham or others who seem to have something extraordinary to offer Him. The striking thing in The Shack is that God is fond of those who have nothing especially to offer. Mack's a nice guy, but certainly not extraordinary from a human perspective. In fact, he's a mess.
The Lectionary has focused on the final 5 Psalms for the last couple of months. Every morning one of them is the morning Psalm. The PCUSA web site (apparently receiving some complaints about it) has even offered an alternative morning Psalm reading for those who are sick of reading these same 5 Psalms over and over. I figure that maybe God has something to say to me in those 5 Psalms that I need to hear over and over to get... Psalm 147 has become one of my favorite recently. I have indeed read it lots and lots lately. The first half of it was in today's Lectionary and the last half will be in tomorrows. I have some favorite verses in both halves. I especially like the verses that began this post.
I like to say that I know that God loves us unconditionally. Though I give an intellectual assent to it, however, I usually feel I still should have something to offer to God. That maybe I could please Him more by my good behavior or nice thoughts, or by some personal excellence or whatever. But the truth is that God is especially fond of me. Regardless of my strength or speed or anything else that I foolishly believe I have to offer... He's especially fond of you too.
Another of the wonderful things about The Shack is that it makes clear that what God desires is intimate fellowship with you and me. Not because we have anything that God needs, but because he is especially fond of us.
Romans 11:33-36 "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?'
'Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. "
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Shack - Part 1
I can't believe it's taken me a couple of weeks after reading The Shack to post any thoughts about it! Once I began reading I couldn't put it down. The picture of the Trinity that Paul Young paints is fabulous! God is always surprising. The Bible should make us expect God to act in ways that are contrary to what seems right to us...
Here's one of the many great quotes from the book. In this one, the Holy Spirit is explaining to Mack (the protagonist) that she (don't let this detail throw you off - you'll get it if you read the book) is far more interested in verbs than nouns:
"Let's use the example of friendship and how removing the element of life from a noun can drastically alter a relationship. Mack, if you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition; it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. But what happens if I change that 'expectancy' to an 'expectation' - spoken or unspoken? Suddenly law has entered into our relationship. You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements. It is no longer about you and me, but about what friends are supposed to do, or about the responsibilities of a good friend."
Wow! The truth of that paragraph seems clear to me when describing human relationships - friendships or marriages. If you know folks in a lifeless or unhappy marriage I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts that in most cases its unfulfilled expectations that are at the root of much of the unhappiness. Those unfulfilled expectations turn to resentments and all of the joy is removed from the relationship. They get to the point where they don't want to talk to one another or be in the same room. When you ponder their courtship and romance you wonder where they went wrong. They used to love to be together...
How about our relationship with God? One of the things critics of The Shack say is that God is portrayed as too nice. What? You mean to tell me that God is not interested in expectations and responsibility? What did Jesus say when he was asked which of the commandments were the greatest?: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. I think it's really cool that God desires our relationships (with Him and others) to be characterized by expectancy and responsiveness rather than expectations and responsibilities.
Here's one of the many great quotes from the book. In this one, the Holy Spirit is explaining to Mack (the protagonist) that she (don't let this detail throw you off - you'll get it if you read the book) is far more interested in verbs than nouns:
"Let's use the example of friendship and how removing the element of life from a noun can drastically alter a relationship. Mack, if you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition; it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. But what happens if I change that 'expectancy' to an 'expectation' - spoken or unspoken? Suddenly law has entered into our relationship. You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements. It is no longer about you and me, but about what friends are supposed to do, or about the responsibilities of a good friend."
Wow! The truth of that paragraph seems clear to me when describing human relationships - friendships or marriages. If you know folks in a lifeless or unhappy marriage I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts that in most cases its unfulfilled expectations that are at the root of much of the unhappiness. Those unfulfilled expectations turn to resentments and all of the joy is removed from the relationship. They get to the point where they don't want to talk to one another or be in the same room. When you ponder their courtship and romance you wonder where they went wrong. They used to love to be together...
How about our relationship with God? One of the things critics of The Shack say is that God is portrayed as too nice. What? You mean to tell me that God is not interested in expectations and responsibility? What did Jesus say when he was asked which of the commandments were the greatest?: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. I think it's really cool that God desires our relationships (with Him and others) to be characterized by expectancy and responsiveness rather than expectations and responsibilities.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Realpolitik
"The breakdown of authority gives way to Realpolitik. Persons and groups that feel deprived look for redress of their grievances, not by persuasive argument or by appeal to authority – authority of the whole church as a community of faith confesses – but by manipulating the levers of power to secure their rights. Elected officials, rather than conveying a word of authority inherent in the gospel, function as brokers of special interest groups. The result is factionalism, mutual suspicion, and a kind of guerilla warfare." -Carl Braaten, Mother Church
I was reading in World Magazine about proceedings in the General Assembly of the PCSUA (my denomination). As usual, the homosexual contingent pushed their agenda, and though they did not succeed in the sanctioning of ordination of homosexuals, they did make inroads regarding the requirement to live in fidelity in marriage or chastity outside of it. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those who says, "God hates fags." But I am weary of the homosexual agenda absorbing so much energy and debate.
As an ruling elder I'm bothered by the fact that we're spending so much time on this issue. Call me crazy, but when I think of the roll of church leadership, I think the focus should be on the spiritual development of the congregation with a missional focus.
Realpolitik in my denomination and in other mainline denominations does not contribute to the vitality of the church or its mission. It's no wonder that our brothers and sisters from around the globe are sending missionaries to the USA.
I was reading in World Magazine about proceedings in the General Assembly of the PCSUA (my denomination). As usual, the homosexual contingent pushed their agenda, and though they did not succeed in the sanctioning of ordination of homosexuals, they did make inroads regarding the requirement to live in fidelity in marriage or chastity outside of it. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those who says, "God hates fags." But I am weary of the homosexual agenda absorbing so much energy and debate.
As an ruling elder I'm bothered by the fact that we're spending so much time on this issue. Call me crazy, but when I think of the roll of church leadership, I think the focus should be on the spiritual development of the congregation with a missional focus.
Realpolitik in my denomination and in other mainline denominations does not contribute to the vitality of the church or its mission. It's no wonder that our brothers and sisters from around the globe are sending missionaries to the USA.
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