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Philippians 1:12-16 (The Message)
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."
Focused, persevering... yes. But what about when one feels.. well, as Bilbo Baggins describes it..
"but inside he felt 'thin, sort of stretched ... like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.' "
I could quip that.. God never gives us more bread than our butter can cover.. amusing myself for a minute.. yet knowing that has more truth at it's core than the feeling of being scraped thin.
It is in this frame of mind, that I often feel very disconnected from God, this omnipotent, transcendent God. Yet, today, I find myself more and more comforted by the thinness somehow. That within this thinness, the knowing of God's presence is more tangible.
"There is no condition for forgiveness. But forgiveness could not come to us if we were not asking for it and receiving it. Forgiveness is an answer, the divine answer, to the question implied in our existence. An answer is answer only for him who has asked, who is aware of the question. This awareness cannot be fabricated. It may be in a hidden place in our souls, covered by many strata of righteousness. It may reach our consciousness in certain moments. Or, day by day, it may fill our conscious life as well as its unconscious depths and drive us to the question to which forgiveness is the answer." ~ Paul Tillich, The New Being
"But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. "
"An answer is answer only for him who has asked, who is aware of the question. "
Looking back at the seemingly randomness of what I just wrote, I realize my inner question was "where are you God?" and the answer that just tumbled into my mind is .. immanent. The idea that .. 'such that we could not “know” God without “participating in” God. " Thinness. Not so bad.
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It occurs to me, as a part-time political junkie, and increasingly committed follower of Jesus, flipping through the Cable News Channels, and reading media accounts -- is anyone listening?
Does it even make sense that media outlets selectively choose what part of a 'story' to tell, then ask you an opinion poll question -- often leading -- as 'what do you think'?
We have heard from the pulpit how the next generation of young adults is trained to be skeptical. Forgive my own skepticism, then -- and I sadly am no longer a young adult -- but I wonder if they have been trained not to ask questions, rather to doubt everything. That may be a fine line -- but I think that what we have in play is chronic cynicism, and that is not skepticism. It is tuning out... not listening... putting out a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on one's forehead.
As for the general public? I'd probably be wrong to pretend to know the prevailing attitude -- skepticism, cynicism.... optimism, anyone?
Part of the difficulty is the filter through which we read the world -- our depndency on the media for usable (aka condensed) information -- our often imperfect lens of family history and personal experience. And time. Who has the time to sort this 'stuff' out?
This is just my opinion -- for what it is worth -- but our news media has derailed itself completely. It is increasingly difficult to find the facts, let alone discern the truth. And, not being a conspiracy theorist, it is frustrating -- and angers me greatly -- to see and hear the spin machine so totally out of control.
I listened to both of Reverend Wright's speeches -- one to the NAACP in Detroit, one to the National Press Club. I listened to each in full. What I heard was an eloquent preacher describe his theology -- Liberation, Transformation, and Reconciliation. Remove the voice and the cadence and an occasional choice of words -- and if you can get copies of the actual transcript, read them -- and you might as well be listening to our own pastor.
But that is not what happens here. I seriously doubt that more than a handful of people watched Wright on C-SPAN. So, you are left with commentary disguised as fact, and such an obvious validation of Wright's own complaints about the media. Compare the soundbites to the whole. Compare the talking heads' commentary to what was actually said. Folks, its no contest.
When Bill O'Reilly speaks of "hateful rhetoric", where is the hate? The only hate I hear is Bill's dislike for the truth. I heard none coming from Wright. Not even a 'biteful'.
FOX's Hannity & Colmes headlines "Wright threatens O'Bama". Indeed, the Reverend pointed out, in a Q&A, that should O'Bama become President, he will "come after him, too" [if needed] over US policy that is wrongful. Does the "pithy" tag line belie the intent of the message? I think so.
'Loon" and 'Kook" -- now those are clearly thoughtful, objective terms. Never mind, Bill, who asserted that Reverend Wright said "any criticism of any of his comments is a criticism of black churches."? That is not what was said. and O'Reilly's 'new math' example -- that criticism of Wright = criticism of black churchgoers = racism -- is Bill's words, Bill's logic, and Bill's paranoia. He can spare us.
I could go on -- but what's my point? That we have a tendency not to listen carefully, that we jump to conclusions when we get vested emotionally in issues, that we don't take time to walk in another person's shoes, that we react defensively when honest questions are asked and the stus quo is challenged? Yes. Exactly.
And its not just 'out there', but we are a part of it. Which is why the current sermon series hits so closely, causes discomfort and frustration and pain, and rather not be a part of our dialogue. I just wonder, should the title be "Do U Hear Me Now"?
Or is God asking: "Is Anyone Listening?"
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“ ‘I think’, I said slowly once, looking out at the Sunday worshipers, ‘that we’re being called to something harder than being conventional ‘Good Samaritans’‘. To understand ourselves, individually, and as a church, being rescued by strangers and foreigners, by the 'wrong people'. To understand ourselves individually and as a church, as beaten, hungry, hurting, and lost at the side of the road. Called to touch the parts of ourselves that are strange and damaged and needy. Called to receive love from people we don’t know and have no reason to trust. And only then, in turn, being called to the second part: to go and do the same thing - knowing it will change us in ways we didn’t plan and may not like. And both receiving and giving mean really opening ourselves to strangers - in whose bodies we find, and upon whose being depends, our own salvation.”
Take This Bread, Sara Miles.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thought.” Isaiah 55:8-9 The transformative power of God, of God's love, and God's Grace... is to me, a most amazing mystery, a most precious wonder... and the most humbling of blessings.
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How absolutely awesome it was to be able to go to a Men's Small Group today and NOT waste one second listening to or one syllable saying anything negative about Peace! To engage in meaningful discussion about our faith, and our lives, and how we live them, and sometimes fall down, as we try to follow Jesus. To be open and honest and critical without extending judgment.
Thanks to Russ and Paul who put this group together and capably led this sharing.
Take It to The Limit, inspired by Andy Stanley. Sundays, at 9:45-10:45AM, Peace South Campus. Men only.
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I was fussing over plan drawings of our "new" South Campus yesterday, worrying myself over details. I -- actually, Peace and I -- are going through some changes together -- peace taking on more space with the departure of Allstate, me absorbing some of that space (God willing) as my practice grows -- and I have to move.
If one can confess one's self-interest publically, I admit to briefly envying that corner office with the private entrance and the bathroom and the storage room -- aka the Youth Room. Of course, God, or at least Peace, have other plans, and I am likely to move to where Allstate is -- and that's OK. I am thankful for the opportunity to be co-located.
And then I muse over what happens in that room. Like Vegas, what happens there stays there but it is a badly kept secret that it has become a favorite spot for more groups than just our Youth at Peace. In fact, they deserve some kudos for sharing that space with the rest of us. A lot of what goes on there can be, ahem, boisterous -- and I give thanks for the sound insulation in those walls between my office and that room. But I think that is cool -- a place where people -- of all ages and all genders -- meet to share -- and laugh -- and pray together. Think what you will of the church across the street -- this space -- sans cross, communion rail, organ, and altar -- is holy ground. God is there. Every day.
Which brings me back to the youth. What a blessing we have among us. Their testimony in worship a few weeks ago was inspiring, mostly because it was so honest. Adults know just how hard that is -- to get before your peers, not to mention strangers -- and expose your spiritual side. In a few more weeks we will see a very large Confirmation Class go through a ritual familiar to many of us. My prayer is that it is not the last time they share themselves with us, and that it is the next step in a long journey in Christ's footsteps.
Outside my window right now, there is a father cardinal watching over mom and some eggs. He is squawking at me, and raising a fuss. Mind you -- I am inside the house typing away on this keyboard -- two feet from an open window. He is in the thicket of a very tall holly tree-bush on the side of the house, shielding the window. Imagine, I am disturbing his quiet time, encroaching on his space, threatening his family. As he squawks, what is he trying to say? And why now?
God only knows.
A small reminder that we are all just one piece of an amazing creation. That life goes on outside our own personal space. That God is all around us -- in other people, in nature. That life begins anew, and that Youth hold so much promise. That as adults, our inclination is to be protective. That as Youth, the inclination is to be restive. That we depend upon one another.
For now, I'll close the window and draw the shade, to give the family some privacy -- and look to the future when those eggs open and its more than dad squawking at me.
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