We have all felt the temptation to argue a point solely for the need of being right. God forbid someone else finds out that I make mistakes, or (insert big gasp here) that I might be wrong. As I observe the intense debates occurring all around and within our social networks I grieve the loss of respect, compassion and decency; love of neighbor and even enemy (Matthew 5:43-44).
We see and hear of political battles that are fought almost solely for the sake of politicians? chances of reelection. Those national mêlées add fuel to the political battles at the state and… Continue reading
I conducted highly unscientific research yesterday (Aug 31, 2010). I asked my friends on Facebook ? and tweeps on Twitter ? to share with me what they were grateful for that day. Pausing to recognize the blessings in life, offering gratitude, if only in one?s mind, has a way of putting things in a realistic, fresh perspective.
Keeping an attitude of gratitude is not necessarily an easy thing to do on an ongoing basis. Much of our culture seems to empower taking for self, building self up, without regard for the consequences which many times fall upon others. Ralph Waldo Emerson… Continue reading
In each day, place and person we see reflections of our Creator and the created order he set into motion. We see it in the flowing waters of streams and rivers constantly in motion, bringing new water and new objects; it reflects the ongoing life of our creation. We see examples of God in animal behavior in the ways dogs and pets can love unconditionally. We see God?s handiwork in the new life of beautiful butterflies emerging from a former life as a less-than-attractive larva and pupa (remember your science?). The life of a butterfly consists of four stages, or… Continue reading
Thought I’d share a little musical humor. I’ve seen this before and was reminded of it this morning; having spent time in piano bars, I can relate. Wish I could cite the source.
C, E-flat and G go into a bar (a piano bar I?m sure). The bartender says, “Sorry, but we don?t serve minors.” So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them.
After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished and G is out flat. F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the… Continue reading
I have just returned home from concentrated and inspiring studies with other pastors and gifted professors through Garrett Seminary in Chicagoland. While sailing through midair, contained with strangers like sardines in the confines of a metal can called Delta, I was able to finish a book given to me by my Bishop entitled Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie. The author spent years in the creative department of Hallmark Cards. In the book he describes the struggles of expressing creativity within the sardine-like confines of the administrative structure of organizations.
The hairball is a metaphor for the corporate and institutional… Continue reading
In doing research for my sermon for this Sunday, July 4, 2010, I stumbled across the following essay. I share this not to be unpatriotic, but because I believe it?s time to tear down the walls of all our self-created categories and caricatures and begin to see each other as equals ? as brothers and sisters, created in the image of God. ”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men,” as the Declaration of Independance states, “are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”
What makes the following essay so powerful for me is the words come from… Continue reading
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, ?I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,? that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ?I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,? would that make it any less a part of the body? But our bodies have many parts, and… Continue reading
In the days immediately following the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City we were encouraged to not respond with fear or terror, for both are intended outcomes desired by terrorists and we didn?t want to let them know they had ?won.? Truth be told, it has affected our lives and our culture. We live in a post-9/11 culture in which many people hold on to an inward fear; there is fear of others, fear of strangers, fear of people whose lives seem to bounce from one crisis to another, and fear of change that causes the loss… Continue reading
[Baptism Sunday] - We did it, some professing and some remembering beliefs in front of too many strangers and not enough friends. I do believe; well, at least I believe I want to believe. I leave still carrying the weight of this thing on my back; I thought it would magically disappear. I assumed it would be easy going. I feel called toward the river in this mountainous region. I begin the journey, discovering it is longer and a bit more difficult than I might want. Will I have the strength to arrive in one piece? Suddenly I am there… Continue reading
I recently read a book that talks of continuous change compared to discontinuous change. The authors define continuous change as change that ?develops out of what has gone before and therefore can be expected, anticipated, and managed ? We can anticipate the stages [of life] and learn from those who have gone before us how to navigate the changes.? This type of change is predictable, based on past experience. Discontinuous change then is ?disruptive and unanticipated; it creates situations that challenge our assumptions.? In periods of discontinuous change we find that which previously worked to ?fix? a problem is no… Continue reading
