Camping in the Dark

I was a Boy Scout growing up.  Just about had to be.  It ran in the family.  Dad was a volunteer for the local troop.  I have two brothers who are Eagle Scouts.  Both of them were employed with the Scouts for awhile.  One was a district executive.  My career with them was not as long and distinguished.  Didn't manage to reach Eagle status. I became too interested in music and girls at the time, not necessarily in that order.

But I did have the "privilege" of reaching what they call the Order of the Arrow in my mid-teens, and experiencing the initiation that went with attaining it. It consisted of being dumped out in the middle of the woods, far off from the rest of the world, by an adult leader, who then left me all alone to sleep there overnight.   I had a sleeping bag, tent and a few supplies in my back pack. 

I got myself set up alright. But do you know how many noises there can be in the middle of the night in the woods when you are all by yourself?  Seems like hundreds, some imaginary, some real, and some of which I didn't know the difference.

As nature would have it, invariably, I had to get up in the middle of the night and go outside to go to the bathroom.  At first I couldn't find my flashlight.  It was pitch black outside.  I knew there was an outhouse about 100 feet away.  Could I make it till morning?  Nope. Something I ate for dinner wasn't sitting right with me.  Finally, I found the flashlight and trekked out to do my business with the light shining a a path and leading the way.  I had just enough light to help me take the next few steps to where I was going.

It gave me a better understanding of the words in scripture describing God and his Word as "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  May you remember where to find your spiritual flashlight, especially in your dark hour.

   

At the Bus Stop

Every weekday morning, school children wait at the end of our driveway to catch the bus.  Their parents, and other adults from the neighborhood, are there with them, cheerfully exchanging greetings and playfully interacting with the kids.  They watch out for cars, and keep an watchful eye on the young people.  Then they gently guide them on to the bus when it arrives.

With all that has recently occurred, in light of this holy season, I'm choosing to be thankful for those parents.  And I'm still choosing to believe the Good Shepherd is watching over and cares for each of  us, even when life doesn't work out the way we planned.
     

 

A Line in the Sand

Quite often, I try to steer God into doing the right thing, especially when it comes to MY life.  I'm living it, after all. I should know what is best.  Sometimes life seems completely wrong.  A job I wanted doesn't materialize.  The woman I wanted to marry says "no."  The friend I thought I'd have for life disappears.  Why does this happen?  What have I done to deserve this?  I've had many one-sided "heated" debates with the Divine.  When doing so, I don't get much response.  It seems God just listens and thinks:  "He'll understand it bye and bye."

Joseph must have thought the same thing.  He wanted to marry Mary, but she was "found pregnant" by someone else.  Betrayed by the one he loved most. Not good.  After wrestling with the decision, he decided he had to divorce her for both of them to save face.  Life was the pits.

Its easy to recite the verse in Romans that says "All things work for good for those who love God."  But often it definitely doesn't seem to be that way, and we get angry, flustered and just plain confused.  It hurts,  It's no fun. We'd rather not go there.

A friend recently sent me a cartoon based on the famous "footsteps" prayer.  In the first frame, a woman looks back on the sand beach, and Jesus says:  "I've been with you all the time, but there is only one set of tracks, because I've been carrying you."  In the second frame, he says, "And that long line in the sand next to the tracks, that's where I've been dragging you."

Sometimes God has to drag us kicking and screaming into the future, until, bye and bye, we figure out everything's going to be okay.  Even when betrayed by those closest to us.    

Blue Christmas

I read an article today about a Blue Christmas.  It's more than a mediocre song once done by Elvis.  Its a movement that is catching on in a few churches.  They realize that this season is a time of conflicting emotions for some people, so they hold a service or gathering time for them. 

Persons may have lost a spouse or child or experienced some other kind of loss this year, or year's past, around the holidays.  All of the colored lights don't quite sparkle as much for them.  We sing "Peace on Earth" but they find it hard to make peace in their heart with what has transpired in their lives.  Ornaments on the tree given by now distant or deceased loved ones bring bittersweet memories.

I have experienced this twice.  Once when we lost my wife's mother, and once when an estranged member of our family was "on the road" and we didn't know where he was.  Military families feel this, too, when service people are deployed overseas, for sure, but especially when their loved won't ever be coming home.

As I drive down my street there are lots of outside light displays.  Most have Christmas trees inside with lights on them, too  The blinking ones bug me, but in general I enjoy seeing them. Sometimes I've wondered why everybody doesn't put up at least a little something. But, maybe they aren't just in the mood.

I'm changing my mind.

Christmas comes, whether we are in the mood to celebrate it or not.  And it's not ultimately about gifts, or lights or feasting. As Charlie Brown reminds us, it's about God coming to be with us.  A God who says "Come to me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
 
Kudos to those faith communities who take time to reach out to the "blue" in what is a busy season for all of us. More of us should join you. 



 

Shopping

I have successfully bypassed Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.  It wasn't all that hard. Guess I just found other things to do, like spend time with family and watch the Vikings lose again. Being a non-shopper in the first place and a Christmas shopping procrastinator to boot, I'm one of those people that think Dec. 20th, or so is a good time to pick up some holiday gifts.

My neighbors already have their lights up.  Judy and I will probably put ours up in two or three weeks.  We'll get a last minute deal on Christmas trees, and those of you who get a Christmas card from us know it usually arrives sometime mid-January.  I don't begrudge people getting into shopping and Christmas in general.  As a matter of fact, I kind of admire those who get into the spirit of the season.  And each year I look forward to receiving another CD of "wacky" holiday tunes personally made by a good friend of mine.

I will buy some gifts this season, of course.  If nothing else, because my wife's birthday is December 1.  I dare not forget it.  She made it easy for me, though, when we got married on June 1, exactly six months from her birthday. 

In about three weeks the two of us will sit down and make a list of what to get for people.  Her 100-year-old grandma is always hard.  What can we get her that she hasn't either bought or received in the last century? The kids are grown, so we won't be getting any little toys for them to delight in for an hour or so after they open them up.  Right now I think they just appreciate the tuition payments.  We've gotten over the idea that we have to buy presents for far-flung relatives we hardly ever see.  That leaves a few close relatives and friends, and each other.  And what we like, mostly, is just spending time together.  Gifts given are symbolic for the most part.  

We'll make this list over breakfast at a favorite restaurant.  Then we will go on a shopping blitz, kind of our personal Black Friday, and get it all done by 2 p.m.  The best part of the day will be breakfast.  I know this  goes against the grain, but we'll probably have time left over to reflect on the Reason for the Season. 

Giving

Tomorrow is "Give to the Max" day here in MN.  I know other states have it. It is big here.  Millions of dollars are raised supporting hundreds of non-profits.  We top the nation in giving per capita almost every year.

It seems like every big or little non-profit I have ever given money to has hit me up for more in the last week. I don't blame them.  It's part of their job.  But I'm not going to give to all of them.  How do I decide which ones get some cash this year?

Like most persons, I tend to follow my heart.  I had a life-transforming experience in Africa, so they will get some.  Certain illnesses run in my family, so they will get some.  I've been involved in music all of my life, so the arts will get some.  I work in and believe in the local and extended church, so they will get some.  But that still leaves a lot of alternatives.     

By "alternative" I mean just that.  We will all give holiday gifts to loved ones, friends and co-workers.  But quite frankly they already have enough.  How will I bless those who don't?  I could lavish less on those who really don't need what I give them and be more generous to those who do.

Someone once advised me to keep in mind three areas:  relief, rehabilitation and development.  Relief is sending emergency supplies that are needed because of a natural or human-made disaster.  Emergency food or donated blood in response to Hurricane Sandy is an example. Rehabilitation is helping people re-build after the emergency.  Helping people rebuild their homes after a earthquake in Haiti is an example.  Development is helping people help themselves.  Supporting High School education in a country where it is lacking is an example.

I also try to think of three areas: local, national and international.  There is need everywhere.

I'll be splitting my money up several ways and in different parts of the world.   Nobody will get my max, but several will get something.

I've never really been interested in horror movies and wouldn't spend my money on them.  I know zombies and vampires are more popular than ever, but they just seem strange and boring to me.  Halloween was never that interesting to me,  either ... UNTIL ...  I got appointed to Anoka and Ramsey.  You kind of have to embrace it if your'e going to live or work here. 

There is a huge parade that takes over this town.  I didn't know what to expect when I first went.  First of all, there are tens of thousands of people.  Secondly, you actually see very few evil characters of any kind.  It's just a big old family event.  People are just out to have a good time, and I can appreciate that.  We'll be out there rain or shine (or possible snow!) with our float and the Northern Light Band.

Halloween has Celtic roots.  They had a festival, called Samhain, which means "summer's end."  It was basically a fall festival where the farmers would celebrate getting all of the crops in before the cold winter. 

Once Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, thought, the ancient festival took on a Christian flavor.  Some in the early church believed the souls of the dead wandered around the earth until All Saints Day. (November 1)  All Hallows Eve was the last chance for angry ghosts to gain vengeance on their enemies.  So what did Christians do?  They put on masks and costumes to disguise themselves.

I think I might actually prefer the Celtic viewpoint.  The transition from summer to winter is a transition from life to death.  Its a reminder that we are mortal.  "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."  Lest we FEAR our mortality, let us embrace the idea that through all of our transitions: God is with us.  None of us is God.  None of us is immortal.  We have a limited time on earth as "creatures" of flesh and bone.  It's alright to have a little fund this time of year.  But let's not get too carried away.  There's a bigger picture.

Studies show that the AVERAGE person tends to think he is better than the AVERAGE person.  Nine in ten managers think they are better than the average manager.  Nine in ten teachers think they are better than the average teacher.  I'm sure its true with preachers and others, too. And nine in ten drivers think they are better than the average driver.  And even nine in ten drivers who have been HOSPITALIZED after being in accidents still think they are better than the average driver!

Two men go to church to pray.  The first is devout.  The second knows he has messed up. The first, part of the 90%, says, "I'm above AVERAGE. Thank God I'm not like those other people."  The second, a member of the 10% minority, says, "Lord, be merciful to me." Guess which one God appreciates most?

When my kids do or say something to me they know is wrong, they apologize by saying, "my bad."  Seems it might always be better to say that, instead of "my good." On average, that is.  

Judy and I have just experienced moving.  The census bureau says the average American moves once every 5 years. My wife got a new job, so we had to move to a new house that we are required to live in.  It's a nice house, and all, but I kind of liked the one in which we spent the last 13 years.

We moved from a two-story house to a one-story, so, including the walk-out basements at both places, we now have about 2/3 the room we used to.  That's not a bad thing.  The 3 kids are out of the house. And I hear downsizing is trendy now.

We invited some friends over and showed them around.  The main floor looks pretty presentable. We didn't show them the storage room in the basement with wall-to-wall boxes filled with junk. Things we don't need. Many things we don't ever use.  Things we really never needed.  Things that are still in the boxes we packed up 13 years ago and haven't opened since the move before this one.  Judy and I have tried to set future dates and times when we will go through it.  We'll see how that goes. 

It remains me of the guy in the parable of the rich fool who had two many barns. He built a few more, thinking he might "need" the stuff some time. He was a "collector." Collecting is okay.  All of us do it.  I used to have a really nice collection of model tall ships.  Trouble is, they were from an old girlfriend.  They "left the harbor" once I started dating Judy.  I collect cups and caps now, each with a memory attached.

But hoarding is another thing.  Jesus comes down pretty hard on the rich dude, saying:  "You fool!  You have all this stuff, but you're going to die tonight.  What good does it do you?"  Or, as I was once heard in an old country song: "You never see a hearse with a trailer hitch."

Maybe I'll hire one of those professional de-clutterers to come and clean out the storage room at $50 an hour.  It would probably be worth it.  And maybe she knows someone who can also come and de-clutter the rest of my life so I can focus on the things that really matter. Could use a little help there, too. 

It's not where you live ...

It's official.  We put the SOLD sign up yesterday.  We'll be moving a few miles to the neighboring city of Minnetonka in a couple of weeks. Now its all about packing.  Packing up stuff ... and memories of thirteen years in this house.  We raised our kids here.  Had many family gatherings and friends over.  Took in a few additional people from time to time.  Loved our neighbors.

One of those neighbors, Dale, came out when the sign went up.  We talked about how we were going to miss the house and the neighborhood.  He expressed his sadness, too, as we stood and reminisced in the 102 degree heat and humidity.

He had been through a lot.  He lived alone for quite a few years after his wife died.  His children were grown, so usually he had the place all to himself, until last year, after he got married again.  At the end of our conversation he said, "I've learned that its not where you live, but who you live with."   I immediately went in a hugged my wife and told her I loved her.

God bless all of those realtors (and ours, especially), but it's not about "location, location, location." It's about "people, people, people."  The ones who live in the house with you..  The ones you invite over.  The ones with which you share your everyday life. Then ones who are nearest and dearest to you.

There's a message here about God being in the home, too.

I heard on the radio that the world is headed for another drought.  Regardless of how you feel about global warming, the FACT is - its going to get pretty hot and dry in quite a few spots in the upcoming year.  "Hot and dry" translates into the lack of food, which translates into severe hunger and starvation in too many places.

The commentator also mentioned that nations and non-profits will be again lining up to try to help feed people.  I'm so pleased to know our denomination (United Methodist Church) will be at the forefront of this effort. Its one reason I came back to the UMC after being elsewhere on my faith journey.

Some might question the value of helping those starving people over there in __________.  Others might be suspicious of motives or methodology.  Many are able to just set the issue aside.  Others may say we have hungry people right here in ________, which is true, and we SHOULD be helping them.  The world has enough food to feed everyone everywhere. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how people come up with reasons/excuses not to do it.  Thank God for those who step up the plate (pun intended).

Things get done in this world through partnership.  And it is no different when it comes to feeding the hungry. Here in Minnesota, dozens of companies donate money to pay for food staples that are voluntarily packaged and boxed up by thousands of men, women, youth and children through a non-profit named Feed My Starving Children.  These boxes are shipped by hundreds of distributors to many countries. One example is the UMC, which ships containers to a dock in West Africa twice a year, among other places.

After the ships arrive, a non-profit, based in Sierra Leone, trucks the food up to a French-supported hospital and feeding center.  Norwegian-financed vans are used to pick up emaciated children and their mothers in nearby villages.  They stay at the center for a month.  The mothers are trained in nutrition by staff from the United Nations Food Programme.  Because of their condition, the children eat the FMSC food for the first two weeks.  Then the children "graduate" to rice, grown and brought to the hospital by local farmers through a business co-operative initiated by Save the Children.  Mothers and (healthy) children return to their village where a worker supported by Catholic Charities monitors their development.  Every four weeks the pattern repeats itself.    

Businesses, nations, denominations, the U.N. and other non-profits working together to solve a problem and  make this world a better place.  It takes a village to feed a child.

My wife, Judy, and I went "up north" to the cabin last week.  We've been doing this for twenty-one years, shortly after our first son was born.  Our three now grown children learned to ride bike, fish and golf up in the Park Rapids area. It was just the two of us last week, but we still continued several traditions that included blueberries, building fires, ice cream, the Mississippi river ... and reading.

Not being interested in "Fifty Shades" or any of the other current top sellers, I opted for the non-fiction 512-page "The History of Art."  I know that sounds peculiar, but you have to understand that I was the kid in elementary school who loved to read the encyclopedia just for the fun of it.  Not that I became smarter than anyone else. It's just that I was no good at hockey, and video games weren't invented yet.  And I really DO like to learn new things.

Another motivating factor is that my wife was an art and design major for a while in college, and I felt it was time to finally catch up on things like the color wheel, sculpture, Michelangelo, the non-singing Madonna, Pointillism, Impressionism, Expressionism and all of the other "isms."  After combing chapters dedicated to Western and non-Western art from all ages, I found I was most captivated by cave art.  (Insert your own "man-cave" joke here.)

It turns out that 40,000 years ago cave dwellers drew paintings on their walls, mostly in the part of the world we now call France and Spain.  They lived there to escape the possibility of literally being eaten by wild animals at night, whom they also hunted by day.  As far in at 1/2 mile, always beyond their living quarters, they would designate an area that was used only for artistic expression and religious purposes.  The two would always go together.  They mostly drew the very animals they were hunting/freeing/living with.  There was a sacred quality to the drawings as they made a holy connection with them and their Creator. 

I felt an affinity with them as I looked out on the waters of Fish Hook Lake.

I've been traveling a lot this last month.  One of the trips was to Indiana with my daughter, Elizabeth.  When your 19-year-old daughter wants to take a three-day trip with you someplace, you jump at the chance.  One of the things we did together along the way was see the movie "Avengers."  Normally, I would not have gone, but again, I refer you to the previous sentiment.

Iron Man, the Incredible Hunk and their fellow super heroes made for an entertaining story, and the film is well-done.  I would see it again (something I hardly ever do) and recommend it for your viewing pleasure.

I also recommend persons spending a little time reflecting on who their heroes are in real life.  No one I know can "fly faster that a speeding bullet," but there are some pretty incredible people out there.. I think of those who serve our country in various ways.  I think of paramedics and ambulance drivers, police and fire fighters.  Those who serve in the military.  There are myriad greater and lesser individuals making a difference in various ways.

My nomination for one of the greatest, is a man I have had the honor of getting to know from Alexandria, MN: Dr. Lowell Gess.  He has spent 60+ years in Africa developing eye clinics in several countries.  He has performed tens of thousands of surgeries literally giving men, women and children back their sight.  When he gives his Christian testimony and says "I once was blind, but now I see" to his patients, they truly understand what it means in a deeper way.

That is the REAL world, and to me, he is a REAL super hero.  The "Avengers" has made over 1 billion dollars, but I wish more people would want to see and learn about what Dr. Gess has accomplished. Two types of heroes. One is entertaining.  The other is inspirational.  Let's not confuse them.    

  

I spent Saturday at the Festival of Nations, an annual event in St. Paul, which hosts several dozen artisans, food vendors and dancers from around the world.  I have always loved this event, even before learning that Steve Heckler, one of our own at Northern Light, is the coordinator.  I'm not much of shopper, but do appreciate the artisans' handiwork.  I love seeing all of the people in this mini-global village, and can't help by thinking that this is how God sees the world.  But, mostly I go for the food and especially, the dancing.

I grew up with parents who danced.  With my German/Finnish background, that meant polkas, waltzes and such.  It's great to have learned later that almost every nationality has their own folk rhythm and dance.  Some are measured, some flamboyant, some quiet, some loud, all help increase one's aerobic conditioning.  King David and Miriam, in the Bible, both danced joyfully as a way to celebrate their connection with the Almighty.  Seems to me all of us do whenever or wherever we tap our foot, clap our hands, do the Hokie-Pokie or full-out "boogie."

I've heard many people tell me about being raised in a church environment where dancing was not allowed (along with other things, like lipstick and playing cards).  What a pity.  At any church with which I am involved, it not only will be tolerated, but encouraged.  So, as the song says:  "I Hope You Dance" ... even if it only to "put your right foot in and shake it all about."  You'll be happier for doing so.

I'm happy that Northern Light Church will be partnering with Inspired Prayer Ministry, a group Kenyans who will be meeting in our building at least once a month starting in May.  I met with them at our site about two weeks ago to show them the facility and talk about schedules.  IPM is group of women and men who pray for newly immigrated Africans in their homes in the Twin Cities area.  Once a month they gather for worship together and that's where we fit in.

Being a busy pastor at two suburban churches, I was happy I could "squeeze in" a little time to talk with them about their ministry, building needs, etc.  While locking the door after we finished, one of their leaders said "we should pray about this."  I thought to myself:  "Well, of course they want to pray.  They are a PRAYER group!"  I was ready for a little perfunctory prayer and thought we would all soon be on our way.  But NOOOOO way! This is a fervent group who take their prayer seriously.  Many blessings and petitions were covered as we held hands for several minutes, including prayers for myself and NLC.

It's important to be reminded that not all people approach their spirituality alike. 

I learned my lesson, a while back, when traveling in Sierra Leone.  The driver prayed for a safe trip before we got in the van..  When we got a flat tire, way up-country, he prayed before we got out and repaired it.  Once repaired, he thanked God in prayer before we got back in the van.  And he again thanked God in prayer when we finally arrived.  Not only would have I probably not have prayed at all, but would have cussed quite a bit when the tire went down.

What if we all prayed like our Kenyan friends?  What a difference it could make.  I think I don't pray as much as I should partly because I think can often just rely on myself..  I don't think being self-confident is necessarily a bad trait, but I should probably avail myself of holy "possibilities" more often than I do.

The IPM leaders have said they will be attending our worship for time to time.  They will be meeting on Saturdays, but will sometimes join us on Sundays.   It should be interesting, because I know they like to sing a dance before the Lord in worship for extended periods of time, too.  Praise God!   Let's hold hands and do it together.

Showings

I'm getting used to the idea of "showings."  We're trying to sell our house. The realtor calls almost every day to let us know that a prospective buyer will be at our house at such and such time ... and can you please kindly not be there. So now, when we leave in the morning, we have to make sure the house looks right, just in case they call because there might be a showing before we can get home to make things look presentable.

Making things look presentable involves cleaning, getting rid of any clutter, making the place look warm and inviting, putting out the welcome mats and having chocolate in the candy dish.  It also involves turning on all of the lights.  There can't be any area that seems dark.  We've even moved a few lamps around in order to make sure the light shines everywhere.  I'm sure our electrical bill will be high.  Its one of many reasons I hope we actually sell the place soon.

Used to be I thought of SHOWING in a different way, as in "something's showing."  As in a piece of undergarment or something else that the public should probably not be seeing, intentional or not.  But now I view the word in a more positive light.  It actually feels good to be showing a home that is clean, etc.

This got me to thinking about my personal life.  What do people "see" when they are around me?  Do I live a "clean" life?  Am I concentrating on what is important in life, and not cluttered up with needless trivia pursuits?  I am warm and inviting?  Do I welcome people around me and truly enjoy their company?  How many dark shadows do I have where I try to block the Light from reaching?  Oh that I would always feel as good about the showing of my personal life as I do our house right now.

Something's showing all the time, whether we admit it or not.  Might as well try to make it presentable.

something Better

I used a well-traveled Easter illustration in my sermon on Sunday.  But, funny how they come alive sometimes.

The illustration goes like this:  A woman was dying of cancer.  She called the minister over to the house to talk about her last wishes, and said, "When I'm lying in my coffin, I want to have a Bible in my left hand and a fork in my right."  The minister understood the Bible request, but was perplexed by the other one.  She continued on, saying, "I've always enjoyed church potlucks with the food, friends and everything.  But, my favorite part was always toward the end, at dessert time, when someone would clear the table and then say 'keep your fork,' because I knew something better was coming."

I went to visit a woman in hospice.  We talked about her condition, and after a while, she brought up the fact that she didn't have very many more days on this earth.  I bravely said, "Something better's coming," not sure how she would respond to it.  She said, "You're absolutely right.  I'm going on a long trip, and looking forward to it."

If we could only all be so ready.  I'm keeping a fork on my desk.

A Different View of Holy Week

I had a conversation a couple of days ago with a man who told me he thought Jesus was a peaceful anarchist.  That's a pretty inflammatory word, whose definition I wasn't quite sure of, so I looked it up.  I know it's old-fashioned, but I still use the dictionary right next to me on the shelf in my office on occasion.  It read: "absence of any cohering principle, as a common standard or purpose: disorder and confusion."  Not sure I can go with calling him one.  But, the point is well made.  He was definitely a radical "disrupter."

I like the pomp and circumstance of  Palm Sunday, the drama of Holy Week, the hope and promise of the resurrection, the brass quartet on Easter Sunday and saying "He is Risen!" as much as anybody, but my friend did cause me to re-think the events that happened two thousand years ago that we "celebrate" this week. And since "re-thinking" is what my denominational leaders are asking us all to do, I submit this for your reflection. 

Think about it: A king would have rode in on a horse, with armor and a helmet, and with many others dressed the same way.  Jesus rode a donkey.  That's quite a slap in the face to the Roman authorities.  Then he went to the temple, not exactly respecting and receiving a blessing from the local clergy and denominational leaders, but instead overturned some tables.  Then he went on before the judges and didn't exactly follow due process.  When asked to state whether he was guilty or not, he skirted around the question by saying: "Well, YOU say I am." Then, while dying on the cross, he says to his executioners and enemies in general, "Father, forgive THEM."  (for THEY don't know what they are doing)  Then when they think they got him in a grave, he disappears and soon after starts APPEARING to a few select people, giving them hope, just when the authorities thought it was over and done with. 

This is not business as usual.  Which, I guess, is the whole point.  I can go with the "peaceful" part of my friend's statement.  But, to say there is an absence of principle or purpose would be wrong.  The principles (lessons learned) seem to be 1)  violence is not the end all, 2)  forgiveness will prevail over condemnation, 3)   God's ways (process) are not the same as ours.  

I'm think I'm ready to seriously look at a broadened view of Holy Week: Jesus, the rabble-rousing "disupter." As long as we keep the Hallelujah Chorus. 

Sunday Schedules

A couple of Sundays ago, I took the morning off.  Yes, I was in town, not at the cabin or anything.  Didn't have to take my kids to any sports tournament. No relatives were coming over, so I didn't have to clean the house. I wasn't on vacation. I didn't really have a any good excuse not to go to church (and I'm a pastor!)  I was a little under the weather, but could have easily made it.  I simply asked the other pastor if I could take the morning off and he said, "Yes."  (thanks Bill)

Not that I'm going to do it all the time, but I did learn some things.  Mostly, that it was pretty nice to sleep in, drink a cup of coffee, leisurely read the entire paper and eat a late brunch.

Knowing where my paycheck comes from, I won't be doing this very often.  I also know I didn't want to go all day without going to church. I wanted the time with God, the community, the fellowship time (and the cookies?)  So I went to church, as usual, at 5 p.m. at Northern Light and got fed.

What I don't understand, is why more people don't do this.  It's kind of a re-structuring of the way people think about their Sundays, but it seemed to make sense to me.  Stay out late Saturday evening if you want.  Go to Grandma's for brunch. Watch a little TV.  Catch up on the laundry, fix the leaky faucet, rake the leaves, whatever ... relax a little ... and then go to church.

If I could get away with it more often, I definitely would.   

Farming

I never thought I would like farming.  I grew up in the country, but not FARM country.  We used to drive by some farms, though, on the way to the suburbs, where I have lived for the last twenty-seven years.  Even though I've been fully itinerant as a United Methodist minister, I've always secretly prayed I wouldn't get sent to farm country.
I may have to reconsider.
Our work team just back from farming in Jamaica.  We planted 144 avocado tress within two acres on a hillside by a school we support there.  I knew it would feel good to help the local agricultural students to learn the basics, and that it would feel good to help the school become more self-sustaining.  What caught me by surprise was how much I enjoyed digging in the soil. 
Others have told me how great it can be, including my wife, who, unlike me, enjoys her day off working in the garden.  I also remember another man once telling me, "Never trust anyone who isn't willing to put their hands in the dirt."  I thought he was rather eccentric.  Not so sure anymore.
It was pointed out to me that the first person created in Genesis lore (Adam) was a gardener.  "And the Lord put him in the garden to dress it and keep it."  And the Hebrews raised vegetables in Egypt. (cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic)
And when Jesus needed to talk with his Father, he sought the solitude of a garden. People who tell you to never trust a non-gardener, also say, "The most important growing which takes place in a garden is that of the gardener himself or herself." 
I know my wife will want me to join her out back this year again.  So far, I have resisted.  But, I might surprise her this spring.  And after I plant a few flowers and pull out the weeds, I might just sit there and have a little talk with the Master.

Volunteering is a Win-Win Opportunity

I'm delighted to be going to Jamaica again this week, not in the least because there are eight new people coming with me who have never been on a mission trip, let alone to one out of the country.  It seems everyone wins on a volunteer-in-mission experience.  The people and communities they serve benefit.  Trip participants become closer to one another.  Team members and hosts become close as they serve one another.  There is nothing like living, eating and working together for a week or two to build community and fell connected to others working to accomplish the same task.

Many times persons who volunteer receive just as much or more as the persons they go to serve.  Lives are touched and changed through their experience.  People learn what it means to put their faith into action.  They see the example of God's work through their hands.  A new school is built, a church is painted, or a new roof is put on an elderly woman's house.  Not only can the volunteers feel good about what they did, but usually the children of the school come to shake their hands and sing songs, or they might attend services in the renovated church, or they receive a meal cooked by the owner of the house.

Particularly when visiting another culture, participants also begin to question what they value, what they believe in and how they should live.  Statistics show that teens who are involved serving others are half as likely to get involved in risky behaviors.  Going on mission trips changes the way youth and adults look at the world, at the poor, at their time and financial commitments.  It may also change the way they feel about their church and what it means to be a part of a community of faith.

Volunteers also feel empowered as they learn construction, leadership, planning and interpersonal skills.  One might learn how to swing a hammer.  Another might share her gift of caring for children.  Many may even learn lessons of patience and flexibility when projects and timelines don't materialize quite the way they were planned.

Everyone wins on a volunteer-in-mission trip.  It is one of the fastest growing movements in the modern church.  The reasons are simple:  trips like these make the world a better place and make us better people.

Learning from the Less Fortunate

All last week our site in Anoka hosted overnight guests in the church.  These families are at a local day center (or go to school) during the day and stay in our Sunday School rooms in the evening.  We give them a warm place to sleep, meals, transportation to and from the center, and friendship.  We work with Family Promise of Anoka County along with twelve other congregations who agree to host them one week at a time for four weeks a year.  It is a wonderful program in many ways, not in the least that the faith community, county and schools all work together to do this.  Its called by different names in various places and is quickly spreading throughout the country.  The success rate of getting people off the street and into permanent affordable housing is nearly 100%.  We never see the same families again each time we host.  I suggest others look into this ministry.

Last Tuesday I was having a bad day.  The snow was beginning to hit.  I was in a crabby mood.  After eating dinner with our guests, three girls, ages 7-9, decided to spontaneously put on a "show."  What followed was about a half hour of singing, dancing, giggles and just plain silliness.  When it was over, one of the mothers said, "I am so blessed." 

Who knows what these girls had been through in the last few weeks/months?  But we were meant to sing and dance.  God put it in us.  At all times ( the Apostle Paul reminds us) we can "count it all as joy."

Lesson learned.

Learning to Love Yourself

I was out of the country last week when Whitney Houston passed away, but heard about it, of course, because she was an international star.  What great talent.  What a tragic life. Adored by millions.  Suffered from a lack of self-acceptance, never thinking she was good enough.  Traveled with an entourage of up to one hundred people, but still felt alone and depressed.  Raised in a good Christian family and loved Jesus, but sadly never quite learned to love herself, even though it was the title to one of her most famous songs.

Judaism's basic daily confession of faith, called the Shema, was repeated by Jesus when asked about the greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."  The two commandments actually stress THREE loves - the love of God, the love of neighbor and the love of self.  Many good people manage to do a good job of the first two, but fail miserably at the third. 

Genesis reminds us that God said "Let us make humans in our image ... in our likeness" ... and after doing so declared them all VERY good.  But we forget or don't believe it.  Self-love is not evil or wrong as long as we don't overemphasize it over the other two. As a matter of fact, it's just as important "AS" (Jesus' words, not mine) loving others.   If we take a balanced and moderate approach, it actually helps us be a more complete and functioning person.  And we are just simply loving the same person that God loves.

George Gallup has found out that people with a positive self-image and healthy love of self demonstrate the following qualities:
1.  They have a high moral and ethical sensitivity.
2.  They have a strong sense of family.
3.  They are far more successful in interpersonal relationships.
4.  Their perspective of success is viewed in terms of interpersonal relationships, not in materialistic terms.
5.  They're far more productive on the job.
6.  They are far lower in incidents of chemical addiction.
7.  They are more likely to get involved in their community.
8.  They are far more generous to charitable institutions and gave far more to relief causes.

At Houston's funeral service, Kevin Costner remarked that as she entered Heaven, God could finally tell her that she was "good enough."  Truth is, she was good enough all along.  It's true for all of us. Let's try to remind each other of that ... maybe even daily.

Imagine No Malaria

My brother, Rich, served in Liberia for the Peace Corps in the 1980's. Living "up-country," he helped design and build roads to remote villages.  While there, he contracted malaria.  Thanks to good medicine and medical personnel provided by the Corps, he was fine.  Ten years later, I started going to West Africa myself to build schools, and met many people who suffered from the disease.  I know what the symptoms of it are after personally experiencing them - mostly uncontrollable "chills," nausea and a few other things I won't mention.  I've never had it bad, but cannot give blood when the American Red Cross comes to our church.  Again, thanks to vaccines, I don't suffer from it much.

That is not true for many of our friends around the world.  In Sierra Leone, where I've been a dozen times, 38% of children below age 5 die from malaria.  Routinely, parents don't name their children until they know whether or not their newborn is going to live. Four out of ten outpatient cases are malaria related.  It is a SERIOUS problem.  Recent findings from the New England Journal of Medicine state that 200 million people are sickened by malaria each year. 

Bill and Melinda Gates have decided they cannot stand by and not do anything about this.  They've given hundreds of millions of dollars in an effort to eradicate the disease, mostly by funding research to find new, more effective vaccines that can be inexpensively spread through out infested areas.  Preliminary results are encouraging, with the risk of being infected about half of what it used to be.

The United Methodist Church is concerned, also.  Our denominational relief agency (UMCOR) has trained 3,500 volunteers in an effort to eliminate the spread of the disease. Some of them are in Sierra Leone, where they distributed 400,000 bed nets through Operation Classroom, part of 3 million distributed country wide in partnership with other organizations.  Village leaders were also trained in ways to slow the growth of mosquitoes which carry the malaria parasite.

I urge you to "imagine no malaria" in the world.  That is the official name of our United Methodist campaign, too.  Google it to find out more.  Let's all be part of the cure.  The children of the world are waiting for us.   

Room for One More

So there's a big game this Sunday night.  Some giant guys are playing some patriotic ones.  They hail from two cities we don't care much about unless we live there.  Most people have never met any of the players.  But that doesn't matter.  They will pummel each other over a funny shaped ball for about three hours.  I don't know why they just don't give each team one.  Then they wouldn't have to fight over it.  

I know it's a big deal, because I've been invited to three different parties, even though they know we have worship services at the time. They have assured me that they would have room for one more.  It's great to get the invite, but did they really think I might skip leading a service in order to see the game?

There's a lot to be said, though, about making room for one more.  I remember when we used to have family dinners growing up. Frequently, my grandfather would come waltzing in just in time to sit down to eat.  It was okay to do that where I come from.  Friends could call a half hour before the meal and invite themselves over.  Once in a while my relatives would call and say they were in town and would like to visit for a couple of days.  An hour later they would be at the front door.  This unfortunately happens less often now as families move geographically and emotionally farther and farther apart.

The tradition of the empty chair is a fixture at the greatest Jewish feast of the year, called Passover.  Malachi reminded the Hebrews that an empty chair at the table, and a front door left slightly ajar, symbolically welcomes Elijah to come and join the feast.

These days people seem to be able to find room for one more person at the big party, or one more charge on the credit card, or one more shirt (on sale!), or one more toy in the garage, or one more dessert.  I've been guilty of all of them.    But what would it take to make room for one more name on our "need to visit list," one more hour of volunteer work, one more call to someone who is lonely or struggling in some way , or one more meal for someone who is hungry?  Probably taking something away.  Or as Jesus would say:  "Stop building barns you don't need."  
 

... on worship

I didn't really mind the weather-related extra drive time getting to work today.  I just turned on the radio and listened to the local jazz station.  There seemed to be many others on the road with supposedly more important places and events to get to in a hurry.  Just glad they didn't hit me.

I've been converted.  The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and Blood, Sweat and Tears was the music of my youth.  I flirted with disco in the seventies, but everybody makes mistakes.  Once I found out about jazz, I learned the error of my ways, and will never go back. I listen to it and play it now whenever I can.  It's the music I hope to hear in heaven. I could go on (and have on a number of occasions) about the beauty and primal energy of its rhythms, intricate harmonies and sophisticated chord progressions; how it encompasses the passion of classical music, the soul of Gospel, the phrasing of poetry; and its roots in American culture.  Most people don't care.  That's okay.

What I like most about it is its "spirit," specifically the spirit and intent of improvisation.  Jazz musicians pick  an initial key and head in a certain direction.  They usually play the "head" (the melody that's written down) for the first round through the song, then take turns bending and twisting it in various ways. The key, time signature and syncopated beats may change, too.  No honest jazz soloist actually knows exactly all of what she or he is going to play ahead of time.  They just "feel" it and go with the flow.  That's what makes it so interesting and fun for some to listen to, and so frustrating for others.

There are times in life when it's good to precisely follow the rules and a prescribed plan ... when a pilot is flying the plan I'm on, for instance, or when a surgeon is operating on me  Although, being acquainted with a few medical professionals, I know its not always an exact science.  But most of life is just not that way.  We head a certain direction, but things happen ... sometimes unexpectedly.  Because of them, we may feel the blues or feel like dancing.  We may feel like praying or feel like complaining.  We may need to hear words of hope and comfort ourselves or offer them to someone else.  But the "spirit" is in and through all of it.

You might not be surprised that that's how I view church life, too, particularly worship.  Lots of people debate over the proper place of tradition and more contemporary elements within it. To me, it doesn't have to be one over against the other. It's both.  Think of tradition as the "head" and contemporary expression as improvisation. Again, there are those who will argue the point.  But that's my theory, and I'm sticking with it, unless I bend it and twist it around a little, of course.      

Setting the Block

I've been on a few construction sites in developing countries where brick and mortar are standard.  Its usually good to hire an experienced local to lay the first few rows of blocks on a building, lest the walls go up crooked and look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The LTP might be a good tourist attraction, but it's not that desirable for practical purposes when it comes to schools, clinics and churches.  Blocks need to be aligned with those below it, or your building may become a disaster waiting to happen.

The song "Tradition," from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, comes to mind here.  Those who have seen it know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't, maybe you can order it from Netflix next month.  We build our future on the strength of the past.

When making the mortar that goes between the blocks, a person quickly learns that the right mixture combination is essential, otherwise the "mud" will be too runny or thick, and therefore not effective. It has to have the right ingredients and the right amount of each.

What might be in the mud when contemplating starting a new faith community?  Let me suggest it include authentic spirituality, celebration, Biblical grounding, being non-judgmental and caring, and the desire to really make a difference in the world.

I would hope each person in that community would have the same values.   Blocks have to be set in the same direction in order for the wall to hold up.



      

Foundations

I'd like to move to California someday.  My wife, Judy, and I have visited several times, from the north coast to "So Cal."  It will be several years from now, of course, because retirement is still far off in the distance.  So Cal doesn't have snow too often, and since I don't appreciate it as much as others do, it is a very desirable place in which to think about relocating down the road.

I know there are plenty of reasons not to live there.  Chief among them would be pollution, the highway system, the high cost of living and a plethora of "celebrities."  But I could get over all of that.  My wife has one other concern, though, that I don't share quite to the same degree.  She's worried that an earthquake is going to sooner or later shake the foundations of the place and half of the state will slip into the Pacific Ocean.  She does have a point.  And it does seem like there are more shake-ups worldwide that ever.  Or maybe we're just more aware of them because we're thinking of moving to California.

People in the Golden State seem to be maximizing their chances of survival.  They've long been drilled in what to do and where to go.  Few homes are without "earthquake kits" stocked with emergency food, water, survival gear and first aid supplies.

That's all good and well, but I guess I'm a little more concerned about spiritual quakes and shakes people encounter in their daily lives, wherever they may live.  Are we prepared for a maximum chance of survival if the supports we've built into our lives begin to sway an rock?  What if we lose our job and our standard of living is threatened? What if our spouse or child dies suddenly?  What if injury or an illness incapacitates us?  What if depression or despair starts to choke us? What is it that remains solid in our lives when all of our familiar surroundings are shaken and taken away?  

When people cross over the border from Mexico to the United States, I've heard the patrol officer usually asks five questions: 1) Who are you? 2) Where do you come from? 3) Where are you going? 4) What is your purpose? 5) How long will you be?  They seem like good questions to me.  I'll keep them in mind, just in case I ever do get to the west coast and decide to take a side trip to Baha.  Better yet to think and pray about them regularly wherever I may be.

Launching

I have a nephew, Steven, who is studying Aeronautical Design and Engineering at the University of North Carolina.  I have to admit that in social settings, when someone says "Well, its really not rocket science," its fun to brag that someone in my family actually understands the stuff.  Not that I do. Talking with him about the math and physics of it all, I quickly get lost and confused with technological terms I can hardly pronounce, let alone firmly grasp. He's headed for a NASA internship after he completes his Masters. And I believe he'll make it to Cape Kennedy one day and help launch a space shuttle or something  into the sky.

I know a little bit about launching.  My wife and I have "launched" three children out of the house into college and other places.  I've successfully launched a music business. It's stayed in orbit over two decades.  I once launched a watermelon with a homemade catapult at camp.  And I've launched watercraft of various kinds.  But I've never launched a church ... until now.  And I have to say its rewarding.

A team of about fifty of us are going to start regular worship services at the Northern Light Church campus this Sunday (January 8) at 5 p.m.  We've been dreaming, scheming, praying, visioning, and working hard for eighteen months to get them going..  We'll be a quarter mile west of Sunfish Lake Blvd. on Hwy. #10 in Ramsey.  If you like contemporary worship with soulful sax playing, serious discussion about spiritual issues, and good food and fellowship, come by and check us out.

I remember taking a tour of "Houston control" several years ago.  Never imagined then my nephew could be working there some day.  Never imagined I'd be helping to launch Northern Light, either.  My oh my, the Lord works in mysterious ways.