cairns

To be honest, in many ways I simply gave up on them.  But, most of this will be about where my hope rests.

Mathew 6:25-34 says I do not have to worry about man.  It is God who provides, and man cannot add anything by worrying about things he does not control.

Romans 8:37-39 says we are already the conquerors because nothing is capable of removing us from the love of  God.

The entire Bible confirms that God is profoundly interested in the widow, the orphan, the stranger, and the helpless — all those who know they have no other hope but God.

So, I am firmly convinced that the gifts God gives are secure; and no man, government, circumstance, or terrorist can remove them.  I am also firmly convinced that what God chooses to withhold cannot be given by man.

And yet, the Word clearly calls on us to care for the widow and orphan, to love justice, and to provide for those in need.  Because the mystery of our resurrection in Christ through baptism places us as the current body of Christ on Earth, we are called to do those things that God does.  And, this brings me up short of over concern with government on another front.

When the conservatives are in power and want government to serve the interests of war and industry, I am tempted to complain that they do not do what the Biblical texts call on governments to do.  Then, I am brought up short.  It says that I am animated by the very Spirit of God and called to do those things.  I find no mention of the government as an entity experiencing the same grace or call.

When the liberals are in power and want government to step up and do the work of caring for those in need, I am tempted as much as my most conservative friends to grouse about everything the government does costing me more money while providing little to those who work for a living like my family.  Then, I am brought up short.  If I, if the Christian community — (Both Jews and Muslims also claim to believe in the same Old Testament God who compels justice for the powerless.  Native American practiced it most of the original cultures of this continent with no claim to the Gospel mandate. The list goes on.  But, my faith and hope are within the context of Christianity.) — again, if we who claim to know, love, and serve the God of mercy had taken care of the infirm and the destitute [to the measure of their need rather than the salving of our consciences] there would be no issue for the government to try to solve.  I have worked with families in these situations for most of my career, and I know they are real.  I have tried to give their children hope through education and exposure to Truth.  But, I know the issue is real.  I know my God calls us to minister to the need.  So, when my government tries its feeble best to do human engineered solutions the limit to my anger is conviction.  We were supposed to care for our neighbors and enemies as children of the same God.

I am a political cynic.  Whatever the government does will most likely cost me money and solve very few problems.  But, I am an optimist in faith that life does not come from governments.  It is by the ongoing gifts of God that we have our being, our meaning, our sustenance, and our hope.

The king is dead, long live the King.

peace

Comments Off

Just read a post on a friend’s blog quoting Bonhoeffer about Christ’s call being one to “‘come and die.’ and some people sooner than others.”  And I am thinking about my own recent posts and many things I have written before of a similar nature.  And I think something new (or old and too easily forgotten) is creeping into my consciousness.  All humans are on the path to death, some sooner than others.  In terms of being on the path to physical death, it makes no difference if we follow Christ, Muhammad, or the Rolling Stones.  We die.  We cannot predict when, where, or why.  Mortal flesh breathes for awhile and then returns to dust as the author of Ecclesiastes clearly cries.

So what is our meaning when we dwell on Jesus call, to pick up our cross?  I think death is not the point.  We can do that without Him, thank-you.  I think the call to pick up His cross is to carry our humanity with meaning and purpose — eternal meaning and purpose, and just maybe with less belly aching about it as if we are somehow unique.  On the cross did Christ declare the victory of death, of suffering, or of life?

What if Christ’s call to carry our cross is to declare the victory of life in our being, working, sharing, living, breathing, and yes even in our dying?  Is that not the evangel?

Wouldn’t this change our “Biblical” perspective on care for not just our fellow man, but literally the earth and all other life?  As long as we are hung up on death, what cause is there for sympathy to the death of other life?  But, if carrying the cross of Christ is carrying the ultimate victory of life, then how far do we carry it?   How broad is our understanding of the meaning of that cross as the redeeming victory of life for all the earth?  What does it mean if we believe the King who loves every sparrow has arrived and declared that His kingdom is upon us?

I like the cross I wear with the star of David around it for several reasons that I often have to explain to people.  But, one I seldom take time to talk about is simply that the instrument of death is surrounded by a shining star!  I dare not walk into my classroom carrying death to tomorrow’s children.  No, I will go with a shining affirmation of the great meaning of life (which contains suffering,  sacrifice,  and death).

And when it is our turn to die?  I still believe, we win!

peace

5 Comments »

A friend and pastor recently told me that he perceives me to be a person who wants to be liked, to be accepted. He further counseled that I need to realize that I am fully loved and accepted by God and that others and the church have nothing more to offer me.

I have been mulling it over for a while now.

There is some truth in it on the obvious level as stated. Most of us prefer to be liked than disliked, prefer to be accepted than rejected. Having been rejected by my family’s church, does perhaps make that stronger in me at times. Still, my position with God was established firmly a long time ago as was my acceptance of it. That is not the issue. (I think my career demonstrates a stronger need to do what is right than to be accepted. But, I should let others who have observed me decide that.)

There is something more. I have taken the other path. I have been the crusading fundamentalist defending doctrine and correct positions whether you like me or not. I was good at winning arguments and ‘proving’ points. I was not good at lifting up the other person involved or listening for God’s leading (I already knew everything!) And it was harmful to everyone involved. It did not make a better church. Looking back, I was unlikeable and unacceptable to me. My behavior was, I believe now, unacceptable to God.

So, when you see me self edit; when you see me back off from the quick comment; when you see me decide not to go there, it may be about you. I will no longer assert my every view in a context where it will cause dissension or anger. When I pause, it is not (at least not just) a matter of, “Will they like me?” It is truly an attempt to discern what is the Spirit’s leading? Where is this going? Is this edifying?

The result is often to behave in a way that is more like-able, more socially acceptable, than in my past. If the Spirit tells me to take the path, already suggested by some who read here, to offend you — rest assured, I will. But, I will listen very carefully and discern carefully first because I have already been there.

I am still struggling with the church having nothing further to offer me. And, I edited out the rest of this paragraph because I keep saying, “God is telling me this,” and everyone keeps responding, “No, He is telling you that. Now quit pushing.” I will wait and see what He does and know which voice was true. Not to make you like me, I simply have not seen another path — yet.

peace

4 Comments »

It was a good week, a busy week, a tiring week, but a very good week.

My youngest and I have chosen a trip for this summer that will stretch us both in new ways and connect us to new people.

I also found out that I am switching what I teach again next year.  Looks like I will have a self contained room full of fourth graders.  Fourth was always my favorite grade before I moved into administration, and I love having the same group of kids all day so there is enough time to use different methods and to teach concepts across subjects.  Plus, it will keep my work with graduate students more real to be adjusting to a new format and experimenting in my own room.  There is also the possibility that I might be allowed to stay with the students for two years as their fifth grade teacher and make a real impact on their lives.  I am excited about it.

Still, there was my presentation of Missions 101 today.  There I was again, choking up when discussing God’s unrelenting mission to bring mankind back into full fellowship, celebration, and worship.  It went well.  People said, and were past expressing, that it struck some very deep chords.  And, I know my heart is longing to be doing this 24/7.  I am wired and called to teach things more eternal than multiplication facts and parts of speech.  They do matter.  The youngsters I teach, matter.  I enjoy doing it.  And, I live out the message, demonstrate their greater worth in every way I can, teach every concept within the knowledge that Jesus is there whenever we approach the “truth.”  But, I am not allowed to speak freely, to declare openly how divine they were created to be, to call them knowingly into the presence of God.

It was a good week — enjoyed in its own right — and in looking forward to new opportunities to  point far more directly to the cairns on the path into the kingdom.

peace

1 Comment »

Our dear friend S just did a wonderful exhortation for the church’s mission community on this text.  It really is an amazing passage, and he did a wonderful job of bringing it to life for us.  And, it has taken on a life in my meditations.

One of the major things he emphasized–beyond what I have heard countless preachers do–was this interaction between  Peter and God over the “clean” and “unclean.”  It is worth stopping to spend some real time on just how completely this revelation to Peter violated his upbringing, his church’s understanding of propriety, his understanding of scriptures (which matched ALL current practice at the time!), and his understanding of God.  It is shocking just within the context of the story as told.  Without, the clear appearance of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s stature in the church was not sufficient for people to accept his word for what God had told him to do!  I think it could be dangerously liberating applied to our lives today and our willingness to receive new understanding from God.  Liberating because our shackles and blinders would be loosed.  Dangerous, because I cannot imagine anyone in the church today who would be above our reproach for proposing a change of such magnitude in response to God’s private revelation.

Are we willing to hear God speaking to us and saying, “Stop calling unclean what I have made clean?”  With the hindsight of 2000 years, we think its easy applied to Jew and Gentile.  Most of us would fail to qualify for inclusion if it did not.  That’s easy enough.  But, what if our current church teachings, reading of scripture, current practices, and understanding of God were suddenly challenged?  Do we hold our boxes lightly enough to be able to hear?

Who would those “unclean” be?  We speak easily, but act reluctantly or not at all, of it meaning our enemies and those we see as persecuting us.  But, Jesus said those clearly.  They are easy to believe, even if difficult to do.  Who else might it be?

Could it include the “men of peace” (male or female) we encounter in other cultures and religions who already fear God and lead lives of holiness and caring for the poor beyond our own?

Could it include the poor among us so often labeled as drug addicts, prostitutes, and welfare cheats?

Could it include a true respect for life, all life, as sacred and not just man?  Could God’s saving love be for “the world” in ways beyond anything we who quote 3:16 have ever imagined?

Could it include gays, especially those who profess deep love for God in spite of all the hatred and vitriol dispensed by so many churches?

Do we proclaim wait a minute!  The teaching of the church is clear, I can quote the scriptures that prove it cannot be, they have not rejected their unacceptable identity and adopted our ways, God requires…  We are quoting Peter’s thoughts.

God says, “Peter, look in the sheet!”

God says, “Go to those I have chosen.”

God says, “Give up your idolatrous images of Me, and learn my true heart!”

S also pointed out that many scriptures already in existence for Peter and his associates suddenly became clear in new and previously unimagined ways after the revelation.  Perhaps Acts 10 is such a passage for us.

Just how big is God’s sheet?  How shocking might its contents be?  Do we want to know?  What might it call us to surrender?  Who might it require us to embrace?

peace

Comments Off