puzzled

Jesus instructs them to steal

2004-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

I posted a little of this on the Preachingplus blog and it is still bothering me so, I thought you may want to give your insights.

Luke 19:28-40

19:28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

19:29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples,

19:30 saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

19:31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'"

19:32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.

19:33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

19:34 They said, "The Lord needs it."

Could it be that Jesus asks his disciples to steal His ride? Isn't it a sin to take something that's not yours? Is it good enough just to say, "Well after all, everything is the Lord's"?

The sequence of this story is so strange. If only Jesus would have instructed them to go to the owner first and tell him, "The Lord needs it." But, this is not the case. Jesus seems to instruct them to go and take the colt--and if you get caught explain, "The Lord needs it."

What were the two disciples thinking as they approached the colt? What was their conversation like on the way? I must admit, I would have questioned this request.

Sometimes I feel churches and other organizations ask me to give because "The Lord needs it" and it feels like robbery.

I confess this scripture is a strange event and causes me some concern. How can I preach about it without honestly struggling through the questions above?

Has God ever instructed you to do wrong?

Lord, may our conversation be honest.

My friend Peter

2004-03-29T15:48:00.002-08:00

Obedience?

I like Peter Rabbit--for all the wrong reasons!

You see, I identify with him, especially the fact that he gets into so much mischief. Although a first-born, I have a strong craving for risk. The moral fabric of my soul is frayed from the constant battle I wage between the desire to obey the rules and my spirit of adventure.

If one were choosing role models, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail--Peter's siblings--should be the obvious choices. After all, because they are "good" and obedient, they get the bread and milk and blackberries for supper while Peter gets none. Plus, their cute little bunny outfits stay clean and neat while Peter's gets stranded all over Mr. McGregor's garden. Even though they are the ones the story honors, their lives seem droll and drab, lacking fun and interest.

The story highlights Peter's misadventures in Mr. McGregor's garden to tell us the moral of the story--"See what happens to those who disobey?" My response? "Okay. But I still want to join Peter for tomorrow's escapade."

The nagging question that emerges from Peter's story is, "What kind of person would I be had I obeyed my parents 100% of the time?" Strange as it may sound, disobedience has been a better teacher than obedience in my life. Instead being "obedient" like Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were "good little bunnies," it was the times I was squeezing myself under Mr. McGregor's gate that have taught me most about myself.

Is God asking me to lead a life of total obedience? Is that the kind of existence that awaits me as a follower?

When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son in a pagan ritual was God asking for total obedience or was he asking Abraham to argue/converse with Him as Abraham had done many times before?

When God placed the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden was His hope for obedience or a conversation about why the knowledge of good and evil would lead to death?

When the lost son returns and Father throws a massive party, it is, ironically, the "obedient" older brother whose heart has turned to stone. The older son, for all his "obedience" has not experienced what a relationship with his father could mean. So, what good was his obedience? This seems to be the question the story ends with.

100% obedience doesn't sound like the life God asks me to live. It doesn't sound as whole and healthy as it once did.

Lord may I not wonder so far as to lose my way home.

Spiritual Formation?

2004-02-07T05:09:00.000-08:00

I have been wrestling with "Spiritual Formation."

What is it? Can it be accomplished? How?

Spiritual practices seem so empty at times.

I have been led to a beginning question. One that is more perplexing than the first. If we are to gain any knowledge or experience of spiritual formation maybe we should contemplate this question first. Maybe it holds the key.

What is the soul?

There, I asked it aloud. Now it must be dealt with.

What if the soul is not something we have but it is more something we are? “It is the very life-pulse within us, that which makes us alive…As such it has two functions:

First of all, it is the principle of energy. Life is energy. There is only one body that does not have any energy or tension within it, a dead one. The soul is what gives life. Inside us it, lies the fire, the eros, the energy that drives us…

But the soul does more than merely give energy. It is also the adhesive that holds us together, the principle of integration and individuation within us. The soul not only makes us alive, it also makes us one.” The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality, Ronald Rolheiser.

What if spiritual formation was the nurturing of the fire that burns within us—the energy and tension that defines “alive?” What if it’s about finding a way for peace and tension to live in harmony?

What if spiritual formation is less about spiritual practices and more about nurturing that which keeps us from falling apart? What if it is about nurturing live giving relationships/communities?

What if spiritual formation was more about living with Christ than practicing Christ?

Lord, help me to be alive and soulful…

An “Acts 2 Church”

2004-01-30T15:40:00.000-08:00

Pastors, key leaders, and now pew sitters describe the ideal for the church as an “Acts 2 church.” What this usually means is the ideal definitions are “They devoted themselves…”and “They broke bread in their homes.” The small group movement has energized this phrase as support for the movement. However, I’m concerned with our limited reading of the second chapter of Acts.

First, I think it is limiting to suggest that the ideal for the church can be found in one chapter. The chapter is a response to one event—Pentecost. That may be a little bit like suggesting that the ideal time of a persons life is at birth and we should strive to return to that event. Certainly there are some wonderful traits of birth that motivate us, like innocence, however, I don’t see it as the Mecca of life.

The second chapter opens with the apostles gathered in a room for Pentecost. A wave of fire falls upon them and Jesus’ promise is fulfilled—the Spirit arrives. The bewildered crowd began to hear the wonders of God in their native tongue. It is possible to see this event as God’s invitation for all to join the family. God is coming to them not in His “native tongue” but in the common language of every people group.

The chapter moves to Peter’s speech. One interesting phrase that Peter uses is “Men of Israel…(22).” This is appropriate because these are Jews that have made a pilgrimage for The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). But, it is also strange because of what just happened—everyone heard in his or her native tongue. Possibly Peter is not aware that this movement is no longer a family gathering of Israelites or Peter has recognized it and now calls all to be a part of the family of God.

For me, this is God’s coming out party to the entire world.

The chapter ends with the churches response to the day. (42-47) This is the part of the chapter that we are somewhat infatuated with. “They devoted themselves… They broke bread in their homes…They had everything in common.” All of these are wonderful responses but aren’t we forgetting something? “Everyday they continued to meet in the temple courts.” (46) It is only part of the story to suggest that the ideal is meeting “house to house.”

In Acts 2 we find gatherings in homes, in temple courts, and in the large gathering of a crowd. The ideal of the church has many spatial possibilities for gathering together and finding family.

If we are going to promote an Acts 2 church maybe we should consider the whole story.

Lord may we see the entire story.

Omni-God

2004-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

In response to my last post, several emailed, called, and blogged back a concern that I was messing with the Omni-ness of God. Most were concerned that I was belittling God or at least making Him less than what He is.

The Omni-ness of God is a big conundrum. In fact, I think it is too small to think of God as Omni.

For example, we think of God as omni-present. However, we also believe that God can’t be in the presence of evil. Omni argues that both cannot be true. Yet, it is.

So, more to point of the last post, could it be possible that God is both Omni-knowing and an Omni-learner?

As Spencer Burke says, “Thinking that Jesus came to earth for us to experience God is only half the story. It is possible that it is as much God coming to experience us—to experience what it is like to be human.”

Lord may my definitions of you not get in the way of your holiness.

Faith--a new experience with God

2004-01-26T14:44:00.000-08:00

For some time now I have been interested in the qualities of God that are different between the first testament and the second--and why.

In the first testament there is the "Thus saith the Lord" voice of God. And, there is the voice of God that exhibits grace--"I am God, not man." These two voices at times seem in conflict. Perhaps God is trying to figure out how to relate to us as much as we are trying to figure out how to relate to Him. And so, Jesus comes.

The second testament exhibits the same frustration however, Jesus makes a decision that grace trumps law every time.

As God finds out what it is like to live as human, could it be that He is refining the way He hopes we will relate to Him?

For example,

[f]aith is the distinctive word of the New Testament, as much as love and far more so than hope. Faith occurs once or twice in the Old Testament, perhaps two hundred times in the New.

--London School of Economics sociologist David Martin

Is faith the dominate way Jesus decides that we are to relate to God? Why does faith make such a main stage appearance in the second testament?

Lord may I experience what faith is.

The Root of Sin?

2004-01-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

What if the root of sin is good--not evil?

What if sin is the excessive and unhealthy ways we express the passion of the soul?

God sets the soul on its way with a passion that is pure and good. When I explore that passion in excessive ways I sin. Thus, the root is good.

This helps me change my perspective on "how" to deal with my sin. I'm not sure that sin emerges from "the evil within." What if it emerged from an excessive use of good?

Lord, help my goodness to produce good.

If I only had a purpose...

2004-01-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

I'm driven. Ask anyone who knows me. I have an italic bent to my life.

But, do I have a purpose? Does God have a purpose for me?

If He does He seems to be a little confused about it. I mean, why does he keep it so secret? Why is it so illusive that over 20 million bought a book to discover it?

If God has a purpose why does He make it so hard to find?

What if He doesn’t have a purpose but, possibilities? What if God’s plan is emerging and liquid not static and set?

Lord, help me to find the person and not the point--passion and not purpose--You and not it

My Chrsitmas Wish

2003-12-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

I love to give.

However, that doesn't mean that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It usually means that it is one of the most frustrating times of the year. I struggle with this.

Why do I get so frustrated at this time of the year?

Maybe it's a frustration that comes from the obligation of giving. I've always commented to those who respond to a gift, "You didn’t have to do this,” with “If I thought I had to, I wouldn’t."

Maybe it's the frustration of wanting to give a gift that others would view as excessive. When I was 14 or 15 I gave my parents a nice "expensive" gift. I had saved some money and could afford to spend more than my sister. Mom and Dad enjoyed the gift. My sister was hurt. She felt her gift was useless in comparison.

Maybe it is the lack of surprise. One of the joys of giving is the surprise one experiences because it is unexpected. I enjoy seeing the surprise of the unexpected.

This year is particularly hard. I want to be generous but I’m experiencing some great frustration with some of my family. It's hard to be generous and frustrated at the same time.

Each year Sara and I make a list of people that we are going to get gifts for. Then we ask, "What gift would they have fun receiving?" In most cases we are able to finish the list with ease and with anticipation that we will really enjoy giving the gift selected.

However, this year the list was bare and aggravation set in quickly. We couldn't think of gifts because our view was clouded by the irritation of frustration.

It is interesting that sometimes we see God dealing with the same irritations. Seemingly at times it is hard for Him to be generous because of His frustration with us. (e.g. the stories of Israel and the promise land, Hosea, Noah)

However, the Gift of the Christ Child came in a moment of history when the obligation had worn from the years. The time was pregnant with for surprise. And, it was an excessive gift wrapped in a paper bag. The timing was beautiful.

In the middle of Hosea the anger of God is building to a frenzy. God is going to punish (destroy) His people for their disobedience. And then there is a phrase that changes the entire mood of the book. “But I am God, not man.”

In this one phrase God explains that even in frustration He cannot help but to be generous. His logic is skewed because of His generous nature.

My Christmas wish…that someday it would be said about me, “he so loved the world that he gave.”

"Woodstock"

2003-11-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

I can't help but wonder if we, those of us who participate in the postmodern conversation, are looking for "Woodstock." As we struggle for the future, will there be a defining moment that marks the beginning of the end?

Where will we discover the thousands who believe?

Who will be the one to invite us to the party?

Will there be such a defining moment? Will there be a "Woodstock?"

Lord, as we gather, keep us clean.

Loosing My Soul

2003-11-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

What does it profit a man to gain the entire world and loose his soul?

I have always been taught that the interpretation of this passage was:

What does it profit a man to gain the world and loose his chance for heaven?

I’m not sure this fully describes the struggle of the question. This battle seems much more chaotic than just my struggle for the credentials to enter heaven. Maybe the problem is in our definition of “soul.”

What if the soul is not just the part of us that lives beyond. But, it is the essence of life. What if soul is life? What if the soul is the energy for life?

Yet, we also know the soul is more than this. It is also the indescribable thing that holds us together. Thus, the soul may be the chaos of energy and the order of connectedness.

So, what does it me to gain the world and loose my soul?

What if the soul is what keeps you all “together?”

God help me to know…experience…find and love my soul.

Lord keep me together.

Shepherds without sheep

2003-10-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

As I was reading the text in Mark 6:34, I misread what it said.

In Mark, Jesus looks with compassion upon the crowd because they were like sheep without a shepherd. However, I read in my mind "shepherds without sheep."

Hmmm…Shepherds without sheep?

Could it be that Jesus now looks upon the church with compassion because they are a warehouse of shepherds without sheep?

God, teach me who.

No gods?

2003-09-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

As I was reviewing the Big Ten, I noticed something that made me stop and take a second look.

"Thou shall have no other gods before me."

Did you see that? It says "other."

What does that mean?

I have always been taught that I was to clear the plate of my life of "other" gods. The gods of self, materialism, and "idols" of life and pleasure. Yet, the command does not focus on removal. It is a command of order; a command of priority.

So, can I keep all the other gods as long as I keep Yahweh number one?

God help me keep your commands...

Have you found God yet?

2003-09-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

What if when the veil of the Temple was torn from top to bottom at Jesus' death the event was more about God being let into the world than us being given the opportunity to approach Him.

What if our responsibility is to find God in the world and make some observations and introduction? What if our main responsibility is not to take God into the world? (As if I carry a little container with a whole bunch of God wopin' in it.)

I wonder what we would find?

God may I find you...wherever you are.

Leading with Presence

2003-09-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

I swear to you I will not read another book based on the leadership style of Jesus.

Why not?

For several reasons. Let’s unpack just one that confuses me.

There are at least two times where Jesus has an opportunity to lead an anxious group forward and he runs.

First, Jesus is describing the competencies of a good shepherd and he says something like “If it were me, I would leave the 99 in the desert to find the one who has lost its way.” That doesn’t sound like a great leader. I’ve never read any book that describes a leader who leaves entire group for one rebellious soul. That just doesn’t sound like “getting the right people on the bus” mentality.

In another place, Jesus is talking to a group who are in their hour of need. And, again He runs. “I must leave you. I can not stay. But, don’t worry someone else is coming.” I haven’t seen a leadership model like this in the literature I’m reading.

It seems to me that a leader is to lead by presence more than being present. To build a movement based on being present will surely die. To lead a movement on presence requires one to leave.

So, maybe the question is “Will whatever you are leading continue to move forward if you leave?”

God you left the kingdom in some messy hands. Please let me be as wise.

Can I get a rain check?

2003-09-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

I started the day excited about an opportunity. I was asked to caddie for a friend who was trying to qualify for a senior tour event. Golf is one of my vises. I was looking forward to this as much as he was.

The problem: rain.

My friend is from southern California. He’s not use to the unpredictable weather we experience in the Midwest.

Rain!

What happened? I prayed really hard that this would be a great experience for the both of us. I pleaded with God that he would “fix” the weather so it was not too hot or too cold—just right please. How could God be so unkind? My friend spent a lot of money and time off work to be in the Midwest for this event. Doesn’t He care?

On ESPN radio I heard one of the baseball players thank God for blessing him with a hit that escaped the reach of the third baseman and won the game. Why didn’t God answer the prayers of the third baseman? Sure things worked out for the hitter but…

Maybe God was trying to teach the third baseman something. You know like Job. Maybe things will work for the best in the end for the fielder, like Job. Or will things work out for him like the family of Job?

What did God do with the prayers of Job’s family?

God you confuse me.

Small Groups and House Churches

2003-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

(This is a response to a criticism from a house church pastor to a blog I posted on www.theooze.com/blog.)

It is my observation that there are seemingly big (although very subtle) differences between small groups and house churches. Let me explain.

The Small Group Movement promotes that small groups are the place inside congregations that people find intimacy. Thus, small groups are developed to provide personal and intimate spatial relationships within the framework of a congregation. My criticism of this approach is that the movement has stated and promoted that everyone in a congregation needs to be in a small group provided by the church. I think that is a little suspect--to expect that everyone in the congregation needs their intimate and/or personal spatial relationship to be provided by the church. It seems to me that 30-35% of those who attend a congregation find healthy personal and intimate relationships within the congregation. The other 70% find these relationships outside the church walls and small group structure.

House Churches on the other hand seem to develop what it means to be a congregation within a small setting—the home. The movement promotes that all spatial relationships (public, social, personal, intimate) are healthy and can be found within the house church structure. House churches are not small groups if you use the Small Groups Movement’s definition of what a small group is. They are congregations who do the whole of what it means to be a church in a small venue. House churches are concerned about the health of the whole and not just a specific part (personal and intimate) of a person’s journey. I have found that most house churches do a good job at promoting a healthy harmony when developing relationships. I have also found some house churches that use the small group movement philosophy and they show a great deal of dependent-codependent relational qualities.

It is healthy to help people to develop healthy public, social, personal, and intimate relationships. Some of these are within a person’s journey with a congregation.

Am I missing the mark?

Okay, someone’s got me all worked up

2003-08-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today, I learned of a friend who was asked to leave their post at a church. He was called to lead the small group ministry. My friend has wonderful pastoral competencies but, he is definitely not an “A” type personality.

Unfortunately, when he accepted this post he agreed to develop a plan where “people would be in intentional community through small groups” and “60-80% of the congregation would be involved.”

This kind of brainwashing propaganda from the small group movement makes me ill! Okay, now that I’ve got that out of my system…

I have found from extensive observations, interviews, and research that these statements are fine except for…

1. Community is not experienced mostly through intentionality. Community spontaneously emerges from environmental influences

2. Small groups are not the way a majority of belonging and community is experienced in a person’s life. Most of these experiences are in public and social environments.

3. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to expect 60-80% involvement in your congregation’s small group program. This usually results in a dependant-codependent relationship with your congregation. Anything over 30-35% is a little suspect.

4. Who are we to assume we need this much “intentional” control over someone’s life? Most do well to find significant community and belonging in their life outside of your congregation. Why invite them into an incestuous relationship where they are not in contact with others on a journey to find God?

People are desperately longing to belong. However, they want to belong to a healthy community in a healthy way. People are looking for real friends and family not the romanticized version of what those family and friends look like and act like. They are looking for a real home not a congregations 1950’s view of what this means.

It is time we put away our narrow definitions of belonging and community and seek to see how people want to connect and find ways to help them there.

Lord, help me, my friend, and others find how to connect people to you.

The pointless things we say to make our point

2003-08-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

It was the teaching time of our worship service and tonight’s discussion was slated to explore the Fall. One of the “points” investigated how we lost our ability to experience “true” community at the Fall.

Unfortunately, our pastor in an attempt for some cheap humor decided to use the analogy of the fig leaf. “True community is a place where you can remove your fig leaf,” was his definition of community. “Thus,” he proclaimed, “you can’t have community here in this place (there are too many people) to experience true community you have to belong to a small group. That is where the fig leafs come off.”

I thought along with many others in the crowd, “That is exactly why I don’t belong to a small group.”

This definition of community (true community =intimacy) has destroyed our ability to talk about healthy relationships. It is a sickness in many of our congregations. If you are not intimately involved you don’t belong. And, the sickness leads to death as the assumption is made—you don’t belong to God either.

Because our congregation has made a commitment to be “a church of small groups” it cannot promote anything else but this sick, confused definition of belonging. We are trapped. And, those who have healthy intimate relationships in their life outside the church and thus don’t need the church to fulfill this need, are also trapped and made to feel guilty and on the outside.

I have many healthy relationships where an experience of belonging emerges all the while the “fig leafs” stay on.

Lord, help us to be healthy.

Out-of-towners way too close

2003-08-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last week Sara and I wrapped up a wonderful 10 day vacation in northern Michigan. We stayed on Lake Platte. The lake is near the Big Bear Dunes so its bottom is sandy and its water is clear. The vacation was so relaxing.

However, the relaxation was interrupted by people who invaded my space.

While at the local Wal-Mart getting supplies for a week in a cabin, the check-out lady went on-and-on about her personal life. Don’t get me wrong, I care for people as humans but, I don’t have the capacity to care about the details of everyone I come in contact with. All I could think as she explained how “rough” her life had become, was “I’m not your best friend and I really don’t care.”

Sometimes I struggle with just how “Christian” my attitude is. Should I care about the details of everyone’s life I come in contact with? I don’t know. But, what I do know is that people are continuously trying to connect. They long to belong. And, who am I to tell them they don’t belong to me?

I think congregations have some trouble with this also. They set specific ways to belong while at the same time not realizing that there are many who are struggling to belong to them (or who already believe that they belong). And, many times we make it clear, “you don’t belong.”

Lord, as I struggle to help people, let me never shatter the hope of someone who wants to belong.

Personality conflict with God?

2003-08-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

I know that there are those that I will never enjoy being in the same room with. We just rub each other the wrong way. No matter how hard we try we will never enjoy each others company.

Which begs me to question, “Is it possible to have the same kind of personality conflict with God?”

It was obvious that Jesus enjoyed hanging out with some more than others. And, in some cases some people seemingly annoyed Him. So, how does God feel about spending time with me?

Lord may my presence be like time spent with an old friend.

The Emerging Story

2003-08-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Story has been a part of communication since the beginning. Yet, it seems with several cultural shifts story raises to the platform as the newly found premiere form of communication and interaction. The current cultural shift is no different.

I have noticed that story is being discussed as the form of communication that “postmoderns” (pomos) are longing for. I agree. But, I’m a little concerned that we are trying to speak in story using the same formula that ruined story (in my opinion) through the modern cultural movement.

Unfortunately, the modern mind changed storytelling. In the effort to discover answers through formulas and logical thought, stories became less story and more interesting illustration to make a point.

As an example, look at the story of the tortoise and the hare. You remember, the tortoise runs the race against the hare with a slow, steady pace. While the hare runs in quick spurts and sideline distractions. In the end, the tortoise wins. The story is developed to teach the principle that through steady, hard work you will win the race. The story places a high value on commitment and consistency. Both of these were rallying benchmarks for the modern movement. Notice that in this story there is only one character in which you are to aspire to or to identify with. Even if you live life well as a hare you are encouraged to change to a life of a tortoise. There is only one possibility—one good answer. Yet, both finish the race. The formula makes for a bad story.

Or another example is what I call the Disney formula. Disney (and others) has made billions developing stories around simple decisions of Good and Evil, Love and Hate, and the Weak overcoming the Powerful. These stories also lead you to identify with one character. This formula creates struggles that are simplistic and answers that are too obvious. Again, possibilities are limited and unreal. This formula also makes a bad story.

Unfortunately, many have adopted these formulas for communicating God’s story. Yet, in His-story simple answers are not valued and the characters all have some identifying pull. Take Mary and Martha. How many have abused Martha? Yet, silently there are many “Martha’s” in the crowd. The story is told so that I identify with both Mary and Martha. I can see good to both sides of the story. The story does not request a simple answer and a “shame on you, Martha.” It is an everyday struggle to live in this world while at the same time struggling to attend to God. Simple? Hardly.

Or, what about the man with two sons? One is a prodigal. One is “good?” The story is not that simple. Both sons deserted the father. But, how many times have I told the story shaming only the prodigal to return home?

Those original hears even had trouble knowing who to identify with—the father? The prodigal? The “good” son?

In our efforts to communicate with the emerging culture in story, it is essential that we find forms of story that match with real life—more Pulp Fiction than Disney.

Lord help me not to abuse of the power of story with the simple formulas that soothe and don’t heal.

community and commitment

2003-08-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Community and commitment?

It is interesting that when I have listened (read, interviewed, heard) others discuss community, commitment almost always rises to the top of the conversation.

It is perceived that more commitment equals more community (real, authentic, whatever).
Commitment has been conjoined to community in such a pervasive way in recent history that we have been taught that the two are empty without the other. I’m not convinced.

Commitment is a motivational resource (at least the way it is being discussed in this conversation). It is a resource people use to motivate themselves and/or others. Unfortunately, this resource has been so over used that it suffers in effectiveness. Commitment can motivate others toward community. However, commitment does not make certain the path toward community.

Every month I am reminded of my commitments via monthly billing statements yet, I experience no sense of community. I’m committed to my wife yet, this is the last motivational resource I want to use to experience oneness with her (passion and compassion seem to be more fun).

On the other hand, I have experienced community in public arenas (e.g. IU basketball games) where there was no expectation of commitment.

Community is an experience that one grasps when the sum of all their belongs are collected in healthy ways. For example, when a person has a harmonious and healthy relationship between their Public, Social, Personal, and Intimate belongings. Then community (real, authentic, whatever) emerges.

Lord help me to be open to all the possibile ways that people use to connect with me--and mostly with you.

Who I am…the lies I tell myself

2003-08-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Setting across the table was someone I know well. As I inquired about their life, I had a “Dead Zone”—“out-of-body” experience.

His conversation was filled with vignettes of happiness. He spoke of future enjoyment. He unraveled plots filled with adventure. He seemed so in control. Yet, all I could see is sadness, discontent, and regret.

At another table sets someone else who speaks of despair. The future is so hard to bear is full of fear and darkness. She speaks of lonely nights and hopeless days. She wonders aloud about her lack of life contributions. She names and numbers the failures—they are old friends. She seems so out of control. Yet, all I can see is a hopeful, joyous, and exciting future.

The saddest parts of life are those portions where we believe the lies we tell ourselves.

We convince ourselves that we are much better than we are. We sulk in the pain of “knowing” we are much worse than we are.

Lord, help me to believe in the truth about myself and to have a solid sense of who I am. And, thank you for forgiving and loving the true me.

Accumulation

2003-08-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

I don’t know if you can stop it, but can some one help me with all the things I seem to accumulate?

I have accumulated a house full of stuff, a computer full of stuff, and an office full of stuff--books, CD’s, camping gear, shoes, clothes, dishware, silverware, cars, debts. I have pets, friends, family, friends of friends, acquaintances, a wife, a daughter.

But it’s not just material things and people who clutter my life. I have accumulated years, knowledge, some wisdom, faith and unfaith, thoughts, unanswered questions…. The list goes on and on.

My father-in-law has a habit that I admire. When he gets something new, whether a gift or he gets it for himself, he throws away something old. If I give him a new shirt, he will go straight to his closet and throw away an old one. “Why accumulate?” seems to be his theme. But, even with this discipline well in place he has several things he has accumulated that complicate his life.

The fact is accumulation might be unavoidable.

This puzzles me. I find that most people are not infected with an evil need for materialism. But, they do struggle with the complexities of accumulation.

The more I accumulate the more complex my life is--even when I accumulate “good.” The more time I spend with God, our relationship and the relationships I hold with others gets more complex.

A couple asked me, “If there is one piece of advise you could give a couple about to be married what would it be?” My response, “Keep it simple. Learn to accumulate well.”

I sure have spent a lot of my life trying to deal with the complexities of accumulation.

Lord, help me to live my life with simple-complexities.

The Friendly Skies

2003-07-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

I visit the “friendly skies” often. I don’t mind. I enjoy flying.

Flying on the weekend is very different than flying on during the week. The business traveler is seasoned and has generally mastered the art of being a “terminal jockey.” Weekend planes are filled with families.

Weekend traveling usually takes a little longer. People are not use to the new airport regulations. Some have not learned the most graceful way of getting to a seat as not to hold up everyone behind them. And then, of course, there are kids.

Kids are always stopping to marvel at the plane, the airport, the crowd, and, well you get the point. Weekend travel is just a little slower—just a step behind.

As I settled into my seat, I quickly noticed that I was surrounded by little kids. There were two boys behind me, a little girl to my right, and in front of me were these two “toe headed” little girls—about 5 and 3 years old.

All of these kids were very good. But, just a little louder than the normal weekday traveler. The little girl setting at the window in front of me was excited about everything. Soon we were lifting off the ground and she squealed like she was on a ride at an amusement park. Everyone laughed and enjoyed her innocence.

However, after a few minutes it became obvious that she was going to give a report of how high we were. “We’re getting higher,” she screamed with enthusiasm.

“We’re getting higher.” “We’re getting higher.” “We’re getting higher.” “We’re getting higher.” “We’re getting higher.” “We’re getting higher.”

For an hour-and-a-half, “We’re getting higher.”

The persistence of a child is so annoying. They never get tired of repeating the same thing if it entertains them. “Why doesn’t her mother say something to her?” “What good would that do,” I said to myself.

And then a couple of verses came to me.

“You must become as one of these little children….”
“How much more does your Father in heaven ….”

Lord help me to be a little child.

Again Lord, ……

God's name

2003-07-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

I’m a little confused as to what God wants me to call him.

I sat next to a delightful lady on a long plane ride and she and I talked about God.

“What is the difference between how I experience God’s family and the way you do?” she asked. She was a Jew.

This was such an insightful question. She questioned why we had such a hang up about heaven and hell.

“You believe you have been graphed in right? So, what’s up with the paranoia? I don’t get it. I teach Jr. High classes on Leviticus and it is very clear that if God counts you as part of the family—you are.”

I told her the paranoia stems from the fact that we are like an adopted child waiting for the Last Will and Testament to be read of your adopted parents. Seated next to you is the Natural born son—It’s just a little unnerving to wonder if your where really apart of the family all along.

“So, what do you call God?” she wondered.

“We call him by name.”

“You mean you call him the “Y” name?” her eyes opened with fear and wonder.

“Yes, I guess so”

“You guess so?” she scorned. “God said not to take his name in vain. Do you know what that means?”

“Well, I was taught that it mainly means not to curse with God’s name.” I was sheepishly answering.

“That’s not what that means. It means, don’t use God’s name as if it were empty—as if it had no power, influence, or meaning.”

God when I say your name may it fill my life with power, influence, and meaning. Teach me your name.

Natural-Born Cyborgs

2003-07-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

How will our faith change when we become more machine than human?

Maybe I watched too much of the Six Million Dollar Man as a kid. Maybe T3 is a little too fresh in my mind.

Think I've lost my mind? Think again.

With the advances in medicine and it marriage to technology, we are able to build and rebuild the human anatomy.

How will our faith change as we see natural-born cyborgs come to know God?

God guide me through the changes of my world.

If God is

2003-07-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

If God is for me, who can be against me?

Some days it seems like everyone and everything is against me. Pushing and tugging against me.

God must not be for me.

I can't believe that.

Maybe it's "if God is for me, who can prevail against me?"

Hmmm....

Yet there are days when victory is not present.

God must not be for me.

I can't think that.

It is a promise. If God is for me, who can prevail against me?

Then, who is this one who keeps beating me up and claiming victory over my life?

I can almost not bear the thought.

I am the only one God has given the power to prevail over Him in my life.

God help me to surrender my freewill.

Who Belongs?

2003-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

As I was reviewing some information distributed by Barna, I noticed that most Americans believe in God, consider themselves to be religious, and try to live accordingly. Yet, most do not attend a congregational meeting regularly. Hmmm....

I regularly hear this information presented in sermons expressing how we are going to hell in a basket or it appears in a sermon reflecting on the difference between belief and faith--us and them.

However, I think the question remains; Who belongs to God?

If a person is on a journey with God and believes in Him why do we question their "family" ties--why do we believe they don't belong?

For God so Loved the World....

God help me to include those whom you call family.